Category Archives: Music

New music by emerging artists.

“I’m Ready” by Patti Yang
19
Sep

As a teenager living in London, Patti Yang found herself smack dab in the early 90’s electronic music bloom. By the time Yang had developed her own musical voice, she was being courted by Sony and Warner Music in Poland. Yang’s impressive CV includes solo support for the Depeche Mode and over 10 major film score credits. Since the early 2000′s, Yang has delivered a steady stream of stunning EP’s and acclaimed remixes that have drawn comparisons to Zola Jesus and Icona Pop.

Yang was introduced as a solo artist in the UK in 2012 when she teamed up with Hurt’s breakthrough producer Joe Cross on two EPs, Wires and Sparks and Hold Your Horses. Shortly after releasing her last EP, she decamped to Joshua Tree, California for several months to write and begin tracking her full-length follow up, War On Love. The album was her first to be recorded partially in the US and the textured soundscapes hint at the psychedelic heritage of the Californian dessert.

Earlier this year she returned to London to flesh out the recordings with her trusted bandmates, combining her electronic sketches with live instrumentation to achieve a lush blend of ice-cool, boundary pushing pop. The release date for War On Love is undecided.

Her newest single, “I’m Ready”, just premiered on Sunset in the Rearview.

You may stream or download the track via SoundCloud. Plus, you may view the video for “Near to God” via YouTube.

“I’m Ready” by Patti Yang

Patti Yang

Publicity Photo by Patrick Duffy De Armas
mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly

“Dream” by My Brothers and I
19
Sep

Portland, Oregon-based northwest soul band, My Brothers and I, deliver an eclectic mix of pop on their debut album Don’t Dream Alone, released on September 18 via Expunged Records.

My Brothers and I bring a wide range of influences to their music, creating sounds that are melodic, soulful, and danceable. Their eleven-track collection is comprised of warm vocal harmonies, luscious grooves, and undeniable melodies.

The band is comprised of brothers David (lead vocals), Erik (bass and vocals) and Scott Wurgler (drums); plus childhood friends Jordan Roach (guitar) and Johnny Iliyn (keys and vocals). With this studio album, the quintet represents the idea of dreaming unselfishly. “People dream for themselves everyday,” comments lead singer David Wurgler, “but when you dream with or for other people amazing things can happen.”

Album highlights include the bright album opener “Dream,” the upbeat love song “Maddy Brown,” the late-night, dark soul of “Na Na Na,” the subtle funk of “Stay Here,” and the sparse and haunting album closer, “Scars.”

“Dream” by My Brothers and I

MB&I Cover Art

Image and mp3 courtesy of Alex Steininger of In Music We Trust PR

“Growing Younger” by Wilhelm Tell Me
19
Sep

Indie-pop trio, Wilhelm Tell Me released the single “Growing Younger” via Nordpolrecords on September 7. Bandmates hailing from Hamburg and Copenhagen include Henning Sommer (vocals, guitars, keys), Matthias Kranz (bass, backing vocals) and Paul Kaiser (Drums).

Last May in Los Angeles, Sommer met with Lars Stalfors, producer and key player for The Mars Volta. The two decided to work together to release this and four other songs on an EP titled A Short Story For the Road.

“Crashing Planes” is another track found on that EP. You may view its official video via YouTube. And, you may stream songs from WTM via SoundCloud.

“Growing Younger” by Wilhelm Tell Me

WTM Album Art

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music PR and Plugging

“Get Well Soon” by The Liquorsmiths
15
Sep

The powerfully dynamic folk rock trio out of San Diego, California, The Liquorsmiths, are known for their eclectic arrangements, compelling energy and poetic story-telling. Their style has recently been compared to Wilco meets Delta Spirit meets My Brightest Diamond, but retains a style and musicality all their own. Members hail from San Francisco and San Diego, California and New York, New York.

The group typically performs as a trio, but frequently features guest appearances by friends and family. Additionally, the group’s frontman, Drew Thams, is also known to perform solo when debuting new material. The Liquorsmiths have shared the stage with a variety of artists, including Mike Pope, The Marshall Tucker Band, William Walter, John C. Reilly, and many others.

“Get Well Soon” by The Liquorsmiths

Liquorsmiths 2

Image and mp3 courtesy of Matt Bacon, Artist Liaison at Independent Music Promotions

“Beautiful Smile” by Loren Smith
15
Sep

After years of singing for film and television, background singing for numerous artists, performing at Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and the Special Olympic Opening Ceremonies, singer and composer Loren Smith is stepping out on his own.

Backed by the producing team of Josh Stevens of LMFAO fame and K-Kov from Israel’s The Voice comes “Beautiful Smile”, an uptempo feel good track combining soul and pop music written by Smith. He has performed hundreds of concerts throughout United States, Canada and overseas, bringing his music to thousands of people worldwide. He has been lovingly referred to as The Luther Vandross of the next generation. Last week, in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Smith offered his fans a live version of his new single “Beautiful Smile” for Free download on Soundcloud.

You may view the video for “Beautiful Smile” via YouTube.

“My goal is to always perform with Integrity, Excellence, Passion and Skill, and to teach everyone, as I’m learning, to love themselves and each other better.” ~ Loren Smith

“Beautiful Smile” by Loren Smith

Loren Smith

Image courtesy of Amanda Blide of LaFamos PR & Branding

“Sugar Dream” by Valley Shine
15
Sep

Valley Shine was distilled from a love of whiskey, cats and bluegrass music. In early 2014, Jenna Blake was in search of a writing partner with an appreciation for folk music who shared her passion for songwriting. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Blake was influenced by traditional bluegrass music and roots rock like CCR, CSNY and Joni Mitchell. Blake discovered Sam Sobelman and the two met up to see if there was any musical chemistry. After a couple of writing sessions influenced by whisky, laughs and some banjo pluckin’, they quickly discovered their songwriting styles were a perfect match.

Commuting between Orange County and Los Angeles, Blake and Sobelman began to develop their unique folk-pop sound. They wanted to be more than an acoustic duo, so they sought other members to complete the band’s sound and enhance their artistic energy. The pair enlisted Troy Lawton (drums), Danny Severance (violinist), Myke Wilken (guitar/cello), and Stewart James (bass). Valley Shine’s debut EP is titled LOCA. You may view the Mikme live version of the track “Sugar Dream” via YouTube.

“Sugar Dream” by Valley Shine

Valley Shine

Image courtesy of Amanda Blide of LaFamos PR & Branding

“Break Free” by Only on Tuesdays
15
Sep

Only on Tuesdays is a pop-folk band compared to artists such as Ingrid Michaelson and First Aid Kit. Only on Tuesdays successfully raised over $10,000 via the crowd-funding site Kickstarter and through various sponsors, allowing them to record their debut EP, the Break Free EP. The EP was recorded in the home studio of Grammy nominated producer Bruce Witkin (known for his vocal production work in the Johnny Depp film Sweeny Todd) in Los Angeles.

Only on Tuesdays was founded by singer-songwriter Autumn Skibinski in 2009. As a solo artist based out of a small town called Eagle River in Wisconsin, Skibinski toured and connected with fans and musicians alike across the midwest and the south. In late 2011, she relocated to Los Angeles where she joined forces with several talented musicians and co-writers to help meld her distinct style with an upbeat pop-rock sound. In addition to Skibinski, Only on Tuesdays currently consists of Martin Valencia from Arizona, Tracy and Kevin Lambertucci of Venezuela, and Gabby Casanova of Mexico. Only on Tuesdays has performed at renowned Los Angeles venues such as The Roxy, The Viper Room, Molly Malone’s, and House of Blues. They are also planning a west coast tour for late spring 2015 to support the release of the EP. The band has spent the last three years writing, performing, fine-tuning and preparing for this release. Each of the songs on this EP were carefully and thoughtfully written from personal experiences. You may view the official video for “Break Free” via YouTube.

“Break Free” by Only on Tuesdays

Only On Tuesdays resized

Image courtesy of Nicole Acosta of LaFamos PR & Branding

“Dear California” by Water District
12
Sep

Emerging out of the Los Angeles music scene, Water District embodies the poise of city life and the allure of the Pacific Coast lifestyle. Water District was formed in 2012, and since then has captured listeners with an edgy brand of indie rock with topics ranging from love, the irony of solitude in California and The Legend of Zelda. Water District is comprised of Tice Griffin (vocals, guitar, piano), Zack Mueller (guitar, vocals, keyboard), Hunter Gurney (bass), and Ajay Awashti (drums). Together, the band offers a unique style influenced by bands such as Death Cab For Cutie, The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Silversun Pickups, and The National.

After releasing two albums independently online This Was Worth the Drive (2012) and Dear California EP (2013), Water District set out on a self-funded national tour in 2013 and hit major hot spots such as Austin, Nashville, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco.

In 2014, the band signed with the independent record company, Normandie Records. In December 2014, the band released Water District EP. In the band’s eyes, it is their best record to date and one that truly represents who they are as musicians.

“Dear California” by Water District

Dear California Album Art

Image courtesy of Blaine Prow via LaFamos PR & Branding; mp3 courtesy of Amanda Blide of LaFamos PR & Branding

“Never Be Apart” by The Pinstripe Pigeon Band
15
Aug

Modest yet ambitious studio project, The Pinstripe Pigeon Band, is a seven-strong pop force credited with the release of five well-received EPs throughout 2013 and 2014.

The band’s latest material showcases intelligent sophisti-pop, electronica, funkadelia and anthemic rock. The lyrics lovingly articulate personal experiences. The vocals hark back to Aretha at her most bombastic and Dusty at her most delicate. Collectively, the band soak up songcraft and live influences from Fleetwood Mac, The Band, The Beatles, Ryan Adams, Motown, Chic, John Coltrane, The E Street Band and Ben Harper.

The band has the benefit of two keyboardists, one melodically inventive Stevie Wonder, Oscar Peterson-esqe pianist and another more classical, akin to Ludvico Einaudi. They compliment each other perfectly.

2015 will see the pop collective spreading its wings and headlining Manchester’s The Castle and Liverpool’s Lomax.

Have a listen to the track “Never Be Apart” from the EP titled Sound Asleep, released on August 3. Watch the video for the track via Youtube.

“Never Be Apart” by The Pinstripe Pigeon Band

PPB Promo

Image and mp3 courtesy of Andrea Lynch of Blue Soap Music PR and Plugging

“The Depths” by Mark Kraus
10
Aug

New York City-based singer-songwriter, Mark Kraus, grew up in the kind of old Massachusetts town that had long past its day. Abandoned factories and turned to strip malls drove him and his friends to seek music as a way out.

Kraus and friends escaped to Boston where they formed the indie folk band Jr. Corduroy. 2002’s I Don’t Want To Be Around When You’re Gone For Good got some solid acclaim, such as a critic’s pick for The Boston Globe’s 10 best records of the year. Kraus moved to New York City shortly after and for close to the next decade began experimenting with different ideas, bands and projects. After the break up of his second band Tsui, Kraus abandoned music for close to five years.

His new album The Story of Everything is a reawakening. It is an immediate, cinematic, and at times heartbreaking solo debut that is both deeply personal and universal. The album was recorded by Kraus in Brooklyn, mixed by David Westner, and mastered at Peerless Mastering by Jeff Lipton. Musically it draws from influences like Wilco, Elliott Smith, Bill Callahan, Leonard Cohen, and Bruce Springsteen.

“The Depths” by Mark Kraus

Download the track via bandcamp.

Mark Kraus Album Cover

Image and mp3 courtesy of Jennifer Thorington & Samuel Markus of Working Brilliantly