Category: emerging artists

Hardcore Lounge, The Villas and The Rocketboys

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Hardcore Lounge “Dance Of My Life”
Some bands just don’t fit neatly into a music category. Chris and Wes Johnson from Charlotte, NC have a background with The Johnson Family Singers. The band plays in a classical pop ensemble, with a variety of instruments and players including Mary Massie (flute, keyboards), Marco Heeter (bass) and Marlon Young (drums). The clean production work showcases what could be lounge pop with an avant guarde twist. I liked the brassy “Holiday” and quirky “Super Sized” – not power pop for sure, but you may enjoy it if labels aren’t that important to your musical experience.
MySpace | CD Baby

The Villas “Jamie” EP
This Austin band’s got spunk and loves loud melodic pop, in the Weezer vein. Lead singer Jonathan Berry snarles out every tune, with a crunchy guitar by Bryan Winter. But as much as they try, the band still has a long way to go and the rough harmonies don’t quiet cut it. The acoustic “Fading In My Mind” brings to mind those old Stones ballads, and I liked this tune the best. 
Villas Music | Bandcamp

The Rocketboys “Wellwisher” EP
Another Austin, TX band creates moody pop with anthemic arrangements, lead singer Brandon Kinder kind of recalls Sting if he was part of Coldplay. “Narrow Space” opens with strong drum fills, floating synth strings and Kinder’s strong croon takes over. The band has already begun writing its second full-length, which will be out by summer 2011 and feature a bucket of brand new songs from the six-piece group.
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Ladies Nite! New musical talent reviewed

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Automatic Loveletter “Truth or Dare”
Lead by the fearless Juliet Simms, Automatic Loveletter got my attention with the fist pumping anthem “Heart Song” and her distinct rasp will appeal to fans of Pearl Aday or Alanis Morissette. The lyrics are full of the drama related to heartbreak and overall the tunes are melodic despite the slick rock production. A very good debut.

Lola Spriggs “Nobody But You” EP
Lola is a  multi-talented Ottawa, Ontario based pop singer with a knack for catchy sweet songs. The title track, “Nobody But You” will bring to mind the best stuff Abba never wrote.  “I Wanna Love You” has a bouncy rhythm and lazy guitar riff that compares well with Sheryl Crow’s debut. Lola’s infectious voice makes this EP come alive and even the hokey country pop stylings on “Love On Rock” are a treat.
MySpace | Amazon 
Amy Regan “Gonna Get Better” EP
With so many good female pop vocalists out there you need a little extra to cut through the clutter. Amy Regan is a great songwriter too, and her success doing songs for TV commercials helped her break through. Her balladry compares well with Joni Mitchell or Edie Brickell on “Keep You Warm,” but the pop bounce on “Crazy” is what impressed me the most. This is honest to goodness pop that just makes you smile.
MySpace | Amazon | CD Baby
Jamie Bendell “Something More” EP
Jamie Bendell is a New York City artist with a wistful songwriter vibe that draws you in with a wavering vibrato in her voice. She makes the whole act of drinking “Chocolate Milk” a exercise in self reflection a la Ben Folds. “Rescue Me” is a compelling single as well, with a strong melody in the chorus.  If you’re looking for a more poppy version of Norah Jones, then Jamie Bendell isn’t a bad place to start.
MySpace | itunes | CD Baby
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Emerging Artists: Stu Lewis and Excuse Me, Princess

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FREE is good right? When it comes to “pay what you think it’s worth” music or just free, Bandcamp is a great site for artists just getting their feet wet. Here are two…

Stu Lewis “Waste Not What Not”
Stu Lewis counts The Cars and The Rentals as major influences for his synth heavy pop sound. It’s a solid 5-track EP featuring “With Authority,” “Don’t Really Matter” and “Stay Free” which have a good songwriting structure and remind me of Doug Powell or Martin Gordon with its multi-layered composition. A love letter to our first lady “Michelle” is a bit creepy, but it’s catchy all the same and the best song of the bunch here. Stu’s music is definitely worth your time.

Bandcamp 

Excuse Me, Princess “The Sun and The Moon”
Here is an arty 9-track album full of indie pop music created by Jack Campbell. Jack shares some vocal duties with Greta Konkler on a few songs like “Miss” and “Totoro.” Some ambient stuff, but plenty of spirited music – listen to the Cure-like “Fool” with it’s “do-do-do” hummable chorus and a solid guitar tune in “Stop The Flow” which has Velvet Underground and Bowie as influences here. This homemade album was made in his basement, and it’s got plenty of lo-fi charm. Give it a listen.

 My Space | Bandcamp | Itunes
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Emerging pop talent for June with FREE downloads

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Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and emerging talent this past month that you might want to check out…so much great music, so little time!

A Fragile Tomorrow “Tripping Over Nothing”

This slick indie band opens with “Man With A Bottle,” a Goo Goo Dolls styled standard. But I was really impressed with the Rickenbacker jangle on “Peaceful Days” and the descending harmonies in the chorus on “Something To Say” recalling The Rembrandts. The soothing rock ballad “Tupelo Song” is a favorite here with a wonderful guitar break and gorgeous 3-part harmony. “Dear Abbey White” is an unconventional surprise, with loud guitar riffs and low key vocals. The album shines best when it concentrates on mid-tempo pop like “I Never Said Enough” and “Captured.” The heavier blues oriented rock songs (“Thirteen”, “Hey Mother”) are okay, but didn’t stick in my head like the earlier songs. The band needs more consistency, but the talent is definitely there.
MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon | Itunes

Graham Czach “Lucid”

Graham Czach is a creative and accomplished musician, composer, upright/electric bassist, vocalist and guitarist. “Lucid” is Graham’s debut album where he combines influences from being raised in a household where Led Zeppelin and the Beatles were playing constantly, to being educated and trained as a classical and jazz musician. If you’re tired of John Mayers antics and want to hear a man with more talent, give this a shot. The classical composition is evident on the awesome “Abide” and the string filled “True Love.” Fans of baroque pop and Eric Matthews will flip over this artist.
MySpace | Amazon | Free Download of “Gather Round”

J.D. Reager “The Repechage”

A buddy of The Bulletproof Vests, J.D. Reager is also from Memphis and has his own label to boot (http://www.makeshiftmusic.com/).  His debut is sporadic, but the dense production is effective on “Wading In.” Fans of Adam Merrin (The 88) will enjoy the smooth multi-tracked vocal ballad “Knoxville Song.” Sure some of the songs overindulge in production techniques, but a few gems are to be found here like the piano lead “Ballad of Max and Grace” and the quirky “For Now” brings to mind Sugarplastic a little bit. This is an artist worth exploring and the album is FREE online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download at Bandcamp

The Maybenauts “Big Bang” EP

Fans of Girl in A Coma or Veruca Salt may love this band, a female lead glam outfit full of energy. The EP consists of 5 hard rock songs and lead singer Leilani Frey gives it her all. The songs are short, sweet and full of great harmonies as well. Their debut single “My Head Is A Bomb” was co-produced by Jane Wiedlin, the rhythm guitarist of The Go-Gos. So what is with the Panda on the album cover? What’s up with the token male here, guitarist Vee Sonnets dressed like a Panda at shows? Does he eat bamboo too?
MySpace | CD Baby | Listen at Maybenauts.com

Jac & Jill “s/t”

These girls are plenty talented when it comes to modern pop. Jaclyn Quatela and Jill Winter are New York artists with a strong music background, influenced by Motown R&B, hip hop, and rock & roll, but they don’t pretend to be anyone else. The autobiographical “Listen” is catchy as hell and unique to them. The cool “Mm’ Mm’ Good” starts with a solid structure and a fast-paced chorus. The single “Can’t Stop” is already getting lots of well deserved airplay. Fans of Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani and Beyonce should be paying attention to this duo now.
MySpace | Looney Tunes

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