Sunday, August 26, 2012

Our Vintage Film (August 26, 2012)

Our Vintage Film is the perfect name for this Nashville based pop/rock band. They instantly sound familiar, classic and comfortable (aka vintage) but then just as you settle in they open your eyes and grab your attention like something you've never seen before (as film can do).  They released their debut EP, "Midnight Sun" last year and I love it.  From the opening moments of "Road Trip" to the incredible build up of "Midnight Sun" to the fun bounce and rap interlude of "Summer." Our Vintage Film is releasing a brand new single this Tuesday (August 28) and I cannot wait to hear it!  I hope you'll join me in checking out as soon as it comes out. And in the meantime you can go grab "Midnight Sun" and get into the mood.

Have a great week and enjoy the music,
Ira

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Jillette Johnson (August 19, 2012)

Jillette Johnson's debut EP "Whiskey & Frosting" has totally captivated me.  I'm always impressed when a first album sounds like a seasoned pro and not just someone with "potential." At times Jillette reminds me of Tori Amos or Regina Spektor, or I could understand a comparison to Marie Digby or Natasha Bedingfield but regardless of who she might be likened to she is just good.  I love the songs "Torpedo" and "Cameron" best from this EP but all of the songs are excellent.  You can get a free download of one of her songs on her website: http://www.jillettejohnson.com/index.php.

Have a good week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Allen Stone (August 12, 2012)

This guy is about to explode on to the scene so I better not wait any longer to tell you about him - but now is the time to go listen to Allen Stone.  Not to be superficial but listen to him before you go look at him - because I know that I was very uncertain about this kind of goofy looking white guy until I heard his voice.  An amazing R&B/soul singer who has a brand new self titled album out which is fantastic from beginning to end. You can listen to the whole thing on his website (http://www.allenstone.com/).  A few of my favorite songs are "Say So," "Satisfaction," and "Nothing to Prove." His music is starting to get more attention with recent reviews in some major magazines so jump on the bandwagon now - it's gonna be a great ride!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Celebrating the London 2012 Games with Emerging UK Artists! (August 5, 2012)

In honor of the London 2012 Olympics (which I am loving by the way) I wanted to share with all of you a few fantastic emerging UK artists.  Each is quite different from the other so please give them a listen...

Portia Conn (https://www.facebook.com/portiaconn) has just released her debut EP "Runaway" and this 19 year old has an incredible voice and sound.  Portia would do very well as an opener for Colbie Caillat or Sara Bareillas just for the sake of comparison. I love her voice and these songs are a great intro to this amazing talent.

Honey Ryder (https://www.facebook.com/HoneyRyderBand) is a band that I didn't expect to be from the UK when I first heard them - I was sure they were straight out of Nashville with their bend towards country.  But this London based trio is a modern day Fleetwood Mac - bringing wonderful songs and harmonies into the 21st century in a perfect way.  Their new album "Marley's Chains" is out now - available on iTunes in the UK or for us foreigners it can be downloaded from their web store (http://honeyryder.com/store/). And right now it's free (not sure if that's a mistake or not so I'd jump on that deal fast!).

Natives (https://www.facebook.com/follownatives) has much more of a modern rock sound (and some of you may recall them from their previous incarnation as a band when they were the called "Not Advised") - their songs are loud, high energy and a ton of fun.  They recently released their first single "This Island" which is fantastic.  You can also download another of their songs by adding yourself to their email list http://follownatives.com/.

The UK has so much to offer when it comes to great new music and I hope you'll give our friends across the pond the opportunity to be heard by more of us! 

Enjoy the rest of the Olympics, I know I will!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira