Ohio Avenue (December 15, 2013)

Hold on Buckeye fans, Ohio Avenue is not from Ohio, not even close. This pop rock "band" from Huntsville, Alabama has a new 3 song EP out that I can't get enough of. Band is in quotes because it's really the work of one guy, Derek Williams, and whatever friends he pulls together.  My favorite song, and one of my favorites of 2013, is "No Such Thing As Goodbye" (those of you who know me from my full time work can be assured to hear this song in an upcoming end of the school year slide show!).  "Catch Me" has a bit more of a rock edge to it and "All I Ever Wanted Was You" is sweet and sentimental.  While their previous music is more grounded in Christian rock, this EP is simply mainstream (and excellent) pop music.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-tomorrow-holds-single/id677714775

The New Velvet (December 8, 2013)

Caroline Glaser w/ The New Velvet

There are lots of ways to build your fan base these days, and The New Velvet has taken a great approach by releasing one incredible cover song after another with some of the best up and coming female singers out there.  In the last few months they have collaborations with Caroline Glaser (from Season 4 of The Voice), Lara Johnston (one of my favorite new pop singers who will get her own Emerge feature soon enough) as well as Alyssa Bernal, Savannah Outen, and Ali Brustofski. Their covers generally have a more acoustic feel but they are all so good.  I especially recommend "I Will Wait," "What Now" and "Counting Stars."  They also have some originals out including their most recent single "Rain Check."   I highly recommend you check out their YouTube page where you can see and hear what they are up to: http://www.youtube.com/TheNewVelvetBand - so much incredible music to soak up!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Crystalyne (December 1, 2013)

Add Crystalyne to the list of great female fronted pop rock bands that already includes We Are The In Crowd, Tonight Alive, and Stars In Stereo. This Canadian group has just released "The Remedy," their latest and best collection of songs to date.  "Secret" was the first song they released and it's a great example of how good the band is. The rest of the EP follows suit and it's time that more people know about this outstanding group!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Set It Off (November 24, 2013)

Set It Off's latest album "Cinematics" is one of the best pop-punk/rock albums I've heard in a long time.  The album starts with a 30 second orchestral intro that I love (and yes, others have done this too) and it just sets such a powerful and ominous tone. From that point on I am just hooked on this band and album.  It is a total thrill ride from start to finish. If you like bands such as All Time Low, Mayday Parade, etc. then you should check out this band!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Gavin James (November 17, 2013)

If you've seen what's happened with the meteoric rise of Ed Sheeran, you may want to pay attention to Gavin James, a singer-songwriter from Dublin who has recently released his EP "Remember Me."  The title track is one of my favorite new songs that could easily become a mega hit song.  The other songs on the EP are all wonderful and have that simply beauty that show off his incredible voice and songwriting.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Kayleigh Goldsworthy (November 10, 2013)

Kayleigh Goldsworthy might be considered a folk singer but I think that label is too limiting and she is so much more.  Her brand new album "Burrower" has so much variety in it and each song shows a different side of Kayleigh's incredible talent.  Her voice is gorgeous and her songwriting is impeccable.  "Where The Summer Goes" was the first song I heard from her (back in May) and it instantly became a favorite.  It's a good old fashioned banjo picking country song and after listening to it a hundred times or more I still love it just as much.  "Let It Rain" is a more traditional folk sounding song.  "Ordinary Day" is a sweet, sweet lullaby in the purest sense.

There's lots to like here and you can stream the entire album at http://kayleighgoldsworthy.bandcamp.com/album/burrower-2

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Katie Lee (November 3, 2013)

Katie Lee, in her introductory promo video (http://youtu.be/QGxRaxXZN30), says that  she "has to do this" (when talking about singing and perfmoring) and I would agree - she has to - she's too good not to.  Katie has already attracted some top producers and I have faith that she will end up on a major label and her life will be forever changed.  Now is the time for you to find out about her before almost anyone else.

Katie's music is a beautiful blend of pop and soul and whether she is singing upbeat songs ("Runaway Baby") or moving ballads ("Something New") her voice is captivating.  While her songs are not yet for sale they are available for contributors to her PledgeMusic campaign (http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/theofficialkatielee) and I am excited to be part of her efforts to put out great music and make an impact in the music industry.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira