Justin McMahon (February 3, 2013)

Justin McMahon's most recent release, "Second Chances and Irreparable Mistakes," is one of those special albums that you'll be glad to have heard before anyone else.  Justin is a rare musician who is both a poet and a singer, a story teller and a guitar player.  I love this album and was first sucked in by the brilliant song "Time Capsule." I have yet to see him live but based on what I've heard, it's clear that this is an artist who is incredible on stage whether he's with a full band or it's just him and his guitar. A true talent!!

Go give him a listen! And be sure to follow @emergemusic on Twitter - this is #FollowMeFebruary and we're trying to build up our twitter base.  Every day, all month, we're revisiting a previously featured Emerge artist going all the way back to 2007!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Alex G (January 27, 2013)

Alex G is Taylor Swift if Taylor was less well know and not still trying to pretend to be a country artist.  Ok, that's not actually fair because I think Alex has a better and more pure voice than Taylor (who I like but if you've heard her live/not in the studio, etc. you know that pitch is an issue).  Alex is an incredibly talented pop singer from Colorado who is quickly making her mark with great original songs (check out her "Found" EP) and some fantastic covers ("Thrift Shop") and collaborations (this is amazing - "Some Nights" w/ Tyler Ward).

Excited to share this singer from my home state and hope you'll check her out!!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

The Lone Bellow (January 20, 2013)

I was so excited to blog about The Lone Bellow and their debut album being released this week and then it started to happen. NPR featured them, iTunes showcased their song "Bleeding Out" as their free single of the week and Entertainment Weekly called them a "buzz" band in their most recent issue.  But I still don't feel like enough people know about this fantastic new band so I'm sticking with my guns and sharing them here too!

Their debut, self titled album is outstanding.  It begins with one of my favorites, "Green Eyes And a Heart of Gold" and goes strong throughout.  There is reason to liken them to Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers but I think this band has a sound that is all their own. I'd rather call them a cross between those bands and Lady Antebellum with a little bit of a country slant to them.  Check them out for yourself (and if nothing else download the free song from iTunes) and give them a listen!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

The CO (January 13, 2013)

Don't take this the wrong way, but in a year or so you'll probably roll your eyes when you hear The CO (http://thecomusic.com/) mentioned.  Because that's how things go when an unknown band becomes huge and suddenly everyone is talking about them, their hit song is on the radio constantly and you just can't turn around without having their music shoved down your throat as "the next big thing." But by then you'll have been a follower of this great pop/rock band for some time and you'll know all of their "old" stuff that everyone else is just discovering.

That's what happened with fun. and Maroon 5 and that's the type of incredible music The CO is releasing.  Their brand new album "Keep It Together" is brilliant from beginning to end so please give it a listen. If you need to be tempted with some free music head over to NoiseTrade (https://www.noisetrade.com/theco) and you'll get 20 free songs including two from the new album.

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira

Bastille (January 6, 2013)

Bastille is one of the most exciting and interesting groups I've come across in a long time. This London based band could (and should) be the next big thing out of the UK with their combination of incredible musical anthems and intriguing mixes that make you stop and start over to figure out if you just heard what you think you just heard.

Bastille has a number of songs and albums available on iTunes and are preparing to release a new full length album in March. But for now I highly encourage you to check out "Other People's Heartache" Parts One and Two (http://www.otherpeoplesheartache.com/).  These two full albums (totally free) show the range of this band. Just starting listening and you'll quickly hear well know song samples, lines from famous movies and much more.  Hopefully you'll understand why "Falling" made my Best of 2012 list (http://emergemusicgroup.blogspot.com/2012/12/best-of-2012-dec-30-3012.html).

Have a great week and enjoy the music,
Ira

Best of 2012 (Dec 30, 3012)

The "Best of 2012" - my list of some of the best songs of the past year from the best emerging bands.

If you're not already part of the Emerge Music Group on Facebook please join us for great new music each and every week of the year! http://www.facebook.com/groups/emergemusic/

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      Emerge Music Group Best of 2012

1. Believer - American Authors
2. I Really Want It - A Great Big World
3.  If You're With Me- Clarensau
4. One Man Symphony - 7Lions
5. Underwater - Rachel and the Kings
6. A Million Lives - Jake Miller
7. The National Health - Maximo Park
8. What Your Mother Taught You - Kingsfoil
9. Doctor, Doctor - The Nighttime Adventure Society
10. The Infinite Abyss of Space - Chris Ayer
11. Dance in the Graveyards - Delta Rae
12. Kentucky Moon - Jake Ousley
13. Only You - Katie Sky
14. Over That - The Static
15. Heartbreakers - Neighborhood Kids
16. Little Black Dress - Honor By August
17. Lost Without You - Adam Jensen
18. All in the Attitude - Toby Lightman
19. Gimme Little Sign - Zak Waters
20. Burning Little Holes - Portia Conn
21. Falling - Bastille
22. Monster Soul - Mike and Cody
23. You Can Close Your Eyes - Todd Carey (feat. Dawn Mitschele)
24. Not Over You - Gentleman's Rule
25. Big Blue Wave - Hey Ocean!
26. Sequel - TeamMate
27. Home - Anna Johnson
28. Loveless - Said The Whale
29. Oh My My - Act As If
30. Punch Me In The Heart - Natasha Duarte
31. Colorful Midst - The Main Squeeze
32. You're Not Alone - Marie Miller
33. Gold - Carolina Story
34. She's So Fly - Cris Cab
35. 24 Hours - Jessica Ashley
36. Someone Like You - Timeflies
37. The Longest Winter - The Rescues

Tyrone Wells (December 23, 2012)

Tyrone Wells has been putting out great and gorgeous music for the better part of 10 years and it's time that he became more of a household name.  Tyrone isn't flashy or showy - he's just talented.  He has a crystal clear, beautiful voice and his songs are from the heart.  He fits nicely into the genre of singer songwriter with John Mayer (before he started getting weird) and Gavin DeGraw (remember him?) but Tyrone just keeps plugging away building up a solid and dedicated fan base.  His latest album, "This Love" is another example of what he is capable of.  Do him and yourself a favor and give any of his music a listen (http://tyronewells.com) and find out just how great he is!

Have a great week and enjoy the music!
Ira