2013/04 - month - Indie Music Reviews

Sean Marie

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Refreshing, amazing vocal talent from an underground artist. The clipping drums and awkward sounding guitar strums only make the vocals sound that much more miraculous. Marie is seriously pitch-perfect in what is obviously home-demos, and she sounds like a grown woman though I’m sure she is a kid. This is truly the power of God, allowing people to break boundaries and concepts. Think of a Christian Michelle Branch sounding singer and you will not be far off from the sound Sean Marie has crafted. She also channels a bit of Van Morrison and some older folk artists.

Dusty and the LoveNotes

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

A female Neil Young, with a country, classic rock/folk feel. “Lead A Horse” puts a not-too dazzling spin on an old saying and “Honey it’s up to you, you’re gonna sink or swim” pretty much sums up the concept. The recording of their latest album though is pro, and you can hear the “experience” in all the musicians. By that I mean they are not amateurs, teenagers, or in their 20’s anymore (or 30’s?). There is a pretty heavy country vibe to this track, with a fiddle trading lines with a sliding guitar lead.

Michael Nhat

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

An underground genre-blending artist who is really pushing the envelop. Rap, spoken word that sounds like Old Dirty Bastard aboard the Double Duch Bus. “Clocks and Monsters” touches upon many life issues, and also breaks into a slightly “singy” hook for the chorus. This track tastes like a combination of several obscure 90’s tracks like “Mr. Wendel” and “88 Lines About 44 Women” but that is in the harmonic content and beats. There is a strange “too-experimental” outro to the track which made me triple take to make sure I didn’t click somewhere else though.

Gabriel Olteanu

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Gabriel Olteanu is a diverse musician capable of wearing many hats. He composes in many styles, sings, shreds, and programs strings. He also does movie music and electronic music, but his musicianship shines regardless of genre classification.

“Sunset Love”, admittedly in the 80’s metal style, comes through with authentic cruch, pinch harmonics and superb riffs. This style may sound a bit dated, but the musicianship always engraved in the style is timeless. The big drums sync up well with the bass and guitars, and the vocals get the job done well enough to pass this track off as a classic from the era.

Kristian Mikal

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Wow - an accapella track showcasing Kristian Mikal’s vocals is the first thing you hear on his website. He has a refined, confident tenor range that he stretches and emotes effortlessly with. He’s the kind of singer (probably a choir star) with vocal chops, an ear for harmony and the skills to compose. “Enjoy This” is the title of his unaccompanied, humorous greeting song, complete with bursts of vocal layering that show Mikal’s outstanding strength as an arranger.

Miss Stomber

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Something like Ke$ha meets Taylor Swift, with possibly more vocal talent than both. The music for “Scared of Me” is dance-pop, uplifting and “happy” sounding but not corny. There is also a hint of some male artists like Sean Kingston and Lil Wayne in the rapping lines. The harmonies are lush and the electronic beat is simple but actively produced. Auto-Tune is present a bit, but more for effect, and I get the impression that Stomber could hold a tune regardless.

Herman Hatchett

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

He seems to stumble a bit over his chord changes, and the tempo fluctuates throughout the song, but that’s when he is accompanying himself. Herman Hatchett otherwise comes through with a crisp, in tune voice that resonates and speaks to the soul. “She Holds My Hand” features a guitarist keeping syncopated rhythm while Herman croons heartfelt lyrics about a friends mother. You know this guy is in for the long haul when he busts a little harmonica flourish in the bridge before returning to singing.

Jim Martin

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Surfy, twangy, instrumental blues music with a tight groove and seasoned licks. In one visit to www.beamchatter.com listeners have access to the entire Jim Martin catalog. Readily available on the front page are songs from 4 albums, proving that Martin is not running low on inspiration or riffs anytime soon. The songs are instrumental tracks, showcasing a bluesy, twangy lead guitar, often programmed electronic drums and MIDI sounding piano/keyboards.

Most of the songs are appropriately titled “Blues something-or-other”, with slight hints at the programmatic subject matter. “Blues for Dalia"sounds more upbeat and yearning than “Deep Eddy Blues”, though at some point the shuffle feels and charleston-esque rhythms all blur into one giant twang-jam.

Autran

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The track “Void N Droids” will certainly get listeners revved up in any nightclub or in any other situation. Fans of techno, EBM and general electronica will certainly come to enjoy Autran. Autran offers something more than simple electro and futuristic sounds. The artist tries to blend diverse elements in the music. It is almost as if the musical tracks are telling a story in a way. In each of the songs, the tones are not monotonous, and dancers will have to switch up their dance movies based on the changing pace in the songs. The artist’s creativity shines, offering unheard beats and rhythms that will keep listeners engaged and hopeful for more. Not many understand this style of music, but for those who get will certainly not be disappointed with Autran. The songs almost have a sci-fi element, and I can picture this type of music being played in the far off future. For more information on Autran and the music, visit: https://www.facebook.com/autranmusic.

Bob Holz Teams up with Frank Stepanek and Mike Shoefter

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The latest brain child of legendary percussionist Bob Holz is finally ready to be released upon the ears of the world, featuring a dynamic collaboration with some of the most talented names in the business. Joining forces with Grammy-nominated artist Frank Stepanek and renowned New York bassist Mike Shoefter, the trio created a fiery set of tracks for The Bob Holz Band’s debut LP Higher than the Clouds.

Co-written by Holz and Stepanek, Higher than the Clouds descended upon the scene on March 1, 2012, featuring 10 hair-raising, energetic tracks which deliver an addictive platter of musical flavors to the listener. Experiencing moments of rock, blues and funk with a dash of psychedelic influence, the album sees a bonafide trio of musical greats at their best.