2013/06 - month - Indie Music Reviews

Everett D and Swang 2 Records

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

With a West coast flair and a taste for the old school, budding hip hop artist Everett D is making noise throughout the area with his growing label, Swang 2 Records. While working tirelessly as a producer and songwriter, he pieced together an all-star roster of Southern California rap phenomenons, hoping to become the next dominant force in the industry.

Built upon old school beats with an electronic edge, Everett D’s songs smack of 90s influence with a unique funky twist which seems to define his sound. A gritty delivery and flow help to round out his overall musical presence, highlighted by tracks such as “Funk Da Beat” and “This is How We Do.”

Sabor Latino Makes You Feel

Sat, 29 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Spanish is not my first language, nor my second – but I did take it for two years in high school over 10 years ago. I can manage a little when reading, even less when listening. With music though, language is somewhat not that important. You can still feel what is being sung without truly understanding; it is about feeling the emotion of the artist. That leads me to Sabor Latino. He is a Spanish hip hop artist from New York City who is currently working on an album titled “Observaciones de Mi Vida,” which translates to Observations of My Life. This endeavor is volume one, so make sure to keep tabs on Sabor Latino for volume two if you like what you hear. Although most of the words are lost in translation, I could still feel the music and the delivery of Sabor Latino. Songs like “No Ma Violencia,” I assumed was No More Violence, could not be a bad song. It preached a good moral for everyone. “Presidente” was also a treat, as was the his introduction to the world, “Introduccion.” If you are into artists like Daddy Yankee, then check out Sabor Latino now and do not forget about the volumes he has coming for you. (https://www.facebook.com/saborlatinomusic)

Kindyl Read the Rock

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Kindyl it’s not just for reading, oh wait – that’s Kindle. This Kindyl is a rock band from Grand Junction, Colorado. They sound like they take their biggest influence from bands that inhabited the 80’s and early 90’s. Bands like Poison and Guns N’ Roses. There’s a true grit to Jason Carey’s voice that sits heavy one every track. Not to leave out the rest of the guys, Scott Coolbaugh, Matt Elliot and Thomas Coolbaugh though. All four guys create rock music that has some heart and quite frank, beautiful elements as well. True elegance lives in “Scars With Memories.” As for the rock, things got heavy for a couple seconds with “Set Me Free” and “Hate Me.” Other than that what I heard from Kindyl was more on the monster ballad side of things. If you’re a hair band fan from yesteryear or today, then you’ll want to make some time to check out Kindyl.

Joe Bermudez The DJ Who Won't Stop

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Joe Bermudez. Learn that name because you are likely to hear it in the coming months all over the place. Joe is your average music lover and when he is not hanging out backstage with the likes of Selena Gomez and Robin Thicke he is behind the ones and twos. He is a DJ and a good one at that. How else would he land the huge gigs he has had so far in his career? Exactly. Whether he is playing radio shows acting as the hype man in between sets that include Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande, or he is on the Tiestos College Invasion Tour – he is turning up the heat with his sets. His style is both precise and enjoyable. There is not a second that passes when Joe Bermudez is spinning that you are not moving some part of your body. When he played the Hart Plaza in Detroit, you can bet that no one took a break. They probably did not want to. Joe Bermudez gets things started and fails to stop them all night long. If you are into dancing and just having a good time with artists like David Guetta and Avicii, then check out Joe Bermudez. (https://joebermudez.com/)

Marcos Gomez Has Potential

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

There are more aspiring singers in the world than ones who will go on to be household names and the elite on the Top 40 Billboard charts. Those who spend every bit of their waking moment wishing on stars to be the next Justin, Britney, Gaga – those are the ones who have a lot of drive and passion. That’s what you have to have, right? Well Marcos Gomez seems to have all of that but he does need to sharpen up the edges if he wants to make a name for himself. He actually impresses more with his own song, “Following My Dreams” rather than the cascade of covers found on his YouTube page. All of them are a little below the marker and with practice and some vocal lessons to learn to project and control – Marcos will improve and do better. He’s tackled Idol winners like Carrie Underwood and her “See You Again,” radio mainstays like Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Dee.” Again, learning to control and then really hit those marks to make for those “wow” moments is what Marcos really needs to work on. Keep an eye out for this music hopeful. (https://www.reverbnation.com/marcosgomez)

Steven Paul Worships Musically

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Steven Paul is not a man who writes rhymes or Top 40 tracks to be forgotten in a month’s time. He is a man who writes for his faith and beliefs; a Christian artist who puts everything he has into his music. Steven’s voice is masculine and at times low, but that does not mean his words will not be able to life your spirits high. His religion shines through with songs like the praiseful “Son of God, Son of Man” and “Desperately.” Another soft pace track is “I Saw Jesus” and “Christmas Just Aint’ Christmas.” It is when the speed changed up, that is when you got another side of Steven. That side was as faithful as the other, but this side was a little more upbeat and lively. Things got catchy with “I’ve Given Up On Giving Up On You” and just took a little break with the mid-tempo of “Lord, You Are My Friend.” One thing is for sure, if you are a lover of the Lord, then this music is for you. There’s nothing like finding a good, modern worship song to fall into. If you are a fan of music you could hear at your church picnic or Sunday service, then check out Steven Paul before you do anything else today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/stevenpaul)

Rising Indie-Pop Artist, Emily Simonian

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Driven by incredible natural vocal talent and an affinity for songwriting, indie-pop artist Emily Simonian isn’t just another face in the Southern Californian crowd. A classically trained musician and singer, this Orange County native is riding high through the local music scene thanks to her debut EP, Pale Green. With five original, fresh tracks, this is the young artist’s first step in carving out an ironclad niche within the contemporary music scene.

Meditate to David Anthony Parker

Sun, 23 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

David Anthony Parker doesn’t rely on words to get his point across in music. Unlike Tensivity who we also reviewed, David also doesn’t rely on the classical notion when it comes to music. His music sounds more like it’s at one with the earth, stars and moon – the universe as a whole. His album “3000 Dreams” has a darker undertone than the one off singles that can be heard on his site. Songs like “Going into the Suspense” and “Circles and Fades” are responsible for that. Again, this Philly man experiments with his singles though. Okay, so maybe there’s some classical influence since “The Woman on Venus” sounds like it could’ve accompanied Qausimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Other than that, David Anthony Parker’s music is for those likely into alternative medicines and holistic lifestyles. Take one listen to “Yoga Shadow in the Light” and disagree. Parker also touches on different cultures as well, tribal in “The Eclipse in the Sky” and a bit Indian in “Now Everywhere.” If you’re into music that’s perfect for meditation, check out David Anthony Parker.

Tensivity Takes on Class

Sat, 22 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Tensivity is made up of Michael Myers from San Francisco, California and his attention to the human experience in which he translates into song. This is the only kind of music I can keep on while writing because there are no words to distract me, only wonderfully crafted music compositions to push me into a creative mood. Tensivity captures sadness in “Alfie” while doing more or less the same with some tweeks in “Promises Promises.” Then there’s the beauty, class and elegance in “What The World Needs Now” while “The Look of Love” permeates a sense of drama. Those two songs combined sound like they would spawn “Knowing When to Leave” which had both beauty and drama. Tensivity creates wonder with sound and strategically placed notes. If you’re into music that sounds like it’d be played in an intellectual place and time, then check out Tensivity.(https://soundcloud.com/tensivity)

KingofKingsXHD Delivers Inspired, Christian Hip Hop

Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Erupting from the outstretches of Middle America is KingofKingsXHD, a fiery new hip hop artist hailing from Wichita, Kansas. Providing thought-provoking and positive lyrics driven by an ironclad element of Christian faith, this exciting new artist delivers a brand of rap which is truly his own.

With a unique flow layered upon a variety of infectious and catchy beats, KingofKingsXHD continues to churn out top notch, inspired music. His debut LP, Saga Continues Resurrected, featured 14 tracks of religious and meaningful hip hop, followed by a fresh 7 song demo which continues to blaze up the charts on YouTube. Driven by a diligent work ethic and an innate sense for songwriting, this is another young artist to keep on the radar.