2013/07 - month - Indie Music Reviews

Self Destruction Survives

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000

While rising above the darker days which his stage name implies, Los Angeles’ Self Destruction utilized his life experiences throughout the urban Southern Californian streets to create some of the hottest independent songs in the scene. Each song contains beats as volatile as black gun powder and rhymes as smooth as silk, threatening to blow the roof off the club every time the DJ drops the needle on the vinyl.

The George Brown Band's Song for the Winter

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

One part soulful rock and one part acoustic folk, a shot of blues and a dash of reggae – spin it all up in your blender and out comes New Hampshire’s The George Brown Band. Formed by five friends after attending Plymouth State College, the group has made their initial footprint on the music scene with their debut EP, Song for the Winter.

Unlike many other rookie releases, The George Brown Band is remarkably well-produced and rehearsed, revealing a razor sharp musical sensibility during each and every song. While only containing three songs, this is an easy pick for fans of laid back, easy going music with a pleasant rock edge. https://www.thegeorgebrownband.com/

Courtney Reid's Love Struck

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

Over 10 years ago, Courtney Reid started playing all around the East Coast. Her sultry adult contemporary sound allowed her to do so. Then in 2009 she released Love Struck, an album where the title speaks volumes about what is waiting for listeners inside. The songs I was lucky enough to hear all have the same demeanor and give a great first impression for a new artist that I was just getting to know. The mid-tempo ways of Never Give Up gave off a grown-up vibe. Then there was Glory Bound that was a musical take on a familiar night time prayer. Lastly, Far Far Away was constructed among acoustic layers of simplicity. A love song if I ever heard one, this fairy tale ending was a good way to cap off my time with Courtney Reids album, Love Struck. Those who find their selves listening to the likes of Sara Bareilles and heading out to see Marie Digby, are likely to find a connection to Courtney Reids music. (https://www.courtneyreidmusic.com/)

Peter Oprisko Sings the Classics

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

Grammy-winning jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis made it crystal clear when he said “Oprisko is the Rolls Royce of singers today! He’s a great talent! He’s got it!”

Firing off song after song of catchy, saucy jazz and pop, Peter Oprisko has become one of the top singers throughout the Chicago area. Paired with his stellar ensemble, this unforgettable baritone immediately grabs listeners’ attention and refuses to let go.

He brings many of the classics such as “My Favorite Things,” “What a Wonderful World” and “Because of You” back to life, paying homage to some of the greatest American singers in music history. Check out streaming audio, his impressive repertoire and full-length CDs at his official website now.

Sonya Raica a Haunting Feminine Touch

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

If you asked me who Sonya Raica was, I could not give you a solid answer. I do not know much about her. All I know is that she is a singer songwriter with a knack for words and song. I only had a few songs to get to know more about Sonya. Who was this woman with a haunting feminine sound to her voice? Well, she is just that. Tap Tap had a 90’s Lilith Fair feel to it, as if she were born and bred off of Joan Osborne and Sarah McLachlan records. The message of looking on the positive side and facing sadness was stellar too. Change My Life had the same overall tone of Tap Tap, so my sentiments towards it were the same as a packaging, although the message of the song was different. The last song that let me into Sonya Raicas mind was Waiting In The Amazon. It has a lighter, more airy essence to it than the other two. Then I realized it was because this was a love song, no wonder the vocals were a bit brighter. Sonya Raica, we may not be BFFs who gab on the phone weekly and I may not know where she calls home, but I do know her through her music and am prepared to say she seems like the kind of person who takes in life and projects her thoughts through well placed songs.

Holly Lowery Brings Out the Dark Side

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

When I was younger I encountered my first gothic person. Her name was Rachel and she lived by my then best friend. Of course I was scared, I was like eight and there were rumors that she had done a lot of weird stuff. Then I grew up and in middle school one of the coolest girls I met at 12 slowly turned gothic and I realized that it was more about the culture and fashion, and not so much an evil spell they were under. I bring this up only because that is what I found when stumbling upon Holly Lowery. She often growls in a metal band, but when I listened to her stuff I found it a lot softer. Hollys music still encompassed a dark spirit, but had more synth sounds and made me think of it as a gloomy pop song played in a cemetery under a full moon. Listen to songs like Halo of Hell and tell me you do not feel the same. It was a more twisted version of Hocus Pocus as it called out to children, and Bittersweet was all sorts of spooky. Black Haze was also spine chilling. The most interesting song to hear was Beyond the Moon. Possibly done on purpose, the song sounded like it was deep in space, as it was low and hard to make out. Could this be the last song a lost astronaut ever sang? Maybe, but either way it was an artistic move on Hollys part. Holly has taken her love of horror, vampires and Fiona Apple and made a sound for herself that would rock the gothic realm. If that sounds like something you are into, check her out. (https://www.reverbnation.com/hollylowery)

Ralf Hinojosa Erupts

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

Erupting with the force of a volcano and the musical chops of a true guitar genius is California’s Ralf Hinojosa, dropping bombs of instrumental hard rock from coast to coast. With a history rich in musical performance and inspiration, this solo artist is nothing short of a six-string magician, churning out hair-raising and head-turning hooks and licks with each and every song. Now fresh off the release of his second LP Words with Music, he’s ready to take the guitar greats of world head on.

Sleepy’s Exit Band Asks Are You Clairvoyant?

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

A volatile cocktail of blues, rock, R&B and classic influences, New York City’s Sleepy’s Exit Band is pumping out a genre-defying brand of music which invigorates the senses with each and every song. Driven by the release of their most recent LP, Are You Clairvoyant / Summer’s Here, this seasoned five piece showcases their chops throughout the 11-track album with precision and passion.

Led by rock and blues veteran Sleepy, the group bears striking resemblances to legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, or Sly and the Family Stone. Their influences are deeply rooted in classic rock and R&B, which shines through in their music during moments which range from scintillating guitar solos to funky, grooving piano melodies and bass lines. Songs such as “Night I Was There” or “Summer’s Here” evoke memories of rock n’ roll greats like Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn, as Sleepy’s vocal tone possesses a number of similar qualities.

John Paris Paints a Musical Portrait

Tue, 23 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Unburden your ears and relax your senses with the beautiful piano solos of John Paris, an internationally recognized performer of new age jazz fusion. Combining the saucy sensibilities of light jazz fusion with the experimental and soothing nature of new age, this composer and arranger creates fascinating songs filled with inspiring melodies and tranquil rhythms. Now riding the release of his latest album, Reflections, heâ€™s added 14 new original pieces to his already burgeoning repertoire.

David Wheeler - There's A Rhythm

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

Right on the ground floor of the grassroots indie rock n’ roll movement is David Wheeler, a singer-songwriter who isn’t afraid to perform his music exactly the way he wants it. Driven by plenty of distorted guitars and Wheeler’s unmistakable vocal tone, each song delivers a delicious slice of toe-tapping indie rock, sans the pretentious attitude and faux experimental noise.

Flying high on his 13-track debut, There’s a Rhythm, Wheeler remains on the cutting edge of underground music, penning rocking thumpers such as “You Say,” as well as more adventurous tunes like “Fundamental Truth,” which utilizes fiddle, piano, and funkified walking bass lines. True rock n’ roll fans be advised – this is the next “must have” for your iPod’s playlist.