Kathy Muir – Book Cover Judge

URL: https://www.kathymuir.com/

When I first started listening to Kathy Muir’s latest album, Book Cover Judge, I quickly realized that it was not the kind of thing that I listen to often. The acoustic pop singer’s low voice and slight jazz influence gives her a mellow sound that is reminiscent of, but quite different than Norah Jones. While I had given Norah Jones the occasional listen in my youth, and even now have a great appreciation for slow and mellow music, there is nothing that I have been listening to recently that is quite like Kathy Muir.

Kat Perkins – Fearless

URL: https://katperkinsmusic.com/ 

North Dakota native Kat Perkins has a public performing career reaching back nearly two decades, a stint fronting the successful and now defunct Minneapolis based rock band Scarlett Haze, and time performing for soldiers stationed in the Middle East. Widespread fame found her with a season six appearance on NBC Television’s singing competition The Voice and, while she did not win in the end, her semifinal placing has provided her with her best springboard yet in establishing a lasting musical career on the national stage. The next step in that march towards success is her debut EP, Fearless. This polished and clearly throughout release is aimed at a broad-based market and tailored to appeal to both younger audiences and music devotees in their twenties and early thirties. She has considerable pop chops, but there’s little question that Perkins is a rocker at heart and her voice conveys palpable attitude through each of the EP’s five songs. 

The Sweet Sounds of Ellysa Rose

Xavier Toscano

REVERBNATION - https://www.reverbnation.com/xaviertoscano

Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop, and even hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n’ Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins and Nikelback” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference and trust me when I say  not everyone is entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something fresh, and something real. So across my desk slides the new 11 songs CD by Southern California’s own Xavier Toscano. Xavier’s music is influenced by Top 40 radio and video. It can best be described as enthusiastic, energetic, dance-urban pop. He also blends his love of disco, rap, rock, reggae, and R&B with his dancing ability to create a dynamic stage show. Xavier has performed across the United States and Europe, and continues to entertain locally. Wherever Xavier performs, he is always praised for having a “ton of energy.” Combine that with his strong stage presence, and you have well rounded entertainer who puts on electric and engaging show.During my initial research of him and a first listen to this 11 track offering, there were a few thing I noticed. Their recordings showcase the eclectic songwriting approach: from upbeat, musically-involved pieces to simple, minimalist light hearted tracks to unusual studio creations all contained therein. These recent recording presents an interesting, melodically-challenging, literate (even uniquely tasteful) collection of songs. It may not be the simplest collection to digest, but its rewards are manifold, and at the center of each piece and every arrangement is an effective, if often exciting and somewhat electric melodies that really suck you in like a drug.

Honor By August release new EP

URL: https://www.honorbyaugust.com/

The pop-rock band (or modern rock quartet, as they call themselves) Honor by August have released a new 4-song EP, appropriately called “Four Sides”. The band has been growing in popularity, especially after their great album “Monuments to Progress” that was fully funded on Kickstarter. You could’ve heard their music on popular shows like ESPN, E! and MTV. Honor By August have already had the chance of working with some of the greatest producers like Jack Joseph Puig (he has worked with U2, The Rolling Stones), Paul David Hager (Goo Goo Dolls), Jeff Juliano (John Mayer), Toby Wright (Third Eye Blind), and Jim Ebert (Meredith Brooks).

Ryan Aderrey releases "Breathe the World In"

Primary URL: https://www.ryanaderrey.com/ 

Ryan Aderrey is trying. In a snake pit of talentless Kens and Barbies demeaning themselves to please the bitch goddess of mainstream success, Aderrey immediately distinguishes himself by refusing to build his entire act around cynical pandering. A strong pop sensibility pervades his music, but it’s unlikely we’ll see him on a teen magazine cover sometime soon. Instead, like his first hit “A Miracle, My Love” proves, Aderrey brings unique talents to bear on the modern pop song and recognizes pop’s theatrical potential. He’s carried these talents and lessons over to his new single, “Breathe the World In”. 

Y FLY TO LONDON

PRIMARY URL: https://yfly2london.com/

Y Fly to London is an independent rock band from New Jersey. They have a plethora of band members, some no longer with us, with very impressive resumes which explains why this is a rare and coveted item. The band has the look sound and feel of a typical 80’s big hair band, showcasing similar styles to Bon Jovi, Skid Row, David Bowie, Motley Crue and the like. They have the sounds you would expect like squealing guitar, fast drums, and some screaming vocals but they also include some surprises that are very well incorporated.

Fadojoe Praises the Fun Way