Pop the Dance Floor with Lily Galin

Shayne Leighton – Invincible

URL: https://shayneleighton.com/ 

Perhaps we’ve reached a point where, for a younger generation, rock and roll is such an antiquated genre they have no idea how to pull it off. They surround themselves with musical gurus who think rock and roll, or more particularly hard rock, means staccato hard rock riffing that lost any genuine cultural currency by 1995. Two decades later, young performers like Shayne Leighton want to raise the remains of rock and roll from the dead, but even an earnest effort like her debut EP, Invincible, lacks the magic to pull it off.

SK Beats: Slappin’ All Day Mixtape Vol. 1.

JPLovesIt Is Your Woman

Leah Capelle

URL: https://www.leahcapelle.com/

Talk about pain in the 21st century! Singer-songwriter Leah Capelle provides a delicate canvas of heartbreak with her self-titled EP. The paint is never quite perfect or in the lines just like love never is. Hurt is never warranted but for the Chicago-based singer it’s a profitable experience.

“Some say distance makes the heart fonder/But we can’t seem to do this any longer,” Capelle melts on “My Love Has Dried Up.” It’s the best of the six tracks, relatable line by line to the human experience. Her voice soars while revealing an aching, vulnerable softness. Its scope is Sara Barailles-y. In a ballsy move of pure maturity and storytelling, Capelle even drops the ‘F’ word but for effect rather than shock. Love doesn’t come with a manual or a lifetime guarantee. “So it’s time I take my heart back/Because I gladly gave it to you for so long.” Regardless of Capelle’s young age the statement rings true…oh, so true.

Mark Newman

Official URL: https://marknewman.us/ 

If musicians like Mark Newman are fighting an uphill battle against mainstream corporate music, let’s hope they win. The lack of pretension, passion, and virtuosic skill Newman brings to bear on his new live EP, Brussels, will long outlast the pop song doctors and fly by night rap acts that dominate the modern landscape. Let him keep fighting; in some ways, his music is better for its struggle. This six-song release features five originals and one cover. It isn’t an entirely flawless effort. On his original material, Newman struggles with creating memorable choruses and doesn’t consistently vary the songs, but this is more attributable to his aims as a songwriter instead of any inherent limitation to his talent. 

Audrey Auld

URL: https://www.audreyauld.com/

Biography: Devils are not the only thing to come from Tasmania. Singer-songwriter Audrey Auld’s heart is in Country/Folk music, with a presence as big as The Outback. Her songs are the wry and poignant observations of an Aussie troubadour touring the States since 2003. Ever the fearlessly independent woman, she runs her own label Reckless Records and enjoys great success as a songwriter. Auld’s songs are recorded by Nashville stars and Carter Family descendants, are heard on the Grand Ole Opry, TV shows (Justified, The Good Guys, Longmire,NCIS New Orleans) and within the walls of San Quentin Prison where she hosted songwriting workshops from 2006 to 2012. An honest and witty writer and a spontaneous comedienne, Auld is never afraid to venture into the dark places of life and shine a humorous light upon them. It’s in her live show that you’ll really meet her. She’s entertaining, funny, heartfelt and dry. You’ll laugh and cry. She’s wickedly witty with a country sound that harks back to the days of a tight frock and a promise. But don’t be fooled – she’s Australian after all….

Craymo – 2 single review

URL/SOUNDCLICK: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=778

Craymo is based out of Ornaldo, Florida but is originally from New York. Citing from his bio: The New York native brilliantly combines guitar driven modern rock with dance to bring forth a unique pop sound that cannot be explained, but only experienced.” The Industry Resource “Moody and contemporary” Music Connection Magazine This passionate singer/songwriter brings a positive and upbeat approach to today’s music. He recently celebrated over 250,000 web hits on his home page www.craymo.com. Combining the sounds of Modern Rock, Pop and Dance, Craymo weaves a blend of catchy hooks, melodies and textured harmonies that linger in your mind long after the songs are over. His music can be heard in the feature films Lucky Dog, Culture Shock, Gabe The Cupid Dog, Leaving Hollywood, Super Southern Sweet Sixteen and many more indie films and TV shows. Craymo’s early influences include David Bowie, The Cars, Morrissey, The Cure, The Beatles, Duran Duran, U2, George Michael. With millions of bands across this globe how can one more really make a difference and be worthy of the music lover’s attention? Well for starters, if the artist has something to say with a new perspective and a truly unique musical style showcased through brilliant songwriting - that is a musical personality worth giving a listen to. Having said that – Craymo is such an artist… Iinfluences possibly include but not limited to: David Bowie, Warpaint, Cursive, 2:54 and Radiohead to Elvis Presley, The Monkeys and The Kinks