Tag: New Artist

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Eren Cannata

Though this is Eren Cannata‘s first solo release, don’t let that fool you. No stranger to the music industry, he has practically grown up on tour as his father, Richie Cannata was saxophone player for The Beach Boys and Billy Joel. With an avid Long Island fan base and many industry admirers, his solid debut release is only a sign of what’s to come.

Cannata’s album, Blame It On The City, is a diverse mix of emotional ballads like “Tonight” and radio friendly tracks (see title track “Blame It On The City”). With catchy hooks and infectious melodies, Cannata is well on his way.

While piano-based track, “Post High School Years” switches gears up a bit from his previous pop-centric tracks, the album never loses it’s flow. Cannata’s deeper and darker vocals bring a welcoming change. Singing with the ease and grandeur of Josh Groban, “Post High School Years” is one of the album’s stand-out tracks.

Segueing quickly to “Other Side,” Cannata continues to take a different approach. His heart-on-your-sleeves lyrics stand out to the listener: “And still I wonder/If you will work it out/And that’s just insecurity/Making castles out of clay/I wanna be your everything/I still get embarrassed when I sing/I need a promise from you/That I will be your other side/And not another you confide,” he sings.

“Sounds of Summer” is another surprise track. An edgier sound than previously heard, Cannata proves he can change things up and still sound fresh and unique, not always an easy feat for a musician. With such a solid debut release, I can only imagine hearing much more of Cannata in the future.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhFzfrtii30]

Watch Eren’s music video for “Blame It On The City” above or give him a listen on MySpace and if you like what you hear, be sure to see him on tour. If you’re in New York this Wednesday you can catch him opening up for Ryan Cabrera at Sullivan Hall.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Looking Glass Wars

Former band of the week singer Alex Bondarev of A Moment’s Worth passed along Looking Glass Wars‘ MySpace page, telling me he thought I’d enjoy what I heard. He couldn’t have been more right! The New York natives’ most recent release, A Place in a Parlor contains tracks that touch upon the varied musical influences of the band’s members, including rockabilly, surf, and alt-country, while still maintaining the dark pop-rock sound of their debut album. Do I have you intrigued yet?

“Is This Really Poison” encompasses that punk rock feel, but mid song the tempo unexpectedly changes bringing more of an anthemic, atmospheric feel to the track. Not many bands can make this work, but Looking Glass Wars succeed remarkably. In fact, all the songs featured on their MySpace page have this same result. The listener never knows what to expect and is often pleasantly surprised.

Another unique track, “3AM” starts slower than the previous. With soft and eerie vocals at first, frontman Brendan Rivera quickly crescendos into a scream amidst fitting heavy percussion and bass accompaniment. Eventually the song fades out with soft piano and bell features. While the listener assumes this is the song’s eminent end, he is fooled once again as the music picks up, enticing the listener to pay more attention.

While “Oh What A Party It Will Be” is self explanatory with it’s title, “Addicted To Your Touch” follows suit with high energy and solid electric guitar riffs. Heavy bass and percussion beats make up the backbone of the track, never faltering.

Having garnered a spot on AbsolutePunk.net’s 2008 “Absolute 100,” Looking Glass Wars show no sign of slowing down. For their music and tour dates, be sure to check the band out on MySpace. What do you think?

Recommended: For fans of The Killers, Panic at the Disco, The Gaslight Anthem, early Yellowcard.

Photo Credit: Joel Sneak

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Natalie Gelman

While she’s been getting quite a buzz lately, both from her album release and frequent underground performances in NYC’s subways, Natalie Gelman is one musician to keep on your radar. Having been compared to Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Jewel with her emotion-filled rock, Gelman remains to set herself apart.

Not your typical everyday singer-songwriter, Gelman vowed to complete an entire 1500 mile tour from Miami, Florida to New York City on rollerblades while performing in venues along the way — all while selling her self-titled debut album and donating the proceeds to Children International. An impressive feat, Gelman survived many obstacles throughout this journey including being hit by cars twice on the tour.

From the saddened heartbreak displayed throughout “Leave” to the struggle of dealing with failure in “Run Away” the listener hears the deep and honest emotion throughout Gelman’s music, begging for more. The string feature encompassing “Forgive Me” is remarkably fitting and leaves a lasting impression to the fade out of the song. Each track is as if reading a diary entry, so listen and decipher for yourself.

Learn more about Natalie below in her YouTube video. You can watch as she discusses the start of her NYC subway performances and see her live in action!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i7eIiye4PQ]

For more on Natalie, be sure to visit MySpace and her Web site

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Will Dailey

Reminiscent to Gavin DeGraw with that slightly raspy yet longing voice, Will Dailey is perhaps most known for single, “Rise” having performed it on hit television show, “CSI: New York.” In fact, you may have heard of Dailey’s music before without realizing it as many of his songs have been featured on various television dramas.

There is something so classic about Dailey’s voice. Rooted in rock with hints of that acoustic singer-songwriter vibe, his music has a timeless quality to it. While “Peace of Mind” talks about troubled times, rock centric track “Never Be Your Baby” confronts a failing relationship. Stand out number, “Love On the Way” has that old 60s feel with a hint of jazz and soul making the listener wonder if this is in fact the same singer.

“Allston” has more of a folk and at times, country feel to it demonstrating Dailey’s versatility and ability to successfully switch things up. A darker song, he sings “In a dull smile and parted heart/Time won’t fix what yesterday starts.” The slow, eerie guitar accompaniment suits the song perfectly.

What makes Dailey stand out from the numerous up-and-coming bands today is the fact that he’ll be releasing EPs all year in three-month periods. Every three months he’ll give fans the latest material he’s been working on. Unlike a typical album, the process will allow fans to receive music with such immediacy that is unheard of in today’s recording industry. The final product, Torrent is expected to be released June 9th. With featured cameos from members of Letters to Cleo, The Cars, Dropkick Murphys and the Byrds, each EP is surely something to look forward to.

Be sure to watch Dailey perform on CBS’s “The Early Show” June 11th. For more on Will, visit his Web site and give his songs a listen on MySpace. I think you’ll like what you hear. You can watch the video below of Will performing “Rise.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wnfkx92yxA]

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: A Moment’s Worth

My friend and fellow blogger Monica Perry (you can read her blog of commentary and criticism on television, film, and music here) introduced me to Bronx, New York-based band A Moment’s Worth last week, thinking I’d like what I heard. Boy was she right. Playing a mix of pop punk, the band blends gritty guitar with infectious vocals.

Combining fitting emotion throughout each track, AMW’s sing along choruses recall early Yellowcard and The Ataris. With lyrics, “You know I used to be that guy who’d stay up with you all night/And the next day write a song to save his friends/And we used to live our lives in our cars and Friday nights/But today it gets so easy to forget” throughout track “Zero. Four. One.” nostalgia of high school and endless summer days abound.

Song after song, each track gets catchier the more listened to. A Moment’s Worth is one of those bands that gets stuck in your head, but you really don’t mind.

If their sing along anthems are any testament to this band, AMW is well on their way. Switching gears from previous tracks, “Unsound” encompasses fast guitar with more angst-filled lyrics while “Catalina” is a slower ballad, reminiscent to that of a fairytale love song with it’s beautiful and poetic metaphors.

While it’s easy to picture A Moment’s Worth headlining festivals like Bamboozle and Warped Tour in a few years, my bet’s on this band. What do you think? Listen to 10 tracks on MySpace and see for yourself.

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: David Berkeley

It’s hard to keep track of all the great music coming out these days. How does an artist truly stand out from the crowd? Sometimes it’s a quirky viral video or their mysterious Twitter ramblings. In David Berkeley‘s case, it was his song featured on CBS show, “Without A Trace.”

It’s remarkable how a song could be so fitting within the plot of a television drama. For Berkeley, his song “Fire Sign” was used at the climax of the show, when a young boy whose life was made a living hell at school decides to commit suicide. The cops rush to his rescue as Berkeley’s song is playing softly in the background. Watch a clip of the episode featuring “Fire Sign” here.

His delicate fingerpicking and gentle vocals throughout this track embodies most of his music. Each song has a telling tale, sometimes sung over light horn features (see “The Blood and the Wine” on MySpace) or simply accompanied by acoustic guitar. While comparisons allude to that of David Gray and Jack Johnson, it’s his emotional and honest lyrics that leave the biggest impression on the listener.

Currently on tour with UK sensation Katie Melua, Berkeley is bringing his music across the country in anticipation of his May 26th release of third studio album, Strange Light. Listen to “Willis Avenue Bridge,” one of the tracks off his upcoming album here.

For more on his tour and to listen to some tracks, be sure to visit Berkeley on MySpace.

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Shirock

With their soaring guitar textures and catchy vocal harmonies, at times comparable to that of U2’s Bono, Shirock are well on their way to taking over the music scene with their debut release, Everything Burns. A solid release of well produced tracks and moving lyrics, the band’s press release states, “Shirock makes music that capitalizes on the transformative power of rock & roll and its ability to move and inspire people,” and I couldn’t agree more.

While their pop-rock sound is arena friendly, it’s the message behind the music that leaves the biggest impact. The intro to the title track of their album includes a moving monologue that states, “People today are trying to define themselves by what they get out of life; what they wear, how they look, how much stuff they have, what kind of car they drive. I’ve done a lot of funerals and never yet have they eulogized the person for any of that kind of stuff . . . It’s all about relationships. Were they kind? Were they generous? Do they help others? . . . The people you touch are your real legacy. You’re not defined by what you take from this world . . . You’re defined by how you impact other people. It’s been said there are only two ways to live. You can either love things and use people or you can love people and use things.”

The Nashville-based quintet is doing a lot more than making music. Partnering with local charities working to solve homelessness and poverty, Shirock have created a non-profit organization called Everything Burns. Recently, all the proceeds from their February tour dates went to local charities.

Straight off showcases at Austin, Texas’ annual South By Southwest music festival, frontman Chuck Shirock has talked about the songs on the album, stating: “They’re our lives, our relationships, our friendships within the band. They’re our pursuit of trying to figure out life; who we are, who God is, and how it all makes sense. It’s all of that put to music.”

Having their music featured on MTV’s “The Hills” and NBC’s “ER,” Shirock are making a name for themselves. With their touching lyrics and ongoing charity work, Shirock is setting a precedent to all emerging bands in the music industry and continues to branch themselves apart from the crowd.

For more on Shirock be sure to visit them on MySpace and their Web site and catch a show when they’re in town!

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Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Bell X1

Being that Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day I only find it fitting to feature an Irish band as this week’s band of the week. Bell X1 have just released their album, Blue Lights On the Runway and have been receiving some impressive reviews.

Each song on their fourth release stands out on it’s own, whether it’s opening track, “The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella” with it’s catchy musical accompaniment or The Doors-esque song and current radio hit “The Great Defector.”

Named after the first aircraft to break the sound barrier, flown in 1947 by Chuck Yeager, Bell X1 have toured with many well-known musicians including Bon Jovi and Elliot Smith. Their last album graced No. 1 on Ireland’s pop charts and their latest release is bound to do the same.

Six-minute track “How Your Heart Is Wired” showcases much emotion throughout the band’s lyrics and the slow percussion beat only helps get the story across effectively to the listener. I’m not usually a huge electronica/experimental fan, but this track works for Bell X1.

Bell X1 is currently touring and promoting Blue Lights On the Runway so be sure to visit them on MySpace and catch a show if you like what you hear.

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CD Reviews

Demo Review: Jamie Allen

After one listen to Jamie Allen’s demo, never in a million years would I have imagined it was written and arranged by a 13-year-old. With a voice that brings comparison to Carrie Underwood and talent that makes any 20-something musician jealous, the three-song demo CD, a mix of country and pop, is an impressive release that is just a glimpse into Allen’s bright future.

The Denver, Colorado native began taking singing lessons at the age of 10. Nearly a year later she performed a two-hour set at a local coffee house, her dad accompanying on guitar. Lucky for Allen, a radio disc jockey was getting a cup of coffee during her performance and enjoyed what he heard, asking Allen to appear as a co-host on his Internet radio show. One thing led to another and soon after Allen was in Phoenix, Arizona recording this demo release.

The three-song disc has welcoming versatility, truly a testament to Allen’s talent. Beginning with moving “Kisses from Angels,” Allen’s voice is soft, yet infectious. With a strong country vibe, she tells an aching story within her lyrics, begging the listener to pay close attention. As Allen belts out “I never was a young girl,” you can’t help but to believe her.

Second track, “Its a Girls Night” changes quickly from the more serious nature of previous song, “Kisses from Angels.” A bit edgier with a fun and danceable vibe, Allen’s honest lyrics are age appropriate as she never tries to be someone she isn’t.

Definitely a slumber party anthem, Allen describes a typical girls night that includes listening to Lil Wayne and, of course, calling boys. She begins the track singing, “Hair and makeup, popcorn and scary movies, scary movies/Drank pop sodas, my stomach don’t feel so good, not so good/Nobody has to cry, no boys can bring us down/Its a girls night/Stay up late calling boys/Its a girls night/Pillow fights making so much noise/ ’Cause its a girls night.” Simple and fun, if only life was like this everyday.

Last track, “Sugar, Please!” has a funky beat with fitting background vocals. Singing, “It’s my time/Not your time/I’ll be just fine without you” Allen gets her point across to a boy who just won’t leave her alone. At times reminiscent to an edgy Christina Aguilera, “Sugar, Please!” showcases Allen’s more soulful side, still with a hint of country-pop intertwined within the track.

Allen’s talent is evident on her release. One of the best demos I have ever heard, not to mention by a musician at such a young age, it won’t be long until Jamie Allen is a household name.

To listen to Jamie’s demo visit her on MySpace. What do you think?

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Lindsey Mae

Lindsey Mae is definitely an artist to watch. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter has been performing throughout Upstate New York since she was 15. Her breathtaking five song self-titled EP release was produced by Hal Cragin (A Fine Frenzy/Iggy Pop). Full of emotionally introspective songs with fitting musical accompaniment showcasing her soft, yet at times rugged vocals, Mae is one singer who is bound to make a splash soon.

A mix of acoustic pop, Mae’s airy voice brings comparison to that of fellow singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat, Serena Ryder and Meiko. A remarkable release for any teen, what makes Mae stand out is her seemingly ageless wisdom within each track. The lyrics behind her songs are deep and filled with tales of love, loss and the confusion of both.

First track, “Cable Car,” has a country vibe as Mae sings of heartbreak. “So call me back or call me crazy/’Cause only your love can save me now,” she says. A strong storyteller, Mae draws the listener in with every word sung.

“Vitals” is a rugged and edgier track with darker guitar accompaniment. Her wavering vocals only assist in getting her emotion across within each lyric. “Papier Mache” may be my favorite track on the EP. A light ballad with soft piano and guitar intro that begs comparison to the refreshingly relaxed style of Jack Johnson, Mae’s eased singing style asks for more than just one listen.

With a solid release at such a young age, I can only expect to hear much more of Lindsey Mae in the years to come. Be sure to visit her on MySpace to hear some tracks off the EP.