New Orleans’ Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind played the Winter Blues Festival in Des Moines on February 9. Ricci, is an award-winning harmonica player who performed on Johnny Winter’s Step Back, which won the 2015 Grammy for Best Blues Album.
Keep up with Jason Ricci here.
St. Louis-based blues rock artist Anthony Gomes played the Winter Blues Fest in Des Moines on February 9, 2018. The Toronto native and 2017 European Blues Awards winner for Best Musician, rocked the crowd with his ripping guitar solos and soulful lyrics.
Keep up with Anthony Gomes here.
The pop-folk singer/songwriter Carla Stark just released her latest single “Once a Cheater”, which takes a sinister look at a lover who has been promiscuous. The song is addicting, charming, and will have you grinning from ear-to-ear. My favorite lines include “You were too old for me, and too good looking,” “You can cheat on me and you can cheat on others—but you’ll never cheat your death,” and “And you may think your skin is the best leather, but my knife go through flesh.” From those lines alone, you can see that Carla has a gift for writing cunning and quick lyrics. Not only is she a great songwriter, Carla’s syrupy sweet voice shines on “Once a Cheater.”
Keep up with Carla Stark here.
Seeking to expand her musical resume is Lyric Michelle who has just released her first single, “Free Thoughts, Freestyle” from her upcoming album that is scheduled to drop later this year on May, 18. Not only has her music been marked as exploding with flare and bursting with beats that will have toes tapping, but she has also been busy performing on some of the biggest stages that are meant to propel her music career into the future. Though she is young, this new release is not her debut, but just one more achievement in her career on the stage. Currently based in Los Angeles, Lyric Michelle has also been developing her acting skills by performing in the award winning pilot For Evan’s Sake.
Most recently, the Houston born budding artist performed at SXSW where she turned heads at the HipHopDX showcase. Also, within the next few months, she has plans to perform not only around her home city, but also on some major stages in her adopted city, Los Angeles. With more experience under her belt and a killer new album that is being released in the near future, it is clear that the name Lyric Michelle has carved out for herself is here to stay.
Keep up with Lyric Michelle here.
Once again, Superheart has produced a new single that has the fans and the music community in general swooning. “Satellite” is the perfect combination of those chill weekend vibes that we all crave and exciting lyricism that makes our toes tap on the road and in the office. Every note and rhythm adds to his intricate soundscape that is both unique and full of creative flare. With every moment full of free-fall suspense and exhilaration, there is no doubt that this final addition to the ‘flower’ trio will be the final piece to the success that Superheart has been chasing after since his debut. This new release a comfortable mixture of 80’s pop beats and new world synth spin offs. If nothing else, it is clear that Superheart is one of those artists that fans need to keep their eye on as he rises to the challenge of pushing himself to the next level.
This new single is scheduled to be released next week as the concluding component of a bigger picture that has already drawn the attention of fans from around the world. No doubt “Satellite” will continue to bring Superheart closer to where he wants to be as the next big thing in a world of quickly rising stars.
Keep up with Superheart here.
Kadjha Bonet is to release her completely self-made album, Childqueen, out June 8. Gearing up for this record, Bonet has dropped a stunning lead single, “Mother Maybe”. As her own producer, songwriter, album artist, mixer, and musician, Bonet has complete creative control over her music. The Los Angeles based artist knows herself and how to continually improve her own craft.
Childqueen follows her acclaimed 2016 debut album, The Visitor, and looks to only continue to bring listeners into Bonet’s stunning soundscape. With this first taste of her sophomore record, Bonet solidifies herself as being able to excel in every aspect of her music. Evident in her careful production, well-balanced instrumentation, confident and soulful vocals, Bonet is a one woman show as it should be. With effortlessly gliding vocals and an irresistible beat, “Mother Maybe” makes us incredibly excited to hear the rest of Childqueen. Bonet accomplishes what few solo artists can: excellence in every aspect of her work. It’ll be no surprise that the rest of her upcoming record is equally magnificent and carefully constructed.
Stay tuned for the rest of Bonet’s upcoming record, out June 8.
Be in the know about Kadhja Bonet:
Website | Facebook | Soundcloud
London based newcomer Shaqdi delivers with her new single “Better”. “Better” is a follow up from her previous single “Colorless”. Shaqdi puts herself in a category of her own with her new single “Better”. The song is a mixture of a fresh R&B sound that cannot be put in any category. The song has a certain sound that has not quite been done before.
Shaqdi got her start in music at a young age, having growing up in a small town in Sweden, Shaqdi then learned how to play piano and violin at the ripe age of four. “Better” is a prime example of all the hard work she has put into her music. With Shaqdi’s soft voice, she brings a soft sound to the track.
Keep up with Shaqdi here.
With crashing drums and a high energy kickoff, five piece indie pop collective The Indigo Project – comprised of Joe Spink, Tony Francis, Alex Crow, Oliver Barry, and Jack Manktelow – releases their new track “As Always”. With a soundscape similar to some of our 2000s pop punk favorites, the track’s tempo changes several times, keeping its listener on their toes and anticipating the coming lines. Singing with a very debonair Leeds-specific vocalization, we’re enthralled by the band themselves and find ourselves looking forward to what’s to come.
Keep up with The Indigo Project here.
As he revs up to release his new track “Passenger’s Side” this Friday, Ontario-based folk rock talent John Muirhead seems to be absolutely glowing with excitement. His music – which has an almost Broadway musical feel to it with the way he emphasizes every syllable and makes sure his audience is crystal clear on his meaning – is absolutely captivating, the new track setting the tone for what’s to come later this year. Check out our quick hit interview below, and be sure to peep the new song on Friday!
Your new single “Passenger’s Side” is amazing. How has your music evolved since releasing your first EP Yesterday’s Smile?
Thanks so much!
I’m still very proud of Yesterday’s Smile, but with it being my first EP, the whole record was a learning process. I learned a lot about how to be comfortable in the studio and how to create interesting arrangements that serve the song. The songs themselves were written between the ages of 16 and 19, so looking back as a more mature songwriter there are definitely some things that I would change if I were to do it all over again.
With “Passenger’s Side” and the rest of Foundational (The new EP, released in June 2018) I’ve taken the experience from Yesterday’s Smile and applied it. I feel that my voice has matured, my confidence has grown, and the songs are more representative of myself.
What message would you like your fans to get from “Passenger’s Side”? (Out April 6th)
The song is about defying the feeling that maybe our best days are behind us, and the appeal and romanticism of leaving it all behind. With this song I hope that listeners know that they’re not alone in that feeling.
I also hope the song can be the soundtrack to late night drives and lazy Sunday mornings.
How have you grown as an artist since you first began making music?
I think I’m just more sure of myself as a musician. I’ve sharpened up my guitar playing, singing, and performance through the constant repetition of touring and playing live, and my songwriting is getting closer and closer to the level I want it to be. My artistic vision is much clearer now, and I know what I want to accomplish in music.
What is your favorite thing about making music?
My favourite moment in the process of making music is seeing and hearing people sing along to songs that I wrote. I make music in hopes that my songs can effect others the way my favourite songs have effected me, and seeing people sing along is a reminder that maybe I’m on the right track.
In a much broader sense, my favourite thing about music is the fact that it’s a universal language. Regardless of language or culture we can all connect to music, and it plays such an integral role in all of our lives. I’ve made so many meaningful connections to people through music that I may not have had if I didn’t play, and I think that’s amazing.
What inspired you to begin making music?
Like a lot of musicians my age, Guitar Hero actually played a big role in inspiring me to pick up a real guitar. It introduced me to so much great music and it felt really cool to hold a guitar in my hands. When I picked up a real guitar it felt amazing to actually play the songs from the game and from there it didn’t take long to start writing.
What musicians would you say inspire you as an artist?
There are too many! I would have to say Frank Turner would be one of my biggest influences, he bridged the gap between my indie/punk rock upbringing and my current appreciation for folk music. Seeing the intensity of his work ethic and reading about his crazy tour stories really made me want to push myself to the limit as a musician. Recently I’ve been really inspired by Brian Fallon, Jason Isbell, Phoebe Bridgers, and a whole bunch more.
Following the release of your new EP this spring will there be a tour in the future?
Yes! I will be heading out to Eastern Canada in June, touring as part of VIA Rail’s Artist on Board program. I’ll be announcing all of the dates shortly, make sure to follow me on social media to stay up to date!
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Keep up with John Muirhead here.
