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Matt U Johnson-My Life

Hailing from Staten Island, NY (whoop whoop!!) SHOUTOUT TO MY NY PEEPS, Matthew Johnson is making waves with inspirational, upbeat tunes like, My Life.  It’s refreshing to hear such a mix of genres, as well as being inspired to never give up and to never lose hope.  You can’t help but boogie to this eclectic mix of Reggae, EDM and Pop.  To find out more and to see what lies ahead for this SUPER TALENT, click below.

http://www.mattujohnsonmusic.com/

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Nostalgic Brightlights-The Millennials

This band hits home for me.  At a time when the music world has been completely taken over by Hip Hop and Pop (I dig old school hip hop and ain’t hating on 80′s and 90′s pop either), it is refreshing to hear a band that pays homage to 90′s rock or even rock at all.  I hear influences from bands like, Garbage and Veruca Salt but I’m also getting strong vibes from the post grunge era. This song, The Millennials, definitely calls out how dependent we are on technology and how we falsely get sucked into what people want us to see, rather than reality.  I admire this band for confronting society’s false sense of reality but truly want to give credit to their musical and lyrical talent.  I hope these guys go far.  Please check out their site below:

http://www.nostalgicbrightlights.com/

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Photo: (Natalie Labine)

Jeremy Brendan Day & The Resistance-Stupid Town

This song speaks perfectly of just knowing it’s time and surrendering to moving on.  We’ve all been there right?  Jeremy’s voice is smooth and filled with storytelling charm...a charm that feels relatable and gives me a bit of a Don Henley vibe.  His band is seamless and tight, backup vocals are on point and lyrics that are sure to make everyone nod in an “I’ve been there before” kind of way.  I look forward to hearing more from them.  Please check out more of their music below.

https://www.facebook.com/JBDANDTHERESISTANCE/

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Photo: (Phoenix Camerah)

HOWZAT-Luv Dust

What a glorious throwback to my metal days!  It’s so refreshing to see new artists keeping rock fresh and alive and most of all, FUN.  These guys remind me of KISS, Van Halen and shred like AC/DC. Hailing from London, Ontario, HOWZAT has been rocking since 99 and have been gaining momentum ever since.  They just came out with their single, Luv Dust in January of this year and it’s been very well received. These guys are truly talented and I can’t wait to hear what they come out with next.  Try not to give yourself whiplash as you rock out to this tune!  Check out their Luv Dust video below:

https://youtu.be/xKi3_P2kVrY

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Photo: (Justin Cato)

Drew Hale-Shot Of Whiskey

Drew Hale will knock your socks off in this unapologetic, foot tapping tune.  Try not to shake rattle and role as he basically says, take me as I am and I don’t care what the haters think.  Drew, originally from El Paso, Texas, now resides in Traverse City, Michigan and has played alongside, Tim McGraw as well as other popular country artists.  Check out this live, soulful performance of, Shot Of Whiskey below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkkiQX4gdvs

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Shhadeh-Still Filthy

Nothing but honesty here from this Vista, California born hip hop artist.  Now residing in London, Ontario, Shhadeh’s lyrics are aggressive, honest and smart. This song is raw and stripped of any B.S. as is all of Shhadeh’s music.  His raspy, in your face lyrics juxtaposed with, smooth trip hop beats, finds you nodding your head to his truths as well as vibing with the beat.  To hear more from this hip hop gem, click the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/ShhadehMusic

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Colin Alvarez-Georgia B4 Daybreak

Bring on the bluesy funk!  This song really gets in your head...and that is more than fine with me.  I’ve listened to Colin’s other songs and they all get me with the hook and make my feet tap nonstop.  Being a 15 year veteran of Atlanta, Georgia’s Music Scene, Colin and his band clearly know what they’re doing. Influences like, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton can certainly be heard and what great influences to have!  I appreciate Colin’s mix of both blues and funk; a mix I don’t usually hear in most Southern Rock.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else these super talents come up with and you should too! Please check out more info on Colin and his music below.

http://www.colinalvarezmusic.com/home.html

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Photo: (Paul Kotyk)

Katey Morley- Noah

An incredible multi-instrumentalist, Katey is a self-taught composer and plays the dulcimer, piano, autoharp and percussion.  Her single, Noah off her album, Then, is a wonderful mix of jazz and folk with smooth vocals, that remind me of other greats like, Tori Amos and Beth Orton.  Noah, examines who we are behind the many masks we wear in life. Please check out Katey’s music below. 

 https://kateymorleymusic.com/music-2/

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Sarah Smith-Undertow

London, Ontario’s, Sarah Smith tells a tale of loss, mourning and regret in this beautiful, tearjerker, Undertow.  Yes, you’ve probably heard this vulnerable and sultry voice before, as she plays nearly 300 shows per year, mainly in Canada and fronted the band, The Joys. Sarah has won many awards and has shared the stage with artists including, Melissa Etheridge, David Wilcox and many more.  Her music is extremely personal and her vocal range only adds to the already present depth in her lyrics.  Check out her video for, Undertow below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7ZQrlXxfQ

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Deni Gauthier-Let Me Go 

True Story, Deni recorded his songs in an abandoned school house. It was a quiet setting with ambience for his album.  However, when he was listening to playback of his recording...he heard children’s laughter.  His song, Let Me Go, off his, self produced album, Passenger, is both innocent and haunting. His voice is smooth and comforting, sentimental and soul exposing.  He’s a master at looping, creating ethereal layers to his music, just enough to evoke even more emotion than he does lyrically. Like a free floating feather, Deni’s music takes us on a journey of his path in life and shows us a little bit of ourselves in the process. Check out Let Me Go, along with the rest of the album below.  I’m not crying, I just have allergies...I swear.

https://www.deni.me/passenger/

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Alexandra Hawse-Count Me Out

At Just 18 years old, Alexandra Hawse is a force to be reckoned with.  Born and raised in British Columbia, her dark and brooding lyrics, along with her crazy instrumental skills, shows a maturity that not many people her age possess. Did I also mention she has a great understanding for classical music and plays the violin? Her single Count Me Out, shows her great vocal range and a deep understanding of how to perfectly piece together a song that gets you hooked.   This one will be in my head for a while.  You can listen to this track below.

https://alexandrahawse.com/track/1232297/count-me-out?autostart=true

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(Photo: Emanuel Benyamin, Mystery Man Photography)

Nimway-Everything I Wanted

Nimway, from London, Ontario, is working on their full length record as we speak.  Their single, Everything I Wanted, is filled with emotionally charged lyrics that, if you've ever known love and loss, are extremely relatable.  Lead singer and main songwriter, Anne Moniz gets personal, unafraid to show vulnerability, which hopefully continues as their album unfolds.  A four piece band, Nimway definitely has a Fleetwood Mac, Lady Antebellum vibe.  They are smooth and solid!  Looking forward to what comes next.  You can listen to their single and keep up with their success below.

https://nimwayband.bandcamp.com/track/everything-i-wanted

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(Photo: Kelly Loverud)

Paper Tiger-IN OTHER WORDS

Separated into four parts, this album does not disappoint.  Poppy synths, drum and bass and ethereal fragmented vocals all tie together perfectly.  I usually gravitate toward more lyrically motivated electronic music, but I have to say while listening to this album, I was the most creatively productive I've been in a long time.  While bopping my head, my crazy imagination pictured a colony of ants, continuously working to build their home.  Some worked with ease and optimism and others were challenged at times but persevered.  It charged my batteries and helped me along that same path creatively. IN OTHER WORDS, has a flow, with highs and lows, all the while making you feel like there is an actual destination you're working toward...and that you will get there.

https://soundcloud.com/doomtree/sets/paper-tiger-in-other-words

Pre-Order album here:http://www.doomtree.net/2017/05/02/paper-tiger-in-other-words-part-four-and-in-other-words-cdlp-pre-order/