Tag Archives: Featured Artist
Today’s Featured Artist: Maggie Szabo
“A soulful Canadian singer who’s won over audiences worldwide, with 13 million views on YouTube, Maggie Szabo comes from small town Ontario and is now an accomplished singer/performer living and working in Los Angeles.
Maggie honed her craft at a young age in her hometown of Dundas. Following her high school graduation, she moved to Nashville to continue the quest to improve her writing and performing. Her original sound, infused with soulful pop melodies, secured Maggie a record deal with Linus Entertainment in Ontario. Her debut pop album Now Hear Me Out was released in November 2012. All songs were co-written by Maggie, with production by Justin Gray (Joss Stone), Gavin Bradley (Nelly Furtado) and Tanya Leah.
The single Lovesick was released to heavy rotation on Canadian airwaves, and Maggie was named Bell Media’s Emerging Artist—personally chosen by famed blogger Perez Hilton as his “Can YOU Sing?” contest winner. He hailed Maggie as a superstar on the rise.
Since living in Los Angeles, Maggie has performed to sold-out shows at the infamous Viper Room, House of Blues, and famed venue the Hotel Café. She also wrote and recorded her song Tidal Waves and Hurricanes. The music video premiered exclusively by Ryan Seacrest and has garnered great reviews from media and fans. Maggie also won the 2014 Toronto Independent Music Award in the category for Best Pop, and most recently was the Pop/Top40 winner for the International Songwriting Competition.
Aside from having her original music placed in many notable film and TV projects, Maggie has recently landed two co-written songs and is the featured vocalist on the upcoming album for German electronic DJ, Schiller, who has so far sold 7 million albums worldwide. The album is scheduled to release in early 2016.
With a quickly growing fan-base and a social media following that tops some of the nation’s most established pop artists, Maggie has effectively used the internet to showcase and market her songs to the world and her dedicated fans. She’s now gearing up for the next exciting chapter in her musical journey—an album of new songs and a tour to follow.”
Today’s Featured Artist- Vanessa Forero
Check, check, check her out!
“British/Colombian singer-songwriter Vanessa Forero is set to release her self-produced EP on March 28th, a collection of 5 songs which came from a place best described by the EP title ‘From The Uproar’. Forero is a skilled multi-instrumentalist as well as a producer, composer, arranger and vocalist. After being selected in 2015 by Brit Award Singer-Songwriter Beth Orton to write and perform at her UK show, Forero decided to become her own artist and record her own songs in her distinctive Indie/Folk style with Latino influences.
For her debut EP, Forero recorded and played a lot of native Latin instruments herself, and even sings the evocative bonus track ‘Anhela’ in Spanish. Her sound is a reminder of her roots and has been greatly inspired by her time spent in Colombia. Forero was first introduced to a whole new music scene whilst filming National Geographic’s feature documentary ‘Woman Raised by Monkeys’, a film based on the bestselling book on her mother’s extraordinary life ‘The Girl With No Name’, a book that she co-wrote herself.
Vanessa Forero has recently revealed the underwater-themed video for her new single ‘Same Boat’. This new track is guaranteed to plant a smile across your face and have you hum in no time. So do not hesitate to embark on a journey across the choppy seas to get to know Vanessa’s unique world.”
Featured Artist-Sarah Dashew
“In less than ten years, Sarah Dashew has managed three critically-praised albums, successful tours, television spots, and a new full-length, establishing her as one of the music industry’s most consistent singer-songwriters.
On Sarah Dashew’s latest full length, Roll Like a Wheel, one can hear her whole musical history: Texas tejano, Southern gospel, and blue-eyed soul, but now wrapped up in a distinct Los Angeles flavor. You can still hear James Taylor and Janis Joplin, but there’s clearly a Paul Simon, Graceland-era spirit to the proceedings: The rhythms of her city have combined to imprint itself on the album. “More than any other city has done before,” Dashew pronounces. That and finding true and everlasting love.
“Estas Son Las Cosas” announces itself with blaring Mariachi horns then Spanish-sung verses, a clear homage to the eastside of LA, which she calls home. “Are You Listening?” continues the Spanish singing, this time to an upbeat pop-rock number, perfect for a dance or two. Then there’s “Roll Like a Wheel,” the stand-out track (from which the album gets its name) that almost sounds like a manifesto for both the album and her brilliant musical career: Keep the wheel spinning, keep the influences coming, and never stop. Not surprising from someone who grew up sailing around the world with her family.
“Roll Like A Wheel is the culmination of my musical history thus far. It takes all my life and sounds from childhood to now, wraps it up in a package of Los Angeles flavor, and spins it into a journey of soul and spirit,” says Dashew. “Joy and healing. Reflection and anticipation. And all that comes down to love.”
This insistence has earned her songs spots on the hit NBC show My Name Is Earl, inclusion in the celebrity playlist of ABC’s Ugly Betty, rave reviews of previous albums, and successful tours throughout the U.S. and Europe with the likes of Cowboy Junkies, Michelle Shocked, Suzanne Vega, and Pancho Sanchez.
Roll Like A Wheel is engineered by Eric Lilavois (Saint Motel, My Chemical Romance) and will be released nationwide January 22.”
Featured Artist- r e l
“r e l is a 20 year old artist based out of Los Angeles. r e l ’s music radiates emotion, embodying what she calls “evoca-pop”– music that makes you think and feel– and what has been labeled by music-tastemakers and fans as dream pop/alternative r&b.
This past May she released her debut self-titled EP containing the upbeat,ever popular track, “Plateau”. r e l ’s music has been featured on notable blogs such as MTV Iggy, Hilly Dilly, BaebleMusic, Crack in the Road, and Impose Magazine.
r e l has played at several historic venues throughout the Los Angeles area including The House of Blues, Room 5, and The Mint, along with playing industry showcases including the DL at Dirty Laundry and BMI’s Acoustic Lounge. She has been working nonstop on new music and visuals for her upcoming EP.”
New Single From Ker’s Corner Featured Artist Mi’das!
My Q&A With: Cleopatra Degher
At a very young age you moved to Sweden and spent much of your youth there before moving back to California. How do you feel the culture of both these locations influences your music?
Being bicultural has really shaped who I am, both musically and otherwise. I find myself being drawn to the more melancholy vibes of (some) Nordic music, but at the same time I listen to a lot of American roots music, and I think I take a little from both when I write my songs.
Your sound has been likened to Joni Mitchell. Who would you say your music is comparable to? Or how would describe the audiences you’re trying to reach?
Hmm that’s always hard for me to say. I might say my music is comparable to a band like First Aid Kit. I like their music a lot.
This summer you’re touring the East Coast. How, if at all, do you anticipate this tour will be different than the time you’ve spent on the West Coast?
I have friends and family in several cities along the West Coast who I’ve been able to stay with and hang out with along the way. On the East Coast I don’t have nearly as many and I’ve also never been there before. So it’ll be a completely different experience! I’m really looking forward to seeing the East Coast.
After releasing your debut album Pacific last fall, you were featured on NPR’s World Café Next. What is your reaction to such moments of increasing recognition?
It’s a great feeling. I get motivated to work harder when things like that happen. The World Cafe feature was completely out of the blue too, which made it even more special.
At South by Southwest this past year, you played three consecutive nights. Did you get to catch any other performances while you were there?
Yeah I got to see Laura Marling play tunes from her new album in a pretty intimate setting, which was so great! She’s one of my favorites now. And I got to see several local Austin bands who were all super good. I’m impressed with Austin in so many ways.
Before You- Lois
Lois is a project created by musician Lois Brea, also known as a member of the new wave, indie-pop band from Madrid, Trajano! Lois combines simplicity in his guitar playing and music with wide-ranging vocals to produce euphonious, captivating music! Check him out!
https://www.facebook.com/loisband
Today’s Featured Artist: Mi’das
British singer Mike Davies, better known as Mi’das, has been working on what he calls ‘Story So Far,’ a series of three EP’s, each with their own theme. His most recent EP, Stronger, was released on April 30th. Over a ten year span, Mi’das has experienced and accomplished a tremendous amount, including performing with artists such as Jessie J and Rita Ora. In January, Mi’das was featured as one of iTunes ‘Ahead of the Curve‘ artists in both the US and the UK. He is currently on tour in Europe. Check him out!
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/stronger-ep/id971845739
*Photo from the artist’s Facebook page
Today’s Featured Artist: Kristyna Myles
“MOBO nominee Kristyna Myles combines sublime vocals, superbly crafted songs and stunning musicianship to ‘Paint A Brighter Day’ with her second album. Recorded with Mercury Prize nominated producer Andy Ross, ‘Paint A Brighter Day’ features 11 songs about life-lessons with the aim of inspiring and painting listeners’ days brighter.
All songs are written or co-written by Kristyna who has created a musical canvas true to her pop roots, with brush strokes that evoke jazz, soul and gospel influences. ‘Paint A Brighter Day’ is released thanks to a successful campaign on PledgeMusic that enabled Kristyna to fund the album and video with support from music fans.”
Check out her new album out on March 23rd!
https://twitter.com/KristynaMyles
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