Be prepared!! This is psychedelic!! This is experimental!! This is…well, this is rock of a particular sort.
Check out “1000 Machines ft John Z” if you don’t believe it. Maybe you’ll want to listen to “Our Friday Is Your Wednesday.” Those selections from Amaro Dolce (2008) are not dance music. They certainly don’t qualify, in this writer’s opinion, as road-trip tunes. I guess they are best left as experimental, with both musician and listener engaging in experiments.
King Tut has put together some sounds that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, so to speak. It’s interesting that they have done this from the beautiful, tree-covered land of Asheville, North Carolina. That’s not surprising, really, because the environment there can be inspiring.
Try on this PR move from the band’s Web site. “If you would like to use our music as a part of a soundtrack to a movie or a skate film, or a part of a dance or art piece, please do! We will not charge you any royalties–you can use any and all of our songs for free. The one condition we have is that you credit us somewhere in the liner notes or, I guess, the credits.”
Who is (are) King Tut? Mark Boyd and Drew Veres.
Some of you will love it.
Tags: music, King Tut, independent music, indie music, indie
Prepare yourself! This isn’t easy listening music.
Try out “Fight Back” (Punch Your Country 2008) for instance. Just staying with the guitar breaks will wear the listener out. So the question is, how does this guy Eric do that? It helps to be young and a bit angry. The title tune from the EP is another solid rock/metal tune, with killer guitar work. This one is a bit more straightforward, as rhythm goes, relying a bit more on fuzz chords. But that fellow Eric does some quick string work again.
The trio has played a Seattle show and will be in Renton, Washington in August. This keeps them in their home state for the time being. Kill The King puts its tunes on Katavi Arts, a label that isn’t found too widely among new bands.
This listener particularly likes the influences cited by KTK. T.V., tabloids, magazines and hypocrites are on the short list. The anger and dissatisfaction are evident in most of the songs. “Moralize” is a showcase, at times, for the bass work of D Lo Thebassmungus. This song is sure to grab the new listener and pull them in.
As for metal, punk and growler bands, I’ve certainly heard worse. This is actually pretty good stuff.
Tags: indie, indie music, music, Kill The King, independent music
It’s impossible to keep up with the work of all the good musicians working today, so it’s fortunate that someone has put the name of Michael Rhodes on the table.
Apparently Rhodes, an accomplished bass player, has caught the ear of dozens of the top names in the music business, especially with a group of players called The Vinyl Kings. Here are just a few names of “stars” this group has worked with: Elton John, Glenn Frey, Tina Turner, Leann Rimes, Neil Young, Bob Dylan…the list continues for quite awhile.
Who are The Vinyl Kings? Their Web site lists the group members as George Marinelli, Michael Rhodes, Jim Photoglo, Harry Stinson, Larry Lee, John Hobbs, Josh Leo and Tony Harrell). Rhodes has also worked with The Fortunate Sons. This listener would recommend checking out the Jacksboro Highway video. Nice sound here!!!!
On www.puremusic.com, writer Frank Goodman writes, Rhodes “is certain to be in most anyone’s list of top three bassists.” What makes it happen? Goodman believes its note duration, note selection, communication and other factors. The writer continues, “Although he’s a highly sought after session player and has probably played on a number of CDs in your collection, on our Listen page we will feature some clips of his work with a few Nashville bands of which he is a member.”
How did this review junkie catch the name? From Katavi Arts, a production company that also provides a range of services to musicians and singers.
Here’s what the main man of that company has to say about their mission.
“If you want to see how the record industry works don’t go to a radio station, go to its dumpster.” – Cyrus Rhodes, producer, Katavi Arts.
I would suggest checking out this Michael Rhodes cat.
Tags: music, indie music, independent music, indie, Michael Rhodes
This St. Louis-area singer and songwriter brings, first of all, a bit of The Beatles from earlier days, as well as a bit of the Gilbert O’Sullivan feel. However, there is some hidden humor here, so listen closely. In fact, those who have listened to this young artist from the beginning invoke the name of Randy Newman. Listeners new to John Krane should also be prepared for interesting electronic keyboards, sounds and background pieces. It will be fascinating to some.
According to the biography information from those who are helping with public relations and marketing, “John Krane is a pop artist located in Saint Louis, where he has appeared on local radio and at local establishments promoting his unusual brand of electronic rock.”
Krane has a collection of tunes out called Doris, Buzz and Friends. I am not sure about the “linguistic experiments on dolphins” theme of one tune but I do like the “proposed alternative to the nuclear bomb” played with emphasis on the piano. If you want to venture out and if you live in the St. Louis area, you may want to catch Krane in Highland, Illinois, not too far from the city. This might be fun, especially with a band called Japanese Bat Bomb.
Try this interesting song title on for size – “Cal Ripken (Chan Marshall’s Neck Vein)”
Tags: indie, independent music, indie music, John Krane, music
Some would say this guy’s been around the block, judging from his success at song writing and his strong following in Canada. But J. P. Houston really hit the media/airwaves in 2001, according to biographical information from Web sites associated with this Canadian singer/songwriter/producer and player of numerous instruments.
According to several sources, in 2001 Houston was nominated for a Gemini Award (considered by some to be the Canadian Emmy award). The recognition was due to his score for “Land of Hands,” in the Best Original Music Score/Dramatic Series category. He has written songs for various television shows and networks. He also wrote the theme song for a PBS series, “The Big Comfy Couch.”
As if that wasn’t enough, J. P. Houston has drawn attention for his live performances, both as a solo artist and with a couple of backup bands. Houston has also worked as a producer, and put finishing touches on the work of a punk band from Montreal, The Nymphets.
Enough said, correct?
Well, listen to “Mother Ann Lee” from Live At Zion with The Secret Three. There’s something else going on here. This dude can sing some very soulful stuff. New listeners will also enjoy “Fat Tuesday” and “Reverend Moon Live” from other collections.
Tags: music, indie music, J. P. Houston, indie, independent music
