Mad Buffalo
Montana-based Mad Buffalo announces the release of a new CD, 'Wilderness', distributed by Burnside Distribution.
Backing singer/songwriter/ guitarist Randy Riviere on the new album is an all-star band of musicians, including Rock'N'Roll Hall of Fame-member James Burton on guitar and long-time Willie Nelson band harmonica player, Mickey Raphael. Other players include Marty Grebb (who also produced the album) on keyboards, mandolin, banjo, dobro and backing vocals; Michael Ward on guitar, James Pennebaker on violin and pedal steel, banjo and lap steel; Bob Glaub and Dave Roe on bass; and Jim Christie and Gary Mallaber on drums.
The music on 'Wilderness', Mad Buffalo's third album release, was inspired by the many years Randy Riviere spent as a wildlife biologist working to protect our rapidly diminishing landscape values. The 12 original songs weave a magnificent tapestry of real people working through honest emotions and real-life situations, all imbued with the spirit of the land and its rich history that flavors each of the tunes.
Riviere's music is informed by a wide variety of influences ranging from The Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd to The Band and Neil Young. Told with the keen sense of a master story-teller, the songs on 'Wilderness' convey the spirit of the open road, the natural beauty of forests and meadows, the freshness of sparkling streams and the majesty of the mountains and deserts, all tied together with lyrics that are at once both personal and universal. Rock, country, blues, folk, bluegrass and rockabilly all meld together with a sense of nostalgia that promises to make Mad Buffalo's Wilderness one of the most exciting new releases of the year.
www.madbuffalo.com
www.myspace.com/madbuffalo1
Marc Black
To say Marc Black’s musical journey has included some unusual stops is a colossal understatement. Over the course of his career, Black has recorded and performed in a variety of formats from 60's pop to improvisational rock to ambient experimental performance art. But on his latest, "Pictures Of The Highway", Black returns to the simplicity of live performance.
“I have a Guild D-40 that I bought in 1969”, says Black. “It’s been with me the entire trip. It’s almost a dousing rod for songs at this point”. In planning the production of the 12 songs for the album, Black chose to build an album that could easily be replicated live, either solo or with a small band.
“I’m standing behind the song and letting it speak for itself”, says the Hudson Valley, NY, musician. “My co-producer, Jennifer Condos, wanted to do a real simple record. We recorded pretty much everything at her house in California. We wanted to hear everything and make it as comfortable and honest as we could”.
The album is already gaining attention for Black. “Ooh I Love My Coffee” has already made it to the top 10 of the Folk DJ charts, while the album is in the Top 20. In addition to Condos, Black enlisted friends Jay Bellerose (Alison Krauss/Robert Plant), Steve Gadd, Mark Goldenberg, Sloan Wainwright and more.
Black first appeared on the music scene with his high school band, The Blades Of Grass, which enjoyed a top 40 hit and toured with Van Morrison and The Doors. At 21, he embraced psychedelic folk rock while living at folk-rock legend Tim Hardin’s house in Woodstock. “Tim left town and I inherited his band”, laughs Black. “A compilation of the recordings we made can be found in the Smithsonian Collection on the ESP label”.
He has since recorded more than a dozen CD's, first for RCA, Jubilee, and ESP before embarking on an independent career. An award-winning artist, Black has worked with the likes of Rick Danko, John Sebastian, Taj Mahal, Maria Mulduar, Art Garfunkel and Richie Havens, among others.
In 2009 he was named “Folk Artist Of The Year” on ABC Radio’s Fame Games, and a “New Folk Finalist” at the 2009 Kerrville Folk Festival, as well as a winner at the New Jersey Folk Festival and in the Austin Songwriter’s competition.
His previous release, "Stroke Of Genius" - which was based on the poetry of his friend Dan Mountain, who suffered a stroke and remained in a coma for 21 days before waking up when Doctors pulled life support - led to an award-winning documentary, an endorsement by the National Stroke Association and a performance at the Sundance Film Festival (with Donovan). His 'YouTube' videos have been viewed as many as 35,000 times and he was invited by Levon Helm to perform at one of the ‘Rambles In Woodstock’. Meanwhile, he has recently been writing and recording with Eric Weissberg (“Dueling Banjos”) and John Sebastian.
www.marcblack.com
www.sonicbids.com/marcblack
www.reverbnation.com/marcblack
Marcus Eaton
Marcus Eaton’s career has been a study in dichotomy. His music is unique and original, yet wide in its appeal. His band is but a trio, but is as sonically powerful as any twice its size. His influences and famous fans include icons dating to the 60's (such as Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame-member David Crosby), and those who are among today’s most acclaimed artists (such as Tim Reynolds of Dave Matthews Band).
Eaton might be a small-town guy at the core, but his music knows no borders.
The singer/songwriter/guitarist from Boise, Idaho, recently released his 5th CD of original material, “As If You Had Wings”, an effort that has proven Eaton’s appetite for expansion. Powered by swirling bassist Ben Burleigh and powerhouse percussionist Kevin Rogers, the release is robust, a real rocker at times, yet shows the thoughtful songwriting that has been an Eaton trademark since he signed his first recording contract with a subsidiary of MCA Records in 2002.
As one reviewer noted, the latest CD is Eaton’s “most accessible yet aggressive rock music yet. He’s developed into a dazzling guitarist”. Announces another, “The intricacy of Eaton’s songs is gratifying and unfortunately lacking in most mainstream rock”. Eaton’s style is an excellent mixture of maturity and excitement”.
The band has been likened to such vaunted trios as Cream, Rush and Police, with Eaton’s clear and inviting voice and ever-dazzling guitar work pacing the band.
One of the more discriminate authorities in rock history agrees with the haughty praise heaped on Eaton.
“I truthfully think he’s one of the best young singer-songwriter guys in America, maybe in the world”, Crosby says. “He’s an enormously talented person. And it comes from a very, very good place. People who really listen to music, I think, will find him just a joy. He’s a really brilliant writer. Brilliant musically. Brilliant lyrically. And he just plays (guitar) like God on a good day!”
And this lavish praise is imparted after a mere two-year collaboration between Eaton and Crosby, who were introduced by a mutual friend two years ago and forged a bond through their passion for music.
Eaton has been a featured act for such wide-ranging artists as Bob Dylan, Train, Victor Wooten, Dave Matthews Band, Tim Reynolds, Derek Trucks Band, Martin Sexton, John Mayer, Jewel, Counting Crows, Jason Mraz and Sheryl Crow.
Eaton borrows from traditional rock, funk, reggae, flamenco, classical, jazz and folk, has toured extensively with Tim Reynolds. The Dave Matthews Band guitarist says, "Marcus weaves a tapestry rich in musical depth and soulful feeling. Sweet impassioned spot-on singing round out this total package of dynamite”.
Eaton has performed at venues vast and intimate. He has been featured on the 20,000-capacity Gorge Amphitheatre side stage during a show headlined by Dave Matthews Band. His CD release party at The Knitting Factory in Boise crammed the concert hall even beyond it’s official 999-seat capacity.
Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Eaton has been one of the most acclaimed artist in the intermountain west for more than a decade. With such luminaries as David Crosby among his confidants, he seems poised to take the step to stardom many have anticipated for him since he first picked up a guitar as a child.
“I think everything happens in a great way for me”, he says. “It happens when it’s supposed to happen”.
www.marcuseaton.com
http://marcuseaton.bandcamp.com
Maria Rylander
Maria Rylander just launched her debut album “Facing South”. With a solid education in jazz, the singer is clearly inspired by the genre. Although, "Facing South" is not a traditional jazz album.
Maria was born and raised on Öland, the long-stretched island located by the southeast coast of Sweden. With both parents being musicians, Maria was always surrounded by music and absorbed all kind of musical influences. To mention a few of the artists that inspire her are Joni Mitchell and Feist. Today she resides in Gothenburg where she also met Yasuhito Mori from Japan, one of Sweden’s most unique bass players. That meeting proved to be the beginning of a great collaboration, which also resulted in a tour in Japan during the spring of 2010.
Back in Sweden Maria started her own record label MaRy Music and began to record her first album. Since the CD launch, "Facing South" has been critically acclaimed. One critic even called it ‘the best album of the year’.
Maria has performed on national radio and TV, and she was one of the invited artists to perform in honour of the Swedish Crown Princess in connection to the Princess’ annual birthday celebration.
Playing with her on the CD are musicians from five different countries. Besides Yasuhito Mori, the talented cellist Vyvienne Long from Ireland – known from her touring with singer-songwriter Damien Rice – adds another level to the CD. Other skilled musicians like Sebastiaan Kaptein on drums (Holland), Vanessa Matthys on backup vocals (Belgium) and Carl Svensson on guitar (Sweden) are also to contributing to the CD.
In the nearest future Maria will be touring in Sweden with her Swedish band, performing music from her album. She will also travel to Spain this fall to participate in a music festival along with musicians from all over the world.
www.marymusic.net
www.mariarylander.se
Marion James
EllerSoul Records is proud to reissue the great R&B recording, "Essence" from 'Nashville's Queen of the Blues', the renowned singer-songwriter Marion James. Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Marion grew up in a family with a love for music. Like most great R&B singers, Marion's musical background is firmly rooted in the church. Her first experience with blues music came from watching vaudeville shows, checking out local performers and listening to her mother's record collection of old 78's.
In 1966, she recorded the top-ten hit "That's My Man" for Nashville's legendary Excello Records. The track featured legendary blues guitarist, Johnny Jones (Bobby Blue Bland) and Marion's husband, trumpeter/arranger Jimmy Stuart. Stuart also arranged horn charts for such notable artists as Junior Parker and Bobby Blue Bland. During the early 1960's, Marion's touring band included guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox. Their live performances electrified audiences throughout the South. Marion continued performing till the mid 1980's when she decided to take a long overdue break from the road.
In the early 90's, Marion met guitarist Casey Lutton. She began to perform with his group, The Hypnotics. Several years later, she and this funky outfit recorded an album for the Italian label, Appaloosa Records. Since then, Marion has shared the stage with Rufus Thomas, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Chuck Willis, and many others. She's played to sold-out audiences in Europe and the United States. Marion was also part of a exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame, 'Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970'. It covered the rich and vibrant R&B music history of Nashville.
"Essence", is an intoxicating blend of blues, soul and jazz and features some of Nashville's finest musicians. Legendary jazz pianist, Beegie Adair, and her trio accompany Marion on six of the twelve songs. Adair's restraint and poise perfectly complement James unique vocal styling. Marion's vocal style is reminiscent of her influences such as Billie Holiday, Ruth Brown and Etta James.
The remaining tracks find Marion in an electric soul blues setting. Musicians like keyboardist Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), guitarist Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers) , bassist Bob Babbitt (Motown session musician) and drummer Chucki Burke (Willie Dixon, Issac Hayes) drive the point home with music that'll make you jump out of your seat! From the greasy funk of "Tables" to the silky groove of "Let's Straighten It Out", Marion commands each track with the profound conviction that only a veteran can convey. EllerSoul Records is excited about adding this great recording to it's catalog and look forward working with Marion on her next recording project.
www.ellersoulrecords.com
www.myspace.com/queenothefblues
Mark Davis
In his ongoing quest to explore the vast musical landscape between Townes Van Zandt and Motörhead, Mark Davis presents his 3rd and most ambitious solo album to date, "Eliminate The Toxins". Driving rock. Raw folk. Effervescent pop. Bombastic experimentations. Anthems and weepers, wrapped in striking visual artwork.
Recorded with Lorrie Matheson in Calgary, Alberta, the genre-defying "Eliminate The Toxins" is at once cohesive and sweepingly diverse. While forging new territory, Mark pays homage to musical forebears such as Guided By Voices, Durutti Column, The Byrds, David Bowie, Pan American, R.E.M. and Urge Overkill.
Mark Davis has been performing and recording for 20 years. Sharing the reins with Shuyler Jansen, Mark guided the band Old Reliable through 15 years and 4 recordings. His music has appeared on more than 20 different releases, as well as on television, and in feature-length and short films.
Mark’s last 2-CD release - "Don’t You Think We Should Be Closer?" and "Mistakes I Meant to Make" - was praised as 'a two album tour de force' and 'the roots release of the year', and was lauded internationally by an abundance of four- and five-star reviews. Uncut magazine called "Mistakes I Meant to Make" 'stunning' and Le Cri Du Coyote in France called the song "By The Time" 'one of the most beautiful songs of the century'.
Mark became the most-played Canadian roots artist on the CBC’s Galaxie satellite radio for 2007, spent several weeks atop the National Campus and Community Radio roots chart, and made the year’s top 10 lists of the both the NCCR and Exclaim Magazine.
Mark has shared stages with such luminaries as Guy Clark, Alejandro Escovedo, K’Naan, Fred Eaglesmith, Kathleen Edwards, Great Lake Swimmers, Gurf Morlix, Corb Lund, Ray Condo, Giant Sand, The Sadies, Richard Buckner and Pieta Brown, to name a few.
Mark McMillen
Mark McMillen is a writer, composer, vocalist, keyboardist, producer and film-maker. Mark has been the keyboardist/musical director for singer- songwriter Bobby Caldwell for 20 years, touring extensively in the US, Japan, and Europe. He has also co-written "I Give In" and "Call Me Up" with Bobby. Along with writing "So Not To Worry" which Chaka Khan recorded, he has composed songs with Mark Winkler, Michael Lington and Anjani. Touring as well with Randy Crawford, Boney James, Anjani and Eric Benet. Mark's own band has shared billing with Santana, Tina Turner, Michael Franks and Weather Report, to name a few.
Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Mark has played in bands since the age of 10, eventually studying with three jazz pianists in the Denver area - John Parsons, Ted Alexander and Gene Rush - before spending two years in music school at the University of Colorado. He then travelled throughout the US residing for two years in the SF Bay area, then spending three years in NYC before living, recording and touring in France, Spain, Germany and Italy during the 80's. He has lived in Los Angeles, CA, since 1992.
Mark has recorded three CDs, featuring his original compositions. "It's About Time" (1998), "Mark McMillen" (2002) and his most recent release "Keenyo" (2010) which features the talents of Alan Hinds, Danny Gottlieb, Patrick Lamb, Roberto Vally, Rogerio Jardim, Gary Ferguson, Carlisle Barriteau, Holger Fath, Jean McLain, and his daughter Haley McMillen on vocals.
"The Smooth Move" is the title of a feature length mocumentary film which Mark wrote, directed, acted in, and edited. It was featured at "The First Take" film festival in Augusta, GA.
Marshall Lawrence
Maple Blues Award Nominee and Canadian Independent Music Award Nominee, Marshall Lawrence, "Doctor of the Blues", is a true “Prairie Bluesman”. Marshall has been inducted into the Blues of Hall of Fame as a 'Great Blues Artist from Canada'. Marshall performs acoustic slide & finger-style blues and roots with a true and genuine blues feel. He performs as a solo act, just Marshall and his National guitars creating an intimate acoustic experience. His music is described as Neo-Delta Acid Blues & Roots - delta-style blues and roots with a raw edge & an acid twist.
The near mystical attraction to prewar country blues persists for what is fast closing in on 100 years, in part perpetuated by its universality that renews and invigorates the form with fresh energy and musical ideas. A prime contributor is Marshall Lawrence from Edmonton, Alberta, whose blues from the northern plains are as genuine as the classics, but performed with an edge he calls “Neo-Delta Acid Blues & Roots.” Being born in a log cabin in 1956 and first inspired by Jimi Hendrix only tells half his story, as having a doctorate in psychology after studying birdsong has provided him with a background unique to the genre. He initially led punk to funk combos in the 70's and 80's before forming the hot-wired Marshall Lawrence Band and releasing "Where’s The Party?" (2003). His sophomore release in 2008, "The Morning After", was his first all acoustic blues project. And now the good “Doctor of the Blues” is healing his grateful “patients” with his all acoustic "Blues Intervention" featuring his guitar, mandolin, banjo, jug and “thigh slaps”.
Of course nothing can take the place of one of Marshall’s amazing live shows, each one a shot of rough-edged, high-energy, Delta-style sounds with an acid twist sure to delight long-time traditionalists as well as newer, perhaps less-reverent converts. As festival, theatre, and club audiences have been finding out, the best place to get a dose of Marshall’s medicine is right in front of the stage. Thanks to his jaw-dropping technique, moving delivery, and engaging persona, crowds of all walks and ages have been blown away.
The doctor will see you now…
Marsteller & Rhodes
"In the 1860's a 17 year-old girl boards a sailing ship that will take her across the Atlantic to America. She falls for a sailor, they wed and begin a life together in Virginia. He is soon drafted into the Civil War, deserts and vanishes.
Now alone, she picks herself up and goes West to California and Mexico, gold mining towns and saloons, Indian missions, bullfighting arenas, stagecoaches and romance.
These songs are her imagined diary."
"Chandelier" will be released and available for purchase in February 2012. The album contains 28 songs that portray the adventures of a of young woman who comes to America in the 1860's. Sixteen of the songs are vocal songs and twelve are instrumental pieces. The CD includes a 12 page storybook that contains lyrics and images of the saga.
Let the story begin!
Marty Rivers
Being born in a musical family, singer-songwriter Marty Rivers was drawn into music from a very early age by listening attentively to his grandfather playing the guitar and immersing himself in his father’s record collection.
At the age of 13, young Marty took part in a singing contest in his native island of Malta and won despite being the only non-adult participant. It was around this time that Marty formed his first band and started performing in various bars and venues all over. It was the beginning of a long road that has nonetheless brought him success and helped him develop into the artist he is today.
Although his passion for country music has been within him since childhood, he has ventured into other musical genres which developed in him a sense of versatility that is so evident in his music today, both as a songwriter and also as a performer.
The first collection of original songs was released in Marty’s debut self-titled album ‘Marty Rivers’ with two of its tracks charting high on various European Country Music charts.
In 2008, Marty released the album ‘Out Of The Blue’, produced and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. This was another set of songs all written by Marty himself along with Joe Spiteri, songs that reflect the various musical influences that left such a blueprint on Marty’s music.
Various tracks from the album were released as radio singles, all of them charting high on various charts including the song ‘Made in Mexico’ which went to number 1 on Ramgatie Country music International Top 40 and ‘Call Colorado’, voted as a top song during the 2008 Music Row Songwriters Festival in Nashville.
In November 2010, the self-penned gospel song ‘The Lord Is Coming Soon’, originally recorded on Marty’s first album, reached the number 1 spot on the God’s Country International Music charts and number 3 on the American Country Gospel Music charts.
That same year, Marty started working on some new material for a new album which was then recorded in Nashville with a group of top class musicians, and like his previous album was also produced by Gary Carter. ‘Midnight Sky’ the latest offering from Marty is a set of 12 songs that once again show the versatility in Marty’s music.
The first two singles from this album, the title track and ‘Run Angel Run’ both went all the way to the top of the Ramgatie charts and the European Country Music Association charts and also topped a number of individual ECMA charts in various countries. In November 2011, the Malta Music Awards Committee awarded Marty with the award for Best International Achievement.
Matt Keating
Matt Keating’s 10th release and newest album, "Wrong Way Home" is a 16-song emotional epic, quietly fueled by striking melodies, poetic lyrical turns and is truly aligned with the best of the classic 1970’s songwriters. While he has most recently been classified within the Americana genre, "Wrong Way Home" seeks to revisit his original pop sensibilities, while folding in his more recently discovered alt-country “twang”. Keating’s attention to the craft of songwriting effortlessly combines the humorous with the heartfelt, as stories of lonely carousel makers and long dead beach bums abound. The tone of this collection, his debut on Sojourn Records, is tinged by nostalgia while being entirely modern. It is contemplation on life’s narrative, offering moments of joy and melancholy, epiphany and regret.
Matt has been consistently putting out critically acclaimed albums since his Alias Records debut, "Tell It To Yourself" was released in 1993. In addition, he has released 6 full-length albums, as well as 2 EP’s, including 2003’s "Tiltawhirl" released on Alan McGee’s Poptones label. He has continued to tour regularly throughout the US and Europe. Keating will be touring Europe and the UK, as well as the US, in support of his new release during 2012.
Coming off last years "Between Customers" (“Enough to lift the spirits and restore a jaded reviewers faith in new music”- Americana UK), which was noted for it’s spare and minimalist approach, "Wrong Way Home" reaches for musical heights based more on orchestration and arrangement.
In recording "Wrong Way Home", Keating looked to his long time band mate Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Ani DiFranco) to produce, as well as an all-star line-up of musicians including guitarist Tony Scherr (Bill Frisell), drummers Greg Wieczorek (Joseph Arthur, Norah Jones), and Mark Brotter (Hem), with strings provided by Claudia Chopek and horns by Shane Endsley and Dave Sewelson (Microscopic Septet).
He lives in the West Village of New York City with his wife, fellow songwriter and designer Emily Spray, and their daughter Greta Spray Keating. In addition to performing and writing, he produces other artists and teaches music and songwriting.
www.mattkeating.com
www.myspace.com/mattkeating
Mathieu Pesqué & Roll Pignault
Mat Pesqué & Roll Pignault set the record straight. Together, they offer a class and orignal repertoire of blues - A kick in the pants!
MATHIEU PESQUÉ is a great musician, as powerful performing the blues, as discreet and youthful in life... mystery of the blues.... A cross between Jack Johnson for the voice and Ben Harper for the guitar playing, his music is both dark and shiny He's been playing several festivals such as 'Jazz in Marciac', 'Cognac Blues Passions', 'Cahors Blues Festival', 'Musicales de Bastia', 'Blues sur Seine', 'Rhino Jazz Festival', 'Jazz en Touraine'... in many countries (France, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Canada) and has been the support act for Willy Deville, Bob Brozman, Martin Harley,Bob Martin and many others.
ROLL PIGNAULT is not only a great harmonica player and a good singer. He impresses the audience with his energy. He's a real showman. Roll's technic is both rough and subtile. His approach of harmonica is unique and quite experimental. He has been blowing his harp in many different bands, playing many different music styles, going from traditional blues to celtic rock. Influenced by artists like Sonny Boy Williamson and Bruce Springsteen.
If AC/DC was looking for a harp player to join the band, no doubt he would be that guy!
www.mathieupesque.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Mathieu-Pesque
MC Hansen
”Hey - I am MC Hansen. I’ve played shows all over Europe - From The Olympia in Paris to a highway diner on the Swedish island of Gotland, since I started making a living as a musician in 2003.
People have listened to my songs at festivals, in livingrooms, symphony halls, in clubs, at libraries and in backyards. I take pride in calling myself a minstrel! My new album 'Pariah' was recorded in just two days in Denmark and has songs about judgement day, folk songs, songs about the moon, the seasons, train songs, songs about traffic, and it’s even got a few songs you can dance to, if you just can’t help it!"
Danish Music Awards winners Uffe Steen on guitar, and Morten Brauner on bass, team up with Jacob Chano and myself, and the list of guests on the album counts Danish 'Country Music Artist Of The Year 2009' Tobias Stenkjær, Danish Music Award-nominee CS Nielsen and multi-instrumentalist Rune Højmark.
Some people categorize me as 'country music', some say 'folk and I know people who think I’m from Ireland! I don’t where my songs come from, but I hope you’ll like ’em – That’s why I play them!
I have had the pleasure of opening for artists such as Madeleine Peyroux, Mavis Staples and Taj Mahal on stages in Sweden, England, Norway, Denmark and France, and I’ve visited Germany, Italy and Holland, playing shows in the past 6 years.
Danish journalist Kurt Baagø wrote the liner notes to 'Pariah': 'I’m several years older than MC. Never mind that. I think MC’s soul is at least as old as mine. Perhaps even a year or two older. I can tell by listening to MC’s songs. In a funny, wry way they contain great wisdom – no, not in any precocious sense, but a wisdom my own young soul is deeply fascinated by, and just beginning to comprehend. If it’s okay with you, MC, can I call you a Danish minstrel? A friendly long-nosed dude, travelin’ from town to town, singing his songs… With a hat!'”
www.mchansen.com
www.myspace.com/mchansenband
Meadowland
November 30, 2010, sees the European release of the debut album 'Harbours' by singer-songwriters Meadowland. 'Harbours' is produced and written by guitarists Josef Bernberg and Robin Tinglöf. Meadowland also features Christopher Anderzon on bass and Henrik Ståhlberg on percussion.
Recently featured on Swedish television’s channel 4 breakfast-show, Meadowland have consolidated their previous live performance experience into an intimate stage presence that bears witness to both their technical finesse and lyrical sensitivity. 'Harbours' endeavours to bring that sensitivity to the studio, providing the listener with a full-length album experience reminiscent of the previous singles, but comprising entirely new material, and exhibiting more coherent production.
Josef Bernberg and Robin Tinglöf started playing rock music together in their teens. Growing older they experienced the onset of creative asphyxiation as the responsibilities of adulthood began taking their toll. Life had become mundane and a little bit too realistic. Music had lost its fascination, and the bands they were involved in tended to split up. After a dry spell, they began to play together again, tentatively, in an attempt to recapture some of that earlier fascination for music. This led them to explore a different texture of sound, that turned out to be somewhat therapeutic.
Their current collaboration began seven years ago as an informal song-writing workshop of sorts, void of expectations or demands. After some time they realised that they had unwittingly started a band. They discovered Meadowland. With no previous interest in, or experience of the acoustic genres, they both set out on a new journey of musical experimentation. It is this wanderlust and curiosity that gives the band its unique, soft, spacial quality, inviting listeners to inhabit nostalgic moodscapes.
Meadowland is a band sustained by friendship, dreams and a vested trust in following the music wherever it might lead.
www.meadowland.nu
http://oaksofmamre.se
www.myspace.com/meadowland
www.myspace.com/oaksofmamremusic
Melanie Dekker
Melanie Dekker, is an accomplished singer/songwriter and guitarist from Vancouver, Canada, who has graced the performances of the world’s best:
Played to presidents, toured and received international recognition, gained rave reviews, and has left thousands of fans wanting more!
Dekker crafts her witty and heartbreak style songs with a driving rhythm that teases, pulls and moves the listener. Through her own tenacity Dekker’s songs have been placed colourfully throughout feature films, television shows, top radio charts and also covered by other notable artists.
Sonoma Mountain Entertainment and Zabit Records worked with legendary LA producer David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman/Tori Amos) recently signed Dekker to produce her latest album, “Revealed”. This collection of songs clearly represents the pinnacle of Melanie's career to date as an artist and writer.
www.myspace.com/melaniedekkermusic
Merle Haggard
Iconic country music legend, Country Hall of Famer and most recently a Kennedy Center Honoree, Merle Haggard, is releasing a new album, ‘Working In Tennessee’, on October 4th, 2011. This marks his 2nd disc for Vanguard Records and is a collection of self-penned Haggard riches, plus a couple of classics made famous by Johnny Cash, as well as a new version of Merle’s stalwart “Working Man Blues”, featuring Willie Nelson and his son Ben Haggard.
‘Working in Tennessee’ is another in a long line of stellar discs filled with Haggard’s honest and candid observations of the world in which we all live, as well as life on the road and at home with backing by his longtime band The Strangers, plus a number of veteran studio cohorts. Produced by Haggard and Lou Bradley at the Hag’s northern California Tally studio, the album is another worthy addition to his tremendous body of decades of radiant work. It’s a loaded mixture that reflects the consistently self-possessed artistry which long ago earned him the moniker “poet of the common man” and displays his masterly phrasing with alternately smooth tones and rough-hued vocals that deliver all the resonant interpretive impact he’s known for.
‘Working in Tennessee’ opens with the title track, an ideal Western swing workout, that underscores Haggard’s oft-confrontational relationship with Music City, to the stark vulnerability of “Sometimes I Dream”, co-written with his daughter Jenessa, to the autobiographical tale of “Down On The Houseboat”, co-written with his wife Theresa. Willie Nelson and his son Ben are featured on the kicking re-make of his anthemic “Working Man Blues” and Theresa joins Hag on a duet of the Johnny Cash-June Carter standard “Jackson”.
The album is a strikingly artistic example of the artist’s unflagging creativity which shows no signs of slowing down. According to Haggard, “I’m swinging back in full throttle right now. Music keeps me alive. It makes me breathe better. It’s funny, but I feel better when I come off a tour than when I start out”. What an amazing accomplishment for a man who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 and had part of his lung removed. With no signs of the disease returning, Haggard continues to produce songs and perform live at the age of 74 with more energy and enthusiasm than many a younger man or woman.
www.merlehaggard.com
www.vanguardrecords.com/publicity
Michael Brewer
Michael Brewer was born on April 14th, 1944, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The oldest of four children, he performed on the radio at age four. He was a singing drummer in a rock and roll band in highschool, along with fellow bandmate and guitarist Jesse Ed Davis. In 1960 he sold his drums and bought his first guitar. After graduating highschool in 1962, he traveled the folkcircuit performing in coffee houses from coast to coast, and began writing songs. He met Tom Shipley in 1964 at The Blind Owl coffee house in Kent, Ohio, but they wouldn't become a team for a few more years.
He teamed with first partner Tom Mastin in 1965, and settled in San Francisco, then Los Angeles. His first recording contract was with Columbia Records as Mastin & Brewer. They formed a band with drummer Billy Mundi (later to be an original member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention), and bassist Jim Fielder (later to be an original member of Blood, Sweat & Tears). Mastin & Brewer toured southern California opening for The Byrds, along with another newly formed band, Buffalo Springfield. Buffalo Springfield got together in a house next door to Michael, once owned by Lenny Bruce, and they got their name from a road work vehicle that was parked in front of Michael's house. Mastin & Brewer began headlining clubs in L.A., and began recording, but Mastin decided he couldn't take the pressure, and they separated. Sadly, years later Tom Mastin commited suicide.
Mastin & Brewer's man at Columbia Records was leaving to help create a new record company being formed by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss called A&M Records. He took Michael with him, and Michael became a staff song writer for A&M's publishing company Good Sam Music.
Tom Shipley moved into a house around the corner from Michael and they began writing songs together. Soon, Tom was a staff writer for A&M, as well. Their demos for the publishing company exhibited a sound and style of their own, and A&M suggested they record their songs themselves. Their first album “Brewer & Shipley/Down In L.A.” was released in 1968.
Unhappy with life on the coast, Michael and Tom moved back to the heartland, doing what they'd done before - Performing their songs for those who'd care to listen. They made Kansas City, Missouri their home, and with friends, formed a company named Good Karma Productions. Brewer & Shipley acquired a new recording contract with Buddha/Kama Sutra Records in New York City. They recorded four albums for that label “Weeds”, “Tarkio” (containing the now classic rock-anthem "One Toke Over The Line"), “Shake Off The Demon” and “Rural Space”. Eventually, they moved to Capitol Records and recorded two albums “ST-11261” and “Welcome To Riddle Bridge”.
In 1980 Michael and Tom amicably went their separate ways. Michael met Dan Fogelberg in a bar in the Rocky Mountains, and Dan invited him to sing on a song on his latest album. The album was “The Innocent Age” and the song was "The Reach". Dan produced Michael's first solo LP entitled “Beauty Lies”, on Full Moon/Warner Bros, and it was released in 1983.
In 1987 Brewer & Shipley regrouped for a special concert in Kansas City. They did a few more reunion shows, but writing new songs is what got them back together. While on tour in Alaska, they decided to form their own company "One Toke Productions". They have written songs for, and recorded two CD's for that company, “Shanghai” and “Heartland”, and after forty plus years together Brewer & Shipley are still performing.
In 2004 Michael released his 2nd solo effort, entitled “Retro Man”. In the last few years Michael has been more prolific than ever writing songs, and in early 2011 released his 3rd solo album entitled “It Is What It Is”.
www.brewerandshipley.com
www.myspace.com/brewerandshipleyspace
Michael Miller
"Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Michael Miller's 'I Made You Up' teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. Don't let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller's unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur."
"I Made You Up" is Michael Miller's second full-length album. Miller describes the recording process as 'effortless', thanks to the group of elite luminaries involved. "They’re mostly old friends who all know each other and also happen to be some of the most talented players in L.A. I feel remarkably fortunate to have had them on this project."
The cast includes drummer Brendan Buckley (Damien Rice, Shakira), bassist Dan Rothchild (Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, Beck), pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne, The Pretenders, Son Volt), keyboardist Patrick Warren (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Tom Waits, Sam Phillips), guitarist Lyle Workman (Jellyfish, Beck, Sting), B3/keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters, The Wallflowers), lap steel guitarist Ben Peeler (The Wallflowers, Jim White), cellist and violinist Stevie Blacke (Beck, Madonna, Snoop Dogg), guitarist Adam Zimmon (Shakira), bassist Joe Ongie (multi-instrumentalist, producer whiz kid), and guitarist Mike Roe (The 77s).
"I Made You Up" was produced by Miller and Buckley, co-produced by Joe Ongie, recorded by Mike Terry (Foo Fighters, The Eagles) at Elliott Smith's old place New Monkey Studios in Van Nuys, California, and mixed by Ryan Freeland (Aimee Mann, Crowded House, Rodney Crowell, Son Volt, Joe Henry, Grant Lee Phillips).
Miller wrote his first songs at the tender age of 6. "My best friend and I would make up these silly theme songs about all the kids in the neighborhood. They were sometimes cruel but extremely hilarious - at least to the minds of 6-year-olds - and we would get the rest of the kids to sing along."
These days, Miller's secret muse for inspiration now comes from his ongoing habit to go exploring in other countries. "It became an annual tradition and sort of my drug of choice. Besides the sweet freedom and built-in surprise of a new, faraway world, I just love getting lost, literally, in strange lands, hanging with the locals, the natives, and seeing how they live. It's sort of like soul mining. I get to go dig for beauty and truth in other people's backyards and the discoveries and treasure-finds typically end up in my songs in some way."
When Miller is not out trotting the globe, you'll find him drawing "little doodles," as he calls them, for several different international greeting card lines. "I still have a line with Hallmark. At one point, they fired some of their best art directors and VPs, then axed my line, saying they were 'reassessing their taste guidelines' and thought my work was too irreverent or inappropriate," he says, laughing. "They then asked if I would be willing to draw for their writers and editors on another line. I agreed but insisted that I use my pseudonym, which was in fact, my 'porn star name'. You know that game? I still get a kick out of seeing my 'porn star' by-line in mainstream card racks."
Michael Miller's sophomore release, "I Made You Up", is available now.
www.michaelmillercrusade.com
www.myspace.com/michaelmillercrusade
www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Miller/48255491086
Michael Tomlinson
With his honey-warm voice and earthy, uplifting lyrics, Seattle-based singer/songwriter Michael Tomlinson’s songs comfort the weary soul. Drawing upon folk, pop, and Americana, Tomlinson’s songs unfold with an easygoing charm and crystalline clarity, driven by his moving, poetic narratives. Tomlinson’s latest album, 'The Way Out West', finds him reflecting on his life, how the experiences of his past have taught him compassion and helped him appreciate the stunning beauty of his beloved Pacific Northwest.
'The Way Out West' could be seen as a journal of the two decades of his life since Tomlinson left his home in Austin, Texas, and made Seattle his home. On the cover, Tomlinson is seen in silhouette holding his guitar as he walks among bold outlines of trees; the brilliant blue of the sky lending a sense that he is embarked on a new beginning. The title track describes the grief of leaving all he knew behind, while the wind-swept strains of “Seattle Skies” conveys his life long love of changing seasons and natural elements.
Tomlinson moved to Washington State after a homemade cassette of his song, “The Climb,” became the most-requested track of all time on popular Seattle FM radio station, KEZX. The station had developed its own progressive music format that would eventually become known as Adult Album Alternative (AAA), and Tomlinson’s friendly hybrid of folk and rock, with a jazz-inflected vocal delivery, was greeted with wide enthusiasm. Inspired by the smashing reception from KEZX and its listeners, Tomlinson recorded and self-released his debut LP, 'Run This Way Forever'. Made available through his Desert Rain label, the record sold 15,000 copies in its first month in Seattle. It eventually moved over 100,000 units nationally as other independent radio stations began adding cuts from the album in high rotation.
By his second LP, Tomlinson had signed with a new L.A. record company. The album, 'Still Believe', earned Tomlinson his first Top-10 Adult Contemporary hit, “Dawning On A New Day,” and he headlined major theaters across the country as a result of its success. However, an amicable relationship with the label was short-lived. By his fourth record, Tomlinson had grown disenchanted with the company, and when he discovered that the label was secretly shifting his contract to a larger, international company, he rebelled, eventually regaining all of the rights to his previous work. Tomlinson then revived his Desert Rain label, freeing himself from corporate obligations and creative interference.
In addition to writing and recording music, Tomlinson has hosted nearly a decade of weekend retreats called, A Gathering of Friends, on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, offering his music as a means to bring people together in friendship and goodwill. This spirit of this humanhood is very much alive in his music today.
Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight
Born as a result of a life-changing Randy Weeks-show at Los Angeles’ legendary Cinema Bar, Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight have been honing their singularly raucous, yet delicate and melodic rock ‘n’ roll since 2007. “I walked into the Cinema one summer night and Randy Weeks was playing”, Rhodes said. “The room was hot and packed. The crowd was riding a wave with Randy’s band, higher and higher, then he would just reel them all back in. It changed what I was doing overnight”.
After dozens of shows in and around L.A., the band entered Interstellar Studios in 2010 to record its debut album. The result, “’Til I Am Dust”, is a record rich with layers of heartache, longing and joy, with no autotune, and simple, soulful instrumentation.
“It took longer to finish than we thought it would, and that was frustrating”, Rhodes said. “But looking back, the record evolved at its own pace, and I’m not sure it would have otherwise”.
Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight features seasoned veterans of Los Angeles’ roots, punk and rock scenes; Mick Rhodes on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Wyman Reese on keyboards and piano; Brian Hall on electric lead guitar; Brian Wells on drums and percussion; John Sleeger on bass and background vocals; and Steve Sturgis on acoustic guitar and background vocals. This core group is joined by Emily Moultrie and Robin Banks on background vocals, Jim Shirey on fiddle and mandolin, Roofie Barnes on cello and Jeff Masters on harp.
The band can be found playing shows in L.A., and plans are afoot to perform at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas in March 2012. The band is currently in the studio recording its follow-up to “’Til I Am Dust.” The new record, tentatively titled “A Thousand Ways,” is due in 2012 on Hot Tramp Records.
www.hottramprecords.com
www.facebook.com/MickRhodesAndTheHardEight
Mideando String Quintet
Mideando String Quintet is proposing a brand new kind of music that the E.B.M.A. (European Bluegrass Music Association) has defined as :
NEW ACOUSTIC MUSIC
The use of instruments such as mandolin, octave mandolin, mandocello, violin, guitar and electric bass creates a wide spectrum of string sounds which is enriched by refined five-part vocal harmonies. Their style of music can be defined as a fusion of rock, blues and pop, with some hints of jazz and ethno, and a touch of country and bluegrass.
The CD "L'inverno Dei Coltelli" published in 2000, is made up of original songs written by Mideando - This CD is the result of an in-depth musical research that puts together the sound of their acoustic instruments and the Italian texts written by Giulio Mozzi. During their show many covers, fully rearranged, are performed. Some of these songs are collected and available on a live CD called "Bootleg!", which was recorded during the 2001 tour.
The CD "Viaggio" (‘Journey’), released in 2004, keeps on the same line, and presents ten new original songs and two covers with the unmistakeable Mideando's sound.
The brand new CD “Tutte Le Direzioni” (‘All Directions’) was launched at the I.B.M.A. (International Bluegrass Music Association) in Nashville, USA. The CD contains 7 original songs with Italian or English lyrics, plus 3 well chosen covers (‘You Are The One That I Want’, ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ and ‘These Are The Days Of Our Lives’) as well as MSQ’s version of ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’ and ‘Turkey In The Straw’.
The European Bluegrass Music Association in 2008 published “10 Years Of E.W.O.B.”, a CD with the best live performances of the last ten years. MSQ’ performance were included with their a-cappella arrangement of the American traditional song entitled ‘Talk About Suffering’.
MSQ are working on a new CD for release later in 2011.
www.mideando.it
www.facebook.com/mideando
www.myspace.com/mideandostringquintet
Mikael Persson
”Strong melodies and a lot of voices - Voices add feeling”
After nearly 30 years as a songwriter and guitar-player with several local bands in Borås, Sweden, Mikael “Micke” Persson releases his debut album, “Moving With Mrs Carter” on Paraply Records.
The album’s twelve songs has a strong solid foundation, a lot of warmth, and beautiful harmonies, adding a little extra character and growth.
Recorded during a two-year-period, but written after a creative outburst on a single afternoon, the songs came to life during a turbulent time of inner and outer crisis. “I needed to build my own room, both mentally and physically”, Mikael says.
“The songwriting was a way of communicating with myself. Mrs Carter was my talking-partner. This new album is the result.”
The new album is released by Paraply Records, a label that will release Citizen K’s debut album later this year.
Stay tuned!
Mike Aiken
Not many people get to live life on their terms. But that is exactly what singer/songwriter/sailor Mike Aiken has been able to do combining his three greatest passions in life, music, sailing and adventure. Now, with the release of 'Hula Girl Highway', Mike’s sophomore record for Northwind/Aspirion Records, he continues to cement his place as an authentic voice of a wayfaring lifestyle that most of us will only just dream about.
Mike is truly one of the lucky ones, living the life he sings about with his wife and musical partner Amy aboard a 42-foot cutter in the Norfolk, Virginia area. He’s as adept at tying nautical knots as he is painting musical memories and images of the places and people he’s met along his journey.
Strangely enough, for a die-hard sailor that journey began very landlocked. Mike grew up outside of Buffalo in rural Western New York, his love affair with the sea kindled at the young age of eight when a family friend introduced him to sailing. Around the same time Mike started developing his natural musical ability, learning to play acoustic and electric guitar.
His musical metaphors are a mix of those two worlds. 'I come from those back roads, dirt under my boots, now I live on the water with a country point of view', Mike sings in his first single 'Find Me' off the new record. “I wrote this like I write all my songs,” says Aiken, “From the heart and from what I know. This one came to me while anchored in the Bahamas, holed up during a hellacious storm. Amy and I weathered it for three weeks, taking odd jobs to survive. We had wind generators to make drinking water and were better off than most. It was then I knew I was one of the luckiest SOB’s in the world to have the chance to live this lifestyle.”
While luck may have something to do with it so does hard work. It all started to pay off last year with Mike having a banner musical year touring all over the country and in Europe. Highlights included opening shows like the Sunset Festival in Newport, Rhode Island for Bruce Hornsby to appearing at the Hampton Coliseum Winter Blast with Ashton Shepard and Chris Cagle. He was also invited to participate at the prestigious Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
2007 also saw the release of his Aspirion/Northwind debut 'Just Add Salt'. Mike’s mix of country, and roots rock with a Caribbean flair struck the right chord with listeners, charting on both the Americana and Roots Music Country charts. And his two singles also made waves as up and coming on the New Music Weekly charts.
What’s on the horizon for Mike this year, besides the release of 'Hula Girl Highway' then? Well making music and traveling of course. Mike and his band have been playing around the country and are set to go to Europe again in the fall. “I am one of the lucky ones,” muses Aiken. “With my music, my boat and my friends I am ready for wherever the winds blow.”
For the rest of us that’s a good thing, a chance for us landlubbers to close our eyes and live a life on the high seas vicariously through Mike Aiken and his music.
Mike Cullison
From the Oklahoma-Texas area to Atlanta to Nashville and stints in Europe, Mike's journey has been an extraordinary one. Mike’s innate writing skills and love of music merged early on. Raised in Oklahoma, he grew up on Country Western and Honky Tonk - moving into a diverse blend of music as a young man in the 60s. Many of his influences are: The Beatles, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Delbert McClinton and all the great story tellers of years gone by.
Professionally, Mikes career began in the small clubs and honky tonks of Oklahoma City - moving on to Atlanta in 1988 to expand his opportunities and sharpen his writing skills. While in Atlanta he worked with the Lowry Group and subsequently met Don Goodman, a successful Nashville writer with many hits including 'Angels Among Us' and 'Ring On Her Finger Time On Her Hand. With Don's encouragement, Mike made the move to Nashville in 1995 to have access to the larger writing community. One of those connections led to a European tour with Johnny Neel and the Italian power trio W.I.N.D.
Mike's songs reflect his diverse background. His initial release, 'BAC', has a Rock-a-Billy feel to it. The newly released, 'Blue Collar Tired', contains a blend of country and rock with a honky tonk feel. Both are sure to please everyone.
"Blue Collar Tired" available here.
Morello
Formed in 1996 in London by singer/multiinstrumentalist /producer Malcolm Cross. The band name is actually a reference to his childhood hero, West Coast jazz drummer Joe Morello.
The group were a mainstay of London's 'Acid Jazz' scene in the late 90's; outside of recording debut LP 'Jackpot' (1998, CDV Music) Mal worked as a sideman for various maverick UK acts including Spiritualized, Death in Vegas and M J Cole.
A lifelong dream was realised when a recording contract with UK band Minibar brought him to Los Angeles, California, forming the inspiration for his US debut 'Minimal' (2003, self released); a kaleidoscope of musical styles in tribute to his new home. The song 'Too Sweet' from that album was ultimately featured on the soundtrack to the Focus Features movie 'Something New'(2006, Lakeshore Records.)
His latest release 'Handheld'(2007, self released) is a nod to the music and influences of his mispent youth - early 80's synth pioneers Prince, Giorgio Moroder and Yellow Magic Orchestra. The current band lineup includes vocalist Em C, Zak Schaffer (guitar) and Pierre Martin (bass.)
About 'Minimal':
"Hyperactive fun...brimming with irresistable melody and the true flavor of L.A..." (Rave!)
"A real damn good album that you need to discover right away..." (Melodic.net)
"An infectious romp through California's magnificent musical memoirs, still managing to sound wildly Right Now." (Pamela des Barres)
Mad Buffalo
Marc Black
Marcus Eaton
Maria Rylander
Marion James
Mark Davis
Mark McMillen
MarshallLawrence
MarstellerRhodes
Marty Rivers
Matt Keating
Mathieu Pesqué
MC Hansen
Meadowland
Melanie Dekker
Merle Haggard
Michael Brewer
Michael Miller
MichaelTomlinson
Mick Rhodes
M.S.Q.
Mikael Persson
Mike Aiken
Mike Cullison
Morello
