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About the Author

Sheena was born and raised in sunny Southern California. She works
in the music business by day and in her spare time she is a singer and a
writer. Sheena is a tremendous fan of independent music and enjoys
meandering about the local LA scene.

Julian Shah-Tayler at Boardner’s

November 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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Last Wednesday I found myself at the swank yet dank Boardner’s for a performance by Julian Shah-Tayler. I’ve mentioned Julian’s interesting brand of high-brow low-brow music before when he released his song “Wetter.” If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend it.

Musically, Julian’s style is all over the place. He mixes a little rock and electronic elements with some piano pieces, but his polished attitude remains throughout. He’s sort of the artsy rebel type and it really comes through in his performance.

Anyway, the beginning of the set got off to a weird start. I’m not sure what the song was called but it didn’t grab me from the get go and come to think of it, it didn’t fit in with the rest of the set either.

The part of the show that I really enjoyed was when he played “Wetter” (obviously) and “Beautiful World.” Not only was the crowd really into it but “Beautiful World” has a brilliant piano intro.

I also found that his songs sound different live. His sound has a grittier edge that’s missing from the album. I wish he’d bring that out more.

Check out his new album Coito Ergo Sum or find him here (but I suggest you turn off the volume before you do, it’s intense)

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

Sir Castanon-the next Lady GaGa?

November 9, 2010 By 1 Comment

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Looking for some good campy fun? Look no further than Sir Castanon. He could be the next Lady GaGa or Adam Lambert, but I really think it’s too early to tell. I mean, he’s only thirteen.

Some of his songs have a lot of promise, especially what appears to be his later works, like “Shadow Boxing.” Some of his early stuff is a bit more campy and forced, but if that’s what you’re into, you’ll fall hard for his pop/dance tunes.

I’d keep an eye on this one. He’s loaded with talent. Besides being an artist, he’s also an actor whose best known performance is Adam Sandler’s son in Click. He’s making progress musically as well and I’d like to see where he goes next. Who knows, maybe he’ll break into the Disney pantheon and shake things up some.

Check him out here or on Facebook. And keep an eye out for his “Puppeteer” video due out soon.

Filed Under: Artists, News Tagged With:

TimPermanent makes the world a better place

November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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I’ve really fallen for TimPermanent, yet it’s been an odd kind of romance. When I first heard his music, I wasn’t exactly impressed. I passed over it quickly and moved on with life. It was like meeting the love of your life when he or she is a dork. You don’t realize your attraction right away, but something takes a hold of you and you can’t get them out of your head. I knew I felt something when I found myself singing it all. the. time.

Yup, that is what TimPermanent’s music is like. It’s quirky and wonderful and difficult to classify but it draws you in.  One of the things I enjoy the most is the message behind the music. It’s inspiring in a non-cheezy way. To make things even better and more inspirational, TimPermanent even did an ‘It Gets Better’ video.

Here is an artist who wants to leave a very specific message—to be yourself and embrace it. Everything he does supports it, from performing at Pride alongside Adam Lambert, to making music that is adventurous pop/electronica. I really really think it’s fucking awesome.

Check out his new EP Marker. Get it? TimPermanent Marker. It’ll make you wanna dance your troubles away. Find him here or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

Disalto Rocks LaBries

October 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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I wrote a review of Disalto’s latest album One Beacon In the Strand not too long ago so I jumped on the chance to see them play a show at LaBries. It’s not hard to see why the ended up on last year’s warped tour. Disalto has great chemistry and they sound just as impressive as they do on their impeccable album.

The set began with “Precious Flaw.” It wasn’t exactly the most energetic song to start their set with, but they proceeded to build the momentum steadily with each proceeding song.

During the show, vocalist Dana Cordero had moments of perfect connection with the audience with a sharp intensity, but there were times when his mind and his eyes were wandering. Kinda like he was looking for someone (a reviewer perhaps? ) and it brought the energy down when he would.

The two show stealer were Oren Halmut and David Friedman. Oren wailed on the drums with a ferocious and relentless focus. It was exhausting just watching him, but you could tell he was in the zone. David Friedman was equally as energetic and completely engrossed in what he was doing. The rest of the band was energetic also, but Oren and David really took it to another level and made the other members look like they were lacking in energy.

There was one moment near one of the last songs, I think it was “The Arrival” when Dana stepped off the stage and Joe Friedman filled the void and rocked the bass so hard, I swear I thought he was going to break it. It was pretty awesome.

The set ended really abruptly soon after that. I would have still liked to have seen a few more songs. Luckily, the bands came back for an encore, “Could It Be.” It was  a powerful way to end the set and by the time it came around, the whole band brought their A-game and delivered a great finish.

Check them out Disalto.com or on Facebook

Filed Under: Free Shows, Shows Tagged With:

The Spies rock The Silverlake Lounge

October 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

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This Wednesday, I stopped by The Silverlake Lounge on Sunset Blvd. to catch The Spies, a Los Angeles-based melodic rock band.

They sneakily began their set with “Bang Bang” (which is also the lead track from their latest albumTelevolution). They all got up on stage and then without an introduction, Mark Matkevich began striking the bass keys of his keyboard on what would soon become the drum beat. A few bars of that and the modest amount of people in the room quieted and turned to watch. Then the rest of the band jumped right in.

I forget what two songs they played after that, but throughout I was engrossed watching Mark on the keys. He’s a regular Jerry Lee Lewis and it’s immediately obvious that showmanship and bringing the energy are his strong point.

His co-frontman Leo Francis took care of the other half of the stage and together they really balance each other nicely. Leo also brought a lot of energy, but whereas Mark brought the bravado, Leo brought the cool. When he took over lead vocal duties for “You Got Some Nerve,” the audience really warmed up and actually started dancing.

A few songs after that Mark got up off the keys and took up a guitar to give the whole band a whole different dynamic. I wish I could have seen Adrian Barrio and Dylan Giagni’s playing more, but I couldn’t from where I was. They really sounded great though, especially for the last two songs “National Pastime” and “It Comes In Waves.”

“It Comes In Waves” was by far my favorite and I felt that it was probably the band’s favorite too. They played with extra gusto and all of the elements of the song and performance really came together in a way that felt special. I’m really not sure how to describe it, but it just had a little je nous se qua that I hadn’t seen in a while.

Check them out at WeAreTheSpies.com

Filed Under: Show Reviews Tagged With:

Neil Rutman releases Second Life

October 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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I like music when it’s meant to nourish and be uplifting, especially when you’ve had one of those days. Neil Rutman writes those kinds of songs that are meant to make you feel better about life. He’s a producer and singer/songwriter whose latest EP Second Life might very well pass for a Christian album because of the cover. But it isn’t quite. It’s more than that.

It’s a build up from his second album Clawing My Way To The Middle and it’s about getting a new start. I suppose that’s what a lot of us feel like. With the recession keeping everybody fighting just to get by and bumming everyone out, we could use a fresh start and Second Life provides it.

Check it out if you need a boost. Find out more Neil Rutman here or on Facebook

<a href=”http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SNwsQt2WsiQ&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Falbum%252Fclawing-my-way-to-the-middle%252Fid6233112%253Fuo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30″ target=”itunes_store”>Clawing My Way to the Middle – Neil Rutman</a>

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

Antonio Paul makes “City Dreams” come true

September 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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I can’t get enough of Antonio Paul, especially their song “City Dreams.” It seems that I can’t play this song without hitting repeat at least once and I can’t even tell you what my favorite part of the song is. I love every second of its bouncy indie-pop goodness.

Now, Antonio Paul is not one dude. It’s actually a couple of 19-year-old from Australia whose last names are Antonio and Paul. Apparently, two guys are all you need to make music these days. Antonio Paul creates their quirky sound without the aid of additional musicians, even doing so live. They take this same self-sufficiency to the recording process and recorded their three song EP Treasures independently. Not bad for a couple of teenagers.

Treasures was just released on iTunes and in addition to “City Dreams,” contains the songs “Monsters” and “West Coast Kids.” I’d highly recommend picking up a copy and if you find yourself down under, keep an eye out for a tour soon.

Check them out on Facebook or iTunes

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

Darius Lux wins over fans at the House of Blues

September 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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I was fortunate enough to be invited to a show for Darius Lux at the House of Blues in West Hollywood last weekend. The experience reminded me of why I enjoy live music so much.

Darius Lux and his band, packed the Parish Room. If you’ve ever been there, you know that there isn’t a stage. The band pretty much just sets up in a corner, still the sound in the room in pretty awesome and for some reason being on the same level as the band makes you feel like you’re really a part of something and need to participate.

The whole set lasted more than an hour and I was surprised that the band didn’t lose their initial energy because I know I did. They maintained their vitality and showmanship throughout their set that covered some songs off of Darius’ new EP Time is Now, his old album Arise and some covers including Gnarles Barkley’s “Crazy.”

Darius Lux’s natural charisma was interesting to watch on stage and I would highly recommend catching him the next time he performs and while you’re at it, check out the EP!

Find him here or on Facebook

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

Take a road trip with Bingham Willoughby

September 17, 2010 By 1 Comment

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If you’re wondering, no a Bingham Willoughby is not a kind of animal that hangs in a tree in Australia or something. He is actually a singer/songwriter and part Lou Reed.

Bingham’s latest album is Maybe Not Today, Maybe Tomorrow and is the kind of album that is made for long road trips when you’re driving alone through the desert or along the coast or some other expansive doldrums of your choice.

These arent’ traditional pop songs in any way. Bingham ignores most traditional structures and the songs just sort of melt together one song smeared into the next with melodies that are all in the same family. This is moody pensive music with a Velvet Underground twinkle and maybe some Belle and Sebastian.

And funny that this album is made for journey’s because according to Bing (yea, I’ll use nicknames if I want) the album was like a journey. But how could it not be? When you undertake the whole recording and writing process alone, like Bing did, it’s bound to feel like quite a pilgrimage.

At the end of the day, that’s what this album is. It’s a roaming and exploring of sorts, with the explorer giving insight into the whole thing. A conversation if you will that reveals something deep and secretive.

Find Bingham Willoughby’s music here or on Facebook. Get his album now on iTunes.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Trust him, he’s Gary Melvin

September 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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How does one create induce trust? Besides creating an obvious increase in oxytocin, listening to Gary Melvin’s album Trust, could do the trick. On Trust, Gary Melvin takes his masters in jazz guitar and vast experience on guitar (including a four year stint as touring guitarist for Frankie Vallli and the Four Seasons) and puts it to good use. He creates chord progressions that slightly differ from the usual singer/singerwriter formula and keeps it soothing with his understated and soothing vocals.

The result is disarming and I honestly do feel more trusting when listening to his music. It’s definintely great trust-inducing music for a dentist’s office. But more than that, Gary’s music is notable because it aims for a theme and actually delivers. Bravo.

Find him here or on Facebook

Filed Under: Album Release, Reviews Tagged With:

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