Artist Debuts
LION BABE are a soulful, buzzing New York duo made up of singer-songwriter/performance artist Jillian Hervey and instrumentalist/producer Lucas Goodman. Their track “Treat Me Like Fire” mixes Motown and 70s soul with contemporary production and their latest jam “Jump Hi” features an appearance by Childish Gambino. Both tracks are off their forthcoming major label debut EP.
Check out one of the latest artists signed to Average Joes Entertainment, the Nashville label founded by Country music rapper Colt Ford. Twang and Round are country, southern rap and rock comprising members Duo Vernon Roach (aka “Kuntry Twang”) and Brad Davis (aka “Lil Round”). Their debut single “All Wired Up” was featured on the latest Muddiggers compilation. They also just released their debut EP Pour Another Round, featuring the track “Grand Daddy Long Legs” with an appearance by Tyler Wood from the Discovery Channel show Moonshiners.
Founded in 1952, the Barchet Quartet was a German string quartet whose members were renowned in Germany and across Europe, earning the Grand Prix du Disque in 1959. Led by concertmaster and soloist Reinhold Barchet, the ensemble recorded and released all of the Mozart quartets and quintets (including four fake works). Their recordings were pressed on vinyl for the Vox catalog back in the early years of LPs, which have since been remastered for CD and reissued to critical acclaim.
Though it’s never easy for a band to describe their own sound, San Francisco’s Wild Eyes nailed it: “Blue Cheer kidnaps Tina Turner and ties her to the tracks of the Grand Funk Railroad.” Boasting members of Saviours, Floating Goat and Hazzard’s Cure, Wild Eyes SF give a much-needed womanly voice to the Bay Area’s blooming proto-metal/hard rock scene. Singer Janiece Gonzalez belts out her vocals with a raspy soul – never succumbing to the tacky, overdone vocal gymnastics of those who have come before her. The band’s rhythm section plays with a bounce and groove turned up to 11. At times, mustachioed bass player Carson Binks invokes the chooglin’ grooves of GFR’s Mel Schacher. But it’s Chris Corona’s guitar wizardry that dares to take on the six-stringed demons of yore while aiming previously uncharted riffs and leads square into the depths of the cosmos.
New Music
Primus – Primus & The Chocolate Factory With The Fungi Ensemble
The eighth studio album from experimental rockers Primus bring together Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander for a remake of the soundtrack of the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. This also happens to be the band’s first studio set in nearly 20 years! Check out Claypool’s dark vocals on a twisted interpretation of “Candy Man,” Tim Alexander playing pots, pans and the kitchen sink on “Cheer Up Charlie” and Larry LaLonde’s vocals and surf-style guitar on “I Want It Now.”
Brass Knuckles – Water Gun
Well-known for his feature on Pitbull’s latest hit “Fireball,” John Ryan pops up again, sprinkling a bit of humanity on Brass Knuckles’ “Water Gun.” Ryan’s presence is most apparent on the hook, which features a large chorus singing an endearing, childlike melody. Meanwhile, Brass Knuckles’ experience remixing artists like Gotye and Cee Lo is apparent as Water Gun deftly melds electro house swagger with indie-pop aesthetics.
Goapele – Strong As Glass
Bay Area soulful songstress Goapele returns with her fifth release of unique R&B songwriting. A blend of hip-hop, futuristic beats and classic Soul vocals; Goapele’s style is unmistakably irresistible. The album’s title track “Strong As Glass” blesses you with a melody and vibe reminiscent of Stevie Wonder. The single “Hey Boy” featuring Snoop Dogg will have you singing along with its infectious disco groove. The entire album mixes several influences into the R&B formula, from reggae to trap to pop.
Genre Station
Classic Hard Rock, not to be confused with heavy metal, features bands from the late ‘60s to the late ‘70s that were rooted in garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock. You’ll hear classic tracks with heavy guitar riffs, driving rhythms, power chords, fuzzed-out guitar leads and soaring vocals from bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, MC5 and Van Halen.
