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Band

Matt Jaffe  and the Distractions expand their LA audience at The Federal Bar in NoHo.

July 10, 2014

  By Patrick O’Heffernan, Host, Music FridayLive!  Matt Jaffe brought his high energy rock band The Distractions to North Hollywood’s Federal last night, energizing a respectable audience and demonstrating that he can play in larger venues in Los Angeles, the nation’s music capital.  This was a return trip for the young new wave band, having previously opened for bands at The Central in Santa Monica and the venerable, if smaller, The Mint. The young (he just finished his first year at Yale) northern California-raised guitarist and his band mates drummer Alex Coltharp and bassist Sammie Fischer have mastered the high-spirited sound that he shifted to when he exchanged the acoustic music of his high school days for an electric guitar.  With songwriting that shimmers with the best of the hard rock groups in the Southland clubs these days, Matt led his bandmates in nine new songs that showed how he has moved far beyond the slick blend-into-the-background pop music that surrounds us. And his lyrics always give us something to think about. I suspect the audience would [Read More]

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music

Tanner’s new EP breathes life into his storytelling

July 8, 2014

New York City rock artist, Tanner has recently released his self titled EP which was produced, engineered and mixed by Brian Virtue (Jane’s Addiction, 30 Seconds To Mars, Chevelle). The EP navigates Tanner‘s journey to sobriety, as well as falling in love and the heartbreak that followed.  The songs are not only well crafted written songs but they are brimming with emotions that come to life with the music and Tanner‘s vocals rope you in and are mesmerizing. There is a true air of honesty and clarity that is evident throughout the EP, creating a true bond between with the listener. Check out the video for his song, Come Alive which appears on the new EP. The EP is now available on iTunes here.  Track listing: Come Alive Where You Go Satellite Lonely Girl Slow Release Mend Pick up the EP and feed your soul with the passionate vocals of Tanner. Make sure to visit his social media sites to stay up to date on his latest news. ~ Marisol Information & Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tannerband Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/tannerbandmusic Instagram: http://instagram.com/tannerband YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Tannerband iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tanner-ep/id872452059

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music

Mary Scholz’s The Girl You Thought You Knew: a romance propelled by angelic voice and heart piercing lyrics.

July 2, 2014

  To see Mary Scholz live in concert is to fall in love.  It is not just the flashing dark eyes or the crown of black ringlets or the confident, welcoming body language at the microphone.  It is the voice and the lyrics – the music that flows from the stage and puts its soft hands on your cheeks, kisses your forehead, your ears, your mouth and becomes your lover.  You are taken;  you know this woman and her music and you want to spend the rest of your life listening to her. Her new album, The Girl You Thought You Knew has the same effect. It’s a star-filled Milky Way of music that tightens your stomach, speeds your pulse and captures your heart.  The fifteen songs on this album are each crafted and polished and presented as a love offering in a carefully sequenced order that defines her heart and pierces yours.  This is not an album to play on shuffle;  it s a romance  ready to ripen. Beginning with “A Mournful Noise”, the [Read More]

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Interview

Interview with Ashley Xtina and her new EP Stability is out July 2nd!

July 1, 2014

  We recently brought you a review of the fantastic new EP Stability by Ashley Xtina. You can read more from that post here. The new EP Stability is set to release tomorrow, Juy 2nd and we hope you all get a chance to pick it up. Ashley’s EP is four amazingly well written songs that are not only emotionally driven but complete capture the listener and transports them to another place. The vocal range and execution by Ashley is gratifying. Her voice can transition from powerful to vulnerable, from mysterious to sultry and so much more. We had a chance to talk with Ashley and are pleased to bring that interview to you here: * * * * * * * * * * * Music Junkie Press: Thank you Ashley for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! We have to tell you that we love your new EP Stability. Your EP highlights the honesty and realness in the music. Was it a very emotional process to record [Read More]

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Concerts

Interview with Jake of Front Porch Step and catch him out on Warped Tour!

June 30, 2014

  Vans Warped Tour has always been known for delivering an amazing array of music which will satisfy everyone’s needs. One of the highlights this year is the Acoustic Basement Stage Presented By Full Sail University. This year you will be able to catch the amazing set by Front Porch Step all summer long. Front Porch Step is the fantastic acoustic project of Jake McElfresh. His vocals are tender yet powerful and his songs deliver emotionally driven lyrics that grab a hold of your heart and connect to the listener. He is passionate in his songs and you are truly held captive when he sings. He feeds your soul as he takes you on a musical journey through his emotions.  He reminds me of the first time I ever heard Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October and how his songs kidnapped me in my mind. Jake is that beautiful gem that shines through his music and shouldn’t be missed! We had the opportunity to chat with Jake before his set last week at the Wheatland, CA Warped [Read More]

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Band

Check out Brian Setzer’s new rockabilly song, Let’s Shake which is off his forthcoming album

June 30, 2014

Iconic guitarist, songrwriter Brian Setzer has premiered a new song, Let’s Shake which will be available on his forthcoming album, Rockabilly Riot” All Original. The album is set for an August 12th release through Surfdog Records. Brian says about the song, “Yeah, ‘Let’s Shake,’ how come no one has thought of that title yet?  We’ve been making rock ‘n roll now for 60 years and no one has come up with ‘Let’s Shake?’  And I came up with it and I went ‘wow…Let’s Shake!’ You know, oh god, it’s just so simple it’s magic!  It’s got a really great guitar solo in it, just rock ‘n roll sounding…it’s not really ‘billy’ sounding, it’s more rock and roll… again, it’s the simplest songs that are the hardest to write.” Check out the song here:     The high energetic song fueled with rockabilly attitude is quite infectious. I have always loved Brian’s style of music and he has once again proved that he belongs high on the charts for his unique style and charismatic music. Here is [Read More]

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music

Ashley Xtina new EP Stability will bring harmony to your heart

June 27, 2014

I love how the simple act of listening to music can bring out a range of emotions or even bring a particular memory to surface. I love when a musician can connect so well to the listener that their words and visions intertwine with the each other. Tonight, I experienced just that when I listened to the new EP Stability by Ashley Xtina. Four amazingly well written songs that are not only emotionally driven but complete capture the listener and transports them to another place. The vocal range and execution by Ashley is gratifying. Her voice can transition from powerful to vulnerable, from mysterious to sultry and so much more. The first track So Sorry has a soothing almost ethereal intro and then you are greeted with the crisp and heartfelt lyrics of Ashley. It’s honest and raw lyrics can provide a source of comfort for so many as they can connect to the song. The piano intro on Angel creates the perfect dramatic backdrop for Ashley‘s passionate vocals. Once again tender lyrics are sung [Read More]