June 2018 | Music Junkie Press

Fuzzy Knight’s Blowin Smoke Rhythm & Blues band packs Harvelle’s with fun

June 26, 2018

Patrick O’Heffernan (Santa Monica, CA) If you like blues, dancing, and having fun there is no better band for you than Fuzzy Knight’s Blowin’ Smoke Rhythm & Blues Band with the Smokettes, and there is no better place to see them than at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica where I saw him Saturday night. Knight grew up in St. Louis and witnessed almost all of the great R&B touring revues like Ray Charles, Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm, James Brown, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and so many more. That experience taught him lessons in the blues and in pleasing crowds that he uses every minute he is on stage. He was on stage Saturday night at Harvelle’s Saturday night for a lot of minutes with his full band a four piece horn section plus the fabulous Smokettes (and they ae fabulous – any one of these ladies could have been the lead singer). Knight led the band from the back corner, in the groove with seasoned baselines and throaty vocals while drummer Carl [Read More]

VIDEO: Vista Kicks release video for latest single, Live, You’re Gonna Die featuring the California coast.

June 26, 2018

Vista Kicks have just released a new music video. This time for their latest single, Live, You’re Gonna Die, off the forthcoming full-length album, TWENTY SOMETHING NIGHTMARE, due Friday, July 13 via their own Little Hook Records. The video was directed by Dimitri Voytilla and shot along the California coast. Check out the new video below: More about the Vista Kicks and their music: In a bold move that’s in line with the band’s free spirit, VISTA KICKS released the album’s lead double-single–“Million Dollar Seller Pt1/Pt2” and “Numbers“–on May 31 into the public domain, making the songs available without a copyright so anyone can use them without needing to pay a fee to the band. The band’s Derek Thomas told FORBES.com, “We’re trying it out. It’s a social experiment for us…we really believe in it. We believe in the power of public domain.” Thomas added: “I think the world misses out on a lot of really awesome art that could’ve been made if artists weren’t in the circumstance of compromising their beliefs for money or for investment.” For the upcoming 18-track album TWENTY SOMETHING NIGHTMARE, co-produced by the quartet–Thomas (vocals), Sam Plecker (guitar/vocals), Trevor Sutton (bass), and Nolan Le [Read More]

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Gogol Bordello and Regina Spektor release new video for Seekers and Finders

June 26, 2018

Gypsy punk rockers Gogol Bordello have released a new video for the title track of their recently released album, Seekers and Finders. The track features fellow Eastern European and close personal friend Regina Spektor. Gogol vocalist Eugene Hütz comments on the track, “The duet of the wandering Jew and the roaming gypsy by the campfire, which we represent most perfectly. Now it seems this precious collaboration with our dear friend Regina was in the making all along the years of friendship and mutual support. But it actually materialized rapidly once Regina told me that her ancestry also runs back to Ukraine. Writing with Regina’s voice in mind was easy and joyous, despite the heavy topics we pondered.” The video was directed by Nate Pommer and he comments on the video: “For the past 15-plus years, I’ve collected footage from Gogol Bordello shows, conducting interviews, embarking on adventures with the band in strange parts of the world and filming it all. The video for ‘Seekers & Finders’ is an outgrowth of this long term collaboration. The live footage was shot at The [Read More]

PHOTO GALLERY: Charlotte Lawrence at Cafe DuNord in San Francisco – June 20, 2018

June 26, 2018

The pop rising songstress Charlotte Lawrence made a stop in San Francisco for a performance at Cafe Du Nord last week. Charlotte recently debuted her EP Young on the 22nd and she has continued to rack up streams with her songs. She was also chosen to be part of Spotify’s Louder Together campaign which features strong young women of indie music. Check out photos from her set by Sean Liming: You can check out her track Young and Restless off her new EP here: You can visit her website for a list of all upcoming tour dates. Make sure to visit her social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. Information & Links: Website: https://charlottelawrence.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteSLawrence/ Music: https://charlottelawrence.lnk.to/waitup Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlottelawr ~ Photography by: Sean Liming Photography Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeanLimingPhotography/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.liming/

An interview with Halo Circus: love and controversy…they lay it on the line By Patrick O’Heffernan

June 25, 2018

(Los Angeles) Halo Circus is a bilingual alternative electronic rock duo based in Los Angeles, California, composed of vocalist Allison Iraheta and bassist Matthew Hager. That’s the official story. The real story is they are the best band out there that has not yet won a Grammy. I say that because their newest album, Robots and Wranglers is light years ahead of anyone else on the rock scene. It has propelled a successful 30-city tour, been met with rave reviews and generated some fiery controversy. It has three nominations for LA Music Critic Awards and it has been proposed for Album of the Year. The husband and wife team are back home in Los Angeles recouping from far too much traveling, but they agree to spend a little time with us today. Patrick. You are home now after an incredibly ambitious tour. Are you tired, relieved, excited, wiser…all of the above? Allison. I think all of the above. We learned a lot. It is good to be back home, for sure. As a band, going out and hustling a brand [Read More]

SPOTLIGHT VIDEO: Demi Lovato bares her soul and struggle with sobriety in her stellar new song, Sober

June 21, 2018

Today Demi Lovato released her new song, Sober and I can’t get enough of it! She bares her soul with raw honesty as she reveals her struggle with sobriety and a relapse. You can’t help but be drawn to her sheer honesty and applaud her for sharing her vulnerability with us all. It is an amazing track. Check it out below: You can pick up the single or stream it by heading over to: https://islandrecs.lnk.to/Sober. We truly applaud Demi for sharing the details of her relapse and I am sure that her honesty will help others who struggle. Her passion for her music and keeping it real is what we need more of in today’s music scene. Whether you are into metal, rock, pop, punk or rap, being truthful in your music will always ring through. Make sure to visit her social media sites and stay up to date on her latest news. Information & Links: Website: http://www.demilovato.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DemiLovato Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddlovato Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddlovato/

Florence + The Machine debut new song and video for Big God

June 21, 2018

Today Florence + The Machine debut a new song and video. The new track is titled Big God. The video is choreographed by Akram Khan and Florence and directed by Autumn de Wilde. The song is the third track released from their highly anticipated fourth studio album, High As Hope. About the new track, Florence comments, ‘Big God’ was written about that feeling when someone has not replied to your text, the modern phenomenon of ‘Ghosting’ which is one of my favourite words but not my favourite feeling. I was describing it to someone and they said to me ‘You need a big god’, as if the need in me were so cavernous, it would take something enormous to fill it. Probably something bigger than a text message. It’s always been a very physical song. I saw a dance piece in my head as I was writing it, so to co choreograph something with Akram Khan was a huge honour. Autumn de Wilde fully understood what I was trying to do. The power of the desire within the void, left with yourself to rage and wonder [Read More]