Interview

A conversation with Nurit Siegel Smith, new Executive Director of the Music Forward Foundation of the House of Blues

October 18, 2018

  Patrick O’Heffernan (Los Angeles) Nurit Siegel Smith is the new Executive Director of the Music Forward Foundation of the House of Blues, which contributes over a million dollars year to music industry education.  Smith assumes leadership as Music Forward embarks on its 25th year. She is stepping into some pretty big shoes — over the past quarter century, Music Forward – formerly known as the House of Blues Foundation —  has impacted the lives of a million young people with hundreds of partners, thousands of mentors, tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time. She generously let us interrupt her very busy day to learn about her vision for the Foundation.   Patrick.  Congratulations. This has got to be the coolest job ever!   Nurit. It is exciting.  I am 6 months into it and I have been in awe of my staff here, the youth  I have been in contact with, all the support around the country and the engagement with our partners.  It is exciting. Patrick.  Tell us your vision- what do [Read More]

Interview

Lisa Sniderman, AKA Aoede the Muse, talks about her memoirs.

October 16, 2018

  (Los Angeles). One of the strongest women I know, and one who is renowned throughout the indie music community as “Aoede The Muse,”  is Lisa Sniderman.  She is an award-winning pop-folk singer, songwriter, artist, playwright, and author. Lisa has just released a memoir, A Light in the Darkness,  about a decade of creating music, plays, and performances in face of a debilitating disease. She calls her illness the “Gift in the Curse”;  the Curse is the disease  the Gift is her ability to share connect with others and inspire those with life challenges.  As long as I have known her she has been a source of joy, creativity, and strength, so I was very happy to get a few minutes with her this week.   Patrick. Aoede, you write, you sing, you produce incredible musical stories and albums like What Are Dreams Made Of,  you  do voices, you have won  tons of awards for your music and now you have released this book  A Light in the Darkness. Why did you decide to write a [Read More]

Interview

A conversation with Dream Pop star Whitney Tai. By Patrick O’Heffernan

October 16, 2018

  Patrick O’Heffernan (Los Angeles) Whitney Tai is a singer-songwriter who creates dream pop by walking on the razor edge of pop and indie, staying aloft with talent,  honesty and integrity.  She is otherworldly but also totally authentic – what you hear is what she is. Tai lost her mother to cancer when she was 10 years old, surfacing health issues including severe anxiety and depression. But her mother’s memory inspired her to channel her feelings into songs and poems and performances that helped lead her out of the darkness inside.  Singles led to albums like her debut Metamorphosis, then the EP Forever, followed by a series of singles after an extended trip to Europe, ranging from the jazz flavored ‘Good At Being Bad’, the emotionally devastating ”How Was I Supposed To Know” plus breathtaking videos.  I have been fortunate enough to see her live and caught up with her a day before her show at the Hudson Theater in Los Angles.   Patrick. You have been performing pretty relentlessly – Hotel Café, Bar20 in [Read More]

Concerts

Interview with Drake Bell as he delivers eclectic fun night of music on his Uncovered Tour

September 16, 2018

This week we headed down to one of our go-to music spots, the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, CA for a great night of music. Nickelodeon’s favorite teen heartthrob Drake Bell made a stop out on his Uncovered Tour at the historic intimate venue.  Many know Drake for his comedic role on Nickelodeon’s highly popular Drake & Josh show, but if you haven’t listened to his music, you are missing out. Drake is a successful actor, musician, comedian and so much more. We couldn’t wait to catch his set and for our Drake Bell Interview. Interview We had a chance to chat with Drake a little before he took the stage, check out that interview here: The night kicked off with a great set by Petaluma locals Willow & Hound. They are fun indie rock band that captured the audience’s attention and started the night off with a killer set. Here are some photos by Rockin Ryan: His tour features just him and his guitar, playing some special songs and great covers.  The intimate venues are [Read More]

Interview

NEW RELEASE: Livia Blanc channels her love for retro with release of infectious debut EP Amour Amour

July 20, 2018

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Livia Blanc is ready to set the music scene ablaze with the release of her debut EP Amour Amour. Livia brings to life the nostalgic passion and beauty of 1960’s cinema art with her music. It is captivating and infectious.  Get ready for Livia to take you on a retro ride with her new EP. Take a listen below: Take a listen to the new EP here:   We had the chance to chat with Livia and are pleased to bring you a bit of that here:   MJP: All we can say is “WOW!” It is a beautiful EP with these great songs that bring to life the nostalgia of so many strong beautiful women from the 1960’s cinema era.  Where did your love for that era come from? Merci!! I think growing up they were just women I looked up to and admired. Strong, beautiful and revolutionary. I have always had a thing for everything retro. My favorite movies are in black and white and I almost only listen to music [Read More]

Interview

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]

Interview

INTERVIEW: The Falling Doves’ Chris Leyva Shares His Love For Rock n’ Roll by Jessica Klausing

May 17, 2018

The Falling Doves never play it safe. Chris Leyva (guitars, vocals) and Mike Dorsey (lead guitarist) create an unpredictable mix of garage rock with jazz, metal, Latin, and pop infusions. Known for their deep lyrical confessionals and aggressive playing, this band is not afraid to combine the classics with the new. No Falling Doves show is ever the same either. Leyva and Dorsey bring onstage professional musicians from all musical genres.  In their latest album, Doves of War, they have revived the classic rock spirit with today’s modern pop.  Currently, The Falling Doves are on a world tour with plans to release a new single later in the year. We got to chat with Chris Leyva about his musical influences, international touring, and the new upcoming Falling Doves album. Which musical element pulls you into a song? (Lyrics, Melody, or Composition?) Chris: That’s a really hard question…I’m going to be cheap right off the bat and say melody (laughs). With composition, for me, melody has to be key. If the melody is not there then [Read More]