MusicJunkiePress: Rock Music news, all day every day. Get your fix on your latest rock artists daily.

“Happy Kat” McDowell: songs, smiles, cheers and laughs at Witzend release party. By Patrick O’Heffernan

November 11, 2014

“Happy Kat” is not Kat McDowell’s nickname, but after seeing her live at the Witzend Saturday night, that is what I am going to call her because that is what she does – make people happy. And Saturday night she made a packed house, standing room only cheering crowd very, very happy. Not bad for his first major live performance in her adopted LA home. Born in Japan, raised mostly in New Zealand, with many parts of both cultures inside her, Kat McDowell makes music in both English and Japanese that make you sit up and take notice, or just let you happily tap your feet. She combines, pop, J-Pop, calypso, rock, Hawaiian and a positive musical attitude in a mixture that is like sunshine to listen to. She built a successful career in Japan as a gaijun – a non-Japanese, even though she is a native – and that’s a serious challenge . But after many albums, singles, gigs, shows, TV commercials and studio sessions, she was a success there so now she [Read More]

Maggie Szabo ups her game at the Hotel Cafe by Patrick O’Heffernan

November 9, 2014

With her brilliant smile, athletic body and mischievous eyes, the diminutive Maggie Szabo put on a show Friday night at LA’s premier showcase club this Friday that topped even her high-energy performance record. Nobody sat still as she rocked through 11 songs – mostly new material including the new, soon-to-be-a-hit “Paralyze”, along with favorites like “Sweetest Heartache” and the solid pop-anthem, “Slow Fire”. Having seen her live four times, I could tell that there has been both a creative burst and a lot of hard work in her career since I started following her about a year ago. New songs blended smoothly with her audience’s established favorites, making the evening seem like a party with old friends; there were no dissonant notes, no “where is Maggie going?”, questions. It just all worked. Even when she took to the old upright piano in far stage left and shifted mood for “Touch the Ground” and “Take Your Time”, she was on target both as a singer and as a performer. Plus she gave a preview of [Read More]

Dopamine by Lorelei Carlson: intoxicating emotions, hallucinogenic voice. By Patrick O’Heffernan

November 8, 2014

The pharmacological definition of dopamine is “a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that acts on the brain to control movement, emotion, pain and pleasure. It also forces the contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.” The musical definition of dopamine is Lorelei Carlson and her new album named after the chemical. Dopamine arouses movement and intoxicating and sometimes painful emotions while it grips your heart and heats your blood until it steams in your veins. The effect is mystical, magical, disturbing and addictive. The child of a bi-national couple of constantly moving diplomats who had lived in seven countries by the time she was 15, she knew she was special as a toddler. She absorbed the culture and music of each of those countries and a determination to put them to work in her own art for the audience that she knew would resonate with her. And they do. With a million downloads on Myspace.com, tens of thousands of followers and multiple albums, she is standing on the cliff of stardom. Dopamine [Read More]

Shawn Mendes new single SOMETHING BIG is out now!

November 7, 2014

The new single Something Big from Shawn Mendes is out now and you can take a listen here: You can pick up the new single on iTunes here and make sure to tell your friends. Let everyone know about Something Big by adding #SomethingBig and #SomethingBigToNumber1 to your tweets. Also, check out the lyric video for his latest single, Life of the Party: You can also pick up his current EP The Shawn Mendes EP on iTunes here. You will be treated to vocals that just capture emotions and takes you on a musical journey with your heart. Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on his latest news. Also, check the tour dates below and see Shawn perform live: HEADLINING TOUR DATES 11/15 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater 11/26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern 11/30 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall JINGLE BALL DATES 12/5 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center 12/8 – Minneapolis, MN – Xcel Energy Arena 12/10 – Philadelphia, PA [Read More]

Shimon Moore announces first solo show in December

November 7, 2014

We are very excited to announce the first solo show of Shimon Moore formerly of Sick Puppies. Shim has one of the most amazingly powerful vocals and I am so excited to hear that he will be continuing on with his music. That is one voice that cannot and should not be silenced! The solo show was announced via his Facebook page: Here is is! My first solo show. Cant wait to see you all on December 6th at The Asylum! Thanks to Rob and everyone at WCYY for helping me put this on Hit up www.shimonmooreofficial.com for the tickets. I hope he will be announcing more dates including one here in Northern California. We will try and see if we can bring you an interview soon. Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on his latest news. ~ Marisol Information & Links: Official site – www.shimonmooreofficial.com Facebook – www.facebook.com/shimonmooreofficial Twitter – https://twitter.com/ShimonMoore instagram – @shimonmoore Vine – shimonmoore

Linda Perry’s Make or Break Project winner Hemming releases new song, Vitamins

November 4, 2014

Hemming (aka Candice Martello) was first introduced to the world through VH1’s Make or Break : The Linda Perry Project as one half of the Philadelphia punk duo Omar. Make or Break was developed by superstar producer and songwriter Linda Perry as the antithesis to reality music shows. Martello joined the show as part of a band, but it was her solo work and a song called “Vitamins” that caught Perry’s attention and started Martello on the journey of finding and developing the voice of Hemming. At the conclusion of the show Martello was presented with the opportunity to make a record with Perry that will be coming out on Perry’s label (Custard Records) this Spring. Hemming’s unique songwriting stamp is her ability to beautifully personify inanimate objects. The idea for “Vitamins” came to her while doing the regular morning routine of taking her daily vitamin. The song is about relying on something outside of yourself, whether that be material goods, substances or another person, to be happy and fulfilled. The song was recorded three different ways [Read More]

Pick up your free download of Veronica from Postcards from Jeff

October 31, 2014

Postcards from Jeff will be releasing a new album in the spring of 2015. Today they are offering a free download of their new song, Veronica. Head over to http://emailunlock.com/postcardsfromjeff/veronica and get your free download. ‘Postcards From Jeff is enigmatic multi-instrumentalist and producer Joss Worthington who writes, plays, records and mixes all his own material to produce snapshots – postcards – of the city life he looks down onto from his home and studio high in the bleak Yorkshire moors.’ Once you take a listen to Veronica you will be excited for the upcoming release. Joss does an amazing job of bringing his words to life when he sings and paints you a picture and scene through his melodies. Make sure to visit the social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. ~ Marisol Information & Links: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/postcardsfromjeff/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postcardsfromjeff Twitter: https://twitter.com/postcardsfromj Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/postcardsfromjeff