Singer | Music Junkie Press

Eliza Rickman’s O You Sinners: dangerous and lovely. By Patrick O’Heffernan

June 14, 2014

Review by Patrick O’Heffernan, Host of Music FridayLive! I first saw Eliza Rickman at a club in Los Angeles and didn’t know what to think. I could tell she was a genius, but I wasn’t sure exactly what kind of genius. Her music was minimalist – a toy piano or an accordion, but very sophisticated. Her lyrics were ambiguous – you had to think about them, and her lean music structure emphasized the words, so you did think about them. Her stage presence was unique – an ethereal, lovely woman in an antique wedding-style dress with her hair piled haphazardly on top of her head, and I think, bare feet. She was just there, while she told stories – some profane, some obscure and all funny – and sang in an angelic voice about things that angels generally don’t sing about. Her recent album, O, You Sinners, is a magical mystical tour through your own mind guided by her otherworldly voice, spare music and luminescent, ambiguous lyrics. Imagery abounds – dragging yourself over broken glass, [Read More]

Tamar Haviv set to release debut album “You and Me Without Pajamas” in July

June 13, 2014

Singer-songwriter, Tamar Haviv has officially announced the release of her debut album You and Me Without Pajamas, set to drop on July 29th! With a refreshing range of heartfelt ballads, fun pop tunes and tales of love and longing, the album features various notable musicians such as Jerry Marotta (Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Indigo Girls), Sara Lee (The B-52’s, Ani DiFranco) and Kevin Salem (Rachael Yamagata, Mandy Moore). While crafting You and Me Without Pajamas, Tamar gave herself permission to write simple and, at times quirky, songs. “I let myself express my purist desires. For example simply saying ‘I like you,’ unpacking that thought from all the potential luscious poetry around it, it’s keeping it in its rawist form. It was hard for me to let myself do this, I was pretty judgemental about some of these songs because the writing can seem quite dumbed down – but there’s also something so unabashedly freeing and exciting about keeping things so simple and direct, quite new for me as a super over-analytical & wordy gemini,” she says. Tamar has been writing songs [Read More]

Mary Scholz: a dark-haired, ringlet-crowned angel opens her wings in the Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan

June 12, 2014

I am so glad I decided to join the unusually large crowd Sunday night to see Mary Scholz at the Hotel Café. I had heard her single, “Bridges We Burn”, and knew she had released a new album, The Girl You thought You Knew, but otherwise I did not know her music. Her clear, bell-like voice, her confidence on stage, her honest lyrics and her intimate introspection all combined to make her performance a joy. No artifice, no nervousness, no hesitation – Mary Scholz is in her element on stage When she turns that wicked-brilliant smile on the room, framed by her trademark long feather earrings, she can make you and each person in the audience, whether friend or soon-to-be-friend, relax into what seems like a personal relationship. Hotel Café Sunday night felt like I was at a house concert at my house and I was lucky enough to have a dark-haired, ringlet-crowned angel singing in my living room. Best of all, this angel gifted us with 11 songs, many from her new album, starting [Read More]

Get to know more of Roméo Testa as he captivates you with his voice

June 11, 2014

Earlier this year, we told you about an amazing new artist that from the first moment I heard his voice, I was held captive by his sweet passionate voice. The man behind that voice….Roméo Testa. His voice was magical, filled with such passion and yet maintains a serene vulnerability. You can’t help be mesmerized by him and you are fully engaged as his words touch your heart and his song dances around you. Roméo Testa began his passion in music at the young age of 7 when he took up the violin and the guitar at age 8. He then went on to learn other instruments, and over the years began his incredible journey into singing and songwriting. His style can be classified as acoustic rock or folk rock, but is definitely not limited to there. His songwriting skills are brilliant, as he is in the caliber of such great musicians like Ray LaMontagne, John Mayer or Jason Mraz. Yes, he is just that talented, give him a listen and you will soon agree. Check out his song, With You: [Read More]

Rick Springfield had all the ladies under his Human Touch at Thunder Valley

June 9, 2014

If the temperature wasn’t hot enough on Saturday night at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort Summer Concert Series, Rick Springfield was there to take it a few degrees hotter! He is one H-O-T performer and had all the ladies under his spell. Rick Springfield has always been one of my personal favorites. Yes, I will admit I had a huge crush on him as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital and even more so when he soon became a pop rock icon. I had his posters from Tiger Beat and Circus Magazine all over my walls. The night was awesome and filled with great music. First we had Eddie Money and next up was Loverboy. Then for the final set, Rick came out and took over the crowd with his magnetic charm. He literally had all the ladies screaming and acting like teenage girls! It was a wild time. Rick even did an amazing cover of Katy Perry’s ROAR that had the crowd in a frenzy as they applauded. Check out the photos by our Rockin Ryan of the [Read More]

Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October set for a 5 week residency in Los Angeles at the Hotel Cafe

June 4, 2014

My favorite artist, Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October has announced his five week residency in Los Angeles at the Hotel Cafe. He will be performing his “Acoustic Storytelling” and it promises to be an amazing night. It is set for five Wednesdays, starting on July 30th at the Hotel Cafe and it will be a unique acoustic storytelling experience which will include songs and stories. It will have an intimate atmosphere which allows you to connect with the artist through his words and music. If you were lucky enough to attend one of Justin’s Open Book Tour nights, you will understand what I mean, when I tell you how magical the night will be. Check out our coverage from his Open Book Tour. Justin explains the residency, “I’m happy to say ill be doing a residency in Los Angeles . I’d love to know which songs you’d like to hear ? Which songs you’d like to hear the stories behind ? I cannot wait to meet and shake everyone’s hand . It’s these types [Read More]

Check out the new single, Bite Your Kiss by DIAMANTE

June 4, 2014

Teen rock sensation, DIAMANTE has released another new single and it is currently #3 on the Billboard’s Hot Single’s Chart. Her new single, Bite Your Kiss is the follow up to her recent success of “BURNS” which also made it to the #6 spot on the chart. Check out the song here: At only 17, DIAMANTE has also taken home the title of Best Rock Record at the Indie Music Channel Awards two years in a row, as well as wins in the categories of, Best Young Rock Artist, Best Rock Recording, Best Music Video for IMPOSSIBLE, and the coveted title of Teen Artist of the Year. So make sure to head over and visit her social media sites and we will see if we can bring you an interview with this incredibly talented young musician. ~ Marisol Information & Links: Website: www.diamanteofficialmusic.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/DIAMANTEband Facebook: www.facebook.com/diamanteofficialmusic