entertainment | Music Junkie Press

Kenneth J. Nash’s touching personal journey through music

December 6, 2012

Kenneth J. Nash For anyone who has turned to music to comfort themselves, silence a fear, escape from the pain or just to feed their soul, Kenneth J. Nash delivers the best medicine. Kenneth is no stranger to the music scene and has written and released several LPs over the past few years. He is an English singer songwriter that has captured my attention with his beautiful words and soul touching songs. Kenneth is working on a new LP that shares his journey through depression, loneliness, vengeful feelings and provides a message of hope to everyone that they too can get through these times. His smooth voice is like a warm embrace that keeps you safe from harm. His music literally takes me back in time to when I might come home from school with a bruised knee or a broken heart and I would run into my father’s arms and just feel all my troubles melt away. That is what I feel when I listen to Kenneth; safety, peace and just pure bliss. His [Read More]

Music… the true friend of my soul

November 28, 2012

My son has often asked me, “Why do you listen to that song if it makes you cry?” or “Isn’t that just a sad song, why listen to it?” Well, tonight I pondered that question in depth. See, I was having a particularly hard night watching my Mom. I have been spending more and more time taking care of her as she suffers along with her Parkinsons and other ailments. Some days are harder than others and being only a year since my Father, her lifetime partner of over 55 years passed away it seems that tonight was one of those unbearable ones for me. Tonight as I drove home from putting her into bed and making sure she was safe and sound as the caregiver arrived, I searched the radio for a song to listen to. Many of my favorites came on but I was in search of a special song. My son would have called it “A SAD SONG” but what I call it is a friend, waiting for me with open arms [Read More]

A Warm Embrace from Barcelona

November 13, 2012

Barcelona Barcelona is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington formed around 2005 and I wish I had heard of them sooner. But I am glad that I do have them now in my regular playlist. Barcelona opened up for Blue October (full review here) on Saturday night (Nov. 10, 2012) and they put on an exceptional show. Their sound is piano based harmonies wrapped with edges of rock interlaced. They remind me of The Fray, Augustana or Throwing Ivory which are also some of my favorites. Brian Fennell is on piano and also provides the exceptional emotionally charged vocals. Chris Bristol beautifully entertains us on guitars and backing vocals while we get our energy recharged by Rhett Stonelake. They currently have their new CD out, “Not Quite Yours” which holds some of my favorites like “Only Son”, ‘Evermore” and “Change”. You can get their CD or my preference the Vinyl straight from their website or if you must download, they also offer that direct from their site. While you are at it, you will [Read More]

It is time to make some noise for A Silent Film

November 12, 2012

A Silent Film is a powerhouse quartet from Oxford, UK that took me by surprise on Saturday night. I went to see Blue October play at The Regency Ballroom and you can read my full review from that show here. A Silent Film was one of the opening bands and I am sure glad that I got there in time to watch their whole set. These guys were incredible. I was up sitting in the balcony area and gathering my notes for my review and as soon as they hit the stage, I literally got up and had to get downstairs onto the floor and to see if what I was hearing was accurate! I swear for a second there I was taken back to the first time that I listened to U2 as a teenager and became enmeshed with Alternative Rock. It was the sweet lyrics, uptempo beat, melodic harmonies all drawing me in once again. I stood there and my mind was flooded with some of my favorite acts coming to mind; Jack’s [Read More]

Blue October is at the Peak of Perfection!

November 12, 2012

Saturday night was a perfect one. I got to take my son Ryan to see my all time favorite and most inspiring band, Blue October. The music of Blue October has personally helped me through some of my hardest times as well as energizing me in my good times. When my father passed away last year, “Into the Ocean” was a song that I played daily after leaving my father’s bedside and it kept me afloat! I have often said that Blue October has been the rainbow through my storms, the light at the end of the tunnel, and the candle during my darkest hours. Oh, how I appreciate and love their music! Blue October is currently on “the quiet mind tour” and made a stop at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, November 10, 2012. I have been enjoying Blue October for almost 15 years and had the pleasure seeing them almost a dozen times. This concert I would have to declare the Best of the Best of all the times I have seen [Read More]

Be a part of the new EP by Tony Harnell & the Wildflowers featuring Bumblefoot!

October 26, 2012

Everyone has been talking about how the music industry has changed so much and asking what can they do to help keep new music alive and fresh. Well, now you can directly help create music! You can take part in Tony Harnell’s new project for his EP through Pledge Music. Tony Harnell has an incredibly powerful and distinctive voice that I have loved for a long time! Tony was the lead singer of the Norwegian Rock band, TNT during the highlight of their career (1984 to 2006) and has over 30 albums of experience as well as numerous awards. It is great to hear about his new project. Tony is working with his beautiful and talented wife Amy Harnell, eclectic guitarist Jason Hagen and recently added electric violinist extraordinaire Cassandra Sotos. Then to add even more awesome talent to the lineup, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal from Guns n Roses has joined the band and will be working on the new EP. Also he will be performing at upcoming shows that don’t conflict with his Guns n [Read More]

From Rocky Roads to Royal Bliss!

October 19, 2012

It is time to enjoy some Royal Bliss! These guys have been around for over 13 years and are a true to rock and roll band from Salt Lake City. Over the years, they have had their share of bumps in the road which includes near death experiences, serious accidents, totaled cars, label changes and so much more. One thing remained constant for them, their passion for their music and staying true to themselves. This shows more than ever with their recent CD/Album Release, “Waiting out the Storm” which is their first release on their own record label, “AIR Castle Records”. This album truly is all their own creation now that they are on their own label. I love it from it’s harder edgy sound to the emotion driven rock that each song brings out. We had a chance to talk with Neal Middleton, lead vocalist and guitars from the band. So sit back and get to know Royal Bliss. Music Junkie Press: Thank you Neal for taking the time out to talk with [Read More]