singer | Music Junkie Press

Korby Lenker at Hotel Café: a cinnamon tinted daguerreotype evening. by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 8, 2014

Korby Lenker at Hotel Café: a cinnamon tinted daguerreotype evening. by Patrick O’Heffernan, Host, Music FridayLive! You knew the show by Korby Lenker was going to be an entertaining adventure before he even got on stage; the pedal box mounted on a skateboard sitting next to the microphone stand gave him away. And the adventure started the minute this curly-headed, mischievous grinning minstrel walked out in a wine-red velvet jacket, jeans and bow tie and said “hi”. Lenker has explained that what he does is make music that’s easily likeable but with a kind of secret sophistication. He pulls it off well, which is why he has opened for bands like Willie Nelson, Ray LaMontagne, Nickel Creek and Keith Urban, among others. Everything he does – and did Friday night at the Hotel Café – is entertaining, hummable and deeply layered. He started the show off gentle and soft with simple chords for a haunting effect on “If I Prove False”, hitting the long high notes in a way that evoked memories and images of [Read More]

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 8, 2014

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan Music lovers at the Hotel Café discovered that the way you spell fun is R-O-A-M-i-e-s, as in the ROAMies, the delightful married duo of Alexa James and Rory Partin. They had the audience rocking, clapping, laughing and singing for almost an hour with a 9-song set that ran the gamut from original songs to early Beatles to Cajun classics. Alexa James – who is a song writing and vocal power in her own right with several hit albums, a number 1 single and 5 top ten songs, not to mention several film tracks and a new single out now, “I Don’t Know How To Be Here”- kicked things off with a conversational nod to Mardi Gras and the upbeat happy tune “Fun To Love You” on the guitar. Her husband Rory backed her on the keyboard and Peter Cho added to the lightheartedness with his wicked banjo chops. You knew immediately, the evening was going to be fun! With her Betty Boop eyes, curly crown of bright [Read More]

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 8, 2014

The ROAMies at Hotel Café by Patrick O’Heffernan Music lovers at the Hotel Café discovered that the way you spell fun is R-O-A-M-i-e-s, as in the ROAMies, the delightful married duo of Alexa James and Rory Partin. They had the audience rocking, clapping, laughing and singing for almost an hour with a 9-song set that ran the gamut from original songs to early Beatles to Cajun classics. Alexa James – who is a song writing and vocal power in her own right with several hit albums, a number 1 single and 5 top ten songs, not to mention several film tracks and a new single out now, “I Don’t Know How To Be Here”- kicked things off with a conversational nod to Mardi Gras and the upbeat happy tune “Fun To Love You” on the guitar. Her husband Rory backed her on the keyboard and Peter Cho added to the lightheartedness with his wicked banjo chops. You knew immediately, the evening was going to be fun! With her Betty Boop eyes, curly crown of bright [Read More]

Yulianna gives fans at Molly Malone’s a glimpse of the future (of rock and opera) by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 6, 2014

Yulianna gives fans at Molly Malone’s a glimpse of the future (of rock and opera) Patrick O’Heffernan Yulianna, the Kazakhstan-born, LA-based opera singer turned pop songster gave the early audience at Molly Malone’s Saturday night a look into the future of music as she would like to create it and how we may all be seeing and hearing it. After immigrating to the U.S. from Kazakhstan as a teenager, and winning awards for her vocals and classical violin concerts, Yulianna studied pop and classical musical genres with top musical professionals at California Institute of the Arts She focused on opera to take advantage of her world class vocal power and precise vocal control, even singing with small operas. After releasing her critically acclaimed full length dance album, Californ-i-a, and her hit single “Don’t Take Your Love “ and wowing crowds at Coachella, she decided now is the time to experiment with “popra” – music combining the hooks and grooves and beats of pop and the drama and thematic power of opera, both to satisfy her [Read More]

Global rocker Eric Zayne sits down with Music Junkie Press and it’s a wild ride, by Patrick O’Heffernan

March 2, 2014

Global rocker Eric Zayne sits down with Music Junkie Press and it’s a wild ride. by Patrick O’Heffernan, Host, Music FridayLive! Unbridled, unleashed and almost uncontrolled enthusiastic talent -that is Eric Zayne and his electronica-influenced, soul and blues-infused, pop-inflected and sometimes just plain over the top creative funk/pop/rock. I first saw him live at a pre-Grammy Party in LA and knew this was a talent going places fast. We talked afterwards about his gig at Sundance and his upcoming gigs and recordings. Eric and his band can turn on a dime from infectious alt. pop to ballads with a twist. He is always trailblazing, always out of the box and into your pleasure centers. Put on your headphones, clear out the dance floor, forget everything you think you know about rock and pop. Whether he is live onstage or erupting from a EP, Eric Zayne’s music mainlines a pure dose of the most unique sound coming out of the LA rock scene today directly into your brain. Patrick O’Heffernan, Host of Music Friday interviewed Eric [Read More]

Peter London delivers ‘The Feel Good’ album of 2014 with America

March 2, 2014

Our very own San Francisco favorite singer/songrwriter Peter London has recently released his new CD America . Peter is an avid animal lover and has used his gift of music to raise awareness and funds for a refuge animal center through Pets in Need. The end result is that Peter has not only helped a great cause but has succeeded in creating what could be the ‘feel good’ album of the year. The album takes you on a primarily acoustic musical journey that brings you a variety of songs ranging from raw emotional tunes, sweet folk songs, modern rock to alternative rock tracks. One thing is for sure, through all the songs, each one will bring a smile to your face and warmth in your heart. Here are some of my favorites even though the whole album is fantastic from start to finish (including the bonus tracks!): America starts right off with a great passion filled song and the vocals will grab you and embrace your soul. You can literally close your eyes and feel [Read More]

Stratosphere by Matt Sorum’s Fierce Joy will feed your soul and is emotionally moving

February 20, 2014

During NAMM 2014 this year, amidst all the interviews and reviews, I was excited to stop and see Matt Sorum at his signing at the Gretsch Booth. I was even more excited to talk with him about his solo project, Matt Sorum‘s Fierce Joy. Matt will be releasing his new album, Stratosphere on March 11th but you don’t have to wait until then to get a listen. You can get your pre-order in right now on Itunes and get his first song, The Sea right away. Many know Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Matt Sorum for his role as legendary drummer of Guns n’ Roses, The Cult, and Velvet Revolver but now through his new album, Matt sheds a new light on his musical talents and once again has you in appreciation and awe. Matt wrote the entire album and plays the piano, acoustic guitar and lead vocals. He even chose to record it on a front end analog, Trident console. Once you take a first listen, you will be shaking your head ind wonder about [Read More]