by Brandon Lemons
Yet another singer/songwriter girl from SoCal. We introduce you to the soulful sounds of California's own...Brianna Rettig
This month in reviews including: Jack Johnson, Travie McCoy, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Gaslight Anthem
I can't believe a month has already gone by! It is really incredible. I have been having a blast though, whether it was getting invited to a movie premiere or seeing the reaction people had to both the magazine and the artists involved in the first issue. I know how talented these people are and I couldn't be happier to open the eyes of even just a few people to them.
Of course it has been a lot of work, even on days I said I would stay away from my e-mail or my computer...I didn't, but I suppose there is time for that it the future. I can't thank everyone involved enough, whether it is my mom listening to an hour straight of magazine talk, my bro helping me out with emails and submissions, or all my friends both local and down in L.A. who have gone above and beyond to send this magazine down a hopefully very successful path. I love you all and I thank you so much.
Alright, so moving on...this month's issue is pretty damn sweet. We have even more reviews, as well as some articles on some incredible talent. I hope you all enjoy it and go listen to the artists featured this month. Many of them are in my music lounge, so remember to stop there as well.
Oh I have a little tip for some of you with small notebook computers and such. If the magazine is either too large or too small for your computer screen, click on the magnifying glass on your browser to zoom in or zoom out. Depending on font size as well, this can be pretty handy.
I hope everyone is having a great start to their summer, hopefully it won't go by too fast! Take care. -Brandon
Breaking into the music scene alone is tough. Breaking into the hip-hop scene in a place like Long Island is a whole different beast.
Tyson Kruze broke into the very competitive New York hip-hop scene at 17 years old. Inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, L.L. Cool J and P. Diddy, Tyson's style is very flexible. In songs such as Anything , Tyson proves his voice and writing is just as suited for R&B as it is hip-hop. In songs like Illy , She Got Me Like , and Messieurs , he shows that he can write a hell of a lot more than a catchy chorus.
By the time Tyson was 22 years old, he had already recorded over 400 songs and freestyles as well as released 15 mixtapes. This sort of work ethic has started to make him a household name in his home state as well as reaching out to other parts of the country as well.
Day in and day out, year around, Tyson always has something new for his fans. Whether it is music videos, photo shoots, or new music, he is continually sharing it with his fan base and keeping everyone wanting more. In his video for the song Messieurs , you will see many cameos from people who are part of his team; "Skrilla Ave. Worldwide", proving he never forgets the people who have stuck by him through the ups and downs that the music industry is bound to give you. That sort of loyalty is hard to come by.
For more on Tyson Kruze please go check out these links:
www.myspace.com/tysonkruze
www.youtube.com/tysonkruzetv
Do you ever wonder what you'd get if you crossed the swagger of the rat pack, the soul of Aretha Franklin along with the sensuality of Dusty Springfield and then threw in some folksy vibes for good measure? Well the scientific love child might end up confused and possibly disastrous; however given the right musical vessel...you end up with something pretty special.
Brianna Rettig hails from Yorba Linda, California, according to Wikipedia it's known as the "Land of Gracious Living" and a place that has been home to everyone from a former President (Richard Nixon) as well as the rock band Seether. However, no matter how gracious the land, Brianna decided to take a break from it on her 19th birthday and headed for the bright lights of New York where she would further gain inspiration for her music. After three years in the Big Apple she came back to East Los Angeles and found her home musically along with a family of other artists such as Brother Sal, Jaime Drake and Sally Jaye who all have a strong local followings in the L.A. area.
Although the songs she has recorded to date are easy to fall in love with and are rich in both sound and soul, Brianna's true home is on stage. Whether it is accompanying Brother Sal as part of one of his All Star Travelin' Gospel Review nights or whether she is doing a solo show by herself, places like Zoeys Café in Ventura have become a frequent stage for her, where she has been able to show everyone every side of her as an entertainer.
Even throughout all her travels and influences, she is still a Cali girl at heart...the good kind of Cali girl, the one who races dirt bikes and can be found hauling her yoga mat with her wherever she goes. Her way of life and personality translate through her writing and singing, making her another hidden gem in the world of music. We can only hope that one day the music industry will realize how lucky they are to have artists like her right in front of their faces just waiting to be discovered.
We can also hope that one day Wikipedia adds her to that list of notable Yorba Linda residents, somewhere on top would be perfect.
www.briannamusic.com
These days you see many throwbacks in the music world. Whether it's artists like Duffy and her 50's inspired sound, or bands like Bright Eyes who bring back the roots of folk, rock and bluegrass, it seems that most new artists are trying their best to keep some of the traditions in the world of music alive and well with a brand new twist. However, in the world of hip-hop it seems like the feeling, talent, and poetry of this booming genre have almost become extinct. The saddest loss being the poetic side, back in the late 80's and early 90's when the genre burst onto the scene; it was filled with melodies that made you move and a new style of poetry that blew minds. These days you are hard pressed to find any lyrics remotely close to poetic in hip-hop.
In this new lazy age of the genre, a traditionalist might fear all hope is lost. Thankfully, we have living proof from Baltimore, Maryland that isn't the case at all...
At a young age Wordsmith found himself always on the move, his father was in the ARMY and like any military family; home was wherever the ARMY said it was going to be. He was eight years old, living in Germany when his parents gave him his first hip-hop tape
(Run DMC), little did they know at the time, it would inspire their son to one day be a torch bearer for keeping the true traditions of hip-hop alive into the 21st century.
Much like any other young guy, Wordsmith grew up heavily involved into sports and sports were good to him, he did after all get into college on a football scholarship. However, in the third game of his junior year, Wordsmith injured his knee, although he continued through the season injured, he decided to move in a different direction between his junior and senior years.
Music wasn't a completely brand new idea to him, he had played with a few friends before, but football had always taken a higher precedence before the injury. After giving up football, Wordsmith started taking acting classes as well; he felt that unlike football there was no time limit for music and acting, so it would be a better choice in the long run.
In 2006, Wordsmith decided to push towards a career in hip-hop, but not just any ordinary career. Inspired by the glory days of hip-hop's finest, Wordsmith started down a path of his own, rarely if ever listening to what was dominating the airwaves, he wanted his sound to be unique to him, whether it was marketable to mainstream or not. Inspired by pop bands like Coldplay and their high energy shows, he also wanted to make sure his shows were energetic and an all around experience. In his own words "If I'm not drenched by the end of a show, I haven't done my job". After releasing multiple mixtapes, including a 13-track collaboration with hip-hop legend, Chubb Rock titled Bridging the Gap , Wordsmith finally released his first album titled The Vintage Experience in spring of 2010. The Vintage Experience is a collection of tracks that Wordsmith has written over the past four years; rich with the sounds of the golden era of rhyming.
Perhaps something Wordsmith cares even more about than his music and success though is his fans. Whether its answering comments on the web, or hanging out with fans after concerts, he does everything he can to make everyone know how much he appreciates their support. Although he might not be on top of the download charts, he does have a very loyal following and for good reason, he feels that having thousands of fans that are truly impacted by his work, is worth more to him than having millions of casual fans.
The charisma and energy Wordsmith gives off is contagious. It seems almost inevitable that his thousands of fans will soon turn into millions, yet you still get the feeling he will do everything he can to make sure his fans know how much he cares, as well as keeping that vintage sound pouring into our ears. This alone gives the world of hip-hop hope.
Go check out www.wordsmithmusic.com
Every month we feature a spotlight review done by an artist about a fellow artist or band. This month's spotlight review is on Truth and salvage Co.'s self titled debut album . Contributing his opinion this week is Matt Ramsey from Austin-Hartley Leonard Band. The spotlight review is followed by reviews from Lemonade's contributing writers who all have a different style in their reviews. We hope you enjoy them all.
Matthew Ramsey is the guitarist/harmony vocalist (and sometimes banjo player) for Los Angeles-based artist Austin-Hartley Leonard ( http://austinhartleyleonard.com/home.cfm ). The band plays regularly at the renowned Hotel Cafe and is currently in the studio finishing up a brand new EP that will be released in August. Ramsey has also played with artists such as Brother Sal, Greg Laswell and many others in the Los Angeles singer/songwriter community. In addition, he writes a music blog at http://westernkey.wordpress.com Info courtesy of Sally Jaye
One of my most anticipated albums of the year, the self-titled debut from LA-based Truth & Salvage Co., came out last month on Megaforce Records.† Produced by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, this 12-song set is full of straight-up American rock n roll greatness.† Boasting 4 lead singers and songwriters - guitarist Tim Jones, drummer Bill "Smitty" Smith, keyboardist Walker Young, and guitarist Scott Kinnebrew - in addition to Adam Grace on keys and Joe Edel on bass, Truth & Salvage Co. have been making some of the very best Americana/roots-rock over the past couple years.
After a huge tour opening for the Black Crowes last year, a run of shows with The Avett Brothers in April, and non-stop touring throughout 2010, the rest of the country is starting to catch on.† Comparisons to The Band and early Eagles are pretty obvious here, with an abundance of three-part harmonies, classic guitar tones, pianos, and organs on almost every track, yet there's still a fresh vibe to this timeless sound.
The album starts off with Kinnebrew and the boys declaring, "Hail, hail, the gang's all here".† You get an immediate sense of the revelry that flows strong through these guys, and the perfect harmonies that fill in the spaces in all their songs.† Call Back , featuring Young on lead vocals, is the first of many feel-good love songs.† Welcome to LA is Smittys ode to the City of Angels, but really the Beachwood Canyon community where the band formed.† Heart Like A Wheel is the first taste of Jones' soulful vocals, which are also featured on the gorgeous ballad Old Piano and She Really Does It For Me .† The album closes on perhaps its finest moment, with some slight piano and Walker Young telling the story of a drifter in Pure Mountain Angel .† The band joins in after 3 minutes to finish with a huge, sing-along, arms to the sky, waltzing chorus full of harmonies. Its a perfect ending to a fantastic debut album.
Truth and Salvage Co. will be opening for Big Head Todd and The Monsters at The Moore Theatre on July 23rd.
You would think after this many years that the laid back, surf and beach inspired songs by Jack Johnson would begin to get redundant, but that is simply not the case at all. Jack's brand new album To The Sea could be described as an instant classic. In a somewhat shocking decision to me, he decided to add not just a little bit of electric guitar to the CD, but actually quite a bit. If I would have known this previous to listening to the CD, I would have thought it was a terrible idea on his part, yet Jack still continues to shock us all, by making it work no matter what. There aren't many
artists who can successfully re-invent themselves like Jack does. The most notable that comes to my mind first is The Beatles and you can crucify me if you like for that comparison, but I stand by it. To The Sea is full of everything you could want from Jack Johnson and more. Probably one of my favorite songs on the CD is At or With Me, which in my opinion is impossible to sit still to when you are listening to it. Other high points include the bluesy Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology and the debut single You and Your Heart. There is no wasted space though on this CD, and as I said before, I consider it an instant classic.
The problem: I find it hard to find any problems; a tiny problem may be the track My Little Girl that in sound reminds me a lot of a previous song of his titled Same Girl .
The remedy: Go back through your own song catalog before making a new album.
-Brandon Lemons
When I first popped in Travie McCoy's debut solo album Lazarus I was expecting to hear that classic Gym Class Heroes sound that I have come to love, but that is definitely not what I got
which I guess in some ways is a good thing, because we already have the Gym Class Heroes to listen to.
If you're looking for a CD filled with heavy hip-hop and freestyling then this CD is probably not for you, which personally I would say is a slight disappointment, because I've always felt he hasn't gotten enough credit for how good of a rapper he truly is. That all being said, it is nice that he took a chance and showed us his vocal range a little.
I would consider this album very hip-hop influenced pop/rock, with the exceptions that are more hip-hop like Dr. Feelgood featuring Cee Lo Green and Billionaire featuring Bruno Mars, which are probably two of my favorite tracks on the CD, along with the more pop/rock tracks like Need You and After Midnight . With the exception of a few slight disappointments I think this is a great way for Travie McCoy to start off his solo career and it is a CD that I will be listening to all summer.
-Brody T.
American Slang starts off with a very hectic sounding title track, which at some points feels as if the music is overpowering the song itself. Once I got past that, I did feel it recovered with Stay Lucky and Bring it On , which are both very solid rock songs. All in all though the whole album was a bit of a roller coaster ride, with guitars that at times sounded stale and a lack of any real substantial lyrics. Even though the CD ends strong, I just feel as though it was arranged poorly, the songs didn't flow and Brian Fallon's voice is an acquired taste. If you were a fan of their first album, The '59 Sound though, I am sure you will find this an alright sophomore effort.
-Tom E.
I try not to listen to opinions much on albums I will be reviewing, but when I told a few friends I had picked up Rooney's brand new CD, Eureka I got a less than enthusiastic response, so I went into listening to it with very low expectations...but was very pleasantly surprised. I mean I'm not going to lie, I have always been a Rooney fan, so maybe it takes a true fan to love the CD, but even that is hard for me to believe, since I think that even a first time Rooney listener would enjoy this CD. No, you aren't going to hear any real deep lyrics and yes at times they can be a bit silly, but isn't there still room for that in this emo-drenched scene we live amongst?
Maybe it's just the west coast attitude, we gave the world The Beach Boys, Maroon 5, and Katy Perry after all, which are all happy go lucky sort of bands. Maybe we appreciate joy and even at times silliness as very worthy emotions to represent through song. Maybe we are just cooler than the rest of you! Okay.... I got a little excited there I apologize.
So in conclusion, I can honestly tell you I thouroughly enjoyed this CD. There aren't any real standouts or weaknesses, it is just an all around fun CD and completely worth your time. -Brandon Lemons
The problem: West Coast vs East Coast
The Remedy: Dance off?
You might remember him as Jimmy Brooks on the tween TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation , but personally the first time Drake was brought to my attention was on Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 , as well as the soundtrack for the documentary about LeBron James, More Than a Game , which included his track Forever featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem. Hearing these songs had me pretty excited to hear his debut album Thank Me Later . This album kind of goes of everywhere from heavy beats with crisp rhymes to songs where he takes things down a notch and sings with more of an R&B vibe. This album features fellow Young Money team members like Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne as well as other guests including Jay-Z, T.I., Jeezy and more. If you don't think you are interested in buying the whole CD, I would suggest you download Over, Fireworks, Up All Night and Fancy , as they are easily my favorite tracks off the CD. All in all a pretty solid debut effort from Drake.
Look on the Bright Side is the debut EP from The Half Bees, a literally brand new band out of Bellingham, WA. Living close to the scene, I had heard a lot of "buzz" (couldn't resist) about this quartet and eagerly awaited this EP.
The five track EP starts off with Take Me There , which takes you back to the 90's Seattle, grunge scene instantly. Not in a bad way either, they don't sound like a local Nirvana or Sound Garden wannabe, they sound like a band who truly gets that era of music and respects it, all the while bringing it to a new level and new generation. Throughout the five songs, you will also hear slight influences from bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols and The Dead Kennedys, adding just a dash of british rock to their grunge sound.
The EP lived up to my expectations and I highly suggest everyone give it a listen and see what all the "buzz" (last time...I promise) is about.
The problem: I couldn't give it 5 stars, because it is just an EP and I definitely want to hear more.
The remedy: Release a full length album soon. My suggestions? Maybe strip down a song or two. Look on the Bright Side almost got there with Let's Pretend , and I would like to see it stripped just a little further. -Brandon Lemons
The Edge is the debut album from Prophet and the Cowboys of the Apocalypse who hails from Arizona. Tracks like Arizona and I'm A Free Man carry some strength with strong southern rock sounds that most southern rock fans would appreciate. However these songs do tend to go on a little longer than they need to. Prophet's voice is very unique and has potential to get him places if he plays his cards right. The instrumental aspect is very tight as well. Unfortunately The Edge lacks in the lyrics department, which is a little frustrating, given the fact I feel there is a lot of potential for Prophet if he can grow from this album.
The problem: Songs like Going to Brazil and BBQ-U are very weak lyrically and spoiled the mood of the album for me.
The remedy: Move forward from this. As I stated before Prophet has a very unique voice and has the goods as an instrumentalist as well. Collaborate with some other writers and I will look very forward to seeing what comes next.
"If I was a man I'd make my move, If I was a blade I'd shave you smooth, If I was a judge I'd break the law, and if I was from Paris, if I was from Paris I would say:
oh-la-la-la-la-la-la"
Tell me those lyrics alone don't make you want to go out and buy this album...now!
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are one of those bands that in the past few years you have heard on some late night drama or afternoon soap opera and immediately gone and googled the lyrics to find out who sang it (not that I watch afternoon soap operas or anything), so you probably have downloaded a song or two, but otherwise didn't give much thought to buying the whole CD. To that I say...your loss. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is rock and roll bliss with in your face lyrics, shredding guitars, jamming drums and Janis Joplin-esque vocals. This is absolute heaven for for true rock and roll fans. The CD never loses steam at any point and Grace's voice never tires or goes soft on us. I have this feeling we are seeing the beginning (although I have been a fan for years) of a legend in the making, since there is really nobody else like Grace Potter out there right now.
Will Glazier and Miles
Will Glazier is from the Bellingham, WA based funk/soul/jazz band, Snug Harbor. His pitbull buddy, Miles even has his own page to "like" on Facebook and is a constant loyal companion to the horn
player. For more on Miles, Will and Snug Harbor look them up on Facebook as well as checking out
Snug Harbor's music at www.myspace.com/snugharbormusic
