Good morning, here is the latest news from the area of blues, roots and Americana...
Blues-Rocker Guitarist-Singer AC Myles Releases 'Reconsider Me'!
“AC Myles 'Reconsider Me' promises to provide some of the most memorable moments of 2014!” - Tom Hyslop - RockMrTom
San Jose, CA – Blues-rocker guitarist/singer AC Myles' new studio recording, Reconsider Me, groups songs that outline his musical development and his maturing into one of the more valid guitarist and vocalists in the blues arena. Recorded & produced in San Jose, CA. by Kid Andersen at his own Greaseland Studio, the album combines originals and choice covers to tell the roadworthy story of this well traveled and very talented Californian.
“Perhaps the only soulful thing to come out of Fresno, AC Myles can play the hell out of a guitar, and he's growing as a songwriter” - San Jose Metro Editor Steve Palopoli
With Reconsider Me, Myles very confidently delivers a “beyond amazing” vocal range, as well as his unyielding lead and slide guitar work. The song selections vary from traditional blues to 70's blues-rock overload. With the opening track of the Jimmy Johnson inspired & Fenton Robinson penned “You Don't Know What Love Is”, as well as the amazing vocal workout of the title track, Johnny Adams “Reconsider Me”, Myles proves his traditional stylings are up to snuff both vocally and on guitar. The self-penned tracks “Three Ways to Fall’’ and the tour de force “Livin' a Lie” showcase fierce rock n roll slide guitar and vocal chops, following right in line with Rory Gallagher's “Do You Read Me” and the co-written clever southern rocker “Call 'em All Baby”.
Says Myles, “ 'Reconsider Me' is the culmination of originals with choice covers that reflect the career & growth. The covers are songs of artists that influenced me and is the first step into something uniquely AC Myles. Most I have had the fortunate to work with while sprouting musically in the SF Bay area and developed relationships with over the last 10 years.”
Myles spent his later teens and twenties touring with his own band eventually finding his way to the San Francisco Bay Area, playing sideman to a wide array of acts, most notably blues man Fillmore Slim and modern day soul man John Nemeth. Along the way, with a keen ear and sincere passion, A.C. has become a gifted entertainer and musician. His personal appearances have a 'take no prisoners' approach which; along with a healthy dose of humor, usually gets even the toughest audiences on his side.
In addition, Reconsider Me features tracks by artists Myles has had the opportunity to share stages with in his career, including Elvin Bishop's “Rock my Soul”, Roman Carter's blues gem “Queen Bee”, and the Fillmore Slim funk arrangement of the Fats Domino R&B classic “Blue Monday”. The self-penned “Death Bed Blues”, which has a darker lyrical output and showcases his grasp and retention of blues traditions, while “What Is Love”, a cover of Oakland’s blues/mod/soul kings The Loved Ones, is an ode to the region of California that became adopted home territory for Myles and sprouted his musical growth and career.
Says Myles, “The album was recorded live in two days (sans a few keyboard and vocal overdubs) at Greaseland Studio headed by Kid Andersen in San Jose, CA. Very little was written 'for the album' as opposed to reaching into the vault and pulling from near dormant ideas. It was rewarding to complete them as well as some of our favorite live covers. Once the pre production demos were complete and we worked the kinks out we went in and cut the record.”
In support of Reconsider Me, AC Myles and his band have been touring throughout the summer with record release parties held in his home state of California in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Central California. Also added to AC's official website is some great looking and sounding video of the live band. Festivals and club dates, as well as support to other acts, for 2015 for U.S. & Europe are currently being booked. AC also has begun to write the next untitled album, which should be ready for summer 2015 as well.
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THE CANYON RAYS TO PERFORM LIVE ON FOX'S
"...the new power pop California" - Culture Collide
On the heels of this week's release of West Coast Babes, California's pop enthusiasts, The Canyon Rays, will perform their critically acclaimed single "Teenage Bliss" live on FOX's Good Day New York tomorrow, September 4, 2014 at 9:30AM EST. Check your local listings for channel information or stream it live here.
As previously announced, this week the band released their debut LP, West Coast Babes, which features ten tracks that pack in a summer's worth of sunshine clocking in at thirty minutes of pure golden rays. Additionally, catch the band live as they continue on their national tour. A full list of dates can be seen here.
Los Angeles dream-pop instrumentalist Luke Hamel is no stranger to the sunshine sound of Southern California. The Canyon Rays founded their name as a tribute to the legendary Laurel Canyon, where, in addition to Echo Park, Hamel wrote and recorded the band's LP, a love song to the Golden State. It's classic power pop at it's best with a mix of nostalgia and soft-psychedelic revival.
In 2013, The Canyon Rays released the holiday EP "Christmas in California." The San Francisco music blog, The Bay Bridged, debuted the EP, celebrating its "laid-back beach sounds with hooky pop motifs - a warming tribute to the holidays on both sides of California."
Track List:
01. So Long Elsa Maye
02. I Love You Still
03. The Sunshine Growers
04. American Girlhood
05. To Live and Die in Tivoli, NY
06. Teenage Bliss
07. October Trees
08. Turn off the Wave Machine
09. Karmic Dream Sequence #2
10. Love Disease
Tour Dates:
09/04 Asbury, NJ @Asbury Park Yacht Club
09/05 Providence, RI @ The Spot Underground
09/06 Hartford, CT @ Arch Street Tavern
09/07 Washington DC @ Treehouse Lounge
09/08 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
09/09 Fairfax, VA@ Epicure Cafe
09/11 Annapolis, MD @ Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge
09/12 Brooklyn, NY @ Trash Bar,
09/13 Annandale-on-Hudson @ Bard College
BASSIST/VOCALIST DANIELLE NICOLE
SIGNS WITH CONCORD MUSIC GROUP
Danielle Nicole Band EP to be released this fall
For Immediate Release – Danielle Nicole, founding member, bassist and vocalist of Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, has signed a worldwide recording agreement with Concord Music Group. Drawing comparisons to Susan Tedeschi, Etta James and Grace Potter, she delivers a sweeping vocal range and powerful telling of her lyrics every time she hits the stage.
Danielle Nicole’s first EP is scheduled for release in fall 2014. Recorded in New Orleans and produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Anders Osborne, her Concord debut also features drummer Stanton Moore of Galactic and other special guests. A full length release is anticipated in March 2015.
Winner of a 2014 Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist–Bass, Danielle Nicole (born Danielle Nicole Schnebelen) has spent years growing her fan base around the world. This year she decided to push her musical boundaries further by forming the Danielle Nicole Band with Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic (keyboard), Jan Faircloth (drums) and Brandon Miller (guitar).
Born a natural performer, Danielle Nicole got her start singing in coffeehouses and at open mic events while growing up immersed in the local Kansas City blues scene. Her talent and on stage charisma played a major role in the success of Trampled Under Foot and helped the band earn numerous awards and nominations over the years, including multiple Blues Music Award nominations for “”Band of the Year” and a two nominations recognizing her individual accomplishments as a musician for “Bass Player of the Year.” Danielle Nicole was recently nominated for Best Female Artist in the 2014 Blues Blast Music Awards.
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