New Music: Soundtracks aplenty, Sigur Rós, Rufus Wainwright, Terry Adams & Steve Ferguson, Young the Giant

A long awaited return from Iceland's Sigur Rós, a folk music detour from Rufus Wainwright and fantastic reissue featuring Terry Adams & Steve Ferguson are all available now.

Artist: Sigur Rós

Title: ÁTTA (BMG Rights Management)

You might like if you enjoy: Sigur Rós, Moby, Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks, Cocteau Twins

Tell me more: Iceland's beloved Sigur Rós is back with their first new studio album in a decade (2013's Kveikur) thanks to the surprise release of the 10-track ÁTTA on June 16. The cinematic and sweeping Neo classical approach of Sigur Rós plays out over ÁTTA's more than 55 minutes; the sumptuous selections feature singer-guitarist Jónsi, bassist Georg Hólm and multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson (the latter had left Sigur Rós in 2012 but rejoined the group last year). Because Jónsi's astonishing falsetto vocals are sung in Icelandic and non-linguistic vocalizations (the latter dubbed "Vonlenska" by the band), a good approach is to listen to the singular sound of Sigur Rós like a classical symphony with choir. The ambient "Blóðberg," lavish "Skel," ambitious "Klettur," poignant "Mór" and soaring 10-minute closer "8" are among the amazing tracks on the modern-day masterwork. ÁTTA is now available digitally, and will be released via audio CD and vinyl on Sept. 1, 2023. Information: sigurros.com.

Artist: Rufus Wainwright

Title: Folkocracy (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: Rufus Wainwright, Brandi Carlile, Susanna Hoffs, Van Dyke Parks

Tell me more: On his latest album (Folkocracy), singer Rufus Wainwright delivers a full disc of shining traditional folk classics worthy of rediscovery. With a distinguished line of guests to bring additional warmth and power to the covers, this is a terrific listen that captivates across its 15-track run. Wainwright's incredible voice dazzles on each and every selection including the gentle opener "Alone" (featuring Madison Cunningham), on a poignant take on Neil Young's "Harvest" (featuring Andrew Bird and Chris Stills), a bewitching recording of "High on a Rocky Ledge (with David Byrne) and beaming version of the Peggy Seeger standard "Heading For Home" where John Legend and Wainwright share lead vocals. Among the other stellar tracks on the collection are a version of The Mama and The Papas song "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)" which is ornately covered by Wainwright, Susanna Hoffs, Chris Stills and Sheryl Crow; a duet with Brandi Carlile ("Down In The Willow Garden") is an especially poignant musical reading of the murder of a young woman with the two singers voices blending in artful perfection. Other guests featured on the Mitchell Froom-produced album include Chaka Khan, Van Dyke Parks, ANOHNI and Nicole Scherzinger. Information: rufuswainwright.com.

Artist: Terry Adams & Steve Ferguson

Title: Louisville Sluggers (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: NRBQ, The Jayhawks, Terry Adams

Tell me more: Digitally remastered and expanded with four previously unissued bonus tracks, the reissue of Terry Adams and Steve Ferguson's 2006 release Louisville Sluggers is a welcome opportunity to rediscover this outstanding collaboration. Long-time friends who had met in 1965, Adams and Ferguson went on to perform together as charter members with NRBQ and record several Columbia Records titles together before Ferguson left the groundbreaking group. Always friends, they reunited to record this eclectic album in 2006. The depth of far-flung material ranges from the jazzy instrumental opener "Peanut Vendor," Ferguson-penned Southern-fried rockers "Outer Space Boogie" and lovely "Same Train" to the genre-defying "Ichabod," New Orleans-flavored R&B sortie "Knucklehead" (the latter really showcasing Adams' incredible piano skills), and fun arrangements of "Turkey In The Straw" and "Blue Monk" showcasing the tandem-aimed virtuoso skills of Adams and Ferguson. Sadly this reissue also serves as a celebration of Ferguson; the acclaimed singer-guitarist died of cancer at the age of 60 on Oct. 7, 2009. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard to release 13th album 'Red Light, Green Light' on September 23

Vonda Shepard is set to return with her 13th album "Red Light, Green Light" on Sept. 23, 2022. The official album artwork and media release follows...Robert Kinsler

SINGER/SONGWRITER VONDA SHEPARD SET TO RELEASE HER 13TH ALBUM RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 23;

FIRST SINGLE/VIDEO “SHINE YOUR LIGHT” WILL HIT THE STREETS ON JULY 29

 

July 6, 2022 (Los Angeles, CA): Singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard is gearing up to release her 13^th studio album, Red Light, Green Light, on September 23. Additionally, the first single and video from this work “Shine Your Light” is due out on July 29.

 

Photo credit: Pamela Springsteen

Vonda spent the last couple of years writing and recording Red Light, Green Light, a stunning blend of songs produced by her husband Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Crowded House, Fleetwood Mac). “The album was written and recorded during the height of the pandemic,” Vonda reveals. “It took a massive amount of discipline to go through this process, but the isolation actually lent itself to going deep into the writing.”

 

The album’s ten songs offer energetic tunes and soulful ballads. The songs are written with both joy and pain, reflecting Vonda’s classic, deeply personal introspection. “It’s truly a gift to work with Mitchell Froom. He is a brilliant musician, composer, arranger, and producer. Working with him is like playing with a genius chess player. He makes one move, and the whole game falls into place.”  

 

In 1997, Vonda was cast on the wildly popular ‘90s TV show Ally McBeal as the resident performer in the bar where the characters would hang out at the end of each show. She had a massive hit worldwide in 1998 with the show’s theme song, “Searchin’ My Soul,” and produced over 500 songs for the series. She has sold over twelve million albums, won two Golden Globes, two Emmys, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. And to this day, Vonda holds the Billboard record for selling the most television soundtracks in history.  

 

Vonda’s dynamic live shows feature James Ralston on guitar (Tina Turner), Jim Hanson on bass (Johnny Cash) and Fritz Lewak on drums (Jackson Browne). “I play songs at the piano and get completely lost in them, then fuse with the band to get the sparks flying. By the end of the show, I love to belt out the soul tunes and whip the audience up into a frenzy!” 

 

Vonda and her band are currently rehearsing for a special live show in Los Angeles around the release of Red Light, Green Light. There is also a Los Angeles event in the works to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of Ally McBeal. Vonda and her band will tour the U.K. starting October 4, 2022. They are currently booking dates on the east coast for January 2023, and Europe in February 2023. Stay tuned for all these announcements, coming soon!

Learn more and connect:

 

Vonda Shepard website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Spotify

Crowded House: Live From The Island - Special Streaming Event with iconic rock band airs Saturday, June 12

 Get this on your calendar Crowded House fans! Robert Kinsler

Iconic Rock Band Crowded House 

Announces Special Streaming Event 

Crowded House: Live From The Island

Airing Saturday, June 12, 2021

 

Tickets On Sale Now Here

 

Watch The Official Trailer Here

 

 

With 10 million records sold and legendary hits like “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong” that have dominated pop culture since the ‘80s, iconic rock band Crowded House celebrates their incredible career with a brand new streaming event. 

 

Crowded House: Live From The Island was filmed in front of a live audience in March 2021 in Auckland, Aotearoa - New Zealand and will be available for fans to watch starting Saturday, June 12 at 2:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM EDT / 10:00 PM BST / 11:00 PM CEST. It will also be available on demand for a week, through Sunday, June 20 at 11:59pm EDT. The show was one of the first full capacity sold-out arena performances by an international artist since COVID.

 

Watch the official Crowded House: Live From The Island trailer HERE

 

Tickets for this special online event are now on sale at www.CrowdedHouseStream.com starting at $14.99, with a variety of exclusive merchandise available for purchase. Australia and New Zealand fans can purchase their stream tickets and bundles at eMusic Live, HERE. 

 

“We were truly blessed to be able to play 12 real live gigs in New Zealand, the band together after a year of lockdown, sensing the occasion and playing as if everything was brand new and full of wonder,” says Neil Finn. “We can’t wait to share this beautifully captured performance from Auckland with our fans around the world in anticipation of being on the stage for them in person once again.”

 

The band, comprised of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mitchell Froom, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn, will showcase tracks from their new record Dreamers Are Waiting (out June 4 via BMG), including singles “Whatever You Want,” “To The Island” and “Playing With Fire” alongside their legendary catalogue – “Something So Strong,” “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” “Mean To Me,” “World Where You Live,” and more.  

 

Crowded House: Live From The Island co-producers Danny Wimmer Presents entered the digital content curation space in 2020, promoting pay-per-view livestreams and creating the popular digital series Offstage with DWP and Behind The Barrel. DWPis known worldwide for their stellar portfolio of music and lifestyle events, which includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.

 

 

About Crowded House: Crowded House is a long standing and much-loved vehicle for the song writing talents of Neil Finn. Formed in Melbourne Australia in 1985 out the ashes of New Zealand’s Split Enz by Neil, Paul Hester and Nick Seymour, their eponymous self-titled debut album on Capitol Records went on to global success with the hits “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong”. Those songs and many that followed are still resonating with audiences today, the former in particular being one of the most covered songs of the last 20 years. The band’s first incarnation lasted from 1985 through 1995 with 4 studio albums and enjoyed much success worldwide, becoming particularly beloved for their freewheeling and interactive live shows. This lineup said Farewell to the World on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996 with a now legendary performance in front of 150,000 people.

 
In 2005 following the tragic death of Paul Hester, Neil and Nick felt emotionally compelled to bring Crowded House back, to put some more good history, as they described it, into the story of the band.  Drafting in new drummer Matt Sherrod and with long time touring member Mark Hart they released the album “Time On Earth” to critical acclaim and toured the world. Another album, ‘Intriguer”, was recorded in 2009 and Crowded House was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2016, at the same time reprising its Farewell shows at the Sydney Opera House with 3 nights of stunning performances. 

 

About Danny Wimmer Presents: Since 1995, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he formed Danny Wimmer Presents, which now produces several of the largest rock and alternative festivals in the U.S. By combining A-list talent with local cuisine and culture, DWP has become recognized within the industry for delivering the highest-quality entertainment experiences to fans, artists, sponsors, partners and host cities. DWP creates memorable and all-encompassing festival experiences, leaving both consumers and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. DWP will continue to add new music festivals to its already stellar portfolio, which currently includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville. Previous DWP festivals include Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion and more.  In 2020, DWP launched the popular digital series Offstage with DWP and Behind The Barrel, and ventured into the digital content curation space, promoting pay-per-view live streams.

www.DannyWimmerPresents.com  

Twitter.com/DannyWimmerPres

Facebook.com/Dannywimmerpresents

Instagram.com/Dannywimmerpresents

Crowded House shares “Playing with Fire”; new album ‘Dreamers Are Waiting’ coming June 4, 2021

Crowded House is set to release their first new album since 2010! Listen to the wonderful just-released track "Playing with Fire" via a great music video. And make sure to catch up on several of the other advance tracks available as well...Robert Kinsler

Thankfully June 4 is just around the corner. That date marks the return of Australian band Crowded House's return via their seventh full-length album Dreamers Are Waiting. And the group has just released a music video for the spectacular song "Playing with Fire." Watch it HERE.

In a new media release, Crowded House front man Neil Finn says of the new song: “This song was formed out of a Crowded House jam, live in the studio but then evolved its character through many twists and turns during quarantine in 2020. ‘Playing With Fire’ carries within it the contradiction I often feel on joyous occasions, the presence of hope together with an impending sense of doom.”

In addition to Finn, Crowded House also includes bassist Nick Seymour, keyboardist Mitchell Froom, and Neil Finn's children Liam Finn and Elroy Finn.

In addition to "Playing with Fire" Crowded House has also issued several other advance tracks from Dreamers Are Waiting.

A music video for "To The Island" debuted in February; view it HERE.

Finally, the single "Whatever You Want,” released last fall, can be caught HERE:

New music: Icons shine across wide-ranging releases

An authentic tribute to Stax Records by Melissa Etheridge, a delightfully divergent direction for Dawes, an astounding return by the great Doyle Bramhall II, a reissue of Peter Case's masterful 1986 debut and an intoxicating soundtrack add up to an eclectic collection of great new titles.



Artist: Melissa Etheridge
Title: MEmphis Rock and Soul (Stax Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mavis Staples, Paul Rodgers' "The Royal Sessions," Melissa Etheridge 
Tell me more: The legacy of Memphis-based Stax Records looms large with the celebrated likes of Southern soul giants Otis Redding, Albert King, Sam and Dave, Mavis Staples and Rufus Thomas continuing to influence new generations of artists. Melissa Etheridge isn't the only top-tier vocalist to undertake an ambitious tribute to Stax (Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers' terrific The Royal Sessions was released in 2014); but make no mistake that her MEmphis Rock and Soul is truly an inspired listen across its 12-track length. Highlights include a lively take on the little-known nugget "Memphis Train," scorching "Respect Yourself (People Stand Up)," fiery "Hold On, I'm Coming," the soulful ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and ascending blues-based "Rock Me Baby" (featuring John Mayer on lead guitar). A heartfelt version of "I've Got Dreams to Remember" closes out the outstanding set. Among the amazing Memphis musicians who joined Etheridge in the studio to create the recordings are the Rev. Charles Hodges (organ), Leroy Hodges (bass), Archie "Hubbie" Turner (keyboards), James "JRob" Robertson (drums) and Michael Toles (guitar). Information: MelissaEtheridge.com or ConcordMusicGroup.com.

Purchase 'MEmphis Rock And Soul' here




Artist: Dawes
Title: We're All Gonna Die (HUB Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jackson Browne, My Morning Jacket, Neil Young
Tell me more: It is often difficult for even the most loyal of fans of a band to accept a major artistic change in direction. Such is the case of Los Angeles-based quartet Dawes, whose 5th studio album We're All Gonna Die signals a dramatic shift and leap forward. While the group's previous discs had the sonic feel of a Laurel Canyon-rooted folk rock champion, the new disc is decidedly more experimental - perhaps not a surprise since it was produced by Blake Mills (already legendary for his work with Alabama Shakes). Gone at singer-songwriter Taylor Goldsmith's sterling lead guitar solos. Intact are Goldsmith's songs (many co-written by Mills) that are literate and descriptive in their scope. For discerning listeners willing to give the 10-song disc a serious listen, they are sure to be rewarded thanks to artful tracks including the soulful "We're All Gonna Die," the sobering and layered rocker "Roll With the Punches" and art rocker "Quitter." This writer's favorite original on the winning disc is the genre-defying bass guitar-anchored masterpiece "Less Than Five Miles Away," a song bolstered by real life observations wielded with a master writer's touch. Information: DawesTheBand.com.

Buy 'We're All Gonna Die' here





Artist: Doyle Bramhall II
Title: Rich Man (Concord Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Jeff, Healey, Gary Clark Jr., Eric Clapton, Robert Cray Band
Tell me more: Doyle Bramhall II is an especially gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist whose Rich Man is a musical blend of R&B, soul, blues and world music with the different musical shades coming in the service of magnificent songs. Rich Man is Bramhall's first solo album release in a full decade (he has, however, kept busy collaborating and/or worked with the likes of Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, Elton John, Amos Lee, Derek Trucks and Sheryl Crow over the years). The eclectic sonic home runs on his new album include the exotic blues-gospel foray "My People," the acoustic "New Faith" featuring Norah Jones and Bramhall joining their voices in perfection, and a freewheeling take on the Jimi Hendrix classic "Hear My Train A Comin'." Information: concordmusicgroup.com.

Purchase 'Rich Man' here today



Artist: Peter Case
Title: Peter Case (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Peter Case, John Doe, Michael Ubaldini
Tell me more: The 30th anniversary deluxe reissue of singer-songwriter Peter Case's self-titled debut remains as great as the illustrious collection of top-tier talents who assisted with the groundbreaking release. Produced by T Bone Burnett (John Mellencamp, Elton John, Leon Russell) and Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Ron Sexsmith, Los Lobos), the range of artists who contributed their talents included Roger McGuinn, John Hiatt, Victoria Williams, Jim Keltner, Mike Campbell, Rusty Anderson and Van Dyke Parks. A bona fide Americana album before the style was recognized as a distinct genre, "Peter Case" showcases uptempo roots rock ("I Shook His Hand," "Horse & Crow"), folk rock ("Steel Strings"), country blues-meets-baroque Appalachia ("Small Town Spree"), acoustic folk ("Old Blue Car," "Walk In The Woods"), blues ("Three Days Straight," "Icewater") and jangly indie rock ("Satellite Beach"). Providing a musical exclamation point is a terrific version of Shawn McGowan's Celtic-flavored pearl "Pair Of Brown Eyes." A landmark that remains essential listening, the icing on the cake of Case's eponymous debut is the inclusion of seven bonus tracks. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Get 'Peter Case' here



Artist: James Horner and Simon Franglen
Title: The Magnificent Seven - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sony Classical)
You might like if you enjoy: James Horner, John Williams
Tell me more: Before he lost his life in a tragic plane crash in June 2015, James Horner was a celebrated and prolific composer who scored countless film and television projects including James Cameron's "Titanic" (which earned the Los Angeles native two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards), as well as scores for "Avatar," "A Beautiful Mind," "Field of Dreams," "Star Trek II" and many other great films. At the time of his death, Horner and Simon Franglen had just started working on themes for director Antoine Fuqua's 2016 remake of "The Magnificent Seven." The select pieces on The Magnificent Seven - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack live up to the legacy established by Horner and Franglen during their earlier collaborations (including "The Amazing Spider-Man," "Karate Kid" and "Southpaw"). Highlights include the tense "Rose Creek Oppression," stirring "Volcano Springs," evocative "The Deserter" and the lush "Town Exodus - Knife Training." Information: sonyclassical.com.

Buy 'The Magnificent Seven (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' here


Robert Kinsler

Two-time Golden Globe Winner, Vonda Shepard, to release new album on July 10

Just because it's late on a Friday doesn't mean there isn't music news to share...

Vonda Shepard to Release 14^th Album 'Rookie' on Friday, July 10, 2015

-Two-time Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning singer-songwriter set to release first album of new material in seven years-

Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard announces the upcoming release of her 14th album, Rookie, on July 10, 2015, funded through Kickstarter and under her own label. Shepard will release this album in celebration of being 25 years since the release of her self-titled Warner Bros. debut. 

“For me, Rookie is a landmark album. Suddenly, I’m a highly experienced human, who has nothing to lose, so I’m throwing myself out there on this album in a very raw, real and unadorned way,” says Shepard. “The album features songs looking back on long lost love, fading into the distance, from the perspective of a person who is digging deeper and reconciling these relationships.”  

This is Shepard’s sixth collaboration with producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Elvis Costello and Randy Newman). To produce Rookie, Shepard raised $35,000 through Kickstarter, with the help of her family, fans and friends. The album contains original, concrete poetic images that showcase what someone can do with experience, talent and deep belief. The tone of Rookie harks back to the raw soul and sound of the seventies, sometimes reminiscent of the early Aretha days.

“We really should have vinyl for this album with an ‘A’ side and ‘B’ side, as half of the songs I’ve written are these super-funky tunes and the other half is piano/vocal ballads," Shepard says. "I’ve got a few songs that really focus on the soulful groove element—not as a cliché, but in my own way. There are also a couple of very catchy, pure pop songs in the lineup that I’m excited about.”

The optimistic lyrics of the album mirror the stage Shepard is at in her career and the title of the new album plays an ironic comparison to Shepard’s life—she’s an artist that has been around all the blocks. Shepard is coming off of her debut as a musical stage actress in Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert,” where critics have raved about her outstanding performance. Theatermania.com critic even stated that Shepard’s performance was “One of the year's great stage moments to date, Newman and multi-Emmy and Grammy winner Shepard brought the house down in the second act with the gorgeous duet "Feels Like Home.”  

   
Shepard released her first hit “Can’t We Try” in 1987 and followed it with “Don’t Cry Ilene” from her first album on Reprise Records in 1989. She went on to record three solo albums before rising to prominence in 1997 as the creative force behind the memorable theme song “Searching My Soul” for the TV series Ally McBeal. She played an integral part in writing and producing the music for the soundtrack as the show’s musical director and appeared in every episode as the resident performer at a bar where the characters would hang out after work.

In the 13 years since the TV hit ended its five-season run Shepard has released five albums and toured extensively in Europe and at her own international and domestic concerts. 

Fans can download Rookie on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby and at www.vondashepard.com.

To learn more about Shepard’s latest album, watch behind the scene videos or to learn more about her upcoming performances please visit www.vondashepard.com. 

About Vonda Shepard

Vonda Shepard is a singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being former musical director of Ally McBeal and recently acting and singing on stage in the New York revival of Randy Newman’s “Faust: The Concert” starring Randy Newman. Shepard is currently recording her fourteenth album, Rookie, set to be released in July 2015. The album, which has been funded through Kickstarter, will feature a mixture of moods and tempos, with slightly more emphasis on the upbeat than previous albums.

For more information on Shepard and her music, visit www.vondashepard.com. Become a fan at Facebook.com/VondaShepard or follow on Twitter @VondaShepard.

Inbox Update: Sharon Corr set to tour in September; Empty Hearts debut lands tomorrow

Here are a couple of timely media releases of interest to fans of Sharon Corr who are based in the UK and Ireland, as well as power-pop fans everywhere...

  

SHARON CORR US MEDIA; PREPS UPCOMING UK/IRELAND TOUR DATES;

THE SAME SUN CD SET FOR SEPTEMBER UK/IRELAND RELEASE;

THE BETTER SHOW AND ART OF THE SONG AIR

FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST;  

ICONIC IRISH SINGER/SONGWRITER’S MITCHELL FROOM-PRODUCED COLLECTION FEATURES

INTERNATIONAL SMASH, “TAKE A MINUTE.”

ALONGSIDE CURRENT SINGLE/VIDEO, “WE COULD BE LOVERS”    

In advance of a September UK/Ireland release of her solo CD, The Same Sun Sharon Corr prepares for her much-anticipated UK/Ireland tour. Starting in Inverness on September 14, the tour will visit Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle, Dublin, Manchester, Oxford and Birmingham before concluding in London on September 25. The Grammy nominee/Brit Award winning, singer-songwriter/violinist and member of legendary Irish group The Corrs, Sharon Corr will perform songs from her second solo album The Same Sun as well as a selection from her popular back catalogue, as she did at the launch of her US tour earlier this year.  

"I'm really excited to be touring again in the UK and Ireland. Music is magic, so come breathe it in!” Corr comments.  

A former judge on The Voice of Ireland, she continues non-stop UK /Irish and international promotion, while scheduled tv and radio appearances in the US include performances on the popular, nationally syndicated tv show, The Better Show, August 6^th, and the nationally syndicated radio show, Art of the Song, which begins airing on public radio stations nationally the week beginning August 4^th. According to Art of the Song host and Standing “O” founder, John Dillon, “It was indeed a pleasure speaking with Sharon Corr. Not only is her musicianship extraordinary, she truly embodies the creative values we seek to illustrate on the show.”  Art of the Song is a one hour public radio program heard on over 150 stations across North America. Through discussions with singer-songwriters and artists, the show aims to inspire listeners to explore their own creativity. The intimate conversation and exclusively recorded music with Sharon Corr may also be heard at Art of the Song’s sister website, www.StandingOProject.com.* Corr’s media rollout continues with a feature interview that is also scheduled to run on the syndicated radio show, 60 Second CD later this week.  At the end of June, Corr performed on the international tv show and Arise 360.  

In addition, throughout these last several weeks, Corr has been seen on such high profile UK media outlets as Weekend Wogan, Simon Mayo, Lorraine Live, profiled in Female First and The Herald Drive, among other outlets.  In a recent review of Take A Minute,one writer observed vocal comparisons to Karen Carpenter noting, “…if someone told you this was Karen Carpenter, you’d believe them,” adding, “a lot of people are going to like her sound…”  

A deeply personal work, “THE SAME SUN” draws further inspiration from Corr’s own extraordinary life experiences in recent years, including her 2012 journey to Tanzania as ambassador for Oxfam Ireland’s “Ending Poverty Starts With Women” campaign. Sharon Corr is of course known around the globe as a member of legendary Irish group, The Corrs whose success included headlining sold our world tours and worldwide album sales in excess of 45 million over their incredible 15 year career.

*ABOUT THE STANDING O PROJECT

The Standing “O” Project is a new online community of musicians and music lovers that provides a wealth of music, video and interview content to fans.    

For up-to-the-minute news and information, please visit www.sharoncorr.com,www.facebook.com/SharonCorrOfficial, twitter.com/sharon_corr,

and www.youtube.com/SharonCorrOfficial.  

THE EMPTY HEARTS FEATURING  ELLIOT EASTON (THE CARS),  CLEM BURKE (BLONDIE),  WALLY PALMAR (THE ROMANTICS) &  ANDY BABIUK (THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS) DEBUT ALBUM OUT TOMORROW! "It's solid and sturdy rock and roll that pays tribute to its influences without sounding trite. A plethora of experience, influence and respect combine to be translated through the expression of original, no frills, good-time tunes."  Something Else!

August 4, 2014 Santa Monica, CA-- The Empty Hearts, a new band featuring members of The Cars, Blondie, The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings, signed to 429 Records which will release their eponymous debut album tomorrow in the U.S. and Canada (and in Australia, Europe and Japan, release dates below). The band, consisting of four iconic players and musical peers, features Elliot Easton on lead guitar, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Clem Burke on drums, Wally Palmar on vocals, harmonica and guitar and Andy Babiuk on bass. Co-produced by the band and Ed Stasium, The Empty Hearts is a raucous collection of tunes with each player's rock 'n' roll stripes on display - a bracing sound shaped by influences which span decades and include 50s American roots rock 'n' roll, 60s British invasion and 70s garage-punk. Described by Music Connection as "a well-crafted, highly enjoyable bundle of snap, crackle and pop," the album was recorded at Fab Gear Studios in Rochester, NY and also includes the Faces' Hall of Fame keyboardist Ian McLagan on Hammond organ and Wurlitzer electric piano. The Empty Heartswill be released tomorrow in the U.S. and Canada on 429 Records. 429 Records also released the album in Australia (8/1) and Europe (8/4). The album will be released in Japan on 8/6. The Empty Hearts (a name coined by Little Steven from his secret list of unused band names), is a band who sound like musical cohorts-all came of age in the 70's and 80's music scenes and play by a DIY punk rock code of ethics. A self-proclaimed band of "rock and roll lifers", the chemistry clicked immediately--they are all connected having come together as a band of friends. To order The Empty Hearts visit: http://smarturl.it/TheEmptyHearts http://smarturl.it/TheEmptyHeartsiTunes 429 Records is a unit of The Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is the North American based division of Nippon Columbia the oldest music company in Japan. The Savoy Label Group has evolved into a Grammy Award winning and chart topping independent music company consistently outperforming competitors in key music categories as monitored by Billboard Magazine. The Savoy Label Group is led by Steve Vining and is based in Los Angeles, CA.

Ron Sexsmith shares stories and music at GRAMMY Museum

Ron Sexsmith Live @ The GRAMMY Museum

Posted on February 1, 2013 by admin

 

Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

There are few venues as intimate and outstanding as the Clive Davis Theater, located inside the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live. Since opening a few years ago, the venue has hosted the celebrated likes of Ringo Starr, John Mellencamp, Los Lobos and more than 200 other famed artists for public programs that combine interviews and performance.

On Thursday night (Jan. 30, 2013), it was Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s first chance to visit the 200-seat theater, where he spent an hour or so discussing his music with the GRAMMY Foundation’s Scott Goldman and answering questions from members of the audience before performing four songs off his forthcoming album Forever Endeavour (set for release on Feb. 5).

Ron Sexsmith, left, with Scott Goldman at GRAMMY Museum

The intimate setting provided a perfect forum for the introspective Sexsmith to open up about the trials of being a cult hero who has admittedly remained mostly under the commercial music radar even while crafting a bold and timeless body of original work (Forever Endeavour will mark his 13^th full-length release since his 1991 indie debut).

He said even in periods when he experienced low album sales and fought pressure from record label executives to change his musical approach or material selection, it has been the praise of audiences and his own heroes (Elvis Costello, Elton John and Paul McCartney are among his biggest fans) who have helped propel him forward.

“I’ve always described (it like) Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. You write a bunch of songs and get your hopes up again,” he said of his drive to continue to write.

Sexsmith’s style, which he likened as “Canadian troubadour with all the British music I love,” carries on the songwriting-centric tradition of Lennon and McCartney, Ray Davies, Leonard Cohen and Harry Nilsson. But because the 49-year-old Sexsmith’s songs come from such a personal place and blend so many styles together, comparisons with other artists fall away.

“Every song has its own set of circumstances,” he explained.

While Sexsmith has written songs on guitar and piano, he actually prefers to write the songs freestyle, noting the melody is then free to go where it wants.

“I keep writing more songs. The last record (2011’s Long Player Late Bloomer) surprised me. Over in the U.K. I even got a sales award. I had these songs (before recording that album and wondered) what’s the point of making a record that nobody’s going to buy.”

However, because that album came in the wake of the 2010 documentary Love Shines (a favorite on the international film festival circuit and widely viewed via showings on BBC in England and HBO Canada), the Bob Rock-produced disc garnered well-deserved attention in his native Canada and Europe. He hopes his new album receives the same kind of well-deserved attention.

“We finished the new record in January (2012),” said Sexsmith, who worked with producer Mitchell Froom on the disc.

“I didn’t listen to it for most of the year (2012). Now that it’s about to come out, I’m excited again.”

But it was a simple statement a few minutes later that summed up why Sexsmith is so special: “I love songwriting so much.”

Armed with his six-string Taylor acoustic guitar, Sexsmith performed four new songs that carry on in the artfully-melodic and confessional style that sets him apart from so many other modern tunesmiths.

He opened with “Sneak Out the Back Door,” a beautiful acoustic song blending his unique style of finger picking guitar playing with rich singing and emotive lyrics.

The second song “Nowhere Is” proved to be a melodious song that further explored the sorrowful territory that he seemingly owns, courtesy of vivid images like: “I shoved everything I own into a room of regret.”

During the short set, he noted that one of his favorite pastimes is listening to vinyl albums while drinking wine. That was the perfect intro to his performance of the aptly-titled “Me, Myself and Wine.”

He closed with the majestic “Nowhere to Go,” whose eloquent lyrics detail the struggles of life. On the album, the song is supported by strings and a lush baroque pop arrangement. But even accompanied by his lone guitar the sparse version he offered up at the Clive Davis Theater, the song’s power was clear.

Robert Kinsler  2013 

Get Forever Endeavour Here