Indie Music Universe

From beneath the surface rises a new hope for the darkened truth of hip hop!  Insanity arrives originally from Cincinnati by way of Atlanta to reveal his latest effort – The Occult EP.  This project is just a seat warmer to the forthcoming LP – God Knowz My Name. 

For years, Insanity has set out to display his talent with a wicked pulse-beating presence to validate a spot in our culture.  The new EP, with a running time of 22 minutes, only has you curious and craving more of the unknown talent from the other side.  “Minion” starts off the more than human debut followed by the heartbreaking “My Work is Done.”  Insanity continues to show the consumer versatility beyond belief. 

Instrumentation

Insanity- Vocals

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Auresia is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who's breaking new ground on the Canadian Reggae Scene.  Born in Edmonton of Ukrainian decent, Auresia has been singing and charming audiences from the age of three.  Her voice is sweet and soulful coupled with a musical style that is mystically modern, yet at the same time firmly planted in roots reggae music.  Her intricate melodies , beautiful harmonies and combination of soul and R&B dedicates implacable to a particular genre or style.  Her fans compare her to Dezarie, Sade, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Etana, etc.

Auresia always puts on a great show, filled with high-energy and positive vibes, she captivates the audience with her meditative vocals.  With Auresia and her band,  they put on full- energy show sure to move the audiences' hearts and feet. After years of performing in Europe, the US, Jamaica, and both sides of Canada, singer, songwriter and producer Auresia has developed a strong fan base. 

Auresia has played Montreal International Reggae Festival (2008-09), Ottawa Int'l Reggae Festival (2009), Toronto Rastafest, Koots Roots Festival (Ymir, BC) , headlined the 2009 Cortes Arts Festival, the Queens of Reggae series. (2006-2009).  She's also played at various Clubs in Western Europe and in Jamaica.  She has shared the stage with Shaggy, Ky-Mani Marley, Sanchez, Sugar Minott, Tanya Stephens, Sister Nancy, Queen Ifrica, Tony Rebel, Clinton Fearon, and Canadian legends Ibo & Kindread and Kali & Dub Inc.

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Popularity: unranked [?]

A bit more than a year since they formed, Washington DC based Typefighter, has already
recorded their debut EP (I Want to See You Game, Boys, I Want to See You Brave), embarked on a month long national tour, and gained quite a following in their native city.

Now they look forward, and have begun working on a full-length album, as well as organizing another national tour.  2010 should be a big year for Ryan Mclaughlin, Erik Anderson, John Crum, and Will Waikart; one thing is for sure, they still have a lot more to show with their own unique blend of “dream-pop-folk”(brightestyoungthings.com) and will be sure to “warm our hearts” (Allournoise.com).

Instrumentation

Ryan McLaughlin – Vocals, Autoharp, Guitar, Ukulele

Mary Voutsas – Piano, Rhodes, Vocals

Will Waikart – Drums

John Crum – Guitar, Bass, Banjo

Erik Anderson – Guitar, Bass, Vocals

Website

MySpace

Hype Machine

Last.Fm

Twitter

Facebook

Discography

 I Want To See You Game, Boys, I Want To See You Brave 

Song Samples

Ocean Floor

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All the Air

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Their musical backgrounds are diversely-styled – a solid blend of both East and West coast mentalities.  At the root of it, Jazz Punks strives to serve up classic jazz styles in an electrifying, unique manner – that appeals to the jazz layman as much as the jazz aficionado.  They often meld these classic jazz styles with deep undercurrents of classic rock – from Hendrix to Nirvana to Zeppelin to Clash: classic jazz, uniquely interpreted and arranged into a more widely accessible and widely embraceable style.  No 8 min., self-absorbed solos.  No charts.  And mere replication and imitation is verboten. 

They each agree there is a significant place for classic jazz, of course - they love it, and are deeply influenced by it.  But, Jazz Punks fans should never leave a show feeling like they've visited a museum – a "club where time stood still".  They want listeners of all ages, backgrounds and tastes to share what THEY feel as they play – that something unique, exciting, and challenging is happening here.

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Popularity: unranked [?]

When contractor Rob Frail lost a computer programming gig in 2003, he seized the chance to listen more closely to the voices that were harmonizing in his head, and wrote their songs.  These songs combined themes of social injustice and quirks of love with compelling music.  Think Bob Dylan meets David Byrne; they fall madly in love.

"Dylan!? Ha!" An audacious reference, for sure, but those who hear his music agree (more later).  When Frail finds a passion (why can't you have more than one?), his commitment is all-consuming. Armed with his computer programming skills, his grandfather’s rhyming dictionary from 1937, and a swaggering over-confidence masking a fear of failure, he put fingers to keyboard and imagination into overdrive.  Soon, he evolved a voice (in all senses of the word) all his own, driven by a disdain for clichés and boredom with Seinfeld reruns. The results were some unusual, yet totally sensical lyrics.

In effect, Frail became a “method songwriter,” with the ability to project himself into a situation, then experience and articulate the emotional consequences.  For example, he wrote a convincing song about war (Alive) without ever having worn a uniform.  Call him an emotional documentarian.

In August 2005, Frail discovered songwriting contests.  His first entry, in American Songwriter magazine’s lyric contest, won Honorable Mention. To date, eleven of his songs have won over twenty awards, including three Honorable Mentions in the prestigious Billboard World Song Contest.  In addition, the lyrics for four of his songs have been published in an international journal of poetry, Shabdaguchha.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Having long since hit her stride, Steff Mahan's third CD, Never a Long Way Home, successfully captures her witty, charming and soul-wrenching gifts.  This CD was taken into the studio and recorded live, and it emotionally delivers the cathartic moods of the songs.  The listener is taken on a soulful journey mirroring the ups and downs of life.  Narrated by the beautiful singing voice that so eloquently composes life's most important moments, this CD is bound to move any listener.

This Nashville-based artist's 2004 CD release,  “42.50," was Produced by Michael Grimes and is a compelling collection of people, places, and stories from life on the road that rocks with the talents of Will Kimbrough, Brother Henry, and J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers.

Steff’s debut album, self-titled "Steff Mahan," garnered national attention, creating a coast-to-coast fan base from LA to New York.  It was famed New York DJ Jim Kerr who said “you’ll soon be hearing the name Steff Mahan” during a live performance and interview on Sirius Satellite Radio.  Billboard’s Mike Gionet called Steff’s mix of rock, roots, folk and country “an entertaining can’t-miss performance.”

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Popularity: 5% [?]

In her elegant fusion of R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop and various International influences, Mariami possesses an unrefined quality that is beginning to fade in contemporary songwriting.  Her approach to music is original, yet her sound resonates on a universal level.  Her keen attention to lyrical detail and melody is intelligible, yet her compositions are simple, sexy and inspiring.  With an undying passion for writing and playing music, her talent is undeniable.

With a rich line-up of talent, Mariami and her boys revive the concept of "fresh" and "soul" in ways that are no longer resonant in commercial music today.  Their show is charged with passion, urban edge, and unmistakable talent. Their dynamic energy has audiences feeling inspired, lifted and sexy.  It doesn't get any more righteous than that.

Emerging fresh out of college, and onto the professional music scene, Mariami has already rocked audiences everywhere from Boston's Berklee Performance Center to New York City's famous Bitter End in the village.  With a few honorable accolades under her wing, including her recent designation as Skope Magazine's "Artist to Watch", Mariami needs prove nothing. It's all in the music, and it's all in the soul.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Redlight Cinema's story sounds more like a fictional film than a genuine musical journey.  This story led three talented boys from a pristine, disconnected community in Upstate New York into the dirty and mystical streets of Manhattan where they have honed their sound.  From their melodic pop melodies to their unpredictable rock changes the "RLC" trio could not be any better if they tried.  Lead singer and songwriter Kevin Andreas' emotion filled, pitch perfect voice is slightly reminiscent of Adam Levine of "Maroon Five" and his mind-bending "Hendrix" inspired guitar skills are the center of Redlight Cinema's sound.  Rounding out the group, Kevin is accompanied by his brilliant younger brother Kyle on the drums and equally accomplished, calm and always cool, Dan Parra on bass.  Kyle and Dan follow their fearless leader as if they are reading his mind, and after so many years playing together they may well be.    

Kevin and Kyle were raised in a strict religious household where mainstream music was not allowed.  Kevin remembers a punishment when he was thirteen years old that would change both of the boys lives forever.  "My punishment was to sit on the landing of these stairs for six months. I was even forced to sit there alone and have my meals.  When I knew that no one was paying attention, I would run to the top of the stairs above the landing where there was an old guitar that had three strings.  I barely knew any music but by this time I had heard the song 'White Room'.  I would try to figure it out in order to amuse myself.  I started hearing more music from kids in Jr. High School.  At this point, I already knew that this is what I would do with the rest of my life."  Their mother left home around the same time the boys seriously began to play.  The brothers learned to find solace in a place where they would not be let down.  This place was in their music. 

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Ohio based, nationally touring and regionally reigning – If you haven't heard of The Zou yet, you will soon. 

Born in a Midwestern scene dominated by affluent white youths, The Zou is a transnational ethnic musical collective of 2nd generation Americans.  They are the sons and daughters of Lebanese revolutionaries, Palestinian refugees, Italian grocers, and Chinese peasants.  This unique background shows in the crafting of their indie rock.  The Zou's music reflects a quality and creativity seldom found in mainstream music.

Since 2007, The Zou has been marching across the country, gathering the support of music lovers and critics.  They have been described as "Intelligent and electrifying Nouveau Rock", "A dark assemblage of snarky lyrics, gritty bass, and 2 colossal keyboardists" and "Indie rock to be proud of".

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Popularity: 4% [?]

During British nobility, reigning monarchs appointed faithful servants to the position of "baron," charging them with the task of adding to their king’s kingdom.  Obediently, barons ventured into neighboring regions annexing new plots of land and other forms of wealth for their master, knowing their reward came as from their diligent work.  Rather than extending the boundaries of a given territory as barons of old, Red Baron lifts up the name of Jesus, that He might draw all men unto Him (John 12:32).  In so doing he adds to his King’s kingdom. 

Born in the bedrock of blues music, reared in the home of R&B, and classically trained in violin and piano, it would seem Red was destined to make music.  Forbidden from listing to rap at an early age, he drifted towards his parent’s record collection as a small child.  Consequently, by the time he actually stumbled upon rap, his musical stylings were more influenced by Bach than 'Pac, more Mozart than Mos Def.

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Popularity: 3% [?]