Indie Music Universe

John Milstead is an artist you should not miss hearing live.  From a sound that mixes pop,rock,and soul, and a live vocal that is unbelievable.  What else would you expect from a guy who lives down the street from where Elvis was born and raised, Tupelo,Ms.  John is currently working on his new EP which releases this fall- while is first album "Sides of the Soul" makes it's debut onto Pandora Radio, and has sold over 3,000 copies in a short time.  All of the album was written, produced, and performed by Milstead. 

Rarely does a debut album/demo by an independent artist sound as compelling as John Milstead’s debut offering, Sides of the Soul.  Heavily influenced by the likes of Sam Cooke and Don Henley, and true to his Tupelo roots, Milstead’s music is the perfect blend of pop, country and soul.  Growing up in Tupelo, Milstead was always around soul and gospel music, and found a way to weave those influences into his own music, always adding a twist of classic soul to his own pop melodies. 

Milstead has also been racking up awards rapidly.  He was a winner of the 9th Annual CMT NSAI contest for his song, “Don’t Believe in Love;” a finalist at Atlanta’s Eddie’s Attic singer/songwriter competition in July 2009 and November 2009; and he was Singeruniverse.com’s October 2009 vocalist of the month.

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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 [?]

The problem with rising acoustic talents is that a lot of them sound the same; but there is no mistaking the sultry sounds of Adam Payne.  With a smile and sound as big as his afro, Adam entertains full crowds with his fusion of Funk, R&B, Folk, and Acoustic.  There’s no denying his musical talents…so the question is, who is he?

Adam is about as eclectic as his sound.  He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to an Italian mother and African American father.  In the late 80's, Adam and his family moved to Sarasota, Florida.  By the age of 8, Adam drew his musical inspiration not from haughty music teachers, such as Mozart or Beethoven, but from Saturday morning cartoons, Sonic the hedgehog and Mario.  Adam picked up the piano as he mimicked the music from cartoons and video games.  During his senior year of High School he took on the guitar and the drums.  Payne has shared the stage with artists ranging from the Avett Brothers to The Pharcyde and members of the Wu-Tang Clan.  He has collaborated with Artists all over the globe, and lends his writing, production and vocal talents to projects of all kinds, including producing and composing the music for a documentary film about the Rwandan Genocide entitled 'Coexist.' 

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Popularity: unranked [?]

In the heart of the city and the home of Hip-Hop (aka the Bronx, NY) a star was born, known to the streets and soon the world as Dolo the Bandit.  Usually the bad guy is the villain, but in this unique situation, he is the hero – here to rescue Hip-Hop from its kidnappers who have No Honor, No Pride, and a Lack of Skills.  He is a rare breed in an ever changing era of rap music.  This young emcee has not only captured the essence of what it takes to be a great rapper, he is steadily acquiring the talents to be a great musician and change music history. 

As an artist, Dolo quickly reinvented himself into a machine.  Not only was he a lyrical slaughterhouse, but with a shortage of beat makers, he began bang out his own productions that would match his assault of wordplays.  Before he finished high school, Dolo composed a catalog of songs not only for himself, but for the Werk Regime/PaperWerk camp.  CEO D.Gritty (of the superstar Harlem group The Teamstas) quickly noticed and acquainted himself with Dolo, adding fuel to a fire that could not be extinguished.  After countless music, a few mixtapes, some shows and some recognition in the neighborhood, Dolo was becoming a local name and celebrity.  With the summer ending, Dolo expanded his horizons by aligning forces with Bravo, Swiss, and Salgoud of AF1, which has become a creative masterpiece.  Since combining their forces, Dolo has been infiltrating the industry slowly and silently as a true bandit.

Dolo has had impactful performances at places such as the Pyramid, PJ Lounge, The Kokonuts Club, and the Sofa Lounge.    His performances are truly creative and bring that showmanship to his fans.  He was featured as an opening act for Red Cafe at Sweet Carolines and What’s Bigger than Hip-Hop.  His showcases include Get Your Buzz Up, Hip-Hop Unplugged, a win at Sucker Proof Free, and the grand prize winner of a beat from Platinum producer Scram Jones for Monsei’s Hot 97 Showcase at the TBA lounge.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

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% [?]

Meghan has been singing for as long as she can remember, but credits her vocal prowess to call and response sessions she shared with her gospel teacher Georgia Louis, an acclaimed performer who Louis Armstrong named as his “musical godchild.” Ms. Louis, who has shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, and the Staple Singers, has said of Meghan “She is the best young gospel singer that I have worked with, and she was born with an inner spirit that is just phenomenal.”

The majority of Meghan’s high school years were spent performing gospel music in A.M.E. Churches throughout Connecticut. Gospel gave her the freedom to improvise and engage with an audience instantly in the energy of the moment, skills that permanently influenced her performance style. She has performed at Shea Stadium three times, the first at the age of 14. Meghan has also been asked to collaborate on many recordings, and has recorded a handful of gospel songs which remain unreleased.

She has spent the last three years composing infectious, soulful songs while playing the New York City club circuit either solo on piano, or with her band. Her first full-length solo album entitled, “12th and A” was released in December '08, and is available on CDBaby, Itunes and numerous other internet outlets.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

A lover of Chopin and Beethoven, a painter, but a musician at heart; Emanuela Bellezza thrives off of the arts as if it was the air she breathes. A classic pianist from age seven, Emanuela Bellezza diversifies herself by studying French, Russian, and English while mastering her craft as a vocalist, classic pianist, and guitarist. Emanuela Bellezza encompasses all the elements that make up a true artist.

Born in Italy, but currently residing in Los Angeles, Emanuela is writing and co-producing her music with heavy hitters Troy Laureta and Darryl Swann; recording her music in English, Italian, and Spanish to fulfill her desire to be heard as a world artist. Having previously preformed and interviewed on Univision and featured in festivals, Emanuela Bellezza is constantly building her stature in music.

Currently, Emanuela has pieced together a band and is playing shows in the Los Angeles area. Following her success on stage, Emanuela shot a video for “Strong” and is focused on promoting her new EP “Rain and Sunshine of Heart”.

Instrumentation:

Emanuela Bellezza – Voice, Piano, Guitar
Jean Luis Contreras – Lead Guitar
Jamie Hamano – Bass
Corey Coverstone- Drums Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 3% [?]

"Sorry Jill Scott, not so fast Angie Stone, not that we don’t love you ladies, but Mavis SWAN Poole is the clear choice for Midpoint. This street wise, world traveled, diva in the making, can sing anything she wants. Smoky jazz club ballad, neo soul funk fest, low rider speaker shaker, Mavis attacks and conquers any style that comes her way. I wonder if Mavis is the reason Lauryn Hill has gone into hiding." -MIDPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009, Cincinnati

"Mavis can sing almost anything and has a huge vocal range, both high and low. When I asked her to do "Fly Me To The Moon," she flawlessly skipped up a whole octave at one point, becoming a soprano. She trained her radiant smile on me for the whole tune. I was in love." -LOUIS MARTIN, Editor @ CoastNews.com, San Francisco

"And of what she sang I know not, but her voice touched every chord of my being; something hand alone cannot make. A voice that takes on many shades and colors, and out pours many musical instruments that all come alive from one being ethereal." -the late, great, ULYSSES SLAUGHTER, Vocal stylist, technician, teacher

Crowned “Little Ellla" by the great Curtis Fuller, and guilty of inspiring people to sing because of God-given creativity, Singer/Songwriter/Composer/Bandleader Mavis ‘SWAN’ Poole is stirring up the music scene as we know it. She possesses an unrivaled brilliance of shattering barriers with her rich and smoky sound, undauntedly amalgamating jazz, R&B, soul, funk and hip hop. Swan is a sassy, soulful, fiery SongBird (which is the literal translation of MAVIS) whose music promises to stand the test of time.

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Popularity: 6% [?]