Monday mashup 2021 (vol 30)

It’s time once again for our weekly Monday Mashup and this time it’s the final one for the month of September. Where has this year gone? There is so much great music out there and it’s getting harder and harder to choose which songs to share with you. We hope you love these five new singles and music videos we have chosen for you. But first, we have some news for you.

Ponderosa Grove wins Music Prize competition

My former client, Candace Devine, has been super busy during the pandemic. She started a new band, Ponderosa Grove, who has burst onto the scene with abandon. They recently travelled to Shreveport, Louisiana to participate in Music Prize’s Prize Fest competition. She was recently interviewed by KSLA News 12:

“I started my career as a backup singer to Christina Aguilera and then released a solo record that did pretty well. Then had a duo that was signed and toured and opened for Adam Lambert and Boys to Men and Michelle Branch. I sang on Ringo Starr’s record.”

Devine, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, lives in Prescott, Arizona. Her band, Ponderosa Grove, released its first album in June and it’s seen plenty of success so far.

She heard about Music Prize from a friend living in Arizona who was originally from Shreveport.

“We submitted to see if we could do Prize Fest and we made it in,” Devine said. “So it’s just been this really exciting, fun collaboration that’s blossomed into a beautiful thing.”

photo courtesy of Candace Devine

Devine and Ponderosa Grove walked away with the Grand Prize of $10,000. Congratulations and well done.

NEW SINGLES

Shane Alexander has been a valuable asset to not only the local LA music scene but has also performed across the country. He has just released a new single that, despite its name, will not bore you. Please listen to “Asleep” and check out his amazing catalog of great songs.

It’s been a minute since we last featured a new single from SARRA, but her latest, “All I see is You” was definitely worth the wait. She is a bright and shining voice that combines the best in old school R&B, and we simply love her sound.

LA Music Critic Award winners Carly and the Universe have been treating us to a bevy of great tunes as they have released single after single from their new album. As they say, all good things must come to an end, and they have saved the best for last. Check out their groove and “Rock the Baby.”

Speaking of great groove, we are pleased to highlight the latest track from LA emerging artist, Sun Kiss. This song definitely makes us just want to “Melt Away,” and chillax. We think this artist has a bright future.

Our final single this week comes from future country-pop superstar Crystal McGrath. It is a powerful song about breaking free of a toxic relationship. We can definitely hear this song on country radio, and encourage them to start playing “Back to Never.” Expect big things from this young lady.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We kick off this week’s new music videos with this one from LA Music Critic Award winning blues artist Diana Rein. She may be on a “Broken Road,” but her music is the fix for everything else. Let this one get your week going strong.

Next up is the latest from The Greys. It shares a title with one of our favorite Halloween movies, and is pure magic. Check out “Hocus Pocus.”

Our third video is full of style and mixes the best of slow jam, R&B and reggae with the sweet sound of Australian band Sticky Fingers. We love the sentiments of “We can Make the World Glow,” and think this is a powerful anthem for change. Check it out.

Our fourth video this week talks about a serious subject – teenage drinking and death. It’s powerful and definitely gives us food for thought. Check out KULICK and their new single, “Time to Go.”

We close out this week with this superb video from rising country-pop star Leah Marie Mason. She tells the cautionary tale of “Hannah,” and we are listening carefully to the words. We think we’ll be hearing a lot more from this promising young lady.

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Monday mashup 2021 (vol 29)

It’s been another rough couple of weeks as I’m just finishing up a nine-day run of opening my store without a day off. I think the incredible new singles and music videos we’re sharing today will make the wait worthwhile, so let’s get started.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single this week comes from a songwriter known for her positive messages and incredible musical abilities. Aptly named “Hold On,” the latest single from the incredible Patricia Bahia will lift your spirits and give you hope. Welcome to the new anthem for this crazy time in our history.

They started out as a trio of sisters named Southern Halo before becoming the duo known as American Blonde. They have now released their debut single and it’s a definite keeper. Let’s give it up for this amazing band and avoid the “Quicksand.”

Continuing in the country/Americana vein, our favorite LA queer indie artist Abby Posner is back with another great tune. We think she has reached a new “high” with her latest, “Low, Low, Low.” This one is definitely going on repeat.

We haven’t featured any reggae/funk in a while and we think this new tune from Canadian rock band Gnome Chimpsky is just perfect. We love their vibe and look forward to hearing more from them. Check out “Peter Pepper.”

Our final single this week is from Asian American artist Roma Sheth. She has an incredibly upbeat style that deserves Top 40 radio attention, and showcases those abilities in her latest, “So I Run.” We think we’ll be hearing a lot more from this artist in the future.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Delaney Gibson may feel like an “Alien” in her transplanted home in Austin, Texas, but people that love great indie music think she is the Queen of the Realm. Check out her incredible new music video and definitely put her on your favorites list.

Next up is the latest from another of our favorite indie artists who moved to New York from California to pursue her Zen. She may be looking through “Rose Colored Glasses,” but we love the view. Thanks to Katie Costello for another instant classic.

Our third video this week features the stunning voice of Rachel Lorin. She is bringing her pop/country to a new high with “Shoot a Man,” and we think she is about to break into the big time. This one will get your toes tapping and deserves serious radio air play.

Continuing in the country vein, our next music video is a reimagining of a song that was recorded back in 2011. We love the visualization which brings the words of the song, “Erase You,” to life. Thank you Tawny Ellis for another beautiful indie music moment.

We close out this edition of Monday Mashup with another great country artist, but Teea Goans has a surprise for us. That amazing harmony comes from none other than the one and only Vince Gill, and we can’t get enough of this.
“That’s What I Know” is our pick for the best country song of 2021.

Monday mashup 2021 (vol 28)

It’s been a rough couple of weeks. Somebody forgot to renew the Blog’s website hosting (wonder who that was?) and then I got stuck working the entire Labor Day weekend. Yesterday my body was in recovery mode, but today it’s time to move on and share some great new singles and music videos with you. Are you ready?

NEW SINGLES

All must be right with the universe because ABBA is back! That’s right, the band that fueled a generation has returned with a new album, and even though they are not an indie act, we would be remiss in not sharing their new single. Here’s “Don’t Shut me Down,” which brings back so many memories for this child of the 70’s.

Our first new single this week comes from one of our favorite duos, Lauren Harding and Mallory Trunnell, aka Crimson Calamity. We have always loved their harmonies and witty lyrics, and their latest is no exception. Check out “Wild Card” and enjoy the beauty of this beloved band.

Next up is the latest from Blue Elan Records artist The Vegabonds. They continue to bring the right mixture of instrumentation, vocals and lyrics with their latest, “Feels Right.” This band deserves to be at the top of your playlist.

Our third single this week is from the fiery redhead CH3LS, who relocated from California to Nashville and has truly found her home in their local music scene. She’s become a regular at Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Rock n’Roll Steakhouse and has definitely learned how to “Break These Blues.”

Single number four is from an artist we introduced you to a couple of weeks ago. We think he is the perfect blend of musical genres, including rock, Americana, blues and more. Really love the horns on his latest, “Murder in the Dance Hall,” and we think we will be spinning Jeff Tuohy over and over again.

We close out this week’s singles with this particularly badass song from Ruth Lyon, who we are dubbing as the “next Amy Winehouse.” We think you’ll quickly fall in love with her voice and the dynamic sound of “Lemon Tree.” Enjoy.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

We kick things off this week with the latest from alt rockers Megan Nash and the Best of Intentions. This one is called “Check Quietly / Clean Slate,” and we love everything about it. Let us know what you think.

Our next video is from Teea Goans, who we recently brought to your attention. She has a style that reminds us of vintage Terri Clark, and we think she’ll be a major factor in the country music market for years to come. Check out her latest “The Detour,” and listen carefully to the amazing words.

Next up is the latest from European sensations Single by Sunday. This one will bring back great memories and is instantly memorable. Here’s “Give it to me Now.”

We would be glad to be “Home on the Road” with Taylor Rae. This lady has a great sound that deserves serious radio airplay and we want to be the first in line to see her live in concert.

We don’t share a lot of live videos, but we felt this one deserved the attention. Abby Posner has always been one of our favorite LA treasures, and her recent single release show for her upcoming solo album, held at The Hotel Cafe with her band, The Myth, highlights why we love her so. Check out “Water Meets the Stone,” and we think you’ll become a fan as well.

We wanted to leave you with a special video treat from ABBA. It is their first new video in nearly 40 years. Enjoy “I Still Have Faith in You.” We always will.