Joel Lightman Band

An acoustic, pop, indie musical group with a sense of humour and fine musicianship. This is my initial impression of the Joel Lightman Band. After all anyone who says that their influence was ‘a grand piano thrown out of a ten story building’ has something I have to pay more attention to.

The music I heard on the Myspace invigorated me and put aside the worries of everyday life. For just a little while I got lost in the easy sounds and the rhythmic voice. For a short time the music changed my world, made it an easier place. And isn’t that what music is supposed to do?

Others have obviously felt these artists’ appeal because theJoel Lightman Band has a CD available for sale through Boardroom Records. Oh, and if you happen to be in the Toronto area be sure to visit the Myspace page so that you can find out where they are playing next and go see them live. I bet that’s a show to remember!

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
Joel Lightman Band,KMWS,rock,pop, MySpace,

ID Guiness

Have you ever heard of the genre Melodramatic Popular Song? Combined with the labels rock and progressive these categories create the sounds of Vancouver based Id Guinness. And a lot of work goes into these sounds. For the recently released CD, ‘Cure for the Common Crush’, Id combined his talents with nine other musicians. But they created something wonderful.

Instead of the standard guitar, bass and drums mixed with the occasional keyboard and wailing voice, the listener is given the opportunity to hear a soprano sax, an erhu and of course guitars, bass and drums to list a few instruments. The voice is soothing and melodic yet filled with vibrancy.

‘Cure for the Common Crush’ is available now and can be purchased through either the Myspace page or by going to the website of Id Guinness. Take a moment to go listen then form your own opinion.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
Id Guiness,KMWS,rock,pop, MySpace,

A Block of Yellow

Let’s look at colour today, a colour that many us may welcome in the next few months – yellow. From London Ontario it is A Block of Yellow. These four musicians categorize themselves as rock/pop/indie and I have to say that their music is refreshing. It has the solid harmonies and good feeling sounds of pop music of years gone by. You know what I mean. The music that sticks in your mind and that you find yourself singing at odd times throughout the day.

Music doesn’t have to be as complex as some make it out to be. I don’t know if A Block of Yellow – or ABOY as they are also called – had that in mind when the artists started to create their product but that is what they are saying to me.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
A Block of Yellow,KMWS,rock,pop, MySpace,

Blake Havard

Indie/rock/country is how today’s featured musical artist describes himself. I eagerly waited for the Myspace page of Blake Havard to finish loading so I could hear. It was worth the wait, trust me.

Havard has blended his multitude of influences to create an appealing and raw sound that demands attention. This isn’t music the listener can just tune out. It has to be heard and felt then the listener can go away feeling much better about themselves.

And if you go to his Reverbnation page you can once again listen to music and sign up to be fan which will entitle you to hear more tunes. That feature seems to be free. Or you can just sign up for Havard’s mailing list to keep track of what he is up to.

Most assuredly keeping track of this artist will pay off in the end. It is always exciting to watch a talent climb to the top.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
Blake Havard,KMWS,rock,country, MySpace,

Wolvengard

Today I return to my old stomping grounds, Calgary Alberta where I got my start on writing on music with Rock Raff. Right now I am listening to the melodic metal musical artists Wolvengard and finding it quite interesting. The music has more of a metal edge than traditional melodic but that being said Dave Bain’s vocals aren’t the rasping, grating sounds of many bands of this genre. He’s not yelling at the listener but rather enticing them to listen to more.

Not only can you hear The music of Wolvengard on their Myspace page but anyone interested can also download three tunes from the band’s website. A new CD in the works so keep tuned to Wolvengard.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
metal,
KMWS,
Calgary, Wolvengard
MySpace,

Perfect Ground

I am returning to BC now to cover Perfect Ground. These four men are creating a rock sound that is heavily blues influenced. Now I realize most rock is blues influenced but with these sounds the listener can identify the blues more readily than with some rock groups.

The vocals don’t disappear into the background – Nevill Bornmann’s voice is strong and passionate. The guitar work by Brooke Winstanley, the bass by Brandon Chicoyne and the drums by Sean Bornmann compliment and highlight the vocals. Combined it creates a sound that touches the soul of the listener.

Keep an eye out for Perfect Ground. In 2005 the group released their debut EP and are currently working on their first full-length release. You should be hearing more about them.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
blues,
KMWS,
Nevill Bornmann, Perfect Ground
MySpace,

Crimson Shadows

Here’s another metal band, this time from Ontario. Crimson Shadows is blending the influences of power and death metal to create an ‘in your face’ sound. There is nothing mild or soothing about the tunes I heard. This is for the die-hard metal fan that wants to connect with a group of musical artists that are expressing what the fan wants to hear.

The music is intense and passion resonates through every note and lyric. The artists that comprise Crimson Shadows are creating a sound that is familiar but with the band’s own stamp of individuality. Crimson Shadows seems to be doing what they love and presenting their creations to the fans. Nothing more you can ask for.

TAGS:entertainers, Karen Magill, Promo Writing,
Death Metal,
KMWS,
Crimson Shadows, passion
MySpace,