Check out my latest recording session for West Indian Rock. This my first attempt at nailing vocals for my collaboration with Jamaican Mento musicians in Port Antonio. This song came to me when I was in Mantis Gardens in Arlington pulling giant fan leaves of marijuana plants that loomed above me. I had returned from my first …
Last night I heard the rough mix of the Mento song I wrote, and then recorded with Joseph Whitmore and members of the current Jolly Boys line up. The Jolly Boys are the original kings of Mento, legendary in small part among many because their biggest fan Errol Flynn gave them that name. The song, ‘Go Tell …
I had ‘Free Your Mind’ removed from Spotify and all the digital stores, because a label you know is going re-release and distribute the song worldwide. ‘Free Your Mind’ will always be a Sick Donkey Records release much like this unsaid label was connected with Island Records. I say too much. But when I sign this paper …
Simple and serene, Jess McAvoy’s lyrics and vocal sincerity strike the very core with each melody, word and note. Reminiscent of years gone by, Jess McAvoy reflects upon how each and every one of us have set forth on a course to follow our passions and dreams that have uprooted ourselves from what’s familiar. But …
While some call her the hardest working woman in show business, Tania Vinokur is also a violinist who knows how to have a great time in a video. Check out the sunlight and funlight in this clip. Her unique sound incorporates a strong violin line over a dynamic, percussive, electronic track, allowing her to fuse …
Vederkast is releasing another single from their new album, And In The Abyss They Sleep. The single, “Reflections Linger,” explores relations between people in a challenging situation. Fortunately, the word “ballad” is not a correct description, instead the sound is intense, soul-scorching, massive, melodic and emotional. The song was, like the rest of the album, …
“Swayed” is the first single from Elza’s boldly titled upcoming album Nothing’s Wrong. “Swayed” is now available on Spotify. “As a solo artist I write, compose, arrange and produce all my music,” says Elza. “I spent over 2 years working on this album alone, carefully crafting all the arrangements. When I felt complete with the …
This is me as a manchild in 1994-1995. I am starting to look like him again. This kid was trying to dunk. He was damn close. ‘Free Your Mind‘ is heading up the charts again starting this weekend in the Caribbean thanks to the Godfathers. One thing music taught me was patience. The other thing …
Right now I am writing a song with Mykal Rose from Black Uruhu. Well to be more specific I am driving up to Bellingham as I listen to a track Reggae Powerhouse Band sent me called ‘Freedom’ that the band produced with the intention of matching me up with the first of a number of greats. The …
Also known as TROUX, producer Narelle Brooksbank is now coming back with a new project, a new sound, and a new album. Glaciers, the debut album by She Sees Monochrome, is a pulsing electronic soundtrack inspired by Stranger Things. From this collection of instrumental tracks emanates a mystical and otherworldly vibe, elevated by epic synths …
David Rovics lives in East Portland. You can hear it in his music and commentary. He has recorded many songs in the course of his career but he recently started a podcast. This Week with David Rovics is a 5-minute (or so) chunk of music and commentary on history and current events, available for anyone …
At only 17, Mahkenna Tyson, who associates herself with her stage-name as only Mahkenna, was born in Ireland and raised in Southern California, and is already a tour-de-force as a Recording Artist, DJ and Actress. Already receiving multiple awards and accolades as the LA Music Award Winner 2013 & 2014, The Face of Europe 2013, and Artist …
Dear friends from East Portland Blog, what’s up?! 🙂 I’m Labán from Mexico City and I’m presenting the first single from my upcoming album. It’s a protest song, I’m peacefully protesting against corruption, impunity, violence and the extreme disparities of income inequality I often see in my country. I believe that generalized government and private …
Imagine (Bears and) Dragons — the Magic of The Joy Formidable’s Aaarth A review by Peter Dysart For several years now, The Joy Formidable have been one of the hardest working and most enjoyable bands on tour. The places they’ve toured have covered the globe and the places they’ve called home have moved as well. All along the way they’ve acquired a solid and faithful following and some lasting friendships. That exposure to …
This 600 second break song came to me as we were wrapping up last night listening to Simon & Garfunkel LIVE 1969. I hear as Latin in that Incan way that Paul used those indigenous sounding flutes on ‘Duncan’ and another greatest hit I can’t think of right now. I am going change the hook …
Youtube is alive with fantastic vids of Simrit Kaur performing at various places around the world. The Keeper (below) is a particularly arresting introduction to Simrit’s siren blend of trance-world-classical with alt-folk vocals. This music has texture and, when given voice in the right venue, will ebb, flow and echo around the audience, hypnotizing, beguiling, …
I have a $100 budget. Who is ready to make a memorable show poster out of this image of Eric Struthers to celebrate his first show in Seattle with The Staxx Brothers? The show is Saturday Nov 3rd. We did some standout posters for the nights Ras Jones (Jonezy) came to visit us from England and when Matt Fink (Dr. Fink) rocked …
I’ve said this before, but it bears revisiting. My father – who was a “square” in the late 60s, musically – once replied with this when I asked him what the iconic song of his generation was, looking back. I was surprised that he knew this song, to begin with. Though it was recorded in …
These are some deep thoughts from a rapper in the Philippines. “Born December 5, 1984 in the Philippines, Magnitude 7 aka Alvin Aquino is a natural born creative thinker. From his interest in poetry, he writes his deep thoughts to answer and bring into fruition the juice of knowledge and wisdom into his rapping.” https://www.instagram.com/magnitude7music/ …
With the ethereal, yet powerful vocals of Rama Duke and the trance-inducing production delivered by M.I.K.E. Push, “Frozen” is sure to be heard within the club halls worldwide. This track will surely get you grooving along with the beat and upon deeper listening, you will come to realize that behind all the façade of elegant …
These videos of me singing as customers come are pretty funny. This is my favorite. I was practicing ‘Amazing Grace’ for the last service of all time at Light of the Cross Lutheran Church, Bothell, WA, that is happening this Sunday. …then a very nice Snohomish local walks in. Then this happened. ☆also are a …
I finally got Barbara J Mitchell all the important links to help me with some PR for ‘Free Your Mind’. I am one of those artists that has never had a push from KEXP. I have a gift of gab and words come easy to me, but I can’t really explain how much it would mean right now …
☆ Happy birthday to Eric Struthers. He’s one of New Orleans’ own livin’ and breathin’ true as blue guitar greats. If don’t catch him with Dr. John or playing with one of the Nevilles, you might want to catch him Nov 3rd at The SeaMonster Lounge. He’s flying up to play with The Staxx Brothers and few other artists …
This is pretty much what it’s like recording in Kingston. If I get to cut an album with Reggae Powerhouse Band it’s going to be WILDFIRE. I got bucket of hooks, songs, ideas for a Jamaican album that could be a really hot mix of what Jamaican session musicians are gonna do, and what I am gonna …
I finally get to tell you that Band in Seattle is switching to KING 5! I had to keep that under wraps for a while. This is so big for that show. An NBC affiliate. Conrad Denke has put his heart and soul into that show, and working with him has been one of the experiences of my career in …
I had to go the top of Snoqualmie Pass to meet up with the TV drama legend Jim Charleston to discuss shooting my video for ‘Casino Road’ before I head back to Jamaica. Jim believes in me as much as anybody, save my Viking father Bruce. He said “get 2 g’s and we’ll make my last great …
Whether it is the effortless grace of her melodies, the sweetness of her timbre or the irresistible dash of a Dublin accent, there is something magical in Fields’ alluring voice. Now based in Perth, the Irish native has earned her stripes fronting sweaty, touring rock bands, but is at her most intense when it is …
“Writing songs has always been a way for me to get out of my head and back into my body,” declares Toronto artist Ruby Randall, “It helps me to make sense of things and creates space in me to feel something new.” She’s a great talent. Just listen below. The song is loaded with great …
“We ran away to Amsterdam to try and work it out…” I discovered this bristling, sparkling, punk pop diamond accidentally but love it to death anyway. Give it a listen. The vocals are elegant and the quirky lyrics are more eloquent than I could ever describe. Fightmilk (apparently named after a comic bit on It’s …
Less of a white flag of defeat than a defiant proclamation of freedom, Seattle artist PSA’s latest video “So Over” is emblematic of the decay and rebirth that comes from leaving a relationship in the past. Stark and emotive, the video explores the strength and power of returning to yourself. Native to the Pacific Northwest, …