Jaryn Jones is Astonishing on New EP “Angles”
Every now and then I hear an artist who registers a 9.9 on the Wow! Meter – and Nashville’s Jaryn Jones is the newest to make the club. (Jaryn is pronounced like “Aaron” with a J, by the way.) Her music meshes the breathtaking beauty of great composers like Stephen Sondheim and Alan Menken with […]
Ships Have Sailed Get Pensive on “Walking Into Walls”
California duo Ships Have Sailed have a new single called “Walking Into Walls.” It belongs in the closing credits of a major motion picture. Ships Have Sailed is the brainchild of vocalist and guitarist Will Carpenter, usually configured as a duo with drummer Art Andranikyan. Although most people consider the phrase “that ship has sailed” […]
Stephanie Michelle Mesmerizes on “Waves”
There used to be a radio station in L.A. that dubbed itself “The Quiet Storm”, playing hypnotic-and-melodic songs by artists like Brenda Russell and Regina Belle. If that format still exists, Stephanie Michelle’s song “Waves” would fit right in. It’s elegant and unforgettable. Michelle is a Detroit songwriter who sings her own compositions, but isn’t […]
Carey Latham Weathers the Storm on “I Don’t Drink Like I Used To”
Carey Latham is a songwriter who splits time between Nashville and the Gulf Coast. Her song “I Don’t Drink Like I Used To” is an emotional grabber that reminds me of Morgan Wallen’s best work. The song is about a person who “doubles down” on drinking after a series of personal tragedies. And the accompanying […]
Imogen Clark is Iconic on “Big One”
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and proclaim that Imogen Clark is destined to be an international star with the release of her new album The Art Of Getting Through in May. Everything about this Australian artist screams “charisma.” Her songwriting, singing, production wizardry and everything else. Imogen’s latest single “Big One” is […]
Talker Finds It Impossible to Be “Easygoing”
In advance of her debut album, L.A. artist talker (Celeste Tauchar) has a new single called “Easygoing.” The song is an exploration of how her personality-type (earnest and all-in) has been a detriment in her relationships. The blood-soaked video for the song captures her anger and anguish when a five-year relationship ends. We can only […]
Liv DeToma Soars On The Powerful “riot”
One of the benefits of being a reviewer is that you get to be a musical Magellan, finding new artists around the globe who are astonishingly talented. One such artist is L.A.’s Liv DeToma, who has the vocal command and songwriting chops to be in the vanguard of tomorrow’s stars. Her latest single “riot” has […]
Gia Darcy Finds the Courage to Just “Say It”
Gia Darcy is a fast-rising pop artist from Sydney, Australia who just concluded a swing through the U.S. Her latest EP is a treasure trove of great songs, including the title song “Horror Movie” and the ultra-hooky “Toxic” (which isn’t a cover of the Brittany Spears’ hit). But the highlight of the EP is Gia’s […]
Meagan Sky has the Power of a Modern-Day Aretha
Portland, Oregon doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think about blues-inspired singers like Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin. But that’s the home of artist Meagan Sky, whose incredible voice and songwriting put her in the select company of all-time greats like that duo, plus Dusty Springfield and Adele. For someone this magnificently talented, Meagan […]
Miss Machina Finds that “Nirvana” is Bittersweet
Miss Machina (aka Ashleigh Smith) is a mega-talented L.A. artist who previously lived in Dallas and Chicago. Her songs are insightful, beautifully sung and immensely hooky. Her latest single “Nirvana” is a haunting look at how the end of a relationship can torpedo a lot of the shared experiences and memories that were once so […]
