The Olympics are over but Hunnypot Live! keeps delivering winning gold medal music.
Monday night was off to the races with a Hot Tub Johnny DJ set that vaulted our poles and and volleyed our balls. The marathon relay continued with our guest DJ Yvette Metoyer (SuperMusicVision) DJ set that brought in gold, silver and even bronze feels. Bevin Hamilton represented the "country" of Americana for a freestyle event, there was no equestrian that Lyrical Groove got all our hooves dancing, Madeline Spooner swung it out of the park with her electronic flavor sounds and Hot Sauce Holiday was so busy having fun and entertaining they forgot there was any competition. 8-22-16
-J. Gray
Yvette Metoyer grew up in sunny Southern California and spent many countless hours scoring life’s memories by making mixtapes (yes, tapes) for her high school and college friends. Inspired by her love of music and TV at an early age, she pursued a career in television production after having graduated from Cal State Long Beach.
After having worked on several successful shows, including HBO’s Big Love, a lengthy WGA writers’ strike shut down all LA productions, and Yvette decided to take a music supervision extension course at UCLA, where she met one of the top music supervisors in the game, Thomas Golubic´. A one year apprenticeship with Thomas’ company SuperMusicVision blossomed into a nearly ten year working relationship with exciting collaborations on multiple film & TV projects, including the Emmy award winning AMC series Breaking Bad, the zombie apocalypse ratings juggernaut The Walking Dead, the delightfully smart and charming Breaking Bad prequel, Better Call Saul, the Cinemax thriller series Outcast, and the witty comedic drama series Grace & Frankie. Yvette has recently been promoted as co-music supervisor on the critically acclaimed AMC series Halt and Catch Fire and is sure to continue expanding on her impressive resume.
Bevin is an Alternative Rock Artist pinning her genre as 'American Gothic Rock'. She is a solo Artist/Songwriter residing in the city of angels, both dark and light. Her background in music stems from classical to classic rock, and is evident in her songs. She has toured, written and/or worked with the likes of Motley Crue, Tim Armstrong, and Jimmy Cliff. She has honed her songwriting skills with many Nashville writers and Artists and continues to expand and push through music stereotypes and barriers.
Her songs explore the inner and outer landscapes of the American Dream.... How we see the world and how the world sees us. The characters that populate her songs are indeed ghosts and fringe dwellers and plucky heroines. The fighters, dreamers, Rebels, Visionaries... In her creative vision all these psychological archetypes and spiritual aspects of our selves get to be unleashed, and heard.
Her EP “Filters and Frames” was produced in Los Angeles by world renowned Producer, Mixer and Songwriter James Michael. James has produced records from artists such as Motley Crue, Scorpions and Papa Roach and has had hits with Kelly Clarkson and James Durbin to Meatloaf. He is also the Lead singer of the band Sixx: AM.
The Lyrical Groove is a band that combines cohesively crafted spoken word and live instrumentation to inspire and entertain. With a musical style that balances Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues, R&B, Gospel, and Soul, The Lyrical Groove infuses a potent message with a social consciousness and spiritual awareness that sings to your humanity and moves your soul.
The Lyrical Groove was formed under the motivation of spoken word artist, Kendrick Dial, to have live music accompany his performance of poetry. The pursuit of collaboration then began with Louisiana born friend and drummer, Glenn “GK” Sanders and keyboardist, Mike Smith. The group officially formed in November 2010, after a gig at the Ruby Room in San Diego, CA. An overwhelming, affirming crowd response cemented in the group’s minds what their hearts were warming up to. In July 2011, the band was joined by musical Bay Area native guitarist, Mike “Token” Benedetto, Jacob “Cubby” Miranda on bass and their ultra-talented vocalist Brisa Lauren in 2012.
The Lyrical Groove just released their debut full-length album, Spoken Soul: Music For Life, which is a catalogue of spoken words and songs that mirror the genres that inspire the band. The Lyrical Groove has been one of San Diego’s hardest working bands over the last 4 years. If you are a lover of musicianship, lyrical inspiration, and wit accompanied by an awe-inspiring live performance, then Lyrical Groove is the band for you. Music is one of the most barrier-bridging elements of life. Lyrical Groove is a band that embodies that sentiment.
The Lyrical Groove as performed all over San Diego, CA at a collage of events ranging from fund-raisers, church and youth programs, music concerts, wine tastings, to numerous events/venues such as the San Diego IndieFest, Anthology, Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Winston’s, and The House of Blues.
Madeline Spooner is an experimental electronic pop artist based out of Los Angeles. Her latest EP, NAUTILUS, is an amalgamation of organic and electronic instrumentation that perfectly frames her spellbinding vocals.
From her roots as a Midwestern native, Madeline has married her early acoustic storytelling with her affection for electronic music. She draws inspiration from the non-standard pop sensibilities of artists like Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, and The Doors as well as the esoteric tendencies of Coco Rosie, The Knife and Kate Bush.
Chris Douridas of KCRW first premiered Madeline on the airwaves on his Saturday radio show. Subsequently, Madeline was invited to a successful May residency at the Satellite, where she released her first single from NAUTILUS. Respected music columnist Kevin Bronson (BuzzbandsLA) first debuted the single on KCSN. He wrote:
"Had to Let It Go, a dreamy communiqué about shucking the weight of the world, embodies the mystical themes on the EP. With its airy flourishes and cinematic sweep, [it] has the same je ne sais quoi as the more experimental work of Marina and the Diamonds. It’s good for letting go.”
Quirky curio instruments combine with analogue synths in a lush panoramic landscape, where Spooner endeavors to maintain a soulfulness in her rich and expansive contemporary sound. Madeline’s co-producer and collaborator, Ethan Allen (Tricky, Ben Harper, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Patty Griffin) shares these same sentiments, resulting in a cohesive vision for inspired sonics and thought-provoking lyrics.
As a two-time first place award winner for the American Songwriting Awards, executive director Joseph Paulos highly lauded her by writing, “Madeline’s vibrant pop sound with psychedelic twists and turns keep listeners wanting more. We believe she is going to redefine the independent music scene.”
NAUTILUS will be available on July 31st on www.madelinespooner.bandcamp.com, www.madelinespooner.com, iTunes and all major digital retailers.
Hot Sauce Holiday is for everyone that wants to kick over their office desks and start dancing. We are for the eccentric outsiders, the burners, and the lovers. Join us in taking on the banality of convention.
Hot Sauce Holiday is a four piece cabaret rock band from Los Angeles. Their live shows emphasize crowd participation and a great deal of improv. Bongo-solos, skits, poetry, and dance numbers have been known to break out. They have been known to feature burlesque dancers, hula hoop artists, and scandalous routines involving Playboy playmates. Genre-wise the sound varies from song to song drawing influence from 60's psychedelic and folk, to early punk, 80's electro, disco, and even a bit of barbershop. The song lyrics are surreal and witty with every band member trading off on vocals or singing in harmonies. In addition to over 20 originals the band has a variety of party cover songs they are able to play ranging from George Michael to Motorhead.
So leave the outside world behind you for a couple hours and come experience the originality, joy, and chaos that is Hot Sauce Holiday. Hunnypot Approved good time guarantee!
Thanks, Obama!
Reuben Sears can’t stop telling people about music he loves. It started with mix-tapes for girlfriends in high school, transitioned into planning and DJ’ing wedding receptions, and finally landed him a gig as a music supervisor at Buddha Jones for movie, tv and video game trailers. He has worked on hundreds of campaigns over his 5 years at Buddha Jones including Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Bloodline, and Far Cry: Primal. In addition to theatrical campaigns, Reuben also co-music supervised the Blu-Ray creative content for the Warner Brothers films Man of Steel and Gravity. In 2014, he got to moonlight as Music Consultant on the independent film, The One I Love. Reuben loves Karaoke, baseball, car stereos and chocolate milk.
Ora The Molecule is a music collaboration between a Norwegian born singer songwriter and a Japanese born electronica producer. The band consist of 5 members, Henry on Saxophone, JJ on trumpet, Henry on drums, Nora vocal and keyboard and Ichiro on bass. They have released one EP and are currently in process of recording the first album
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Hailing from the North of England, Jennie Chapman currently resides in Los Angeles, California, consumed by Wanderlust.
Jennie’s aim is to produce only the purest, most honest form of expression. Raised by a singer and a music management mogul, her influence is a mix of California folk and deep English powerhouse, drawing comparisons of Joan Baez, Adele and Lisa Hannigan. She creates songs from the heart, never failing to leave a crowd silent.
Despite the ominous name, Los Angeles band Bloody Death Skull is fiendishly adorable. Swirling together electrified ukulele, childrens toys, sound effects, and instruments over the classic chord structures that launched early rock and soul, BDS makes fun music rooted in the 50s & 60s with a punk mentality and surreal storytelling lyrics that (sweetly) break some taboos. Backed by a band that ranges from three to twelve members, Daiana Feuer sings about love, day dreams, the cosmos, animals, television, dead things, bad things, cute things, and being stuck in the mind of a teenager forever. Imagine The Shirelles meets Roky Erickson on a playground in outer space.
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The Absurd was founded in Los Angeles, 2015, by Detroit troubadours Ben Foerg and Josh Loney under the belief that the most sure-fire way to financial success is through the currently booming music industry.
Under the name Ben Foerg & The Absurd, the duo came to Los Angeles in search of success and prosperity, instead finding poverty, loneliness and desolation. Just when all seemed bleak, a light at the end of the tunnel poked through and from it emerged disillusioned ex-Mormon drummer Colin Jensen. It was from this brew of contrarian personalities that The Absurd was born.
Though they steadfastly believe that genre distinctions are a false creation of the white male patriarchy, critics have described The Absurd as a psychedelic, heavy and melodic rock band that "makes you want to drop something heavy." Fans have described the band by saying "imagine that Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan had a millennial lovechild."
When asked how they would describe themselves, The Absurd was unavailable for comment.
Since their inception in late 2015 and the release of "The Trigger Happy EP" earlier this year, The Absurd have quickly risen from playing the darkest corners of the city's bar scene to some of the premier venues in Los Angeles and beyond. With an undying love of music, an unwavering skepticism of nearly everything and an unparalleled (and possibly unhealthy) ambition, The Absurd is rapidly becoming an LA staple worth raising a glass to.
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The Slit is a fierce blend of aggression and angst packaged neatly in nuggets of throttling guitar rock; a tumultuous, pummeling titan, equal parts Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, with a psychedelic metal tinge and punk tendencies. Their tracks are exceptional, but you have to like heavy, grinding rock to appreciate it the whole way through.
The Slit is a band that combines elements of classic rock, metal, punk, grunge and psychedelia into a very unique style. They define what it means to fire on all cylinders all throughout their songs. But whether opting for maximum aggression or pulling back on the reigns a bit and dropping in an infectious melody, you would be hard-pressed to find a single moment of weakness.
Sienna Jackson is Director of Music Film & Television at The Weinstein Company and an LA native with a background in journalism and national security policy. At Weinstein, Sienna is in charge of creative development and branding of The Weinstein Company Music Catalog for global one-stop synch, A&R and soundtrack development, government affairs and intellectual property policy, music administration and clearance for film and television, creative marketing solutions, venture partnerships, and in-house music supervision.
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein. During Harvey and Bob’s tenure at Miramax and TWC, they have received 341 Oscar nominations and won 81 Academy Awards.
Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; SCRE4M; SPY KIDS: THE KING’S SPEECH; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; THE MASTER; SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; DJANGO UNCHAINED; SCARY MOVIE 5; LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER; PHILOMENA; THE IMITATION GAME; PADDINGTON and WOMAN IN GOLD. Upcoming releases include MACBETH, CAROL and THE HATEFUL EIGHT.
KLEZ has received favorable coverage by the media and has been featured on Action News TV with his producer and writing collaborator, Roger Gisborne and invited to appear in several high profile engagements, including performances and/or appearances on NPR station, KCHO and KHSL-TV. Per Marc Blaine, KHSL-TV Reporter, "John Klezmer is a talented singer-songwriter on the cusp of making his mark in the music industry. I heard him perform for the first time while covering the story of the making of his original holiday song, now in 2016 KLEZ projects a cool vibe on his debut single "Loaded Gun" along with his soulful voice the song captures your attention immediately."
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Halo Circus is an unclassifiable band described by its star singer, Allison Iraheta, as creating “anthems for introverts” – songs that reach deep into the places we seldom talk about and roll them out in unforgettable music. Unlike most modern bands, Halo Circus spent three years developing their sound in front of live audiences and re-recorded their entire debut album when it failed to live up to their own expectations. Their live shows developed such a reputation that The Grammys asked them to headline their first-ever local Los Angeles showcase, which led to Halo Circus being asked to play The Grammys “Women Who Rock – Festival At Sea” with Heart, Emmylou Harris, and other iconic female singers, which led to John Taylor from Duran Duran calling them “The best live band in the USA,” which led to a very successful four-week Friday night residency at the prestigious Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, which led to incredible press, and most recently Halo Circus curated and headlined their own event, called “Say It Loud! A Night of Cultural Disruption,” at the legendary Troubadour to a packed house and rousing reviews. Vents Magazine called the evening “transformative,” and claimed that Halo Circus “embraced the future of rock music.”
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A sixth-generation San Francisco native, award winning singer-songwriter essence has been immersed in art and music since childhood. And yes, her birth name really is ‘essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children, her parents being two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’ In addition to winning the Grand Prize in the National Lilith Fair Talent Search, and the Grand Prize for the Great American Song Contest, essence has made 4 CDs on both independent and major labels, and toured nationally opening for Jason Mraz, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benetar, and Linda Perry. Her sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams. In addition to writing folk/americana, pop, and rock songs, essence expanded her repertoire by creating a collection of charming, catchy tunes inspired by her son that turned out to have a life of their own and have become a favorite for parents and children alike nationwide. essence's spirited children's album 'A Dog Named Moo' was entirely funded by loyal fans on Kickstarter, named 'Top Album of The Year' by Daily Candy, and picked up and released by My Kazoo/ Universal Music. essence has performed for audiences ranging from 8 to 80,000, in venues from New York's Bowery Ballroom to The Los Angeles Rose Bowl, to San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium. essence's recordings have been placed in major network television shows and films, and she has received national radio play and critical acclaim in publications ranging from The San Francisco Chronicle, Acoustic Guitar Player Magazine, and Billboard Magazine. Additional essence trivia includes her being the voice of 'Barbie' for several national commercials. essence's soon to be released 5th album is for the grown up set, and is a return to her organic musical roots. Entitled "Black Wings" this new record is a collection of essence's most raw and personal songs to date.
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HORSES HEAVENHorses Heaven is music that tells a traveling love story. It is a melodic description of time spent together and a documentation of adventures that inspire by taking the listener on a sweet, soulful, and honest journey. Bijou Choder and Analise Lofaro mix their words and voices to create a story that is not only heard but also felt.
In the early days of their romance, the couple began writing music together. This connection grew into a deep love and subsequently, Horses Heaven. Both having an extensive and unique background in entertainment, they inspired each other to create a new sound and begin a fresh chapter in their musical endeavors.
The couple took their sound to the studio and gave it life, building around simple songs written on either guitar, piano, or ukelele. Then they gave the songs "studio treatment" with horns, synths, and whatever else walked in that day.
In the lush wilderness of Vermont, there sits an enchanting place called Horses Heaven, which is a deep emerald swimming hole nestled between two towering boulders and found far from town. While visiting this majestic location one humid summer afternoon, Bijou and Analise were inspired to write their song "Vermont" as well as adopt the name of the swimming hole for their collaborations.
“We hope our music cuts the mustard for you as much as it does for us.”
Joe and the Jungle are here to put some L.A. sleaze back into rock n roll. Coming at ya straight off the Sunset Strip by way of New York City... imagine if you threw Guns n’ Roses, Cheap Trick and The Beatles into a blender and added a dash of The Sex Pistols for flavor…the resulting mess would be Joe and the Jungle... [they] make me think about what Velvet Revolver could have been if Scott Weiland wasn't such a candyass. Or maybe what it would have sounded like if GnR had dropped the cocaine in favor of dropping a little acid instead. These guys remind me of a time when rock music was a little dangerous and the musicians playing it tiptoed on the edge of disaster.
1976 was undoubtedly one of the most important years in rock and roll history. The Billboard charts were packed with hits from well-established artists such as Abba, Queen, and Chicago while lesser known bands such as Heart, The Ramones, and Blondie were just beginning to make a name for themselves on the music scene. It was during that time that MIT Graduate Tom Scholz was putting the finishing touches on his band’s debut album, Boston. Released on August 25, 1976, Boston’s self-titled album skyrocketed to the top of the charts and became an instant classic. In fact, Boston is one of the best-selling debut albums of all-time with 17 million copies sold in the US alone. Remarkably, they are 2nd only to Guns N’ Roses 1987 debut Appetite for Destruction (which sold 18 million copies sold in the US). Pretty amazing for a record released nearly 40 years ago!
On Saturday, July 16th, Boston celebrated their 40-year anniversary with family and friends at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. For those who have never attended a Boston show, it truly is a “bucket-list” type of experience not to be missed. Fans from all over the country traveled thousands of miles to be part of magic, and Saturday’s sold-out performance was no exception. The capacity crowd was one of the most diverse I have ever seen at a live show, as people from all backgrounds and walks of live converged together to celebrate one of the most iconic bands on the planet. What was even more special was seeing all of the families with multiple generations of Boston fans attending the show together. Seeing Mom’s and Dad’s rocking out with their Children and Grandchildren was a truly a highlight for me Saturday evening.
As the sun began to set in Orange County, the anticipation for the start of show was at an all-time high. The capacity crowd was going crazy, and fans of all ages got out of their seats and began the all-too familiar chant, “Boston…, Boston…, Boston…” Lights began to dim, and from out of nowhere appears Tom Scholz with his signature Les Paul guitar. He smiles, graciously waves to the crowd, and kicks off the show with a tight guitar intro followed immediately by the instrumental, Star-Spangled Banner. As patriotic graphics captivated the crowd on large LCD screens, the remaining members of Boston joined Tom onstage - including Gary Pihl on Guitar, Jeff Neal on Drums, Tracy Ferrie on Bass, and Beth Cohen on Keyboards. As the song came to an end, Tommy DeCarlo finally took the stage and launched into a beloved Boston classic, Rock n’ Roll Band. Based on the amazing start to this show, you could tell this was going to be a truly special night.
Over the next two hours, Tom Scholz and company delivered to its legions of followers a breathtaking performance which many in attendance described as “one of the best live shows I have seen in years!” Fans were treated to 22 of Boston’s standards including 1976 classics More Than a Feeling, Long Time, and Peace of Mind. Vocals from both DeCarlo and Cohen were spot-on, and each seemed to only get better as the evening rolled along. In addition, musical performances by Pihl, Neal, and Ferrie were truly inspiring. Each of these musicians were able to bring the magic of Boston to life with their near-flawless performances. After a brief break in the action, Boston returned to the stage for a two song encore consisting of Used to Bad News and Party off of the 1978 album, Don’t Look Back. The overall setlist was spectacular, and Boston could not have ended the the show on a higher note.
As the house lights came back on and thousands of fans began streaming towards the exits, I took a moment to reflect upon the show I just witnessed. Having no reference point (as this was my first Boston concert), I entered the show with a bit of skepticism knowing that there have been so many changes to this iconic band over the years. Sure, I loved their music, but how would Boston hold up on stage after all this time? Well, after 2+ hours (and 22 classic songs), I can unequivocally say Boston has not lost a single step over the past 40 years. Sure, the band’s makeup has changed a bit over the years (as most bands with this type of longevity do). However, Boston’s true heart and soul, Tom Scholz, has always remained intact. Tom has been with the band since the beginning and has always found a way to surround himself with brilliant musicians who truly understand what Boston is (and more importantly what is not). It is through his love and dedication that Boston lives on today. Thank you Tom for over 40 years of amazing music. You are an inspiration to us all!
For more information on Boston and their 40th Anniversary Tour, please click HERE.
Stay Frosty and Rock On!
Rah Rah Ree, Kick 'em in the knee! Rah Rah Rass, kick 'em in the other knee! Lets give it up for another homecoming game quality Hunnypot Live! Show.
Ryan Taalbi started the event with his smooth on air introduction and commentary. John Anderson quarterbacked from the start and threw pass after glorious pass of musical touchdowns. Our guest DJ Marko Desantis brought his special teams skills and gave us a 100 yard sprint of his rich musical history and tastes.
Bronson Wisconsin delivered #1 draft pick level Americana music and performance, Denmantau brought us unique futbol style all the way from Germany, Groove Martini played a halftime show worthy dance music set, Swerve played killer defense and scored with the audience and Veronica Loren victory danced and sang in the end zone and nearly got flagged. Bri & Jaz got drafted to provide their DJ stylings between sets and rocked the dance party late in to the night. 7-11-16
Marko DeSantis is a music professional best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of modern rock n roll band Sugarcult, with whom he has toured worldwide and sold over a million records since launching out of Santa Barbara, CA in 2001. Sugarcult released three studio records which spawned hit singles such as; "Bouncing Off the Walls", "Pretty Girl (The Way)", “Do It Alone” and "Memory". They’ve also released a documentary DVD, a live album, a “best of”/concert-DVD.
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Bronson Wisconsin is a tasteful collaboration of Alt-Country, Indie-Rock, and everything in between. Growing up as one of 9 kids in a musically diverse home, brothers Bronson and Preston was exposed to all the music they could handle and more than enough instruments needed to express themselves. Spending the long, cold Wisconsin winters the same way they spent the hot and beautiful summers, practicing their craft.
After achieving success as the globally recognized latin duo, Taalbi Brothers, Bronson went on expressing a different side of himself as a singer and as a songwriter. What started out as a "one day one song" demoing session, quickly turned into "3 days, 6 songs" and before they realized it, the brothers had themselves their first EP as Bronson Wisconsin.
"That Damn Piano" is releasing on Friday, June 10th in Bronson Wisconsin's hometown of Madison, WI.
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This five-piece German band has developed a unique genre that is now known as Bohemian/Dance Rock. Their new sound combines many different genres like folk, funk, jazz, rock, and many others. With the sound of a trumpet, acoustic/electric-guitar, keys, bass, and drums, the combo grooves together with sharp lyrics, expressive melodies and theatrical appearance. Their unique sound is centered around the trumpet, sealing the deal of a modern rock 'n' roll experience.
Starting their world tour from Australia/New Zealand over to Europe and all the way to California, they choose Los Angeles as their new home base. Having self-produced their first ("Mess of Melodies") and second ("Street Pulse") EP in a professional recording studio, DenManTau released their most recent EP ("Busker's Philosophy) in 2013. They are ready to take on their conquest not only spreading their music across the world but also being the first band on the moon!
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Swerve is a four-piece indie rock band based in Los Angeles, CA. Crafting melodic, guitar-driven tunes, singer-songwriter Gregory Mahdesian leads the band with a vision of staying true to the foundations of alt-rock. Together with local musicians Casey Baird on drums, Ryan Berti on guitar and Brandon Duncan on bass, Swerve creates songs reminiscent of the Britpop and Grunge movements with a modern sensibility and a healthy dose of their Californian personalities. Swerve made their official debut last fall with a self-titled EP release which lent to rave reviews; "the band has quickly created a memorable sound," describes PureVolume. Swerve is currently performing locally while recording a second EP, expected for release by the end of this year.
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Star Five Thirteen actor and model, Veronica Loren, returns to the Hot Tub to again dazzle us with her musical prowess. I'm sure there will be a costume change or two and her band includes a full horn section, it's sexy time!
The North American antelope's esophagus is shaped in such a manner that it is impossible for it to pronounce the word "lasagna". If that antelope had joined Hunnypot Live! for show #344, it would have forgotten all about the inability to order pasta.
Hot Tub Johnnie primed the warm water jets and kept the bubbles popping with new hot cuts by Those Who Burn, Die Antwoord, and Dr. Packer etc. Our guest DJ Garrett McElver ruled the decks on the 1's & blink-182's with a set of his current indie-rock favorites including Modern Baseball, Joyce Manor and Tacocat. Lovey James gave us ballads AND backup dancers. Bombay Beach Revival brought desert heat and salt watered emotion. Sara Sangfelt flew in from Sweden just to serenade us with her rock/dance amalgam. Jemuhni gave us quirky rock & pop and ZachG rapped us right in to the world famous Hunnypot dance party. 6-27-16
GARRETT McELVER (SUPERMUSICVISION INTERVIEW/DJ SET)Garrett McElver works with music supervisor Thomas Golubi? and the team at SuperMusicVision as a music coordinator working on television shows such as AMCs Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead & Halt and Catch Fire. Additionally he's worked on the upcoming Cinemax series ‘Outcast’, the second seasons of Netflix’s ‘Love’ and ‘Grace and Frankie’, and the Rob Reiner film ‘Being Charlie’. Previously, Garrett was the Creative Department Director for the entertainment law firm Winogradsky/Sobel. There he managed and developed independent one-stop catalogs and worked with their administration, publishing, and consulting clients. Garrett is a member of the Education Committee for the Guild of Music Supervisors, and played a large role in the development of the first annual Guild of Music Supervisors ‘State of Music In Media' Conference in 2015. They’re currently planning year two. Garrett has also recently begun teaching Music Supervision and Music Licensing at the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, Calif.
Fresh off of being a Top 20 Contestant on FOX’s American Idol, Lovey James continues to shine as one of America’s premier young performers. At a very early age of 6 years old, she was already performing for audiences in her hometown, Portland, OR, and all over the U.S. Now at 18 years old, Lovey continues to command the stage with her contagious upbeat energy and powerhouse vocals.
She currently wrapped up her first self-titled album with reputable music producer, Steve Sundhom who has worked with many A-list talent artists like Carrie Underwood and Hall & Oats. Her album launched this upcoming April and she is beyond excited to share it with friends and family alike. It bridges classic dance pop with vibrant soul. “This album has given me the ability to speak my mind freely and express myself artistically. I have given it my all and I am ready for what the future holds.”
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BOMBAY BEACH REVIVAL is a soul trio from Los Angeles, conceived by producer and guitarist, Daniel deBlanke.
Sara Sangfelt is a talented, 20 year old singer from Stockholm, Sweden. Her music is a unique blend of indie pop, retro soul, and epic rock, topped with Sara’s unique, deep and heartfelt voice. Her musical influences are found among artists such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Landa Del Rey and Tove Lo. Sara gained popularity in Sweden as a contestant and finalist on the hit TV show Swedish Idol in 2013. After Idol she toured Sweden, both acoustically and together with bands, building a solid fan base.
Sara’s recently released debut-EP ”Tattoo” consists of four songs expressing real life events. Her latest single “Love Me” is scheduled for release on May 27th. In addition, she is currently writing and recording songs for her debut album scheduled for release later this year.
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Jemuhni was Recently featured in Music Connection Magazine's July 2015 issue for his debut album ‘This Is Worth It.’ And then again in their December 2015 issue under ‘Top 25 New Albums of the Year’ Edgy, dark and cinematic, this artist’s songs leave us marveling at his originality. Not only does he bring a daring vision to his Alt-Pop Hip-Hop style but he succeeds in a way that is as accessible as it is ahead of the curve. Whether it’s the dynamic, dramatic Chinese gong that’s matched with heavy rock riffage on the sexy song “Red Dragon,” or the epic, humming, buzzing synthesizer stokes in the percussive, hip-hop infused “Don’t Back Down,” or the more orthodox yet no less original “Learn to Fly” (where he shows his vocal dynamics with an effective falsetto) Jemuhni never forgets the value of a catchy hook. He avoids predictability as gamely as so many other artists cling to formulas.Jemuhni plays all the instruments on his tracks and produces everything himself.
(All songs referenced are from Jemuhni’s debut album ‘This Is Worth It’…New EP dropping this Fall!!)
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In 2000 I didn’t start rapping because people liked rap music. There weren’t people around me making rap music, it wasn’t cheap to get the gear, it wasn’t easy to make rap music, and it wasn’t easy to share your music with billions of people. I started rapping because hip hop was the most powerful thing I had ever encountered. More powerful than skateboarding, and skateboarding was supercharged electricity to me. In my personal quest to make my livelihood and my art indistinguishable nothing was impossible. Hip hop may not have taught me that, but hip hop made it tangible and possible for me. I left loved ones behind; I moved from Weston to New York to, LA, to Arcata, to Oakland, to Mendocino, to San Francisco, to New York, to Las Vegas, to LA; I wrote for the Mishka blog for 3 years and helped to define the internet rap era; I made Hyperbolic Chamber Music 1 & 2 with 27 and 35 rappers respectively; I endured homelessness for a year and got hit by a car in the middle of it; I survived off food stamps, trimming and selling weed, occasional freelance work, and eventually a steady job as a community manager for a tech company. For 5 years I did whatever it took to ensure that I’d be able to keep making music on my terms for the rest of my life. I didn’t do anything to get more popular, I didn’t do anything to make money off my music, I just kept making music, kept turning down the wrong opportunities, and kept ensuring that I’d be making music tomorrow, and dealt with whatever life threw at me. I got fucked over a lot, and it made me work harder. People look at me and think I’m a nerdy privileged white guy, but that has more to do with their eyes than my life. I’m a person who came from the outside with nothing, and made a lane for himself. My life was defined in large part by my father’s job. He is a criminal defense attorney to some of the world’s biggest accused narcotics entrepreneurs, murderers, Mafiosos, and various bad guys who make up the fabric of hip hop signification today. Grisleda Blanco was the lady who was gonna kill my whole family long before she was a hip signifier. That's what I came from, but I don't wear it on my sleeve. I know who I am, and I stay in my lane. People don’t get that my music is about selling drugs, breaking the law, smoking lots of weed, not letting anyone stop you from reaching your goals, pervert sex, dealing with the isolation that comes with relentlessly pursuing your personal idea of success, and remaining positive. That’s okay, I don’t expect everyone to get it, in fact I design it that way. My music is designed for people who listen.
I’m an artist who earned an MA so that I could always have the last word on my art, and no critic or scholar would ever be able to hold anything over me. I’m the Jew who went to Catholic high school and got voted funniest in the senior superlatives. I’m the journalist who the artists respect, and I’m the artist who the journalists hate. I’m the rapper who has always made his own beats, mixed his own records, done his own art, and shot his own videos. I’m the musician who releases music on his own label. I’m a pervert and a feminist. Who I am is the result of a lot of disparate elements coming together and working on me being a rapper. I’m almost 35 and I never blew up, and that’s fine with me, because I just wanna keep making the music I love. If the world ever comes around I'll be here, and if not I'll still be here all the same.
The "horn-iest" Hunnypot Live! ever. Hot Tub Johnnie is all about the "brass" and played a set full of musical movements with all instruments butt, trumpet.
Special guest Emily Weber inspired the "Horns Up/Horny" night with a specially curated set dedicated to the true "metal" of music, horns.
We are ecstatic to sit down with Emily Weber in this special guest interview and DJ set, We'll talk music, industry and the life and times of being a true LA scenester. Then she'll grace us with a curated listening session that will include some of her all time favorite tunes!
SLEEPLUST is a Los Angeles electronic indie band by way of Charlotte, North Carolina consisting of songstress/poet Meghan Tartamella and twin brothers Michael and Joseph Pepe. The trio combines brooding electronics, wandering synths and heavy beats all brought together by Tartamella’s sultry yet focused melodies. Painting the picture of vast landscapes and endless travels the band is set to release their debut EP in November followed by extensive shows in and around the Los Angeles area.
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With the fervent presentation of a OneRepublic and soaring duets and harmonies of a Lady Antebellum, the Los Angeles quintet End of Ever layers the tender vocal chemistry of lead singers Dahni Piro above a musical backdrop that skates along the edge of pop and rock. End of Ever’s journey began when founding members Dahni Piro, keyboardist Richard Parizer, and drummer/producer Jesse Shadis began writing downtempo/triphop influenced tunes. Its more mainstream sound developed with the addition of bassist Michael Sklena and songwriting collaborations with Julien Jorgensen and Brad Kohn.
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In the decade of ten long years, Big Sir Loon went from Gangsta Rap lyricist to a self made songwriter, producer, manager, under ground hit maker and graphic design artist, as he works hard to land a major-label recording contract and, ultimately, a wildly successful solo career. Big Sir Loon paired years of hard living and closed doors with creativity, beats, and life changing situations old and new school raps and self-motivation. His strong faith set him apart from many of his worn down peers, and his confidence keeps him going.
This dynamic duo will be hitting the stage with their hard beats and insane lyrical flow, Mr. Lune & King Bishop are the talk of the underground scene and ones you should definitely check out!
Keeping the Cali swag real and chill, Fonzerelli Mayne represents his hometown of Pomona with his creative music writing and stage presence. His fire beats will have you hot on the dance floor!
Working super hard in the industry not only with his music, Authentic Hustle also represents his clothing brand too which keeps him on the grind and the eyes on the prize to the top of the hip hop world to greatness! Catch em live!
No matter what is being supplied, a hustler is only as good as his word. With South-Central L.A. serving up some of the most hottest, up & coming product in the rap game, Native son FiA$CO stands as one of the most exciting Artists of hood cool to emerge in years. What sets FiA$CO’s music apart is his ability to bring lights, color and flash to any story or song that has been expressed so many times before. He’s truly a musically creative artist who doesn’t need 16 bars to develop a picture for you to see. Soon as he opens his mouth everyone feels it instantly.
If you are a fan of John Waite, it comes as no surprise that he is still on top of his game as a musician and performer. For others who may just getting to know him, there is so much more to learn about a man who has touched so many and given so much over an incredible 35+ year career. From John’s early days with The Babys to present, he has continued to create a distinctive brand of “no-nonsense” rock and roll that engages the mind and inspires his followers all around the world. A consummate story teller, John Waite has a unique way of enlightening his audience through song – an art that is very rare (and underappreciated) in this day and age. On May 22nd, John Waite had the pleasure of bringing his remarkable stories to life for a cherished group of his fans at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, TX. John Waite’s performance would be latest in a critically acclaimed concert series hosted at the Tobin Center called Studio Sessions.
For those that have not attended a Studio Session at the Tobin Center, it’s important to understand why performances in the 295 seat Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater are different than your typical everyday concert. As Kelley Kendall, Press and Promotions Coordinator for the Tobin Center, puts it, “Each one-of-a-kind Session is a genuine casual and intimate experience where artists share and interact with their audience. With the Studio Theater’s fantastic acoustics, the audience hears their favorite artists in pure sound, where moments of spoken word and the accompanying melody reach out with the closeness of friendship.” That being said, it would only be fitting to have the most amazing performers grace such a special stage. John Waite is just such a performer and most certainly a perfect match for the Studio Sessions main stage.
Prior to the show getting underway, John Waite took some time to meet his most loyal fans in a special VIP Meet and Greet. What was different about this (vs. other commercial VIP events) was that he actually took time to interact with each attendee personally. Signing autographs, sharing stories, and posing for pictures were the norm for this session. Fans were never rushed, and John Waite seemed truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support received from his fans during the event. It was refreshing to see John take this unique approach with his fans, and hope to see other artists following suit as it really builds a loyalty with followers that is second to none.
Upon conclusion of the Meet and Greet, opener Raquel Aurilia quickly took the stage and welcomed a near capacity crowd to the Tobin Theater. Supporting her latest album, Long Way Home, Raquel immediately captivated the room with a powerful vocal performance that took many concert goers by surprise. Songs like Shattered and Feels Like were simply flawless, and left many in attendance wanting more from this New Mexico native. Accompanying Raquel Aurilia on tour was guitarist Damian Martin. His precision guitar work combined with solid background vocals made Raquel Aurilia’s performance all the more special. If you ever get a chance to see Raquel Aurilia live on stage (on the current John Waite’s tour or otherwise), do so. You will not be disappointed!
Following a brief intermission, it was finally time for the evenings Studio Session headliner John Waite to take the stage. As lights dimmed, the near-capacity crowd rose to their feet and greeted John’s all-acoustic band (including Mark Ricciardi on Guitar & Tim Hogan on Bass) and with a standing ovation. After a few moments of interactive dialogue with the crowd, John Waite launched into his 12 song set supporting his Wooden Heart Acoustic Tour. Crowd favorites such as Change, Missing You, and When I See You Smile were vocally spot-on and sounded amazing in a venue with such amazing sound quality. In addition to the songs you would expect to here at a John Waite show, newer ones such as Bluebird Café, Magic Camera, and In Dreams were also played and seamlessly fit into the all acoustic set. No doubt that these will all be classics soon. The show wrapped up with the 1979 Baby’s classic, Head First. This was the perfect song to end the set with and again brought the crowd to their feet one final time that evening.
After the show, many enthusiastic fans noted that John Waite’s performance at The Tobin was one of the best they had ever seen. Some felt this was due in part to this being an all-acoustic show, while others believed that the intimate format of Studio Sessions allowed John Waite to bring his amazing stories to life in a way that could not be done in a normal concert setting. Regardless of the reason, John Waite’s performance on Sunday night was one for the ages. What an amazing night of story and song from one of music’s legendary rock and roll icons, John Waite.
John Waite continues his 2016 trek across America supporting The Wooden Heart Tour. Tickets and VIP Packages can be purchased HERE.
“The scale of STRANGELOVE’S theatrical stage presence is unparalleled, save for the real article. Multiple projection visual programs assault the euphoric concertgoers senses and further the illusion that they are actually witnessing an actual Depeche Mode concert – No detail of the band’s presentation has been overlooked.” Loyal fans of Depeche Mode would tell you that a bold statement like this comes with lofty expectations. Saturday’s show would be the perfect opportunity to see whether or not Southern California based STRANGELOVE could actually live up to the hype as one of the world’s top Depeche Mode tribute bands.
On Saturday May 21st, STRANGELOVE made the trek to the River City for their first ever appearance at the stunning Aztec Theater in San Antonio, TX. After a near-perfect set from the super-talented Smiths tribute band, The Smites, STRANGELOVE took the stage in front of a near-capacity crowd. As the lights dimmed, STRANGELOVE members Brent Meyer “Counterfeit Martin”, Julian Shah-Tayler “Oscar Wilder”, and James Evans “In the Fletch” took their appropriate spots as frontman Freddie Morales “Devotional Dave” seemingly levitated from underneath the stage with his welcoming hands outstretched. Amazing start to what looked to be an incredible night of music with STRANGELOVE.
Over the next two hours, STRANGELOVE fans (also known as Devotees) were subjected to Depeche Mode’s amazing catalog of music. Early hits such as Just Can’t Get Enough and Everything Counts brought the Aztec crowd to their feet while classics such as Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence had everyone in attendance singing along with the band. For the die-hard fans, STRANGELOVE even added a few B-side favorites such as Dangerous which rarely hit their set list. There was literally something for every Depeche Mode fan in attendance that span the band's incredible 25+ year career.
So, was STRANGELOVE able to live up to the lofty expectations as one of the world’s premier Depeche Mode Tribute bands? Were they able to “further the illusion that those in attendance were actually witnessing a Depeche Mode concert?" The answers to both questions was a resounding YES! Freddie, Brent, Julian, and James were not only able to recreate the amazing Depeche Mode sound, they did it in a masterful way that captured the sheer essence of a band. From DM’s classic look to their spot-on mannerisms, you really felt like you were front-row center with David, Martin, Fletch and Alan. No stone has been left unturned by STRANGELOVE, and will leave the most die-hard Mode fans wanting more.
Bottom Line – STRANGELOVE is not just another Depeche Mode tribute band, but a group of super-talented musicians that are truly passionate about what they do. Their love for Depeche Mode comes through in their incredible stage show, and magically transports Devotees to another place and time where the only thing that matters is the music. When you close your eyes, you hear Depeche Mode, when you open your eyes, you see Depeche Mode. That is, in my opinion, the true test of a solid tribute band. STRANGELOVE is in-fact the real-deal, and are definitely one of the best on the scene today. Make it a point to see them live the next time they are in your area, and you too will be magically be transported to one of the best live shows you have seen in ages!
For more information on STRANGELOVE and all upcoming shows, please click here.
Stay Frosty, Rock On, and Enjoy the Silence!
Tech N9ne is arguably one of the most prolific rappers on the planet. Known for his signature chopper style of delivery combined with insanely intelligent lyrics, Tech has clearly set himself apart from others in the Rap scene today. On top of all of his individual successes (over an amazing 15-year career), Tech N9ne has also developed legions of talent which he showcases on his independent record label, Strange Music, Inc. Artists like the CES CRU, Stevie Stone, Mayday, Rittz, and Krizz Kaliko have seen their popularity skyrocket as a direct result of their collaboration with Tech N9ne.
On Sunday May 15th, Tech N9ne and crew descended upon the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA for one of their final stops in Southern California (supporting their Independent Powerhouse Tour). Thousands of loyal followers (known as Technicians) showed up early and braved the long lines (and an unusually late show time) for their chance to see Tech. The first opening act to take the stage was Kansas City’s very own CES CRU. To say these guys weren’t solid would be an understatement. Godemis and Ubiquitous whipped the sold-out crowd into a frenzy that would set the stage for the rest of the evening. After a raucous 20-minute set, ¡Mayday! was up next. As if CES CRU didn’t set high enough, these guys took it up a notch. Super fun set from this Miami based hip-hop group led by Bernz and Wreckonize.
As fans were just beginning to catch their breath, Stevie Stone assaulted the crowd with a powerful set that that literally rocked the venue to its core. Definitely a different sound that reminded one of early Tupac or DMX. Then just when you think it could not get any better, Georgia native Rittz strutted on to the stage. As he saluted the crowd, Rittz immediately launched into crowd favorite, Turn Down. The Observatory went crazy. Whether you like Rap or not, Rittz is the real deal. Smooth, personable, and has an absolutely amazing stage presence. Rittz's new album, Top of the Line, dropped on May 6th. and has already skyrocketed to the top 3 on Billboard's Independent and R&B / Hip-Hop Album charts. Looking forward to seeing him headlining his own tour down the road.
Finally, around 12:45am, the lights dimmed and Lacrimosa was cranked up to 11 to signal the arrival of Tech N9ne. The place went nuts as Tech kicked off the show with Hard (A Monster Made It). Krizz Kaliko then joined Tech on stage performing Way Out (off his 2012 album Neh’mind). Brilliant. Over the next hour and a half, Tech N9ne put on a near-flawless show that seemingly blew the roof off of the Observatory. Technicians were treated to a massive set consisting of over 25 mind-blowing tracks. Classics like Welcome to the Midwest, Einstein, and Worldwide Choppers got even the most reserved concert goer out of their seat and on their feet. Straight Out the Gate transformed the general admission floor into a swirling mosh pit, and Hood Go Crazy took energy to a whole new level. The set finally ended around 2:30am with an encore featuring hits Dysfunctional and Stamina.
For those who have the opportunity to see Tech N9ne on his Independent Powerhouse Tour this year, make the call now and buy your tickets today. Tech N9ne is an absolute genius - flawless vocals, relevant lyrics, and non-stop energy from beginning to end. He brought it on Sunday evening and showed Southern California why he is one of the most incredible artists in hip-hop today. In addition to Tech N9ne, you also get a chance to see his amazing group of his protégés including Krizz Kaliko, Rittz, Stevie Stone, ¡Mayday!, and the CES CRU. All are simply amazing – each stars in their own right.
For more information on Tech N9ne’s Independent Powerhouse Tour, go to http://www.strangevip.com for all of the latest information on upcoming tour dates, VIP Packages, and all your favorite Strange Music, Inc. Artists. You can also check out all of these featured artists on Strange Music’s latest collabos series release, Strangeulation Vol. II., which can be purchased at the Strange Music Store or downloaded via ITunes here.
Stay Frosty and Rock On!