We were blessed with the psychedelic funky sounds of local Jersey boys Fungkshui on Friday night at the legendary Saint. The band began their highly anticipated summer tour at one of their favorite local venues before packing the van and getting on the road to Albany, NY for the Saturday night show. The crowd was already hooting and hollering before they took to the stage and once they started the show, the crowd danced their asses off all night long!
Fungkshui was spawned in high school by founding members Jack Reed on guitar and vocals along with Jon Schepis on bass and vocals. As they grew up and the years went by, they began playing small gigs here and there and in 2018 brought in Kyle Donovan on drums and vocals. The band started to gain a fan base and as with all bands, everything was put on hold during the Covid 19 pandemic. But the guys didn't let all that time go to waste, they put their heads down and kept practicing and writing new material. As they emerged from the dark ages, the final addition to the band was a longtime friend of the drummer Kyle along with Max Vitale on guitar and vocals, and boom, you get the current lineup we have today.
From the first notes of "Just That" we all knew we were in for an epic show. The funky bass lines, trippy jams, and heavy guitar riffs blend into a unique sound that can't be replicated. Next up was a band staple "Sinkhole", this one really allows each member to shine individually and collectively. The hard aggressive jam really shows the band's versatility and shows they have much more to offer than a run-of-the-mill jam band. "Blue Rat Bastard" has a mixture of bluegrass hillbilly style with hard funky rock. Exceptional songwriting to blend those two styles and make the jams work and flow through the transitions. Next up was a fan-favorite cover of reggae star Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" with the hold crowd screaming;
"But she caught me on the counter (It wasn't me)
Saw me bangin' on the sofa (It wasn't me)
I even had her in the shower (It wasn't me)
She even caught me on camera (It wasn't me)"
After that, the raucous crowd was shown why these guys are on the rise and big things are happening with "Nothing to Hide". I have to say this was one of my favorite jams of the night. These four guys know how to read each other on stage, you can study their body language, subtle cues, and looks as they navigate their way in and out of the jams. It's pure rock and roll, wrapped into a psychedelic taco, ending in a funkdified masterpiece.
The Saint was a perfect place to start the tour off before hitting the road. It's one of the roots of the Asbury Park music scene since 1994, run by owner Scott Stamper. The small intimate venue has been the proving grounds for all local NJ acts along with big national bands coming into town before anyone ever knew who they were. Posters of all the shows blanket the walls, highlighting the historical significance of The Saint. Incubus, Cake, Jewel, Deftones, Everlast, Stereophonics, Cannibal Corpse, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, moe., and Joey Ramone, just to name a few, along with any local NJ group all have shown their worth on the small stage. Owner Scott has been one of the biggest supporters of local live music, giving local bands a spot to showcase their talents and we are lucky to have him and The Saint a part of the Asbury Scene. We almost lost it due to the pandemic, but they set up a GO FUND ME and the support of the community kept them afloat until things got better. I for one am beyond stoked he didn't have to shut the doors, so we can keep local live music thriving for years to come.
Now back to the show, "That'll Do" takes you on a journey of exploration, blending dueling guitar riffs and solos, along with smooth funky transitions and tempos. " Old Holiday" was next on the setlist. Jon's thunderous bass lines, Kyle's unique heavy drums mixed with light fills and sounds, along with Jack's incendiary guitar chops, and last but not least Max's aggressive and smooth guitar solos were all on display. These guys are on top of their game. The progression from even seeing them a few months ago is astounding. The band is in tune with each other and it shows, and the crowd couldn't get enough. I don't know if it was the funky sounds or the funky shirts guitarist Max had got for the guys that had the ladies screaming, but something tells me it was a little bit of both. The cover of Jerry Reed's "Eastbound and Down" caught me off guard. It was a welcomed unexpected surprise, as a huge Smokey and the Bandit fan, how can you not scream the chorus to the top of your lungs, it really pumped up the crowd, just like a rodeo.
As the show progressed, the last two songs are ones that solidified for me that these guys are going places. " Mirage" has an energy that is unmatched, and really exemplifies what the band is all about, upbeat funky trippy jams that make you want to get down and shake that booty. "Orange Cadillac" the band's newly released single now streaming on all platforms, was a thriller. It's just straight unadulterated funk, the crowd already knows the lyrics, and was singing along with the band. "Orange Cadillac... I want my baby back". As a concert photographer for over 20 years, I have seen many bands, some make it, some don't, some are huge selling out MSG, and some are smaller selling out The Stone Pony, but one thing will always be why they make it, its the energy and engagement with the audience and their fans. Having tunes and lyrics that connect with the crowd, and then delivering an epic live performance, captures the fans and they will travel all over the world, and buy overpriced tickets to sold-out shows, it's about the energy and connection and Fungkshui has it, hands down. They put on a live show that can't be missed.
Fungkshui is about to unleash its brand of upbeat psychedelic funky hard rock to the country. They are spreading their wings and expanding the reach of their music to audiences on the east coast this summer. I am super stoked they are making a stop back home on the tour to play the Umphrey's Mcgee after show at The Stone Pony on July 15th, along with longtime friends local jam band Pocket That Bread opening the show. It's gonna be an epic night of music on the Jersey Shore!
Here are all the links to the band's pages to find out everything you need to know about them, and where they are playing on this upcoming road trip. If they are coming your way, I highly recommend you check them out. Don't forget your dancing shoes and be ready to be blown away. The future looks bright for these local Jersey boys. Better hop on the train now before they start selling out shows around the country, and you gotta pay double to get a ticket!
Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCBsHmLZxmT4FeYb92qd5MRw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fungkshui_band/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fungkshuiband/
We're flashing back to 2003 when The BellRays released their classic album The Red, White & Black for this Hunnypot Approved video pick.
The BellRays dug up this unreleased video and shared it officially to the world. A great and still relevant Tony Fate era blow out.
Seeing The BellRays live is a revelation of what the rock music should be: an aggressive and soulful guitar-driven music that you feel in your guts. The BellRays have been channelling the true spirit of rock and soul since 1990, with this being their fourth blood-letting release. As expected this record oozes a genuine passion, combining the best of a '60s soul review with the fury of garage rock's greatest. Just imagine a young Tina Turner fronting the MC5 and you'll be getting close. But make no mistake, front woman Lisa Kekaula is no mainstream soul singer. Although her warm traditional R&B vocal stylings are big, lush and beautiful, her ferocity is uncompromising. When her rock growl rumbles the floor, you best pay attention, there are no options available. This is a band preaching the continuation of the rock-n-roll tradition in all its purity, anger and visceral power. The BellRays are on a self-professed mission to save rock music from itself and they need a witness.
Zach Hanner - Star-News Correspondent (9/7/2006)
You may never have heard of The BellRays, but you've most likely heard their music. This Riverside, Calif., quartet is going to make sure you don't forget who they are once you make the connection.
For the uninitiated, The BellRays' Revolution Get Down served as the manic soundtrack for a recent Nissan Xterra Commercial and provided the group with some national exposure to complement their critical acclaim. But it's never been about becoming famous for these four.
Tony Fate joined the band in 1996 after moving to Los Angeles from Indiana in search of a more happening rock scene. "There wasn't much going on in the Midwest, and things were happening everywhere else," Fate said. "I came to L.A. because there's no snow out here."
Fate began playing clubs right away and soon met fellow musicians Bob Vennum and Lisa Kekaula. "Bob was in a few bands that my bands played with and we got to know one another pretty well," Fate said. "He knew Lisa because they worked together, and I eventually started writing songs for them. They had The Bellrays going already so I was writing and doing studio stuff with them while playing in another band called The Gray Spikes."
But when that act folded, Fate signed on to play guitar while Vennum moved to bass duties. "It was really electric," Fate said. "We had gotten together to record this old Saints tune called Nights In Venice for a Saints tribute album and it sounded so good we just felt like we should keep it going."
Fate's sizzling guitar and Vennum's chunky bass complemented each other nicely. But while this duo managed the melodies, Kekaula commanded the stage as lead singer. One rock journalist described the band's sound as "Tina Turner fronting The Stooges," a pretty accurate metaphor.
The band adroitly combines the basic elements of heavy rock and Motown soul, seamlessly shifting across genres and inviting comparisons to the Detroit act that first set out to commingle these styles, The MC5. In fact, Kekaula fronted a recent MC5/DKT reunion tour and also won a Grammy for her vocal work with DJ act Basement Jaxx.
With their latest release, Have A Little Faith, the band, currently sporting Craig Waters on drum kit, solidifies its hold on this rock/soul combo sound. "We've always done the harder, punk style of music and we've also done the softer, soul songs but for some reason people didn't want to hear the soul stuff so much," Fate said. "This time around, Bob produced the album and tried to showcase the soul a little more, whereas the other records kicked off with harder rock songs."
The record kicks off with a smokin' shot called Tell The Lie and shifts through all the gears as the band shows its dynamic range. The title track slips in to Curtis Mayfield territory while tracks like Snotgun and Detroit Breakdown rev up the volume and kick out some headbangin' jams. But the record can only hope to offer a semblance of what the group's live act delivers.
The band tours internationally for several months each year, hitting both coasts and Europe, a continent where fans clamor for their wound up sound. And while it might sound like they've got it good, critical acclaim and solid selling European tours don't ensure that there's going to be another album.
"It might seem like we're in an enviable position but we've been the 'next big thing' for about eight years now," Fate said. "After a while, you're not the 'next big thing' but somehow we've managed to maintain a presence. Distribution is a problem and the radio stations just won't play us, even the alternative ones."
Perhaps it's the hard-to-define nature of the band's music that prevents writers and industry types from pigeonholing them in to one market, a practice that's become a serious weakness of the music business.
But odds are that The BellRays will keep making their brand of rock and drawing new fans from all over the globe.
For Fate, the American industry could take some cues from the way that Europe sells music. "They really keep that culture going in the papers and every media outlet," Fate said. "But here it's really kind of dead. The hard thing is trying to get your music out to people who are tuning in to stuff from all over the world. We pack houses in Europe but it's hard to get a gig in L.A."
Yo, that was a JAM packed Hunnypot Live.
Guest host Attique Iqbal bridged being a songwriter with working with songwriters in sports television.
Lisa Danaë made her live debut in Los Angels with dark, wry, pop pics.
The Schmoke Assembly were organized jam band chaos
Dagnasterpus returned with that crazy funk, blues, jazz, pop, swing, thing and some hot guest musicians.
Attique Iqbal grew up in California’s Central Valley (Fresno/Reedley) and has had an equal passion for sports and music as far back as he can remember. He got his first taste of the sports broadcast and entertainment realm in 2002 as a runner for CBS Sports and FOX Sports. This is a passion which he's maintained to this day, as Attique continues to work for CBS and FOX regularly as a game day statistician and in production support.
In 2006, Attique began what would evolve into a long career with NFL Media. He got his toes wet first as a production assistant, then took on roles as a graphics coordinator and highlight producer, also working on features, season previews, and show opens. In 2012, NFL Network created the 'Music Coordinator' role and Los Angeles music department for Attique to take on and further develop. In this post, Attique has overseen music reporting for nearly all NFL Media Platforms, curating and selecting music for various NFL Media shows and content and developing strong, long-lasting relationships with labels, artists and publishers.
Recently, Attique has also emerged on the scene as a songwriter. He released his first Songwriter/Artist Project titled 'The Attique Iqbal Project' on November 1, 2021, with the single "North Star", which was followed by the release of "Next Life" on January 9, 2022 and his most recently release “One Night” came out on April 11, 2022.
Some of Attique’ s most memorable career highlights are working several Super Bowls, Final Fours, and meeting his childhood hero, Muhammad Ali, and finding his “North Star”.
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Hailing from California, Filipino-American artist Lisa Danaë has long been a powerhouse vocalist in the music industry. Lisa’s journey began as a young girl when she found solace in pop industry powerhouses Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. As she grew as an artist, Lisa’s goal became to spread her story of growth and empowerment through the same powerful pop hooks and unfeigned, timeless lyrics that she grew up listening to. Her ability to pay tribute to the late 90’s/Y2K pop movement while still honoring her musical tenor in R&B birthed her transition and curation of “dark pop” where she takes deep sound to balance and challenge the uplifting lyricism and vocal tenor to create and addictive genre blend.
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DAGNASTERPUS is a jammin’ groove powerhouse that fell out of the mind of road warrior/composer, Tree Adams, former frontman of the New York City jam band, THE HATTERS. Tree is known for his award-winning work scoring film and tv projects such as The 100, Californication, Belushi, Legends, and NCIS: New Orleans, as well as producing songs for Grammy Award-winning artists like New Orleans legend, Cyril Neville, blues musician Taj Mahal and rapper YG.
DAGNASTERPUS features nimble horns, grimy beats and gritty vocals. Tree’s lyrics are imaginative and evocative with a hint of voodoo imagery welcoming listeners into an immersive and, at times, cinematic world of merriment and mirth. The DAGNASTERPUS is a benevolent mythical creature: part Poseidon, part Octopus and part Buddha. The band's self-titled debut album DAGNASTERPUS was released by Six Degrees Records on June 25, 2021.
DAGNASTERPUS is based primarily in Los Angeles and New Orleans.
Tampa's Glove are special. They very much look and feel as if they come from another time, but maybe it's because they're from the future? Their style is reminiscent of bands such as Joy Division or Echo & The Bunnymen. Stylish and cool "Behaviour" comes off of Glove's brilliant debut album Boom Nights. This Live performance piece will have to hold us until an official video is released, catch them on tour.
Hot Tub Johnnie & Hunnypot Approved!
On the eve of 4/20, Dizzy Wright and his crew brought the smoke to The Crocodile in Seattle, WA. I recently came across Dizzy Wright’s music and when I found out he was going to be in town for his 10 year anniversary tour of his first album SmokeOut Conversations, I couldn’t wait to see him perform live. Being someone who loves rap music, I was pumped to be back at a live rap show after a fat minute. I was looking forward to night full of sick beats, heavy bass and some fire bars. And that is exactly what I got!
To kick off the show the Tucson based rapper Marley B took the stage and started dropping some heat! His flow was crazy, the words per minute this guy could spit was insane. He started going off and got the crowd hyped. In between his songs, he expressed his love for Seattle and how every time he’s been to the city he’s had a great time. At which point, he took off his jacket and revealed the OG Sonics jersey he was wearing underneath for his last two songs.
Next up was Toxsikk and he made people drinking at the back of the bar to finish their drinks and come join the rest of the crowd. It was a Tuesday night, the crowd was relatively small. So, him calling out everyone in the way back of the venue to come up definitely changed the energy of the room for better. He was quite calm yet powerful on stage. He had a swag about his stage presence.
As the crowd was getting charged up Demrick came on with some good old traditional rap bars. Following Toxsikk, Demrick’s set was the perfect transition. He was so good and having fun on stage. A highlight from his set was when a fan kept trying to hand over his phone to Demrick to record a selfie video of him rapping and he finally noticed, grabbed the phone and performed in to it. I bet that made the fan’s night.
After Demrick, DJ Hoppa came on played some mixes before playing an intro video for Dizzy. It was a heartfelt montage and message from Dizzy about his 10 year rap journey. As soon as the video ended, the room went dark, the crowd went silent and then the bass dropped and out came Dizzy with the smoke. Right of the bat, he took the crowd by storm. They were ready for him and he gave them his all. Dizzy performed songs from each year in the last decade. Before starting a track he expressed his feelings and remembered the story behind each of them. Which I thought was very cool and made his performance even more special and intimate. Dizzy, released his first album SmokeOut Conversations on April 20th, 2012. Getting to watch him appreciate all he has achieved and celebrate his 10 her anniversary was a sight I'll never forget. I can’t wait to see him again.
It was a beautiful night filled with some great rap music. Dizzy Wright with Marley B, Toxsikk and Demrick gave it their all and delivered some amazing performances. The crowd left with a big smiles on their face and so did I!
Hunnypot Live #459 was more serious than a big baby twitter shareholder.
Brian J. Miller hit the hot tub with his music supervision success story with the NFL and a wave of synth playlist.
It was a night of the return of the living dead ass sick live performances.
Indica lit up the stage again with his brand of hip-hop pop futurism.
Mystical Joyride took us back to higher consciousness beats for body moves.
J. Character and guests hit back with party rap and roll.
Hot Tub Johnnie filled in with new and classic sounds on the decks and everyone danced themselves dirty.
Brian J. Miller is a LA-based music supervisor with a piece of his heart in his native New York. Currently at the NFL Network, his resume boasts storied outlets such as Channel 1 News, Current TV and MTV. A lifelong pianist, during the pandemic, he took up electric bass, and he counts Bob Babbitt, Norwood Fisher and Este Haim among influences. He dreams of bringing back the wedding band, and is seeking co-conspirators.
In addition to music, he loves being a dad, puzzling for sport, hitting the Peloton and crushing breakfast tacos (in that order). Follow his weekly playlists on Spotify @oldschoolbrian.
In 2016 Indica debuted his single 'She So Crazy' on The FADER gaining underground recognition. Soon after he released his debut self titled project, Indica. Singles 'Kumbaya' and 'Ahead/ Level Up' display his relaxed, melodic flow patterns that are not limited to one genre, as he can cross into Latin Reggaeton flows effortlessly for example, his single 'Jugamos'.
Experimenting with sonics Indica released a second project RETROMODERN in 2019, a 1980's themed album produced by Andrew Luce; Inspired by Daft Punk and Tame Impala. Indica is currently independent.
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Mystical Joyride is the cosmic duo and genre-fluid Psychedelic World Pop band hailing from Los Angeles. This married couple Leah and Joel fly their musical spaceship in between the ratchet and the spiritual.
Their live sets are an energetic and immersive experience of meditation and straight up shaking that ass with electronics and live instrumentation as well guest vocalist, Bengali sensation, Arzeen Kamal. Get ready to dance and let your soul play as Mystical Joyride delivers a unique and unforgettable experience.
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Jordan Character a/k/a J. Character a global jet-setter, has traveled from the USA to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul Korea, Chengdu and other Asian cities. Mashing up all of his cultural and diverse relationships and experiences which comes through his music, Character has created his own lane as a Bilingual Artist, while majoring in International Studies/Chinese at Norwich Military Academy and graduating Magna Cum Laude with an excellence in Chinese language proficiency
At the age of 3 months, Jordan Character’s ears were being developed as he accompanied his mother, a singer, who carried him alongside her to band rehearsals, theater productions and creative writing classes. Character by the age of 8, was reading treble and bass clef together, while playing upright bass and trumpet.
Born in the colorful City of New Orleans, LA, Character was accustomed to seeing Marching Bands, hearing Gospel, Jazz, Hip-Hop and seeing Second-line Bands, which passed in front of his home before Hurricane Katrina whisked his family away to.
His songs, “Part To (Butter Up), Insides, and Charlie Sheen" are inspired through his travels as he seldom resides in Los Angeles, CA, a place he finds full of inspiration. Inspired by Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J and A$AP Rock, J. Character represents the new age Rapper and Songwriter bringing forth the Culture of New Orleans and a history of musicians who are home grown from the South.
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Hunnypot Live #458 was no brakes and expensive gas.
Hot Tub Johnnie filled up the room with high octane hits from the deck.
Winachi converted liters to gallons of fun Manchester dance/funk/rock
Zeus Rebel Waters returned with his premium, high octane, Hip Hop-Pop-n-Roll sound and a convoy of superstar artists; A road trip on one stage.
Guest music sets from Comp Da Great, Calice Boyz, J Loc, ZAY$TACKZ, Keke Nova, Yerrty G, Verifyd, WiLO D, Indigo Child, and more, kept us running on Full.
Photos: J. Gray
#WhereMusicLoversGoToPlay
Swaggering Mancunian tenacity spliced with smooth Californian G Funk soul is what makes up the foundation of northern groove machine WINACHI. Since they gravitated towards one another in 2015, the diverse musical background of each band member has helped push WINACHI’s sound into something bone meltingly, ass shakingly unique. Made up by Liam Croker (Vocals & Lyrics) and Antony Egerton (Keys & Programming), and joined by Andy Mckay (Guitar), Richard Ritchie (Bass), Paul Lawrence (Drums) and Inder Goldfinger (Tabla & Percussion).
While WINACHI’s songs cover all the usual topics: heartbreak, pain, mental health and politics – love and positivity is always the outcome. The WINACHI guarantee is that you’ll leave their live show, take off your headphones or switch off the Soundsystem and find the world a little brighter. Their commitment to joy is radical and you can hear that alongside elements of Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, House, Rock and Psychedelia within their music. WINACHI have toured worldwide with The Charlatans, Happy Mondays, The Sugarhill Gang & The Furious Five and have enjoyed worldwide airplay and press in publications such as L.A Times, L.A Record, Manchester Evening News, KCRW, Billboard China, BBC 6 Music to name a few.
2022 will see the release of WINACHI’s long awaited and much anticipated debut album, with the band splitting their time between their own HQ studio in Warrington and Los Angeles with producer John X at the Earthstar Creation Center. In the leadup to their album release, WINACHI are teasing a collaborative remix E.P featuring a number of exciting international artists and producers such as I Kong, Howie B, Paolo Baldini, Jim Spencer, and young upcoming dub electronica producer, Impey.
Zeus is an American Hip hop artist/songwriter/performer with a unique musical identity. Zeus builds his fanbase, called “The Rebels”, 1 fan at a time. Zeus got in to music early by singing and dancing in youth talent shows. In middle school Zeus formed the rap group P.O.G (Pimped Out Gangsters). The group tasted success by winning talent shows and touring on their hit single “Wobble”. Formerly and casually known as Rukapuff, his first solo single, “Angry”, immediately went in to full rotation on Q95.5(Radio one) in St Louis.
Zeus signed with Mack 10's Hoo Bangin Records. Mack 10 promoted a Rukapuff track, “Like this” featuring Nate Dogg. The song was used in TV commercials, NFL football games movies like Waist Deep, and various TV shows including The Sopranos.
In addition to recording and touring under his O.G. name, Zeus has his own indie record label, Born Ready Records, a clothing line called the Rebel Waters Collection, a film company called Trinity Films, and helps run a non for profit organization for young inner city youth called Rock the Community. Zeus Rebel Waters has arrived.
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Yerrty G is an American artist out of North St. Louis with intricate wordplay. On top of his “one of a kind” style of music, he’s known as the underground hip hop boogeyman .
Isaiah Lamar Pierce (born December 15, 1990), better known as ZAY$TACKZ, is an independent American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.
He released his debut mixtape, Face Facts, in 2011, and started his own label We Own It, Entertainment with older brother Scumlife Shotty mid 2011. His Trap-influenced single, "Face Facts", received heavy underground urban attention followed by “Ridin’ Round da City”, setting the streets of Philly on fire in 2012, becoming his first minor hits. Read more. ~ https://www.scumlife.io/
Hunnypot Live #457 was a very successful convoy of music and entertainment.
Hot Tub Johnnie hit the gas early with top hits and whips.
TWO guest hosts, Kristin Engineer & Adam Ehrlich, protested mediocrity with their origin stories and new endeavors in music.
Sophie Gold trucked in a Fort Knox sized pop performance.
Honest Family Outlaws returned to our stage hauling hip, hopped, country jams.
We got the 10-4 from Nadia Vaeh's 4 on the floor rock/pop heavy load.
Hot Tub navigated the rest of Hunnypot highway with hits to keep on trucking to.
Photos/Recap: J. Gray Audio mastering: James Coffman
Adam Ehrlich is a music industry veteran who has been in the music department at Paramount Pictures for the last 15 years. After graduating Berklee College of Music, he played with various acts as a live performer in all genres all over. He has worked at record labels, radio stations, studios, and publishers. He has been composing and producing music for over 20 years and has been a composer/producer with networks including HBO, MTV, Nickelodeon and many others. He developed a children's app called Sing N' Send that taught children how to sing and record and share that went to #1 worldwide in multiple territories and had millions of downloads.
Now Adam enjoys his family band Honest Family Outlaws that is taking over the world by storm.
MotoGirl’s boots on the ground: a deep knowledge of music, road-tested production skills and writing chops for miles. What pumps pistons of MotoGirl’s heart: producing driving pop that puts the wheels under brands … and lighting up the road ahead for up-and-coming artists.
MotoGirl Music LLC is a creative collaborative, producing kinetic original music for brand advertising, TV and film, trailers and promos. It is also a non-exclusive music licensing representative for artists and an artist management company. Kristin Engineer/MotoGirl (owner and founder of MotoGirl Music LLC) is a top liner, songwriter, project manager, and top track executive producer based in Los Angeles, CA who specializes in dance pop, indie pop, and electro pop genres. A lifelong musician, Kristin’s ride has taken her from orchestral work and classical training, to performing as lead singer and songwriter in three bands (including a stint as a chanteuse named Velvet), to the launch of MotoGirl Music. Motogirl collaborates with creators in the music industry who identify as women, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC. The vision: build a talent foundry and drive transformative change in the industry, where these groups are historically underrepresented.
MotoGirl LLC is in motion and launching new music, projects, and artists in 2022. The sign on the company garage is turned to Open…. for collaboration and custom work for your project or brand.
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Sophie Gold is the bad-ass brainchild of MotoGirl Music and Ava King. Sophie combines a boisterous attitude with a side of dark pop and leaves the niceties at home where they belong. Proud to be among MotoGirl’s projects, in the short few months that she has materialized, Sophie is already featured on some of Netflix’s hottest shows. Previously, She had her music featured in Red Bull Commercials and the Ellen Degeneres Show. Recently, with MotoGirl Music, she placed in Twenty Something’s Austin in two episodes featuring her vocals and Ava King’s amazing track.
Sophie Gold is the child of a Gucci bag and a London pub, she makes music that children are not welcome to listen to, and spends her spare time staring out of the window moodily onlooking the Hollywood sign. She’s unhappy, but has her life figured out. Check out her new singles Something From Nothing, Stellarlike, and No Paradise produced by MotoGirl Music and engineered by Ava King. Sophie guarantees you’ll find her music to be just what you were missing.
Formed in the Spring of 2021, Honest Family Outlaws is a trap country family band from Tujunga, California. Veterans of the stage, studio and music business, each member brings their own unique personality and skill set to the table forming a super-group with great crossover multi genre potential.
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Atlanta native and IMA “Vox Pop” winner, Nadia Vaeh, found her way into artistry through modeling and an unexpected stint with a local Atlanta circus. She started singing in their productions, but began writing her own poetry and music at a young age. Her mother was a poet who passed on her love of words, which later fueled Nadia’s talent as a lyricist. Nadia’s life took an unexpected turn at the age of 17 when she lost her mother to suicide. After this tragic loss, she strayed from songwriting and singing for years and went down a path of self-destruction to ignore her pain. When she decided to begin again with artistry, she struggled deeply to deal with her heartbreak. “I made a lot of missteps when I first began my career; had to learn a lot of things the hard way and spent time reflecting to get to a place where I could create hope from the pain that life can bring via my music.”
With her endless resilience, Nadia has grown into a deeply connected and engaging performer. Her music has been played on U.S. and international radio and has been praised by Wonderland Magazine, Pop Wrapped, Music Connection Magazine, Dark Beauty Magazine, AudioFemme, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and more.
Vaeh loves to pull inspiration for her music through many genres and sounds from all over the world and has been heavily influenced by island sounds from her time spent in the Netherland Antilles island, Curaçao. She also draws from the roots of her father's homeland of Lebanon and has an affinity for middle eastern music. The conscious-pop singer also makes it a point to give back whenever she can. Through her music, she has donated proceeds to a number of nonprofits including the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, among many others.
Having written in several genres, Nadia’s fascination lies with pop because as she puts it, “I love the vast playground that is pop music and how it can transcend and connect people through all cultures. It’s a powerful healer. So many pop songs have helped me feel seen and understood!”
Nadia Vaeh is managed by Kristin Engineer of MotoGirl Music and will be sharing some of her classics as well as a sneak peek from her upcoming debut album, “My Face Hurts” which drops in July 2022.
The first in person audience for 2022, Hunnypot #456, did not disappoint. Erez Safar (Bancs Media) joined us as a co-host and returned to the stage with his eclectic collective, h2the. There were musical bowls, tap dances, familiar and fresh tunes, typewriters and more. MO debuted at Hunnypot with his first live performance of his first of many hip hop pop unreleased tracks. LATECH mashed multiple genres for an upbeat, super danceable, organic flowing set.
A packed house of birthday celebrations (Mikelyn turns 22!), music fans and party people made it one for the books.
Check out the rebroadcast.
Photos: J. Gray/L Boogie
Bancs Media Founder and CEO, Erez Safar a.k.a. Diwon (pronounced dee-wan) is an LA-based creative machine producing video, music and art that pops in a world where popular styles have been left in a state of static. Safar has been featured in countless publications and TV programs including the New York Times, BBC and CBS. His businesses have been item--team-memberd in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Business Week, Time Magazine, and on NBC. Safar is the producer of the extremely successful annual Sephardic Music Festival, devoted to producing and developing dynamic multicultural artists and interactive media, in New York City and Los Angeles and the co-founder of Gallery 38 a creative art space and art gallery in Los Angeles which he curates with Badir McCleary of ArtAboveReality.
As a producer, Safar has been dubbed a "buzzmaking beatsmith" by The DJ Booth, URB noted that "Diwon is something else...in a profound kind of way". Safar is "producer as auteur as every track takes you through the emotional space of the artist, like Kanye or Godard."
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When Mo was 17 years old, his father was incarcerated, forcing a new but conflict-ridden outlook on life. Pushing through the obstacles, Mo found music to be his truest form of self-expression. His ability to relate his emotions into song began far before his need for it. At the age of 12, he had already begun learning the guitar and using songwriting as a therapeutic outlet.
After leaving Orthodox Judaism and navigating an uncertain reality, Mo’s talents led him to the musical prodigy, Benzo Lombardo, and Eugene Sky Compton, a talented visual artist, and creative director. Over a two-year period, the three cultivated Mo’s sound and image, bringing a rebellious new perspective to the music industry. “Over that time we worked a lot, but having the support of those two kept me grounded and focused on my goals,” the young artist said reflecting on the formative period. “I had music and friends. That was all I needed.” Mo’s songs focus on his struggles within himself and his relationship with love, loss, and loneliness. Soon to be releasing his debut single “High,” Mo’s journey is just beginning and he’s excited to bring you along for the ride. @mightbemoses
h2the is an LA based producer and artist who merges 80s synths and layered beats, brought to life through dynamic visuals and sound. The h2the live band brings the songs to life with some of h2the’s favorite musicians, including Buwi (bass), Tal Vaknine (harp), Calireiki (reiki bowl), Sounten (op1 & vox) and generally a few guest vocalists.
“Brilliantly blending 80’s synths with an new cutting edge sampling style, rising hip hop/experimental producer h2the released his debut single titled “Taste Of The“, a teaser/cut-up off his new beat tape exclusively available on cassette!” – UGHH URB Magazine wrote that “[h2the] is something else…in a profound kind of way,” calling his sound titillating and “juicy for the ears,” while The Village Voice described his productions as “adventurous and banging.”
2DOPEBOYZ and Vibe Magazine’s allhiphop.com have also noted h2the’s rap flips of 80?s inspired sonics. It’s the producer as auteur as every track takes you through the emotional space of the artist, like Kanye or Godard.
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Hope you had a great Superbowl and Valentines Day. Looks like our 2/21 HUNNYPOT LIVE at THE MINT show is going down as planned, finally the 1st for 2022. I couldn't help falling in love with this brand new Yung Gravy & Dillon Francis ft. T-Pain single/video tailor made for my Hot Tub Johnnie party moniker. See ya soon, bring your floaties.
-Hot Tub Johnnie