Artist review: Michael Adam ...

Michael Adam -- The Maybe EP
By Jeanie Straub
Colorado Music Buzz (November 2010 issue)
JStraub@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

This is Boulder-based Michael Adam’s debut, and you’ll pretty much be floored by that fact when you hear these five fully realized singles. What you have is an energetic blend of country, folk and pop that is also mature and achieves a certain depth and resonance that you would expect of a much later CD. Voice-wise he sounds a bit like a country-ish Eddie Vedder, and the musical accompaniment is full and fantastic and at times seems to reflect a different era. (This is highly polished stuff.) Adam was born in Guatemala, the son of missionaries, and moved to Denver as a teen. He attended college in Boston but came back to Colorado to complete a master’s degree in Spanish lit. Adam’s myspace page notes of The Maybe EP: “Recorded in the early Boulder mornings before … classes, Michael Adam laid down his tracks running back and forth from the studio. One time he even had to buy a huge bag of salt to melt all the ice that bedded his beat-up mini van on the road to meet his producer.” That dedication and passion shows. Definitely paid off.

Band members: Michael Adam (lead vocals, guitar); Erin Jo Harris (vocals); Brian McRae (drums); Ben Holst (bass); Matt Amundson (drums on “Dreams”); Tracy Calkins (additional vocals on “Maybe”)

http://www.myspace.com/michaeladam
http://michael-adam.com/

The Denver band Musuji is looking for a music writer to accompany them on tour, expenses (mostly) paid

The Denver band Musuji is going on a "short" tour from Jan. 26-31 and is looking for a writer to accompany them.

According to Arnie of the band, Musuji means "wild with madness" and the band's tours are just that.

They asked Colorado Music Buzz: "We are wondering if you have a writer who would be willing to attend the tour with us, and write about what he or she witnesses."

From the band:

"We are going to Portland, Eugene, and Tacoma, and possibly Boise on the tour. We understand it is hard to take time off of work, but if you could, you wouldn't have to worry about many expenses, we will get groceries before and would pay for any lodge and travel costs. We also are good at paying for booze. If you decide to go, I'm sure it would be a great experience, and make for a great story."

email JStraub@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com for Arnie's telephone number.

Feedback on TLDOTY review ...

From Sean Lamborne regarding The Longest Day of the Year review in Colorado Music Buzz:

Thanks for the great write up in CO Music Buzz! So very kind of you, I hope you truly enjoyed the EP... working on a new one soon that will be better produced, etc.

I was at West Side Book Store in Highland Ranch for an authors book signing, Chris Guillebeau, this evening and as he was talking about making a living out of doing what you love best I looked over and saw CO Music Buzz, grabbed it and flipped through while he was talking and was so thrilled to see the review. It has been a tough couple of week for me and my wife (not getting jobs we interviewed for, etc) and it really added a nice touch to everything, gives me inspiration to keep going.

And yesterday I was wondering why our reverbnation visits had been so high, no doubt the review had something to do with that!

Thanks again and I hope to see you around the library world again soon!

Best Regards
Sean Lamborne

Artist review: Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams -- Sinners & Saints [LP]

Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams -- Sinners & Saints [LP]
By Jeanie Straub
Colorado Music Buzz

Sinners & Saints, the third CD by Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, is appropriately named because this CD, released in August, is as close to a religious experience as you’re going to get for the remainder of the year. Wofford & the Hi-Beams are known all along the Front Range and beyond for their original sound that is all classic Texas honky tonk and western swing -- steel guitars, snare drum, stand-up bass, mandolins, acoustic guitars -- overlaid with Wofford’s distinctive vocals that recall Hank Williams Sr., Buddy Holly and Bob Wills.

Band members: Bret Billings (pedal and non-pedal steel guitars, harmonica, dobro and Rocket One-ten lap steel); Ben O’Connor (upright bass); Greg Schochet (electric and acoustic guitars and mandolins); Damon Smith (drum set and all percussion); Halden Wofford (acoustic guitar, piano and vocals)

www.hibeams.com

Quote of the day from @Lefsetz ...

"It's like the mainstream has got the pedal to the metal. Powering headlong towards the cliff. I guess the drivers are planning to eject just before the precipice, but I don't understand why they think we want to go along for the ride. No one likes to be a passenger, with no control in a disaster. That's why we hate being in the back of the plane. We want to be in charge of our own destiny, we want to drive, we want to be in control.

"And that's what the Web is all about. Everybody piloting their own ship, at their own speed. Discovering music is like going to a new country, one that's existed for years, that others may have visited, but that you've never been to."

-- Bob Lefsetz

Quote of the day from my favorite music blogger, Bob Lefsetz

"We no longer live in the twentieth century, when MTV anointed an act and everybody bought it (but isn't it fascinating they all had such a brief shelf-life.) Now no specific medium has a hold on audience mindshare and the public is used to things being here today and gone tomorrow. Like the Keith Richards hype. A tsunami last week, nonexistent this week. And that's fine if you're selling a finite consumable that everybody needs on one day, like Gatorade in hundred degree heat, but if you want people to pay again the hype has to sustain. And it isn't exactly hype, you have to continue to be in people's minds. And you can only do this by creating music that people need. This is not a momentary hit. You've got to speak from the gut, you've got to touch souls."

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Rachel James release party 11/20

Rachel James releases EP Landing at Soiled Dove

Press release from Melissa Lycan, president of Whisper Fiercely, the manager of Ms. James:

"Rachel James will be releasing her new EP Landing at a CD release party at the Soiled Dove Underground next month. Music performed by Michael Child, Caleb Slade and Rachel James continuing through the night. The EP called Landing, recorded with Caleb Slade as executive producer, Joe Richmond (Churchill) as co-producer and engineer, Nate Meese (Meese) playing guitar, and Ian Short (Hello Kavita) playing strings, promises to be a departure, but a happy one from Rachel's normal pop/rock sound. Free download cards will be available, along with Rachel's virgin line of apparel and earlier CD's for sale. Drink specials all night long and a $10 cover at the door.

"Meeting up earlier this year, Kevin Jochem (drummer), Darius Pope (bass player and moonlight bass player for Tickle Me Pink) and Hosung Son (guitarist) will all be playing. With varied backgrounds in progressive rock, jazz, pop and blues, the members of Rachel James share a unique blend of harmony, beats and structure. Additions to the evening are Nicole Benton playing cello (Born in Winter) and Chuck Hugenberg playing violin. The night promises to showcase an eclectic grouping of Rachel's tunes. Rachel’s music is heavily influenced by: the classical composers, as well as, Bruce Hornsby, Stevie Nicks, Feist, Switchfoot, 30 Seconds to Mars, Death Cab for Cutie and many others that have contributed to her versatile sound.

"Please visit the website for more information at http://www.IAmRachelJames.com.

"For booking, please contact Sarah Slaton with The Vinefield Agency at (303) 669-0461. Rachel James is exclusively managed by Melissa Lycan, Junior Artist Agent, Fury Artist Management, LLC."