Articles in the Under the Radar category »
The music history in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia is known for its Hip-hop/R & B roots. From Teddy Riley of BLACKstreet to Timbaland, it is very rare that a rock band comes out of this area. Enter Epsilon Uprising. A combination of Lamb of God and Linkin Park, this band brings a raw, in-your-face approach to the rock music world. However, they have a twist: They use auxiliary percussions. Yes, you are thinking right if the movie Drumline just flashed in your mind.
Epsilon Uprising consists of Maleki on lead vocals and emcee duties, Machete on guitars and vocals, Professor X on auxiliary percussions, and G-Dub on drums. The band name originated from the 1930s novel Brand New World by Aldous Huxley. They credit Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, System of a Down, Canibus, Big Pun, and Hed P.E. of influencing the sound that flows from their fingers and voices. In early December, they lost... Read More »
Ami Saraiya sings with a beautiful, mystical, smoky voice that makes one feel like he or she is sitting in a night club across from a Humphrey Bogart character in a Film Noir movie.
A sensational singing voice alone, however, does not distinguish a young female artist from the thousands of other hungry, young artists out there. The reason Ami Saraiya is more deserving of this article is because of her intangibles.
Saraiya makes herself more than just a young woman with a gifted voice. She does more than just exercise a skill; she opens her creative mind, and she effectively uses her vocals in a myriad of ways to maximize her ability to emote precisely what feeling she intends to convey. Saraiya's most effective style is blues, but she proves on "Memphis Train" that she can belt out a gritty rock vocal if she feels like it. So many modern artists have tremendous voices, but they... Read More »
Ernie Halter has a soulful voice that seems to wrap around you like a blanket on a cold winter night. Okay, not really, but it is pretty damn close, especially when you hear him live.
So it’s fitting that Halter’s most recent album is a live album that pieces together each of his past efforts into one miraculous piece of work. Recorded over a month at different tour stops, this album showcases what is at the heart of his music, his fans. Via his website, Halter states, “At my live shows, I always thank them and tell them, ‘You are my employer, this is my office, and I’m doing this for you.’ My fans are the foundation of everything I do.”
Halter doesn’t just talk the talk though. He tours almost constantly, usually more than 100 dates a year, solo or with an array of other musicians/friends such as Tony Lucca, Tyrone Wells, Josh Hoge, and has... Read More »
Curtis Peoples is part of a genre known as “coffee shop arena rock.” What does that mean? Not sure exactly but if one had to describe Peoples’ music, it would probably be acoustic pop. What makes Peoples stand out amidst a sea of singer/songwriters? That’s easy. Peoples keeps his music simple and easy to relate to, making it easy for one to listen to him while they’re doing chores or driving around town.
Via his website, Peoples “incorporates the radio-friendly and inspiring sounds of U2 and Bon Jovi as well as the rhythmic folk of John Mayer and Jason Mraz into his songs resulting in his own unique musical fingerprint.” That unique fingerprint brought along a slew of opportunities just months after making his way into the Los Angeles music scene. His good friend (who just happens to be Tyler Hilton) invited Peoples out for a couple of tour dates, which gave him the exposure he... Read More »
Let's rewind: It's 2002 again, two years post-Y2K, too much time spent tangoing with boy bands and pop princesses.
Enter Avril Lavigne: Blonde (but make no mistake), bratty, and unabashedly filled to the brim of her Dickies cutoffs with her catchy, more-pop-than-punk melodies. "Complicated," Lavigne's debut single, which climbed to number two on the U.S. charts, undoubtedly remains her commercial centerpiece. Yet even the most memorable musicians (or poseurs, as Lavigne's critics might insist) need a support system.
Enter Evan Taubenfeld: Lavigne's part-time singing partner & full-time guitarist. Similarly posed and coiffed, the pair were the picture of pop perfection—with one minor exception.
Pre-frame, a young Lavigne listened and lip-synced to the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls; Taubenfeld fronted bands like Baltimore-based rock outfit, Spinfire, prepping himself for Berklee, Boston's leading music conservatory.
It's with this center-stage penchant that Taubenfeld welcomes us to The Blacklist Club, the name of his former band, current fan club, and (obvious) inspiration... Read More »
Meiko blends a mature, raspy vocal with an unmistakably youthful exuberance to create a wonderful sound.
Born in Roberta, Georgia, Meiko left home at age eighteen and eventually ended up in Los Angeles. In L.A., she frequently played at the Hotel Café where she also worked as a waitress.
With so many talented, young female singer/songwriters coming out of the anti-folk movement in New York, Meiko is one of the few West Coast performers that have quietly made a name for themselves without becoming an industry puppet.
One might argue Meiko is pop or folk or indie, but her demographic is quite clear: Meiko is a girl in her mid-twenties making music for similarly aged people.
One of her most popular songs, the single “Boys with Girlfriends,” is an intimate, diary confessional song that somehow feels more mature than its typical mainstream counterparts. Two short and simple verses tell the story of a common love triangle, and the song... Read More »
I had never really heard of Josh before a friend introduced me to him and I'm betting you haven't heard of him either but he's one to watch out for. He released an album in 2008 that is amazing, Everything She Was. I can't remember the last time I've heard such a smooth voice. His voice somewhat reminds me of Craig David but better and so are the songs.
He's signed to the Blackledge Music Label, which is home to a few more lesser known artists. Josh's vocals are very polished and the album itself is good from start to finish. It features a couple guest appearances (Marc Broussard and labelmate, Caitlin Crosby).
If you're looking for an artist with a Pop/R&B/Soulful sound, you should check him out! You can preview his album on his myspace. Also, his cover of Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone is... Read More »
[cft format=0]
It's hard to believe that these guys are unsigned. They already have a complete album under their belt. They don't even have an official website - just an Official Myspace where you can preview some of their songs! Their album is full of songs about the things that make up country music - drinking, trucks, partying, break up songs! However, what I found to be most striking about the album is how well it flows. You can listen to it from start to finish and you don't need to skip a song. I always find that that is what makes an album great.
Sure, it's easy to make an album with a couple good songs but to make an album that is this easy and fun to listen to? It doesn't happen as often as I wish it did. You have the fun and catchy Back... Read More »
[cft format=0]
One listen of this girl and you find yourself asking "Why is she unsigned?" I am completely baffled by it. However, I am confident that she won't be unsigned for long. She has a strong and soothing voice with great tone! She has about 6 songs up on her myspace and each one of them is amazing. Other than her myspace, she doesn't have an official website that I can find so it's hard to find out anything about her. I'm going to guess she either wrote or co-wrote the songs on her myspace because in her about me section she talks about writing.
Her songs are real songs, relatable songs, which is what country music is all about. She has "I'm Missing Home" which is about exactly that - being home sick. "Rip the Pages Out" talks about moving on via ripping pages... Read More »
We reviewed their EP Sing What You Want in February and wanted to follow up with The Ugly Club. The band hails from Jersey and is comprised of six members. Their influences are... Read More »
Loading ...