Hello all! You're probably wondering what I wanted to tell you about. Well, I'll get right to it. A couple weeks ago, I was writing one of my posts when I thought "Wouldn't it be great to actually get in touch with the artists I've been writing about and interview them? I considered sending them specific questions or Skyping, but while the one seemed too distant, the other seemed too intrusive. I've always loved the radio, and loved listening to interviews on it so I thought it would be pretty cool to do phone interviews. But who would I start with and how often would I write? It takes quite a while for both the artists and myself to find the time to talk for an hour and then takes me a while to transcribe the interview into written word. So, I decided I'll do this once a month, starting on September 1st.
Hopefully you're as happy as I am about this addition to Youtube's Underground Music Scene and I hope you'll read up once we get the first interview up. I've already done the first one and am happy to say it went really well. He's got a real heavy Liverpool accent and has become a good friend of mine via Youtube. He's the one and only Danny McEvoy! So, stay tuned and I hope you enjoy the interview that'll pop up on the blog on September 1st!
Alex Hamel
Hello all! You're probably wondering why I didn't update the blog this weekend as I promised. I found myself caught up between gigs and photo shoots, so I apologise for that. Still wondering what the big news is? Well, it's rather simple. But...let's not clog up this article on Pete. I'll be updating you on the good news over the weekend. I've arranged so that I have time to write. Now, regarding Pete, I just kept coming across him, no matter what! The same way I kept finding Danny McEvoy and George Possley, this guy was nearly everywhere. He's got over one thousand videos up, most of which are pretty good! He's been going strong for some time now and I can hardly recall what the first of his that I saw was. I do remember it was 2008, and for that reason, I've picked one of my favourite uploads of his from 2008. Here's his cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence"!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXY9u-j6SR8
Great stuff! He's one of those guys who just does the song the way it's meant to be. No fancy bits and pieces, just the raw, unplugged reality of each tune. There's a certain beauty to doing it that way. It just brings you down to earth to see another person doing that. It makes you feel like you can it yourself. It's really empowering really. I mean, how many people look at Christina Grimmie and say "I can do that!" There may be a few, but generally, it's rather intimidating. Nothing against Christina, because she's incredible. But it's great to know there are people out there who are just like you and me. Pete serves that awesome purpose.
So, if you're not one of Pete's many subscribers already, I'd definitely recommend him. He's always uploading covers and has a great deal of tutorials available. One thing you gotta know about Pete, is that he's a massive Oasis fan. Probably one of my favourite covers of his came shortly after Oasis broke up. As he said, their music will "Live Forever"! Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEdx1eb-KoE
Brilliant, isn't it? Played with utmost emotion, just the way all music should be. Once again, he just does the song disregarding the world around him. He gets into it and lives there. I love the incredible little solo he put together at the beginning, which streams beautifully into the stripped down version of the Oasis classic! Make sure you check out his other Oasis covers, as well as the tutorials if you're a guitarist and you don't know the songs yet.
Now, I've gotta admit, I've really had a good look around Pete's channel, but I can't find any originals unfortunately. He must be hoarding them somewhere. I certainly hope he gets some out there soon. In any case, I'll close the article on Pete with my all time favourite cover of his. Because of the whole vibe of the video, the technicality and simplicity with which he plays it and the beauty of the song itself. Here's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (The Beatles). Thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iItkBDLFUX0
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. Firstly, I'd like to wish you all a good month and secondly, I've been having a Smiths week! I must have listened to The Queen Is Dead at least 5 times the other day and seem to have picked up "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out." I covered the serenely, disturbing song a couple days ago and then found myself roaming through endless other covers of it. Surprisingly, most of them were pretty good! I usually have to dig through a bunch of videos to find a real gem. Nevertheless, Gina's cover of the song blew my mind. Performed with what seems to be an electric ukulele, Gina's cover stuck in my mind. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTdp3XdZg0M
It's the definition of beauty isn't it? Who knew the Smiths would sound so good on an ukulele. Gina is loyal to the tune, in that she keeps the original melody. However, she keeps it rather laid back and emphasises the sweet side of the song. The overall simplicity of the cover attracts me, but something about the chemistry of Gina's voice against the electric ukulele is absolutely stunning. Probably one of the best covers of "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" that I've seen, alongside Anthony Hill.
Now, if you're not convinced that you have to subscribe to Gina Almaguer you must be nuts! But in any case, amuse me and let me take another stab at it. She's got a bunch of great covers available on her channel including one of a personal favourite of mine called "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" (Creedence Clearwater Revival). I always felt bad that CCR never got to number one with one of their songs. People always covered their songs and took them to number one though, so that's pretty cool. Anyways, have a listen to Gina's cover!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYzVc4dERuE
Awesome! If that doesn't brighten your day, I don't know what will. Gina's a ray of sunshine, that's for sure. Her approach to this CCR classic was just right. Nothing fancy, but nothing less than perfect. She keeps that strong rhythm going and surfs on it with her melodic voice. And I personally love the fact that it's a black and white video. Once in a while I wish that all Youtube videos were black and white for a day.
Now aside from the great covers, Gina's got some incredible originals that you can check out on her channel! I caught a glimpse of a song called "Knowing" earlier on and am listening to it as I write. The song is such a blend of influences that I can seem to put my finger on it. What I can say though, is that it is unique. I certainly wish I had an album of her songs. She sounds like an incredible songwriter! Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back tomorrow for an important announcement and check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jUAApdbIi0
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. She's actually live on Ustream as I write, and it just occurred to me that I haven't written about her yet. She's loveable, incredible and magic to watch. I must admit that after seeing her play an intimate acoustic set at Richmond, The American International University in London in October, 2010, her videos just don't compare. Hannah is one of those artists who have that electricity live. But, nonetheless, she's got a Youtube channel, so I'm writing about her! The first video of her that I came across when I looked her up was of Bruno Mars' "Talking To The Moon" of his debut album a couple years ago. It's a great little cover. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLkfjkuBRls
Sweet, isn't it? Hannah's voice definitely overrides her guitar playing, but as with most artists, her playing style compliments her vocals stunningly well. This stripped down, unplugged version of one of my personal favourite Mars songs (besides "Moonshine" of his more recent album) also exhibits what a fantastic songwriter Mars is. A couple chords and some simple lyrics make for the best songs! And Hannah's approach to the song is just perfect. It's not over the top or anything, it's laid back and simple, just the way it should be. So many times artists try to "do too much" with a song, whether it's an original or a cover. It's sort of like cooking. A lot of the time the simplest recipes are the best.
Now, if you dug that, make sure you subscribe to Hannah's Youtube channel, check her out on Facebook and all that cool stuff. If not, give me another chance to prove that she's great. You must have noticed that the previous video is about two years old, so here's something a little more recent that I love. It's a cover of Ed Sheeran's "Give Me Love." I must admit that I love the fact that although Hannah's overall style has changed a bit, she's still holding onto that blue Yamaha. I was thinking of getting one myself back in October, 2010 but ended up buying a Fender acoustic instead, which I fell in love with. Anyways, enough with me. Listen to Hannah doing this song justice!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpiwYsA6RG4
Big difference, right? The improvement is great, but Hannah's still got that sweet passion to her that she had back in 2010 when I saw her. There's a certain quality to her voice that I like. It's definitely in the pop genre, but there's an alternative twist in there that really turns me on. Singers who try to sing "properly" all the time forget what it's really about, which is making sounds for people to enjoy. I mean, think of James Brown. He went against the musical system by creating music that couldn't be written into a typical format. Anyways, I'm babbling now. That was a great cover!
So, if you're not convinced that Hannah is great yet, I'd definitely recommend that you give her originals a chance first. When I saw her back in 2010, after I finished up my short set at Richmond, I wasn't really impressed until I heard her do an original. And that's the way it always is with me. A person can do the best cover ever and it still won't get to me as much as an original. And though the original I played that day ("Whiskey In The Cave") was far different than hers, I appreciated hers a lot. So, check this recent original out and if you love it, check out her songs that are available online. Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoYf56R_aW8
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. I came across this one via Daisy Howard, who liked her cover of "Heart Shaped Box" (Nirvana) a couple days ago and proceeded to do her own cover of Nirvana's masterpiece. I covered the song myself a year or two ago, thought I'm considering re-doing it. It's one of those songs that is ever so magical, and though there a lot of people who feel the song is "overplayed", I defend it the way I always do. It's overplayed for a reason! In any case, there are a bunch of fantastic covers available online including Daisy Howard's, but for now check out Nadya's eery yet stunning cover!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frl2Va1vks8
Beautiful, isn't it? She's got a deep, full sound to her voice, yet she hits those high notes ever so gracefully. There's an almost Amy Lee quality to her voice, yet combined with a nearly jazzy tone that just adds to "Heart Shaped Box", a song that seems to be fantastic in any form. Her light, scratchy guitar playing compliments her round voice fantastically. Many Cobain fanatics would point out that "That's not how Cobain would do it!" but any Nirvana lover would know that the more variety in Nirvana's song covers, the better!
Now, if you liked that, make sure you subscribe to Nadya's channel. If not, trust me, Nadya's a fantastically diverse musician. Unfortunately, I haven't come across any originals of hers, but, her variety of covers really got to me. This next cover is of Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why". I've grown to love the song but must admit I didn't used to since my mom played it at home every single day. In any case, great song and a great cover of it. Have a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWxUAEAeeJg
Stunningly diverse voice there. Seems almost like a different person from "Heart Shaped Box", yet she makes it her own, taking on a softer version of the voice heard in the previous cover. She definitely resembles Norah Jones in this one, yet maintains the originality of her own style. Gentle guitar plucking makes for a perfect combination against her soothing, soulful voice.
Still not convinced? Well, I was surprised when I saw that she covered this song, but once again, she did it in her own, unique way. I think I actually like the song more this way (not that I listened to it all that much, or at all, before). You've got no idea what I'm talking about soon enough. In any case, enjoy, and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g88uTo6FkvM
Alex Hamel
It's about time I wrote about a great bassist on the blog. This one caught my eye quite some time ago, while looking up bass covers of "Killing In The Name" (Rage Against The Machine). I was surprised to find a blonde haired hipster girl rocking the bass as if it were part of her body. What pleased me even more was the fact that she was playing a Flea Bass (a line of basses run by the epic Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Balzary, better known as "Flea"). Needless to say, I subscribed to her channel, but somehow, it never crossed my mind to write about a bassist until recently. She's incredible, and she'll blow your mind. Trust me. Check her out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eduhHXZXWSk
She's got a great groove doesn't she? She's definitely got the look of a great bassist (though I can't say what it is that gives her that look, except the bass, maybe). She's got a great tone, incredible rhythm and would be an incredible addition to any lucky band out there. What I love most is how laid back she is about the whole thing. As I said previously, she makes the bass seem as if it were a part of her, which is just what any musician should be doing. Beautiful to see.
Now, if you haven't already subscribed to Alysha's channel, I urge you to do so...right away...before you forget. She's got an extensive list of incredible bass covers. I've pretty much seen all of them, but a couple stand out to me. One that I love is of a personal favourite of mine, "Storm In A Teacup" (Red Hot Chili Peppers). It blows my mind every time. Keep your eyes and ears open for the improvements!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHUzAFCcugY
Stunning playing, right? I listen to this cover every so often and pray to the universe that I will have the honour of playing with a bassist of Alysha's calibre in the future. Now, I should have said this earlier but better late than never. Make sure you are wearing good earphones! There is no comparison sound-wise. Alysha's speed, strength and understanding of the bass evolved beautifully since her early covers, and quality playing deserves quality listening. Remember that.
So, put aside those "words of wisdom" I just came up with and listen to one of Alysha's originals. She's got a couple available on her channel (which you better have subscribed to by now), and one in particular really gets me. It's rather recent and it's called "Calm". Like a ball of energy, this song grows within itself and magnetises the listener into itself. Beautiful, and worth repeating. Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another great artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hwUqNYJeG0
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I've got another incredible artist for you! Earlier this afternoon I was sitting around, with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (Pink Floyd) on full blast and couldn't resist to pick up my guitar and start jamming away. It's one of those tracks that lets you fly on its wings. A tribute to the legendary Syd Barrett, the song is one of the many examples of Roger Waters' writing genius and Gilmour's incredible supernatural ability to create a psychedelic aura around a song. Anyways, you know it's an amazing song, and if you don't, you should! I came across Sylwia when looking up covers of the song. I loved her, and she loves Pink Floyd! Check her out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkDaaSqQfhE
Incredible stuff, right? Her tone is absolutely beautiful, as is the fluidity with which she plays. You can definitely hear Gilmour's influence in there as she stops and starts between the fluid bits, pushing those strings up into eternity. She did a great job here, though I'd be terribly intrigued to see/hear her do a full cover of the song. It's a massive song, but time seems to stop when you play it. I've listened to it many a time and thought afterwards "Where did the time go?"
So, if you loved that, you should subscribe to Sylwia's channel and check her out on Facebook too. She's got a page, that's highly under appreciated, but let's change that. She's got a bunch of great Pink Floyd guitar covers on her channel, that any guitar enthusiast should love. Another favourite of mine is off the same album as "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", and is of course a song I've covered numerous times myself, "Wish You Were Here" Pink Floyd. Her cover is harmonious, simple and a perfect reflection of the recording itself. It's great to sing along to, since she hasn't got any vocals on it. Have a listen and...have a sing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZPxcyEHHQs
Brilliant. She does the song justice, and reinforces my desire for a Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic. I was looking at the 12 string myself, but the 6 string sounds fantastic too. In any case, brilliant cover, and that sweet, warm tone of her Stratocaster just pulls it altogether. Though, the lack of vocals make me wonder what her voice is like. "Wish You Were Here" is such an honest song that it doesn't take a fabulous voice to bring it to life. I think Sylwia might sound incredible singing the song that everybody loves.
Now, although I tend to bring up an original of the artist's at this point, I didn't find any originals of hers on her Youtube channel. She might have a couple hiding here and there, but they're not on Youtube. But, what I will share with you is another Pink Floyd cover, since I'm enjoying it so much. This one isn't off the "Wish You Were Here" album, but off the 1980 masterpiece that is "The Wall." Just a reminder, Roger Waters is currently on tour doing this one, so if you can catch, please do. He's an incredible man, and Sylwia is an incredible girl, with her mouth watering solo cover of "Comfortably Numb." So, enjoy this and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! You rock! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfvQevEuymU
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I'm still going through my Oasis thing. I never really got into Oasis before, so they definitely deserve my time, though I still hold it against Noel for commenting rudely on Kurt Cobain's suicide. You just don't do that, it's like Keith Richards commenting rudely on John Lennon's suicide. Anyways, this week's artist has got a fantastic cover of Oasis' "Supersonic". It's down to earth, as is she, though she pulls you in with her mesmerisingly simple cover. Nothing fancy, but just right! Great style too! Check her out.
Great isn't it? I just love it when a person just does the song. I don't think anyone quite does songs like George Possley, who's nearing Danny McEvoy when it comes to upload rates, but this girl is definitely good. Not a flaw in her style, and nothing fancy either. She's the kind of performer I'd love to sit and listen to in a bar. Simple, and easy.
Now, let me just remind you to subscribe to her channel and also check out her Facebook page, which is highly unappreciated. You can definitely see she's put a lot of thought and time into it. She's got a bunch of other great covers on Youtube, including one of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven." I must admit, I was never a massive Cure listener, but there's definitely a uniqueness to them and their style. So, here's this girls' brilliant take on it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhff0gnR0rQ
Sweet stuff. It definitely takes on a nature of its own when done acoustic, and her French tainted accent gives a beautiful edge to the song. Once again, her style flows through the song and her guitar playing is precise yet raw, in a sort of Cobain manner, that I always appreciate. I'd honestly love to say a thousand things about this girl, whose channel is blowing my mind as I write, but in this case, I think it's best you discover it for yourself.
One thing I will say, is that she's got an original that drew me right in. Entitled "In Your Nightmares", it's a song that I'd love to cover some time. Keep an eye out for that. I might do it. Until then, I hope she uploads a couple more eery yet pleasureful songs like that. Brilliant, eery yet loveable! Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists and reading on! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQglBPIWJuQ
Alex Hamel
It's that time of week, and I've got another fantastic Youtube artist for you! I came across this guy earlier today when looking up covers of Oasis' "Don't Look Back In Anger." I've been going through an Oasis thing this past week, and although I used to really admire Noel Gallagher and dislike Liam Gallagher, I've found that the feelings have changed now. Ever since I saw Noel Gallagher put down Kurt Cobain in an interview, ever so disrespectfully, I got turned off his personality. However, Liam's "Whatever" approach to everything, seems almost comical to me. He's a cartoon, a caricature, which makes for a fabulous rock n' roller, who genuinely doesn't care. I wonder how "Don't Look Back In Anger" would sound with his vocal on it. I guess we'll never know. However, Evan's cover is smooth, soulful, and I know you'll love it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPZfpiqwv8A
Brilliant, isn't it? Evan's crooner like cover really takes the song into a different dimension, allowing the listener to stand back and really take in those lyrics that Noel beautifully crafted (despite his disrespectful Cobain comment). It's definitely not what I was looking for, but I guess fate brought me his way. It's almost as if Jason Mraz decided to cover the song. I didn't imagine it would sound this good with that style, but I was wrong, it's great!
So, if you loved that cover, make sure you subscribe to Evan's Youtube channel, and "like" his Facebook page, which recently surpassed 1000! He's got a bunch of a stunning little covers on his channel, as well as some great originals, which you can check out on his album "The World Will Move Along" (available on iTunes). Another cover of his that caught my ear, because is suited him perfectly was of Burt Bacharach's "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head." Have a listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENZDqEy9CqM
He really does that song justice! Some songs just suit people like a glove and that is definitely one for Evan! The sound of the ukulele also compliments his voice beautifully. Quite different from my rather dynamic style of singing, he treats his voice like a finely tuned instrument that's as delicate as a feather. It's great that there are some many different sounds in the sea of artists, and that the each can appreciate the other!
Now, regarding his originals, I actually like them more than his covers. One that really grabbed me is called "I Want You More." It still holds that delicate, jazzy style of his but incorporates an almost Tom Waits - like melody. If you've ever listened to "Chocolate Jesus", you know what I mean. In any case, this original's a treat and I'm definite you'll enjoy it! Thanks again for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndfE39slFVg
Alex Hamel
It's that time of week and I've got another fantastic artist for all of you. I felt like finding a real down to earth guy today, who just does the songs the way they're meant to be. No added effects, backing vocals and so on. Just a guy who plays the songs brilliantly. And luckily, after about two minutes of listening to Oasis covers, I came across Ollie Bryan doing a raw, acoustic version of their masterpiece "Hello." I loved it and I know you will too, so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLDiSL2IipQ
Great stuff, right? When I saw that this video was from back in 2010 I was worried he might have stopped posting but luckily he keeps on going, and you can check him out on Facebook, Twitter etc. He's an active musician. And what about that cover? He does it in a very "Noel" way, which suits him terribly. And though he may not have done it intentionally his shadow against the wall adds a certain eeriness to the song that I love. As for the guitar, he's doing Noel justice with that smooth sounding tone and easy strumming.
So, if you dug that cover, make sure you subscribe to his Youtube channel, check him out on Facebook and all the rest. He's got a bunch of covers that are just great. Another one that caught my ear (and my eye, since he grew up), is of the Killers' "Mr. Brightside." I might have heard that song every night while working at The Bull in Richmond back in 2010 but I'm still not crazy about it. Nevertheless, this acoustic rendition is stunning and I think you'll agree with me. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psK-pnpffnY
Aside from the fact that Ollie's grown up, he's evolved as a musician. The texture of his voice just developed tremendously, as did his guitar style. It all glues together and makes for a beautiful performance that would capture anyone's ear at a gig! I've got to say that I love it when artists stick to their passion and really don't give up. Even the ones who make it. Some people think that making it means they can kick back and relax, but honestly, why? If you love music, you gotta keep at it and I respect this guy for doing just that!
Now, I never mentioned that Ollie is a fantastic songwriter. He's got a bunch of stunning little ditties on his channel that you can browse through and check out. There's definitely a lot of John Mayer/Jason Mraz in that original stuff. A song of his that stood out to me is called "Quite Like Jane." Like a lot of artists, Ollie shines most when playing originals. So, make sure you have a good listen and enjoy his bright and cool style that flows throughout his music. Thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pJNnb92cb4
Alex Hamel
It's that time of the week and I've got another fantastic artist for you. I hope you haven't been too lonely without the daily posts, but remember, if you do come across an incredible artist that I haven't written about here, feel free to send them my way! Now, I came across today's artist, while surfing across Youtube after posting last week's artist. I almost wanted to post her right away, because I loved her sound so much, but decided to hold on until Thursday. I don't want to confuse you guys. I actually came across Krista in a suggestion box beside my cover of "Cryin'" by Aerosmith. Needless to say, I think her cover is far superior to mine and I'm loving that pure telecaster sound she's got against her epic voice. Check this out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GQgZOCnYIE
Brilliant! She's got that full sounding voice that just sounds incredible when she goes for those high notes. And she's doesn't hold back that growl either, and I love that. As for that stunning Telecaster, I love how countrified the song becomes when played alone on it. It definitely compliments Krista's unique tone and works beautifully for this Aerosmith classic. There's not much more I can say on this, except can you imagine how amazing this would sound if Krista had the equipment certain other artists have (e.g. Boyce Avenue, Christina Grimmie)? I only hope she gets the chance to create videos like that some day.
Now, I obviously subscribed right away, because, I love Aerosmith, and I loved her cover. But, if you're not convinced that you need to subscribe to Krista's channel, give me a little more time. She's got tons of great covers, as well as some neat originals, that I'll get to later. Another cover that caught my ear was of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." The song's been covered countless times but I never tire of hearing it. Krista's soulful sound is almost reminiscent of Shakira's Unplugged session back in the late 90's here. Have a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--oR5Uokcng
Beautiful cover. I really love it. And I've got to say that microphone does a great job capturing the essence of Krista's guitar and vocal. Though, something tells me she'd be incredible to see live. I'd definitely go see her if I ever had the opportunity. As opposed to Dolly's high and crystal clear vocals, Krista's got more bass in her voice, as well as that sweet crackle that shows up every now and then. All I can say is that her sound has a whole lot of personality that I'm loving, and I hope you're loving it too!
Now, regarding her originals, I came across a song of hers called "Hazard" that she recorded in a studio. It really gives us the opportunity to peer into the corners of her voice that is so captivating and emotional. It also proves that she's more than a performer, she's a fantastic songwriter. So, if you love this as much as I do, I urge you to subscribe to her and check her out on Facebook! And thanks for supporting Youtube's artists. Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjnzpoFomno
Alex Hamel
It's that time of week. I was surfing around Youtube's waves today after playing guitar for a couple hours, and just got lost in Pixies covers. I'd been strumming away that addictive bass line that makes up the masterpiece that is "Gouge Away." So, needless to say, James Wade, covered that song too. He did it brilliantly and infused his acoustic cover with raw, grungy energy that is just what the song requires. He definitely sucked me into his world and I hope you'll let him do the same to you. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzQYWjE3zO0
Fantastic isn't it? Raw energy and pure passion. So many times I come across fantastic Youtube artists and think "This is just great, but why aren't they letting go?" James does just that. He lets go and doesn't leave room for logic. It's all about emotion and is a fantastic tribute to the incredible band that influenced so many alternative bands to come along in the 90's. I mean, without the Pixies there'd be no "Smells Like Teen Spirit". And without "Smells Like Teen Spirit", who knows what the landscape of modern music would look like. I'm certainly glad the Pixies rocked the world with mysterious lyrics and a contrasting song style, that controlled itself like a ticking bomb, leading to an explosion on every verse. James just brought that song to life, the way its supposed to be done.
Now, James has got some great covers on his channels, as well as some valuable recordings of Eric Clapton performing a couple years ago. He's also the lead singer and guitarist in the punk blues band Tweak, which you can find and listen to on Facebook. They're quite good and have some great originals, that you can check out by going to their page or website. Now, regarding other covers on James' Youtube channel, he's got another one that really stood out to me. I covered the song at a gig last week and had so much fun doing it unplugged. Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" bridges the gap between rock and funk and is essential for any guitar lover. Check out James' masterful cover!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztEqR86mj5o
Great stuff. James' style is one that I just love. He combines precise, stunning sounds with a messy overall grungy approach that is just bursting with power. And I mean, how can you hold back when you're playing such a sexy riff as in "Voodoo Child"? That sort of guitar playing influenced so many guitarists to come, including my personal favourites, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic). Bringing that sort of raw, animalistic Hendrix guitar playing to an acoustic level really gives the song a whole different dimension, which I love.
At this point in the blog, I usually talk about the artist's original. As mentioned before, he's got some originals together with his band, and lucky for us, he's got some incredible covers and originals his Souncloud, which I seriously recommend checking out. An orchestral piece he put together himself entitled "The Secret" is just magical and a must for any John Williams fan. There's definitely a lot of influence in there. Check him out and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist!
https://soundcloud.com/jamatopia/the-secret
Alex Hamel
It's a sunny afternoon here in Mykonos and it's that time of week! I began surfing across Youtube's waves keeping my ears open, looking for another fantastic artist to add to our collection. After about twenty minutes, I came across something incredible. I just couldn't believe I hadn't written about this guy yet and got right on it. He's got a lot of incredible covers, as well as a good amount of stunning originals, that I'll share with you a little later. Let me share the first video I came across. It's a cover of Coldplay's "Yellow," and although I'm not a big fan of the band, I have to admit, Jeremy did this song more than justice in that incredible alternate tuning. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE6bhqkhqao
Beautiful, isn't it? I actually like it more than in that alternate tuning, and admit, I have never tried it before, but I'll be re-tuning my guitar any minute now to check that out. Aside from that great guitar sound, Jeremy's voice has such a silky, smooth texture, but also contains a very indie/alternative sound. I can definitely see similarities between his and Chris Martin's voice, though after seeing more of his covers, I've got to say, he's got a very flexible sound. I don't quite mean that he's got a massive range, but rather that he can fit his voice into any song.
So, I hope you enjoyed that, and if you did I urge you to subscribe to Jeremy's channel, and check out more of his covers as well as his originals. But, if you're not quite impressed, let me share another cover of his with you. This one is of Oasis' "Live Forever." Jeremy seems to be a big Oasis fan, as he has numerous covers, that he performs excellently. Once again, he's got that smooth sound going and actually reminds me of Noel Gallagher here (definitely not Liam.) Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWQ59DjQQ0I
Great stuff. Jeremy's one of those great performers who just is. He doesn't turn on his camera and put on a whole persona or act any sort of way. He seems to be very relaxed and very real. I think that's why so many of his fans seem to appreciate him so much. Listening to the cover again, I can really say that Jeremy connects to the songs he sings and chooses them wisely. So many times, people come up to me and say "Why don't you cover this or that?", and if I say "I don't think so." they seem almost offended. Well, I only do songs that I can relate to or actually understand on a deeper level and I feel that Jeremy does exactly the same. He chooses songs that make sense to him, and I respect him for that!
Now, let's get to the important stuff, his originals. He's got a bunch, but one that stood out to me was from way back in 2007. The song is called "Hopefully" and has to do with his ex-girlfriend. It really differs from his covers in that Jeremy' personality manages to come through really clearly. On top of that, by looking back in time, you can get a look at how Jeremy has evolved over time. With that baseball cap, and that sound, I'm getting a real Jason Mraz feel here. So, I hope you enjoy it and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJY0RCQErMM
Alex Hamel
Hello to all the readers! So, it's time for our 101st artist. I've been thinking about it the past few days and just wanted someone who had real substance. And, I've come to deliver. Today's artist is Katrina Marie, a quirky Youtube artist whose voice is strong and gentle, mature yet young, and always full of emotion. She's a perfect artist to start off the second hundred artists on the blog. I could have written about someone overproduced, someone completely raw and stripped down, but Katrina Marie compromises everything and creates a blend of personalities in her music. I first came across her doing an enchanting cover of Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose," a song that remains timeless. So many have covered it, yet I love how each person infuses their personality into it. Strangely, when you first see Katrina talking, she comes across as a fun loving, young woman, yet the moment she lets those singing notes out, she somehow gains a whole lot of maturity. Seriously. Just listen to her without looking at her and you'll see what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhpBLH2jpf0
Brilliant! As I said, she could deceive anyone as being an incredibly experienced and mature vocalist when you're not looking at her. You would never guess she is actually quite young. I got a Celine Dion feel in her voice that's rich in texture and flexible beyond measure. When she hits those high notes, she keeps that deep tone that just hits me so perfectly. And when she gets those bassy notes going, she somehow balances it off as well. Overall, I think that's the perfect word for Katrina Marie. She's got balance in every aspect. She balances logic and emotion into the song, tones, speed, as well as production. I must say that the sound quality is brilliant considering how real it is.
Now, for those who aren't massive fans of "La Vie En Rose," which I would rate as one of the top hundred songs of the past century, she's got some more recent song covers that I'm definite you'd enjoy. One that caught my ear is of The Zutons' "Valerie," which was also covered by the incredible Amy Winehouse. I covered the song a lot a couple years ago and just loved all the directions you could take with it. Katrina Marie definitely follows a Winehouse inspired direction but infuses the cover with a certain pace that is so representative of Katrina's emotion based covers. Love it. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQijZHj_3zg
What a great cover. There's something so real about it and almost laid back, due to Katrina Marie's pacing of the song. What's great about her approach is that it gives you time to focus on the lyrics rather than just get lost in the catchy melody. I mean, we all love the Zutons energetic version and Amy's even more energetic version, but getting a feel for new directions is just a fantastic thing to be exposed to. So, I've got to say, I'm so thankful Katrina uploaded this cover and just wish so many more people would get their covers and originals out there.
Now, regarding originals, Katrina Marie's got a bunch, and actually has released her debut album to iTunes. It's just so fantastic that artists can get their music online and out to the masses so easily nowadays. I mean, I recorded my album during a live show and produced it at home. From there, I just got it onto iTunes and just couldn't believe how easy it is. Anyways, I'll get to that another time. Let's get down to originals. Make sure you check out a few of her originals, because I truly feel that Katrina Marie shines most when she's doing her original material. It's certainly the case with most singer/songwriters. A song that I immediately fell in love with is called "Gimme Sugar." No, it's not because it combines the titles of two of my favorite Rolling Stones tracks, but because its fun, funky and real. I checked out the fully fledged version and its also great, but you know me, I like my music raw and stripped down. So, check out this brilliant track and thanks for supporting Youtube's artists! Check back next Thursday for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9suZTzODINc
Alex Hamel
Hello to all the readers out there! It's been a little over three months since I started this blog and over the course of one hundred days, I wrote about one hundred artists. During a long period of unemployment, and being "banned" from playing gigs in Trikala, Greece, after speaking up against the managers of a certain bar at the end of January for not sticking to their agreements, Youtube's artists have kept me going and opened my eyes to a whole lotta love. Since I started the blog, I took a trip to Rome, Naples and Capri, passing through Athens to do so, and moved down to my home island of Mykonos on April 1st, a little over a week after I nearly got beat up by some guys in Trikala. And despite the moving, not being able to perform in front of people and not having much cash to live on, I didn't miss a day. I couldn't! I mean, how could you miss a day, when there's so many incredible artists available on Youtube, and you've got the time to really appreciate them.
Luckily, I'm back to performing, now that I'm in Mykonos and despite my recent MacBook crash, I'll be back to business, uploading videos and staying involved as soon as I get a new one. I've decided that from now on, I'll be featuring one artist per week. That gives me a little more time to really appreciate them, rather than giving them a few hours on the day and let me really give you details, that I wish I could do every day. But, of course, juggling an administrative job, my music, and my photography, amongst other things, I can't do that right now. Maybe in the future...time will tell. But for now, it's one fantastic artist per week.
I started the blog off because I'd been looking up covers of songs on Youtube for ages. But, most of the time I ignored the artist's originals. A really stupid thing to do. And, who opened my eyes to it? None other than the incredible Orla Gartland. One fine day, Youtube recommended "Sixteen," by Orla Gartland to me but I thought "No, I'll check it later." The typical response. Next thing I know, I sign on to Facebook and three of my friends have shared "Sixteen" by Orla Gartland. Friends, who never shared any sort of Youtube video before. So, I thought "There must be something great here." And there was. A masterpiece of a song, that I considered to be a one off. But, I was wrong. Song after song, Orla came up with more memorable melodies and lyrics that tell magnetizing stories. I was hooked.
After Orla blew me away, I had to go back to every artist I heard on Youtube and listen to their originals. Needless to say, I was blown away by what I had missed out on. From Ortopilot, to Danny McEvoy and everyone in-between, I kept finding more and more Youtube artists who weren't getting as much attention with their originals, though they were great. In my mind, I had found hidden treasures. I started obsessing with Youtube's artists and looked for the most unrecognized artists out there. But, looking for them was hard, they were buried beneath covers upon covers of songs (particularly Bob Dylan covers). Nevertheless, playing gigs around London helped. I met tons of artists who earned my respect and enjoyed a lot of time around really inspired people, such as Jay Stapley and The Manic Shine. But the big shock came one night in February, 2012. I was invited to play at The Troubadour, in London, and went along, as if it were any other gig. I met a couple artists who thought they were too good for this world and felt confident about putting myself up against their performances. Yet, one of the performers, a singer/songwriter like myself, was sitting quietly in the corner, sipping a glass of water. I walked over to him and said "Hi." That was all we said before the gig. He was on before me. I sat there and watched as this guy magnetized the room with his electricity. A raspy, unique sound emerged from him as he played the guitar as if it were a part of his body. For once, I thought to myself "I do not want to follow this guy. I don't know if I can." I loved the feeling, I loved being around such inspirational people. And, in any way possible, I tried to get my friends to listen to Matt Woods, who caught me by surprise.
And so, I keep trying to get people to listen through the blog. From people I heard in London, to people I found on Youtube, to a recommendation I got from a friend, I can't resist but share these artists inspiration with each other, and with everyone out there looking for something new. And through doing so, I've gotten to know some fantastic people. Danny McEvoy, who has a heart of gold, opened up to me and told me tales of his existence as a musician. He taunted me with his favorite chords and his unease with songs of the 90's. George Possley, similarly, warmed my heart with his attitude towards life, and towards his guitars, his loves. Some artists, gave me thrills, simply by responding to me and appreciating my appreciation for their appreciation of music. Did you follow that? I mean, artists I truly admire and get motivated by, respond with a simple click. How cannot want to continue writing when I get so much out of it and when it gives people something new to listen to? How can I not appreciate all the artistry and time that goes into Youtube? I can't resist but continue. So, from now on, I'll be sharing a fantastic Youtube artist with you every Thursday and looking out for anyone who's got a sound that turns me on. It's not your voice, your performance, the quality of your sound/video or any of that. It's how much you love it. It's how much you are one with it. Here's to the artists, and here's to you!
Alex Hamel
Well, first off, I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading the blog and am happy to announce that Toree and Ben are the 100th artist featured on the blog. Some days are hard, some days are incredibly easy, but I'm so happy that I continue to find incredible musical talent on Youtube every day. I came across Toree and Ben quite some time ago but wanted to save her for a special post, because she really sings her heart out. I first found her doing a cover of Janis Joplin's "Piece Of My Heart," alongside an incredible guitarist called Ben Cooper. So, here's to Youtube's Underground Music Scene reaching 100 incredible artist, with this incredible cover! Enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2kYh9bXqNU
Gives me chills every time I hear it. Toree McGee calls herself a "jack of all trades" on her Facebook page and I wouldn't venture to disagree with her. Her vocals are so clear and accurate, and if you check out her other videos, you'll hear how much variety she's got. I mean, she's got a deep soulful side to her, but she nails those high, edgy notes seemingly effortlessly. It's a beautiful thing to watch, especially alongside a guitarist as talented as Ben Cooper. I can definitely hear some Hendrix influence in there.
So, you must have loved that cover. If you did as much as I do, make sure you subscribe to her Youtube Channel and "like" her Facebook page, which is written up underneath most of her videos. A video that I really dug was also done alongside Ben Cooper. "Dream On" by Aerosmith, a song that I personally fell in love with during my first of University, back in London. The song came on in a Youtube playlist I was listening to, while writing an essay at about 4:30 AM. With the rays of sun creeping over into London that morning, I must have listened to the legendary rock anthem a hundred times. Toree once again, nails this one, gliding along Ben's sweet guitar playing. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icvRO1dI17Y
Incredible stuff. What I can't help noticing is that Toree and Ben's cover has less views than mine, though theirs is technically way above what I did. It just goes to show that views aren't everything. Sometimes a person with one thousand views, or even five views, is so much more electrifying than another with one million views! But in this day and age, if you look something hard enough, you'll find it and equally, if you want to get your sound out there, you can do it. Look at how many Youtube artists have done so. Anyways, that was an incredible cover, I hope you agree.
Now, while I usually write about one cover around this time, today, I'm going to feature another cover of Ben and Toree's. That's not to say they don't have originals, but to say that their covers are so great, I just can't get enough of them. Their cover of "Welcome To The Jungle" (Guns n Roses), seems such an appropriate song for the amount of incredible artists on Youtube. So, welcome to the jungle, and check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK3matl8XBY
Alex Hamel
Earlier today I put up a poll on Facebook regarding people's favourite guitar solos. I added about fifteen options and left it open to others to add to it. Surprisingly, "Nothing Else Matters' came out second on the list, with "Stairway To Heaven" (Led Zeppelin), in first place. I decided to look up a couple covers of the song but didn't find something particularly incredible. So, I decided to look up covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way." Surprisingly, an incredible artist who goes by the name Lissie, had a cover of it, as well as a cover of "Nothing Else Matters." I assumed that I better write about this girl. She's incredible. Check out her cover of "Nothing Else Matters."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ia9N9MdSa0
Brilliant! From the performance, to the audio/video quality, it's flawless. Lissie balances between a smooth soul vocal and a harsh, rocking voice, which is perfect for the song. I never really got into the song, but I must say that the guitar tone on this version is so appealing. It's almost surf-rock like, and with a female vocal on top of it, it takes on a completely different edge. It's almost as if Lana del Rey meets Kurt Cobain here with Lissie. Beautiful stuff.
Now, I obviously subscribed to her channel and would urge you to do the same. I mean, if you're not a massive Metallica fan, then have a listen to her cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way." It's much smoother and definitely Stevie Nicks infused. On top of the great performance, it's even more polished than her cover of "Nothing Else Matters" if you can imagine that. Together with some brilliant musicians, Lissie has that deep, emotional sound Stevie Nicks brought up back then. Have a listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OltcXMV-9Vk
Love that one. It's probably one of my favourite Fleetwood Mac tracks after "Man Of The World", which featured the founding genius, Peter Green. But, I've got to admit, Stevie Nicks was such an essential part of that band in its evolution and I love the fact that Lissie chose to cover this track. She definitely gave it all she had emotionally, and restrained herself from really pushing on her vocal chords in the beginning. It stunningly grows as you listen, and is enhanced by that electric guitar. On that note, not enough can be said about her band. They really know what they're doing.
Now, aside from those beautiful covers, Lissie has some fantastic originals, including one that caught my ear called "When I'm Alone." It's stripped down, raw and realistic at first and grows into a fully fledged song. It really gives you an idea about who she is and seems to incorporate a bunch of influences. It's one of those songs I could imagine a pop fan listening to, or a hard rock fan listening to. I know I've been clicking "repeat" again and again over here, so I hope you enjoy it too. Don't forget to subscribe to Lissie's channel and "like" her Facebook page for updates! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G0_eN36QVc
Alex Hamel
So, I was listening to "Unorthodox Jukebox" (Bruno Mars) again today and thinking about how much it reminds me of Prince and Michael Jackson. Not saying that it isn't a great album, but the influence is so clear. A song called "When I Was Your Man" (Bruno Mars), almost reminded me of "She's Out Of My Life" (Michael Jackson). Nevertheless, it's a great tune and I decided to check out some covers on Youtube. And of course, by doing so, I came across an incredible artist called Robbie Jay. This skinny guy's got a voice that's so full of soul and passion that I could sit and listen all day. Check out this sweet cover of his.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw_Ih2LcACs
Great, isn't it? Now, with Robbie's cover you can really hear that Michael Jackson influence! Something about the way Robbie accents his lyrics and hits notes is so reminiscent of him. However, he does have something incredibly unique about him, including his look and style. Overall, it's a brilliant cover, that led me to subscribe to his channel, which I'd advise you to do as well! This guy knows what he's doing and his channel looks awesome too.
He's got a good deal of covers on his channel, including one of Jason Mraz's "Living In The Moment." Off his album "Love Is A Four Letter Word," I felt this song was so underrated and was shocked to find this incredible singer/songwriter covering it. So often, you come across people covering people's "greatest hits", and by doing missing out on what might be their more inspired songs. So, I've got to say, Robbie's a genius for really listening to the artists he likes, not just the hits. There's some advice to you too. Listen to each and every song by your favourite artists. They'd appreciate it. And I'd appreciate it if you checked out this awesome cover now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_76wBd8o60w
Love how Robbie made this song his own. With his melodic and sweet voice, he gives the song a funkier sound, almost hitting a reggae edge with that guitar rhythm underneath it all. And, besides the stunning performance, you've got to give this guy credit for giving us the most simple, raw and realistic cover he could. No overdubs, no crazy editing. Just one acoustic guitar, and one beautiful voice. If you don't dig this guy's sound, you must be crazy, but hey, to each his/her own. I like Robbie's sound!
So, this R&B soaked singer/songwriter doesn't just cover some beautiful tunes, he writes a bunch too. An original entitled "Summer Skin" can be heard on his channel's homepage and just oozes with inspiration and stunning influences. You can hear Mraz, Mayer and Mars in there, as well some classic Prince, which I'm loving. I mean, think back to "When You Were Mine" (Prince) and all those tracks. I can imagine this song being on the radio at that time. There's a timeless sound to Prince, and Robbie's got that same timeless sound too. Lucky him, and lucky us! So, don't forget to subscribe to his channel and "like" his Facebook page for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/user/r0bbiejayy
Alex Hamel
Another day, another fantastic artist. Today's find is an incredible instrumentalist and vocalist called Alex Goot. And, although I suspect some of his vocals may be autotuned, he does a hell of a job putting his videos together. A recent upload covering Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer", really got me listening to all the details and production of the piece, rather than the vocals/guitar, which I tend to focus on. And, as stated on his channel, all the performance/production is done by him, so here's to Alex Goot for being an incredibly performer/producer. Check out this brilliant cover of "Living On A Prayer."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJyRN1BekI
Really great stuff. I can't imagine how much time it takes Alex to put this stuff together, but he certainly pays attention to detail, production-wise. Many times people focus merely on an artist's performance and ignore the whole production aspect of the creation. So, for this reason I think Alex Goot definitely deserves some credit, and obviously is massively successful. So, I definitely advise you to be one of his many, many subscribers.
He's got a bunch of great covers up there, including the 90's classic "Wonderwall" (Oasis). I don't know how many times I've heard this song covered but it's one of those songs that leads people into a sea of other songs. I know for instance that "Wonderwall" (Oasis), "Californication" (RHCP), and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana) opened the gates to a world of indie/alternative rock for me. And with such a polished, refreshing sound, I'm definite that Alex Goot could lead future indie/alternative rock fans to treasures of Oasis, Nirvana, Blur, Beck and so many more. Here's his cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXjrbhr2mIU
Nice sound to that one, although I'm not an advocate of autotuning. Once again, the production aspect of the song is incredible and the sound is crystal clear. I'd definitely love it if Alex Goot produced some stuff for me. So, my point with Alex, is that he's more than a performer, and a singer. He's an overall musician who gets involved with all aspects of creativity and music. So, I do respect that he knows what he's doing and chooses based on his own preferences. Like Keith Richards produced certain Rolling Stones songs in a particularly rough scratchy way, or Jimi Hendrix wanted to blow out most of his songs, Alex enjoys this shiny, clean sound for his songs. I admire an artist who knows how to produce their own songs. I took a stab at it with my live/demo album last year and loved having control of my sound. So, here's advice to all musicians out there, get behind the production of your songs!
Now, more than his covers, I think people will appreciate Alex's originals. An original entitled "Lightning", has got quite a lot of attention on Youtube and sounds like the kind of songs that would fit perfectly into the pop scene of today. It's not typically what I would write about, but here's to the variety of talented and hard working Youtube artists out there. Don't forget to subscribe to Alex's channel and "like" his Facebook page. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxVDUE3D8_4
Alex Hamel
Hello to all the readers out there. It's been a cloudy day here in Mykonos today and perfect for surfing around Youtube. I was looking up covers of Janis Joplin's "Me & Bobby McGee", when I stumbled upon an incredibly Pink-like cover by Lauren Tate. Her vocals are incredibly influenced by Pink, but the fact that she's only about sixteen years old (fifteen in the video) has got me hopeful that in time she'll find an incredibly unique sound. She's definitely got the skill to do that and a great taste in music. Also featured in a lot of her videos are the Bankrupt Brothers, who I'll get to later. For now, check out this mind-blowing cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plu2rQE6MmM
Incredible voice and the fact that she manages to split her attention with the guitar is great too. Lauren's definitely got a certain age to her voice and I'm looking forward to hearing how it's going to mature in years to come. I mean, when you come across such a young, talented and passionate artist, all you can hope is that the passion will stay strong and that they'll continue to evolve as creators. So, I'm incredibly happy I came across Lauren today. She's brought a lot of sunshine to a cloudy day.
I obviously subscribed to her channel and found her Facebook page, which you too can find by looking up her name. She's got a bunch of great covers up on her channel, including one of Led Zeppelin's masterpiece "Whole Lotta Love." Backed up by the funky Bankrupt Brothers, Lauren has the opportunity to focus on her vocals in this one, leaving Jimmy Paige's genius up to the Bankrupt Brothers. I've pulled the song out of the bag many a time when doing acoustic gigs. It's something people don't expect to hear unplugged. It's such a great song though. Listen to this breathtaking cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7DeHxmdKuQ
Brilliant, right? Combining electric and acoustic grooves seems to create such a beautiful base for Lauren's very raw voice. Robert Plant seems like a perfect fit for Lauren's flexible yet crunchy sound that gives you the impression she's much older than she actually is. And as for the Bankrupt Brothers I love the fact that they seemed to have so much fun with it. I mean, that's what it's about. Why play guitar? Cause at the very least you'll have a lot of fun and at the best you might make a living at it.
But, back to the incredibly talented Lauren Tate. I haven't come across any originals of hers on Youtube, but did find a cover album taster you can check out. Together with the Bankrupt Brothers (who also produced the album), Lauren's got some great covers on this one. So, check this one out and don't forget to subscribe to her channel and "like" her Facebook page. And let's hope she gets on those originals soon! I'm sure she's already written a few (or more). Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2uNfFlLr_g
Alex Hamel
Good week to all you readers out there! Today I was messin' about with a couple Sublime songs and decided to look up some covers of "Santeria". I'd done it before but I must have forgotten Terra Naomi, who does a fantastic, lively version of the Sublime classic. With a smooth, jazzy voice, she's backed up by some extremely talented friends. It's an unplugged session that you've got to see and look out for all the quirkiness in this brilliant group. Here's to Sublime and a great cover of "Santeria!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV2lC_ksAqU
Great stuff! They blend together like a tasty recipe. I was actually trying to figure out what she seems to be drinking at the start of the video. I think it's Baileys, which used to be my favourite drink. Anyways, what more can I say? These guys did the song justice and that solo was done so eloquently on that acoustic guitar. Brilliant tone, brilliant sound, great beat, jazzy voice. They've got it all.
Now, don't make the same mistake as me. I realised that I never clicked "Subscribe" when I came across Terra Naomi last time. So, make sure you subscribe and if you feel like it "like" the Facebook page too. All you've got to do is look up "Terra Naomi." She's got a bunch of great covers, including one of "Red Dirt Girl" (Emmylou Harris). Emmylou is a personal favourite of mine in the country genre and the song fits Terra Naomi like a glove. Have a listen to this stunning cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mot2GR-XUp0
Really love that. Something so calming about that melody yet those lyrics can pull you real deep. And I think it was great that she gave that introduction, discussing the song briefly. It just made it so much more personal than just running into the song (as I do most of the time). I actually got a real feel of a Rolling Stones' acoustic guitar in there but that's probably because they're so incredibly influenced by country. In any case, what a great cover. It's great when I come across such gems.
Now, I was surprised to see that Terra Naomi's got more views on some of her originals than her covers. Really a breath of fresh air since most Youtubers tend to focus on the covers and push originals aside. An incredibly successful original of hers is entitled "Say It's Possible". Infused with passion, a unique voice and an energy that reaches into the listener's heart, this song is the kind of thing I could listen to again and again. So, seriously, check this one out. She's incredible. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARHyRI9_NB4
Alex Hamel
Hello to all the readers out there! Thanks for supporting Youtube's artists. Today's find of mine is Kelsey Snowdon. Strangely, I found this fabulous artist while looking up covers of Avril Lavigne's "Complicated". I hadn't heard the song in years and remember I actually used to really like it. Something about the simplicity of it. And Kelsey's cover carries that same base. A simple, straightforward rhythm and melody that could probably get annoying listening. Even if you're not a massive Avril fan, check this out. Kelsey's great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvV7cO5KKiE
Really nice cover. There's something particular about her voice that I really like. Something changes up when she reaches those high notes, and I actually noticed in her other videos too. Very unique, very easy to listen to. As for the videos, I love the fact that there seems to be a happy sleeping cat right behind her most of the time. It just adds to the whole vibe of the thing. Overall, I felt that the song suited her like a glove and I really like the tone of her voice. It's not typical and that's what makes it magic.
So, if you did love that, make sure you subscribe to her channel and check out her Facebook page. If not, stick with me a while longer. She's got some more great covers, including of David Gueta's "Titanium", which I also recently covered. She sings it a lot differently than I do, and hits those high notes with that particular of hers that I already love. I'm not sure if her cat's loving it though. Check it out and look out for the cat's reactions!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_O2xzp8BVg
I don't know if I should be looking at Kelsey or her cat who seems to be annoyed at the interruption of his nap. Anyways, great cat aside, I loved the cover. There's something really piercing about her high notes and they give the song a whole different feel. What I also liked was the fact that she upped the tempo after the first chorus. She definitely made that work and that can be hard to pull off. The backing vocals also added to the track and were done beautifully. It can be frustrating getting those right, especially if you're a perfectionist. Not saying she is, but it looks like she putts a lot of effort into those videos.
Now, unfortunately...Kelsey's cat doesn't feature in the original I'd like to share with you. But, it's worth it because it's quite moving. A very melodic song with a quiet rhythm caught my ear amongst her originals, which you can go through on her channel (which you should have subscribed to by now). The song is entitled "Magic" and has some great lyrics which you can read below the video. I'm just amazed how many fantastic artists I've come across so far and hope that I can keep writing about great artists for a while. Some days are frustrating, but it's people like Kelsey that pull me through. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83uX49jU8bw
Alex Hamel
I hope all you readers are having a great day today and I'd just like to thank you for reading and supporting Youtube's artists. It occurred to me last night that I'd never looked up covers of "Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak). I always felt that Chris Isaak was tremendously underrated, but that "Wicked Game" was not fully representative of what he does. Nevertheless, it's a beautiful song and I came across a stunning cover by a girl called Ainjel Emme. This girl's guitar tone was just stunning and her voice gave me goosebumps. I won't go on about it and tease you. Here's the link, so listen for yourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNtNdXzc1_U
Incredible, isn't it? Though I don't come across it often I love the sound of a well balanced electric guitar against a voice, and a female voice at that. In contrast to the original, empowered by Chris Isaak's booming voice, Ainjel infuses the song with a Lana del Rey like vocal. Of course, Lana del Rey wasn't big at the time of this cover, so Ainjel's drawing her influence from somewhere else. Overall, there's a haunting, yet sweet, familiar sound to her that I think is incredible.
So, as always, I'm going to advise you to subscribe to Ainjel's Youtube channel. However, if you're not convinced that she's fantastic yet, just give her another chance with another of hers. And may I just say aside from her covers, she's got some fabulous originals, that I'll get to later. Right, so the cover I wanted to share with you is of the Beatles' anthem "All You Need Is Love". This Lennon empowered track is covered brilliantly but Ainjel and her friends in the most hippie like fashion. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_oV_EVt2k
Great stuff! I've got to say whoever filmed that must have had a hard time trying to get everyone equally. It just seems like they all had a great time and that's what makes this cover so good. I can't imagine how they managed to pull this off because according to Ainjel they didn't really rehearse it. I mean, I never rehearse anything myself and nor did I rehearse much when I was in a duo, but with so many people I guess you have to base it purely on emotion and connection. That's why I really felt this was an honest and fantastic cover.
Now, regarding her originals which I brought up earlier, I came across a song of hers entitled "Straight To Hell". With a name like that you'd expect some real heavy guitar and incredibly depressing lyrics. However, the song rings in a bright acoustic guitar and a Stevie Nicks like vocal. And accompanied by a smooth voiced man, I really feel that any Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks fan has to listen to this. Incredible track. So, please do subscribe to Ainjel's channel and feel free to "like" her Facebook page which you can find by looking up her name. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0lMKACUukI
Alex Hamel
