Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tom Meny : Great Sound & Great Quality

So, after writing about that incredible Brazilian Youtube girl yesterday, Marie Martins, I decided to look back to a couple Springsteen covers. By chance, I found another brilliant "I'm On Fire" (Bruce Springsteen) cover, although quite different from Jasmine Commerce's version. Tom Meny's cover is from "way back" in 2007. What's quite surprising about the cover is that although it sounds brilliant and full with his vocal & guitar track alone, he's brought in a bunch of "background" instruments that really add to the feel of it. It's the kind of thing that blends in, and I really dig it. Have a listen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPWabq7FBNU

Great, right? He did pretty well with those harmonies too. I'm curious how long it took him to put together that kind of thing back in 2007. With his more recent covers, I'm guessing he uses iMovie, since I see the same "titles" that I use in my videos. I remember trying to put things together with Windows Movie Maker back in 2007 and taking a day doing things that take about an hour now. So, here's to iMovie and all the artists who make Youtube videos through it nowadays!

A more recent cover of Tom's is of "Gravity" by John Mayer. Uploaded a little over a year ago, this cover has impressive sound quality and an incredibly crisp guitar sound. Tom's vocal melts over the guitar line perfectly. He seems to be the kind of guy who really works his songs and gets them really smooth. I mean, my obvious questions to him would be regarding his guitar, guitar strings, playing style etc. But, truly, its his voice that make his cover and originals addictive. Check this one out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5pihPT5xyo

Another great one. Having watched that again now, I'm curious what microphone he's using in the cover. All I can say is that it must take him hours to layer those tracks and work on the sound. Too many people don't notice all the work Youtube artists put into the video/audio recording and editing aspect. It's not all about the great performance but about the amount of effort and quality that the artist brings to the table. And I have to say that Tom brings a fantastic performance and fantastic quality to his videos!

So, now that you've taken the time to listen to his covers, I'd suggest you'd subscribe to his channel for updates and so on, and/or check out his Facebook page. He has an original album available on iTunes that I took a look at via his Facebook page, and I really dug it. He's got some nice tunes on there, some of which you can check out on his Youtube channel. One song that jumped out at me is called "Think Twice". It's not your typical song and seems to be almost the opposite of a love song, although the melody may have that certain ring to it. I personally felt as if it were the sarcastic response to Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". In any case, it's a great song, so take your time to have a listen. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLlRyBy3E_Y

Alex Hamel

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Marie Martins : Brazilian Youtube Star

Well, I decided to take a chance writing about a fantastic Brazilian Youtube artist I came across a little over a year ago. She goes by the incredibly catchy name "Marie Martins" and has a voice to die for, quite honestly. I first stumbled upon her Youtube channel when looking up a couple covers of Brazilian songs. Probably the most commercial of them being "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" by Michel Telo. If you haven't heard it, definitely check it out. It's incredibly catchy and easy to listen to. But, I was truly curious if the song might sound better stripped down and raw. I honestly feel that it does sound astoundingly good when done simply with an acoustic guitar. And above that, Marie's smooth and sensual voice just glides over the guitar. So, if you haven't heard the song, take a chance and enjoy it. If you have heard it, I think you'll agree that it sounds fabulous when taken down to one guitar, and one voice. Here's Marie Martins covering "Ai Se Eu Te Pego".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-msHFn9Xgy0

Love it. Despite the low quality of the recording, I feel that the sound of her voice came through clear enough to figure out that she's incredibly talented. Sometimes I see artists starting out with these massively produced videos that hide everything about them. Not quite the same if you started small and became successful, I'm talking about those "newbies" who think that the video/audio quality will save them. I say no way! One voice, one acoustic guitar and a simple recording do not lie. If people love hearing you like that, they'll love you forever.

Aside from the great Brazilian tracks that Marie covers, she does a lot of English (language) songs. Now, some might say "stick to what you know" or "perform in your own language", but I think that she's incredibly brave to go ahead with it. Not only that, but her accent just draws people in. Kind of like Shakira with that "Laundry Service" album. She didn't pronounce everything perfectly, but it just sounded magical. The same thing happens with Marie. For me, it was when I heard her cover of John Lennon's "Imagine". A song that is always appropriate and magical in its own way. Here's Marie's version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJfPrMpwWko

Good stuff! The simplicity and raw sound of her guitar give it a very honest sound. And her very particular vocal tone adds a certain feel to the song. I think every Youtube artist should cover "Imagine", really. Personality, sound and feeling all come through on it and really shine on the uniqueness of each individuality. I have to say...I applaud Marie's song choice. 

Usually at this point in the blog I write about the artist's original material, but unfortunately, I haven't found any. Nevertheless, it was Marie's birthday today, March 30th, and I found it appropriate to venture over to Brazil's sounds for a while. I certainly hope she gives us some original material soon, because I have a feeling she's holding it back. I'm curious what her original sound is like. But until then, I guess I'll share her cover of "Pumped Up Kicks" with you, since I uploaded my own version of the song today. Really great song, and love the sound of it with a deep female voice. Don't forget to subscribe to her youtube channel and check her out on Facebook! Here's to Marie Martins & Brazil! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQcTgWVDsdY


Alex Hamel

Friday, March 29, 2013

Miracles Of Modern Science : Band Name Says It All

Well, first of all I'd like to thank everyone who has been e-mailing me birthday wishes. But, let's get to the music. I was surfing around Youtube again today when I came across the most incredible orchestral band I've ever seen. They go by the name of Miracles Of Modern Science, and even if you hate science, you'll love them. I know I do and I only came across them a couple hours ago. They will truly blow your mind. I decided to record my own humble cover of "Pumped Up Kicks" (Foster The People) this afternoon and proceeded to check out hundreds of covers available on Youtube. From raw and stripped down performances to overloaded performances, I found all sorts. But, I didn't see or hear anything compared to what Miracles Of Modern Science did with the track. Let's see how you feel about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpJEuQkw9cQ

Love it! Big band in a small room. I honestly can't imagine how much practice it took for them to get the song so tight. Whoever recorded the video/audio is a genius too. Great editing there. Evan Younger (double bass/vocals) truly took me by surprise. Rockin' the double bass while singing is definitely a challenge. Sort of reminded me of Sting rocking out there. But it could be the double bass by his side. The other members of the band are Josh Hirshfeld (mandolin, vocals), Kieran Ledwidge (violin), Geoff McDonald (cello) and the glue that puts it all together, Tyler Pines (drums). All I can say is that if you watched and listened to the whole thing, you will probably agree that there is not one weak link there. They are all extremely talented and great to watch.

I obviously subscribed to their channel, like you probably did, or are about to do, and went through the rest of their videos. I was thrilled to find a cover of the Smiths' "This Charming Man". I had a Smiths night the other night and listened to them for about four or five hours. And although Morrissey is an incredible lyricist, I always felt that its his melodically voice that drives me to listen to the Smiths again and again. So, this cover that Miracles Of Modern Science put together really showed off that melody. It's a treat to hear this 80's anthem transcribed to their instruments. Have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Oe-Di7lfY

Although Geoff (cello) doesn't make an appearance in the video, and there aren't any vocals, I truly appreciated the cover. Josh really shows off on the mandolin and definitely has the chops to do it. I guess when I think of rock and mandolins, I immediately think of R.E.M. but after this I'll be thinking of Miracles Of Modern Science!

Another reason I'll be thinking of Miracles Of Modern Science is because they've got some fascinating original material out there for us. They've got a great video up for one of their compositions, entitled "Eating Me Alive". They've definitely got something unique with their sound, yet are so reminiscent of sounds of the past. I could say they remind me of Foster The People, R.E.M., The Smiths, Dexys Midnight Runners, Apocalyptica and so many others. Nevertheless, what I will say, with more certainty is that these guys have got something original, great and beautiful together. They make breathtaking videos, groundbreaking sounds and they are a band I, and many others (see Youtube comments), would love to see live! Definitely a band to keep an eye out for! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI8SoWxphHc

Alex Hamel

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Lauren Aquilina : Heart Of Gold

So, I was surfing across the Youtube waves this evening when I came across the lovely sounds of Lauren Aquilina. I actually came across an original of hers first, which I loved but I'll talk about later. Aside from doing the obvious and subscribing to her channel, I decided to go to an old cover of hers. Possibly the first, but I could be mistaken. It was a cover of Radiohead's "Creep", and it blew me away, despite how gently she approached the song. What I love most is the fact that there is a clear distinction between the time that she's not playing, and the time that she is playing the song. To start off she's just a girl, and the minute she touches those keys she turns into this force of nature. Like the breeze slipping through our fingers, Lauren's voice naturally slips out of her charming lips, as her fingers make love to the piano keys. Well, maybe not everyone would put it that way, but it's a damn good cover. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3spV5KaBm4

Honestly, love it! It takes on a whole different feel when it's done on keyboards. Guitars make it sound quite frustrated and edgy but the keys make it sound ever so personal and lost, really. I really think it's great and I can definitely see that the personal and lost style, is one that Lauren embraces throughout her videos. Maybe that's how her fans relate to her. Just maybe...

Well, moving along, I went through all her videos and really enjoyed everything. Unless you haven't done the same yet, I suggest you subscribe to her channel and check out her Facebook page for updates. If you're lucky you might catch her live somewhere in the U.K. this September, although her London and Leeds dates are already sold out. Just like the magnificent Orla Gartland, Lauren's got a lot of devoted listeners and she treats them right. Beyond giving them great things to listen to, she's got something to say. Here's a little vlog she put together the other day regarding her thoughts on beauty, amongst other things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmc09XlXjSI

I wish more people would speak up like that. Not just the artsy types, but everyone. Because everyone has thoughts running around their head, that they're probably dying to share with the world but they bottle them up. And after all that bottling up, they need to go to a therapist or something of the sort to let it all out for a fee, when all the world wants is to hear your opinion. People may say "I don't want to hear it." but honestly, I guarantee you there is someone out there who really does want to hear it. Well there, Lauren's got me going now. If you feel the same way, please get out there and voice your opinion today. On anything that's been on your mind. I mean, we're in this thing called life together and people like Lauren really add to the unity of it all. Wish more people would speak up.

Back to the music now. The first song I heard by Lauren Aquilina is called "Wanderlust" and it's magical. The lyrics, the melody, the video...the whole aura of the thing is brilliant. What's great about it is that it's obvious that Lauren pours her actual emotions and thoughts into the song, rather than just trying to please her audience. Certain lyrics seem to ring out more than others, but for me the vocal melody is more magical than anything else. The sections of the song in which she sings, without lyrics, seem to be so raw and emotional. I love it and I know you will too! Make sure you read the information under the video too. Once again Lauren's doing something for a good cause. I'm so glad I came across this gem of an artist and will definitely be listening for what's next. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WefROG2BGUo

Alex Hamel

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Brian Kingsley : Funky, Country, Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Earlier today, I recorded a couple covers to put up on Youtube. One of the Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun" and one of Prince's "When You Were Mine". Probably my favourite track of his 1980 album "Dirty Mind". I was considering his classic "Little Red Corvette" but decided to save it for a later date. So, after getting my covers uploaded, I looked around Youtube for other Prince covers and came across a really good cover of "Little Red Corvette". With an incredible smooth guitar sound and powerful vocal, Brian Kingsley creeped into my ears and soul. Well, yeah it sounds a little weird when said that way but really, it was a great cover. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV6G5KdaGrc

Brilliant. Brian definitely added his own touch to it, which I like. I truly am curious how he managed to record his guitar with such a smooth sound. So many times you get the little "scratchy", metallic sounds in the recordings. Really great sound, and really great rendition. Although a lot of Prince's stuff gets pulled off Youtube, I'm glad that the covers stay. Prince is an absolute genius of a musician, who is said to play twenty seven instruments. But, I guess what I admire most in him is the songwriter. He writes songs that can be played so many different ways, by so many different people and sound great. Cyndi Lauper did it with "When You Were Mine", Sinead O'Connor did it with "Nothing Compares 2 U" and Brian just did it with "Little Red Corvette". Great stuff.

After watching that great cover, I subscribed to Brian's channel (just like you should have done), and went through the rest of his videos. There's some great covers up there and I was happy to see he had a great Michael Jackson cover beside his "Little Red Corvette" cover. I have to admit, my mind was blown by two things. How great his cover was and why it didn't have more views. Once in a while you come across a gem of a cover on Youtube and it hasn't been recognised. Well, a little more often than once in a while. But let's change that, shall we? Listen to this very personal approach to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjXNkvSbViM

Love it! Once again, he's got that beautifully smooth guitar sound and a strong, but controlled vocal on top of it. What I like about it is the contrast between the styles he's mixing. Bringing together a singer/songwriter - folk sound with a funky guitar line can be incredible, and I love doing it. Brian is definitely a master of bringing the funk to the folk. You know when one guy (or girl) with a guitar can make you want to dance, that is just great! Incredible rhythmical force behind Brian.

Aside from the great covers, Brian's got some brilliant originals that you can listen to on Youtube. One that caught my ear is called "She's Gone". Quite different from his covers of M.J. and Prince, I got a real country feel from this song. Nevertheless, I got a taste of those early 90's alternative rock MTV unplugged sessions with bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. It's definitely something I'd like to listen to more than once and will be downloading as soon as I finish this post. You can download the song too, from Brian's Reverbnation. Don't forget to check out his Facebook page for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-tE2arijk

Alex Hamel

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Hilary Grist : Restrained Emotion & Gentle Touch

I really have to thank my friend Matt for this one. When asking him to have a listen to my recent experimental demo last night, he sent me an original of Hilary's called "Swallow Me Up". I answered back saying "I hope you're not trying to tell me something with this." I can't bare but give into my dirty mind, but anyways, I listened to Hilary and loved it. She's got a real gentle voice and fine musical skill, that I'm sure took years of practice. She's got a certain perfection that some people strive towards for lifetimes. All the pieces fall into place with her covers and originals, and an example of such elegance and perfection is her cover of Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me". Have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whfk9LvY838

Great one. Almost meditative in her approach, and I have to give credit to Mike Southwarth for making a simple and brilliant video. I'm tempted to compare her to Sarah McLachlan with that performance, although Hilary seems to pull back with her style. By saying that I mean, she's incredibly gentle vocally, and in her playing technique. But, who am I to talk about technique? All I can say is that it's great and I like it. I certainly got a hint of Sinead O'Connor in there too.

So, now that you've heard a great cover by Hilary (and subscribed to her channel), let me tell you a little about "Swallow Me Up". If your mind is as bad as mine, you'll probably get the wrong idea about this song. But, for those of you out there suffering from dirty mindedness, let me help you out. There's nothing you can do about it, and why would you want to? It makes life more interesting. Aside from being an unintentional double entendre, the song is a perfect representation of Hilary's songwriting style and approach to performing. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp6nPuCBdGo

Love it. I am curious what the inspiration behind the song was though. What I really like about Hilary's style is that although she comes across as having a sea of emotional depth, her vocals are almost detached from the emotion. That's not to say her vocals are dry and emotionless, but rather she gives her songs a certain mystery by restraining herself from collapsing or going crazy with the song. While some artists go and "show off" what they can do with a piece of wood in their hands (guitar), or scream their lungs out, Hilary's simplicity is ever so appealing. I think when the time is right, Hilary will show off. But for now, simplicity is her key to the music.

Another original of Hilary's that I've been listen to today is called "A Little While". Almost childlike in its sound, Hilary's voice breaks the bouncy piano tone in half. Almost reminiscent of Radiohead's "No Surprises", Hilary's certainly got a very unique style about her. There's something so bittersweet about her songs, leaving a trail of mysteries in my mind. I think you're going to like this one. Don't forget to check out her Facebook for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj8VTiEet5I

Alex Hamel

Monday, March 25, 2013

Bryn Oldfield : Raspy, Crunchy & Addictive

Well, I was thinking about doing a cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California" today. I'd seen a good deal of covers of the song on Youtube before but, once again I took off on a search of covers. And, in doing so I came across the incredibly talented Bryn Oldfield. Hailing from Redruth, Cornwall, this guy's approach to covering songs and writing originals is great. His cover of "Dani California" is different from most in that he doesn't really spit out the lyrics the way Anthony Kiedis does. It's almost as if the lyrics spill from his mouth, leaving a hint of smoothness in the air. With his raspy, and gentle approach, the song takes on a whole new life. Have a listen and see for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJybkcIWlI

Great isn't it? As much as I love the song incorporated with Frusciante mind-blowing guitar playing techniques, the way Bryn strips it down to the simple chords, underneath his deeply raspy vocals gives it a different edge. I would say it reminds me of Jeff Buckley and Damien Rice a little, but it's not the sound, it's the feeling. He's definitely one of those artists you'd like to see live.

He gives me that feeling even more so in a very recent cover of Stereophonics' "Maybe Tomorrow". I'm always reminded what a great song this is, and now I'm leaning towards covering that, instead of "Dani California" today. It's the sort of song that you can stand in front of a massive crowd with one guitar and feel confident. I'm certain that Bryn could pull it off. His cover of the song truly resembles the original but is once altered to his very particular vocals. I can't quite put my finger on what it reminds me of, but all I can say, is that it works, and I like it. I think you'll dig this cover too. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WT_GfH3Pw0

Great sound. He's certainly got an aura about him. and his song choices are just right for that sort of sound. He seems to be one of those artists you want to see doing an intimate unplugged gig. Nevertheless, I'm sure he'd be great in front of a massive audience too. Let's hope he manages that someday, because he's got some great originals too.

One of the originals that grew on me is called "More Than Self". I'm a massive Pearl Jam fan, and something about that song reminded me of the band's earlier works. Maybe it's the bouncy bass line, Bryn's crunchy voice or the whole feel of it. After listening to it a few times, I can definitely see Bryn fronting a band some day. There's truly not much I can say except it's a great song, and Bryn's certainly got a good deal of "tricks" up his sleeve. Looking forward to hearing more of him in the future. Don't forget to subscribe to his channel and check out his Facebook page for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reRdzjTHdDQ

Alex Hamel

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Anthony Hill : Creative Indie Singer/Songwriter

So, I was sitting around listening to The Smiths today and thinking about covering one of their songs. As I usually do, I began surfing around Youtube looking for covers. And while going over the sea of covers I came across a cover of The Smiths' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", by Anthony Hill. Anthony Hill just has a ring to it, doesn't it? Great name for an indie artist living in London. I'll have to seek him out when I return to London next year. He's definitely got a great sound about him. Check out the cover I'm talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13hYAE6wKCQ

Great cover, right? I personally feel that it was a courageous thing to do. It's a tough task taking on personal favourites. I noticed he did another version of the song more recently, much like I've done two version of "Under The Bridge". I guess his harshest judge is himself, in that it seems near "impossible" to cover a personal favourite. Nevertheless, you gotta acknowledge that this is a stunning cover of one of The Smith's masterpiece. Vocally, Anthony kills it (in a good way), and blends in with his scratchy guitar playing. Very indie, and very good.

Another cover that Anthony's done twice is of "Lonely Boy" by the Black Keys. As he said, if he tries hard, he might do it better. I certainly think he did it better than the first time and love the fact that he persists with the songs he loves. His voice works for the song just right, and the guitar is a lot less scratchy than the previous cover. Both are great, but the way Anthony develops in his covers is great. Check out this awesome cover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRjSPAS_7WI

Love the cover and really think Anthony's song covers are perfect for his overall style. He paints on the silence, not only with his very indie, singer/songwriter sound, but also with the attitude he takes towards music. The fact that he always seems to take on songs as if they are lions, and he's the gladiator going in for the fight is just great. His fear, that it might not come out right serves him well, in that each and every cover is great. And whenever, he re-covers a song, it has a great deal of difference from the original cover. Well, maybe not to someone who's not paying attention, but if you really listen, you'll see the difference.

Aside from his great covers, Anthony's got a good deal of creative originals on his channel. One that he uploaded rather recently, a couple months ago, really appealed to me. It's called "Dorothy" and it just screams "indie". However, having said that, it's almost jazzy. I could imagine it being a crooner tune, or a doo-wop track from the 50's. But, seeing as it's not the 50's, Anthony turns this flexible tune into a very modern song. I love it. Have a listen and don't forget to subscribe to Anthony's channel and check out his Facebook page for updates. Ever so talented. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hLMbGp1Fx0

Alex Hamel

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Bethany Jean Conroy : Haunting & Mysterious

Earlier this evening I decided to do a cover of David Bowie's "Starman". While waiting for it to uploaded I went about Youtube, looking around at other "Starman" covers when I stumbled on Bethany Jean Conroy. Starting with the scratchy, edgy acoustic guitar, I wasn't too sure how much I was going to like the cover. And initially I wasn't particularly impressed by Bethany's vocal either. But, within a few seconds she just drew me in. I thought it may be due to her black and white video, enhanced by her glaring eyes, but after listening to the track with my eyes closed for a while, I knew it was something more. Her look, her voice and her whole aura drew me into this haunting cover of "Starman". Have a listen to this and see how you feel about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rOPXg3F6a8

Strange, isn't it? It has something thrilling about it, and the simple approach Bethany takes to the song is only enhanced by how slowly she takes on each word and each chord. She definitely took it in a slightly different direction than most, but I really dug it. I think Bowie himself would do. I knew the song would sound good stripped down, but I never thought how haunting it could be until I felt Bethany's cover.

After I subscribed to her channel, which you should have done too, I went through a bunch of her covers. There were a lot of great ones there, but I guess the one that really caught my attention was of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", as performed by Jeff Buckley. She did the whole intro and everything on guitar, and once again had a certain something about her that could draw anyone in. I'd love to see her live, she seems the sort of artist that makes everyone shut up. Check out this stunning cover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45DTw7N4ezs

Beautiful, right? There's a certain dullness to her guitar strings that just gives her a really unique sound. Sounds just right for the song. Once again, really haunting, and once again Bethany's got that look, that sound and the feel to draw any conscious person in. One thing is for certain. Bethany's look and sound match up perfectly!

And, beyond her stunning, haunting and magnetic cover, Bethany writes originals that truly take your breath away. Maybe not in a very happy sort of way, but in a deeply frustrating sort of way. But that's not a bad thing. I always felt that music was medicine for the soul. You can definitely get addicted to something for too long, but if used correctly, medicine can cure you. Feeling sad, feeling blue? I think Bethany would be perfect for that. However, to contradict what I brought up previously, I always felt that when you indulge in "too much" of something, you break through into an alternate space creatively. I feel that is the case with Bethany, whose songs reflect so much of her soul. The song I'd love for you to have a listen to is called "You And Your Mind". Unfortunately, I was unable to find a page for her on Facebook but did come across a Myspace page you could check out. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHXL7ySJHBA

Alex Hamel

Friday, March 22, 2013

Dane Bryant Frazier : Man Of Many Instruments

So far, the only Youtube artist I've written about that doesn't sing was Kelly Rosenthal, who I called "Youtube's Guitar Hero", although together with the other two girls that made up Say Chance, there were vocals. Therefore, this is officially the first Youtube artist I'm writing about who doesn't feature vocals in his videos. That's not to say they are missing something...they are bursting with musical energy and Dane Bryant Frazier's soul. He expresses himself through instruments, particularly through the guitar and does so exquisitely. I came across him on Youtube quite recently, doing a cover of John Mayer's "Heart Of Life". It took me a while to realise he was playing every instrument in the video, but when I did, I subscribed immediately. Don't forget to do so yourself! Check out this mind-blowing cover!


Fantastic right? Well it did remind me a little of the "Sexy Sax Man" when he came in with that smooth saxophone, but putting that aside, it's a brilliant cover. The guitar tone is superb, and all the bits and pieces are in place. It's blatantly obvious that Dane is a perfectionist and probably notices "mistakes" that most others won't notice, but that's what makes all his covers and originals the best they can be. The video editing itself must take a lot of time, and this guy really puts his heart and soul into it.

As I was going through his list of covers I came across "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (Beatles). He's got a home made version, which is brilliant, but there is also a live version which I appreciated. When you see someone performing live, you really get a feel for how cool they can be on the spot. Some people are brilliant behind closed doors and once they're in front of a crowd, they freeze up. Well, that's definitely not the case for Dane, who's got everything under control at his gigs! Listen to this!


Great cover and loving the guitar tone. All I don't understand is why people are trying to talk over the music. Whatever happened to respecting the music? Nevertheless, what's great about this video is that anyone can see how much Dane works on his performance and still manages to have a lot of fun with it. He keeps his cool, and that's so incredibly important to live performances. And as for the guitar tone I'm getting a feel of Gilmour meets Slash, but that's just my ear. What does yours say?

Aside from his great covers, Dane's got a good deal of sweet originals uploaded to his channel. Some of them sound like they'd be perfect with a vocal on top, some sound like film scores and a couple sound incredibly experimental, which is great. One that really caught my ear is called "The Outside Wall", and the solos in it are quite reminiscent of Gilmour's solos in "The Wall". Nevertheless, there is something incredibly unique about it and I really dig it. I'm truly curious how Dane will evolve in his musical existence, and will definitely be keeping my ears open to his sweet sounds! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.


Alex Hamel

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Natalie Lungley & Matt Lungley : Another Great Songwriting Duo

Another day, another great Youtube artist uncovered here on Youtube's Underground Music Scene! I came across this beautiful duo a couple weeks ago and really dig their sound. Well, the Youtube channel is credited to Natalie Lungley, as is the Facebook page, but her musical partner in the videos, Matt Lungley seems to be such an important piece of the puzzle. Have you ever seen Jason Mraz do a performance without Toca Rivera beside him, or near him, and wonder why he's not there? Well, I'd feel the same way if I saw Natalie Lungley without Matt. Not to say she's not talented, but there's a certain chemistry, a certain sound that is just right when the two pair up.

The first of the duo's covers that I came across was of No Doubt's "Underneath It All". Strangely, the two credit it to "No Doubt - Gwen Stefani", although the song was recorded by No Doubt, and written by Gwen Stefani and Dave Stewart. There seems to be a trend for "erasing" the male companion's name in Natalie Lungley's music so far, but lets hope it's a simple slip up and not a case of LSD (Lead Singer Disorder). Have a listen to this sweet soulful cover the two created.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCBBGh1LHwQ

Stunningly smooth cover, much like the original. I love Matt's pulse on the guitar and Natalie's ability to sail across the waves with her very gentle vocals. It's the kind of thing that makes you stop, listen and forget the rest of the world. Great stuff!

The next cover of theirs that I came across was of The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony". Once again, the two cover it in a very smooth manner, almost reminiscent of the kind of thing Lana del Rey would do. Something about Matt's presence gets to me. Extremely stable and supportive. Perfect match for Natalie's very free style. In essence, these two have got something, that so many artists look for everyday. Have a listen to this beauty of a cover.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z-JeX5oZBw

Great cover of a great song. Needless to say, the lyrics are great, written by Ashcroft, of course, but the melody is purely Mick Jagger's and Keith Richard's. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Ashcroft plagiarised by using way too much of the Andrew Oldham Orchestra's version of "The Last Time". I believe the original negotiation was to use a sample of it, but Jagger/Richards argued that too much of the "sample" was used. I personally agree, because if you listen to the Orchestra version of "The Last Time", it's pretty much identical to "Bittersweet Symphony". Of course Mick & Keith should get credit, and royalties for it. Anyways, back to Natalie and Matt.

Aside from great covers, the two have put together some great originals. An original of theirs that's really grown on me is called "I'm Yours". Nothing like Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours". I'd say its quite reminiscent of Lana del Rey's style, so Lana fans, you must subscribe to their Youtube channel, and like their Facebook page! And, if you're not a Lana fan, and dig this, do it anyway. They've definitely got something great going, and the video for this song is just beautiful! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQQiCwuzX3k

Alex Hamel

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Rhodesbros : Pop Meets Rock Again

I came across this wonderful band this evening while scanning the Youtube "skyline" for great artists. Somehow I found myself watching a cover of Pearl Jam's "Porch" by the very talented Gareth Rhodes. I admit I wasn't sure how great the cover was going to be, because I was focusing on a strange little doll at the beginning of the video. I was pleasantly surprised that the cover was great and Gareth really poured his heart into it. His vocals didn't remind me of Eddie Vedder at all, but sort of reminded me of Andrew Wood, who was of course the frontman of Mother Love Bone, which later evolved into Pearl Jam. So, overall, a great cover with a very interesting feel to it. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwKbF8jLpKA

Brilliant! I have a feeling that Gareth's vocal style is rooted in Axl Rose's vocal style but I could mistaken. I personally got a real sense of Andrew Wood, who was a short lived star in the Seattle scene. Great stuff, and aside from the brilliant cover and great sound quality, I really dug the fact that Gareth uses the same earphones I use (Seinheiser HD 205). I'd recommend them to anyone who wants a really clear, strong sound for a great price. I've been blasting my head off with them for about a year and a half now and love them.

Moving on, I discovered Matthew Rhodes, through Gareth Rhodes. Making up the core of Rhodesbros, which I'll get to later, Matthew and Gareth have got a bunch of covers uploaded to Matthew's Youtube channel. One that jumped out at me immediately was a cover of Two Princes (Spin Doctors). It's such a great song, that really deserves to be covered more often. The two Rhodes cover this one in such a funky, smooth way that it's just irresistible. They've obviously got a great chemistry going with their vocals and rhythmic guitar playing. Have a listen to this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOeejelXmUA

Now, if you listened to that one to the end you probably caught the beautiful timing on the ending. I'm guessing these guys sit around for hours playing to each other and bouncing off each others ideas. It's every artist's dream to do that, so I must say I'm jealous they've got something so great going, but all will come in due time. Hopefully, these two will continue working together and making great music!

Which brings us to...Rhodesbros. Rhodesbros is a band consisting of Gareth Rhodes on lead/rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Matthew Rhodes on lead vocals and rhythm guitar accompanied by the very talented Thomas Rhodes on bass and backing vocals. The band quite recently set up a fresh Youtube channel, with one video of an original song. The video and the song are brilliant and I really dig it! I could use a whole album of songs like this one. It's sort of like modern pop met up with psychedelic sounds of the sixties and seventies. I love it! Guitarists, look out for Gareth Rhodes, this guy's got a tone that any one of us could drool over. I got a real feel of David Gilmour, Jimmy Page and Santana in there. And as for Matthew, he's definitely got a modern sound that a lot of people will be after. Check out their song "Who We Are", subscribe to their channel and make sure to check them out on Facebook for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfRyP0Lt38o

Alex Hamel

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Joseph Vincent : Sweet Beautiful Orgasmic Ear Candy

Well, if you've looked up "Bruno Mars Covers" on Youtube, you've probably come across Joseph Vincent before. But for those of you haven't come across this sweet voiced man, let me tell you how I came across him. When I started doing gigs with my good friend Anthony in the summer of 2010, a quarter to half of our gig was made up of Jason Mraz covers. And of course, I looked up as many versions of his songs as I could find. My favourite song of Jason's at the time, was "The Remedy", and when I looked up "The Remedy Acoustic Cover", Joseph Vincent's was the first cover to appear. And this guy truly deserves the recognition he's gotten over the years, including "Youtube Artist of The Year" in 2010. Here's his cover of "The Remedy" that blew my mind in 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kvxLAce87k

Great cover! There's a certain feel to "The Remedy" that can get anyone's blood pumping, whether you're into rock, pop, hip hop or any other kind of music. I must say, I really appreciated Jason Mraz's reggae version of the song at Farm Aid 2010. Now, Joseph's version is ever so smooth and thus representative of Joseph's overall style. His guitar playing is smooth, his singing is smooth and his songwriting is pretty damn smooth too, but I'll tell you more about that later.

A year after I heard his great cover of Jason Mraz's "The Remedy", I was looking up Bruno Mars covers, after a friend suggested I try a couple of his songs. Once again, Joseph's cover of "Grenade" was the first result I got. This time, with a great sounding video, Joseph showed Bruno Mars' masterpiece a lot of respect. Rhythmic guitar playing mixed with his clean, smooth voice make his cover the best "Grenade" cover I've ever seen. What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsuHD3jriAU

Love it! And aside from that great Bruno Mars cover, Joseph's got a bunch of great Mars covers that you'll probably like too. I'm quite fond of his more recent cover of "When I Was Your Man" off Bruno Mars' "Unorthodox Jukebox", as well as an older cover of "Talking To The Moon", off Bruno Mars' "Doo-Wops & Hooligans". Joseph Vincent's musical style seems quite comparable to the light sounds of Bruno Mars, and Jason Mraz, amongst others, as well as John Mayer.

So, if you're into that sort of sound, you'll love Joseph Vincent's original stuff. He describes his genre on his Facebook page as "Sweet beautiful orgasmic ear candy", and who wouldn't want to listen to that? A song of his that I really like the sound of is called "Blue Skies", which he uploaded to his Youtube account (which you should have subscribed to by now), on December 6th, 2012. I personally got a strong Jason Mraz feel from the song, and if you've listened to Mraz's "Love Is A Four Letter Word" album, I'm sure you'll agree. Nevertheless, Joseph brings something truly unique to his songs, which is why he's gotten so much love and support over the years. Enjoy this "Sweet beautiful orgasmic ear candy" song of Joseph's! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSkkBDNs85s

Alex Hamel

Monday, March 18, 2013

Hudson Taylor : Songwriting Brothers

These guys are great. I've been wanting to write about them for a while now, but was waiting for the right day to do it. I don't know why today is the right day, but anyway, Hudson Taylor! I believe these fine young men are called Harry and Alfie, Hudson Taylor being their surname. Once again, I'm writing about fantastic singer/songwriters who hail from Dublin, Ireland, much like Orla Gartland, who drew me to their channel through a collaboration of theirs. Before going on about the very unique duo, check out the collaboration I'm talking about. It's a cover of Eminem's "Lose Yourself", combined with sections of Bon Iver's "Flume" and The Police's "Walking On The Moon".  Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDyIQtOCsgY

Love it! Hopefully you did too, even if you're not the biggest Eminem fan in the world. Aside from Hudson Taylor's stunning harmonies with Orla Gartland, and the funky guitar playing, I have to say I'm loving the background. Two very jazzy pieces pieces of art. Not too sure but I think one of them is Fats Domino, but I could mistaken. Anyways, back to the funky duo and Orla. What I love about Hudson Taylor is the fact that the two of them have such contrasting styles, whilst maintaining some sort of similarity. In essence, they complement each other perfectly. I just hope they're not one of those "brother bands" that end up fighting with each other. Not too sure who would win between the two, but I'm certain if Orla were there, she'd sort them out.

That cover was on Orla's channel, which you better have subscribed to by now! Moving on to Hudson Taylor's channel, there are a good deal of fantastic originals. One that stood out to me was uploaded on October 31st, 2012 and is called "Watchtower". I actually checked it out thinking it was a Bob Dylan cover, with a slight error in the title but I was mistaken, it's a fantastically crafted original. Somewhere in the comments beneath the video someone said there was some sort of Beatles influence on the song but I sort of disagree. It could definitely be compared to something Mumford & Sons would do, but I really felt a Simon & Garfunkel influence in the song. I could be wrong though. In any case, it's original, and it's good, and you should listen to it now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXw0HgPeX5o

It's so easy to get carried away with their melodic harmonies, but I urge you to listen to the lyrics which are so fabulously crafted. Once again the two of them have a sort of ying-yang thing going on but really complement each other. Two guitars and two voices sound richer than a huge band sometimes, and Hudson Taylor prove that point!

Another original of theirs that really grew on me, after hearing a couple versions of it is called "Chasing Rubies". It's one of those songs that draws you in from the moment you hear the title. There's something ever so curious about it and the eery ringing guitar line behind the verse just add to the mystery of it. Nevertheless, Harry & Alfie's harmonies draw you into the song once again and make you lose track of the lyrics, lose track of time and in some way, your mind. And just as their vocals have that great harmony going, their guitars have the same chemistry. So, have a listen and see if you lose your mind to this truly incredible song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XVhoeTPK2Y

Such a great song, on so many levels. I could say that I hear influences from so many artists from Simon & Garfunkel, to Mumford & Sons, to Peter Gabriel and so many others, but this song is truly so unique. I hope they keep bringing out gems like that one and "Watchtower" that blew me away when I heard it. And, I also hope you subscribed to their channel, and checked out their website and Facebook page and all that other cool stuff because they really deserve to be listened to, and...you deserve good music. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

Alex Hamel

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Castles In Air : Mysterious Yet Familiar Sounds

I came across this soul searching band about a year and a half ago while looking up "Help!" (Beatles) covers on Youtube. Two of the band's members, Chris Picco and Taylor Haenny put together a laid back cover of the timeless song. A very steady, dry drumbeat suppled by Taylor, combined with Chris' "painful" vocals and shaky guitar line make the cover quite unique. What do I mean by "painful"? I mean, he's got that kind of voice that sounds as if its creeping out of the depths of his tortured soul. A little like Thom Yorke, except, Chris seems to be more fun to be around. Anyways, check this fantastic cover out and judge for yourselves. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLBu4s3Q68Y

The song never gets old, despite the amount of times I've heard it,  despite how many covers of it I've heard and despite the amount of times I've covered it myself. I must admit though, that Castles In Air do it ever so elegantly. It's much simpler and smoother than the original, but sticks to the original format, particularly with that "jangly" guitar playing. Once again, I must say, Chris' voice makes the cover very unique, and almost eery.

Hopefully, you've subscribed to their channel by now and listened to a couple of their covers. If not, make sure you subscribe and listen to their cover of Mutemath's "Typical". It's such a great song that so many people don't know, or forget, and Castles In Air do it beautifully. This time, with all four members of the band, which includes the previously unseen, unheard and unmentioned Joshua Dunn and Andrew Hock, the sound has a lot more edge to it. Despite the lack of an electric guitar in the cover, Chris is leading the jam with his haunting voice and "jangly" guitar playing. In essence, the cover's got a lot of energy to it, which seems to circle the band under the sun. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMYRXpw-Q44

Great stuff! Like most bands and artists I write about, these guys have got some real good original tracks. A couple live versions are available on Youtube, and if you dig them, you can buy their tunes on iTunes too. It's fantastic how many great artists/bands are out there, waiting to be discovered. Castles In Air is one of them. All they've got to do is keep it up and keep writing that stuff that gets people listening. One song that really caught my ear is called "Stars". With a deeply echoing guitar ringing throughout the song, and Chris' eccentric vocal style, the sound is almost reminiscent of U2, yet with a darker feel. It's almost as if Radiohead & U2 got together and had a child. Nevertheless, I must say there is something truly unique about the band's sound, and I'll definitely be keeping up to date with their music.Have a listen and don't forget to check out the band on Facebook, for updates! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biyitbda9kM

Alex Hamel

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Tori Kelly : Sweet & Soulful

So, I was curious what results I would get if I searched for "Acoustic Covers" on Youtube. No specific song or artist, just acoustic covers. And between the very successful bunch of artists that came up was one I hadn't heard of before, called Tori Kelly. A cover of Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" was what I listened to. I enjoyed it but since I'm not too familiar with the song yet, I wasn't too sure what to think. Considering what a great influence Michael Jackson was to Justin Timberlake, I decided to look up M.J. covers. Anyone who knows me personally or has seen me perform, knows how much I love and respect Michael Jackson and his work. The first song I decided to look up was "P.Y.T." of his masterpiece album "Thriller", released in 1982. Now, here's the funny part. The first result to appear was by Tori Kelly. Now, I knew I had to write about this.

Not only was that a fantastic coincidence but I was really able to appreciate Tori Kelly. After hearing her cover of "P.Y.T." I realised what a phenomenal singer she is. I also have to say I respect how she got that funky melody line down on an acoustic guitar. The dynamics of the cover are great going from gentle and relaxed to strong and controlled. There is a great balance of elements in the cover, and a fantastic sound quality for all to enjoy. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTHO6IX3Tp8

Beautifully done. I bet Michael Jackson would have loved it, considering what a perfectionist he was. I guess now that you listened to that (and subscribed to her channel), you should also check out her cover of Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie". Once again she's converted a R&B song to a smooth acoustic tune for all to enjoy. It almost sounds better stripped down and raw. I guess that's why a good deal of people enjoy listening to artists' demos, after listening to the "real thing". Anyways, enough with my rambling. Enjoy this soulful cover and look out for a hint of an old J.T hit toward the end of the song, as well as a special announcement afterwards!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_3hKVxOcRI

Great cover and I would definitely love to see her do a live show. I'm sure her shows are going to be great and if any of you can make it, you should definitely do it! Just think of all the massively successful artists out there today and imagine what it would have been like to be at one of their earlier gigs, rather than arena sized concerts. Support every good artist, successful, somewhat successful or not successful at all! You won't regret it.

Now, obviously to call yourself an artist means you've got to have some original stuff out there. Otherwise you're just a cover artist. I actually know a couple people who call themselves artists, despite the fact that they don't play anywhere or release any originals/covers. Tori is not one of these people. For one, I do not know her (unfortunately), and she's got some stunning original material. One of them is called "All In My Head" and truly crosses genres. A stripped down performance, shot and edited by the very talented Andrew Rose showcases Tori's songwriting talent and soulful voice. Reminiscent of R&B icons of the past decade, Tori's definitely one to look out for! Make sure you stay up to date on her website or her Facebook page. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrb92wmLTU

Alex Hamel

Friday, March 15, 2013

Corey Heuvel : Funky Guitar Playing & Smooth Vocals

A couple years ago, when I was living in London, my girlfriend was visiting me for my birthday and we had planned to go see Peter Gabriel. It was the first and only time I used ticketmaster.com, due to the fact that we were sorely disappointed. The two, somewhat pricey tickets arrived on the day of the concert and the two of us went off to see Mr. Gabriel at the O2 Arena. We actually went the whole way from Richmond to the O2 only to be told "Sorry, these tickets were for yesterday!" Needless to say, we were quite disappointed and I never did see a cent of a refund from Ticketmaster. As time passed, it turned into from a bitter story to a somewhat funny story (although I still think ticketmaster is a terrible company). I still love Peter Gabriel however, and cover his songs frequently. And, that's how I came across Corey Heuvel.

It must have been more than a little while ago when I stumbled upon his brilliant cover of "Solsbury Hill". But, despite my enjoyment of the song I forgot to click the little "Subscribe" button under the left corner of the video. Make sure you don't make the same mistake because Corey's covers and originals are all great. He's got a certain dexterity with melodious guitar lines and his vocals are reminiscent of that Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins sound. Have a listen to "Solsbury Hill" and truly appreciate that great sound quality Corey gets with his recording equipment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKHBvqQAfiw

Great stuff. It makes such a huge difference to have good recording equipment. Every detail of a recording can be exposed or hidden depending on the equipment and editing process. I myself use a Blue Yeti microphone from time to time but tend to stick to my camera's microphone which isn't always "the best". And for those who don't know, a good recording set up and be quite costly, so make sure you support your favourite indie artists by going to their gigs and buying their albums. I'm sure Corey would confirm this.

Another one of his covers that I just loved is of the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle". It's such a classic 70's track that bridges the gap between rock and funk, heavily influenced by that funk rock guitar style started by Hendrix in the late 60's. And Corey makes it clear that the song sounds just as good when done acoustically. With just one guitar, and his vocal he makes the song sound just as full as it would with a full band, and any artist worth his stuff, knows how challenging that can be. As I always say, you know an artist is really great when he can give a great performance unplugged! Check out this funky rock classic as performed by Corey Heuvel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-awWzNUJIo

Another great cover, amongst quite a few others on his channel, which I hope you've subscribed to by now. Now, aside from the covers Corey's got some great sounding originals. One that jumped out at me is called "Giving Up". A smooth, folky sound emerges from this melodic creation of Corey's. His vocal is a lot more emotional than in the two covers brought up previously, and the manner in which he utters the words is almost reminiscent of Bob Marley's intimate acoustic recordings. But overall, I get that Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins/Sting feel from his fantastically mind opening songs. So, let's hope he's not "Giving Up" on songwriting. Check this one out and if you're crazy about it, make sure you buy his album "The New" off bandcamp. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRAo1FzoTuQ

Alex Hamel

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Stewart Eastham & Day Of The Outlaw: Country Tinged, Unique Sound

I actually came across Stewart Eastham some time last year, when I was living in London. It was just another weekend of playing guitar and I was looking up covers of "Hungry Like The Wolf" (Duran Duran). Though I was never hugely into Duran Duran, I was reminded of the song the night before at the Roebuck, on Richmond Hill and decided to give it a shot myself. And that's when I came across Stewart howling and strumming his guitar like a beast! After hearing him cover it I decided against covering it myself and just forgot the song for a while.

But earlier today, I remembered the cover and went searching through Youtube to find it. It didn't take much searching, but I'm glad I remembered it. I'm just as impressed today as I was a year ago, although I might be up to covering the Duran Duran track now. It seems that Stewart is a member of a band called Day Of The Outlaw, but also works as a singer/songwriter in Nashville, TN. His band have their own youtube channel under their name, where lies the cover of "Hungry Like The Wolf, but Stewart holds his own solo channel too now. I urge you to subscribe to both and check out both on Facebook. For now check out the fantastic cover!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajw2WKx23tI

Mind-blowing! Some may consider this blasphemy, but I actually like the cover more than the original. It's stripped down and raw, and full of Stewart's incredible musical energy. Hopefully, while listening to that cover you had the time to subscribe to the channels and check out the two Facebook pages mentioned previously, whilst enjoying the awesomeness of the sound.

Him and the band (Day Of The Outlaw) have put together some great original stuff, that has a real kick to it! Country tinged rock with a certain depth to it that I love. The slide guitar on certain tracks is almost reminiscent of the psychedelic guitar sounds produced by David Gilmour on the Pink Floyd albums. A song of theirs that has a real catchy melody and a beautiful shot video is called "Misunderstood". Check it out and tune into the incredible slide guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXUxX9Sfb-U

Love it! The speedy breakdown jam they put together at the end just glues the whole thing together incredibly well! If only great bands like this had the financial back up to really promote their music, we'd have a musical revolution, much like the 60's/70's. I think the world is thirsty for some great music, but enough with big words and big ideas. Let's get back to Stewart Eastham's solo career!

On his solo Youtube channel, the man has uploaded a few originals and covers, which are great! Simple guitar lines against his big voice give a dark and eery sound to his song "For All We Got And All It Means". Nevertheless, the dark feeling is broken by the bright and hopeful chorus that leads back into the dark verse. The contrast of the song in itself makes it incredibly curious, and addictive. While the verse reminds me of a certain Johnny Cash sound, the chorus breaks the hint of Cash into something incredibly unique! Check out this incredible song and look out for Stewart's upcoming solo album! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA1ejqs2pGU

Alex Hamel

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Michael Schulte : Sounds From A Distant Land

I came across this curly haired singer/songwriter about a week ago. Looking around Youtube for covers of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", I stumbled upon Michael. Needless to say, I liked what I heard and started roaming through his channel, which is full of musical treasures. I'm fairly certain he hails from Sweden, but I could be mistaken. His guitar playing is ever so soothing and his vocal technique is ever so warming. It seems that at the end of each sentence he utters, in each and every one of his covers, he holds the note just a little more to keep us hooked on that magical sound of his. Have a listen to his cover of "Time After Time".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KByAaxJ84VY

Absolutely stunning. Although quite different to Cyndi's scratchy and explosive voice, I warmed up to Michael's version very quickly. He brings a certain warm, deep sound to the song together with a boyish vibrato that gives him that incredibly touching sound. What strikes me is how quietly he seems to be playing the guitar which seems to sound as if it were being played by someone far in the distance. It could be due to the placement of the microphone, but it certainly gives the song a very emotional effect, that I like.

Amongst the many covers Michael has uploaded on his channel (which you should subscribe to: michaelschulte), he recently uploaded a cover of the Cranberries' "Zombie", that really caught my ear. Although I'm not a massive fan of the Cranberries, and wouldn't choose to listen to their stuff on a regular basis, Michael's simple cover blew me away. Once again, the guitar sounds as if it's coming from a distant land, with oddly loud rings at times. His vocals are absolutely perfect for the song. They seem to be in constant movement, with Michael's gentle control over them. There's a certain ying/yang about his whole sound that is just perfect for this song. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x54DUhDIElI

I hope you agree that his was a phenomenal cover! And now you've seen his very memorable curly hair, which was not featured in the previous video I brought up. Overall, Michael seems to have a very memorable presence in his style and his sound. I personally got a feel of Matthew Bellamy and Thom Yorke in that "Zombie" cover, but that's just me. 

And aside from his fabulous covers, Michael's got some great original music out there that you can buy or just listen to on Youtube. An original of his that I really appreciated is called "Thinking About You". It's a song with melodic ups and downs and a guitar line that is reminiscent of that early Dylan sound. But overall, it seems to be the kind of song that Damien Rice or even Jeff Buckley would do. I personally hope I get to hear Michael playing an electric guitar one of these days. I think a little "twang" would sound great against his very personal voice. Don't forget to check out his Facebook page for updates. Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm_onKcDf5Y

Alex Hamel

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Daniela Andrade : Classy & Jazzy

I was lucky enough to come across Daniela's Youtube channel a couple hours ago and found myself lost in her sound. Whether it's her on guitar, or it's a friend of hers, the guitar is always loveably smooth. And as for her vocals, they're like rays of sunshine on a cloudy day. Though she comes across as an incredibly relaxed character in her videos, she holds a certain class. It may be her song choices, the way she chooses to perform or maybe it's just "something" about her. Anyways, let me tell you about the first cover of hers I came across.

"Fly Me To The Moon", written by the incredible Bart Howard and performed by many, including Frank Sinatra, Bobby Womack, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Della Reese, Diana Krall, Kaye Balard, Brenda Lee, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and...Daniela Andrade. I was surprised to find such a "cute" little cover of the song on Youtube. What do I mean by "cute" little cover? Well, I mean it' the kind of cover you hear someone singing in the corner of a cafe, or on a sandy beach under the moonlight. It's not the sort of thing you'd expect to find on Youtube. Yet, Daniela brings a certain natural element to the song that I just love. She doesn't "kill" the song, like many big vocalists do but presents it in an almost Jason Mraz kind of way. Very light, very easy yet very jazzy (which does not necessarily parallel with light and easy). Anyways, all in all, it's a great cover. Have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bskVSkAPnE

You see what I mean about class? She sings the song as if it is a most delicate and fragile piece, and she doesn't want to damage it. And it almost comes off as a balancing act where she's delicately moving along the melody line, keeping everything in place. It's not for everyone, but Daniela certainly pulls it off, and not just in that particular cover.

Another cover of hers that really struck me was of Nouvelle Vague's "In A Manner Of Speaking". This time with Dabin on guitar, Daniela has the chance to focus on her vocals and let Dabin take care of the guitar. Once again the guitar line is loveably smooth, but there is a certain beat to it that wasn't there before. I'm not talking about the little slap that Dabin gives the guitar here and there but a certain rhythmical element he brings to the song. Daniela's vocals sail across Dabin's wavy guitar line ever so beautifully And I also love the lick blues lick that Dabin fits into the end of video. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_0HLgpUuT4

Stunning! I love the cover and I love the song itself. Most people credit it to Nouvelle Vague, who gave it that incredibly memorable sound but the song is actually by Tuxedomoon. You'd have to be into experimental sounds and some New Wave music to come across that however. And, I'm guessing that's how Nouvelle Vague (French for New Wave) got their name. I'm always surprised how many people don't know that Nouvelle Vague is technically a cover band, although they resurrect songs in a very original sound. Anyways, back to Daniela.

Aside from Daniela's stunning covers, she's got a bunch of great originals. The one that stood out to me most was her most recent upload, called "Don't Care". She plays a Fender Telecaster on the song and the video is almost reminiscent of Jack White's recent music videos, such as "Love Interruption". What I love about the song itself is that it seems to bridge the gap between bands such as Nouvelle Vague and recent artists such as Lana Del Rey. Overall it's an incredibly attractive song that I could definitely imagine being a part of a movie soundtrack. I really like the sound of a Telecaster against Daniela's melodious voice. May I just say that the other two videos were from 2009, so it's obvious that there's been a huge evolution artistically. It seems that class caught up with her fashion sense too. I really hope people get to listen to this fabulous, incredibly talented artist! Check back tomorrow for another fantastic artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lodu6rx62I

Alex Hamel