Jul's Progkast - Episode 14

Jul's Progkast - 14

(1st wk February 2017

 Episode 14 

1)Atlas Cube (Germany) - Zakko Droozer 
2)Meta (US)- Death Emerges
3)Hermelin (Germany)- ....Sharp Teeth
4)Disconnect (US)- Stratagem Malum
5)The J. Conspiracy (Germany) - Place Called Home
6)Jeremy Reiser (US)- Lives Unfurl
7) Aura Blaze (US)- A Glass of Tears Half Empty

Sumeritae - Belleza Anatomia (Intro)
appears as background music to
the Introduction to Jul's Progkast

 Atlas Cube  

  Atlas Cube are an Instrumental Prog sort of Jazz Fusion band from Germany. Their music is melodic and full of virtuosity. Their song "Asia Moments" was voted by listeners as #3 in the Top Ten of 2016.  

Meta 

Meta is a long distance collaboration betwen Alec Yeager (guitar, bass, vocals) from Tucson AZ, and Joshua Breeden (drums) from Hampton VA, and on this project, Eric Barker (Keyboards) from Honolulu Hawaii. 

I discovered Meta through one of their posts on some facebook group or other (can't remember which... Prog On...Prog and Metal... or something like that, lol). Their new album Spatterlight is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp (Metamusique). I think this is really some top notch Modern Prog with a metal tinge. Very well done. Very well produced. I think that Spatterlight is going to knock some people's socks off in the upper echelons  of music. As folks point to the US as not as Prog heavy as other countries, specifically European countries... the US seems to have their own style of Prog which is heavier than their European counterparts. Meta is the epitome of US Prog Rock. Meta website

Hermelin

  

 Another band from Germany, Hermelin is a band I found on the Free Music Archive. They can also be found on Bandcamp where they currently have three albums available dating from 2008 - 2013.

Disconnect

I actually found Disconnect through Reddit. Their latest album, "Darkling" released in Oct, 2016, is available at CDBaby, Amazon, and Apple Music, as well as Bandcamp. Disconnect is a duo consisting of Erich O'Dell and Brian Eschrich.  

The J Conspiracy

I'd like to thank the guys of The J Conspiracy for the great introduction to their epic song, "Place Called Home". I HAD to pass by their latest song "Glass House" and play this one because with so many changes it had all the feel of a classic Prog piece. So, they let me do it, and it's a great addition. :D "Glass House" will be coming up in a future podcast very soon. :D 

You can view their music meets photography media project on youtube (above).   But I suggest you go directly to their site - as the photos are much more brilliant and clear (and some are really spectacular)...here.  

Page listing of radio shows and podcasts playing J Conspiracy, with some nice words about Jul's Progkast.  

Jeremy Reiser

Reminding me a bit of Nick Lowe, I felt inclined to include Jeremy on Progkast. His music is sort of Neo Prog and very melodic. He is currently working on his BA degree in North Carolina. He can be found on facebook, soundcloud. 

Aura Blaze

What can I say about Rhode Rachel and his project "Aura Blaze"? My favorite album (that I discovered) from last year. He released it in 2015.  It's Psych, its Prog, it's Psych Prog. And I love it! On facebook, bandcamp, Amazon.... etc... 

Entire album on youtube - 

 A Glass of Tears Half Empty - official video

Hermelin - "...Sharp Teeth" is under a Creative Commons license.

All other music in this podcast is copyright of the original artists. All music used by permission. Thanks go out to all for use of their music in this podcast. 

 

 

(Jul's) Progkast - 13

 January 2017

On this podcast:

 1)Rich O'Brien and Roberto Ricco - Aurora - 2016 - US/Italy (00.35)
2)Psichedelic - Space - 2010 - Italy (6.33)
3)Sioum - Lapse - 2010 - US (11.03)
4)Dragon - America - 1977 - Belgium (14.36)
5)Boanjo - The Return of the Ancient Dragon - 2014 - Sweden (22.32)
6)MOMA and Bribedant - Edgar - 2006 (2016 remix) - Sweden (29.03)
7)Alchemic Journey - Do You Remember (Inst) - 2016 - France (34.08)
8)Nostalgic Orange - Happiness (Part 2) - 2014 - US (43.03)
9)UV Doble - La Cage - (55.54)

10)At the Head - Bite My Heart - 2016 - Russia (58.54)

Intro song is "Belleza Anatomia (Intro)" by Sumeritae

==========================================

Rich O'Brien and Roberto Ricco

Some amazing stuff coming from this duo. With Rich  laying down the basic track with acoustic guitar and Roberto layering on the other instruments... this was a great opener for the latest Progkast. I like to open the 'cast with a "bang" and I think this worked well. For although it starts off rather quietly, the electric guitar and drums come pounding in a few moments later - enough to get you listening! There will be more from one or the other or both in the future. Some of the music I've heard from Rich is rather Leonard Cohen/John Prine-ish... and I am looking forward to playing some of that as I am a fan of both. It's sort of old school Prog before Prog only meant - to some - symphonic or electric music.

Psichedelic

"Space" is the second song I've played from Psichedelic. The first  one, "Pauline" was a newer song played on Progkast # 11 in November 2016. I felt this particular movement from "Nature Suite" was reminiscent of the Strawbs, or a bit Peter Gabriel-ish. He himself says that when he composed it he was thinking of the Flaming Lips. Find him on Soundcloud

Sioum

You can find Sioum on facebook at Sioum Facebook page . Their latest album "Yet Further" was released in 2016. What I am assuming was their debut album "I Am Mortal, But Was Fiend" was released in 2010 and is available for free download at the Free Music Archive. 

 Here is "Unknown" from the album "Yet Further" 

Dragon

Possibly the oldest band/music I've played on Progkast, I've played Dragon a few times. Their music is pretty good for rounding out Progkast, especially when I am finding it difficult to find some modern Prog with vocals ;). Besides, when I find good music, I like to play it! As noted on the podcast, the instrumental section there, the drums seem to be slipping and off - a bit forced... but as stated, good song, and great percussion otherwise! 

Boanjo

I found Boanjo on Soundcloud. I don't know much about him, except that he is from Sweden, and I like his music. So hopefully, there will be more to come.  

MOMA

This is the third song I've played involving MOMA. I was sent this song a few months ago by Bribedant - or An Easily Bribed Ant ;). I'm not always sure whether these artists would like to be known by their real names or by their Soundcloud synonyms... I'm sure I came by his real name somewhere, but all I can find is "Bribedant", so I'll leave it at that! ;) He is from Stockholm.   

Alchemic Journey

I'd long wanted to play some Alchemic Journey and they were on my list. But with so many (and there are a lot) of instrumentals being "found" and submitted, I had to keep putting them on the back burner. So once they sent me some songs for consideration (and I highly encourage this, although I can't promise anything), I moved them up on the list ;) So, check them out on Soundcloud   and or Reverbnation. 

Nostalgic Orange

I am constantly amazed at how young some of these artists are.... who sound like they have been playing for decades. Another artist who has been on the back burner for a few months, Nostalgic Orange.  Check out Soundcloud  and Facebook   for more. Below is "Grey Matter" from 2012.

 

UV Doble

Also found on Soundcloud - be sure to scroll down to get to his music and not reposts of others' music. He has some interesting pieces and Prog-worthy stuff to listen to :)

At the Head

"September Electric" was played in one of the most popular Progkasts, #6. One of my favorite songs from that Podcast, I planned to play them again. This time it was "Bite My Heart". I introduced this song as having a long silent interlude..... My BAD as there were at least THREE songs on this podcast with long silent interludes! LOL  They are from Moscow and are on Soundcloud,  as well as Facebook .

Jul's Progkast - 9 Blog

JUL'S PROGKAST - 9 

On this podcast:

Release date: September 20, 2016

Sumeritae - Belleza Anatomia Intro (Intro)(2015 - Argentina) 0.00
1)Disen Gage - Witchtanz (2004 - Moscow, Russia)0.40
2)MOMA - Beyond the Ridge of Time - Suite (2016 - Sweden) 6.30
3)Jason Rubenstein - Three Ounces in a Two Ounce Whiskey(2016 - San Francisco, USA) 22.05
4)Quantafide -Fae Elemental (2015 - UK) 31.56
5) Dee-Zee - C3 (2016 - UK) 38.53
6) Among Asteroids - Asención (2016 - Chile) 42.20
7)Red Sun Cult - Blue Song (2016 - Columbia) 48.49
8) Frontecielo - The Light Now (2016 - Italy) 53.26
9) Wooden Shjips - Ruins (2010 - San Francisco, USA) 1.01.55
10)Grus Paridae - Inheritance of Devotion (2014 - Finland) 1.08.32

Disen Gage - Witchtanz

With screeching, wailing, and growling guitars, this song lives up to it's name. Disen Gage are an Instrumental Prog band from Moscow, not to be confused with the Heavy Metal band, Disengage. 

  Disengage - progarchives - scroll down on linked page.

MOMA

Music of Modern Artists - One man project, his is some of the most amazing stuff. About quantum physics, "Beyond the Ridge of Time" is a modern underground classic... already! Just read what Domenico D'Alessandro writes in Prog Rock Little Place: Beyond the Ridge of Time (The Suite) (Article is incorrect in stating that MOMA is a :"band").

Jason Rubenstein

If you like funky Jazz Fusion... this is it. Some sweet powerfully punctual drums by Tom Hipskind and rolling Bass from Shawn Sommer, Mr. Rubenstein pounds the keys like a jack hammer in a tea shop :D... Why aren't we hearing more of this?! Well, you will, at least on Jul's Progkast!

Jul's Progkast Radio 8 - Blog

In this podcast:

 Sumeritae (Belleza Anatomia- Intro) - Intro (Argentina)

 1) Psychedelic Sun's - Away - (Finland) .38

2 )This Winter Machine - The Man Who Never Was - (England) 6.16
3) Dragon - Ballad (Belgium) - 21.40

4) Dosch - Bodies (U.S.)- 24.25
5) Upsilon Acrux - So Thereby... and Furthermore... thus Henceforth...  (U.S.) - 32.30
6) Elegia - I'll Be Here - (Sweden) - 36.13

7) Marc Ceccotti - As if the Sea Nymphs Quired - (France) - 42.04
8) Heat - The Golden Age - (Germany) - 48.23
9) Grus Paridae - Passes By (Finland) - 57.15

10) Skyjelly - The Six is Silent (U.S.) - 1.03.10

The theme this week appears to be "bells" :)

Band Spotlight

Psychedelic Sun's - A solo project, check out Psychedelis Sun's new album (August 2016) on bandcamp -   https://psychedelicsuns.bandcamp.com/album/journey

This Winter Machine - Based in Yorkshire, England, TWM hands us some tasty Neo-Prog with thoughtful lyrics, smooth vocals, and enough instrumental segments to feed the classic Proggers as well. TWM is working on their debut album. Meanwhile, they are teasing their fans with single releases. Check out their latest release http://thiswintermachine.com/store

Dosch - Playing everything himself, Louis Dosch has some very interesting music and background. For more, check out his page on http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=256562

Elegia - Suffering years of domestic abuse, at 13 years of age, Elegia's songwriter/vocalist/guitarist, Matthias had contemplated suicide. But music would prove to be his salvation. He went on to study music and worked as a professional musician for awhile, but then quit music entirely. A decade later, he is back with Elegia and their debut album, "Anamnesis". He reveals himself in his goth metal songs, with emotional and personal lyrics

Elegia was formed in 2012. "Elegia" being latin for "Elegy" - a sad or reflective poem. Their sound is best described as symphonic prog goth metal.

Most songs are sung foremost by Karin Härefelt. As fate would have it, Karin studied scenical and classical singing at a University in Härnösand - the same town that Matthias grew up in.

Rounding out the band are Johan Gustavsson on guitar, Eric Skjuttorp on drums, and Eric's twin brother, Lars Skjuttorp on Bass. The Orchestra was composed by the band's former drummer, Jesse Lindskog, and some piano parts were performed by Robin Mattsson. 

Elegia's debut album, Anamnesis, was released online June 24, 2016. They physical CD became available as of August 15. 

Elegia's "Anamnesis" takes me back to the band Renaissance and the Angelic Powerful time bending Progressive Rock vocals of Annie Haslam. And yet, Karin Härefelt's voice seems to have a deeper stronger root to it, like Ann Wilson of Heart, or Karen Lawrence of the band 1994. This is some powerful singing in a musical world that has left the typical female rock vocalist wandering in the mire.  Add to that, the driving drums of Eric Skjuttorp, rocking guitars of Johan Gustavsson and Matthias Nyberg (not to miss the backing vocals of Matthias -he shares lead with Karin on "I'm Sorry" -  which blend nicely with Karin's), and the cutting Bass of Lars Skjuttorp. 

Overall, this is a rocking album of melodic, goth prog rock. I could just as easily hear Bruce Dickenson singing these songs, so for anyone who thinks that these don't rock because of a female vocalist... oh contrare! This is some great stuff! 
 
More info:
www.elegia.se
www.twitter.com/elegiaofficial
www.facebook.com/elegiaofficial

 Marc Ceccotti - Playing everything himself, Marc takes off in various directions with his instrumental music.  

"Dogsled Race" from "Back on the Tundra" album -

Locations to purchase/download his music --

Google Play: minu.me/dbyo 

CDBABY: www.cdbaby.com/cd/marcceccotti4

Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/5n4zn3ZF1TUOcH1Y0t6eY9
Deezer: www.deezer.com/album/13443647
Rhapsody: www.rhapsody.com/artist/marc-cecc…ck-on-the-tundra
itunes: itunes.apple.com/fr/album/back-on…dra/id1127970305
Microsoft 'Groove Music ": www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/store/musi…dra/8d6kgx0nbllt
eMusic:
www.emusic.com/album/marc-ceccot…-tundra/16799854/
Amazon MP3: minu.me/dut6

Heat - From Berlin, Germany, the Heat have the look and feel of 1970's Album Oriented Rock. Founded in 2010, their last album, their second, "Labyrinth", was released in 2014. They are actively gigging ---Live Dates

Heat on Facebook

Live at Stoned from the Underground Festival, Erfurt-Stotternheim, Germany.

Grus Paridae - Is two artists, Petteri Kurki and Rami Turtiainen with special guest Jarno Koivunen on violins. They released a two song EP in 2014. This is some really good Neo-Prog with Classical overtones,... this isn't the first Finnish band I've played.... seems to be quite a bit of Prog eminating from Finland :D

 Thanks go to Dragon, Upsilon Acrux, Skyjelly, Summeritae and Dosch -  available through Creative Commons licenses. Thank you to all other bands for permission to include their songs on Jul's Progkast.

Jul's Progkast Radio - 7 Blog

Jul's Progkast Radio

Episode 7

In This Episode:

Sumeritae (Belleza Anatomia- Intro) - Intro (Argentina)

1)Atlas Cube - Asia Moments (Germany)

2)MOMA (Music of Modern Artists) - Smile/Grounded Angel/Breaking Down (Sweden)

3) Banaan- Fruity (Norway)

4)Aura Blaze - The Velveteen Valleys (New Jersey, US)

5)Psychedelic Sun's - Simplicity (Finland)

6)Radius System - Release Chemicals (France)

7)Lobate Scarp - Jacob's Ladder (L.A., California, US)

8) Hedfuzy - How to Tear Your World From My Head (Ireland)

9)23 and Beyond the Infinite - Days of Dirty Mirrors (Italy)

10) Electric Amygdala - Lion on the Beach (Canada)

The "accidental" them this month seems to be Internatioanl Diversity.   :)

Band Spotlight

Atlas Cube

Playing some rocking metal/fusion and hailing from Regensburg, this three man band consists of:

Helmar Weiss - Drums, Keyboards

Sebastian Beer - Bass

Martin Mies - Guitar

check them out: Atlas Cube Website, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Amazon

Aura Blaze

Aura Blaze is the solo project of Rhode Rachel. Rhode does all vocals, instruments and production. Bandcamp,  Soundcloud, Amazon

Lyrics to "The Velveteen Valleys"

Her placid surface young day glimmers upon
I pull around my ship her sea
I yearn to glide deeply through those waters fair
To pull ashore forbidden lands
Where spiders crawl and weave free up mountaintops
And monkeys swing through sunlit vines
Realign the landscape to flow with the waves
Ride the current celestial

Tonight...

Scatter pollen on her innocent blossom
Traverse the velveteen valleys
Golden idol pilfered from twilight temple
Enveloped in amber: a key
To unlock fast her beautiful reflection
Manifest in reality
Aquamarine daydream spotlights shining up
Ancient storm flooding the delta

Tonight...

credits

from Aura Blaze, released August 15, 2015

license

© all rights reserved (Rhode Rachel/Aura Blaze)

MOMA (Music of Modern Artists)

The first of a handful of solo artists. MOMA is one person from Stockholm, Sweden. The way he describes himself -  "A gigantic collective with one and one member alone, in a vast sea of musical instruments and gear." - MOMA (Soundcloud.com)

This reminds me of Gentle Giant,... only better :)

 

Psychedelic Sun's 

Just as with Rhode Rachel, and (Louis) Dosch in last month's podcast, Psychedelic Sun's is one person playing all instruments, and several on the Synth. With "Simplicity" getting awfully near Pink Floyd's "Echoes", veers away and into a funky guitar wah wah (which reminds me of Chicago's "Fancy Colors") and leaves us wanting more. Some good psych/Prog stuff from "Psych Sun's" :)

Found on  Bandcamp,  Soundcloud,

Radius System

Duo from France. Their music is Prog, yet Metal, yet Jazz Fusion. A little bit of everything, they are Gregory Hoepffner and Axel Dallou. Find them on: Bandcamp, Free Music Archive (FMA),

Lobate Scarp

 Lobate scarp are heading a kickstarter campaign to pay for the production and release of their new album "You Have It All". This is their second album and second with Rich Mouser producing (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Neal Morse). 

  Kickstarter. When anyone becomes a Kickstarter backer for this, their second album, they will get a free download of "Beautiful Light" in either MP3 or WAV format. 

Described as a Progressive/Space/Opera Rock band, Lobate Scarp are from L.A., California. Their influences range from Classic PRog Rock such as Genesis and Yes, to 80's Pop and New wave as well as strong ties to musical theater.  You can hear this strong influence in their new release, "Beautiful Light". Their first album, "Time and Space", which includes Jacob's Ladder, was also funded through kickstarter. Lobate Scarp Kickstarter campaign

Hedfuzzy

Hedfuzy is the project of Pat Byrne of Ireland. For this particular album he has enlisted some help from drummer Ben Wanders, keyboardist Graham Conway, guitarist Graham Keane and guitarists Mike Moriarty and Cameron Allen, to flesh out the album. 

He has played with several groups such as Celtic Fusion, Kraven, and Jeffonesta. More recently, he shared Bass duties with Chuck Rainey and Divinity Roxx on Delorean Suite's 2012 release "Two Lives"

Blending modern lyric (what I call music that is strongly based on vocal content), Prog with a bit of classic instrumentally strong Prog, Hedfuzy is a strong front runner of indie neo-prog. The drum pattern in this one (How to Tear Your World From My Head) is pretty funky. :) Soundcloud, Amazon

 

Banaan

Some funky fusion electronic synth prog from Oslo Norway. Their motto is : "Some artists think outside the box, others, like us, believe there is no box".  ;)

-

Check them out on Bandcamp, and Soundcloud. :)

 

Jul's Progkast - 6 Blog

Jul's Progkast - 6 Blog

 

In this Podcast:

 Sumeritae (opening) Intro (Bellaza Anatomia)

 1) Melody Fields - Morning Sun - :35(2016)
2) Dosch - Village of the Idiots - 6:30(2002)
3) Spampipe - Mameking - 12:40(2016?)
4) Dixie Cannon - Close to the Sun - 16:32(2016?)
5) Dyr Faser - His Dreams Are Connected - 20:25(2016)
6) West of the Sun - Fountains of Fire - 25:40(2016)
7) At the Head - September Electric - 29:20(2016?)
8) Big Red Panda - Arrival Part II - 33:47(2016)
9) Zoliborz - Roland Garros 2048 - 38:44(2014)
10) Onirica - Self Portrait of Time - 42:11(2016)
11) Birds of Avalon - Microinfinity (Live at WFMU)- 50:26(2011)

 

Band Spotlight

 Melody Fields - This is a band I just happened by on Facebook. All I can say is.. more, more, more!! Looking forward to what comes next for this band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Featuring Thomas Widholm, Ramo Spatalovic, David Henriksson, Jonnie Tall, and Henrik Backstrom, Melody Fields starts off "Morning Sun" with a throw back to the Byrds' 12 string "ringing" guitar sound. They follow up with pleasant harmonies and in this catchy tune interlaced with short catchy guitar riffs. This is definitely one of my faves. Can't wait for more! 

Dosch (aka Louis Dosch) - Another artist I found on Facebook, Louis Dosch recorded "Village of the Idiots" in 2002 playing all the parts himself.  He has been in many bands in the Orange County, CA area through the years including the heavy metal band, Maiden, Progressive bands, Eden, Magic, and Hex, as well as a few others. 

My apologies to Mr. Dosch for misspeaking of Mixcloud as a place to find his music, it is actually Soundclick -  Dosch on Soundclick

 

Louis Dosch (keyboards) with the band Eden (also featuring Kris Kellog, Terry Adamo, BJ Edinger, and Mitchell James) in the early 80's.

 

 

At the Head - Found on Soundcloud, this band from Moscow consists of  Arseny Gorodov (drums), Arseny Davydenko (lead guitar), and Ivan Utkin (keys, bass guitar). "September Electric" is one of those songs that really grows on you with time. I've said that anyone who listens to one of my Podcasts,... once will like a song or two... listen again and you will like some more... listen a third time and songs you heard before and just though "eh... ok" start churning round and round in your head and soon become one of your favorites. It is sort of the nature of Prog music. Hope to hear more in the future. 

 

Big Red Panda - These guys have become one of my favorite modern Prog/Psych bands (well, every artist I play are one of my favorites! ;). This release, "Arrival Part II" once the vocals begin, quickly reminds me of one of my all time favorite Prog bands, Armageddon. With smooth and pleasant vocals of Keith Relf, Armageddon blazed one of Prog Rock's most iconic anthems in "Silver Tightrope". Like Keith Relf, Pedro Ferreira's voice just floats along with the music. Yes, there's some Psych effects there, but it's got that same quality sound. With catchy riffs, swirling drums and synth, this band from Portugal has a bright future in Prog Rock. 

Fancisco Dantas - Drums
Gonçalo Palmas - Synth
Hugo Quintela - Guitar
Kevin Pires - Guitar
Nuno Silva - Bass
Pedro Ferreira - Vocals/Guitar

Big Red Panda can be found on Facebook, youtube, soundcloud, and on Bandcamp 

And.... just for fun, here is  "Paths and Planes and Future Gains" from Armageddon. 

 

Onirica - Another artist I found on Facebook, Onirica are Massimo Santi and Nicola Rigato. On "Self Portrait of Time" Massimo and Nicola get help from Davide Rigato on Violin. 

From their youtube video they describe the song as such:

 "'Self-Portrait Of Time' is an attempt to grasp the essence of our inner thoughts, in a world where speed alienates us from ourselves. With millions of outside stimulations, we go through life losing focus and centre. We like to think of it as a dive into the maze that our brain is, and emerge with the core of our dreams, made of scrap, as depicted in the structure of our sculptor friend: the Onirica."

 

Pretty cool. I really like all the changes in this song. That, to me, is one of Prog's greatest graces. 

 ______________________________________________________________________

Special thanks to Melody Fields, Louis Dosch, Spampipe, Dixie Cannon, West of the Sun, At the Head, Big Red Panda, and Onirica for special permission to play their songs on Progkast. Also thanks to WFMU and the FMA for Dyr Faser, Zoliborz and Birds of Avalon music. 

Jul's Progkast - 5 Blog

JUL'S PROGKAST - 5-  BLOG

In this Podcast:

Sumaritae (opening) Intro (Belleza Anatomia

West of the Sun - Siberian Hysteria

Amadiro - Gorki

Deerhoof - All Rise

Eidetic Seeing -  Variations on a reinterpretation of Lord Siva

Sinapsi - Vertigo

Dixie Cannon- Who You Are

Silence Industry - With Arms

Secret Jane - Nettlevest

Dragon - Lucifer

Fanny Kaplan - Son I Pustota

Mankultur - Vandpunkter

I decided to go ahead and shamelessly peddle for sponsors. The longer this podcast goes on, the higher the costs that I will be incurring. Not sure that I can carry this on for more than a year. It has certainly been fun. I have discovered bands that I will continue to follow and endorse. Right now it costs $7/mo to keep it going.  Two months from now, I can either start deleting older podcasts (which, although a lower production quality, the music is superb) which I really don't want to do, or pay up a notch to $15/mo, just for the shear joy of turning others onto some really good music. Although I really enjoy doing that (really, I get a natural high like any artist spreading their art and other's art), I cannot afford to keep doing so. Anyway, so, please don't be put off by my 2 min promotional peddling pander or this paragraph of the same, lol. I'll continue at least till Feb of 2017, the one year anniversary of this Podcast....

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

West of the Sun

Hailing from London, UK, West of the Sun is riding on the wave of current Neo-Psychedelic Rock bands. Luke Ward, Joe Stratton, Michael Howes, Kieran Callinan & Stevie Durkin give us some mesmerizing and nostalgic and upbeat, yet original music. "Siberian Hysteria" is their new single, with the promise of an upcoming LP later this year.  

West of the Sun Social links: 

Twitter
Instagram
Soundcloud

 

Dixie Cannon 

 His April 2016 release, "I Catch the Wind" is reminiscent of early to mid 70's Psych, Folk, and album oriented rock. With a tinge of The Beatles' sound and a tinge of 10cc, "Who You Are" and "Close to the Sun" hone in with the current wave of Neo - Psychedelic Rock, while the instrumental "Starlight Theme" mixes country guitar styles in a contemplative mellow strolling Blues riff. His vocals are spot on and pleasant to the ear. Easily some of the best vocals ever played on this podcast. At times I just want to listen to his music out of pure appreciation of the smoothness and accuracy of his voice. The feel of this album is that of listenable and enjoyable overall mainstream Rock that delves into a few related sub-genres. Here is some older music with the Band "Cannonballs" 

Links: 
Magnatune - "I Catch the Wind" album

Soundcloud

Facebook

Mankultur 

Mankultur is Eric Dantanus from Sweden. Giving us some Electronic Psych Prog with heavy beats and funky rhythms... really looking forward to more music from this artist. 

Soundcloud 

Purchase on Bandcamp

Facebook

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Thanks go out to West of the Sun, Amadiro, Dixie Cannon, and Mankultur for special permission to play their music. Thank you also to FMA and all other artists for providing CC music which has been used in this podcast. (Thank you to Sumeritae for the perfect song for an intro ;) )