Chicago Rock Artist Marty Casey has released the official music video for “Anything You Want,” off of his 2017 released debut album, The Ground You Walk On. “Anything You Want” was directed by Mike Leber and was co-written with Andrew Farriss (INXS).
Since the time Marty Casey shot to fame as a runnerup on hit CBS reality TV show Rockstar: INXS, his brand of rock ‘n roll has been ever evolving. Former L.A. Guns bandmate Tracii Guns describes Marty as “a charismatic frontman with a golden voice, incredible drive, and impeccable songwriting skills,” Marty’s long and winding journey as a musician has led him to this moment: releasing his debut solo album, The Ground You Walk On, in 2017.
Marty met two of his future bandmates while playing on a little league baseball team in their Chicago hometown at age eight. That band became the beloved Chicago rock group the Lovehammers. True to their Chicago roots, the band’s second EP was produced by legendary producer and Chicago native Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, the Pixies, & more). While on tour with the Lovehammers, Marty auditioned for and was ultimately asked to join Rockstar: INXS.
Although the show’s top prize – a gig as frontman for INXS – eluded him, the buzz Marty created as the runnerup on the 2005 reality show crescendoed to a fullon career of songwriting, touring, and recording when the Lovehammers were signed to Epic Records. He continued to blaze new trails with his powerfully electrifying performances: first, with the Lovehammers; then, as the lead singer of L.A. Guns, one of the hardest rocking and most notorious bands to come off the Sunset Strip; and now, in 2017, as a solo artist.
In order to solidify his own sound, Marty worked with renowned producer Marti Frederiksen on his debut solo album. Marti — who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Bon Jovi, and countless others — recorded with Marty at the historic Quadraphonic Sound Studios in Nashville.
While ushering in a new era in his musical career, Marty’s upcoming release also subtly hints back to his rock ‘n roll reality show days. One track on the new album called “Anything You Want,” was created during the filming of Rockstar: INXS, and was written by Marti Frederiksen and INXS’ Andrew Farriss. Other cowriters on The Ground You Walk On include former American Idol judge and esteemed songwriter Kara DioGuardi, as well as country music hit-maker Gary Allen.
With The Ground You Walk On, Marty’s songs build on his rich musical journey and express his exuberance for life. Marty explains, “I had been playing with a band since I was a teenager. I wanted to spread my wings for a moment and record these songs that I had in my head for the last few years.” Marty goes on to express his sentiment that these songs are about the experiences of the past building us up to who we are today. Marty Casey’s solo album was released in the spring of 2017.
“The song ‘Anything You Want’ was written with INXS’ Andrew Farriss when I was auditioning to be a member of INXS. The song has an intense energy and makes you move! We wanted to capture that vitality in the video. My wife (Daniella Casey) is a dance instructor so she rallied up her troops and the vibe they brought is straight-up INCREDIBLE!!! The director (Mike Leber) took the visual over the top with color and movement. This video is a fun burst of energy that gets you on your feet as the girls knock you off em!!”
– Marty Casey
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/martycaseymusic
https://twitter.com/martycasey
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Small Town Titans – You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch
York, PA heavy rock band Small Town Titans have released their cover of the Classic Christmas song “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” giving the already darkly playful track an even more sinister edge. “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” was filmed live in the studio by Springwood Productions. The band has also released the song on Patreon, a direct to fan social media platform, for their biggest supporters. Subscribing to the group for just a dollar a song on Patreon grants fans new songs first and puts their names in the credits of future YouTube videos.
The Small Town Titans are a power trio from York, PA who love to constantly create, as well as play live. Gone is the notion that a rock band should only release 10 songs at a time every 2 years. In a world where music fans crave new content constantly, the Small Town Titans aim to deliver their brand of art all of the time, drawing inspiration from a new wave of rock bands such as Highly Suspect and Royal Blood, and rock legends such as the Foo Fighters, Audioslave, and Deep Purple. Thanks to their efforts at assembling their own studio in a basement, STT can create and release songs, podcasts, live online concerts, and more with no rules. This artistic change in attitude stems from touring for the better part of 2 years, and realizing how difficult it really is.
After coming home from their last 30 day run, the band had made $4,000. After repairing their vehicle, restocking their merchandise and more, the band was left with $1,000. After putting most of that back into the band’s funds as usual, each member took home $150. This startling reality made STT take a step back and evaluate themselves as a band, a brand, and a business. After firing their manager, the boys soldiered on with the help of their team at Round 2 Records. They began to truly treat Small Town Titans as a legitimate small business more than ever before. Unnecessary expenses were cut, and more creative and innovative sources of new revenue were explored, such as utilizing the direct to fan creation platform Patreon, where the band is currently making $200 every time they release a new song on YouTube.
Instead of trying to make a million fans, STT is focusing on the fans they already have. With a love for playing live, a Small Town Titans show has evolved into more than a concert. It’s an event, with a set list that’s decided right before the show, and plenty of stage banter in between songs. The band simply hits the stage to deliver an energy driven show using guitars, drums, and their voices. Nothing more, nothing less. This approach to their live performances has led to them sharing the stage with acts such as Highly Suspect, Papa Roach, Black Stone Cherry, Pop Evil, and more.
By focusing on their engagement with social media and managing themselves, Small Town Titans are growing like never before and having more success as a business and a brand. The band just wrapped up a weekend long recording session at Hybrid Studios with friend Kevin Soffera, drummer for Seether on the 5x platinum selling record Disclaimer II, and who STT also recorded their last album Reflection with. Six brand new songs were recorded live in the studio, as well as professionally filmed by Springwood Productions at the same time. These new songs and videos will be released throughout the rest of 2017 and 2018. Songs range from the hard hitting “Me, Myself, and Monster” and “Wreck” to the ballad “Dragonfly”, an emotional song written in memory of Phil’s mother, who passed away earlier this year due to cancer, performed live with just one voice and an acoustic guitar.
Small Town Titans are actively forming a team of like minded individuals in the new music business who are just as driven and passionate as they are, rather than waiting to be discovered. As the band continues to grow their fan base online this year, they will also hit the road, this time with a smarter game plan, a stronger fan base, and a passionate team behind them.
LINKS:
http://smalltowntitans.com
https://www.facebook.com/smalltowntitans
https://twitter.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.instagram.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.youtube.com/smalltowntitans
https://www.patreon.com/smalltowntitans -
Radiohead Live in Milan, Italy 2017
Radiohead performing live in Monza (Milan, Italy) the exact same day the album Ok Computer turned 20 (June 16).
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BLɅCKƎLVIS – Gimmie Ya Luv
BLɅCKƎLVIS (BLACKELVIS), A South-Wales based band who have created a monstrous stir across the music scene within just 3 months of their first debut show at Tiny Rebel Cardiff in May 2019.
The band’s infancy has included headline bookings at six of the most renowned venues in and around Cardiff, which have consistently generated rapturous “always-wanting-more “crowds each time without fail – in addition to numerous support bookings across the region. “It is rare to see a band that can captivate a room full of people and takes them to a level of musical ecstasy. To do that on your debut performance is almost audacious and a wonderful spectacle to behold. BLɅCKƎLVIS is quite simply the best new band we have seen in a long, long time and could well become one of the biggest bands to emerge from Wales this year.
Their music has been described as a fusion of wavy funk rock blended with reggae and hip-hop rhythms and R&B/soul vocals whilst retaining an element of powerful, heavy grooves, provided by their uniquely individual rhythm section. The members of BLɅCKƎLVIS come from very different musical backgrounds; Frontman LEVi Tyrell Johnson has been gigging for several years as a solo artist playing acoustic or using live loops and beat-boxing as a base to build upon his Prince style vocals and beautiful guitar melodies. LEVi is no stranger to the stage as he comes from a long line of artists and performers. LEVi has been performing or creating art someway all his life. Dreamer and visionary. Lead Guitarist Ruben Kingman is a fourth-generation musician and is steeped in lifetimes of musical heritage and exploration. His dad Simon Kingman is a master of the instrument and plays as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the sophisticated roots rock group Zervas & Pepper as well as writing on his own accord. With Ruben’s instrumental background, he has been described as ‘Epic’ by the South-African Blues-Rock Maestro Dan Patlansky. He is certainly one to watch in the future.
Bassist AndyExilded has played in many bands over a 20-year musical career, including Blues-rock band We Are The AfterGlow, ska punkers WolfPunch & Skate punk band Not Since The Accident. His playing has been likened to a mix of Matt Freeman from Rancid & Flea of RHCP. Andy has shared a stage with many punk legends during his career including The UK Subs, Sham 69, Stiff Little Fingers, CONFLICT and many more. During his time living in Liverpool, his band at the time was supported by acts such as The Coral, The Zutons & Miles Kane, He is a genuine musical heavyweight.
Behind the drums is C.J Collins, an astoundingly hard-hitting yet versatile player who has been playing alongside bands and artists for over 15 years. Having a long history of playing in various groups, ranging from big-band Jazz & Gospel to Metal, Rock, and Hip-Hop, a definitive arsenal of different rhythmic styles can be heard throughout his performances. Over the years C.J has been likened to a blended style of John Bonham, Chad Smith, and Mitch Mitchell.
The band released their debut recording ‘See Love’ EP on Newsoundwales Records in October 2019.
ABOUT ‘GIMMIE YA LUV’
Gimme Ya Luv is about the frustration of being an artist in this world (in a fun and enjoyable way). It’s about asking for the people’s love and appreciation so that we can make something of our lives and hopefully do good for others along the way. The main premise of the song is; if you give us your love, we won’t waste it. We’ll transform that love into something great!
Featured image by Gwyn Williams.
LINKS:
https://instagram.com/blackelvisband
https://twitter.com/blackelvisdiff
https://facebook.com/Blackelvisband