Setlist.
-introduction by Abby Krizner-
Undone – The Sweater Song
-Q&A with Abby Krizner-
Hash Pipe
-Q&A with Abby Krizner-
Take On Me (aha cover)
Beverly Hills
-Q&A with Abby Krizner-
Living in L.A.
Island in the Sun
Can’t Knock the Hustle
Say It Ain’t So
Africa (Toto cover)
Encore:
Buddy Holly (with acapella intro)
-
Neethusha – Why Did I Lose You
Neethusha’s path was already mapped out, as she confessed her Indian upbringing and pressures from society could’ve hindered her journey, but it was her inner drive and determination to avoid letting the opportunity slip that has formed this free-spirited singer-songwriter.
After listening to the ‘voice in my head’, telling her not to back down, she began honing her sound and the Indian born vocalist is now here with her romantic ballad ‘Why Did I Lose You’.
However this isn’t Neethusha’s first jaunt into the music industry, she was lead singer with band StereoGrind, appearing on Kappa TV in her Kerala hometown. In the past she has performed at shows such as Facebook India Party and Femina Style Diva, South India in 2015 and since the band split has played solo gigs around the country including Elle Carnival in 2016.
You wouldn’t think life as a pop singer would begin as a computer science graduate, but as Neethusha embarked on life as an engineer in the Bangalore offices of Deloitte, it was music that provided the outlet to express herself.
She draws inspiration from a myriad of prolific artist’s which has inspired her open minded music. These include Savage Garden and Coldplay to powerful vocal performers like Shania Twain and Celine Dion, which would explain her aim to create music from a variety of genres such as funk, rock, and acoustic-led pop.
LINKS:
https://soundcloud.com/neethushavc
https://www.youtube.com/user/neethushavc
https://www.facebook.com/neethusha
https://twitter.com/neethushavc
https://www.instagram.com/vcneethusha -
Shriekback – And The Rain
Seminal British alternative rock outfit Shriekback has announced they will release their new album ‘Why Anything? Why This?’ on May 25. As a teaser, they are previewing the first single ‘And The Rain’, along with a darkly intriguing video filmed by Howard Davidson (a.k.a. Hodah).
Shriekback was formed in 1980 by ex-XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews and bassist Dave Allen on his departure from Gang Of Four, in collaboration with guitarist Carl Marsh from Out On Blue Six. Under the auspices of the visionary Y Records label (home to The Slits, The Pop Group and Pigbag), the group found their voice experimenting in EMI Music’s KPM demo studio in London, refining a uniquely recognizable sound in 1982 on their first full-length album ‘Care’ and eventually achieving wider recognition with the singles ‘Lined Up’ and ‘My Spine (Is The Bassline)’. In 1983, they were joined by drummer Martyn Barker (King Swamp, Billy Bragg).
A move to a major label, Arista, allowed the band to fully realize their sound on ‘Oil & Gold’(1985), a milestone album that remains the band’s best-known (helped by the success of the single ‘Nemesis’) and the foundation of their popularity on the US college circuit and elsewhere.
‘And The Rain’ is dark and infectious, conjuring up steamy, swampy, Southern Gothic blues.This 14th studio album, which boasts a wide, organic and detailed sound, is already being described by early listeners as their best since the landmark album ‘Oil & Gold’. The sound is dense, woody and fibrous. Here we find evolved Bo Diddley beats and African blues”. However you describe it, this is Shriekback refocused, reinvented and reinvigorated.
Band members have also pushed themselves musically and sonically – Barry contributes a lot of guitars, Carl has essayed some slide guitar and keyboards and Martyn has brought in a whole arsenal of world percussion alongside his drumkit. Regular Shriekback listeners will hear more guitars and live drums and fewer loops and electronics. The sonic palette is very broad.
Written, performed and produced almost exclusively by the core trio, this is very much a ‘band’ album, crafted over time with the three core members working in their own studios, as well as in group sessions at Yellow Fish and Echo Zoo studios to capture live drums. But the writing and production on this release have been much more collaborative, with Martyn, in particular, having more input than previously.
New collaborator Scott Firth (of P.i.L) adds irrefutable bass to selected tracks, while Shriekback regulars Wendy and Sarah Partridge contribute their ever-invaluable backing vocals. Live drums were recorded by Ian Caple (who’s been with Shriekback since the beginning) at Yellow Fish in Lewes and Christoph Skirl at Echo Zoo in Eastbourne. The album was mixed and mastered by Stuart Rowe in The Lighterthief Bunker, Swindon – his fifth Shriekback album in this role, an indication of the value placed on his objective ear and technical skill.
‘Why Anything? Why This?’ will be released on May 25, 2018. While fans should keep an eye out for the album via digital stores and streaming platforms, the album is already available for pre-order from the band directly at https://shriekback.com/store.
LINKS:
http://www.shriekback.com
http://www.facebook.com/shriekback
http://twitter.com/shriekbackmusic
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJMkzOIkm9sqOjch00BhHBg/videos
http://soundcloud.com/shriekbackband
http://open.spotify.com/artist/5zdhsKuFI263xttcgdoW3c?si=ygb7IlYKSASw5xefkBQfDA
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/shriekback/85136
http://shriekbackmusic.tumblr.com -
Vix20 – Broken Melody
Vix20 has premiered their new video for the track titled ‘Broken Melody’. Taking a large detour from tracks past, Vix20 shows a lighter side of originality with a retro-hook-filled melody-induced track with tips of the hat to the likes of Christopher Cross, Pink Floyd, and more. Sound like an original mix? You have to listen to find them, but they are all there. This is as much a classic approach to songwriting as it is a time-honored way to lay a track down.
The video gives that lucid memory to the graphic artists of old that worked on such classics as ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Animalympics’. Given the music-heavy tinges of those two classic films, it’s easy to see where Vix20 gets some of its influence. And that influence is worn on the sleeve on the jacket of originality.
About ‘Broken Melody’
Whoops they did it again… nothing can keep VIX20 down, not even a pandemic!
Embarking on what would be a ballad song if VIX20 did a ballad song. ‘Broken Melody’ is Slated to come out on 5 March 2021. The new song takes you back to the melody of The WINGS infused with WHAM’S “careless whisper” a NU School melodic roots in REEL Skool style. REEL Skool refers to the real music found on tape to tape reels unlike the computer-generated music of today. The strums of the guitar’s beat of the drums and tickling the piano along with smooth style vocals give new vigor to Soft Pop Rock!
From the band…..Vix doesn’t really do ballads but if they did….Best described as a slightly sinister journey that twists and turns through joy, grief, and revenge. Highlighting Vix’s diverse songwriting, Broken Melody started life as a 10 min throw down by Mills and Kill, CJ immediately raised the song to the next level. Vix doesn’t really do guitar solos but if they did …it would be on the full version.
About Vix20
Vix20 is Gary Mills and CJ, two music industry veterans who grew so disillusioned with the state of every element of the music industry that they both walked away vowing not to return…fast forward a few years, now rejuvenated, though no less prickly about the Modern Age, they return, to quote the band themselves, “we’re hard rockers turned to the dark side of pop”.
As evidenced in their single, Digital Age, their passion for power-pop (don’t say ‘punk-pop’ to them, it suggests too much jumping around) and dexterity with words combines to become insanely catchy 3-minute thunderbolts. Completing the Vix lineup is long-time conspirators Rich Norris and Kill, with a busy year ahead the next single is planned for April and the band will appear at the International pop overthrow festival in May at the legendary Liverpool venue The Cavern.
LINKS:
https://www.vix20.com
https://www.instagram.com/vixtwenty
https://www.facebook.com/vixtwentymusic
https://twitter.com/Vixtwenty
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuPABFfRP8fWPKkp6mA9Kkw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/01fEKKUsAN1pp9jguVrTQG?si=0cMw1OI6R6mM2iO_42M6sw