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Blues Music Blog & Promotion

Max Muscato’s razor-sharp pop-rock hooks cut like a knife in his latest earworm, Valarie.

Posted on 27 February 2022

After a five-year stint away from the airwaves, Max Muscato proved that you can’t rush perfection with the release of his rock-licked smitten seminal single, Valerie.

The singer-songwriter, guitarist, and CEO of the NPO, Rock Autism, allowed Valarie to unravel as a matured version of Girl All the Bad Guys Want by Bowling for Soup with his eclectic range of influences, which include John Mayer, Maroon 5, Wolfmother, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Beck.

The long-awaited track which follows on from his 2017 debut album, Act One, is an intoxicating blend of razor-sharp pop-rock hooks, virtuosic riffs, blues rock interludes and, of course, Muscato’s endlessly energetic sense of soul that pours through his drunk-in-love raconteur vocals. We eagerly anticipate what follows.

Valerie is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dustin Dale Gaspard delivers Cajun blues soul food in ‘Good Lookin’ George Burton’

Posted on 23 February 2022

Taken from his debut album, Hoping Heaven Got a Kitchen, Dustin Dale Gaspard’s single, Good Lookin’ George Burton, has all the swagger of bourbon-soaked blues combined with a delectable sense of soul that won’t fail to pull you into the essence of the single which pays homage to the US singer-songwriter’s grandparents’ legacy and his Cajun heritage.

If ever there was an aural equivalent to soul food, you’ll find it in the warm, crunchy overdriven electric guitar tones, the layering of Dustin Dale Gaspard’s vocals with the almost celestial pitches of the female backing vocals and the organ notes that shimmer against the zeal in the blues piano keys. There is no understating how viscerally stunning this release is. Dustin Dale Gaspard’s resounding talent and passion for his heritage and upholding the memories of the one’s that he loves, is beyond beautiful. In 2022, he’s a diamond in the superficial rough.

Good Lookin’ George Burton is now available to stream on SoundCloud. The debut album is due for official release on February 28th, 2022.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Volta Nova – Out Where the West Begins: Meet the Fresh Face of Blues Rock

Posted on 5 February 2022

To follow on from their debut Return to Tomorrow EP, the fresh face of blues-rock, Volta Nova, unleashed their college-rock-reminiscent stormer of an extended single, Out Where the West Begins.

With hints of the 90s Seattle sound, prog-rock proclivities, blues rock attitude, swaggering crunchy guitars and nuances of the Offspring in the early days in their vocals, you couldn’t ask for a more dynamically indulgent alt-rock single to add to your playlists. For five unadulterated minutes, Volta Nova pulls from the puppet strings of a myriad of genres to deliver a sound as distinctive as it is familiar. Words alone could never express the innovation encased in Out Where the West Begins that draws you in with its impassioned gravitas.

Out Where the West Begins is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Who Could Ask For More: Sioux Falls blues artist Chris Pohlson takes us into his mind-bending expedition with ‘I’m on a Train’

Posted on 5 January 2022

With a cold bottle of beer right next to his parched lips and his mind feeling so calm and serene, Chris Pohlson floats into the happiest version of himself with his latest single all about finding yourself with ‘I’m on a Train‘.

Chris Pohlson is a soulful Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA-based indie bluegrass flat picker and is also a soundscape engineer.

”This is about an LSD trip.” ~ Chris Pohlson

As he keeps things mellow and decides to let us into a world that many don’t feel comfortable explaining just yet, Chris Pohlson sings with a smile on his face and a cheeky glint in the eye that shows you he is in a zone that helps him learn more about himself. There is so much to like about an artist who takes the shades off and leads us into a world that is so much simpler than modern life and all the stresses attached.

‘I’m on a Train‘ from the humble Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA-based solo blues artist Chris Pohlson, is a road-trippin’ track that sends your precious soul on a pacifying voyage beyond what you have thought of before. This is a real storyteller who takes us into his mind that is staying in the moment, as he keeps it simple and just lets nature take over.

Bringing us a single to gaze outside with – this is one of the more relaxed singles you will hear this year – from an unpretentious musician who lets his music do the talking.

Travel through into an altered state via Soundcloud and see more of his cowboy-hat filled journey via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

For The Last Moment: Pedro Meyer thinks back to those long-lasting moments on ‘Please Remember Me’

Posted on 28 December 2021
https://soundcloud.com/warrior_poet/please-remember-me?si=e0ccc386369c41b49da8417fc1c21b58&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

With his dark long locks flowing into the gusting breeze as he looks deeply into the sky above, Pedro Meyer wonders if his memory will live on forever with his profound new single called ‘Please Remember Me‘.

Pedro Meyer is a Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-born, Denver, USA-based indie singer-songwriter who fuses in his own original combination of funk, blues, Americana and folk.

”With particular attention to lyrics and composition, his music aims to find the balance between the moods that sways the listeners and lyrics, drawn from his personal life and observations, that everyone can relate to.” ~ Pedro Meyer

As he guides us into this deeply intimate story that has you gazing into the mirror, Pedro Meyer is in a calmingly contemplative mood as his gritty vocals show us his ever-rising quality. This is an artist who certainly isn’t afraid to write completely honest lyrics, that has you in a quietly thoughtful and nostalgic mood.

‘Please Remember Me‘ from the Brazilian-born indie Americana/folk singer-songwriter Pedro Meyer is an emotional track that sinks you into the bubble bath of your churning soul and with a concerned look on your dreamy face. You feel that this is all that you want, as you look into your memory and hope that you have lived for a purpose. Having your name live on even when the darkness comes, is so vital as you ensure that you have not wasted your time on this planet.

Hear this new single on Soundcloud and see his moves via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Pleasure And Pain: Idaho-based storyteller Bosco wonders where the love went on ‘UNME’

Posted on 28 December 2021

As he looks deep within her fiery soul to see where the love went to after all these years, Bosco is worried that the darkness might be too far within and covering up all the former radiant light on his latest single called ‘UNME‘.

Bosco Oliver aka Bosco is a proud father and unique solo indie Americana/Country/Blues singer-songwriter who is based in Pocatello, Idaho.

“This music is all I own, and I only own that as long as my mind works. I’ve spent my life writing music. It’s a spirit world to me.” ~ Bosco

With a towering presence that has you downright absorbed from start to finish, Bosco seems to possess the kind of raw voice that makes you take note and stop what you are doing immediately. He is a Dad first and an artist second – who shows us into his world that is soaked with gritty stories – that are only filled with truth and absent of that fake flash that so many unwisely fall into.

‘UNME‘ from the experienced Pocatello, Idaho-based Americana/Country/Blues solo artist Bosco, is such a striking track that it automatically takes you to a time when a past lover started to really concern you. He sings with real depth and these are proper lyrics that have been written by a man who has really lived – and could easily write a few books – that would be filled full of exciting stories.

This is the kind of classic sounding single, that you feel could live in any era as it makes you feel like you have heard one of those true underrated artists who like to stay underground as they make music for the love of creating memories.

See this new honest music video on YouTube and see more info via his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Life Flies By: Chellcy Reitsma sends the lost souls a fitting tribute with ‘Happy New Year’

Posted on 25 December 2021

After previously gracing our awaiting ears with the absolute gem ‘Desolate Days’ from September 2020, the inspiring Californian-born Chellcy Reitsma sends out a tear-inducing effort for us to warmly embrace called ‘Happy New Year‘.

Chellcy Reitsma is a Valletta, Malta-based Dutch-American indie musician and poet who fuses the line between blues and alt-rock in her own incomparable way.

With such galvanizing vocals that takes your breath away for a few seconds, there is no one quite like Chellcy Reitsma. She sings like a true angel sent to guide us and shines a light on the past which hurts her – but somehow makes her stronger and more determined than ever – to make sure that her life is lived in the right way.

This feels like a story that is all about trying to stay positive and to give thanks to those who sadly can’t be here, as they have been lost into the winds of life. Sung with a heartfelt style that seems to flourish like a bird looking for a new nest, this is an emotional single that has clearly been made with so much personal attachment.

‘Happy New Year‘ from the Valletta, Malta-based Dutch-American indie solo artist and poet Chellcy Reitsma, is a quite stunning effort from an artist who vows to fight on no matter who is left. She misses those true souls who were a big part of her life – but knows that she is a true survivor – who will carry on in their memory and make sure that her own life is lived with true meaning and never wasted.

Hear this striking new release on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Maple Sky – Free Her

Posted on 15 December 2021

Jazz, pop and RnB fusionists Maple Sky released their most seminal single to date with ‘Free Her’, which allows anyone in the process of walking away from a toxic relationship to see the light.

It was a bold theme for the ensemble to tackle. Considering that they did it with so much soul-laden compassion, they hit the evocative mark with the track that allows the intricate orchestration to explore the bright path that opens up when shackles of insidious affection are shaken off.

The smooth melodies, authentically airy vocals and wisdom so poignant it’s evident that it was hard fought for pull together to prove that the world isn’t as loveless as narcissists make you feel it is. By all accounts, it’s a stunning track. We can’t wait to hear where the UK-based ensemble take their fusion sound next.

Free Her is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nav’s Hook takes us through the artistic journey with his uplifting blues pop single, Scribbled Lines.

Posted on 13 December 2021

Up and coming indie luminary Nav’s Hook is fresh from the release of his latest single, Scribbled Lines, which couldn’t be more radio-ready. The affably penned single is enough to single-handedly dilute the bitterness of artists lamenting the hard graft and lack of success. The bluesy pop single paints the full picture of an artists’ often lonely journey and leaves plenty of room for the beauty of the humbling experience.

The single was written during an 18-hour airport layover in a sleep-deprived state that allowed Nav’s Hook to get a fresh delirious perspective on the artistic journey. The sentiment is just as sweet as the chords that shimmer with ease throughout the grooving single. The vocals also do their fair share of uplifting as they work through the lyrics that will be more than resonant for any artist that knows the struggle of sacrificing their financial security for their chance to make connections and positively influence the world.

The official lyric video is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tried To Hide It All The Same: Lara de Belder shows her utter disgust at a cheating ex with 3rd single ‘It’s All Over’

Posted on 9 December 2021

After feeling the full authority of this hideous pandemic that slammed the doors shut on many music venues and creative opportunities beyond comprehension, Lara de Belder shows her determination to move past a relationship that had so much promise before but sadly faded away on ‘It’s All Over‘.

Lara de Belder is a phenomenally talented London, UK-based, North Yorkshire-born, University of Leeds and Royal Academy of Music-trained, indie jazz/blues solo artist, musical director, and actor, who sings with a vocal output that you will always remember fondly.

‘’I’ve been interested in writing my own material for a long time and dabbled in the past, but before the first lockdown hit the UK I was involved in several bands and projects and that was where I was putting most of my energy. I didn’t yet fully believe in myself as a writer and solo artist, so the self-doubt found its comfort in prioritising these other ventures. It wasn’t until we literally couldn’t do our gigs and other projects that I realised the opportunity that was being presented.’’ ~ Lara de Belder

With the excellent producer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Rodwell on board, Lara de Belder closes the door on a broken room that has too many cracked walls to live in – as she tried to ignore it for so long – and regrets waiting until everything shattered right in front of her. With superlative vocals from a highly-praised singer who is in inspired form, you will feel like you have just witnessed an extraordinary track performed with that rare quality you have been waiting all year for.

‘It’s All Over‘ from the decorated London, UK-based indie jazz/blues solo artist, musical director, and actor, Lara de Belder, is a sensational single that could be in any era, due to the smokey class and outstanding ambience. Her voice is so vintage and she shows us the consequences when a former lover left that once-sweet love for dead. This is class personified and a release that is quite clearly something extra special.

Hear this sizzling experience on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen