Gender:
Female
Born: August 8, 1983
Location: Corvallis, USA
Last Sign in:
3 days ago
Member Since: November 27, 2005
URL: http://www.mystrands.com/Muzika
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Muzika
Who is Michelle Hotaling? “A schizophonic, ethereal, purple-loving, lyrically-based, 70's-influenced, wannabe hippy dancing in scarves and sequins to a wurlitzer, drum loop, and wa-guitar...”
Or so she says. We say, a talented vocalist and singer/songwriter with a classic pop-vocal style ala Jewel (Pop), Natalie Merchant and Sheryl Crow.
At the age of 19, following a brief disappointing stint as a small-screen actress, Michelle Hotaling began earnestly pursuing her dreams of stardom in the music industry. Collaborations with a handful of producers and sessions at The Quad ensued until she found her ultimate musical partner-in-crime and producing, Scott Slater. Together, they are in the final production stages for her first album, "Chained By Dreams" and working on her own original songs. "Tentative" release date is perfectly autumnal day in October (but no promises, it could rain that day).
Check out these tracks from her upcoming CD:
> Nowhere's Land
> Crystal Clear
And if you’re a fan of any of these artists (who collectively define this genre), you should check out Michelle’s website.
> Lisa Loeb
> Sheryl Crow
> Sarah McLachlan
> Patti Rothberg
> Abra Moore
> Meredith Brooks
> The Murmurs
> Fiona Apple
> Paula Cole
> Beth Orton
> Poe
> Alanis Morissette
> Natalie Merchant
> Natalie Imbruglia
> Heather Nova
> Alana Davis
> Jennifer Paige
Traxamillion has been making some of the hottest beats in the game for years. Now his first solo release is in stores.
Starting out with next to nothing, Traxamillion has built his reputation as the hottest producer in the Bay Area through years of struggle and hard work. The musical genius behind such hits as Keak Da Sneak's mega hit "Super Hyphy Remix", The Team's "Just Go", and the Hoodstars "Grown Man," he is now quickly becoming well known for his talent to embody the 'Hyphy movement' in his beats.
Check out these tracks:
> Grown Man Remix
> Club Stunnin feat. The Pack
... more tracks on his album "Slapp Addict"
For those unfamiliar with the term, “Hyphy” comes from the San Francisco Hip-Hop scene, where Keak Da Sneak coined it as a derivative of “Hyper.” It’s actually used to describe a unique Bay Area style of Hip-Hop which is more artistic and less commercial than NY and LA counterparts.
Hip-Hop aficionados will recognize the lineup of contributing artists to Slap Adict. If you’re a fan, then you’ll recognize these artists:
> Too Short
> San Quinn
> Keak Da Sneak
> Mistah Fab
> Turf Talk
Candace Devine joins MyStrands with a fusion of Soul, R&B and Rock. Devine has a soulful and sexy style. Her vocals are reminicent of Bonnie Raitt with a gospel backup.
Check out some of my favorites on the album "Believe":
• Believe
• Don't Save Your Love
On her website, Candace Devine compares herself to Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. The comparison is only valid if you see Devine in a live performance –where her energy is undiluted. Recorded, Devine’s style is more romantic, and less angry and soulful. (Both Tina and Aretha had a lot to be angry about – and they let you know it!) I really wanted to hear Devine scream into the microphone… and then I got my wish after hearing her live recording of “Drown In My Own Tears.” It was obviously a good night, and the crowd was rowdy – as was Devine’s vocals.
If you want to catch a live show, Devine can be seen occasionally at legendary Los Angeles clubs such as The Roxy, The Whisky, The Knitting Factory, The Derby, The Temple Bar and The Gig. Check out her website for upcoming appearances.
You will enjoy Candace Devine if you're a fan of any of these related artists:
• Bonnie Raitt
• Stone Cupid/Julie Christensen
• Melissa Etheridge
• Lou Ann Barton
• Shelby Lynne
• T-Bone Burnett
• Vonda Shepard
• The Moto-Litas
And if you really like blues – classic blues by the great woemn of that genre, you should check out some of my personal favorites!
• Bessie Smith
• Victoria Spivey
• Sippie Wallace
• Ma Rainey
Glam Rock is being resuscitated in some downtown Manhattan venues by Kevin Cahoon and Ghetto Cowboy. Of course, like all classic styles, it's being updated with a side-order of punk-ish power vocals. But if you've wondered whatever happened to Freddie Mercury, here's a clue.
Singer, songwriter Kevin Cahoon and his band have become a new items on the donwtown Manhattan scene. They’ve played packed shows in such venues as Irving Plaza, CBGB's, Don Hill's, Ars Nova, among others..
Granted, it takes more than mascara and gold lamee to be “Glam”… but Cahoon’s vocal style is proudly reminiscent of that lost genome. Check out his song, Mirrorball Prophecy and Fashionista. They are true tributes.
The group’s debut album 'Doll' has received The Outmusic Award for Best Male Debut Recording, The Pabst Blue Ribbon NYC Band Search Award, and Honorable Mention from Billboard Magazine for it's Songwriting. For my taste, the title song is overly pop – not the most innovative track on the collection. But don’t let that dissuade you.
PS, Kevin has also appeared in Film,Television, and Theatre, including the title role in 'Hedwig and The Angry Inch' and currently George in Broadway's 'The Wedding Singer'.
If you're a fan of Kevin Cahoon, check out these great artists:
1. Mott The Hoople
2. Dramarama
3. New York Dolls
4. The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
5. Queen
6. Sweet
Anthony Rankin released his new album recently, and now the entire CD is available to stream on MyStrands. Rankin has a serious guitar rock sound in the Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen tradition.
"Cages Of Fire" is Anthony Rankin's second effort, following 2003's "Every Part Of Me." The title track is a little out of the ordinary, with a softer moody feel. But most of the tracks have a harder classic-rock style.
Where did it come from? From the American Heartland (in this case Pittsburgh) which is the final frontier of old-school Rock ‘n’ Roll. This seems to be the week for my hometown hereos – but it’s just a coincidence that Cleveland’s Bizzy Bone added his latest CD to MyStrands this past week, too.
Rankin’s website proclaims him as Pittsburgh’s reigning pop rocker. I’m not sure at the age of 21 he can justify this claim. Then again, he’s only 21, and has a lot of performances ahead of him. He’s doing the ususal college campus tours, building a reputation, and developing his sound.
Other artists you may want to check out:
* Damn Yankees
* Skid Row
* Slaughter
* Ugly Kid Joe
* Atello
* Vending Machine
* Roses Are Red
* Bo Bice
If you’ve been surfing the Web for unusual music videos, you may know of Finnish band, Lodger. Their animated videos have formed a cult following – more than their music, which is equally incredible.
Like the videos, Lodger's music is dark and somewhat nihilistic. Songs like “I Love Death” and “God Has Rejected The Western World” speak of the pointlessness and decadance of modern life.
Take a look at the video – created by Lodger’s bass player/lyricist Hannes Häyhä on his laptop computer.
The band was originally founded in 2002 by Teemu Merilä, as a vehicle for his music. (Don’t worry if you’ve not heard of Merila – The Finnish singer/songwriter’s following seems to be centralized in Scandanavia.)
The group’s debut album, Hi-Fi High Lights Down Low was made available for purchase in Finland in 2004, and only this year in the US. Hi-Fi High has a sound that matches the band’s videos: hidden underneath the simple guitar-rock surface are bold melodies and stories that make big statements.
MOLA is a Dublin band with a distinct American psychedelic notstalgia, and a slight classic acid rock feel.
I'm a huge fan of American classic rock from the 60's and 70's. Mola (dc)'s sound reminds me of Cream, Kansas, or Deep Purple. This is a classic style that was lost amid Hair-bands (Van Halen? Uuch!) and synthesized Pop of the '80's.
My favorite track is “Vito (let's dance),” which is more than a little remeniscent of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly (a cornerstone of the psychedelic rock genre).
I’m told by the band that they have finished recording an upcoming release, and it’s now being mastered. If these tracks are the raw product, I can’t wait to hear the final collection. In my experience hard rock music expands when played in an live venue; so I’m looking forward to seeing the group live on my next pass through Ireland.
Their stated goal is to “rekindle the sensation of rock concerts being akin to spiritual experiences, to forget egocentricity and cultivate a forum of personal freedom, to bury our jaded notion of rock and bring it back to the core.”
That’s a tall order for a young band with only an EP in the market. But Irish bands have a way of making names for themselves. Good luck to them.
If you like MOLA, here are my picks for some related artists:
• Jefferson Airplane
• Queens Of The Stone Age
• Dead On Arrival (Metal)
• Tangerine Dream
• Vanilla Fudge
Spunkfool hails from nearby Barcelona, with one objective: to mix punk, rock and dance music! With a fantastic live performance, they’re nonconformist, fresh and brazen.
Spunkfool's sound is close to 80’s and 90’s british synth-pop – what we used to call syntho-dirge for its dark quality. The style may evoke Joy Division or New Order, but guitar-based instead of synthesized, and not so dark. There’s a punk edge to the vocals, but energetic rather than angry. It’s hard to imagine this group is Spanish, there is so much simlarity in style to many excellent bands out the UK in the 90s.
Their first CD, "So High" was remastered by David Kano of the group Cycle, and was released in early June.
Related artists:
• Happy Mondays
• Primal Scream
• Oasis
• Gene Loves Jezebel
• The Cure
As we continue to expand and provide more personalized services, MusicStrands.com has changed its name to MyStrands. You'll notice several new features, and even more will be coming this summer and fall.
Our current features, like Music Groups and Journals, Photo Galleries, and Individual Music Charts are just the beginning. In coming weeks we'll be rolling out personalized Member Profile pages, extended networks, and personal Indie Radio.
All this and more to help our members express their unique tastes, meet and interact with other members, and discover great new music!
And what about the MyStrands recommender application? We're releasing new versions of this outstanding product with great new features, to better organize and manage your music library with tags and playlists, track the music you and your friends play, and get instant recommendations as you listen to songs. You can even choose to hide the UI when you launch your media player.
Stay tuned to MyStrands.com -- we're makking personal entertainment discovery fun and easy for everyone.
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