Music Reviews - Seen/Scene?>and< Heard?
Heard anything the world should know about? Seen any bands and artists that you think should be signed? Email the information to us and get you name up in lights! OK, so we don't pay, but there is more to life than money!
We have a couple of crew members who regularly send us hot ips from London and Bristol and a few points in between. Essentially, we are looking to review any artist in any genre, the only criteria is that they must be GOOD - some good old fashioned and very oftern overlooked values, like song crafting, good melodies, innovative ideas - so get your thesaura out and ooze some brilliant testimonials our way. - Come on then, get on with it...
Live - The Shebeats - Riffs Bar, Swindon
This is new, although we have informed you good people of the Shebeats in past issues, the landscape of all things Shebeat has changed. Band memebers have gone, new ones arrived, old ones have come back. Management deals have been signed, tours have been trudged through, transit vans have be 'used' and many tales fronm their very own world have spread like warm honey.
Where as warm honey may have been a good metaphor for there sound a year ago, nowadays you need to expect something with a lot more ruffage in you serving of Shebeat. And we all know that more ruffage in your diet is good for you - likewise, more Shebeats in your life is good for you (ed - brilliant writing).
We caught the girls at a small, but beautifully formed venue on the outskirts of Swindon. And whilst the town may be the Cultural City of Apathy, the same can not be said of the Shebeats. Wow, they have matured - gone are the brilliant 60s-esque pop tunes, and now safely arrived, the new edgy, harder sound and material that will serve them well for a serious music career.
Their recent touring experience - all over the UK and supporting Mr. Doherty and his Babyshambles machine in Glasgow has polished the live performance and equipped them with confidence that can only be earned on the road. Tonight they were all suffering from various flu infections, but carried on regardless in front of an appreciative and loyal following of fans. T-Shirts were adorned by young and old, straight and gay. click here to get more Shebeats in your life
Steven Alvarado - Let it Go
Regular visitors wil be aware of our unlimited admiration for the songs and voice of Mr.Alvarado. This latest release has been painstakingly put together in New York with some well respected musicians, whilst the whole production is minimalist, thee key guys have really added just the right amounts of quality and class for Steven's production recipe and the result is ten beautifully crafted, deeply personal offerings. The attention to detail is perfection. Get This Far, It's For You, Burning Bridges and New York make up the rhythym section of this CD and as brilliant as they are, the heart wrenching and thought provoking lyrics of their 6 brothers and sisters on this production once again provide evidence - if it's required of this guy's superb writing ability.
Once again it is a privilege to listen to this CD and one that we can offer you guys to. we have six copies to give away to the first siz applicants, just email us and tell us why you need a free copy of the CD and it's yours.
There are runours that Steven wil be heading back to these shores for some live shows. Last year we caught up with him in New York at Kenny Castaways and The Porter in Bath - look out for him soon. In the meantime try this link stevenalvarado.com