Bleu McAuley, is an award-winning songwriter, producer, and recording artist who’s done great power pop in the past and recently helped with the new Dear Stella EP. His new song “I Wanna Write You a Symphony” is supported by the above video work of filmmaker Graeme Wilson who started following Bleu’s career in 2008 and decided to contact him after Bleu casually mentioned in an email newsletter that he was puzzled about how to put his pile of new songs out in the world. He is planning the release of his sixth solo album.
Matthew Sweet is back! “Give a Little” is the new single from his upcoming album Catspaw. Sweet mentions, “It has a lot of elements I like both lyrically and musically. I think this one came to me all at once—music and words together. I really like the start and stop riffs that underpin the chorus; they give it quite a kick.” Yes, it does! I can’t wait to review this new LP.
I kind of lost track of Taylor Locke (Rooney) since his early solo work. But he has been very busy collaborating with artists such as Linda Thompson, the New Pornographers, Sloan and composing music for TV and streaming shows. Plus, he did 40 dates as a touring guitarist for L.A. legends Sparks.“Dying Up Here,” a hooky charmer that was co-written with Bleu McAuley and appears on Locke’s new EP “The Bitter End”
Choices We Make is a timely new song from Richard X. Heyman‘s upcoming album. An amalgam of folk-pop with Memphis soul, the song is anchored as always by Richard’s drumming, guitar and organ, and piano, and festooned with a lush vocal arrangement. He is joined in this effort by wife Nancy Leigh on bass, Probyn Gregory (of the Brian Wilson band) on trombone and trumpet, and jazz saxophonist Duke Guillaume.
Category: video
Erk and a new Kai Danzberg video
Erk “When Night Meets Day”
German singer-songwriter Erk Wiemer is one of those great finds, who has quietly developed his talent and songwriting over the years. Hopefully, this album will let others in on his joyful love of classic pop and rock and roll melodies. He starts with the Motown styled “Living My Life Without You” and its infectious emotion and horns bathe the listener. His songwriting style is tightly crisp, and on “Taking My Time” he makes the duet with Diane Weigmann as sweet as sugar. His love of soft pop sounds come through on the Left Banke-styled “Malibu Beaches In Berlin” and the Wilsonesque “Rhapsody of You.”
Erk does not stick to a single style, so you get a little ska, a little jazz and even some doo-wop (on the title track). But when he hits that hook right, it’s amazingly catchy. “Chilly Winds Ahead” and “Better Sad Than Dead” are wonderful amalgams of The Beatles and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Highly Recommended.
Kai Danzberg is releasing his digital single “The Day” a duet with Lisa Mychols. This is in advance on his new EP “Euphoria” which will be released in late September.
Deluxe Editions and Kickstarter News update!
One of our recommended go-to power pop artists is Chris Richards & The Subtractions. In addition to this year’s Peaks & Valleys – the band has added new and updated deluxe editions of three earlier LPs. Loaded with demos and alternate takes, check it out:
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Paul Melancon, a critical-darling indie-pop rocker from Atlanta, GA is debuting “Hyperventilate” along with a very Scooby-Doo/Archies like animated video from his forthcoming album. Melancon’s first new music in 13 years tells the story of his struggle with depression.
“Anyone can relate to this feeling of being completely trapped by ongoing discouragement. When under the thumb of depression, my discouragement verged on hopelessness that I couldn’t shake, but couldn’t give into,” Melancon said. “In Hyperventilate, I try to capture that dual sense of both feeling like I’ll have to give up and needing not to give up no matter what.”
Order the album through Kickstarter and help spread the word!
Saturday Night EPs: Wilkerson, Brad Marino, Lia Pamina & Dario Persi
The first single from Danny Wilkerson‘s forthcoming album Wilkerson. The album produced by Bleu and featuring Roger Joseph Manning Jr. will be released July 20, 2018. I like this one a lot, its got the goods! Get it on Amazon
We saw this coming from Brad Marino (The Connection) last month and now his solo EP is here! Brad plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals. Fans of The Connection will not be disappointed.”Hey Girl” has got a little Stones-like R&B guitar lead, and “Special Friend” is also charged up (and also has a Stones reference!) His first Ramones styled single “C’mon C’mon C’mon” is also available. Get it on Bandcamp or Amazon.
A perfect European combination! Spain’s Lia Pamina and Italy’s Dario Persi (Radio Days) recreate a sweet sixties sounds on So Far Tonight. They shared the songwriting, and the result of this joint effort is pure magic. “So Far Tonight” and “Time’s Passing By” are real Beatlesque gems and “Midnight Walk” is a catchy tune that takes advantage of Lia’s hushed vocals.
Get it on Bandcamp or Amazon
Video Premiere: Jeff Whalen
Jeff Whalen Jendy! from Supermegabot on Vimeo.
A Power Popaholic exclusive: New “Jendy” video from former Tsar frontman Jeff Whalen. Visit the pledge campaign here!