Recently I noticed after I posted Robert Harrison’s effort to get funding for a re-release on Cotton Mather’s “Kontiki,” other bands are using Kickstarter to fund upcoming albums. With the sad state of the music business, this is like an oasis in the desert for bands looking for funding. Currently Stratocruiser and The Smith Brothers are starting funding projects. I will display the videos on our DIY Projects page along with other visual and audio goodies. Take a look and donate if you can!
The Power Popaholic Interview: Richard X. Heyman
It’s been over 4 years since I last interviewed Richard X. Heyman, so I felt with his new release “Tiers and Other Stories,” it would be helpful to dig into his story here. This was an informative and relaxed conversation about Richard’s experiences on making the album and his brief experience as drummer for The Left Banke (during the 1980’s at an aborted attempt at a reunion).
Devlin Murphy "Chuck Bird"
In 2007 the talented Devlin Murphy had a pretty impressive debut and since that time he’s been collecting songs for this new release. A funky “Till The Sun” is a good commercial pop tune, as with the multi-tracked background vocals on the follow up “Hey Love.” Then a perfect spring tune shows up in “Sunshine.” It bounces along with uplifting chords that carry the melody along. It reminds me of Roger Manning, Jr. until the reggae rhythm starts on “It’s Love Love.”
The stylistic changes show Devlins’ development (or boredom) here, but the pay off is the excellent piano ballad “Back To You” with its awesome hook in the chorus. Another big standout here is “Ask ‘n’ Ask” with a great mix of modern pop balladry and soul. My big issue is that although all the songs are well written, the production is inconsistent. Frequently he abuses AutoTune (“Not A Hero”) and a few tunes sound overproduced (“When Its Over”). But fans of Jellyfish styled pop may forgive this, as there are plenty of gems here. With a little tweaking I feel Devlin can be a major star. 
devlinmurphy.com | CD Baby
The Power Popaholic Interview: Andy Partridge
I finally was able to get in touch with one of my favorite artists, XTC’s Andy Partridge and get to him some questions that I have been itching to ask for a while now. We talk about his own label Ape House and was there another Dukes of The Stratosphere album in the works? Click on our artist interviews section to find out or view the Andy Partridge interview here.
The Hillary Step and Ward White
The Hillary Step “Note 2 Self”
The Hillary Step (Rob Schiffmann and Jon Rothstein) continue to work melodic magic on ‘Note 2 Self’. The wonderful opener “Tell Me You Love Me” works its masterful chorus into your head effortlessly with smart key changes at just the right moment. The guitar compositions on “All I’ve Got” and especially “Answers” are reminiscent of The Rembrandts in spots.
It shifts gears with a piano ballad in “For The Moment,” with its captivating acoustic solo at the break. And the ballads really resonate, like the son’s plea to his father on “What Are We Waiting For” and “Quietness Of Love” – both full of emotion and honest lyrics. The compositions vary in style, but it’s impossible to dismiss the quality of these songs. Fans of Andrew Gold and Dan Fogelberg will also enjoy this immensely.
CD Baby | Amazon | The Hillary Step Site
Ward White “Done With The Talking Cure”
White is a Brooklyn, NY based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The title track is part Bowie and part Byrds wrapped in a soulful operatic tenor. Next, the sarcastic “Change Your Clothes” is where White’s style most reminds me of Stephen Trask. “Radio Silence” has an effective Beatles guitar riff and catchy chorus.
Frequent collaborator Joe McGinty does some keyboards here, and if you liked the duos album, this seems like a natural addition. The Scott Walker – Burt Bacharach influence is over most of the latter tracks, with light string arrangements on each track. The nicely baroque “1964” has neat hand claps and harpsichord melody. White is a gifted vocalist with a distinct voice and musical stories that beg to be heard.
wardwhite.net | CD Baby