Archive for the 'tra.kz artist spotlight' Category

Tra.kz Artist Spotlight: The Beautiful Girls (“Don’t Wait”)

published
on November 4, 2009
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in artist/album reviews, music, and tra.kz artist spotlight
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TBG_Don't Wait Cover

“Don’t wait is just a song about going out, finding a girl and dancing with her. Living life and having a good time. With everybody. Together. We don’t think that just because we have a reggae feel in some of our music that we should preach righteousness, sing about smoking ganja, or pretend to be Bob Marley. Enough people do that already. It’s just a pop song.” – The Beautiful Girls

Now that’s a refreshingly honest and unapologetic introduction to what is indeed a catchy poppy song with a reggae feel. It’s called “Don’t Wait.” Have a listen:

The Beautiful Girls hail from Australia and are indeed beautiful, albeit not female. The sound they create is an electric harmony of rock, reggae, pop and folk, which at times sounds a lot like the boys from the softer surfer-singer-songwriter corner (most notably Jack Johnson, to whom lead singer Mat McHugh bears a striking resemblance), and at other times sounds much less soft…

The rootsy carefree sound of “Don’t Wait’ will get you grooving in no time.

http://tra.kz/29r

Tra.kz Artist Spotlight: Junior Reid (Never Let You Go)

published
on August 18, 2009
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in music and tra.kz artist spotlight
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Junior Reid

Hailing from Jamaica’s tough West Kingston Waterhouse district, Junior Reid has been a mainstay of reggae and dance hall music since the 70′s. Junior may be best known as the lead vocalist of Black Uhuru, taking over for Michael Rose in 1985; but in the last few years, he has been infiltrating the hip hop scene. Samples of Junior’s best known hit, “One Blood,” have appeared on the Wu-Tang Clan‘s 2000 album The W, and in The Game’s song “It’s Okay (One Blood).” Junior has also collaborated with Mims to create a remix of his hit “This Is Why I’m Hot.”

Junior’s latest solo album, Living Legend is set to be released October 27th of this year, on Bay Area’s ABB Records. To give you a little taste, he has made his new single, “Never Let You Go,” available through Tra.kz for you to listen to, download and share! After you’ve listened to it, be sure to say hello to Junior on Twitter.

http://tra.kz/au6

Tra.kz Artist Spotlight: Longwave (”Sideways Sideways Rain”)

published
on March 16, 2009
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in genres, music, and tra.kz artist spotlight
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longwave

New York born indie rock band, Longwave, was formed in 1999 by guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Steve Schiltz, guitarist Shannon Ferguson, bassist Dave Marchese and drummer Jeremy Greene. While some say their early music was influenced by shoegaze pioneers and post-punk icons, the current Longwave sound is very distinct, perhaps due to their numerous lineup changes over the years. Their most recent release, Secrets are Sinister, debued in November 2008 on Original Signal Recordings (the same label that supports the likes of Ingrid Michaelson and David Ford, whom we interviewed last year).

Longwave is now releasing a new single, “Sideways Sidesways Rain” exclusively on tra.kz! Check it out here.

http://tra.kz/xvd

Tra.kz Artist Spotlight: Alessandra Conti (”Empty Words”)

published
on February 11, 2009
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in music and tra.kz artist spotlight
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Young and full of passion, Alessandra Conti is an 18 year old singer, composer, guitarist, and writer who is fresh to the D.C. Music Scene. A city girl who grew up in a small town, Alessandra and was lucky enough to escape frequently to perform and experience life in New York City. She has performed on MTV’s TRL: “I Wanna Be a Rock Star” segment and was a “Viewer Host” (Celebrity Interviewer) for a brand new show on MTV. Seen on VH1, The Oxygen Network, and of course MTV, Alessandra is on her way to establish herself as a personality and musician in the industry. She recently recorded with Ben Folds, and will be featured on his upcoming album with her acapella group, “Treble in Paradise”. She will be opening for Ben Folds at his upcoming concert in Baltimore. Alessandra has also been featured in Seventeen Magazine and has walked the runway for Teen People Magazine’s Model Search. A very strong beginning to a very promising career.

Now a Freshman at American University in Washington, D.C. Alessandra is studying Communications: Broadcast Journalism and Marketing. Young, vivacious, talented and excited to hit the scene, Alessandra is just beginning her career in the indie-town DC making her official live debut this weekend!

Alessandra’s newest single “Empty Words”: http://tra.kz/ew
Alessandra’s music on MixMatchMusic: http://tra.kz/almmm

http://tra.kz/c4d

Tra.kz Artist Spotlight: The Dance Party ("Sasha Don't Sleep")

published
on February 11, 2009
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in artist/album reviews, dance, music, and tra.kz artist spotlight
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TDPressPic

“Sasha Don’t Sleep” is a track off of The Dance Party’s new tour EP titled “Tiger” coming out this Spring. They’re one of DC’s mega cool indie bands and also becoming a staple in the New York rock scene. Their gigs may be spreading across America but when The Dance Party puts on a show on at home, DC doesn’t sleep. A Dance Party show is a fun & exciting night of outta control rock and roll. You heard me. Check ‘em out but be prepared for the addiction.

The Dance Party is a high-energy rock group from Washington, DC. With a sound that combines Dance-Punk, 80′s New Wave, and Powerpop, The Dance Party created a buzz throughout DC and the Mid-Atlantic with their frenetic live performance and hook-laden debut album, “Friction! Friction! Friction!”

The Dance Party recently recorded 10 tracks with Andros Rodriguez at the helm (Justin Timberlake, Cobra Starship, !!!). With a host of shows booked and new songs yet to be released, the band is positioned for rock & roll domination.

The new material demonstrates the band’s strengths – undeniably catchy pop songs executed with an over-the-top delivery, guaranteed to cause the uncontrollable desire to throw caution to the wind and get radical on the dance floor.” – blurb taken from The Dance Party MySpace Music Page.

http://tra.kz/05h