music – NZ Film Freak

Budding Kiwi Musician Busking on Queen Street with Big Dreams

At just 19, Auckland-based singer-songwriter Saem Millward is busking his way into New Zealand’s music industry.

Originally from Palmerston North, Saem’s musical story began at age 13 when he sat down at a keyboard, picking up melodies by ear before moving into classical piano lessons.

High school brought a new chapter. Inspired by watching the school choir perform, he joined them before auditioning and landing a spot in the 2023-24 New Zealand Secondary Students Choir.

Having found his voice, he officially caught the music bug in Year 13 with a song he wrote called I Don’t Wanna Change for an NCEA Internal exam. But what began as an assignment, soon became his first recorded work.

“I liked it so much that I got it recorded by local producer Hayden Lauridson, with the help of some of my musically talented friends on the instruments,” Saem said.

In the summer of 2024, Saem hit the streets of Auckland, busking in the style of Sinatra and Bublé. He got such a good reception that you’ll now often find him on Queen Street performing between classes at the University of Auckland, where he’s studying Law and Classical Singing as a conjoint degree.

With his feet firmly marching toward the New Zealand music industry, his interest and talent among various genres is what makes his style unique.

“I think my interest and participation in a variety of genres such as jazz, pop, RnB, classical, musical theatre sets me apart from other musicians set to one genre.”

What next? Saem hopes to make it in the music industry somehow.

“I’m ultimately hoping to be a multi-media artist of some sort… I would love to branch out into writing, acting, art design, production, and anything else artistic. Anything but an office job!”

He’s just getting started, but there’s something grass-roots and honest about his approach to making it in the industry, which I love!

Stay away from the office jobs, Saem – we’re excited to see what comes next for you in the creative sector.

Follow his story on TikTok (saem207), Insta (saemmusicnz) and YouTube (saemmusicnz).

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Saxophonist’s ‘Ambitious Project’ Comes to New Zealand

“Inspiration comes from my belief that anything can be creative, and is.” – Simon Byrne.

Saxophonist Simon Byrne recently made the leap from Britain to start a new life in Wellington.

Completing a Law degree in a previous life, Byrne’s calling has always been music. Using hospitality roles as a way to explore and perform his way around New Zealand, he is now committed to making music his main work source.

“…the saxophone has been the real constant in my life… so I wouldn’t mind people having a listen and creating some enjoyment!”

Byrne isn’t just a solo artist though – he enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians too (feel free to reach out!).

Reflecting on the differences of music scene between here and Britain, Byrne noted that New Zealand has more of an awareness of its roots with an encouraging atmosphere, feeling as though “we’re all in it together”. Whereas Britain’s vast scale of musicians can be perceived as intimidating, with it feeling easy to get lost in the crowd.

Described as a versatile and high-energy saxophonist, Byrne lending his music to weddings, gigs, live performances and recording sessions.

While he plays every genre, even accepting song requests at events, his versatility as a saxophonist is reflected in his favourite genre; jazz.

“Whilst I will pretty much play anything at the drop of a busker’s hat, it has to be Jazz. But don’t be scared! It suits so many moods and audiences in different ways. It comes into soul, funk, hooks in pop, electronica – all sorts.”

It’s the spontaneous performances, particularly those accompanying a DJ, that he find most rewarding.

Getting his teeth stuck into New Zealand’s music scene, Byrne has big ideas for his next step.

Proclaimed as an ‘ambitious project’, Byrne is developing a show that will boast visuals, electronic music and improvisational sections. An intense and fun performance set to be delivered at festivals and other arts spaces.

“My latest original work will be premiered in 2026. It’s not a play, poetry, gig or recording. Yet, watch this space!”

Keep in the loop with Simon Byrne’s work on his website, Instagram and YouTube.

This was a paid article.

Finding Freedom: From Builder to Musician Overnight

When life took a turn in 2019, 40-year-old Kiwi builder and designer Geoff Kunac picked up a guitar.

Six months later, he had nearly enough songs for a whole album.

“I think for lack of anything better to do more than anything else,” Geoff says. “It became my cathartic diary or voice, as I was silently watching my life simultaneously fall apart around me.”

Geoff of Martinborough didn’t come from a background of music. Teenage memories of messing around on the family’s piano, dropping out of guitar lessons at school, and listening to his older sister’s CDs and mixed tapes were the extent of his music experience.

But a messy break up was the bump in the road that urged him to dust off his mum’s old $200 guitar as a way to process the darker days.

“Chords or melodies would just flow out onto the guitar whenever they felt like it… I didn’t have much control over it. I quickly learned to push record on my phone to capture the moment or I’d wake up the next day with no idea what the tune was or how I’d played it.”

There was no intention to take the recordings any further, it was merely a way to “stay sane”. But he soon decided to try and make something of his creations by taking an online singing course, picking up a free piano, tambourine, and learning to use some old microphones and a recorder his friend had given him.

The 10-song album Freedom was released and published on Spotify and other streaming providers this year.

“The whole thing was hard. I was going through messy personal stuff. Drifting around, living in an office, cabin, caravan and trying to build a little house to get settled, while at the same time trying to creep myself into this world of ‘music’ that I knew absolutely nothing about – at forty.”

Described as avant-garde, Freedom is a collection of raw, acoustic, indie-rock tunes. Geoff’s emotion and honest storytelling is at the forefront of this album, with the single-mic and ground floor method of recording only complimenting the rustic feeling of his songs.

When asked if music would continue to be just a hobby and outlet, Geoff responded definitively: No – he wasn’t going to stop now.

“I have much bigger plans – I want to take it as far as I can. I have lots of songs waiting to be produced. I’d love to perform on the big stage someday. I like to travel – Glastonbury or the US somewhere would be great fun, I think.”

Keep an eye out on Geoff’s Instagram here for upcoming gigs over the summer where he will be performing his debut album. In the meantime, check out his debut album Freedom below.

(My personal favourite are Something in Your Way and the guitar in Dancing in the Sea. Geoff’s favourites are Gypsea Son and Rainlight.)

https://open.spotify.com/album/0kOc4SZo9sB6cxKXqW8NPG?si=yceio3e6RHaYfxzFNaJnyg&fbclid=IwY2xjawNaVpVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHvwA7kJNtDOCGWUUfgxFeIV2Za9EmcwYOen3Ne6_2LBLx1GFsxMYk6mLxsUL_aem_D0K2sIcD7Zf4pe_8oKNjig&nd=1&dlsi=d2924da2ab5b4097&flow_ctx=62ed462c-29e2-46b0-a2fc-8f1301f28149%3A1760419131

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Ty Bru: A Night In Charlotte with Sweeney Ty

As a self-proclaimed Sweeney Todd fiend, Ty Bru: A Night In Charlotte with Sweeney Ty immediately piqued my interest.

Clearly inspired by Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, this rap/hip-hop production gave the melodramatic victorian tale a previously unseen twist.

Ty Brueilly is the front man – and presumably the vision behind this performance – who has been involved with independent music for nearly two decades.

Intercepting and merging with Ty Bru’s rap are the familiar voices and instrumentals from Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd musical. The two genres weaved between each other effortlessly.

In the same way that Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby mashed the twenties with modern music, I think this performance did a great job of blending the victorian-based thriller with modern rap.

While the smoke machine sets the scene, the make up is individualistic and the camera work is smooth, what’s lacking from this performance is slickness. It seems loose, particularly when considering performers in the background who act as though they can’t be seen when others are in the foreground. I think this makes the performance messy and breaks the illusion.

Having said that, from another point of view this could just be the interjection of a typical imperturbable rapper’s performance to the theatre stage show backdrop.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the theatrical nature of this Sweeney Todd inspired performance. Certainly very creative and unlike anything I’d seen before.

If this sounds like a bit of you, check it out below!

Follow Ty’s film and music work on Facebook and Instagram.

This is a paid review

Coda Nova – Fable

Atlanta-based four-piece progressive rock band, Coda Nova, have released their third single, Fable.

With drums that lean toward heavy metal, hooks that remind me of My Chemical Romance (in the early days!), electric guitar that screams straight from the 1980s, and vocals that echo Placebo, Coda Nova is an authentic mash up of all things rock to create a distinct sound of their own.

This eight-minute track bends all the ‘rules’ of modern three-minute tracks, which in itself sets this band apart. This step off of the beaten track reminds me of the forward-thinking Pink Floyd.

“Say what you will, this fable’s in decline.”
– Coda Nova

Fable speeds up and slows down like waves of emotion as the story builds momentum. A brave and progressive song structure against poetic lyrics woven between classic rock riffs makes this single memorable.

“Feel that elation
That pull of greed
Exaggeration of things we need
What is left to fill
But all the minds we see
are just left for guessing”
– Coda Nova

My only wish is that they’d crank up the bass guitar a little, as the song sounds a bit thin at times with the lead guitar taking centre stage without a much-needed heartbeat.

Listen to Fable on Spotify, Bandcamp, Soundcloud or Amazon today, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

This is a paid review.

Under the Clocks (Stay) – Echolily

Echolily is a doctor by day a bedroom musician by night.

Inspired by the likes of Sia and Bjork, this singer/songwriter is incorporating the best of her favourite artists while creating an identity of her own.

The song Under the Clocks (Stay) is an echoey and haunting song with electronic pop vibes. I could easily imagine it being remixed for the clubs!

I love how Echolily has produced the song entirely on her own. It gives the music a raw, independent quality that I really enjoy, because it’s not been overproduced or manipulated too much. I love her description of sound; electronica downtempo, synth pop, trip hop and ‘can you make that more lo-fi please?’.

My favourite thing about this song is the meaning behind it. Inspired by the love of the city of Melbourne, and the overwhelming emptiness of it during Covid. The singer says she met a man while busking outside Flinders Station (the iconic train station you would have seen on postcards), who told her that he used to meet his lover here. He’d just say ‘meet me under the clocks’ of Flinders Station. Hence the song title.

Having visited Melbourne several times, I know Flinders Station well. I totally understand the romance of its architecture, which is why I love this story so much.

Her connection with the pandemic goes beyond empty city streets. Echolily is a frontline health worker, and experienced Covid-19 head-on. I think that brings a new depth to the song.

Check out her song on YouTube or Spotify!

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

No Goodbyes – Norman Alexander

R&B singer/songwriter Norman Alexander hails from Queens, New York.

His song No Goodbyes is a catchy yet solemn tune that showcases his natural vocal talent. Despite the electronic tinny drumbeat, Norman Alexander’s voice is a far cry from the auto-tuned, synthetic sounds typical of the R&B pop genre.

A song derived from the loss of his brother and sister, the mournful chorus certainly captures the sadness felt by the singer. I think the emotional heartbreak of the song is a welcome reality check to the genre that’s so often flooded with the far more shallow aspects of life.

An authentic and heartfelt song that is definitely worth a listen. Check it out below!

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

Bright Light – Neil and Adam

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

The St. Louis-based duo have a few thousand followers across their channels, with Bright Light already receiving more than 8,000 plays.

While Neil and Adam’s song Bright Light does sound quite generic, I suppose that is the essence of the pop genre.

It actually sounds like the kind of song that’s played over the credits of a coming of age movie like Fault in our Stars or The Way Way Back. It’s very upbeat, positive and nostalgic.

Scared of the bright light
Burning in your heart
Waiting for the fist fight
That rages in your heart

With a catchy chorus and smooth vocals, you’re bound to enjoy it! It’s easy to sing along to, and it certainly gets stuck in your head.

Check it out:

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

Baby Let Me Go – Smoking Martha

Stepping away from their more upbeat and rocky music, Baby Let Me Go by Smoking Martha is a soft rock acoustic song with dark undertones on their album In Deep.

Echoing the glamorous aesthetic of rock and roll singers from the deep south, surprisingly this band hails from Brisbane’s sunny coastlines.

This is the second song I have reviewed of Smoking Martha’s, and I didn’t even realise it was the same band because of how different this song is to the last one!

Baby Let Me Go is about death and grief, with the video using classic symbols of religion, angels and roses to represent the loss and acceptance associated with the song.

My only criticism would be that the song takes a long time to warm up with perhaps one too many verses before reaching the bridge. This plus the repetitive shots used in the video made the song drag a little.

This song in particular reminds me of the 2000’s Ashley Simpson and Avril Lavigne, with a rocky and smokey undertone beneath the feminine and melodramatic exterior, which I think would appeal widely to today’s younger generation. However, their back catalogue is far more typical of the classic rock genre.

Check out Baby Let Me Go on YouTube here.

Follow Smoking Martha on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore – Marlon Williams ft. Aldous Harding

marlon williams

After recently discovering the Kiwi brilliance that is Aldous Harding, I soon stumbled across this duet with another Kiwi icon, Marlon Williams.

Isn’t is strange, impossible to claim your reward,
I cannot explain, emotions I can barely afford to contain,
You’re the same, you hide away from anything that turns you on,
Nobody gets what they want anymore.

It’s a highly melancholy song, sung in a tone of despair. But it’s so dreamy and relaxing to listen to.

No words, only scream, could possibly protect you, you know what it means,
Two is the charm, a place therein around us and pray and pray,
And saying the name there is no blame, there is no shame, and even more,
Nobody gets what they want anymore.

There’s no animosity in the song, it just sounds like pure surrender to a really bad
situation. I think it’s a break up song:

What am I going to do when you’re in trouble,
And you don’t call out for me?
What am I going to do when I can see that you’ve been crying,
And you don’t want no help from me?
Baby, I can’t separate us out anymore.

It sounds like Marlon Williams is saying: ‘Something really terrible has happened but there’s nothing I can do about it. And that’s that.’

I love Aldous Harding. She’s the perfect choice for this song – it’s not as powerful when Marlon Williams sings it by himself in live performances.

Nevertheless, Marlon’s almost classical voice is faultless, and Aldous’s alternative style is perfect.

The music video to accompany this song is quite tongue-in-cheek (below), which I like. Marlon plays a waiter who keeps getting the orders wrong and ‘nobody gets what they want’.

Jodie.

Imagining My Man – Aldous Harding

aldous harding review

A blend of Joanna Newsom’s folk style and Kate Bush’s theatrical tone makes New Zealand’s Aldous Harding.

I had never heard of her before, but apparently one of her songs is on an advert back home at the moment.

The melody of Imagining My Man makes you melt; the soft keyboard and guitar relaxes you completely. The gentle clarinet (?) at the end is the cherry on top.

I’m going to answer, protecting
It can be so hard to forgive
It’s not what I thought, and it’s not what I pictured
When I was imagining my man

Her style of singing is certainly unique; I thought she was Swedish at first. But her distinctive voice is brilliant and full of emotion.

I love the rawness and honesty of Harding. I’ve watched a few live performances and she doesn’t hold back with exaggerated facial expressions. I heard her apologise ‘for what you’re about to see, but it’s all for the good of the song’ in the Tiny Desk Concert – I assume it was regarding her expressions. Nevertheless, I hope she doesn’t make a habit of apologising.

All my life (hey!) I’ve had to fight to stay
You were right, love takes time, hey, hey

I have since graduated on to another one of her songs, Horizon, which I love too.

Looking forward to hearing more of her!

Jodie

Black – Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi ft. Norah Jones

I heard this song on the epic TV show Breaking Bad and it gave be chills immediately.

Its melancholic, dreamy sound is amazing – Norah Jones’ voice was perfectly matches the tone. Choosing her to feature in this song was a brilliant decision.

Until you travel to that place you can’t come back
Where the last painting’s gone and all that’s left is black

I think it’s about hitting rock bottom, not being able to see anything good in the world – all you see is black.

At last those coming came and they never looked back
With blinding stars in their eyes but all they saw was black

It reminds me a little of a song that’s featured in Stranger than Fiction called La Petite Fille de la Mer, but Black is far heavier and darker… No pun intended.

Thank you Breaking Bad for a lot of things (don’t do drugs, kids!) but most of all for introducing me to this song, which features in season 4.

And when you follow through and wind up on your back
Looking up at those stars in the sky those white clouds have turned it black

Hard Times – Paramore

Hard Times-bg

I can’t stop listening to this brilliant song!

I stopped being a fan of Paramore a long time ago, but I stumbled across this song during a busy day at work creating a new-found love for Hayley Williams’ freakishly talented vocals.

Hard Times is on Paramore’s most recent album After Laughter, and it’s distinctly influenced by 1980s pop. It’s so catchy! I’ve had it on repeat for 72 hours straight. It sort of reminds me of Kiesza’s style (Hideaway).

Hard times
Gonna make you wonder why you even try
Hard times
Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry
These lives
And I still don’t know how I even survive
Hard times. Hard times.
And I gotta get to rock bottom!

Cherry Blossom Trees – Leafy Satori Risk

Leafy Satori Risk - Cherry Blossom Trees

Cherry Blossom Trees is a lullaby love song to Japan by Leafy Satori Risk. It’s a cool blues/soft jazz song with an echo of folk that blends into a song that evokes a passionate and beautiful Spring romance.

The singer/songwriters Iris and Karl of Leafy Satori Risk both hail from Vienna, but have settled in France, Berlin, New Mexico and then finally in Los Angles. However, their hearts are forever in Tokyo where they spend two months of every year, and where many of their live shows are performed.

Both artists are creative by nature, both working in the film industry when they’re not performing in their band: Iris Karina is an actress and Karl Lohninger is a sound mixer and sound designer.

Inspired by the travelling duo’s dream of experiencing the bloom of cherry blossom trees, this dreamy song reflects on goals that may never be achieved.

Cherry Blossom Trees is a slow-tempo song about, perhaps, being shrouded in desire and aspiration. Just like the floating petals, the writer’s dreams are beautiful and bold, yet barely tangible. The showers of pink petals summons a scene of a soft, pink-hued world. Maybe we’re looking through rose-tinted glasses.

The lyrics describe tides of pink cherry blossom petals that rain down on to the palms of your hand. This imagery makes me think of opportunities that land in the palm of your hand, and it’s up to you to seize them, or ‘wait for the tide to turn’.

Stretch out your arms,
And watch them land on your palms,
We could drown in a sea of flowers if you want,
Or we could wait for the tide to turn.

It’s the theme of love and loss represented by the provocative saxophone and strong male vocals (reminding me of Barry White’s romantic ballads), and the breathy female vocals echoing softly-spoken French love songs.

These combinations of emotive genres and tones creates imagery within itself of a lost or unattainable love. Whether it be someone, something or some place that can not be reached. Judging by the soft strumming of the guitar and gentle hum or purr of the saxophone, I get the sense that as strong as this longing is, it’s been accepted that it may never be achieved.

My love why – why don’t you stay close to me,
The air is cool,
The light is strong,
And spring is near.

With inverted colours, the music video for Cherry Blossom Tree evokes a dream-like state as the singer wanders leisurely and reflectively through Japan. The video was shot by Karl Lohninger inside the Inokashira Park in Kichijoji and at the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

The video, although simple, reflects the melancholic subject matter. Combined, the song and images articulate and engage so much emotion while saying so little. Therefore, you can read and interpret so much into it, which I like. Perhaps partly because of the musicians’ multi-cultural influences, every listener can find a new angle and meaning for it.

Have a listen on YouTube here, and let me know what it makes you think of. Check out Leafy Satori Risk’s website and Facebook.

Mississippi Devil – The Darkest Hearts

TDH_Laugh_

Hailing from Tennessee, The Darkest Hearts is a hard rock band recently nominated for the Nashville Industry Music Award for Best Alternative Rock Band. They are drawing attention world-wide for their unique combination of rock, pop and punk genres, featuring striking guitars and rich, theatrical vocals.

Their song Mississippi Devil is scheduled to be released October 6 of this year. It echoes characteristics of the likes of grunge band Nickelback with strong, melodic pop rock vocals against almost heavy metal instrumentals.

The deep bass that the band’s song sports creates the heavy atmosphere intertwined with punk and gothic undertones. This dark imagery combined with the complexities of the song’s alternative genre reminds me of Evanescence’s early work in album Fallen. I love the punchy drums; it’s the strong heartbeat of Mississippi Devil.

If you enjoy punk and dark, punk rock bands, you’ll love The Darkest Hearts!
Check them out on their website, Facebook and Twitter!

Say You’re Mine – Smoking Martha

smoking martha band

Aussie rockers, Smoking Martha, are releasing their debut album In Deep.

After listening to their single Say You’re Mine, I would say that Smoking Martha is a traditional punk rock band, which is so refreshing considering the rock bands of today are becoming more and more plastic and glossy.

The melodic vocals remind me of Hayley Williams of Paramore; very strong and powerful with pop undertones. Whereas, almost in contrast, the heavy guitar echoes early Evanescence and Queens of the Stone Age.

Style-wise, I got nostalgic flashbacks to Gwen Stefani in No Doubt, as I watched the lead-singer in the Say You’re Mine music video. Nevertheless, the classic punk attire reminds me of the old days when punk rockers were raw and genuine. Smoking Martha would be a wicked band to see live, for sure!

Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. See their single below:

Windows – Greye

Windows by Greye is a country-pop song, which echoes early Taylor Swift and Ashley Simpson.

With squeaky-clean, youthful and energetic female vocals – not dissimilar to the likes of Paramore’s lead vocalist – Greye certainly has a distinctive, almost acoustic folk, sound at times.

With vivid lyrical imagery, I could actually imagine this song featuring on The Hunger Games:

“…and shoot that arrow, who know if it’ll be there tomorrow.”

At more than five and a half minutes in duration, Windows is quite a marathon song. Nevertheless, this song has plenty of emotional suspense and instrumental build-up that keeps you listening.

With clear talent on the band’s behalf, I’m sure this song could easily find its way on to an easy-listening or country tunes radio station, if it hasn’t already. Certainly a harmless, sweet, harmonious and youthful group of musicians.

Greye will be hitting the road on July 15, 2017 for a tour of the Eastern United States in support of Windows. Information and dates can be found at here.

Follow Greye on Facebook and Twitter!

Till I See You Again – Bunny Sigler

Bunny music_Fiverr

Dedicated to the US military and America’s uniformed first responders, Till I See You Again could certainly be a moving song for many.

Till I see You Again is a recognisable and loyal echo of the 1980’s R&B/soul music sound, that I’m sure listeners of this era will enjoy. Bunny Sigler includes melancholy backing vocals, chiming harps and sharp drums to create the sounds of a distinct genre and generation since past.

With heart-wrenching vocals and a solemn electronic keyboard, this soulful song will have you reminiscing in feelings of soft nostalgia from the first note. In one listen, you can hear the passion and commitment that the vocalist is putting into his performance of smooth jazz.

Listen to Till I See You Again on YouTube, follow Bunny on Facebook and Twitter.

Ithaca – Danny Baxley

Single

From Texas to Boston, this one-man band is making his way in the music industry with his unique genre-blended songs. Danny Baxley has independently released a single called Ithaca.

“…everything on my EP or anything I’ve done since November is all me.” –Danny Baxley

The song starts with a rhythmic guitar, echoing the artist’s rock band background. As the vocals come in so does the synth and electronic instruments, which took me by surprise somewhat. With instruments that remind me of Owl City’s Fireflies song, Baxley’s intriguing hybrid of genres is certainly a twist on fundamental electronica and rock.

“I’ve always attempted to blend genres – sometimes [they’re successful]…”

Baxley’s vocals are blunt and occasionally stray from the desired melody, yet they seem to ground the song rather than allow the listener to lose themselves in the electronic tones.

Certainly an interesting and unique sound that might very well make a permanent home for itself in the indie corner of the music industry.

Check out Danny Baxley’s website, Facebook and Twitter. Ithaca is available on iTunes!

Hometown – Dru Cutler

With a triumphant and uplifting piano, Hometown by Dru Cutler is a soft rock song smothered in nostalgia.

With harmonies that remind me of the Plain White T’s, this band is an easy listening, all-American band that brings back fond memories of high school ‘jams’ at lunchtime.

The perfect mantra to accompany a daydream of a past life – of school, bad haircuts, hot summer sun and first loves. Or, perhaps during the credits of a coming-of-age Hollywood movie. (The Way, Way Back came to mind.)

Small town a-lovin’! Check out their website and Facebook page.

Only One – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

greenbah2 A melodic and catchy song from Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders’ recent album. They’re a hillbilly band who stay true to their roots, and not trends, as stated by the front man, Billy Roberts. A moral that the band sticks to when recording their hits.

Only One has a more pop and up-beat tune with the classic melancholy vocals of Billy Roberts. This track on their album has a perfect marriage between the piano and guitar (Alex Quinn), sporting the same popular characteristics as many of their catalogue of songs.

The humble blues and country sound met with rocky drums (Rory Facione) and pop tones makes Billy Roberts and the Rough Rider’s album Greenbah the only one you want to hear.

Check it out

No One Knows Me – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Greenbah album cover - Billy Roberts and the rough riders Another country classic from Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders.

No One Knows Me is a track on their album Greenbah. A traditional country-rock song that draws on the band’s characteristic sound.

Beginning as what sounds like the line-dancing scene in Thelma & Louise, followed by a ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ rhythm of the guitar, this song is sure to be enjoyable by all country-rock music fans.

Although remaining true to the typical country genre, and un-strayed from the Rough Rider’s sound, No One Knows Me is a darker tune with more solemn lyrics. However, I would love to hear a deeper, richer bass to emulate this more serious and almost menacing tone.

Perhaps a focus on a more organic sound and less-remastered or smooth sound of the instruments would bring more of the band’s personality through, but ultimately another great track from the Rough Riders!

Give it listen!

Little Johnny – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders Little Johnny song review

You’ve probably seen my reviews of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders here, here and here. Here’s another – their new song, Little Johnny.

This slow rock song is featured on their third album, Greenbah. A dark and moody tune akin to that of Johnny Cash and The Eagles, I reckon.

The band’s distinctive husky voice, rhythmic drums (Ed Glass), whining violin and tense guitar (Alex Quinn) can still be heard – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders are loyal to their sound.

I love the violin, it’s like a Gypsy/Country sound. Something that could be featured on the Thelma & Louise soundtrack.

A great listen – definitely check it out if you’re into a bit of rock and a bit of country.

Love Ain’t A Prize – Donica Knight

Donica Knight Can't buy a Southern Girl song review

Another country princess makes a pop song.

Despite being a high-production-value song and music video, Love Ain’t a Prize left me feeling like I had heard it all before. The country-pop genre tends to be quite monotonous for me.
Love Ain’t A Prize is not a poorly-made song, but the chorus repeats itself too often, which makes the writing appear lazy.

The style and sound becomes a self-fulfilling stereotype. The classic black-tassel-wearing and silver-studded band members came as no surprise in Donica Knight’s video.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of country music (Kelly Willis), a bit of pop (Katy Perry), and rock ‘n’ roll (Johnny Cash). But I tend to stay away from the contemporary, flamboyant country-pop genre, due to its gaudy appearance and cookie-cutter sound.
I can see why Donica Knight is growing in popularity in the Southern music scene.

She has shown her diversity and success by opening for acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson.

Despite my personal take on the contemporary country sound and genre, if you’re into country-pop then Donica Knight is for you. She seems like the kind of artist who excels on stage with a lot of energy, and an engaging presence. She has a strong voice, confidence and style, that I’m sure will be appealing to many.

Check out her website here.

Glitch #1

Glitch film review

With a mere $200 budget, and made within one week, Glitch #1 is a music video that shows a post-apocalyptic world in all its darkness.

A woman types frantically on a tinfoil-covered laptop as her apparent space ship is hurtling through the stars.

The music is really quite unique; every individual sound effect is made from scratch, and never repeated.

Produced by Cine Vibes Productions, this music video and soundtrack is unlike anything I’ve heard or seen before.

Miniature models and green screens were used to create this outer-space environment.

An interesting and unusual creation, that might be of interest to short-film makers who are into abstract galactic tales.

Check it out: