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Tom Misch: “Geography”

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The wait for Tom Misch’s debut album is finally over. Songs on the album embody unhurried vocals which compliment his use of deeply attractive pop, jazz, and hip-hop. The album features such a variance of constructed, interconnected styles that it almost sounds like the works of different artists. The album opens with “Before Paris”, a spoken-word mission statement before he eases into the sleek jazzy piece, “Lost in Paris”. Tracks consist of fat, dynamic disco basslines, choppy guitar chords, all-out funk, synthesizer solos, handclap beats and alluring vocals.

Tom Misch is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who studied jazz guitar at a Conservatoire of Music. A year later, he decided to switch his attention to his own bedroom productions and hasn’t looked back since.

All Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell, April 2000

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Today, 18 years ago, an all-star tribute to Joni Mitchell was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. TNT’s fourth tribute concert series, directed by Ali Gifford, included A-list performers who had an immense respect for Joni Mitchell’s 30-year career. The show was held just on the heels of her new album, “Both Sides Now”. Performances by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Elton John, Wynonna Judd, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Richard Thompson and Cassandra Wilson, accompanied by a full orchestra, adjoined the works of Mitchell in this show hosted by Ashley Judd. Hearts were warmed seeing Joni Mitchell in an opera box to the side of the stage getting overwhelmed by the performances. By the end of the show, Mitchell herself, performed with string orchestra, singing “Both Sides Now’. An edited version of the event was aired on the TNT cable TV network on April 16.

Remembering Kurt Cobain: 24 Years After his Death

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Today marks the 24th anniversary of the Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain’s, death. After his nearly fatal drug overdose in Rome, the grunge artist’ body was discovered a month later in his Seatle home on April 8, 1994. Investigators stated to the public that the 27-year-old had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, three days prior. The surviving members of the band paid tribute on social media this morning simply tweeting “Dear Kurt – We miss you.”

On his 14th birthday, his uncle made him choose between either a bike or a used guitar. He chose the guitar and soon started to copy Led Zeppelin’s power ballad, “Stairway to Heaven”, Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” and The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl” before he began working on his own songs. He formed the band Nirvana with Aaron Burckhard and Krist Novoselic in 1987 and released their debut album, “Bleach”, in 1989. They established a massive part of the Seattle music scene which soon became known as grunge. 

Although alive for less than half of the decade, Kurt Cobain certainly was one of the most significant icons of the Nineties. 

Casey Abrams: “I Put a Spell on You”

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Renowned vocalist and bassist, Casey Abrams, released his new album, Put A Spell on You, on March 16, 2018 on Chesky Records. Listeners will recognize the artist’s feverish energy, playful vocals and unique creativity as a songwriter on this album. Listeners are also spoiled with originals like “Let’s Make Out,” “Robot Lovers,” “Cougartown,” “Georgia on My Mind,” as well as his unique take on “I Put A Spell on You”.

Casey Abrams became an overnight sensation in January 2011 when he was selected as contestant on American Idol with his version of Ray Charles’ “I Don’t Need No Doctor”. He eventually came in sixth place winning over viewers as well as the judges with is warm, captivating style and his diverse song choice, ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Nirvana.  Born in 1991 in Austin, Texas, Casey became a student at Idyllwild, California where he studied both jazz and classical music, placing focus on the double bass and piano. He made his recording debut in when he collaborated with Haley Reinhart on a duet version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”. Concord Music Group announced signing with the artist in 2012 and his debut album was released in June, that same year.

Abrams journeyed to a decommissioned church in Brooklyn last Fall to record the track, “I Put A Spell on You”. During a two-day marathon session, joined by the members of his trio, they recorded the track with a single microphone lending spacious, lush and multi-dimensional elements to it. Abrams stated, “There was a natural reverb that you can’t get digitally. We recorded using this mannequin with microphones in it. You’re singing to this thing like an audience member and getting real stereoscopic sound. As time progressed, my sound has gotten more live and dirty. It’s more like you’re sitting in my living room now. It’s very spontaneous and rugged. That’s the beauty of this.”

When Abrams is not focusing

on his own music, he spends time with the renowned collective Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox and his own nine-piece “funk orchestra”.

By combining originals, we have never heard before with nostalgic classics, Abrams put a spell on his audience with his new album.

 

Hayley Kiyoko: “Expectations”

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After months of anticipation, Hayley Kiyoko’s debut album, Expectations, is finally out. Loyal fans have been waiting eagerly for the album’s release as they have been teased with numbers such as “Curious” and “Feelings” giving them samplings of what Hayley had in store. The artist enjoyed teasing her followers on Instagram this past week leading up to Expectations’ arrival. She even shared photos and videos of herself and her friends in Time Square watching as Spotify announced that Expectations was on the streaming service. Loyal fans are going crazy on social media praising the album for its queerness, female desire and out there presence of pop music. The album tells the artist’s story of being a young women trying to link the multiple facets of her identity.

Born in California 1991, the actress, singer and songwriter starred in commercials and took drum lessons at a very young age. After graduating, the artist focused wholly on her career as an actress and singer starring in Lemonade Mouth and Scooby Doo films. She joined the all-girl group, Stunners, in 2007 and released an EP and other popular singles such as including “Bubblegum” and “We Got It.” She issued her first EP in 2013, “A Belle to Remember” and have been releasing EP’s ever since.

“Expectations” really rounds off her journey as a singer and songwriter and fans are so appreciative that it would not come as a surprise if they have the album playing on repeat.