Indie Ville TV #118 Karianne Jean: Carrying the Torch

Written by Alexis Chateau

                                                         

Karianne doesn’t remember ever making a conscious decision to become a musician. In fact, the dream first took root in her mother, who after setting it aside to enjoy married life and raise a family, passed the torch onto her daughter.

“My mom says she has videos of me singing before I was talking,” Karianne Jean says, while laughing. “I don’t know how true that is.”

For years, Karianne’s musical journey mostly involved her role as a vocalist. However, over the past four years, she began to take a more active interest in learning to play the keyboard, and the guitar. “Instruments make it easier to write music,” she shares, adding that it’s also much easier to come up with melodies when you have a guitar on hand.

Other influences on Karianne’s writing process include her relationships – both past and

present. Though she was happy to find a man who was supportive, and with whom she had

an easy and natural connection, Karianne jokingly admits she often worried about how on

earth she would come up with new content for her music.

“I had never really written a real love song until I met [him],” she says. In the past, she felt

like a real magnetic for toxic relationships; that though bad, made for pretty good writing

material.

Now, she finds herself getting more inspiration from other places. “I get it from everything,”

she says. “My writer-ears are always perked up, and [I’m] always ready to write something

down. My phone is full of grocery lists and song titles. If you go through my phone right

now, you would see ‘ketchup, pickles… Forever’.”

Karianne’s knack for turning experiences – good and bad – into catchy tunes, has earned

her shows around Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. She also recently made it onto

Pandora, and iHeartRadio. Still, she’s working towards getting more conventional radio

airplay soon.

“I think that’s everybody’s dream: to hear themselves on the radio,” she points out. “I would

love to gain enough traction to have a charting single, and get the airplay, and have the

recognition.”

In the meantime, Karianne Jean is taking it all in stride and working on new projects. “I just

released my EP, July 29. Before I even had it out, I was already thinking about the next

thing,” she admits.

Karianne is open to booking new shows around the U.S., and hopes to catch the eyes of a

record label, sooner rather than later.

Check out her website at www.kariannejean.com for info on upcoming tour dates, and recent projects.

Indie Ville TV #117 Wesley Spangler: The Rocker in Country

Written by Alexis Chateau

Wesley Spangler began his music career in a two-man garage band in high school. His friend Brian had first learned to play drums, and approached him about joining. Wesley initially lied about playing guitar to get in, but then made good on his promise by learning.

Today he plays six other instruments; including keyboards, bass, drums, and the fiddle.

“We listen to everything,” Spangler says, “rap, rock, heavy metal – everything. We used to listen to heavy metal a lot – and then we started a country band.” He laughs as he adds, “I have no idea how that happened.”

As far as country music goes, Spangler loves the work of Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley. In

fact, Spangler has shared a stage with Paisley before, right alongside Blake Shelton. He

remembers it at his most memorable performance to-date.

After the show, he says Shelton got pretty drunk and sang karaoke with him. It was a night

to remember, for sure, with “Ebony and Ivory” belted from the side of the stage.

These opportunities and others have taken Wesley Spangler all along the south, and east

coast, and to many states in-between. He’s played shows in Pennsylvania, Virginia,

Alabama, and South Dakota, but has yet to land a show in the ever-elusive Kentucky.

“I have three friends that live in Kentucky, and they always say ‘You gotta play here’,” he

says. “But it never works out.”

Spangler has also shared a mobile stage with other big acts on the Country Cruise, which he

hopes to join again in 2017. Another memorable ‘gig’ was an impromptu performance near

Giza, just for the heck of it.

In spite of all this, Spangler still yearns for the true tour experience – in a bus going across

the United States, and other countries. “I don’t have to be a household name,” he concedes,

“but I’d love a legit tour, for one season or more. Just that and I’d be a happy camper.”

While he closes in on that goal, Spangler is also in the studio working on a brand new EP,

which will feature tracks like “Something I Ain’t” and “Ten Point Buck.” The latter has

achieved resounding indie-success; and fans who know the band well, even put together a

dance at the shows, every time they perform it.

When asked what advice he might pass on to other newcomers looking to reach and even

surpass his success, Spangler says, “Do every single thing as professionally as you can. Look

at your idols… investigate how they do things.”

He also advises performers to, “Play your A-Game every time – whether there’s 20 or 1000

people in the audience.” 

Indie Ville TV #114 Danielle Lauderdale Finally Releases her First Single, Fools Gold

Written by Alexis Chateau               

                                                                                  

                                                                                  

Danielle Lauderdale became something of an overnight hit in her town after the

amazing opportunity to perform on the Grand Ole’ Opry in Nashville. Many

opportunities would come afterwards, and Danielle inevitably followed them all the

way from a small town in Florida, to big city Nashville, where she currently resides.

“It was interesting,” she says of growing up in her small community. “It’s a whole lot

different than Nashville... There are elements of Nashville that remind me of a small

town – everyone knows everyone. But it’s still a big city.”

Danielle also thanks her move to Nashville for exposing her to the real world, and for providing her with experiences that turned mere words in songs she knew and wrote, into real life heart break and happiness she can relate to.

“I’ve just spent so much time sitting back and working on my craft and writing, and basically living life,” she shares. “I don’t think I became a true artist, until I lived the things I wrote about.”

She adds, “I have something to say from an honest place when I write... I just wanna write songs and stay true to who I am, and be the therapy that is music to some people that a lot of other artists have been to me.”

With this goal in mind, Danielle recently released her first single ‘Fools Gold’ – a female

anthem which reminds women that not every handsome face behind a generous offer

and charming words is worth their time.

In the song, Lauderdale bounces between several genres – starting with a poppy and

r&b intro before launching into a more country pop sound. Her smooth voice seems to

glide over the reminder that sometimes what glitters is only ‘Fools Gold’.

“I hope this song will open the door for me and help get some of my other music heard,”

she says.

Though ‘Fools Gold’ is Danielle’s first official single, she is constantly working on new

music and has more than enough to flood the music world with, but admits, that’s a part

of the problem.

“I’ve got tons of music that’s just sitting there... Sometimes you just gotta throw

something up against the wall and see if it sticks. I want to see if ‘Fools Gold’ takes off

and opens the door to put out new music.’.” She refuses to publish an official album until

she has a good understanding of her audience and their reception of her single.

“I have so much [music] that I can’t keep up,” she tells us. “I write songs and forget that I

wrote them.” She laughs as she adds. “I have a lot of emotions pent up inside of me!”

Considering the amazing success Danielle has had, one can sense the length and breadth

of her humility in this approach to making and releasing music. She has worked

alongside big names in the industry, like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and plays every

month with the band – Sixwire – which is a part of the Nashville TV show.

Of working with big stars and some of her favorite idols, Danielle says, “It’s the coolest.

It’s a dream. Any time you ever get in a situation where your talent is recognized along

with people you look up to, and who inspire you musically, it’s like it’s not even real.”

She shares that during these moments she sometimes asks herself, “What am I doing

here? Why am I here? But it’s certainly validating, and it’s really awesome to be

categorized and on the same program as these people… It’s an honor, to say the least.”

Idols of hers that she has not yet worked with include Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Sam

Smith. (Hint hint!) “His album – sooo good!” she gushes of the Grammy and Oscar

winner who suffered some terrible trolling from fans after unknowingly making an

inaccurate statement regarding his win. Like many others, Danielle hopes the singer

comes out of his self-imposed social media hiatus soon.

While she waits patiently, you can find Danielle Lauderdale playing at local venues

around Nashville, or you can check out her single ‘Fools Gold’ on iTunes.

 

Indie Ville TV #116 Interview Collective Soul

Indie Ville TV #115 Sad Baxter: Effortlessly Awkward… and Killing It

Written by Alexis Chateau

Sad Baxter blends the sound of iconic bands like Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins to make one effortlessly awkward mash-up; and we mean that in a good way, a great way, in fact. With album titles like ‘Weirdy’, and lyrics like “I hate you, but I want you”, the

band forces us to confront some uncomfortable situations that most of us would rather sweep under the rug and forget about.

With a track record like this, not even old dating rumors can faze these band mates. In

fact, Deezy only laughs when asked about her former relationship with fellow band

mate, Alex. The two dated for four years in college, but somehow managed to keep it

together after the relationship ended; for the sake of their friendship, and of course, the

music.

“We were very optimistic when we were together. Things just change, and we were so

young,” Deezy, explains. “We did a good job of setting boundaries after the break up…

We’re still magically best friends, after 8 and a half years.”

Unapologetically Honest

Whether it’s in the music or the chemistry between two exes on stage, Deezy and Alex

bask in the offbeat vibe of their paradoxically tightly synced music, reminiscent of old

80s and 90s grunge rock.

“I think it’s just, as I got older, I started experimenting with different things...” Deezy

says of their old school sound. “In terms of lyrics, I made a conscious decision a few

years ago to write openly and honestly as if I’m writing in a dairy, instead of putting on

any airs.

“A lot of people connected with [musicians] in the 80s and 90s who were just being

themselves, and who were unapologetic about any bad or good feelings that they had.”

It’s not surprising then, that one of the band’s ‘role models’ of sorts would be Weezer,

whose influence is easily heard in both their lyrics and instrumentals.

“[They’re] straight up honest,” Deezy says of the band. “They just have that insanely

nerdy-don’t- even-realize- that-they’re- cool vibe to them…. Like, ‘I’m sorry but I can’t

help what a dufus I am.’

90s Nostalgia

But the band’s 90s nostalgia doesn’t stop there. To encapsulate their old school sound,

the band released their recent album ‘Weirdy’ on cassette. Alex and Deezy made the

decision after seeing a revival of the old medium in their music circles, shortly before

their release.

“It’s fun to have a physical thing,” Deezy asserts, as she thinks back to the days when

fans were thrilled to open up a cassette or CD case and look at the lyrics, alongside

words of gratitude from band members. “I think since cassettes are a lot cheaper and

fun-looking, we decided to go with that...” She adds, “It’s fun because it’s a vintage

thing.”

It wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s one both Deezy and Alex are glad they made. “The

cassette release was so fun,” she tells us. “Sometimes you need... reminders that people

are there to support you and help you.”

To ensure fans have no problems playing their music, each cassette includes a download

card, which provides access to the digital versions of the songs online. This allows the

band to live in the past for a moment, while embracing the digital wonders of today.

Deezy on Sexism in the Performance Industry

There is one thing about the 80s and 90s though that Deezy wishes had progressed

much further along; namely, equality in the music industry. Deezy witnesses and

experiences a fair deal of sexism as a female performer, from some fans and the media

alike.

“It’s so hard to escape anything about that,” she admits. “It’s so frustrating. Every review

– except for one that came out recently – always has to say female-fronted, or something

about my gender. They never say anything about Alex being a man, so why do they have

to mention my gender?”

Deezy has also received backhanded compliments, which begin with “I don’t usually like

bands with female singers but...” and the occasional remark that her voice isn’t ‘pretty’

or ‘girly sounding’.

“I know it’s important that we shed light on female singers, especially when they’re

killing it,” she says. “But not everyone wants that attention. We want to be seen as equal;

and rank up alongside the men, and not in a separate category.”

Deezy traces perhaps one of her first taste of the road ahead back to when she tried to

buy a white guitar from a professor in college. She remembers his selling-point as, “It

will go with everything you wear…” She laughs bitterly at the memory, admitting that

fashion had never been one of her strong points. “If I was a guy, he would never have

said that to me,” she adds.

The Road Ahead

In spite of all this, Deezy is optimistic about where the band is now, and the way

forward. “Honestly, I would say this past month has been amazing. Going on tour was

really hard to plan. It’s hard to get in contact with people you barely know and set up

shows in cities you’ve never played in,” she admits. “It showed us, we can continue to do

this... on our own.”

Sad Baxter is also looking forward to expanding their tour into international countries,

and have their eyes set on Japan.

“Alex and I are dying to play music in Japan,” Deezy says. “We’ve both really been

fascinated with Japan since we were younger, [and] the whole idea of going overseas to

play music is so cool.”

But the band struggles with a language barrier, which has been a formidable bar against

entry into the Japanese music market, thus far.

In the meantime, Sad Baxter continues to draw crowds all across the U.S. from Boston to

Nashville. Sad Baxter also recently kicked off their tour for ‘Weirdy’, and will be coming

to a town near you – if they haven’t already. Check out their website at

www.sadbaxter.com for details.

Indie Ville TV #113 Divided We Stand

Written by  Alexis Chateau                

           

Evident even in its name, Divided We Stand is not a band that bows to clichés. The five- piece metal band combines melodic, clean vocals with heavy rock instrumentals to create music that sounds like a mash-up of some of the best rock bands in the industry. Bands that come to mind include the likes of Atreyu, Breaking Benjamin, Escape the Fate, and for a fleeting moment, even System of the Down.

“I think Joe and Phil used to be in church music,” Randy, the band’s bassist, explains. “The

drummer – Mike – has played in some local bands, and I think he played in church a little

too… [He] loves All that Remains, and power metal. Our lead guitarist listens to crazy

experimental type metal, like Meshuggah. It makes you feel like you’re hallucinating when

you’re listening to them.”

He adds with a chuckle, “I used to play in death metal bands. Now I’m playing with a band

that sings. It’s almost like having an extra instrument in the band. I like it… It was an

adjustment for the lead singer too, because his favorite band is Coldplay and Bono is his

idol… A lot of bands start heavy and then incorporate singing. He’s doing the opposite…

now he’s learning how to do screams.”

In fact, when Joe showed up at the band’s audition, he had no real intention of joining, but

later changed his mind. And in spite of Joe’s unusual background for heavy rock, Randy

says of his band mate, “He was a good fit. He has a good voice.”

That voice continued to grow as the band put out two albums, and then later began

working on singles. Joe has definitely gained more confidence as a metal vocalist since his

earlier days in the band – perhaps under the tutelage of his death-metal- loving band mate?

Aside from the amazing musical range of all its members, the band also has another

strength: its mainstream appeal. Divided We Stand essentially swallows all that’s good in

mainstream music – high quality recordings and videos, bi-annual touring, radio-friendly

lyrics, and infectious melodies – and then spits out the rest.

This mainstream appeal and good deal of airplay on local radio stations, helped earned

them the opportunity to share stages with bands like Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, and

Mushroomhead.

It’s also allowed them to work with big names behind the scenes, like Travis Wyrick, who

has also worked with notable musicians like P.O.D., 10 Years, and Dolly Parton.

When asked about how the band came by its own notable name, Randy laughs. “We

debated it for a long time… We started arguing about it, and we picked the name because

we were pretty divided about what the name should be. And that’s kind of what’s going on

in the world. So… Divided We Stand.”

Interested in seeing more of the band? Divided We Stand recently put out a video for its

single ‘New Era’ and is working on making new music.

Keep an ear out. They’re definitely worth the listen!

Indie Ville TV #112 Brauninger McDaniel: Singing the Blues

Written by Alexis Chateau        
                                                                                                 

Brauninger McDaniel knows a thing or two about blues, far beyond just singing it. Like world-renowned vocalist, Adele, Brauninger became inspired to write and make music after the heartbreak of a failed relationship.

Brauninger first moved to Nashville, with her then-husband, for better opportunities. But when the marriage ended, Brauninger found herself exploring one opportunity she had not explored before: a career in music.

On her own for the first time in years, the Louisiana native turned to music to move forward. Passersby often overheard her outside her duplex and encouraged her to make a profession out of her favorite hobby. After a while, Brauninger found herself thinking ‘Why not?’

That was more than half a decade ago.

“When I started writing, I was by myself a lot and things that I had [been] through started

coming to me,” she explains. “The first song I wrote was called ‘How did we end up this

way’” Naturally, Brauninger turned to jazz and blues, and then transformed her private

ruminations into something millions of other women around the world could relate to.

Even so, the up-and- coming singer doesn’t like to be boxed into any one category. “A lot of

people say it’s jazzy, and a lot of people say I’m blues, and a lot of people say it’s easy

listening. I have such a variety… I’ve been writing a lot of country too. I love country music!

… I like to mix my stuff up. I get bored of one thing. I try to be versatile with [my music].”

The versatility is evident in the wide range of musicians Brauninger thanks for her unique

sound. Brauninger credits Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, the Rascal Flats, Donna Ray, Sheryl

Crow and Keb’ Mo’.

She also credits her family, who she says was really into music, and encouraged her to

explore instruments, and her vocal range, from a young age. “I started at around five years

old. I played the piano… I play by ear, but I’ve been doing it for a while.”

Back in Louisiana, Brauninger’s uncle was also very involved in music and inspired her to

make music of her own, though it would be many years later before she pursued that

dream.

The timing must have been right, because things have definitely been on the up and up for

Brauninger. She was recently featured in the Country Music magazine, and feels honored to

have been chosen. She was also featured in the Nashville Scene, and will be one of the main

performers at the upcoming Wine Down Main Street in November, to benefit the Boys and

Girls Club of Middle Tennessee.

But Brauninger has much bigger plans ahead. “I would love to tour. I’ve had one CD out and

I’m working on another CD now, trying to get that out. So hopefully that won’t be too long.”

For updates on new music, check out her website at www.brauningermcdaniel.com.

Brauninger is also on the hunt for a booking agent and will probably be singing the blues at

a bar near you, sooner than you think.

Indie Ville TV #111 The Tennessee Werewolves

Written by  K.L. Graham

The Tennessee Werewolves are a classic country band taking on the new country scene by storm.

Angel Mary, lead singer and guitar player has all the sex appeal of Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, and Gretchen Wilson combined and has the star power that garners the bands attention.

“We have always grown up playing together, but had all done our own separate music projects…It finally came to a point when I was acting a lot (movies, television, school) and my mom said she missed me doing country music, so I started writing again and asked my brother and dad if they would be in a band with me and we just dove into it and started creating music for The Tennessee Werewolves.”

It was the first time in all of our lives where the response was tremendous to the project and we were actually gaining success fast.”

It’s the boys of the band though,her brother Christian on drums, and dad Antoine on bassthat keep it all together.

Angel Mary response to working with her dad and brother “It’s great ‘cause I’ve always been my dad’s shadow and my brother is my best friend.”

Deciding who is the true leader of this pack though, whether it’s mega hot dad Antoine, or foxy Mama, Honey Wolf who manages the band behind the scenes and holds everything on the road and at home, or Angel Mary herself perhaps isn’t as important as the big things happening for this family band.

“Today’s a little off day for me. A work day is hurry up and wait. Hurry up to bus call, wait to get one, there’s this whole buildup the entire day” says Christian, while sipping Nashville made Pickers vodka and ginger ale by the pool, a nice break from their busy family life of making music, touring, and filming their very vintage country film themed music videos.

On being a “family band” Christian says “I just think the most successful bands have this kind of natural chemistry. There’s this natural connection; we can read other’s minds.”

He says their attack is “No retreat. No surrender, we have each other’s backs.”

Dad Antoine agrees saying that “Being a family, our performance and everything is very smooth and

easy.”

Angel Mary has her brother and dad to look out for her. Antoine says “If there is ever a creeper, we

know how to take care of them.”

And although I imagine the siblings possibly having a row or two on the bus or squabbling over the latest designer Darren Simonian (he designs jewelry for The Hollywood Vampires too) or King Baby wolf belt buckle, these pups seem to just love each other and performing together, no drama, just a loving family making great country music.

Clad in “Keith & Davey” duds and hearts full of werewolf lore, nods to classic country are in their blood.

Angel Mary delves deeper into the brand of their band (A family band that could make lunch out of The Partridge Family) saying “Well, I’ve always been in love with the classic monster stories, Frankenstein ect.”

“What’s cool about werewolves is that they are the only monster that is part living human. That’s why Johnny Cash’s song ‘The Beast in Me’ stuck out so much to me. I’m a huge fan of his, I’d say he’s my country hero but anyway, the song is basically a prayer to God asking the Lord to tame that other side to him, to help him to be good because it’s so easy to be bad.”

Angel Mary has no qualms about being bad, or at least looking bad to the bone, her iconic hot pants and belt buckles draw attention to her leggy bod, but as she shows in performance, it’s all about the music, and doing what she and her family love most, performing and carrying the spirit of country music alive.

 

It’s clear she knows her history too.

Not only is Cash’s song “The Beast in Me” a huge influence, so is the mythical classic horror films. She explains:

“The Wolfman in the old horror movies didn’t want to turn into that wolf, he almost pleaded with the

moon but it happened anyway, just like the song ‘The Beast in Me.’”

“We’re all human, we all make mistakes…we all have a wolf in us. It’s how we choose to use it.”

As for being on stage, Angel Mary says her favorite song to play live is ‘Ramblin,’ the band’s latest single. “It’s a timeless song and has so much grit and heart behind it. You can hear it in your soul.”

Antoine and Christian both dig “Amy’s Gone” a soon to be released song they have started to play on

tour.

Christian elaborates “Honestly for the longest it was a remake of “Folsom Prison Blues”. (Co-produced by John Carter Cash) It’s so up front and in your face…My new favorite song is ‘Amy’s Gone’ It has such a cool traditional feel to it.”

Antoine says of the song “Amy’s Gone” “It walks along the story of someone’s life…It gets kinda real.”

The truthfulness and honesty in their music and the personal style of Christian and the wolf family clan’s “Outlaw country and 80’s rockstar” (self proclaimed by drummer Christian) is what makes them so unique.

The band has big plans for this year Christian says “This year we are doing a lot more writing.”

He is proud of newly being endorsed by Pearl Drums (As well as Stagg Cymbals and Sela).

“I got to pick up my new set recently…I’ve been playing Pearl Drums since I was 10 years old.”

They plan to put out a new album later this year.

Not only that, The Tennessee Werewolves have performed during CMA week, they recently opened up for Florida Georgia Line and rumor has it that Billy Ray Cyrus of new comedy “Still The King” may even be produced their next record. (But it’s only a rumor, so we’ll have to wait and see.)

And no wonder, with country chops, great looks, and landing a spot in Billboard Magazine print edition, people are taking note of this pack of musicians, and their success is something the whole family can be proud of.

To see where you can catch a show, become a member of #thewolfpack, rock some gear, and listen to

all the outlaw country coming your way, you can check out www.tennesseewerewolves.com and on

their facebook and social media pages @TennesseeWerewolves.

Indie Ville TV #110 Anthony Snape: The Recession Brought one Good Thing

Written by Alexis Chateau
                                                         

A native of Australia, Anthony Snape moved to America to pursue a career in music back in the recession of 2008. Despite the dismal role the recession played in American history, Snape remembers it as a great year to make music.

“It was a recession, but it was a good time for music because people needed an emotional outlet. So everywhere that we played that year, it was really apparent how much people were hurting and how much they needed music at that point,” Snape remembers. “It was an amazing eye-opener for me, being my first time ever in the United States.”

Starting out in Australia

But Snape’s music career began long before 2008; it began while he was still living in Australia. He

first established himself in Sydney and Newcastle by working on radio projects, doing jingles,

forming a band, and doing any kind of work that involved music. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

“During that time, when I was doing a lot of writing, I thought, ‘You know what, if this is what I

really want to do and I want people to hear the music that I write. Then I’ve just got to stop doing

everything else and just write and put it out there and it will either work or won’t work,” he shares.

So, in 2006, Snape worked on his first full length album and released it in Australia. The album

would later open doors for the musician in America, as it gained airplay on local radio stations in

Australia.

Moving to America

This dose of success encouraged the small-town musician to move on to bigger and better things,

which would involve opening for Tommy Emmanuel in America.

“Tommy is an amazing guitar player, and a legend in Australia,” Snape says of the man who helped

to jump-start his career. “The opportunity to come here and open for his shows was just

unbelievable.”

That touring opportunity with Tommy Emmanuel helped Anthony to build a fan base, which he

leveraged to continue his career long after the tour had ended. His fan base now represents what

Snape loves most about his career. “The support is just amazing,” he says. “It blows me away every

single time!”

Snape’s love for his fans makes him partial to house concerts, where he can meet with people and

talk to them on an individual level. “I do a ton of house concerts, because you really get to meet

people, see their perspective on things, hear stories, and hear their struggles. Everyone’s going

through something. Those emotions that people share make it back into the music. It all comes back

around.”

The Fight for Exposure

Like most independent artists, however, Anthony Snape still struggles with gaining exposure, not

just to the public at large, but to more people who can connect with his music. Exposure also helps

Snape to raise money for going on tour and making new music.

He recently completed a fundraising on his website, and is working on a new album. Snape believes

that this is a way indie artists can empower themselves to invest fully in their music, and create the

kind of art they want to put out there.

“I’ve got a studio – I could record a whole [album] on my own,” he explains. “But I live in Nashville…where there are so many amazing players, and I’ve got access to some amazing studios as well. So why would I just record everything on my own?”

Instead, the musician works with other artists to ensure he brings something new and unique to his

fans with the release of every new record.

‘Weird, Random Situations’

In spite of his love for house concerts, and even his passion for making new music, Anthony Snape

spends a lot of time on the road. When asked what he loves most about touring, Snape chuckles and

says, “I like finding myself in weird, random, situations – and places. You just never know… when

you start saying yes to things, it’s really strange where you end up sometimes.”

Snape shares one ‘weird, random’ incident that happened while driving in a convoy through the

desert. “I did one trip across Australia with a charity group, and I was a musician on the trip,” he

begins.

“We traveled for three days to get into the center of Australia [and then] one of the cars broke

down, and the mechanics [who traveled with us] said it’s going to take another three hours to fix…

So then I thought, ‘I’m going to walk for an hour in one direction and see what that looks like…’

“I walked for an hour… and all that I had were my footprints, and… when I turned around, I could

just see the car on the horizon… In every direction around me, was nothing… It was such an

amazing experience… and it’s probably the most alone I’ve ever felt in my life.”

This philosophical take on even simple experiences finds its way into Snape’s music, making him so

much more than just another melodic pop artist with an acoustic guitar. Check out his website at

www.anthonysnapes.com for updates on the new album, and a chance to win special access, and

prizes.

Indie Ville TV # 109 Zack Murphy, the American Goon

Written by Alexis Chateau
                                                                                     

Last January, the West Coast Blizzard took America by storm, and raged all the way from New York down to Georgia. Streets were piled high with snow and many a power line came tumbling down. But this didn’t stop Murphy from spending the storm in his basement, recording his solo project, American Goon.

This isn’t Murphy’s first venture into the world of music, either. Six years ago, he founded the country-blues band, Blackfoot Gypsies, as a two-piece, with Matthew Paige on vocals and guitar, and him on the drums. Later, the band added a bass player and a harmonica

player to expand their sound.

But the expansion didn’t stop there for Murphy. While he enjoyed creative freedom in

Blackfoot Gypsies, the urge to venture more into heavy metal led him to work on the

hardcore sound embodied in American Goon.

An admitted political junkie, Murphy used the album to voice some of his opinions on

American politics, and the seeming ridiculousness of American pop culture.

“There’s a large issue with people not being able to put themselves in another person’s

shoes,” Murphy explains, while not at all removing blame from himself as a potential part of

the problem.

He says, “Every living being is drawn to something that kills them – whether it be reality

TV, drugs, or food. We’re all kind of doomed by what we love, and it’s awful but beautiful.”

But delving into political and philosophical thought and music wasn’t the only expansion

that came with working on a solo album. Trapped at home in the snow-storm, Murphy

became a one-man- band by playing all the parts himself. He did the writing, singing, the

recording, and played drum, bass, and guitar.

“A part of me just wanted to do a solo thing to see, ‘Is this something I can pull off? Is this

something that is possible?’” Murphy admits. “Finding a voice I didn’t completely hate of

my own was a process of trying and listening back… [I also had to learn] how to play

guitar… I’ve never really been too comfortable taking guitar solos… It was a nice challenge.”

Nevertheless, Murphy says his solo project will never overshadow his work with his band

mates. It’s been a great ride with Blackfoot Gypsies, who just completed their first

European tour. The band stage-dived in Spain after being peer-pressured into the daring

move by their audience; and put on many other great shows in Sweden, France, Holland,

Germany, and Norway.

With all the hard work that comes with being a part of a constantly touring band with now

international recognition, Murphy isn’t sure when he’ll make the next move for American

Goon. But we look forward to the next time he’s snow-stormed into his basement…

In the meantime, check out Zack Murphy playing with Blackfoot Gypsies. The band is

playing shows all month from North Carolina to Georgia.

Indie Ville TV #108 Phlecia Sullivan: Banker by Day, Rock Star by Night

Written by Alexis Chateau

                                                                         

Banker by day and rock star by night, Phlecia has played with Year of October for the past six years. During this time, the band has put out two albums, and is currently working on a third.

“We’re really excited about this new record,” Phlecia says. “It’s really shown a lot of growth...” She credits this to having more stable members to craft the sound she and co- founder Josh always envisioned. But the band is in no rush to get the album out until next spring.

“The worst thing you can do is put out an album [with] something that every time you listen to it, you’re like, ‘Why did I do that?’”

Bringing the Band Together

Originally from Kentucky, Phlecia attended the University of Kentucky where she met her

husband and co-founder of Year of October, Josh Sullivan. “We dated for three years before

we started playing as a band, and then we got married,” she explains.

As a guitarist, Josh had played in other bands before forming Year of October, from as early

as fourteen years old. He knew from a very young age that his future would be in

entertainment, and so did Phlecia.

When asked how she enjoys sharing a stage with her husband, Phlecia laughs. “It’s really

fun!” she gushes. “We’re best friends, and so I feel like we have pretty good chemistry.

Every once in a while we’ll get a look from each other like… ‘Really? Why did you do that?’

but it’s really great. We have a lot of fun.”

A New Sound

Year of October has also been experimenting with its sound, venturing a little away from its

rock n’ roll backdrop against soulful vocals, to a heavier sound for the new album. “It’s

getting heavier than what the last album was.”

The band attributes its sound to influences like Led Zeppelin, The Punch Brothers, Norah

Jones, and Amy Winehouse. Phlecia also credits Stephen King as bearing heavy influence

over her writing in the studio.

Touring

Year of October tours extensively around the south: in Kentucky, Alabama, and all around

Tennessee. The band has definitely made the best of its niche, but hopes to expand into

Europe in the near future to grow its audience. In the past few weeks alone, the band has

played six shows spread out between Kentucky and Tennessee.

For upcoming tour dates, check out the band’s website at www. yearofoctober.com. The

band’s next show is an acoustic set on July 15 at the Tennessee Brew Works. The show

starts at 7PM and admission is free.

indie Ville TV #107 Mark Allee and Operation Booty Move

Written by Alexis Chateau

                                                                        

California-native Mark Allee is a musician on a mission. Allee has played alongside some of the most memorable names in the music industry, and along the way, has formed his own unique approach to making a name for himself in the entertainment business. As a

drummer, he enjoys the thrill of performing, and the gratification from sustaining a living through his art.

For Allee, every new step he has taken in music has felt like a new high point in his life as he continues to grow as an artist – but perhaps none more so than the incredible musicians

he’s had the opportunity to work with.

Working with the Heavy Weights in Music

“Those three songs I played with Sammy Hagar was a high moment, because I’m a huge fan

of that part of Van Halen and Sammy himself; and the fact that I was able to play with him

on stage – same thing with Steven Wonder, John Mayer, John Legend – that was a high

point.”

But Allee’s involvement with big names didn’t stop there. With his new music project,

Operation Booty Move, Mark Allee plays music from some of the biggest and most popular

artists in the industry, like Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, and even Iggy Azalea.

“Throughout all my years in the industry, I’ve looked at all the bands I’ve been a part of and

said, ‘I need to have ownership.’ My ownership path that I’ve chosen is to create a project

based on the most common denominator of all music – to make people dance.”

To articulate its purpose, the DJ-band combo invented the tagline “Statistically proven to

keep the booty movin’.” But it’s more than just a tagline. Operation Booty Move plays tracks

from a list that DJs accumulate that is proven to work. “We’re all about giving people what

they want,” Allee says.

Allee’s Influences

Allee credits his love for music as a teenager, for pushing him in the direction of turning a

hobby into his career. As a youngster, he enjoyed listening to The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led

Zeppelin, and Rush.

“Rush was the catalyst for me to pick up drumming,” he shares. “When Rush came into my

head, I was like, ‘I wanna be like this guy!’”

Hoping to engender the same desire in younger musicians, Allee works with after-school

projects to teach younger kids how to play keyboard, bass, drums, and guitar. “I turn them

into total badasses and teach them that they can accomplish anything,” he says of his work.

As a teacher and musician, Allee hopes to create a legacy that will long outlive him through

a new generation of musicians; and by providing a memorable experience for music-lovers

everywhere through Operation Booty move.

Indie Ville TV #106 The Outstanding and Remarkable Phil Stanley

Written by Lilian Ogbuefi        

Why did you decide to go into music?

Music was always a fascination. From the earliest years I was surrounded by a wondrous

selection of albums supplied by my parents. Though, I think it may go a little deeper than that. I

believe some people are born with an innate interest in a certain sense or, at least, discover one they prefer over the others. For some people it is taste; for others it is feeling and for others it is sound. This is how you wind up with chefs, or race car drivers or…musicians! Or, in the least,

those that have a penchant for playing with flavors, driving fast cars, or collecting vinyl. I hate fast cars. When it comes to being interested in sound, if you’re interested enough, you’ll

eventually want to be able to orchestrate the sounds that you hear and, I believe, many of those individuals with that fascination become musicians in some right. So to answer your question… probably when I was 6 and heard “Love Me Do,” by The Beatles and “Dear Doctor,” by the Stones!

What is your inspiration?

Inspiration lies everywhere. My favorite things to write about are either abstract scenarios or

human relationships; the human condition; there’s a lot of ammunition there. My favorite songs

that I have written just capture small vignettes; tiny little events or scenes. The fun part is putting

them together to make a cohesive whole that someone, outside of yourself, can understand. But it

all boils down to feeling. My goal is to capture that feeling, as mundane as it may sound. That

can range from first loves to sunsets; from hatred and anger to a dirty sink. Inspiration is

everywhere, it just depends on what you feel like writing about. Sometimes you don’t choose,

the song or solo composes itself.  

Do you write your songs yourself?

For the most part I do; or at least I round them out and finish them myself. The majority of my

song construction happens in front of my desk with an acoustic guitar. However, I have

happened on a different and easier strategy and that is fleshing out an idea with a band or at least

a bassist. For this, I owe the world to my compadre, Max Rubel. When he is able to repeat riffs

or hooks, it gives me the freedom to then compose words on top while having the motif on repeat

behind me. It makes songwriting so much easier. “Knocking on My Window,” and parts of

“She’s Gone,” from the Broadside album were written this way. It also makes it easier to test out

where the song should go. I can start throwing chords at Max’s bassline and once one makes

sense it’s, “alright boys this way!”

Are you originally from Nashville or did you move here for the music?

I’m originally from Wilmington, Delaware; the cradle of civilization. I moved to Nashville about

two and a half years ago to get the ball rolling musically in a larger and more capable

community. It’s a place where there are more like minded people than say…Wilmington,

Delaware. Though, I take that back. Surprisingly, two other guitarists from my hometown, James

Everhart and Johnny Duke, are doing quite well for themselves on the national front. Guess

there’s nothing else to do in Delaware except practice! Check them out!

How has the journey been for you so far?

It has been difficult although incredibly fulfilling. I was a part of a band early on with some of

my dearest friends that ran into…well to say hiccups would be a righteous understatement. But, I

got to play with the best in that situation and I learned so much. The rest has just been trying to

gain traction, which I, thankfully, finally have found. The current line-up of musicians I am

playing with have been wonderfully supportive and supply a creative hub that I never thought I

would come across. Once the Broadside album was completed, things have started to become

super exciting!

Why pop/folk, would you change your genre if you had the chance?

It just happens. I grew up listening to a ton of late 1960’s music; Neil Young and the like. I also

listen to a metric ton of early 1960’s American and English folk, like Fred Neil, Bert Jansch, and

Buffy St. Marie. I guess when you put that music on an electric guitar in front of a full band, you

are bound to take the folk elements and prime it for an ear that has been raised on the excitement

of electricity! 

Maybe it’s because I am also a massive Byrd's fan; they took folk and threw it into the pop world.

Maybe that’s it? I also require a constant injection of Athens, GA New Wave like the B-52s. I

guess it’s all boiling in the same pot.

Ultimately, it is just a synthesis and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! It is so much fun! Adding

strange tuning and chords from on style into another can keep me going all day!

How do you combine pop and folk; is it challenging?

It’s honestly not challenging at all. It’s pretty much a bi-product of my interests. I want to play

something that people are going to actually find interesting and catchy, if I am going to actually

write a song and I listen to old folk a LOT. It comes from the marriage of those two aspects. Old

English folk songs and the good songs that came from the early 1960's New York folk scene are

some of my favorite things to play guitar on top of. Writing songs is purely an extension of

playing guitar, so, naturally, if I’m playing folk all the time, it’s going to come out in my writing.

I don’t chase pop; not in the least. But I like things that sound good and I like to take feelings I

get from folk chord changes that may be a little ‘wonky’ to some listeners, and make them

palatable. This way they can share in the feelings I feel when I play the folk tunes. 

The songs all come from the guitar. I consider myself, ultimately, a guitar player and, sometimes,

I’ll stumble across a little musical line and think… “There’s a song in there.” The next step is

fleshing it out. If I have a lot of folk and rock in my system, it’s going to come out in some

interesting synthesis. 

If you listen to Fred Neil’s “Bleeker and MacDougal” album, you’ll hear how easy it is to

combine the two. The Beatles did it, Tom Petty did it, and even Dylan did it. 

How close are you to your family and do you consider them supportive of your craft?

I am very close with my family. They have been very supportive. Though I must say, they have

also been my biggest critics. Playing my music for my father is like being grilled. If he hates it, I

know others will probably like it. If he likes it, then I get my own satisfaction. He was the one

that force-fed me a TON of fantastic tunes while I was growing up; he is hard to fool. If I

impress him then, at least between he and I, I know I did something right! It’s a marvelous

feeling.  

If you could be reborn as any celebrity who would it be and why?

Anthony Bourdain. Because I wouldn’t have to deal with musicians! Also, I’d know I could

smoke and make it to 60!

What’s next for you and your career?

The next move is an album called “Everything Causes Cancer in California.” I begin work on it

in July and then will be embarking on a tour of the southeastern U.S. in the fall for the past

album “Broadside.” There will probably be an acoustic winter tour, however, that’s still a little

far out; I’d like to though!

Indie Ville TV #105 The Extraordinary Cory Taylor Cox

Written by Lilian Ogbuefi

                                                               

Cory Taylor Cox is an indie rock and roll musician who, originally from North Mississippi, moved to Nashville to work in the music industry by day, as a result of the rewarding opportunities the

Music city has proven to offer. His initial decision to go into music stemmed from the connection it seemed to provide him with, to the past, his friends, family, and the community at large. In Cory’s own words, “Music connects my heart to my vocal chords; it moves blood to my fingertips, keeps me upright and moving forward.

Like most other musicians, he has a source of inspiration, his, however, is everyday life. Cory is

a firm believer that everybody, irrespective of their background, has a story to tell and it’s the

beauty of these stories, good or bad, and their versatility that inspires Cory’s art. When asked

about his creative process, he maintained that he does not utilize the services of ghost writers.

Every song from the stable of Cory Taylor Cox is either written independently, with his band, or with

friends. This goes to solidify his claim that, everyday life with its day to day interactions is

indeed his source of inspiration.

The journey for Cory so far, may have been challenging, yet, the path is not one he would

change for anything. He maintains the importance of his experiences and the people he has met,

stating that even when decisions were confusing, frustrating, or uncertain, he was always where

he was supposed to be at the right time, thus, “the journey is everything and we're still rolling”. 

Cory’s gravitation towards rock and indie roll music was more as a result of environmental

influence, however, he tries not to let genre restrict him. He’s more focused on pursuing the

evolution of music rather than looking for the chance to change his genre. He remains extremely

close to his family, who are supportive and understanding of the demands of being a musician,

“They're the best, my parents were at my show last weekend and my brother-in- law was one of

the first to pre-order the new record.”

When asked which celebrity he would like to reborn as, Corey responded, “I don't want to be

anybody but me. So I'd be reborn as me, but maybe in a different decade, so I could experience

being a musician during a different time, different technology, when life and music were simpler.

Maybe in the 50's so I could fall in with the Rat Pack, or 60's in Greenwich Village, or the 70's to be  a part of CBGB. But honestly I hope I don't have some twilight zone experience and

that really happens, I'd miss my dog too much.”

On the 13th of May 2016, Cory released his third studio album titled “Extended Play”, the Vinyl

version of which should be ready this fall. Besides that, he says “Make music. Make music with

friends, have fun, be nice, be cool and at tacos”. You can keep up with Cory’s progress on

www.corytaylorcox.com.

Indie Ville TV #104 Triple Threat – Jessica McNear

Written by Alexis Chateau    

                                                               

A triple-threat who loves to sing, dance, and act, Jessica hails from a small town in

Pennsylvania. While growing up on a dairy farm with her family, Jessica’s experience

with the choir and local shows engendered a desire to pursue her own musical interests.

She would soon learn though, that her small town provided very few opportunities for

her to make a name for herself.

So after playing shows and feeling out the music scene for a while, she came to a

decision. “I decided when I was 20, I didn’t wanna go to college, and I was going to move

to Nashville,” she remembers. But it wasn’t as simple a decision as just that. By going to

Nashville, Jessica also sacrificed the opportunity to study music and theater, and to go to

New York.

Looking back though, the young singer regrets none of it. “I’m not sure I could have

survived by myself in New York,” she jokes. Nashville, on the other hand, became her

home away from home with a wealth of opportunities that has kept her in the city for

the past six years.

During this time, she’s landed roles on TV, while doing shows all over the country. She

has performed in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, New Hampshire,

Pennsylvania, and Georgia; and looks forward to touring on an even wider scale.

In spite of her success so far, Jessica is only scratching the surface of how far she wants

to go. “I don’t really have a group or anything,” she admits, “but I’ve been doing this

since I was 16, and I’m 26.”

Jessica counts not just her ten years of experience as having shaped her sound and her

music, but her roots all the way back in Pennsylvania, as well. “My Dad was always in

bands, so I grew up around music,” she shares. “[He] always played heavy rock… I’m not

into that, but I have a little bit of rock influence in the country [music].”

Jessica’s personal experiences have also shaped the stories she tells through her music -

whether it’s about moving down south for the first time, watching her brother go off to

war, or being inspired by her classmate’s strength throughout his struggle with cancer.

The young musician plans to take this inspiration back into the studio soon to work on a

new album in the next six months to a year, so stay tuned! You can also see Jessica

playing several walk-on rolls in the hit TV show, Nashville.

Indie Ville TV #101 Conor Clemmons: Breaking through Stereotypes

Written by Alexis Chateau       

                                                     

The ambitious and gregarious middle-child of a single mother, Conor got his first spot in

the limelight as a teen aged model, and then moved on to bigger and better things

throughout his dynamic career.

He has worked in Broadway productions with big orchestras; played his music to

countless tourists on cruise ships, which took him all over the world; landed gigs as a

modeling brand ambassador; and sang karaoke to unsuspecting listeners.

In fact, his first night of karaoke in Nashville was what inspired the young musician to

make the growing city his new home. Conor had decided that, “If I – as a Black man – can

perform country music on a stage in Nashville without being booed… I’m moving

[here].”

While the listeners at that karaoke session didn’t boo him off stage, Conor remembers

the odd looks he got – the raised eyebrows and the patrons tapping their friends on the

shoulder and pointing in his direction. “It’s like they were saying, ‘This is gonna be

good’,” he remembers.

And it was – so good in fact that the whole room went quiet when he started to sing,

before later erupting in support. After the performance, his new found fans bought him

beer and shots for the night, and reached out on many occasions to ask about his music.

With that initial success under his belt, Conor left his four bedroom house by the beach

and moved to Nashville to live with new roommates he had found on Craigslist. It was a

big risk, and quite the change. So rather than jump right into making music right away,

he took the time to get to know Nashville, its culture, and its people.

“I didn’t want to be one of those musicians who come to Nashville and have an album

out in six months,” Conor says. By the time he did start writing music for his EP a year

later, he better understood the audience he was writing for, and wrote from a place that

had increasingly begun to feel like home.

Back at his old home, his family and friends look to him as a role model and an

inspiration. “They’ve all been following and they’re like, ‘I’m so proud of you.

Congratulations’,” he shares.

However, Conor admits he sometimes has a hard time dealing with the spotlight. “I

almost feel like I don’t deserve to be looked at [as] anything other than just me, but to

them and their kids… I am this role model and I am this person who is following dreams,

and staying the course, and trying to be responsible…”

As the new release draws near, the artist braces himself for even more opportunities to

use his music to influence others for the better. For this reason, all proceeds from his

release party will go to Creativets – an organization which uses the power of music to

help veterans who are struggling to cope with PTSD.

Conor also braces himself for the new opportunities ahead that might arise from

releasing new music to the public. He looks forward to new offers and changes that

could take him one step closer to his goals of playing on big stages, and having his songs

aired on radio stations around the world.

“One of my very close friends, she used to manage Keith Urban and now she manages

Hunter Hayes,” he says. “As I get ready for my release in three weeks, I asked her, ‘As my

friend and as someone who is in the industry on that level, what is your one bit of

advice?’

“She looked at me and she said, ‘Just know that it will never look the way that you

expect it to look and it will never happen the way you expect it to happen.’ …I took that

to heart, because I think that you are supposed to have an expectation, but you’re not

supposed to paint the picture.’”

Conor hopes that more musicians will take risks, and learn to break not just the

stereotypes of how they should look, or how their music should sound, but how they

think the path to success should unfold.

Conor’s release party for his upcoming EP is scheduled for June 24 at Soundcheck, at

7PM.

Indie Ville TV #102 Meghann Wright: A Jane of Many Art-Forms

Written by Alexis Chateau          

                                                                                 

A woman of many talents, Meghann Wright has dabbled in virtually every area of the

arts. As a young girl, Meghann started out with classical instruments like piano and the

violin. She then fell in love with the saxophone, which became her main instrument for

roughly a decade.

Surprisingly though, music was never Meghann’s true focus in the beginning. She

originally spent most of her energies on visual arts; including theatre, drawing, and

video production. However, at the end of high school and going into college, the

independent music scene grabbed her attention.

“I wanted to start playing in bands with my friends,” Meghann remembers. “Mostly I

was just playing bass and guitar… and then I went through a couple different bands, and

then I found myself actually wanting to write songs myself.”

The unique sound Meghann wanted to craft for her own music didn’t fit in with any of

the other music projects she was working on, so she decided to make music on her own,

and has been doing it ever since.

In spite of her ties to Hawaii and New York, Meghann’s eclectic love for music took on a

lot of inspirations and turned it into her own southern sound. “I really appreciate music

from that area,” she says of the south. “A lot of people don’t know this, but people in

Hawaii listen to a lot of country music… and I grew up listening to all kinds of

songwriters as well.”

Some of the music she remembers being exposed to include David Bowie, Prince, and

Nirvana. However, of all the artists Meghann admires, Dolly Parton tops the list. “I

admire her so much as a person, a performer, and a songwriter,” Meghann gushes. “I

actually have this secret hope that she would cover my song ‘Can’t Carry Water’. I would

definitely love the opportunity to work with her.”

Meghann also greatly admires her band-mates, who take the time out of playing in other

groups, to tour with her around America. Her bassist, Eva Lawitts plays in three other

bands – Caretaker, Sister Helen, and Vagabond. And both her guitarist and drummer,

Sonny Ratcliff and Andrew Nesbitt, play together in a New York based indie band called

Morning Sea.

Meghann’s support of fellow musicians doesn’t stop at shoot-outs to band-mates

though. In 2012, she started the City and the Heart project to help other artists to

navigate their way around the New York music scene. She also helped female musicians

to record demos, so they can reach a wider audience.

Meghann then turned the community of female artists she had built into a unanimous

feminist cause, releasing a record together, which was produced by Will Hensley.

Hensley is well-known for working with musicians like Coldplay, John Mayer, The Fray,

Shakira, and MUTEMATH.

The proceeds from selling the album then went to Safe Horizon, an organization for

helping domestic abuse victims. In fact, Meghann has always been drawn to the

opportunity to create change. This is not just with regards to women’s rights, but with

regards to politics, race relations, and other burning issues.

Meghann, who is half Irish and half Mexican, grew up as a minority in Hawaii. “When

you’re a little kid and you’re growing up very different from all the other little kids,

things tend to be a little challenging.” Nevertheless, this helped shape Meghann’s

outlook on what it means for minorities on the mainland who face that challenge every

day.

An outspoken woman, Meghann shares, “I definitely understand what everyone is going

through and I find any kind of bigotry and prejudice to be reprehensible.”

A musician on a mission to change the world, Meghann definitely does far more than

just pay lip service, and is well on her way to creating a wake of change wherever she

goes.

Indie Ville TV #103 One Song at a Time Kamber Cain

Written by Eloisa Guynn

                                                                      

Born and raised in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, country artist Kamber Cain now splits her time

between her hometown and Nashville, Tennessee in pursuit of her singing career. She has

opened for such notable artists as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Billy Dean, and Lonestar. She was

also the 2014 Missouri State Fair Idol.

Her love for music began at a young age as she recalls singing and performing on stage when she

was just three years old. She’s been singing and writing songs since then and doesn’t regret a

single moment of it. While she absolutely loves performing and connecting with the audience

when on stage, she also loves being able to write her own songs. For Kamber, being able to write

her own songs means she can express herself through her lyrics and still have control over her

sound.

She grew up listening to and is heavily influenced by artists like Shania Twain, Carrie

Underwood, and Taylor Swift. Her all-time favorite song is “See You Again” by Carrie

Underwood, which helped her through some difficult times when she lost three grandparents.

She’s always known that she would have a music-based career and thanks her family for being

very supportive of her dreams and aspirations. “Music is my calling and what I’m here to do,”

she says, but above all, “I’m striving to make a positive difference in this world, one song at a

time!”

Check out Kamber Cain’s music videos “Ain’t Nothin Like A Night Like This” and “Maybe I

Just Might” on YouTube. You can catch her performing at the Higginsville's Annual 4th of July

Festivities in Higginsville, Missouri. Connect with Kamber on her Facebook, Twitter, and

Instagram accounts, or visit her website www.kambercain.com to contact her.

Indie Ville TV #100 Sharing Laughs with Kiernan McMullan

Written by Alexis Chateau
                                                     

A man of serious thought and good humor, Kiernan is a musician with a more interesting

story than most. Born in Hong Kong to an Australian mother and Irish father who met on a

plane, Kiernan had traveled the span of three continents by the time he was eighteen.

This experience as a nomad served him well, when after landing a record deal with an

American label, Kiernan flew to Boston with no laptop, no phone, and no clear-cut plan to

tour on his own. He calls the experience one of the most memorable he’s ever had.

“It was daunting and scary,” he admits, “but it was the most memorable three months of my

life… I could write a book for just that [sic] three months.”

Kiernan spent that time playing shows he had booked on MySpace. After landing in Boston,

he hitchhiked his way down south, and eventually ended in South Carolina to spend some

time with family. Since, then, Kiernan’s career has been far less dangerous, but perhaps no

less eventful.

The musician averages 200 shows per year, and thankfully not by hitchhiking. “I’ve been on

a big old tour bus, and I drive around in my car,” he explains. “I’ve hitchhiked. I’ve taken

Greyhounds, and I’ve done the van and trailer… Pretty much toured in every capacity you

can tour in over the last ten years.”

Kiernan has also played virtually every type of venue – from big stages with sold out shows

to bars and small clubs. “I have been lucky enough to play some pretty big shows,” he

shares. He then adds that in spite of this, “Theaters are the best because they’re always a

listening crowd [and] I like small clubs that are busy. I love a crowd that is there to see a

show.”

On stage, Kiernan embodies much of the Nashville sound, mixed with the storytelling skills

he thanks his Irish roots for. “I come from an Irish family, so a lot of storytellers,” he says. “I

like the idea of being able to tell a story [and] being able to tell somebody a story that kind

of compels them, and maybe changes the path of their day or their lives.”

Kiernan’s main aim with his music is to leave a lasting impact on the world and the way it

works – while inserting some good laughter into the mix. He hopes his music provokes

thought, laughter, and even the occasional tears.

The artist is currently working on a new album, and will do the final recording this month.

After that, he plans to go off to Iceland to polish up the album, and add the final touches. He

describes his upcoming masterpiece as a more traditional, Americana sound, and a tribute

to Nashville and its active music scene.

However, he plans to focus a lot more of his efforts on releasing his album in Ireland, and

plans to tour there at the end of the year for about six weeks. “There’s a different

atmosphere when I go,” he says of his home. “I could go play a little, tiny bar in Ireland and

at the end of the show everybody wants to talk about how it was… The show becomes an

experience that only the people there got to have… It’s very supportive.”

After hitchhiking across America, being threatened with a gun by a stingy promoter,

sharing the stage with big acts like Ed Sheeran, and mixing an album in Iceland, there’s not

much else to accomplish. This musician seems to have done it all.

Or has he? Kiernan jokes, “I love standup comedy. That’s my next thing to conquer.”

Indie Ville TV #99 Miss Christine’s World

Written by Eloisa Guynn

                                                                   

A self-admitted cupcake fanatic and sugar addict, Miss Christine is no stranger to performing on

stage. She is a bass player and singer/songwriter influenced by 60’s and 70’s classic rock music

like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Black Sabbath. She describes her own sound as alternative

rock and plays bass and sings with Georgia English and the Jukebox Kids, Fawn Larson, and

Fabrizio and the Fever.

Miss Christine first picked up an electric bass guitar when she was 12 years old and has been

performing ever since. She put on her first rock show in the 7 th grade and also took voice lessons

and competed in several singing contests in her home town in Iowa.

The best part of performing for her is being able to collaborate with like-minded artists and

having the opportunity to express her creative self. When performing, she says she loves that

“every crowd is different” and draws inspiration from the connections that she makes with her

audience. Her album Dichotomy, released two years ago, was written in and inspired by her time

in Boston. She currently lives in Nashville and spends her time performing, writing songs, and

working on her next project.

You can watch Miss Christine live at the Blue Bar in Nashville on June 13 th and at Soulshine

Pizza Factory in Nashville on June 18 th . You can find more information and connect with Miss

Christine on her website www.misschristinemusic.com or on Facebook or Twitter

(@missxtinemusic).

Indie Ville TV #98 Chatting with Keith from Oblivion Myth

Written by Alexis Chateau    
                                                                     

                                                                         

Unlike many newcomers on the Nashville music scene, Oblivion Myth brings roughly

thirteen years of experience to the playing field. The band has played in multiple states

around the country, and boasts a massive following of roughly 8500 on Facebook alone.

Some of the many states the band has played in include Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, and

Indiana.

But band manager, owner, and guitarist – Keith Smith – has seen his fair share of states

even without the band. Keith hails originally from Illinois, but also lived in Florida

before moving to Tennessee. “I got sick of hurricanes,” he jokes. “I went through too

many...”

For more than a decade, Keith has managed the band almost singlehandedly, while

holding down a job in video production. “We don’t have a record company,” he explains.

“I’m pretty much the manager… We have a lot of professional contacts who are

interested in us, but no one is officially onboard.”

When asked how the band built up such a large following without professional help,

Keith laughs. “I don’t know,” he answers. He then explains that the band has tried to get

their music onto a lot of internet radio. The band has also done interviews with radio

shows, and magazines – including one magazine in Germany called Rock Hard.

Keith says that this is likely how the band has grown its following over the years. “You

have to be social. Do as much as you can on social media, and then hope it spreads like

wildfire… I’m trying to get to know as many people as possible. You know the saying it’s

who you know - but the people who know you is more important.”

As a result of these efforts, the band’s fans come from not just Nashville, but also France,

Italy, Japan, Germany, and Sweden.

But what draws people to Oblivion Myth from all over the world? Probably the band’s

unique sound. “There’s no one else in town that’s doing what we’re doing, and we’re

doing what we love,” says Keith. “We don’t try to be different. We do what we like and

what comes natural [sic], and hopefully people like it.”

Oblivion Myth embodies old school heavy metal – the sound of Iron Maiden, Dream

Theater, and Black Sabbath. In spite of this metal background, the band is also heavily

influenced by the band members’ Christian faith. “We’re a Christian band. That’s who

we are and what we stand for.”

The band also values the importance of family, as Keith explains the obstacles that come

with being in the music business later in life. “Most of us are in our 40s and early 50s,”

he admits. “We have families and priorities. When you’re young, you can live out of your

car. But at our age you can’t, when you have teenagers, a wife, and a home.”

Still, the band loves to travel and looks forward to a tour-packed 2017. “We’re up for

performing anywhere and anytime in 2017... We will not turn down a venue, but we

would really love to play at a festival. We want to get in front of as many people as

possible.”

Oblivion Myth’s second album Inside the Mirror will be available on June 18, 2016.