Showing posts with label Singer/Songwriter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singer/Songwriter. Show all posts

8/28/2016

Bay Area Rock Songstress Karney to Release Her New Singles Vol. 1: Manifest Destiny w/ I Got Mine From Her Upcoming Full-Length Album Renditions in Early 2017


San Francisco - Karney is a San Francisco-based singer/songwriter that has been making great music for many years, performing across the US and collaborating with many talented and notable artists. Keeping her mind on social justice and positive messages, her lyrical content offers a sardonic and sometimes straight forward approach to many of the issues facing people today, with a message of hope resonating throughout every song she writes. Karney is digitally releasing a handful of new songs between August and the end of 2016 in support of her upcoming full-length album Renditions, due out in early 2017.

While Karney’s eclectic songwriting is based in solid musicianship, her new material echoes a diverse set of musical influences. She will release a series of digital EP’s, featuring a few different renditions of her new songs on each, through her own independent record label, Karney Music & Sounds. The first in the series, Singles Vol. 1: Manifest Destiny w/ I Got Mine, will be released on August 26, 2016. This digital EP will include 2 versions of the track “Manifest Destiny” ranging from a solo acoustic to a full rock band version with drums, bass, electric guitars, overdubs and top notch production.

Some songs in the upcoming series will feature additional remixes rendered by some of Karney’s producer colleagues and friends, exploring Karney’s music in an assortment of other styles. All of these releases will culminate in a full album of recordings titled Renditions which has a tentative release of March, 2017.

For this body of work, Karney has been collaborating with other Producers and musical artists in the SF Bay Area such as: Producer/engineer Mark Pistel (Michael Franti, Grace Jones, Chuck Prophet, www.markpistel.com); Producer/Engineer Michael Rosen (Rancid, Tesla, Smashmouth, Santana, and Papa Roach, www.michaelsrosen.com); Adam Munoz (Herbie Hancock, Dave Mathews, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Chester Thompson and Lyle Lovett); and renown trumpet player, recording artist and producer Bill Ortiz (Santana, Destiny's Child, Tito Puente, Tony Toni Tone, www.billortiz.com).

Also joining Karney on these new recordings are members of her live band, including long time musicians Jeff Herrera (Drums), Kimon Manolius (Bass and Vocals) and Mike Doyle (Guitar), while Karney holds down Guitar and Lead Vocals on all songs.

Additionally, Karney is very excited to be working with New York based visual artist Susan Kaprov, who will bring a dynamic visual interpretation to her songs with assorted artwork. Kaprov’s work is in the permanent collection of major museums worldwide such as the Museum of Modern Art NY, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Museum Boijmans-Beuningen in Rotterdam. www.kaprov.com

Karney has had a diverse musical career, having spent many years composing music for computer games with credits such as Monkey Island IVStar Wars GalaxiesArmed and Dangerous, many Sim City titles, Metal DungeonDeath Jr. and many more.

She is also now adding youth choral director to her list of musical endeavors, having recently received the esteemed “Dreamcatcher” award from the Visual and Performing Arts division of the San Francisco Unified School District for her work as a choral teacher and conductor for middle and high school students, as well as her contribution to the furthering of music education in the San Francisco public school system.

Karney has created music in the ballet and contemporary dance world for many choreographers and dancers such as Edward Valela, Anna Sokolo, San Francisco Ballet School, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, Oberlin Dance Collective, Richard Gibson and The Academy of Ballet, June Watanabe, Joe Goode, Lucas Hoving, Ed Mock, Janice Garret, Melissa Fenley and many, many more. She also composed her Opus 1 Chaconne Sur Sept for nationally renowned contemporary music group, Earplay Ensemble.  In addition, Karney was composer in residence at Mills College graduate dance department, San Francisco State’s graduate dance department.

For Music Samples or to pre-order Singles Vol. 1: Manifest Destiny w/ I Got Mine visit: https://karney.bandcamp.com/
Visit iTunes to pre-order or check out Karney’s entire catalog: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/manifest-destiny-w-i-got-mine/id1145645442

Check out Karney’s website for more information and touring schedule: http://karney.org/music/

Press inquiries & Interview Requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR at glassonyonpr@gmail.com or call 828-350-8158
Live Performance Bookings and Management contact Karney Music and Sound at contact@karney.org

6/14/2016

San Francisco Political Singer/Songwriter Pete Kronowitt Releases New Full-Length Album


A Lone Voice Delivers Timely and Salient Political Message

San Francisco, CA – The hunger Americans feel for change is palpable, and no artist voices this urgency better than San Francisco-based Pete Kronowitt, a seasoned singer/songwriter who is releasing his fourth full-length album, A Lone Voice. Pete’s emotive songs fuse acoustic pop and indie-folk, while evoking an era when music was made to battle injustice. A Lone Voice, releasing worldwide on July 15th, 2016, masterfully explores themes ranging from socio-political struggles to musings on the human condition. His sound is a Steve Earle-Elvis Costello hybrid, a heap of Alt-Americana influences.

The album was recorded and produced in Nashville, Tennessee by Grammy-winning songwriter Phil Madeira, with backing musicians David Mansfield on guitars, mandolin and violin, Dennis Holt on drums and percussion, Chris Donohue on bass, and of course, Phil Madeira on guitars and keys. A Lone Voice features a set of lyrical new songs spanning folk, pop, country, and acoustic-punk influences from the Ramones to Pete Seeger and John Mellencamp.

A Lone Voice stays upbeat, despite presenting some uncomfortable truths and lifting the curtain to reveal political and media manipulation. Audiences will join the chorus of the title track “Change Is Gonna Come” (inspired from Sam Cooke's iconic song) and tap to the beat of the album’s protest anthem “Got Guns?” Through his music, Kronowitt pokes fun at the absurdity of extremism and reminds us, the power of change is always here and now – within ourselves.

There are also intimate, personal moments in this collection, drawing connections between the national zeitgeist and the all-too-human emotional toll it takes on those we love. The smooth and Clapton-esque “You Are Here” reminds listeners (and Pete himself) to be present. “Holding Your Hand” is a gift for his wife after 20 years together, and the tender, album-closing “Perfect Day” is a moving tribute to his sister, who took her own life. “Tears on the Back of Her Head,” co-written with producer Phil Madeira, was written for two friends lost to cancer and their spouses, and may be the most stirring track on A Lone Voice.

Pete Kronowitt has toured internationally in China, Japan, and Vietnam, and across the U.S. in the last few years with long-time friend, collaborator, and 30-year veteran bassist John David Coppola. John, who has toured with The Danny Morris Band, was integral on Pete’s debut album Phases of the Heart. That album was recorded in 1993 at Rutabaga Studios with John Alagia, whose production credits include the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and Ben Folds Five. Kronowitt’s second and third albums, Threads and elements, were produced by Pete Snell, who toured extensively with Lyle Lovett.

With an unwavering belief that together, we can raise our voices to demand common sense solutions, Pete reminds us, “The people of these great United States are bound by the many things we have in common, and we must reject any manufactured issues which are cynically created simply to divide us.” With his revolutionary new album, A Lone Voice, Pete Kronowitt has called for a rediscovery of the protest song…and not a moment too soon.

Pete Kronowitt will be performing a CD Release party and delivering his strong political messages to the Agora Theater and Ballroom in Cleveland, OH ahead of the Republican National Convention this July 18-21, 2016.

There will also be various gigs throughout 2016 in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the West Coast.

For more information and touring schedule visit: http://www.petekronowitt.com/

For music samples or to pre-order A Lone Voice visit: https://petekronowitt.bandcamp.com/

Press inquiries and interview requests contact Billy James at Glass Onyon PR: glassonyonpr@gmail.com or 828-350-8158

For live performance booking or management inquiries contact Mean Bean Records: booking@meanbeanrecords.com

2/22/2016

Richard Marx In Concert At The Colonial Theater

Richard Marx In Concert At The Colonial Theater
February 19th 2016
Pittsfield, Mass.

Richard Marx came to town Friday night at the Colonial Theater on a not so typical February night in the Berkshires. It has been the strangest winter that I can remember, one weekend its 14 below zero then the next it is pushing 60 degrees. 

The atmosphere at the Colonial was one of anticipation before singer/songwriter Richard Marx hit the stage.

This artist holds a special meaning to me and my wife as his music was making its way to the top of the charts when we met. For me it was a bit of a history lesson as well. Marx has not only had a record number of hits on the charts in a short period of time, he has collaborated with several artists and wrote songs specifically for others that have charted. His debut recording yielded four Top Five singles and he has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

This night was a man, his voice and guitar, and for a few songs he sat behind the piano. The talent this individual commands was enough and no backup was necessary. His voice is spot on, just as I remember it in the late eighties. He is a true showman, interacting with the audience, telling stories, throwing out quips to engage the audience with laughter, and inviting shout outs. Another thing that I found refreshing was how Marx discarded the house rules of no pictures and videos, encouraging folks to pull out their cell phones, which everyone did simultaneously lighting up the venue.

I was impressed with not only Richard Marx the vocalist but his ability to play the six string acoustic. If you are the only performing artist on stage you had better be able to fill in the space on your vocals and he did that admirably the entire evening. A plugged in acoustic has a great sound and I really appreciate what he had to offer.

He let the audience know that he wanted to give them what they came to hear, namely all the hits. Not only was that ground covered he cut loose with a few others lesser known tracks like the hysterical country number “How Can I Miss You (When You Won’t Go Away).” Marx told us of his love country music and his partnership with country star Keith Urban and the song he wrote for him then he went directly into the song “Long Hot Summer.” I recognized it instantly. He also played the song he wrote with Luther Vandross “Dance With My Father,” which was very touching particularly if you have lost a parent.

With “Angelia” he decided to go the unplugged route which was different. I recognized the huge difference in a venue between being amplified then suddenly not. I doubt people as far back in the balcony seats could hear him. Nevertheless it was an interesting change. Marx just emanates confidence and pleasure when he performs and that translates into the music directly to his audience.

Some of my favorites were the night kicking off with “Endless Summer Nights” and the way he closed out the night with “Right Here Waiting” behind the ivory keys. Check out the original video provided here with over 7.5 million views!

Richard Marx is a prolific artist with a long legacy of great music and collaborations. I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon and would highly recommend spending an evening with him if you get the chance.

I dedicate this night and review to my lifelong partner and best friend, my wife.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
February, 22, 2016