One part sultry R&B, two parts wall of glassy guitars. Add a pinch of attitude and a generous helping of syncopated rhythms. Bake for 4 minutes and 11 seconds and voila- you’ve got the perfect Rhythm Is Right pizza!
“Rhythm is all around us- It’s in the way we walk, breathe, and talk. Our hearts constantly beat to a rhythm. This song is an ode to this ever-present and important backbone In our lives, and of course, in our music.” -PTI
Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, New Wave/Prog-Pop troubadours Pardon the Interruption (aka PTI) are taking their place — asserting their voice — in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area.
One foot is planted firmly in the past paying homage to some of the most singular and iconic artists of the ‘70s, 80s and ‘90s. The other is stepping boldly forward, producing original material that is at once nostalgically familiar while also entirely modern and unique. It’s undeniable fun. It will make you dance. It’s like a perfect pepperoni pizza. It’s Pardon The Interruption.
Band leader, lead singer and guitarist David Noble (Wreckless Strangers, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Nina Hagen) has assembled three of the finest, most versatile session musicians in Northern California, and fostered a cohesion that transcends music. PTI’s love for each other and their craft is visceral. You can feel it.
Noble is a San Francisco native who has made stops in Denver and L.A. and is himself among the top echelon of Bay Area guitar-slingers when not fronting PTI. A child of the ‘80s, David’s writing successfully synthesizes his love for pop legends like David Bowie, The Police and Talking Heads, with groundbreaking Bay Area art rock/ska artists like Mr. Bungle and Fishbone — deeply personal and deceptively intricate songs sugar-coated with accessible, catchy hooks.
Bassist Rob Fordyce (Peer Pressure, The Ring, Big Brother and the Holding Company) is a force of nature. Yes, he brings the funk, but that’s too narrow. Fordyce’s propulsive groove and unstoppable enthusiasm are the engine — the heart and the soul that power the machine; and his explosive chops rival the best the Bay Area has to offer.
Drummer Rob Hooper (aka The Other Rob) may be the most in-demand Americana drummer in Northern California, bringing the gravitas, experience, and rock-solid beats honed and hard-earned over decades in Austin, TX, where he worked with Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The Resentments, Carolyn Wonderland and countless others.
Jamison Smeltz (D8FeX, mRthKon, Ten Ton Chicken) is the wild card — the joker — playing an eclectic array of instruments with jaw-dropping proficiency. Smeltz melds the art-pop sensibilities of Bowie and Prince with his shameless love for progressive rock icons like Yes, who first inspired him to take up … the saxophone? Yup, that’s Jamison!
With each show PTI is demanding the attention of fans of funk, pop, ska, jam, prog, and just plain rock ‘n’ roll. The New Wave stylings of Pardon The Interruption are infectious and stand apart from the typical NorCal sound. Take a bite and you’ll see these guys mean business!
Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) continues a string of non-stop hits with the release of his upcoming SPRING POPPY EP! The first of a seasonally themed four-EP project collectively categorized by genre, mood, and vibe, SPRING POPPY features six new songs including the recently released singles “WAKE UP,” “BAYSIDE,” and upcoming “TEARDROPS.” Available April 10, most of the SPRING POPPY EP was written and recorded over the last year in SHERIDAN’s Oakland apartment and entirely produced, mixed, and mastered by Jake Daniels. The EP series also features striking artwork by Olive Curreri across all releases.
SPRING POPPY sees SHERIDAN explore a brighter pop territory, while the next EP in the series Summer Home will feature more of his hip hop-based and upbeat sound. In 2022 SHERIDAN released an official music video for the first SPRING POPPY single “WAKE UP” that has so far amassed over 15k+ views! Directed by Cedric Letsch, the “WAKE UP” video is a cinematic and visually arresting piece of art that perfectly captures SHERIDAN’s smooth and dynamic vibes.
“WAKE UP” came following the release of his On MyselfEP and “Toes Done” single (which also features an amazing music video directed by Cedric Letsch that has reached over 14k+ views on YouTube) that both dropped worldwide in 2021. The On Myself EP was produced by Jake Daniels and features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The EP’s opening track “Where’s the Ref?” was featured on Thizzler.com!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“From the instrumental lines to the vocals section, Sheridan’s “On Myself” exudes emotion. While the rhythmic tempo is dynamic, and perhaps accelerated, the overall climate is smooth, relaxed, mature. The same maturity that is noticed in the feelings that are manifested from the flowing and relaxed bars.”
A unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests, the SHERIDAN “ON MYSELF” IDC Virtual Event was broadcast on YouTube July 2, 2021!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“Opening on the one-two dubstep of Wheres The Ref? and the laid back, late night ambiance of The Don (feat. Don Pablo & Drae V), they are backed by the beautiful, free flowing majesty of Rewinds and the near acoustic rap-pop bounce of Hell. Next up is the rap-rocker Like You Did and the finger-snapppin Actin Funny, with this new EP rounding out on the swarthy Walk Away (feat. Anthony Kannon), closing on the quietly rhythmic R&B of the title track On Myself.”
“On Myself features eight tracks, beginning with Sheridan rolling through the poetic hip-hop-style lyrics of “Where’s The Ref?” without missing a beat. The album then moves toward an R&B direction with the smooth sounds of “Hell,” while “Like You Did” finds Sheridan stepping outside his comfort zone for this addictive alternative-pop melody. He wraps up his new album with strong, repetitive chorus of “Walk Away,” which is unforgettable, along with the mellow vibe of the album closer “On Myself.”“
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) has recorded and released over 20 songs in the last two years, setting the stage for his new EP release ON MYSELF that drops worldwide in stores and online June 18, 2021. The ON MYSELF EP also features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The first single “Where’s the Ref?” releases online May 28, and SHERIDAN will also broadcast an ON MYSELF VIRTUAL EVENT release show via YouTube on July 2. The virtual event will be a unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests.
Born in Boulder, CO, but raised a few hundred miles north of New York City in Cortland, Upstate New York, SHERIDAN is 22 years old and has spent the last four years writing, recording, and compiling a vast assortment of hip hop and pop musical compositions. All the songs from the ON MYSELF EP were recorded within a year of being written back at his home studio in Cortland, allowing you to hear exactly where SHERIDAN’s mind has been lately and what he has been dealing with throughout this crazy time in the world. He now works from his own home studio in San Francisco where he has recorded hundreds of tracks and continues to develop new material.
Exposed to many styles of music growing up, SHERIDAN is an artist with many life experiences that continue to influence his music. When he first began writing and recording sometime during his junior year of high school in 2016, he never imagined he would be releasing his own original music and songs. His first true passion was basketball, and his heart was set on playing in college and eventually the NBA. “Making music my life wasn’t something I ever planned to do,” says SHERIDAN, “but music was something my life showed me I needed.”
After the tragic loss of his mom in 2019, he decided it was finally time to put out his self-titled Sheridan Carter Crane. With a surplus of tracks to pick from, he chose a select few, including his mom’s favorites that would add to the story he was trying to tell, and filled in the blanks with new ideas inspired by the emotions he felt from her passing. Released on December 23, 2019, Sheridan Carter Crane is available worldwide on all digital platforms and has received incredible response from blogs and reviewers including Upstate Aesthetic and Not Ya Manz.
Over the last few years SHERIDAN has had multiple close friends pass away and has endured an unfortunate amount of heartbreak. In 2020, less than a month after moving to San Francisco to attend the production school Pyramind, he also had all his music equipment stolen in the moving process. Despite these setbacks, he has since rebuilt his home studio and kept his focus on family, honoring his mother, and sharing his music with the world.
SHERIDAN also continues to work on multiple other projects and for the first time ever is releasing tracks with other producers. He is also co-host of a local music podcast run by Upstate Aesthetic. The release of the new ON MYSELF EP marks an exciting milestone for SHERIDAN. Expect much more from this sensational new artist in the months and years to come.
“Overall, I just want to be seen as unapologetically being me. So whether you love it or hate it, shove it or break it…I just hope it made you feel.” -Sheridan
For more information about SHERIDAN please visit his website at:
“TV viewers know Dan Ashley as the handsome, silver-haired dude comfortably poised in a chair, anchoring three KGO-TV newscasts each weekday. But the 59-year-old can be kind of a human scooter, periodically whizzing to a gig where he’ll sing in front of his eponymous Americana-country-rock band. Unless he’s off to yet another philanthropic appearance.
Onstage, Ashley plays guitar, and noticeably sings up a proverbial storm. His newest album, “Out There”—a collaboration with Bill Bentley, his longtime friend, writing partner, music director and producer, and lead guitarist and lynchpin of the Dan Ashley band—showcases his vocal and instrumental talents. On April 15, he’ll present his annual Rock the CASA show at the Lesher Arts Center in Walnut Creek, his transplanted hometown, with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts headlining, to benefit children in need.
Rock the CASA with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is at 8 p.m. April 15 at the Lesher Arts Center, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets are $50-$250; visit rockthecasa.org.“
Dan Ashley’s “You’re A Friend Of Mine (feat. Narada Michael Walden) ties for #1 on NACC Top 5 Folk Adds! ~ 11/16/22
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Accomplished singer DAN ASHLEY brings a distinctive voice and his unique life experience to the Bay Area music scene with his exceptional blend of Americana and rock and roll. Following the release of his full-length album Out There in 2021, DAN ASHLEY is excited to present his new single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE,” a duet with the legendary Grammy-award winning NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN (Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Sting, George Michael) on October 21, 2022. Narada originally co-wrote the song with Jeffrey Cohen for Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne, and both the song and music video featuring actress Daryl Hannah were a huge hit in 1985.
NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN recently brought the song to DAN ASHLEY thinking he would be a natural fit for an updated version of the material and recorded this new single with him at his own Tarpan Studios. As with the original version, Narada recorded drums and vocals for the track, and appears with Dan in the official music video. All proceeds from the single will be split between the NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN FOUNDATION and Dan Ashley’s own ROCK THE CASA FOUNDATION. “I’m very proud of my friendship and brotherhood with Dan “Dash” Ashley!” says Narada. “I love Dan, he’s a great human being which inspired me to record this smash song as a new duet for the Narada Michael Walden Foundation and the Rock the CASA Foundation for kids!”
“YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” also features Jackson Allen (guitar), Angeline Saris (bass), Katie Walden and Nate Soulsanger (backing vocals), and Dave Ellis (saxophone). Videographer Tommy Merry shot an official music video on the same day they recorded the track at Tarpan Studios, which also features Katie Walden and her twin sister Kelly Walden along with Dan and Narada. “Narada is one of my dearest friends and an incredibly warm-hearted and talented artist and producer,” says Dan. “I’m deeply grateful for our friendship over the past many years and I’m honored to record this amazing song with him to benefit not only Rock the CASA, but the Narada Michael Walden Foundation.”
As a vocalist, DAN ASHLEY has led his highly acclaimed band for many years, headlining notable venues and opening for such great artists as REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Patti LaBelle, Melissa Etheridge and more. He has also shared the stage with many other consummate performers over the years including Dionne Warwick, Neal Schon (Journey), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), and multiple Grammy winner Narada Michael Walden, among many others. Dan is regularly asked to perform the National Anthem at a variety of events, including for the NBA, MLB, NCAA, and NHL, and also recently performed alongside headliner Night Ranger in Reno, NV, and Foghat at the Ojai Nest Fest Veterans Benefit in Ventura, CA!
With the release of his remarkable album Out There in October 2021, DAN ASHLEY shared in the joy, heartbreak, love, and loss that are part of our common humanity. From upbeat and driving rockers to gentle ballads, all with a classic Americana and rock music sensibility, listeners will find a variety of songs on the album. Backed by a group of extraordinary musicians who have played and toured with an impressive list of major artists, Out There is the result of a powerful collaboration with his long-time friend, music producer, and writing partner Bill Bentley. Also contributing to the release were well respected musicians such as internationally acclaimed soul artist Cornell “CC” Carter and longtime Y&T drummer Mike Vanderhule.
DAN ASHLEY has been around music and passionate about it his entire life, starting as a child with guitar and piano lessons, and then singing in the junior choir at his church in North Carolina. Always the storyteller, Dan Ashley is also a journalist and news anchor for ABC7 – KGO Bay Area TV, and in his 35 years on television he has reported on a wide range of issues and events that affect our lives. Dan has covered stories all over the Bay Area, the country, and the world, and has received many industry awards including the prestigious DuPont Columbia Award, two Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in journalism, and numerous Emmy Awards for Best Newscast and Individual Reporting.
Dan Ashley also created the non-profit Rock the CASA Foundation to raise money through an annual concert to benefit the CASA organization and other charities, and over the years the event has featured several internationally known bands and artists. Listen for his single “Redbud Road” from Out There on Highway 1 Radio!
To order or stream the new single “YOU’RE A FRIEND OF MINE” please visit:
“Out There will be a real pleaser for long time fans while also offering a great gateway for newbies. Fans will likely hear notes of John Mellencamp, Tom Petty and others of the ilk here. The tender ballad “Lucky Stars” comes mid-album but Ashley’s back to rocking real quick with “Da Na Na Na Na,” an ode to the power chord (without power chords) that has an irresistible chorus that demands a sing along.”
“Damn. I sure wish this guy were my newscaster. Turns out Dan Ashley, a television journalist and news anchor for ABC7/KGO-TV in San Francisco, also is quite the singer — and he proves it on Out There. This 11-track CD features Ashley’s slightly weathered yet instantly likable voice, a stellar band and passionate songs that encourage repeat listens and boast widespread appeal. Ashley delivers. No wonder he’s opened for everyone from Cheap Trick and Melissa Etheridge to REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield and Patti LaBelle.”
“From start to finish Out There takes you on a feel-good ride. You can hear Dan Ashley’s passion for making music and for bringing people together. Out There will fill you with nostalgia and provoke your thoughts in one listen. This is an album to watch out for and to listen to with the volume turned all the way up!”
“Dan Ashley is a man of tremendous experience and talents, and music is one of them. His solo album Out There presents 11 tracks firmly anchored in hard-driving rock and roll with masterful forays into lush ballads and Americana. In collaboration with legendary Concord-based producer/engineer/multiinstrumentalist Bill Bentley, Ashley offers a collection of mature, thought-provoking and playful songs.”
Translated: “Down-to-earth music with a high degree of authenticity, played fresh and bold. “Da Na Na Na Na” is another one of those ‘ Springsteen’ rockers with a punch. “Feel The Heat” follows and the rhythm guitars drive the song along with pounding drums. “
Translated: “Dan Ashley’s debut for radio stations on the domestic American highways is exactly the right music to get from city to city. Thoughtful, but also engaging in the emotional moment.”
Translated: “‘Lucky Stars’ surprises with its minimalist posture in a ballad with piano and smooth guitar; also the energetic rock with an interesting dose of power at the end of ‘Da Na Na Na Na‘ and the soulful ambience of Out There. The electric and acoustic elements are combined in a balanced way, giving space for Ashley’s voice to stand out.”
“I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Out There, by Dan Ashley and it’s packed full of likely radio tracks. With hints of John Cougar and straight up radio rockers, Ashley is joined by Bill Bentley on guitar, bass and keys, Mike Vanderhule on drums and Cornell CC Carter, Angela Ashley and Angeline Bentley.”
“This quite stunningly opulent new album opens on the free wheelin’ River City and the AOR rocker Redbud Road and backs those up seamlessly with the mid-tempo pairing of both Nothing Now and What Really Matters and then we get the sweepingly beautiful, lo-fi guitar and piano ballad Lucky Stars.
Next up is one of my own personal favorites on this new album, the raucous rock ’n’ roll of Da Na Na Na Na which is in turn followed by the storytelling of Better Life, and then we get the foot-tapping melodies of the title track Out There, the rhythmic rock of Feel the Heat, with the album rounding out on the AOR of We Stayed Home, closing on the mid-tempo balladry of Now and Then.”
“This SF anchor rocks out as a very credible AOR bombast singer that knows how to rock out. You could give this set a blind fold test. You would place it firmly in the 70s but you’d place it a lot closer to Y&T than you would Ted Baxter. It’s clear he knows how to make news as well as report it.”
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Accomplished singer DAN ASHLEY brings a distinctive voice and his unique life experience to the Bay Area music scene with his exceptional blend of Americana and rock and roll. With the release of his remarkable new album OUT THERE on October 15, 2021, DAN ASHLEY shares in the joy, heartbreak, love, and loss that are part of our common humanity. Backed by a group of extraordinary musicians who have played and toured with an impressive list of major artists, Dan is thrilled to share his new music with his fans.
The new DAN ASHLEY album OUT THERE is the result of a powerful collaboration with his long-time friend, music producer, and writing partner Bill Bentley. The pair worked seamlessly together with a shared vision for what the album could be. Also contributing to OUT THERE are well respected musicians such as internationally acclaimed soul artist Cornell “CC” Carter and longtime Y&T drummer Mike Vanderhule. Both were so pleased upon hearing the initial tracks for OUT THERE that they offered to contribute to the material, and as a result elevated the album to a whole new level.
From upbeat and driving rockers to gentle ballads, all with a classic Americana and rock music sensibility, listeners will find a variety of songs on this new release. The title track “Out There” is a reflection on DAN ASHLEY’S lifelong fascination with the mystery and enormity of the universe, asking a basic question: if there is other life out there somewhere, do they suffer the same challenges that we all do? Dan sings, “Out there, is there war, is there pain? Is there even much to gain by tearing each other down, like this theater in the round?” He sings about life’s formative experiences and endless summer days at his childhood home on “Redbud Road,” and salutes Americans across the country for doing what we had to do to protect ourselves and our communities from this pandemic with “We Stayed Home.” And he doesn’t forget to thank his “Lucky Stars” for the undeniable feeling of love, connection, and gratitude that comes with being with the perfect person for you, and the sense of gratefulness all of us should have for the many blessings in our lives.
For more information about DAN ASHLEY and his album OUT THERE please visit: www.danashleymusic.com
To order or stream the new DAN ASHLEY album OUT THERE please visit:
Featuring Bill Ortiz of Santana and Jim Bogios of the Counting Crows
“Gonna Be Beautiful” hit #1 Top 5 Folk Adds on North American College & Community Radio in March 2022!
““Gonna Be Beautiful” is the latest Karney single and what strikes us the most is the way the track lifts off from folk and lands on rock elements with a powerful sound not leaving behind the lyrical value. Gorgeous track.”
“Blending folk, rock and pop, Karney opens with title track, Gonna Be Beautiful, with its indie guitar rhythm and solid vocal lead backed by Kevin White on bass, Jim Bogios on drums, and James DePrato on some pretty tasty slide guitar.”
Translated: “It is Anna Karney’s intention with the songs on this EP to give listeners and her fans a message of hope for a better future and not to lose heart in these hard pandemic times. This record starts with the title track “Gonna Be Beautiful” and continues with a reworked version of an older song “Love & Respect” and an acoustic version of her song “Trust”. Two songs from this mini album have both been previously released as singles: they are her own composition “Be Together” and her personalized cover of the beautiful Neil Young song “Heart Of Gold”, here with mariachi trumpet blast by Bill Ortiz. Given the frequency of the release of new work, it wouldn’t surprise us if Anna Karney comes out with a full CD again sometime early next year. In the meantime, we’ll just have to make do with these five songs on “Gonna Be Beautiful”.”
“Karney opens this EP on the diaphanous beauty of the title track Gonna Be Beautiful and backs that up seamlessly with the jangling guitar work and re-harmonized vocals of her revised 2012 title track, Love & Respect. Next up is the delicate, at times, and yet always gently rambunctious in tone, acoustic Trust and then we get one of my own personal favorites, the harmonious nectar brought forth on the personal and heartfelt lyrical gossamer of Be Together, this delightfully vivacious, and well-crafted new EP coming to a close on an earnest rendition of Neil Young’s classic Heart Of Gold.”
“Californian songstress harnesses sadness to move on towards the brighter tomorrow. The EP’s delicate, albeit robust, title track, drifts from lonesome pining to hopeful future and is a perfect reflection of what many of us feel now. This record captures more than the period’s spirit – it’s a snapshot of our time.”
Translated: “Vocally, Karney is very succinct and powerful in expression, the rhythm guitar she plays is also quite sound-defining, and DePrato has his first appearance here.
“Love & Respect (revised)” can also score with this full and melodic-harmonic sound. The mood of the West Coast in the Sixties really shines through, only in a more modern way. A smooth rock song with a subtle pop touch. And DePrato decorates again with a snappy guitar solo! “Trust” must have existed in another version, since it is explicitly titled “Acoustic”. And so here we hear only Anna and her guitar, with further guitaristic embellishment of an acoustic. But this reduction is also quite expressive.
So, two more songs and I wish there were more to come. “Be Together” moves in a slightly swaying mode, again very harmoniously, and finally “Heart Of Gold”. Yes, the spirit of the original resonates here, the whole thing is soon dressed up with an unexpected horn arrangement, quite an interesting aspect. The song itself gradually develops its own shape and the protagonist ultimately makes it her own.”
“I’ve reviewed quite a few releases from Karney over the years. She can be counted on for quality music. This EP is no exception. It’s a solid collection of music that has a pretty wide range of sounds. I think this is a good addition to the catalog, and would probably be a good introduction to her music.”
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Throughout her storied music career, Anna Karney has performed across the country and released an incredible catalog of chart topping and critically acclaimed singles, EPs, and albums. Now with her San Francisco-based band KARNEY is set to release GONNA BE BEAUTIFUL on February 18, 2022, an exciting new collection of KARNEY originals along with some freshly conceived versions of old favorites.
GONNA BE BEAUTIFUL was recorded at East Bay Recorders in Oakland, CA, and produced by Anna Karney and Michael Rosen (Rancid, Tesla). Featured performers include Bill Ortiz (Santana, Tony Toni Tone) on trumpet; Jim Bogios (Counting Crows) on drums; James Deprato (Chuck Prophet Band) on guitar; Kevin White (Chuck Prophet Band) on bass; and longtime Karney band drummer Jeff Herrera. Offering a message of hope in uncertain times on the title track “Gonna Be Beautiful,” Anna Karney encourages her listeners to not get discouraged and to keep moving towards a kinder, inclusive, and happier world as she sings “Turn on the light / Keep the vision in plain sight / Bring it all into focus.” Also coming soon is an official music video for the track to be released later in 2022.
Keeping her mind on social justice and positive messages, Anna Karney’s lyrical content offers a sardonic and sometimes straightforward approach to many of the issues facing people today. Her musical influences include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Patti Smith, John Lennon, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, and Joni Mitchell. As an arranger, pianist, and guitarist, she has worked with artists such as George Clinton, Linda Perry, and Dennis Bovell.
Songs from the last KARNEY EP release Better received stellar airplay on Triple-A and Americana radio stations, including the title track and her powerful cover of “Ramble On,” one of Anna Karney’s favorite Led Zeppelin songs. She then released a series of singles throughout 2021, including her personal and heartfelt original track “Be Together,” and a cover of the Neil Young classic “Heart Of Gold.”
To create the “Be Together” single, KARNEY band musicians worked from individual studios to assemble their parts and build the track. Singer/guitarist Anna Karney, bassist Kevin White and guitarist James DePrato all recorded tracks at their own home studios. Drummer Jeff Herrera created rough drum parts in his rehearsal studio and sent them to trumpet player Bill Ortiz, who then recreated them digitally. All the tracks were then sent to producer/mixer Michael Rosen, who finished the mix at his East Bay Recorders studio. Ironically, even though the single is titled “Be Together,” the musicians never were.
Previous KARNEY releases include her 2018 album No Mercy; a series of singles from 2016, Manifest Destiny, Vol. 1 EPand Restless Wind, Vol. 2 EP; the 2012 album Love & Respect; the 2003 album All Connected; and her debut release Karney from 1999. Anna Karney has worked with producers and artists in the SF Bay Area such as Producer/engineer Mark Pistel (Michael Franti, Grace Jones, Chuck Prophet), Producer/Engineer Michael Rosen (Rancid, Tesla, Smashmouth, Santana, and Papa Roach), and Adam Munoz (Herbie Hancock, Dave Mathews, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Bell, Chester Thompson, and Lyle Lovett).
Anna Karney has had a diverse musical career, having spent many years composing music for games such as Star Wars Galaxies, Monkey Island IV, Armed and Dangerous, several SimCity titles, Metal Dungeon, Death Jr., and many more. She 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. Additionally, Anna Karney has scored ballet and modern dance pieces as an artist in residence at Mills College and San Francisco State University. She also composed her Opus 1 Chaconne Sur Sept for nationally renowned contemporary music group Earplay Ensemble.
The KARNEY band has enjoyed several open-air concerts during Covid, giving vulnerable and at-risk populations the opportunity to enjoy live performance in a safe and relaxed way. Stay tuned for more live performances in 2022!
Translated: “These ten tracks shine in full light. I’ll throw out the title track, “The Day John Lennon Died”, “Breathing” and also “I Will Always Be There” as tips for playing. As a very cool ending, “Indian Cowboy” has to be mentioned, which surprises with a sitar played throughout – along with the other instruments – and thus automatically gives the song an oriental coloring. Class!”
“From Rainbow Bridge to Golden Gate, a brace of songwriters bring brilliant tunes over many a gap to reach the right audience. The music [The Beautiful Losers] produce is truly arresting. The ten songs on display feel for one’s soul to pull the listener’s inner strings into the caress of the little combo’s silky orchestra. With the magnificent “Stars Above” emerging as a Spectoresque cross between “Be My Baby” and “(Just Like) Starting Over” and the album’s titular number as a guitar-rolled “All The Young Dudes” descendant, it’s the spirits of a certain Beatle and Bowie that spread their wings over this record’s urban horizon.”
Translated: “Striking with this album are the beautiful melodies that the duo have created with their songs. It sometimes seems as if we have known songs like “No Pain”, “Stars Above”, “I Will Always Be There”, “The Best Thing” and the catchy danceable “Blinding Sun” for a long time and as if they were from the bygone years’ 90 originate. We also have to indicate here that the hit-sensitive song “Child”, brought as a ballad, will also be very high on our list.”
“[SAN FRANCISCO features] a brilliant performance with amazing vocals and harmonies, superb musicianship, excellent songwriting talent, and a brilliant job of recording and production.”
“This beautifully crafted and elegantly heartfelt new album opens on the Sgt. Pepper-esque Breathing and the organically earthy No Pain and follows those seamlessly with the easy going Stars Above, the dulcetly melodious I Will Always Be There and then comes a striving musical ache found within the titular San Francisco.
Along next is one of my own favorites, the poppy The Best Thing and the name-dropping, rhythmical The Day John Lennon Died, and they are in turn backed by the low ebb indie rock of both Blinding Sun Child, the album coming to a close on the atmospherically-charged, scratchy, yet strangely smooth of creation, Indian Cowboy (cool edit demo 2000).”
San Francisco and Tokyo have a strong connection to each other, which THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS showcase in their music and in the upcoming video for their new track “I Will Always Be There.” The video is being animated by Giezelle Bernal, who also did the album art in the same style that highlights the strong connection between the two sister-cities that mean so much to THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS.
THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS are an alternative rock duo formed by internationally esteemed professional songwriters Indo-Canadian Raj Ramayya and San Francisco native Brett Boyd. Described as “Indian-influenced electro-acoustic alternative rock,” THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS draw influence from a wide range of iconic rock artists, but it’s their diverse and innovative musical style and their unforgettable songs with poignant lyrics that define and set the band apart. The new THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS album SAN FRANCISCO is available on November 25, Black Friday 2022, and keep an eye out this holiday season for the re-release of their 2005 classic Christmas album Peace, Love, and Xmas!
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS are an alternative rock duo formed by internationally esteemed professional songwriters Indo-Canadian Raj Ramayya and San Francisco native Brett Boyd. Described as “Indian-influenced electro-acoustic alternative rock,” THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS draw influence from a wide range of iconic rock artists, but it’s their diverse and innovative musical style and their unforgettable songs with poignant lyrics that define and set the band apart. The new THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS album SAN FRANCISCO is available on November 25, Black Friday 2022, and keep an eye out this holiday season for the re-release of their 2005 classic Christmas album Peace, Love, and Xmas!
Brett and Raj met each other by chance in Tokyo in 1995, crossing paths when they were both young traveling artists exploring different cultures with a shared vision of creating music that has a positive impact on the world. As unknowns and outsiders to Japan they attracted a multi-ethnic group of Japanese misfits and expatriates from around the globe who didn’t fit into the usual scene, steadily gathering an assortment of unlikely friends and collaborators in the clubs and pubs of Tokyo. The new THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS album SAN FRANCISCO is a return to form for the group, who relocated to the US following the release of their 2010 album Four Corners of a Tiny Planet. Even though they have their roots and origins in Tokyo and still feel the pull of that city, the new album is called SAN FRANCISCO because this city is now their center. For them San Francisco is an iconic image representing a sort of promised land, a place of rebirth and renewal, a beacon of hope even as things may seem broken or desperate, all of which comes through thematically on the album.
There has always been a “multi-ethnic” theme in the production of their music, and on SAN FRANCISCO, recorded and mixed at Strawberry Hill Music studios in Northern California (www.strawberryhillmusic.com), THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS worked with musicians and engineers from Brazil, China, and Korea. The album’s closing track includes a Japanese sitar-player and was recorded in their apartment in Tokyo back in the day, adding a cool nostalgic bonus to the release and bringing it all full circle. San Francisco and Tokyo have a strong connection to each other, which THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS showcase in their music and in the upcoming video for their new track “I Will Always Be There.” The video is being animated by Giezelle Bernal, who also did the album art in the same style that highlights the strong connection between the two sister-cities that mean so much to THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS.
Brett and Raj began writing and recording songs again for SAN FRANCISCO around 2019 before the start of the pandemic, and the album is dedicated to two friends that passed as a result of that tragedy. The first is “Thai Tom” who the duo met on a boat with their guitars on the way to a gig on a Thai island and discovered that he and Brett had the exact same birthday and year. Thai Tom brought them to a local temple to commemorate their fortuitous meeting, and they all became so close that Thai Tom eventually officiated the wedding of Raj and his wife. The album is also dedicated to Raj’s brother-in-law, who sadly passed during the pandemic, and also coincidentally shared the exact same birthday and year with Raj.
As THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS, Raj and Brett have developed a devout fan base through relentless touring in support of major acts such as Coldplay, Indigo Girls, and Matt Nathanson, as well as song placements in MTV reality programs including Real Life Stories,Two-A-Days, and Parental Control. THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERShave had sponsorship from Heineken and Starbucks and have developed their American fan base from live appearances on leading local radio stations KFOG and Alice@97.3, West Coast Live, Amnesty International’sRock for Human Rights, NPR’s “All Songs Considered,”NARAS “Grammy Showcases,” and had their music featured in The Gap’s 40th anniversary marketing campaign.
As first-call composers, Raj Ramayya and Brett Boyd have contributed music and songs to leading Japanese film and anime productions such as cult-classics Cowboy Bebopand Wolf’s Rain,Toyota and Asahi Beer TV commercials, the Biohazardvideo game, and other recording artists, including punk rock legends Hi Standard and Ken Yokoyama, and iTunes chart toppers Studio Apartment and Captain Funk. Together Raj and Brett launched Strawberry Hill Music, specializing in music production, publishing, and promotion, and embodying their underdog do-it-yourself mentality of the 90s.
Raj and Brett have spent most of the last decade prioritizing their families, raising their children while pursuing various other successful musical endeavors, but THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS retain a loyal international fan base, due in large part to Raj and Brett’s multi-lingual ability to connect cross-culturally with fans throughout the world. Brett Boyd says of their formative years, “I will always credit Raj’s natural talent to be welcoming and inclusive to everyone and to attract so many different kinds of people. We performed everywhere we could, and we were sometimes surrounded by outcasts in the underbelly of Tokyo, but everyone was beautiful, and Raj and I found ways to befriend artistic collaborators and fans who are dear people in our lives to this day.”
The new THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS album SAN FRANCISCO is available on November 25, Black Friday 2022, and keep an eye out this holiday season for the re-release of their 2005 classic Christmas album Peace, Love, and Xmas!
To order or stream the new THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS album SAN FRANCISCO please visit:
Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) continues a string of non-stop hits with the release of his upcoming SPRING POPPY EP! The first of a seasonally themed four-EP project collectively categorized by genre, mood, and vibe, SPRING POPPY features six new songs including the recently released singles “WAKE UP,” “BAYSIDE,” and upcoming “TEARDROPS.” Available April 10, most of the SPRING POPPY EP was written and recorded over the last year in SHERIDAN’s Oakland apartment and entirely produced, mixed, and mastered by Jake Daniels. The EP series also features striking artwork by Olive Curreri across all releases.
SPRING POPPY sees SHERIDAN explore a brighter pop territory, while the next EP in the series Summer Home will feature more of his hip hop-based and upbeat sound. In 2022 SHERIDAN released an official music video for the first SPRING POPPY single “WAKE UP” that has so far amassed over 15k+ views! Directed by Cedric Letsch, the “WAKE UP” video is a cinematic and visually arresting piece of art that perfectly captures SHERIDAN’s smooth and dynamic vibes.
“WAKE UP” came following the release of his On MyselfEP and “Toes Done” single (which also features an amazing music video directed by Cedric Letsch that has reached over 14k+ views on YouTube) that both dropped worldwide in 2021. The On Myself EP was produced by Jake Daniels and features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The EP’s opening track “Where’s the Ref?” was featured on Thizzler.com!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“From the instrumental lines to the vocals section, Sheridan’s “On Myself” exudes emotion. While the rhythmic tempo is dynamic, and perhaps accelerated, the overall climate is smooth, relaxed, mature. The same maturity that is noticed in the feelings that are manifested from the flowing and relaxed bars.”
A unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests, the SHERIDAN “ON MYSELF” IDC Virtual Event was broadcast on YouTube July 2, 2021!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“Opening on the one-two dubstep of Wheres The Ref? and the laid back, late night ambiance of The Don (feat. Don Pablo & Drae V), they are backed by the beautiful, free flowing majesty of Rewinds and the near acoustic rap-pop bounce of Hell. Next up is the rap-rocker Like You Did and the finger-snapppin Actin Funny, with this new EP rounding out on the swarthy Walk Away (feat. Anthony Kannon), closing on the quietly rhythmic R&B of the title track On Myself.”
“On Myself features eight tracks, beginning with Sheridan rolling through the poetic hip-hop-style lyrics of “Where’s The Ref?” without missing a beat. The album then moves toward an R&B direction with the smooth sounds of “Hell,” while “Like You Did” finds Sheridan stepping outside his comfort zone for this addictive alternative-pop melody. He wraps up his new album with strong, repetitive chorus of “Walk Away,” which is unforgettable, along with the mellow vibe of the album closer “On Myself.”“
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) has recorded and released over 20 songs in the last two years, setting the stage for his new EP release ON MYSELF that drops worldwide in stores and online June 18, 2021. The ON MYSELF EP also features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The first single “Where’s the Ref?” releases online May 28, and SHERIDAN will also broadcast an ON MYSELF VIRTUAL EVENT release show via YouTube on July 2. The virtual event will be a unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests.
Born in Boulder, CO, but raised a few hundred miles north of New York City in Cortland, Upstate New York, SHERIDAN is 22 years old and has spent the last four years writing, recording, and compiling a vast assortment of hip hop and pop musical compositions. All the songs from the ON MYSELF EP were recorded within a year of being written back at his home studio in Cortland, allowing you to hear exactly where SHERIDAN’s mind has been lately and what he has been dealing with throughout this crazy time in the world. He now works from his own home studio in San Francisco where he has recorded hundreds of tracks and continues to develop new material.
Exposed to many styles of music growing up, SHERIDAN is an artist with many life experiences that continue to influence his music. When he first began writing and recording sometime during his junior year of high school in 2016, he never imagined he would be releasing his own original music and songs. His first true passion was basketball, and his heart was set on playing in college and eventually the NBA. “Making music my life wasn’t something I ever planned to do,” says SHERIDAN, “but music was something my life showed me I needed.”
After the tragic loss of his mom in 2019, he decided it was finally time to put out his self-titled Sheridan Carter Crane. With a surplus of tracks to pick from, he chose a select few, including his mom’s favorites that would add to the story he was trying to tell, and filled in the blanks with new ideas inspired by the emotions he felt from her passing. Released on December 23, 2019, Sheridan Carter Crane is available worldwide on all digital platforms and has received incredible response from blogs and reviewers including Upstate Aesthetic and Not Ya Manz.
Over the last few years SHERIDAN has had multiple close friends pass away and has endured an unfortunate amount of heartbreak. In 2020, less than a month after moving to San Francisco to attend the production school Pyramind, he also had all his music equipment stolen in the moving process. Despite these setbacks, he has since rebuilt his home studio and kept his focus on family, honoring his mother, and sharing his music with the world.
SHERIDAN also continues to work on multiple other projects and for the first time ever is releasing tracks with other producers. He is also co-host of a local music podcast run by Upstate Aesthetic. The release of the new ON MYSELF EP marks an exciting milestone for SHERIDAN. Expect much more from this sensational new artist in the months and years to come.
“Overall, I just want to be seen as unapologetically being me. So whether you love it or hate it, shove it or break it…I just hope it made you feel.” -Sheridan
For more information about SHERIDAN please visit his website at:
“Five quality tunes. Bioluminate is hard to pigeonhole to a specific genre, and that is why this music is so thought provoking and interesting, yet so irresistibly catchy. Absolutely recommended.
The first track “West End Road” is a captivating and energetic number, so vibrant and catchy with its jaunty piano, bluesy lead guitar, gritty and soulful lead vocals, and funky groove. Its jazz, blues, rock, and Americana, and just a whole lot of fun. The horn section, featuring trombone, sax, baritone sax, and trumpet, further adds to the band’s rich sound palette. “Darwin’s Sister” features David Berg’s biting lead guitar and the spacey keyboards bring forth a kind of celestial, organic blues sound. The catchy and soulful “Baby Come Back Down” is heavy on groove with nice keyboard accents and this time a sweet guitar solo from Marc Paradis. “Miss Fortune” is a slow bluesy number with trippy keyboards, wonderful vocals, and tasty fretwork from Nels Cline. The last track “Vampire Blues” ends the disc with an energetic burst of rootsy blues rock, an uplifting and melodic gem that just might be the album’s catchiest tune.”
“New York-based rock group and brainchild of singer/songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler,Circus Mind, have busted out a new anthem titled “VOTE” to inspire listeners to act upon their most sacred constitutional right. The funk-fueled track comes hot off the heels of their EP Bioluminate and LP Joy Machine but, most importantly, ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Rechler recruited Mat Godfrey and Matty Fox, Nikki Cassarino and his wife Erin Cassarino to add their powerful vocals and their individual musical inclinations to propel the song’s call to action and inspire listeners to help donate money for the voting rights organization HeadCount.”
For Immediate Release – New York, NY – CIRCUS MIND is a New York-based rock outfit and the brainchild of singer/songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler. Fresh off the heels of their recently released Bioluminate EP and their full-length album Joy Machine (2021), CIRCUS MIND busts out a hot and funky voting rights anthem with their new single “VOTE”! Set for release October 7, 2022, the track is equal parts Sly Stone, P-Funk, Staple Singers, and Schoolhouse Rock. Featured guests include Mat Godfrey and Matty Fox (members of TheBrandon “Taz” Niederauer Band that Rechler played in for three years), along with Nth Power dynamo Nikki Cassarino and his wife Erin Cassarino adding to the powerful vocals found on the song.
Rechler will use the track to raise money for the voting rights organization HeadCount through a fundraiser that will last for ten days upon the “VOTE” single’s October 7 release. His previous fundraiser raised $10K for The New Orlean Musicians Clinic and he has supported other charities close to his heart.
“I had no intention of writing a song about voting,” said Rechler, “but the muses had different plans. The song literally got written in about two hours, lyrics and music. I stopped a few times to ask myself, ‘Am I writing a voting song right now?’ but I figured I would just let it come out, since the music was so good, and I could always rewrite the lyrics. But it seemed just the right amount of fun, funky, cool, and relevant, that I knew it was gonna work.”
CIRCUS MIND is a camouflaged cephalopod that can change colors, moods, and styles in an instant, swimming from jazzy groove rock to funky reggae roots with ease. The band is about to celebrate its 20th year and recently unveiled their fourth release Bioluminateon June 17, 2022. Bioluminate continues to capture the CIRCUS MIND spirit as they weave through past, present, and funky future.
The first Bioluminate single “Baby Come Back Down” (featuring NoLa guitarist Marc Paradis of Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes) has a funky driving Caribbean back beat mixed with rock and soul vibes and delicious synthesizer work. Opening track and second official single “West End Road” feels like you’re in the gospel tent at Jazzfest while mixin’ in some swampy rock reminiscent of Little Feat, Taj Mahal and The Radiators. Special guest Nels Cline of Wilco shines on the standout track “Miss Fortune” a slower paced beauty, while special guests Matty Fox and Matt Godfrey from the Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band bring the album full circle on the final track “Vampire Blues.” Longtime bassist Chris Crosby, whopassed during the recording of the album, appears on four of the tracks.
Their previous release Joy Machinefeatured Big Sam, Marc Ribot, Ivan Neville, Walter Wolfman Washington, Scott Metzger, and more. An eclectic collection of ’70s rock and funk with modern takes on N’awlins swamp rock mixed with Beatles pop, the first Joy Machine single “Are You Ready?” featured guest guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, and its music video was well received by critics and fans alike.
Earlier their release “Silver Flower” was voted one of the Best Indie Albums of 2006 by Newsday and put a modern take on influences such as Traffic, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and Mott the Hoople while mixing in NoLa vibe influences like Dr. John, The Meters and The Neville Brothers. The CIRCUS MIND single “Jazzfest Time” was released as an ode to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. CIRCUS MIND has opened for national acts (Toots & The Maytals, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators) and had many notable guests sit in on their recordings and live performances (Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band, CyrilNeville).
CIRCUS MIND’s members are diverse in their influences and playing styles. Lead vocalist, songwriter and keyboardist Mark Rechler performs with multiple projects and has played, toured, and recorded with members of The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Radiators, Soulive, The Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Ivan Neville, and more. Spending five years in New Orleans studying music, art, & architecture helped influence his style and direction, and he always keeps his listeners salivating and wanting more.
Guitarist Jaime Scott has toured the world as a guitarist and engineer, with renowned ensemble John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards. In doing so he followed the lineage of the legendary and influential Lounge Lizard’s guitarists who came before him. “Baby Come Back Down” also features late and long-time CIRCUS MIND bassist Chris Crosby, who had studied with Oteil Burbridge of The Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Co.
The band’s rhythm section features drummer Dan Roth, a driving force of funky world influences and percussionist Steve Finkelstein, who has worked recorded and performed with pop icons from Ray Charles as well as jam band giants including members of the Dead, Allman’s, and Neville’s, and Tower of Power. Steve is also a founding member of the Funk Filharmonik.
New Member Saxophonist Michael Amendola holds a BA in Arranging from The Berklee College of Music. Credits include touring, film scores, jingles, and Broadway shows. Michael was a member of The Tony Trischka Band for 7 years, producing 2 recordings on Rounder Records and as a leader, released the jazz recording “Big Sunflower” on CDC Records. Also joining the party is Leandro Da Silva, a multi-faceted bassist from São Paulo, Brazil who brings elements of Samba and Funk that can be heard in his diverse playing style.
Translated: “With Bioluminate , Circus Mind presents five stylistically and rhythmically differentiated tracks, each with its own luminescent ability. West End Road brings all the gospel/jazz/funk/blues dynamics , but it’s with Darwin’s Sister that the band shows how to make southern rock intense and with personality. The remaining three tracks end up confirming how Circus Mind can change from a jazz groove rock for a funk with roots in reggae, or even for a blues, without any kind of problem. To help this delirious demonstration of devilish rhythms bewitched by atmospheres of synthesizers, wind instruments and other paraphernalia, the quartet led by Mark Rechler appears accompanied by nine guests.”
Translated: “With well-constructed songs as a basis and a cartload of carefully placed musical details, this has again become a fine record. Festive for those who are busy with other things and damn well made for the concentrated listener.”
Translated: “Circus Mind mastermind/singer/keyboardist Mark Rechler has invited a number of guests including Matty Fox, Matt Godfrey, Marc Paradis (KING FROG) and Nels Cline (WILCO). Their lively rock is swamp rock, funk, soul, jazz and reggae at the same time, and has gospel and Caribbean grooves.”
““Bioluminate” sports an addictive flow emanating from a band in perfect harmony. The textures and moments may differ, but these guys all seems to be coming from the same place. In doing so, the set serves up brilliant song after brilliant song, starting with the casually resonating funk swagger of “West End Road”, and ending with the soulish “Vampire Blues”.”
“Nocturnal raptures wrap the listener’s ears right from the beginning, once the brass-splashed, boogie-stricken stroll down “West End Road” unhurriedly brings guilty pleasures to neon-lit streets before Mark Rechler’s ivories let his rasp and female choir to the fore only to have the piano shine afresh and find David Berg’s stinging guitar chase the sleaze away.
The energy oozing out of “Bioluminate” is close to nuclear but the songs’ hilarious explosiveness will also turn out to be quite thought-provoking – befitting the wise-men perception of the band’s members. The result of such an approach, of course, is simultaneously alluring, hard-hitting and, well, dangerous.
The twenty-five minutes on offer are truly spine-tingling…with bliss married to wicked grin, “Bioluminate” should become a perfect antidote to our sadness-drenched times.”
Translated: “Circus Mind’s “Biolumintate” is a wonderful CD, containing 5 great songs, which I enjoyed from start to finish and I wholeheartedly recommend this disc to any rock lover!”
“This quite wondrously uplifting, vibrantly joyous new album opens on the fluidly gorgeous, Jagger-imbed vibe of the second official single from the album West End Road, which brings with it an emotive experience akin to a swamp rock, jazzy gospel hoedown ala Little Feat and Taj Mahal and that is followed by the early-Stones-imbibed blues-rock of Darwin’s Sister.
Up next is the uproarious first BIOLUMINATE single Baby Come Back Down (featuring NoLa guitarist Marc Paradis of Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes) and which comes complete with a funky driving Caribbean backbeat mixed with rock and soul vibes and delicious synthesizer work and that is in turn backed by the mid-tempo balladry of Miss Fortune (with special guest Nels Cline of Wilco), the album coming to an all too soon close on the Hammond-embedded, smooth blues grooves within Vampire Blues (which also features special guests Matty Fox and Matt Godfrey from the Brandon “Taz” Niederauer Band).”
“This album start to finish [features] amazing musicianship and a great mixture of blues, latin and jazz as well as a stellar performances, great songwriting talent and a superb job of recording. It is great to hear their music again.”
CIRCUS MIND “JOY MACHINE” Featured AGAIN on iTunes One Year After Its Release!
“Several tunes stand out, but you don’t need to go past the first, the retro-funk single “Are You Ready?,” to latch onto the groove that permeates the entire record. You’re good to go from there. The funk is still in place, with a pronounced predilection toward the New Orleans variety very much front and center. Mark Rechler—who is more often than not called the “ringleader” than bandleader (Circus Mind—get it?)— remains the prime motivating force, but he’s sharp and generous enough to delegate. A number of A-list guests bring their own game to the proceedings. All are pros, and together they build an excitement and original vision into each track that’s not always present in the jamband world.”
“Joy Machine resonates with lead vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist and bandleader Rechler’s adoration of ‘70s classic rock and New Orleans funky grooves. With a who’s who of musicians off the road, Rechler was able to add special guests on all of the album’s hook-filled 10 tracks. That includes Brandon “Taz” Niederauer on opening number, “Are You Ready?” and its roots in P-Funk, Sly Stone and other ’70s rock and soul, Scott Metzger (JRAD) on the title track as well as Nels Cline, Marc Ribot and Walter Wolfman Washington.”
One part sultry R&B, two parts wall of glassy guitars. Add a pinch of attitude and a generous helping of syncopated rhythms. Bake for 4 minutes and 11 seconds and voila- you’ve got the perfect Rhythm Is Right pizza!
“Rhythm is all around us- It’s in the way we walk, breathe, and talk. Our hearts constantly beat to a rhythm. This song is an ode to this ever-present and important backbone In our lives, and of course, in our music.” -PTI
Roaring out of the fog-shrouded hills of Sonoma and drowning out the chatter, New Wave/Prog-Pop troubadours Pardon the Interruption (aka PTI) are taking their place — asserting their voice — in the storied musical conversation of the San Francisco Bay Area.
One foot is planted firmly in the past paying homage to some of the most singular and iconic artists of the ‘70s, 80s and ‘90s. The other is stepping boldly forward, producing original material that is at once nostalgically familiar while also entirely modern and unique. It’s undeniable fun. It will make you dance. It’s like a perfect pepperoni pizza. It’s Pardon The Interruption.
Band leader, lead singer and guitarist David Noble (Wreckless Strangers, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Nina Hagen) has assembled three of the finest, most versatile session musicians in Northern California, and fostered a cohesion that transcends music. PTI’s love for each other and their craft is visceral. You can feel it.
Noble is a San Francisco native who has made stops in Denver and L.A. and is himself among the top echelon of Bay Area guitar-slingers when not fronting PTI. A child of the ‘80s, David’s writing successfully synthesizes his love for pop legends like David Bowie, The Police and Talking Heads, with groundbreaking Bay Area art rock/ska artists like Mr. Bungle and Fishbone — deeply personal and deceptively intricate songs sugar-coated with accessible, catchy hooks.
Bassist Rob Fordyce (Peer Pressure, The Ring, Big Brother and the Holding Company) is a force of nature. Yes, he brings the funk, but that’s too narrow. Fordyce’s propulsive groove and unstoppable enthusiasm are the engine — the heart and the soul that power the machine; and his explosive chops rival the best the Bay Area has to offer.
Drummer Rob Hooper (aka The Other Rob) may be the most in-demand Americana drummer in Northern California, bringing the gravitas, experience, and rock-solid beats honed and hard-earned over decades in Austin, TX, where he worked with Jimmy Dale Gilmore, The Resentments, Carolyn Wonderland and countless others.
Jamison Smeltz (D8FeX, mRthKon, Ten Ton Chicken) is the wild card — the joker — playing an eclectic array of instruments with jaw-dropping proficiency. Smeltz melds the art-pop sensibilities of Bowie and Prince with his shameless love for progressive rock icons like Yes, who first inspired him to take up … the saxophone? Yup, that’s Jamison!
With each show PTI is demanding the attention of fans of funk, pop, ska, jam, prog, and just plain rock ‘n’ roll. The New Wave stylings of Pardon The Interruption are infectious and stand apart from the typical NorCal sound. Take a bite and you’ll see these guys mean business!
Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) continues a string of non-stop hits with the release of his upcoming SPRING POPPY EP! The first of a seasonally themed four-EP project collectively categorized by genre, mood, and vibe, SPRING POPPY features six new songs including the recently released singles “WAKE UP,” “BAYSIDE,” and upcoming “TEARDROPS.” Available April 10, most of the SPRING POPPY EP was written and recorded over the last year in SHERIDAN’s Oakland apartment and entirely produced, mixed, and mastered by Jake Daniels. The EP series also features striking artwork by Olive Curreri across all releases.
SPRING POPPY sees SHERIDAN explore a brighter pop territory, while the next EP in the series Summer Home will feature more of his hip hop-based and upbeat sound. In 2022 SHERIDAN released an official music video for the first SPRING POPPY single “WAKE UP” that has so far amassed over 15k+ views! Directed by Cedric Letsch, the “WAKE UP” video is a cinematic and visually arresting piece of art that perfectly captures SHERIDAN’s smooth and dynamic vibes.
“WAKE UP” came following the release of his On MyselfEP and “Toes Done” single (which also features an amazing music video directed by Cedric Letsch that has reached over 14k+ views on YouTube) that both dropped worldwide in 2021. The On Myself EP was produced by Jake Daniels and features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The EP’s opening track “Where’s the Ref?” was featured on Thizzler.com!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“From the instrumental lines to the vocals section, Sheridan’s “On Myself” exudes emotion. While the rhythmic tempo is dynamic, and perhaps accelerated, the overall climate is smooth, relaxed, mature. The same maturity that is noticed in the feelings that are manifested from the flowing and relaxed bars.”
A unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests, the SHERIDAN “ON MYSELF” IDC Virtual Event was broadcast on YouTube July 2, 2021!
“‘On Myself’ is easily the most stunning hip hop track I’ve heard this year. The cinematically arresting title single is the perfect introduction to the prolific artist’s soulfully evocative style. The tender piano keys which pick up jazz and neo-classical sensibilities in their progressions give ‘On Myself’ a stunning ambience, while the indie feel to the production allows SHERIDAN’s deeply resonant vocals to hit even harder.”
“Opening on the one-two dubstep of Wheres The Ref? and the laid back, late night ambiance of The Don (feat. Don Pablo & Drae V), they are backed by the beautiful, free flowing majesty of Rewinds and the near acoustic rap-pop bounce of Hell. Next up is the rap-rocker Like You Did and the finger-snapppin Actin Funny, with this new EP rounding out on the swarthy Walk Away (feat. Anthony Kannon), closing on the quietly rhythmic R&B of the title track On Myself.”
“On Myself features eight tracks, beginning with Sheridan rolling through the poetic hip-hop-style lyrics of “Where’s The Ref?” without missing a beat. The album then moves toward an R&B direction with the smooth sounds of “Hell,” while “Like You Did” finds Sheridan stepping outside his comfort zone for this addictive alternative-pop melody. He wraps up his new album with strong, repetitive chorus of “Walk Away,” which is unforgettable, along with the mellow vibe of the album closer “On Myself.”“
For Immediate Release – San Francisco, CA – Independent artist and music producer SHERIDAN (aka Sheridan Carter Crane) has recorded and released over 20 songs in the last two years, setting the stage for his new EP release ON MYSELF that drops worldwide in stores and online June 18, 2021. The ON MYSELF EP also features BDT Don Pablo and Drae V on the powerful and commanding track “The Don” and Anthony Kannon on the heartfelt and introspective “Walk Away.” The first single “Where’s the Ref?” releases online May 28, and SHERIDAN will also broadcast an ON MYSELF VIRTUAL EVENT release show via YouTube on July 2. The virtual event will be a unique visual experience featuring music from the release along with some old favorites and special guests.
Born in Boulder, CO, but raised a few hundred miles north of New York City in Cortland, Upstate New York, SHERIDAN is 22 years old and has spent the last four years writing, recording, and compiling a vast assortment of hip hop and pop musical compositions. All the songs from the ON MYSELF EP were recorded within a year of being written back at his home studio in Cortland, allowing you to hear exactly where SHERIDAN’s mind has been lately and what he has been dealing with throughout this crazy time in the world. He now works from his own home studio in San Francisco where he has recorded hundreds of tracks and continues to develop new material.
Exposed to many styles of music growing up, SHERIDAN is an artist with many life experiences that continue to influence his music. When he first began writing and recording sometime during his junior year of high school in 2016, he never imagined he would be releasing his own original music and songs. His first true passion was basketball, and his heart was set on playing in college and eventually the NBA. “Making music my life wasn’t something I ever planned to do,” says SHERIDAN, “but music was something my life showed me I needed.”
After the tragic loss of his mom in 2019, he decided it was finally time to put out his self-titled Sheridan Carter Crane. With a surplus of tracks to pick from, he chose a select few, including his mom’s favorites that would add to the story he was trying to tell, and filled in the blanks with new ideas inspired by the emotions he felt from her passing. Released on December 23, 2019, Sheridan Carter Crane is available worldwide on all digital platforms and has received incredible response from blogs and reviewers including Upstate Aesthetic and Not Ya Manz.
Over the last few years SHERIDAN has had multiple close friends pass away and has endured an unfortunate amount of heartbreak. In 2020, less than a month after moving to San Francisco to attend the production school Pyramind, he also had all his music equipment stolen in the moving process. Despite these setbacks, he has since rebuilt his home studio and kept his focus on family, honoring his mother, and sharing his music with the world.
SHERIDAN also continues to work on multiple other projects and for the first time ever is releasing tracks with other producers. He is also co-host of a local music podcast run by Upstate Aesthetic. The release of the new ON MYSELF EP marks an exciting milestone for SHERIDAN. Expect much more from this sensational new artist in the months and years to come.
“Overall, I just want to be seen as unapologetically being me. So whether you love it or hate it, shove it or break it…I just hope it made you feel.” -Sheridan
For more information about SHERIDAN please visit his website at:
Independent Distribution Collective Blog 