USA4real 's Blog

Featured USA4real Artist September 2010
MYNORiTY | USA4real Profile

Simon Says, "STREET BoUNCE"

Inspired by hip-hop's greatest, Jay-Z, 2PAC, B.I.G., 50 Cent and more... MYNORiTY is a 25 year old charismatic hip hop artist with talents that stretch far beyond the recording studio. In addition to being known as a rapper, he is also an actor and screenplay writer. But, he is definitely an artist with a business mind as the owner and producer of his own record label, Dollatarian Records. It's no wonder he was able to produce such a great original piece like "Street Bounce."

If you grew up in the 80s, you played Simon Says, not just on the playground, but with Milton Bradley's Simon. If you could keep up with Simon then you might be able groove to this Brooklyn rapper's track that uses the computerized voice of Simon to fill in his chorus lines, giving us a "Street Bounce" that is the new #1 on our Hot 25. Therefore, Simon says, MYNORiTY is our September Artist of the Month.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist August 2010
The Blue Eyed Devil | USA4real Profile

"The Blue Eyed Devil"

Hmmmmmm. Let's call like it is, and don't let the name fool you. This is an intelligent human who grew up in Queens, New York inspired by Krs-One, LL Cool J, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli helping to master his craft. Our listeners may have been deceived by The Blue Eyed Devil, our August Artist of the Month climbed the charts from #9 up to #3 on the Indie Hot 25 with his self titled track.

Take a listen to his songs on his USA4real profile, he consistently creates great raps to solid beats. His poetry flows with real amazing surprises how he ties all his tracks together with smooth lyrical rants and solid hooks that you just can't help to sin along with the devil.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist July 2010
Elaine Faye | USA4real Profile

X's & O's

A California-born singer/songwriter may know a few things about her "X's & O's," but she definitely knows how to combine heartfelt emotional lyrics with the blending of acoustic soul, pop, and a touch of jazz. This sultry singer is Elaine Faye, and she is our July Artist of the Month.

Her song "X's & O's" popped straight to the Hot 25 soon after its conception, and is presently #3. After listening to this amazing track, it's hard to believe this beautiful girl has not been grabbed up by some money hungry label. She truly presents the total package necessary to have a tremendous amount of success.

Elaine Faye represents freedom of artistry; considering herself hometownless because she moved over 27 times. What has come from it is this original sound that could only come from a grounded soul, cultured by multiple cultures, experiencing everything life has given her. And, we're honored to have her on Upstream Radio and give her our Artist of the Month honors.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist June 2010
glo | USA4real Profile

glo "on the outside"

Our 3rd Canadian Artist of the Month in the past 4 months, 2nd from Montreal, a three piece band called glo strikes some powerful chords to become our June AOM. Their title track "On the Outside" which jumped from #11 just 2 weeks ago to #4 meets the approval of our Upstream Radio Listeners.

glo's 10-song album, mixed in L.A. by producer Paul Lani (U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers), is now on the shelves and the first single, Move Along, is already moving up the rock charts. “It’s really the level of songwriting and sheer musicality that puts these guys above the rest” - Paul Lani. Rick (vocals, rhythm guitars), Eddie (guitars, bass), and Patrick (drums) first came together a few years ago and released the self-titled debut glo. The album spawned a number of songs that were featured on TV and film soundtracks, including the single Wither.

This trio stands out with an audio slave appeal. Not sure if it's Rick's Cornell looks or his well held notes from a deep place inside. We certainly will have to keep a good ear on glo to see what lies ahead for this very talented group of artists.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist May 2010
Liz Lohnes | USA4real Profile

|| Where You Are ||

Nominated in 2 categories at the 2009 USA4real Music Awards: best hip-hop/pop Newbee & best hip-hop/R&B/pop Song of the Year "Where You Are" - currently #10 in our Hot 25 and has been as high as #2 in the past 6 months. Our aspiring musician is a sophomore at Berklee College of Music and is where we find our May Artist of the Month: Liz Lohnes.

It's nice to see not just a pretty face & a beautiful smile putting in her dues toward an education at arguably one of the best schools for music in the world. Having the talent to sing is often considered a gift by the experts, but a gift well trained is a creation of hard work and passion for the art. Therefore, we cannot help but notice all these virtues and talent in Liz Lohnes.

USA4real feels very fortunate to come across this starlet early on in her academia so we can recognize her true potential and honor her valiance from her hard work and determination to share her gift of music with us. So don't be surprised when you hear her name again after her degree, if not before, on a bigger stage televised across the planet.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist April 2010
Mad June | USA4real Profile

|| Mad June in April ||

I'm not quite sure what their obsession is with toast, (click here to read artist bio) but their music is much more delightful than the crisp bread. This Montreal all female quartet certainly sparks a chord or more to the senses. Their taste is not bland, they sound golden with a tinge of darkness, not to mention; the four are beautifully molten.

Presently #4 on the Upstream Radio Hot 25 with "24," Mad June makes its move toward the top. Vanessa McLean sings with a very soulful melodic style above a steady groove provided by Pascale St-Onge on bass, making this a very pop possibility to be a hit. "We're Not Strangers," Mad June's first EP, is packed with several solid jams that have great potential that are easy on the ears and good for the soul.

There is a radiohead style punk to their sound, McLean's voice just rises above to deliver you something else. So when the rain pours this April, and you're praying for the Sun in June, give Mad June a listen. And if you're in Montreal, there is a bigger pleasure if you see them live. They will turn your soggy mind into toast.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist March 2010
Junkyard Poets | USA4real Profile

|| Rock, POP, Roll ||

Our March Artist of the Month hails from our Winter Olympics host, Canada. Canada may not be as well known for their music scene like they are for their hockey. However, there is a sextuplet to our North that takes an evolutionary step with their "Rock, Pop, Roll" style. It's a style that you may not be able to put your ear on a consistent familiar sound. Each song is a different animal that contains a thing of grace from what may have derived of a multiplicity of iconic pop influences.

The Junkyard Poets have found themselves in our Hot 25 with a couple songs, "Shut Up & Disco" is #24, and "Love, Life & Death (The Ballad of a Freedom Fighter)" is presently #5. Their sound isn't exactly original, but it's done in an original, ingenious way. If this was a fashion show, their style walks right out of a Blues Brothers movie with a stylist grabbing pieces from The Who, Beatles, Rage Against the Machine, and The Killers making this band an electrifying combination of innovative music making.

All you can really expect when you listen to "Rock, Pop, Roll" is the unexpected. I guess if you ever heard that saying, "one man's junk is another man's fortune" we can relate it to the Junkyard Poet's case, where "one artist's POP inspires a song between Rock N' Roll."

Featured USA4real Artist February 2010
Kes The Band | USA4real Profile

"Out of this World"

USA4real has become a community of indie musicians looking for opportunity, and music enthusiasts looking for the best unheard music. Throughout the past 3 years, artists across the globe have stumbled across the digital universe into our cyber back yard. It’s no wonder this Stalker from Trinidad and Tobago made it to Upstream Radio to become our 1st International USA4real Artist of the Month.

Kes the Band was nominated for 3 awards including best music video, and won most promising artist at our 3rd Annual Music Awards.  Not just a soca band, the group, comprising lead singer Kees Dieffenthaller, his brothers Hans, Jon and Riad Boochoon, skillfully cross genres, producing music that is not easily definable but definitely likeable. "Stalker" is currently #1 on the Hot 25 and it is a well produced gem that has a lot of cross-over potential to reach a massive audience if it finds the opportunity.

Kes the Band produces a unique blend of soulful vocals and calypso-inspired melodies, over a fusion of rock riffs and island beats, hints of soca and reggae; it is best described as Caribbean Pop.  It is artists like this, that may not have the opportunity to have their music heard, why we created our site. Kes deserves to be recognized, and therefore they are out of this world becoming our 2010 February Artist of the Month.

Featured USA4real Artist January 2010
The Sweet Kill | USA4real Profile | www.thesweetkill.com

A Beautiful Tragedy

Sometimes our brightest inspirations come from the darkest moments in our life. This month's artist of the month is a testament of this truth. "The Sweet Kill was born from the death of a fragile, passionate rock nymph. Singer, songwriter Pete Mills emerged from the suicide of band mate and creative partner Toni Forbes with a pen and guitar to capture the fractured realm of love and death."

The Sweet Kill's "Virgin" has reached as high as #1 on the Hot 25 and they've remained in the top 20 rated artists since joining USA4real several months ago. Nominated for several USA4real Music Awards, we feel this band's music is worth a 9 inch comparison with a bigger soul amplified by its electronic rock. Pete Mills is a genius and he will lead this band to success in the new decade. Curt Kobain may have single handily given birth to grunge and killed it just a few years later; at least Toni Forbes gave his life to a Sweet Kill for the ages to come.

Featured USA4real Artist December 2009
Lindsay Erin | USA4real Profile | myspace.com/lindsayerinmusic

Only someone that fell in love with music as a child would incorporate her R&B stylized vocals with chill jazz to take you on a delicate ride across the California mountain side. Although she claims her home as Nevada City, California, she finds herself out on the singer/songwriter circuit. This multi-talented artist made her moves at a very young age studying dance, vocals, and theatre. Lindsay Erin is the #1 Rated Artist with a nomination for best Rock/Pop NewBee which makes her our December Artist of the Month.

Lindsay has a very sultry voice with a soul backed by smooth jazz giving her music a very unique feel for 2010. The 1st Soprano with The Oakland Bay Area Community Choir led by Bill "The Jazz Professor" could not possibly be destined for anything less than greatness. Casted her first role as Sara in the Sofia Coppola film "Lick the Star" gave this actress her debut on Independent Film Channel. Now, with the USA4real Indie Music Awards...this future star could win her first music award "Best Rock/Pop New Bee"

Featured USA4real Artist November 2009
Ivan Ives | USA4real Profile | ivanives.com

:: The NewSpeaker ::

Ivan Ives is a Los Angeles rapper with something to say. Imagine that. Seriously though, Mr. Ives album "Newspeak" takes a real shot at the political euphuisms to hide the truth from the public eye. Ives give us a refreshing course on how to understand this reality which is truly an art form that he managed to originally craft as his own.

So lyrically, Newspeak; "the album title is a reference to George Orwell's novel 1984" he explains. "Newspeak is the language created by the government to make the public dimmer. By controlling vocabulary and restricting people's ability to speak eloquently, Big Brother limits the complexity of their thoughts. American culture becomes more dumbed-down every day. Just watch the news or listen to the radio."

Therefore, Professor Ives' unique approach to school us with his masterful lyrics and dope beats makes him our November Artist of the Month. Not to mention, he frequently takes the Hollywood stages by storm such as the Knitting Factory, Key Club, the Aqua Lounge, and more. He climbed up to #2 on the Upstream Hot 25 with his track "Got it." Pay attention and watch this guy closely, he has the sensibility and the drive to do more than live by day and record by night. His talent speaks volumes as The NewSpeaker.

Featured USA4real Artist October 2009
Shotgun Radio | USA4real Profile | shotgunradio.com

:: Double Barrel Sound Waves ::

This dynamic due may not wear spandex, but their music has been licensed to Star Wars II promos, they scored the upcoming studio film Hotel California, as well as other television shows and commercials. Our October Artist of the Month is a unique double barrel that blasts tinsel town in an upcoming roar. If you ask yourself: what do you get when you cross an electro beat with hip hop lyrics on a rock edge? The answer is Shotgun Radio; a pair of multi-talented musicians that pack heat.

Marcel Saxlund, (Vocalist, Lyricist) and Greco Rossetti (engineer, programming & production, drums) are the group's only members. A solid pair of multi-talented musicians that pack heat from the inspiration of beat-driven electronic music and heart-sung hip hop lyrics that explode from their minds. One thing that truly triggers these artists is their on stage performance, they perform almost weekly at LA's top venues: Dragonfly, Avalon, and House of Blues.

The recent release of the "Drive" music video [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ytn1TkccXE] is receiving great reviews from A&R reps at major labels. Stay tuned for their second singe release "Hometown Junkie" by New Year, and the full-length album "The Vacant Nation" is slated for a March 2010 release. "Drive" will be available on iTunes Oct. 20, 2009. A mellow chilled track that you can hear exclusively on Upstream Radio's Hot 25 as it's climbed our indie charts into the Top 4.

We'll also announce today that Shotgun Radio will perform at the USA4real Music Awards on December 10th 2009 at the Aqua Lounge in Beverly Hills. Nominees and other performers will be announced Nov. 17th. This will be a performance you won't want to miss. Limited tickets to the public available here: wantickets.com/la4real.

Featured USA4real Artist September 2009
Oedipus | USA4real Profile | oedipusband.com

:: No Myth – Just Complex ::

You have to be complex to name your band Oedipus. A Greek Myth originated from 800 B.C. of an abandoned prince raised by adopted parents, destined to kill his biological father, the King, and marry his mother, the Queen. (This is where Freud derived the famous "Oedipus Complex" as all men seek their mother or her traits in a life partner.) However, as fate would have it, Oedipus killed his natural father, solved the sphinx's riddle proving his wisdom, yet married his mother unknowingly. When Mom learned the truth, she killed herself, and Oedipus gouged out his eyes symbolizing the end of the lies they told him throughout his entire life.

To transcend this thought-provoking, moral-twisting heartache through the musical medium, then stand by your name to define your sound and covey your truth certainly brings an interesting character to a Los Angeles based power Trio. Lead singer/bassist Jeremy Haffner fused his passion for literature and music to give birth to the Oedipus project with Stephen Cohen in their early teens. They picked up their drummer Keith Larson in 2004. Together with the soul of Oedipus and modern influences of Tool, Clutch, 311, and Muse they create music of a nearly 3,000 year old story. The legend becomes no longer a myth. Especially when the legendary King producer Sylvia Massy (Tool & System of a Down) sought out the project to mix 3 of their songs on the new Oedipus record.

So you would have to really be a bastard in the Quentin Tarantino sense that Brad Pitt is a basterd who scalped Germans during World War II to name your band Oedipus. Not a legendary bastard as the Greek myth portrays Oedipus. Truthfully, if you listen to "Tonight" and "Burn it Down," I think you'll agree with me; Oedipus is alive in 2009 and is not a myth destined for things beyond the cruel ignorance suffered in the Greek tragedy. A top ten Artist and HOT 25 song on Upstream Radio, we believe they're destined for far greater things, because Oedipus is a musician as they are resurrected today.

Featured USA4real Artist August 2009
Cipes and the People | USA4real Profile | cipesandthepeople.com

:: The Freedom of Artistry ::

Our August Artist of the Month might look & sound familiar. This rising star broke into the TV screen, the silver screen, and rocks the music scene. If you saw John Tucker Must Die, National Lampoon's Pledge This!, if you remember the lion cub in The Wild, if you watched the Gilmore Girls, House M.D., Deadwood, or if you plan to see Fast & Furious 2009, then you will recognize Greg Cipes, the brain child behind the very laidback, cool reggae pop band, Cipes and the People.

So when Greg is not on set acting in film or TV, or in a studio doing voiceovers for cartoons and video games, he's playing music? "Music is the most powerful vibration on the planet," says Cipes, the group's charismatic singer and songwriter. "We're all sound vibration. Music is in movies, television shows. It's everywhere. So ultimately, it's the vibration that transcends all things." – gregcipes.com

Ahh, it sounds like to me; music is everywhere Greg goes based on his career. With a much awaited release of the Cipes and the People's next album that is supposed to jam by the end of year, we can only anticipate to see and hear what is next for Greg Cipes within the scope of his career. A solid talent and a true example of what it takes to make it in this business. It helps if you're not just a drummer, guitarist, or singer. You have to be more than just a musician, actor, a writer, a cliff diver, a sculptor, and a world class fighter. You have to be an artist willing to expand your web to catch the wave on the horizon rather than a specialist with only one dream.

"And one love is our love. We can free the world."
– Free Me by Greg Cipes and the People. Listen to it now on their profile.

Featured USA4real Artist July 2009
Still Time | Profile | stilltimemusic.com

"Music Moves"

Time no longer stands still for these Blues Travelers: Dan, Paul, John, "Haircut," Nick, and "T-bone". Their song "High Tide" reached the Top 5 on the Upstream HOT 25 last week. This band based out of San Luis Obispo, California, reigns in #6 on our Top Rated Artists which makes our July Artist of the Month: Still Time.

Since forming in 2004, Still Time is growing in popularity throughout California with their energetic grooves. Bringing a mixture of rock, reggae and funk, Still Time has recently caught the attention of radio stations in Northern and Central California. "High Tide" receives plays on San Luis Obispo radio station New Rock 107.3. The six-pack held a spot on the station’s Top 10 for over four months as well, and has also appeared in the radio station’s regular rotation for over a year. Still Time has also been featured on the Santa Cruz radio station KPIG 107.5 and San Luis Obispo’s Coast 101.3.

Still Time has opened for some big names such as Ziggy Marley, Robert Randolph, Steel Pulse, Pepper, Ozomatli, Strung Out, ALO, The Expendables, and rocked audiences of 3,000+ at the West Beach Festival 2008 in Santa Barbara. In November of 2007, Still Time released their first full length album entitled "Stream of Consciousness" and made solid head way off their first try. With their new release "See America" coming out, we can bet to see Still Time continue to ride the "High Tide" as we look forward to seeing a promising band’s career develop in the years to come.

Featured USA4real Artist June 2009
"Low Lying Fields"
Profile | wearethemeadows.com

Featured USA4real Artist May 2009
"Folio"
Profile | myspace.com/nuwaveboi

The less conventional, the path less traveled, will often lead a driven person or entity through the back roads of success. That is if hitting the roadblocks of insanity doesn't get the best of them first. There is a Los Angeles based quartet by the name of Folio driving the alleys at night with their new wave sounds. Perhaps this band will "reach out and touch faith" and find a path that will lead them around the bend of a Depeche Mode.

Core members Brent Meyer (vocals, guitar, keys, programming) and Chris Willshire (bass, Chapman Stick, keys, programming) began writing in 2005 with the "goal of creating seductive and powerful dance music." Inspired by several influences, they tracked the album even before the band had all its members. Folio's road map legends: "vintage synths with driving guitars, carried by a host of sweat-soaked dance grooves, bum-shaking bass lines, and indelible vocal hooks." Often channeling a hybrid of classic/modern electro-rock sonic textures in the vein of Shiny Toy Guns, Duran Duran, She Wants Revenge, New Order, Killers, and MGMT; Folio has created a sound uniquely their own.

Hitting some land marks along the way doesn't hurt: "Floating Away", "Scene Machine" and "Friday Girl" are featured in the new Destineer snowboarding video game "Stoked." "Scene Machine" and "Friday Girl" have both made the Upstream Radio Hot 25, and "Friday Girl" was featured in last season's premiere of MTV's Newport Harbor. Folio opened for Erasure in 2007. All are good signs for a band that plans to reach its destination, which is why Folio is our USA4real Artist of the Month.

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist April 2009
"April Fools No One Without Tomorrow"
Profile | myspace.com/withouttomorrow

More often than not, the best artists are overlooked, never discovered, and under appreciated. There has been a band on Upstream Radio, we feel fits all three categories except by our listeners. This Northern Cal Five has a current user rating of 3 stars, 2 songs have made the HOT 25, and they have been rated as high as #2 as an artist. So today there is no fool...Without Tomorrow.

Our April Artist of the Month is based out of Sacramento, but they sound like their 30 Seconds from Mars with soul driven guitars and vocals held together by a melodic piano, solid bass tones and accentual hard hitting, crashing cymbals. Without Tomorrow made Taste of Chaos and the Warped Tour in 2007 just after the release of their first EP, Illusions of Control. Now with release of their new EP, Chasing Dreams, (prolifically titled) Without Tomorrow is bound to do big things in 2009.

We truly believe these guys possess the complete package: great sound, handsome lads, decent following, and decent $ales at a time when music is free! Without Tomorrow is a major label away from the opportunity of fulfilling their dreams that all bands dream of: making it big enough to thrive on their one true passion. Every label that doesn't sign this band, they lost stars, they're fools Without Tomorrow!

-Luke Wryder

Featured USA4real Artist March 2009
"A Hurricane Crushes Canada"
Profile | hurricanecletis.com | myspace.com/hurricanecletis

Saskatoon produces our first USA4real Artist of the Month from Canada, a band that has studded well among the Upstream Radio listeners. Earning Top 10 status as an artist, averaging 3.3 stars on their songs “Disgusted” and “Stained” which have both made the Hot 25, Hurricane Cletis has earned their status as our March AOM!

It all started in 2006 when Darren Dyck singing lead Vocals, Byron Junop rocking Guitar/Vocals, Greg Dyck wailing on Guitar/Vocals, JK keeping the line on Bass and Rob Dyck kicking on the Drums decided to make their way to a stage. A few months into it, the 5-pack won Roxy on Broadway's ''Ultimate Band Warz", earning the respect of industry moguls Ralph James (The Agency Group) and Steve Blair (Head of A&R for Warner Music Canada). Only a few months later, Hurricane Cletis was one of 29 bands selected to receive a $10,000 recording grant from Rawlco Radio.

Shortly after, Hurricane Cletis recorded a full length self-titled debut album. HC sought Ryan Andersen, who has worked on projects such as Nickelback's 'The Long Road' and 'All the Right Reasons' as well as with bands Thornley, ACDC, Hinder, Default, Bryan Adams, (to drop a few names….) Under the direction of Ryan Anderson, HC produced some really solid tracks fusing their influence of the past and the present with Motley Crue & Godsmack in songs like “Disgusted” & “Nickelback.” They also showed a more sensitive appeal with their songs “Stained” & “Little while.”

Hurricane Cletis is a band that you just fall in love with when you hear their rich alternative rock sound. Serious Alice N' Chain-like riffs make the HC one of the most kick ass bands to enter the Upstream. Who knew Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (Say that 10 times as fast as you can) could rock this effing much!!!

Featured USA4real Artist February 2009
"Musical Origami"
Profile | paperdollband.com | myspace.com/paperdoll

Simple truths, simple thoughts, folded into congruent shapes can make great music. Easier than it sounds, when it’s hard to let go of the desire to do well. Origami is like music in a lot of ways. An art based on perfect timing and precision. But, if you tried to construct a PaperDoll like the one we found in the big apple; I think you would have missed the point.

Listening to PaperDoll, I think “Why can’t more bands make music like this?” Formed in 2004 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, this quartet wills solid jams with beautifully sung lyrics. Teresa Chaisiri sounds very similar to a Gwen Stefani jamming out with the Coldplay of the Killers. PD just recorded a 10 song album with producer Nick Hard (The Bravery, Aberdeen City, The Perfects) and executive producer Bryce Wilson (Brandy, Beyonce, Big Boi, Hillary Duff, Whitney Houston, Groove Theory).

A band that has truly come into it’s own. Taking NYC by storm playing Pianos, the cutting room, CBGB, & the Knitting Factory frequently. PaperDoll even made the Van’s Warp tour and is looking to do even bigger things in 2009. So their influences have made the choice to construct this musical origami a very “Beautiful Face” to listen to on Upstream Radio. Enjoy :)

Featured USA4real Artist January 2009
"Obsessive Cavedoll Disorder"
Profile | cavedoll.com | myspace.com/cavedollband

Electro rock never grows old. I guess when technology is implemented into your music it leaves your band with infinite possibilities even if you're from Salt Lake City, Utah. Not quite AREA 51, but there is this band there called Cavedoll and they're oddly good.

With bands like Cavedoll almost every song sounds like it could be derived from a B-52s David Bowie experiment as they walk across Nine Inch Nails never cringing ... or something like that. I guess you listen for the surprises as their music takes you into the heart of Cavedoll. With Camden Chamberlain on vocals, guitar, bass, and keys, Kness Angulo sings vocals, Allison Martin plays keys, Janet Marie bass, Ryan Petersen drums, and Josh Emery the guitar.

So check out their top-rated song "Decoder" on the Upstream Radio Hot 25 or buy one of their 8 albums at www.cavedoll.com. Seriously, I've heard of crack bands, but to write & produce 8 albums in a year takes OCD to another level. Obsessive Cavedoll Disorder is what it takes to make it as an artist in this business!