Indie Music Women

Giving a voice to women in the indie-music business

Delivering Career-Boosting Information, Connections, and Attention to Talented Women Artists

You are here: Home / Archives for alt-rock

alt-rock

Salli Edwards Releases First Single from ‘’City Life’’ Album

By

A Captivating Blend of Alternative Rock and Indie Pop

Salli Edwards, the talented singer-songwriter known for her captivating melodies and introspective lyrics, is thrilled to announce the release of the first single from her upcoming album, ‘’City Life.’’ The song, titled ‘’Stars and Snowflakes’’, showcases Salli’s alternative rock and shoegaze influences from the 1990s, enveloping listeners in a mesmerizing sonic journey.

Inspired by a line from the classic film ‘’Moonstruck’’, Salli Edwards found a wellspring of creativity in the rich storytelling of cinema. ’’I get a lot of songwriting inspiration from movies, books, and things that I see,’’ she shares. ‘’This particular movie has stayed with me for years. The premise in the movie is about how we can’t help who we fall in love with, sometimes we can love the wrong people and make mistakes because we are not perfect and only the stars and snowflakes are perfect.’’

With its shimmering guitars, dreamy vocals, and melancholic lyrics, ’Stars and Snowflakes’’ delves deep into the intricacies of unrequited love and the search for happiness. Salli explains, ‘’I took this idea from the movie and wrote the song from a different perspective. The song is really about unrequited love and how sometimes you don’t realize what you’re looking for is right in front of you. I know so many songs have been written about this, so I also wanted to leave it open to interpretation. I
love it when people tell me how my songs resonated with them, so while I may write about a specific situation, I also like to keep the themes universal and relatable.’’

With her signature blend of introspection and universality, Salli Edwards continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Her evocative songwriting and emotive performances have garnered her a dedicated fanbase, and ‘’City Life’’ is poised to further cement her position as a rising star in the alternative rock and indie pop scene scene.

‘’City Life’’ is a highly anticipated new album that promises to take listeners on a sonic exploration of the human experience. Salli Edwards’ unique ability to convey raw emotion through her music is on full display, making this album a must-listen for fans of alternative rock and indie pop.

“City Life” is available on all music streaming platforms, iTunes and YouTube.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/43m9yv5w

Featured Artist of the Day: Tora Woloshin

By

Indie Music Women’s Featured Artist of the Day is…

Tora Woloshin 

We asked Tora what it means to her personally to be an indie music woman artist:
“When I think of it all broken down, I see indie = independent: someone who is without backing and paid support; one who is “doing it on their own”. The music is within us all. It is expression in its finest. Then, as a woman, especially being a woman of color (many colors, to be literal) means to be strong and fight for what I stand for and what I have the potential to do for this society. But the art is what holds it all together. It exploits the stories and shows the world how to be okay with theirs. So, in being a indie music woman artist of many colors, I represent diversity, integrity, honesty and standing up for us women as a whole.”

Tora Woloshin is a true alternative rockstar & Renaissance woman, words many use but very few are able to embody the way she does. Her Los Angeles roots would ingrain a toughness into her spirit that translates through her music, in contrast to her upbringing in Arizona, where her love for animals was incubated by her membership in 4-H club where she began riding horses. Ironically, this love of horses developed into a short career as a professional race car driver in which she drove a ‘93 Mustang against fierce male competition. This love of animals would also compel her to create a non
profit, Project Sanctuary Rescue Mission, with the goal to create large
conservatories for animals in need.


Tora’a diverse interests & talents are spearheaded by her ability to attract and
act as glue for other creatives, her testament being that since the age of 15 she 
has been creating & leading bands. Her beauty is complemented by an
amazing voice that would attract record companies to her by the age of 18. Entering the music business at such a young age has brought many joys and
 pains to Tora, with some situations being less favorable. Her persevering spirit
has allowed her to continue to evolve while creating positive milestones like
being mentored by record industry mogul Simon Cowell on the show X Factor
where she became a finalist.


From songs with Timbaland & Jim Jones to touring with some of the biggest
 names in mainstream music like Flo Rida & Pink, Tora is just beginning to hit
 her stride as a veteran artist who still has many more years left to evolve her
 talents as an actress, human & animal rights activist & creative entrepreneur.
 Her ability to relate to people and open up about troubling things in her past
 allows her to strengthen herself and the people who encounter her. More 
than a recording artist, Tora is a breath of fresh air using her platform and
 voice to change the world.

(Bio courtesy of Tora Woloshin)

Listen to Tora’s latest single, “You Got Me” on our Essential Indie Music Women Spotify playlist.

For the latest, follow Tora on her Spotify Aritst Page, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

Singer-Songwriter Bridget Rian’s Strong Debut Single, Type of Girl, Takes on Societal Gender Expectations

By

Bridget Rian

Bridget Rian grew up on Long Island, New York, and started writing songs at 11 with the guitar her mother bought her for her 10th birthday. The Nashville-based artist says that songwriting was a way for her to process her emotions during her hard high school years. While majoring in music in college, the singer-songwriter found the classical music course requirements difficult for her to fall in love with. Then in the summer of 2019, after a few years and major changes, Bridget decided to move to Nashville to focus on her songwriting career. In the fall of 2020, she signed with Lady Savage MGMT & PR.

Bridget’s debut single, Type of Girl was released on February 26, 2021. The track incorporates Bridget’s unique sound of indie rock, alternative pop, and classic Americana instrumentation. She describes the song as “a commentary on societal gender expectations. Type of Girl is my grasp on self-understanding and forgiveness through the experience of negative relationships.” 

Her forthcoming debut EP, Talking to Ghosts, is described as a “delicate, dark, and intricate collection of stories rooted in the bittersweet honesty about the fragile human condition.” In every song, Bridget explores themes of mortality, loss, and nostalgia. She says these are stories that she felt were important to her; the stories that she had to tell.

I recently interviewed Bridget about her debut single, how she developed her unique sound, working with producer Paul Moak, her songwriting journey, her biggest career challenge, and more.

Congratulations, Bridget, on your debut EP, Talking to Ghosts, and debut single, Type of Girl.

Thank you! Thank you!

What do you want the listener to come away with after hearing Type of Girl?

I want the listener to come away with the feeling of acceptance. I want them to know that no matter what they have done or whatever has happened, they are strong and important. Everybody makes what they perceive as mistakes. Everybody has felt used, not good enough or like they were not true to themselves. Hopefully, they find some strength and self-forgiveness in my song.

The songs on your EP are described as exploring themes of mortality, loss, and nostalgia. Every song has you talking to someone who has died, your past self, or talking about ghosts. Why did you pick these themes and the overall concept for the EP?

I think picked is the wrong word to describe how I chose the songs/ topics for this EP. My writing process is really honest and introspective.

These are the songs that I wrote that felt important to me at this time. These are the stories I had to tell.


It wasn’t until after we recorded and really analyzed what we have made that did we realized the underlying themes in this project.

Describe your experience working and recording with producer Paul Moak.

Paul is a kindred spirit. From the moment I met him, he made me feel like my songs mattered and that I had stories that were worth hearing. He really cares deeply about the music he is a part of. He puts together the best players for the project and makes sure the environment is really free and creative.

How did you develop your unique sound of indie pop, alt-rock, and classic Americana instrumentation?

Honestly, I put together a playlist of songs that I found influential and sent it to Paul. It had a ton of songs in different genres ranging from Radiohead to Patty Griffin.

I love alt-rock/pop melodies and the fullness of the tracks but I also love simple vocals and lap steel so I really wanted to create something special involving a combination of the two.


Then we got in the studio and let the band do their magic.

What is your favorite microphone to perform and/or record with and why?

Honestly, I am not knowledgeable about music technology at all. I wish I could tell you what mic I sang on in the studio because I loved it. They had me sing into four different types of mics and picked which sounded the best.

Take us through your songwriting journey from when you started writing at age 11, through your high school years, to now. What changed about your writing? Who or what influenced it?

My songwriting was much more experimental when I was younger. I wanted to make something really different and cool. As I got older my music taste kept growing and I started listening to all different types of music. I really started getting interested in stories. I started reading more books. I did a few acting classes which made me really get almost obsessed with humanity and the different lives people live.

The songs I liked told stories and I felt like the only way I could process my life was through writing about it. So I did.


What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle in your musical journey so far and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge is trying not to compare myself to other artists. Especially female artists. There is room for all of us to tell our stories.

What does it mean to you personally to be an indie music woman artist?

It means supporting other indie women artists and being true to myself and my art!

How do you think women artists can be better supported in the indie music industry?

I think the best way to better support women in the music industry is to stream and buy their music (and merch) and go to their shows (when that’s a thing again). If you can’t afford that, you can share their music with a friend, post about them on social media, or make a playlist featuring their music.

What projects do you have planned for this year?

I hopefully will have some live performance videos and fingers crossed for more recording!

Thank you, Bridget, for the opportunity to interview you.

Type of Girl is available for streaming across multiple platforms: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bridgetrian/type-of-girl

Connect with Bridget on  Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Visit www.bridgetrian.com for all of the latest news on Bridget Rian, and info on her Livestream shows.

Song Review: Edgewater Angel – Done With You

By

Photo courtesy of Edgewater Angel

When Los Angeles based songwriters Kaylee Atherton and Mario DiLeva met in the summer of 2017, they never intended to be a band. But when the two friends who shared similar musical tastes and influences (Modern Alternative Rock and 90s Grunge bands) began to write songs together, the accomplished performers and musicians realized they had something special.  They wrote their first single, “Done With You” after a couple of weeks of writing together.

Wanting an authentic voice and sound for their songs, the songwriting duo created the four-piece Alternative Rock band, Edgewater Angel.  K-Lee Marie is the lead vocalist; Mario is the band’s bassist.  The name is a combination of two homes — one inspired and one real. Mario’s hometown of San Pedro, a port town on the edge of LA,  inspired “Edgetown” and “Angel” is short for Los Angeles where Mario and Kaylee are based.

After many marathon writing sessions, Edgewater Angel took their songs to the studio in March 2018 and recorded their five-song EP.  Edgewater Angel plans to release the EP single by single with the full EP released in early 2019. The band is currently performing in and around the Southern California area with a tour planned for the Fall of 2018.

“Done With You” right out the gate is a kick-ass, take no prisoners rocker.

The opening guitar riffs are fierce and furious emulating the 90s grunge sound. They drop off to a single guitar loop that awaits the entrance of vocalist K-Lee Marie. With her beautifully smooth and enchanting vocal, she draws you in first with a statement and then a question. She incorporates a wonderful sing-song quality in the pre-chorus lyrics that set the emotional stage to come. If you think you know where this song is going, don’t hold your breath; you’ll pass out.

The drums, bass, and guitar slowly ramp up together with K-Lee Marie’s voice as the song creeps into the line of the chorus. Then this is where the “Buckle Your Seat Belt” sign comes on. The band explodes into a heavy hitting launchpad from where K-Lee Marie’s powerhouse vocals take off and soar to the atmosphere when she sings, “The lullaby that makes you cry” and onward. You can’t count the goosebumps on your arms. She brings her vocals back down to earth with a gritty conviction in her voice with the last line “I’m done with you.”

You get to take a breather in the next verse which circles back to the first in musical style and vocal tone. It’s here that the lyrics convey some self-doubt creeping in. Once again, the verse builds into the pre-chorus which then explodes into the chorus along with K-Lee Marie’s vocal prowess. But don’t get comfortable; this song is beautifully unpredictable as it gets to the bridge.

At the bridge, the music abruptly stops and then just the drums provide the melody. It is here during the bridge that there is a nice twist in the lyrics. After declaring being done with this person you thought was perfect because when you peeled away the layers, you found them rotten to the core, you take pause. You question yourself. Am I really done with you? There’s that doubt again. In real life, we often second guess ourselves when we think we want to cut our relationship ties and move on.   

Then K-Lee Marie’s vocals drop full force back into the last chorus and with the last words, “I’m done with you”, the song abruptly ends. Like the finality of having made your decision.

Highly recommended.  If this is a preview of their forthcoming singles from the album, we’re in for quite a ride. You’ll want to add Edgewater Angel to your Bands To Watch List so you don’t miss out on these very talented songwriters and musicians.

You can purchase “Done With You” on  iTunes and Bandcamp

Stream it on Spotify
Listen to it on Soundcloud

 

Follow Edgewater Angel on:
Instagram: edgewater.angel
Facebook: edgewater.angel
Spotify Artist Link
YouTube Channel: Edgewater Angel

 

Review: Rue Bella – Flirt With The Dirt

By

Rue Bella
Rue Bella / Photo Credit: Fishauf Films

Self-described as “a sultry marriage of disparate genres”, Rue Bella hails from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. After the lead vocalist was recruited by the bassist’s mother, the band found their chemistry through jamming together and Rue Bella was founded. The band would find success the following year. They won Rock 95’s Local & Loud 2016 competitions, going on to play legendary venues like The Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace, and Mavricks Music Hall opening for such acts as The Trews and Finger Eleven. That same year, they recorded their self-titled EP at their own studio and released it to critical success.

The band is Taylor Cos – Vocals, Piano, Synth; Brandon Webb – Guitar, Vocals; Adam Clark – Bass, Backing Vocals; Clint Delbrocco – Drums 

Flirt with the Dirt is the band’s first full-length album, produced in part by John-Angus MacDonald (guitarist for The Trews), and Rue Bella, that fuses alt-rock, 90s grunge, and jazz with a darkness. This album is not only angsty and fierce, it rages and kicks ass while taking down names with finesse. Fueled by the sultry, haunting lead vocals of Taylor Cos, each edgy song will hold you in its hypnotic grip.

Leading right out of the gate is the standout hard-rocking, high energy track ‘Burn My Home’. Feeling lyrically like love gone haywire, the song itself doesn’t. The ferocious guitar, heavy drums, and bright piano combination explodes from the opening notes and doesn’t let you come up for air until it’s over. There are soft, subtle background vocals that add a distinctive haunted flavor into the mix. Taylor’s powerful vocals, with commanding phrasing of the edgy lyrics and her most notable wailing toward the ending, is the gasoline that fuels this song. Dancing to this one is unavoidable.            

Not slowing down after the opener, another standout track is the brilliant ‘Piggy’ that is lyrically clever and dark. This song of lover’s betrayal doesn’t surrender to the usual boring outcome. It begins innocently with a playful carnival melody alternating on horn and piano before launching into a driving, foot stomping, hands-in-the-air fun fest. By the time the chorus arrives, you’ll be loudly and enthusiastically singing/shouting right along, “I got a number for you”. The interlude’s eerily menacing circus melody feels like the betrayer is walking in tandem on a high wire, just barely hanging on, and then abruptly they fall, brought down by their own lies. But Piggy doesn’t care; she’s “got a number for you.”  Hit repeat, play on this one.

‘Something Witchy’ is a slow-burning, jazz flavored track. It opens with a heavy drum and piano introduction that lays down the foundation. The chorus is punctuated by a complementary tight horn section. The dark lyrics tell a tale about one lover putting on a facade to fool the other who thinks they know what’s going on. Taylor teases out the story with her seductive vocals that lure you in from the start and will ultimately cast a witchy spell over you.

The ballad-style track, ‘Reason’ has Taylor and guitarist Brandon Webb team up for a duet. The partially dominating piano is bright and airy, accompanied by a heavy melody that mirrors the lyrics. Taylor and Brandon’s unique voices blend together effortlessly with a smoothness during the chorus and as they trade off the lead vocal singing to each other.  They bring out the accusatory yet painful realness of the words lamenting the reasons why a relationship has broken down. The song fades out with the eerie notes of a synth that feel like they’re taunting you.

Packing a punch is the track, ’Socialites’. Opening with a grunge heavy bass loop, the song builds with Taylor’s powerful vocals that expound on the visual lyrics of fighting the feeling of going down when you don’t get what you want. The chorus showcases her wailing that hits the ceiling as she stretches out each word with an undercurrent of rage just simmering under the surface until the very end. Singing along will likely cost you a lung.

 ‘Come As You Are’ is a cover of Nirvana’s angsty grunge anthem with a strikingly fresh slowed down arrangement. The track opens with bright piano notes and you’re fooled into thinking this just might be a solo piano piece. But then soft drums, and a sorrowful cello ease in and they beautifully creep along together until halfway through the song, when a subtle guitar is added to the mix. The trio then trades off with the solo piano. The haunting lyrics are dripping in Taylor’s emotional vocals as she caresses every word invoking a strong feeling of sadness. When the final solo piano notes close out the song, they hang in the air with a finality.

Rounding out this exceptional album is ‘Red Room’, ‘Black Solitaire’, ‘DFA’, ‘Got Lost’, and ‘Loud Mouth’.  

Rue Bella definitely have a chemistry and talent that can’t be denied. Flirt with the Dirt is a strong, impressive first full-length album and it should be on your ‘must check out’ list.

Very Highly Recommended.  Go grab this essential album on Bandcamp and iTunes.

Upcoming tour news and more: www.ruebellamusic.com

Follow Rue Bella on social media:

Facebook: weareruebella

Instagram: @ruebellaband

Twitter: @ruebellaband

YouTube Channel: Rue Bella

© 2020, Indie Music Women