Check out our second video from Tarra Layne’s session at Yellow Couch Studio! This time, the country and blues singer busts out her upbeat tune “Hit the Ground Running.” We’ve got one more coming for you all next month, so stay tuned!
Artist Highlight of the Week: Tarra Layne
This week, I’m highlighting country and blues artist Tarra Layne, a powerhouse vocalist with a tough edge who is wrapping up a 3-song demo project she completed at Yellow Couch Studio. She’s no newcomer, but she’s making big moves recently and they deserve to be watched closely.
I spent time in the studio with Tarra and her band as they recorded the demo a few months ago and now, the videos are rolling out one per month. Check out the first of three, “Cherry Moonshine,” below and stay tuned for more!
Artist Highlight of the Week: Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
This week, I’m throwing Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds your way. Why? Watch the video below for an obvious answer. But with the group having family connections here in Pittsburgh, I wanted to share their sound with you all. And this sound is one you can experience live tomorrow night (Tuesday) at Mr. Smalls as the flock opens up for JJ Grey & Mofro. The birds are loud, sexy, sweaty and funky, and I promise you won’t leave disappointed.
If you want a little bit of what you see and hear in this video, stop on by tomorrow. The group will be performing a slew of new tunes set to be released on a new EP this summer produced by Randy Jackson, so stay tuned!
Artist Highlight of the Week: TheMeToos
Local group TheMeToos are performing this Saturday at Club Cafe and with influences ranging from The Rolling Stones to Johnny Cash, you can expect a dirty, blues-driven sound that will keep you rocking all night. Already having recorded an album cleverly titled “When Wilkes Met Barre,” the boys are set to release a new EP soon and I am sure we are going to hear more of the same great vibe on this one.
Here’s a video from a 2011 performance of their tune “I Choose Me” to hold you over until this weekend’s show. Make sure to stop out and support local music! The tunes start at 10:30!
The Color Fleet Releases Two New Live Tracks
Local indie rock band The Color Fleet has been keeping busy during their hiatus! This week, the group released two new live tracks recorded in their practice space here in Pittsburgh. The tunes, called “Red” and “Fences,” can be streamed on SoundCloud and you can also watch two accompanying videos I made for the band during their recording session below!
Artist Highlight of the Week: Backstabbing Good People
They’re back! And in a big way. Pittsburgh soul/rock group Backstabbing Good People has returned from a brief hiatus and will showcase it this Saturday at Club Cafe with a night dedicated to David Bowie. What’s the title? Appropriately enough, Backstabbing Bowie.
This troupe’s music is dirty, funky and loud, in their own words. Having seen them live before, I can assure you their sound is unique, refreshing and exciting. Composed of some of the best musicians in the ‘Burgh, Backstabbing Good People is an incredible addition to this city’s booming music scene and this Saturday night is one of the best chances to witness it.
Check out Club Cafe’s website for information on Backstabbing Bowie and click below to check out the group’s video from last summer for their tune “Real World.”
Artist Highlight of the Week: Velvet Heat
Pittsburgh is home to many incredible jazz artists and lucky enough for us, there’s an up-and-coming, all-female trio bursting onto the scene. Velvet Heat is made up of lead singer Jessica Zamiska, saxophonist Abby Gross and guitarist Arianna Powell, and together, these girls are a force to be reckoned with. Drawing from many different influences including traditional jazz musicians such as Wes Montgomery and Ella Fitzgerald, the trio has a way of making each song sound like their own.
The girls have also been working hard in the studio with recording engineer (and guitarist) Mark Strickland on a demo project that I cannot wait to hear and share. Stay tuned for some video I captured of Velvet Heat as they laid down some tracks but until then, you can check the girls out this Friday night at the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy at 8pm!
Photos by Little Red Media and Touchfaster- Pierce Marratto
The Color Fleet: Red
I am pumped to release the second video for The Color Fleet, this time for their tune “Red,” which they recorded in their home studio in the Southside Slopes. Check it out, spread it all over 
Artist Highlight of the Week: Elevations
This Saturday is the official CD release party for local jazz quartet Elevations, therefore it is only appropriate to highlight the group this week! Elevations is composed of four young but insanely talented musicians who are all experts at their craft. Wise beyond their musical years, the group has grown up playing alongside some of the best of the best including Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin and Sean Jones.
Come out to the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy this Saturday at 8 pm to celebrate this milestone for the group and to hear some amazing compositions.
www.elevationsmusic.com
Local R&B Singer Cait Cuneo Hits the Road
Upon the recent release of her first EP Violet, local R&B and hip hop singer Cait Cuneo is about to hit the road for her first tour! Cait will be making stops at The Grape Room in Philadelphia on March 21 and will then head on over to the Big Apple to grace the Rockwood Music Hall stage on March 23.
This is just the beginning for Cait as she is working on plans to tour the West Coast. Stay tuned for the details and head on over to www.caitcuneo.com for information on how to buy tickets for her upcoming shows!
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