I am really pulling for Ida Maria to find success in the US after seeing her Saturday night at the Beauty Bar in Las Vegas. Its not just because she is a empassioned performer who has hit songs like "Oh My God" and "I Like You So Much Better When Your Naked." It’s because she is a damn good songwriter!
I listened to her cd several times on the way home and three songs not usually talked about really grabbed me. The first, "Forgive Me" has great lyrics and storytelling. She accuses her ex of expressing love from what they read in a book and continues "I call you up to say I love you and you only call me when you’re drunk." She goes on to apologize for running down her ex’s door. If you close your eyes you will swear you are listening to a Lucinda Williams record or even Cat Power when listening to "Keep Me Warm." If that is not convincing, the cd’s final cut does just that, it cuts deep into your memories. Maria sings it in a beautiful soft vibrato again reminiscent of Williams. I even thought of Roberta Flack while listening to this song. "I hope we meet in the end with wrinkles like divas… and we’ll dance again and again in the end." We all have had one or two relationships that ended badly and long to have a better ending. Even if it is 50 years later. So, what you’re gonna get with Ida is Lucinda channeling Janis or vice versa. You decide which is better.
I discovered that there is a genre called Black Punk represented in Vegas by
The Objex. . Front woman Melony sported a tomahawk with painted numbers. She really worked the crowd. backed by an excellent band. Be sure to check out the song "The Reaction," definitely their anthem that will incite the crowd. Also check out the fast paced song "Naysayers." The band has been getting attention, recently being invited to NYC to perform.
Las Vegas was also represented by
One Loud Secret. Fronted by Lei Lei they went from light pop to a darker rock. Danger Mic was in the mix as well. Much of the show was filmed by RawVegas.tv so check their website for upcoming footage and interviews.
—
While out west I had the opportunity to check in with Daryl Lamont, lead singer for Arizona band
Blackmarket. The band has had moderate success in Japan and Germany, touring the latter with
The Subways before being invited back to headline. Daryl played new mixes from their just recorded full length. The verdict? Some great new songs much more mainstream and touched by the spirit of John Lennon if I may say. "Recall," on the last record
White Lies had a Beach Boys feel to it and thats as close a preview as you will get. It will be exciting to see how they assimilate the old with the new for their live shows. I am sure a wider audience is forthcoming.
Also upcoming is the new
Eisley record which is over halfway done. And last but not least I have tipped you off to the next great guitar god:
Ryan McGarvey. Finally, some hugely connected people have found him and giant things are in the works for him. I’m not the only one who things he might be the best guitar player they have ever seen. He writes some great songs too. You’ll see. My next trip out is to Tucson where I will be checking out Scottish band Glasvegas. Big things are happening for them including gigs with U2 and Kings of Leon. Just happens Ida Maria is on that bill, too.
