COACHELLA Kicks Off SoCal Music Festivals

By Brooklyn Henderson 

This past weekend kicked off festival season at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. As a six-time attendee of the festival I can say this was one of my favorite weekends thus far. I am proud to say that there were many female performers this year and many were my favorites including Beyoncé, SZA, Cardi B, Hayley Kiyoko, Khali Uchis, and Jorja Smith. Other stand out performances from Eminem, Vince Staples, Børns, and Portugal, the Man also made for an incredible weekend. If you can make it to the second weekend of Coachella, I would not miss any of these artists. If you weren’t able to attend Coachella, there is a whole season of great music coming from now into fall, here they are listed below.

Coachella – Indio – 4/13-4/15 & 4/20-4/22

Kicking off the list is the world-famous Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival. Famous for its eclectic mix of performers and huge art installations that double as lounge areas. This Festival is 3 days long and has two weekends.  Lineup includes: The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Eminem, Portugal the Man and so many more.  (coachella.com)

StageCoach – Indio - 4/27-4/29

Right after Coachella in the very same location is StageCoach, a country music fan's heaven. This is another three-day camp out festival with the biggest stars in country music. Lineup includes: Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line.  (stagecoachfestival.com)

Desert Hearts – Warner Springs – 4/27-4/30

One of the smaller festivals on the list is Desert Hearts, held in Warner Springs. Even though it isn't as well known it is for the dedicated fans of underground electronic music who have established a great community. Lineup includes: Damian Lazarus, Acid Mondays, Egyptian Lover.  (deserthearts.us)

West Coast Weekender – San Diego – 5/3-5/6

This four-day event in San Diego is described as a boutique music festival and conference. Not only is there poolside live music but also pop up shops and yoga & dance workshops throughout the weekend. It is also one of the only festivals that is 21+. If you're ready for an adult weekend of dancing, art, and culture this is the place for you. Lineup includes: Hyenah, King Britt, Doc Martin. (westcoastweekender.net)

Shakti Fest – Bhaktifest Joshua Tree – 5/10-5/14

Shakti is a yoga, sacred music, meditation, and personal growth festival. This nonprofit supports charities from all over the world and accepts donations to put on the festival and then support the less fortunate. Lineup includes: Shantaya & The Radiant Soul Band, Larisa Stow, MC Yogi. Bhaktifest starts September 12th, lineup TBA. (shaktifest.bhaktifest.com)

Joshua Tree Festival – Joshua Tree- 5/17-5/20

Following the open and free nature vibe of Joshua Tree this festival is focused on the funk, dance, and world music genres. 

Lineup includes: The Desert Rhythm Project, War & Pierce, Adam Freeland.  (joshuatreemusicfestival.com)

Lightning in a Bottle – Bradley – 5/24-5/28

This four-day festival might have the most to offer. To prove that point here is a simple list: music, yoga, talks & discussions, cultural offerings, food and wellness classes, live painting, creative workshops, art installations, performance art, dance classes, meditation, soapbox derby, 5k run, sit-down dinners, kid zone, and teen scene for families attending. Lineup includes: Anderson. Paak, Tokimonsta, Modeselektor,

(lightninginabottle.org)  

Arroyo Seco Weekend - Pasadena – 6/23-6/24

Some of the biggest indie and rock acts come together with local LA restaurants to get music and food enthusiasts together in the iconic rose bowl. Lineup includes: Neil Young, Jack White, Kamasi Washington, Kings of Leon, Alanis Morissette. (arroyosecoweekend.com)

FYF Fest – Los Angeles – 7/21-7/22

Two-day festival in the heart of LA, another one of Goldenvoice’s perfect weekends. Rain or shine, all ages and all genres. Lineup includes: Janet Jackson, Florence + The Machine, The X, St. Vincent, Future. (fyffest.com)

Hard Summer – Fontana - 8/4-8/5

Finishes off the summer with a bang. It is sure to be huge and the lineup isn't even out yet! Lineup includes: TBA.  (hardfest.com)

The Energy Playground at Coachella.

True Love Inspires Gifts of Valentine’s Day Love Songs by Danny Wright

Today is the day that we tend to ask, what is love, and how is it best expressed? Flowers? Poetry? Music? International concert pianist Danny Wright believes with all his heart in the latter.

This Valentine’s Day he offered lovers all over the world a unique way to express l’ amour to their loved ones by offering to compose original love songs in a customized keepsake package. Twenty-eight individuals embraced the opportunity to share their love stories with him, keeping him in the recording studio for months on end. The result is songs that he first intuits, then composes, performs, produces and ships out in a custom-designed gift package.

The resulting collection of love stories and songs, he says, are so moving that he plans to release a 2-CD set of the stories later this spring. The album, releasing via White Lyte Music LLC, will be Wright’s thirty-sixth album.

Wright says he is frequently asked what goes into creating a personal love song for two people he may never have met in person. He explains that the process begins with the giver of the gift writing a heartfelt paragraph to their loved one, which they initially share solely with Wright, alongside a list of the gift recipient’s favorite music. After absorbing all of this information, Wright says, the creative inspiration begins as he thinks about the appropriate mood and key for the musical love story. Once either a major or minor key is chosen, he waits for the melody or bridge to come through in such a way that befits the love story.

“I truly believe that the music is a gift from God,” Wright says, “and I am just here to deliver it. What I love about this process is that each piece becomes a work of art that captures the essence of someone who is deeply beloved to another.”

Each “giftee” receives five copies of their personal piano piece with their name on the cover, a Danny Wright performance video, a certificate of authenticity, and a note sharing all the wonderful things their loved one wrote on their behalf. Wright has proven particularly creative at designating a song title that captures both the recipient’s name and their special significance to their loved one. While certainly the ultimate romantic gift, his fans have also commissioned songs as gifts for mothers, mentors and community leaders. While there is a fee for each song, he says, it is well below what one might think from a pianist who has sold over 5 million albums. “I want to make this gift truly accessible to most people,” he says.

Today, ministry leader Sandy Walsh of Columbia, SC, received one of the special gift packages from her husband, author Chuck Walsh. “I opened the package and I just cried and laughed all at the same time. It’s the most incredible gift I’ve ever received; I can’t begin to tell you what it means to me.” Walsh, founder of the ministry A Child’s Answered Prayer, asked her husband how he’d found such an amazing gift. As it turns out, he had originally heard Wright’s music on Pandora.com, and loved it so much that he obtained the rights to Wright’s piece “Hayden’s Song” to use in the promotional video for his book titled “A Month of Tomorrows.”

Tara Watkins, a friend and longtime fan of Wright’s, chose to gift a personalized song to her husband, Brent, this Valentine’s Day, reciprocating the inspired gift he had given to her last year while their relationship seemed in jeopardy. “I truly believe that special song was a God-given gift that helped us to chart a new path in our lives,” said Watkins, a resident of Lufkin, TX. “When I tried to think of something special to give to Brent for Valentine’s Day this year, I realized that a heartfelt song would mean and say so much more than any material gift I could buy for him. It’s a simply timeless gift.”

Originally, Wright thought he would follow up his 2011 release, Soul 2 Soul, with another 12-song CD of the love songs, but he and his team couldn’t choose from among the 28 tracks. “They’re all so lovely,” co-producer Cheri White said of the new pieces, “It seemed a shame to pick just 12, so we’re opting for a double album of all 28 tracks, complete with liner notes about the story behind each love song.”

Wright has twice been named by Billboard Magazine as a Top 10 artist in his genre, with three of his albums ranking in Billboard's Top 10 New Age Albums for three consecutive years. His most recent release, Soul 2 Soul, spent several weeks on Amazon.com’s Easy Listening Bestseller’s list.

As a Steinway and PianoDisc artist, Wright celebrates the pure piano music, while steering close to fellow contemporaries Tom Barabas, George Winston, Dave Grusin, David Foster, Billy Joel, and Barbra Streisand. A native Texan based in Las Vegas, Wright’s command of musical textures and tones crosses the Contemporary, New Age and Christian genres.

Heart 2 Heart is slated for a late-May 2012 release; Soul 2 Soul is currently available for purchase via iTunes and Amazon, and at fine music stores everywhere via distribution by Inner Knot and E1 Entertainment. White Lyte Music plans to reissue several of Wright’s best-selling albums including An Intimate Christmas, Real Romance, Keys From My Heart, and Walking in Faith; all albums will be available both digitally and at brick-and-mortar retail stores.

Danny Wright can be reached for concert and custom music requests via the Contact page on his website at www.dannywright.com

Links:
Official Website
Video New Release

About Danny Wright
Danny Wright is an international concert pianist who has sold over 6 million albums since his debut in 1986. Wright’s talent stems from musical training from age 4, studying with some of the best piano instructors in the world. He has been named twice by Billboard Magazine as a Top 10 artist in his genre, with three of his albums in Billboard's Top 10 New Age Albums for three consecutive years. He is currently represented by White Lyte Music LLC in Las Vegas, NV, and is founder of the Danny Wright Foundation of Music. His music is distributed by Inner Knot / E1 Distribution.

Review: SNOW ANGEL

REVIEW: SNOW ANGEL by Michele de Wilton

SNOW ANGEL, the third album by Michele de Wilton, sets the soundtrack for the season. The composer/producer/pianist’s third album ushers in the forthcoming Holidays with special songs for celebrating from Thanksgiving well into the New Year.

Upon receiving this album, one is struck by its stunning packaging and design elements, and the appropriateness of the title as it applies to the lovely image of the artist herself. One’s next thought is that this album will be THE ideal hostess gift and stocking stuffer, and that you must immediately order five more in time for the holidays! It is only upon popping it in the stereo that one realizes it will also set the perfect backdrop for all of your holiday activities at home, from entertaining to decking the halls.

Recorded in July and September of 2011, Snow Angel is a one-of-a-kind album that was created and compiled in order to follow the chronological period of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. For instance, the opening track, “Thanks,” is cleverly-titled for the Thanksgiving holiday. “Thanks” is a previously-unrecorded song with a sweeping and joyous melody that sets the stage for the rest of the album—and season. “Snowfall” is another previously-unrecorded original song with which de Wilton evokes imagery of a freshly-shaken snow globe with high notes signifying falling flakes of snow. The cascading piano melodies and twinkling sound effects of the keys connote snowflakes falling at various speeds—all in a cinematic framework of imaginative ingenuity with the likes of Danny Wright and Thomas Newman. In fact, the artist made a special effort to capture the “crystalline” sound by re-recording it on a superbly restored 1909 Steinway Model B piano perfect for reaching the clearest high notes. “Winterbluegreen” is the third original song, with a slow and pensive melody that is as gentle as snowflakes tumbling across a frozen plain. The instrumental song, previously released on de Wilton’s Daydream album, was inspired by “Blue Winter,” a poem by Robert Francis.

The traditional Christmas carol favorites are decked out in all their glory and performed with an amazing array of genuineness, harmoniousness, and joyous piano playing. “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a classic that Michele keeps relatively traditional, but not without infusing a melodious mix of ear-friendly notes. The following piece, “O Holy Night,” is another traditional song that awakens the child-like spirit in all of us, along with “Good King Wenceslas.” Notably, the harp-like embellishments produced on the piano in this piece are stellar. The next set of songs—“O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman,” and “What Child Is This,”—is a running arpeggio of holiday enchantment.

Michele pays homage to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Snow Queen, on “Waltz for Gerda & Kay.” The story involves issues of good and evil, relationships, and love; Kay and Gerda display love for each other, despite Kay’s abduction by The Snow Queen in her ice palace. The ambulating and seemingly somber piano tones resemble the tinkling sounds of icicles forming, expanding, and breaking. In a similar manner, Michele’s inspiration for including “In the Bleak Midwinter,” stems from a childhood experience at the age of 8, while learning the carol based on a poem by Christina Rossetti in a school in Greece. According to de Wilton, “The heat quit… and it was cold.” Perhaps the warm, sweeping piano melodies in this piece can give an uplifting feeling to make it through life’s rough spots… especially in the season’s midwinter blast of arctic air.

De Wilton includes one live bonus track on the album, “The Ice Maiden,” inspired by a Norse myth about a frost goddess. (See the Ice Maiden music video at http://youtu.be/Q98BhxaK_GQ). First recorded for her debut album, Myths and Legends, during a snowstorm at the Chicago Recording Company in 2008, de Wilton admits that she prefers this live track over the other, and was excited to find a reason to share it with her fans. On “Winter Bloom (Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming),” de Wilton’s creative licensing soars high, with the song mixing original and traditional melodies that are finely-tuned and interwoven.

At the end of the Holiday season, Michele creates a celebratory homage for the New Year with the addition of “Auld Lang Syne.” The traditional New Year’s Eve ode is full of rippling piano melodies that wax and wane with delicate emotion in an almost reflective manner, promising renewal for the year ahead.

Snow Angel is releasing on Michele de Wilton Records, November 22, 2011; it was recorded on a 1909 Steinway Model B and at the Chicago Recording Company on a Steinway Concert Grand. The album was engineered and mixed by Dennis Tousana, mastered by Steve Sundholm, and manufactured by TSI. The stunning package design by Merge Design & Interactive and photography by Brian Kuhlmann deserve special mention, as both lend to the highly gift-worthy look and feel of the CD. Tenderly, it is dedicated by de Wilton “In loving memory of my grandmother Doreen Grace Robertson, who gave me my first book of Christmas carols.”

The album contains 16 tracks, with a total running time of 50 minutes.

Rating: Highly Recommended *****

Links:
http://www.micheledewilton.com - Official Artist Website
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Michele-de-Wilton/26000011732 - Official Facebook Page
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/michele-de-wilton/id289424939 - iTunes
http://youtu.be/Q98BhxaK_GQ - “The Ice Maiden” Music Video

Track List:
Thanks
Angels We Have Heard on High
O Holy Night
Snowfall
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
What Child is This?
Waltz for Gerda & Kay
In the Bleak Midwinter
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Good King Wenceslas
Winter Bloom (Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming)
Winterbluegreen
Silent Night
Old Lang Syne
The Ice Maiden (Live)
Total running time: 50 minutes

Sounds from the Circle - A Review by John Olsen

"The New Age Music Circle is an online community forum founded by international composer, producer, and music circle host Suzanne Doucet. Having a membership roster well over a thousand members from around the world, the Circle forum is the leading discussion platform where top New Age artists, industry professionals, and music fans alike can share music, videos, post information about events and participate in forum discussions.

Sounds from the Circle 111 is the 2011 CD release from Circle members who submitted their New Age, and related sub genres music for consideration. Host and founder of the music circle, Suzanne Doucet then produced this rather special album which contains 40 songs and holds over 3 hours of music...."

(please click over to New Age Music World for the full review of this compilation, associate produced by yours truly...)

Beauty in Alt Rock?

Is there still substance in Rock music? Absolutely! The alternative band Lifehouse is probably one of the first rock bands I'll introduce to my young son, thanks to their ability to express love and positivity in their music and lyrics; the lead singer seems to embrace the ability to see beauty in the everyday, which this blog is all about!

The band caught everyone's ear years ago with their first hit "Hanging by a Moment" and then again when their music was used for the hit TV show Smallville. Back then, I'd been invited to submit music from some of the Warner music artists for that pilot as well, but when Lifehouse's "Everything" was chosen, it was clearly the right music for the show. Since then, the band release several successful albums, including Smoke & Mirrors in March 2010.

This is music that I love, too...could this be the rock band that helps you bridge the gap with your kids? Listen and read the lyrics on this video...