Self-described pool hustler and troublemaker pianist Martin Lesch first caught our attention with his OurStage track “End of the World.” Its Tom Waits-style, punchy percussion and jarring arrangements grab listeners by the second beat of the song and don’t let go. It’s easy to put this song on repeat; it’s harder to take it off.
Lesch’s music is heavily singer-songwriter-oriented, but by adding his own unique touch he turns a “piano and pianist” tune into so much more. Check out the track “Live With Yourself.” If everything but the piano and vocals were removed, it would still be a great solo piece. Instead, crisp and almost mechanical pop drums enhance the track as it plunges into the piano pop ocean at the chorus, with just enough (but not too much) vocal reverb. Well played, especially for a troublemaker.
This perfect blend of radio-friendly, contemporary music with fun touches (like the “train ride” rhythm of “Old Coal Bridge“) make for a music library that can be enjoyed by all.
Hear it for yourself in our Martin Lesch playlist, and don’t forget to stop by his fanclub page and tell him what you think.
Summer has officially arrived, bringing with it an appetite for indulgence. The month of July presents us with thriving life in all forms, but as fun as the heat can be, we all need some summer chill out music to help us cool off. Complete with both soothing songs fit for an afternoon under a shady tree and energizing music poised to inspire the strength to meet the challenges ahead, the following compilation will surely help you round off your week with a sense of resolve.
Five time ASCAPlus Award winner and self-appointed Pop Superhero, Cookie Cutter Girl is alerting all her fellow independent songwriters to join ASCAP and apply for the monetary award that is given to songwriters whose airplay and performances “fall through the cracks” of ASCAP’s royalty payment reporting system. If you’re a qualifying artist, you must act quickly as the award application deadline is this Monday, June 1st!
Lynn Julian, aka Cookie Cutter Girl, is the antithesis of her stage name and encourages women everywhere to break free from their cookie cutter molds and join the girl power revolution. Her girl power pop songs have received airplay on 500+ TV & radio stations and 30+ CDs Internationally. CCG’s latest quest is documented in the new comic book written by Lynn with the help of the “queen of licensed children’s books”, Justine Fontes. The comic book story follows a young woman’s superhero alter ego, Cookie Cutter Girl, who gathers the strength within every woman she helps in the form of pink energy rays and shoots them at her enemies to fight the injustices of the world. Check out Cookie Cutter Girl’s profile on OurStage to get the full story.
Cookie Cutter Girl has been selected for the ASCAPlus award every year since she joined the organization and is now on a mission to save the day for all independent songwriters. Join this Pop Superhero on her mission to support independent musicians and maybe win a little cash while you’re at it!
It would be easy to say Amy Kuney is just another female singer/songwriter in a sea of them recieving national attention recently, but there’s more to her than that. She travelled in Central America as a teenager, where she encountered experiences beyond what most people ever see- including being kidnapped by rebels while traveling through Guatemala. Through her harrowing adventures, she has been giving plenty of material to help fuel her songwriting career. Her inspiration fueled by incredible experiences in life captured the attention of a producer in Los Angeles, and things have been rising ever since.
Kuney won the March Grand Prize on OurStage for her song “Thank You For Last Night”, and has been garnering national attention for her other songs as well, including placement on TV shows One Tree Hill and Passions. She also had the luck to be cast in a one-episode role on Gilmore Girls. Kuney is also about to embark on a national tour with Kate Voegele in support of Amy’s debut solo album, Bird’s Eye View.
You can check out Amy’s website, or preview her album on iTunes as well.w
