Jul 20, 2007

Rising stars climb MySpace stratosphere

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

6 A.M.
Forget "Rock Star: SuperNova." If you've got the pipes, you could be headed to the stratosphere via MySpace. This is your wake-up call! San Jose hard rock band 6 A.M. is seeking a new lead singer. Male or Female. Check out the scorching songs on their page, such as "Premonition" and "Time To Die." Someone with the fire and showmanship could emerge from the audition process with a new gig.
www.myspace.com/6amband

THE BEEP SEALS
Manchester, England, band The Beep Seals create terrifically trippy pop with a late '60s sense of wonderment. Singer/songwriter/guitarists Ian Smith and Jack Cooper lead the romp through such instantly infectious tunes as "Stars" and "Tell Your Friends." "Chariot Song" displays swirling beauty. Psychedelic rock has rarely been such fun. This band has breakout potential.
www.myspace.com/beepseals

MAJOR DAWSON
Major Dawson, aka Jonny Ray, aka John Nellist, is a major talent. He can bring a vibrant freshness and excitement to any guitar style. Listen to the smokin' slide guitar on "Viva Polska." His bluesy vocal is spot-on, as well. And "My Only Face" is an enthralling folk-rock number with steel drum sounds adding an intriguing dimension. The two numbers on the page will leave you hungering for more.
www.myspace.com/majordawson

BETH BRUNO
Brazilian recording artist Beth Bruno's page offers a variety of great songs and sensitive, nuanced vocal performances. "Noite de Sao Joao" is suitably sultry. To the jazzy "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," Bruno brings a bit of Billie Holiday silkiness. There's a gorgeous, old-fashioned lilt to "Rainbow's End."
www.myspace.com/bethbrazil

ZERVAS & PEPPER
Cardiff, Wales, band Zervas Pepper performs thoroughly engaging, Poco-like tunes. Elegant country-rock instrumentation and the appealing vocals of Kathryn Pepper and Paul Zervas make "Don't You Go Anywhere" and "Out Dancin'" utterly irresistible tracks.
www.myspace.com/paulzervas

ANDREA SCHROEDER
From Germany comes the incredible folk-blues-world music of Andrea Schroeder. Her earthy, evocative vocal rides over the mesmerizing rhythms of "Fly Me." "My Skin is Like Fire" sizzles with a palpable sensuality, its haunting beauty lingering. Schroeder is an exceptional talent, certain to garner greater recognition.
www.myspace.com/andreaschroedermusic

AMBER RUBARTH
Brooklyn singer-songwriter Amber Rubarth demonstrates uncommon musical charm on such well-crafted tunes as "Rough Cut," "Chrysanthemum Song," and the poignant, penetrating "Washing Day." Her voice conveys sweetness, sincerity and depth of emotion. Rubarth just played San Francisco's Hotel Cafe and will return in the fall.
www.myspace.com/amberrubarth

MATTHEW HOLMES
If you crave soothing crooning in the classic pop vein, visit San Francisco's Matthew Holmes' page. He delivers earnest renditions of "Once I Loved" and "Sweet Lorraine."
www.myspace.com/matthewholmessf

DOLORES O'RIORDAN
Known for the distinctively lovely vocals she contributed to the Cranberries, Irish singer Dolores O'Riordan has released a splendid solo album, "Are You Listening?" On her MySpace page, you can hear examples, including the surging "In the Garden" and the extraordinary "Ordinary Day." She plays the Fillmore in San Francisco tonight.
www.myspace.com/doloresoriordan

JESSIE BAYLIN
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin opens for O'Riordan at the Fillmore. Her compellingly soulful vocals lift such original tunes as "Leave Your Mark" and "Contradicting Words" to great heights. The four songs on her MySpace page offer a tantalizing preview of her debut album "You."
www.myspace.com/jessiebaylin
GENE and COVER
This page features the tribute album "The World Turns All Around Him." The CD gives the uninitiated an opportunity to immerse themselves in the timeless tunes of folk-rock-country icon Gene Clark. Artists The Quarter After capture the Byrds' chimey sparkle on "One In a Hundred." Brooklyn's Music Magic conjures up a sensational version of "So You Say You Lost Your Baby."
www.myspace.com/geneandcover

THE DETROIT COBRAS
Motor City garage rockers (and White Stripes pals) The Detroit Cobras really roar. Fueled by Rachel Nagy's husky, urgent vocals and the fiery, slashing guitar of Mary Ramirez, the band hurtles through four ferocious songs on their MySpace page. The band gives new energy and edge to obscure old numbers like "Cha Cha Twist" and "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand." The Cobras play Slim's on Aug. 17 and San Jose's Blank Club on Aug 18.
www.myspace.com/thedetroitcobras

PETE AVES
Pete Aves, whom you may know from his work with the High Llamas, presents songs from three of his outstanding solo albums. His approach to pop-jazz-folk proves to be supremely subtle and pleasing, in terms of composition, vocals and instrumentation. The diverse sounds are wonderfully fresh, yet immediately alluring.
www.myspace.com/peteaves

HIGH LLAMAS
If you don't know the High Llamas, you've been depriving yourself of one of contemporary music's greatest pleasures. Their page serves up a pair of tunes from their new Drag City CD, "Can Cladders," including the magnificent "Clarion Union Hall." You'll also discover a couple of vintage Llama creations, one being the classic "Anna Lee, the Healer." Led by Sean O'Hagan, an underappreciated musical genius, the band dazzles, stirring together '60s sunshine pop and modern electronic invention. Richly textured, their recordings deliver lightly luscious sounds. Wistfully beautiful.
www.myspace.com/thehighllamassongs


I'm always looking for intriguing sounds. So please clue me in, when you discover more on your own, at: romper333@comcast.net.