Polly Punkneck: A Gypsy Punkabilly Breeze
Polly Punkneck stole my heart when I saw a video of her playing the ol’ traditional mountain tune “In the Pines” on acoustic guitar. Polly is a complete creative sensation layered with textures like honey and burlap. Her vocals are country sweet while her lyric and music combinations are rough, rowdy, and sometimes naturally raw. She is being hailed as a Punk Rock Patsy Cline. She is a continuous artistic adventure writing songs, playing guitar, sewing her own performance costumes, and producing art. From Hillbilly Harlots, to Jason and the Punknecks, to solo shows, Polly was born on a stage. Read More
Interview: L.A. Latin Alternative Artist Maria Del Pilar
We welcome Los Angeles writer Carlita Howard to KMW. Singing the Sesame Street theme song from the crib and being raised by Chilean musician parents, María Del Pilar was born to be creative. She went on to front and co-found an influential LA based Latin alternative punk band Los Abandoned (whom she still considers her brothers) who broke new ground singing in Spanglish in the rock arena, amassing a loyal and rabid fan base. Her songs have been featured on national TV and in documentary films.
Violet Hour: New Album Instigator May 10
Topping the local rock charts and quickly climbing national charts, The Violet Hour, a Fort Smith, AR based female-fronted band is revving up for the release of their sophomore album, Instigator. The new album is a far cry from The Violet Hour’s early indie/pop days. Front lady, Alli, says “We are a rock band at heart. This album shows our true spirit.” Instigator is flavored with strong influences of metal and blues. Read More
Stage Fright, Open Mics & Importance of Connection
A few months ago, I was afraid of playing guitar in front of my boyfriend. I have been writing songs for many years, usually as a result of an emotional experience. The lyrics would come, but I would hardly ever sing them more than once for myself. Eventually I shared a few on a social music site called Soundcloud. Some people gave me positive feedback, especially about my lyrics. I was making my living as a writer and felt great about seeing my lyrics as the strong point of my music, even if my voice couldn’t carry a high note and my guitar playing consisted of only eight chords. Read More
Syncopated Acts of Accomplishment
As an award-winning percussionist, I was poised for a career as a professional musician. From the age of ten to the age of twenty-four my priorities revolved around drumming. Whether playing for an audience of one or many thousands, the adrenaline rushes and the rewards were immeasurable.When I became a parent, the cymbal sounded and the needs of my beautiful baby girl quickly became top priority. The thump, thump, thump of the bass drum became the thump, thump, thump of my heart as I began to rethink my life strategy. Read More
Rough Edges: MusiCares
Tomorrow I am going to a free voice clinic here in Nashville that is being hosted by MusiCares in honor of World Voice Day. MusiCares is an organization that is run by the Grammy’s all across the U.S. and helps musicians and people in the music industry get discounted medical, dental, eye care services for people that don’t have health insurance, etc. They are a terrific organization and both my husband and I have had dental work done with their help. Read More
Lonesome Liz & The Ghost of Jesse James
The Land of the Outlaw Amish is filled with mysteries. Ancient mounds, built by the pre-historic Adena, dot the landscape. The longest cave system in the world twines through this place Native Americans called ‘The Dark and Bloody Ground’. Rivers tumble along side and even in them, deeper than man can measure. Roads only recently paved have hundreds of years old wagon tracks embedded in them, retaining the physical memory of thousands’ ventures into the Wild West. Read More
Mary Gauthier Carries Americana Banner Across Europe
Currently on a spring swing through Europe that began in Malmo, Sweden on April 17, Mary Gauthier is representing not only her own catalog of critically acclaimed songs, but also the Americana music genre. The singer-songwriter, who sits on the Americana Music Association’s Board of Directors, is on a 17-city tour through Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and the U.K. She will carry the banner of the AMA to each venue, spreading the mission of the not-for-profit music association, which is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. Gauthier will document her observations on music and community with regular updates through social media and on the Americana Music Association’s Facebook and Twitter feeds. Read More
Canada Pays Tribute To Etta James
Brenda Zahorchak and Ross Robinson Present: A Tribute To The Queen of the Blues Etta James, a show honoring the music and legacy of the late, great Etta James. The event will run two shows in Canada at the end of May, 2013. The Seneca Theater in Niagra Falls, Ontario will present this event on May 24th. Hosted by Danny Marks with Jesse Whiteley. Featuring the bewitching Sabrina Weeks, the sublime Diana Braithwaite, the firecracker Lori Yates, powerhouse Heather Katz and the soul-inspiring Cheryl Lescom. Niagara Tickets are available through the theatre at 905-374-7469 or from Brenda Zahorchak at The Duck’s Blues Matinee on Saturday’s 2:30-6:30. Show price is $35.00.
Are You A Kickass Music Woman? Want Your Own Column?
Our goal here at KMW is to feature Kickass Music Women from all over the world in our digital magazine. We would love to build a network and be a great resource to women in music everywhere. We’re just getting started and what we would like to do first is build an extensive Column list. We’d like to see women of all areas and genres represented. You can check out the Columns that we already have, and see if you’d like to be involved. Columns can be about your life as an artist, a musician, a songwriter or even if you’re on the business end of music. You can write about other female artists who have inspired you, stories behind your songs or interview other women in music. If you’re from another country other than the United States, you could tell us what it is like for you being a woman in music in your area. Read More
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Desperado
with Tonya Watts
