Indie Artists Break New Ground, Reach for Stars music By Robert Kinsler Indie champions Mazzy Star, Americana troupe The Fallen Stars and U.K. legends New Model Army are featured on groundbreaking new album releases.
Artist: Mazzy Star Title: Seasons Of Your Day (Rhymes of an Hour Records) Listen if you enjoy: Cowboy Junkies, My Bloody Valentine, Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions, Beach House Tell me more: It is so exciting to hear new music from the talented duo of singer Hope Sandoval and guitarist David Roback that it’s easy to lose sight of how truly great the songs on “Seasons Of Your Day” really are. Mazzy Star’s fourth full-length album is
the group’s first new album in 17 years and was truly worth the wait. The songs here are more straightforward, with less reverb obfuscating Sandoval’s haunting soprano. Roback’s freewheeling acoustic guitar play (including some impressive slide work) is layered in dreamy arrangements, with pedal steel, light percussion and keyboards painting a melancholy soundscape across the 10 tracks. The sparse “California” and beautiful title track explore the quiet corner of Mazzy Star’s world, while “Common Burn” showcases more tensile sonic terrain. The accessible and infectious folk rocker “Lay Myself Down” is simply a great listen. Information: http:// www.eaglerockent.com/
Artist: The Fallen Stars Title: Leaves on the Wind - Vol. 1: Still Flying (Kiss My Squirrel Music) Listen if you enjoy: Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris Tell me more: It’s not surprising that Joss Whedon’s groundbreaking 2002 TV show “Firefly” would inspire The Fallen Stars. Just as that influential series effortlessly blended science fiction and 19th century American West styles in each of its memorable episodes, Americana troupe The
Fallen Stars somehow blends traditional country influences by the likes of Gram Parsons with an emphasis on timeless songcraft that would be at home anywhere in the universe. “Leaves on the Wind - Vol. 1: Still Flying” is the beginning of an ambitious trek by The Fallen Stars to write and record a song centered around each of the 14 episodes from the show as well as one in sync with the subsequent 2005 film “Serenity.” Based on the first 5 songs featured on volume 1 of the project, The Fallen Stars’ quest is a good one. Information: http://www. thefallenstars.com/. Artist: New Model Army Title: Between Dog and Wolf (earMusic / Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Listen if you enjoy: Genesis, Porcupine Tree, Elbow Tell me more: There are a range of rewarding performances and atmospheric textures across the latest disc from Bradford, United Kingdom export New Model Army (singer Justin Sullivan, drummer Michael Dean, keyboardist Dean White, guitarist Marshall Gill and bassist Ceri Monger). “Between Dog and Wolf” features 14 tracks built around arresting rhythms and artful dynamics that recall other British giants including Peter Gabrielera Genesis and modern day heroes Elbow. The sweeping “Seven Times,” hypnotic “Pull the Sun,” and introspective “Did You Make It Safe” are among the many standouts on a truly epic album. Information: www. NewModelArmy.org.
Sheryl Crow Winging to Indio
Multiple Grammy Winner Brings Varied Stylings INDIO – Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow will take the Special Events Center stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, Oct. 12. Free-spirited, fearless and fierce, Crow has soared as a solo artist and has also performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting and Mick Jagger. She has released seven studio albums, selling more than 35 million records worldwide. Crow’s debut album, the seven-time platinum “Tuesday Night Music Club,” earned three
Grammys: Best New Artist, Record of the Year and, for the classic “All I Wanna Do,” Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album also featured “Strong Enough,” “Can’t Cry Anymore” and “Leaving Las Vegas.” Crow unveiled her soul stylings on her seventh studio set, “100 Miles from Memphis.” Growing up that far away from the city in Kennett, Mo., Crow listened to the irresistible soul music emerging on Memphisbased radio in the late 1960s (Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett,
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Booker T, Aretha Franklin) and early 1970s (Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone) — all of it shaping the artist she is today. A cancer survivor, Crow is a passionate supporter of a variety of environmental and health-related charities, including The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council and World Food P ro g r a m . H e r n e w single, “Easy,” is off her forthcoming Warner Music Nashville release out later this year. Tickets for Crow’s 8 p.m. performance are available for $99, $89, $69 and $49 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via 800-827-2946 or online at fantasyspringsresort.com. October 2, 2013
Palm SPringS Business & Community Expo, Friday Oct. 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. at “Forever Marilyn” with a sample of restaurants, car show, beer garden area and live music. Dezart Performs Sixth Annual Play Reading Series will accept play submissions until Oct. 11. Submit by email playsubmissions@ dezartperforms.com. Tickets are $8 per evening, $25 for the 4-night series. To purchase, 800-838-3006. 11:11 Star Knowledge Conference on Friday Nov. 8-11 at the Doral Princess Resort. Registration ticket allows you into the Main Hall of Speakers from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Early bird ticket price for this 4 day event is $155 per adult, bought together is $288. After you purchase your ticket, you will be given a code for your discount room. For more information, call 818. 661.7437. Bella’s Star On Walk Of Stars unveiling will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in front of Azul at 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive. A performance at 7:30 p.m. free to the public. Mizell Movie of the Week Julia Roberts every Thursday at 10 a.m. Movies and popcorn are free! Pretty Women on Oct. 3. I Love Trouble on Oct. 10. Runaway Bride on Oct. 17. The Blonde Divas Return on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. Enjoy the music of The Andrews Sisters, McGuire Sisters, and hits from the Glen Miller Band. Cost is $5 for Mizell members, $10 for non-members. Mizell Cover to Cover Book Club: One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakarumi. The Book Club will meet on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. One Amazing Thing traps a group of nine diverse people in the basement of an Indian consulate in an unidentified American city after an earthquake. The Octette Bridge Club on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 2:30p.m. The Octette Bridge Club is a play by P.J. Barry. Set in Providence, Rhode Island. Tickets are $2 for members and $5 for non-members. Tickets are available at the Mizell Ticket Window. For information, call 760323-5689. Jazz at the Galvan at Mizell on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6-8 p.m. Estate is the epitome of luxury and the Palm Springs Lifestyle. For sponsorship information, call 760-323-5689 x118. Compiled by Clarissa Ayala
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