Global Musicians Fish Pond

Stereolizza is a truly global band on a mission; Lizza and AlecZero have roots in Ukraine, Russia, and Poland, and they are well-recognized across Europe for their brand of sexy Europop; it’s the club scene at it’s best. They’ve kept up with the times, and in “Go Back to your Mama”, delivered everything I wanted from a dance track; there’s a little story, there’s attitude, some beautiful imagery from the Mojave desert in the video, and above all a beat that makes me want to be back in Madrid and re-living that long Saturday night in May 2012, at Kapital.

This song is so Euro, it takes me back to my life 10+ years ago, as dance music evolved over the 80’s and 90’s and into the world of joyful percussive and clever electronica that it’s become in 2013. It’s great in that it retains everything that I like about the genre; simple, dependable, and the more you listen to it, the more it will stick in your head. Club music like this needs to be strong, simple, continuous, but with a little something extra to make it stand out and get the band signed. And that’s exactly what Stereolizza has done here.

You can listen to the song here while you read the review:

The track starts with a nice bit of ambient keyboard sound with Lizza’s vocal showcased beautifully to set the rest of the composition up;

“go back to your mama, go back to your mama
too good to be mine, I cannot handle your drama”

And we begin; I love Lizza’s voice-with-attitude as the beat kicks in. As I listen to this song to review it, it’s a beautiful spring morning, and this is the perfect accompaniment. It makes me want to purse my lips, get some attitude, put my shades on, and say “peace” to the world and drive down some long, open road and do something really badass.

“You gotta let go,
You gotta get low, low”

She tells a story; and I always love the stories that are present in all of our music as we write. It’s a vision of empowerment, being with someone, finding them – quite honestly – completely and utterly inadequate, chewing them up, and spitting them out, forcefully, with every word that’s uttered:

“Go back to your mama”

The beat is relentless, varied with the electronic backing to give us the right amount of change to keep it interesting, yet predictable enough to make it a solid dance track; in short, the sections repeat enough for you to know what’s coming, and really get into it – as with good club music, the song allows you to absorb yourself into the mood of the music and to live it. The sound builds like a wave, and the waves just keep on crashing in.

A really quirky and fitting theme is that there is always a new vehement lyric to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the attitude of the song.

“Don’t look at me like that,
cuz you know nothing about my swagger”

The music dies, but the attitude is still there; “vengeance is mine”, saith Lizza. I have a wry smile on my face, I’m feeling bold. See, I’m from a previous period, a time of raves, Carter USM, the Orb, Fatboy Slim, and perhaps the best of the era (for me), Keith Flint and the Prodigy. And listening to this, I’m in the perfect mood to collect some next generation beats from our Fish Pond family, mix them up with some old school dance music, and go out clubbing. Maybe to Madrid where Kapital kicks out at 7:30 a.m. 😉

I’ll leave the last word to Lizza; with guts and glory like this, how can Sterolizza possibly fail?

“I will say it in your face,
Just like I say it when I mean it,
If you can’t keep up with me,
I recommend you beat it”

“Go Back To Your Mama” has been released in Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Israel, and Greece; the releases in Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg are slated for April 2013.

For more detailed information on Stereolizza, you can visit their profile page here or contact:

Sasha Goldberg PR
Tel. 310-432-3474

Promo@stereozzilla.com
http://stereolizza.com
http://facebook.com/stereolizzamusic
http://twitter.com/stereolizza

Born in Ibagu, the Colombian Music Capital; with the passion and upbringing for a destined love for music, Felipe Romero brings his life and heart to shine front and center in his songs. A genuine and warm-loving spirit, he grew up with the family support of a singer as a grandmother and a grandfather that worked as a radio journalist. He was inspired and encouraged from a young age to express his artistic side; and he clearly does just that to this present day.

You can listen to his single; ‘L’aria che Respiri’ here while you read the review:

His single; ‘L’aria che Respiri’ has been a unique piece for me to write. The challenge of giving proper justice and critique to a song sung in both Italian and Spanish, when I speak neither one, has been quite a fascinating experience personally. With the English translation lyric sheet, I was able to fully appreciate the complexity that is required to create such beautiful music. So it goes without saying Felipe is extremely talented, and I am now a lover of Spanish music like never before.

I think that for most people (myself included) it takes a “special effort” to listen and appreciate music that’s in a foreign tongue, when you can’t just listen to a song for what the lyrics are saying, you have the unique opportunity to listen to the song for what the emotion and heart of it truly is. And maybe that’s what we as people need to do more; at least that’s what this song did for me.

Beginning with a soft and delicate intro, the scene is set for wherever the song should decide too go. Without hesitation, it’s followed by a full on Spanish swag; getting you moving before even the first verse. So well crafted with a subtle rise and fall throughout the song; each instrument has it’s own place. Not being overpowered by the other or by the lyric, Felipe’s vocal is rich and so pleasant to listen to. It sits beautifully on the layers of piano, drum rhythm and spanish guitar. There is a fine balance between doing too much when it comes to effects, and not doing enough (where it could be added for a nice touch), that Felipe manages to pull off seemingly effortlessly. In all the right places he creates a ‘distant’ sound to his voice, while in others he adds an echo for an emphasis on the lyric that makes you need to understand.

Musically, the arrangement of the song is very thought-out, though there’s not a particular build leading into a bridge, the consistency in energy never fades; lending a hand to the overall quality of the song. And once I read the English translation, I had such an appreciation for the lyrical style in which Felipe writes, and was more than impressed by his creativity vocally, and word choice to express his emotions. One of my favorite sections of the lyric is at the start of the first verse;

“Where have you been all this time love?
Since you are here I don’t have dark nights.
It’s a fight against the time, follow you with words,
challenging myself for the best rhyme.
But you see, the sky is still blue and i’m still in love.
If the sun burns up over there, the warm is guaranteed.”

To solely read the lyrics you can almost feel the passion; the love that’s poured into what he’s saying…what he feels for that person. And then when you listen to it without understanding the words, but just listening to the emotion in his voice and the inflection to the words he’s singing; it’s enough to make me forget everything else and just immerse myself into the song totally and completely.

The chorus stands out like a shining star. Coming in for the first time at the song, it’s definitely a signature part of the track; and I’m a particular fan of when a songwriters repeats the chorus multiple times throughout the song…hey, if it’s a good chorus, why not, right? It does it’s job, as the chorus of the song should; summing up all the feelings he expresses throughout the verses lyrically, and maintaining all the groove and catchy-ness that the best hit songs in any genre have.

“This sun warms my soul,
giving more strength to this fire,
characteristic of the animals.
And this rain that refresh my fantasy,
remodel giving a color more natural.”

Mixing the best of Spanish/Italian vocals, instrumental creativity, solid lyrical writing, and modern catchy effects; Felipe Romero has added all the right touches to this one in the effort of making this a track that you will have to set on repeat.

You can hear more from Felipe on his Profile here

By Pranam Bai Richter
Singer/Songwriter, The Richter Sisters
Head of Global Publicity, the Fish Pond

With a strong combination of rock, electric sounds, and musicianship comes the band; Revolution at the Zephyr. They describe their sound as atmospheric yet powerful, with layered electric and acoustic guitars, coupled with modern and inventive percussion. Naming just a few inspirations from many; the earth, the sea and the beauty of surrounding life, helps make their songs filled with creativity and raw inspiration.

Formed in 2011, the core musicians of the group; Dale Cross, Ian Salpekar, Will Glover and Nikki Glover have created their own genre – Surfer/Rock – and have completely run with it. In their song ‘Gethesmane’ you will hear a sound unlike any other. Starting off with a soft intro of snare drum-rhythmn, finger picking guitar, and eccentric sounds, your headphones will fill with a memorable experience. Once the first verse slides in, I’m reminded a bit of some things Prince has done with songs. Heavily laden with voice effects; lead singer Will, brings out a slight metal edge in their style with his voice. And once the tempo picks up, the song goes into full swing.

On another contrasting note comes; ‘Sunshine and Flowers’ a similar feel, referring to the the thread of their style; it’s distantly Revolution at the Zephyr. The tune is filled with a steady head-banging tick and electric guitar riffs, giving the audience a power-packed journey into the depths of their musical fusion.

“When sunshine and flowers combine
it’s a powerful, spiritual and wonderful life
with home and life and all that it tells on this roller coaster ride”

Ultimately the group plays music for the pure joy and adrenaline rush that comes hand in hand with performing. To understand Revolution at the Zephyr you have to understand where their musical drive stems from. Playing with the contrasting sides of dark and light, life and death, breathing and drowning, they strive to capture something as untouchable as a possibility, and discuss it in lyrical form. It’s something more than interesting to think on, and they clearly demonstrate that in their style and ability to create music that reflects what their hearts want to hear, free from commercial restraint or opinionated direction.

To sum it all up, I will quote the band; “where the ocean meets the land …that is where the drama is played out.”

You can hear more from Revolution at the Zephyr here.

By Pranam Bai Richter
Singer/Songwriter, The Richter Sisters
Head of Global Publicity, the Fish Pond

Born in Acapulco, Mexico, Margo Rey has a rich history in music; with a solid 10 year grounding in the classical style, at 16 she fronted rock band The Debs, and went on to lead Latin/Jazz/R&B band Miss Margo and the Lost Souls, with whom she achieved one top 5 and two top 20 pop releases. With a successful career in the theater, and releasing albums ‘My Heart’s Desire’ (2008) and ‘Get Back (The Remixes)’ (2010), her latest, ‘Habit’ (2012) is a beautiful mix of styles. With a genre all of her own, Margo describes her music – organica – as “…basically adult pop music that’s deeply rooted in jazz, with really, really funky grooves; and it’s created by humans, not machines”.

‘Habit’ features “Between Us”, as well as Billboard number 17 chart hit “Let the Rain”, co-written with John Oates, which remained in the charts for 21 weeks.

In so many ways, this album is an interesting work of art to review. Living up to the spirit of ‘organica’, there is so much variation in style, all tied together with Margo’s strong and beautiful vocal. I can only imagine the way these songs evolve when Margo performs them live.

Beginning the album with a strong and softly rocky title track, “Habit” is a perfect introduction to Margo in 2012. Inconspicuous, yet making its point:

“I want to love you, but now I’ve got to leave you,
creating a memory of the things we never did do…
wouldn’t you agree, that you’ve become a habit to me”

Building into the body of the album, it’s a catchy first number; toe-tapping, and reminiscent of late night live country music, dancing, and good times.

“Let the Rain”, featuring John Oates, brings a completely different mood; musically intelligent, and instrumentally well-composed, the lyrics are fascinating – clearly a song with a message. The chorus washes over you, much like the often-mentioned rain:

“So let them run and hide, I like a cloudy sky,
and let the rain wash over me”

Written in challenging times for Margo, as you can hear in her TV interviews, she is a woman who overcomes adversity and writes it out in strong songs like this one. There are particular lyrics in this song which I consider “daring” for a sweet and popular number:

“Winds blow round a plastic bag, a pile of leaves,
and a dirty mag; children yelling, playing tag,
A man lights up and takes a drag; what a drag”

These are not typical images I like to think about, and yet they offset the song beautifully, the rain washing all of these things away, to “sanctify me”. Another great example:

“Rainbow pools of gasoline, another city washes clean,
sparkling like a beauty queen”

I love it. The kind of lyric that isn’t particularly safe, and evokes the power of the title even more, images and colors and people of contrast painted into this powerful little song.

We move onto “Between Us” (also featured on Margo’s Fish Pond profile here). I have to confess, this is my favorite on the album. Right from the start, it makes the very best of Margo’s natural vocal talent, which she’s obviously worked hard to perfect over a long career. It’s catchy, the guitars and the little touch of country violin in the intro creating the perfect setting:

“We are not alone, you and I
Trying to make a home, but there’s something that stands between us”

From verse, to prechorus, to a lovely swelling chorus, this is a study in songwriting. Writing a popular song like this one is very much about being educated in what you’re doing as well as needing to have a natural gift. Creativity is a wonderful thing, but put it together with smarts as much at she has here, and you have a very pleasing number for public consumption, and a hit on your hands.

“What if I held you so close to me,
You wouldn’t see my faults,
And could you ever look at me the same
if you knew my thoughts,
I wanna give myself to you, without the fear of it all”

Equally beautiful, is the use of the violin in the solo and woven throughout the song, it feels like an often-told story. It’s a song I could listen to again and again.

“Get Back” is a completely different direction again; coming off the back of the big hit song on the album, it truly does “Get Back” to Margo’s roots; fast, funky, danceable, and introducing a mood for this two song sub-section of the album. Following on, “I Saw You” is liquid, smooth, and sweet, the funky bass holding down a solid groove, and a great chance for the band to excel and produce a true musicians track. It’s the type of music that would sit well in Ronnie Scott’s club in Soho. All musos, fine Scotch whiskey, and fat cigars as the band produces something truly organic.

“I’ll Give My Heart” transitions us back to pop; it’s a nicely produced ballad. Lyric of the day from this song for me was:

“It took some frog-kissing to prove I was,
I was missing the prince in you”

Throughout the album, Margo surprises with this type of sentiment. The true diamond lyrics are easy to miss in these well-crafted big-hitting songs, if you don’t take the trouble to read through them to understand what she’s singing about. It’s more than worth grabbing a lyric sheet to enhance your listening experience.

“Couldn’t Be More Wrong” fits and follows on, as another ballad which is easy to empathize with. Some of the easiest songs to absorb yourself in on a rainy Sunday are lyrically based on unrequited or cast-aside love. This song is moody and haunting, and uses beautiful strings, my favorite, the cello, providing backing.

“No passion to run wild, no longer fortune’s child,
Betrayed my hopes and all the trust that I had for you,
You’ve lost your fighter’s rage, and settled for a cage”

Once again it’s a strong message for the empowered, and beautifully delivered by Margo’s soulful tones.

It’s chased by “Saturn Returns”, the second John Oates collaboration on the album, poppy and upbeat, and a little reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Genesis in their heyday.

The album takes a political turn with a little reggae feel, and “Plastic Karma”. Cheery and upbeat, yet not a “nice” message, it has to be said it’s good fun. With a serious side, the song is a challenge to “big business”, and in some ways maybe it reveals why Margo went the way she did with “Organica” and the Organica Music Group. Tired of answering to others and being boxed into a non-existent “genre”, and the overly-present focus on financial reward with little regard to humanity in “big business”, she took her own path. And this song feels like a celebration of her success in that, wishing “peace” and farewell to corporate America. It could apply to anything of that nature; the banking crisis and the mantra “too big to fail” (as she sings), or African or Middle Eastern politics, or the worst side of the music business; it’s well-written, and gets an important message across with a smile.

“Roses” is a sweetly heartfelt love song. Wait – no, of course it’s not! Deceptive in title, there are so many lyrics in here to dwell on. Not disturbing, but vengeful in an ironic way;

“Roses are red, violets are blue,
This is a song about me and you;
Violence is golden, revenge is sweet,
You threw me down but I’m back on my feet”

You can only wonder what caused this intensity of feeling. To me, it’s not even necessarily written to an individual; it could equally apply to other adversities in life which challenge, but can be, and have been, well and truly beaten.

“Off in the distance, the church bells ring
The blade sinks deeper and the angels sing;
The sheets turn red, your skin turns blue,
I kiss your lips and whisper “I loved you””

But then again, it really feels like someone really messed with Margo, and got a lyrical beating in return. The thought makes me smile.

“10 Reasons” is back to that funky groove, rich with a head-nodding instrumental vibe. It’s a well-written pop song, and quotes the 10 reasons “why not” (“you want me to kiss you, tell you that I miss you”). It’s a fun listen, and by the end had me really into the vocal and band blend they’ve created.

The album is finished off with a couple of little gems hidden in Tracks 12 and 13. “You’ll Be Coming Back” is close to surfer rock, has a great beat, and feels like a return – musically – to her roots in Acapulco. “She’s Not There” is a delightful end to ‘Habit’; it’s so 60’s, and for me ties nicely to the surfer beat in “You’ll Be Coming Back”; it has me picturing the famous Travolta/Thurman dance scene in ‘Pulp Fiction’. It’s a mover and shaker all right, and the pre-chorus build with the title line, the song is reminiscent of all that was great and free about late-60’s rock and roll, and it gives me a smile as I think of dance hall images in black and white.  Try it; it will make you want to get up and party for sure.

True to her word, in “Habit”, Margo has delivered a thoughtful and organic work of art. It’s intelligent, and it’s well put together, with some superb and varied musicians putting their creative best into the process. Lyrically, the message is often harsh, but with a wink and a smile that Margo is empowered, can cut through glass like a diamond, and is more than able to respond; in short, she’s going to be  more than alright. The musical styles vary a huge amount, as you’d expect from a musician of Margo’s philosophy, so there is something for everyone on a long 13-track album; far from being chaotic, it’s knit together so well that the transitions really work. A great listen, and added to the “repeat plays” for me. Some might even say; “Habit” forming.

You can buy “Habit” here. It’s a superb album, and most certainly deserves the accolades and chart positions it has achieved thus far.

You can also read more about Margo on her Fish Pond profile here.

The Richter Sisters – Pranam Bai and Ruchi Singh – come to The Fish Pond from Davidsonville, Maryland. Raised in a family of 7, the youngest two aces in the deck, they have always been around music. From early recordings with ‘The Richter Scale’ and both picking up the guitar only a couple of years ago, these girls have built their ethos around family values, musical ability, and sheer dedication to a life well lived. Their debut demo is a testament to the effort they have put into making it happen for themselves.

The Richter Sisters do something unique with their songwriting; they’ve created a style for themselves which is distinctly their own, and rather than opt for complex lyrics and standard formats, in “Show Me” they have produced a song which thrives on its lyrical beauty. You can listen to the demo of “Show Me” here while you read the review.

It’s a song of verse chorus, verse chorus chorus – no solos, no bridge, no instrumental – and yet it excels on it’s own because…it just compels you to listen to the words behind the music. The simple guitars, sounding rich and expensive, are a great prelude, well mixed, with Ruchi Singh strumming and Pranam Bai finger picking over the top.  Pranam Bai introduces us;

“Settle into my arms, make your home in my heart,
Find a way to find a way, to love me”

Having heard the Richter Sisters live a couple of times now, the vocal is very “them”. You’re already starting to hear the well-practiced harmonies in the second line of the song; such a distinct feature of their music even at this early stage. From the first verse, as with so much of their extensive catalog of material, you have to wonder how so much depth of feeling welled from such young songwriters, and credit them for being able to write it down and perform it so coherently and honestly.

The chorus is a measured and bright follow on, it emits a positive sunny glow:

“We take from this life, what we give
So show me a little love, and I’ll reciprocate it”

It strikes me, even this early in the song, of how rare it is to hear such a well produced, and yet enigmatically hardly-produced, recording. It’s doing its job. It’s going to be exactly what I’ll expect at the next live performance.  Commercially it’s also pretty clever, because I can’t wait to hear the album version, and yet I’ll have to.  Maddening, in all the right ways.

The second verse keeps the same melody and harmonies, simple guitars warm and bright, and backing the vocals so well, loud enough and yet not overwhelming. And to my favorite line, frankly brilliantly written to evoke such a simple emotion:

“Hold me close, kiss me on my nose,
Tell me you love me while you’re sure you know”

The sentiment is pure and lovely, as I mentioned, almost deliberately simple musically, just so you can’t help but get into the joy of the song.  It’s indicative of true empathy with the listener.  The final line is clearly one which these two will always live by; it makes it believable.

“Life’s too beautiful, to just waste away”

The planning that has gone into this first release is pretty spectacular. Listening to their first two tracks (“Into Your Love” is also on their profile), it’s recorded to be a demo; not an EP, not an album, but a deliberately raw and emotional version of what you’ll get when you turn up to hear The Richter Sisters play live. Beautifully paired harmony vocals, strummed and finger-picked guitars, and no more. It’s what they wanted. At this stage in their career, to establish a live sound, and a live presence off the back of it, it will serve them well when the inevitable album recording comes. With very few rough edges, but in all the right places, this will surely become a collectible.

In many ways, this so-looked-forward-to first recording lives up to its message; almost a challenge, “Show Me” is what the two have surely done. I’ve had the privilege of hearing this effort live, briefly reviewing it as such, and of performing it once as a collaborative effort with Pranam Bai. It’s great to hear that such a beautiful and simple song has not been spoiled at all in the recording, and also to anticipate that we’re bound to hear more produced versions, equally beautiful in their own way, in the future.

Congratulations, girls, and I look forward to hearing much more of your recorded work in the coming year.

David Mark Smith
The Fish Pond
david@globalmusiciansfishpond.com

Melanie Taylor; a hard-working singer with a love and passion that pours into every note of her music; succeeds in blending a wide range of styles; Hip-Hop, Techno and Pop-Punk. She’s created an album that will have you dancing from track one.

‘All About Today’ is a pure reflection of how the singer lives her journey. Each song on the album is an expression of a day in her life, and moments she’s trapped in the lyrics she sings. Originally from San Diego, California, Melanie’s heart was always in music. And while her family was constantly on the go, she found her strength in the musicians she looked up to, and the musicians like whom she aspired to create music. She has embraced and welcomed every aspect of what it takes to produce music, from the songwriting process, to producing, to her favorite part; performing.

Beginning the album is a subtle yet hard-hitting number titled; ‘Cease Fire’. The intro of the song is beautifully crafted with just a simple piano; unsuspecting to what is about to come. Once the first verse drifts in, I’m instantly reminded of Jordan Spark’s hit; ‘Battlefield’. Melanie takes you on a vocal-range journey in the chorus, equally pushing against the power that’s built musically to give the listening ear a song worthy of jammin’ out on the dance floor to. The very catchy chorus is the part of the lyric that will linger with you once the song comes to a close…

“Cease fire, I’m putting hands up, hands up, hands up
Cease fire, cause I’ve had enough, had enough, had enough
Cease fire, I’m through with all my guns, cause you were number one
I’m walking out, get it out on the wire, I’m calling for a cease fire”

Filled with so many dance-themed songs, I turn to track 5 for feel-good; ‘Him’. Again, the lovely work of a piano introduces the song, blending nicely with simple techno effects, accompanied by snare and bass drum rhythm; there’s a perfect foundation for Melanie’s lyric. Spinning the tale of a love that’s just beyond the reach of a girl’s fingertips, you can’t help but understand what she’s describing. Melanie’s lyrics are so easy to relate to, sung by a voice that touches on the range and tone of singers like Rihanna, Jordan Sparks, Madonna, and Sarah Haze. Though the entire song is easy to sing along with and just grooves, some of my favorite lyrics are in the chorus; purely for the way Melanie sings them; it gives me chills…

“If only you were him, then I would be with you
When I’m not with him, doing what I should not do”

For a touch more on the Hip-Hop feel, flip to track 7; ‘Badboy’. With a slight edge on the reggae side throughout the song, Melanie’s voice has a chance to really shine through; without the cloud of too many effects. Filling the song in the middle is a simple rap by a guest singer, adding another dimension in the music Melanie has vocally already stamped her mark on. Reminding me of Rihanna’s ‘Man Down’, I really enjoy this side of Melanie’s lyrical and singing ability. Though it has a laid-back feel, you may find yourself reminiscing on your life, and your impact on others. With the message ‘you are strong’, Melanie questions where your priorities are. It’s time for reflection.

Second to the last on the album comes; ‘Whatever’. The message in this song is a reflection on the title; Melanie lives this life, this song, this journey for her. And that feeling is instantly recognizable, and extremely contagious. You’ll be rockin to this song all the way through. A great lyrical sentiment and use of instrumental creativity; including a very nice guitar solo mid-song. Easily my favorite on the album, right from the intro, and start of the first verse; she’s got you…

“A smile on my face, woke me up today
And I knew today, it would be ok
There’s not a real reason why I feel so good
But who said I need a reason to feel like I know I should?”

An album worthy of a debut release, Melanie is off to a strong start; with a beautiful voice to match. I’ll be excited to see what the future holds for this young and rising star, and I hope you follow this journey with her…it is certain to be an amazing one.

You can hear more from Melanie on her profile here

By Pranam Bai Richter
Singer/Songwriter, The Richter Sisters
Head of Global Publicity, The Fish Pond

Ron Pope is a man with an amazing career. Growing up in Atlanta, with a love for baseball which he played at the collegiate level for two seasons at Rutgers, he transferred to NYU to focus on his music career. Among many achievements, he is known by so many for his 2006 hit “A Drop in the Ocean”, a top 100 download on iTunes in 2012, which was covered and recorded by Season 1 winner of “The Voice”, Javier Colon.  With 10 albums to his name, Ron joins our family releasing a strong new single, “Monster”.

You can listen to “Monster” here while you read on;

Drifting in beautifully, as the song starts, I’m already expectant for Ron’s vocal to hit. My first feeling was curiosity; given the title, and his back catalog, what journey will he be taking us on with the lyric this time? With a beautifully rising piano, overlaid with a soft but punchy bass, he sets himself up perfectly with a beat which has me nodding along from the start. And he’s in.

Switching from the mainstream sound of the intro, he brings it down to a minor key turnaround;

“London, seven in the morning on a Saturday
and I just missed my train;
Worship, of the kind of goddess that I sacrifice,
Will reap hard on me”

It’s a beautiful sound, the vocal, the harmony, and the quality of the songwriting straight away drawing you in. The mood immediately brings me back to thoughts of his early days and “A Drop in the Ocean”. We’re on a theme here, and a very successful one, with which we can all empathize.  Heartache, love unfulfilled (not necessarily unrequited), and the huge range of emotions that can be expressed musically through it. For me, it’s what makes Ron as a songwriter and musician quite brilliant; being able to express in such a unique but meaningful way something which everyone in this life will likely feel at one time or another.

It’s a song of short verses, and brings us in timely maner to the chorus, answering the set up of the intro. It’s a mantra, it’s driving, the use of guitar and piano building the crescendo; it’s a very interesting point about this song, that the chorus is written to be the longest part of the song, only to be repeated twice. The sentiment is wonderfully expressed, so much so that it’s difficult to pick a favorite lyric, as the instrumentals repeat and underline the best of Ron’s vocal;

“I’ve got an itch, you’ve got an emptiness
I couldn’t fill, false gods and tenderness,
Into your will, pray on the falling
Straps from your shoulders, how do I hold you?”

They are achingly lovely, these lines. You can only wonder who they were written for, wonder how the subject felt, wonder if indeed they ever realized or saw the results.

The second and final verse is short, again, an unusual but very effective piece of writing, and it serves to bring the pace down for just a short while;

“Nightmare, falling as the bottom reaches up for me
Wake up on the ground;
Reject every lesson anybody has to say,
Cause I won’t be saved now”

The piano is delightful in the verses, well used, and building us back up. The chorus is welcome, I’m needing it back by now, this second time, and I can honestly say that I get lost (in the best way) in the song at this point. The theme of “Monster” makes sense, it all fits;

“Make me a monster, make me a beast,
Prey on my weakness, become my disease;
I’ve been lovesick and empty, cold and I’m trembling,
Still holding out for my fairytale ending”

With an epic use of strings, we’re treated to a 30 second instrumental to round out the song, bring it to the mountain top so that the listener can consider the depth of feeling in the lyric. For me, it’s an unusual conclusion, unexpected, and yet so well done, quietly coming to a peaceful ending as it began. Frankly, it left me wondering what had just hit me.

All in all, a superb song, and showing that Ron is absolutely at the top of his songwriting and recording game. I loved it (could you tell?), and would recommend supporting him by buying it and enjoying it as I surely have. You can purchase a copy right here.

Ron, we’re proud of all you do, and we’re glad to count you as a family member in the Fish Pond.

By David Mark Smith
Founder, Global Musicians Fish Pond
www.globalmusiciansfishpond.com

I sat down for a Skype interview with the amazing Elizabeth Lee a few short days ago. After only hearing a few little pieces about her, and reading a bit on her many websites, I knew it was going to be a more-than-worthy use of my time; and I was right.

The sweetest lady, she has true poise and a contagious smile. I was so nervous about doing my first interview, and she made me feel right at home and like we were old friends just catching up. A beautiful soul, she took me into her world for a short while and inspired me with her passion and courageous attitude towards life and her true mission of finding her place in the world. She’s here to make a difference, and in the brief time I got to talk to her, she made a difference in my life.

Let’s talk music, how did you get started?

“I got started in a church choir about the age of 10. I’ve been in many bands over the years, working on a lot of different projects. The band I currently tour with is Cozmic Mojo, and we’ll be touring this spring; March 22nd through May 15th, you can see dates available on our website here. I also delight in a very eclectic and amazing project in Austin called Knuckle Yummy. We will be performing SXSW, as we do every year, and we’re currently working on a new record that should be released in the Summer. I also work with various artists co-writing and doing studio work. In addition to that, I work extensively with writer and producer/guitarist Larry Chaney on a wide range of projects including jingle writing/production, film soundtrack and scoring. The latest film – ‘The Last Mark’; we provided the entire soundtrack for it.”

“I consider my writing a gift from God, and as a funnel of love, I want to channel it to all areas that feel right. One of my most recently written songs, which is probably the most beautiful love song I’ve ever written, and pretty much stands up to the most beautiful EVER written..so I’ve been told, is called ‘Lost Up In You’.”

“The story is; I met someone at a dance hall on a Saturday night with a bunch of my friends. I was doing what I love; dancing and being with the people I care about. I was absolutely out of the “dating” scene, as I had just ended a long relationship of 10 years one year prior and was not in the “mood” for dating. I was still just happy working on myself when there he was, and as he tells me, there I was. Our eyes locked, we danced…and danced and danced…and the dancing got slower and slower and slower, and the energy got faster and faster and faster. And before I exploded, I turned into a pumpkin and ran home and wrote this song. Not exactly like that…but close! If meeting this wonderful man was only to win me that Grammy, well, thank you God and keep them coming!!! HA! LOVE IS GRAND!!!”

What is the Red Dawg?

“Red Dawg is the canine vehicle for effecting change in the world. He is all about innocence, purity, love, light and goodness. Red Dawg is an inspiration from the God light in me, and that’s in all of us. His sole purpose is to help others and to spread love. The proceeds from the Red Dawg go towards various community needs, such as; education, relief efforts, environmental projects, schools, medical attention and food. He has been a donor to several organizations world wide through his children’s book; ‘A Red Dawg’s Tale’ and his CD; ‘Gotta Red Dawg’ both of which are available online here. Red Dawg’s belief is that if each of us would just pick even ONE small cause, we could change the world.”

Where do you see the future of the Red Dawg?

“I would like Red Dawg to become a foundation that sponsors youth in education, safe place shelters, animal care and clinics, no kill animal shelters, environmental clean up and energy and relief efforts globally. Ultimately any crisis relief; be it food, medical, health or mental health. Wherever he is needed, he will go.”

What are you most passionate about?

“Opening up spiritually. Searching for the meaning of life, and the questions God has asked me to answer. I practice daily inward meditation and yoga to really just find myself…that is my ongoing quest.”

Beyond the Red Dawg are there any charitable organizations you are involved in?

“We provide support to several organizations, with an always-expanding list that grows daily; KSPCA Kenya, which protects and cares for animals, domestic, livestock, and wildlife. The Hope Streams Academy, which provides quality education and hope for a brighter future in Kenya. Haiti Global Project, Cherish Our Children, Nobelity Project, Emancipet, Central Asia Institute, Persecution Project Africa, Make It Right, The Siddhartha School, The Kibera Penda Project and Crisis Bread Basket…just to name a few.”

How long have you been a part of Global Musicians Fish Pond, what does it mean to you and how do you see it helping other musicians grow?

“I’ve been a member of the Fish Pond for a couple of years now. The Fish Pond is all about networking and working together, which is key. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to raise a musician. You need others to keep you inspired, to open you creatively and to add color to your own art; it’s a self-expanding process. Having alone time is great, but the co-time is priceless. Having others that love what you love and support you will open up your creativity and help keep you going and moving forward in a positive direction.”

What are three main points you would advise for new musicians just getting started in the music industry?

“Networking is so important, especially for people just starting out. Professionalism. It’s not “cool” to be late, or to do drugs. People respect people with respect. Professionalism is key and the more educated you are about the “business” and how to navigate that and the people who work within that structure, the more successful you will be. And always keep learning. Continue to grow and keep expanding, listen to others that take you out of your comfort zone. If you’re a jazz musician, listen to rock music. If you’re a country music man, listen to some classical or flamenco. The point is to always be illuminating your craft, which can only help open up your mind and further your creative process.”

The greatest value I learned from Elizabeth, is that she lives and leads by example. She doesn’t encourage others to be healthy, if she isn’t herself first, she doesn’t advise others to expand their creative knowledge if she’s not doing the same thing at that very moment. We have a lot to learn from someone special like that, and I look forward to seeing her win that Grammy!

You can hear more from Elizabeth here.

Learn more about the Red Dawg project here.

By Pranam Bai Richter
Singer/Songwriter, The Richter Sisters
Head of Global Publicity, the Fish Pond

Have you ever heard something so beautiful it made you want to cry and smile at the same time? That’s the result you may find after hearing to the music that Kevin Erskine has created. Simple in it’s nature, complex in it’s creativity, beautiful in it’s entirety. With the release of his new EP ‘Ashford’ comes three songs that send a feeling of pure joy to the heart, and will have you needing to listen to each one multiple times to fully embrace every little detail he touches on musically.

First track on the EP is my particular favorite; ‘Far Away’. The beginning reminds me of Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ but only for a moment, once Kev’s voice dominates the listening ears, there’s no mistaking that tone. The song has a steady heartbeat-like rhythm, when all of a sudden, before the start of the second verse; a slam, like ball and chains hits, taking the song to another level. Kev adds a layer of depth to each track on the album, without creating a mess chaotic clutter. That’s much harder to do than one would think, and it becomes obvious how well he understands his craft. He knows when to add something musical or vocal, when to let something drop out, and when to just let it ride the sound waves.

Next up on the EP is titled; ‘Birdcage Chest’. Beginning with a soft and drifting intro of finger-picking guitar work, his vocals lay on the gentle foundation he’s building with graceful ease.

“Wake me when you’re home,
my eyes are growing tired,
I’m scared that I’ll miss out,
on a single kiss goodnight”

…his voice is so intriguing, soft and smooth, with more than a touch of raw emotion pouring out when he drops into his lower register. He accents the combination of dynamic vocal skills and well written lyric, with unique touches and sounds. Sounds of everyday noises you would hear around the house; like the tweeting of birds. He has a way of making the tiniest things, almost always taken for granted, newly appreciated, and musically; borderline genius.

Last on his three song EP is; ‘You Owe Me’. Kev adds the touches of violin, and the sound of waves in the mix with his dominate skills on the guitar. Like the songs prior, ‘You Owe Me’ has it’s own signature mark on the musical scale. This one has a slight country/folk like sound to it, all the while it’s unmistakably Kevin.

“There’s something that the morning craves,
and I’m not very well behaved”

..and that’s how he leaves you, with a lingering thought, hanging on the last notes, the last words in the lyric, grasping for a few more moments with the life he shares through a song; his song.

I could say the same thing about many songs; they take you on a journey. But it never ceases to amaze me that lyrics someone else has written can become “your” story, become a personal part of “your” life, a moment shared on “your” shelf….and Kevin has achieved just that and more. There aren’t enough words to describe how that impacts you, it’s just a feeling you have to have for yourself to fully understand.

You can hear more from Kevin here.

You can purchase his EP here.

By Pranam Bai Richter
Singer/Songwriter – The Richter Sisters
Head of Global Publicity – The Fish Pond