New Music Review

Coen Rhys WIP

Reviewing friends is difficult. You gotta separate - the desire to please with the necessity of being objective. No better way to lose integrity than to give a friend a glowing review - when it isn't deserved. 


Previewing Coen Rhy’s (https://twitter.com/coenrhys) "Work in Process" was not difficult in that regard.


I received a preview of part 1 of his upcoming album, cryptically titled TMUDSMMO. If you can guess what the acronym means - message me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mancient_com) and you’ll get a prize. 


I have listened to it multiple times, and enjoy new discoveries every time. 


Coen donated a tune to the first and second charity album from MBtM. If you haven’t heard his contributions, you know what to do.


He hails from Scotland, and is “a positive over-thinker & experimental songwriter, applying twisted logic while balancing happy times with sad moments”.


As this is a preview, I won't say much about details. Though ... there is a lot of brill details to cherish in this work of art. Such as this: 

"Hold your head up high

Or be held up, your gonna be uptight

Hold your head up high

Or be held up, you’ gotta be-in denial".

 

Musically, its got elements from various genres. A little bit of electro, a flavour of acid house in the piano loop that lifts the intro of song 3, a dash of singer-songwriter, some drum loops that sounds very 80'ies ... a lovely blend. 

 

I look forward to hearing this as a finished project. Lots of good vocal work as well - Coens voice shines especially shines in song 6... so laid-back and pleasant. With 33 years of singing, this is something that caught my attention. 

 

(mAncient is working on his third album, this one to be released on Minds behind the Music Label. It will be titled Holy, and features healing music for the 13 chakras. 

Read about him at https://www.earthhouse.church/about)

Haakon Rian Mancient Ueland 

Click Here Artist

Born Free - The Second Charity Album!

Art by Irene Gardiner
Welcome to the second charity album from Minds Behind the Music in aid of The Born Free Foundation. 

I just want to say a big massive thank you to all these artists, from both amazing albums, for giving up their talentand time for my dream. I love you all! Phil G. 

Click here to pre-save Minds Behind the Music: Born Free (orcd.co)

Available EVERYWHERE!!! Cover art by Irene Gardiner (artist)

And now a little about some of  the artists on the album. 

Paul Shortino

Paul Shortino is an American rock singer and musician who has sung for Rough Cutt/The Cutt, Quiet Riot, Bad Boyz, and Shortino. He briefly recorded with J.K. Northrup as the duo, Shortino/Northrup. He has also recorded as a solo artist, writing and performing the song "E.G.G.M.A.N." as the theme for Dr. Eggman in Sonic Adventure 2 for Sega, and in Shadow the Hedgehog as "E.G.G.M.A.N. Doc Robeatnix Mix". Shortino recorded lead vocals for the Heavy Metal benefit project Hear 'n Aid in 1985. The single from this project, "Stars", also features lead vocals by heavy metal singers Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, Don Dokken, Kevin DuBrow, Eric Bloom and Dave Meniketti.



Brad Walsh

Brad Walsh is an American singer and record producer known for his own pop and experimental music, as well as his dance remixes of pop artists including Britney Spears, Adam Lambert, and Lady Gaga.

Lorenzo Gabanizza

Lorenzo is a long life singer songwriter. Starting at an early age, 3 years old, he worked with legends and hit makers such as multi platinum Jeff Christie, Snake Davis, Rusty Wright, Vic Elmes, Grammy fiddler Ian Cameron and many more. Romantic (he likes to be remember for being born in Verona, town of the Shakespeare 's tragedy) passionate, always exploring and expanding, he likes to break barriers as an advocate for freedom in life and Arts so that you may find him on multi genre patterns from symphonic to country music. He often involves himself in important human rights, health and social campaigns like Mercury Phoenix Trust, R. F. Kennedy H.R., Mbtm, 320 Changes Direction etc.

 

SchizoFranic 

SchizoFranic is an musician from Toledo, Ohio USA. SchizoFranic started this journey in music when she was six years of age, ever since her father introduced her to music. Over the years SchizoFanic has learned how to play an array of instruments, but mostly concentrated on guitar and piano. For the most part SchozoFranic is a self made musician that has a passion for ambient electronic music, music from the soul... Music that expresses peace, happiness  and tranquility.

 

Those Men 

Those Men are a UK based progressive art pop project.The duo work in the area of concept albums dealing with subjects ranging from the disposability of the modern world (Sobgod 2007)  to a day in the life of a municipal car park (Car Park 2003); pollution on the earth in its many facets (Ponky Hates Pollution 2000)  to reflections on the overrated concept of movement (Why Move? 2006); a musical interpretation of the pituitary gland (Pituitary 1999) to a four second internal journey of a middle aged man’s thought processes in response to his wife’s question ‘What’s the matter darling you don’tseem yourself?’ (Theman Simpulse 2010).

Using diverse musical forms ranging from pop songs to prog epics, from ballads to comedy moments, from dance to new millennium psychedelia Those Men have addressed these issues in a number of recordings and videos stretching over four decades. Their latest release ‘Fecundness’ (2022), which pays homage to the energy of The River and its associated elements of growth, has been released on the Minds Behind The Music label.

 

Phillip Foxley 

Phillip Foxley is a multi-genre songwriter and musician. He writes and produces music from his home studio in Conwy, North Wales, UK.

With influences from every corner of the world, Foxley has long experience in writing music in any genre, including original blistering blues rock guitar and soft acoustic and piano tracks, and is delighted to have a track selected for the Born Free compilation album released by MBTM in July 2022.

 

mAncient 

Haakon Rian mAncient Ueland is an artist, DJ, healer, therapist and Viking Buddha. Since 2018 he has been a pilgrim monk. His music genre is called 'Earth House', which is also the name of his charity. His music can be found on all the major services - search for "mAncient" -  and is healing. He started with music at the age of four, 51 years ago, and his best friend and bodyguard is called Trollheads Nessi.

Web: https://earthhouse.church/

 

Coen Rhys

Coen Rhys is a positive over-thinker and experimental singer-songwriter drawing inspiration from music through the ages, balancing reality with hope for a better future.
He first started writing music after picking up the guitar at the age of 11, and has since written music to “diarise” his thoughts while trying to work out this wonderful yet mad world.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/coenrhys

 

Doctor Zee

Doctor Zee are a family based band comprising of Will Jack - electro acoustic guitar & Vocals; Willie Jack Lead guitar & backing vocals; and Paul Ringrose - Bass guitar. With songs destined to be classics, they perform ‘anthems' for festival crowds to sing along to epic choruses & soaring

guitar riffs written for the 'lockdown generation.' Vocals that convey an angst ridden 21 st century message link with subtle dynamics & melodies delivering hook's which make Doctor Zee something truly special! They are about to shake up the jaded mainstream music scene and bring about a 'musical revolution!' with songs that are simply.."too good to be ignored!".

 

The Star Prairie Project 

The Star Prairie Project is the brainchild of Nolen R. Chew Jr., a song writer from Star Prairie, Wisconsin. The purpose of his recording project is to write original songs and make them into records. Nolen collaborates with musicians and producers from LA to London to bring his songs to life. The Star Prairie Project is named for the village of Star Prairie (50) miles NE of Minneapolis/St Paul and the Alan Parsons Project from back in the day.
Find them here www.thestarprairieproject.net

 

Bad Skullianz

They say that music is the language of the soul, and nothing could be truer for this Rock Band.

Composed of a group of inspirational musicians and skillful performers, the artists behind Bad Scullianz have earned their reputation as a talented band to look out for. From live gigs to studio sessions and more, they continue to touch fans around the world with their distinct and enjoyable musical style.

 

Jay Elle

Jay Elle is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player currently residing in New York City. Jay Elle has a soothing and passionate voice, blending perfectly with unique guitar arrangements. His songs bring together lyrics and music in a singular fashion.

 

Tom Tikka

Tom has had an illustrious career with number one hits, awards and more. In 2021, Tom Tikka won the ISSA award for International Male Emerging Artist Of The Year. He was also awarded four Josie-Award nominations as well as a nomination in the prestigious Hollywood Music In Media Awards. His new album, Better Man, was released in 2022 under the Minds Behind the Music Record label. He also appears on Born Free!


Get Wild!

WILD BIRDS & THEIR MUSIC

Berlin Germany’s Wild Birds & Their Music delivers a little bit of everything with their music, which has blended together quite well. I was quit intrigued with the style of music that is being delivered, given the geographical location of Wild Birds & Their Music. Being familiar with the music scene in Berlin, I’d typically expect some techno, electronica, and the upbeat loud sounds of rave music. The groups opening track “Mushroom Jesus” on their self titled album “Wild Birds & Their Music” is perfectly composed.

 

The songwriting, and music are both very catchy. This is folk music, bringing forth elements of blues, jazz, and vibes from previous eras of pop culture. Overall, Be Bird and Andie Bird have embodied more of a psychedelic bluegrass style with “Mushroom Jesus” in my opinion. Wild Birds & Their Music deliver a well-round track I thoroughly enjoy. The harmonica is a wonderful inclusion of sounds on “Mushroom Jesus” making the track stand-out further. Be Bird and Andie Bird work very well together. The duo balances things out as both vocalists and musicians. 

 

Wild Birds & Their Music have released a music video to their dynamic single titled “Mushroom Jesus” and it’s fitting for the song. The energy that was captivated on the song, continues to carry with its accompanying visual. The group sings, dances, and plays various instruments during this fast-paced and catchy tune.

 

I’d like to see a bit more creativity with their visuals, as the music definitely deserves this. Maybe we can expect an alternate version of the music video for “Mushroom Jesus” in the near future. Please give “Wild Birds & Their Music” a listen, as they surely won’t disappoint. 

 

Article by: Michael A. Norman

Santa Cruz, California U.S.A.

Michael A. Norman – Medium


Wild Birds & Their Music“ are:

Be Bird         – Vocals, Backing Vocals, Harmonica, Drums, Sansula, Percussion

Andie Bird   – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Lapsteel, Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, Ukulele, Piano, Organ, Synths, Drums, Percussion

Album Information:

Artist: Wild Birds & Their Music

Album Title: Wild Birds & Their Music“

Number of Tracks:  13

Released on Bandcamp January 1st 2022

https://wildbirdsmusic.bandcamp.com

To be released on Spotify (and other streaming platforms) March 21 2022

https://open.spotify.com/album/4oAgXP6L9JpWxwebHfMV8E

Recorded and mixed at Haunted Crossroad Studios, Berlin 2020 – 2021

Mastered by Dennis Kern/Studio Wong, Berlin 2021

All Songs are written and performed by Wild Birds & Their Music

https://www.instagram.com/wild_birds_and_their_music/

https://wildbirdsmusic.com

Cover art, photographs and design by Wild Birds & Their Music

High Res Photos: https://wildbirdsmusic.com/gallery/

YouTube Links: 

Mushroom Jesus

https://youtu.be/76OH38GC750

I Shall Be Released (Cover)

https://youtu.be/wZcknSf4z04