by rudyards | January 25th, 2013
The Shadow (Houston,TX)
https://www.theshadowofficial.com/
“ After the initial sweeping vengeance of punk took hold after 1977, a sweeping platform of New Music strode in, re-landscaping pop music. In that heady era, all things converged, from Talking Heads and the Records to Joe Jackson and Ultravox. That’s the genre I sense when listening to Texas-based the Shadow, who melds punk’s knack for the inchoate and off-kilter with a savvy sense of trad-rock hooks and pop-a-delic fare. To be sure, for every bit of mustered, seething psychodrama they vent, a bit of the Age of Aquarius leaks out with modern flair, pummeling, and agility. “Punk Rock Agent” slips into the earlobe with persistent charm, easily mustering a week’s worth of humming and silent sing-along head nods in the grocery store aisle. Sure, it lacks roughhewn edges and emotional bullets, but the tune’s caffeinated pulse adeptly combines layers of streamlined surf, titanic pop bombast, and a 1960s urge for danceability and crunchy guitar thrust. If a phenom single cut exist”— David Ensminger, PopMatters.com
“The Shadow benefits from crystal-clear female harmonies and some crunchy guitar work. If it wasn’t for singer Raquel’s presence, some of these songs would be redolent of Brian James-era Damned jams. Or, perhaps more accurately, Lords of the New Church as there’s a certain rock-noir feel. If you mst have a gender-specific comparison, there’s a ringing clarity to the vocals that recalls Throwing Muses in one of Kristin Hersh’s rockier phases. Best songs here are ‘Punk Rock Agent’ , which is a neat neat neat agenda statement (hear it on this issue’s covermount CD) and the self-title closing track, which has some gorgeous cyclical guitar tones. ‘Anna Manni’ is pretty convincing too - fittingly, given it’s apparently a tribute to Dario Argento’s ‘The Stendahl Syndrome’ where in people go weak at the knees when confronted with great works of art.” — Alex Ogg, Vive Le Rock
“Though all four of this rousing Houston quartet’s one-sided 7′ singles appear on this 13-track debut album, one presumes they’re re-recorded versions done with their explosive new rhythm section of bassist Kika and drummer Nick. To wit, the thundering redo of standout “Anna Manni” blows away the more restrained single version on YouTube. Throaty, husky-voiced belter Raquel Refuerzo is a total knockout, as invigoratind and commanding a vocalist as The BGellRay’s Lisa Kekaula, if less soul/R&B-influenced. She’s fueled by guitarist Henrik Bech Poulsen, who writes all the music and lyrics. Generously crams each song with ferocious, slashing punk.metal riffs, helping “Punk Rock Agent,” “Your Love is Suffocating,” and “Bittersweet” burn with conviction. It’s easy to see why they opened for The Damned in Hong Kong; I’m betting they were not outclassed.”— The Big Take-Over Magazine
Sheila Swift (Houston, TX)
https://www.sheilaswift.com/
Sheila Swift, a native of Houston Texas, was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor at the age of 12. It was this traumatic and life-changing experience that taught her the importance of leading a life with purpose & passion, which she does every day through her music and her painting. Sheila captivates her listeners with her powerful voice and her songs are honest and expose a certain vulnerability that draws people in.
In 2007, Sheila toured the UK impressing audiences at such venues as The Vault, Hard Rock Café (Hyde Park), and The Farmer’s Arms in St. David’s, Wales.
In 2008, Sheila Swift was voted Rockwired.com’s “Female Artist of the Year” and her music was played on Big FM, a station with over 6 million listeners. Also Sheila and her band played in 2 major festivals, the International Folk Alliance in Memphis, and SXSW in Austin, TX.
In 2009 Sheila produced “Feel Like I Do,” her first video with Desert Highway Records, and Chicago based Golan Productions. She also appeared on Good Morning Houston in July 2009, with host Debra Duncan, who is the recipient of many local and national awards for television excellence. In 2010 Sheila returned to SXSW as a part of the “Invasion of the GoGirls” which was broadcast live on Ustream.com.
Sheila released her debut self titled CD in 2000 and subsequently recorded her 2nd independent EP, “The Shape of Things” which will be released in 2010, with Desert Highway Records and distributed by Universal/Fontana. The CD embodies Sheila’s powerful vocals and captivating heart and energy.
Recorded at Cider Mountain Records the CD features musicians Marsh Shamberger (SOULAR), Joey Canaday (LeAnn Rimes, Joy Williams), Jeff Marino (Darius Rucker, Jo Dee Messina), Dennis Borycki (Garth Brooks), and more. The album was produced by Patrick Tetreault (SOULAR) and engineered by Craig “Lord” Alvin (Cheville, Grahm Colton, and Eisley).
Beautiful Disturbance (Houston, TX)
https://www.beautifuldisturbancemusic.com/
Beautiful Disturbance is an explosive musical experience that comes to life in front of your eyes. It’s a moment that must be encountered in person and a movement that will carry within the hearts of listeners. The sheer power of the live shows will draw you in and the poetic beauty of the lyrics will capture your soul. Not to be contained by a musical label or genre, they continually push farther into the expanse of untouched musical intoxication. This four piece band from Waco, Texas was officially formed in March of 2010 with a simple mission…to rock your soul and change your life. This band bleeds passion and always invites people to be more than fans, but to be family. The approach towards music and life is to give everything, hold nothing back, and never regret. There is no doubt and there is no “plan B.” Named the next big thing to come out of Texas, this band fervently pursues to reach the masses with the goal to leave a legacy of love through the charisma of their music. Beautiful Disturbance walks and lives in faith welcoming all who care to share in the lows and the highs of this life. When every person and band seeks fame and fortune, this band seeks to make a worldwide family to break down the walls of fear and hate. The calling is simple…to go to the world and create a beautiful disturbance.
