Music/Culture/Clash

What's going on in the music world today

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“The Year of Lauren Ruth Ward”

Los Angeles, CA – The last year has been met with a cacophony of voices in opposition of each other – through the noise artists like Lauren Ruth Ward have erupted onto the Los Angeles music scene.

Credit, Emery Becker. Lauren Ruth Ward at The Echo in February. Ward is wearing a Hydro Kitten tank.

Lauren Ruth Ward was bitten by the music bug at a young age and throughout high school remained one of her passions.  After graduation, Ward followed an interest in hairstyling eventually owning her own business by nineteen. In 2015, she made the move from her hometown of Baltimore to Los Angeles to pursue her interest in music further. It is in LA where she formed her alternative-folk band with Eduardo Rivera, Liv Slingerland and India Pascucci.  

Credit, Emery Becker. Eddie Rivera (Left), Lauren Ruth Ward (Center), Liv Slingerland (Right) at The Echo in April.

Balancing soulfully raspy — almost ethereal vocals with a strong message of authenticity, Ward immediately grabs listener’s attention. The rawness and honesty of “Did I Offend You?” and  “Make Love to Myself” instill a sense of fierceness and independence, particularly for women.  The music video for “Make Love to Myself” was shot at Harvard & Stone, featuring a cameo appearance by Ward’s singer-songwriter girlfriend LP.

  “Burden” was included on the June release of the album PLAG Sounds Vol. 1 as part of a team up with Play Like a Girl, an LA-based women’s collective.

Credit, Emery Becker. Lauren Ruth Ward in Los Angeles in January.

The anticipated full-length album Well, Hell is expected to be released on September 29th.

 Lauren Ruth Ward performs Friday, September 29th at the Bootleg Theater and the Constellation Room at the Observatory in Santa Ana on Saturday, September 30th.

Credit, Balcony TV.

By, Brigitte ‘Jet’ Raksin

Original Post for 88.5 FM

Contribution by, LAWeekly, Lauren Ruth Ward

Photo, Emery Becker

Video, Lauren Ruth Ward, Balcony TV

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By, Brigitte Raksin

Contribution by, Jim Long, Paige Sierra

Photo, Brigitte Raksin

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GRANADA HILLS, CA – In today’s digital world, it’s hard for consumers and aspiring artists to see a picture or hear a song and know whether it has been retouched – And if the original was anything like it.

Credit, Josh Beavers. Jim Long & The Longevity Band Performing at Harvest Fusion Festival in Montana.

The reason songs are mixed after recording is to make sure it has uniformity and can relay well to the listener. Mixing is a way to iron out any mistakes or irregularities that stand out during playback. Country artist and producer Jim Long says sometimes when mixing a song, it’s possible to lose sight of the initial concept because of production tools.

He says, “Maybe we lose some organic sense of the original that’s being caught when something is being created.”

 Software like ProTools can change the sound of a musician’s voice. It can even add in programmed instrument samples. But regardless of the mixing – the outcome is the most important part says Long.

 “A good song is a good song, so there’s no way around it.”

Credit, Jesse Thompson. Paige Sierra shooting FVDED In the Park Festival at Holland Park in Surrey British Columbia.

Photos just like music can also be altered by programs like Photoshop. As a photographer that shoots mostly with musicians Paige Sierra says that editing is part of the artistic process.

 She says, “I think that depending on what your motive behind the editing is then it’s okay.”

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Graham Cochrane of The Recording Revolution blog says “we are so overly critical of our own work and afraid of delivering a bad mix that we have a hard time objectively listening as a music fan would listen.” The problem with editing too much is it can change an image or song into something unrealistically perfect – discouraging aspiring artists and disengaging fans. Some over edited artists themselves can’t even live up to that ideal says Sierra.

 “A local artist who’s trying to get out there and you’ve got these perfectly photo shopped images of yourself and that’s not really who you are, in the end then people aren’t going to be able to relate to you.”

 Some professionals like Paige Sierra and Jim Long understand that skewing reality can change the organic originality of an artist.  

Credit, Mix with the MASTERS.

By, Brigitte Raksin

Contribution by, The Recording Revolution

Photo, Josh Beavers, Jesse Thompson

Video, Mix with the MASTERS

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By, Brigitte Raksin

Photo, Brigitte Raksin

Contribution by, Trevor Edwards, Dean Risko

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GRANADA HILLS, CA – Many musicians today are turning away from record labels to produce and disperse their own content.

Credit, A Hope for Tomorrow. A Hope for Tomorrow performing at Vans Warped Tour 2013.

Music can be released at no cost to fans quickly and easily because technological advancements have provided artists with more access to tools for production and distribution. Independently they are able to fill many, if not all, of the roles traditionally done by record labels. Signing with a label isn’t necessary to succeed, says A Hope for Tomorrow’s screamer Trevor Edwards, because the internet levels the playing field.

 He says, “If you’re proactive enough and work on your craft, or product so to speak, I feel like that’s going to take you somewhere.”

 Paid streaming subscriptions to services like Spotify and Tidal have surpassed physical sales and even digital music downloads. Free online media platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud can launch artists to stardom. For example, Justin Bieber’s career started from his mom posting videos of him performing Edwards says.

 “Usher heard him on a YouTube video and like looked him up, and then now he’s you know one of the biggest artists in the world so you know it’s fair game for everyone really.”

Credit, Miguel Mendoza. Dean Risko on stage at the Complex in Glendale California.

Organization and discipline are required to create an album. If an artist wants to be concerned with the creative rather than the business, that’s where labels come in says South African born singer and rapper Dean Risko.

 He says, “Record labels can be necessary if you’re not the type of artist that is really willing to do the kind of grassroots from the ground up hustle.”

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Labels take care of recording, social media presence and the tour. But they take a larger cut of profits for doing work that the artist doesn’t do. The big difference, says Risko, is that the record labels have reach and connections.

 “With independent artists that don’t sign, it’s not so formulated. I think it’s just kind of like you throw things in the air and hope it works.”

 The relevance of record labels is still up for debate in the music world. But groups like A Hope for Tomorrow are intent on challenging the role of major labels.

Credit, Power 106 Los Angeles.

By, Brigitte Raksin

Contribution by, UPROXX, Quartz

Photo, A Hope for Tomorrow, Miguel Mendoza

Video, Power 106 Los Angeles

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GRANADA HILLS, CA – Willie Nelson and other big name artists are cutting back on pollution by using biodiesel on tour in recent years.

Credit, Houston Chronicle, Nelson filling up his tour bus with biodiesel

Musicians like Radiohead, Linkin Park and Dave Matthews Band have switched to using biodiesel for their tour buses because of increased concern about climate change. This is part of a growing trend of so called “green tours.”

Co-founder of the non-profit organization Reverb, Adam Gardner works with Green Music Group to advocate for more eco-friendly changes in the music industry. Gardner said that Nelson along with Neil Young and Bonnie Raitt were the early adopters of the change.

EsoSalon reported that promoters like Live Nation and AEG have adopted policies that make “green tours” commonplace. Nelson has been known for his eco-friendly habits for decades.

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Bronx-based Tri-State Biodiesel said artists reducing the environmental impact of their tours are “biodiesel rock stars.” Biodiesel, known as B20, is made from vegetable oil, fat and grease blended with 20 percent petroleum-based diesel.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said that biodiesel does reduce pollution.  B20 doesn’t require any engine modifications but does need more maintenance which could be costly.

General Manager of Pioneer Coach in Nashville, Douglas Oliver said that fuel filters need to be changed twice as often as diesel fuel filters.  The cost of diesel at the pump is already 10 to 15 percent more than regular gas. Oliver said the high cost may be the reason why requests for biodiesel tour buses are rare.  Hemphill Brothers president and CEO Trent Hemphill said that some clients have actually experienced lower fuel economy.

Lower fuel economy means more trips to the gas station and more fuel used which is the opposite of the desired effect. There is also an eco-friendly modification that may prove to be a solution to the problem.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid breaks down dangerous emissions when it is added to the exhaust stream. DEF turns the exhaust into nitrogen and oxygen that are harmless and found in the earth’s ozone.

Hemphill said his customers are overall satisfied with the available green technologies.

By Brigitte Raksin

Contributions from, billboard.com, ecosalon.com

Photo, Houston Chronicle

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NORTHRIDGE, CA – Guns N Roses is bringing back its iconic bullet logo just in time to headline Coachella this Saturday.

Credit, polyvore.com, The 1986 Guns N Roses Bullet Logo

Shortly after Christmas the band’s website had a surprise for fans. At the top of the page was its old logo.The original 1986 logo from the album “Like a Suicide” shows two opposite facing revolvers intertwined by thorny roses.The bullet insignia is rumored to come from the combination of Hollywood Ruins and L.A. Guns to create the band Guns N Roses.It is one of the most famous band logos, comparable with Led Zeppelin’s fallen Angel and Rolling Stone’s hot lips.

For most of the world the change wasn’t noticeable, but for long-time Guns N Roses fans it was a sign of the band’s former hair-metal glory.

E! Online originally reported that the change could mean a reunion may be coming.  As predicted the band announced that a reunion tour will begin this year starting with two headline gigs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival.The performances will kick off Guns N Roses 20 scheduled stadium shows.

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The band has been dormant since its disintegration in 1993.  In 2012 Guns N Roses was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. The well-known temperamental front man Axl Rose bailed on the induction ceremony leaving fans confused about the future for the band.  

The hair metal band, dubbed “a high-functioning, talented train wreck” by Salon entertained Gen Xers in the 1980’s. Guns N Roses’ return will mark an introduction of arena-rock bands to the millennial generation.Former Billboard executive Andrew Hampp said the revival is a much needed one because new generations of music lovers will have plenty to connect with. Earlier this month the band played for an intimate audience of 500 at West Hollywood’s famous music venue the Troubadour.

In further music news AC/DC front man Brian Johnson has withdrawn from the remainder of the “Rock or Bust” world tour.Johnson admitted this month that the decision stems from progressive hearing loss but that he will still record for the band in studio.AC/DC’s European tour will continue next month but with one major change that has some fans reeling.It has been confirmed that Guns N Roses’ Axl Rose will fill in for Johnson for the rest of the tour.

By Brigitte Raksin

Contributions from Ad Week, LA Weekly and nola.com

Photo, polyvore.com

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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Kesha’s appeal to end her contract with Sony was rejected by a New York state judge this week.

Credit, theguardian.com, Kesha leaving a New York courthouse

The pop star’s legal battle with Sony and her former producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald started in 2014.  Kesha said her contract forced her to work exclusively with the producer even after she claimed he assaulted her.

In February a court ruled that she must honor the agreements of her contract.  Her attorney Mark Geragos filed an appeal last month. Last October the artist proposed that she record with RCA without involvement or retaliation from Dr. Luke and his companies. Geragos said Sony and Dr. Luke denied her proposition.

He said they plan to enforce the exclusivity rights stipulated in her contract.  Sony and Dr. Luke said Kesha is free to work with other producers but they won’t refrain from threatening legal action against them.

TMZ reported that Geragos compared the restrictions placed on the 29-year-old to slavery.

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Her appeal is separate from another ongoing lawsuit against the producer.  She accused Dr. Luke of physical and emotional abuse – including claims that he drugged and raped her.

Kesha called his alleged abuses against her a hate crime. In 2014 she checked into an Illinois rehab for an eating disorder.  Her doctors said that continued contact with Dr. Luke would be life-threatening.

The producer denied all allegations and filed a countersuit against Kesha and her mother. A spokesperson for Dr. Luke told Rolling Stone that Kesha didn’t have any facts to back up her accusations and the only thing she isn’t free to do is continue lying.

His spokesperson said that the artist continued to go to work and enter into new contracts with Dr. Luke after the alleged assault.  They claim that the lawsuit is a publicity stunt.

This case has sparked public interest and gained support from celebrities like Taylor Swift who donated $250,000 to Kesha.  

Kesha hasn’t released a statement in response to the latest ruling.

 By Brigitte Raksin

Contributions from musicnews.com, documentcloud.org, hollywoodreporter.com

Photo, theguardian.com

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GRANADA HILLS, CA – Taylor Swift released an ad for Apple Music earlier this month that boosted Drake’s iTunes sales 431 percent.

Credit, billboard.com, Taylor Swift is running on the treadmill to “Jumpman” by Drake in an Apple Music ad

On April 1st Swift posted a funny video of her dancing and running on a treadmill while listening to Drake’s song “Jumpman.” The one-minute commercial shows the artist so caught up in the music that she falls off of the treadmill. The video is one of many recent ads for Apple’s new music streaming service Apple Music.

After the ad aired over all of Swift’s social media sites iTunes sales of “Jumpman” jumped 431 percent. In the commercial she chooses to run to Apple Music’s #gymflow playlist which grew 325 percent to the number five playlist of the week.

The ad was viewed over 20 million times on Facebook and Instagram. On the artist’s Twitter it had almost 120,000 likes and just over 66,000 retweets.

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Apple Music’s head of content Larry Jackson said the idea was to create something informative and funny with a hook. Jackson compared making the ad to writing a catchy song.

He pointed out that Swift was the ideal candidate because on Instagram alone it could reach her 73 million followers.

Apple Music decided to work with Black Hand Cinema to produce the ad instead of using an advertising agency. Director Anthony Mendler said that it wasn’t a slight to agencies but it was about finding partners to create content quickly. Increased ad campaigns on social media platforms shows a shift in how marketing and music sales are changing in the industry today. Mendler said that things are happening at a different pace from where they were three years ago and advertising in a more intimate way is the future.  

Shortly after the commercial aired online it was running as a 60 second TV ad on major networks like CBS, NBC and ABC.

Apple Music plans to compete with other music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora but differs because it requires that users pay-to-play.

Business Insider reported that Drake tweeted over the weekend that he will release his upcoming album “Views from the 6” exclusively on Apple Music. The tweet was later taken down but is an example of artists limiting the availability of their music to select streaming services. Fourtune.com reported that last year Drake was said to have signed a $19 million contract with Apple to promote Apple Music.  

By Brigitte Raksin

Contributions from billboard.com, fourtune.com

Photo, billboard.com

Video, youtube.com

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