Who – Albert Rivera

Originally From – Bronx New York

Music Style – Jazz

Instruments – Tenor and Soprano Saxophone

School - Attended LaGuardia H.S. of Music and Art and Performing Arts “Fame”, New School University Jazz and Cotemporary Program

Most Popular Performance Venues – York’s Smalls Jazz Club, Sweet Rhythm, Zinc Bar, Cleopatra’s Needle, and the River Room of Harlem

Album – “Re-Introduction”

When I think of the music of Albert Rivera, it reminds me of being at the mountain top looking over the horizon. His music is very powerful and full of emotion. Albert’s album has a new sound that lets the listener know how far jazz has evolved and has not lost its way. It’s important that we have dedicated Jazz musicians dedicated to keeping this music alive. The sound of the saxophone is very smooth and articulate and it blends well with his choice of players for the piano, drums and bass.  “My Way of Sayin’ It” is my favorite track on the album, because it really shows his personality and passion. His dexterity and timing are uncontrollable.

I have had the honor to attend high school with Albert, and I have seen where his journey with jazz music began. Being in the different bands at school allows you to have the opportunity and exposure to grow as a musician. He is truly on his way to becoming one of the greats. The sound of his quartet is electrifying; they have so much energy and have been performing together for a long time. Mr. Rivera is well known around New York City and in the jazz community. He is constantly traveling and keeping a busy performance schedule.

I look forward to his next album.

For more go to – http://www.albertriverajazz.com/music

]]> http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/10/03/artist-of-the-week-albert-rivera/feed/ 0 http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/29/artist-of-the-week-marc-armstead/ http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/29/artist-of-the-week-marc-armstead/#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:52:38 +0000 Luxi Lauri http://meandthestereo.wordpress.com/?p=665 Marc Armstead

I have had the honor to meet Marc while I was in LA. He is a true aspiring music who can put you in a state of wonder. His voice is very tender and soft and his words completely make you think about life. Marc’s connection to the guitar is simply amazing, because his skills and chord playing are smooth and emotional. I took some time to ask him a few questions and get his view on things in his life. I love his music, and I know you will too. This is my ARTIST OF THE WEEK!

1. Where are you from? What is your age?

I am from Redlands, California. I am 25.

2. When did you begin your music career?

I began to sing at the age of 2 in church. I have been singing since I can remember, and I play the guitar.

3. Where do you perform?

I perform at the Santa Monica Pier.

4. What is your favorite place to perform?

My favorite place to sing is at the beach. I have always wanted to sing and be able to go on tour and open up for Nora Jones or Brian McKnight.

5. What is your style of music?

My style of music is closely identified with the blues.

6. What has been the most challenging experience being an up and coming artist?

The most challenging experience for me is having the courage to perform my music like I feel my music.

7. What has been the hardest time in your life?

8. What schools did you go to?

I went to California State San Bernardino where I studied music.

9. What is your targeting audience?

I want to influence kids around the world.

10. What message do you give in your music?

11. What is your advice to an up and coming artist?

Familiarize yourself with yourself.

12. What do you value most in life?

You know the answer to that, MUSIC. :)                

Album due out soon!!!!!

Please Check out his music at    www.myspace.com/marcfindstheblues

Photos thanks to Amarie Darvai and Christopher Cody

Darvai.de.Cody.Photography@gmail.com

]]> http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/29/artist-of-the-week-marc-armstead/feed/ 0 http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/22/artist-of-the-week-dealership/ http://www.meandthestereo.com/2009/08/22/artist-of-the-week-dealership/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:47:14 +0000 Neto http://meandthestereo.wordpress.com/?p=611 Dealership is…

Chris Groves – Bass, Vocals
Jane Pinckard – Guiar, Keys, Vocals
Chris Whetherell – Drums, Vocals
Jesse Hudson – Guitar, Bass

1. What is this band?

Dealership would have been on my list of video game inspired music but I wanted to highlight them in my Artist of the Week recommendation.  I first discovered this band because I was intrigued by the theme song for the video game review show Co-OP.

After doing some digging and googling, I discovered that the theme song was co-written and performed by Jane Pinckard, who writes the blog Game Girl Advance.  On her blog profile, I found out that she is a memeber of Dealership.  After a google search failed to give me anything in the way of samples, I checked iTunes.  Itunes had their latest album for ten dollars.  It was now or never.  It was a gamble but it was one that would end up paying off.

2. What do they sound like?

Like Link and Mario picked up a guitar and played along with their games’ background music.

Dealership adds an electronic sound to a standard rock trio to create this fusion of rock and pop. Meanwhile, Jane Pinckard’s vocals lend it a soft touch. It is reminiscent of The Postal Service but simpler.

3. Got some samples?

4. Where Do I Go From Here?

Check out their website.  They have several songs on there for you to download.  And they have links for where you can buy their album.  You can also get their latest album Action/Adventure on iTunes.  If you listen to them and end up liking them, go back to their website for their contact page, let them know you liked their work and ask about their new album.  It was supposed to be released last year.

Metric is…

Emily Haines – Vocals/Keys
James Shaw – Guitar
Joules Scott Key – Drums
Josh Winstead – Bass

1. What do they sound like?

Everything you’d want to know about Metric is here. But let me describe their sound for you: They are a four-piece; drummer, bassist, guitarist and vocals/keyboards. They utilize every one of their instruments. These musicians are extremely talented. They sound like you’re in a trance/dance club, but the music is bearable instead of being annoying. But the beats, like in a club, make you move. They make your chest vibrate from the way these songs bounce. You are constantly surrounded by sound. If the guitar and bass aren’t flying away, the synth or keys are flooding you with noise; melodies on top of melodies produced just by two of the musicians, as the drums keep the beat and the bassist adds that extra thump.

But that’s not the only facet of their music. The lyrics hold their own, here. It’s clear this band believes the lyrics are as important as the music, and if a band can pull that off, they’ve conquered their issues with image. So, the lyrics are good; if there’s a great guitar or piano hook going on, you can bet there’s a good lyric to sing along with it. The band is female fronted, so some songs address issues with sexism. Other songs address restlessness with life, issues with government, and some random life stories.

2. Where should I start?

Start by picking up some songs from “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” Some of my favorites are “IOU”, “Combat Baby”, “On a Slow Night” and “The List”. I would suggest you get the entire album and listen to it from front-to-back, but if that’s not of interest to you, definitely pick up those songs. “Old World Underground…” is their second album, so after that, I’d pick up their third album “Live It Out” or listen to “Empty” and “Poster of a Girl” from that album. Also, if you want to hear a gem of a song from Metric before they were a full lineup and it was mostly just Shaw and vocalist Emily Haines doing everything, listen to “The Twist.” It’s one of the most enjoyable, serious and pounding songs I’ve heard.

3. Got some samples?

Here you are:

And if you MUST hear more!

There you go! Hope you enjoyed this week’s Artist of the Week! If you didn’t, let me know in the comments and I’ll make sure to yell at you for not enjoying good music! See you next week!

Source for the first Metric photo, here. Second pic’s source is here.