Judd Starr: "Firefly"

Here's another video sent along by the great folks at Ariel Publicity, an unapologetic pop song from Judd Starr. He'll pop up on The Mental Nomad Podcast before he shows up on Pod Across America -- his state, Nevada, is a long ways down that road.

A new Pod Across America show is coming tomorrow, to be followed Tuesday and Wednesday by the two-part 2008 Holidaze Special.

Q&A: Singer Sabrina Shaheen

Here's the latest interview with an Ariel Publicity artist, singer Sabrina Shaheen. This Michigan native has appeared on The Mental Nomad Podcast, and she's been part of the video podcast feed (click the tag at the bottom to see previous entries) -- she'll probably turn up on the Pod Across America show in good time, also.

Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting? I currently live in Lake Orion, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. I can write music wherever I am at the time something strikes. I live on a small lake, so that helps bring about a mood to write, too.

How long have you been playing and what was your first instrument? I started playing the organ when I was only about 4. Then I moved onto the piano at 6 years old. I have been playing the piano ever since. I also began singing when I was a teenager.

How much has heartbreak contributed to your songwriting? Heartbreak, life lessons and joyous times are all reflected in my songs. Each life experience lends itself to material for a song, although in most of my songs, I blend some reality with some imagination. I always turned to music whenever I was feeling down, and it helped me get through various experiences in my life.

What are your main musical influences? I have so many influences, it's hard to narrow down (as Christina from Ariel Publicity can attest! :-) ). Mainly, the great classical composers, rock groups such as Aerosmith, Boston, Kid Rock, jazz great Ella Fitzgerald, songwriter Diane Warren, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Pat Benatar, Christina Aguilera and many, many more!

If you could take back a song you've released because you're not excited about it now in hindsight, which one would it be? I have a few songs that didn't turn out as good as they may have first seemed, but I try not to regret anything. Songwriting is a process, and with each album, I grow a little more. I am happy with each project, and I try to continually improve to be better and better.

What's the last album you bought that you're enjoying? Kid Rock's newest CD, which I love.

Have you seen any great live shows lately? I love going to concerts and live shows. The first concert I ever went to was Joe Jackson. The second concert I saw was Prince. Kid Rock puts on an amazing show, which I recently saw. I also saw Gwen Stefani and Jon Bon Jovi in concert this year. Both of those shows were great, also.

What was the first album you ever bought? I don't remember the first album I ever bought, but the first album ever given to me as a gift was Linda Rondstadt's Blue Bayou. I loved it!

What's your favorite artist and album? I have way too many favorites to mention just one.

If you could create your own fantasy music festival, who would the top 6 headliners be? Beyonce, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera, Aerosmith, Madonna, Nickelback

What is your favorite physical record store? It used to be Harmony House, until it went out of business. Now I'd say Borders, Best Buy and Target are about the same.

David Johansen or Iggy Pop? To be honest, I had to check out both of their music. Even though I know who they are I wasn't that familiar with their songs. I think they are both great and I would listen to both of their styles, depending on my mood.

Keith or Mick? Both are legends and both are amazing. The songwriting team has created some of the best songs around, and The Rolling Stones is one of the greatest bands of all time.

You have $5 to spend on dinner. What are you eating? A Whopper Junior, fries and a sprite at Burger King.

What's your favorite magazine to read? Elle magazine.

What do you think is the most alarming media story in the last few months? I believe the wars are very alarming. In addition, closer to home, the economy is extremely alarming. I live in Michigan, where the economy has been poor for a while. Since the auto companies are literally going bankrupt, there has been such a trickle down effect, that every person and household have been greatly affected.

Do you support any specific charities, and how do you give back as an artist? I support the Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Saginaw County and CARE House of Oakland County. Both of these are dedicated to protecting children and saving them from a life of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. I also support Haven, which is a shelter in Oakland County for women and children of abuse.

Have you read any great books lately? I've been reading The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks.

What is the most adventurous food you've ever eaten? I think the most adventurous food I've ever eaten has to be some crazy Japanese sushi that most people would never eat!

Do you read any online music magazines, if so, which ones? Since I've been signed with Ariel Publicity, I've been reading more online magazines like MF Magazine, Mean Street, and Steppin' Out Magazine (just to name a few).

Sabrina Shaheen's music is for sale at Amazon, at her Web site, and on iTunes.

Sabrina Shaheen - Love Is...

Cush & The Intelligent Designers: "Happy Accidents" (7 videos, NSFW)

Take Cush's great folk-inspired rock 'n' roll, add a couple of beautiful women comfortable with artistic nudity, throw in an arthouse film-feeling storyline, and you get these seven videos. (He's also got a film called "The Blue Bunny" up on YouTube, and yes, the name's a nod to Vincent Gallo's widely panned film The Brown Bunny. But this is only mildly NSFW, not the full-on porn that Gallo did.)

Part 1: "Won't Let It Rain"



Part 2: "Ordinary Vices"



Part 3: "The Way You Need"



Part 4: "All You Get"



Part 5: "Sweet Doomed Angel"



Part 6: "Little Black Dress" (featured way back in Mental Nomad Podcast Episode 46)



Part 7: "Beautiful Something"



The Happy Accidents album is available at Amazon, at CD Baby and on iTunes.

Cush And The Intelligent Designers - Happy Accidents

Holidaze: 2007 Winter Special, Part 2 (repost)

Concluding the repeats of last year's two-part holiday special. Look for a new Pod Across America on Dec. 1 and a new holiday edition of The Mental Nomad Podcast on Dec. 3.

Here's what you'll hear today (direct download here):

Podsafe for Peace, "If Every Day Were Christmas" (Podshow)
Dean Martin, "Jingle Bells (Dan the Automator remix)" (IODA Promonet)
Josh Jacobson, "The Chanukah Song" (Podshow)
Krista Detor, "Christmas in London" (IODA)
Oppenheimer, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (Podshow)
Tony Evans and His Orchestra, "White Christmas" (IODA)
James Curley, "My Last Silent Night" (via the artist's MySpace site)
Admiral Twin, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (Podshow)
Gloria Reuben, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (IODA)
Charlie Crowe, "O Holy Night" (Podshow)
Jeffrey Scot Wills, "Frosty the Snowman" (IODA)
Allison Crowe, "In the Bleak Midwinter" (Podshow)
Mario Ajero, "Auld Lang Syne" (Podshow)

IODA-sponsored tracks may be downloaded below, presuming the promotions haven't expired. Proceeds from the sale of the Podsafe for Peace track go to UNICEF.

Dean Martin
"Jingle Bells (Dan The Automator Remix)" (mp3)
from "Christmas Remixed - Holiday Classics Re-Grooved"
(Rock River Music)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

Krista Detor
"Christmas in London" (mp3)
from "Christmas in London"
(Corazong Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album



Gloria Reuben
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (mp3)
from "Let it Glo"
(Celebrity Loop)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
More On This Album



Tony Evans & His Orchestra
"White Christmas" (mp3)
from "I Love Christmas"
(Tema International)
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album



Jeffrey Scot Wills
"Frosty the Snowman" (mp3)
from "A Central Standard Christmas"
(IMI)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Josh Charles: "Lucky Ones (live)"

Here's a performance clip from singer-songwriter Josh Charles, who's appeared on the show before, provided by the folks at Ariel Publicity.

Q&A: Rock duo Kaiser Cartel

New York-based duo Kaiser Cartel is a collaborative effort between singer-songwriters Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel. They've appeared before on the Mental Nomad Podcast, and they're likely to pop up on Pod Across America in due time.

They're interviewed here with the help of Ariel Publicity.



Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting?
Benjamin Cartel: I'm from New York. So I'm inspired by a lot of New York music like punk rock, hip hop, be-bop.
Courtney Kaiser: I'm from Indiana, and when I first moved, I felt like my songwriting was sounding more Midwestern than ever. But now, I feel like I'm just inspired all the time by anything and everything.

How long have you been playing, and what was your first instrument?
Kaiser: I have been singing my whole life. My first instrument was the piano at the age of 3.
Cartel: The saxophone was my first instrument. I started playing when I was 10 years old.

What are your main musical influences?
Cartel: The Ramones, The Lemonheads, The Beatles and Jonathan Richman.
Kaiser: Bjork, Sinead O'Connor and Julie Andrews from when I was really young.

Have you seen any great live shows lately?
Kaiser: Prince was the best live show I have ever seen, but that was a few years ago. The Beastie Boys are pretty awesome live.
Cartel: Desmond Dekker a few years ago, before he died.

What's the most personal song you've ever written and what was it based on?
Kaiser: All the songs we write or co-write are personal. They are either based on our individual lives or our pasts, or can be about the lives of people around us.


What was the first album you ever bought?
Kaiser: The first tape was probably a single of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me."
Cartel: The Clash (their first album).

What's your favorite artist or album?
Cartel: Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Kaiser: My Bloody Valentine's Loveless is my favorite album.

If you could create your own fantasy music festival, who would the top 6 headliners be?
Cartel: Prince, Public Enemy, Gnarls Barkley, Blonde Redhead, Radiohead and Bjork.
Kaiser: Beastie Boys, My Bloody Valentine, Bob Marley, Prince, Billie Holiday and The Staples Singers.


What is your favorite physical record store?
Kaiser: TD's CDs and LPs in Bloomington, Ind., when TD was alive, but now we both like Music Millennium in Portland. We just went there a month ago and really love it!

David Johansen or Iggy Pop?
Both: Iggy Pop

Keith or Mick?
Kaiser: Keith
Cartel: Mick

You have $5 to spend on dinner. What are you eating?
Kaiser: San Loco
Cartel: Zaytoon's


What's your favorite magazine to read?
Kaiser: Ready Made
Cartel: Spin

What do you think is the most alarming media story in the last few months?
Kaiser: All the news about Proposition 8.
Cartel: That people could take Sarah Palin seriously.

Editorial note: Views expressed by interview subjects don't necessarily reflect the views of Dancing Mattress Productions, but this time, they absolutely do.

Do you support any specific charities and how do you give back as an artist?
Kaiser: I support monthly to a women's charity named Women For Women. I also give money to Amnesty International.
Cartel: I support local radio station WNYC and WBGO. I don't believe in giving back; I just believe in giving.
Kaiser: We are giving a song to 1% For the Planet for an upcoming compilation they are doing. We both feel strongly about environmental issues, hence that we tour in a Prius ... among other things we do to keep down on our consumption.

Have you ever been inspired by an author or a book to write a song, and if so, which one?
Kaiser: Bringers of the Dawn by Barbara Marciniak.
Cartel: I am usually more inspired by films.

What is the most adventurous food you've ever eaten?
Kaiser: I ate some cooked worms (they were actually huge) in South Africa while in college.
Cartel: I ate some chicken at a college house party in Philadelphia.

KaiserCartel's music can be purchased at Amazon and iTunes.

KaiserCartel - March Forth


KaiserCartel - Okay (And Other Things We Feel) - EP

Donna Lewis: "Shout"

English singer Donna Lewis is seen here, courtesy of Ariel Publicity. You'll hear more from her in upcoming episodes.

This video and another, plus part two of the rerun of last year's holiday special, will be up later in the day. Some crossed wires in billing while expanding my monthly storage space -- all my fault, not my host's -- have led me to have to reinstate my account, so the feed isn't updating just yet.

Q&A: Rocker G Tom Mac

G Tom Mac is a musician you've probably heard, regardless of whether you know the name. His song "Cry Little Sister" was one of the most memorable cuts on the soundtrack to the film The Lost Boys. He's returned with a new album, Thou Shall Not Fall, that includes both the original version -- which he recorded under the name Gerard McMann -- and a new version recorded for the movie's sequel.

Both tracks were featured on The Mental Nomad Podcast circa Halloween this year, and he's popped up since then. Here he's interviewed through the assistance of the kind folks at Ariel Publicity.

Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting? I'm from Birmingham, England. I don't live there anymore; I live in L.A. Songwriting is wherever I hang my hat. ... So no one place dictates how my writing is affected.

How long have you been playing, and what was your first instrument? Been playing for 25 years; guitar is my first instrument.

What are your main musical influences? Inspired by Jeff Buckley, John Lennon (and the Beatles' White Album, especially), Curtis Mayfield and Stravinsky.

What's the last album you bought that you're enjoying? The Duke Spirit's last album.

Have you seen any great live shows lately? Mediaeval Baebes opened for me in Philly; they were wickedly cool.

What's the most personal song you've ever written, and what was it based on? "Wish You Well" from my new album, based on a relationship I just couldn't save as she couldn't save herself. We've all had one.

What was the first album you ever bought? David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust.

What's your favorite artist and album? Favorite artist, Beck. Favorite album, Extensions of a Man by Donny Hathaway.

If you could create your own fantasy music festival, who would the top 6 headliners be? Me, Foo Fighters, David Bowie, The Who, Gnarls Barkley, Dave Matthews.

What is your favorite physical record store? Ameoba.

David Johansen or Iggy Pop? Keith or Mick? Iggy and Keith for the laugh!

You have $5 to spend on dinner. What are you eating? Guinness.

What's your favorite magazine to read? Spin and Vanity Fair.

What do you think is the most alarming media story in the last few months? What else? Sarah Palin, over-exposed and done with. 'Til she takes Jay Leno's place.


Do you support any specific charities, and how do you give back as an artist? I support my mate Jaime Milnes' Getfit Goplay, an outstanding program for youth, mentorship, active and amazing!! I do whatever I can to be a mentor to youth and raise money for youth that want to improve their future.

Have you read any great books lately? Barack Obama's life ... real and real as it gets.

If you were a superhero, what famous musician would be your arch-nemesis and why? Jimmy Page ... the reason, any guitar solo he ever played on record, that's a challenge to me.

What is the most adventurous food you've ever eaten? Liver.

Do you read any online music magazines? If so, which ones? Spin, some others I can't remember.

G Tom Mac's music is available at Amazon and iTunes. And you can find him on Facebook.

G Tom Mac - Thou Shalt Not Fall


G TOM MAC - So Alive


G Tom Mac - G Tom Mac


Roger Daltrey featuring G Tom Mac - Witchblade the Music - Child of Mine - Roger Daltrey Featuring G Tom Mac

Q&A: Sylvia Bennett, jazz singer

Jazz singer Sylvia Bennett's warm vocals have graced The Mental Nomad Podcast before, and she's a strong contender for when Pod Across America arrives in Florida, too. Here's a Q&A with the singer, with thanks to the folks at Ariel Publicity.

Where are you from? How does living there affect your songwriting? Key Biscayne, Fla. It is such a peaceful, happy place that it makes me want to write songs of love and happiness.

How long have you been playing and what was your first instrument? I have been singing since I was 3 years old. I took piano lessons as a teenager.

What's the greatest thing that's ever been said about your music? Lionel Hampton said, “Man, the lady can sing! Her magic gets to the ears and the hearts of the audience.”

What are your main musical influences? Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler

What's the last album you bought that you're enjoying? Michael Buble

Have you seen any great live shows lately? Bette Midler in Las Vegas.

What was the first album you ever bought? A Frank Sinatra album; don’t remember the name.

First concert you ever attended? Michel Le Grand

What's your favorite artist and album? I don’t have a favorite artist and album; I just love music in general.

If you could create your own fantasy music festival, who would the top 6 headliners be? Michael Buble, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Bette Midler


What is your favorite physical record store? Specs

Keith or Mick? Mick

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

You have $5 to spend on dinner. What are you eating? Pasta

What's your favorite magazine to read? People

What do you think is the most alarming media story in the last few months? The economic downturn

Do you support any specific charities and how do you give back as an artist? I just became involved with UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) program. I will be performing at fundraising events.


Have you read any great books lately? I like reading romantic novels.

What is the most adventurous food you've ever eaten? California roll with eel

Do you read any online music magazines, if so, which ones? Billboard (I get their daily updates).

Ms. Bennett's music is available at her Web site, at Amazon, and on iTunes.

Sylvia Bennett - Songs from the Heart


Lionel Hampton featuring Sylvia Bennett - There Will Never Be Another You

Kristoffer Ragnstam: "Swing That Tambourine"

Here's another video courtesy of the great folks at Ariel Publicity, this one featuring artist Kristoffer Ragnstam. He's been featured in The Mental Nomad Podcast before, and you'll hear from him again not too terribly far in the future, I'm sure.

Miranda Vettrus: "Book of Lies"

Miranda Vettrus is a teenager, but thankfully, her work is quite different from the plastic cut-out singers grown in giant vats at the Disney laboratories. Her listed influences include Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, Blondie, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Go Gos ... and, having grown up in an amusement park in Oregon, she's well accustomed to jumping off great heights, so the music industry and eventual global conquest should be a breeze for her as long as she stays grounded and keeps her head straight.

You'll hear from her in a future episode of Pod Across America -- far in the future -- and sooner on the Mental Nomad Podcast.

(Her bio doesn't list the Pixies as an influence, but the style of this video reminds me of the video that band did for their cover of the Jesus & Mary Chain's song "Head On." And, in fact, the rhythm of this song reminds me a bit of the Pixies' sound as well.)

Val Emmich: "Get On With It"

Here's another video that came from the folks at Ariel Publicity, though I believe his promotion with them may have ended. This song appeared in last week's episode of the Mental Nomad Podcast.

Emmich is apparently an actor, as well as being a musician. A recent Cyber PR newsletter said he would be appearing on Ugly Betty.

Holidaze: 2007 Winter Special, Part 1 (repost)

We're closing out November's shows with a re-presentation of last year's two-parter with music reflecting a variety of winter holiday experiences. A new episode of holiday music likely will be coming along in December, maybe as early as the Dec. 3 episode; the next Pod Across America show is coming Dec. 1, as scheduled.

Here's what you'll hear today (direct download here):

The Klezmatics: "Hanukkah Tree" (lyrics by Woody Guthrie) (via IODA Promonet)
Fugli: "Patapon" (via Podshow)
Allison Crowe: "O Holy Night" (Podshow)
Charles Afton: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" (IODA)
Woody Phillips: "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (IODA)
Jonathan Coulton: "Chiron Beta Prime" (Podshow)
Stacey Kent: "The Christmas Song" (IODA)
Gary: "The Holly and the Ivy" (Podshow)
cLuMsY: "Santa's Hung Up His Sack" (via the band's MySpace site)
Jon Caspi: "Eight Days (A Chanukah Song)" (Podshow)
Robert Willey: "Winter Solstice" (Podshow)
Billy Paul Williams: "The Kwanzaa Song" (IODA)
The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx conductor: "Ave Maria" (IODA)



IODA-sponsored tracks may be downloaded below, assuming none of the promotions has expired:

Stacey Kent
"The Christmas Song" (mp3)
from "The Christmas Song"
(Candid Productions)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album



Woody Phillips
"The Twelve Days Of Christmas" (mp3)
from "A Toolbox Christmas"
(Gourd Music)
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album



The Cathedral Singers, Richard Proulx (conductor)
"Ave Maria" (mp3)
from "Catholic Latin Classics"
(GIA)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album



Charles Afton
"Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" (mp3)
from "The Reindeer Room II"
(Kriztal Entertainment Group, Inc.)
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album



Billy Paul Williams
"The Kwanzaa Song" (mp3)
from "The Reindeer Room Volume 3: Not So Silent Night"
(Kriztal Entertainment Group, Inc.)
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
More On This Album