“Salvation & Soul Restoration”
Cari Hutson
Austin-based vocalist and songwriter Cari Hutson is thrilled for the release of her new EP, “Salvation & Soul Restoration,” out Feb. 12.
“The five songs bridge the musical horizons of blues icons and modern-day songstresses, a spectrum of Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Beth Hart and Melissa Etheridge collide,” said Glide Magazine in their premiere of the EP.
“I am grateful for the experience of making this EP with my husband at the helm,” Hutson says. “It was in the time at home in quarantine that Hunter and I were able to dive back into songwriting. We worked so well together, it was really quite seamless. The musicians you hear in this collection of songs are friends. They are family. There’s a whole lotta heart in these five songs.”
“Make it Happen!”
Stacey Peasley
Boston’s beloved family musician Stacey Peasley celebrates a positive message of empowerment, courage and strength with the release of her fifth kids’ album, “Make it Happen!” on Feb. 12. The album has also just been honored with a 2021 NAPPA Award.
“Make it Happen!” centers on creating relationships and experiences, both individual and community. Each of the album’s 10 original songs imparts a story carefully crafted to resonate with children and families.
A 28-year professional music career was launched when 18-year-old Stacey Peasley became a member of the NYC-based girl group, The Chiclettes. Peasley will forever retain a deep love and appreciation for the innocent, catchy songs of the girl-group era. For the past decade, however, Peasley has dedicated her career to performing for children and families, with credits that include writing and recording four critically acclaimed albums, “Together” (2011), “Lucky Day” (2014), “RSVP” (2016) and “Under the Tree” (2019), and awards from Creative Child Magazine, Parents’ Choice and NAPPA.
“Nothing Unexpected”
Modeling
Fayetteville electronic band Modeling make their mark with the release of their cinematic, synth-inspired single “Nothing Unexpected,” out Feb. 18. Expertly combining their DIY attitude, bold lyricism and nostalgic sound, the single is the third off their upcoming EP, due late Spring. The new single takes influence from the films and sounds of the ’80s with elements of synthwave and pop. Visually, it’s inspired by the retrofuture aesthetics from movies such as “Drive” and “Blade Runner.”
The three-piece cinematic electronic band comprised of brothers Connor, Ryan and Cuinn Brogan comes from a prog-rock background. Their first instruments were electric guitars and acoustic drums their dad introduced to them at a young age.
Film plays a major role in their creative process. The brothers were movie fans long before they played an instrument and, eventually, the movies crept into their music. Each idea goes through the process of being played over muted movie scenes on YouTube to see if it works. “It’s important that each piece of music we write has its own world for the listener to escape to,” the band explains.
Now, returning with “Nothing Unexpected,” the trio provide an escape from the mundane, bending genre norms and constantly pushing boundaries with their ever-evolving sound.
Listen to the new single now at bit.ly/modelingnothing, and find the band @modelingmusic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
“The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band”
Menahan Street Band
Daptone Records
Menahan Street Band is preparing for the release of their upcoming album “The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band,” out Feb. 26 — their first album in more than nine years. “The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band” is a milestone that reveals new dimensions in tone and timbre, as well as mood and design. Renowned as the musicians that accompanied the great Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones both in the studio and on stage, Menahan Street Band rise to the moment with a beat-forward, cinematic masterpiece.
Produced by Thomas Brenneck in the collective’s very own Diamond Mine Studios in Long Island City, N.Y., the forthcoming album is actualized with a mingling of hip hop, rock and roll, funk and all of the eccentricities in between. Celebrated artist, Ariana Papademetropoulis lends her imaginative style to help create the striking album artwork; a visceral visual that pairs well with the arsenal of analog instrumentation employed in the making of the album.
With not enough live music to fill a weekly listing, this spot will be filled by news and reviews of new albums, both local and national. Send information about your new releases to Jocelyn Murphy at [email protected] .