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by Joshua Schwartz
To center stage steps a handsome young man with tussled curls and an impish smile. He speaks with a proper English accent – though he is said to be from London…and he does, in fact, support one of London’s top ranking football teams, Arsenal (I’ll try not to hold that against him), he has no sign of the common cockney dialect, but rather presents himself as a charming and refined gentleman with a quick wit and a gleam in his eye.
Gently plucking the strings he begins. Then, he sings. His voice dances with a lovely lilt, telling stories in the classic folk tradition; of emigrants, of the quest for fame and fortune, of the fear of moving to NYC, and of lost love. Crafted words and beautiful old world melodies updated with 21st century pop sensibilities. Music that would be as comfortable in an old Irish pub as it would be at any current venue on the Lower East Side. He is a classic singer/songwriter, but with a clever Celtic twist that separates him from the rest of his contemporaries.
Ian Axel, who performed first, blew audience members away with his fresh, classically-influenced instrumentals, and honest, clever lyrics. The 23-year old New Yorker played some of his newer tunes, one of which had never before been performed! Audience members seemed impressed by his natural musical ability and impressive instrumentals. Axel's vocals bear a striking resemblance to those of Ben Folds, and his compositional structure is similar to that of Keane. Fans of these bands, and similar music, will undoubtedly appreciate him.
Erin Sax Seymour kicked off her tour at the Circle, and her Alternative-Country flare was one that truly brought something unique to the stage. Seymour began writing as a way to deal with difficulties as a teenager, and her vast understanding of the world at such a young age is evident at first listen.
Texas-born Bret Mosely also delivered an excellent Americana performance, where he made his folk-rock roots and influences evident. His wisdom-rich lyrics definitely brought something special to the stage. His debut album, Light & Blood, has faired extremely well since its 2007 release. Mosely can be heard throughout the United States in the remainder of the year.
(visit podcast.redbananamedia.com to listen to the broadcast off the air, and even download it if you like what you hear!)
Remember Dana Alexandra? That hot little number we featured back in June? (If you didn't read the feature, please do! You can get to it by clicking here.) Well, back then we reviewed her debut record, Fashionably Late, and I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that you can now purchase your very own copy through iTunes!!! You can also purchase a hardcopy of the record online, or at any of Ms. Alexandra's shows! If you buy only one record this summer, I highly suggest that it be this one. This is definitely an album that will become a staple in your musical library for years to come! I guarantee that each time you listen will be as refreshing as the first, so grab your copy now!
Okay people, I tried my best to keep this to myself until I had a proper write-up in the works, but I only lasted about 2 hours. This music is AMAZING. It's from a band called Empathy in Kansas, which features Ryan McAdoo and Sean Morey. They are only 17...and it's some of the best music I've ever heard in my life. While I may sometimes be overly dramatic, I'm also very accurate! You will understand once you hear it for yourself. If you do nothing else before you go to bed tonight, take a listen to their MySpace. (Go to the bathroom and grab a snack, because you'll be there for a while. Good luck breaking away.) I will work on getting you all a more in depth feature with these two, but until then, enjoy!
ATTENTION IAN AXEL: Stop, drop, and roll! That's right, this boy is on fire! Though this 23 year-old is just breaking into the music scene, his debut album, I'm On To You, makes him seem like a seasoned professional. He is an extremely accomplished pianist, and the classical training shows, both technically and compositionally. This foundation has allowed him to shape his music in a much richer way. Unlike many artists in today's music scene, Axel does not have to hide weak instrumentals or songwriting abilities behind a vocal mask. In fact, the vocals did not even erupt from his larynx until he was 20! Luckily for him, they are naturally flawless, and fit perfectly with his apparent personal and pianistic quirk.
But you don't have to take my word for it! (I have waited so long for Reading Rainbow references to fit into context!) I am certainly not the only one who thinks this to be true. For instance, MTV can't seem to get enough! Both "Heartbreak Girl" and "Stand Tall" were featured on The Real World in June of this year, and "We Are" was not only featured on The Read World Award Bash in April, but on The Hills as well! Maybe it's time for them to give in to their true desires, and give him his own show!
Now let's talk about this album! I'm On To You may seem like a short record, but don't let the number of tracks fool you! Only 6 tracks are listed (There's a hidden track! I know, I love them too!), but each one packs quite a punch. They provoke a level of joy similar to a Church service like the ones in Sister Act! For those of you who have not seen Sister Act: First of all, where have you been?! Secondly, I apologize that I have made this visual difficult for you, but just imagine the most enthusiastic choir party you've ever experienced! Trust me, as you listen to this album, you'll be singing your hallelujahs as you give in to the undeniable temptation to join the Ian Axel choir!
I can honestly say this is a record I am unable to find flaws in. Each track is thrown out with a poised enthusiam, yet manages to be raw at the same time. "Heartbreak Girl" is wild and fun, while "We Are" is simply beautiful. My favorite track, however, is "Stand Tall". Perhaps opening the album with it was the most brilliant move of all. It is inspirational, and immediately involves the listener. A connection between the musician and audience is automatically set in place for the rest of the record, with exposure to highly relatable emotions, and a call that can be directed not only at himself, but to everyone. After this we are sold. Ian is now our friend, and we love him. It's a magical moment when you can dance and cry simultaneously. It is one of life's sweetest releases, and it is carried directly to our ears by Ian Axel- our servant of delicious pop sounds.
Future Show Dates:
July, 24 2008 08:00 PM - World Cafe Live (NY Songwriter’s Circle in Philly)
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 - $13
August, 8 2008 07:00 PM - tba
San Francisco, California
August, 9 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Los Angeles, California
August, 15 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Atlanta, Georgia
August, 16 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Miami Beach, Florida
August, 21 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Houston, Texas
August, 22 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Austin, Texas
August, 23 2008 07:00 PM - tba
San Antonio, Texas
August, 30 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Denver, Colorado
September, 6 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Las Vegas, Nevada
September, 18 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Westchester, New York
September, 19 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Boston, Massachusetts
September, 25 2008 07:00 PM - tba
Chicago, Illinois
As we reported to you earlier this summer, The StereoFidelics are valiantly taking over the world's soundwaves, beginning with their 50 day musical trek across the country. They began their travels at the end of June, and currently have dates set through the beginning of October! What started out as a 50 day venture, appears to have expanded! As they bravely battle exhaustion, extreme heat, and high gas prices, they have been kind enough to post some montages from tour for us all to enjoy! 
She Will Always Love You! ...or at least for a few years.
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