May 23, 2008

Web hotbed of intriguing new music

Acts burn for your love, online

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

LOVELIKEFIRE
San Francisco indie-rockers LoveLikeFire deliver fresh and fiery songs. Ann Yu's vibrant vocals surge over tight instrumentation. "From a Tower" and "Skin and Bones" are particularly potent numbers. The material and performances send this foursome hurtling far above the mass of aspiring bands. LoveLikeFire plays BFD at Shoreline, June 4, and Cafe Du Nord on June 20.
www.lovelikefire.com

MAXX CABELLO JR.
The South Bay's powerhouse blues man really cooks on several MySpace page tunes. You'll also find links to YouTube clips on Cabello's page. His fiery, fluid guitar runs and soulful vocals will keep you riveted. Cabello opens for Chris Cain at Redwood City's Little Fox Theatre on May 30.
www.myspace.com/maxxcabellojr

THE MUMLERS
This intriguing San Jose indie-folk band offers wonderfully quirky instrumentation and involving vocals. The cleverly crafted songs call Tom Waits to mind. Play songs from their new "Thickets & Stitches" album and you'll want to hear more. The band has a big night coming up on June 4 - a free 8:30 p.m. concert at San Jose City Hall, followed by a show at San Francisco's Make-Out Room later that evening.
www.themumlers.com

MAIYSHA
While nurturing her dream of a singing career, Brooklyn's Maiysha modeled to pay off student loans and taught elementary school drama. For a preview of her tantalizing talent, check out three tunes from "This Much Is True," her debut album to be released in August, on her MySpace page. She displays delicious soul/pop stylings with a hip-hop edge. This collection of original compositions, showcasing a dynamic voice, proves she has the makings of a future star.
www.myspace.com/maiyshamusic

LIZETTE &
Have you experienced this Swedish band yet? Fronted by vocal vixen Lizette von Panajott, this group plays an intense brand of rock. Throbbing with urgency, it'll caress you, then smack you in the face.
www.lizetteand.com

LARRY KARUSH
On his Web site, you can listen to samples of scintillating tracks from the pianist/composer's "Art of the Improviser" album. His inspirations range from jazz to classical to world music. Karush and guitarist Gyan Riley perform new works and improvisations at Berkeley Hillside Club tonight. For information, call 510-845-1350.
www.larrykarush.com

MARTIN PAGE
An innovator in the '80s British techno scene, Page has finally released a follow up to his 1995 solo album, "In the House of Stone and Light." The new pop-rock album "In the Temple of the Muse," warms the listener with radiant compositions. Page's expressive voice brims with honest emotion. His MySpace page offers three of the new tunes, proof of Page's masterful songwriting skills. He has penned tunes for such diverse artists as Heart, Starship, Robbie Robertson and Earth Wind & Fire. His own renditions of the new works establish a rare degree of intimacy.
www.myspace.com/martinpage

VEDERA
As you surf the net, you won't find an alt-pop-rock band with a more appealing sound than Vedera. Kristen May's disarming voice delights on all these tracks. She can soar with power, then segue softly and smoothly into vulnerability. "Satisfy" is a beautiful ballad you'll want to play over and over again. Vedera recently played Great American Music Hall.
www.myspace.com/vedera

ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
The captivating Australian musical collective utilizes an amazing array of instruments to create avant-garde, yet accessible pop sounds. They've opened for such artists as David Byrne, Yo La Tengo and Belle & Sebastian. Helsinki toured the U.S. with Death Cab for Cutie. This unique contingent from Down Under whips up wild, wacky, wonderful musical fun.
www.architectureinhelsinki.com

SOLILOQUISE
Soliloquise, from West Wales, U.K., creates arresting, ambient folk-pop. There's a haunting elegance and eloquence about Soliloquise's songscapes. Poetic lyrics, delicately textured sounds and her mesmerizing vocals make these recordings tremendously compelling.
www.myspace.com/soliloquise

ARIANA JANE
The Russian-born, Detroit-based singer/songwriter/pianist delivers a sensual brand of soul/Nu-jazz/fusion. Striking, seductive vocals and marvelously melodic compositions will etch their way into your memory. Hints of Sade swirl through these silky sounds.
www.myspace.com/ajmind

LOW VS DIAMOND
The Los Angeles-based alt-rockers (keyboardist Tad Moore is originally from San Francisco) played Slim's earlier this week. There's an uplifting quality to their bittersweet songs, which are both hook-laden and meaningful. The group's self-titled album will be released July 29. But don't wait. Catch such terrific songs as "Don't Forget Sister," "I'll Be" and "Heart Attack" on their MySpace page. Lucas Field's lead vocals might remind listeners of Bryan Ferry.
www.myspace.com/lowvsdiamond

SUGAR DAMES
The duo of singer/songwriter/producers Jenn Palmer and Christina Kartsonakis - who divide their time between Los Angeles and Nashville - fashion a sultry, sumptuous sound. Enjoy their distinctively velvety rendition of Sonny and Cher's "Bang, Bang," as well as equally alluring originals from their upcoming EP.
www.indiecharts.com/thesugardames