by Jane Lambert

Bud E. Luv’s Timeless Take on “Music to Watch Girls By”

Bobby Vickers, performing under his iconic alter ego Bud E. Luv, delivers a striking revival of the classic “Music to Watch Girls By” that both honors the song’s history and reframes it for modern times.

In his new interpretation, Bud E. Luv expertly balances nostalgia with fresh, sophisticated flair, crafting a rendition that feels both familiar and entirely new.

Watch the music video here:

Bud E. Luv is no stranger to reinventing classic tunes. Created by Vickers more than 35 years ago, the character has become a fixture in San Francisco’s vibrant music scene, with performances at legendary venues like Bimbo’s, The Fillmore, and Paradise Lounge.

Bud E. Luv’s alter ego allows Vickers to explore an array of musical genres, from jazz and swing to pop, all while remaining timeless. His extensive career has taken him to stages across major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Boston, where he’s performed for prestigious audiences, including at events like the MTV-televised Osbourne vow renewal and Super Bowl Eve celebrations.

The black-and-white music video accompanying this release is directed by Tom Donald, the founder of San Francisco’s hiTrecords.

Set in the elegant Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club, the sparse backdrop of empty seats evokes a sense of introspection, drawing the viewer into Bud E. Luv’s contemplative performance.

The mysterious figure of Ilana Niernberger, who is Luv’s only member in the audience, adds a layer of intrigue. Her eventual disappearance is most reminiscent of an Ingmar Bergman film and gives us a symbolic and haunting touch, suggesting that what we admire often exists only in fleeting moments.

Vocally, Bud E. Luv offers a smooth, nuanced performance that strips away the kitsch associated with some earlier versions of the song.

This includes Andy William’s popular but often overly polished rendition. Luv’s phrasing, rich with emotion and subtlety, brings out the layers of complexity within the song, making it clear that his version is not merely about watching or objectifying but also about celebrating people in all of their diversity.

Tom Donald’s direction also plays a pivotal role in modernizing the piece. By focusing on the respectful recognition of beauty rather than its objectification, Donald transforms “Music to Watch Girls By” from a product of its era into a meditation on human connection.

He smartly acknowledges the original’s historical context without being confined by it, presenting a version that speaks to contemporary sensibilities:

“The world is there and meant to be recognized, valued, and respected,” Donald says. “Mr Luv understands the essential dynamic between people; he’s lived long enough and seen enough of the world to know that it’s not about degrading the visage, but instead honoring and celebrating it in all its forms.”

This project reinforces Bud E. Luv’s status as a timeless entertainer. His ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining the integrity of his performance persona is impressive.

For fans of classic standards as well as newcomers, this is a definitive version of “Music to Watch Girls By” that deserves attention.

Keep up to date with Bud E. Luv on his Website.

09.20.24

by Jane Lambert

Jason Sinay Steps Into the Spotlight with “Play It Alone”

Jason Sinay’s most recent single, “Play It Alone,” marks an exciting shift in his career.

After parting ways with The Dirty Knobs, Sinay has poured his energy into a solo project that promises to be both deeply personal and musically rich. This new track is the second single from his upcoming double album “The Mountain”.

“Play It Alone” is a compelling blend of heartland rock and introspective lyricism. Sinay’s guitar work is as sharp as ever, but it’s his vulnerable vocals that take the stage. The song’s steady beat and rich instrumentation create a warm backdrop for Sinay’s message about finding independence and navigating life’s rough patches.

The chorus hits a universal note with lines like “some things you can’t fight but it’s all right… everybody’s got to play alone” to capture the essence of what it is to move on.

The song’s arrangement is both simple and effective. Sinay’s guitar work is a central element, but it’s the way it intertwines with Phil Parlapiano’s contributions on keys, mandolin, and harmonica along with the steady rhythm section featuring Lance Morrison on bass and Matt Laug on drums, that creates such a rich, textured sound.

This blend of instrumentation provides a warm, engaging backdrop for Sinay’s introspective lyrics.

In discussing his work on The Mountain, Sinay reflects on a period of intense self-examination and creativity:

“I hit a breaking point on the road,” he admits, highlighting the challenges he faced after his departure from the Dirty Knobs.

This difficult period prompted him to revisit old material and explore new ideas, ultimately leading to the creation of what he considers the most important solo record of his career.

With the help of producer Martin Pradler, known for his work with Ry Cooder and John Mayer, Sinay has written a song that will resonate his audience with a level of authenticity that is rare in music today:

“I needed to go and play alone and do my own thing, and have my own journey,” Sinay says. “It’s about leaving a situation unapologetically, but still saying, “Sorry you feel that way. I get it.”

“I’ve been very blessed in my life. I’ve been so fortunate. And there’s so much need in the world right now. Like, more than ever. It’s just beyond belief. I just want people to enjoy the music, and I really, really want to get out there and play this music for people. Because ultimately playing live is where I shine. That’s my favorite medium.”

“Play It Alone” is a sign of Sinay’s evolving solo career. His transition from celebrated guitarist to a standout solo artist together with a talent for creating rich, textured music makes this a stand out track.

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Los Angeles-based, Sinay has performed with legends like Keith Richards, Neil Young, and Jackson Browne. He’s best known for his 15-year tenure with Mike Campbell’s band, the Dirty Knobs, but has now embraced his solo career with The Mountain, a double album produced by Martin Pradler.

The first disc features a full band, while the second is a stripped-down acoustic version of the same songs.

Inspired by Led Zeppelin, Sinay began playing guitar at age nine and has since gigged with iconic musicians throughout his career. After leaving the Dirty Knobs in 2022, Sinay focused on The Mountain, which he considers his most important solo record. He’s eager to return to the stage and is planning to donate the album’s proceeds to charity.

Keep up to date with Jason Sinay on his Website.

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube.

09.18.24

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH STEPHEN JAYMES

We are thrilled to sit down with Stephen Jaymes to talk about the music video to his new single “Saving Daylight.”

Stephen is an artist who tells bold stories through his music and visuals. The new single comes with an evocative video, taking us on a journey that merges personal memory with a sense of solitude and reflection.

Taking inspiration from his own childhood experience as well as recent life events, Stephen explores the theme of isolation, the passage of time, and the emotions tied to being alone.

In this exclusive Video Voyageur we find out how AI was used to create a video that beautifully mirrors the song’s theme:

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in
this way?

The story of Saving Daylight begins with a young child waiting in the dark predawn hours for his school bus to arrive. Waiting alone, in the cold, surrounded by snow, with a cold face pointed toward the end of the street where the headlights would show. Staring and silently waiting. But most of all, waiting for the sun to appear and feeling like time doesn’t really exist, or doesn’t exist yet.

2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Saving Daylight explores the feelings that come from being left alone and being told it’s good for you. It’s about all the thoughts and memories that spring from that experience. Last year my partner had to attend to her dying father, and she spent some time away.

We said it was a silver lining that I could have some time to focus on finishing the album. But after she’d gone, I felt this strange echo back to childhood, and the first times I was told that being alone was good for me. There’s a lot of my personal story in this song and in the video.

3. What was the process of making the video?

I knew I wanted to explore overlaps between my performance of the song and images that represent both the Los Angeles me now and the Michigan me as a child. I found a lot of resonant stock footage to serve as a sort of a continuous dreamworld establishing shot, pinging back and forth between California palm trees and the tall pines of my childhood.

I used a series of art pieces in the video that I created with the help of AI. They help to tell the story of a midwest boy who is lonely in California, thinking about when he was lonely as a child. I wanted the art to be dreamlike, and to have the quality of art you might see as a child in a school or doctor’s office. I had to do a lot of experimentation with different prompts to get what I wanted.

After I had finally got the art right and licensed the stock footage, I cut it all together on my iPad Pro using the Videoleap app.

“Saving Daylight” was written, performed, engineered, recorded, and produced by Stephen Jaymes. Mixed and mastered by Zsolt Virag. Cover art by Stephen Jaymes.

Stay connected with Stephen Jaymes here:

Website // Facebook // Instagram // Spotify // Soundcloud // Apple Music // YouTube Music

09.14.24

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH GRETTA ZILLER

In the realm of music videos where elaborate sets and high-tech effects often dominate, Gretta Ziller’s latest project for her single “Hell’s Half Acre” offers a refreshing departure with its raw, organic appeal.

As a celebrated Americana artist, marking a decade in music, Ziller’s new video is a deeply personal and evocative piece that reflects both her artistic evolution and the story behind her song.

“Hells’s Half Acre” is a track that holds special significance for Ziller as it represents a pivotal moment in her career.

The video, which has been created with a distinctive DIY approach, mirrors the song’s themes of departure, regret, and self-reflection through its earthy, vintage visuals. Rather than presenting a straightforward narrative, the video subtly suggests the song’s story, allowing viewers to interpret and connect with it on a personal level.

We caught up with Ziller to find out more about the creative process behind the video, the inspiration behind it and the innovative techniques used.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in
this way?

“Hell’s Half Acre” holds a special place in my heart as one of the first songs I released when I began my musical journey a decade ago. The song is about getting out of a ‘bad for you’ relationship, the person in the beginning was attracted to the wild/rebelliousness character but in the end it wasn’t who they were and they had to leave.

Although it’s technically a fictitious story there are elements of truth in it. I wrote the song when I was moving from a regional area to a city, a friend of mine was going through a messy divorce, I did know someone in a bike gang, and the Shady Pines Saloon is a real bar and Hell’s Half Acre is a real place! I didn’t get to make a music video for the original recording so this time I wanted to create something that hinted at the story but also allowed the watcher to make up their own about the song.

2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

For the release of the new video, I really wanted to create an organic, earthy, vintage feel that complemented the themes of the song. The inspiration was to suggest the story in “Hell’s Half Acre” without being too literal, using subtle visuals like packing a bag, a dirt road that becomes asphalt, the view outside the car and glimpses of chapels. The idea was to provide hints that evoke the feeling of leaving, regret, and that lingering sense of “I’m old enough to have known better” rather than showing every detail.

I wanted layered visuals to further the idea of memory flashbacks with the feeling of moving forward. Most of all I wanted the clip to allow the watcher the freedom to connect emotionally while imagining the storyline for themselves.

3. What was the process of making the video?

For this video, I took a more DIY approach, which was really exciting and different from how I’ve worked before. I had the concept in mind, and I shared it with my videographer, Arlo Dean Cook, who has done most of my music videos. However, this time, my partner and I decided to film it ourselves.

We spent a day on the west side of Melbourne, capturing the landscape and beautiful Catholic shrines using just our phones. Once we had all the footage, I sent it over to Arlo, and he worked his magic and put it all together. It was a really fun and creatively liberating experience—filming, exploring new parts of my creativity, and having a more hands-on role in bringing the vision to life!

Stay connected with Gretta Ziller on her Website.

Stream music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

08.23.24

by Jane Lambert

Awakening the Spirit with Jennifer Harper’s New Single “Soul Alive”

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Singer, songwriter and sound alchemist Jennifer Harper’s latest release “Soul Alive”, is something of a vibrational journey.

Listeners are drawn into a musical sound designed to elevate the spirit and open the heart. The song’s infectious energy and Harper’s soulful delivery come together to create an experience that is both uplifting and introspective.

Produced by the talented Matt Anthony, with rhythmic power provided by Tal Bergman on drums, Soul Alive delivers a rich and dynamic sound that balances groove with ethereal beauty.

Harper’s vocals and contributions on keyboard also add a layer of intimacy, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of soulful reflection and limitless potential.

As Harper describes, “Soul Alive” is a call to action. It’s an invitation to awaken the light within and to embrace life in its full vibrancy. The song pulses with positivity and hope, encouraging the listener to shed limitations and step into their highest calling.

“It comes from a feeling of freedom – true liberation, fully thriving in the way that we are designed!! It is an expression of what I’m experiencing in my life right now.

On every level

In every area

Every which way I go

It’s a celebration song for me”

Production is both crisp and powerful, bringing together Harper’s voice with a rich instrumentation that lifts the song to new heights. Bergman’s drumming provides a solid backbone, while Anthony’s multi-instrumental textures add depth and complexity.

Overall, Soul Alive lives up to its title – it makes you feel alive. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, empowerment, or simply a soulful groove to lift your spirits, this track will leave you energized and ready to embrace life’s possibilities.

Jennifer’s music is known for its soulful compositions infused with wisdom from Gene Keys and Human Design, which offer a roadmap for self-discovery and unlocking one’s potential. This in-depth exploration coupled with a steadfast dedication to Buddhist principles, illuminates a path of inner exploration for all who seek it.

Her past successes include performances at prestigious venues and recognition in songwriting competitions, speak events to her growing presence in the music scene. She has been featured in many leading media outlets, including, No Depression, Vents Magazine, Melodic Magazine and Americana Highways.

Keep up to date with Jennifer Harper on her Website

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube Music.

08.23.24

by Jane Lambert

“Skateboard’ by Kristen Rae Bowden: A Charlottesville Singer-Songwriter’s Reflection on Youthful Love and Freedom

Kristen Rae Bowden’s brand new single “Skateboard” is like the equivalent of catching the perfect breeze on a summer evening.

It’s effortlessly cool, fun, and impossible to resist. This indie-pop gem is all about the rush of first love and the carefree freedom of summer nights.

From the moment Joe Lawlor’s guitar riff kicks in, you’re pulled into a dreamy world where guitars shimmer with a mix of clean tones and just enough edge to keep things interesting, creating a backdrop that’s as vibrant as a sunset and as gritty as the pavement under your wheels.

Bowden’s vocals are pure magic – equal parts tender and daring, she’s got that rare ability to make every lyric feel like it’s meant just for you.

Produced with a perfect balance of indie sensibility and pop appeal, “Skateboard” is mixed by music industry heavyweights John Alagia and Pedro Laet. The layered guitars and Bowden’s ethereal vocals creates a dreamy soundscape that is as warm and inviting.

Whether you’re reminiscing about your own youthful escapades or in the thick of them now, “Skateboard” is a track that will have you lost in the heat of summer nights and the timeless thrill of young love.

Kristen Rae Bowden is a singer-songwriter with deep roots in music, growing up in a musically gifted family in Boone, North Carolina. She taught herself piano by ear and later expanded her musical education with classical flute training and a BFA in acting and musical theater from Elon University.

In 2019, she released her debut album, marking the start of her solo career. Collaborations with Joe Lawlor, a guitarist with ties to the Dave Matthews Band, have been a highlight of her recent work, including performances at major events and alongside notable musicians. Kristen’s music is known for its impressionistic storytelling and evolving style.

Keep up to date with Kristen Rae Bowden here:

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / Soundcloud / YouTube Music