by Jane Lambert

Video Voyager with Jennifer Harper: “Beautiful Earth”

Musicians often boast they have music in their blood. They should give singer/songwriter/activist Jennifer Harper a run for her money. After listening to even a few of her missives, it’s all too easy to fall in love with her contemplative, assured artistry.

The singer/songwriter just released her new song, the intentional folk ballad “Beautiful Earth,” along with it’s music video. While the song is a dedication to Mother Earth, the video visually depicts Jennifer’s love and respect for nature and the Earth. The images flow across the screen as the wind blows through grass fields. She acknowledges everything that Earth offers and how spectacular it is, from the deserts of the Sahara to the forest-bathed waterfalls in the tropics.

We spoke with Jennifer about her video below:

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

This song is a vow to myself and to Mother Earth to call in my highest potential for her sake. It is also a vision of others doing the same – so that she may experience a rebirth from our collective healing.

Originally I was going to create a lyric video with beautiful images of the earth. But ultimately, it felt important to have me in the video, in nature – as the song is about calling in deeper connection between people and the earth. I wanted to create a visual that had a feeling of contemplation, prayer and celebration as I am “calling in” and “daring to dream, seeing rebirth” .

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

I definitely wanted to covey the magic and majesty of our beautiful planet with images of pristine natural beauty. “Visions washing over me, living in a world I believe in”

I love the way the filmmaker, Heather Seybolt, was able to weave me into many of the images of flowers and water, clouds and sky. I feel it helped illustrate the concept I wanted to convey- that we are one.

I especially love the rainbow washing over me. I also used a rainbow swirl in my single art. To me, rainbows are messages from a higher realm. They symbolize the new earth that I envision and call in through this song. I have had powerful experiences with rainbow light frequency. It has come to me and come from me in a surge of energy. So theres a much deeper meaning for me where it comes in twice in the video.

What was the process of making this video?

I filmed in LA with Heather one fun sunny afternoon. We played in nature and laughed and enjoyed the creative process together. The wind was with us. It was wonderful. We were short on time as we were shooting 2 videos in one day. We had no expectations for this. Just a brief window to play and see what magic we could create. We are a great team as we both get excited by the same things…. Oh look a purple flower… we have to get that! I know a place with long grass …. Oh yes! It was totally spontaneous. A beautiful creatively fulfilling day I will always treasure.

Connect with Jennifer Harper

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.26.23

by Jane Lambert

Amaris Shares Her New Debut Indie Rock Single “Lemon, Lime & Bitters”

El Paso-based musician Amaris has released a new single called “Lemon, Lime & Bitters”.

This debut indie pop song is a beautiful, emotive and haunting track which is a tribute to Amaris´ husband as she imaged a life in which they lived worlds apart. To combat the longing, she imagines his favorite drink; lemon, lime and bitters. It is also a song that serves as a further nod to the loss of her two babies and five family members in a short time span on 2 years.

“Lemon, Lime & Bitters!” s a great example of how a song can gain power and further its meaning with time. I wrote it in November 2020. Back then, it was about me imagining a life without my husband by my side. Now, it´s about grief, loss, and the will to overcome,” shares Amaris.

This single was created by listening to voice memos on her phone, hashing out the song in different phases, and finding the lyrics while playing around with different chords on the guitar.

The bass stands out as well as the melody and lyrics, with a style that is both introspective as well as bold. There is an expanded meaning about loss as Amaris´ lost her grandfather and step grandfather a year after experiences 2 miscarriages. There is an additional grief for her grandmother´s same yearning.

Amaris did not decide to become a singer – songwriter; it was something that happened quite by chance really. She taught herself how to play the guitar at age 12, and then moved on to develop her songwriting from there. Now at the age of 24, Amaris continues to write songs that inspire her and bring out those emotions and stories of her life that she couldn´t express otherwise.

With influences as broad ranging as The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers and Nina Simone, Amaris´ musical sound is certainly interesting as well as showcasing her talent.

Stay current with Amaris on her Website and social media channels Instagram and TikTok // YouTube // TikTok // Soundcloud

04.25.23

by Jane Lambert

“It Just Has to Be” is a Soft and Warm Song from Black Olive Jazz

Black Olive Jazz features the warm singer Kay Kostopoulos and the veteran Noel Jewkes on tenor, alto, soprano and flute. The group performs a wide range of jazz: swing, standards, blues, Latin and originals. Kay and Noel have been featured venues and jazz festivals all around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, Vallejo, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Fillmore Jazz Festivals. Their album, Exotica, a Mediterranean Jazz Journey, received rave reviews, and was honored by the Stanford Humanities celebration.

Kay is also a Stanford lecturer in Business and Theater, professional actress, singer, dancer and director who has performed in plays and musicals in many regional and Bay Area theaters, including the Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, San Francisco and California Shakespeare Festivals, Stanford Summer Theater and A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theatre). Her theatrical background lends an emotional sensitivity to her lush and sensuous three-octave vocal range. Kay’s bellydancing has roots in an ethnic history rich in tradition, percussive musicality and precise technique.

Their newest song, the soft and lounge music-eque song “It Just Has to Be,” is led my Kay’s sultry vocals that adds an emotional depth to the piece. The lyrics themselves speak of the inevitability of love, and the joy that comes with finding someone who completes you.

The band effortlessly blends traditional jazz elements with modern twists to create a sound that is both fresh and timeless. It does have a Frank Sinatra meets Billy Holiday feeling to it with the deliberate words and slow delicate piano.

The intricate instrumentation and complex rhythms make it clear that this is a band that takes their craft seriously and is not afraid to take risks. “It Just Has to Be” is a fantastic addition to Black Olive Jazz’s already impressive catalog.

Connect with Black Olive Jazz via:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify

04.25.23

by Jane Lambert

Shannon Wurst Shares a Slice of Americana Nostalgia with “Memories I Hold”

Shannon Wurst’s latest single “Memories I Hold” is a captivating slice of Americana nostalgia that effortlessly tugs at the heartstrings. The track is a deeply personal reflection on the painful task of cleaning out a loved one’s house after their passing, and Shannon’s evocative and emotional songwriting captures the sense of longing and loss perfectly.

“That one was hard to write. I spent a lot of time at that house growing up and I have so many memories from there,” she details.

The acoustic core of the track is beautifully complemented by sensually expressive vocals and mournful pedal steel playing, which is expertly handled by Ryan Engleman of the Turnpike Troubadours and his bandmate, Gabe Pearson on drums. With lines like “Time takes all the good stuff, ‘cept these Memories I hold,” Shannon paints vivid pictures and snapshotting feelings of longing that resonate deeply with the listener.

Shannon’s music is best described as Ozark Americana and steeped in the outlaw country tradition of courageously confessional songwriting. Her delicately powerful vocals and emotive first-person narratives make for a brave and sage messaging that draws favorable comparisons to the likes of Margo Price and Lucinda Williams.

“Memories I Hold” is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the power of memories and the emotions they evoke. Fans of Americana and country music will undoubtedly find a lot to love in Shannon Wurst’s latest offering.

Connect with Shannon Wurst

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

04.24.23

by Jane Lambert

70’s Rock n’ Roll Band Sunflower Fox and the Chicken Leg Share New Energetic Single “Breathe It In”

Sunflower Fox and the Chicken Leg’s new single “Breathe It In” is a classic rock lover’s dream come true. The band hails from Minneapolis and is inspired by the golden age of rock and roll. The song takes listeners on a wild ride back to the 1970s with its groovy vibes and vintage instrumentation.

From the very first guitar riff, it’s clear that this band is dedicated to capturing the spirit of classic rock. Lead singer Kaity Heart’s guttural vocals are reminiscent of Pat Benatar and Joan Jett, and the soaring guitar riffs will have you shredding air like you’re at a stadium concert. The catchy chorus and infectious melody will make your heart race and have you singing along in no time.

“Breathe It In” is a must-listen for anyone who loves classic rock. It’s a perfect blend of old-school rock and roll and modern production techniques that captures the spirit of the 70s. Sunflower Fox and the Chicken Leg is a band to watch out for, and their commitment to bringing back the glory of 1970s rock is truly exciting.

The band’s commitment to bringing back the studio experience is evident in the production quality. Recorded at Studio in the Country in Louisiana, the same studio where Kansas recorded ‘Carry on My Wayward Son,’ the song perfectly balances the raw energy of the guitars with the polished sheen of modern production. Mixed by Ron Nevison, a living legend who has worked on several of the band’s main influences including Heart, Bad Company, and Thin Lizzy, the song captures the vintage sound that made the 70s so iconic.

What sets Sunflower Fox and the Chicken Leg apart is their playful presence and dedication to capturing the studio experience. They are on a mission to visit as many iconic studios in the country as possible to bring back the magic of real studio recordings. Their love of the genre is evident in the unnecessarily complicated bridge of the song, which pays homage to the classic songs that would insert one measure of 5/4 or play some out-of-the-blue overly-complicated breakdown.

Connect with Sunflower Fox and the Chicken Leg

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud

04.21.23

by Jane Lambert

Jennifer Harper Shares “Beautiful Earth” for Earth Day

Jennifer Harper’s “Beautiful Earth” is a remarkable acoustic folk song that captures the essence of a healing world. Her voice is calming, and the piano-based melody is hauntingly beautiful. The song carries a sense of hope for the future and a message of love and respect for Mother Earth.

Jennifer’s dedication to environmental protection and her desire to make music that could bring social change is evident in this track. Her influences, including Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman, are apparent in the raw intimacy of her voice and lyrics. The incantation is reminiscent of Enya, Lauren Daigle, and Ayla Nereo, which delivers a cinematic sound and ethereal breath.

“I’ve been involved in environmental protection in one way or another for as long as I can remember. I’ve raised my children with awareness as I am very conscious about what I buy and what I eat. I am always asking myself what more can we do to make an impact?” shares Jennifer.

“Beautiful Earth” is an inspiring track that reminds us of our responsibility to heal the planet. Jennifer’s passion for environmental protection shines through in the song’s lyrics, which urge us to be conscious of what we buy and what we eat. Her call to action is powerful, and it makes us realize that we are all responsible for the health of the planet.