MUSEXPO 2009 A&R Worldwide Artist Showcase: Wednesday Night

Well, kids. Last night was the end of 2009′s MUSEXPO event, and I was saddened to suddenly realize that it had gone by so quickly. It was a bit more exclusive this year with a few more radio-friendly acts than I would have liked to endure, but it’s always a nice to have an event showcase upcoming artists. Discovering new music, no matter how much you may like it or not, is a chance one should never take for granted. Being exposed to new genres and skills only broadens one’s musical palette, and it only makes you appreciate the good music out there even more.

Please enjoy the last bit of coverage on this year’s MUSEXPO event below. Artists from all over the world are making great music and the selected few I saw this week definitely deserved to be put on display for the people who care. Also, we’ve got another batch of live photos for your viewing pleasure. Check it all out below!

Wednesday night had a strange vibe. It didn’t feel like it was the end of an event. It also didn’t help that my photographer’s camera battery decided to be fickle. Fortunately, it seemed like acts at The Whiskey had seemed to be running late all night. Perhaps they delayed their acts just a tad more so we could have enough time to mingle outside of The Viper Room before we headed on over there. Whatever the reason, I was glad we had some downtime because we spent some time charging the battery between acts.

Artist Showcase [Wednesday, April 29th]

Fabienne Holloway 8:00 The Viper Room

As I tried to make my way through the crowd, the first thing I heard Fabienne Holloway say was that she was only 17 years old. She is probably the youngest act to grace the Viper Room stage during this entire event. Sure, there are many singers out there who start their career at a young age, but this young female definitely surpassed any of the Britney’s and Lady Gaga’s out their with her raw talent. Aside from the fact that I was completely jealous of her figure, Holloway churned out soulful R&B hits one after another. Looking like she could be Minnie Driver’s long lost twin in a simple black long-sleeved shirt, a sparkly pink mini skirt, and shoes I swear Carrie Bradshaw has fallen in love with on Sex in the City, her strength was in delivering a vocal riffs without going over the top. You could say she was an early Mariah Carey, but her modest attitude shined as she sang sincere yet seductive melodies into the crowd.

I was glad that the event had decided to have another strong competent female start the night out. Although I wish some of her songs were more upbeat, Fabienne Holloway has the chops to make it in the business. Formerly signed to Rock-a-fella/Def Jam, the young girl displayed poise and her drive to be a musician was obvious. She is a free agent now but I have no doubt that she’ll easily find a label who will do anything to put out her next record.

http://www.myspace.com/fabienneuk

Kingsfall 8:30 The Whiskey

Sorry to say this guys, but I’ve had enough of the generic radio-friendly bands at this event. Sounding like an emo pop-punk version of Hoobstank, Kingsfall attempted to get the Whiskey crowd going. Unfortunately, for them, the venue was mysteriously much emptier than it had been during the past three nights for the first act there. Although the lead vocalist was fun to watch because it was so obvious that he had done musicals in high school, the Dallas, Austin-based band was talented but lacked originality to be the opening act at this venue. However, that’s not entirely their fault. I’ve come to realize that most of the Whiskey acts just didn’t match up to the credibility that the Viper Room acts had during this year’s event. It was obvious that the two guys announcing each band at both venues had completely different tastes in music.

Kingsfall’s lead vocalist had a really great voice and his band mates didn’t fail in backing him up, but I can’t help but think that this band would fit right in with All-American Rejects and Plain White T’s. With lyrics such as “Love is the song that changes the world,” how can I not think that? Those two acts are making the big bucks though and I hear that labels are fighting over Kingsfall. So, maybe this band will be lucky enough to score a Hot AC hit, too.

http://www.myspace.com/kingsfall

Samantha Heard 9:00 The Viper Room

I was happy to see that The Viper Room had another great female playing her heart out on stage. Wearing a dress, she said ” was probably not a good idea to wear,” Samantha Heard was truly captivating in every song she played up there with her band. What I liked most about her set was that she wrote songs that weren’t just centered on a lyrical verse-chorus structure, but she left enough room to just jam with her band. Sure, performers can always extend a section here or there on purpose during a live set, but when she stepped back from the mic to play along with her band mates, it just seemed natural. She made it very easy for me to appreciate both her voice and her instrumental skills.

It’s hard to believe that Heard was ever in a manufactured girl-group. She made the right choice by leaving a group like that to perform her own songs that have gumption and individuality. Out of all the acts that the MUSEXPO staff had exclusively selected this year, she was one of the few artists who deserved to be honored in the spotlight like this. The light hit her hair to give off an golden aura on stage and that vibe extended itself out into the audience as we bopped our heads and honestly appreciated her artistic work. Forget dancing to be courteous. This singer had set herself apart from others tonight.

http://www.myspace.com/samanthaheard

Hey Ocean 9:30 The Whiskey

The crowd was getting pretty thick over at the Whiskey before Hey Ocean!‘s set. Everyone was talking about the next act, but they would be pleased with this diverse band from Vancouver, Canada. Although they are one of the biggest bands to tour around Canada, I had no idea what Hey Ocean!’s sound would be like. Taking their cool name as a hunch, I assumed I wouldn’t be disappointed. I was right, but I was also surprised with their set.

The opening song had just the drummer hitting his beats and one by one each member dramatically ran down to the stage with vocalist, Ashleigh Ball, being last. The surprising part was that each member hitting something on stage, and the song turned very percussion driven. Jumping around on stage, Ball was a this little force of energy in a floral print dress. With all the banging going around on stage in such a collaborative effort, I was reminded a bit of Ra Ra Riot, and I was sure that this would be another band I could be into for a long time. Ashleigh Ball’s vocals sounded a bit like Lykke Li, and when she was very fluid with her riffs and belts, it came off a little jazzy. I was a fan.

However, I was hit with another surprise when their set suddenly turned tropical lounge-like, and I was in the midst of some Bossa nova grooves. For a few minutes, their set then turned to an alternative rock sound, but then it quickly turned around to Bossa Nova again… then funk! It was very different but intriguing! Hey, Ocean! I like it all!

http://www.myspace.com/heyocean

Lovebugs 10:00 The Viper Room

Lovebugs. What a name. As I looked up to the stage, I wasn’t sure if this band name completely meshed well with the band’s sound or visual image. Lovebugs sounds like a name that belongs to some cutesy girl group – perhaps the one Samantha Heard used to be in – or something more along the sounds of The Pipettes. Lovebugs was a group made up of all males, and they kind of looked like clean cut version of 30 Seconds to Mars. Their sound was again, very radio-friendly. Good enough to have a record deal, but not quite as unique as I’d like them to sound in order to keep my attention.

However, what Lovebugs has going for them is the ability to write accessible Brit-pop rock songs that have soaring melodies and huge choruses. This is another example of not digging a particular act, but being lucky enough to see a them live. This Switzerland group apparently sells really well and routinely hit platinum because of their atmospheric stadium rock songs. I can hear how they can do that well with a certain demographic. Fans of U2 and Coldplay would eat Lovebugs’ sound right up.

http://www.myspace.com/lovebugsmusic

Rebelution 10:30 The Whiskey

As my photographer and I went to charge our battery upstairs again, just to be safe, The Whiskey was getting incredibly crowded. It was probably the the most packed set throughout the entire event. I thought Young Love had a good crowd, but Rebelution fans were desperate to see their favorite Roots-Reggae band from Santa Barbara take the stage.

When they finally came on stage, I actually feared for my photographer’s life. She was rammed right up against the stage, while the dancing, the arm waving, and the jamming, had started. It was an incredible wave to see from upstairs. You could tell who the true fans were because they were constantly swaying towards the front, and then you could see the industry people tapping their feet or bopping their heads towards the back.

There was a time when I was really into Reggae music, and I can definitely say if I had moved out to California much earlier – I would probably be a fan of Rebelution. Rebelution gained a following in their local area, but also garnered attention from stations we love such as KROQ. They are genre-specific yet have a wide appeal to the mainstream. I’m not going to lie… I wouldn’t be ashamed to jam out to their songs in my living room on 420.

http://www.myspace.com/rebelution

On Blast 11:00 The Viper Room

Although I was a bit disappointed that the closing night didn’t end with something that had a hip-hop flavor, I was really interested in the last act of the night. On Blast, a local band from Long Beach, was the epitome of unique and they didn’t care about what others think about their style. The lead vocalist had this pure voice that came off eerie yet satisfying as his band backed him up on on keys, simulated drums, and guitar.

What I liked most about this the vocalist was that he was completely in his own world during a performance but very down to earth and personable in between songs. He was polite but he was little like Marilyn Manson touching his clothes and hair in slow motion throughout the set. Another great thing about On Blast is that there is a very mystique juxtaposition between the dark rough beats in the background and the silky vocals on top.

I was very proud to know that this band was local. Their stage presence surpassed many of the acts before them tonight.

http://www.myspace.com/onblastmusic

LIVE PHOTO GALLERY: Photography courtesy of Taylor Loftin

My three favorite acts of the night: 1) Samantha Heard 2) Hey Ocean! 3) On Blast

What are yours? Thanks for staying tuned everyone! I’ll be back at MUSEXPO next year to give you more great coverage, and hopefully, I’ll be able to rock my face off just a little bit more!

To see more info, you can go to the official MUSEXPO website.