Larger than life - Josh Turner

It's been a while since I posted my last blog! Apologies for keeping y'all away from the music!

Now that the formalities are done, let's get back to what we love doing...Music!

In the last few months, I have been fortunate enough to come across some lovely music thanks to Spotify, YouTube and the likes!

However, in the last few weeks I have been kinda obsessing over some really good covers of Popular songs (Read: A lot of BSB's Larger Than Life). I delved into more covers that these respective artists have done, and one specially stood out.
No offence, but they look like a bunch of goofy guys at first, and then they wield their instruments and let out their voices... what follows is nothing short of sublime! The brainchild of this project is Multi Instrumentalist- Josh Turner.
His playing style is reminiscent of a lot of country and bluegrass with twists and turns of his own. It's the sweetness of his guitar/banjo/other-god-knows-what-string-intstruments-they-are, is what brings out the delight in his music.
He's the kinda musician you'd wanna listen to all day. No special moods or occasions..just sublime delight...
Let's cut the rambling, and get to it. Here's Life in the Fast lane:

IronHorse Bluegrass - Bluegrass at its finest!

Now if there is the one genre that I love, it is Bluegrass. Who cannot love Bluegrass music. It is fun and easy-going to listen to, isn't it? SO while browsing through covers of Enter Sandman by Metallica, I stumbled upon this band that did a, I would like to call different, rendition of the song. At first, I was like - What thee... and then it was fun! This band is called - IronHorse Bluegrass. I went on to their Youtube channel and heard the other song they had put up - Just A Dream Away. I could feel the music sink into my ears. AFter a tired day, this is the kinda band you would want to listen to! The band comprises Vance Henry, Ricky Rogers, Anthony Richard & Tony Robertson. This quartet is something that may not blow you away, but they are a bunch that will put a smile on your face. The lyrics of Just A Dream Away will make so much sense, it ain't even funny!
Oh and BTW, when you do go and browse through their YouTube channel, make sure to look at their cover of Fuel by Metallica! Man, it was so cool. When you listen to BlueGrass, you do expect a lot of energy and this is what this bunch delivers. Power-packed compositions, energy and most importantly, fun. The extremely delicate yet warm mixture of blues and acoustic never felt so good. Check out the stuff from their store. I am sure you shall not be let down!Here's a video of their song - Just A Dream Away:

Peter Chains - Unbelievably Haunting

Every now and then you come across an artist whose music and voice will haunt you. Peter Chains is one of them. A friend recommended this artist to me and ever since I heard his song The River I have been hooked.
His EP (extended playlist) Carrion Crows consists of six superb tracks. An acoustic guitar, a voice that's humble, dark, haunting and soothing all at the same time and songwriting skills that will give you goosebumps. His talent is raw, simple and is something that probably belies his own ears.It is amazing what this man can do with the little resources he has. If he were to be given a whole band and some fancy equipment he would go a long way, that I can assure you. Catching your ear right from the word go is not easy and somehow Peter Chains has managed to do this with ease.
His song Witch on the Pyre is brilliant. dark, deep and yet I ended up with a wide smile on my face. The rest of the songs on his EP are equally brilliant no doubt, but this song stood out. I can't really explain why, but it did. You can listen to the album on his bandcamp page (and I suggest you buy it too. Help this guy become big).
Here's The River performed live by Peter Chains:

Hanne-Berit Hahnemann

I have somehow been obsessed with the Violin for the past couple of months. Don't blame me. With the kind of artists I have been coming across there seems to be a lot of Violin talent out there. The latest violinist to hit my books of exemplary music is Danish violinist Hanne-Berit Hahnemann. She is an award winning violinist. A violinist with talents par excellence, a violinist with exquisite versatility.  I heard most of her songs on ReverbNation and I just knew I had to feature her here for the world to listen to. The one thing I look for, in an artist, is changeability and pliancy to play any kind of music. Hanne-Berit seems to have both aspects in abundance which is why I got hooked onto her quick and fast. Her music is something that has something for everybody. Incorporating the Violin into a plethora of genres is surely the new trend, but it isn't as easy as it seems to be. Finesse and talent is something a violinist needs to have to accomplish an unrivaled sound. Hanne-Berit seems to have accomplished that with ease (Seriously, how!?).
This is an artist you would want to listen to time and again. You can give her music a listen on her website.

Here's What is love by this talented violinist:

Taylor Davis

A pretty girl, a penchant for game and other epic themes and an impeccably refined violinist. This is what truly defines Taylor Davis.
The smoothness of her playing is something that will capture you mind, body and soul. Plus the fact that she is pretty and has an inclination towards themes related to games and fantasy will make you smile (and for guys, you'd probably want to marry this lady). This talented violinist has covered themes such as Assassins Creed 3, the James Bond theme (Skyfall) and many more. Some of her songs also include pianist Larade Wit who is equally supreme on the piano. This is one artist you should always have on your playlist.
Violins, though more classical based, has been given a new dimension and meaning thanks to artists such as Taylor Davis. There is definitely a classical touch to her violin playing. And the way she brings in all aspects of music from different corners of the musical spectrum is amazing.
Her subtle playing style combined with the ever beautiful classical touch gives her songs (even the covers) a touch so fluid that you will immerse yourself in her music in no time.
Her album Game On: 2 Player Mode featuring Larade Wit is available on her website. This album is a delight, specially for the gamers out there.
Here's a video of her playing the LOTR theme (Yes, I am obsessed with LOTR):

The Art Of Fusion

The Art Of Fusion is a project conceptualized by Rafael Sotomayor. It is by far one of the most innovative projects I have come across in a very long time. Rafael Sotomayor is a vocalist-cum-hang drummer. His project, The Art Of Fusion, is a collaboration (or rather an array of musical experiments) between him and many artists from around the globe.
Rafael, a talented musician himself, somehow has a knack for finding other musicians that are equally brilliant and talented. This is the best part about this project. One moment you're listening to a Hang Drum and Cello duet and in another you'll be listening to some awesome reggae with Rafael giving vocals. Rafael has capitalized on the fact that there are still some epic musicians in the world and has gone ahead and brought them all together in one big bowl of resplendent confetti.
Watching The Art OF Fusion live is surely going to be a treat. The project has the ability to satisfy everybody's musical taste, which, in my opinion, is by far the toughest thing to do in this world. Having so many unique sounds blend into the ginormous dimension of music is something that is very rarely seen and somehow The Art Of Fusion have perfected it to glory. Exotic rhythm structures, musically arresting melodies and the quaintness of it all makes this musical experiment stand out among the million others that are present today. You can listen to more songs of this phenomenal project on their website.
Here's a video by The Art Of Fusion - Deustad
 

Peter Hollens - The A Capella Specialist

Peter Hollens is living proof that humans can do unthinkable things with their mouths (and a brilliant voice). I first heard him with Lindsey Stirling (an artist I featured earlier) covering the Game Of Thrones theme song. The cover was fantastic and I decided to take a deeper look at Peter Hollens.
Each one of his songs were a class apart. Be it his covers or his originals, every one of his songs had something special about them. Calling him a genius would be an understatement. His rendition of Misty Mountains (from The Hobbit OST) gave me goosebumps. I could actually picture Middle earth and The Shire in my head. He has even covered the Skyrim theme, Moves Like Jagger and many other songs.
He is not one of those serious (I will only perform type) artists. He enjoys his A Capella thoroughly. His voice is blessed. There are some artists that can go up on stage and perform without really needing a sound check. I am sure Peter Hollens is one of them. His voice quality, pitch control, harmonies and sense of melody are quite exquisite. Artists such as these make you feel less blessed (If you tend to believe in God that is). He is an artist you will want to listen to again and again! He even takes requests. And what's best - his humility. The guy is very humble and down to earth. Watch his videos, you'll realize why.
His album is up for grabs on his website and it features his originals as well as some brilliantly executed covers. Do not think twice. Buy the album. NOW!
Here's a video of him covering Misty Mountains (my favorite) -