NEW MUSIC IN 2013: Standing Room Only

I love the new year, its a time to start over, become a better person and to discover new things.....LIKE MUSIC!!! I love finding new artists like the wonderful Laura Dowding. I interviewed her last year to help promote her kickstarter and with the help of music lovers everywhere, SHE REACHED HER GOAL!!!! Which is awesome because that means that I get to review her new album "Standing Room Only".

(LOOKING GOOD LAURA!!!!)

Let me start off with a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Laura for making this wonderful album. "Standing Room Only" has something for everyone. Sweet ballads, beautiful piano playing, poignant lyrics, and great production value. Laura's voice is very straight forward and to the point in every song of this 14 track album. There's no need for all the crazy vocal tricks or the dreaded "AUTO TUNE"....

SIDE NOTE: The inventor of that should really just shoot himself....in the face....that is all.

Laura is one of the few with actual talent, so to over produce an album would be horrible. I am sooo happy that this was not the case. It had the right amount of everything and could easily hold it's own with any of the major label productions out there, so kudos to her producers for that. Every aspect of this album had perfect balance. Honestly it's pretty damned amazing. 

The album allows Laura's voice to shine through and you can clearly hear her influences. When I listened to "Standing Room Only" I heard bits of Billy Joel mixed with some Beatles and even some Sara Bareilles. The blend was evident without being a copy of any one artist while paying homage to them and so many others. Songs like "A Perfect Love" (featuring Cameron Hovsepian, who also has an amazing voice) is a beautiful duet with a Norah Jones-esk quality to it and is probably my favorite song on the album (a decision that was NOT made lightly because there are so many great tracks to listen to). Another of my top tracks has to be "Messy Love", which can easily transport anyone to the sultry 40's jazz era. The horns alone are enough to take your mind on a trip, then add Laura pouring her heart out on the mic and you have an ageless, time-stopping song. Truly beautiful.

In short, "Standing Room Only" by Laura Dowding is something that will set moods, break hearts, and lift your spirit all at the same time. I highly recommend buying this album TODAY, you won't regret it! I've had it on repeat for a few days now and don't see it coming out of rotation any time soon!

If you want to pick it up you can get it direct from the source! YES Laura herself will be selling the album at her release show January 17th at El Cid Restaurant in Silverlake. The show starts around 8pm and is only 8 bucks at the door! After that I'm sure you will be able to get it from her website www.LauraDowding.com where you can get limited "pre-release" copies of "Standing Room Only" NOW! Laura will be performing with Billy Gill, Lindsay Rae Spurlock, and Jen Awad. I REALLY want you guys to go out and support Laura this Thursday, so If you happen to be in the Silverlake area (and even if you're not) stop by for the show and leave with a CD that you will fall in love with!!! Let's make this a HUMONGOUS turnout!!!! I Hope you can make it!!!


El Cid
4212 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA, 90029
http://www.elcidla.com/


Until next time....be good to yourselves!!

Editor in Chief of The Penguin Gazette,
Rudy

Support Your Local Musicians!!!!

Hey everyone have you ever wondered how you can help a "starving" artist reach their dreams? There is this CRAZY site that some of you have heard me talk about in the past KICKSTARTER!!! For those of you that don't know what it is, allow me to hip you to the newness...

Basically an artist (or anyone with a worthy cause) can make a video asking for monetary help so that they might be able to make (in this case) an album. Then they set donation amounts and depending on the amount you give, you will get a certain prize. This prize can be anything from a simple twitter shout out or a CD, or in one of the crazier ones I've seen, a man dressed as a teddy bear singing Elvis songs with three Elvis impersonators backing him up (seriously that would be pretty awesome to see). There really isn't a limit on what your goal amount can be but if you don't reach that goal by your deadline (which you set yourself) the money gets returned to the people that donated. It's really a super cool set up if you ask me.

Now that everyone gets the idea, I have an artist that NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Melissa Polinar is an artist that I've mentioned before (for those of you that remember) and she is absolutely AMAZEBALLS!!! Her last EP "As of Now" (which can be purchased on her site) was GREAT to say the least, and managed to leave me satisfied, but at the same time wanting more. Melissa's KICKSTARTER is going to give us all the chance to get just that. For donations as low as a dollar you can help Melissa give YOU some sweet jams AAAANNNNDDD you can make yourself feel awesome by supporting someone's dream!

That's about enough of me talking, here she is in her own words...




CHECK OUT THESE COOL PRIZES:

• Pledge $1 or more

   3 backers
  RIGHT ON: Virtual Hi-5! Any dollar amount will help towards making this project happen.
  Estimated delivery: Jan 2013

• Pledge $8 or more

   0 backers
  TWITTER SHOUT-OUT: I will mention you on a tweet (@mpolinar) thanking you for your contribution! Hooray!
  Estimated delivery: Feb 2013

• Pledge $10 or more

   12 backers
  THANK YOU: I will send you a "thank you" note/postcard via mail. I will personally write and sign it! :)
  Estimated delivery: Feb 2013

• Pledge $15 or more

   26 backers
  DIGITAL COPY: You will receive a digital copy of the release before everyone else. By pledging, you'd be top priority to receive the project. (mp3 files)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $20 or more

   67 backers
  PHYSICAL COPY (CD): You will receive a SIGNED physical copy of the release.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $25 or more

   23 backers
  CD & DIGITAL: You will receive a SIGNED physical copy (CD) and DIGITAL copy as well. Any dollar amount above $25 will get you both CD and digital copy.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $30 or more

   25 backers Sold out

  HANDWRITTEN LYRICS: signed CD + Digital + Pick your favorite "Melissa Polinar" original song and I will personally write it on paper just for you.

  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $30 or more

   3 backers
  TRIPLE STANDARD: signed CD + Digital + signed Poster
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $40 or more

   15 backers Sold out

  HANDWRITTEN LYRICS (framed): signed CD + Digital + Pick your favorite "Melissa Polinar" original song and I will personally write it on paper for you + you will receive the handwritten lyrics in a frame, autographed on the back of the frame, and numbered (only 10).

  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $45 or more

   3 backers Limited (2 of 5 left)
  DISPOSABLE CAMERA: signed CD + Digital + I will be taking photos in the studio/environment capturing candid moments during the recording process using a few disposable cameras! Then I'll send you a camera AS IS! You can develop it yourself and see what pictures come out. It's like a piñata or a box of chocolates - you never know what you gonna get!
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $50 or more

   5 backers Limited (2 of 7 left)
  COMBO PACKAGE #1: signed CD + Digital + Handwritten Lyrics + signed Poster
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $50 or more

   10 backers Limited (20 of 30 left)
  PHOTO JOURNAL: signed CD + Digital + You'll receive a limited release photo journal (professionally taken) documenting the journey of this project. Signed and numbered. (limited to 30)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $50 or more

   5 backers Sold out

  VIDEO SHOUT-OUT/GREETING: signed CD + Digital + I will record a video to say thank you, shout-out, greet you "happy birthday" or to a friend/loved-one! Then I will send the file over to you via email and you can post on your social networks (i.e. YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.). [2-3 minutes max]

  Estimated delivery: May 2013

  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $60 or more

   5 backers Sold out

  COMBO PACKAGE #2: singed CD + Digital + Handwritten Lyrics (framed) + signed Poster (framed)

  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $70 or more

   0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
  COMBO PACKAGE #3: signed CD + Digital + Disposable Camera + Photo Journal
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $75 or more

   0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
  MINI-SKYPE SESSION: signed CD + Digital + 15-minute Skype session. You can ask me questions, sing a song or 2, meet my dog Taquito (if I'm home), and hang out!
  Estimated delivery: May 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $75 or more

   0 backers Limited (15 of 15 left)
  CRITIQUE A SONG: signed CD + Digital + Send me an mp3 and lyrics of your song or a song that you are working on. I will then listen to it and then email you back with my feedback. Don't worry, I'll be gentle. :)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $80 or more

   4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)
  VIDEO - SINGING/SONG DEDICATION: signed CD + Digital + I'll record a singing video for you! You'd have to send me a list of possible songs or pick an original of mine. I'll sing the entire song and dedicate it to whoever you'd like (on the video). I will then send the file over to you via email and you can post on your social networks (i.e. YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.).
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $3 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $85 or more

   1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)
  CD BUNDLE: 10 signed CDs + Digital
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $100 or more

   4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)
  SKYPE SESSION: signed CD + Digital + 30-minute Skype session. You can ask me questions, sing a few songs, you can have a staring contest with my dog Taquito (if I'm home), and hang out! It'll be fun times!
  Estimated delivery: Mar 2013

• Pledge $120 or more

   5 backers Sold out

  ULTIMATE COMBO: signed CD + Digital + Handwritten lyrics (framed) + Signed Poster (framed) + Disposable Camera + Photo Journal

  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $125 or more

   0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
  PAINTING [11x14]: signed CD + Digital + Receive a "Melissa Polinar" original painting. Each canvas is 11x14-inches in dimensions. I usually use acrylic as my medium of choice. I have sold a few of my originals online in the past. I will sign the back of each piece and would personalize a message if you'd like. (NOTE: First come, first serve. For example, whoever pledges for this reward first receives priority on selecting the painting.)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $150 or more

   2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)
  PAINTING [16x20]: signed CD + Digital + Receive a "Melissa Polinar" original painting. Each canvas is 16x20-inches in dimensions. I usually use acrylic as my medium of choice. I have sold a few of my originals online in the past. I will sign the back of each piece and would personalize a message if you'd like. (NOTE: First come, first serve. For example, whoever pledges for this reward first receives priority on selecting the painting.)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Add $10 to ship outside the US

• Pledge $300 or more

   1 backer Limited (1 of 2 left)
  YOUTUBE COVER: signed CD + Digital + Send me a list of possible song choices and I will choose a song from your list and cover it. I will then post on MY YouTube channel - http://youtube.com/mpolinar - A shout-out to you will be posted under the information panel.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $400 or more

   0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
  BACKGROUND VOCAL RECORDING SESSION WORK (online): signed CD + Digital + If you're an artist/musician working on a music project/album/release, I can sing background vocals for one of your tracks! You or your producer would have to send me a guide track. I will track vocals and send those files to you via online. (NOTE: I will send raw/unedited tracks)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $500 or more

   1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
  CO-WRITE A SONG (online): signed CD + Digital + I will write a song with YOU! We can start a new song or a song you're already working on via email/Skype/iChat.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $550 or more

   0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
  DEMO/FEATURE/DUET VOCAL RECORDING SESSION WORK (online): signed CD + Digital + If you're an artist/musician working on a music project/album/release, I can do feature/duet/demo vocals for you on a track! You or your producer would have to send me a guide track. I will then track vocals and send those files to you via online. (NOTE: I will send raw/unedited tracks)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $777 or more

   0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
  WRITE YOU A SONG: signed CD + Digital + I will write you a song. Yes, you read correctly. You will receive a 100 per cent/authentic Melissa Polinar song. I will email you asking for possible topics/subject matter (i.e. love song for your significant other, hope, sunset, breakup, song titles). When I finish the song, I will send an acoustic recording (guitar/vocal) over to you. You would be the FIRST one to have and hear the song. ***** PLEASE NOTE ***** You get to keep the recording but 1) you would have to agree NOT to redistribute and exploit the track in any way and 2) I will reserve all my copyrights - writers/publishing credits.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

• Pledge $900 or more

   0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
  CO-WRITE A SONG (in-person): signed CD + Digital + I will write a song with YOU in person! You would have to provide travel/accommodations and must be flexible with schedule. (This offer is only valid in the U.S.)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Ships within the US only

• Pledge $1,000 or more

   0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
  VOCAL RECORDING SESSION (in-person): signed CD + Digital + If you're an artist/musician working on a music project/album/release, I can do vocal session work for an entire day at your studio. You must provide travel/accommodations and must be flexible with schedule. (This offer is only valid in the U.S.)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Ships within the US only

• Pledge $1,100 or more

   0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
  HOUSE CONCERT: signed CD + Digital + I will do a house concert for you. Just me and my guitar, I'll sing my songs and you can invite all your friends. It'll be fun times! You must provide travel/accommodations. Must be flexible with schedule. (This offer is only valid in the U.S.)
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013
  Ships within the US only

• Pledge $9,500 or more

   0 backers
  EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT: signed CD + Digital + any rewards/perk(s) you desire listed above + YOUR NAME credited as an Executive Producer on the release.
  Estimated delivery: Aug 2013

So "As of Now" (lol) 1/11/13 there are about 16 days left to support this project (that's music biz talk) and as I said you can donate as little as a buck so let's get it going! Melissa is an honorary COOLBIRD, and we SUPPORT ALL OUR COOLBIRDS....right?????????  RRRIIIIIIGGGGHHHHTTT!!!??? I thought so!!!

FOR MORE MELISSA POLINAR INFO CHECK OUT HER SITE AND FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER!!!

SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT!

Editor in Chief of THe Penguin Gazette,
Rudy