February 01, 2005Keeping you up-to-date with our contests and site content! Happy Groundhog Day! Welcome to another DiscoveringArtists.com newsletter! We've been getting CDs by the masses all winter and have found a few to warm up to. Check out our latest reviews for David Gray, Sia, Ari Hest, and O.A.R. And we're still giving away CDs every month in hopes to spread some good stuff around the globe. Check out our contests to learn how to win! Stay warm and keep dreaming of outdoor concert arenas for summer shows! Kristen and Dan DiscoveringArtists.com Latest Reviews David Gray: Life in Slow Motion Purchase this CD In his seventh album, David Gray shows us that his music is certainly able to stand the test of time. This collection of songs doesn't stray far from his beloved sound that has captured audiences around the globe. But the tunes do show that Gray has evolved from the days of "Babylon." Not much, though. "Alibi" starts off a little differently, showing a somber semi-electronica style. The track, "Ain't No Love" is evident of this experimental sound with the piano tossed in for the comfort of his religious fans. "Lately" seems to capture the dreamy intoxication of Gray's signature sound as he sings, "Someone tell me where did it go/Darling I'm damned if I know/I seen that look in your eye/No-one ever gave it a chance/I could have said in advance/You saw it all at a glance/And goodbye." By the time you get to "Disappearing World" it brings you back to the tone of his famous track "This Year's Love." Overall, a huge thumbs up for one of our favorite UK acts. Favorite Tracks: Lately, Disappearing World Rating: 5 stars Sia: Colour the Small One Purchase this CD If her smashing hit, "Breathe Me" weren't enough, Sia's album more than exemplifies that this young lady is making huge waves in the music industry. Her industrial sounds combine those of Charlotte Martin and Tori Amos, while tossing in some Imogen Heap for good measure. Still, it's a little lighter than that, mixing in some trip-hop. Unlike the rest of those songstresses, however, Sia's sound is more honest. More understandable. More relatable. She used to be part of Zero 7, but obviously can stand on her own just fine. In "Breathe Me" she sings, Help, I have done it again/I have been here many times before/Hurt myself again today/And the worst part is there's no one else to blame." The rest of her songs and lyrics are just as poignant. Favorite Tracks: Breathe Me, Don't Bring Me Down Rating: 5 stars More Reviews News Enter John Lennon Songwriting Contest The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting contest that began in 1997. The Contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in any one of 12 categories. The JLSC is open year-round and features two sessions - with 72 Finalists, 24 Grand Prize Winners, 12 Lennon Award Winners, and 1 Maxell Song of the Year. Session I deadline: June 15. For more, visit http://www.jlsc.com/enter.php. Emm Gryner in New Band Emm's been busy with her new band Hot One in which she plays bass and sings . Bandmates are ex-Shudder To Think member Nathan Larson on guitar and lead vocals, ex-Guided By Voices drummer Kevin March on drums and Escalate guitarist/songwriter/producer Jordan Kern on guitar. Their mini-page is up at hot-one.org. Breaking Laces Releases "Lemonade" If you thought the first album was amazing, you'll be pleased to hear they've done it again. Head over to http://www.breakinglaces.com/mainpage.html to listen to some new tracks and order the new masterpiece. Keri Noble Back on Tour Though word of her next album isn't out yet, Keri Noble will be hitting the road this spring. Check out http://www.kerinoble.com/shows.html for details. Jen Foster Releases "The Underdogs" Everybody's girl, Jen Foster, has released her latest album, The Underdogs. The title track of her the CD was picked as a Finalist in the Pop Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. For more, visit http://www.jenfoster.com. Josh Ritter to Release "The Animal years" Josh Ritter's new record, titled "The Animal Years," will be released this spring on V2 & Independent Records in Ireland, likely on April 11 in North America. Tours for all these areas are currently in the works for the spring, and will be announced shortly. Josh is currently on tour in Europe. For more, visit http://www.joshritter.com. More News... Sponsors   Website: www.TaylorMckenna.com More info: Taylor Mckenna's message board Booking info: talent@suncrestmanagement.com Taylor Mckenna Want to advertise with us? Visit http://discoveringartists.com/html/advertise for details. Featured Artist Kat Parsons It began with some demanding fans who wanted Kat Parsons to record new material so badly that they helped fund her latest album, No Will Power. Read More... Reviews: Shows Guster The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom November 11, 2005 Guster was true to form and full of energy as they played to a sold-out crowd at the Hampton Casino on Friday, November 11. Fresh from recording, the threesome recently turned foursome rocked the house with a set list that would make any fan blush. Read on for more! Contests This month we have 2 fantastic contests running. First we are giving away a copy of Duncan Sheik's new CD White Limousine. Read a review of this CD here. We are also giving away a "Limited Edition" copy of Beth Orton's Comfort of Strangers. This CD includes 5 bonus tracks. Click here to read a review of this CD. Entries for both contests are due by February 28, 2006. Click here to enter. Message Board • What artists are missing from our site? • Who are you listening to? Don't forget to check out our message board to post and read about your favorite artists. Upcoming Reviews - Brandi Carlile - Spill - Jamie Cullum - Collective Soul - Laura Veirs - Idlefill