Tag: Velvet Blue Music

Charity Empressa is essentially a solo project of Eric Campuzano (The Prayer Chain, Lassie Foundation, Stranger Kings, ex-Starflyer 59, Cush) with a revolving cast of support and collaborators. While the list of those giving input is lengthy, among them are Troy Daughtery (Hoi Polloi, Duraluxe), Wayne Everett (Prayer Chain, Lassie Foundation, ex-Starflyer 59, solo), Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura, solo, ex-Starflyer 59), Andrew Prickett (Prayer Chain, My Brother’s Mother), Herb Grimaud (the violet burning, Raspberry Jam, Stranger Kings), Josh Hagquist (ex-Dogwood, The Beautiful Mistake), and many others.… Continued →

I’ve been a fan of Starflyer 59 since the affectionately titled “Silver” (officially self-titled) released in 1994. So when offered the chance to interview Jason Martin in advance of their new album Lust for Gold, I jumped at the chance. Always known for being brief in interviews, he still managed to be substantial in his correspondence. LH: The response to the new single “909” has been incredible so far, with many people commenting how the sound hearkens back to 90s-era SF59 with the later style of vocals.… Continued →

The much loved, critically acclaimed, and all around cherished indie rock legends, Starflyer 59, will return with their brand new record “Lust For Gold” on August 16th 2024 via Velvet Blue Music. The lead single “909” drops on July 19th. Check out a teaser for the song, below. Warning, it’s much too short and will lead the listener into withdrawal symptoms upon end of said teaser. Velvet Blue Music has some cool merch that is already out for you fans. They’ve got Tshirts and Patches out now and shipping, click here for the link.… Continued →

Kevin & Anita Robinson (Viva Voce, Blue Giant) had a short-lived funk/soul project called Francis, that released a split release with Lackthereof about 20 years ago. This project even opened for Fugazi once in North Carolina (talking about indie cred)! The band is releasing a new track (well, sort of)–actually an unreleased track from 2004, which will be available tomorrow (June 27) on Bandcamp or Friday (June 28) on other streaming platforms, thanks to long-time label partner Velvet Blue Music. Kevin is a Middle School teacher in Alabama specializing in Multimedia Production and some of his students created this video for the song.… Continued →

Dream pop darlings Slow Salvation have just released a brand new single. The duo wowed listeners last year with their dreamy shoegaze full-length, Here We Lie. The new single is over 6 minutes of layered musical bliss. Check it out on bandcamp: https://slowsalvation.bandcamp.com/album/call-a-friend… Continued →

The Rocky Valentines which is the project led by Charles Martin who happens to be an accomplished musician and songwriter by his own right, is releasing his much anticipated debut record titled “Erase” on March 29th through Tooth & Nail Records and Velvet Blue Music. Oh and his father just happens to be Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Pre-order this album in a few different options right here.… Continued →

My favorite Christmas songs tend to be the traditional carols. Sure, I love a good cheesy secular holiday tune every now and then (“Let it Snow” anyone?), but I find the deep theology of the carols to be particularly meaningful, and therefore apropos for the season. Having said that, there are also some wonderful contemporary renderings of the traditional tunes. Viva Voce was an indie rock band, centered on wife-husband duo Anita and Kevin Robinson. Originally from Alabama, they transplanted to Portland, OR somewhere along their musical (and geographical) journey.… Continued →

Lugsole was a noisy indie rock band from Birmingham AL with hints of post-punk and emo in their sound. Despite a significant number of releases–both independent and label-issued–they remained a fairly obscure act, whose fans were either music critics or diehard independent music aficionados. Recorded output begins in 1995 and ends in 1998, and in those four short years, they managed to release three cassette demos (two EPs and one full-length), a split 7″ with Dear Ephesus, an EP on compact disc via Daddy-O Records (who also released the first Dear Ephesus recordings), and a 3-way split CD with mainstream acts The Paper Chase and E-Class.… Continued →

Fine China are back with a brand new album titled “Eyes In The Water” that will release on October 19th through Velvet Blue Music. From the fabulous new single “Breathtaker”, you can tell right off the bat that this will be a mesmerizing, and well, breathtaking new album. Pre-order the album right here on Vinyl, Tape, and CD.… Continued →

A new band we just started discussing, have released their surprise debut full length via Velvet Blue Music. The band is Slow Salvation and the album is called “Here We Lie”. It is available worldwide via all digital networks. It is a dreamy pop with a lush indie rock arrangement and plenty of mood enhancing instrumentation. This is truly something to get excited about and a band with that certain “newness” that doesn’t strike you as mediocre or off-putting. Give them a listen and pick up the album now from Velvet Blue in physical format here.… Continued →

This exciting new project being released on Velvet Blue Music by the group “Slow Salvation” is now available for pre-order right here on the VBM site. You can buy on Vinyl LP, CD, or Cassette or all 3 in a bundle. You definitely don’t want to sleep on this. Pre-order Slow Salvation “Here We Lie” right here.… Continued →

Just releasing in April, this artists is Jason Martin’s son. Jason & Ronnie Martin have put out some of imho the best music the world has & will ever hear. Find the EP on Jeff Cloud’s Velvet Blue Music label. Also, check out Brandon’s take on July 30, 2022.   … Continued →

Ronnie Martin who is best known for his cheerful synth project – Joy Electric, as well as his incredible recent solo offerings under his own name, is back with “Bells Merrily” a special Christmas collection of songs due to release on December 2nd through Velvet Blue Music. Check out the song “Lost Christmas Night”, below. … Continued →

It’s so great to have Gary Murray and co. back to making music again after almost a decade of quietude. Gary had to retreat for a few years beginning in 2014 while taking care of aging parents and other personal matters. Monkeys & Spoons certainly reflects that solitude, as well as the grief of losing someone you’ve had close. While the album cover nearly depicts contents of jazz fusion or post-rock (both Koinonia and strangely, Talk Talk are evoked by the artwork), don’t be led astray there.… Continued →

An exciting indie rock band called The Rocky Valentines that we told you about last week is premiering their new 4 song “Self Titled” EP to the world on September 2nd. Pre-order the new EP from The Rocky Valentines, by clicking this link here. Available on Cassette or CD from Velvet Blue Music.… Continued →

The Rocky Valentines which is the new project from Charlie Martin who just happens to be the son of Starflyer 59 legendary song maker – Jason Martin. The music influence and talents run rich through his blood and it is clearly evident on this first new song from the debut upcoming “Self Titled” EP due out September 2nd on Velvet Blue Music. Not only is the music great and extremely catchy but the vocals match that talent and the lush sounds radiate through your speakers with subtle intensity that will sway you.… Continued →

Most of you will know that Ronnie Martin has been making music since the late 80s (at least) with Morella’s Forest 1988, Dance House Children, and most famously Joy Electric, not to mention a host of side projects like Ronald of Orange, The Foxglove Hunt, The Brothers Martin, and so forth. While there’s a lot of history with Martin’s expertise in making quirky, electronic pop music, in a sense none of that matters. Not that the history isn’t respectable–but what we really want to know is, is this record going to be good?… Continued →

I am going to take a moment and introduce you all to a brand new band featuring C. Martin who is the son of Jason Martin (and also a current member) of Starflyer 59. The new band is called “The Rocky Valentines”. The debut single “Off & On” will debut on August 19th via Velvet Blue Music with the full Self Titled EP out on September 2nd 2022. From the sounds of the preview video below, it is both classic and modern, alluring and full of melodies and sounds that his father I’m sure must be super proud of.… Continued →

I’ve been listening to Ronnie Martin’s music since the late 80s, when he and brother Jason (of Starflyer 59 and many others) were known as the duo Dance House Children. That group reveled in synth-pop, but with a super quirky edge. There was nothing in the Christian nor secular markets quite like it. After two underrated albums, the pair split. Jason started the legendary indie rock monster Starflyer 59, while Ronnie carried on with synthesizer-created music in the form of Joy Electric. Picking up where Dance House Children left off, Joy Electric took the quirkiness to extreme new levels.… Continued →

Golf Slang is a new side project of Jamey Bozeman of the band Luxury. Gold Slang takes on some of that 80’s new wave influence, incorporates modern sounds and conveniences and makes a song that just about anyone can appreciate. It’s really low key, chill, and something to knock off the shoes, kick back, and relax in a nice, oversized chair. If you like what you hear below, make sure to pre-order the new 5 song EP “How I Lost My Voice” right here via their label home – Velvet Blue Music, and on Cassette or CD.… Continued →

If you’ve followed my writings for any amount of time, it’s not hard to discern my love for all things shoegaze, dream pop and the like. One of the best in the game was the mysterious LN. I was never quite sure if it was a band, or a solo project masquerading as a band. Sure, it was fairly well known that Gary Murray (who later recorded as Gary Murray and LN, and then just as Gary Murray) was the principal of the band, but not as clear who else was involved or at what level.… Continued →

Ronnie Martin (Joy Electric, Brothers Martin, Dance House Children) just dropped his 2nd single titled “Snow Like Wool” which you can take a listen to right here (or below). Pick up a CD Deluxe Version of the song along with 2 bonus tracks right here from VBM. The new full length album will be out sometime in 2022 via Velvet Blue Music.… Continued →

Ronnie Martin known for his work in Joy Electric, Ronald of Orange, Brothers Martin, Dance House Children, and more, is here with his new solo song (under his own name) titled “From The Womb Of The Morning, The Dew of Your Youth Will Be Yours”. That is one heck of a mouthful of words to belt out but it’s truly a great song. Check out the track below and download or stream on your network of choice including Bandcamp here via his label home, Velvet Blue Music.… Continued →

Can we please come to a collective agreement as people, as all of mankind, that Starflyer 59 is one of the greatest rock bands of all time? Read on for my short write up on “Vanity”.… Continued →

So a new friend or acquaintance finds out you’re into music. The inevitable question follows: “what kind of music do you like?” How honest are you? Do you simply say, “I like a little bit of everything?” You know that’s not true. You can’t stand Matchbox 20. Do you try something a little more honest, but still generic, like, “mostly rock stuff.” No, that won’t work either–they might think you mean Lynyrd Skynyrd. Or are you blatantly honest with them, knowing they are unlikely to have a clue what you mean: “my favorite genre is probably shoegaze.”… Continued →

Starflyer 59 are returning next month with a brand new album tiled “Vanity” that will be released through Velvet Blue Music. Jason Martin & Co. have been very active the past few years with loads of new music and if the 3 singles off this album are any indication of the quality present in this record then we are all in for a real treat. Pre-order the album in several different options via the Velvet Blue site right here. I was able to order my super bundle this morning so if you act fast, some of these options might still be available.… Continued →

Jason Martin is back at it, never ceasing to create and release new music. The new single is called “Sunrise” and is decidedly more upbeat than the recent “Life in Bed.” Perhaps the two work as companion pieces? The 80s post-punk and new wave influences are here again, but filtered through Jason’s shoegaze and indie rock background. Check out the song on your streaming platform of choice. Be sure to download and support the artist where possible. https://starflyer59.bandcamp.com/album/sunrise https://soundcloud.com/velvetblue/starflyer-59-sunrise https://open.spotify.com/track/4o5hLF6WnULrPXFCMzmLH5?si=5ee0b792c04143d1… Continued →

Starflyer 59 and filmmaker, Hunter Christy, just put together this wonderful “Life In Bed” short film. Watch it below and comment with your thoughts. Starflyer 59 “Life In Bed” single is out now.… Continued →

First things first: I must apologize for missing a couple of weeks on my Song of the Day features. We’ve been in the middle of an international move. Yes, after 13 years of life in the UK, my family and I have returned to the United States! And we’ve been living out of suitcases while we finalize our housing. So do please forgive me for missing a few posts. However, I hope a new song from Starflyer 59 this week can make up for it. The first thing I noticed from the track was the eerie new wave keyboard sounds and quasi-goth guitar leads.… Continued →

Not much is known at this very moment but yes, it appears a new Ronnie Martin (Joy Electric) “single” is coming soon from the folks at Velvet Blue Music. The title is “From The Womb of the Morning The Dew Of Your Youth Will Be Yours”. This single doesn’t have a release date just yet but with all things Jeff Cloud of VBM, it’s probably pretty soon. Are you looking forward to new Ronnie Martin music?… Continued →