Tag: Los Angeles

LISTEN: Smith Allen, “Waitin’ For My Wheels”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Smith Allen
Hometown: Los Angeles, California (by way of Ohio)
Song: “Waitin’ For My Wheels”
Album: Smith Allen
Release Date: April 26, 2019

In Their Words: “‘Waitin’ For My Wheels’ was written during a moment of uncertainty and self-reflection. It’s a reminder to keep aiming for the life you desire, even when it may seem far out of reach. It’s sort of a pep talk to my old self, using some of my fears to drive the point home and gain much needed motivation. Producer Jason Soda brought some cookin’ guitars to the mix, adding a tasteful touch of color and twang. ‘Time moves slower on the West Coast,’ when the sun’s always shining and the nights are long. The wheels are finally turning and I’m thrilled to premiere this track through BGS!” — Smith Allen

Photo credit: Samantha Stenson

LISTEN: Ted Russell Kamp, “Heart Under Pressure”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Ted Russell Kamp
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Heart Under Pressure”
Album: Walkin’ Shoes
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Label: PoMo Records

In Their Words: “‘Heart Under Pressure’ is an anti-Dear John letter about being there for a friend who is hurting and in need. I read an article about longevity and eating right to have a healthy heart, which got me thinking about the heart literally being a muscle. In music, we often talk about heartbreak as an end-of-the-world kind of feeling and I wanted to write a song about the heart as an actual muscle that can outlast any emotional pain and survive anything we might be going through. I wanted to let the heart and its continual beating be a metaphor for our ability to endure and outlast whatever struggle comes our way.

“I co-wrote this song with an old friend and great singer/songwriter, Mark Webb from Greenville, South Carolina. A few years ago, he originally contacted me and sent me what were the beginnings of a new song of his called ‘Heart Under Pressure.’ I told him about my ‘heart as a muscle’ idea and we then combined them and worked on the lyrics to have them come from the perspective of a friend comforting another friend in need. The world is a pretty overwhelming and confusing place right now and I feel we all need to be reminded that we can make it through the hard times–and that our hearts under pressure really can lead the way and pull us through it all.

“I recorded it at my home studio, The Den, in L.A. with Danny Echevarria (the Countrysiders) on guitar and Aaron Goodrich (Nikki Lane) on drums. Then I played the acoustic guitar, Wurlitzer, Hammond and a little more electric guitar. Then another good friend of mine, Jaime Wyatt, sang harmony on the recording.” — Ted Russell Kamp

Photo Credit: Stacie Huckaba

LISTEN: Roses and Cigarettes, “California Going Home”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Roses and Cigarettes
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “California Going Home”
Album: Echoes and Silence
Release Date: February 22, 2019

In Their Words: “‘California Going Home’ was written about a relationship that didn’t work out but the love there remains. Not everyone will stay forever and this song is about appreciating that person for who they are and where they are, even if it means your heart is broken in the process.” — Jenny Pagliaro

“This was the last song we wrote for the album. We were over at Jenny’s house, and we were talking about needing one more rockin’ song for the album. I sat on her couch and summoned Janis Joplin to help us out. The chords literally poured out from my hands. Jenny and I looked at each other and she immediately grabbed her phone, a pen, and we recorded the first draft. The song came together fairly quickly. Jenny created this beautiful scenery and imagery with her lyrics and I just love the story she tells in this song. We’ve all been there, and have felt those feelings before.

“We took a lot of inspiration from The Allman Brothers, John Mayer, and Susan Tedeschi for ‘California Going Home.’ After recording our debut album in 2015, I knew I wanted Album 2 to have a song with harmonizing guitar parts. I really had fun playing my Fender Telecaster on this track! Jenny and I both wanted a jam song and a sing-along on this album, and we are so thrilled with how this song turned out! Our producer and bassist, Michael Lyons, really dug deep to create a beautiful production on this song that truly grasps that down-home, sparkly, Americana vibe Jenny and I had envisioned when we wrote it. We were very honored to have Ryan Lipman mix this album, and he really hit it home on this track. Chris Lawrence (pedal steel,) Bobby Victor (keys,) and Vic Vanacore (drums/percussion,) completed the circle with their great energy and musical vibe in the studio to make the song a real jam! — Angela Petrilli

Photo credit: Rachel Louise Photography