Articles by Joshua

COO of UL Sounds.com, a boutique publishing admin firm based in Sacramento, COO of Pac Ave Records (Stockton, CA), writer for Indie Music Discovery.com. Father of 3, all around jedi.

Terry Derosier Is Thunderin Down The Road On Newest Project

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 25, 2018 9:42 pm Tagged With: Country, country rock, singer, songwriter

In 2014, small business owner Terry Derosier fell ten feet through unsecured scaffolding and landed on his head. Still conscious but in a pool of blood, Terry suddenly found himself on a tight rope. Life on one side. Death on the other. As fate (or whatever you want to call it) would have it, Terry […]

Cozmic Is Not Ready For Summer, Infectious New Single Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 25, 2018 3:10 pm Tagged With: California, electro-pop, indie pop, New York City, Pop, singer, songwriter, United States

It’s summer and your friends have big plans for tons of fun traveling, partying and making memories with those they care about most. With all those good times ahead for your peers, you find yourself disconnected, feeling empty, in pain and longing to spend your summer with a special someone you are unable to be […]

Lizzy Latimer Delivers Infectious, Upbeat, Danceable Pop Single, Can’t Cage Me Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 19, 2018 12:43 pm Tagged With: Hip Hop, Pop, rap, singer, songwriter

Lizzy Latimer teamed up with Kyah Baby for her new, highly infectious, body movin’, pop single titled Can’t Cage Me. A violinist since age 3, a multi-instrumentalist and an impressive vocalist, classically trained Lizzy Latimer began writing songs as a teenager, eventually earned a degree in Commercial Music and Production, and has been working as […]

Nocturnal Blonde Deliver Music With Depth and Purpose, Listen To Smart Heart

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 19, 2018 12:20 pm Tagged With: classic rock, Georgia, indie rock, United States

Smart Heart is an EP consisting of songs written by brothers Ritchie and Dave Williams before Dave suffered mental and medical complications after an opioid related incident. Nearly all the songs on this project were co-written by the brothers but one crucial element was missing from the mix…a worthy vocalist. Enter Rachel Grace who was […]

Sebastian O Captures Natural, Raw, Intimate Sounds On Newest Album, In Your Room

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 19, 2018 11:57 am Tagged With: Acoustic, Alternative, Europe, Italy, New York City, singer, songwriter, United States

The average songwriter sets out to write an appealing song focused only on the end goal…finishing the song. Like a breath of fresh air, alternative singer/songwriter Sebastian O made the conscious decision to focus on the method which allows the end goal freedom to arrive at it’s final state in a natural, raw way. […]

Akshara Create Beautiful Soundscapes Founded In Traditional Indian Classical Music, In Time Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 19, 2018 10:29 am Tagged With: Folk, jazz, New York City, United States, World

Akshara is a music ensemble organized by composer Bala Skandan that is founded in traditional Indian classical music but also brings together world music traditions alongside elements of jazz improvisation and folk music. Akshara‘s composition Mohana Blues was the winner of Best World Traditional Song at the 13th Annual Independent Music Awards. Once you click […]

Grayson Erhard Captivates With Masterful Song Crafting, I Will Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 18, 2018 10:37 am Tagged With: Acoustic, Colorado, Pop, pop rock, singer, songwriter

Hailing from a section of Colorado known as “The Valley”, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Grayson Erhard saw his music career take an unexpected turn while performing a cover version of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition at NAMM. During that performance, the man and the legend Stevie Wonder overheard the song, approached Grayson and a spontaneous, impromptu duet […]

Royal Ruckus Returns! Prepare To Rock With The World’s Okayest Rapper

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 18, 2018 9:36 am Tagged With: Hip Hop, rap

SoCal based Royal Ruckus is back with the World’s Okayest Rapper, the follow-up to their previous album Summer of the Cicadas (which we reviewed, find that here). For this fun-filled, head-noddin’, ill flowin’, beats bangin’ album, emcee Chunjay teamed up with CookBook of LA Symphony to take us on a journey through the life of […]

Derek Lee Goodreid Packs A Blues-Infused Rockabilly Punch on New Album God, The Devil and I

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 17, 2018 7:58 pm Tagged With: Blues, Country, Europe, Folk, Norway, rockabilly, singer, songwriter

Australia native, Norway based singer/songwriter Derek Lee Goodreid delivers a raw, organic, blues-infused, rockabilly wall of sound on his new album God, The Devil and I. Combining elements of rockabilly, blues, folk and country music styles into a potent sonic package, Derek’s years of experience as a song crafter and musician culminate into a fine […]

The Sheyana Band Spread Big Love With New Single and Album

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman June 16, 2018 12:08 pm Tagged With: Australia, Blues, blues rock, indie rock, singer, songwriter

Get ready to feel the love emanating from The Sheyana Band’s new single and album Big Love. Tight rhythms, body movin’ grooves and plenty of blues-infused, roots-rockin’ storytelling are packed into the fourteen songs which make up this cohesive and consistently emotive yet jammin’ record. Headed by Tasmania based guitarist, educator and award-winning singer/songwriter Sheyana […]