One of my old college buddies from William Paterson, Warren Hibbert, recently reached out to me because he was excited about an artist he was working with. He warned me that it wasn’t the type of music that I usually write about, but I assured him that I listen to everything! So, he told me about his artist, Rachel Allyn, a country singer from Ogdensburg, NJ. I have to admit, since my new guilty pleasure is ABC’s Nashville, listening to Rachel Allyn’s music was pure ear candy! Her voice is angelic and pure country through and through! The songs “Ain’t No Fun,” “Triggerman,” and her disc’s title-track, “Do It Yourself,” were absolute ear grabbers. I have to say that Warren might’ve found himself a goldmine on this one.
According to her bio, Rachel Allyn’s young career began when she started singing country songs in New Jersey bars at the prime age of 10. Don’t ask me how she got in, but she did. Rachel grew up in a household of musicians, which gave her the freedom to listen, create, and grow as a young singer and songwriter. She began writing melodies and lyrics at a young age, and gradually began forming her own voice influenced by songwriting greats like John Lennon, Shania Twain, Emmylou Harris, and Elvis Costello. When she was 12, Rachel dragged her mom’s living room stereo, a stack of her favorite country CDs, and a wireless microphone into a local coffee house and played her first paid gig. Little did she know many gigs would follow, helping her hone in on her skills as a country singer and performer. Rachel would eventually have the honor of sharing the stage with country greats like Shania Twain, Gretchen Wilson, and Bobby Bare. She now often performs with her six-piece band in bars, festivals, theaters, casinos, charity functions, and more.
In 2009, Rachel released her debut EP, Late Nights And Early Mornings, to be followed by a slew of releases in 2011, culminating in her latest release, Do It Yourself. Rachel’s hard work seems to be paying off because country music critics love her and fans all over the place absolutely adore her. Country music fan or not, you have to check out Rachel Allyn! You will absolutely love her! Oh, by the way, my bud Warren is her manager and guitarist too! Check Rachel out now at reverbnation.com/rachelallyn.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
My boys from Atom Strange are finally done with the recording of their new CD, The Lost Cosmonauts. According to the band, the new CD simply sounds like a continuation of their first CD, Cosmic Disturbance, full of killer riffs, hard-hitting drums, heavy yet melodic vocals, and a groove unmatched by no one! They say that the CD will take you on a journey deep into the mind of Atom Strange! Sounds interesting enough for me! They’ll be spending the rest of the month mixing the disc. Find out more about the new release by logging onto atomstrange.com.
I recently chatted with Scarlet Carson’s Tom Herres, and it turns out that the show will go on for the band, who recently parted ways with singer Santino Noir. According to Tom, he will be taking over the lead singer duties for the time being. They’re currently looking for a rhythm guitarist to fill Tom’s void, but I’m sure they won’t pass up on a kickass lead singer, if he or she was to come along. Reach out to Scarlet Carson at facebook.com/scarletcarsonnj.
And finally, a couple of weeks ago, I was asked to emcee a Hurricane Sandy Relief Show at Roxy & Dukes in Dunellen by my bud Sandi Murphy! The show was absolutely awesome and packed! I felt like I was at a Studio One reunion. There were so many familiar faces in this place. I got to see a great set from Jester, my boys Audio Machine rocked the house, and American Angel brought back some memories. But the band that stole the whole show, for me, anyway, was the return of PUSH! Back in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s, these guys were the kings of the local music scene. Watching them on stage again after 20 years made me feel like I was a teenager all over again, hearing songs like the WSOU hits “Miles Away,” “You Want It, You Got It,” and “Sixteen.” They sounded amazing and singer Rick Mauer still hit those high notes that he was hitting back in the ‘80s. I’m not sure how, but he was hitting them. The night was amazing and they raised over $10,000 for a good cause.
That’s all for now! If your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your press kits to Arts Weekly, c/o Tim Louie P.O. Box 1140, Little Falls, NJ 07424, or you can email me at tim@theaquarian.com, where you can also let me know where you’re performing next!
Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
Tim Louie is the Author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
2/21—Egokill/Nonstop/Reason For Existence—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/22—Lost In Society—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
2/23—Seas Of Wake/Sundown Conspiracy/Malvador/A Need For Reason/That Of A Lion—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/23—Split Point—The Cup Complex, Linden, NJ
2/24—Engine Room/InDisguise/DEADZONE/Devil Haus—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
2/24—Seclusion Void/Sunsets North/Pocketful/Maddam Ink/Pyramada/Brand Of Julez/Tara Elliott & The Red Velvets—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
2/25—Thank You Scientist/Fishbone—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
2/28—Single Bullet Theory/Mother—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/1—Lower The Veil/BlackOcean/Bone Devil/Panzie*–The Bone Yard, Atlantic City, NJ
3/1—Long Gone Day/Bastard Brigade/Darrow Chemical Co./the Accelerators —Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/1—Ghosts Of Eden—Irving Plaza, NYC
3/1—Atom Strange—The Legendary Dobbs, Philadelphia, PA
3/2—Aurin/40 Below Summer—Championship Sports Bar and Grill, Trenton, NJ
3/2—Thanatotic Desire—Le Grand Fromage, Atlantic City, NJ
3/2—Borgo Pass—Whoville, Bethpage, NY
3/3—Darkness Descends/Seas Of Wake/That Of A Lion/Hail Harbor/Prominence/Forbidden Territory/Collapsing From Within/Saeculus Novus—The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
3/7—Mobile Deathcamp/Knollwood—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/8—Dead Fish Handshake/Queensrÿche—Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ
3/9—InDisguise—Jimmy’s Place, Allentown, PA
3/9—Rockitfest 2: Sinners/Fevervein/Gas NYC/DMZ/The Dirty Stayouts/The Unknown/Fistacuffs/Peacefire/Ogre/Sardonica—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/10—Poc/ Modern Superstar/Jaded Past/Spider—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/10—Atom Strange/D.A.D./Panzie*–Webster Hall, NYC
3/16—Cyperna/Eyes Of The Dead/Eye Of Anubis/Gyre/Negative Sky/BluntGuts/Mass Punishment/Stagger/Darkness Descends/Scars Of Envy—The Brighton Bar, Long Branch, NJ
3/16—Star Killer/Panzie*/Resolution 15/JennCity/Dead Rocking Horse—Bowery Ballroom, NYC
3/22—Kosmic Daydream—Hat City Kitchen, Orange, NJ
3/23—Wrath Of Killenstein/Ixion Lux/Division 1.1/Eve Disaster/Ashes Of Your Enemy—Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
3/23—Dead Fish Handshake—Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
