A bit behind with stuff to cover, so let's get on with it.
Steve Shouse isn't perhaps your conventional musician, at least in a solo sense. He loves making music, but the reason is to enhance his songwriting. He feels more comfortable when he can share his playing and songwriting with others. Last week, I got a nice text from the creator/leader of the so-called Internet band Einstein's Dad. He provided me with a background on how this contingent came to be.
 |
| Steve Shouse, the mastermind behind the online-created band Einstein's Dad. |
"I had been looking for a way to connect with musicians and songwriters in an open and convenient environment", Shouse explains. Looking for an online app that would connect him with other aspiring musicians, he found a program called Kompoz. It's actually a social networking site for connecting with other musicians. and to collaborate with them and create a "long distance" musical band of sorts. Shouse thought that was the perfect solution to connect and share his ideas.
Shouse doesn't claim to be a dedicated music man, at least not like other individuals who are "truly gifted", according to him. While he is a software developer by day, that trade enabled him to discover Kompoz, an "easy and fast way to learn".
The first few times he logged in, however, he was a bit apprehensive. "I spent a lot of time just searching and listening to what songs and needs were out there. There was so much content to weave through, it was a little overwhelming".
Shouse found New Jersey musician Mario Licata via Kompoz, and started working on some songs that Shouse wrote. The two of them struck up a friendship despite Shouse living halfway across the country, as he hails from Shawnee, Kansas. They've worked together ever since. Steve then came upon Tom Corea, a drummer who also owns a studio at his East Hanover NJ home. Corea submitted a drum sequence for another song Shouse was writing. Tom, of course was from my hometown in Roselle Park and music has always been a part of his life, playing in many bands, both in studio and live. Tom and Steve were the same age, and they hit it off as well, "brothers from another mother", as Steve says. Corea is no stranger to long distance collaborations; he and the Hounds played on Tinkers Lane's front man Ian Roberts' songs such as "So Fine Summertime" and "Christmas at Our House", and he has collaborated with many others both here and around the world.
But what Shouse didn't know was that both Corea and Licata were both part of the studio ensemble The Hounds of Winter that have been recording together since the 2000's. "What a small world", he says. As a result, Shouse was introduced to another "Hound", vocalist Steve Roman. And that's when it all came together.
Shouse then connected with Richard Bradley, a guitarist from Canada, thus creating Shouse's core group. The first evidence of this newly created combo was during the holiday season of 2020. It was a tough year for many, with the initial onslaught of COVID-19 restricting get togethers, much less concert shows. With so many musical acts sidelined and not being able to tour, this was a perfect opportunity to record a song with this array of musicians. "Is It Over Yet?" referring to both 2020 and the pandemic, released during the holiday season of that year, was the perfect song for these times. The song had a very high debut on my chart, at #36 at the end of the year, eventually peaking at #28; it was a great way to introduce this new group.
In January 2021, the band released its first album, Remote Ready. However, the band needed a name. I had originally called them The Hounds of Winter since three members of the band played on it, but this was pretty much Shouse's baby. Turns out that Shouse's son Garrett is a physics major, similar to the great physicist Albert Einstein. Thus, "Einstein's Dad". "It just fit", Shouse explains.
In the next year-and-a-half, Einstein's Dad released seven albums or EP's, usually with the core group, but with additional musicians as well. For example, Remote Ready featured the likes of Gal Hornstein from Israel, Francisco Javier Perez from Miami Florida and several others. The songs I had selected from the band have done very well on my blog. "OMT", "See You in the Sun", and "Driving Home" all hit the top 10 last year.
This year, the releases continue to come out. The band has three songs on this week's SNS 100. "Here to Home", the title track from a November 2021 release, hit the #1 spot earlier this year, only the third instrumental to do so on my blog chart. The song still sits at #86 after 23 weeks on the chart. Another instrumental, the George Harrison tribute "Back to You", is at #78 and was from this past January's release Don't Stop Now. Last month, Einstein's Dad released the EP Six for June, a departure of sorts in that it only contains the "Core Five"--Shouse, Licata, Corea, Bradley and Roman. The lead track, "White Shoulders Lace and Leather" is the Top Debut this week at #63. More on that later.
Of course, Einstein's Dad isn't the first band that features members from long distances; the Kompoz app has a lot of them. Another contingent, around since 2016, Orbis Max, is climbing the list this week, with "Back of the Shelf" (#22 this week). That band features Tim Izzard from Liverpool, England, with other members hailing from San Diego, Dallas, North Carolina and Arizona here in the states.
When you think of tech enhancements in music, sadly you think of auto-tuned vocals and drum machines. But they can also bring many musicians from all parts of the world together and hone their collective crafts to make music the old-fashioned way...with a high-tech twist. A big "thank you" to Steve Shouse for contacting me for this story.
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| Colorjoy, featuring Emily MacMahon (second from left), and Sam Novotny (center), both originally from ScreenAge, played their first gigs this past week, in Red Bank, and New York. |
COLORFUL TRIUMPH: Although I couldn't make their debut show, Colorjoy played at the Triumph Brewing Company in Red Bank, NJ on July 2. The duo, consisting of former ScreenAge members Emily MacMahon and Sam Novotny, played mostly originals, with several covers thrown in (including a performance of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"). Based on pictures and videos posted on social media, the band appears to have the chops to make a name for themselves. I've run out of superlatives to describe them ages ago; their former band didn't dominate the SNS 100 last year for no reason. One of the comments posted read "(Emily) is a force to be reckoned with. I wanna see her opening for Joan Jett, Pat Benatar or Constantine Maroulis". Perhaps a sign of their potential, the band quickly followed up that performance on July 9 in New York City's Heaven Can Wait club.
The band is slated for another gig down in Long Branch on July 29 at Max's Hot Dogs. And still to come is the release of their debut album, Golden Age. There is no official release date set just yet, but you know I will immediately jump on it when it does.
THE CHARTS: Deb Browning holds at #1 with "3 More Minutes", just holding off Harry Styles' "As It Was". It's the beach music songstress' fourth week at the top in the last five weeks, with two different songs. The song is still rising on beach music charts, so the song will probably be hanging around the top or near it, for a while. As for "As It Was", it returned to the Billboard Hot 100 top spot for an eighth week. In the almost twelve-year era of this blog, only ten songs have been number one on both the Hot 100 and SNS. If "As It Was" hits the top next week, and remains at the top of the Hot 100, it will be only the seventh time that a song has simultaneously led both lists.
But that's not a given. The blog top ten this week has a lot of action. Two beach music songs, "Poor Side of Town" by The Main Event Band featuring Sharon Woodruff (8-5), and "The Thing About You" by The Carolina Coast Band featuring Rhonda McDaniel (19-8, Mover of the Week) are big threats; beach music now has five songs in the top 10.
And don't rule out Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" (10-7). We have just started watching the fourth season of Stranger Things; the song (so far) has been featured in the first episode. I had speculated about when this new season would be set. Season three took place in June and early July of 1985. "Running Up That Hill" peaked originally at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year. But the new season actually takes place in March of 1986, however the song obviously would still be fresh on people's minds. "Object of My Desire" by Starpoint, and the Beach Boys version of "California Dreaming", chart entries around that same late 1985, early 1986, also were featured on the first episode. "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora, and "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco were also featured in the next couple of episodes, hits around that time period. "Running Up That Hill" moves back up from 9 to 6 on the Billboard chart, and is talked about by many friends. Can THIS jump up to the top? It's a distinct possibility.
POP GOES THE BLOG: There are nine beach music songs in the top 20, but there are also three songs on the top portion of my chart that are in the Billboard's Top 10. One of them claims both classifications. That would be Lizzo's "About Damn Time", garnering the Impact Award in a 23-16 move. The song is up to #3 on the Hot 100 and #32 on John Hook's Beach Music Top 40. Between this song, and the Kate Bush and Harry Styles songs, it's nice to see accessible music at the top of the pop charts these days. Also entering strong in the top 20 are Fitz and the Tantrums' "Sway" (30-19) which is the top debut on the Hot AC chart, and "2am" (32-20) by Foals. It's the seventh blog top 20 for Foals, and the 24th for Fitz.
NEWBIES: Eight new songs added this week, led by the latest by Einstein's Dad, "White Shoulders Love and Leather". As mentioned earlier, the song is from the band's 8th release, Six For June. After two straight instrumentals, the vocals of Steve Roman return, and he puts a lot of heart and soul into this one. This is a good time feeling song, combining elements of rock, pop and soul all into one. While the excellent "Back to You" only could get up to #34, this one should put the long distancers back into the top ten and perhaps even their second blog topper..
O.A.R. (short for "Of a Revolution") has been around since the late 1990's and have scored on many of my year-end lists of that period, are back with "In the Clouds". The Maryland band has released albums steadily since, but this song is only their second to make the SNS 100, following 2011's "Heaven" going to #66. This is an easy-going, good time feeling song with a steady beat. The song is from the band's tenth album The Arcade. I like this song's chances.
The lone beach music entry is "Any Other Love" by Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot. I have heard so much about this band and Lowder in particular. He has been around in beach music circles for years and has been talked about by many in the beach music community. He had done a duet with Deb Browning a few years back with a cover of "You're No Good". Similar to the Cat5 Band, there are so many releases by his band out there with various lead singers. I wanted to find Lowder's most current song, that has the mp3 available, and "Any Other Love" is it, sitting in the top 10 on many shag lists. Like many of the band's peers, they are a party band that plays many of the clubs, weddings and other events in the area. Leading with a saxophone intro common on many of songs in this genre, this is yet another example of why I like this genre. Vocals have heart and soul into them, and the full instrumentation compliments them very well. This one took a couple of listens to it, but it's a hit and should keep the beach music rally going.
Florence + the Machine made a comeback of sorts with "My Love" which brought Ms. Welch and the gang back into the blog top five and #1 on the alternative and Triple-A lists. Their latest "Free" (not the recent Bakar song), shifts gears to a more power-pop/direction. The video deals with anxiety, and the repetitive lyrics "picks me up/puts me down" are repeated the first half of the song, but her claim that "I am free" later on, show a feeling of overcoming her fears. That might be a bit too much after a while, but Ms. Welch sings with her usual heart. This one could go either way; subsequent listens will determine its fate. The song already has debuted on alternative, so we will monitor this one for staying power.
Red Hot Chili Peppers follow their top five "Black Summer" (which was #1 on alternative) with "These Are the Ways", also from the band's latest album Unlimited Love. With a quiet intro, the band erupts in a style reminiscent of The Who; the song changes tempo back and forth between slow and fast. A bit of a departure from many of their singles, it should follow other RHCP songs up the list. I also remember that it was thirty years ago this month that the band headlined Lollapalooza '92 at Waterloo Village. One of the few bands from the 1980's that is still putting out quality product today.
Also entering are "Want Want" by Maggie Rogers, more rocking and should top her previous "That's Where I Am"; Two-time blog toppers Young the Giant's "Wake Up", a mid-tempo song with a lot going on with it; and Walk the Moon's "Giants", a catchy, rhythmic romp, somewhat reminiscent of their pop hit "Shut Up and Dance". Could click with several listens.
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| Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, 74, had to postpone several dates after collapsing on stage during a concert in Michigan last week. |
GET WELL, CARLOS: I also want to mention one of my all-time favorite guitarists, Carlos Santana. During a performance at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston Michigan, the 74-year-old legend passed out on stage. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for observation. He was doing well but had to postpone several other concerts this month. Santana said he didn't eat before the performance, was dehydrated, and that is what led to the incident. While he is eager to get back on the road to perform, he is getting much needed rest. Santana (the band), in its various incarnations, is one of my all-time favorites. In particular the 1969-71 original lineup that was the breakout band at Woodstock. A 1979-1981 incarnation of the band featured Alan Pasqua from my hometown of Roselle Park. Another wave of popularity from 1999-2002 featured many contemporary artists of the day accompanying Carlos and the band, most notably Supernatural (1999) and two #1 songs which featured Rob Thomas, and The Product G&B. His next album, Shamen featured my #1 song of 2002 "The Game of Love" that featured Michelle Branch. In 2016, the classic lineup reunited for Santana IV, which produced a #1 blog hit, "Blues Magic". My wife and I saw Santana play at Bethel Woods, site of the original Woodstock festival, in 2010.
Best wishes to Carlos Santana for a full recovery.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
July 3, 2022 (week ending July 9)
|
This
Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  (Single Only) (2 weeks at #1) |
9 |
|
2 |
4 |
13 |
|
|
3 |
2 |
12 |
|
|
4 |
3 |
16 |
|
|
5 |
8 |
6 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
10 |
4 |
|
|
8 |
19 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  CAROLINA COAST BAND featuring RHOND MCDANIEL (Single Only) |
3 |
|
9 |
5 |
12 |
|
|
10 |
6 |
13 |
|
|
11 |
11 |
Jerry Powell and The Carnival Band ft. Dave Sandy - Merry-Go-Round |
8 |
|
12 |
14 |
9 |
|
|
13 |
16 |
7 |
|
|
14 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
15 |
17 |
9 |
|
|
16 |
23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  LIZZO Album: Special |
5 |
|
17 |
18 |
6 |
|
|
18 |
30 |
3 |
|
|
19 |
12 |
13 |
|
|
20 |
32 |
4 |
|
|
21 |
15 |
15 |
|
|
22 |
25 |
6 |
|
|
23 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
24 |
13 |
12 |
|
|
25 |
29 |
7 |
|
|
26 |
37 |
4 |
|
|
27 |
34 |
9 |
|
|
28 |
20 |
17 |
|
|
29 |
21 |
16 |
|
|
30 |
24 |
23 |
|
|
31 |
38 |
13 |
|
|
32 |
22 |
12 |
|
|
33 |
26 |
20 |
|
|
34 |
40 |
7 |
|
|
35 |
59 |
2 |
|
|
36 |
41 |
7 |
|
|
37 |
45 |
6 |
|
|
38 |
48 |
6 |
|
|
39 |
43 |
8 |
|
|
40 |
33 |
29 |
|
|
41 |
31 |
11 |
|
|
42 |
47 |
8 |
|
|
43 |
54 |
5 |
|
|
44 |
35 |
14 |
|
|
45 |
28 |
9 |
|
|
46 |
50 |
11 |
|
|
47 |
57 |
5 |
|
|
48 |
36 |
16 |
|
|
49 |
56 |
Winnetka Bowling League & The Knocks - I Like
to Hide in the Bathroom at Parties |
5 |
|
50 |
64 |
4 |
|
|
51 |
65 |
3 |
|
|
52 |
42 |
14 |
|
|
53 |
69 |
2 |
|
|
54 |
53 |
6 |
|
|
55 |
39 |
18 |
|
|
56 |
55 |
12 |
|
|
57 |
46 |
17 |
|
|
58 |
61 |
14 |
|
|
59 |
62 |
7 |
|
|
60 |
44 |
17 |
|
|
61 |
49 |
19 |
|
|
62 |
66 |
5 |
|
|
63 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  "White Shoulders Lace and Leather" Album: Six For June (EP) |
1 |
|
64 |
70 |
3 |
|
|
65 |
51 |
14 |
|
|
66 |
67 |
6 |
|
|
67 |
71 |
3 |
|
|
68 |
81 |
Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets - In My '64 |
2 |
|
69 |
76 |
3 |
|
|
70 |
79 |
2 |
|
|
71 |
52 |
17 |
|
|
72 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
58 |
6 |
|
|
74 |
60 |
18 |
|
|
75 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
76 |
68 |
10 |
|
|
77 |
82 |
2 |
|
|
78 |
63 |
12 |
|
|
79 |
73 |
8 |
|
|
80 |
75 |
4 |
|
|
81 |
78 |
3 |
|
|
82 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
72 |
23 |
|
|
87 |
85 |
43 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
83 |
7 |
|
|
90 |
91 |
2 |
|
|
91 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
92 |
87 |
4 |
|
|
93 |
77 |
26 |
|
|
94 |
95 |
2 |
|
|
95 |
74 |
5 |
|
|
96 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
97 |
84 |
5 |
|
|
98 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
99 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
100 |
89 |
5 |
|
|
Songs
with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week. ●
Songs with
25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲ Songs with 50 or more plays.
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