Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Kenny Smith Recorders to KSR Records
MEMPHIS TN (IFS)-- Back in the early 1980's in Hollywood, California, Kenneth Howard Smith had his own recording studio by the name of Kenny Smith Recorders. It was commonly known as KSR in its heyday that recorded several small acts. It was not a glowing success, just a private recording spot for Smith and his friends. Today Smith has updated his recording studio name to KSR Records that is digitally distributed by SDC Digital Systems, a unit of D-Town Records.
The Sidleys
Love can be so bittersweet. What once had started as a friendship and shared interest in music became a deep, resonant and passionate love. They shared everything: their time, attention, affection, music and all of the many things that go together to make up a life. They married, bought a house, had a family and resolved to stay close no matter what came…and their life together was beautiful and uncommon. But over time, the cracks began to show. They found the places they were unable to give love to each other, because they had been unable to give it to themselves. Each looked outside of their marriage trying to find that missing love, but instead finding only pain and further isolation. Despite all of their closeness and good intentions, now all they could do was hurt one another. So they decided to let each other go…and it was the most painful thing either one of them had ever experienced. They cried, in their now separate houses, for each other and themselves. And as they let themselves fully feel the pain of being alone and feeling abandoned, they began to pour this experience into brand new songs.
They played them for each other, singing and crying together from the depths of their hearts. But suddenly, they found that every song they wrote and sang began to bring them a little closer. As they learned to love and accept themselves, they began to do so for each other. Soon their love had become stronger than it had ever been and they continued to write and sing and heal…but once again in the same house…together. Sharing this music so others could understand who they were and where they had been was the final part of their healing together, and those people, in turn, shared how these songs allowed them to feel and understand themselves too. And this is the story of how the album came to be.
In love, we are all connected in each and every moment…especially when those moments are bittersweet. Bio: Annie and Steve Sidley have been writing and performing music together for several hundred years and probably even before that, playing concert halls, festivals, clubs and taco stands all across this great land. Their latest incarnation, The Sidleys (yes, they were clearly up all night coming up with that one), could be described as melodic, soul-influenced indie rock…but, of course, they have absolutely no idea what that means. "Bittersweet", their first release as The Sidleys, is a powerful, tune-filled affair that may cause a pleasant tingling sensation in many listeners along with the sudden urge to eat lollipops…preferably ones that haven't already fallen in the dirt. We have no clever closing sentence at this time…but please check back later just in case.
They played them for each other, singing and crying together from the depths of their hearts. But suddenly, they found that every song they wrote and sang began to bring them a little closer. As they learned to love and accept themselves, they began to do so for each other. Soon their love had become stronger than it had ever been and they continued to write and sing and heal…but once again in the same house…together. Sharing this music so others could understand who they were and where they had been was the final part of their healing together, and those people, in turn, shared how these songs allowed them to feel and understand themselves too. And this is the story of how the album came to be.
In love, we are all connected in each and every moment…especially when those moments are bittersweet. Bio: Annie and Steve Sidley have been writing and performing music together for several hundred years and probably even before that, playing concert halls, festivals, clubs and taco stands all across this great land. Their latest incarnation, The Sidleys (yes, they were clearly up all night coming up with that one), could be described as melodic, soul-influenced indie rock…but, of course, they have absolutely no idea what that means. "Bittersweet", their first release as The Sidleys, is a powerful, tune-filled affair that may cause a pleasant tingling sensation in many listeners along with the sudden urge to eat lollipops…preferably ones that haven't already fallen in the dirt. We have no clever closing sentence at this time…but please check back later just in case.
“With the release of “Bittersweet,” The Sidley’s offer up a no-holds-barred look into a crumbling relationship that is striving to find understanding, so that it can be rebuilt on more solid ground. The narrative is set to a rock influenced pop backdrop, filled with smart arrangements, excellent musicianship, and painfully honest lyrics.”
"A veteran "DC Diva" with a knock-out voice, Annie Sidley performs original, soulful pop shot through with old-school R&B rhythms. Her husband Steve is her co-writer and co-producer, a multi-instrumentalist...some years in the making, The Sidleys have a new CD out, Bittersweet..."
“IT DOESN'T take long for singer Annie Sidley to deliver the goods on her new CD, "Diamond in the Sand." Stirring vocals rooted in soul and gospel power the opening track, "Keepin' It Strong," with its themes of unity and affirmation, and spill over into the rest of the album, charging it with strong emotional and spiritual currents. "I'm holding onto faith," a line from the album's title song, pretty much sums up the prevailing mood.Even so, Sidley often turns in her most affecting performances when she appears to be holding on for dear life. That's certainly the case on the back-to-back tracks "What Are We Fighting 4?" and "Bitter River." The latter, a mournfully yearning piano ballad, quietly stands out, displaying both the power and beauty of Sidley's voice. Other cuts, including the hypnotic coda "Marrakesh," reveal cross-cultural influences, but because Sidley's strong R&B ties are always evident, she seldom sounds as if she's drifting too far from shore.”
"Washington Post Article on July 2008"
“An incredible experience, Diamond in the Sand is best described as "awesome". Annie Sidley’s voice is amazing and the band rocks in its soulful and sometimes pop-like funky, R&B sound. Annie, however, is the true diamond of this album. Her vocals are incredible, captivating the audience with her amazing range and variation. Listening to her sing, one can imagine an emotional performance, even if only to the microphone in a studio. Power and strength exude from her voice—this woman has done her homework when it comes to pitch, range and attitude... ...The band is not to be forgotten, however, for they provide a lively, funky, backbeat to Annie and make this album an instant classic to anyone’s collection. Diamond in the Sand has sounds for all tastes; everyone who listens will instantly find a tack that latches onto their soul and won’t let it go. Don’t let this album go, check it out! ”
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