Naomi Psalm | 'Now You See Me' single review from 'Ghostumentary'

Photo Credit: Urban Gal Photography

by Randy Wayne Belt

You may remember awhile back I did a review of the music of recording artist Naomi Psalm called "The Musical Art of Naomi Psalm". (http://bit.ly/1KLUp3T )

And remember that section that talked about looking for a song by Naomi Psalm in October that was to be in a movie titled Ghostumentary? 

Well, it's here! The title of the song, "Now You See Me", and the atmosphere created in the song were made to fit perfectly for the film with the line "Now you see me - now you don't". 

And as always, with Naomi's consistently good songwriting, it is not only a good fit for the film but is also a very catchy song that will definitely be stuck in your head! 

Produced by Scot Alexander (from the Band 'Dishwalla'), the big thumpy beat that comes in and the thick bass sounds drive the song home accenting, pulsating and drawing you into all those little nuances, such as the effects on the vocals, which in spots will leave a haunting impression as you hear it in stereo. (Yes, stereo is still the best way to listen to music) The mixing job and effects on the vocals

are perfect and helped lend to the song the haunting effect that make the lyrics come alive.

The depth of Psalm's songwriting will always intrigue as you wonder what some of the deeper meanings of the lyrics are when she sings "I'm not only in your dreams, but that's the way it seems". If you are a fan of the song “Ink” from the Stare album, you’ll also be a fan of “Now You See Me”, whcih is in the same creative vein.

Naomi Psalm has proved once again that she is a consistently good songwriter and

vocalist.

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Interview

Randy: How did you get started in music?

Naomi: I began writing poetry when I was 8. When I was 13, I inherited my grandfather's guitar and started playing. I am self taught, and would glean inspiration from friends of my parents that would come over and jam all the time.

Randy: Explain your passion for music:

Naomi: I am deeply passionate about music. It is what makes me feel alive. The world seems right when I am performing music, writing songs, and creating art.

Randy: What other creative arts are you into if any?

Naomi: I'm also a visual artist using the medium of water acrylics. I got into that in 2003 when I didn't want to pay someone else to design my album cover.

Randy: I also paint (oil paint), so I have to ask, was there any artists (visual) that have inspired you or that you look up to?

Naomi: No one in particular. I just really like artists that paint abstract and colorful.

(Click here to view Naomi’s art on her homepage)

Randy: Do you have a “pet” instrument? (your favorite guitar, a ukulele, etc.)

Naomi: My takamine is my favorite guitar and has been with me since my dad bought me it in 1993. It gets better with age.

Randy: Yeah, the older the instruments the better they sound. So, who are your biggest influences and musical role models?

Naomi: Brandi Carlile is one of my biggest influences. She's is an incredible singer/songwriter who really moves me.

Randy: What are you working on and what’s in the future for Naomi Psalm?

Naomi: I am finishing up an EP right now, as well as 2 music videos. I also just released a song that is in a movie 'Ghostumentary'

Randy: Does the EP you're working on have a title yet? And can you divulge any of the song titles from the EP?

Naomi: I have a title rolling around in my head, but it's top secret at this point.“Hole in the Carpet” and “The Postman” are 2 song titles I'll give away.

Randy: How did you get hooked up with doing the song for Ghostumentary? Did you write the song specifically for the movie? Or did you have something you were already working on that you tailored to the movie? How did it come together creatively?

Naomi: I am friends with one of the movie directors and he needed a theme song. I watched some rough footage for inspiration, and wrote the song specifically for the movie. That song came together really fast for me. The lyrics and music happened simultaneously.  

Randy: Do you have any collaborations going on or planned?

Naomi: There are 2 newly released songs out on YouTube that I have written with a local musician Ryan Bayne.

Randy: Cool! Link us up.

Naomi: 'Not My Kind' at http://youtu.be/929nhRF_cW4
and 'I Don't Know Why You Love Me' at https://youtu.be/uf2-53R51Sc

Randy: Oh yes! Know and love those songs! Thanks for taking the time to interview!

Naomi: Sure! Thank YOU

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Photo Credit: Jennifer Baker

You can preview and purchase "Now You See Me" on iTunes here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/now-you-see-me-single/id1046929061

Connect with Naomi Psalm here:
Website: http://www.naomipsalm.com
YouTube: http://www.YouTube.com/naomipsalm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/naomipsalm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomipsalmmusic

ED SHEERAN UNVEILS “x – WEMBLEY EDITION” on Deluxe CD/DVD

TWO-DISC DELUXE VERSION OF GRAMMY® NOMINATED ALBUM

ADDS ARRAY OF BONUS TRACKS AND FULL LENGTH CONCERT FEATURE

ED SHEERAN: JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS FILMED THIS SUMMER

OVER THREE SOLD OUT DATES AT LONDON’S WEMBLEY STADIUM

BONUS TRACKS INCLUDE THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SONGS,

AS WELL AS ACCLAIMED NEW COLLABORATION WITH RUDIMENTAL,

“LAY IT ALL ON ME (FEAT. ED SHEERAN)”

BRITISH SUPERSTAR TO PERFORM AT A+E NETWORKS AND iHEARTRADIO’S

“SHINING A LIGHT: A CONCERT FOR PROGRESS ON RACE IN AMERICA,”

TO BE FILMED LIVE AT LOS ANGELES’ SHRINE AUDITORIUM ON NOVEMBER 18^TH

AND THEN BROADCAST ACROSS ALL A+E PLATFORMS ON NOVEMBER 20^TH

“x – WEMBLEY EDITION” AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER

TWO-DISC CD/DVD SET AND INDIVIDUAL DIGITAL ALBUM AND FILM

RELEASED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13^TH

*Photos Courtesy of Atlantic Records for the purpose of this Press Release*

Atlantic recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced the release of “x – WEMBLEY EDITION,” a deluxe two-disc CD/DVD set of his RIAA platinum certified “x” paired with previously unreleased bonus tracks and the new full-length concert feature, Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts. “x – WEMBLEY EDITION” arrives in stores as a two-disc CD/DVD on Friday, November 13^th, with the expanded album and long form video each available individually via all leading digital retailers.

“x – WEMBLEY EDITION” is available for pre-order beginning today at Ed Sheeran’s official website – www.edsheeran.com - and all leading digital retailers. The new edition features a number of bonus tracks, with both physical and digital versions highlighted by three previous unreleased tracks that see Sheeran collaborating with such top studio hands as Emile Haynie (Eminem, Kanye West, Lana Del Rey), Jeff Bhasker (fun., Jay-Z), Johnny McDaid (Snow Patrol, Paul Van Dyk), and the legendary Rick Rubin (see attached tracklisting). As if that weren’t enough, “x – WEMBLEY EDITION” also features Sheeran’s new collaboration with Rudimental, “Lay It All On Me (Feat. Ed Sheeran),” currently ascending Billboard’s “Hot 100” after being unveiled last month with a tweet from Sheeran announcing it as “the final thing I’m releasing for a while.”

Sheeran’s second full length album, “x” (pronounced “multiply”), proved a global sensation upon its initial release, reaching #1 on album charts in 14 countries around the world before achieving platinum sales in 18 countries including the United States and his native United Kingdom, where it was the biggest selling album of 2014. With worldwide sales now exceeding 10 million, “x” is highlighted by its four consecutive, platinum singles: “Sing,” “Don’t,” “Photograph”, and,  of course, the 5x RIAA platinum certified “Thinking Out Loud,” Sheeran’s first #1 single in the U.S. and his biggest overall hit to date.

Filmed earlier this year before almost a quarter million fans over three sold out nights at London’s Wembley Stadium, Ed Sheeran: Jumpers for Goalposts includes 90 minutes of never-before-seen concert footage, showcasing such classic hits as “Sing,” “The A Team,” and “Thinking Out Loud” (see attached credits). Directed by multiple GRAMMY® Award nominee Paul Dugdale (One Direction: Where We Are, Coldplay: Ghost Stories), the Warner Music/Screenlive Entertainment film is appended here with a number of exclusive extras, including Sheeran’s inimitable mash-up of his own “Take It Back” with Steve Wonder’s immortal “Superstition.”  Ed Sheeran:  Jumpers for Goalposts recently enjoyed a special, worldwide theatrical run, following an exclusive London premiere that featured “green” carpet arrivals and a live performance from Sheeran himself.

One of the planet’s most popular live performers, Sheeran has spent much of the past year on tour, including sold out headline shows, charity concerts, stadium dates – including Dallas’s Toyota Stadium and three sold out nights at London’s Wembley Stadium – and top-billed festival appearances. Sheeran recently culminated the North American “x tour” with a mega-finale at Foxboro, MA’s Gillette Stadium. Performing before a rapturous sold out crowd over 50,000 strong – Sheeran’s biggest US audience thus far – the British troubadour performed solo renditions of his numerous greatest hits, with special guest Chris Martin joining him for very special renditions of “Thinking Out Loud” and Coldplay’s “Yellow.” An additional series of stadium concerts are slated for Australia and New Zealand beginning in late November. For regular updates, please visit www.edsheeran.com/live.htm.

In other news, Sheeran will be among the superstars performing on A+E Networks and iHeartRadio’s “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America,” slated to be filmed live at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday, November 18^th and then broadcast on Friday, November 20^th at 8PM ET/PT (check local listings). Produced by Ken Ehrlich Productions in conjunction with A+E Networks and iHeartRadio, the two-hour special event – which will also feature such iconic artists as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Pink, Pharrell Williams, Zac Brown Band, Sia, Eric Church, Jamie Foxx, John Legend, and Miguel, with more to be announced – will air across the entire A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime, H2, LMN, and FYI, as well as the top 150 iHeartRadio music stations nationwide. “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America” will kick off A+E Networks’ campaign to promote unity and progress on racial equity, inspired by the response of the Mother Emanuel family members in Charleston and others working for reconciliation and change around the country.

Tickets for “Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America” are available now through AEG Live at AXS.com and http://shrineauditorium.com. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Fund for Progress on Race in America powered by United Way Worldwide, providing grant funding to individuals and organizations fostering understanding, eliminating bias, as well as provide support to Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church and the broader A.M.E. denomination. The fund will also support efforts to address racism and bias through public policy change, individual innovation, and community mobilization. 

Named “Songwriter of the Year” at the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards, Sheeran was also among the superstars appearing at the 2015 Global Citizen Fest in New York City’s Central Park, performing both with Martin as well as the one and only Beyoncé, with whom he teamed up on an acoustic cover of “Drunk In Love.” Sheeran’s complete performance – including renditions of “Lego House,” “Sing,” and “Photograph” – can be viewed now at the official Global Citizen YouTube channel.

Sheeran is also among the top nominated artists for the 2015 American Music Awards.  Earning 5 nominations in total, Sheeran is up for Song of the Year (“Thinking Out Loud”), Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock, Favorite Album-Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist-Adult Contemporary, and the night’s top prize, Artist of the Year. 

* * * * *

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is a genuine global phenomenon. The 24-year-old artist has earned a truly stunning assortment of awards and nominations, including three nods – among them, the prestigious “Album of the Year” for “x” – at the 57^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, an event that saw his performance of “Thinking Out Loud” receive one of the biggest ovations of the night. In addition to his six total GRAMMY® nominations, Sheeran has accrued an array of other honors, among them four BRIT Awards (including 2015’s “Best British Album” and “Best British Male”), the 2012 Ivor Novello Award for “Best Song Musically and Lyrically” (for “The A Team”), as well as trophies for “Best Male Video” at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and both “Favorite Album” and “Favorite Artist” at the 2015 People’s Choice Awards. As if all of that weren’t enough, Sheeran was also named Spotify’s most streamed artist in the world in 2014.

An extraordinarily gifted live performer, Sheeran has played countless sold-out shows across the globe, including an acclaimed three-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and four extraordinary nights at London’s O2 Arena.

Sheeran’s 2012 breakthrough debut album, “+,” entered the UK Albums Chart at #1 with the highest opening sales figures for a debut male solo artist ever and is now certified 6x platinum. Fueled by international hit singles like “The A Team” and “Lego House,” “+” has enjoyed multi-platinum, platinum, and gold sales in nine countries around the world. 

____________________________

For additional news and information, please see www.edsheeran.com, www.twitter.com/EdSheeran (@EdSheeran), www.facebook.com/EdSheeranMusic and www.atlanticrecords.com. 

ED SHEERAN

“x – WEMBLEY EDITION”

(Atlantic Records)

Release Date: Friday, November 13^th

PHYSICAL VERSION: DISC ONE

1.  One

2.  I¹m A Mess

3.  Sing

4. Don¹t

5. Nina

6. Photograph

7. Bloodstream

8. Tenerife Sea

9. Runaway

10. The Man

11. Thinking Out Loud

12. Afire Love

13. I See Fire *

14. All Of The Stars *

15. English Rose * †

16. Touch And Go * †

17. New York * †

18. Lay It All On Me (Rudimental Feat. Ed Sheeran) *

DIGITAL ALBUM

1. One

2.  I¹m A Mess

3.  Sing

4. Don¹t

5. Nina

6. Photograph

7. Bloodstream

8. Tenerife Sea

9. Runaway

10. The Man

11. Thinking Out Loud

12. Afire Love

13. Take It Back *

14. Shirtsleeves *

15. Even My Dad Sometimes *

16. I See Fire *

17. All of The Stars *

18. English Rose * †

19. Touch and Go * †

20. New York * †

21. Make It Rain *

22. Lay It All On Me (Rudimental Feat. Ed Sheeran) *     

* BONUS TRACK

† PREVIOUS UNRELEASED

ED SHEERAN – JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS TRACKLISTING

1.  I¹m A Mess
2.  Lego House
3.  Photograph
4. Bloodstream
5. Don¹t
6. I See Fire
7. Don¹t Go Breaking My Heart
8. Thinking Out Loud
9. The A Team
10. You Need Me, I Don¹t Need You
11. Sing

DVD & DIGITAL EXTRAS
12. Afire Love
13. Drunk
14. Tenerife Sea
15. Take It Back/Superstition

SMC | Artist of the Month MAYHEM!

by CA Marshall | Editor 
Starlight Music Chronicles

I am writing this now because it's about to get nuts. REAL nuts in the next couple weeks for all of us at Starlight Music Chronicles. We have our very first inaugural issue Magazine launching in a few short weeks, Photo Shoots, Branding, Interviews, (editing) and THEN...............there's our Artist of the Month Competition which has been growing at break neck speed within the Indie Music Industry as one of the most creative and fun Music Competitions going on Facebook.Best part? NO ONE has to leave their homes to attend! It's all by the click of a button from your computer, laptop, phone or other electronic device: anywhere you can connect to facebook and the Starlight Music Chronicles Page (https://www.facebook.com/starlightmusicchronicles) you can get to the EVENTS section of the page and scroll through each month, past, present, and future (we are always open for submissions at least a month and a half in advance - see above poster for the December 2015 Artist Submissions) (click here to enter) 80% of our monthly global views are coming through facebook via this forum. Exciting! Not just for Starlight Music Chronicles, but for the Artists being Promoted! 

Even today, there are two submissions waiting in cue for the December 2015 Competition! What began as a 'trial' has turned into a phenomenal response from Industry Peers and Musicians from all over the globe. And this is not just a casual statement either because each month, we are checking the stats and we are easily surpassing the previous whole month's visits globally in one WEEK! This is occurring more and more as the competition keeps moving forward and shows no signs of slowing down.

Each Artist that has won the competition so far have been very pleased to be cast as 'Starlight Music Chronicles Artist of the Month Alumni', a 'Class' (for lack of better words) of Indie Artists that are attending a (Music-School of Rock?) event of sorts where at the end of the year, all 12 winners will compete for the Starlight Music Chronicles Artist of the YEAR! This will include YEAR-LONG free promotion for the winning artist which can showcase new music, branding, etc. Considering that we get thousands of views per day globally to the website, this is a great addition to artists wanting promotion on what is becoming one of the Best Music Entertainment websites for Indie & Signed Artists. 

So far, we have Olivia Rose (August 2015 Winner), IAMWARFACE (September 2015 Winner), and Shay Esposito (October 2015 Winner) who have been featured for a month long promo spot for FREE on our site simply by participating in the Competition. (see this months promo spot) Aside from a few glitches here are there (facebook can be a ton of fun to try to get these tech things fixed in a timely manner *sarcasm*!), things have been running pretty smoothly. In addition to being featured for a month long spot on our website, we also include the Artists in our quarterly Magazine (launching later this month) with any new updates and progress that they have made since their win. 

But what is the point of these kinds of competitions? For Starlight Music Chronicles, first and foremost, it's the chance for Indie Artists to be showcased in a small forum (Only 10 Bands/Artists MAX are allowed per month) which allows the fans to digest what they are all about. We post the bands' Biography, Music, Achievements as well as allow the Artists themselves to post banners and info about themselves which ups the ante for the Competition. *Reference the September 2015 Artist of the Month Competition to see what we are talking about here. The Posters and even FAN videos that were submitted on the page was brilliant, encouraged, and interactive.

Another reason for hosting these competitions is for SMC to garner exactly what music the fans want to hear more of or read more about on our site. We have an 'Our Faves' page on the website as well as Spotlight features (www.starlightmusicchroniclesspotlight.com) on featured artists and The Chronicles (www.starlightmusicchronicles.blogspot.ca) where there are many featured Artists on Video as well as Song reviews, Announcements, Behind-the-scenes features, and much, much, more based on the genre and type of Artists our SMC fans want to hear more of.  

What we know so far is that many Indie Artists have been reaching out to us via this Monthly Competition for various reasons, some not even related to the competition (some want photo shoots, branding, etc). It's safe to say that since opening the SMC Artist of the Month Event, we could easily sum up the Competition has amalgamated the Starlight Music Chronicles website (and all social media outlets for that matter) as a sweet combo of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets The Wizard of Oz with a side twist of Rocky Horror Picture show. Yeah, and maybe a little of Alice in Wonderland and The Nightmare Before Christmas in there too for good measure! 

_____________

Editor's Note: It always excites me (like Christmas, one of my favorite times of the year!) when I go to click the 'Submit Now' and launch button for the monthly Voting Poll to OPEN on the event. Something about that 'OPEN' sign that suggests freedom and joy and It isn't much longer after I hit 'Refresh' and the fan votes are off and running....and then the likes.....and then the comments.....(see above photo).

The few snags we have run across are really minor.......other Artists trying to post their fan pages or art on the event wall but it is strictly prohibited as the artists took the time to submit to us all of the requirements PRIOR to the poll launch. Usually when this happens, we encourage all artists that wish to have their music promoted to contact myself at editor@starlightmusicchronicles.com and I will be happy to discuss the event and the requirements. There have been some pretty wild comments on the content in these events as well but that is one thing I AM grateful for with facebook: they block those comments and delete them for us. We try to keep the competitions as clean and fun as possible because at the end of the day all we are trying to do is offer Indie Artists the support that is severely lacking in the Industry. 

We look forward to the next 9 months of competition and talks are already in the work of having an annual festival or 'showcase' of these artists so stay tuned for more information on that when we go to launch the Artist of the Year Competition next July 2016! 

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Starlight Music Chronicles Social Media:

Website: www.starlightmusicchronicles.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starlightmusicchronicles
Twitter: @StarlightMusicC and @CAMARSHALLSMC 
Google+: +Candice Marshall 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/starlightmusicchronicles/

ENYA RELEASES THE NEW ALBUM ‘DARK SKY ISLAND’ OUT NOVEMBER 20TH

*Official Press Release - Warner Bros. Records*
October 8th, 2015

After 75 million sales; four Grammy Awards; six World Music Awards; an Ivor Novello, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination; and seven studio albums (plus the ‘Paint The Sky With Stars’ compilation) which have hit the upper echelons of charts all over the world, Enya will embark upon a new chapter in her spectacular career with the November 20th release of her new album ‘Dark Sky Island’.

The Enya creative triumvirate – Enya, producer and sound engineer Nicky Ryan, and lyricist Roma Ryan – started work on the album in the spring of 2012. Inspired by Roma’s work on a series of poetry books themed around islands and specifically the island of Sark’s decision to be designated as a dark sky island, the album’s title track was the first song to be written for the collection.

The album’s buoyantly optimistic first single ‘Echoes in Rain’ possesses an irresistible surge of globe-trotting euphoria which made it an obvious choice as the album’s lead track. While it shares the adventurous themes of Enya’s breakthrough hit ‘Orinoco Flow’, its rhythmic march instead celebrates the anticipation of a journey’s end.

‘Echoes in Rain’ also shares another coincide with its famous predecessor. Back in 1988, ‘Orinoco Flow’ was the final song that was recorded during sessions for the ‘Watermark’ album and it went on to become a global success. This time around, ‘Echoes in Rain’ was the final track to be completed for the album and has also been chosen as the lead single.

Sonically, ‘Dark Sky Island’ is a collection that’s both incredibly diverse and innately unified by the production: almost Spector-esque in its lavish, wide-screen multi-tracked layers of sound. Opening track ‘The Humming’ is an immediate highlight as it subliminally works its infectious magic within the course of a single listen. By contrast, ‘Even In The Shadows’ pulses with an insistent rhythm; the hymnal ‘I Could Never Say Goodbye’ is sparse in its reflective beauty; while ‘Sancta Maria’ blends synthesisers and classical instrumentation to create an ethereal soundscape that comfortably sits in both the past and the future. It’s almost a history of sound encapsulated in four hypnotic and otherworldly minutes.

“This album has a theme of journeys,” states Enya. “Journeys to the island; through the length of a lifetime; through history, through emotions; and journeys across great oceans. So although it’s not a ‘themed’ album, as such, we nevertheless have an underlying connection between songs.”

That concept can be demonstrated in ‘The Humming’, a song that muses on the cycle of the universe and how change affects everything. Such intergalactic exploration also extends to ‘The Forge of the Angels’ and ‘The Loxian Gates’ which continue the use of the Loxian language that Roma created and popularized with three songs from 2005’s ‘Amarantine’. It’s a futuristic narrative with a genesis that dates back to 1986 and Enya’s debut album / soundtrack to the BBC documentary The Celts.

‘Dark Sky Island’ will be available to pre-order on CD and digital download formats on Friday, October 9, with ‘Echoes in Rain’ provided as an instant grat track for fans.

For this triumvirate of partners and friends, the journey marches on unabated. With ‘Dark Sky Island’ and beyond, who knows what further expeditions lay unpredicted just over the horizon?

The full ‘Dark Sky Island’ tracklisting is:

  

The Humming

So I Could Find My Way

Even in the Shadows

The Forge of the Angels

Echoes in Rain

I Could Never Say Goodbye

Dark Sky Island

Sancta Maria

Astra et Luna

The Loxian Gates

Diamonds on the Water

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Enya's Social Media Links Are:

Website: http://enya.com/

Faecbook: https://www.facebook.com/Enya-22450120087/timeline/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/enyatv