Aris • The New 'Pulse' of Kickstarter

Aris Ziagos (Photo by Michael Sibler)

A little bit less than a year ago, I received an email that invited me to check out the music of Aris, a Brooklyn-based Electro-Rocker. I can tell you I am glad I accepted that invite, and not just because Aris is a handsome devil. 'Twilight Revival', his second full-length release, rocked me out and I haven't bee the same since. Song after song made me hoping it would never end. There was something bright, hopeful, and at times very sexy about the music Aris makes. Check it out for yourself with the official music video for "Twilight", a dance track with just the right amount of edge.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when heard Aris had started working on a follow-up to 'Twilight Revival'. He is calling the new album 'Pulse', and I like the way that sounds. And a great part of that sound is his voice, which manages to have a deliver each song perfectly, with a rough-hewn edge that draws me in deeper. As he prepares to go into the studio for 'Pulse', Aris has started a crowdfunding page to give us all the chance to be on board early for this project. I'll let Aris speak about it in his own words.

I have decided to be a part of it, and think you should too. If you like the music, you must step up and all your money to do the speaking for you, and place your vote to hear more great music from amazing LGBT artists. Whether you are signing up for a digital download, or a private house concert by Aris, supporting the artist is how we get to be sure they can continue to make more! To be a part of the project, visit the official Kickstarter page. To learn more about Aris, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. 'Twilight Revival' is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.

Aris • Fallen Blind

It was only recently I became aware of the music of Aris, but it doesn't make me any less of a fan. From the opening bars of 'Twilight Revival', to the end of the album, I was entranced, even fixated. By the time I watched the first music video, I was sold, but that didn't stop me being impressed even more. And now I have even more to be happy about, as he released a new music video, this time for "Fallen Blind". The song has a hypnotic sound, all dark and moody, with a brilliantly bombastic build. The video delves into a darker side of love, as you can see for yourself. This is Aris with "Fallen Blind".

The video is so brooding, and so sultry, I had to watch it again and again. And play the song a few times on my iPod Touch. And then I had to wipe the sweat from my brow before getting a glass of icewater... 'Twilight Revival' is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. To discover more about Aris, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Heard It Last Week • Sam Smith, Aris, Cassidy Haley & Spencer Day

Album covers from (Clockwise): Sam Smith, Aris, Spencer Day, and Cassidy Haley.

I thought it might be nice to revisit some of the new music I posted about last week, in case you missed it. Among the great music I offered up last week, I reviewed three albums by out and proud artists, and a sweet new music video from a British soul singer. That music video was "Leave Your Lover" from Sam Smith, a fantastic song that will be found on his upcoming release, 'In The Lonely Hour'. The song is a beautiful pl;ea to a very special someone. Smith turned many heads with two show-stopping performances on 'Saturday Night Live', and he upped the ante with the new video released last week. People were certainly talking about it! This is a clip of Smith singing the song live for YOU FM. Please enjoy Sam Smith performing an acoustic version of "Leave Your Lover".

'In The Lonely Hour' will be available June 17, 2014. You can pre-order it from iTunes. You can also pre-order the disk from Amazon. For more about Sam Smith, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. I was recently introduced to the music of Aris, a Brooklyn singer/songwriter with a big talent and a sexy growl. I loved his album 'Twilight Revival', and the fantastic song "Twilight". The handsome singer also wrote the song, which was also a fantastic music video. The album also included a wonderful remix, and cut the music video to work. This is Aris with "Twilight (Dancehaus Remix)".

'Twilight Revival' is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. To discover more about Aris, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. I have been a fan of Los Angelos singer/songwriter Cassidy Haley since I first discovered his debut album. Now he has come out with his sophomore effort, 'The Lovers'. It is another exceptional release, and keeps me wanting to hear whatever might be coming from Haley next. I hope there might be a music video or two to come, but until then, I will be enjoying the audio experience. Today I offer you the final cut from the album, a favorite of mine. This is Cassidy Haley with "Bones Gone Grey".

You can purchase 'The Lovers' via iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. To learn more about Cassidy Haley, check out his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter. I've made no secret of the huge musical crush I have on Spencer Day, with his rich voice and smooth style just bowling me over every time I listen. His latest album, 'Daybreak', has hit the iStreets, and I just gobbled it up like it was Halloween candy. With a combination of original material and great cover songs, the album a delicious aural pleasure. Check it out for yourself, including this fun take of an old classic. This is Spencer Day singing "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'".

You can purchase 'Daybreak' from Bandcamp. To learn more about Spencer Day, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. You can check out my original posts for more music and thoughts about the released music.

Aris • Twilight Revival

Just over a month ago, I got an email suggesting I check out the music of Aris from Jeff Dorta of Project Publicity. He also sent along a couple of MP3s, and before you could blink your eyes, I had another artists I wanted to check and and hear more from. And not just because it was impossible to ignore the fact Aris is a strikingly handsome man. I listened to those files sent to me, and they clicked with me. I loved those five songs so much, I went out and purchased the album 'Twilight Revival', where they were found.

When listening to Aris, I can't help but think he is the lovechild of Patti Smith and Chris Cornell, with a supercharged growl of a voice. But then again, I can hear the edge and grit of Pink in his performance, as well as the strength of Kelly Clarkson. The Brooklyn native writes songs that are energetic and evocative, using a base of Rock and Electronica as a base before launching off to make music that is smart and effortlessly cool. 'Twilight Revival', released last fall, is a 17-track collection, with 14 new tracks, and two additional acoustic versions, and one remix of the songs. The album kicks off with "Twilight", a song that has great energy, and would have me running to the dance floor back in the day, dancing with a clenched fist thrust in the air. This is Aris with the official music video for "Twilight".

If that didn't get your juices flowing, urgency of "Blessed Be" might just be what you need. The drive is is bold, and the lyrics thoughtful. "Let Me In" cranks the energy back up to 12 with a forceful pleading that had me ready to give it up and let Aris in. Just when I feared I had to listen to another cover of the Leonard Cohen song, Aris brings out his own original song "Hallelujah", a bluesy spiritual that grabbed me hard. This is the psychedelic official music video for "Hallelujah".

There is a beautiful opening for "Higher", just before the Pop/Rock heart comes beating through. there is nothing like love to make us believe our lives can be lifted to a higher place. Next up, we have "Pray for Change", which features Kalyn Hemphill, Nina Zeitlin and Jimmy Jenkins in support of the man behind the music, Aris. We find the spiritual center and the heart of a man looking answers in a crazy world. This is the music video for "Pray For Change".

I first heard a snippet of "Astral Symphony" on the official website, so I was interested in hearing the full version. I just have to say, I was not disappointed. Far from it, in fact. There is a depth to the song, and it allows Aris a chance to deliver a deliciously nuanced performance. As he continues his search for answers, Aris shares "Savior" with us. what begins as an acoustic introspective prayer builds to an insistent call for hope. You don't have to be "Deaf, Dumb and Blind" to hear the retro feel to the song, like it was written in the Brill Building. I am surprised by how well it suits his voice, and the innocence it offers. With a throbbing beat and his voice driven by loss, it is not innocence that is found in "Anchor". There is a welcome joy at the top of "Light to Dark". It is palpable in the track, as well as in the music video for "Light to Dark".

There is such warmth found in the love song "Fallen Blind", a ballad with some bombastic qualities that would make Jim Steinman proud, and enough catharsis to move me. "Deliver Me" begins with a simple sound of guitar chords, and a soft feel of Aris' voice. There is something hypnotic about this one. The last new cut, "Revival", starts out with a call and response, bridging Gospel and Pop, before allowing the Pop side to flourish a bit more. We are left with a feeling of new life, new growth, just what we wanted. Both "Blessed Be" and "Light to Dark" are given acoustic versions, while "Twilight" has the Dancehaus Remix to complete 'Twilight Revival'. There is such a grit in his voice, it is hard to listen and not growl back just a little. Aris shows us Rock, Pop, Gospel, Blues, and even a Folky side on the album, leading me to wonder if there is anything he can't do. He writes songs with stories that involved feelings straight from the heart, sometimes with a soft caress, and other times with a pumping fist. I just can't get enough. 'Twilight Revival' is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. To discover more about Aris, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.