Avi Wisnia • New Year

I couldn't have a New Year's Day go by without featuring a wonderful song by Philadelphia-native Avi Wisnia. That would be "New Year", a song perfectly suited for the holiday, off his album 'Something New'. The song celebrates new starts, and new chances. That is exactly what we all look for every January 1st, an opportunity for a new beginning. This is Avi Wisnia singing "New Year".

To learn more about Avi Wisnia, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' Avi on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook. The song "New Year" can be found on the album 'Something New', which can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.

RightOutTV Awards 2013 • Song of the Year & Best Song So Far

Left: Avi Wisnia. Right: Matt Fishel

I am pleased to showcase the recent winners of the 2013 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, pointing a spotlight on a few of the many talented members of the LGBT community making music. This year, awards were given in 18 different categories, with 17 different acts receiving them. The awards are given by RightOutTV, a website founded by Marlee Walchuck and Tully Callender. The website promotes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender artists, allowing a platform for their voices to be heard, and a place for those wanting to support them to visit on a regular basis. “If you watch the awards show you’ll see that we don’t just promote and award these artists because they’re gay. These are high-level, multi-talented, professionals with star quality,” says Marlee Walchuk, co-producer of the awards. “Even though most of these artists are not being heard on mainstream radio yet, they deserve every success enjoyed by their straight counterparts."

The first artist to get bragging rights this year is Avi Wisnia, no stranger to winning awards, having won Best Video (DIY) in 2011 for his charming "Rabbit Hole" music video. This year, Avi won Best Song So Far for "Something New" a track off his debut album of the same name. The song gives a literal nod to great songs from the past that have inspired Wisnia, from artists as varied as The Beatles to Sade to Chicago. The following is a video I took of Avi at a show I was pleased enough to attend. This is Avi Wisnia with a very special live performance of "Something New".

To learn more about Avi Wisnia, visit his official website. You can also find him on Twitter and Facebook, and congratulate him on the win. You can purchase 'Something New' from iTunes and Amazon.

Matt Fishel is also no stranger to the judges of the RightOutTV Awards. Last year, he won Best Video So Far for his delightful "Football Song", one of my favorites. He also won Song of the Year for his honest "Behind Closed Doors", off his 'Not Thinking Straight' album. This year, he repeats the latter win, as "Radio-Friendly Pop Song" was named Song of the Year. The song takes a look at the issues an LGBT artist come across in their careers. The rousing Pop tune soars on the chorus, but never steps away from the truth some executives fail to see. This is the official music video for the 2013 Song of the Year, Matt Fishel's "Radio-Friendly Pop Song".

To learn more about Matt Fishel, visit his official website, 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can purchase 'Not Thinking Straight' from iTunes and Amazon. You can also order hard copies, as well as autographed hard copies of the CD from Matt's online store. For more about RightOutTV, visit their official website. There you can find music videos and interviews of LGBT artists from around the world. you can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

Avi Wisnia at the World Cafe at the Queen

Photos of Avi Wisnia at The World Cafe at the Queen by me

After months of trying to figure out the who and where I would have the opportunity, I finally had to chance to see Avi Wisnia at the World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington, Delaware! It was my first trip to the establishment, recently opened in conjuncture with the World Cafe in Philadelphia. The space is quite nice, with a roomy feel and nice lighting to make the experience quite nice. Avi was invited by the host of the evening, Rod Kim. The theme of the night was the inspiration of Stevie Wonder, whose jazz-flavored Pop and Soul clearly made an impact on Wisnia. You can definitely hear it in his cover of the great Stevie Wonder song, Lately.



You will also be able to hear it in a song written by Avi for his first album, Something New. It is the title cut from the debut, and is a delicious blend of Pop and a pinch of Jazz rhythms to keep it lively and sounding fresh.



The next song is both a great cover, and was featured on the debut album. Wisnia revisited the music of TLC, and can also list one of Bravo's Real Housewives among the list of writers. Yes, Kandi Burruss is one of the writers of No Scrubs, which went to the top of the charts in 1999. Avi puts his own very special spin on the cool song.



Finally, there is the song that lead me to Avi Wisnia in the beginning. I was cruising around the 'net, listening to music when I came across the video for a song that had one foot in the past, and the other firmly planted in today. I didn't think it was possible, but the live version has even more charm, and I just loved Avi singing his own composition, Rabbit Hole.



To learn more about Avi Wisnia, check out his official website here. While there, you can listen to his music for free, and figure out you need to own your own copy. And you can find Something New on iTunes here, on Amazon here, and an earlier EP on CD Baby here.

Sunday Morning with Avi Wisnia

I am a recent convert to the musical genius of Avi Wisnia. And I have to admit, I love what I have discovered so far from my little Samba King. Well, to be more truthful, he is my Bossa Nova Prince, I guess. But no matter, for when it comes down to it, I just love the music, and felt the need to share what I could with you. Avi has a unique sound as he blends the Brazilian sound with acoustic folk and West Coast jazz. And due to the generosity of Avi's ReverbNation page, I can bring you 11 songs, most of which could be found on Wisnia's latest album, Something New. While I am sure you will enjoy all the songs, I would advise paying close attention to track 2, TLC's No Scrubs given a new life, track 4, Wisnia's incredible Sink, track 5, the delightful Rabbit Hole, and track 7, the Cure's Love Song offered is a luxurious jazz setting. So on this fine Sunday morning, I say grab a beverage - tea, coffee, or a glass of wine - and settle in to listen to what Avi Wisnia has to play.




If you like what you heard, you can click on the widget above and go to Avi Wisnia's ReverbNation page, where you can listen to the music, and even get a few free downloads. Or you can go to iTunes and download the Something New album here.