Posted by Scott Sands on September 27, 2009
Indy Music Scene
Posted in: Scott Sands
Indianapolis, and the surrounding area, is home to quite a few success stories in the world of music …
- Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds first went double-platinum with his 1989 release Tender Lover;
- The Why Store has rocked the area since 1993, including national success with their 1997 hit “Lack of Water;”
- Guns ‘N Roses frontman Axl Rose was born in Lafayette;
- Most recently, Anderson native Jon McLaughlin hit the national airplay charts several times and was even nominated for an Oscar;
- Of course, we have to mention John Mellencamp and Henry Lee Summer;
- Transmatic, Virgin Millionaires, Dave & Rae, The Flying Toasters, Stereo Deluxe, Hum V, Lynda Sayahh, and too many other great local bands to mention.
Today, I want to get your feedback on two more “local” acts that I think are good enough for us to play on Z99.5: The Elms and KJ Testin.
The Elms, originally from Seymour, have actually been performing together for nearly ten years. Their newest release, The Great American Midrange, is receiving national exposure with the first single, “Back To Indiana,” already in the Top 100 airplay charts. The Elms produce a quintessential breed of Midwestern, rootsy rock grounded in a style that would be at home during the 60’s & 70’s.
KJ, not to be confused with KJ from the Smiley Morning Show, is a stunning 24-year-old from Indianapolis with a rock-and-roll background that plays well for her transition to contemporary country with crossover appeal. You can already hear one of her songs on HANK-FM, one of our local radio competitors.
Please check out their music below and leave me a comment, whether or not you like the songs, and if you think we should give them a shot with airplay on Z99.5. I look forward to reading your feedback. And, if you like what you hear, be sure to support them by attending local concerts and purchasing their music from iTunes.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by wzpl. wzpl said: NEW BLOG: Indy Music Scene http://bit.ly/3atTg [...]
Pingback by Tweets that mention WZPL Indianapolis » Indy Music Scene -- Topsy.com — September 27, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Just saw The Elms at their record release party at Best Buy in Castleton. Imagine playing, full band, in the middle of the CD/DVD/Video Game area… you would have thought they were playing a stadium. And the record, it sounds amazing. If Mellencamp was new to the seen today, I think he might sound like The Elms (that’s a compliment!)
And listening to KJ Testn’s stuff on her MySpace page blew my mind. She’s definitely Pop Country (which is the kind I actually like — I can’t knee slap very well). It says a lot that in that low budget video, she somehow still looks like a star. She’s HOT.
Both acts = Hoosier goodness!
Comment by TG317 — September 28, 2009 @ 5:30 am
This KJ Testin her music sounds great and I like it alot. We need new pop country voices and a different style of music on the radio and she has alot of that. I have heard her play live and she rocks.I would love to hear her music on the radio.
Comment by Laresha Fluker — September 28, 2009 @ 5:49 am
KJ Testin brings a new, fresh edge to the sound of country music. She truly grasps where the genre of country music is going while still respecting the roots and tradition of where it comes from.
Her vocals are awesome and even better when heard performing live. I’d love to have her songs on the radio instead of just going to myspace to play them!
Comment by Jenifer Peacock — September 28, 2009 @ 6:00 am
Wow! Both great artists, I would definitely listen to both without changing the dial!
The Elms were fun and I think KJ is amazing!! Any idea if she has an album out? I want it!
Comment by EJ310 — September 28, 2009 @ 6:05 am
Please start playing KJ’s music!! Heard her at 8 Second Saloon….she is awesome!!!!!!!!!
Comment by JE — September 28, 2009 @ 6:19 am
I would definitely like to hear more from both artists. KJ’s really got a modern country voice and style comparable with the likes of Gretchen Wilson and Carrie Underwood. Hats off to both groups.
Comment by Whiskey — September 28, 2009 @ 6:34 am
The Elms are literally one of the best rock bands I’ve ever seen live (and I’ve seen a TON), and their new CD deserves the attention it’s getting, there are at least 3-4 fantastic songs I could hear you playing on the radio! Of course “Back To Indiana” is my favorite!
KJ seems ok, she needs a bit of time to develop an identity of her own and get her vocal chops up to snuff with some of the great country singers out there (Carrie, Martina, Faith, etc). But she’s young, and if she does apply herself I could see her really growing in a few years!
Thanks!
Mike F.
Comment by Mike — September 28, 2009 @ 7:08 am
I caught KJ before the Ricochet show and that she had a great voice and a great stage presence! I’d love to hear her voice on the radio as someone new to listen to.
Comment by ad — September 28, 2009 @ 10:32 am
I would love to hear more from Katie. What an incredible artist!
Comment by Terri Glassburn — September 28, 2009 @ 11:30 am
The Elms: Well; I’m a Hoosier so I love to hear music that speaks of the Hoosier State! This song is great.
KJ Testin: WOW! The video is great & I saw her last weekend at 8 Seconds when she opened for Ricochet & her performance was awesome. I would love to hear more of her music.
Comment by PP — September 28, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
THE ELMS RULE. Play their tunes man, most exciting Indiana act since J.M.!!!!
Comment by Eric — September 28, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
I have seen KJ live and her music and stage presents is great. I would love to hear her music on the radio and supporting her music. The elms music sounds good also, why not play them both.
Comment by Ken — September 29, 2009 @ 3:32 am
I had never heard the elms until seeing them with jon mclaughlin at the state fair. awesome show! and the CD is really good! got it that night and they signed it for me! I don’t really listen to country, but KJ has a great singing voice! I would definately like to hear more from the elms and KJ on the radio.
Comment by Jamie — September 29, 2009 @ 5:58 am
For the Elms – interesting, but hard to judge on one song.
For KJ – saw her live at 8 second saloon, and LOVED her music. Her song “No Reason Not To” seemed to be a big crowd-pleaser at the show, and is my personal favorite. Would love to hear her played more on the station!!!
Comment by Heidi — September 29, 2009 @ 6:30 am
I think The Elms are awesome and Back To Indiana is one of the best songs of the past couple years! It always puts a smile on my face. It doesn’t hurt that it gives our lovely state a shout out. Please play it. This song deserves to get heard.
Comment by jack — September 29, 2009 @ 6:40 am
I am a huge fan of The Elms. Straight forward, unpretentious rock & roll is something I don’t hear enough of on the radio these days. In a different era, these guys would’ve been huge already, and I easily align them with bands like The Killers or Kings of Leon. You need to keep playing them, because they are terrific!
Comment by Dan — September 29, 2009 @ 7:34 am
This girl is on her way! Love all of her songs! A few buddies of mine saw her open for Ricochet and couldn’t say enough about this girl…I am sure we all will be seeing KJ on the red carpet in the near future!!!!
Comment by Ben — September 29, 2009 @ 7:40 am
KJs awesome! Great sound, great look. Would love to hear more from her!
Comment by KD — September 30, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
KJ Testin is an amazing singer, I love her music and I hope she can keep on creating music. =D
Comment by cory potter — October 2, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
KJ is awesome!!! I love her music and would love to here her on the radio. I love the country rock style. especially from a female.
Comment by amber — October 2, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
how to fix your credit…
I have to put a bookmark on this website!…
Trackback by how to fix your credit — December 15, 2009 @ 4:43 am