Vitek is a very under the radar act out of Nashville, that has a good feel with real players that includes a horn section. The groups leader is Gabrahm Vitek, who also has been known as Gabe Vitek, on vocals & keyboards that includes a Fender Rhodes, an old Wurlitzer and other assorted pianos and keyboards that are featured in his videos.
When I say under the radar, I mean it. The various sites that link from Vitek's official YouTube page have all disappeared. I am talking about no more Facebook account, no more Twitter account and the domain name the band used is no longer.
Vitek recorded a song and made a conceptual video that has something about it. The video, directed by Annie Miller, might be better than the song, but the song is still all right. I came upon that video because of another a pretty interesting film take of them performing live in a studio environment. So here are both of those and one more, just below.
Vitek - Sunbird
The next one below is titled Devil, Don't You
And, here is one more from a bit further back, in 2010, titled No Look Dancing
UPDATE: WE JUST FOUND VITEK: He is now in a band in Nashville that is named "Kind". Connect direct with Vitek on Twitter.Com/GabrahmVitek and Connect with his new band, Kind, at facebook.com/kindnashville
When one looks at the depth of Bob Marley's life, music and beliefs, it is clear he was a true indie leader of the Rastafarian movement and the entire world of music, not just reggae.
He was also a pioneer and leader for the reform of marijuana laws in an era where people routinely were imprisoned for a joint or a seed. He believed, as the U.S. government already knew but failed to mention, that marijuana and it's cannabinoid byproducts have healing powers.
Bob Marley was the ultimate indie artist who stuck to his principals that guided his light and shaped his sound. His family has chosen to carry on his legacy, while building their own through music and the Movement of Jah People, which they carry on with integrity at every turn. Bob Marley's music lives on, possibly stronger than when he was alive.
In honor of the 70th birthday of the humble legend, Bob Marley, the The Indies Network of music sites are all featuring classic and current music films and love from fans around the world throughout this week leading up to and beyond February 6, 2015.
Bob Marley painting courtesy of Shawn Voelker - ShawnVoelker.Com
There was a 60 Minutes with Dan Rather special on the Rastafarian movement that was shot in 1980 while Bob was alive, and was broadcast after his death in 1981. It included a segment on the life and influence of Bob Marley on music, politics and religion. It seems clear that he and the movement was seen as a threat by many in "the establishment", meaning those politicians, religious and other powerful figures throughout the world who talk about freedom, peace and love, but actually back tyranny and war.
It is unfortunate to see that issues of justice and peace in third world countries that Bob Marley championed long before he was given a UN Peace medal, have been pushed to the wayside by the powers that be.
However, if Bob Marley were alive today, he would no doubt be pleased with the direction of the decriminalization of marijuana and how far his family has carried onward with the movement. The Estate of Bob Marley has joined with the U.S. based Privateer Holdings, to create the world's first global Cannabis brand known as Marley Natural as a result of the rapid decriminalization and end of the prohibition of marijuana in the United States. We are living in new times, indeed.
Now here are some handpicked videos. Please turn up the volume.
Just below is an excellent live concert film of Bob Marley & The Wailers performing Trenchtown Rock, live at the Rainbow Theatre in London, England. "One good thing about music, when it hits you fell no pain... So hit me with music, hit me with music, hit me with music now..."
Bob Marley and The Wailers - Trenchtown Rock
On April 30, 1976, Bob Marley & The Wailers released the Rastaman Vibration album. the next two videos, Positive Vibration and Roots, Rock, Reggae, were on that record. Newly remastered singles, as well as the entire record, are available.
BUY MUSIC & MERCH DIRECT FROM ARTISTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE :)
A big thanks to Shawn Voelker for permission to use his artwork featured above. Connect direct with Shawn at ShawnVoelker.Com or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Here is a act of substance out of Austin that we somehow never noticed until today. His name is Nakia and he has been around and has been paying his dues diligently. He has a whole story on the about page of his website.
I like this first live take video below and how director Jonathan Jackson captures, for the first few moments before the music begins, the vibe of the The Sahara Lounge, a music venue in Far East Austin, Texas. Appropriate for a song where Nakia shows off an undeniable Austin sound. Pieces and Castles was written by Nakia and Barry Goldberg, and produced in association with Johnny Lee Schell.
Nakia - Pieces And Castles
The next live take below was recorded during a Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill's during SXSW a few years back. Can't help but think of Joe Cocker a little bit.
Nakie - Parachute
And, here is one final live take that is a little reminicent of Chet Baker's vocal styling... Nakia sits down for for a recording filmed by Ehud Lazin with One On One during the Outlaw Roadshow.
Nakia - Get Hercules
A big kudos and thank you to Music Fog, Jonathan Jackson of One Point Pictures and Ehud Lazin of One On One for filming the above clips so well and making them available.
Off of the Silver Scream Records imprint is a interesting female bassist, composer, and singer named Olivia Anna Livki who also is known as LiVKi. She was born in Poland and raised in the Black Forest of Germany.
This first song below titled Dark Blonde Rises, is sort of an anthem song. The second song below which might be my fave, is titled Tel Aviv, hints at David Byrne and the Talking Heads meets Frank Zappa with Moon Unit. Instead, it's a cool girl with a bass.
Here is a great find out of Glasgow, England. The band is known as Casual Sex. Their members are Sam Smith, Ed Wood, Peter Masson & Chris McCrory. Just below is their music video to their song titled A Perfect Storm.
