#william cox

A simple love song that absolutely exudes happiness, Beneath The Apple Tree (seen / heard here)  by UK folk / Americana duo, Oka Vanga, is the type of song that is immediately infectious. It’s an ear-worm for sure, but one that you won’t find too painful if it sticks around for awhile. In the heart of winter in the midst of a pandemic that just won’t go away, that’s the sort of beacon of hope that we all need!

Oka Vanga are Angela Meyer and William Cox, whose chance meeting at an open mic night in London some years ago, bound the two together both musically and eventually as a couple. The creative force and vocal primary, Angela provides a percussive, tuneful vocal delivery that lends itself well to the music she and William create together. While Beneath The Apple Tree comes from the forthcoming (March 2021) self-titled long-player, it is by no means the duo’s first, having two other long-players, 2014′s debut, Pilgrim, and 2017′s Dance Of The Copper Trail, all of which highlight their first-rate skills. At their best, Oka Vanga sound as if they are performing live in your living room. 

You can find more information on Oka Vanga by heading up to their mostly complete web site. There is no direct link that I can find to their Facebook but the Shop link does take you to their bandcamp.com site, which is very important, and their Twitter is linked in the left-hand column. There are two bio’s on the site, with one designed to be a more concise introduction, while the other is a much more fleshed out history of the duo. 

Grab some great folk / Americana music from a duo that is among the best practitioners out there. All of Oka Vanga’s back catalog is available on their bandcamp.com site and you can pre-order the new self-titled long-player there as well. 

So go add some joy to your pandemic infused winter blahs, by picking up some Oka Vanga music now!

December 4, 1943

By Alan Ho

Where:  Chicago Sounds like:  The Maine, Treaty of Paris, All Time Low, 30 Seconds to Mars, The White Tie Affair, SafetySuit

Chicago’s music scene is unlike any other in the country, you got your pop, rock, alternative, underground hip-hop, R&B, country and so much more.  The scene is not unlike the Midwest, a true melting pot of just about everything you can ask for.

Emerging and perhaps emerging fast out of the cluttered Chicago pop/rock scene is a group called Famous Like You, formerly the band A Kidnap in Color.  Famous Like You has quickly built up a following with their catchy lyrics, deep and soaring melodies and an overall pop/rock feel that you can rock your hands and feet to.  After an unusually long and protracted dispute with the previous label, Famous Like You has been shooting up the Chicago music scene and now are poised to reach the pinnacle of indie music stardom and perhaps, just perhaps get the attention of a major label sooner than later!

Check out their music after the jump below and find out why we are putting this Chicago group on The Spotlight!  It’s been a while since a Chicago group had the potential to emerge out of the scene and on to the national stage…like Fall Out Boy.

Links:

Facebook Twitter Purevolume

Music:

Free EPK from ReverbNation.com