Cover Versions | Right Chord Music Blog

Asteron Reimagines Def Leppard’s ‘Love Bites’

rightchord — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:23:50 +0000

Asteron, the innovative rock project spearheaded by accomplished songwriter, producer, and musician Tom Hatizemanouel, has just unveiled their latest single, a captivating reimagining of Def Leppard’s classic hit, Love Bites.

Asteron – Love Bites

Tom Hatizemanouel, also known as TommyHatz, has made a name for himself by blending classic rock with modern influences. His current collaborative endeavour Asteron aims to breathe new life into iconic tracks. The project first caught attention three years ago with an instrumental cover of Guns N’ Roses’ legendary “Estranged,” setting the stage for the unique direction Tom intended to take.

Tom Hatizemanouel embodies the term “seasoned musician,” with a career deeply rooted in collaboration. He launched his journey as a guitarist for the legendary Michael Graves during the “Graves” era following his time with the Misfits. Over the years, Tom has worked with renowned artists like Wright (Quiet Riot, Alice Cooper), Patrick Droney, Jimmy Gnecco (Ours), and Whitney Tai, showcasing his versatility and commitment to musical partnerships.

On the other side of Asteron’s new dynamic rock collaboration is the gifted artist Linn Holmstedt, also known as Linn Holmes. A highly regarded session singer, Linn has performed and recorded background vocals for numerous artists. Earlier this summer, she released her debut EP, Introducing Linn Holmes, which was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and listeners.

In their sophomore release, Asteron reimagines Def Leppard’s timeless rock anthem, Love Bites. With a slow-paced arrangement and Linn’s captivating vocals, this rendition maintains the euphoric essence of the original while infusing it with fresh emotions and a modern production touch.

Love Bites serves as both a respectful tribute and a compelling reinterpretation, showcasing the talents of two highly skilled musicians.

Revitalizing a classic is no small feat, but this duo has done so with great finesse, preserving the essence that made Love Bites unforgettable. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait long for Asteron’s next release.

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Words Javier Rodriguez

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The Daydream Club Put A Fresh Spin On Sam Cooke

rightchord — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:43:01 +0000

Leicester duo The Daydream Club have put their unique spin on the little-known Sam Cooke track ‘Somebody’s Gonna Miss Me’ and you need to hear it.

Sam Cooke – Somebody’s Gonna Miss Me

Sam Cooke is known and recognised as one of the most influential soul artists of all time, earning him the nickname The King of Soul. He is best known for hits including What A Wonderful World, A Change Is Gonna Come and Bring It On Home.

During his tragically short 8-year career, Cooke released 29 singles that charted in the Billboard Top 40 Charts, and 20 that charted in the Top 10. In 1964 he was shot and killed by the manager of a motel in Los Angeles. After his death, an inquest and investigation ruled his death was a justifiable homicide.

Cooke is included on Billboard’s list of the 35 greatest R&B artists of all time. Two years before he died in 1962 he released the album Twistin’ The Night Away which contained the single of the same name. The single peaked at number one on the R&B chart and number 6 on the UK singles chart. The song was recorded with the infamous Wrecking Crew as session musicians.

Track 4 on this album was a little-known track ‘Somebody’s Gonna Miss Me’ an upbeat number complete with trumpets, a honky tonk style piano and Cooke’s trademark soul yearnings.

The Daydream Club – Somebody’s Gonna Miss Me

Fast forward to 2024, and Leicester duo The Daydream Club has chosen to rework this little-known track to make it their own.

Their version is rooted in their trademark boy-and-girl harmonies, which sound sublime paired with their stripped-back, acoustic arrangement. Paula Pickering’s honeyed vocals hug your ear lobes joyously.

The Daydream Club have transformed Cooke’s big band, club track into an intimate and deeply personal voice note, something you might leave a loved one. The repeating refrain “I know you’re gonna miss me” is as much confidence as insecurity.

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Words Mark Knight

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The Ruins Show Us Their ‘Gold’ [Cover]

rightchord — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 07:02:06 +0000

Discover The Ruins’ hugely energetic take on a classic

The Ruins – ‘Gold’

If you’re not up on your classic rock history, the name John Stewart may not mean a lot to you. However, his contributions to rock and folk have been notable, both as a songwriter for others and under his own name. ‘Gold’ was one of his own hits, and here The Ruins give their own special take on it.

The Ruins are an eclectic California-based rock project, rooted in 70s styles but combining multiple influences. With a line-up of seasoned musicians, they’ve been gradually releasing over the past year.

‘Gold’ is a high-energy rock take on a classic song that hedonistically celebrates music and money.

This cover transforms the more mellow, steady original into rock’n’roll fireworks. ‘When the lights go down in the California town, people are in for the evening’, narrate the lyrics, setting the scene of a town full of dreamers and music-lovers and party people, even if they ‘make two fifty for an hour’. Todd McTavish’s strong, raw lead vocals deliver the song with power, delivering the classic rock melodies full-throttle and hammering the singalong refrain, ‘there’s people out here turning music into gold’.

The production shows off what is clearly a tight musical outfit, echoing classic bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. The driving guitars include plenty of furious licks and solos, the bass chugs along, the harmonies are solid, the drums are hard-hitting and there’s even an infectious little tambourine. This track shows off the skills of The Ruins, who would no doubt be massively enjoyable to watch live.

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Words Eden Tredwell

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Micah Willis Re-imagines ‘If Dreams Were Money’

rightchord — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:14:15 +0000

Ready to add more accolades to his already long list of accomplishments, experienced musician Micah Willis has revealed the astonishing blues track, If Dreams Were Money.

Michah Willis – If Dreams Were Money

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Micah Willis has been involved with music for as long as he can remember. Son of the veteran blues musician Kenny Neal, his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. So far, he has won four Downbeat Music awards and also appeared in the Disney Channel series Andi Mack.

Although Micah has recorded plenty of original songs, on this occasion, he chose to make a cover of Bruce Marshall’s song If Dreams Were Money. A track that was not only delightful to perform due to his respect and admiration for Marshall but also one that he feels will resonate with people all around the globe due to its relevant theme:

“The message really hits close to home too. I mean yeah, it’s tough to be a musician. I’d have a hell of a lot bigger house if my dreams became money. But the song is just timeless. I think it can resonate with people no matter the generation they come from“. – said the artist about this musical piece.

Raising the temperature with its bluesy guitar and Micah’s soulful delivery, this tune transports the listener to a higher place without ever leaving the comfort of their home.

The composition truly takes advantage of its marvellous instrumentation to the point where you lose yourself in the organ and sax fills, slowly diving into this thick wall of textures.

“If Dreams Were Money is a brilliant rendition of an already exquisite song, splendidly performed.”

Hard work generally pays off, and it certainly has for Micah Willis, who has proved to be a creative force whose artistic adaptability is highlighted in this cover.

Either acting or singing, this is a performer you should keep your eyes on and wait for his next move.

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Mesa Jane Reshapes Radiohead’s ‘All I Need’

rightchord — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:47:43 +0000

Discover Mesa Jane’s dreamy electronica take.

Mesa Jane – ‘All I Need’

‘It’s all wrong, it’s all right…’ echoes the familiar refrain of ‘All I Need’. But under the guidance of Mesa Jane, it’s dreamy, euphoric almost, in a nightmarish sort of way. As the saying goes, it’s something familiar and something peculiar, but definitely something that should please the indie, 90s, and electronica fans in the room.

Mesa Jane is a genre-blending artist from the Philadelphia area whose music has been described as ‘alternative vibe pop’. Her music has found its way into television, festivals and award nominations. Normally known for her original music, this release marks a rare step into the world of covers.

‘All I Need’ is a thrumming track that retains all the tension of the original, but adds its own hypnotic touches.

Radiohead’s lyrics remain striking, depicting a desperate love – ‘I am a moth who just wants to share your light, I am an insect trying to get out of the night’ – and their melodies are still compelling. But they’re given fresh life here by Mesa Jane’s vocals, showing off an impressive low range for a female voice, smooth yet thrilling.

The production keeps the familiar, pulsating bass line and general feel of the track, but pulls back the beats into something more whispery. There are stings of synths at unexpected moments, and Imogen Heap-esque layered vocals and harmonies. It maintains the eerie feel of the original but adds just enough newness to interest – listeners who enjoy it should consider checking out Mesa Jane’s impressive catalogue of singles and albums.

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Eden Tredwell

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Elodie Adams Takes Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box To New Heights

rightchord — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 15:17:12 +0000

Elodie Adams shows her vocal range on her bewitching cover of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box.

Elodie Adams – Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana)

This impressive cover version has become somewhat of a viral sensation for Elodie Adams racking up over 1 million views on Facebook.

Elodie has been classically trained in both opera and violin from the age of 4, and it shows. There is a delicious gothic noir to her style as she effortlessly switches between seductive whispers and glass-shattering high notes. It is hard not to be drawn in by this intimate performance and those pink highlights!

She truly emotes every word, and when you understand she has endured the chronic pain condition Fibromyalgia, which forced her to take a 6-year hiatus from music, you can understand how every word she utters feels like a personal cathartic release.

She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weakI’ve been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeksI’ve been drawn into your magnet tar pit trapI wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black.

[Kurt Cobain, Nirvana – Heart Shaped Box]

More about Elodie Adams

Elodie began experimenting with songwriting and production as a means to cope with undiagnosed clinical depression and anxiety in her teenage years.

She first rose to prominence in 2014 as the singer/songwriter/producer of the theme tune to the Playstation Game “Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty!”. Elodie cites her influences as rock greats such as Muse & Queen, classical composers such as Bach and uniquely eccentric performers such as Bjork. We’d also throw a little dash of Tori Amos into the mixing pot.

Elodie effortlessly takes these inspirations and combines them with her electrifying string arrangements and soaring, powerhouse vocals to create something all her own.

Elodie is no stranger to cover versions in fact, she is making somewhat of a name for herself with her unique arrangements. Working alongside DJ Nick Jay the duo’s dreamy, high-octane club reworking of the Kate Bush classic ‘Running Up The Hill’ hit the number one spot on the Australian dance charts last year.

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Best of Reverbnation Three Alternative Christmas Anthems

rightchord — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:38:11 +0000

We love Christmas songs but when you only ever hear the same ones on repeat something has to be done. This year we partnered with the Reverbnation community with a simple brief to find an alternative Christmas anthem. We had over 700 submissions, here are our favourite three.

Sam Sims – Hawaiian Christmas

Sam Sims is a singer-songwriter from Ashbury Park, New Jersey. He performs on guitar, ukulele and harmonica, incorporating folk-rock and island influences, to create his own acoustic soul/pop sound. Many of Sam’s original compositions have a laid-back feel inspired by nature.

Sam has shared stages with respected acts such as Willie Nile (Bruce Springsteen), Steve Forbert, The Beach Boys and Rob Machado. The Sam Sims Band also had the pleasure of opening for Bob Marley’s legendary band, The Wailers in 2014 and 2015.

Sam’s songs have been licensed and featured on prime-time television shows, and the music is featured on radio stations globally.

A quick scan of his Spotify reveals that Sam is no stranger to a Christmas song. In fact there are two in his top five most played songs and he has just released a new one ‘Feel Christmas’. But we’ve gone with Hawaiian Christmas Song which is his most played release, and it’s easy to see why. You can almost feel the waves crashing on the beach as you sip a cocktail. Let Sam Sims transport you somewhere warm this Christmas!

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The Honest Heart Collective – Run Rudolph Run

Sometimes you just need some good ole rock and roll and when you do, there is nothing better than this cover of the Chuck Berry classic.

Rooted in Thunder Bay, Canada The Honest Heart Collective does as their name suggests. This is heart-on-sleeve stuff, their music frequents the place between a promise and a pain.

A quick listen to their wider catalogue suggests why this was the perfect cover. Their music roars and crackles with a vintage 60s rock show vibe, and they frequently teeter on the brink of old and new. It’s also worth checking out their version of ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’.

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Kendra Erika

This Boca Raton, Florida native is no stranger to a hit or a cover. In fact, she’s scored a total of five Billboard Top Ten dance hits and hit number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2019 with ‘Self Control’ which put a fresh spin twist on the 1994 hit by Laura Branigan.

Now she’s turned her hand to Winter Wonderland transforming this sleepy Christmas standard into a dance floor filler. It’s a thrilling rework, you’ll find it hard not to grab your party hat and spin Granny around the room.

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Words Mark Knight

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The Daydream Club Put A New ‘Dark Spin’ On A Joe Cocker Classic

rightchord — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 07:45:34 +0000

Following the positive response and success of their cover of This Will Be Our Year by The Zombies. The Daydream Club have repeated the trick breathing new life into the Ray Charles, Joe Cocker classic Unchain My Heart.

Unchain My Heart

Unchain My Heart was written by Bobby Sharp and first recorded in 1961 by Ray Charles. Accompanied by his backup singers the Raelettes the song broke the top ten, reaching number nine on the pop singles chart and number one on the R&B singles chart. The song tells the story of wanting to be free from a woman who wouldn’t let him go.

The song was re-recorded by Trini Lopes in 1963 and then further popularised by ‘gravely voiced blues legend’ Joe Cocker when he named his 1987 album after the song. His version was re-released in 1992 reaching number 17 in the UK.

Now in 2022, The Daydream Club remind us of this classic song with their own unique take. Adam and Paula from the band explain:

“Whenever we do a cover we always set out to make it sound different to any other version that already exists. We noticed that most versions of Unchain My Heart are upbeat and bouncy so we went dark and edgy to emphasise the lyrics.”

Their version pulls you close with intimate vocals and layered harmonies which grow to form their own choir. Backed by Jungle-Book esque drums The Daydream Club’s decision to use both male and female vocals adds a new balance to the song’s one-sided narrative. Their arrangement also adds a deliciously ‘dark-noir twang’.

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Words Mark Knight

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The Daydream Club Cover The Zombies This Will Be Our Year

rightchord — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:20:43 +0000

The Daydream Club return with a reworking of a classic track by The Zombies track and a renewed sense of optimism.

The Zombies – A time for optimism

Back in 1968 when The Zombies released ‘This Will Be Our Year’ there were reasons to be optimistic. The year before the UK expressed interest in joining the European Economic Community, The Beatles had released Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and the BBC had launched Radio 1 to create a legitimate alternative to Radio Caroline. It was clearly a heady time for youth culture.

Fast forward to 2022 and there are similar reasons to be optimistic. After two years of lock-down life and adjustment to life outside of Europe, there is a feeling that we are not just going back to work, but actually going forward to work. While the last two years have bought struggle, they have also forced us to question how we want to fill our days and readdress the work-life balance. In this time we’ve re-connected with nature, surrounded ourselves with animals and have been reminded of the importance of friendship.

While ‘This Will Be Our Year’ is shrouded with positivity it’s the second part of the refrain “Took a long time to come” which gives the song its pertinence. While the opening lines, the “warmth of your smile” is supported with the reassurance “You don’t have to worry, all your worried days are gone.”

The Daydream Club – This Will Be Our Year

The Daydream Club’s version feels like a journey through the eras. It opens with a lone female vocal, the stripped-back production momentarily recalls a lullaby and Verra Lyn’s and post-war optimism, when the drums arrive there is a hint of The Ronnettes and Phil Spector’s production, then the version is bought up to date with dizzying synths that glow and radiate the warmth of the sun. It’s time to throw open those curtains and step back out into the world. We really do deserve this! This single will become part of a future album called Got It Covered.

The ‘now’ economy

The Daydream Club like many other artists recognise the need to change with the times. After all, we are now living in a new ‘now economy’ where people expect things immediately, attention spans are getting shorter and that means the old model of a big gap between album releases no longer works.

Momentum is the name of the game and The Daydream Club are using this release to signal the change to a more fluid release structure. They now plan to release a steady stream of songs as they write/record them. This allows them to work on multiple albums simultaneously with the potential for each single to be completely different from the last.

Moving forward the band want to take the concept a step further. Have you ever wanted a personalised song? In an attempt to create more of a community The Daydream Club would like to make that happen. They’re encouraging fans to submit stories from their lives and Adam and Paula will pick out any that inspires them to write a song that will be released as part of their new Song Stream.

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Buel serves up her own unique version of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit

rightchord — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:58:32 +0000

BUEL’s latest release is a cover of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit that serves as a demonstration of her unique and innovative style.

BUEL’s Smells Like Teen Spirit

Despite Smells Like Teen Spirit being a widely covered track, BUEL’s cover is fresh, and outstanding in its own right. Her voice is breathtaking, chilling, and enticing. This cover isn’t one you’ll want to miss.

About BUEL

BUEL is a multi-talented artist based in Los Angeles. She began singing her own melodies when she was just four years of age, soon going on to write and arrange her own compositions.

At twelve, BUEL made her first public appearance, playing piano and then singing as a member in her school band. Around the same time, she also began to write short stories, poems and essays that were published by her school’s magazines as well as local newspapers. Her experience with writing would go on to become the source of some of her cryptic lyrics.

At 15, BUEL taught herself how to play guitar, focussing on her solo career, and drawing inspiration for her music from icons such Nirvana, Meredith Monk, Yoko Ono, Morphine, Mazzy Star, and Kate Bush. However, Buel’s sound is distinct and very much her own. Her musical work is both effortless and flawless.

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