Podcast - Talking Music with Kevin Bessey • The Indie Magazine & Podcast

This week on the InQua Podcast, we’re posting an episode we’d recorded earlier in 2023. Kevin Bessey is a musician, songwriter, producer, YouTube personality, and a longtime contributor for InQua Magazine. We had him on the InQua Podcast for an episode on Christmas Music two weeks ago, and it was only fitting we start 2024 off by getting his first recording published!

Enjoy this week’s episode of the InQua Podcast and tell us about your favorite emo bands, trips to Las Vegas, and indie musicians in your area!

Check out some Kevin’s music that we discussed on the InQua Podcast below:

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News:

Taylor Swift Breaks Elvis Presley’s Record as Solo Artist With Most Weeks at No. 1 on Album Chart, as ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ Reigns Again

https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-breaks-elvis-presley-record-no-1s-album-chart-1989-1235858950/
“Taylor Swift has broken Elvis Presley‘s longstanding record for the most weeks spent atop the Billboard 200 album chart by a solo artist. She set a new mark of 68 total weeks, as “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” landed on top of the chart for a fifth time in the final full tracking week of 2023.”
“Although Swift set a new record for an individual, the ultimate high-water mark among all artists is still held by the Beatles, whose albums have spent 132 weeks on top of the Billboard 200. Presley’s 67 weeks now puts him in second place among solo recording artists and third place among all acts.”
“Filling out the top 10 of the album chart beyond Swift’s leader were Michael Buble’s 2011 Christmas album rising two places to No. 2, Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday” slipping a spot to No. 3, Nat King Cole’s seasonal album at No. 4 (its historical peak to date), Morgan Wallen’s 2023 blockbuster “One Thing at a Time” holding on at No. 5, Drake also holding steady at No. 6 with “For All the Dogs,” “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector” at No. 7 (another historic peak), Mariah Carey’s Christmas album at No. 8, Swift’s 2022 release “Midnights” at No. 9 and Pentatonix’s “Greatest Christmas Hits” at No. 10 (also a high to date for that album).”

Have Elton John and Brandi Carlile Recorded a New Album Together?

https://variety.com/2024/music/news/elton-john-brandi-carlile-new-album-together-1235859416/
“Elton John and Brandi Carlile apparently have recorded a new album together, according to an interview with Elton’s longtime friend, the Who’s Pete Townshend, that was published by Clashmusic late last month.”
“Elton himself teased a new album when inducting his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November, noting that the pair recently completed an album that “is going to surprise the shit out of you.””
“While Townshend didn’t specify what role Carlile was playing in the collaboration, and his language leaves open the possibility that it could be a joint album as artists, she may be taking on the role of producer, as she has increased her focus on taking that role. Carlile won three Grammys for co-producing and co-writing Tanya Tucker’s comeback album, “While I’m Livin’,” and also produced Tucker’s followup effort this year. She helmed Brandy Clark’s self-titled, currently Grammy-nominated album, as well as albums by Lucius, the Secret Sisters and Tish Melton, along with Joni Mitchell’s recent live album.”
“While unexpected, such an album certainly wouldn’t be a total surprise: Elton and Carlile are friends and have performed together many times in recent years: They played “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at his final North American concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in November of 2021, she appeared (with several others) on his “Lockdown Sessions” collaborative album, and she’s covered his songs in tribute several times (including a stirring “Madman Across the Water” on Howard Stern). In her upcoming autobiography, she says her first public performance was singing Elton’s 1972 hit “Honky Cat” at a talent show. The two even appeared in a joint 2021 interview on Pitchfork, talking about their influences, two years ago.”
“Of their friendship, Carlile told People in 2021, “I [have] so much intense admiration for Elton John. I think we find ourselves in a position of being soulmates. Our friendship is an amazing one.””

The Best Concerts of 2023

https://variety.com/lists/best-concerts-2023-2/
“Taylor Swift at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (March 17-18)”
“Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell and More at the ‘Joni Jam’ at the Gorge in Washington (June 9-11)”
“U2 at Sphere in Las Vegas (Sept. 29)”
“Beyoncé in ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’ in movie theaters (December)”
“Elvis Costello in ‘100 Songs and More’ at the Gramercy Theatre in New York (Feb. 9-22)”
“Boygenius at the Hollywood Bowl (Oct. 31)”
“Allison Russell at the El Rey Theatre in L.A. (Nov. 1)”
“Willie Nelson and Friends at ‘Long Story Short: Willie 90’ at the Hollywood Bowl (April 29-30)”
“SZA at the Forum in Inglewood (March 22)”
“Laufey with the LA Philharmonic at the Ford in L.A. (Sept. 16)”
“Doja Cat at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. (Nov. 2)”
“The Manhattan Transfer at Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. (Dec. 15)”
“Lauryn Hill and the Fugees at the Forum in Inglewood (Nov. 5)”
“Hozier at the Santa Barbara Bowl (Oct. 28)”
“Jack White at the Belasco in L.A. (January 13)”
“Nick Cave at the Orpheum in L.A. (Oct. 27)”
“Olivia Rodrigo at the Theatre at Ace Hotel (Oct. 9)”
“‘Love Rising’ Benefit at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (March 20)”
“Peter Gabriel at the Forum in Inglewood (Oct. 13)”
“Brandy Clark at the Troubadour in West Hollywood (Nov. 4)”
“Missy Elliott at Yaamava’ Theatre in Highland (May 19)”
“‘Nuggets’ Tribute at the Alex Theatre in Glendale (May 19)”
“Zach Bryan at Crypto.com Arena in L.A. (Aug. 23)”
“Sparks at the Hollywood Bowl (July 16)”
“The War and Treaty at the Troubadour in West Hollywood (March 26)”