Ural Thomas made his return to the stage in 2017, when he and his backing band signed with Tender Loving Empire. Though he hadn’t performed professionally since the early 70’s, Ural never stopped loving music. This made his comeback a smooth and entertaining one. Equally as strong as his love for music is his love for people. With any music he makes, his goal is to lighten the heart of those who are listening. To quote; “If we make someone smile we’re satisfied. They’re ain’t no difference between us. It’s all love and brotherhood. If folks listen to my record and feel that I’ll feel very blessed.” We got in touch with Ural for a quick chat about his return to the music business. 

The Deli Portland: After taking such a long break, what prompted you to start recording and performing again?

Well, I missed the people and I was so happy to find out the people missed me!

What has it been like working with Tender Loving Empire?

We love em, and look forward to developing the friendship further.

Can you tell us more about why you decided to name your debut album The Right Time? 

Because it is just that, it is the right time. All moments in life are the right time because tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

What do you enjoy most about performing? 

Connection to the people.

What do you think your next goal is as an artist? 

We have discovered a love of touring in Europe and we'd like to go back.

You can see Ural Thomas & The Pain live April 19th at Revolution Hall, alongside Federale, and Orquestra Pacifico Tropical.

  -By Avril Carrillo, photo by Robert Delahanty

NYC’s Shanny is an artist in every sense of the word, and she is starting her year right with debut album Swirl Diet, a record that displays the very best elements of neo-soul, hip-hop. Wonderfully layered with funky basslines, jazzy chord progressions, soulful vocals, and conscious-driven lyrics, this solo effort sounds like a sign of great things to come. Shanny has been using multi-disciplinary arts (visual art, theatre, and music) to address today’s social issues and give a greater voice to movements of female empowerment. She is also a traveler, yoga instructor, event planner, and more but - as you will be able to tell from the track below - she is a musician above all else. - Rene Cobar

This artist submitted music for coverage here.

LUTHI likes to call their music "Cumberland funk", but "boogie circus" will work in a pinch. The seven-piece band provides a sound in which you'll find both terms equally accurate. On their release Episode One -- the first in a series of twin-singles to come out in 2019 -- LUTHI brings two new songs full of their ability to get you in the mood to dance wherever you listen. The premiere new track on the single, "Sleepwalkin", has a beat and horns which would wake the dead, and the studio version of the live staple "Out Of This World" pushes all of the energy of the band's stage antics through your headphones. Episode One drops after a productive past year, during which LUTHI performed over 80 shows, released their debut full-length album Stranger, and played a handful of shows at SXSW 2019. Watch the band perform "Sleepwalkin" below. - Will Sisskind

Never failing to impress, Brooklyn native group Turkuaz has released a music video for their brand new single “Superstatic” which was shot in Brooklyn and directed by Dani Brandwein and Jocelyn Piece. Turkuaz's lead singer and guitarist Dave Brandwein produced the video which encapsulate the colorful and creative nature of the band via green screen shots that have “an extra sprinkling of strangeness.” Everything was shot inside Brooklyn Bowl, which adds an extra touch of locality to the work. “Superstatic” is from the band’s 2018 release Life In The City, which once again puts Turkuaz’s excellent blend of funk and soul on full display and continues to cement the band’s status in “The Borough of Trees.” Turkuaz hits the road April 4 for a thirty-three date U.S. tour. - Rene Cobar

Hollis Brown has been releasing music since 2013 and is about as conscientious and hardworking as a band can get. The Queens, NY group recently announced they are set to release their latest album Ozone Park on June 7 via Mascot Label Group, the first single off the record “Do Me Right” is out now. You probably have heard Hollis Brown’s all-American rock ‘n’ roll before without even knowing it; their blend of Americana, soul, and hard rock has been featured on major television shows, motion picture trailers, designer fashion shows, and more. The group is happy to pave their way toward national recognition with their sound which pays homage to the rock heroes of the past without compromising its contemporary feel. Folk, country, blues, this band juggles these styles with grace and when necessary blends them powerfully. Check out their new video for “Do Me Right” below. - Rene Cobar