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Local music news: new music from Ekoh, Shanda and the Howlers and more

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Ekoh is the man of the moment.
Photo: Dalton Campbell / Courtesy

KOH CHAMBER If Las Vegan Jeff Thompson isn’t already on your radar he should be. Better known as the rapper Ekoh, Thompson has been grinding away at the hip-hop circuit for nearly a decade. In 2013, he became a Red Bull Sound Select artist, and since then, he has amassed a loyal fanbase (to the tune of 56,000-plus Facebook followers) which relates to his emotional, candid brand of music he calls “heart hop.” On June 5, the MC dropped his latest EP, The Detour, which briefly landed on iTunes’ hip-hop chart at No. 94 last week. “It’s gotten me through some difficult times and helped me to continue on in a lot of ways,” Thompson said in a statement about the release, which takes on the music industry, tips a hat to Las Vegas and even includes a shout out to the much-loved Rick and Morty character Pickle Rick. Grab it at ekohmusic.net.

HOWLING SUCCESS If old-school, Stax Records-esque soul is your thing, you need to get your hands on Hurt for Me, the latest record by R&B revivalists Shanda and the Howlers. Singer Shanda Cisneros delivers a magnetic, soulful performance that grabs you on the first note and doesn’t waiver until the album’s end. Her band, The Howlers, is equally impressive—swinging bass, a tight rhythm section and a velvety saxophone have no problem transporting listeners straight to the ’50s and ’60s. Hurt for Me demands to be played loudly and frequently, and in a room with plenty of space to groove. More info: shandaandthehowlers.com

SWING TIME Bad Moon Booking has teamed up with Cinemondays co-founder Vivian Martian for a night of swing music and dancing. The event, called Boulder City Swings, features three live sets by Lindy-ana Jones & the Temple of Swing, plus a dance lesson for beginners. Tickets cost $20 at the door. Visit facebook.com/badmoonbooking for more information.

ALSO Singer-songwriter Jessica Manalo celebrates new single “Far Away From Home” with a live performance at Velveteen Rabbit on June 22. Joining Manalo in the lineup are fellow Las Vegans Cameron Calloway, Sonia Barcelona and Glass Pools. Tickets are $10 at the door. More info: jessicamanalo.com. ... Last week, alternative rock band Silversage released its new single called “Strong,” with a music video that celebrates the Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey team while honoring those lost in the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. More info: silversageofficial.com. ... Singer and pianist Halsey Harkins released a new music video for her single “You,” which can be heard at facebook.com/halseyharkinsmusic. ... And Vegas rock band Fans of Jimmy Century released new single “Best of My Generation” with a ’70s-inspired “action movie” music video, available at fansofjimmycentury.com.

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