independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
“It’s the kind of music that gets stuck in your head, the music that’s makes you want to dance. There’s a reason why it’s called ‘pop’—it’s popular, it’s infectious and memorable,” says Matt Wertz, Nashville’s premiere purveyor of pop music, whose latest album, Gun Shy, is set for release on May 20th. Gun Shy finds... Continue Reading →
Hitch, the third studio album from alt-rockers The Joy Formidable can be described in three words: massive anthemic rock. Since their debut release in 2010 of A Balloon Called Moaning, the Welsh trio has grown into a force to be reckoned with. Ritzy Bryan (lead vocals/guitar), Rhydian Dafydd (bass), and Matthew James Thomas (drums) decided... Continue Reading →
“My mom helped me come up with that name,” laughs Natalie Royal about the term “Gut Folk”, which she uses to describe her style of music. “She, like me, is a lover of words. I was getting sick of calling myself a singer-songwriter; I feel like there’s a certain connotation that comes with that, especially... Continue Reading →
Industry veteran songsmith Gabe Dixon has spent the last 15 years of his career releasing his music on major labels; for his latest record, Turns To Gold, due out on April 8th, he decided to try something a bit different. “I’m putting this one out independently, I really liked the change. A lot of friends... Continue Reading →
Brothers Cole Becker, Max Becker, and their longtime friends Joseph Armstrong, and Sebastian Mueller, also known as alternative rock outfit SWMRS, write songs about things to which people of all ages can relate. “We write about everything--whether it’s about facing a fork in the road of life, dealing with shitty people, or just being proud of... Continue Reading →
Jimmie Linville, front man of Nashville-by-way-of-Wisconsin indie rock outfit Canyon Spells, has an intensely strong aversion to social media: He: “If you don’t have a Facebook, it really affects how people perceive you today.” Me: “Like how?” He: “I don’t have a Facebook and people either think a) he’s weird, he’s not normal or b)... Continue Reading →
It is apparent after a first listen to Alex Dezen’s premiere full length album, that he has crested the highest mountain tops and trudged though painfully deep valleys in his life—his art reflects aural scars transmuted via guitar chords and lyrics. He expresses anguish through melody and memory, in a highly personal and straightforward manner, via... Continue Reading →
“It’s not enough to play for 9 hours straight, it has to be in a bunch of different locations,” says prolific songcrafter Alex Dezen of his plan to play his entire 115-song catalog all over Nashville on Thursday, February 11th. Dezen’s new self-titled solo album is set for release on February 12th via Rock Ridge... Continue Reading →
East of 8th is proud to premiere A Rival, the gritty debut EP from Nashville-based blues rock power trio, Down Boy. Smooth grooves contrast with hot jams, spatial sequences, and raw crunch to form their unique sound. Of the four-song EP, the band says, "When you realize that you are getting older, the mind thinks thoughts... Continue Reading →
Albuquerque alt-rock unit Great States is gearing up for the release of their debut album, Gatsby, on January 29th. Comprised of members Morgan Ching, Eric Jecklin, Sean Leston, and Ryan Rael, the band employs modern instrumentals, beautiful vocal harmonies, and thought-provoking lyrics to create a truly unique sound that mirrors the character of their surroundings, the Great Southwest, which... Continue Reading →
