independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
“I’ve been here so long, the weird stuff is normal,” laughs Eric Earley, frontman of Portland-based folk-rock outfit Blitzen Trapper, of his hometown. The band, which toured last year to support their latest album, Wild And Reckless, is gearing up to hit the road again with a show in San Jose, California on February 16th.... Continue Reading →
With Watching it All Fall Apart, their rocktastic new record which released February 2nd via LoHi Records, Portland-based outfit Fruition explode the confines of the rootsy box in which they’ve traditionally been placed. “We’ve always kind of been a rock band in a string band’s body,” explains vocalist Jay Cobb Anderson. “Since the band’s inception,... Continue Reading →
Keller Williams dazzles crowds with his wacky lyrics while he produces every single guitar riff, drum beat, or horn blast heard from the stage. “One man band” isn’t a proper description, since Keller has been known to put together diverse collaborations over the years; most recently, his accomplished groups include his “Grateful Grass” and “Grateful... Continue Reading →
While some might complain about going out on a “school night,” I argue that there is always something special about catching a Sunday night concert. Blitzen Trapper at the Exit/In last Sunday was no exception—the venue packed with true fans and lovers of music, the band feeding off the crowd’s energy. For the proof behind... Continue Reading →
If you’ve never heard of Glossary, you can be forgiven for it. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based band hasn’t played a show in quite a few years, but Glossary is probably a favorite band of several of your favorite Americana bands. John Moreland is a fan. Two Cow Garage. Austin Lucas. Lucero (with whom they even shared... Continue Reading →
“We love Nashville, it’s one of our favorite cities,” says Adam Roth, frontman of Southern California band Grizfolk, who will perform at The High Watt on Sunday, October 22nd; Grizfolk is tearing up the highways, spreading their uniquely infectious style of electro-folk n’ roll in select cities this month. “There’s a lot more musical diversity... Continue Reading →
“When there’s creativity in the air, it breeds more creativity. We caught that wave I think, and we found each other and a sound. There’s a ton of great music coming out of this town. We’re so much more musically talented than Nashville, it’s crazy,” laughs Tim Arnold, one-third of folk rock trio Good Old... Continue Reading →
Full disclosure – I’m a 31 year-old dude who likes to write songs. Usually, when I decide to write them, I do so using an acoustic guitar. I grew up listening to punk rock as a kid, until someone played me “Like A Rolling Stone” on a road trip, and off I went. I was 18... Continue Reading →
“Let me pull you closer to me, as we waltz ‘round the room,” sings 5j Barrow’s Jason Hite, in the opening verse of “Seagreen Dress,” the first song on their forthcoming EP, The Journey Vol. 1. His beautiful tenor ebbs and flows with the pulsating strums of the accompanying acoustic guitar—and then in an unexpected... Continue Reading →
Sometimes we are warriors, conquering the world battle by battle and asking for more; sometimes, we just need to know we're going to be okay. "Who cares what the oddsmakers say? I'll take our chances any day," sing Independent Music Award-winning The Alternate Routes in their newest single, "Safe Haven," a powerful track that somehow... Continue Reading →
