independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
Brooklyn folk wunderkind and blog favorite John Fatum made one of the most stunning albums of the year, his solo debut, Locked Up In My Mind, which he released in December via his label Dala Records.  East of 8th premiered the video for the title track, and I was in love at the first listen.  Fatum's vocal stylings... Continue Reading →
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have had a banner year--after releasing their critically-acclaimed debut album, the band seemed to burn all the candles at all the ends, making late night television appearances, playing festivals, and touring this great country of ours from corner to corner, selling out venues like, well, like it was their... Continue Reading →
Austin-based indie folk band Wild Child released their third and latest album, Fools, this year; the record, which shows the group stretching the boundaries of what they've done before, is amazing in its entirety--and y'all, that's not something I say very often about a whole album.  It was difficult to choose a favorite for the list, but... Continue Reading →
I can't say enough how J.D. McPherson's music moves me; it touches something deep down in my soul, and I fell head-over-heels for his newest album, Let The Good Times Roll, out earlier this year via Rounder Records. This vintage-inspired selection begins with chugging baritone saxophone, and is full of hip-wagging swagger.  It's also deceptively upbeat; if... Continue Reading →
This year I was introduced to Detroit indie pop band Two Cheers, who released what I firmly believe is one of 2015's best records, Splendor, their debut.  With glistening guitar licks, simmering basslines, pop-tactic drum rhythms, and frontman Bryan Akcasu's Cure-esque vocal stylings, this song will create a confetti party between your ears. There's just something about the easy... Continue Reading →
The next song on the list is from blog favorite Big Data's debut album, 2.0, released earlier this year.  Big Data, a.k.a. producer Alan Wilkis, enraptured the  universe with his first big hit, "Dangerous", a commentary on the dangers of electronic voyeurism.  He is successfully riding the "paranoid electronic music" wave he created, but told me... Continue Reading →
It's that time of year again; the needles have all fallen off of the Christmas trees, wayward tinsel drifting like tumbleweeds down the path from the front door to the curb.  The dreidels have stopped spinning, the itchy scarves have been regifted, and folks are finally in recovery from their food comas.  While it's customary to set... Continue Reading →
It's getting warmer, the sun is shining, the trees are resplendent in their flowering glory, and everyone around me is sneezing. Â Yes friends, it's finally spring time in the Music City. Â Here are some songs that I'm really excited about at the moment to help put you in a springtime frame of mind. 1. Â Shelter... Continue Reading →
As I sat at my favorite coffee shop drafting this post, looking out the window at this gray, rainy, cold, Tennessee winter day, I decided to create a playlist to to lift us all from these unwelcome winter doldrums (click here to listen). Â There's something amazing about music's ability to lift our spirits, you know?... Continue Reading →
I created a playlist a while back called Indie Extravaganza....I add to it and edit it frequently, and you can access and follow it by clicking here.  Enjoy!
