independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
Nashville’s Kelly Hoppenjans relied on music as a stabilizing force in the midst of change, earning herself the childhood nickname “Kellybird” for her constant singing. In June, the folk rock songbird will release Dreaming is Easy, her second EP, which takes the listener on a colorful yet stark journey through love, loss, betrayal, and hope.... Continue Reading →
For Nashville singer/songwriter Matt Brown, happiness is an open road and a full tank of gas, or the jolt of adrenaline and spark of anticipation gained from parking oneself in an airplane seat to embark on an adventure. His song “Feel Like That,” from his last album, 2016’s Walk Into The Light, is about just... Continue Reading →
Nashville singer/songwriter Elisabeth Beckwitt recounts her story of addiction in her ethereal track, “One More.” Beckwitt, who has maintained her sobriety for five years, seeks to provide insight into the painful fight that consumes the entire bodies and souls of those in the struggle. “This song came to me in a moment when I felt... Continue Reading →
"By now I thought I'd have exactly what I wanted, but I don't remember what I wanted it for," sings Nashville-based songwriter Kiernan McMullan in "Want:Need," the new single from his forthcoming album Baggage. "'Want:Need' is about a moment of clarity," he explains. "It's about reprioritizing what's important in your life." The indie powerhouse, who released his first... Continue Reading →
“I’m not gonna sit and wait for life to come and find me on its own,” opines Cory Quintard of Nashville pop rock outfit Volunteer, in the band’s new single, “In The Unknown.” “‘In The Unknown’ is kind of a personal mantra for me,” reveals Quintard of the single. “The concept of living your life... Continue Reading →
“It’s about wanting to escape,” explains Nashville indie rocker Charlie Abbott of his bright new song, “Technicolor Dream," the lead single and title track from his forthcoming EP, set for release in March. The five-song Technicolor Dream was recorded in only a day and half, and is the follow-up to 2015’s self-released EP, Watch Me Explode—four... Continue Reading →
New York City-based artist Ian Mellencamp has his bases covered—from songwriting, audio/visual production, making art, and modeling, he does it all. “I get bored easily!” he says with a laugh. “I try to be creative in everything I do, in any way I can.” Mellencamp began his musical adventures at an early age, playing music... Continue Reading →
Several months ago, New York-based singer/songwriter Shlomo Franklin found himself in a vintage guitar shop in Teaneck, New Jersey called Lark Street Music, sampling a 1940s-era Gibson and quietly singing a song he had never before sung. Little did he know, the owner of said shop was listening, thought it was a record playing in the back of the... Continue Reading →
Light fixtures crashing from the ceiling. Walls forcibly rattled to dust. Windows shattering into splintery slivers. The ground quaking under your feet. Permanently affixed stankface-y snarl. Y'all, meet the music of LYING BSTRDS. Hailed as "Liverpool’s most dangerous band," LYING BSTRDS, who, in their first year of existence, already have world travel, high-end supporting slots, and festival appearances... Continue Reading →
"This song means a great deal to me and was one of the first songs I wrote that I was really proud of lyrically, emotively, and musically," says Nashville's Tim McNary of the title track to his latest EP, released earlier this year. The video, filmed and directed by CRFT/SVCS is a stunning interpretation of... Continue Reading →
