independent thoughts on alternative music
When it comes to showcasing the absolute best of what modern Southern-bred soul has to offer, one needs to look no further than Memphis-based outfit Southern Avenue. Comprised of award-winning blues guitarist Ori Naftaly, otherwordly vocalist Tierinii Jackson, funktastic drummer Tikyra “TK” Jackson, Beale Street fixture Jeremy Powell tearing up the keys, and Evan Sarver … Read more 8 QUESTIONS with SOUTHERN AVENUE
“I was living in Florida and playing music, and burned myself out very quickly. I was feeling uninspired and without purpose,” says Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lowen, who had gone through a horrendous breakup, started a new relationship, and found herself at a crossroads, trying to find meaning in life outside of music. Lowen, and the person … Read more PREVIEW: LOWEN at ANALOG on 10/26/19
Sequestered in the desert of Western Australia, the vibrant, red flowers of Eucalyptus macrocarpa stand out against the harsh landscape. The rare tree, nicknamed “rose of the west,” manages to prevail over the severe climate, opening its beauty to those who seek it. It’s with this image that Gina Barrington (vocals, guitar) found solace and inspiration for her project Rose of the West, … Read more PREVIEW: ROSE OF THE WEST at THE HIGH WATT on 8/1/19
“I’m trying to make you cry,” says John Paul White, unashamed at the effect his music has on the masses. “I’m trying to make me cry. I mean, those are the kinds of songs that I love. Those are the songs I’ve always been drawn to, like from my earliest years.” The Florence, Alabama-based White … Read more PREVIEW: JOHN PAUL WHITE at THE GRAND OLE OPRY on 6/1/19
“I think anytime you get to connect with other people, it’s pretty cool,” says Roy English of recently performing in Portland, his first live show as alt-pop band Jagwar Twin. “Connecting with all the band members, but also everyone in the audience, giving and taking and circulating energy around the room. It was awesome. So … Read more PREVIEW: JAGWAR TWIN at CANNERY BALLROOM on 5/11/19
What medicine can’t cure, music can. EELS frontman Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E knows that from extensive personal experience–simply put, he’s been through some things. Following the success of his band’s debut album Beautiful Freak in 1996, E lost his sister to suicide and his mother was diagnosed with cancer. These events, along with … Read more PREVIEW: EELS at CANNERY BALLROOM on 5/3/19
Peoria, Illinois-based collective The Way Down Wanderers recently released their latest album, illusions, and are tearing up the highways to bring their unique sound to eager audiences across the land. Foundationally, the band is bluegrass, sonically, they’re a little bit of everything. Consisting of five guys with a variety of musical backgrounds (Austin Krause-Thompson, Collin … Read more 8 QUESTIONS with THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS
“I’ll do it forever, do nothing but fail, a student of error who can only prevail. ’Cause learning is trying and trying is hard, when it feels like falling is gonna tear you apart. But now, I’m ready to win,” Tokyo Police Club declares in a Violent Femmes-esque track from their latest album TPC, appropriately … Read more PREVIEW: TOKYO POLICE CLUB at THE HIGH WATT on 3/20/19
Bass players seem to be the unsung heroes of every band, but there’s one outfit whose renowned bassist is always front and center, delivering his low-end grooves and inspiring crowds of all shapes and sizes, from Coachella to clubs, to let the power of the music wash over them completely. That band is cosmic funk … Read more PREVIEW: LETTUCE at MARATHON MUSIC WORKS on 1/25/19
At the ripe old age of 14, Dave Keuning picked out his Christmas gifts from the Sears catalog, and a guitar was the first item on the list. “I didn’t get it, but I got like the next five things after,” he recalls. “Later, I was at a friend’s house who had a guitar and … Read more PREVIEW: KEUNING at THE HIGH WATT on 11/14/18