independent thoughts on indie rock, alternative, and indie pop music
In art, there are erasers or fresh coats of paint to cover mistakes. In theater, there are dress rehearsals before the final performance. There are even do-overs in golf (called mulligans). However, in life, we really only have one shot to get it right, because, as some say, you can't put the toothpaste back in... Continue Reading →
Singer/songwriter KaiL Baxley's experiences are as diverse as the day is long--the Los Angeles-based South Carolina native and son of a couple of outlaws who learned to dance from James Brown--the Godfather of Soul himself--has been an amateur boxer, a gunshot survivor, a football star, and a traveling troubadour. Those narratives naturally inform his... Continue Reading →
After spending months in the studio working on new material, R&B singer/songwriter Allen Stone is finally giving us a taste of what he’s been creating. In his newest soul-filled single, “Brown Eyed Lover,” Stone tells the struggle of being a touring musician while also being in a serious, committed relationship. Despite its external appearance, the... Continue Reading →
“Yeah, I guess it’s kind of creepy,” laughs soulful songcrafter Matt Brown about naming his baby blue Fender Telecaster. “I have lots of guitars, but ‘Stella’ and I have a special bond. I think every player has that ‘one’ guitar. She’s irreplaceable.” The Washington native with an old soul got Stella at the turning point... Continue Reading →
Our New To 'Roo spotlight ends with three other blog favorites from the archives who are making their first Bonnaroo appearances this year: London Souls: Thursday, June 9th, That Tent, 6:00 p.m. Tash Neal and Chris St. Hilaire, a.k.a. The London Souls, a Brooklyn-based rock n' roll duo possessing explosive talent and envy-inducing hair, are... Continue Reading →
“I keep wanting to call myself The Blue-Eyed Goombah because I’m a Sicilian that makes dark-edged psychedelic soul,” says internationally acclaimed veteran songstress Nicole Atkins with a laugh. “When people think of blue-eyed soul, they think of music that’s very white and measured, and my music is everything but.” The singer, who is working on... Continue Reading →
With a hint of sultry soul intertwined with groove-heavy alt-pop, Jeffrey James' intoxicating voice is undoubtedly set to be a game changer. Born and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, James got his start singing in the school choir and learned how to play guitar at the age of ten. After independently releasing EPs Make Your Way To... Continue Reading →
Texas-raised, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Charlie Oxford creates his own blend of modern soul on his self-titled debut due for release this Friday, September 25th. It's been a long road for Oxford and this album, which almost never saw the light of day; "It was a classic situation of artist signs with record label, things don't pan out... Continue Reading →
My most recent adventure? Traveling to Atlanta to see an Alex Clare show, as part of Skype's Ones To Watch tour series! "So Susan, what exactly is this Ones To Watch series?" you may be asking; for six weeks only, Skype and the House of Blues have teamed up to give fans unprecedented access to six of... Continue Reading →
