independent thoughts on alternative music
When the bond of bandmates is strong, a crowd can feel it–the synchronicity, the flow, and the seamless harmonies. Such was the case with Candace, the new-wave rock trio that currently calls Portland, Oregon their home. Relocations and lineup shifts have made the journey a long one for the group. They’ve been through a lot … Read more LIVE SHOW REVIEW: CANDACE in PORTLAND!
When I think of O Summer, I think of passion and the pursuit of dreams, of strength and sophistication, and of brilliance and boldness. I think of an indie-rock crew of fearless pals destined to change the world, and a circle of down-to-earth, funky friends who never miss an opportunity for a snack break at … Read more ALBUM REVIEW: “LAVENDER” by O SUMMER
As a Southern girl, a real breakfast (and sometimes dinner if there is shrimp involved) includes a big, buttery bowl of grits. Any self-respecting grits aficionado will tell you that while the five-minute kind will do if you’re in a pinch, there’s nothing like the stone-ground, long-cooking kind of grits. Those are a labor of … Read more ALBUM PREMIERE: “BLUE WORLD” by DELLA RAY
Nashville-based alt-pop star Whissell has released her ferocious new self-titled EP to–unsurprisingly–rave reviews. Whissell is a favorite around here for sure; we’ve been big fans of the smoky-voiced siren since the release of her previous EP, Old Souls, Young Bodies, in January, her take on electro-blues and unique vocals a welcome reprieve from the current pop … Read more NASHVILLE’S WHISSELL RELEASES STELLAR NEW EP
“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 … Read more ALBUM REVIEW: “THE JOURNEY VOL. 1” by 5j BARROW
Southern California rootstastic string outfit Moonsville Collective, purveyors of what they call “California Goodtime,” got their start by sitting in on jug band and old-time music circles where an infectious and pure spirit of “music for music’s sake” lived, and injecting that same spirit into their songs and their lives became their quest. Before 2017, the band … Read more ALBUM PREMIERE: “MOONSVILLE III” by MOONSVILLE COLLECTIVE
The pop scene is new and fresh in Nashville, attracting not only publishing companies and labels, but also writers and artists from all over. “It’s going to take some us to make waves nationally to keep it going, and we’re all going for it,” says Nashville pop fixture Jeffrey James, who has shared stages with … Read more PREVIEW: JEFFREY JAMES at THE BACK CORNER on 4/14/17
The Byzantines, considered “Australia’s answer to Kasabian,” recently released You Pull It, their brand new EP via Marshmallow Pavement Records. The four-song EP embraces driving rhythms, walls of buzzy guitar, and a little bit of synth to tie the electro-bow on the party package. We dig its muscle, and so will you: Website | Facebook | Twitter
It was all about girl power last night at The High Watt for the release of pop-flavored soulstress Whissell’s debut EP Old Souls, Young Bodies with FJØRA and Fleurie providing opening support. The audience was crammed into the intimate space, with many familiar faces from Nashville’s burgeoning pop community there to support the success of one of their … Read more LIVE SHOW REVIEW: WHISSELL at THE HIGH WATT
“When I was a teenager, I wrote the typical 15 year old angsty songs,” laughs Omaha-based High Up frontwman Christine Fink, who received her first guitar as a Christmas gift from her sister, singer/songwriter Orenda Fink. Music fell by the wayside when the Alabama native went to college and pursued a degree in theater. An … Read more AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with HIGH UP