independent thoughts on alternative 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 … Read more VIDEO PREMIERE: “START OVER ft. SWATKINS” by KRISTOPHER JAMES
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 … Read more PREMIERE: “THESE ARMS ARE OPEN” by KAIL BAXLEY
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 … Read more “BROWN EYED LOVER” – NEW MUSIC from ALLEN STONE
There are people who can sing, and then there is Jason Eskridge. For the last 18 years, Eskridge has made a name for himself as a go-to session and touring vocalist with heavyweights in all genres. After several years touring with gospel singer Nicole C. Mullen, Eskridge joined Lyle Lovett’s band, toured with bluesman Jonny … Read more AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with JASON ESKRIDGE
Having stretched my musical muscles the night before, I was prepared for a marathon of artist talent coming up on the second day of the MEMPHO Music Festival. It only took a quick look at the lineup to see that the Saturday’s performers boasted strong ties to the Memphis and Tennessee music scene. Friday night at … Read more Eo8 ON LOCATION: MEMPHO MUSIC FESTIVAL, DAY 2
Los Angeles-based enigmatic R&B/soul artist Vector Xing began life as a musical sort, but never dreamed he could make a career of making his own art. After graduating from Princeton, the undercover singer entered the management side of the music industry, working for the legendary Quincy Jones for several years. “I managed artists and saw … Read more AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with VECTOR XING
Last night, with the stage bathed in glowing purple and the dark, intimate confines of Nashville’s High Watt as the setting, Durand Jones & The Indications brought some soul to the Music City. In a town known for country music, along with growing Indie rock and Americana scenes, the club filled early to get a … Read more LIVE SHOW REVIEW: DURAND JONES & THE INDICATIONS
Love is in season, and soulful siren Stelle Amor is an ambassador, doing her part to spread that love with her fiery brand of soul music. She kick-started her EP release show celebration with all the funky-pop vibes at one of Nashville’s favorite venues, Exit/In, and began her night speaking to the crowd. While she … Read more LIVE SHOW REVIEW: STELLE AMOR at EXIT/IN
“Nina Simone was the gateway drug for me,” says New York-based soul-singing songstress Morgan James. “It made me want to dig deeper into the blues and into soul music. From there, you find some of the best singers with the best sounds, and if you’re lucky, you can try to emulate certain parts of their … Read more PREVIEW: MORGAN JAMES at CITY WINERY on 5/23/17
“It’s good to take flight,” sings Grammy-nominated Norwegian soul maestro Bernhoft in “The Morning Comes,” the opening track of his forthcoming EP of the same name, set for release on January 20th via Big Picnic Records. With this five-song stunner, Bernhoft takes us on a journey of awakening, a coming of age of sorts. “The … Read more ALBUM REVIEW: “THE MORNING COMES” EP by BERNHOFT