Artist Spotlight: The Sleeping Gypsies

To wrap up the week and head into the Easter weekend, I have another edition of Artist Spotlight featuring Charlevoix, Michigan's own The Sleeping Gypsies. The band consists of William Roloff, Josh Raber, Mitch Crandall, and Colin Fitzgerald. The band has an rich, dynamic classic rock sound that has enthusiastic properties to it that will definitely keep you occupied and paying attention throughout to catch the musical peaks and valleys that are present throughout. I was impressed with the band's ability to take classic rock elements and put a modern twist to them that makes them sound relevant and in tune with the current musical trends that are constantly evolving and shaping the current musical influences of today's up and coming musical acts. A great upstart act that is definitely primed to have a lasting and promising musical career.

For more information on The Sleeping Gypsies, head on over to their Facebook page here to get to know the act a little bit more clearly. The band's music is on ReverbNation located over here where you can listen to all their music and stay up to date with all their latest upcoming concert appearances that hopefully will be stopping by your area sometime soon!

Berklee College of Music Artists Featured on Dorm Sessions, Vol. 8

A host of students and past alumni from Berklee College of Music are featured on the latest Dorm Sessions compilation released by Heavy Rotation Records, the college's student run label.

The 13 track collection features an collected assortment of tracks from a host of supremely talented musicians from the most renowned music institution in the world. Some artists that are featured include past Artist Spotlight alumni from here on the blog including Bear Language, Sirma, Melanie Lynx, and Canary. The disc has also hosted some artists on their past compilations who have gone on to have success in their future music endeavors, including Apollo Sunshine, The Click Five, Passion Pit, and Big D & The Kids Table.

If you would like to check out the entire compilation for free in its entirety, you can go over to Heavy Rotation Records website right here or you can stream it from their BandCamp page located over here. This is the track listing for the compilation:

1. Bear Language - Creeping (In Your Head)
2. 3rddy Baby - I'm On Fire (Beam Me Up)
3. Nikolas Metaxas - Miracle
4. Sharin Toribio - Over You
5. Red Oblivion - Aqua Jesus
6. Brite Lite Brite - I Lost My Heart Tonight
7. Bent Knee - I Don't Love You Anymore
8. Evolfo Doofeht - Walk Like A Demon
9. Sirma - Wanderer
10. Sarah Walk - I Don't Mind
11. Melanie Lynx - First Time
12. Stone Giant - Lady
13. Canary - You Couldn't Hold On

There will be a showcase at Cafe 939 next Wednesday, 4/3 featuring artists from this compilation including Bent Knee, Sirma, and Stone Giant. Admission is free and you can find out more information on the event here.

Artist Spotlight: Jamie Thomas

Today's Artist Spotlight comes to us direct from Los Angeles, CA and it's none other than the vocal talents of Jamie Thomas. Jamie has a melodic, straightforward, and easy going playing style similar to the likes of Tom Petty with a strong emphasis being put on his vocals, and the instrumentation built around him suits him perfectly to a T and makes him feel comfortable in his own skin as he's up on stage strutting his stuff. I was pleased with Jamie's material when I first heard it a few weeks back, and I really took to heart his organic approach to songwriting that is very basic, and is easily identifiable with music listeners from across all genres, who will be sure to find something wonderful and creative about his fluidic playing style that comes across extremely well to a captive and receptive audience. A terrific upstart act that I would love to hear more from in the future. Some recommended tracks to have a listen at include "She's" and "Let Me Tell You".

For more information on Jamie Thomas, click on his Facebook page and 'Like' it right here to get a better sense of what he's like upfront from a prospective listener standpoint. He can also be followed on Twitter as well from over here to stay up to date with all his upcoming concert appearances! His music is available for streaming on his ReverbNation profile located right over here.

Bear Language Release Brand New Single "The Factory"

Boston's fastest rising indie alt rock trio Bear Language just released their brand new single titled "The Factory" just yesterday, and this commemorates their return from the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX where they played a total of 6 shows in a span of just 4 days that was very well received, followed by their first ever tour that took them across the country.

 

"The Factory" marks a decidedly change of pace from their prior single "Mary Go Round", and instead relies on a much more heavier frame of mind that gives the band some added depth and puts them in a class all of their own of bands who aren't afraid to push the envelope a little bit and widen their musical boundaries as well. Joe Lambert handled the mastering duties on this track, who also previously worked with Local Natives and Youth Lagoon.

 

If you would like to download "The Factory" in its entirety, it's now available for purchase on iTunes at this link right here. You can also stream "The Factory" on SoundCloud at this link here and on Spotify from right over here.

The Strokes - Comedown Machine

Julian Casablancas and his bandmates The Strokes are back with their all new studio release, Comedown Machine. The follow up to 2011's Angles finds NYC's premiere garage rock sensations deviating slightly from their usual blend of melodic alternative rock, and into a more 80's synth fueled hybrid that may turn away and alienate some fans in the process who feel that the band have drifted away from their roots a little bit, and some of those fans may be right here.

The disc starts off with "Tap Out", a decent, synth fueled rocker that is faintly reminiscent with that classic Strokes vibe, but added with more keyboard effects and Julian's voice inserted into a synthesizer that sounds a tad bit artificial and not the usual Strokes that we have come to love so dearly in the past. My favorite song off the album is the disc's first single "All the Time", a track that strikes a perfect balance between bassist Nikolai Fraiture's terrific bass skills and the band's overall classic Strokes vibe that is present in full form here and encourages listeners to keep their attention fully all the way throughout the track. "Welcome to Japan" tones down the electro toned effects just a little bit to allow the instrumentation to breathe and allow the rest of the band to do their thing, including guitarist Nick Valensi who contributes a great deal to the sonic achievements of The Strokes up until this point. "80's Comedown Machine" is a mellow, synth heavy rocker that takes a huge detour from the prior musical road the previous songs took, and makes a strong emphasis on allowing the other instrumentation to take a backseat for the time being, something which I don't necessarily agree with and doesn't exactly do it for me right here.

The second half of the album commences with "Slow Animals", a midtempo rocker that features a neat percussion arrangement from Albert Hammond Jr., who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic side, ensuring that each track ends on point and on cue. "Partners In Crime" starts out with an odd sounding melody that ricochets off the instrumentation, before settling in to a midtempo groove that carries it all the way throughout on a decent but somewhat confusing track. The disc begins to wind down on "Happy Ending" a solid, consistent rocker that features Julian's crooning voice continuing to amaze and inspire, and keep the album on solid footing as we head towards the finish line. The disc ultimately draws to a close on "Call It Fate, Call It Karma", a soft, comforting rocker that features Jule's monotone and straightforward vocal style that has become the hallmark of The Strokes sound and the one component of their music that all fans seem to gravitate towards, and puts the finishing touches on a so-so effort displayed here. I must admit I wasn't a huge fan of The Strokes when they first came out in 2001, as I was a little overwhelmed with a lot of bands using "The" prepositions in their names to sound trendy, plus I didn't traditionally like their sound a great deal. Upon further and repeated listens, I grew to truly appreciate and love their sound, and really admired Julian's work ethic that he imposed upon each and every song the band created, and had a very soft-spoken and laid back personality that made me love him and the band that much more.

All in all, a decent and somewhat disconcerting effort here from The Strokes, who have clearly worked hard to create another effort that fully realized their artistic vision when in the studio creating these tracks, but this album falls flat in comparison to their previous releases.

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Tap Out
2. All the Time
3. One Way Trigger
4. Welcome to Japan
5. 80's Comedown Machine
6. 50/50
7. Slow Animals
8. Partners in Crime
9. Chances
10. Happy Ending
11. Call It Fate, Call It Karma  

Artist Spotlight: Ruby Ridge

Starting off your week with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight. Today, we have an eclectic indietronic duo based from out of Camrbidge, MA by the name of Ruby Ridge. The group consists of the husband and wife team of Callan Von B on synthesizers, programming, and vocals and John Von B on vocals, programming, synthesizers, and percussion. The duo has a mellow, intricate sound that is reminiscent of such groups like Animal Collective and Beach House with a distinct and straightforward sound that is all their own and allows them to explore the confines of their comfort zone with remarkable ease and aplomb. I was really impressed with their music when I first heard it last month and really appreciated the band's simplicity and the dynamic and creative approach they took when crafting their music together that didn't feel need to go over the top with anything too fancy or extreme. A great local group deserving of an extra push in the local scene. A recommended track for you to have a listen at is "No Shade".

For more information on Ruby Ridge, click on their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're there finding out more info on the group. If you would like to listen to their debut EP Intent, it's available for streaming on their SoundCloud page located here along with a host of other assorted tracks for your listening pleasure.

BREAKING: The Self Proclaimed Rockstars Call It A Day

Breaking news coming in just now. Wakefield, MA's own The Self Proclaimed Rockstars have decided to hang it up after a total of 11 years together. The official announcement came this morning via their official website and you can read the official announcement here. The band has existed since 2002 through a variety of different incarnations and several different lineup changes over the years. The most current lineup has been together since 2009 with frontman John Malone, guitarists Mick Greenwood and Rjan Savary, drummer Stephen DeBenedictis, and bassist James Hogg rounding out the lineup.

I'm heartbroken to hear this news as I was a huge fan of SPR ever since I first saw them back in November 2010 at McGann's, and was amazed with the band's stage presence and their ability to incorporate the audience in as a part of the act with the song "Whisky", where the members would invite random concertgoers to come up on stage with them and have a shot of whiskey as they were performing. The band has been covered extensively here on the blog as an Artist Spotlight shortly after that aforementioned performance, and their album Postcards From Purgatory was reviewed glowingly here on the blog upon its release in April 2011, plus I conducted an interview with them shortly after that totally encapsulated the free wheeling, fun spirit that the band were trying to emulate in their music. I really appreciate and admire the guys for constantly evolving during their time together, and adapt to the ever changing musical climate by sticking to their guns and making the audience feel like they're part of the act, something that is very rare with other local artists these days. I'm very close with the guys in the band, and I'll continue to support the guys with their new musical venture which should be announced sometime soon. A personal thanks to the whole band for being such cool guys and being huge supporters of the blog and the whole Boston music scene in general!

BREAKING: My Chemical Romance Calls It Quits

Breaking news coming in just now. My Chemical Romance, who broke onto the scene way back in 2004 with Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, have decided to disband permanently. The band made the announcement via their official website just now. Here is the official announcement in its entirety:

"Being in this band for the past 12 years has been a true blessing. We’ve gotten to go places we never knew we would. We’ve been able to see and experience things we never imagined possible. We’ve shared the stage with people we admire, people we look up to, and best of all, our friends. And now, like all great things, it has come time for it to end. Thanks for all of your support, and for being part of the adventure."
My Chemical Romance

The band formed back in 2001, and released their debut album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love in 2002. The band later released what is arguably the greatest album of their career, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge in 2004. The album produced monster tracks such as "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)", "Helena", and "The Ghost of You". Their follow up album came out in 2006 called The Black Parade, which was modeled to be a rock opera of sorts in the vein of Green Day's American Idiot which came out just a couple of years prior. The album contained scorching tracks like the album's title track, plus "Famous Last Words" and "Teenagers". Their final album came out in 2010 called Danger Days. This album wasn't as successful as their predecessors, but contained one memorable track in the form of "Sing". My Chemical Romance was a big part of my college years, and I remember blasting Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge in my dorm room and I recall it being unlike anything I've ever heard before and it was raw in terms of sheer musical style and sharp lyricism that really hit you hard the moment you listened to it. 

Interview w/ Gentlemen Hall

Today, we have another entry in my ongoing interview series on the blog. To round out the week, we check in with Boston's own fun loving rock sensations Gentlemen Hall. You may remember they were an Artist Spotlight feature on the blog a few weeks back, and they were kind and gracious enough to sit down for an in depth chat so that we can get a chance to know them a little better, and get a sense of the band's beginnings and where they all their positive energy emanates from and shines brightly in their music. Here is the full transcript from that interview:

- What are your names and roles in the band?

Gavin Merlot: vocals/guitar
Cobi Mike : vocals/guitar
Seth Hachen: flute
Brad Alderman: synthesizers
Rory Given: bass
Phil Boucher: drums

- How did you guys meet and when did the band form?

We met in school, where we each had a common interest in spending our time listening to and writing the music we really vibe on.  Our first show was May of 2008 but it was mostly accidental.  We'd just been having fun writing music and jamming together in our basement before that.

- How would you characterize the sound of the band to those who aren't too familiar with you guys?

A Smörgåsbord of alternative rock with modern sounds and a take-you-on-a-journey flute.  We're often compared to bands like The Killers and Passion Pit. 

- What artists inspired you while growing up and how have they helped influence the sound of the band?

The six of us have different musical backgrounds, but the common thread is meaningful, interesting songwriting.  So bands like The Beatles, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Flaming Lips are good examples.

- You guys recently just performed at SXSW, can you tell us what that whole experience was like?

We took this year off from SX to focus on finishing our new record, but can't say enough good things about it in the past.  Going down there and playing multiple shows a day over a week is a lot of fun, but it's even more fun to see and meet a whole boatload of bands you hadn't known of before.  Nonstop music of all genres.  Paradise.

- What is your favorite thing about performing live and how does it make you all feel?

The best part of a great show is a great crowd.  When the audience is vibing off your sound and energy, they give it right back.  All of a sudden you are taken over by this sense of one-ness, it's like a deep, spiritual, tribal connection.  And to be supplying the foundation for that is an electric experience.  

- What is the inspiration behind your song "All Our Love", and what the lyrics are about?

-These days, it feels like almost all the news is bad news.  "All Our Love" is meant to be a rallying cry to remember how right it felt to be young, with nothing but the best intentions for one another. 

- Away from music, what do you guys like to do in your spare time for leisure?

It's a rare day that we are away from the music, but when we are you can usually find us in venues checking out other acts.  Boston has a lot of other great options to explore depending on the season, but it's more about who you spend the time with than it is what you do.  

- What's coming up next for the band this year, are you guys planning on recording a new album in the not too distant future?

You can expect a lot from us this year!  We're almost done with our new record and the plan is to hit the road this Summer to spread the word following its Spring release.  We think the new songs have turned out great and are really looking forward to sharing them!

- Lastly, how influential have your fans been in getting you to this point, especially those from the Boston area?

Oh wow.  Not sure if it's possible to articulate how important our fans have been.  GH fans have so passionately backed this band over our five-year career.  They've never hesitated to spend their time helping us out on our various campaigns, coming to our shows and spending time together afterwards.  Boston has been amazing, it's doesn't feel so much a band / fans experience as it is a tight community for us.  Can't imagine a better group!

Thanks once again to the fellows in Gentlemen Hall for being so gracious enough in carving out some time from their busy schedules to conduct this interview. These guys are definitely a band to keep a close eye on in the Boston scene as they definitely have the mindset and charisma to take it to the next level. If you haven't already, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Jared Lee

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight to wrap up the week, we head over to Hollywood, CA and uncover the vocal stylings of Jared Lee. Jared has a distinct, powerful pop-rock sound that takes influences from the likes of Alicia Keys and John Mayer to name a few, with a style all his own that is real, authentic, and gets to the point very quickly upon first listen. I don't regularly listen to this genre of music too often, but something about Jared's voice made me want to continue listening to see what else he had in store for his listening audience, and doesn't rely too heavily on auto-tune or any extraneous electronic accompaniment that would have otherwise drowned out and destroyed such a beautiful and delicate voice like Jared's. A great upstart artist that is destined to take that next step on the musical path to success. His single "It's Over (Goodbye)" is a perfect example of the abilities of Jared's voice.

For more information on Jared Lee, click on his Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're there finding out more information about him along with his music. To follow him on Twitter, click here and find out where he'll be stopping by on tour next! To check out his debut EP titled Falling Through Holes, it's available on iTunes at this link right here, plus you can find more information about Jared on his official website here and you can check out more music from him on his SoundCloud page located right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Shade of Red

Today's Artist Spotlight comes to us courtesy of a band emanating from right across the pond in St. Ives, Cornwall England called Shade of Red. The group mainly consists of Dani Smith on lead vocals, guitar, and synth, Elliot Benjamin on guitar and vocals, Fred Williams on melodeon, melodica, and vocals, Isaac Watkins on bass, violin, and orchestral arrangements, and Josh Benjamin on drums. The band has a think, distinct indie rock sound that uses a wave of odd and random instrumental arrangements, where synthesizers and violin are among the choices in a very orderly and concise musical fashion put forth here. I stumbled across this band randomly while surfing the interwebs, and I was impressed with the band's ability to take instrumental combinations never before conjured up, and combine them to create bombastic and upbeat indie-rock tunes that make them stand out prominently from the other bands attempting to make it in the London, U.K. music scene. A great band on the rise that I look forward to hearing more from in the future. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Tragedy of Artists" and "Wits' End".

For more information on the chaps in Shade of Red, click on their Facebook page located here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're perusing all the features on the site. The band can also be followed on Twitter from this location here and find out if the band will be dropping by stateside in the U.S. anytime soon! Their official website can be found here that has a long list of features pertaining to the band, and their BandCamp site located here has all their music that can be streamed from that central location.

Interview w/ The Basics

Back with another all new interview in my ongoing series. Today, we sit down for a chat with Melbourne, Australia's The Basics. The band was formed in 2002 by Wally DeBacker (more popularly known by the stage name Gotye), and maintained a small but loyal following in their native country, playing over 1,000 shows and evoking a sense of humor and vivacity in their live performances as well. We caught up with the members of the group during their self-imposed hiatus to get a better sense of their beginnings and how their music is created in the first place. Here is the transcript from that interview:

- Give your names and positions in the band?

Col. Wally De Backer, Intelligence and Drums

Staff Sgt. Tim Heath, Gunnery and Guitar

Capt. Kris Schroeder, Reconnaissance and Bass

(shared vocal duties as required)

- How and when did the band form?

Ancient Scripture quotes the following Genesis story:

"In the Worlds before The Basics, primal chaos reigned.
Heaven sought order, but the Phoenix can fly only when its feathers are grown.
The four worlds formed again and yet again, as endless aeons wheeled and passed.
Time and the pure essences of Heaven, the moistures of the Earth, and the powers of the Sun and the Moon
all worked upon a certain rock - old as Creation, and it magically became fertile.
That first egg was named "Rock 'n' Roll".
Tathagata Buddha, the Father Buddha, said, 'With our Rock we make the world.'
Elemental forces caused the egg to hatch: from it there came a stone The Basics.
The nature of The Basics was ... irrepressible!"

- What initially inspired your foray into music, were you always into music even at a young age?

From the youngest age (which I assume would be "1"). Our reasons were obviously different, but all three of us needed an outlet, somewhere secret to express ourselves in the oppression you can face at home and at school. I guess we were all black sheep in our own way, seemingly bleating a different bleat to the rest.

- How do you guys normally go about writing and recording your music, what is each members duty or does one person handle all the lyrics?

Eh, it just kinda... happens. Wally and Kris typically handle the songwriting together, sometimes more collaborative, sometimes less. But when we get together to 'learn' the song - that is to say put it together - everyone has an opinion and everyone's opinion counts.

As for the recording, well we've done it so many different ways from the old 4-track Tascam Tape Recorder, right through the to 144-channel desk in Abbey Road's Studio 3. Now THAT was fun.

- What are some of your favorite songs that you guys have recorded together?

Wow, big question. Okay the short-list might be Get Me Down, I Could Be Happy, The Executioner, Wait For You, With This Ship. That's a pretty-good cross-section. They all have something unique about them.

- What is your take on music being used in films and TV shows, do you feel more able of reaching people through this medium than on record or at shows?

Well we've had a bunch of songs used in film and TV - Scrubs, The Bank Job, Californication, just to name a few - and I don't know about the reach, but the money sure is good. Also it's pretty cool when you're just kicking back and it just comes on and you're like "Hmmm... this sounds familiar..." until you realise it's actually you.

- What do yo make of the success of Gotye with his debut solo album "Making Mirrors" and all the success surrounding it?

Well his debut album "Boardface" only sold a few hundred copies, "Like Drawing Blood" was pretty huge though, only bolstered by the "Mixed Blood" remix album. He's done great!

- Do you guys plan on getting back together and hitting the studio sometime soon to record some new material?

There's no concrete plans, but there's been a bit of talk. Sometimes it's better to quit while you're ahead, but I feel like we've still got at least one more album in us. I guess we just have to have something to say, and if we do... who knows.

- What do you gentlemen like to do in your spare time away from making music?

Sit somewhere quiet, sometimes with friends, just enjoy the serenity that the World offers. Good conversation, good food, good wine also. You only live once, so it's good to make the most of it.

- How would you describe the sound of The Basics to those who have never heard of your music?

The best sh!t you've never heard.

Thanks once again to the gentlemen of The Basics for being so kind in taking some time away from their sabbatical to do this interview. The guys are definitely a quirky bunch as you may have read, and definitely enjoy being in each others' company. For more information on The Basics, 'Like' their page on Facebook here, check out their music via their official website here, and also via their YouTube channel as well from right over here.

Artist Spotlight: The Hiatus Flux

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we head over to Bloomington, Indiana and uncover the hard rocking sounds of The Hiatus Flux. The band consists of Tyler Mortis on lead vocals, Chad Kinder on guitar, Sam Pruett on guitar, Richard Pruett on bass, Nick Mosier on keys, and Zack Phillips on drums and programming. The band has an intense, in your face sound similar to the likes of Pierce the Veil and Underoath with a no holds barred, frenetic listening experience that will have you on edge immediately right out of the gate. Now I'm not much of a metalhead, but these guys inject some intricate keyboard elements that make the songs unique and arch out prominently from the other ordinary types of metalcore bands currently running amok today. For those who like simple-structured metal like myself, this band has all their musical talents down pack and truly know what they are doing to get themselves noticed on a larger scale beyond their hometown. Recommended songs for you to take a listen at if you dare include "Front Page" and "Snake".

For more information on the guys in The Hiatus Flux, head on over to their Facebook page and 'Like' it right here to get accustomed to them upfront. You can also follow the band on Twitter as well from right over here to communicate with the boys and find out if they'll be stopping by your area sometime soon! The band's latest album "Fire Starter" is now available on iTunes via this link here and you can also check out their music via their ReverbNation page here and on their SoundCloud profile located here.

New The Strokes Album Now Streaming On Pitchfork

The new Strokes album Comedown Machine won't be out until next Tuesday, but you can now stream it in its entirety thanks to the fine folks over at Pitchfork! The site features dark, silhouetted images of each of the 5 members of the band to choose from as wallpaper while listening to the record. This is definitely a step up from their previous album Angles, and sees the band dabbling with some Sinatra styled crooning on a couple of tracks. Anticipation is quickly building as this is sure to be one of the top releases of the year.

To stream the new album in it's entirety, simply click on this link here that will take you to the Pitchfork site.

With WFNX.com Gone, Will RadioBDC Suffer The Same Fate?

With WFNX.com now kaput, will RadioBDC go along with it sometime soon? The New York Times Co, which owns The Boston Globe and it's online counterpart Boston.com and has RadioBDC as an online subsidiary, has hired Evercore Group, an investment firm to sell the paper after 20 years as it was first reported late last month in the paper. The online portion of the newspaper reported a profit in 2012, but after factoring in various accounting charges and other pertinent financial data, there was actually a net loss recorded.

That begs the question, is Internet radio actually profitable in this day of age? I've been skeptical on the fiduciary capabilities of Internet radio from the get go, and I question their ability to sustain themselves in an ever changing and competitive marketplace where long established industries are fading away to the stone age. With streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, there are now a plethora of options for music lovers to get their fix. Don't be surprised if in a couple of months I'm reporting on the demise of RadioBDC, it's only a matter of time.  

Artist Spotlight: The Field Effect

To wrap up the week with Artist Spotlight, we explore with a little hometown flavor from Boston's own The Field Effect. The group consists of Doug Orey on lead vocals and guitar, Nick Grieco on guitar, Annie Hoffman on bass, and Adam J. Hand on drums. The band has a melodic, straightforward sound similar to the likes of Wilco and Elliott Smith, but with a more upbeat tone in terms of lyricism and sound that immediately brightens up your day the moment you listen to it, and allows you to move forward with your day with a great deal of optimism and positivity. I stumbled across these guys randomly while listening to the radio one day, and I was impressed with the band's musical kinship eloquently displayed on record, and their ability to communicate with their listening audience in such a direct and positive way that it really makes you appreciate the goodness that comes out of these guys hearts, and what they have to offer you musically. A great local band that I have a good feeling we'll be hearing more from in the months to come. Some recommended tracks to have a listen at from them include "Ogunquit, ME" and "What If I".

To find out more info about the band, and to 'Like' them on Facebook, head on over here and get a sense of what the group is like upfront. The band can be followed on Twitter as well directly from here and find out what the guys in the band are up to this very minute. To check out their latest release titled "Cartography", head on over to their Bandcamp site from here and click on their official website here for more wide-ranging info pertaining to the band.

Commentary: My Renewed Commitment to Local Music

While hearing the shocking and sudden news today of the immediate shutdown of the Boston Phoenix, and it's online radio counterpart WFNX.com, I'm constantly reminded that you don't know how much you really appreciate something or someone until it's really gone, and with the impending fate of WFNX.com ultimately decided earlier this afternoon, I'm at a loss of words for the first time in a while.

It sort of feels like a death to me in most ways. WFNX was like a friend that was constantly there with me through thick and thin, and always there to comfort me through the power of music. When WFNX went off the FM dial last summer, it was like a punch in the gut for me, but I was happy that they would make the transition to internet radio and it sort of breathed new life amid a constantly shifting and seismic industry. What I didn't expect to happen was to have the station be shut down altogether, and that has made me angry and bitter at times all throughout the course of the day, and has left me shell shocked that something like this could happen when we all thought that they would catch their second wind online and remain there for good, but we were all wrong.

One thing the pending demise of WFNX.com has done has made me look at the stature and connections I've established through the Boston music scene and the countless friends I've made through bands that I still keep in regular contact with to this day. I have been doing this blog for almost 3 and a half years now, struggling to find full time work and having had countless temp jobs in between, but my main job and passion remains this blog and always will be. I can assure you, my readers that this blog will never go away, and I'll always have a passion of delivering breaking music news as it happens, weekly Artist Spotlight features on breaking local Boston bands, and the occasional album review every now and then. I'll be picking up where WFNX left off and continue to deliver the latest about everything going on in the local Boston scene. I'll be at the upcoming Rock N' Roll Rumble taking place in a couple of weeks at TT the Bear's, and I look forward to meeting some of you guys there as I'll be covering it for the blog. WFNX will always be a part of me and it's inside every one of us and will continue to do so well long after the lights are out and after the party has long since ended. A new beginning has come, and I'm proud to bring you all along for the journey!

BREAKING NEWS! Boston Phoenix To Shut Down!

 Some sad and tragic news coming in over the wire just now. According to Boston.com, The Boston Phoenix, the long running, independent newspaper that has been running in the city for 40 years now, will cease operations effective immediately. It's sister publications which are based in Providence and Portland will remain open for the time being, but The Phoenix is officially no more.

This also means that WFNX.com, which just relaunched as an internet radio station after signing off the FM dial last summer, will also be shut down effective immediately. This is another blow to the local music scene in Boston which had been so dependent on WFNX and the Phoenix to get noticed as it was a prominent platform for local artists to be heard, and also became a springboard for local bands to move up to the next level such as The Pixies and countless others who owe a great deal of gratitude to The Phoenix and WFNX.

As a side note, I want to pay homage to Michael Marotta, one of the writers of The Phoenix who also hosted Boston Accents on WFNX. He has been a huge inspiration to me in my writing career and is largely responsible for my foray into music journalism and has helped get recognition for hundreds of Boston based acts over the radio. Truly an amazing and talented individual, and I wish him all the best moving forward. Will definitely raise a glass for him and all the talented people at The Phoenix and WFNX.com.

Artist Spotlight: Little Brother Eli

Today's Artist Spotlight comes to us from a duo based out of Oxford, England called Little Brother Eli. The duo consists of Joshua Rigal and Alex Grew, and the band have a stripped down, organic, bare-bones blues/folk rock hybrid similar to the likes of The Black Keys and Phillip Phillips with an incredible vocal push that lures you in immediately from the get go and ensures that you'll stay for the duration of your musical stay. When I first came across these guys, I was enthralled with the duo's musicality and their approach to craft songs that have a down-home, folk rock feel that is prevalent and most notable with their musical contemporaries from their homeland such as Mumford & Sons, but they manage to put their own unique twist on it that immediately draws you in upon contact with them, and makes you fall in love with them right then and there and really makes you appreciate the talent that much more that is emanating from our friends over in England. A highly talented duo that is well worth your listening time and one to keep an eye on in the days and months ahead. Recommended songs for you to take a listen to from their catalogue include "Hanging" and "Awkward Positions".

For more information on Little Brother Eli, head on over to their Facebook page here, 'Like' it and find out what these gents are all about. The band can be followed on Twitter directly over here and get in touch with the guys to see if they'll be dropping stateside anytime soon! Their music can be found on their official website right here and experience a wide range of features all pertaining to the band, including most importantly their music.

Spring 2013 New Music Preview

With spring only just a week away, I thought it would be a great time to preview the new albums that will be coming over the course of this spring. Typically the winter months to begin the year are a slow release period for new albums, and the spring sees the release schedule ramped up considerably with new offerings from The Strokes, Phoenix, and Vampire Weekend in our midst relatively soon. And without further ado, here are a few of the upcoming new releases for 2013:

The Strokes - Comedown Machine (March 26th)

The Strokes are about to make their return with Comedown Machine, the follow up to 2011's Angles. The disc is expected to take a slightly different direction than their previous work, and one song released from the album "One Way Trigger", was a bit of a underwhelming track at best that didn't accurately portray the new sound of the album. "All the Time" was a better, true representation of what the new album will sound like, and Julian Casablancas and co. will surely be at the top of their game with this new effort.

Phoenix - Bankrupt! (April 9th)

Versailles, France's alt-rockers Phoenix are set to make their long awaited return with their first studio album since 2009's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The highly anticipated release sees the group amping up their velocity considerably with the discs first single "Entertainment" impacting alternative radio as we speak, and is a melodic blast that is quite similar to what we experienced on the last album with "1901", "Lisztomania" and "Lasso". This album is sure to be one of the top albums of 2013 if the rest of the album matches what the first song was able to deliver.

Paramore - Paramore (April 23rd)

Alt-rockers Paramore are expected to make their long awaited return with their self titled release. The first album since Josh and Zac Farro infamously departed the band 2 years ago sees the band whittled down to a trio, and Hayley is sure to express her true feelings on the whole situation somewhere embedded deep within the lyrics. The first single "Now", has so far failed to make any dents in radio airplay, but we hope that the rest of the album matches the melodic intensity that their previous releases displayed in explosive fashion, and this new song is just a fluke filler track that doesn't belong on here in the first place.

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City (May 7th)

NYC's indie rock sensations Vampire Weekend are set to make their reappearance with Modern Vampires of the City. The follow up to 2010's Contra should mark another quality effort and an maturity over their prior two albums, which have shown consistent growth in the band's style, and sees the band experimenting with different genres that offer up a little bit of variety to the listener, and makes the band stand out prominently from the current crop of indie bands out there in music today.

Any other albums that are coming out soon that I failed to mention? Let me know in the comments section directly below, or get at me via Facebook and Twitter to let me know what albums you can't wait to see the light of day this year!

Artist Spotlight: Gentlemen Hall

Proud to start off the week with another all new edition of Artist Spotlight. Today, we keep it local with a burgeoning synth-rock band emanating right from the Boston suburbs by the name of Gentlemen Hall. The band consists of Gavin Merlot on lead vocals and guitar, Cobi Mike on vocals and lead guitar, Ro Richard on bass, Bradford Alderman on synthesizers, Phil Boucher on drums, and Seth Hachen on flute. The band has a dreamy, synth heavy new wave mixture that hearkens back to the mid 80's new wave era, but manages to incorporate elements from their more modern contemporaries such as fellow Bostonians Passion Pit and Imagine Dragons with a strong melodic output that is omnipresent throughout all their music and guarantees that you will have a great time listening to them. I've heard of the band by name only, but never got the opportunity to check them out until recently, and they have an unbelievable musical presence that encapsulates everything there is to love about the Boston music scene and the depth of talent constantly leaking out of the area. A great upstart act that is only getting better as time rolls along. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "All Our Love" and "Tame the Beast".

For more information on the gents in Gentlemen Hall, click on their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' the page as well while you're there. The band can also be followed on Twitter right over here where you catch up with the guys to see what they're currently doing this very minute. Their music is available from a wide array of sources including via the Music link on their FB page, Soundcloud right here, and on iTunes and Amazon MP3 as well among fine digital music retail outlets.

Alexander Join I Am Mighty Records Roster, Gearing Up For New Album and Tour

Durham, United Kingdom based band Alexander has officially joined the roster of artists over at I Am Mighty Records. The band has been gaining some traction recently in the U.K. indie rock scene, and the band recently just released their debut single "You Lost Yourself" on a worldwide basis for music lovers around the world to hear. I'm impressed with the amount and wealth of talent emanating from England, primarily from the I Am Mighty Records roster, and I'll continue to feature these bands here on the blog as they represent the true spirit of the British music scene, which is quite similar to the bands here in America. The band's debut album "Say Hello", will be released sometime shortly within the next few months. The band will also be headed out on tour later this month to play the new single along with some other assorted tracks. Here is the band's full itinerary:

March 22nd - Rippon, The Matrix
March 24th - Leeds, The Library
March 25th - Glasgow Ivory Blacks
March 26th - Edinburgh, Electric Circus
March 27th - Newcastle, Think Tank

If would like to download their single "You Lost Yourself", you may do so at iTunes right over here.
The band can be 'Liked' on Facebook at this link right here and can be followed on Twitter directly here. The band just released their music video for "You Lost Yourself" which you can view directly below:

Interview w/ The Foresters

Proud to present to you yet another installment in my ongoing interview series. Today, we have a sit down chat with the boys of The Foresters. The Bethany, CT based trio have been featured heavily here on the blog, most notably as an Artist Spotlight feature, and took home the Artist Spotlight of the Year award just last year! The boys took some time away from their schoolwork and band practice to talk a little bit what made them want to start a band in the first place, and what drives their will to succeed both in school and with their music as well. Here is the transcript from that interview:

Tell us your names and roles in the band?

 Evan, 13 Guitar and Vocals. Hayden, 11 Bass guitar and backing vocals. Liam, 10 drums.

 

How did you settle on the name "The Foresters" for your band and when did it form?

We live next to 900 acres of state forest in Connecticut. Before we settled on The Foresters, our previous names were Time For Blood [A little on the weird side] and then Looking For Lightning Bugs! We formed the band about six years ago, but none of us knew how to play anything.

 

When do you first remember being exposed to music?

Our parents have always been determined to expose us to music. Our folks would take us to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (in Hillsdale, NY) and the Meriden Daffodil festival (in CT) every year since we were babies. Our first official rock concert was a Green Day show in 2010. We left that show thinking we HAD to start our own band! None of us knew how to play instruments, but that wasn't going to stop us... We figured out who would play what (well, actually Evan did because he's the oldest:) and convinced our parents to let us use our savings accounts to buy starter instruments. They waited almost a year before getting us any lessons because they wanted to see if we would actually stick with it.

 

How much of an impact has playing music had on your overall lives?

It's been pretty huge for us. We've played all over our state (CT) and have met so many interesting and supportive people! We practice several days a week and play about 3-4 shows a month. Even though this takes a lot of our free time away, we are finding it very rewarding. Our band is like our sport...we put hours into it each week like a kid would do if he were playing baseball, etc.  

 

Being brothers and all, how well do you all get along making music and being on the same page while making songs?

Evan will come up with an initial riff for a song, and I (Hayden) will write a bass riff and Liam will make up a beat. Lastly, Evan will write lyrics and I'll choose harmonies that go along with the vocals. Evan usually writes the song lyrics last. We do get on each other's (and our parents':) nerves at times, and sometimes just need a break from one another. 

 

What was the recording process like for your self-titled debut EP?

It was a real eye opener because we didn't realize how intense the whole process was. Our first song "Better" took us like 4 or 5 takes! Then we did vocal layers and guitar layers on top of everything. It was hard work but really fun!

 

What music do you like to listen to in your spare time and how have they influences your sound?

We listen to a lot of musical genres! Our favorites are pop punk, 90s rock (like Nirvana, etc) and alternative. 

 

Besides schoolwork, what do you boys like to do in your spare time away from making music, any sports/hobbies?

 We all have separate interests too...Liam and Hayden love video games (like Minecraft), swimming and soccer. Evan spends a lot of time making digital art and videos and teaching himself things like Final Cut Pro and Blender. Of the 3 of us, Hayden is the social media "expert" who uses Twitter, Instagram, Vine, etc. He's a good promoter!

 

What do you have planned for the band moving forward this year?

We are planning on going back into the studio next month to record some of our new songs. We have a lot of shows lined up for CT over the next 2 months. We are currently working out a trip to Rochester, NY in May. We are also planning a mini tour of New England from CT up to Portland, ME in early July. We are currently looking for venues to play along the way (in Boston, etc). 

 

Any words to those who may be reading this?

 

We are currently taking place to play the Vans Warped Tour in CT this summer! Please visit http://www.battleofthebands.com/u/forestersct and give us a vote. Also please visit our Facebook page at www.theforesters.us and follow us on Twitter @forestersct. We hope to see you at one of our shows! Thanks for your support, and thanks to you, Pete, for having us on your blog!

 

Thanks once again to Liam, Hayden, and Evan for being so awesome in taking the time to do this interview. I'm totally enthralled by the depth of talent these boys have, and also for the level of maturity they have displayed at such a young age. It's truly inspiring to see kids making the most of what they learned to school, and applying it towards a possible career in music if they so desire should the path lead them that way. Please take the time to check them out on Facebook and 'Like' them here and follow them on Twitter over here.

Schedule Announced for 2013 Rock N Roll Rumble

The performance schedule has been announced for this year's annual Rock N Roll Rumble competition. The preliminary round begins on Sunday April 7th and lasts for 6 nights, with an off day happening on Wednesday. The bands who advance will go to the semi-finals on Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19th, with the grand finale taking place on Friday, April 26. Here is the schedule of bands performing on the designated nights:

Preliminary Night #1 (4/7): The Okay Win, Cancer Killing Gemini, The New Highway Hymnal, Velah
Preliminary Night #2(4/8): Endation, The Deep North, Herra Terra, Camden
Preliminary Night #3(4/9): Eddie Japan, Super Machines, Glenn Yoder & The Western States, Black Button
Preliminary Night #4(4/11): Mount Peru, Whitcomb, LifeStyle, Twin Berlin
Preliminary Night #5(4/12): Coyote Kolb, The Field Effect, The Suicide Dolls, White Dynomite
Preliminary Night #6(4/13): Parks, JBvs.DLP, Ruby Rose Fox, The Daily Pravda

All shows will be taking place at TT the Bears in Cambridge, MA. For more information on the competition, and how to purchase tickets, please visit their official website right here for all the latest up to date info.

Interview w/ Brian Medlin

Today, it's yet another installment in my ongoing interview series. Today, we have a thorough and in-depth chat with Philadelphia, PA based singer-songwriter Brian Medlin. Brian has been a featured veteran here on the blog a few times before, first with Person L, then with his other project Brian Medlin & The Elk Band, and his most recent effort that was reviewed just last week on the blog, Ghost Away. I caught up with Brian via e-mail to get a sense of what his beginnings were, the multiple bands he's in, and his undying passion for music that is quite evident with the multiple musical hats that he's wearing at any given time. Without further ado, here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your name and where you're originally from?

Brian Medlin. I live in a town called Ardmore outside of West Philadelphia. I grew up a little further out in the suburbs in a town called Lansdale.

How much of a role or impact did music have on you growing up in PA?

Living near Philadelphia always gave me the opportunity to see any kind of band I was interested in. And in my hometown, there was a growing hardcore and punk scene that I got involved in through playing and attending shows.

What was your earliest recollection of being exposed to music at a young age?

The earliest I can remember really loving a piece of music was when I was 4 years old. It was Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight". I remember running behind a coffee table or something like that, and pretended it was a drum set. Either I had drums in my blood, or that sparked my love of them, because I never sat behind a drum set until I was a teenager. I had no idea what I was doing, but it came to me very naturally. And I picked up the basics very fast.

Tell me about the first band you were in, what type of music it was, and the experience of being in a band?

My first band had only a couple practices. It was something to do during a teacher's strike when I was in middle school. I was the vocalist. We were called Red Ink. I loved Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails, so I probably thought we sounded something like that. Of course we probably sounded nothing like that. The first "serious" band I was in, as in a band that practiced regularly and played shows, was a band called Relapse that later changed its name to Inkling. I played drums in that band when I was in high school. We were a hardcore band but we also incorporated singing parts and odd time signatures. We started off being heavily influenced by The Deftones and even some other melodic bands like Weezer and The Get Up Kids. But we also listened to heavier bands like Coalesce, Converge, and Deadguy. The easiest part about being in that band was that it was with all of my best friends. Not only did we love hanging out with each other, but we all listened to similar music. So it was a blast to create music together. Our practice space was a hangout for our whole circle of friends. For me, playing and touring with your friends has always remained an essential part of making and performing music.

What were some other bands you were involved in and how were they different from your prior musical ventures?

After Inkling, I was in a band called The Minor Times. That band had many of the same members, but we focused strictly on the heavy, aggressive, angular stuff. We were a band for about 7 years. We practiced very very hard, got things incredibly tight. We all had particular tastes in what we liked and didn't like in heavy music. And we took it very seriously. Every year got better and better, signing to bigger labels, writing better songs, performing better. But we were such perfectionists that I feel like we started to wear ourselves out. Plus we were getting older. There's lots that go into it. Towards the end of that band, I started playing drums in Person L. That was a big shift for me because it was a more loose style of playing. And even the practices had a more loose, jamming kind of environment. The hard work part in Person L came with all the touring we did. I toured a bunch with The Minor Times and even Inkling, but nowhere near as much as with Person L. All in all, I enjoyed playing in both bands because of the 2 different schools of thought it gave not only my drumming style, but my attitude towards writing and interacting in a band. One was very regimented, disciplined and rewards you in the end, and the other was relaxed, laid back, and keeps things alive and fun.

Tell me about the recording process of your latest effort with Brian Medlin & The Elk Band and what the recording process was like?

Recording this album was a dream come true for me. With every solo release, I have always wanted to record in this fashion. I wrote and recorded demos of all the songs, plus a few more that didn't make the cut, with an acoustic guitar and vocals. I selected a group of people I wanted to record the songs with, which I dubbed "The Elk Band". My friend Andrew Torre had recorded the songs for the Person L split with Weatherbox, and he had mastered a single I released called "Hey Koda". At the time, he was building his own studio with help from Nate Vaeth (keys/guitar in Person L). Both Nate and Andrew were trading, collecting, and restoring vintage gear for a couple years, and it is a lot of this gear that made up the studio. This was right up my alley because I wanted the album to have a warm, classic feel. Other than a few guitars, all the instruments and amps on this album are from the 60s and 70s. Andrew is a great drummer, so I asked him if he would be interested in recording and playing on the album. Nate had recorded organ for a couple songs on my previous full length, but I knew I wanted him to play on this whole record, with his BEAUTIFUL Hammond B2. Then I asked Charlie from Person L to play bass and my friend Nick to play guitar because I was familiar with their styles, and I knew they would be a perfect fit. I had met Vince before from a show Person L played with his band Cheap Seats. Andrew recommended he join, and Vince said he was interested in playing piano. I'm not sure how it worked out but I'm glad it did. The piano was the last addition I needed in making this sound that I wanted. I listen to a lot of classic rock from singer-songwriters like Neil Young and Bob Dylan, to bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones. You know, all the obvious ones, I guess you could say. But I also had modern influences that were influencing me immensely when writing these songs like Dawes and Wilco. All of the aforementioned bands recorded many of their albums live and it's something we attempted to do. Unfortunately, due to technical issues, we didn't get to do it that way. Only the 3 acoustic songs "Beacon of Light", "Sink or Swim", and "Making a Change" remained live. With the other songs, we would just listen to the acoustic demo, then work it out together as a band, then track it. It was incredibly freeing to just hand over my demo idea of a song, and just see where a group of people take it. I trusted the musicians I was playing with immensely, and I wish I could always play with them. I just can't thank those guys enough for putting the time into making it without getting anything in return, other than a great sounding record, an album I am incredibly proud of.

What other interests do you have besides music, any hobbies/special interests/sports?

I grew up with a family of film buffs and I think I became one myself. Movies are almost as a big an influence on my life as music is. And just like music, I don't stay within a particular genre. I watch and enjoy everything. I also enjoy reading and learning about film history. I am into directors the same way I am into bands. I definitely have my favorites: Stanley Kubrick, The Cohen Brothers, Ingmar Bergman, Terrance Malick. I could go on and on.

How much of an impact has music had on your life up until this point?  

It's had a major impact on my life because it's defined my life. I have a full-time job where I spend every weekday, essentially 9 to 5, but music is where my heart is. I've always got multiple projects I'm working on. I'm always listening and being inspired by it. It's what I think about, it's what I read about, it's what I talk about. It's the center of the majority of my social life. All of the friends I have are because we have a common interest and passion for music. I always want to be playing it, performing it, and listening to it. I can't imagine my life without it.

What other bands and/or projects are you involved in and what else can we expect from you in the coming year?

Well, very recently, my band/recording project Ghost Away released our 2nd full length titled "We Didn't Ask For This". It's a 2-man project I have with my friend Eric Haag. It's something we work on very casually, in the sense that it takes us years to finally release something. We are both crazy about Radiohead. They aren't the only influence, but definitely play a big part. You can download the album for free at www.wedidntaskforthis.com

I have a noisy punk rock band called Wives that plays out occasionally. Right now, we are recording a follow-up to our self-titled EP, which at the time was also a 2-man recording project. After that EP, we were asked to play shows and decided to form a full band. We've played together ever since and wrote a bunch of new stuff together. It should be out in the next few months. You can download the old EP for free at thepinktriangle.bandcamp.com

I'm playing drums in a couple projects. It's too early to know what, if anything, will come of them. The one with the most progress so far is with Brendan, guitarist from Circa Survive. We're playing heavy stuff. And since 2005, I have released a solo effort at least once a year. I don't expect that to change this year. As always, you can get all of my releases for free at www.brianmedlinmusic.com

Thanks once again to my friend Brian Medlin for taking some time out to do this interview! Brian is an immensely fascinating, talented, and creative individual whose undying passion for music speaks volumes about his craft and just how unique he is. Take some time and check out his music from his various projects from the aforementioned links above.

Artist Spotlight: 7bit Hero

For this Friday's edition of Artist Spotlight to wrap up the week, we fly over to Brisbane, Australia and uncover the electro infused sounds of 7bit Hero. The trio consists of Hans van Vliet, Richie Young, and Phil Evans. The group's music is largely inspired by video game effects from the 80's presented in an electronic based music format that is largely melodic in nature and contains sonic drifts that pile up as the music progresses. I had a blast listening to these guys, and it took me back to when I was kid playing Nintendo, and the music reminded me of all those times playing video games with my friends and the great times I had while doing it. The vocals add an air of authenticity that leads to a fun and worthwhile listening experience that only gets better with each repeated listen. A great upstart act that is getting ready to make that next jump on the road to success. Some recommended songs for you to have a listen at include "Come on. Stand out." and "Side Quest".

For more information on the gents in 7bit Hero, 'Like' their Facebook page here to find out more information on the group and trace the roots of their beginnings. Their Twitter feed is located over here where you can find if the group will be stopping stateside and say hi to the guys while you're at it! Their music is available to stream on their Bandcamp site located right here and on their official website as well located here.

Artist Spotlight: Ritz Gnarlton

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we head west to the city by the bay known as San Francisco, CA and check out the eclectic sounds of Ritz Gnarlton. The group consists of Karl Rodgers on lead vocals, RJ Goulden on lead guitar and backup vocals, and Drew Lee on guitar. The trio has a vivacious, reggae infused sound similar to the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sublime with a strong emphasis being put on melody and style, and these guys have clearly mastered that with a strong set of tunes that defines the area in which they live, which has a vibrant music scene spanning all sorts of genres. I'm quite thrilled to stumble across these guys, as they have a clear image of who they want to be as a group, and are striving to achieve that next level of success that so many other bands out there yearn and strive to achieve for. A terrific live act that is primed to take that next step up the musical ladder. Some recommended tracks for you to take a listen at include "Deep Blue Sound" and "One Way To Survive".

For more info on the boys in Ritz Gnarlton, click on their Facebook page here and give them a well deserved 'Like' if you enjoy what you hear. The band's music is available via their Bandcamp site right here and also on their SoundCloud page as well here plus it's on Amazon MP3 over here among digital music outlets.

Bear Language To Perform At SXSW, Embark on First Tour

Boston based indie collective Bear Language have just announced they'll be performing at this year's annual South by Southeast music festival in Austin, TX. The festival is a hotbed for upstart acts to get noticed by thousands of fervent music listeners from all over the country, and will definitely expose the band to an even wider audience and put them on a higher pedestal in the indie music stratosphere.

The band will also be embarking on their first ever national tour around the Northeast that will open up even more opportunities and avenues for the band. Here is the full list of tour dates in addition to the aforementioned SXSW dates just recently announced:

3/13/13 Austin, TX @ RedGorilla Music Fest
3/14/13 Austin, TX @ STPPFest x The Deli Magazine SXSW Showcase
3/15/13 Austin, TX @ Berklee College SXSW Showcase
3/16/13 Austin, TX @ Heart of Texas Rockfest
3/18/13 Nashville, TN @ Springwater
3/20/13 Gambler, OH @ The Village Inn
3/21/13 Philadelphia, PA @ The Fire
3/22/13 Saratoga Springs, NY @ Falstaffs
3/23/13 New York, NY @ The Bitter End
3/30/13 Boston, MA @ The Middle East Downstairs

Melanie Lynx - Naked Heart EP

Boston based singer songwriter Melanie Lynx has released her much anticipated debut EP Naked Heart. The disc is a wonderful collection of compositions that presents Melanie as a burgeoning singer-songwriter coming into her own and discovering her voice that doesn't need to rely on the instrumentation at hand, it just does its own thing.

We start things off with "Wasted", an downtempo tune with a slight electronic twist to it that adds a air of diversity and a certain level of anticipation as to what to expect as we delve further into the disc. My favorite track off the EP is the upbeat "Perfectly Flawed", a slice of heaven with breezy instrumentation and Melanie's voice hitting a high benchmark that encapsulates the entire sound of the effort as a whole and what her overall musical goal is moving forward. "First Time" is a song you may already be familiar with as it released before the EP came out, and is the perfect track that highlights the sheer power of Melanie's voice, its capabilities, and what emotions it elicits in its prospective listeners. "I Spy" evokes the sound of Katy Perry, and features some nifty guitar arrangements and Melanie's vocal abilities once again doing their thing and powering the song all the way to the finish line. We wrap things up with the EP's title track, a haunting, emotional powerhouse with Melanie's voice expressing her innermost feelings and stripping the song down to its bare bones essence that shows the skeletal outline of a well composed and written track that allows the disc to come full circle in its offerings and close things out the way it was intended to. I've had the pleasure of featuring Melanie on the blog as an Artist Spotlight feature several months back, and it's really refreshing to see artists willing to put their emotions on display, and show the raw abilities that they've been eager to showcase to a willing and devoted listening audience that is clamoring to know more about her as a person as well.

In retrospect, a terrific and well constructed debut effort from Melanie Lynx, who is a different breed of singer-songwriter who is not afraid to bare all emotionally, and put it all out there for everyone to catch a glimpse of and just stand there in awe of her presence.

                                                                                                                                    EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Wasted
2. Perfectly Flawed
3. This Time
4. I Spy
5. Naked Heart

Interview w/ Me vs. Gravity

Today I present to you another installment in my newly relaunched interview series. Today, we take a look at one of Boston's fastest rising young acts Me vs. Gravity. The band have been been playing relentlessly throughout the area, and have built up quite a sterling reputation as a band that acts as a beacon for today's youth, someone that really connects with the pulse of today's teenagers. I recently got the chance to interview the band just before they hit the stage at their show this past Friday at Cafe 939 in Boston where I got a sense of the band's beginnings and they're impeccable repoire with their listening audience. Here is the full transcript from that interview:

Give us your names and what you do in the band?

Ben: My name is Ben Meyers and I play drums.
Zach: My name is Zach Nelson, I sing and play guitar.
Jeff: I'm Jeff Kinsey, I play bass and do backing vocals.
Dave: My name is Dave Colicchio, I play guitar and sing backing vocals as well.

Can you take us back to the beginning and how the band formed?

Ben: Yeah, well it actually started with me and Zach at Berklee the first week of school, we met each other and then very soon after, we met Jeff and Dave and became friends and kind of started a little thing.

What was it like to be at Berklee surrounded by countless musicians?

Zach: It's awesome, you get to collaborate with alot of people. I came from a small town so there's not a ton of music going on. For me, it was cool to be able to always see something going on that you feel supportive of what you're doing.

Dave: It's a really great environment for any musician to be in, everybody is really supporting each other and you just learn even if you're not trying to learn, you're just learning so much from the talented people around you.

Jeff: It's a really cool perspective to have so many people that are passionate about more or less the same thing, but so stylistically different to see how so many different people go about essentially as far as careers go.

Can you recall what your earliest experience was with listening to music and how has that helped shape you today?

Dave: I think my earliest memory was my dad is a music teacher and he used to teach at summer camps and I would be going to the camp, he would show me Billy Joel songs, Beatles songs, he's a huge Beatles fan and I think these are the first songs I knew, one day he says that I told him to go to the next song because the song that was playing "Fool On The Hill" by The Beatles was making me sad and he says that was the moment he realized I probably wanted to become a musician, he knew I was getting it.

Zach: The first time I ever sang in front of anyone, I was a terrified, shy kid and my mom and dad convinced me to sing "Yankee Doodle" as a part of this church musical, and I was this shy, awkward kid in suspenders in front of 2,000 people at my church and I was terrified, but I didn't stop singing after that.

What is the one thing you enjoy the most about playing live and how it makes you feel?


Ben: I would say probably the crowd, the main reason of playing live is the crowd and the energy that you get from watching their energy and their smiles, and just how excited they are to watch you. That's probably one of my favorite parts, and the sound obviously in the venue is so much better than the practice space, so those are two of the most exciting things for me.

Jeff: I think definitely the emotion behind music, we do this essentially so we can help people feel the emotions they're trying to express and so to do that, and basically get a room full of people that are feeling the same thing hopefully, the energy that comes through that, you can just feel this tangible energy at the same level and the emotion.

Take us behind the recording process of your latest EP "Begin" and what the whole experience was like?

Zach: We met this guy named Tom Schleiter who was formerly in a band called Bad City on Atlantic and a band called Powderspace on Fueled by Ramen, two of our favorite labels, so we went down to Chicago, wrote a couple of songs and recorded all 4 in 5 days at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago. It was alot different from our first EP recorded in Ben's dorm, this time we got to go to a major studio, it was just a totally different experience, it was really fast too so we had to be on our game, it was kind of scary, we're all really happy with how it came out.

What themes and/or subject matter typically run through your music and how well does it resonate with your fans?

Zach: I sing alot about heartbreak and hope, seeing light at the end of the tunnel. There's a song called  "When You Are Broken" which we haven't played a whole lot live recently. It's alot of lyrics about hope, and not giving up because I think there's alot of younger, confused teenagers and letting them know they're not alone and how they feel. Then just musically, we can be there for them.

Have you had any memorable run-ins or experiences with fans after one of your shows?

Dave: Every show is a different experience. There's always someone who hasn't seen us before and it's funny there's this one girl that moves stuff for us and does merch for us a whole lot, she brings her younger brother to a show and he's very quiet most of the time, he's helping us out a whole lot and at one point after the show, we bring all the stuff back and he stops us and says, "Guys, I just have to say this is my first concert and other than seeing 3 Doors Down, this was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and thank you guys". And he was just so happy about the show and we were like "Oh my god, I thought you were bored"!

Ben: And I'd say on top of that, we had this one show where we just had so many baked goods from fans, we feel so fat and happy, I'm talking alot of pounds of food.

What do you guys like to do in your spare time when not making music?

Ben: Well, I edit all day. We all kind of have different things we do all day, so yeah I pretty much edit.

Jeff: I spend alot of time going from rehearsal to rehearsal. As a bass player, I can get work for some of the other members of the Berklee community as well. I get to do alot of playing which is fun and I'm studying production so I spend alot of time in recording studios.

Dave: I love movies and I love songwriting, I'm just constantly trying to get better at songwriting and one day maybe doing some music supervision for movies. I think that just would be a dream job of mine, meet some of my favorite actors, you know being involved in the process.

Are you guys planning on playing any more shows or releasing any new music this year?

Dave: Oh yeah, a whole lot of shows. We're lining up a whole bunch for the summer, not really a tour per say, shows here and there, March 7th in Hamden, CT is a big date for us, going to be a whole lot of fun. And April 13th is Love You Dance Machine's last show at The Middle East, it's going to be great and then we've got a whole bunch for the summer, we're just trying to book more, trying to have fun with it and have a good time.

Lastly, why do you think guys should check you guys out in concert or listen to your music?

Zach: I think that there's hope in our music, and I think it makes you feel good and there's other songs like a song called "Alone", which is about you know being pissed off and depressed when you've been screwed over by someone you care about. So I think there's a range of emotions that you can experience, not just listening to our music, but any music.

Ben: I just want to add on to that, I think it's kind of cool we're kind of one of the few bands on the scene kids just kind of look up to us individually. I feel alot of the other bands there's a lot of substance abuse, a lot of things that aren't good for kids to be looking up to, so that's kind of a cool thing, if people should listen to us, that's a reason.

Jeff: We're pretty much about community and inclusion, showing the positive side of the rock world to kids and anyone who wants to listen and hang out.

Thanks once again to the boys in Me vs. Gravity for being so gracious with their time and letting me hang out with them before the show! If you want to pick up their latest EP, "Begin", you can download it right now on iTunes or pick up the physical CD from their Big Cartel site right over here.