Vacationer Premiere Stunning New Video For "The Wild Life"

Philadelphia, PA based Vacationer just unveiled earlier today their gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing video for the track "The Wild Life", off their upcoming sophomore release "Relief". The clip takes us on a musical trip, guided by frontman Kenny Vasoli on an epic odyssey through the wonder that is Costa Rica where he mingles with the locals and unveils some sick looking dance moves in the process as he comes along as our tour guide through the wonder of it all. This clip was a total revelation for me as I've been a huge fan of him through his prior musical endeavors, and it really struck me at how comfortable Kenny is in his own skin, and is reveling in his musical transformation that has taken him all over the globe, but has really taken leaps and bounds aplenty with this musical project.

"Relief" will be in stores and online this coming Monday and for more info on Vacationer, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass

Closing it all up and heading into the weekend with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight, brought to you by Little Rock, AR based Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass. The music is a raw, potent blend of folk rock rhythms that are reflective in the environment that he was reared in, and showcases an extremely passionate artist who is starting to come into his own as a musician, and has a better understanding of who he is as a human being. I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to his music, and really found a sense of comfort listening to his music that had earthy organic elements to it that were totally of his own creation, and his brilliant lyricism that really drove it home for me and allowed me to experience his music in a manner that allows others to come together and experience the power of music together as a collective audience. Check out his "Front Porch" performance from his Facebook page to get a better idea of what it is that I'm talking about.

For more info on Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass, 'Like' him on the aforementioned FB page here to strike a connection between him and his music. Follow him on Twitter as well from right here and find out if he plans on stopping by the New England area sometime soon for a concert performance. His official website right here contains more in depth information regarding him, and where you can also stream a cut off his latest album titled "Blind Water Finds Blind Water".

Artist Spotlight: New Madrid

Take a break from the warmth with a refreshing dose of Artist Spotlight, brought to us by the fine folks out of Athens, GA known as New Madrid. The band consists of Phil McGill on guitar and lead vocals, Graham Powers on guitar and vocals, Ben Hackett on bass and vocals, and Alex Woolley on drums and vocals. The band has a serene, ethereal calmness to it with a strong emphasis being put on the vocals that are being provided at times by everyone in the group who all get their chance to lend their talents to such a diverse and cutting edge blend of music that is hard to pin down genre wise. One thing that drew me to these guys was their free wheeling and laid back personalities that hearken back to the late 60's-early 70's era where music had no boundaries and artists were free to dabble in experimentation and let the songs communicate with the people. These guys definitely have a certain likability to them, and their music is fantastic when you really get down to the nitty gritty of it and showcases their true colors as human beings as well. Some songs you'll enjoy from them include "Magnetoception" and "Country Moon Pt. 1".

For more info on the boys in New Madrid, give them a well deserved 'Like' on Facebook right over here where the guys are sure to be waiting for you with open arms. The guys are on Twitter as well from this locale here and see when they may be coming up to Boston again sometime in the near future. Their official website over here has more in depth info regarding their tunes, and check out their latest album titled "Sunswimmer", now available for download on iTunes conveniently located right here.

Mount Sharp Releases Eclectic Sounding Track "Icarus"

Brooklyn's own Mount Sharp has just unveiled their latest musical creation titled "Icarus". The track is a fuzzy, spaced out rocker that has some distinct indie characteristics attached to it, while bringing their own sensibility to the table that allows the curious listener the chance to dissect their sound and see how the magic has come together while in the studio. This was an enjoyable listen for me, and it really allowed for me the opportunity to dig deep and find what makes this group unique, and it's the fact that they're all remarkably different and those differences allow individual viewpoints on how each track should sound, and what results is a diverse and talented group of musicians gathered here before you.

To take a listen to "Icarus", it has been made available to stream on their Soundcloud site here, and for more info on Mount Sharp, 'Like' them on Facebook here and they're on Twitter at this location here.

Phantogram Announce Extensive Nationwide Tour

Indie rock newcomers Phantogram have just unveiled a string of concert dates leading into October that will give fans from all across the country the opportunity to catch and see what all the buzz is about surrounding this hot up and coming band. Bolstered by the Top 5 Alternative Songs charting "Fall In Love", the Greenwich, NY duo are set to take the nation by storm with their impressive and dazzling array of musical wizardry and charm eloquently put on display for the listening audience to marvel over. They will also be making a quick jaunt overseas to Germany and Australia for a handful of dates, then back over here to finish the remainder of the tour. They'll be playing select dates with Bad Things, The Range, Tobacco, and Action Bronson. Here is their full itinerary of tour dates announced earlier today:

6/19 – Burlington, VT -  Higher Ground (w/ The Range)
6/20 – Providence, RI - Waterplace Park
6/21 - Boston, MA - House of Blues (w/ The Range)
6/22 – Dover, MD - Firefly Music Festival
6/23 – Norfolk, VA - The Norva (w/ The Range)
6/25 – Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore (w/ Bad Things)
6/26 – Charleston, SC - Music Farm (w/ Bad Things)
6/27 – Orlando, FL – Beacham (w/ Bad Things)
6/28 – Miami, FL – Grand Central - SOLD OUT (w/ Bad Things)
6/29 – Tampa, FL – Ritz Ybor (w/ Bad Things)
7/1 – Birmingham, AL – Work Play (w/ Bad Things)
7/2 – Nashville, TN – Marathon (w/ Bad Things)
7/4 – Los Angeles, CA - Alt 98.7 Block Party at Grand Park
7/5 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
7/7 – Quebec City, QC - Le Festival d’Ete
7/9 – Ottawa, ON – Bluesfest
7/12 – Lisbon, Portugal – Optimus Alive Festival
7/14 – Frankfurt, Germany – Zoom
7/15 – Munich, Germany – Hansa 39
7/18 – Salacgrīva, Latvia – Positivus Festival
7/20 – Suffolk, UK – Latitude Festival
7/24 – Sydney, Australia – Metro
7/25 – Melbourne, Australia – Prince Ballroom
7/27 – Byron Shire, Australia – Splendour in the Grass Festival
8/1 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
8/2 – Montreal, QC – Osheaga Festival
8/9 – Seattle, WA – Marymoor Park (The End’s Summer Camp 2014)
8/10 – Squamish, BC – Squamish Valley Fest
8/16 – Portland, OR – Music Fest Northwest
8/23 – Monterey, CA – First City Festival
9/4 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theatre (w/ Tobacco)
9/13 – New York, NY – Pier 97 (w/ Action Bronson)
9/28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
9/29 – Denver, CO – Ogden
9/30 – Omaha, NE – Sokol Auditorium
10/1 – St. Paul, MN – Myth
10/3 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall
10/4 – New Orleans, LA – Republic
10/3-5 – Austin, TX – ACL Festival
10/11 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s
10/10-12 – Austin, TX – ACL Festival
10/14 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
10/17 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!
10/18 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
10/20 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

For more info on Phantogram, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right over here.

Artist Spotlight: Wild Child

Kicking off the week with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight, this time taking us to the heart of the music festivals in Austin, TX where we come across the folk infused sounds of Wild Child. The band consists of Alexander Beggins on lead vocals and bantone ukulele, Kelsey Wilson on lead vocals and violin, Evan Magers on keyboard, Drew Brunetti on drums, Sadie Wolfe on cello, Chris D'Annuzio on bass, and James Bookert on banjo. The band has an incredibly pure and unadulterated folk sounds, with elements of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros rising to the surface and balancing everything out especially the ukulele at hand here. I was pleased with what the band had to offer musically, and they really nailed it in terms of sheer musicality with their abilities never in question and off and running right away. It's great to hear acts that bring about a sense of free wheeling thinking not seen since the late 60's and early 70's, where acts ranging from Jefferson Airplane and The Mamas and The Papas were trying new elements to sound fresh and reinvented, and these guys bring about that same aesthetic that those same acts applied back then, but apply it to today's musical climate. A terrific group that is definitely gaining some ground in the scene right now. Some tracks for you to check out include "Anna Maria" and "Rillo Talk".

For more info on Wild Child, give them a 'Like' on Facebook over here and see what they're all about musically and draw your own conclusions from what you hear. Follow the guys on Twitter from this locale right here and see when they may be stopping by your area for a concert performance. Check out their official website here for more in depth information regarding them, and check out their latest album titled "The Runaround", now available for purchase on iTunes right over here.

NYC Based 8-Bit Operators Release Depeche Mode "Enjoy The Silence" Tribute Album

The New York based collective known as 8-Bit Operators have released their latest musical odyssey, a tribute to Depeche Mode's landmark album "Enjoy The Silence". The collection transforms Depeche Mode tracks with video game effects interspersed throughout that makes it feel like you've been transported back into the 80's, playing video games such as Metroid while trying to navigate Samus Aran through the confines of cavernous formations in order to get to Mother Brain. This album was such a throwback for me in that I was an avid Nintendo player growing up, and hearing this effects juxtaposed on top of Depeche Mode tracks is beyond awesome in any scope of the imagination, and really speaks to mind about the volume and creativity emanating so strongly from the scores of artists that have lended their talents in transforming each individual track into something completely masterful.

To take a listen to 8-Bit Operators Depeche Mode tribute, it's available for purchase on iTunes over here amongst a host of digital and streaming providers. For more info on 8-Bit Operators, 'Like' them on Facebook over here and give them a follow on Twitter right here.

Nashville Bred Sun Culture Release Infectious Summer Earworm "Sea Salt"

The Nashville based indie collective known as Sun Culture has just released the heavenly like, summer primed jam called "Sea Salt". The track is an indelible piece of goodness with explosively charged melodies and the primed vocals of Chase Coy, who is the sole member of the group and plays a great role in enhancing the quality of his work while possessing the ability to multitask in various roles that are a sight to behold. I immediately liked Sun Culture from the moment I first heard him, and I can tell that this is one song that I won't get enough of this summer and has the ability to be that track that when this summer is all said and done, will be the track that defines the essence of everything that made this summer great.

To check out "Sea Salt" for yourself, it's available for streaming on Soundcloud over here and for more info on Sun Culture, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter right here.

BREAKING: Casey Kasem Dead at 82

Beloved radio icon and broadcasting legend Casey Kasem died this morning at a California hospital, he was 82 years old. Casey had been plagued by a serious of medical issues in recent years, most notably dementia and a huge fight arose between his wife Jean and his children over visitation rights and their inability to see their father in his final days. Casey got his start being in a disc jockey in Flint, MI in 1952 with an announcer stint on the Armed Radio Forces network, before moving on to radio stations across the country in California, Ohio, and New York before launching his legendary American Top 40 show on July 4, 1970. He hosted that show until 1988 before it was revived a decade later in 1998 and ran until 2004, when Ryan Seacrest took over hosting duties. After AT40 ended, Casey continued to dabble in radio where he hosted American Top 20 and American Top 10 until he officially retired in 2009, almost 39 years to the date when he started his famous countdown show.

He was a true pioneer and inspiration for anyone aspiring to get their feet wet in the radio business and he helped engineer the basis for countdown shows that continue to be extant today.

Artist Spotlight: Real Friends

Closing out the week and cruising into the weekend with an all new Artist Spotlight, where we jet on over to Tinley Park, IL where we encounter the vivacious pop-punk sounds of Real Friends. The band consists of Kyle Fasel on bass, Dave Knox on guitar, Dan Lambton on lead vocals, Brian Blake on drums, and Eric Haines on guitar. The band has an intense, driven pop-punk sound with influences ranging from Jimmy Eat World with a strong emphasis being put on melody and emotion that will definitely draw the masses to their sound, which is a genre of music that has been high in demand for quite some time and these guys are quickly spearheading the movement with their pure and unfiltered sound. I had a blast listening to these guys, and it sort of takes me back to my high school years which of course was the basis for alot of the music I listen to today, and gives me an immediate rush every time I hear it and makes me feel younger in a way as it allows me to relate to some of the lyrics and connect with a younger audience that allows me to see a little bit of myself in each and every one of them and makes me feel chuffed and glad that pop-punk is having a positive impact on today's youth. A terrific up and coming band primed for the big show. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Late Nights In My Car" and "Skin Deep".

For more info on Real Friends, check them out on Facebook over here and give them a 'Like' so you can stay in touch with the guys on a musical level. Follow the guys on Twitter from this locale here and find out when they'll be stopping by the Boston area sometime soon for a concert appearance. Check out their official website right here for a plethora of in depth information related to the guys, and check out their Bandcamp page right over here to listen to all of their music on a streaming basis.

MA's Own War Games To Issue Free CD Sampler During Vans Warped Tour This Summer

Westport, MA's own War Games are going to be handing out some free CD compilation samplers during their run at this year's Vans Warped Tour that you might want to pick up if you'll be among the throngs of people attending the annual extravaganza. The disc is a great way for the guys to get some word of mouth out in advertising, but it also enables them to promote the other outstanding acts on the disc as well, as everyone performing there is looking out for each other amid the sweltering heat and thousands of people who attend the festival almost every day as they travel across the country spreading their music to a crowd that is always loud and proud of the bands they support. The disc also has some local flavor as it features acts from the Southern MA and Rhode Island area so you'll have a heavy dose of local flavor to satisfy your craving. Here is the track listing for the effort:
 
WAR GAMES
1. MY FOUNDATION
2. ANXIETY TRACKS
 
SIENNA
3. BETTER MAN
4. REASON TO STAY
 
NORTHERNMOST
5. I WISH I WAS HONEST
6. BELITTLE ME
7. JETTISON
 
RICH FERRI
8. TRENCHES
9. GOOD OL FASHIONED GREED
10. PAY UP
BLIND MICE
11. SPECTATOR
12. JOKE
 
BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY
13. THE CROWN
 
ADAM JENSEN
14. THE KID
15. STILL HANGING ON
 
WE BUILT THE MOON
16. RESISTANCE
17. MORE THAN A FRIEND

For more info on War Games, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter right here as well. Catch up with them when they'll be working the table at Warped when it hits the Boston area at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield on July 10th, and don't forget to stop by and pick up your copy while saying hello to the guys! 

Artist Spotlight: Turnover

Today's edition of Artist Spotlight takes us down to Virginia Beach, VA and upon the doorsteps of the emo-punkers known as Turnover. The band consists of Casey Getz, Danny Dempsey, Eric Soucy, and Austin Getz. The band has a simple and straightforward sound, but the real power lies in their lyrics where the songs come to life through extremely well written verses and superb vocals that set everything in motion right away and settle you in pretty quickly. I wasn't sure what to expect from these guys as I never heard of them before, but I was quickly debriefed on their sound and found that the guys had their own style and musical image to convey to their audience, and weren't being bound by genres or musical stereotypes that would have otherwise set them back. A fantastic up and coming band that has a diamond in the rough characteristic to them that you'll like. Recommended songs for listening include "I Would Hate You If I Could" and "Most of The Time".

For more info about the guys in Turnover, head on over to their Facebook page located here and give it a quick 'Like' to show your appreciation for everything it is that they do. Follow the guys on Twitter from right here and see when they may be venturing up to the Boston area sometime soon. Their official website over here has more in depth information regarding the guys, and check out all of their music they've released so far over on their Bandcamp site here.

Sunbird - Inside My Head

The Boston based group known as Sunbird just put out their latest collection last month titled "Inside My Head". The collection takes a classic rock oriented approach, coupled with dabbles in neo-psychedelia that makes the group stand out prominently from the other groups on the rise out there, but the band has their own unique and identifiable thumbprint that gives them an edge and aren't just a soundalike band.

We start things out with the title track, a mellow and breezy tune that introduces you to the band's musical escapades and the terrific lead vocals of frontman Everett McKee who contributes a great deal to the band's melodic sensibilities that are only just unfolding right before your very eyes and ears. "Peace Beneath The City" is another terrific and low-key track, hinting at the band's superb ability to weave a certain ethereal, calm nature that is brought about with simple instrumentation thrown about in the background for good measure that doesn't have to do too much and is just enough for the casual music listener to appreciate at ear level. "Underneath the Moon" is perhaps my favorite track off the album that really encapsulates the band's musical aesthetic perfectly to a T, with warm and inviting melodies and soothing, periodic vocals emanating from Everett provide for an immensely enjoyable listening experience that is the tipping point for getting into this band at full steam. "Juliet" is another prominent track featuring more noticeable and polished guitar licks that allow the band to evolve just slightly, but still retain the trademark characteristics that make them who they are both personally and musically.

The second half takes shape with "Who Am I", a track that has a certain slight groove laden edge to it that shows the band in their comfort zone and taking their sound to another level to keep the audience in tune for what lays ahead. "Blue Sky" sees the guys do justice to an Allman Brothers tune with their own personalities bubbling to the surface, and they avoid doing a note-by-note recreation of the track and instead put out their own vision of the track and takes it to places that are more reflective of the musical climate today. "Motionless Faces" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with ample musical experimentation for the masses coupled with a calm and relaxed nature to it that puts in a positive frame of mind almost immediately. "Civilian" closes it all with a terrific acoustic number that allows us to look back on the effort in a reflective manner with Everett's wistful voice running rampant throughout the track and is brought all together with the warmth and camaraderie of all his bandmates around him to close out the album right. I was very intrigued by this album, and I loved the fact that the guys didn't have to do too much and were solely focused on creating music that they only knew how to make and unveil their creative sound to a captive and far reaching audience.

In summary, a terrific and well mixed effort from Sunbird, a Boston band that is definitely worthy of some attention and notice with a collection that exposes their organic and straightforward sound to an audience that is clamoring for a break from the ordinary type of music currently populating the scene.

                                                                                                                        Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Inside My Head
2. Ghost Town
3. Peace Beneath The City
4. Underneath The Moon
5. On The Run
6. Juliet
7. Who Am I
8. End to End
9. Blue Sky
10. Light as a Feather
11. Motionless Faces
12. Civilian

Thee Idea Men Premiere New Album "New Level Shoes"

Philadelphia based group Thee Idea Men just released their brand new album titled "New Level Shoes". The collection is a quirky collection of tunes that rides the gamut through some psychedelia and blues influences, even generating some influence from their hometown neighbors in Dr. Dog and are starting to develop their own musical personality that is really out there and infectious that will definitely attract some heads and ears in their general direction. I really loved what I found from these guys, and really took to heart the ideas that were flowing through their minds when they were writing these compositions, and they definitely have a place among the other up and coming bands currently trying to make it in the scene.

For more info on Thee Idea Men, 'Like' them on Facebook over here and give them a follow on Twitter right here. "New Level Shoes" can be streamed and purchased over on their Bandcamp site here for the low price of just $5!