Artist Spotlight: Potty Mouth

To wrap up the week of Artist Spotlight for this Friday, we travel out to Northampton, MA and uncover the punk infused sounds of Potty Mouth. The band consists of Abby on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Ally on bass, Phoebe on lead guitar, and Victoria on drums. The band has an intense, driven punk edged sound reminiscent of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with a modern touch to it and a cutting edge drive that makes the girls wholly unique and stand out from all the other bands from the pack. I was impressed with the talent that these women exhibited, and their ability to craft fast paced, sonically pleasing tracks that accurately portray the sound that they were aiming to create when they were recording these tracks in the studio, and the confidence and talent they have is exuded all throughout their music. A promising young act with a great deal of potential for further success down the road. A recommended track for you to have a listen at is the recently released "The Spins".

For more information on the girls in Potty Mouth, head on over to their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well so that you can stay in the know with everything that they've got going on in their world. You may also follow the group on Twitter as well from over here and find out when they'll be stopping by the Boston area with a concert appearance sometime soon. To check out all of their music released up until this point, head on over to their Bandcamp page here and see what musical goodness that they've whipped up for you!

Artist Spotlight: When Particles Collide

Readying another installment of Artist Spotlight for you today! On this edition, we head up to Bangor, ME and seek out the eclectic sounds of When Particles Collide. The duo consists of Sasha Alcott and Chris Viner, and the music is an organically composed, straightforward blend of indie rock mixed in with a hint of hard rocking attitude reminiscent of The Pixies that gives the band some leverage and puts them in a class all their own among the other New England based acts currently making it out there today. I've caught these guys in concert a couple of times, and recently rediscovered their music and I was impressed with their ability to weave a certain alt rock edge within their sound that makes them edgy, willing to take a creative risk, and capable of handling anything that is thrown their away with remarkable aplomb and sophistication. A great New England based act that is ready to get more exposure outside the confines of their hometown. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Straight Girls" and "Moles".

For more information on the talented duo, head on over to their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well so that you can stay up to date with everything that they have going on. You may also follow the duo on Twitter over here and find out when they'll be stopping by the Boston area again with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their Bandcamp site right here to listen to their latest album "Pop! Pop! Bang! Bang!" directly from the page.

The Mowgli's - Waiting For The Dawn

Los Angeles, CA's own The Mowgli's have released their major label debut album titled Waiting For The Dawn. The group, who is best known for the insanely catchy track "San Francisco" have brought with them an unbridled enthusiasm and affection for positivity and love that is omnipresent throughout their music, and immediately puts you in a good mood from the get go and makes you feel glad that you're in the company of so many talented musicians and exceptional human beings as well.

The track starts with the aforementioned track and my favorite song off the album regarding the City by the Bay, a little slice of heaven with harmonic vocals emanating from all over the 8 piece band that immediately jolt you to life with a bevy of upbeat instrumentation that will make you want to dance as you're listening to this song while walking down the street. "Slowly, Slowly" is another outstanding track that features sun kissed melodies and honest, heartfelt lyricism that puts you in a positive frame of mind and ready to tackle anything ahead of you with confidence and optimism. "Love Is Easy" brings down the energy a couple of notches to bring in a relaxing, comforting track that features harmonic vocal syncopation and warm, inviting melodies that is truly something to behold and witness unfolding right before your very eyes and ears. "Clean Light" is a catchy, pulsating track featuring an insanely indelible hook that you might find yourself whistling to randomly, and is one of the cornerstones of a well executed and implemented track put together right here. "Emily" features some neat acoustic guitar melodies intertwined within the mainframe of the track that provides for a hint of diversity along the way that suits the group particularly well, and accentuates the band's qualities and characteristics as a band that make them great.

The second half of the album begins with "The Great Divide" an amazing, captivating track that shows the band's full potential hard at work here with mystical, harmonic vocal refrains from everyone involved powering the song and ensuring that the band's dynamic is well represented throughout the song and beyond. "Leave It Up To Me" features wistful, joyous melodies set amidst a backdrop of vocal harmony and instrumentation that is almost impossible not to enjoy and groove along to. We get ready to close out the album with "Hi, Hey There, Hello" a thoughtful, organically composed track that features home grown instrumentation and a wonderful vocal refrain that makes you want to sing along and provides some diversity along the way for the listener. "We Are Free" concludes matters here with a mostly acoustic based sound that strips the song down to the bare bones essence that it is, a beautiful and heartfelt track that allows the heartfelt honesty to pour out with ease and showcases an extremely well composed album along with the aura of 8 extremely talented musicians. I was amazed with the song "San Francisco" when I first heard it on the air, and I had no idea who the band was when I first heard it and immediately set out to find who it was that sang it. When I discovered that it was The Mowgli's, I was amazed with the group's intense positivity and their affinity for everything related to love and happiness and immediately became captivated to the band's dynamic and how they conduct themselves both on record and in person.

In retrospect, a terrific and outstanding album from The Mowgli's, who bring their West Coast vibe to the masses with an amazing collection of songs that evoke the positive and love-filled spirit that emanates so strongly from San Francisco and beyond. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                             Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. San Francisco
2. Slowly, Slowly
3. Waiting For The Dawn
4. Love Is Easy
5. Clean Light
6. Time
7. Emily
8. The Great Divide
9. Say It, Just Say It
10. Leave It Up To Me
11. Carry Your Will
12. Hi, Hey There, Hello
13. We Are Free

Artist Spotlight: Weatherbox

Cool off from the brutal summer heat with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight to start off your week! Today, we head to the West Coast and venture out to San Diego, CA and check out the vivacious sounds of Weatherbox. The band largely consists of Brian Warren, Marc Allen, George Pritzker, and Andrew Seymour. The band has a mostly indie leaning sound, with the essence of artists like Kevin Devine and Person L embedded deep within the confines of their music, and the music itself is comprised of wonderful vocal refrains and top notch instrumentation from everyone involved that presents a band that are in their prime and beginning another phase of their careers that will expose their musical drive even further. I've heard of these guys by name only, and recently rediscovered their music randomly a couple of months ago, and I was impressed with the band's repoire that they had with each other, and their ability to be on the same page musically which is sometimes a difficult thing for certain bands to maintain, but these guys do it with such authority and confidence that it all looks easy. A terrific up and coming band that is certainly worthy of additional press. Some great songs for you to check out include "Mountain" and "Heavy Map".

For more information on the guys in Weatherbox, head on over to their Facebook page here and see what they're all about. You may also follow the guys on Twitter here and stay in touch with the band to find out when they'll be stopping by your area sometime soon with a concert appearance. The band's latest album "Follow The Rattle of the Afghan Guitar" is now available for streaming and purchase on their Bandcamp page located here.

Cheyne & Matthew Thorsen Release Music Video For "You're Going Down"

Washington D.C.'s own Cheyne & Matthew Thorsen have just released their latest music video for "You're Going Down". The black and white clip features the duo in a vintage, throwback clip set amidst the backdrop of a terrific beat that totally exemplifies their creative blend of hip-hop and some slight rock touches that totally sets them apart from the other up and coming acts currently trying to get established today.

For more information on Cheyne & Matthew Thorsen, 'Like' them on Facebook here and you can follow Cheyne and Matthew on their individual Twitter accounts respectively here and here.

Interview w/ Adam of Big Big Buildings

Kicking off the week with another installment of my ongoing series of interviews with former Artist Spotlight subjects! Today, we check back in with one of my favorite up and coming musicians and my best friend, Adam McElreath. You may also remember him as guitarist for the local Boston band The Okay Win, and also has another musical project that he splits time in between for called Big Big Buildings. For this interview, we caught up to find out what he's been up to since the last time we chatted, and how his new album with Big Big Buildings reveals his true musical persona and shows how comfortable he is in his own skin. And here is the transcript from that interview:

First off, it's been awhile since we've last chatted, how have you been and what have you been up to since our last interview?

I've been all over the map, Pete. Life has been triumphant, depressing, exciting and devastating since we last spoke. I've immersed myself in a ton of different projects, but I've mostly been hard at work on this new record. As you know, I'm also in a band called The Okay Win and we've been writing and recording a new album as well. I feel very odd when I'm not working on something, so my time is a flood of different kinds of creation. This is without a doubt, the busiest I've ever been. It's fulfilling. Like when Bruce Willis hangs up his raincoat in "Unbreakable".

- How did you come up with the name "Full Color Pharmacy" for the album and the design of the artwork?

I was so ripe with ideas and directions for this record, that it was almost deafening. This is such a strange time we're living in, musically and spiritually. The world is experiencing itself through the screen of a smartphone and it's not hard to find yourself disheartened. Our leaders lie to us on the regular and our college degrees mean nothing of fulfillment or prosperity. Despite this structure for which we are the pillars, human beings connect and care for each other in new ways every day. I really wanted to make a record about the human experience, as broad or pretentious as that may seem. In order to do that, I knew I had to be as open as possible about my own experience. I wanted every aspect and outlook to be accounted for. Every color. The title appeared in my head and I immediately knew that it represented this record. I also like the idea of the record being a place you can go. It also reminded me of your brain scrambling useless corporate imagery, like fucking up the departments of a wal-mart.

- Take us behind the creation of your latest album "Full Color Pharmacy" and the influences surrounding it?

Full Color Pharmacy, in many ways, is a record that represents my attempt to get a stronger grip on everything I do and to do it like a grown man. I've been playing and writing songs since I was 14, but only in the past few years have I started finishing complete musical thoughts. I'm at least somewhat well-adjusted now, but I carry a great deal of social anxiety that had kept me frozen and self-conscious for a long time. The early Big Big Buildings EP's and demos were always just sketches and experiments that I had a blast discovering. Some more elaborate than others, but experiments nonetheless. These days, I listen to so many different kinds of music and all of it's majesty just fascinates me. I'm even inspired and influenced by music I don't like. You will see some strong influences on this record because of that, but you will also find many departures into freewheeling experimental planes. I have always recorded my own albums, but Full Color Pharmacy is definitely my first actual work as a producer. I poured every bit of my heart and brain and instinct into the recording and production of this album. Everything from lyrical content, to composition, to the artwork & inserts for the CD's. Dave Chardo and Ryan Ward from The Okay Win joined me initially to play some live shows as Big Big Buildings, but ended up also contributing to the record on songs like "Just Over Young", "There Is A Wall" and "Sink Large". Those guys are my best friends and hearing them play on it just makes me so happy. I will never be entirely satisfied with anything I create, but Full Color Pharmacy is the closest I've ever come to fluently materializing an image in my head. 

- What does this effort mean to you personally? Does this represent another step in your musical evolution or does it mean something else entirely different?

Personally, it's nothing more to me than an attempt at mental and emotional transparency. The record has many moving parts, but it's scope is the simplicity of honesty through the complexity of circumstance. I think it represents the struggle to be totally present and honest, even when it feels like your thoughts, feelings an questions don't belong in this world. Art and music are the only things to ever make perfect sense to me and I want to play my small part in the ever-evolving creative conversation that stretches on forever. Essentially, this record means that I can go back out and make more records.

- Lastly, what are some of your favorite tunes off "Full Color Pharmacy" that you're most proud of and feel best characterizes the album?

The last song I wrote and recorded for this record is called, "Sink Large" and it's my favorite track. It is all at once the most complete song on the album, yet feels like it's some incomplete thought that never ends. I emptied a lot of beautiful gripes with life, relationships, government, religion and human nature into that song. It seems to represent being passed a torch that represents hardship, emotional bankruptcy, and spiritual loss instead of all the glistening promises of perseverance you were fed in your youth. Also that song houses my favorite couplet I've ever written:

"Drop that burning sun into my hands / Let them fold their costumes on my bed" For whatever reason, those lines hold some truth that I may never decode.

Thanks once again to my buddy Adam McElreath for taking some time out to do this interview. Adam has been one of the most fascinating and intriguing musical subjects that I've ever covered on the blog, and the way he approaches crafting and articulating these compositions has completely altered my perception of what's decent and honest about music, and he is definitely one of the most important people in my life that has shaped my musical tastes in some aspects to this point. Please check out Big Big Buildings latest effort "Full Color Pharmacy", now available for purchase on their Bandcamp page located right here.

Artist Spotlight: Caspian

Starting off the first official day of summer and headed into the weekend with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head up to the North Shore to Beverly, MA and uncover the diverse sounds of Caspian. The band consists of Philip Jamieson, Joe Vickers, Erin Burke-Moran, Calvin Joss, Chris Friedrich, and Jonny Ashburn. The group has an eclectic, ambient musical approach to their songs that borders somewhere between indie-rock and alternative with some hard rocking interludes embedded somewhere in between. I was amazed with the overall simplicity of this group, and how meticulous they were in creating their music and how it doesn't need classification to fall into one specific genre, and I feel that's the great thing about music where you shouldn't feel the need to group bands together with other artists that sound somewhat similar, when in actuality they have vast differences between the other groups that make them wholly unique and true originals who are masters of their craft. An unsung act that is definitely deserving of more exposure here on the blog and elsewhere. Some recommended tracks to check out from their catalogue include "Moksha" and "Some Are White Light".

For more information on the guys in Caspian, head on over to their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it so that you can stay up to date with everything that they have going on in their world. You can follow the band on Twitter right over here and find out when the band will be making an appearance in the MA area with a live concert appearance! Visit the group's official website here for more in depth info pertaining to the band, and all the band's music is available for streaming and/or purchase from their Bandcamp site located right here.

Artist Spotlight: Vending Machetes

Starting off your Thursday with another brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we take a look at an up and coming Boston band by the name of Vending Machetes. The band consists of Abe Kimball on guitar and vocals, Ryan Schwartzel on bass and vocals, Pat Hanlin on drums and vocals, and SG Roman on guitars and vocals. The band has a raw, distorted garage rock feel similar in the vein of At the Drive In and Piebald with an edgy, melodic sensibility to them that makes them real and authentic, and also makes them stand out prominently from the other crop of local Beantown acts. I really enjoyed the band's approach to crafting diverse and funky tunes that took influences from genres all over the map, and the great thing about them is that they can't be confined to one genre, and sometimes that can be frustrating for bands and fans alike to classify what genre they belong to, but the classification doesn't really matter as it's local, old-fashioned rock and roll with a strong musical component attached to it that listeners will really take a shine to. A terrific local act that deserves to pushed a little further up the musical pole. Some recommended tracks for you to take a listen at include "The Place Where No One Waits" and "Hindu Cows".

For more information on the guys in Vending Machetes, head on over to their Facebook page here and see what they're all about musically. The band can also be followed on Twitter from this location here and find out if the band will be playing again in the Boston area sometime soon! Their latest album "Good Grief" is now available for purchase on iTunes, and also available on their Bandcamp page at this address right here.

The Almost - Fear Inside Our Bones

Clearwater, Florida's own The Almost are back with their third studio album, Fear Inside Our Bones. The follow up to 2009's Monster, Monster finds the group largely deviating from their prior musical blueprint, and heading towards a more homegrown, country tinged direction that is reflective of the Southern musical climate that they live in, and also represents a drastic change of musical pace for the group that will suit them well in the long run.

The album starts out with the eerie first single, "Ghost" a distorted, jumbled tune that features the terrific lead vocals of Aaron Gillespie, who lends a great deal to the band's artistic direction and their overall musical output that has made them one of the unsung bands in the burgeoning Florida music scene. The disc's title track is a melodic, toned down affair featuring lush guitar arrangements, and a sharp, driven musical outlook that showcases the diversity that the band is capable of, and is refreshing to see the band's new musical identity taking shape right before your eyes. My favorite track off the album is the fast paced "I'm Down" an outstanding, pulsating track that features blasting guitar riffs and Aaron's focused and driven vocal abilities pouring into every space of the track with a force and brevity not seen or implemented on a grander scale until now, just a perfect all around tune. "Come On" is a dazzling, simple structured tune that features breezy, melodically structured guitar riffs that bring in you almost immediately upon first listen, and give you an idea of the musical course they're about to embark on in the second half of the album.

And the second half gets off to a rousing start on "Fight Song" an intense, frenetic rocker that sees the band adjusting tempos and putting it into overdrive here with fast paced guitar riffs and pounding drum arrangements that clearly articulate the band's musical direction and where they're headed. "i Won't Let Go" features some nifty guitar arrangements that were featured in the beginning portion of the album, and sees the band continuing their push towards the conclusion of the album with a sensational track that leaves you in awe and wonder of what they're going to do next. We get ready to close out the album with "Love Is Coming Down" a somber, laid-back tune that is significantly lower in terms of speed and intensity, and offers up something different from the guys to give you a little diversity and show the band's full musical arsenal right before you. "Lonely Boy" concludes matters here on the album with a sleek, toned out musical number that features some distinct country influences embedded in the background that showcase the band's influences that are representative of the area in which they live, and also showcase the band's refocused musical dynamic that has been breathtaking to see and has developed into a thoroughly enjoyable musical experience as a whole. I've been a huge fan of The Almost's music from the get go, ever since their debut in 2007 "Southern Weather", I've completely idolized Aaron's skills as a drummer, musician, and frontman. He totally exudes drive and confidence and has been a huge inspiration to me both musically and personally, and it's astonishing to see the musical progression him and the band have made from their debut to their latest effort heard here.

Looking back, a terrific and full fledged effort here from The Almost, who have taken a huge leap forward in terms of musical progression and physical presence with a sharply focused effort here that exudes confidence and charisma from all band members involved, and sees the band largely abandoning their old musical fingerprint and evolving into a full featured rock band capable of anything that they see fit.

                                                                                                                       Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Ghost
2. Fear Inside Our Bones
3. I'm Down
4. Never Be Like You
5. Come On
6. The Florida Sun
7. Fight Song
8. I Won't Let Go
9. So What
10. Love Is Coming Down
11. Lonely Boy   

Artist Spotlight: Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers

Back to kick off an all new edition of Artist Spotlight for the week! Today, we head over to Lansing, Michigan and uncover the vibrant and diverse sounds of Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. The band consists of Joe Hertler on lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica, Ryan Hoger on guitar, Kevin Pritchard on bass, Pinetop Deadfish on drums, Mickey Soho on piano, and Aaron Stinson on saxophone. The music covers a wide range of influences including folk and some Motown blended wonders that sounds like a lovechild between Broken Social Scene and The Lumineers with a whole host of musical wonders just waiting to be discovered. I was impressed with the band's ability to bring everything to the forefront here, including all of their musical influences and present themselves the way they intended with high energy rhythms and moving, transcendent vocals that left me with my jaw on the floor by the time I was through listening to them. I really enjoyed the addition of a saxophone into the mix, and Aaron's musical wisdom lends a great deal to the band's musical dexterity and allows them to move on a higher pedestal than other bands within their respective genre. A terrific upstart band that is primed to get their second wind sooner or later. Some recommended songs for you to take a listen at include "Your Story" and "Hometown".

For more information on the guys in Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, head on over to their Facebook page here and discover what they're all about from a musical perspective. You can also follow the band on Twitter as well from this location here and find out if the band will be stopping by the Beantown area sometime soon with a concert appearance! Visit their website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and all their music is available for streaming and/or purchase from their Bandcamp site located over here.  

MusicBoxPete Presents: Artist Spotlight, Vol. 1 Is Now Available!

Proud to announce that the blogs first ever digital compilation CD, MusicBoxPete Presents: Artist Spotlight, Vol.1 is now available! I'm so excited to begin this new phase of the blog, and it has expanded into something that has gone far beyond what I had ever imagined. This CD contains 12 tracks from some of Boston and New England's most promising on-the-rise acts.

Among the acts featuring brand new tracks on the compilation are Boston's own Bear Language, who have been featured multiple times on the blog as an Artist Spotlight feature, album review, and various news related articles pertaining to them as well. Their new track, "Questionable Commodities" comes from their just released debut studio album "Rememory", and is a great way for music fans to get accustomed to their unique blend of indie rock. Another local act featuring a brand new song are The Foresters. Based out of Bethany, CT the youngsters have quickly grown to become one of the top breaking acts featured here on the blog, culminating with them being named last year's Artist Spotlight of the Year winners, and their new track, "Addiction" showcasing an extreme leap forward of musical maturity and self-awareness of what they want to be as musicians, and this track highlights the boys' highly stylized blend of pop-punk rhythms that gnaw you almost instantaneously.

If you would like to listen to the compilation in its entirety, simply head on over to the blogs official Bandcamp page located here and listen to all the songs gathered before you to listen at your leisure. You may also download the album on a "name your own price" scale if you wish, and keep an eye out for future digital compilations that will be released sporadically over the next few months, and all having different themes related to them as well. Thanks to all the artists for allowing me to feature their music on this compilation!

Scream Shout To Release New Album "Threads" on July 22

British rockers Scream Shout are ready to release their first album of recorded material in 5 years titled "Threads". The album will be released on July 22 via Scylla Records and the guys are offering up a free preview of the forthcoming release with the song "I Should Have Been A Pair Of Ragged Claws" now available for free streaming or download from their Bandcamp page located right here. Here is the track listing for "Threads":

1) Sister, You Don't Know What Rough Is

2) Young Bucks

3) Conductor, Conduct

4) A Hush & A Heavy Hand

5) A Great Roar

6) Threads

7) I Should Have Been A Pair Of Ragged Claws

8) Over Over Out

9) Hold 'Em Up

10) The Hardest Part

11) We Bake We Sew

"Threads" is now available for pre-order via the Scylla Records Big Cartel store located at this address here. For more information on the guys in Scream Shout, check out their Facebook page here and their Twitter feed located here. The band will also be embarking on a rotating headlining U.K. tour with Sleeping Lessons and Hello Lazarus in support of the forthcoming release. For all my overseas readers, here is the itinerary of which bands will be playing on what dates:

7/19/2013 Cheltenham, England; G's Bar (Scream Shout, Sleeping Lessons & Hello Lazarus)

7/20/2013 London, England; Star of Kings ( Scream Shout, Sleeping Lessons & Hello Lazarus)

7/21/2013 Cardiff, England; Full Moon (Sleeping Lessons & Hello Lazarus)
7/22/2013 Bristol, England; Exchange (Scream Shout, Sleeping Lessons & Hello Lazarus)

7/26/2013 Swindon, England; Riffs (Hello Lazarus)

Bent Knee, Symmetry, and Licious to Perform at Walter-Aid Benefit Concert @ Radio

Some Boston and New England based musical acts are all joining together for a good cause to benefit charity! Boston's own Bent Knee and Licious, and Providence's own Symmetry will be the highlighted performers at the Walter-Aid benefit concert taking place at Radio next Thursday in Somerville, MA. The proceeds from ticket sales will directly help pets in need via www.imom.org, an organization created in the memory of Magic the Cat and dedicated to providing monetary assistance for families in desperate need of life saving veterinary treatments for their pets, and educating the general public about the benefits of spaying and neutering their beloved creatures.

There will be tons of raffle prizes to be given away in between the band's sets. They include:

- 12 hours of studio time at Dirty Water Sound of Boston
- Gift certificate from Shag Hairstyling of Boston
- Tattoo time courtesy of Good Mojo Tattoo of Beverly
- Dog training and walking provided by Alicia Posell, KPA CTP
- An assorted grab bag featuring merch and/or music from the artists in the showcase

The event will be hosted by Nash DeVille from the Boston League of Women Wrestlers and the event will take place on June 20th at Radio in Somerville, MA. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 if you buy them at the door. The event is 21+ and the doors will open at 7pm with performances starting at 8pm. For more information on the event, click on the Facebook event page here to get the scoop on this terrific concert all done to help the animals.

Artist Spotlight: Bodega Girls

Closing out this Friday with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight, and this one comes courtesy of Boston's own electro rockers Bodega Girls. The band consists of Jacob Otis, EvRock, Jay, Carmen, and Stephen "H. Christ" The Lord. These guys have a high energy, vivacious playing style that manages to incorporate soul, funk, and some slight electro touches to create something totally unique and one musical combination that hasn't been accomplished to a great deal of fanfare until now. I managed to catch these guys in concert a few weeks ago when they opened for Yeasayer at The Sinclair, and I was totally enthralled with their stage presence and their ability to communicate effectively with the audience, something which I think is a essential component for any local act to exhibit when they're on stage. The band definitely left an indelible impression on me, and they're definitely bound to go places well beyond the Beantown area. Some recommended tracks for you to peruse over include "Live Free Or Die" and "Everybody Wants A Piece Of My Baby".

For more information on the peeps in Bodega Girls, head on over to their Facebook page here and see what these people are all about upfront from a musical perspective. You may also follow the band on Twitter from right over here and find out if the band will be stopping by the Boston area sometime soon in concert! Visit their official website here for more in depth information pertaining to the band, and check out their music now available on Spotify and Rdio among fine digital streaming music outlets.

Artist Spotlight: Morning Teleportation

For today's edition of Artist Spotlight, we venture down to Bowling Green, Kentucky and check in with the psychedelic infused sounds of Morning Teleportation. The band consists of Travis Goodwin on keyboards, Tres Coker on drums, Paul Wilkerson on bass, and Tiger Merritt on lead vocals and guitar. The band's musical style manages to take in late 60's era psychedelic influences, and manages to make them sound current and unique in today's musical climate. I really enjoyed the band's take on this genre of music, and the guys also managed to sneak in some subtle folk elements and more upbeat classic rock influences in their sound that gives off a nostalgic feel, and make you yearn for the bands of yesteryear who had a great deal of influence in shaping the current crop of up and coming bands who are starting to come into their own and make their presence known to a prospective group of music listeners. A great up and coming band that is definitely deserving of more plays in your music library. Some great songs recommended to have a listen at include "Crystalline" and "Expanding Anyway".

For more information on Morning Teleportation, head on over to their Facebook page here and find out everything you need to know about the guys, including most importantly their music! The band can be followed on Twitter at this location here and find out when the band will be stopping by your hometown with a concert appearance. Visit their record label's website Glacial Pace Recordings here for more in depth information pertaining to the band.

Troy Cartwright - Bull Run

Dallas, TX's own Troy Cartwright makes his long awaited return with his all new EP titled Bull Run. The amazingly talented singer-songwriter who also spent some time up here in the Boston area where he attended Berklee College of Music, brings his trademark folk/country hybrid on a more grander scale this time around, and allows for his audience to delve even deeper into his musical persona.

The disc kicks off with my personal favorite track off the album, "Sixteen". The track is an frenetic, upbeat musical joy with high energy guitar riffs and Troy's passionate vocal presence and insightful lyrical outline that immediately makes you feel what Troy is describing at the same time, even though you may not clearly identify with what he's singing about, you'll get the gist of it by the time the song is over. "I'm With You" is a pure, homegrown country style ballad with wistful and joyous folk tinged rhythms immediately making you feel relaxed and honored to be in the musical presence of such a talented musician who has a clear grasp of the type of music he wants to play, and how he wants to communicate with his musical audience at the same time. "Coffee In The Morning" is a polished and reworked version of a track that previously appeared on his debut effort. In comparison to the original version, this one features more prominent folk tinged rhythms that make it an entirely new track altogether, and allows you to see Troy's musical mission being realized and executed to perfection here on a terrific and well thought out tune. We wrap things up here with "Paris, TX", a truly beautiful track that features lightly touched acoustic guitar rhythms and Troy's delicate vocal abilities bringing it all back home with a track that manages to incorporate all the elements from the prior songs to create an encapsulated overview of the album at a glance, and manages to fully capture the spirit and essence of Troy's musical craft hard at work in full force here. I've had the pleasure of seeing Troy perform in person at concert and have seen him create music in the studio as well, and I'm constantly in awe of how much skill and devotion he gives to each and every song he creates, and while it might sometimes be frustrating for some performers to clearly articulate of how they want to sing certain lyrics, Troy has a clear vision mapped out in his head of how he wants his artistic vision to be realized, and the plan has come to fruition on an highly successful and creative musical effort heard here.

In retrospect, an absolutely terrific and full focused effort here from Troy Cartwright, who has brought everything in his arsenal here to create a highly skilled and honed in effort here that fully captures the musical spirit and essence that he wanted to create in the first place, and puts him in a class all his own. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Sixteen
2. I'm With You
3. Coffee In The Morning
4. Paris, TX 

Artist Spotlight: Abadabad

Kicking off the week with another all new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to Allston, MA (otherwise known as Allston Rock City) and check in with the emerging and frenetic sounds of Abadabad. The band consists of Jeremy Given, Adam Young, Welly Netto, Tim Batchelor, and Josh Northcutt. The band's music is an eclectic and exciting mixture of garage rock rhythms a la The Strokes mixed in with a subtle, dance-rock element that will definitely keep you on your toes and into the groove as you experience the otherworldly vibe that the band have created specifically for this occasion. You may remember my post about them a couple of weeks back featuring their new song "Take It Slow" that I proclaimed as one of the definitive summer anthems of 2013, and it's apparent that they have something special going on here with one of the most catchiest and best produced tracks from a local band that I've heard in quite some time. A terrific local band that is only going to get more popular and widespread over time. Other recommended tracks for you to take a listen at include "All The Bros Say" and "Babe Mountain".

For more info on the guys in Abadabad, head on over to their Facebook page here and get a sense of where these guys are coming from with their amazing rhythms, and it's also where you can download "Take It Slow" free of charge. You can also follow the band on Twitter as well from this location here and find out if the band will be making an appearance in the Boston area sometime soon. Visit their Bandcamp site here where you can stream and download their latest EP titled "The Wild", and see why makes them one of Boston's most groovetastic bands!

EXCLUSIVE: Stream The Foresters New Single "Addiction"

Last year's Artist Spotlight of The Year champs The Foresters are ready to give fans an exclusive sneak peek of their forthcoming album with a brand new single titled "Addiction". The song is a huge step forward for the youngsters and exemplifies the pop-punk style that the boys are heavily influenced by and emulated in such contemporaries such as All Time Low and Yellowcard, and allows the boys to communicate effectively through the power of music and this is what drives them to create music each and every day.

To stream the new single, click on the 'Play' button on the Soundcloud player embedded below, and the boys will also be heading out on the road for a bunch of shows over the next month or so as the summer concert season gets underway! Here is the full list of upcoming dates along with links to purchase tickets for the show:

Jun 13	Bethany Carnival	Bethany, CT	Tickets & More...
Jun 14	Bethany Carnival	Bethany, CT	Tickets & More...
Jun 15	Bethany Carnival	Bethany, CT	Tickets & More...
Jul 15	West Haven High School	West Haven, CT	Tickets & More...
Jul 24	Stepping Stones	Norwalk, CT	Tickets & More...
Jul 25	The American Legion	Mohawk, NY	Tickets & More...
Jul 26	Chameleons	Pittsfield, MA	Tickets & More...
Jul 27	The Room	Newtown, CT	Tickets & More...
Jul 28	Live2create	Newburgh, NY	Tickets & More...

Grouplove Release Music Video For Brand New Track "Ways To Go"

Los Angeles, CA's own Grouplove are giving fans a taste of their forthcoming album with a brand new music video that they just released this morning titled "Ways To Go". The song is an upbeat, cutting edge track that features uplifting and danceable melodies set on a drift of pure, unadulterated bliss that will make you want to get up and dance, and doing it all with a positive attitude to boot! Check out the video above to see the newest that Grouplove has to offer you, and check out the upcoming album from them "Spreading Rumours", which will be out on September 17th.

For more information on Grouplove, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here.

Product Review: Sonos Play:5 Wireless HiFi Music Player

The Sonos Play:5 Wireless Hi Fi Music System is a fantastic way to listen to all the music you love in one smart and sleek package featuring a rich, dynamic sound that will blow your socks off and put all the other music systems that you previously owned to shame.

One thing that I really enjoyed about the Sonos system was its size: very small, not too bulky, and fits just right either in the corner of your room or on the bookshelf, it doesn't take up too much space at all and never gets in the way of anything in your home. The functioning of the system can be controlled either through the Sonos controller on your desktop/laptop or via the Controller app on your smartphone device. I used the Controller on my iPhone 4 and the app allowed me to control the volume from anywhere I was in the house, even if the system was downstairs I could still control the music that was playing in the house even if I couldn't hear it.

As for the music itself, the sound was superb and top notch, I was able to play music directly from my iTunes library, and I could add songs freely to the queue without having to scroll through my library figuring out which song I'm going to play next. I was also able to listen to my Pandora stations as well, with sound that puts my old Bluetooth speaker on the bench collecting dust. I encountered no streaming difficulties whatsoever and the connection worked seamlessly and everything worked perfectly to a T, likewise for my TuneIn Radio presets which give me the ability to listen to my FM radio stations without having to worry about reception or trying to get a station that would traditionally be out of my range on any other device. I was also able to listen to the streaming services I currently subscribe to, most notably Rdio which allowed me the greatest and far reaching access to everything from their catalog without having to switch between different apps to get songs that might not be available through a provider. I was also able to access Rhapsody and Spotify as well from Sonos, each featuring differing amounts of diversity in terms of availability from the song catalog.

The Sonos Bridge system, which allows you to connect to your wireless network, provided me with the comfort and ease of always having music at your fingertips, and letting the system be your own personal DJ while you're out relaxing on the back deck, or mingling with friends inside while at a party. The initial setup of the device was easy and painless compared to other systems, and didn't leave you fumbling for instruction manuals afterwards to figure out how things work or where you plug in certain cords, because there wasn't too many of those.

The rich sound of the system is provided by a 5 driver speaker system, hence it's name. It also comes bundled with 5 digital amps, 2 tweeters, 2 mid range drivers, and 1 bass driver that when all combined, provide for a formidable and outstanding presence in the market for music enjoyment and pleasure. Out of all the music systems I've listened to over the years, this one has the purest and most unadulterated sound that is almost liquid like in nature in that you can hear every note as clearly as it was recorded while in the studio, something that is almost impossible to duplicate exactly, but Sonos is able to accomplish with great skill and detail.

Quite simply, this is one of the most intuitive and groundbreaking music systems that I've ever used to this point. The functionality and ease of use takes all the worry and frustration of what music to play next, and allows you to listen to your music from any point in your house without having to lug around your laptop or booklet of CD's. Perfect for the music enthusiast who wants to listen to their entire music library at their fingertips.

                                                                                                                            Overall Review: 5/5

For more information on Sonos and their entire offering of music systems, plus how you can purchase one, simply visit their website at: www.sonos.com

Artist Spotlight: Late In The Playoffs

Wrapping up the week with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to the Windy City of Chicago, IL and check in with the pounding pop-punk rhythms of Late In The Playoffs. The band consists of Aaron Goldschmidt, Dan Schein, Christian Ray, and Connor Page. As I just mentioned, the band's music is a straightforward mixture of pop-punk reminiscent of Saves The Day and Taking Back Sunday with a sound musical structure and blasting, melodic interludes that hit at you instantly and give you a sense of the musical influences that they grew up with. I basically grew up on this type of music while in high school, and I can clearly identify with the musical rhythms and poignant lyricism that takes me back to that particular era, where hundreds of bands were sprouting up all over the country and were all geared towards one common goal, fostering a relationship with the listening audience and bonding together over their mutual love of the same bands, something that I strongly feel is an essential ingredient in nurturing friendships these days. A terrific act that is always welcome over in the Boston area anytime. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "The Wayside" and "Force of Nature".

For more information on the boys in Late In The Playoffs, visit their Facebook page here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well so that you can get the full effect of what they're all about. The band can be followed on Twitter as well from over here and find out when the band will be hitting the Beantown area next while out on tour! Visit their Bandcamp site here to listen to all of their music, and keep an eye out for their brand new album "Alive And On Your Own", which is expected to be released sometime soon.

Artist Spotlight: The Shallows

Kicking things off on this Thursday with another brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head across the pond to London, England and discover the emerging sounds of a band called The Shallows. The band consists of Tom Skelton, Russ Cragg, Al Hewitt, and Joe White. The band's sound is a mixture of eclectic and bombastic alternative rock reminiscent of Bloc Party and Phoenix with their own unique identity embedded deep within the confines of their music that makes them stand out from the burgeoning crop of U.K. bands currently out there today. What I enjoyed most about the band is the familiarity of the music to me as I'm a huge alternative rock junkie and I basically grew up on this style of music, and it was something that I could easily enjoy from the get go without much difficulty whatsoever, plus I really admired the band's work ethic and their ability to communicate with each other eloquently on a musical level. A great Brit band that is well deserving of more press here in the U.S. Some recommended tracks for you to discover from them include "Thieves" and "Guessing Games".

For more information on the chaps in The Shallows, head on over to their Facebook page here and find out more about the guys and what they can do to whet your musical appetite. Follow the band on Twitter here and find out if the band will be making an appearance here in the States for a live performance! Check the band's official website here for more in depth information pertaining to the band, and check out their Bandcamp page here where you can stream their latest EP "Same Space, Vol. 2" and also download it for free on a name your own price scale.

Drunken Logic - Something New To Burn

Boston's own Drunken Logic have just released their debut album titled Something New To Burn. The disc is an eclectic, diverse blend of indie rock rhythms mixed in with a prominent lyrical insight that presents a new breed of a group that takes elements from various genres, and presents it in a format that is easy to articulate and comprehend in simple musical terms.

We start things off with "Philadelphia Song", a piano laced ballad that greets you warmly with the breezy lead vocals of Jake Cassman that provides for a relaxing backdrop that lasts for the duration of the album and lasts well into the disc's latter half as well. The album's title track is my favorite song off the album, a smooth, melodic blast that goes down well with sharp, poignant guitar riffs that hit you at just the right level, and give you another facet of the band to marvel over and just stand in awe of the wide range of genres that they're capable of dabbling in with sharp precision, an all-around terrific track. "Empty Room" is a loud, spaced out track that features fast paced guitar riffs and Jake's simple structured vocal format that works particularly well for this song, and doesn't feel the need to be too brash or too overwhelming at all. "The Day I Came of Age" is a fantastic, acoustic based tune that throws in a little folk sensibility for good measure, and relies upon the goodwill of both the members of the band, and the current listening audience to make them feel part of the act and join together in this harmonious, congregational style track that really hits all the right notes from the get go.

The second half of the album takes shape with "Revisionist History (Haven't Changed A Thing)" a soft, piano infused tune that takes things down several notches from where they were before, and presents a more downtempo frame of mind for the guys and showcases their ability to weave into your consciousness with powerful and inspiring folk based tracks. "Common $ense" is a more abrasive, frenetic track that hits at a various angles all over the place and sometimes might become a little too much to handle for some, but is still a solid track all around nonetheless. The disc gets ready to conclude on "Every Bastard Drinking Alone", an ambient, melancholy tune that starts to ushers in a feel of demise as we get ready to end things here on a wholly worthwhile and fascinating listening experience thus far. The album comes to an end on "St. Botolph" a varied, uptempo rocker that presents a wide range of tempos and influences we've heard at various points throughout the album, and presents us with an overall synopsis of the album and the various musical wavelengths that we've encountered on our journey towards the conclusion of the album. It's refreshing to hear bands who don't confine themselves to just one genre of music, and instead get their feet wet in various other genres of music that over time will make them a longer lasting and more full featured band in the process who are willing to take a creative risk each and every time. Drunken Logic are a band that definitely fits all of the aforementioned criteria.

All in all, an outstanding and well rehearsed debut effort from Drunken Logic, who are making an artistic statement and making their presence known on the local scene with an ambitious and creative endeavor that makes them a band definitely worth checking out both on record and in concert!

                                                                                                                   Album Review: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Philadelphia Song
2. Something New To Burn
3. Not Quite Heaven
4. Empty Room
5. The Day I Came of Age
6. The World Won't End Today
7. Revisionist History (Haven't Changed A Thing)
8. Common $ense
9. Rhythm of the Rain
10. Every Bastard Drinking Alone
11. St. Botolph

Artist Spotlight: Friendly People

Kicking off the month of June with a stellar, all-new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we check in with an emerging and promising young act emanating from right here in the Boston suburbs by the name of Friendly People. The band consists of Pat McCusker, Mitchell Stewart, Jeff Butcher, Matt Gerhard, Andrew Sarlo, Sebastian Modak, and Davis Rowan. The band's music is an organic mixture of ambient, homegrown instrumentation similar to the likes of Vampire Weekend with a strong musical outset, and a general idea of who they want to be as musicians as well. What really struck me about these guys is the overall simplicity of the music, and how easily identifiable and enjoyable it was, and it generated a sense of calm and relaxation within me, something that is very difficult for other bands to do, especially those who dabble in a wide variety of genres and wavelengths. The band has a really high likeability factor from the get go, and they stand out prominently from the other crop of Boston based acts. A great local band hanging on the outskirts that deserves to move up the musical pedestal. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Here We Are" and "New York".

For more information on Friendly People, head on over to their Facebook page here and get to know the guys better on a more personal level. You can also follow the boys on Twitter from right over here and find out when the guys will be stopping by the Boston area with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and if you would like to check out their debut full length album "Shake", it's now available for streaming and purchase on their Bandcamp site located right here.

Vampire Weekend Release Music Video For "Diane Young"

NYC's most popular indie rockers Vampire Weekend have released their music video for "Diane Young", the first single off their just released third album, Modern Vampires of The City, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release a few weeks ago. The video features the band seated at a long table with a host of colorful characters seated alongside them, and all hell breaking loose with clips of the band performing intersparsed throughout the video and giving way to a host of random and hilarious situations involving the band that present the gents in a new frame of mind and show a laid-back, humorous side of the guys that we haven't seen much of in quite some time. Check out the video above and pick up their latest album now available in both physical and digital formats!

Track Listing For "MusicBoxPete Presents: Artist Spotlight, Vol. 1"

The track listing for the first blog compilation titled "MusicBoxPete Presents: Artist Spotlight, Vol. 1" has been finalized. The disc is loaded and rearing to go with 12 exquisite tracks from some of Boston and New England's most talented and promising on the rise acts that have been covered or featured in some capacity here on the blog as an Artist Spotlight feature! Here is the track listing for the album:

1. Bear Language - Questionable Commodities
2. The Relevant Elephants - Hot Air Balloon
3. Melanie Lynx - Perfectly Flawed
4. The Doctor's Fox - Diva
5. Me vs. Gravity - Begin
6. The Okay Win - Cliff
7. Speak In Verse - This Side Up
8. City of Squares - Dynamite
9. The Foresters - Addiction
10. Troy Cartwright - Thick of It
11. Max Garcia Conover - Burrow
12. The Grownup Noise - Six Foot Solemn Oath

The compilation will be released in digital format only on June 18th via my Bandcamp site located here. Please continue to check into the blog for any further updates related to the compilation as the release date draws closer.