Sofar Sounds Brings A New Meaning To The Idea of Private Listening Rooms

Sofar Sounds just had their inaugural Boston show this past Thursday at an apartment complex in Allston, MA that brought a new concept into the burgeoning idea of private concerts attended by a exclusive group of people with a lineup that is shrouded in mystery until the day of the actual concert, and brings a sense of camaraderie and friendship between the musicians and the audience gathered there before them.

The acts that performed at Thursday's exclusive show were Vinnie Ferra from New York City, who came with an intriguing violin and cello combination that started the night off on the right foot and gave us an idea of what to expect moving forward. Watertown, MA's own Friendly People played a stripped down acoustic set there, with frontman Pat McCusker feeling right at home playing barefoot and being his usual energetic and charismatic self interacting with the audience in between songs. Isis Lune brought in a sleek and sophisticated jazz style, and performed a terrific Portishead cover that really grabbed my attention throughout the set, and was one of the highlights of the evening. Gene & Max closed out the set with a beat boxing set that almost brought the house down complete with a didgeridoo that completely shattered the musical walls, and presented a completely fresh air of originality and cleverness that I haven't seen in music for quite some time.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable music experience, and I had a great time there interacting with a few people there during the course of the night, and partaking in some cocktails with some attendees as well. For more information on Sofar Sounds and to inquire about having a private show at your own place of residence, click on their website here. 

MuzicNotez Rap Battle Participants Announced

The acts taking place in the Rap portion of the MuzicNotez Battle of the Bands have been announced. As you may know, LOKA won the Rock portion of the contest and will be among 4 acts taking place in the Championship battle, and now the Rap acts will get an opportunity to make their presence known among the music community. Here are the rappers that will be taking part in the contest:

A.V.

Lyrikill

Shawn Lyricz

D.K.

Supa

Flozel

To vote for the participants and listen to some of their tracks, head on over to MuzicNotez's website here to take a listen and make your vote count as to who will go on in the battle.

Artist Spotlight: Maybrick

Closing out the month of September with the last Artist Spotlight feature of the week! Today, we stay nearby and head over to North Reading, MA where we come in contact with our very own Maybrick. The band consists of Dennis Houle on lead guitars and vocals, Jimmy Corbett on guitar, Scott Angelini on drums, Cory Nitzsche on bass, and Matt Macaulay on backup vocals. The band has a high energy, hard rocking sound similar to that of Underoath and Avenged Sevenfold with their own unique spin put on it to get a better understanding of where they come from musically. It may surprise some, but I do enjoy some metal music although I tend to enjoy more metalcore acts like the aforementioned Underoath, Pierce The Veil, and Sleeping With Sirens, but something about Maybrick spoke to me with their own unique dynamic vision of what music should sound like that is representative of their own musical influences, and gives the prospective music listener an idea of what their basic musical makeup looks like. A promising local act definitely worthy of some additional exposure here on the site. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "At Your Worst" and "An Honest Day".

For more information on Maybrick, head on over to their Facebook page located here at your convenience to see what they bring to the table musically. Check out their music now available for streaming on their ReverbNation page right here, and keep an eye out for their full length debut album slated for release hopefully sometime before the end of the year. 

Artist Spotlight: Bad Rabbits

Starting off your Thursday with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we keep it local in Boston and uncover the dynamic and groovy sounds of Bad Rabbits. The band consists of Dua Boakye on vocals, Sheel Davé on drums, Salim Akram on guitar, Graham Masser on bass, and Santi Araujo on guitar. The band has an eclectic, groove infected sound similar to that of Sly and The Family Stone mixed in with a contemporary rock aesthetic that is unlike any other musical combo out there today, and have a trademarked sound that fans can easily identify with. I've had the pleasure of seeing these guys perform in the past, and they have an indelible and authentic stage presence to them that I can't adequately compare to any other act in the scene today, and are a band that can't possibly be confined to one genre and have that ability to dabble in other genres that allows them to cater to audiences outside their musical radar, and they definitely brought with them the ability to dance and have fun, something which translates well with the listening audience who joins together with the band in the spirit of dance to let loose and have a little fun in the process. A terrific local band that is definitely well on their way to musical stardom. Some tracks for you to check out for your listening pleasure include "We Can Roll" and "Can't Fool Me".

For more information on the guys in Bad Rabbits, head on over to their Facebook page right here and see what all the fuss is about related to these collective gentlemen. You can follow them on Twitter as well over here and find out when they'll be performing in the Boston area again sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest album "American Love, now available for purchase on iTunes at this link located here. 

Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull

Nashville, Tennessee's own Kings of Leon make their long awaited return with their all new studio release titled Mechanical Bull. The follow up to 2010's Come Around Sundown finds the alt-rockers continuing to bring with them their Southern charm and fascination for all things country with their exclusive blend of rock that is representative of the area in which they grew up in and also expresses their earnest musical influences that has gotten them to the point where they are now.

We kick things off with the indelible first single "Supersoaker", a high energy, steady rocker that features the weathered lead vocals of Caleb Followill contributing a great deal to the band's melodic output and has been a hallmark of the band's sound ever since they first began more than 10 years ago. "Rock City" has a sleek, sophisticated classic rock influence to it that takes you back to the 70's and the guys definitely play the part wonderfully with their fashion style fitting in well and giving the album a retro flashback feel to it. "Beautiful War" has a decidedly more downtempo feel to it that features lush instrumental arrangements brought to you by Caleb's brothers Jared and Nathan, plus their cousin Matthew providing a focused and creative family dynamic that is wholly unique and unlike any other musical outlet currently out there today. "Temple" is probably my favorite track off the album with its upbeat musical nature and fast paced tempo providing the perfect balance between all the other tracks featured on the disc and gives the effort some much needed clout and musical structure to it.

The second half begins with "Family Tree" a bombastic, fun filled track with an amazing drum pattern from Nathan that is a real treat to listen unfold right before you, and presents the band right square dab in their comfort zone that has served them well in the past, and works to fruition right here also. "Tonight" has a darker edged tone to it that has a vastly different musical makeup than the other tracks, but fits in well with the intention of each track to provide a wealth of diversity to the listener and give them something different to look forward to each and every time. We start to close up shop with "Coming Back Again" a gritty, flapping rocker with sharp and precise guitar riffs getting straight to the point and showcasing the band's stage presence and musical influences that have been scattered all about on the disc. "On the Chin" concludes our stay here with a downtempo and homegrown track that brings in all the influences we've heard in some capacity, and brings us an encapsulated overview for those just tuning in catching them up on what they may have missed so far. I was never a big Kings of Leon fan when I first heard them back in 2003, but grew attached to them upon listening to Aha Shake Heartbreak and really began to appreciate their musical stylings, most notably the track "Taper Jean Girl" that completely encapsulates their Southern charm and musical appreciation for everything that was around them growing up.

To sum it all up, a well rehearsed and plotted out effort from Kings of Leon, who continue to bring their blend of Southern inspired rock to the masses and present a band expressing the environment around them growing up, and how it has made them the men they are today.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Supersoaker
2. Rock City
3. Don't Matter
4. Beautiful War
5. Temple
6. Wait for Me
7. Family Tree
8. Comeback Story
9. Tonight
10. Coming Back Again
11. On the Chin  

Call Me Anything - The Best Damn Time EP

Boston's own perennial rock stars Call Me Anything are back with their latest studio effort titled The Best Damn Time. The follow up to last year's Celebrity EP finds the group deviating somewhat from their prior electro charged effort, and heads towards a more generalized pop sound that caters to their specific demographic that is constantly clamoring for new material from the group, and has been incredibly supportive to the group from the very beginning.

We open things up with "Down Below", a breezy, sun kissed tune featuring the terrific lead vocals of Will Tenney who contributes a great deal to the band's musical dynamic that has evolved greatly from their debut single "Let's Talk". The first single "Try This Again" is my favorite track off the album that features a glossy guitar riff that completely evokes the carefree spirit that the band tries to evoke both on record and on stage, and Matt McNulty does a terrific job of providing guitar and backing vocals, and is definitely the envy of teenage girls abound and has sort of reached that heartthrob, teen idol status that some musicians have an aspiration of reaching, and these guys have certainly entered that upper echelon of teenage fandom. "Good Thing" starts out with a neat whistling combo, before settling into a laid back acoustic pattern that is more diverse than the other tracks, and tends to do multiple things at once that sometimes get lost in translation and is somewhat disconcerting for the listener. "Our City" is a little bit more downtempo than the preceding track, and injects some synth-happy melodies that provide the perfect balance between the rest of the songs on the disc, and allows us to look forward to what the last song on the disc has to offer to balance everything out on a harmonic scale. "Dream Car" concludes our stay here on this disc, and has a indelible vocal track from Will that ties up all the loose ends abound, and makes us envy for driving around Southern California in an Audi, taking in everything that the environment has to offer us. I've had the honor and privilege of knowing Will and Matt for almost 2 years now, and they have been nothing short of gracious and humble people who I'm proud and honored to call my friends, and have been huge supporters of my site from Day 1 and who also won the Artist Spotlight of the Year Award back in 2011 that they so rightfully deserved for their tireless musical efforts and their incessant work ethic that has gotten them to the point they are at today.

In closing, a diverse and terrific collection of tunes from Call Me Anything, who continue to build up their musical credibility with each effort they make, and clearly show that they aren't some chick band, but a musical collective able to reach listeners and fans from all genres.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Down Below
2. Try This Again
3. Good Thing
4. Our City
5. Dream Car     

Artist Spotlight: Koji

Starting off another week of Artist Spotlight with a brand new installment! Today, we head down to Harrisburg, PA and check out the sounds of Koji. His music is a blend of indie-folk conjured upon a strong and sound lyrical framework that has a hidden social message embedded within the lyrics if you listen closely, and encourages you to take action after first listening to it that makes you feel empowered and ready to make a difference of the world at large. I was largely taken ahold of the sheer musical power and wisdom of the organic melodies, and the fact that his music has a social justice aspect to it really makes me have hope for the next generation of musicians currently making their way into the scene today. An immensely talented musician that is definitely deserving of exposure here on the site. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Peacemaker" and "Biomusicology".

For more information on Koji, head on over to his Facebook page located here to see and listen firsthand what his music is all about. You can follow him on Twitter as well right here and have face to face interaction with him and find out when he'll be playing in the Boston area again. Visit his official Tumblr webpage over here for more wide ranging info pertaining to his musical agenda, and check out his latest release "Never Come Undone" on his Bandcamp site at this location here.

Japanese Band LOKA Wins MuzicNotez Rock Battle

The MuzicNotez Rock Battle of the Bands have just concluded, and Japan based band LOKA has come out on top above all the other bands competing in the contest. It was a long, hard fought battle between the other bands, but LOKA had too much going for them and their fanbase came through strong in the clutch to provide them with the boost that they needed to win. LOKA will be moving on to the Championship Battle to take on the next 3 winners.

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

RÁJ Releases Music Video For "Ghost"

Up and coming musician RÁJ has released his brand new single and the video to accompany it called "Ghost". The video was shot on location in Budapest, Hungary and features stunning imagery to go along with it that is one of the most visually appealing clips I've seen in quite awhile, and it enhances the overall musical flavor of the track with thought provoking imagery and whimsical, out of this world sonic delights make you crave for more and puts your hand up asking for more. I was immediately sold when I first saw this clip, and I appreciate the song more for its visual artistic abilities and its desire to tell a story to the listening audience to make them feel like a part of the act. A terrific music video that is definitely one of the sleeper hits of the year.

View the video above to get a full sense of what it is I'm talking about, and get to know RÁJ better via his Twitter account from over here, his music is available on his Soundcloud page right here, and check out his Tumblr page as well from this location here.

Artist Spotlight: Receivers

Rounding out the week and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head out to the western portion of Massachusetts, and come into contact with the sounds of our own Receivers. The band consists of Michael Mruk, Ryan Goff, and Tyler Ochs. The band's music is a downtempo, melodic blend of pop-punk influences similar to that of Saves The Day and Yellowcard with a strong musical state of mind and a simple lyrical framework that fans can easily comprehend and apply to events currently going on in their everyday lives. I was enthralled when I heard these guys upon first listen, and impressed with how musically compact each track was and managed to pack in a considerable amount of punch which is just enough for the average listener to marvel over and experience what they have got to say musically. A terrific local band that is looking to move ahead of all the others in the pack. Some tracks for you to enjoy from them include "Keep It Low" and "Saturday Song".

For more information on the guys in Receivers, head on over to their Facebook page located here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're over there. The band's latest album "Haunts" is available for streaming on their Bandcamp page right here and on their Soundcloud site as well over here.

Artist Spotlight: Lions Lions

Starting off the final days of fall with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we have a hardcore band from right here in Boston that goes by the name of Lions Lions. The band consists of Joshua Herzer on lead vocals, Brandon Davis on guitar, Jon Kay on bass and backup vocals, Isaac Vigil on guitar, and Brian Cauti on drums. The band's sound is a mixture of melodic hardcore similar to that of Four Year Strong and Underoath with a strong lyrical framework and intense, in your face instrumentation that really hits you in the face the moment you first hear it, and immediately forces you to clamor out for more when the songs have concluded. I'm slowly starting to get into more hardcore music such as Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens, and this band has all the key musical components necessary to take it to the next level as they have established the type of music they want to play, and have started to cultivate an active fan following both in person and online that makes the group that much more visible to the naked eye. A terrific local band deserving of a shout out here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out from the guys include "Milestones" and "Undertow".

For more information on Lions Lions, head on over to their Facebook page here and get acquainted with the guys a little bit better upfront. Follow the band on Twitter from this location right here and find out when they'll be playing in the New England area again sometime soon. Visit their Tumblr page right here for more pertinent info related to the band, and check out their latest album "To Carve Our Names" on iTunes right here and where ever else fine digital music is sold.

Cfit - Morning Bruise EP

Dublin, Ireland's own Cfit have returned with their all new EP titled Morning Bruise. The follow up to their 2011 debut album Triage finds the indie rockers continuing to experiment with their organic and unusual combination of subtle electronic arrangements mixed in with a humble indie feel that makes for one of the more interesting musical combinations I've seen in quite some time.

We start things off with "Coke & Spriters", an indie-electro melange with distorted vocals whispering in the background providing for a layered and textured approach that really turns eyes and ears from first listen and allows the listener to continue listening in curiosity of what's coming up next down the pipe. "Heliophilia" picks up the pace a bit from the prior track, showcasing more noticeable musical pastures and the distorted synth arrangements begin to make their presence known to showcase the band's versatility and ability to adapt to ever changing musical climates that is one of the strengths of the group put on display here. "Tenderfoot" is my favorite song off the effort, with terrific vocals providing the narration of an eerie and ominous sounding track that best showcases the overall theme of the effort, and its ability to entice the listener with thought provoking melodies that puts the listener at work to try to make sense of what the whole song is about. "Spitefuck" wraps up our stay here with a marvelous synth loaded delight and jumbled vocals making great use of the musical environment raptured around and providing us with some much needed clarity as to what we experienced on this effort. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this effort as I don't usually listen to electronic music that much, but I'm a huge indie music junkie and coupling that with electro influences really made me want to listen with intrigue as the effort progressed, and the result is a worthy listening experience.

All throughout, a colorful and satisfying effort from Cfit, who are attempting to make their foray to American audiences with this simple effort that make take some time getting used to, but you will grow to appreciate over time after repeated listens.

                                                                                                                           EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Coke & Spriters
2. Heliophilia
3. Tenderfoot
4. Spitefuck  

Grouplove - Spreading Rumours

LA's own Grouplove have returned with their much anticipated sophomore effort Spreading Rumours. The follow up to 2011's Never Trust A Happy Song finds the high energy rockers picking up right where they left off on their last release with an upbeat and positive collection of tunes that totally evokes the carefree and sunshine filled spirit from southern California that will make your day that much better.

We kick things off with "I'm With You" a downtempo, piano driven tune that is a little out of the ordinary from the group, but fits in quite nicely with the other sonic arrangements gathered for you afoot. "Borderlines and Aliens" is a high energy, fast paced rocker featuring terrific vocal patterns from Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper who provide a great deal of the band's charisma and contribute a great deal to the cosmic makeup of the group that is well evoked in their music. Ryan Rabin also provides a terrific drum solo in this song that stands out particularly well here. My favorite song off the effort is the first single "Ways To Go", an electro fueled rocker that features dynamic time signatures and varying shifts in tempo that I've never witnessed before and features terrific dual vocal and guitar abilities from Andrew Wessen, and is just a flat out thrill to listen to front and back and one that you'll have on repeat for some time to come. "Shark Attack" is a peaceful and serene track, with harmonic vocal delights pouring out of the speakers instantly on contact, and immediately springs to life with thoughtful and inquisitive musical textures that give the album some zest and joy that the effort has already unloaded to a great degree so far. "Hippy Hill" is an eerie, mellowed out number that is radically different from the other songs featured on the album, and presents a wealth of diversity from the members in the process as we move forward to the second half of the album.

The second half begins with "Didn't Have To Go", an ethereal, somber sounding tune that features eloquent vocal arrangements from Hannah and soft, whispering instrumental patterns that provide for a quiet evening and almost feels like the band is performing right on your front porch or backyard taking in all the elements from the environment around them and the supporting cast gathered to watch them in action. "Bitin' The Bullet" provides some more upbeat musical tonality and gives some pep to a diverse and entertaining effort heard here so far. We get ready to punch out with "Raspberry", a earthy and radical delight with solid instrumentation and a driven musical edge to it that bodes well as we head into the final track "Save The Party For Me",  an acoustic styled ballad that brings together all the musical elements from everyone in the group that we've heard in one way, shape, or form here and gives us a look back to show how we got to this point musically, and brings everyone together in friendship and unison as we sing along together one last time. I was really enthused with Grouplove when I first heard "Tongue Tied" on the radio last year, and impressed with the band's effervescence and joy for life in general whether it be playing music or surfing at the beach, these guys evoke the southern California lifestyle that we have come to expect, but these guys clearly have a strong bond between one another that is beyond friendship and family, and is clearly displayed in the simplest musical terms here.

In reflection, a terrific and sensational second effort here from Grouplove, who continue to bring their brimming positivity and unbridled enthusiasm to the musical masses with an effort that fans will definitely grow to love upon first listen.

                                                                                                                         Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. I'm With You
2. Borderlines and Aliens
3. Schoolboy
4. Ways To Go
5. Shark Attack
6. Sit Still
7. Hippy Hill
8. What I Know
9. Didn't Have To Go
10. Bitin' The Bullet
11. News To Me
12. Raspberry
13. Save The Party For Me   

   

Young Lyons - Crash Course EP

Tulsa, OK's own Young Lyons have arrived on the scene with their debut released entitled "Crash Course". The premiere effort from the rockers is a unique blend of electronic and rock influences presented through a pop spectrum that allows for a broad range of listeners and allows the fans of respective genres to come together and reach a common ground between these two vastly different musical universes.

We start things off with "My Own Town" a unique pop/rock hybrid that features an indelible "woah-oh-oh" chorus that will have you singing along each time it comes on and shows the unique range that each musician has as they all contribute vocals that allows for a full bodied and deeply toned sound all together. My favorite song off the effort is "Kill" a fast-paced, steady electro-pop delight that best represents the band's sound and its effect on the listeners with its catchy hooks that are designed to reel the listener in and allow them to feel at ease with the enticing melodies keeping them occupied all the way throughout.  "Away Tonight" features a heavy dose of synth influences and a more toned down musicality all the way throughout that shows the musical versatility of the gents and their ability to dabble in a variety of tempos makes the band stand out prominently from the other acts like them in the scene right now.

The second half of the effort features "I Give Up", which has a more harder rock edged sound to it and has some faint electronic influences in the background to bring their own signature blend of rock to a willing and receptive audience. This provides an enjoyable and thorough listening experience as we head into the final song on the album, "Girlfriend's Got Me Down" a downtempo, somber sounding tune that really cuts into the emotional core inside the effort, and allows everyone listening to come together and experience an emotional connection with the music, which is really the point of music in general and puts a wrap on a well executed effort heard here. I was impressed with what Young Lyons brought to the table on this effort, and most pleased with their ability to keep things simple and straightforward, and right to the point lyrically with the emotional connection being triggered with a cathartic wave of melody and catchy hooks that will leave you wanting more by the time the whole thing is over.

In summary, a well rehearsed and planned effort from Young Lyons, who bring their own unique brand of compositions to the masses and reach the listener with its straightforward melodies and sizzling hooks grabbing the listeners attention as they pass by.

                                                                                                                       EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. My Own Town
2. Kill
3. Away Tonight
4. I Give Up
5. Girlfriend's Got Me Down  

New Nobility Release Latest Single "Paradise"

Sydney, Australia's own New Nobility have released their new single titled "Paradise". The song has an indie feel to it with a strong emphasis put on melody and an insatiable blend of electro rhythms coupled with a high energy dance feel that will leave you wanting more by the time the song has concluded. I really dug listening to this song the moment I hit 'Play', and it has that perfect balance between indie rock rhythms and electro influenced dance melodies strikes a harmonic chord that is undeniable and will leave you spellbound from the trio.

To check out "Paradise" for yourself, head on over to their Soundcloud page over here to check it out among other musical delights that the group have conjured up for your listening disposal! 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here.

Artist Spotlight: Our Griffins

Starting off your Tuesday with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head down to Easton, PA and uncover the deep sounds of Our Griffins. The group consists of DJ Brown, Travis Hobbie, Luming Hao, Alex Luquet, and John Kimock. The music is an introspective and downtempo blend of indie rock influences mixed in with a subtle synth arrangement that gives the band a hint of diversity to go along with their outstanding lyricism that is one of the strong suits of their music. I was impressed with them upon first listen, and I really gravitated towards the lyrics specifically that eventually allowed me to fall for the melodies that told the story that was contained within the words that really gave me the ability to grasp the emotional intensity of what was going on in the music and how it correlates to the disc as a whole. A terrific upstart band definitely worthy of a mention here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out include "Blood On My Sleeves" and "Not Here Entirely".

For more information on Our Griffins, head on over to their Facebook page located here and find out everything that there is to know about the guys. You can follow the guys on Twitter as well from over here and find out when the guys will be stopping by the New England area sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest album "Michael Boyd" now available for free streaming and on a name your own price basis over on their Bandcamp page here.

Interview w/ Kevin Devine

Starting off the week with another edition in my continuing interview series! Today, it is my honor and privilege to bring to you an exclusive interview with Brooklyn based singer songwriter Kevin Devine. You may remember him from my Artist Spotlight write-up on Bad Books which I did a few months ago that also features Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra. He was kind and gracious enough to do an in depth interview as we get a better understanding of his beginnings in music, and his upcoming musical projects due next month. And now, here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your name and what instruments you regularly play?

Kevin Devine, guitar, sing, write songs.

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

My mom playing "Michael From Mountains" by Joni Mitchell; listening to the Beatles & Joan Baez; my brother playing the Michael Jackson songs from the E.T. soundtrack.

Where do you draw inspiration from to write your songs?

All over the place; memory, other people, books, society, love, transgression, forgiveness, fiction, fact.

How has being exposed to music shaped you to the person you have become or changed your outlook on life thus far?

I can't really conceive what my life would look like without music in it.   It's been so central for so long, for literally as long as I can remember.  It's spinal, it's like imagining your life without hands or something.  I think I've learned about empathy, love, spirituality, social justice, transcendent experience, humor, sarcasm, wit, so many things through music.

Take us behind the recording process for "Bulldozer" and what is the overall theme surrounding it?

Bulldozer was recorded in March of this year out in Los Angeles with my friend Rob Schnapf producing, and the rhythm section of an excellent band from LA called Everest playing bass & drums.  Isobel Campbell sang on a song, which was a gift.  I sent Rob a bunch of demos through the winter, and when I got out to California we picked them apart and reassembled them.  I love the record, I think it breathes a lot.  There is no overarching single lyrical theme, just an exploration of personhood, identity, relationships, and some reflections on Hurricane Sandy through the eyes of a very specific set of New Yorkers.

What was it like making "Bubblegum" with The Goddamn Band, and how do you manage making music with multiple acts, is it difficult juggling between more than one act at the same time?

I loved making Bubblegum with the dudes from the band.  Mike Fadem & Mike Strandberg have toured with/written with/recorded with me for years, and Jesse Lacey, who produced, has been around my music career since 1999, in all its iterations, so his opinions & insights were informed & earned & valuable.  I love jumping around - as a songwriter & a performer, I think it stretches you out, makes you more versatile & limber.  It allows me to exercise all corners of my musical interests.

How important is it maintaining fan connection with your music, how does fan interaction affect you personally and do you have any memorable fan encounters?

I have hundreds of memorable fan encounters, too many to boil down to one or two.  I'm blessed largely with smart, thoughtful, interesting, committed fans who "get it" - the connection with them has literally been the most sustaining aspect of my career to this point, hands down.  It's very gratifying to know they're so invested.

What kings of things do you like to do in your spare time? Any hobbies or sports teams you follow?

I like to read, run, watch movies, spend time with my friends & family; I like food & coffee.  I like self-care, seems like the most punk rock thing you can do as you age in the underground.  I like the Mets, the Knicks.  Teams that tend to lose a lot.

What's on tap for the rest of the year? Any tour dates coming up that you're looking forward to?

Yeah, I'll be on tour for most of the next 18 months or so, most likely, starting with a US tour this fall and UK/Europe tour next January/February.  Really looking forward to all of it.

Lastly, are there any musical or personal goals that you'd like to achieve, anything you haven't accomplished yet?

I'd like to keep getting more peaceful with the idea that I'm responsible for the effort and not the result.  We live in a results culture but I'm happiest and healthiest when I detach from that and just do my work and remember to be grateful for it.

Thanks once again to Kevin Devine for taking some time out of his ever busy schedule to do this interview. I was a little late to the party in discovering his music, but I'm so glad I checked him out when I got the chance as it's some of the most lyrically introspective and emotionally responsive music I've ever listened to in quite some time. If you're not too familiar with his music, I highly recommended you do so and 'Like' him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter here plus keep an eye out for "Bulldozer" and "Bubblegum" slated for release on October 15th.

Artist Spotlight: Avely

Wrapping up the week and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we have an emerging pop-punk group based out of Chicopee, MA that goes by the name of Avely. The band consists of Tim Clark on guitar, Jaime Dever on lead vocals and guitar, Kyle Leganza on bass, and Nick Starke on drums. The band's sound is a melodic and fast paced blend of hardcore pop-punk, similar to that of New Found Glory and Taking Back Sunday with a much more sharper and dynamic blend of instrumentation and pounding drums gnawing at you the moment you first hear it. I found myself enjoying their songs immensely as they had a direct and streamlined musical approach to them that made it user accessible to anyone who was a fan of the aforementioned acts, and it allows the band to explore their own influences as well to get a more wide ranging sound that is different than the other upstart bands currently out there today. Some songs for you to marvel over from them include "Nothing Quite Cuts It" and "Hadley".

For more information on Avely, head on over to their Facebook page here and discover what you've been missing all this time. You can follow the band on Twitter as well from over here and find out when the band will be making its way to your hometown sometime soon. Check out their sweet Tumblr page here and check out their latest EP "False Hope" now available for streaming and purchase from their Bandcamp site located over here.

Don't Call MusicBoxPete A Blog Anymore!

There have been a bevy of cosmetic changes that I've made to the blog in recent weeks, and one major change that I've been pondering for some time, and one that has kind of irked me to be perfectly honest and frank with you, is the very term "blog" used in the title of the site. While I understand what constitutes a "blog", I've always found the term to be kind of derogatory and subjective from the perspectives of different groups who have separated them from the more legitimate and well known music sites currently permeating the interwebs today.

In order to move forward into a more legitimate and prosperous time ahead, I've decided to abandon and refrain from using the word "blog" in the name of the site from this point forward. Any mentions to the word "blog" on this site and on my social media sites have been deleted and this site should not be referred to as such. This is a legitimate music website and always will be, you'll get the same quality music reporting from yours truly, the latest on the verge Boston artists in the Artist Spotlight series, and upfront interviews with bands that you've always wanted to know more about. A new era is on the horizon, and it begins right now!

Artist Spotlight: Kingsfoil

Starting off your Thursday with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we venture on down to York, PA and we come across the dynamic sounds of Kingsfoil. The band consists of Jordan Davis on lead guitar and vocals, Tristan Martin on guitar, keys, and backup vocals, Tim Warren on bass and vocals, and Frankie Muniz on drums. The band's music is a mellow and inventive blend of indie rock conjured upon a strong lyrical framework that really puts a stamp of authenticity on the band and really catches your eyes and ears the moment you first hear them. I was intrigued with the band when I first heard them, especially with how calm and collected the melodies were, and they didn't sound too brash or overwhelming whatsoever which would have otherwise turned me off completely from listening to them. I liked the band's approach to crafting these compositions, and this will definitely serve them right in the long run and increase their credibility substantially as well. A terrific upstart band that is deserving of mention here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out from them include "Grapevine Valentine" and "Quick Fix".

For more information on Kingsfoil, head on over to their Facebook page here and you can hear for yourself what these guys are creating to whet your musical appetite. You can follow the band on Twitter as well from this location here and find out when the band will be stopping by your area with a concert appearance sometime soon. Visit the group's official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest album "A Beating Heart Is A Bleeding Heart" now available for download on iTunes here among other select digital music platforms. 

Body Language - Grammar

Brooklyn, NY's own Body Language are back with their all new studio release titled Grammar. The latest album from the indietronic wizards finds the band continuing to bring their own unique blend of electronic music merged with a strong rock based dynamic that makes this album impossible to ignore and one that will definitely pique your curiosity the more you hear about it.

We kick things off with "The Chasing" a spaced out, dreamy track that kicks things off in dynamic fashion here with tight, unifying vocals and otherworldly musical instrumentation providing the perfect balance between different musical genres and provides an opportunity for listeners of both genres to come together and witness all the musical magic unfold.  My favorite track off the release is "Just Because", an instantly enjoyable musical concoction complete with dreamy synth laden textures and dual vocal abilities providing an infectious and magical track that you'll instantly fall head over heels for. "Well Absolutely" is a track that incorporates throwback melodies and makes it sound modern to today's musical standards that gives it an eclectic and magical feel to it that makes your heart grow fonder for the depth of sheer musicality found on this diverse effort heard here so far.

The second half begins with "What's The Point", an undeniable, synth happy jam that evokes the carefree and wistful spirit that the collective were aiming for when they were conjuring up these compositions while in the studio, and that clearcut musical dynamic shows the fruits of its labor in living color right here. "Lovelife" is an eerie, retro sounding track that features a liquid like component that seeps its way into the cracks surrounding the musical wall, filling it with dexterity and providing the musical stability and evokes the musical affection that best represents the qualities that it emanates so strongly. We begin to conclude our time here with "Rocketship", a futuristic sounding voyage that takes us on a sonic tour complete with space age synthesizers and finely tuned vocals providing the perfect musical escape and allows us to conclude our journey here at ease. "Charm" is the final song on the album, and its a real doozy of a track with magical vocal streams being spewed back and forth and allowing the album to connect with the other tracks we've heard in succession, and gives us a chance to look back and reflect on the album as a whole and what musical wavelengths we've encountered in our journey to the finish line. I was enthralled with Body Language the first time I checked out their music several months ago, and I was equally impressed with their ability to inject an immense amount of rhythm to create dance oriented, synth heavy tracks that had my head bopping the minute I first heard it, and didn't let up until long after their music concluded. There's something about the guys that puts me in a positive and celebratory frame of mind, and really makes me appreciate the talent and enthusiasm that they bring both in studio and on stage as well.

Looking back, a terrific and well executed album heard here from Body Language, who are bringing the rhythm and unbridled enthusiasm to the masses with a full featured effort that shows off the collective musical wisdom that they've amassed over the last few years, and are bringing it on a much larger scale this time around.

                                                                                                                           Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. The Chasing
2. Just Because
3. I'm A Mess
4. Well Absolutely
5. Carillon
6. What's The Point
7. Lose My Head
8. Lovelife
9. The First
10. Rocketship
11. Charm

  

Artist Spotlight: Bad Things

Starting off your week with another new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we focus on an act based out of Los Angeles, CA that goes by the name of Bad Things. The band consists of Davis LeDuke, Jared Palomar, Anthony Sanudo, Lena Zawaideh, and if you notice a familiar face in the photo located above on the far right, you would be correct and that is none other than Olympic gold medal winning snowboarder Shaun White who handles guitar duties in this brand new outfit that shows Shaun's talents go way beyond boarding, and is a revelation to watch unfold right before your eyes. Their music is a blend of standard issue alt-rock rhythms conjured upon a framework of blistering guitar riffs and top notch vocal patterns that shows a band who know how to keep things simple and not do too many things at once that would've compromised the framework of such a young upstart band looking to get their foot in the door of a constantly changing and evolving music scene. An intriguing and promising act that I can definitely see getting additional exposure from other media outlets across the country.

For more information on Bad Things, head on over to their Facebook page here and give them a well deserved 'Like' that shows you appreciate all the things that they have to bring to the table musically. You can follow the band on Twitter as well from this central location here and find out when they'll be stopping by your area sometime soon. They also have a YouTube channel as well featuring assorted musical montages that can be accessed right here, and check out the track "Anybody" which happens to be the first single off their forthcoming, self-titled debut release that will be out on October 29th and can be pre-ordered on iTunes at this link over here.

Boston Calling Recap & Major Milestone!

Well, the Boston Calling festival has come and gone, and I was there personally to see the entire thing unfold on Saturday's edition of the 2 day affair. The festival was a truly gratifying and unifying experience where all of Boston's music lovers came to experience all of their favorites acts in one unique setting on two stages with thousands of people soaking in the sun, brews, and revelry of all the fantastic music taking place right in the heart of downtown Boston. I would like to personally thank all the organizers of the festival for making this one of the best organized festivals I've seen in quite some time, and for increasing the spirit and enthusiasm for Boston's music scene. Peruse the pics below to see all the magic that unfolded while I was there all day!

On another note, I want to formally announce that also on Saturday, my blog officially passed the 100,000 page view milestone. This is a groundbreaking achievement for the site and I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone for making this blog what it is today, I'm truly grateful. This site has totally exceeded my expectations and this is something I see myself doing for as long as I live. I never considered writing as a possible career arc several years back after graduating college, but when I first started dabbling in it, I grew more confident and began to develop a composed writing style that has evolved gradually over time, and has become something that I'm totally passionate about and spend a great deal of time meticulously combing over every band on the Boston music scene that is worthy of doing press about.

Again, I want to thank all of the musicians that have inspired me while growing up, all of my personal heroes that have turned me into the man I've become today, and for all of my fellow readers who have turned this blog into a major outlet for me to express my undying love and passion for the Boston music scene, and all of the bands trying to make their voices heard.

Live Coverage of the Boston Calling Festival Begins Tomorrow at 12pm!

Can't make it to the Boston Calling festival this weekend? Never fear, because MusicBoxPete has your inside track for all on site coverage of the festival! The coverage will get underway at 12pm with continuously updated coverage on all of my social media sites, plus some pics of the bands performing that will give you a clear view of all the action currently happening at the festival. There will also be some video as well that will go up sometime on Sunday via my YouTube channel located here.

To stay in the know of everything that is happening the day of the festival, 'Like' MusicBoxPete on Facebook at this link here and follow on Twitter from this location here to experience all the action of this sure to be memorable festival.

Artist Spotlight: Arrows Over Athens

Starting off your Friday and headed into Boston Calling weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Appropriately enough, we touch base with a band from Westfield, MA that goes by the name of Arrows Over Athens. The band consists of Randy Burlingame on lead vocals and guitars, Mimi Herrick on backup vocals and bass, and Mike Gelinas on drums. The band has an intense, in your face attitude with hard rocking rhythms greeting you warmly in its own way with echoing vocals and Mimi's musical presence drawing comparisons to Hayley Williams of Paramore with its bold and vivacious energy running rampant throughout the melodic outbursts located sporadically throughout their music. I was impressed with the band's enthusiasm when I first heard them, and their approach to crafting heavy and hard hitting tracks that showed off the band's bold attitude that makes them stand out proudly from their contemporaries coming up in the scene, and also gives them a hidden advantage as well. A terrific up and coming band looking for their next big break in the scene. Some tracks for you to discover from them include "And I Will Move The Earth" and "Thirty Years Peace".

For more information on Arrows Over Athens, move on over to their Facebook page here and give them a quick 'Like' if you enjoy what you hear. The band is on Twitter as well from this central location here and find out when the band will be making their way towards the Boston area with a concert appearance. All of their music is available from their record label's Bandcamp page called Take This to Heart Records, found from over here and experience the magic emanating from the western part of the state.

Disable Time Releases New Single "Under African Skies"

Fairfield, CT's own Disable Time have just dropped their brand new single titled "Under African Skies". The new song from this quartet is a 8 minute slice of masterfully executed instrumentation with a steady percussion beat in the background providing the melodic backbone for the track, and providing the song with a strong musical self awareness that makes it almost impossible to ignore and one to enjoy almost immediately upon first listening to it. A terrific up and coming band that you should definitely paying attention to and seeing firsthand what they're all about.

For more information on Disable Time, head on over to their Facebook page here and check out their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and take a listen to "Under African Skies" via their Soundcloud page located over here.

Artist Spotlight: Younger Me

Artist Spotlight is back with an all new edition ready for the masses today! We're going to trek down to Red Lion, PA and check out the tunes of Younger Me. The band consists of Brandt Imhoff, Ian Hermanns, and Brent Gregory. Their sound is a melodic and refreshing blend of indie-rock similar in vein to Young The Giant and Walk The Moon with their own unique twist put on it with top notch vocals and upbeat instrumentation keeping the listener entertained and focused all the way throughout. I found something very enjoyable about listening to these guys, and that is they are incredibly catchy and have a way of infecting the listener with indelible earworms that wrap themselves around you, and instantly you find yourself repeating the melody and vocals inside your head over and over again, and that is one of the beauties about music and its ability to constantly have a positive effect on your life and make things seem pleasant and enjoyable. Some tracks for you to check out from the gentlemen include "Face Paint" and "Laika".

For more information on the guys in Younger Me, head on over to their Facebook page located here and I'll guarantee you'll give them a 'Like' upon first listen. You can follow the boys on Twitter as well from over here and find out when they'll be making their way up towards New England with a concert appearance sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their self-titled debut now available for streaming and purchase on their Bandcamp site located right here.

Hadley Kennary - In Fall

Chicago-bred singer songwriter Hadley Kennary has arrived on the scene with her debut release titled In Fall. The release from the Berklee College of Music student is a refreshing and inviting effort that allows the listening audience to be welcomed in gracefully and experience the full warmth of her beautiful and intricate voice.

We start things off with "Two Little Birds", a stripped down, bare bones effort that features a delicate acoustic guitar pattern that melds in gracefully with the other instrumentation at hand to create a deeply sophisticated track that exposes Hadley's vocals and opens it up for the listening audience to marvel over instantaneously. "Gasoline" has a sort of country feel to it with the instrumentation pumped up substantially in tempo that allows the listener to get a little bit more variety in the process and see what other talents that Hadley has in her arsenal. My favorite track off the album is "I Remember What You Said", a heartfelt and truly inspiring ballad that best encapsulates the style and image that Hadley was trying to convey when she was conjuring up these songs in the studio, and shows a remarkable sense of maturity and self-awareness that is a quality that every up and coming songwriter should possess. "Extract" has a more uptempo, electronic like quality that seems a little bit out of place here along with the other songs, but shows that Hadley is willing to gamble and take a creative risk on this track here.

The second half of the effort starts off with "Tangled" a breezy, enjoyable tune that features Hadley's incredible vocal prowess working its way through the indelible acoustic guitar rhythms to showcase a singer-songwriter currently in her rhythm and finding her voice right here. We get ready to end things here with "Cry of the Flypaper", a toned down and fragile track that begins to usher in the conclusion of the album with a reflective and memorable track that expresses Hadley's innermost thoughts perfectly. The title track ends matters here with a wistful and somber tune that is the perfect track to bring us into the autumn season, and to the conclusion of the album that connects all the dots and summarizes for us musically how we got to this point. I'm totally enthralled with the depth and quality of talent that is constantly pouring out of Berklee College of Music, and how much time and energy that these students expound on crafting and honing their talents into something that is of the highest quality and is probably better than 99% of the stuff currently out on pop radio today. Hadley is definitely one of those talents that has the charisma and stage presence to bring it to the next level, and the fact that she comes from Berklee College of Music makes me proud that I'm from Boston.

To sum it all up, a terrific and promising debut from Hadley Kennary, a truly gifted individual that has all the necessary musical components to take it to the next level and makes terrific use of everything that she has learned musically and put it all forward.

                                                                                                                     Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Two Yellow Birds
2. Gasoline
3. Otis
4. I Remember What You Said
5. Extract
6. Storybook Worthy
7. Tangled
8. Lead
9. Cry of the Flypaper
10. In Fall

Screening Times Announced for We Want The Airwaves: The WFNX Story

Screening times have been announced for We Want The Airwaves: The WFNX Story. The documentary about the creation and demise of the long running alternative Boston radio station will have 3 screenings during the 4th Annual Filmshift Festival taking place at The Somerville Theater. The dates and times will be on October 19th at 7pm and October 20th at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets for the screenings are available through Brown Paper Tickets website located right here.

After the initial screening on the 19th, there will be a movie release party taking place at Johnny D's which is located right across the street from the theater. The party will feature performances from Nervana (a Nirvana tribute band), Parlour Bells, and former FNX DJ D-Tension & Emoh Betta will be spinning tunes and providing entertainment in between the bands' sets. To purchase tickets for the release party, head on over to Johnny D's website at this spot here.

MuzicNotez Battle of The Bands Participants

The bands for MuzicNotez Battle of the Bands contest have just been unveiled. The contest gets underway today via MuzicNotez's website located right here. The contest will last for approximately 2 weeks, and each person will have an allotment of 10 votes each day to last for the duration of the battle. Whoever has the most votes after the time clock has expired will win and move on to the championship round. The next battle will be in the rap genre, and here are the bands currently competing in the rock category:

Uncle Balzak - Big Brother: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3157/big-brother

Ten A Penny - Revolution of Pi: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3252/revolution-of-pi

The Vibe - Public Enemy: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3225/public-enemy

LOKA - From Yesterday: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3254/from-yesterday

Elephant 12 - Love Knock On Wood: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3234/love-knock-on-wood

Screaming Eagles - Rock N' Roll Soul: http://www.muzicnotez.com/audio/3262/rock-n'-roll-soul