Vacationer Premiere Stunning New Video For "The Wild Life"

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

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

Artist Spotlight: Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass

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

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

Artist Spotlight: New Madrid

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

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

Mount Sharp Releases Eclectic Sounding Track "Icarus"

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

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

Phantogram Announce Extensive Nationwide Tour

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

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

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

Artist Spotlight: Wild Child

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BREAKING: Casey Kasem Dead at 82

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

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

Artist Spotlight: Real Friends

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

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

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

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

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

Artist Spotlight: Turnover

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

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

Sunbird - Inside My Head

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

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

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

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

                                                                                                                        Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

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

Thee Idea Men Premiere New Album "New Level Shoes"

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

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

Artist Spotlight: Kina Zoré

Starting off another week with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight. Ready to hit the audible masses are Boston based afro-pop sensations Kina Zore. The band consists of Helder Tsinine on lead vocals and guitar, Galen Willett on bass and vocals, Dillon Zahner on percussion and vocals, Stephanie Wieseler on tenor saxophone, flute, and keys, Michael Prentky on trombone and hand claps, and Wendyam Emerson on drum set. The band has a fun, outgoing blend of Afro-pop beats that take influences from a variety of different genres and spruce everything around you to life with a refreshing, party like atmosphere that will leave you in good company and allow the band to take care of you for the evening with their extremely diverse musical backgrounds being put in for good measure. I had a blast listening to these guys, and while I'm not that familiar with Afro-pop music, I really understood the craze and excitement surrounding it and I could clearly tell how much fun these guys were having and eliciting a strong emotional response from the listener as a result of it. A terrific up and coming local band that is definitely a bright spot to check out. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Dirty Laundry" and "Tchova Nholo".

For more info on the guys in Kina Zore, give them a well deserved 'Like' on Facebook here and come face to face with all the musical experiences that you're bound to encounter. The guys are also available to be followed on Twitter from this central location here and see what the guys are up to at this very instant. Visit their official webpage right here for all the latest musical updates concerning the guys, and you should take a note that the band will be doing a residency at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge starting in August that will take place on Tuesdays and the guys will also be starting a fundraising campaign for their debut album that will see the light of day sometime in the Fall.

Nick D' and The Believers Releases Upbeat "Bang Bang"

Hailing from the Buckeye State of Ohio, Nick D' and The Believers has just unveiled their sizzling new track called "Bang Bang". The track is a synth laden joy coupled with electro-aided instrumentation and distorted vocals laying about in the background to deliver a standout track that could be one of the top songs you hear all summer long. I really enjoyed this track and I features these guys on the site before just a couple of months ago, and they are really on the cusp of achieving something great with this track that totally evokes the synth wave style that they're all about and is the sound that everyone in the group was aiming for when they were blueprinting this song in the studio.

To take a listen to "Bang Bang" for yourself, it's available for streaming on their Soundcloud page right here. And for more info on Nick D' and The Believers, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Wake Owl

Get ready for the weekend with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight, and taking us to their hometown of Portland, OR are the fine folks of Wake Owl! The band consists of Colyn Cameron on lead vocals and guitar, Aiden Brent Briscall on guitar, bass, and violin, Madison Rowley on keys, and Josh Content on drums. The band has a subtle yet joyous folk rock sound similar to the likes of Fleet Foxes coupled with an upbeat blend of musical symmetry abound with delicate vocal abilities and warm, lush instrumentation setting the stage for what is sure to be a tremendous listening experience. I found these guys from Audiotree, which is an amazing source for live in-studio performances from up and coming artists and I was particularly intrigued by their musical mindset they displayed while in the studio performing, and you could clearly tell that they had something special going on with their dynamic musicality shape shifting through the limelight, and Madison's beautiful and epic beard had me spellbound and hypnotized from the get go, adding a string of authenticity to the mix that tied everything up in one unique package. A diverse and fun loving group that you'll be sure to appreciate almost instantaneously. Some recommended songs for you to discover include "Letters" and "Candy".

For more info on Wake Owl, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and see for yourself what these guys are conjuring up from the musical realm. Follow them on Twitter from this locale over here and see when they may be plotting out a trip to the New England area sometime soon for a concert performance. Check their official homepage right here for more extensive info regarding the band, and check out their latest effort titled "The Private World of Paradise", now available for download on iTunes at this spot here.

Pretty Lights, Mac Miller Highlight X Games Music Shows in Austin

Pretty Lights and Mac Miller are just a couple of the names among the plethora of acts scheduled to hit the stage for the live stream of the X Games Music Shows, getting underway starting tomorrow. The event is being held in conjunction with MySpace and Dos Equis, who will be giving those tuning in online a unique viewing experience that will allow them to catch their favorite acts all from the comfort of their computer or tablet, while the annual X Games festivities take place in the background.

In addition to the aforementioned Pretty Lights and Mac Miller, The Flaming Lips, Dillon Francis, Waaves, and Mayer Hawthorne will also be performing throughout the festival. Here is the schedule for this weekend and their scheduled set times:

Fri. 6/6   Dillon Francis 10PM
               Pretty Lights 11:15PM

Sat. 6/7   Waaves 2PM
               Mac Miller 10PM

Sun. 6/8 Mayer Hawthorne 2:30PM
              The Flaming Lips 7:45PM

To catch the concert festivities, head on over to the live stream on MySpace right over here beginning tomorrow and continuing all throughout the weekend.

Artist Spotlight: Twin Forks

Today for Artist Spotlight, we head down to Boca Raton, FL where we come across the folk infused sounds of Twin Forks. The band consists of Suzie Zeldin, Jonathan Clark, Ben Homola, Shawn Zorn, Kelsie Baron, Kimmy Baron, and Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional fame. The music is a vivacious, organic experience with thoughtful folk precision and is a reflection of their Southern upbringing that flows naturally through their music and is totally honest and refreshing to hear blasting through the speakers. It also represents a huge shift for Chris Carrabba, who helmed Dashboard Confessional for many years which was aimed at a more younger audience with its extremely well written lyrics inspiring slews of people. While this type of music is markedly different from that, it represents a huge growth both personally and professionally for Chris who is heading into the next phase of his life with a sense of security and enlightenment for what is to lay ahead and bring with him a whole new audience and some long time supporters in the process who will greatly appreciate the new music and lyrical insight that they have always come to expect from Chris. A terrific group that has their own organic and unique sound. Some tracks for you to check out include "Back to You" and "Hard Times".

For more info on Twin Forks, give them a 'Like' on Facebook over here to see for yourself what sounds lay waiting for you on the other side. Follow the guys on Twitter from this locale here and see when they may be coming up to Boston soon for a concert appearance. Visit their official website right here for more in depth information regarding the band, and check out their debut self-titled release now available for purchase on iTunes here and on Amazon at this spot here. 

Los Angeles Kings Player Music Special

With the Stanley Cup Finals about to begin tonight out at the Staples Center in LA, I'd thought it'd be a good idea to run down the music selections of the Western Conference Champions, the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have managed to survive 3 Game 7's this NHL postseason, including overcoming a 3-0 deficit to win in 7 games over the San Jose Sharks in the first round, cementing their status as the perennial underdogs and are seeking their 2nd Stanley Cup in the last 3 years. With this music special, I'll be picking individual songs that best characterize the personalities of the players on the team, along with some personal playlists curated by the players themselves. And without further ado, here is my list:

Anze Kopitar - Spoon "The Underdog"

No better song characterizes the centerman for the Kings than this number from Spoon. The Slovenian born player has been with the Kings organization since 2005, and has had an amazing postseason thus far, so far accumulating 24 points in 21 games this year and elevating his name to an almost superstar status around the City of Angels. A terrific player and a model player that young aspiring players look up to and for general observers to marvel at his skill set.

Dustin Brown - Kings of Leon "Dusty"

This appropriately named number for the Kings right winger comes courtesy from Kings of Leon. The Ithaca, NY native has been a strong component of the Kings offense during the regular season and into the playoffs as well, contributing in any way he can to the overall success and durability of the team that will also carry them to victory in the long run. He has a tremendous skill set that will come in handy during this Stanley Cup Finals series.

Jonathan Quick - Thrice "Kill Me Quickly"

The heroic goaltender deserves some intense, hard edged rhythms to get him going, and what better band to help him get into the zone than Orange County's own Thrice. Quick has some New England ties as well as he was born in Hamden, CT and went to school at UMass Amherst where he honed his skills and has now developed into the tremendous goalie that he is now, stopping shots while laid out on the ice like a scorpion that has led to tight victories night in and night out.

Drew Doughty's Personal Playlist

The defenseman has some terrific music taste with this indelible collection of tunes. The London, Ontario native has been a rock solid defenseman that has kept his team in the hunt all along, while preventing opposing team's offense from closing in on Quick and keeping them on their own end on the ice. A tremendous presence on the ice due to his muscular build, Doughty will be a huge force to be reckoned with in this series.

• will.i.am - Check It Out
• Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
• Cali Swag District - Teach Me How To Dougie
• Hoodie Allen - January Jones
• Afrojack - Take Over Control
• Black Eyes Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)
• Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon
• Eminem - 25 To Life
• Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
• Taylor Swift and Wiz Khalifa - Mean Planes and Taylor Gangs

Alec Martinez's Personal Playlist

The hero who scored the OT goal in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Blackhawks has some country leaning tunes to keep his head in the game during this series. The player who has gotten them to this point this far is reveling in his success that he's obtained over the course of the season, but he must keep his head forward and his eyes on the prize that is almost visible down the road.

• Gary Allen - Smoke Rings In The Dark
• Travis Tritt - Great Day To Be Alive
• Jonathan Ferguson - Sunshine
• John Mellencamp - Walk Tall
• Alan Jackson - Chasin' That Neon Rainbow
• Billy Currington - Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer
• Tom Petty - Learning To Fly
• Freedy Johnson - Bad Reputation

Trevor Lewis' Personal Playlist

The only player on the team to hail from the city of Utah is also a big country fan, and he has mixed in with some other members to present the most diverse playlist featured here so far. The centerman can be depended upon to deliver in clutch situations and is sure to be a crucial part of this Kings team moving forward as they move ahead in this thrilling and captivating NHL postseason thus far.

• Eric Church - Hell On The Heart
• Eric Church - Lightning
• Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
• Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me Now
• Jason Aldean - My Kinda Party
• 50 Cent & Jeremiah - Down On Me
• Kings of Leon - Notorious
• Mr. Big - To Be With You
• Paul Brandt - Alberta Boung
• Eminem - Not Afraid

SF Based Cathedrals Release Astonishing "Want My Love"

From the home of the Giants, San Francisco's own Cathedrals have just put out their latest single title 'Want My Love" The track is a phenomenal slice of musical passion with the vocals making you yearn for that special someone and lures you into their wonderland of beauty and bliss with amazing synth based melodies combining with the R&B vibe of the track that is pretty unique in its own right, and completely evokes the style and image they were aiming for when they were crafting this track in the studio. I've covered this duo previously on the site before, and they really have a strong musical friendship that shows when you firs hit 'Play', but this track takes things to a whole new level and really arouses you musically to get involved with this duo.

To hear "Want My Love" for yourself, head on over to Hype Machine right over here to give it a listen, and for more on the duo 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter from this position here.

Tales of Olde - Txo EP

Boston indie-folk upstarts Tales of Olde have finally released their long awaited self-titled debut EP. The group have been gaining some recognition in the local circles with their authentic blend of folk rock turning heads and generating a huge audience response in the process that has made them a must see draw.

We start things off with "Death", a high energy, melodic folk rock blast that sets things in motion particularly quickly, and introduces you to the fine vocal abilities of the husband and wife team of Lucas and Evelyn Cortazio that shows the strong and deep musical bond that permeates throughout the whole album and allows each individual musician to perform at their highest level possible and bounce ideas off of each other when needed. "Be Mine Again" is my favorite track off the album that completely exemplifies the band's musical mission with the exquisite work on the fiddle courtesy of Ellen Story while her husband Drew handles the guitar duties with remarkable aplomb resulting in a strong emotional effect that really makes you love the group that much more and is probably one of the best homegrown tracks that I can remember in recent memory. "Ghost In My Head" provides for a more different frame of mind with outstanding rhythms that deviate greatly from the primarily folk based melodies that were abound in the first couple of tracks, but it gives off an air of diversity and musicianship never before seen with outstanding rhythms and the insatiable one-two punch of drummer Al Cleveland and bassist Jeff Kinsey who are the backbone of the group's rhythm section and help push the band to new heights that couldn't have been deemed possible. "Why" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with a more downtempo musical course that has more varied instrumentation, but still retains the folk based mindset from the prior tracks and establishes the band's resolve pretty quickly and their ability to weave emotion through unabashed beauty that has flourished right from the very beginning. "Tell Me" concludes our musical stay here with an all encompassing track that acts as a reflection of everything we've heard on the album while presenting it in a soft and delicate musical format that comes full circle and presents all the band's strengths together in one unique package. I saw these guys in concert last week at Great Scott on the occasion of the album's release, and I was floored at how much these guys dominated the stage that night from beginning to end, where they let all their emotions flow out greatly and you began to realize at how genuine and real these musicians were with their audience that showcased their true colors and what they were like as regular people also.

In retrospect, a terrific and spectacular debut effort from Tales of Olde, a band that have been making waves in the local scene for a couple of years now, and are bound to get even bigger with this release that signifies a strong musical statement and the kinship developed between all the musicians as the result of playing together.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Death
2. Be Mine Again
3. Ghost In My Head
4. Why
5. Tell Me    

Artist Spotlight: Mission Transmission

Kicking off the month of June with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight, and this takes us down to Hartford, CT and upon the explosive and powerful sounds of Mission Transmission. The band consists of Adam Lyman, Brian Dunnigan, Richard Stone, Seth Michalek, and Mike Morin. The band has an impeccable, highly melodic sound similar to the likes of Yellowcard and Story of The Year that strikes a fine balance between high energy pop-punk while throwing in some slightly harder and abrasive musical elements that gives them a great deal of diversity and a strong and structured lyricism that speaks clearly to their supportive and ever growing fanbase. I saw these guys in concert this past Saturday at PA's Lounge and I must say they were a revelation for me and I'm glad I stayed around to catch these guys because I could tell there was something special about these guys and what transpired on stage was nothing short of amazing. The band also threw in some covers to go along with their originals including Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" and the song that defined my high school years, The Starting Line's "Best of Me" that sealed the deal for me and really opened my eyes to a supremely talented band that more than deserves to move higher up the musical echelon. A terrific act that needs to be heard immediately! Some recommended tracks for you to unearth include "One of The Lucky Ones" and "Burning The City Down".

For more info on the guys in Mission Transmission, head on over to their Facebook page located here to give it a quick 'Like' so that you can stay within their stream of musical updates. Follow the guys on Twitter from this spot here and stay in touch with the guys directly. Their official website right here has a boatload of in depth info about the band, and their latest EP is called "One Small Step" that you can purchase on iTunes right over here.

Perfect Mark Releases Free Album "Flesh & Voice" on Bandcamp

The Boston based musical collective known as Perfect Mark has just made available for free their latest collection called "Flesh & Voice". The band is pretty hard to point down genrewise, but their influences run the gamut from R&B to funk and everything else in between, but the guys have a strong musical chemistry and bond that allows them to communicate effectively through music and come to a common ground as to how a particular song should sound and what it should feel like as well. I really enjoyed what I uncovered from these guys, and they really have a grasp on the type of music they want to play and the style they want to evoke to their listening audience, who will definitely find that one unique characteristic that sets them apart immensely from other acts.

To take a listen to "Flesh & Voice", it's available for free streaming and download on their Bandcamp page conveniently located right here, and for more info on Perfect Mark, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right over here.

Buffalo Based Sleepy Hahas Release Latest Track "Bolero del Fuego"

Buffalo, NY's own Sleepy Hahas have just unleashed their latest musical creation called "Bolero del Fuego". The track takes a whimsical approach, while still maintaining the band's trademark sound with unique musical characteristics and rich and dynamic sonic wavelengths that adequately express the band's aesthetic to a captive listening audience. I've featured these guys on the site previously, and instantly dug their vivacious and blues laden rhythms that hearken back to the sound that The Black Keys are churning out right now as we speak, but the guys know how to make their own trademark sound and the individual members each take something from within themselves that makes the group that much more effective among the other upstart acts permeating the scene today.

To take a listen to "Bolero del Fuego", it's available for streaming on their Soundcloud site here, and for more info on Sleepy Hahas. 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter right here.

NYC Folk Rockers 5j Barrow Release Exquisite "Talking My Soul"

New York based folk-rock group 5j Barrow have just unveiled their latest track called "Talking My Soul". The track evokes the pure musical sensibilities of The Avett Brothers and Fleet Foxes with their pure and unadulterated sound running clearly and smoothly like a body of water as soon as you hear it with terrific and bombastic violin melodies running roughshot throughout the entire track and blowing you away bit by bit when you hear the track unravel right before you. Words cannot eloquently express how mind blowing this track was and all the musicians are of the supremest talent and I hold in the highest regard of talent and pure musicianship that is beyond awesome in any source of the imagination. A band that needs to be heard to be believed.

To hear "Talking My Soul" for yourself, give it a listen on their Soundcloud page located right over here, and for more info on 5j Barrow, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter at this spot over here.

Philly Bred Dance Rockers Minka to Play PA's Lounge Tomorrow Night

From the land of the Phillies and cheese steaks, dance rockers Minka are set to take the stage tomorrow night at PA's Lounge in Somerville where they'll be bringing their eclectic blend of groove laden rhythms to the masses in which is sure to be an epic night for those in attendance. These guys have an amazing sound that is insanely catchy and you'll be sure to try to get their attention as they're performing, in which they have a sleek and sexy undertone to them that is clamoring for attention and yearning for you to meet up with them and join together in the power of music which will be in full force throughout the evening. Yours truly will be in attendance to be a witness of this sure to be sweat filled event.

Other bands that will be performing that night include Klokwize, Mission Transmission, and Black Cat Bone. Doors open at 8:30pm, tickets are $10 at the door, and the show is 21+ so have your ID's handy and your dancing shoes all on and rearing to go for an amazing night of music!

Artist Spotlight: Sam Roberts Band

Closing out the week and the month of May with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight, brought to us from our neighbors to the north in Montreal, Quebec that go by the name of Sam Roberts Band. The band consists of Sam Roberts, Dave Nugent, Eric Fares, James Hall, and Josh Trager. The band has a low-key, melodic indie-rock tonality to them with ambient instrumentation and deep, piercing vocals reminiscent of The National that really connects] you with the guys upon first listen and gives you a glimpse inside their musical mindset which is brimming with creativity and musical persuasion that keeps you listening to them from the start. I found these guys on Audiotree, which is an excellent source for live performances from up and coming bands, and I really loved their approach to creating their music and loved how they kept in tune with each other while performing, something that is a essential cornerstone for any band to master the art of, and these guys definitely have some enjoyable characteristics to them that flourish and bubble up to the surface when you first listen to them. A terrific on the rise act that is definitely worthy of checking out. Some tracks for you to check out include "Golden Hour" and "Shapeshifters".

For more info on Sam Roberts Band, cruise on over to their Facebook page located here and give it a 'Like' to stay in the stream of consciousness with the guys. Follow the guys on Twitter from this central locale here and see when they'll be making their way over to the Boston area sometime soon for a concert performance. Visit their official website here for more in depth information regarding the guys, and their latest album is called "Lo-Fantasy" which you can pick it up on iTunes here and on Amazon right here.

Icelandic Composer Ivar Pall Jonsson To Release Debut Album Stateside in July

Icelandic based composer Ivar Pall Jonsson is gearing up to premiere his debut album in the States come July titled "Revolution In The Elbow of Ragnar Agnarsson Furniture Painter". The collection takes an anthemic rock approach, spearheaded by the lead track off the collection called "The Legacy of Elbowville". The song is a collection of everything that makes Iceland great, from their subtle and low-key harmonic arrangements to their extremely laid-back and carefree approach, its the expression of everything that is unique and awesome about Iceland. I had the opportunity to catch the Reykjavik Calling festival when it stopped by Boston at The Middle East Downstairs and was amazed at the depth of talent emanating from that little volcanic rock that is constantly churning out quality music, and this one is no exception.

To check out "The Legacy of Elbowville" for yourself, it's available for streaming on the Soundcloud page located right over here to listen at your leisure. This is all leading up to a stage musical of the album's title premiering in NYC's Greenwich Village in August.

Artist Spotlight: LeoLeo

Time for another edition of Artist Spotlight where we come across some local Boston flavor with the sounds of LeoLeo. The duo consists of Vanessa Wheeler on songs, vocals, guitar, and bass, and Sarah Hope on drums, synth, and electronics. The group has a sharply focused and dynamic musical approach with influences such as Tegan and Sara with elements of indie rock and subtle electronic arrangements thrown in for good measure to balance the sound out and create a flourishing musical environment where they both let it all out and do their own thing. I had the opportunity to catch them in concert last night at Great Scott where they were opening up for Tales of Olde, and they really caught on to me in terms of their stage presence where they openly threw themselves out there and expressed their sound to a rapturous audience who caught on to every note and word they were articulating through the power of music, and they really have found their place among the other bands in the local Boston scene. A track for you to check out from them is "Dancing Queen".

For more info on LeoLeo, give them a 'Like' on Facebook over here where you can stay in the know of all their musical happenings. Follow the girls on Twitter from right here and find out when they'll be playing again in the New England area sometime soon. Visit their official website situated here for more in depth information concerning them, and purchase their self-titled EP over on Bandcamp at this spot here among a host of other digital music providers where you can find the release.

Cooper Release Upbeat Summer Ready Jam "This Year"

Cooper have just released the infectious and bouncy track "This Year". Cooper is the brainchild of Kate Cooper and Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara fame who is attached as an executive producer. Cooper recently signed to Mom + Pop Records and the track has been generating some steam as of late with their vivacious rhythms creating an infectious wave of pop wave guided delight that will definitely keep you in a positive frame of mind as you get ready for summer and all of the characteristics associated with it. This track was just featured in the trailer for the upcoming season of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and is great exposure and a platform for them to jump off into greatness.

To take a listen to "This Year", it's now available for streaming on their Soundcloud page located right over here and you can purchase it on iTunes as well from this location here.

Nick Santino - Big Skies

Braintree, MA native Nick Santino has released his full length debut solo album titled Big Skies. The former lead singer of A Rocket To The Moon is expanding his horizons with a collection of folk based tunes that is markedly different from his prior band, and seeks to delve deeper into his influences that are aimed at an entirely different musical audience who will definitely appreciate the message and diversity emanating greatly from his current musical location.

"Bad Taste" starts things off with an easy-going, laid back folk vibe permeating the outset of the track and features Nick's easy going vocal delivery that he perfected with his other side project called Nick Santino & The Northern Wind that allowed him to get his feet wet with this particular type of music that appears to suit him particularly well. "Can't Say I Miss You" is my favorite track off the album, a highly melodic and vibrant track that really signifies a deep change of pace within Nick's life that has completely altered his vision of music and the path that he's on that is leading him to places never before imagined and the musical imagery that is conjured up here is beyond remarkable. "Jackson Browne" is a more downtempo number featuring Nick's remarkable vocal range hard at work once again delivering a quality number that speaks to mind about the depth and quality of talent that Nick is churning out right here before you, and is only destined to get better as the album goes along. "Keep It Going" features an old school folk vibe with some neat piano arrangements working in its way for a real authentic and homespun track serving up some Southern comfort for the listener that is easily enjoyable from listeners of all genres.

The second half begins with "It Is What It Is", a banjo infused number that is beyond incredible in any sense of the imagination and presents Nick's earnest and refreshing blend of folk rock that is giving him a whole new mindset and audience that is enthralled with his musical presence and everything he has to offer. "Have A Little Faith In Me" dims the lights down low with a romantic vibe that is perfect for you to curl up with your loved one and share wavelengths as you take in the aura of everything around you that sums up the mood perfectly and eloquently. "Mood Ring Eyes" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with a bombastic number that amps up the musical velocity substantially with upbeat instrumentation and Nick's voice once again setting the stage for what is about to come. "She Don't Miss Me" ends it all here with a soft, whispering track that does a great job of wrapping everything up and best highlights and accentuates Nick's vocal abilities that are well suited for tracks with varying degrees of tempos, and Nick accomplishes that task with remarkable aplomb and more here on this one. When I first featured Nick Santino & The Northern Wind as an Artist Spotlight at the beginning of the year, it proved to be overwhelmingly popular and was viewed well over 200 times over the subsequent days after the post, and the interview I did with him 2 weeks later more than doubled those numbers overall, showcasing the overall popularity of Nick Santino not just from a local standpoint here in Boston, but is a real testament to his fans all across the country and the world over who generally appreciate his style of music and the message embedded within the lyrics.

Overall, an absolutely astounding and well polished effort from Nick Santino, who has delivered on all fronts to create a concise and cohesive studio effort that adequately articulates his musical mission of self-discovery that has taken him to all sorts of places and made him realize who he as a musician and human being. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                    Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Bad Taste
2. Can't Say I Miss You
3. Gone Like Yesterday
4. Jackson Browne
5. Keep On Going
6. Back To Where I'm From
7. It Is What It Is
8. Have A Little Faith In Me
9. Long Way Home
10. Mood Ring Eyes
11. She Don't Miss Me