2014 Grammy Award Predictions

It's that time of year again for one of the biggest nights in music, The Grammy's. This year's Grammys are held a couple of weeks earlier from their usual date in early February due to the Super Bowl, but it gives us ample opportunity to let us figure out who we think will take home the trophies at this year's ceremony. This year's field is very diverse, and honors some newcomers and fresh faces to the music scene that have been transforming the very nature and dynamic of the music world that we live in. Here are my predictions for the winners in some pre-selected categories:

Record of the Year

Daft Punk f/Pharrell Williams- Get Lucky
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
Lorde- Royals (PREDICTED WINNER)
Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven
Robin Thicke f/T.I. & Pharrell - Blurred Lines

This field is very diverse, and honors a huge crop of newcomers to the scene whose songs have greatly impacted radio and streaming music sites aplenty over the course of the past year. My pick for this category goes with Lorde's "Royals" as the song has that unspoken beauty and sheer creativity not seen before in quite some time. Daft Punk and Robin Thicke both have commercial appeal, and may end up as one of the 2 wildcards in this category, and Imagine Dragons has too much of an alternative sound that may turn off some voters, but Bruno Mars could pull off an upset in this category here.

Album of the Year

Sara Barielles - The Blessed Unrest
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (PREDICTED WINNER)
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist
Taylor Swift - Red

This one's a tough one for me, but I'm willing to venture a guess to state that Daft Punk will take home the hardware in this one. Kendrick Lamar and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis both have that hip-hop street cred going for them, and that may alienate some voters who steer clear of rap in general. Sara Barielles is the total surprise here in this category and may be a distant wildcard heading in, but Taylor Swift could pull off an upset here as she won this same exact category 4 years ago for "Fearless".

Song of the Year

Pink f/Nate Ruess - Just Give Me A Reason
Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven (PREDICTED WINNER)
Katy Perry - Roar
Lorde - Royals
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Mary Lambert - Same Love

This category reserved for songwriters has an extensive list of new and regular faces here, and this one is a total crapshoot heading in. My personal pick goes to Bruno Mars as this song was extremely popular in commercial radio last year, and had that crossover appeal that attracted listeners from different genres and age groups as well. Katy Perry's track was released just before the submission deadline and may be too new for some voters, same goes for Lorde as well. Pink and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis each split the wildcard vote and either one has a chance of pulling off an upset here.

Best New Artist

James Blake
Kendrick Lamar
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (PREDICTED WINNER)
Kasey Musgraves
Ed Sheeran

This category usually has a diverse group of performers here, and it's tough to accurately predict as to who will win the category this year. I'm willing to venture a guess to say that Macklemore & Ryan Lewis takes home this award solely based on name recognition alone and one that is familiar to some voters. Kendrick Lamar has too much hardcore rap cred to it, and Kasey Musgraves is too much of an unknown in the country genre, so that leaves James Blake and Ed Sheeran each splitting the rock vote. I'll guess that Ed Sheeran is the wildcard to pull off the upset here as he was nominated for Song of the Year last year for "The A Team".

Best Alternative Music Album

Neko Case - The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You
The National - Trouble Will Find Me
Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks
Tame Impala - Lonerism
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City (PREDICTED WINNER)

This category is a slam dunk here for Vampire Weekend here as this album was far and away the most visible and commercially successful ones that appealed to the voters and has garnered them the most attention as they have been nominated for this award in the past. Neko Case and Tame Impala are newcomers to the scene and are distant upsets at the moment, while The National are familiar to some voters, but not enough to hand them the award. The frontrunner for the wildcard belongs to Nine Inch Nails as they have been nominated and won this category in the past, and has that big name cache that appeals to the voters.

And there you have my predictions for this year's Grammy Awards! Don't forget to check out the ceremony this Sunday January 26th at 8PM on CBS, and 'Like' MusicBoxPete on Facebook here and follow on Twitter here for live wire to wire updates of the ceremony as it begins along with some commentary with regards to the performances and any antics that may unfold on stage!

Artist Spotlight: Signals.

Jumping into the weekend with another edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to the Isle of Wight, England and into the upbeat sounds of Signals. The group consists of Ellie Price on lead vocals and piano, Mikey Webber on guitar and vocals, Ryan Beachy on drums, and Alex Vanblaere on bass and vocals. The band's sound has an upbeat, energetic math-rock sound that is highlighted by Ellie's enchanting and beautiful vocals that entrance you right from the get go and the supporting cast allows each other to get equal billing time and ample opportunity for them to let their talents shine and be known among the listening audience. I was impressed with these guys on first listen, especially with Ellie and her sheer beauty that makes their music that much more potent and energetic, and one that has unbridled enthusiasm unlike no other. A standout song for you to check out is "Constructions".

For additional information on Signals., give them a 'Like' on their Facebook page right over here and uncover for yourself the sounds that have been kept a secret all this time. They can be followed on Twitter from this complex here and keep in touch with them directly on a one-by-one basis. Check out their Tumblr site over here for in depth info pertaining to them, and check out their latest EP titled "Facial Furniture" over on their Bandcamp site right here.

Sonos To Stream Mayer Hawthorne DJ Set Tonight

Sonos Studio in Los Angeles recently announced that for the first time ever, they will live stream events leading up to this year's Grammy Awards that will give those watching at home the chance to experience dynamic programming straight from the studio. The first of those artists will be none other than Mayer Hawthorne.

In commemoration of his nomination for Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package, Sonos will host an exclusive Q&A tonight that will be moderated by Ben Westhoff. Mayer will be on hand personally to field any questions regarding his album artwork and his creative approach to releasing material on vinyl. Afterwards, Mayer will be manning the DJ booth and will be cultivating a special DJ set for those live in attendance that will also be made available for live stream via TuneIn Radio. The live stream begins at 10PM EST/7PM PST and the link for the stream can be found right here, so unwind with a glass of wine and get ready to enjoy the spacious sounds that will be coming your way!

Artist Spotlight: Waking Aida

Continuing to trudge ahead with another installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we venture overseas to Southampton, England and across the diverse and eclectic sounds of Waking Aida. The band consists of Alex, James, James, and Josh. The band has a subtle, low-key sound similar to that of Mutemath with light electro-influences managing to seep their way into the musical framework and providing for a enjoyable and intriguing listening experience throughout. I learned about these guys from their In The Tub interview that they did with Critical Wave UK that has been mentioned endlessly before here on the site, and I decided to give these guys a whirl. What makes these lads unique is their ability to take unconventional sounds and translate it into a format that is easily comprehensible by the listening audience who will gravitate towards their sound each and every time it comes on. A terrific undiscovered band that deserves to get some notice here in the States. Recommended tracks for you to take a stab at include "Hyperdiamond" and "Allergic".

For more information on Waking Aida, head on over to their Facebook page located right here to see for yourself what these guys have got going on from the other side of the pond. The band can be followed on Twitter from over here and find out if they plan on coming over to the U.S. anytime soon. Their official website is located here and features more wide ranging info pertaining to the gentlemen, and check out all their music now available for listening and purchase via their Bandcamp site conveniently located at this spot here.

Bad Things - Bad Things

Los Angeles, CA's Bad Things have landed on the scene with their self-titled debut album. The band features none other than Olympic gold medal winning snowboarder Shaun White, who is stepping out into his own as a musician, and proves that he is more than just a talented athlete with incredible red hair.

We kick things off with the disc's first single "Anybody" a dazzling, frenetic experience with the amazing lead vocals of Davis LeDuke providing for the backdrop that gives everybody a chance to stand out and individually showcase their talents to a curious and excitable audience. "Fool" keeps things in the midtempo structure with a straightforward number that features terrific drum arrangements from Lena Zawaideh who fits in perfectly with the musical dynamic of the band and doesn't feel the need to do anything overpowering and smartly plays it simple to have a lasting impression on the crowd. "Caught Inside" takes things on a downtempo approach showcasing the musical diversity that lies at the base of the group with Shaun doing a great job on guitar and bassist Jared Palomar formerly of Augustana delivering a outstanding one-two punch that gives the band its character and essence that is present all throughout this record and on stage as well. My favorite song off the album is "Saturday Night", an upbeat slice of synth rock heaven with a balance split right down the middle with some indie influences seeping their way into the opening of the song, and instantly spreading throughout the track's surface that provides for an instant wave of excitement and euphoria that showcases the great fervor and anticipation that surrounded the release of this album, mostly due to the face of Shaun being in the band.

The second half gets underway with "Vices" a melodic, drum riddled opus that features Davis's vocals operating in different wavelengths this time around to provide for some diversity and depth as a individual musician, which bodes well for his stage presence which is beyond captivating and is something to behold if you ever see them in concert. "Lonely Eyes" is a neat, fun-filled little number with steady guitar riffs working at a steady pace, but not too overwhelming for the listener just passing by, and Lena gets an opportunity to show off her pipes that add an air of style and grace to a band that have already have my full attention upfront. We get ready to close out the effort with "Say It Again" a warm, inviting number that cruises along at a steady speed and doesn't let up right until the very end. "End of the Road" concludes our stay here with a synth laden opus that is indicative of the type of music they play and the emotional response that they want to illicit from their small but ever growing fanbase that hangs on to their every word. I was impressed from the get go from this band, and was amazed at Shaun's capabilities as a musician which I didn't even know he possessed, and he more than proves his worth and fits in perfectly with his bandmates who all do a great job of looking out for each other as well.

In closing, a well produced and recorded debut effort from Bad Things, who are slowly emerging as a prime candidate for buzz band of the year with this release that shows what happens when 3 San Diego natives coming from different backgrounds share a common bond for the love of music and all the frills that go along with it as well.

                                                                                                                               Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Anybody
2. Fool
3. Haunting
4. Caught Inside
5. Saturday Night
6. Lost Feeling
7. Vices
8. Lonely Eyes
9. Bury
10. Say It Again
11. End of the Road   

Austria's Juleah Releases New Album "Entangled and Entwined"

Austrian based psych-rock artist Juleah has just put out her third studio release titled "Entangled and Entwined". The effort is a dreamy, insatiable wave of dreamy psych rock influences placed upon within an indie rock aesthetic that allows her to stand out prominently among the other crop of similar artists within her genre. She has a sound similar to that of Beach House and Vacationer that makes her feel right at home with those groups, and gives her a leg up to expose her sound to American listeners as well. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her musical talents, and she definitely has a promising career moving forward.

For more info on Juleah, 'Like' her Facebook page right here so that you stay in touch with her directly on everything that is happening in her camp, and speaking of camp check out her Bandcamp site conveniently located here to listen to her album on a pay-what-you-want scale. Check out her amazing video for "The Verge" embedded directly below for your viewing pleasure:

Artist Spotlight: SayWeCanFly

Starting off the abbreviated week with an all new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head up north to a small Canadian town called Lindsay located in Ontario and come across the amazing sounds of SayWeCanFly. This is mainly a solo project featuring Braden Barrie on vocals and instruments, and I must say in the 5 year history of writing for this site, he has one of the most pure, majestic voices I've heard in my lifetime. The way he exudes confidence and emotion when he sings totally exemplifies the type of person he is inside and out, and the lyrics are deeply personal ranging on a whole series of issues from depression and suicide, issues which are extremely prevalent among today's youth and one's that are exacerbated by societal issues, most namely bullying. The way he communicates with his audience and touches them with the gift of his music shows the kind of effect he has had on people, and you can tell he genuinely loves and appreciates his fans for all the support that they've given him and influenced Braden both personally and professionally. I was deeply blown away by how talented and sincere he was, and I could tell eminently that he was fully committed to playing and recording music as a profession, not just a hobby and totally hit it home for me that raw and unbridled talent is still out there. An immensely talented artist that is the real deal and deserves to be checked out at the end of this sentence that I'm currently speaking right now. Recommended tracks for you to peruse over include "Heaven is Hell" and "Scars".

For more information on SayWeCanFly, head on over to his Facebook page right here and connect with him personally to see his music and how it has impacted so many listeners. You can follow him on Twitter as well from over here and find out when he'll be venturing down in the U.S. sometime with a concert appearance or two. Visit his official website located here for more information pertaining to him, and check out his latest EP titled "Heaven Is Hell" now available for purchase on iTunes at this link here and discover the talent that is putting so many people on notice.

Interview w/ Nick Santino & The Northern Wind

We're catching up with an exclusive chat with Nick Santino from his solo project called Nick Santino & The Northern Wind. You may remember him from the Artist Spotlight feature I did with him a couple of weeks ago, and he was kind enough to do a quick interview with the site so that we could get the opportunity to know him better. His music has the tendency to transcend conventional boundaries, and delves into more deeper and concentrated songwriting that has completely altered the musical path that he was on previously. Here is the transcript of my chat with him as he was returning from a tour in the Philippines:

Give us your name and what instruments you regularly play?

Nick Santino. Guitar mostly but a little of everything. 

At what age did you first become interested in music?

All my life. I started actually playing at age 11. 

What are some of your musical influences that still have an effect on you to this day?

Everything. The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Ryan Adams. 

Most people may remember you from your old band, A Rocket To The Moon. Why did you guys decide to part ways?

Just felt like the right time for some change. 

How does your music with The Northern Wind differ from your prior musical endeavor?

This one is all me calling the shots. Writing the songs. Playing the instruments. It's more personal. 

Take us behind your songwriting process, what themes and/or elements typically are comprised within your songs?

I write about real life situations. I like to let the listener really feel the song and feel like they can relate to it. 

If you weren't involved in making music, what do you think you would be doing for a living?

Something in the graphic design or fashion worlds. 

Being from the Boston area right in Braintree, what is your favorite thing about your home city?

I think what I like most about it is that it's home. There's not much to the Braintree but it's a place to call home and it's comforting to know I have that. 

What's coming up next on your radar, planning to play any shows in the near future?

Hopefully some touring this year. I’m planning to do a full length record. 

Lastly, how much has music played a role in the person you are now?

It's everything I do, see, create, feel. It's the world.

Thanks once again to Nick Santino for taking some time out of his schedule to do this interview. It's refreshing to hear a musician make a conscious decision to change the type of music he used to play, and cater to a different audience who are very rooted in the genre of music he is playing now, but the devoted fanbase he acquired previously is more than willing to take a listen and follow him on his musical journey anyways. For more information on Nick Santino & The Northern Wind, 'Like' him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter here.

Handguns To Tour w/ All Time Low This Spring

Baltimore's own Handguns will be heading out on the road this Spring with their homeboys All Time Low on their A Love Like Tour. Also joining them on this tour will be Man Overboard and the dates will kick off starting on March 28th in Richmond, VA. There are no Boston dates on the tour unfortunately, but the closest New England state that the tour will be stopping by is in Portland, ME on April 28th. The band were a recent Artist Spotlight here on the site a few weeks ago and this tour is prime exposure and expands their musical real estate among their ever growing legion of fans quite a bit.

Here is the full itinerary announced earlier this afternoon:

Mar. 28 - Richmond, VA - The National
Mar. 29 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
Mar. 30 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
Apr. 01 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
Apr. 02 - Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
Apr. 04 - Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theatre
Apr. 05 - Springfield, MO - Gillioz Theatre
Apr. 06 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
Apr. 08 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
Apr. 10 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Apr. 11 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theater
Apr. 12 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
Apr. 14 - Fresno, CA - Rainbow Ballroom
Apr. 15 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
Apr. 17 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
Apr. 18 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre
Apr. 19 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Apr. 21 - Sioux Falls, SD - The District
Apr. 22 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
Apr. 23 - Louisville, KY - Expo Five
Apr. 25 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
Apr. 26 - Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater
Apr. 28 - Portland, ME - State Theater
Apr. 29 - Clifton Park, NY - Upstate Concert Hall
Apr. 30 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
May 01 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
May 02 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
May 03 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live

Potty Mouth Perform "Sleep Talk" At Converse Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn

Northampton, MA based Potty Mouth stopped by Converse Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn last month to perform a few tracks from their breakthrough effort titled Hell Bent. The band has been featured here on the site before, and I have sung Converse RIbber Tracks good graces as well in the past year as they have done a bang up job of delivering the best and brightest in upstart music from around the Northeast, and they have something special in place that should be embraced to the fullest.

For more information on Potty Mouth, 'Like' them on Facebook right here, and check out an interview the singer and guitarist Abby Weems did courtesy of the fine folks over at The Fader over here.

Artist Spotlight: Sell Your Sky

Closing out the week and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we find ourselves immersed over in Bath, England and in search of the enthusiastic pop-punk sounds of Sell Your Sky. The band consists of Tom Burton on guitar, Callum Coupland on drums, John Glenister on bass, Rob Mcleod on vocals, Ryan Strudwick on guitar, and Aaron Tiley on vocals. The band's influences range from New Found Glory to Brand New with a strong emphasis put on their vocals that have the occasional hardcore scream that will attract some hardcore fans as well who may not be too fond of pop-punk, but they will grow to appreciate them over time as they have a certain exuberance to them that is infectious and you can't help but to fall into right away. Pop-punk music is my primary musical mainframe and comprises the essence of my musical existence, so we basically grew up hand in hand while in high school and I can clearly identify with the mindset that is currently embedded within them that allows them to diversify their sound a little bit so that they don't blend into the crowd and go unnoticed. A terrific U.K. act that deserves to get some attention and press here in the US of A. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Ready When You Are, Raoul" and "Go Home Show".

For more info on the chaps of Sell Your Sky, cruise on over to their Facebook page and 'Like' them here so that you can stay connected with everything that is happening on their end. The band can also be followed on Twitter from right here and see when they might be making an appearance in the U.S. sometime soon. Visit their Bandcamp site over here to discover all their music and keep an eye out for a new album from the band expected sometime later on this year.

Artist Spotlight: American Authors

Continuing to bring out the best and brightest with another edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to my favorite borough in New York, Brooklyn and come across the ever vibrant sounds of American Authors. The band consists of Zac Barnett, James Adam Shelley, Matt Sanchez, and Dave Rublin. While the band's primary base is in Brooklyn, the band can proudly trace their roots back to the Boston area where the members met while attending Berklee College of Music and originally performed under the name The Blue Pages before relocating to NYC in 2010. The band's music is a virtual smorgasbord of organic and eclectic folk mixed in with an indie rock aesthetic that shows off the band's real image that they worked so hard to cultivate all these years, and are beginning to move up the ranks as of right now. I first came across the guys this past summer while hearing their song "Best Day of My Life" used in a commercial for the MLB Fan Cave and I was amazed with the upbeat and positive nature of the song, something that we could all use a heaping dose of these days and can be implemented in all other musical quadrants elsewhere as well. These guys have a pure and nurtured talent that is yearning to be shared with everyone, and you can easily comprehend the positive message that is embedded within their music if you listen to the lyrics very closely. An immensely talented group that I'm so proud has its roots traced back to Beantown.

For more information on American Authors, head on over to their Facebook page located here and give it a 'Like' so that you stay in the know with everything that is going on in their land. Follow the guys on Twitter from this location over here and stay in touch with the band directly on a one by one basis through their individual accounts which can be accessed over there as well. Visit their official website here for an extensive amount of in depth info concerning the band, and check out their self titled EP available for download on iTunes right here.

July To Perform on Canada's "Breakfast Television" Tomorrow Morning, Readying Winter Tour

Brampton, Ontario, Canada based pop-punkers July are gearing up right now as we speak to perform on Canada's morning television program "Breakfast Television" tomorrow morning. The band will be performing an acoustic rendering of the title track from their debut release called "What We Signed Up For". Their sound totally hits home for me as it's the type of music I grew up with in high school, and I can totally dig the youth filled vibe that emanates ever so strongly from our neighbors to the North. The band is also gearing up for a brief tour with SayWeCanFly around their area that will be kicking off on Valentine's Day, February 14th. Here's the full itinerary:

2/14/14 Toronto, ON @ Cage Club
2/15/14 Ottawa, ON @ Cafe Dekcuf
2/16/14 Belleville, ON @ Parkdale Centre
2/18/14 Oakville, ON @ TB High School
2/19/14 London, ON @ Norma Jeans
2/20/14 Burlington, ON @ YMCA
2/21/14 Waterloo, ON @ Maxwells
2/22/14 Newmarket, ON @ Jam Spot

For more information on July, 'Like' them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here, and visit their official homepage right here. Their album "What We Signed Up For" is now available for download on iTunes conveniently located here.

Interview w/ Lucas of Tales Of Olde

Got another interview ready to roll, and today it comes to us from the Boston based folk group Tales Of Olde. This band has been gaining some steam lately with their Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their debut EP, and their live performances have been getting increasing notice from fans and music journalists alike with their down home and laid back folk style attracting all sorts of followers from both ends of the musical spectrum. I recently sat down with frontman Lucas Cortazio as we look back on the group's beginnings and how his own personal influences played a role in the genesis and creation of the band's trademark style. Here is the transcript of my chat with him:


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

Lucas: There are six of us. Ellen Story plays the fiddle. Drew Story is our lead guitarist. Jeff Kinsey plays the bass. Al Cleveland is our drummer. Evelyn Cortazio is our background vocalist and does some lead vocals as well and I’m Lucas Cortazio the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Tales of Olde. 

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

Lucas: Well, we all met in Boston about three years ago. Drew, Ellen, Jeff and Al all attended Berklee College of Music and I worked in the area. We began to play together for a few projects and early last year, Tales of Olde was born.

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

Lucas: I remember listening to my Walkman at age 10. At that time I was probably listening to some Brazilian artist and I remember already losing myself in the music, specially on car rides.

How much has music affected or enhanced your lives up until this point?

Lucas: Music has had a huge effect on my life (in a very good way). It serves as a reminder of hope and beauty. It brings me peace or it can get me pumped up… You know, it really helps me to tell stories and listen to other people’s stories and we all have stories.

Take us through the writing process for your songs, where do you draw inspiration from?

Lucas: Well… up to this point I bring skeletons of songs to the band (lyrics, melody and a chord progression) and then each band member adds his or her own flavor to it. You know, Drew will add catchy guitar licks and Jeff adds a sick bass line. Ellen will add beautiful harmony lines on fiddle, and so will Evelyn with her voice. And then Al will add his mesmerizing rhythms which really take our sound to the next level!
Our songs are mostly inspired by the stories that Evelyn and I have lived through as a couple, as parents, as son and daughter and as friends. I write about things that we have gone through ourselves or we have seen friends and family go through. We draw inspiration from joys but also the struggles and pain we all experience.

What are some of your favorite songs that you've recorded together as a group and how that speaks to you personally?

Lucas: The two songs we have released as singles (Little Bird and This Place) are favorites because they have a lot of personal meaning. I wrote Little Bird thinking of Evelyn and I’s little baby girl (her name is Lana and she is turning 2 here in January). We call her Lana Bird and I already suffer from separation anxiety when it comes to her.. haha… You know, someday a handsome fella will come around and steal her from me and that will be tough to swallow. This Place is all about HOME! And Home means everything for me. Home is Evelyn and our 3 kids. Home is our friends and family. Home is good food and good beer and wine. Home is tough times but tough times we go through together. In the end home is all about people and that is what life is about.

What are some other acts that you guys frequently get compared to?

Lucas: Oh man, we have heard a lot of comparisons. From Mumford & Sons to Of Monsters and Men, The Head And The Heart to Andrew Bird. Mostly bands that live in that indie rock/folk sphere.

Besides making music, what do you like to do in your spare time to relax and unwind?

Lucas: I don’t know that it’s relaxing but I love watching and playing sports! I’m a huge Boston fan! Football is my favorite so watching the Pats and playing football with my boys (Lucca 7 and Levi 5) is one of my favorite things to do outside of music.

What can we expect next from you guys musically this year?

Lucas: Well, this is a huge year for us. Last year we were discovering our identity and purpose and this year is when we start to share that with the world. Our debut EP will come out in late March or early April and then the real fun begins! We hope to be playing shows all over the map and making friends wherever it is we find ourselves!

Lastly, what is your favorite thing about being in this group?

Lucas: This band has become a second family for Evelyn, the kids and I. My boys look up to Jeff, Drew and Al and I’m sure little Lana will look up to Ellen. It is not easy finding people to play music and it’s even harder to find people who share the same passions and hope that you do. We have hit the jackpot! This is a band that should stay together for a very, very long time if we can stay true to ourselves and if that happens I truly believe we can have a very positive impact in this crazy world we live in!

Thanks once again to Lucas for taking some time out of his ever busy schedule to do this interview. Being a musician and a parent at the same time isn't easy, but Lucas manages to balance the two and puts it all in perspective. For more information on Tales Of Olde, 'Like' them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here, and visit their official website here. Be on the lookout for their debut EP slated for release sometime in March/April, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that!