Track Listing Revealed for "MusicBoxPete Presents: Folk & Company"

Proud to reveal this morning the track listing for my 3rd Bandcamp compilation titled, "MusicBoxPete Presents: Folk & Company". The 11 track disc features tracks from some terrific up and coming bands in the folk rock genre not just from here in Boston, but from all across the country as well to give the full spectrum of artists that are blossoming in this burgeoning genre. Here are the bands that will be featured on the forthcoming disc:

1. The Federal Hillbillies - Going Back Home
2. Thomas John Cadrin - Victory March (live)
3. Brian Medlin + The Elk Band - A Ghost Called Love
4. This Much - Disdain
5. The Novel Ideas - Back and Forth
6. The Ballroom Thieves - Down By The River
7. Ryan Harris Brown - Forever Means For Good
8. Little Brother Eli - When She Sings
9. Kansas Bible Company - Jesus The Horse Thief
10. The Attic Stairs - You're Always Around
11. Drunken Logic - Rhythm of The Rain

The compilation will be released live on Bandcamp on April 22. I'm so excited to share this compilation along with the rest of you! For more info on the compilation, head on over to the site's official Bandcamp page right here for all the latest up to the minute info.

TigermanWOAH Advances in Rock N Roll Rumble Opener

The 35th annual Rock N Roll Rumble officially kicked off last night with a slew of Boston based acts performing for the masses at TT the Bears in Cambridge. The long and majestic beards belonging to Tigerman WOAH ere enough to lift them over the competition at last night's show, but their music also helped as well! They advance to the semifinals that will be taking place on Friday, April 18. Night #2 will be taking place tonight with the following acts performing:

9:00pm - Doom Lover
9:45pm - When Particles Collide
10:30pm - Goddamn Draculas
11:15pm - Emma Ate The Lion

Doors open at 8pm and the show is 18+. Good luck to all the bands taking place in this year's extravaganza!

Seasick Mama Releases Music Video For "Gimme Me Something More to Work With"

NYC's own Seasick Mama have just released their sleek new music video for "Gimme Me Something More To Work With". The clip gives us a glance inside the creative mind of Seasick Mama and their ability to weave vivid and intelligent imagery into their videos that evokes the creativity and genius that is entirely of their own creation, and speaks to mind about the involvement of creative juices aiming from all directions and shows what happens when four brilliant musicians put all their minds together to create something special.

For more info on Seasick Mama, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter at this location here.

VTCN Radio Unveil New Track "Riddle Song"

The Parisian duo known as VTCN Radio have just released their brand new track titled "Riddle Song". The track is a mysterious, yet hauntingly beautiful track that evokes the wisdom and imagery of Stanley Kubrick's movies with a eerie backdrop that totally throws you for a loop, but has some majestic and ethereal qualities to it that set it apart and puts it on a pedestal higher than all the others for everyone to marvel over and watch unfurl right before their very eyes. I was honestly blown away when I first heard this track, and couldn't believe that something so pure and creative could honestly exist in this world, and has a strong musical bearing on all the surroundings about you to set everything in motion.

To check out "Riddle Song" for yourself, it's available for streaming on their Soundcloud page right over here and for more info on the Frenchmen, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter over here.

Artist Spotlight: Freeze The Atlantic

Closing it all out and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head across the ocean to Farnborough, England where we come across the melodic sounds of Freeze The Atlantic. The group consists of Guy Davis, Andy Gilmour, Liv Puente, Sean Shreeve, and Tom Stevens. The band has a piercing, energetic sound similar to Jimmy Eat World and Weezer with that youthful feel to it that is indelible and can't possibly be ignored during your listening travels through their musical surroundings. I fell in love with these guys immediately upon first listen, and really understood what their intentions were and their ability to communicate effectively with the listening audience and bring them into their world of wonder and musical bliss. These guys have insatiable talent and I don't see any reasons why they shouldn't be on the musical waters of America right now. Some tracks for you to check out include "The Colour" and "Volcanoes".

For more information on Freeze The Atlantic, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and see what all the buzz and aura is surrounding them. Follow them on Twitter right over here and see when they might be performing in America sometime soon. Visit their official website right here for more in depth and wide ranging info pertaining to the guys, and check out their latest album titled "Speakeasy" now available for download on iTunes here, and keep an eye out for their new studio album that will be out sometime later on this year.

Donovan Wolfington Stream Forthcoming Album "Scary Stories You Tell In The Dark"

New Orleans based Donovan Wolfington have just made their forthcoming studio album "Scary Stories You Tell In The Dark" available for streaming in advance of its release date on April 8 via Topshelf Records. The band have been gaining some traction and press from other music sites and have been making an impact on my music listening habits with their indie-punk blend of music that is a collection of each members individual influences all muddled together in one that gives us a sense of what the band sounds like and how all of those said influences sound when they are combined together. A truly unique and dynamic listening experience that needs to be heard right now.

To stream "Scary Stories You Tell In The Dark", head on over to Topshelf Records Soundcloud page over here to get a feel for it, check out their previously released music on Bandcamp here, and for more information on Donovan Wolfington, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter over here.

Artist Spotlight: Mike Mains & The Branches

For today's Artist Spotlight adventure, we head over to Owosso, Michigan and upon the doorstep of Mike Mains & The Branches. The band consists of Mike and Shannon Mains, plus Nathan Wethy. The band has an easily accessible and delectable blend of indie rock that is entirely of their own creation and speaks to mind about the creative juices that are ever flowing through the band at a constant stream of pace. I first discovered these guys through their Audiotree performance a few months back, and they really left an impression on me through their organic musical components and tight knit chemistry that solidified their place among the crop of indie rock newcomers popping up all across the country and definitely have an opportunity to cash in on their ticket of success beyond their Michigan surroundings. An impressive act that has a bright future ahead of them. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "Miracle" and "Stereo".

For more info on Mike Mains & The Branches, head on over to their Facebook page and give it a 'Like' right here to stay on top of their musical dealings. Follow them on Twitter from this location here and see when they may be stopping by the New England area sometime soon for a concert performance. Visit their official website over here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest album "Calm Down, Everything Is Fine" now available for purchase on iTunes and for streaming on Spotify among digital music retailers.

Boston Natives Ari & Mia To Perform at Club Passim on April 27

Boston based sister folk act Ari & Mia are set to perform at Club Passim in Harvard Square, Cambridge at the end of the month on April 27. The duo have been making a name of themselves with their pure and exquisite blend of folk rock that has quickly been gaining steam, and attracting legions of fans from outside the region as well. They're on tour in support of their latest album, "Land on Shore" which is now available for purchase on CDBaby right here and on iTunes you can buy their prior album titled "Unruly Heart" to catch up on their previously released music as well which is available at this link here.

For more information on Ari & Mia, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter over here. Check out their official website right here for a host of in depth features related to the duo.

Xavier & Ophelia Music Video for "Stop The Traffic"

Just came across this music video yesterday from the Nashville, TN bred duo Xavier & Ophelia called "Stop The Traffic". The clip features gorgeous and stunning imagery set in a nighttime setting in a busy metropolitan setting that features indelible electro synth guided waves that create a instant feeling of relaxation that needs to be seen in order to be believed. I really enjoyed the subtle and smooth vibe of the clip as it allowed me to ease into their music quite easily, and enjoy the musical wavelengths that were coming my way at a steady pace that also gives me ample opportunity to understand fully what their music is all about. I'm sure you'll grow to love Xavier & Ophelia as much as I have.

For more information on Xavier & Ophelia, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter over here and for more in depth information on the duo, check out their official website right here.

Handguns to Release New Album "Life Lessons" on July 8

Baltimore, MD based Handguns are set to release their brand new studio album titled "Life Lessons" on July 8th via Pure Noise Records. The delectable pop-punkers have been gaining steam quickly with their hard nosed blend of pop-punk rhythms quickly gaining a following and their songs resonating strongly with their ever growing legion of fans that hang on to literally every word that the band have to say. I've covered these guys extensively here on the site, and I can tell you that they get better and better with each recording that they put out, and have quickly shot to the top of my iTunes playlist where they have remained for quite some time.

The fellas are also out on tour this Spring with their homies in All Time Low whose frontman Alex Gaskarth contributed some vocal work to the new effort as well. The first single from Life Lessons titled "Heart vs. Head" is now available for purchase on iTunes right over here. For more information on Handguns, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here. Below is the track listing for their new album and their upcoming tour dates this summer w/ All Time Low:

Life Lessons Track Listing:
1. Anvil 
2. Sleep Deprived 
3. Highway Robbery
4. Heart vs. Head 
5. I Can't Relate 
6. The Loved Ones Who Hate Us
7. Queens 
8. Give and Take 
9. Waiting for Your Ghost
10. New Years Resolution
 
Handguns Tour Dates (supporting All Time Low):
Apr 2 – Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
Apr 4 – New Daisy Theatre – Memphis, TN
Apr 5 – Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, MO
Apr 6 – The Blue Note – Columbia, MO
Apr 8 – Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
Apr 10 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ
Apr 11 – Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ
Apr 12 – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
Apr 14 – Rainbow Ballroom – Fresno, CA
Apr 15 – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
Apr 17 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
Apr 18 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
Apr 19 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
Apr 21 – The District – Sioux Falls, SD
Apr 22 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Apr 23 – Expo Five – Louisville, KY
Apr 25 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH
Apr 26 – The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
Apr 28 – State Theater – Portland, ME
Apr 29 – Upstate Concert Hall – Clifton Park, NY
Apr 30 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
May 1 – The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY
May 2 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
May 3 – Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Luke Elliot - Provisions

New Jersey bred singer-songwriter Luke Elliot will be releasing his sophomore EP next month titled Provisions. The effort is a dynamic and intriguing effort that takes on a musical journey through Luke's influences that concentrate mostly within the folk realm, and sort of has a storytelling quality similar to that of Bob Dylan with a sound that is all his own and with a certain authenticity that makes him stand out.

"Benny's A Bum" kicks off our odyssey with a strong, melodic state of mind and Luke's gritty and rough vocals working their way through the onslaught of rhythm, and evoking the sensibilities of recent newcomer Jake Bugg from across the pond whose influences are well represented throughout Luke's sound. "To Feel Your Love" is a more downtempo number, but a hauntingly beautiful track that shows a different side of Luke that is just yearning to break free from the pack and rise to the surface with rich piano based melodies being the star of the show here and showcasing Luke's diverse abilities as a singer-songwriter that have so far been well documented. "Virginia" is a old school style folk track with the evoking characteristics of Dylan evoked within his musical style that just screams plain authenticity and makes the listening experience that much enjoyable and makes us look forward to the rest of the effort to follow. My favorite track off the effort is "I Get It Anyhow" a stark, highly passionate track that fully evokes Luke's capabilities as a burgeoning singer-songwriter and features cleverly orchestrated acoustic guitar rhythms and well written lyrics that showcase a musician who is clearly in his element right now. "Ballad of a Priest" closes out our musical stay with a track that sound like something you might hear at a baseball game, and does a neat job of bringing in the musical elements we've heard previously, and presents the overview into one complete package showcasing the highlights that are fit to spare. Luke has a very rich and dynamic stage presence that will make him a longer lasting musician than most others with his ability to hone in on his influences and express it with the sincerity and musical identity that is all his own.

Looking back, a terrific and musical rich effort from Luke Elliot, a musician that I'm sure we'll be hearing more from in the future with his musical abilities on clear display for everyone to be entranced and marveled over at the same time. Don't forget to pick up "Provisions" when it comes out on May 6!

                                                                                                                                  EP Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Benny's A Bum
2. To Feel Your Love
3. Virginia
4. I Get It Anyhow
5. Ballad of a Priest 

Sleepy Hahas Release Music Vid for "I Hate My Body (And It Hates Me Too)"

From the land of Buffalo wings and the Bills, Sleepy Hahas have just unveiled their brand new music video for the track "I Hate My Body (And It Hates Me Too)". The psychedelic track features spaced out imagery and a high energy vibe that can't possibly be ignored. The track is the first single from their forthcoming debut album "Dull Days" that will be released on May 13 and was mixed and mastered by Paul Hamann who also helmed The Black Keys "Attack & Release". The video is one of the most whacked out pieces of genius that I've seen in quite some time and is well worth your viewing time to check out and experience for yourself.

For more info on Sleepy Hahas, 'Like' them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here, and check out their music on Bandcamp over here.

Kristen Ford Band To Hold CD Release Party on May 24 at Middle East Downstairs

Boston based act Kristen Ford Band will be releasing their brand new album "Dinosaur" on May 24 and will be holding a CD release party at The Middle East Downstairs. This marks a farewell show for Kristen as she plans to leave Boston for good to concentrate on touring full time and living in a van touring all across the country. The album was funded by approximately 130 Kickstarter supporters and is sure to be heavily attended by supporters and well wishers to send her along her way as she sets out to live her dreams on the road.

The show is on Saturday May 24 at The Middle East Downstairs with doors opening up at 6:30pm. Tickets are only $10 and are available to purchase via TicketWeb here. For more information on Kristen Ford Band, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and check out their music on Bandcamp over here.

Artist Spotlight: The Front Bottoms

Kicking off the month of April with a brand new Artist Spotlight all set for you! Today, we head down to Bergen County, New Jersey where we come across the indie infused sounds of The Front Bottoms. The band consists of Brian Sella on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Uychich on drums, with Tom Warren on bass and Ciaran O'Donnell representing the live portion of the band. The band has a carefree, random essence to them that is refreshing and unlike the other acts currently populating the scene these days, but also have a certain unheralded beauty to them that is refreshing to hear within the confines of the lyrics that give off an autobiographical frame of where these guys come from and how their music is representative of their upbringing as well. I heard of these guys by name only, but knew very little about musically and I must tell you how amazed I am at how incredibly talented these gentlemen are, and they have such an innate ability of communicating their style to a willing and receptive listening audience. A terrific band that is on the cusp of something special. Some recommended tracks for you to discover include "Skeleton" and "Twin Size Mattress".

For more info on The Front Bottoms, give them a 'Like' on Facebook here and connect with the guys on a more personal scale. They can be followed on Twitter as well from this location here and see when they may be stopping by your hometown soon for a concert appearance. Visit their official website over here for more in depth information concerning the gentlemen, and check out their latest album titled "Talon of the Hawk" now available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon MP3 among select digital music outlets.