Nick D' & The Believers Release Colorful "Throwing Stones" Music Vid

Columbus, OH's own Nick D' & The Believers just unleashed their terrific new music video for the song "Throwing Stones". The clip takes us on a colorful odyssey through a nighttime carnival setting complete with upbeat, electronic rhythms and a smart, straightforward edge that gives the trio a bit of a edge and draws some comparisons to Foster The People and Passion Pit with their electronically dabbled elements working its way in through the crevice of the track. The group definitely has a diverse edge going for them, even throwing in some blues elements for good measure that puts them in a class all their own and enables them to move further up the musical ladder where even more listeners will get a chance to see them unravel before their very ears.

For more info on Nick D' & The Believers, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter over here.

Interview w/ Jared from Jared & The Mill

Presenting to you today an interview with Jared Kolesar, frontman for the Arizona based folk rock outfit Jared & The Mill. The indie-folk group have been rising slowly and steadily within the past year, releasing their debut album titled "Western Expansion" to a receptive audience, and are currently out on tour right now as we speak opening up for Barry Gibb of Bee Gees fame on his U.S. tour. Jared was nice enough to devote some time out of his busy schedule to do this interview, as we talk about the group's beginnings and how their musical influences have shaped and enrich their current sound that has made them who they are today. Here is the transcript from our chat:

Give us your names and your roles in the band?

Jared Kolesar - Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar

Larry Gast III - Lead Guitar

Michael Carter - Banjo / Mandolin

Chuck Morris - Upright Bass / Bass Guitar

Josh Morin - Drums Percussion

Gabe Hall Rodrigues - Accordion / Keyboard

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

In the late spring of 2011, I wanted to start a band, and we played a show at The Clubhouse in Tempe, AZ in June of that year.  Mike had been friends since the 7th grade.  Josh and Larry had been friends for just as long.  and Larry and Chuck had been around each other and music since they were kids when their dads would play gigs together.  Gabe was added to the band after I recognized him in a coffee shop and asked him if he wanted to play accordion in a folk-rock outfit.

How would you describe your sound to those who aren't familiar with you?

Our specific genre is southwestern indie-folk-rock.  It's like taking the modern folk music revival and mixing it with American Indie-Rock and just a touch of country music.

What music inspired you while growing up and how has it manifested itself in your music and lyrics?

I know it's cliche, but I listened to a little bit of everything and was impacted by all of it.  My songwriting was very much influenced by Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel, as well as come of the old cowboys like Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and the like.

What themes and/or subject matter typically revolve around your music?

The lyrics I write are pulled from the life I live, my writing started as a way to deal with my social anxieties and my self worth issue.  Once I matured and got over the angst of being young I started to revel in my youth and write about the excitement of becoming a grown up and finding purpose in fellowship, love, family, and life in general.

How does it feel to be opening up for Barry Gibb on tour and how influential has his work been on your group?

To be opening up for Barry Gibb is as exciting as it is daunting.  It's definitely a jump up in crowd size from any show we've ever played for.  I think we're up to the challenge and we all really look forward to playing for so many people who have no experience with our tunes, for a lot of them it will be the first time hearing of us, it's way cool.  Everybody has heard of the Bee Gees and Barry is the 5th highest selling artist of all time or something like that, we're going to learn so much from this tour and I'm certain Barry is going to be a great mentor for us in terms of being a professional working musician.

Take us behind the recording process for "Western Expansion", how that all came together and what the experience was like?

Western Expansion was very much our baby upon it's recording, we were so proud to see where our music had come since starting out and our passions manifested on that record.  It's really inspiring every time we listen to W.E. as a band.  The song list of the record is a collection of songs that we had been playing since forming as a band, as well as songs we had just written a month before going into the studio, it gives the listener a really great idea of who we are as artists.

For fun, what do you guys like to do to unwind away from music and the road?

We all pretty much agree on camping and Star Wars.  But other than that we really enjoy showing each other songs that we've written and taking drives around our beautiful state.  We're all born and bread Zoni's (Arizona natives) and we really love the land we're wrought from.

What's coming up on tap for this year after you finish your tour?

There really is just a whole lot of touring in our near future, we hope to continue growing our fanily (fan-family… I just came up with that so forgive me if it's lame) and we hope to just keep doing what we're doing, our growth has been really natural since we formed and we hope it continues this way.

Lastly, how has performing and making music together shaped you all individually?

We've all grown up as individuals since we started this journey, I personally have really gained my confidence as an entertainer, and as a writer.  I can't wait to showcase this growth on our next album! We hope to hit the studio next year sometime.

Thanks once again to Jared for being so gracious with his time in doing this interview! His band contains some exceptionally talented musicians and their knack for creating such harmonious rhythms upon dynamic instrumentation has made them one of the must see up and coming acts in music today. Don't forget to catch them in concert opening up for Barry Gibb when the tour stops by Boston at the TD Garden on May 15.

We Were Astronauts Stream New Video For "Doree"

Boston's own We Were Astronauts have just released their latest music video creation titled "Doree". The clip is a harmonic, wondrous opus with thoughtful musical precision and features old style video effects strewn about to give the vid that authentic feel that will keep viewers tuned in and focused on the action at hand to create a truly authentic viewing experience like no other. I have only heard of these guys from name only, and I must say that I'm truly impressed with their musical style that is subtle, but really has that ability to tug at your heartstrings as well and bring you into their world of musical wonder that will captivate you and make you a devoted follower of the group in the process.

For more on We Were Astronauts, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Wolves At Bay

Starting off your Tuesday with another edition of Artist Spotlight that takes us down to Hamden, CT and upon the doorsteps of Wolves At Bay. The band consists of Will Hayes on guitar and lead vocals, Eric Gustafson on guitar, Chris Noel on drums, and Mat Smith on bass. The band has a eclectic indie-emo rock feel with elements of Brand New well represented throughout the musical tree that presents a two-tiered effect that gives the best of both worlds with cutting edge instrumentation and sharp edged vocal work that gives the songs focus and a musical identity that fans can relate to and allow the two parties to share some insight between one another as well. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these guys, and found the direct connection they had with their fans that is essential to the success of any group and is a barometer of sorts as to how the guys measure up to the other acts currently embedded within the scene. A terrific upstart band with plenty of potential for growth in the future. Some recommended tracks for you to discover include "Know Why" and "I Have Nothing To Offer".

For more info on Wolves At Bay, head on over to their Facebook page located here and give it a 'Like' if you gravitate towards their musical vibe. The band is also on Twitter right here and find out when the group will be venturing up to Boston sometime soon with a concert appearance. Check out the group's latest EP titled "The Postvention", now available for download on Bandcamp at this link over here on a name your own price format.

Animal Years Release New Album "Sun Will Rise"

Brooklyn's own Animal Years have released their brand new album just today called "Sun Will Rise". The 13 track album from the indie rock upstarts contains elements of indie rock with their influences ranging from Kings of Leon to My Morning Jacket to give a full broad spectrum representations of where they are musically and how those influences have shaped them to the men they've become and the deep appreciation for music it has enstilled in them as well. I knew very little about these guys, and really understood their musical intentions upon first listen and how it translates to the ears of ordinary music listeners who will definitely be attracted to the musical vibes they're transmitting to a receptive and caring listening audience. Here is the track listing for the album:

1. Meet Me
2. Heart on Heart
3. Rapture
4. Let Go of Your Head
5. Sun Will Rise
6. Forget What They're Telling You
7. Poor Boy
8. Worried Mind
9. Walking Slow
10. Leah (B-Side)
11. Fear of Falling (B-Side)
12. Got Nowhere To Go (B-Side)
13. Heartbeat (B-Side)

The album is now available for purchase on iTunes here, Amazon MP3 over here, and on Spotify as well right here. For more info on Animal Years, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow on Twitter here.

TOY Release Retro Fitted Video For "As We Turn"

London based rock act TOY have just released their sleek looking video for the track "As We Turn". The video has look and sophistication of a clip straight out of the 70's with shadowy images of the band performing superimposed throughout the vid, and provides for a unique and pleasurable viewing experience that you definitely won't soon forget. I thought the clip was extremely creative and utilized the creative elements of everyone involved in the production of it, and shows that you can always look to the past for some inspiration that can be translated easily to contemporary times where an audience will definitely gravitate towards the look and feel of the art you're trying to convey.

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

Ex-Cult To Perform at Middle East Upstairs on 5/26

Memphis, TN's own punk sensations Ex-Cult are scheduled to perform in the Boston area at The Middle East Upstairs towards the end of the month. The group have been making a name for themselves with their hard edged punk rhythms starting to gain a devoted audience and turning heads with their dynamic stage presence that has set them apart from their contemporaries in the scene, and has ushered upon a kind of sound that is brash, unfiltered, and takes no prisoners whatsoever. If you're a avid and devoted follower of punk music, then this show is for you.

The show will take place on May 26 at The Middle East Upstairs and also performing will be The Monsieurs and Designer. To purchase tickets for the show, simply click on this link right here. For more info on Ex-Cult, 'Like' them on Facebook over here.

Cold War Kids Unveil New Side Project French Style Furs With "All The Way Down"

The members of Cold War Kids have revealed their brand new side project called French Style Furs with the track "All the Way Down". The song is a refreshing, inventive mix of drums conjured upon a frenetic and fast paced mix of guitars and loud, shrieking vocals that when combined, are some of the most clever and inventive pieces of musical wisdom that I've heard so far this year. I've been a big admirer of Cold War Kids ever since they came out a few years back, and I always appreciated their ability to do things outside of the norm and do differently what the other artists were accomplishing at the head of the pack, and just deviating overall from the status quo and being the amazing and talented musicians they are.

To listen to "On The Way Down" and the other songs they've released, cruise on over to their Soundcloud site located right over here, and for more info on French Style Furs please 'Like' their Facebook page as well here. Preorders for their debut release "Is Exotic Bait" out on July 8 are now being taken over on iTunes right here.

Artist Spotlight: Redwoods

Taking us into the weekend for Artist Spotlight today are a band emanating from Greystones, Ireland that goes by the name of Redwoods. The band consists of Elliot Crampton on lead vocals and guitar, Killian Dunne on lead guitar and vocals, Paul Sheehy on bass and vocals, and Tristan Gresty on drums. The band's sound is a melodic and soothing blend of folk rock and pop influences conjured upon a musical stage where it comes across as invigorating and energizing the moment you hear it out of the box. I enjoyed Redwoods immensely upon first listen, and really understood the musical makeup of the band and their primary goal which is to just let loose and have the music do the talking and not having to worry about dabbling in other genres and stick to their guns, which is quite alright by them. Some songs to be on the lookout for include "Don't Take Me Down" and "Me and My Mates".

For more info on Redwoods, give them a 'Like' over on their Facebook page located here and see what they're all about. They're also on Twitter as well from this spot over here and see when they may be dropping by the U.S. sometime soon. All of their music is available on Bandcamp right here and on their Soundcloud site as well over here.

Telegraph Releases Groundbreaking "Rhinestone Chapel" Video

Nashville, TN based power-pop band Telegraph has just put their all new music video for the song "Rhinestone Chapel". The video is a clever and well orchestrated clip featuring still images of the band interspersed with performance footage scattered about to give you a truly dynamic and breathtaking visual stimuli that is not your usual music vid, and is really groundbreaking in terms of the content it provides to the viewer. The band also possess some slight classic rock influences as well that separate them from the other on the rise acts currently popping up in the scene, and definitely speaks to mind about the creative juices and versatility that is beaming from these three extremely talented dudes.

For more info on Telegraph, 'Like' them on Facebook here and give them a follow on Twitter right here.

The Feed Stream Latest Single "Rexy"

St. Louis, MO based The Feed have just made available to stream their latest single titled "Rexy". The song has a distorted, lo-fi garage rock sound similar to that of The Strokes and Spoon with their own unique twist put on for good measure. I had an enjoyable time listening to these guys, and appreciated that they had something different to bring to the table and weren't like the cavalcade of copycat acts coming up in the scene these days who all sound so similar to one another that they get lost in the shuffle, but these guys have that slight melodic edge to them that leaves them right at the top of the pile and makes them a longer lasting act in the process as well.

To listen to "Rexy" for yourself, head on over to their Soundcloud site located over here and find the vibe they're emitting to their audience. For more info on The Feed, 'Like' them on Facebook over here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Artist Spotlight: Basement

Starting off the month of May with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight that takes us across the pond to Ipswich, United Kingdom where we come across the intense sounds of Basement. The act has a local connection as they're currently signed to Run For Cover Records which is based right here in Boston, and they've been making a strong impression with their hard nosed rhythms and sharply focused lyrics attracting legions of fans from all across he musical gamut who are eminently curious as to what their music sounds like and the emotional response it will illicit as a result of it. I was impressed with what I heard from these guys, and they definitely had a unique and creative vision as to what their music should sound like and the type of audience they want to focus their attention on. A terrific on the rise UK band that has a Beantown connection that will definitely attract some new ears in the process. Some songs for you to check out include "Whole" and "Covet".

For more information on Basement, head on over to their Facebook page located here and give it a 'Like' if you enjoy the sounds that are coming your way. You can follow them on Twitter from this spot here and see when the band will be dropping by the Bay State area sometime soon. Visit their Tumblr site located right here to stay connected with all the band's happenings, and check out all their music they have released thus far over on the Run For Cover Records Bandcamp site located over here.

Kristen Ford Band Unveils "El Camino" Video

Boston's own Kristen Ford Band has just put out her new music video for the song "El Camino" from her forthcoming album Dinosaur, which will be released on May 24. The clip is a subtle, well shot visual opus that sees Kristen performing outside in a nighttime shot with a colorful array of imagery to go along with the music that when combined, gives it a strong visual accompaniment and a voice that gives you the ability to see all the musical shapes morph right before you. I was intrigued by the vid and how simple and straightforward it was, and it didn't feel the need to doing anything too extravagant or overproduced that would have otherwise distorted the mainframe of the clip.

For more info on Kristen Ford Band, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter over here.

Dan Masterson - Learn To Live

Walpole, MA singer-songwriter Dan Masterson is back with his all new studio effort titled Learn To Live. The dynamic and versatile musician has been featured here on the site previously in the past, and this new effort fully realizes the creative vision that he had in mind when he was conjuring up these tracks in the studio, and really encapsulates the type of musician that he aspires to be.

We start things out with the title track, a piano fueled odyssey with Dan's vocals melding in together wonderfully with the instrumentation at hand which is reminiscent of artists such as Ben Folds and Andrew McMahon with a musical originality that is all his own and is starting to come into his own right before our very eyes and ears. "Twice" is my favorite tune off the effort that evokes a more folk-rock sensibility that suits Dan particularly well, and shows the remarkable musical growth that he has shown in such a short span of time with his vocals able to adapt easily to the ever changing musical climate around him, and this track definitely takes the cake from all the others on this effort. "Fine" is a more downtempo effort and features a pure piano based melody that takes a hold of you pretty quickly and wraps you into its world where Dan eloquently communicates his musical quest to a captive and receptive audience. "Helpless" gets us ready for the conclusion of the album with another folk based track that gives us the best of both worlds with Dan's insatiable musical vision continuing to mold and take shape with this inventive effort that adequately portrays where Dan is musically and in his personal life as well. "Bayonet" ends our musical stay here with a subtle, neatly focused musical arrangement with Dan's whispering vocals adding a great deal of beauty and sophistication to a simple yet elegant track that ties everything together in one neat little package and sends us on our way with a great effort to look back fondly on. It's been a pleasure seeing Dan mature musically over the years, as I covered him on the site previously a few years ago when he was first starting out and I was amazed at how his talent was constantly developing and he was always looking for ways to improve and hone his craft, and it struck me at how dedicated he was to his music career and how he would always focus his creative energies on getting better musically and seeing what lay ahead down the road.

All in all, a terrific and well rehearsed effort from Dan Masterson, a musician who is continuing to develop right before us into a jack of all trades who is more than capable of handling anything thrown before him, and turn it into honest and beautifully crafted compositions.

                                                                                                                                 EP Score: 4/5

"Learn To Live" is available for purchase physically and digitally via Dan's Bandcamp site right over here.

Track Listing:

1. Learn To Live
2. Twice
3. Fine
4. Helpless
5. Bayonet