MEGAN SLANKARD RELEASES “CINEMATIC” (-V13) ALBUM CALIFORNIA & OTHER STORIES TODAY!

Photo Credit: Laura Kudritzki

CALIFORNIA & OTHER STORIES

SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco indie rock singer/guitarist Megan Slankard has released her new album California & Other Stories today!

Leading up to the release, Megan has introduced us to some of the characters and alter-egos featured throughout the album on singles California,” a searing breakup song that’s a “gentle reminder of why it might not be the best idea to date a songwriter,” explains Megan; her superhero alter ego on the empowering “Magical Thinking”; and taking a leap of faith and going after your dreams on “Something More.” Each track was accompanied by a visual companion directed by Dan Foldes.

Co-produced by Alex Wong (Vienna Teng, Delta Rae), the album California & Other Stories showcases new sides of Megan’s music, balancing delightfully belligerent rock and roll with lush cinematic soundscapes of orchestra instruments and robot harmonies. It is out today!

BUZZ

 “...a soaring breakup track… It's a song that checks all the breakup anthem boxes, sneaks up on you, then gets stuck in your head for days.”- KQED

“Megan Slankard loved lockdown and has the album to prove it… Slankard didn’t lyrically dwell on grim pandemic isolation for her “California” treaties, however. She already had some dark emotional source material to mine… a hard-rocking angry… and a second softer, more thoughtful one boasting the quieter reflections.” – San Francisco Examiner

“There’s that trademark sneering rock n’ roll for sure, but the soundscapes are more cinematic and vivid.” - V13
“Musically, [Megan]’s not afraid to show off more muscular guitars on songs like ‘They Gonna Talk’ but also inserts orchestration into tracks like ‘Carl Sagan,’ adding a welcome contrast to the more rock-focused songs here… She also adds in some New Wave synths and electronic harmonies as well broadening her appeal throughout… California & Other Stories manages to be her most experimental record yet.” – Glide Magazine

“Slankard channels the best parts of guitar-driven indie rock with a sound that tows the line somewhere between Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy, but with enough twists and turns to make it her own.” -Chorus.fm 

 “CALIFORNIA” SINGLE

STREAM | WATCH

“MAGICAL THINKING” SINGLE

SPOTIFY | VIDEO

“SOMETHING MORE” SINGLE

SPOTIFY | VIDEO

KEEP UP WITH MEGAN SLANKARD

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

SOUTH AFRICAN ROCKER STEVE LOUW RELEASES NEW SINGLE “MOTHER DON’T GO” FEATURING JOE BONAMASSA

NEW ALBUM THUNDER AND RAIN AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 11

Photo Credit: Jacqui van Staden

“Mother, Don't Go” single

VIDEO | LISTEN

ALBUM PRE-SAVE

NEW YORK, NY - Hot on the heels of “Thunder and Rain”, the title track from Steve Louw’s brand new 10-track album dropping on November 11 comes “Mother, Don’t Go”, a track that welcomes guitar legend Joe Bonamassa back to the fold.

On this latest single, “Mother, Don’t Go”, Steve celebrates restorative, nourishing love. This insightful, insistent tune, graced by guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa brings out the song’s incandescent spirit as he intertwines his playing with that of Doug Lancio, the recently inducted guitarist into Louw’s orbit of abundantly talented players.

Recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, under the watchful eye of long-time friend and award-winning producer Kevin Shirley, “Mother, Don’t Go” hits emotional chords in its subject, supported by a group of well-seasoned and respected heavyweights playing out the songs infectious melodies and pleading chorus.
“It’s about love,” Louw explains of the album, “we’re born with love, we’ll leave with love, and it heals along the way.”

ABOUT STEVE LOUW: South African musician Steve Louw’s career began with his first band All Night Radio who released two records including 1986's The Killing Floor, the album where he first collaborated with Kevin Shirley. Louw came to stardom as the leader of Big Sky, a group who put out their first album, Waiting for the Dawn, in 1990. During their time together, Big Sky released five albums, a discography highlighted by 1995's acclaimed Horizon. The band earned accolades from the industry, including winning the FNB Music Award for Best SA Rock Act in 1996. At the end of their run as a band, Big Sky was the opening act for Rodriguez on his valedictory tour of South Africa, a journey captured in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man. The tour raised Louw's international profile, leading to his collaboration with Queen's Brian May and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart on "Amandla," a song on 2003's Nelson Mandela-inspired AIDS awareness project 46664. 

Following the release of Big Sky’s Trancas Canyon in 2008, Louw retreated from the spotlight. He broke his silence with his solo debut Headlight Dreams, a rousing comeback delivered in 2021. Thunder and Rain, his sophomore release, will be available November 11, 2022.

“Thunder and Rain” single

VIDEO | LISTEN

                                      KEEP UP WITH STEVE LOUW

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

OUT TODAY: CHAYLA HOPE’S DEBUT SOLO LP DAMN, FEELINGS LISTENING PARTY & BEER LAUNCH ON OCTOBER 29

"...perfect for fans of Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa" - Chorus.fm

"Pop-perfect" - Notion

"...a journey of love, intoxicating highs and heartbreaking lows" - Cleveland Magazine

"It’s right there in her name: Chayla Hope is all about hope" - INTO

"Hope’s vocals are impressive showing early restraint but knowing exactly when to let it go...an intriguing allure with a touch of Lady Gaga subversiveness." - Instinct Magazine

"...big, passionate voice and charismatic presence" - Cool Cleveland

"We can’t get over how much we love Chayla’s voice." - The Honey Pop

"...a triumphant funk pop tribute to the New Jack Swing era" - Music Is My Life

"Let’s face it: there are a lot of tepid vocalists today who hide behind studio gimmicks. But that’s not the case with Chayla Hope, whose voice has incredible power and precision at the same time." - Two Story Melody

"...this work of art will definitely be one that hits the hearts of many pop lovers. With the right amount of attitude and nice melodic hooks, it's an instant hit" - POPMUZIK

"[Chayla Hope] lets her inner star absolutely glow" - Death or Desire

LISTEN: DAMN, FEELINGS 

Today, vinyl-presser-turned-pop star Chayla Hope has digitally released her solo debut Damn, Feelings. After years spent fronting rock bands in her hometown of Cleveland, Hope reinvented herself within the classic dance-pop sounds that raised her while performing as a female drag queen. Her powerful voice provides an indelible sonic throughline exploring heartbreak, infatuation, loss, and the feelings that make us human.

"In the nearly nine months I spent recording Damn, Feelings, I remember coming to the realization while writing ‘Dancing While I Cry’ that I was writing a record for my younger self," Hope says. "There are a lot of references to the '80s and '90s because pop was always a safe haven for me growing up; a place where I could unabashedly be myself. I want fans to have that same experience listening to the album. I poured all of my love, pain, and heartbreak into these songs because they're what I needed to hear in order to continue to heal,” she continues. “I hope others can too."

Tracked at Suma Recording with Michael Seifert in the producer’s chair, the album’s 11 songs were brought to life by mix work from Josh Gudwin and Andrew Wuepper. The tracks also feature string arrangements and performances from Eric Gorfain and his group The Section Quartet, tracked at Sunset Sound. Hope also released cinematic music videos for several of the album’s singles:

WATCH: “ALONE”

WATCH: “LONG WAY” 

WATCH: “FALLING”  

WATCH: “LOVE IN LO-FI”   

Hope has been uniquely involved at every step, returning to her former employer Gotta Groove Records to press the vinyl herself alongside Wax Mage Records. Damn, Feelings is a showcase of impressive range and infectious spirit from pop’s next great vocalist, songwriter, and record-maker.

Recently, she announced a collaboration with Saucy Brew Works to create a beer to commemorate her album release, aptly named Damn, Feelings. The brew is a super-fruited Imperial Hazy IPA with pink guava, apricot, and blood orange. At  8% ABV, it is sure to have tasters “in their feelings.”

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s no surprise Chayla was selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic and has numerous features in the show’s soundtrack and merchandise, embodying its core themes of empowerment, inclusion, and self-understanding through her music.

Hope will host a listening party and officially launch her beer at Saucy Brew Works’ Ohio City Brewpub on October 29th. Click HERE for more information.  Be sure to follow Chayla Hope at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

DAMN, FEELINGS TRACK LIST

LOVE IN LO-FI

FALLING

CIRCLES

LONG WAY

FORGET ME NOT

SLEEPWALKING

HIGH

ALONE

TEAR MY HEART OUT

DANCING WHILE I CRY

DON’T FADE

CONNECT WITH CHAYLA HOPE:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | TWITTER | SPOTIFY

BENBEN RELEASES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “EVERY DAY IS THE SAME (ft. DIMA DRJUCHIN)” + ALGORITHMIA EP OUT NOVEMBER 18 VIA GIFTSHOP RECORDS

LISTEN // WATCH: “EVERY DAY IS THE SAME (ft. DIMA DRJUCHIN)”

Today, Brooklyn-based animator, producer, and self-described “gnome rocker” Ben Wigler, who makes music under his experimental art-rock project moniker BenBen, has unleashed “Every Day Is The Same (ft. Dima Drjuchin),” along with an insanely animated video to match.

“Every Day Is The Same” (or “E.D.I.T.S.”)  is the second single off of BenBen's debut seven-song EP Algorithmia, a disgruntled rainbow rock extravaganza about weeping into the cyber-void of digital culture. The song's mind-melting animated video is by artist and musician Dima Drjuchin, best known for painting the revered album art for Father John Misty's Fear Fun and collaborations with Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. “ Drjuchin, who plays lead guitar on the track and also illustrated the EP's gloriously maximalist artwork, is one of BenBen's dearest friends and longtime collaborators. The two recently released an EP called Ghost Love, which reimagined music from the underground bands they played in together throughout the 2010s. ” The song itself rocks super hard but has an unforgettable zombie-like hook and anesthetized vibe that mimics the dopamine-havoc of internet addiction.

“The song is built around a self-indicating lyric that becomes a mantra: every day is the same, I wake up in the morning, and wait to be fed by the internet,” says BenBen. “This should ring true for just about anyone living in the 21st century, and continues the concept-driven nature of the EP.” The golden thread of BenBen's uniquely wistful, gender-defying voice becomes like a surfer, catching the wave of the song's epic nihilism.

The song follows the release of his first single, EP title track “Algorithmia,” along with its award-winning AI-genertated video. The song's angular riffs and soaring vocals sound like Soundgarden and Queen had a musical baby and then fed it, squealing, directly into the gaping maw of the internet. The video was directed by experimental artist Nate Dorr using AI generative art-making techniques.

The video has already been making the rounds of the film festival circuit, premiering in Denver at the Supernova Digital Animation Festival (September 2022), winning “Most Original Music Video” at the Grand Rapids Film Festival (September 2022), and heading to the Boundless Film Festival (October 2022) in London and the HB Film Festival (October 2022) in Glasgow, where it is nominated for Best Music Video.

LISTEN // WATCH: “ALGORITHMIA”

Wigler helped pioneer 21st-century indie rock with under-the-radar bands Arizona and New Beard, performing live and in the studio with artists like Band of Horses, Samantha Crain, and Indigo Girls. Wigler’s last LP was mixed by legendary Dungen frontman Gustav Ejstes. Best known for an unforgettable high tenor voice and infectious melodies, BenBen crafts riff-driven music with a golden heartbeat–living creatures and invitations to adventure in other worlds.

Be sure to follow BenBen at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

CONNECT WITH BENBEN:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

MARK ERELLI RELEASES NEW SINGLE “THE MAN I AM” + LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN LP OUT FEBRUARY 3 VIA SOUNDLY MUSIC

Photo credit: Joe Navas

LISTEN: “THE MAN I AM”

Today, beloved Boston-area singer-songwriter Mark Erelli has released “The Man I Am” the latest from his forthcoming LP, Lay Your Darkness Down, due out on February 3rd via Soundly Music. Erelli penned the soulfully sultry single in tribute to his wife, Polly.

"It is hard for me to imagine what my life would look like if not for the love of my wife, who I’ve been married to for 20 years," he says. "She has encouraged and supported all the good parts of me, while lovingly insisting that I can improve upon my counterproductive habits and mindsets. I’m stubborn and fiercely independent, but above all, she has shown me how letting someone else into your heart can truly transform your life. In that spirit of transformation, I tried to push into some new sonic territory on this track, framing my voice against a spare drum machine for the first verse,” he adds. “The result is one of my favorite recorded vocal performances, raw, soulful, and elevated by the transformative power of love."

“The Man I Am” follows the release of “You’re Gonna Wanna Remember This,” an epic track he co-wrote with his “musical big sister,” GRAMMY-winning artist Lori McKenna. “The world now knows her as a hit country songwriter, but to me she has been a constant source of compassion and supportive friend for almost 25 years,” he says. “There have been many times when, in her infinite wisdom, Lori has said to me ‘pay attention, this is something you’ll always want to remember.’ When she offered to help teach me how to use Zoom as a remote co-writing tool during the pandemic, it was only natural that her advice came back to inspire this song.”

LISTEN // WATCH: “YOU’RE GONNA WANNA REMEMBER THIS”

In the summer of 2020, Erelli was performing an outdoor show in New Hampshire when something strange happened. “I looked down and couldn’t see my fingers on the guitar,” he recently told The Boston Globe. “I’m literally about to go into the downbeat for the solo, and, as you can imagine, it didn’t go great. It was embarrassing. I came offstage thinking, ‘Note to self: Check the lighting next time.’” Later, when driving home one night through a Boston tunnel, he lost sight of the road. After a trip to the ophthalmologist, Erelli was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa ("RP"), a degenerative eye disease that causes progressive loss of night and peripheral vision, and can lead to complete blindness.

After his terrifying diagnosis, he began to wonder - Does diminished eyesight decrease one’s insight? What does it mean to be ‘fully seen,’ by oneself and by others? These questions, along with his drive to regain his creative agency, are at the heart of Lay Your Darkness Down. The video for lead single “You’re Gonna Wanna Remember This” features footage of Erelli’'s family, and his beloved pup Leo, whom he adopted during the pandemic. He and Leo traverse the verdant countryside--the video's edges blurred at times to mimic his vision--acknowledging life’s struggles, but taking stock of the beauty of even the simplest of things.

The tracks, though decorated with references to shadows, light, and obscured vision, are about resilience, love, and the human condition. The album is more than a collection of affirmations and optimism in the face of despair; it is a clarion call for anyone lost in the shadows. Yet Erelli doesn’t proclaim any easy answers for how to navigate the unknown. Instead, he squarely examines question after question, reveling in mysteries both great and small. With equal parts hope and resignation, he reminds us in the title track that our deepest challenges are more than a simple test of our endurance—they ultimately help us chart our course.

Lay Your Darkness Down is a reconciliation of life’s trials and human frailties, adversity transformed into finely-embroidered rock n’ roll, burning with urgency. “These aren’t songs about blindness. They’re songs I could only write once I realized what I was losing,” Erelli explained to The Boston Globe. “My impending blindness opened my eyes, and I was able to write from that new viewpoint.”

The album is available for pre-order HERE. Be sure to follow Mark Erelli at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

CONNECT WITH MARK ERELLI:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

BUFFALO ROSE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “u up?”

NEW LP AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN OUT NOVEMBER 18

VIA MISRA RECORDS

LISTEN: “u up?” 

Today, Pittsburgh-based, award-winning, acoustic collective Buffalo Rose has released “u up?,” the latest from their forthcoming LP Again, Again, Again, due out November 18th.

Hauntingly spare, the song, lead by former Buffalo Rose vocalist Rosanna Spindler, captures the loneliness of the singer seeking solace in the voice of her lover through heart-wrenching vocals, stirring mandolin strums, and aching dobro runs. The poignant closing track of the album evokes the yearning we feel for a beloved when we seek certainty about a relationship or just the certainty that a night alone is not the end of the world.

The single follows the release of “Body Language,” a propulsive soul song that perfectly captures the double meaning of the title, “Machine Man,” a jaunty, percussive, satiric take on politics and culture in America in the 21st century–swooping doo-wop vocals play call and response to the lead vocals as the singer pokes a little fun at promises made but never delivered. The singer remains hopeful for the future, even in the midst of the failure of hope.

LISTEN: “BODY LANGUAGE” 

LISTEN // WATCH: “MACHINE MAN”

Buffalo Rose has aptly named their new album–listeners will be playing the 11 earworms on Again, Again, Again on repeat. Pure, crystalline vocal harmonies soar stratospherically throughout the album, cascading over sparkling beds of mandolin, guitar, dobro, and bass. Vocalists Lucy Clabby, Margot Jezerc, and Shane McLaughlin dwell on each note, turning them in and out and capturing every nuance of phrasing. Songs range from the gently swirling ballad “On Reason and Passion,” the ethereal “Hallelujah Anyway,” and the Beatles-esque “The Escape Artist,” to the operatic and stunningly gorgeous “New World.”  Intimate songwriting weaves into the band’s organic blend of vocals and instrumentation, delivering little gems of perfection, and the music reverberates in hearts and souls long after the last notes fade.

~

The band takes the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in. The members push themselves and each other far beyond their perceived limits and blends their diverse and atypical approach to songwriting with the desire to see how unique a song can get and still feel like home. They use powerful vocal harmonies, strong playing, and an original vision to operate at every possible emotional level, delivering dynamic live shows that are unforgettable experiences.

This combination of artistry and enthusiasm makes Buffalo Rose one of the most vital and important groups working today. The band gleefully combines genres and ideas together to move acoustic music forward to a new, contemporary place without ever losing sight of its roots. Fans of Lake Street Dive, Nickel Creek, and even Fleetwood Mac will find much to like in this crew.

Be sure to follow Buffalo Rose at the links below for the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES

10/20 - 10/23 - Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference - Lisle, IL

10/29 - Skyline Event Center - Comins, MI

11/4 - Caffe Lena - Saratoga Springs, NY

11/5 - Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 3) - NYC

11/18 - Thunderbird Music Hall - Pittsburgh, PA [ALBUM RELEASE SHOW] 

CONNECT WITH BUFFALO ROSE:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

FRANCES LUKE ACCORD’S NEW SINGLE “WINDOW” OUT TODAY SAFE IN SOUND LP DUE OUT FEBRUARY 9TH VIA TWO-DALE RECORDS/TONE TREE MUSIC

LISTEN: “WINDOW” 

Today, indie folk duo Frances Luke Accord (“FLA”) has released “Window,” the latest single from their forthcoming LP, Safe In Sound, set for release on February 9th via Two-Dale Records/Tone Tree Music. In the song’s premiere, Atwood Magazine says “Window” showcases “what they’ve long done best: Craft a lush, lilting experience out of stirring folk sound and expressive lyrics.”

"The opening track on Safe In Sound, but the last song to be added, "Window" is a simple call to action," says FLA's Nicholas Gunty. "It's right there in the lyrics," adds co-founder Brian Powers:

Nowhere to run / No time to hide / Open up your eyes

We will not lie / We do or die / While the world goes by

"Even though it’s been incorporated into the FLA live set since 2019, we purposefully timed this release to coincide with the upcoming midterms. So please get out and vote! There's so much on the line, especially for the younger generations." 

“‘Window’ and its preceding singles affirm that Powers and Gunty are (still) on top of their game,” adds Atwood Magazine, “and that the upcoming Safe in Sound LP promises to be a captivating, immersive folk experience.”

“Window” follows “In My Life,” a hopeful ballad and vocal tour de force reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel and Peter, Paul, & Mary which features FLA’s mentors and brethren, Darlingside. The band has recently released three other tracks from the album, “This Morning (ft. Liz Chidester),” and “Friend You’ve Been.”

LISTEN // WATCH: “IN MY LIFE (ft. Darlingside)” 

LISTEN: “FRIEND YOU’VE BEEN” 

LISTEN: “THIS MORNING”

When FLA’s Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers put their songs and voices together, there is a delicate magic that commands the room to attention–NPR’s Mountain Stage has called them “the definition of lean-in music.” Their soft, contemplative vintage of indie-folk gestures toward a timelessness that honors the Simon & Garfunkel comparisons but pushes beyond into the world of Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, and progressive folk music.

Both raised in South Bend, Indiana, Gunty and Powers met and began performing together during their time at the University of Notre Dame. Their first release, Kandote, was a bold intercultural collaboration with the Barefoot Truth Children’s Choir in Uganda, a not-for-profit effort which continues to support the choir to this day.

Relocating to Chicago in 2013, the duo honed their songwriting craft while releasing two more self-produced EPs, laying the groundwork for their breakthrough debut full-length, Fluke, in 2016. This immersive, philosophically rich album set them off on their first national tour, which included support dates with Darlingside, Anaïs Mitchell, and The Ballroom Thieves.

A remote band since 2017, the duo’s DIY ethos has remained strong since Fluke. Still self-managing and producing, the duo has released two more EP’s, Silver & Gold (2019) and Sunnyside (2021)–the latter under their new label, Two-Dale Records–as well as a number of singles. Be sure to follow them at the links below for the latest news and updates.

CONNECT WITH FRANCES LUKE ACCORD:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

MELISSA CARPER RELEASES REIMAGINED ODETTA CLASSIC “HIT OR MISS” + SINGLE & VIDEO FEATURING SHINYRIBS PREMIERES VIA HOLLER.

RAMBLIN’ SOUL LP OUT NOVEMBER 18

VIA THIRTY TIGERS

"…her music wrangles sounds of a different era – country jazz, honky-tonk, and a bluesy soul unfurling with the thick twang of her vocals... Most spectacular though is the emotional twinge that wrings from the soulful shuffle of songs like 'Ain't a Day Goes By'" - The Austin Chronicle

"Carper is hands-down one of the best in the trad music game." - The Boot

"Carper has found her true voice and place in the music world, and with a sound many country and roots music fans are thirsty for." - Saving Country Music

“...an Ozark Billie Holiday” - WMOT

“Hot damn, Melissa Carper has done it again” - The Arkansas Times

“...one of the best releases of 2022. Her sound immediately transports you to a prohibition speakeasy. We can’t get enough.” - WNEX

“...timeless delivery” - Sound and Soul

“...gentle western swing and soulful tones of hope” - Country Queer

"Mark our words, she will be a star" - The Wild Is Calling

"If you love old school country, you won't want to miss this one." - If It's Too Loud

"Melissa is THE ramblin' soul" - Beehive Candy

Photo: Lyza Renee

LISTEN // WATCH: “HIT OR MISS”  

Singer/songwriter and upright bassist Melissa Carper has released a reimagined version of Odetta’s 1970 classic “Hit Or Miss” the latest from her forthcoming LP due out on November 18th via Mae Music/Thirty Tigers. The video for “Hit Or Miss” features Carper performing the song with legendary swamp funkster Shinyribs.

“Like the other songs on the album, it’s a song about living a free life, rambling around, looking for a place to fit in or just being happy sticking out, reimagined by Carper as a joyously old-timey blues shuffle,” commented Holler. in the premiere. “Her voice is like a gloriously aged whiskey, with a deep smoky flavour that cuts through everything around it. It’s no surprise the singer has been fondly dubbed ‘HillBillie Holiday’ by friend and collaborator Chris Scruggs.”

“I hadn't realized until more recently how much of a figure Odetta was in the American folk music revival and also what a pioneer she was for female artists,” Carper told Holler. “I would never have thought of trying to sing this song because I am frankly intimidated by the power and attitude Odetta sings it with. Someone suggested I record ‘Hit or Miss,’ so I decided to give it a try. I recorded a demo of it and, listening back, quickly realized that I would have to sing this song like I meant it or I was never going to pull it off. I gave it my best shot and tried to embody her attitude,” she continues. “The morning before we recorded it, I listened to Odetta sing it 50 times over to get pumped up!”

“I've always admired Shinyribs' musicianship and his highly entertaining stage presence. I knew he would be really fun to work with and super groovy on a song like ‘Hit or Miss,’ so I was excited when he said yes to doing this video,” she explains of performing with Shinyribs, the solo project of artist Kevin Russell. “I have a tendency to be too serious when I'm performing and every time I looked over at Kevin, he just made me laugh. It was a blast making the video and he even showed me a couple dance moves. Plus he gave me socks with flames on them! They are my favorite socks now.”

“Hit Or Miss” follows the release of the album’s title track, written while Carper was driving down the road on a familiar trip from Arkansas back down to Texas. “I had just spent time with some musician friends and was feeling re-energized,” she told The Bluegrass Situation. “On this trip, I realized just how much that free, ramblin’ life I’ve lived over the years has stimulated my creative process…if something isn't working for me and making me happy or it seems I've gotten in a rut somewhere, then I move on to whatever the next thing is that feels right, or I get out of town for a bit to find some new inspiration and fresh perspective. That is really the gist of it, trying to go with the flow of life wherever it seems the Universe is guiding me."

Carper penned the album’s soulful lead single, “Ain’t A Day Goes By,” in 2014 after the death of her beloved dog, Betty. “This song is very emotional for me,” she reveals. “It was difficult to go through my Dad's death, then my Mom's death only a year later, and really, in a sense, losing my younger brother to severe mental health issues that have changed his personality completely,” she says. “Betty's death crushed me because she had been through it all with me. The grief just started pouring out at that point.”

LISTEN // WATCH: “RAMBLIN’ SOUL”

LISTEN // WATCH: “AIN’T A DAY GOES BY” 

After the success of her critically-acclaimed 2021 release Daddy’s Country Gold, Carper was eager to get back in the studio. With co-producers Andrija Tokic (St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Hurray For The Riff Raff) and Dennis Crouch (The Time Jumpers) behind the boards again at Tokic’s analog paradise The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, Carper assembled that same crew of magical music makers - plus a few more - to join her on the adventure.

In 2020, grappling with the loss of regular gigs, Carper and her partner, award-winning fiddler Rebecca Patek, moved to a friend’s farm near Austin, working in exchange for housing, organic vegetables, and fresh, country air. The simpler life afforded Carper the space and rejuvenation needed to channel her muse, and begin writing for her next album.

Ramblin’ Soul features upbeat and diverse styles and grooves, venturing into blues, early rock n’ roll, and old-school soul, blended with Carper’s signature styles of country, western swing, and jazz. The album is available for pre-order HERE. Be sure to follow Melissa Carper at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES 

11/9 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Red Dragon*

11/10 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Red Dragon*

11/11 - Taylor, TX @ Black Sparrow Music Parlor*

11/12 - Fischer, TX @ Devil’s Backbone Tavern*

11/13 - Galveston, TX @ Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe*

11/17 - Dallas, TX @ Poor David's Pub

11/18 - Little Rock, AR @  White Water Tavern

12/1 - San Antonio, TX @ The Lonesome Rose

12/2 - Austin, TX @ State Theatre

12/3 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

12/4 - New Orleans, LA @ Cafe Istanbul

12/7 - Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle

12/8 - Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic

12/9 - Nashville, TN @ Station Inn

12/10 - Knoxville, TN @ Boyd’s Jig & Reel

12/11 - Berea, KY @ Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge 

* w/ Kelly Willis & Brennen Leigh

CONNECT WITH MELISSA CARPER:  

WEBSITE || FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM || BANDCAMP || YOUTUBE || SPOTIFY  

LOS ANGELES BAND CALLING CADENCE CHANNELS THE LAUREL CANYON SOUND ON THE ACOUSTIC SESSION, VOL. 1 EP

LOS ANGELES BAND CALLING CADENCE RELEASES

ACOUSTIC SESSION, VOL. 1 EP via

hi-res records

“...their well-crafted songs spring forth from your sound system with lightness and power. Tight but loose, a heady weave of lyric and melody. “ - Minor 7th

“...their music is just as sweet…a lot of varying flavors in the mix…you’re always getting some high-quality candy-coated harmonies with each and every offering.” - Americana Highways

“...has a great Laurel Canyon vibe anchored by the group’s harmonies.” - Twangville

“They fuse together music of the 60s and 70s with some folk, jazz, country, and rock influences. They are taking on the task to meld those genres together in 2022.” - The Aquarian

“Calling Cadence the pair blend their voices, vintage keyboards, strong guitar work, and no shortage of adventurous percussion into an analog-friendly, retro affair that flirts with rock, soul and pop in atypical ways.” - Take Effect

“Their sound is based on harmony, and it’s heavily influenced by American singer-songwriters of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.” - V13

LISTEN TO THE ACOUSTIC SESSION, VOL. 1: HERE

Today Los Angeles band Calling Cadence released their EP The Acoustic Session, Vol. 1 via hi-res records. For this EP, Calling Cadence’s Oscar Bugarin and Rae Cole reimagined their celebrated material from the band’s self-titled debut album in a stripped-down setting, showcasing the strength and flexibility of their arrangements and songwriting while putting their voices and playing at center stage. Bugarin and Cole’s inspirations cross a number of storied American genres like Rock, Blues, Americana, and Country.

The five songs that round out the EP are a mix of fan favorites including: “Good Day” which was #1 on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown, a program voted on by fans, the Motown-inspired “Just The Way It Goes” which is a revenge anthem for the casualties of the 21st-century dating scene, the Laurel Canyon inspired “California Bartender” that presents a series of vignettes about bar patrons chasing their sorrows at the bottom of the glass, the bluesy barn burner “Burn These Blues,’ and “Throw My Body,” a song that KTLA called “a new song with an old-school vibe.”

“These acoustic tracks are a pretty good representation of how we sound outside the studio,” says Cole. “The energy and sound in our live performances are a big part of the band’s makeup, and you really get a taste of that in this acoustic album. This is a great opportunity for fans to hear an even more organic sound from us, especially compared to that of the first album. The acoustic versions really take us back to the beginning…jamming away in a friend’s kitchen - with just the 12 string and 3 voices.”

Calling Cadence has received support from NPR, CMT, and the legendary Los Angeles rock station KLOS. They were featured on the popular KLOS Friday morning Heidi & Frank show, and the local KCSN. Additional radio support has come in from Nashville's WMOT, WCNR in Charlotte, WPYA in Birmingham, WCLX in Burlington, KSYM in San Antonio, Acoustic Cafe, and more.

Calling Cadence, the band's self-titled debut album showcases a group whose songs nod to the past while resolutely pushing forward. It's a classic-sounding record (recorded, mixed, and mastered straight to analog tape) for the contemporary world. Computers were only employed for streaming prep and CD replication. Produced by David Swartz and Matt Linesch, the album was released on their own label, hi-res records. The producers and the band thought long and hard about diving into the all-analog domain but came to the conclusion that the final product would benefit in a way that digital would not allow. The 15 songs shine a light on Calling Cadence's strength as a live act, blending Oscar and Rae's entwined voices with vintage keyboards, guitar heroics, and plenty of percussive and low-end stomp. The supporting musicians on this record include Josh Adams (Norah Jones, Beck, Fruit Bats) on drums, Elijah Thomson (Father John Misty, Nathaniel Rateliff) on bass, and Mitchell Yoshida (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) on keyboards.

For Calling Cadence, whose name pays tribute to Oscar's time in the Army (documented in Americana Highways), recording to analog tape wasn't just a production choice; it was a way of maintaining honesty with themselves and their audience. Like the classic albums that inspired Calling Cadence's layered vocal arrangements and warm, guitar-driven sound, the record is a genuine snapshot of a band on the rise. And, once again, it all comes back to harmony.

Calling Cadence will be playing at Harvard & Stone in Los Angeles on November 3rd. For more information and tickets visit HERE.

KEEP UP WITH CALLING CADENCE

Press Materials || Website || Facebook || Instagram

Cr: Michelle Shiers

THANKS FOR GIVING JAM : A BENEFIT FOR NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS ON 11/17

THANKS FOR GIVING JAM

A BENEFIT FOR

NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

NOVEMBER 17 AT 7PM AT THE GIBSON GARAGE

The Friends of Nashville School of the Arts will be holding their very first Thanks for Giving Jam at Gibson Garage on November 17 from 7-9 PM. Tickets are available to purchase HERE. The showcase will feature live performances with current scholar artists, alumni, creative professional parents, and special guests Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow), Pat Flynn of Newgrass Revival, the ACM guitar player of the year Rob McNelley, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to the performances, the evening will include a silent auction featuring music collectibles from world-renowned musicians and local and Nashville businesses. All proceeds of which benefit all conservatories.

The Friends of Nashville School of the Arts is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code so all contributions are tax-deductible. The Nashville School of the Arts is a public magnet high school committed to educating and nurturing the talents of Music City’s artistic youth. The school is anchored in the philosophy that the integration of arts and academics leads to a more engaging and meaningful educational experience for its students. NSA has nine conservatories, and all students audition for a specific conservatory pathway, including theater, dance, visual arts, literary arts, and a variety of music programs, including piano, guitar, orchestra, band, and vocal music. NSA graduates are equipped with a strong academic foundation for college, as well as a rich arts foundation for life.

Outside of the classroom students are given opportunities and encouraged to participate in the local arts community, through a variety of school sponsorship programs. Programs such as this include a songwriting and mentoring partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame, where the songs created by students through the program will be released in the Spring. The school's local partnerships offer incredible performance opportunities for students with legendary artists including an upcoming show at Franklin Theatre on 10/25 that will feature NSA guitar students on stage with the legendary songwriter Michael Martin Murphey. The school’s Cantabile choir ensemble will also be performing at the national ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conference in February. They are one of only 26 choirs nationwide, and the only choir in Tennessee to be selected.

Those interested in participating but who are unable to attend donations can be made at https://givebutter.com/FNSAInvest or Text ”FNSA” to 53-555.

KEEP UP WITH FRIENDS OF NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Nicole Poulos // nicole@sideways-media.com // 310.908.3812

GLEN PHILLIPS SHARES “STONE THROAT” SECOND SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM THERE IS SO MUCH HERE

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 4 ON COMPASS RECORDS

Photo Credit: Chris Orwig

“STONE THROAT”

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

ALBUM PRESAVE

SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 14, 2022 - Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) shares “Stone Throat,” the second single from his forthcoming album, There Is So Much Here, available 11/4 on Compass Records.

On the album’s opening track, Glen sings “A stone throat can’t sing / wooden heart won’t beat / I’m gonna to meet you in the middle between the wanting and the need.”

He explains, “coming out of lockdown has been a slow process. Getting used to crowds and noise, wanting to run away to places I wasn’t allowed to go for a while, and also valuing the quiet time at home when there was no place to escape to. The push and pull between longing to run away and wanting a strong home base can be a heavy tide... trying to find something that feels like truth in the ebb and flow.” 

There Is So Much Here is Glen’s fifth solo album, following 2016s Swallowed by the New, a post-divorce outing about grief. In contrast, There Is So Much Here finds Phillips writing love songs again focusing on gratitude, beauty and staying present. This new collection of songs documents a shift of perspective from dealing with loss to an appreciation of life.  

The first single, “Big Changes” is a bridge between the two albums. Featured as a “Fresh Track Friday” pick, KPCW observes, “Phillips has pared his music down to its emotional core, concentrating on the simple truths of love and relationships, with a profound spiritual understanding.”

There Is So Much Here will be released November 4th on Compass Records. Glen Phillips will tour in support of the album through the end of the year and into 2023.

ABOUT GLEN PHILLIPS: During his years as lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips helped to create the band’s elegant folk/pop sound with honest, introspective lyrics that forged a close bond with their fans. When Toad went on hiatus, he launched a solo career with Abulum, and stayed busy collaborating with other artists on various projects including Mutual Admiration Society, with members of Nickel Creek and Remote Tree Children, an experimental outing with John Morgan Askew.  

U.S. TOUR DATES

NOV 3 / NOVATO, CA @ Hopmonk Tavern

NOV 4 / NOVATO, CA @ Hopmonk Tavern

NOV 5 / SALT LAKE CITY, UT @ The State Room

NOV 6 / PORTLAND, OR @ The Old Church

NOV 8 / SPOKANE, WA @ Lucky You Lounge

NOV 9 / SEATTLE, WA @ Triple Door

NOV 10 / DENVER, CO @ Soiled Dove Underground

NOV  13 / CHESTERFIELD, MO @ Forest Hills Country Club

NOV 15 / MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ Icehouse

NOV 16 / MILWAUKEE, WI @ Colectivo Coffee on Prospect

NOV 17 / CHICAGO, IL @ City Winery Chicago

NOV 18 / ANN ARBOR, MI @ The Ark

NOV 20 / GRAND RAPIDS, MI @ The Listening Room

DEC 7 / VENICE, CA @ The Venice West

JAN 12 / NASHVILLE, TN @ City Winery

JAN 13 / DECATUR, GA @ Eddie’s Attic

JAN 14-15 / SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL @ 30A Songwriters Festival

JAN 21 / BOSTON, MA @ City Winery

More Dates TBA…

KEEP UP WITH GLEN PHILLIPS

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube |

LOS ANGELES’ ELECTRIC LECTURE “CONJURES UP THE CLASSIC ‘90S INDIE ROCK VIBES” (-Ghettoblaster) ON STUNNING SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM

“Steeped in classic Rock and combining a wealth of musical interests and influences, Electric Lecture also tends to songwrite and record in a very “open” way, sharing ideas and allow sound directions to suggest themselves.” - Wildfire Music
“It’s indie-rock music with a dash of power pop. The track is upbeat and will inject you with a dose of positivity.” - Aipate
“The energy oozes into your heart in a stream of beautiful, melodic patterns and the sound of the guitars is already so close, you can almost feel the breath of the strings near you." - Nagamag

LISTEN TO Electric Lecture : HERE

Today Los Angeles group Electric Lecture unleashed their stunning self-titled debut album. A tour-de-force in songwriting and production, Electric Lecture bridges an impressive and equally expansive range of influences and approaches. Whether it be catchy power-pop (“What If?), evocative alternative rock (“Losing My Mind”), charming indie pop (“Back In The Fight”), emotionally resonant singer-songwriter sonics (“A Winner”), or even a genre-bending reinterpretations of celebrated classics (a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law”) , the trio of Greg Ansin, Bronson Taalbi, and Anthony J. Resta showcase their mastery for crafting crisp earworms and catchy commentary to soundtrack the absurdity of modern life. There is a unique humor injected across Electric Lecture that is perfectly balanced with the nuanced emotional depth on display across these songs, all evidencing the band’s shotgun approach to writing and producing music.

What sets Electric Lecture apart is their unyielding dedication and interest in the songwriting and production process. The band approaches genre like a painter approaches the blank canvas, with a palette of different colors and seemingly different materials. While the songs across Electric Lecture may have started at different places, musically and emotionally, the tightness in their songwriting ties these songs together like a crisply-woven tapestry that tells a larger story. 

“I grew up listening to the Beatles, Tom Petty, the Beach Boys, especially Pet Sounds,” says Resta when asked about his influences. “I love adventurous sonic innovators like Beck and Bjork. I feel like Electric Lecture is a wonderful vehicle for me to express myself in the purest musical way I can. It's all a dream really.” The group wears their influences on their sleeves, with additional groups and artists like XTC, Bjork, Cake,  Jaco Pastorious, Pink Floyd, The Clash and more seeping their way into the group’s musical identity.

The diverse backgrounds of the three musicians are the key ingredient in what gives Electric Lecture its unique flavor. Resta is a multi-instrumental musician having earned twelve RIAA certified gold and multi-platinum awards for bands such as Duran Duran, Collective Soul, and Shawn Mullins. Ansin is a prolific songwriter and film producer, having produced numerous  documentaries and horror films including  Drive-In Horrorshow and Infinite Santa 8000. Bronson is a multi-instrumentalist and master guitarist who, along with his brother Preston, have written and produced music that has been featured in shows such as Breaking Bad and Dancing with the Stars. In all, Electric Lecture is a trio of songwriting mercenaries with genre in their crosshairs. No approach is off limits, every idea is worth exploring.

“All I need is music, feel my pain and soothe it / Three notes put together, touch my soul forever,” sings Taalbi on the gorgeous heartfelt cut “All I Need.” A succinct through line that defines Electric Lecture as an album, and Electric Lecture as a group.

Each member of the group trades instruments from song to song. Bronson handles the lead vocals while Anthony and Greg lend their stunning harmonies as support. Recorded at their practice space in Lawndale and Laurel Canyon where there is always music in the air, Electric Lecture is truly a DIY-effort, without sacrificing any hi-fi sonics. 
The band’s collective interest in the songwriting and production process is the key fiber of the group’s podcast, The Story of A Song, where the group chronicles the journey their songs take as they carry them across the finish line. In all, the group’s dedication to their craft stands at center-stage, and will surely guide them throughout their follow up to this impressive debut album.

TRACKLISTING

1. Losing My Mind

2. What If?

3. All I Need

4. Instantly

5. Reverse Evolution

6. A Winner

7. Street Caviar

8. Beam Me Up

9. Three Cheers

10. Back In The Fight

11. Breaking the Law

12. Electric Lecture

KEEP UP WITH ELECTRIC LECTURE

PRESS MATERIALS

Website || Facebook || Instagram || YouTube 

THE STONE FOXES’ LATEST SINGLE “HELP ME NOW” OUT TODAY+ NEW LP ON THE OTHER SIDE DUE NOVEMBER 18

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW AT GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL ON NOVEMBER 18

Photo credit: Brian Adler

LISTEN: “HELP ME NOW” 

Today, San Francisco-based rock outfit The Stone Foxes, co-founded by brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler, have released “Help Me Now,” the latest from their forthcoming LP, On The Other Side, due out on November 18th.

In the summer of 2020, Shannon, who suffers from congenital heart issues, had to undergo his second open heart surgery (and his 14th heart-related surgery). His old pacemaker wires were wearing out–the doctors needed to access the back of his heart, so they had to go through his sternum this time.

"Because my issues are congenital, they usually send me to a children’s hospital, where there are lots of stuffed animals and Disney movies playing in waiting rooms," he says. "When I woke up from my surgery, I saw my fiancée on my left and my mom on my right. As my eyes kept opening, I started feeling a sharp, knife-like pain in my chest. I looked over at my IV and didn’t see a drip going. I had woken up from open-heart surgery with no pain meds, and it was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. Shouting, barely able to get oxygen, I started cussing up a storm in Stanford Children’s Hospital,” he adds. “It was a combination of extreme anger and fear of whether I could actually withstand the pain...it’s something I’ll never forget." 

“Help Me Now” follows "Time Is A Killer," which features big riffs, thundering beats, and cinematic horns--like early Wu-Tang meets Ennio Morricone. “The lyrical theme came from the idea of Mother Nature being a character – a stone cold killer – which she is. Mother Nature doesn’t play games. Mother Nature will auto-correct our foolishness. And after a certain amount of time, Mother Nature will move on without us if we don’t get wise,” says Shannon.

Lead single “Man’s Red Fire” was inspired by a lyric from The Jungle Book's “I Want To Be Like You.” “I’ve always loved that song and that phrase, and living in California surrounded by wildfires every summer for the past four years, it was stuck in my head,” Shannon said of the song. “The flames are a symbol of power and I couldn’t help but think of this raging fire of racism that’s been burning in our country since its inception. Just looking around, it’s obvious that the civil war isn’t over, so I started writing lyrics with civil war imagery in my head, and putting them together with lyrics that symbolized a quest for power.”

LISTEN // WATCH: “TIME IS A KILLER”

LISTEN: “MAN’S RED FIRE”

On The Other Side will be the first full-length album recorded by Shannon (lead vocals, drums, harmonica,  producer) and Spence (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, pedal steel, bass, producer) in over six years. For the Koehler brothers, On The Other Side is a cinematic western rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack to pull you through when the journey gets rough. The lyrics and sounds reflect Shannon's journey through a second open heart surgery, the brothers’ struggles with anxiety, being grounded by love, and the experience of living in a deeply disturbing America.

It's also an album of many firsts. "It’s the first time Spence and I have been the main songwriters on every track of a release," says Shannon. "It’s the first time I’ve sung lead vocals on every track of a release. It’s the first time I’ve ever written songs on piano that turned into actual songs on an album. It’s the first time Spence has been the main bass player on a full album."

The band has also launched a new fan club, The Fox Den. Members will receive early access to the album and exclusive demos, listening party invites, exclusive merch, and can even have their names listed in the CD liner notes or receive handwritten lyrics from the band. Membership levels begin at $30 and are available at https://www.thestonefoxes.com/the-fox-den. Be sure to follow The Stone Foxes at the links below for the latest news and updates.

SEE THE STONE FOXES LIVE - MORE DATES TO COME: 

10/28 - Fulton  55 - Fresno, CA 

11/18 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA

CONNECT WITH THE STONE FOXES:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

CHAYLA HOPE’S NEW SINGLE “ALONE” OUT TODAY + DEBUT SOLO LP DAMN, FEELINGS OUT OCTOBER 28

Photo credit: Laura Wimbels

LISTEN: “ALONE”

Cleveland-based powerhouse Chayla Hope has unveiled “Alone,” the newest single from the vinyl-presser-turned-pop-star’s solo debut Damn, Feelings, out digitally on October 28th.

Mixed by three-time GRAMMY award nominee Andrew Wuepper (Justin Beiber, Rihanna, Katy Perry), this ‘80s-inspired dance-pop anthem was the first track written for the project, evoking Whitney Houston and Madonna in its polished grandiosity, towering synth stabs, and Hope’s trademark vocal acrobatics. "'Alone' is all about me working through my deep-seated fear of abandonment," Hope says. "This was the song that not only proved to me that I could go solo, but that there was power in going it alone."

“Alone” follows “Long Way” a triumphant funk pop tribute to the New Jack Swing era also mixed by Wuepper, “High” (along with her own Chayla Hope-branded rolling papers), “Love In Lo-Fi,” “Falling,” and “Forget Me Not,” mixed by 10-time GRAMMY award winner Josh Gudwin (Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa).

WATCH// LISTEN: “LONG WAY”

LISTEN: “HIGH”

LISTEN: “FORGET ME NOT 

WATCH // LISTEN: “FALLING”  

WATCH // LISTEN: “LOVE IN LO-FI”   

Hope has also announced a collaboration with Saucy Brew Works to create a beer to commemorate her album release, aptly named Damn, Feelings. The brew is a super-fruited Imperial Hazy IPA with pink guava, apricot, and blood orange. At  8% ABV, it is sure to have tasters “in their feelings.” Hope will host a listening party and beer tasting at Saucy Brew Works’ Ohio City Brewpub on October 29th. Click HERE for more information.

Making a name for herself in Cleveland’s music scene pressing vinyl at Gotta Groove Records and collaborating with up-and-coming producer Jesty Beatz (aka Holy Mattress Money), Hope’s sophisticated take on the sounds of the ‘80s and ‘90s recalls the influence of Kate Bush, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, and Robyn, marrying inventive arrangements with an impressive range and infectious spirit.

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who found her performance identity doing drag, it’s no surprise Chayla was selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic and has numerous features in the show’s soundtrack and merchandise, embodying its core themes of empowerment, inclusion, and self-understanding through her music.

CONNECT WITH CHAYLA HOPE:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | TWITTER | SPOTIFY

IMOGEN CLARK RELEASES NEW SINGLE “COMPENSATING” TODAY

 “Filled with humour and fun, [“Compensating”] perfectly represents Clark's style, while still getting the message across.” – The Music (AU)

 “COMPENSATING”
LISTEN HERE | WATCH HERE 

SYDNEY, AUS - After taking a well-earned break following her epic 100 Shows in 100 Days Tour, AIR-nominated Western Sydney indie artist Imogen Clark returns with her new single “Compensating,” available today.

“This is part two of my last single ‘Nonchalant,’ about the same guy. I got mad, now I’m getting even. When I got with Xavier Dunn to write this song, I wanted to take my heartbreak and make it something fun and cathartic, something that would make me feel powerful when I’m singing it and all the single girlies can listen to all summer by the pool with some margaritas in hand”.

Indeed, Despite the subject matter, “Compensating” is one of Imogen’s frothiest songs to date – a swinging kiss off to a an ex who ‘social climb[s] in skinny jeans ripped with a knife’, co-written with and produced by Xavier Dunn (Jack River, CXLOE).

“Having the distinct ability to encompass a range that includes being able to control an intimate listening room to an arena that’s at full capacity, Imogen Clark is no stranger to baring her soul within her music.” – GhettoBlaster Magazine

2022 has been a busy year even by Imogen’s standards, as an artist who refused to let the pandemic stop her birthing new music into the world and connecting with her fans around the world. Barrelling into the year by collaborating with Mo’Ju, Ali Barter, I Know Leopard and more on her 2nd Annual Holiday Hootenanny show in Melbourne, she followed that up by assembling a supergroup featuring Adam Newling and members of Middle Kids and Superorganism on her standalone single ‘Enemy’ (co-written with Alex Lahey), which kicked off her epic 100 Shows in 100 Days tour. Criss-crossing metro and regional Australia, mixing headline shows, supports, pop-ups and live-stream gigs, the tour powered through obstacles including visa issues, a COVID-induced week off, flooding and more to wrap up triumphantly in Adelaide the night before the AIR Awards, where Imogen was nominated for Best Pop Album/EP for last year’s Bastards. She also managed to release her cathartic single ‘Nonchalant’, described by Atwood magazine as “a searing, soaring anthem full of fire and fervor”.

PRAISE FOR IMOGEN CLARK…
“This EP will be come a landmark.” – Rolling Stone Australia

“… the song hits all the right pop heights as Clark soars above the instrumental on the anthemic chorus… ascends to dizzying pop rock brilliance.” – Under The Radar

“A searing, soaring anthem full of fire and fervor.” - Atwood Magazine

 “…[ Imogen Clark] has been swinging for the hit-single fences for four albums Down Under but finally knocks it straight out of the park with this confection [‘My Own Worst Enemy’] from her latest American EP, The Making of Me.” – Paste Magazine

“Putting a more upbeat, optimistic spin on a more somber subject of breaking up, the delicate pop of “Found Me” gently pricks the pain and ultimate bravado of coming out on the other side of heartache, imbued in lyrics I gave you every piece of me, but you never had your fill… The strongest thing I did is gently let you go… I thought you were my home, so I will make my way.” -American Songwriter

 “with powerful vocals and an infectious drum beat, Clark sets out to cure a broken heart. This breakup anthem will pick you up off the floor, dust you off and have you feeling ready to start seeing the world in color once again.” – Parade Magazine 

“her music rangest from arena-ready rock anthems to raw confessional indie pop.” – Stage Right Secrets 

KEEP UP WITH IMOGEN CLARK

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp

GIRLS WRITE NASHVILLE ANNOUNCES 2ND ANNUAL BENEFIT SHOW SET FOR NOVEMBER 13

LINEUP FEATURES ANNIE DIRUSSO, ALANNA ROYALE, LINDSEY LOMIS, JESS NOLAN, & MORE

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

CONNECT WITH GIRLS WRITE NASHVILLE:

Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Bandcamp || SoundCloud

NASHVILLE, TN—On Sunday, November 13th, Girls Write Nashville (“GWN”) will host their 2nd Annual Benefit Concert at 3rd & Lindsley in conjunction with Lightning 100, which will broadcast the show for a very special iteration of their Nashville Sunday Night series. This community-building, all ages event will celebrate Nashville’s female artists, and 100% of the proceeds are tax deductible and will go towards supporting Girls Writes Nashville’s free educational programming. Click HERE for tickets and show information.

GWN is thrilled to present a lineup of artists that mirror the organization’s values — showcasing the extraordinary talent within Nashville’s community of female musicians, the diversity of people and genres celebrated in Nashville’s songwriting community, and the artists’ deep ties to the local Nashville community. Co-headliner Annie DiRusso, a pandemic-era phenom currently on her first (largely sold out) headliner tour, is a Belmont graduate. Lindsey Lomis, a Nashville native currently signed to Warner Brothers, is a Girls Write Nashville alum and came up through many local music programs. Jess Nolan, who this summer and fall has been playing keys in Jenny Lewis’s band and supporting Ani DeFranco on tour, is a longtime Girls Write Nashville mentor. Songwriter/producer Julia Cannon, a longtime member of the Nashville music scene, has recently been performing with artists like Alicia Keys and The Roots as part of organizing efforts by The Black Opry. The lineup will also feature performances from several GWN youth program participants.

“This show is us throwing a big party by and for the community. It’s the most uplifting party you’ll go to, one of the best nights of music in Nashville all year, AND it supports female musicians and creates equitable educational opportunities for students in our city — what could be better?” says Girls Write Nashville co-founder and director Jen Starsinic. Last year this event raised over $50,000 and enabled GWN to serve over 600 students. Businesses are invited to become community sponsors for the event by purchasing a table or block of tickets. Click HERE to learn more.

Girls Write Nashville is a 501(c)(3) that empowers and creates opportunities for girls to reimagine and reshape the music industry through songwriting, production, mentorship and creative community building for teen artists in Nashville, Tennessee. In GWN programs, participants learn to write and record original music in a supportive community of peers led by a trauma-informed teaching artist over the course of a six-month season. Through a partnership with MNPS's Community Achieves, Guilds take place on-site at several Title I Metro-Nashville schools. GWN works to create a safe and inclusive path to cultural participation within Nashville’s music scene and actively solves for accessibility barriers–believing that when they do, the student community will accurately reflect Nashville's true diversity.

GWN is proud to be one of the only music education organizations nationwide designed from the ground up to ensure the values of equity and empowerment in its program structure and curriculum. By focusing on community-building, authenticity, and the vulnerability of creative risk-taking, participants not only receive world-class music and songwriting education, but they find their voices: building confidence, leadership, self-advocacy, and social-emotional skills needed to truly thrive as human beings in any arena.

INTRODUCING BENBEN + ALGORITHMIA EP OUT NOVEMBER 18 VIA GIFTSHOP RECORDS

LEAD SINGLE & AWARD-WINNING VIDEO “ALGORITHMIA” OUT NOW

Photo credit: Nate Dorr

LISTEN // WATCH: “ALGORITHMIA”

Today, Brooklyn-based animator, producer, and self-described “gnome rocker” Ben Wigler, who makes music under his art-rock project moniker BenBen, announced his forthcoming EP Algorithmia with the release of its title track and accompanying video. Of the song, Wigler says:

“Do neural networks listen to simulated rock bands? ‘Algorithmia’ is a weird progressive grunge rock song inspired in part by seeing the massive global success of a band that sounds exactly like Led Zeppelin (but won't admit it)... In the age of algorithmic curation, how do artists navigate the temptation to change what we make to fit neatly into a box the algorithms will accept? Algorithms have dictated what we see and hear for years, and recently, they've learned to produce art content on their own. With algorithms already warping artistic production through the feedback loops of streaming and social media, what will happen to human-generated music when the same algorithmic distribution channels will be also capable of writing the songs?”

The song's angular riffs and soaring vocals sound like Soundgarden and Queen had a musical baby and then fed it, squealing, directly into the gaping maw of the internet. The video was directed by experimental artist Nate Dorr using AI generative art-making techniques.

The video has already been making the rounds of the film festival circuit, premiering in Denver at the Supernova Digital Animation Festival (September 2022), winning “Most Original Music Video” at the Grand Rapids Film Festival (September 2022), and heading to the Boundless Film Festival (October 2022) in London and the HB Film Festival (October 2022) in Glasgow, where it is nominated for Best Music Video.

Wigler helped pioneer 21st century indie rock with under-the-radar bands Arizona and New Beard, performing live and in the studio with artists like Band of Horses, Samantha Crain, and Indigo Girls. Wigler’s last LP was mixed by legendary Dungen frontman Gustav Ejstes. Best known for an unforgettable high tenor voice and infectious melodies, BenBen crafts riff-driven music with a golden heartbeat–living creatures and invitations to adventure in other worlds.

Be sure to follow BenBen at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

ALGORITHMIA EP TRACK LIST

ARTIST’S PRAYER

ALGORITHMIA

FORTUNATE MAN

ADDICTED TO MY PHONE

PAUL VERHOEVEN

E.D.I.T.S. (QUARANTINE DREAM)

CONNECT WITH BENBEN:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

THE STONE FOXES UNLEASH NEW VIDEO SINGLE “TIME IS A KILLER” VIA ROCK & BLUES MUSE NEW LP ON THE OTHER SIDE DUE OUT NOVEMBER 18

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW AT GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL ON NOVEMBER 18

LISTEN // WATCH: “TIME IS A KILLER” 

Just in time for Halloween, San Francisco-based outfit The Stone Foxes, co-founded by brothers Shannon and Spence Koehler, have unleashed their video for “Time Is A Killer,” a blistering new single from their forthcoming LP, On The Other Side, due out on November 18th.

“The Stone Foxes create indie blues/rock music that exists in a unique place that puts their own originality next to influences like Jack White, The Black Keys, and The Black Crowes…they make a glorious, addictive noise that will set both your brain and body in motion,” said Rock & Blues Muse. “Time Is A Killer’ has a lot to say, as do The Stone Foxes. They’re a strong contender for greatness and stand tall when compared to other current rock bands. Both Shannon and Spence push hard to make music that’s meaningful to them and to connect with the world at large.”

Produced by Digital Daruma, LLC and directed by David Dutton, the video features several deadline-driven scenarios where the stakes are high and the players are all trying to beat Time.  Portrayed as a Femme Fatale, Time is outfitted with a blindfold because Time does not discriminate, and consequences are inevitable. And, in this video, Time puts the “dead” in “deadline.”

“We wanted to make an actual movie, with scenes and plot, something fun, action packed, true to the theme of the song, and our director nailed it,” says Shannon. “It’s a thrill-seeking flick about blind justice hunting down five men who are trying to escape their fate. It was a total blast shaving my beard, putting on a frumpy suit, getting blown up, and pretending to be a detective with my brother Spence.  It’s funny, our work dynamic in the movie is eerily similar to our real-life dynamic! It was just a blast to make, working with our great friends who did an amazing job acting and, hopefully, the fun comes across on the screen.” 

"Time Is A Killer" features big riffs, thundering beats, and cinematic horns--like early Wu-Tang meets Ennio Morricone. “The lyrical theme came from the idea of Mother Nature being a character – a stone cold killer – which she is. Mother Nature doesn’t play games. Mother Nature will auto-correct our foolishness. And after a certain amount of time, Mother Nature will move on without us if we don’t get wise,” says Shannon.

The song follows “Man’s Red Fire,” inspired by a lyric from The Jungle Book's “I Want To Be Like You.” “I’ve always loved that song and that phrase, and living in California surrounded by wildfires every summer for the past four years, it was stuck in my head,” Shannon said of the song. “The flames are a symbol of power and I couldn’t help but think of this raging fire of racism that’s been burning in our country since its inception. Just looking around, it’s obvious that the civil war isn’t over, so I started writing lyrics with civil war imagery in my head, and putting them together with lyrics that symbolized a quest for power.”

LISTEN: “MAN’S RED FIRE”

On The Other Side will be the first full-length album recorded by Shannon (lead vocals, drums, harmonica,  producer) and Spence (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, pedal steel, bass, producer) in over six years. For the Koehler brothers, On The Other Side is a cinematic western rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack to pull you through when the journey gets rough. The lyrics and sounds reflect Shannon's journey through a second open heart surgery, the brothers’ struggles with anxiety, being grounded by love, and the experience of living in a deeply disturbing America.

It's also an album of many firsts. "It’s the first time Spence and I have been the main songwriters on every track of a release," says Shannon. "It’s the first time I’ve sung lead vocals on every track of a release. It’s the first time I’ve ever written songs on piano that turned into actual songs on an album. It’s the first time Spence has been the main bass player on a full album."

The new single and album announcement coincides with the launch of a new fan club, The Fox Den. Members will receive early access to the album and exclusive demos, listening party invites, and exclusive merch. Members can even have their names listed in the CD liner notes or receive handwritten lyrics from the band. Membership levels begin at $30 and are available at https://www.thestonefoxes.com/the-fox-den. Be sure to follow The Stone Foxes at the links below for the latest news and updates. 

SEE THE STONE FOXES LIVE - MORE DATES TO COME: 

10/28 - Fulton  55 - Fresno, CA 

11/18 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA

BUFFALO ROSE RELEASES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “MACHINE MAN” + NEW LP AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN OUT NOVEMBER 18 VIA MISRA RECORDS

LISTEN // WATCH: “MACHINE MAN”

Today, Pittsburgh-based, award-winning, acoustic collective Buffalo Rose has released “Machine Man,” the new single and video from their forthcoming LP Again, Again, Again, due out November 18th. A jaunty and percussive tempo drives this satiric take on politics and culture in America in the 21st century; swooping doo-wop vocals play call and response to the lead vocals as the singer pokes a little fun at promises made but never delivered. The singer remains hopeful for the future, even in the midst of the failure of hope.

Buffalo Rose has aptly named their new album–listeners will be playing the 11 earworms on Again, Again, Again on repeat. Pure, crystalline vocal harmonies soar stratospherically throughout the album, cascading over sparkling beds of mandolin, guitar, dobro, and bass. Vocalists Lucy Clabby, Margot Jezerc, and Shane McLaughlin dwell on each note, turning them in and out and capturing every nuance of phrasing. Songs range from the gently swirling ballad “Reason and Passion,” the ethereal “Hallelujah Anyway,” and the Beatles-esque “Escape Artist,” to the operatic and stunningly gorgeous “New World.” Intimate songwriting weaves into the band’s organic blend of vocals and instrumentation, delivering little gems of perfection, and the music reverberates in hearts and souls long after the last notes fade.

Buffalo Rose takes the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in. The lineup of Lucy Clabby (vocals), Margot Jezerc (vocals), Bryce Rabideau (mandolin), Malcolm Inglis (dobro), Jason Rafalak (upright bass), and Shane McLaughlin (guitar, vocals) pushes itself and each other far beyond their perceived limits and blends their diverse and atypical approach to songwriting with the desire to see how unique a song can get and still feel like home. They use powerful vocal harmonies, strong playing, and an original vision to operate at every possible emotional level, delivering dynamic live shows that are unforgettable experiences.

This combination of artistry and enthusiasm makes Buffalo Rose one of the most vital and important groups working today. The band gleefully combines genres and ideas together to move acoustic music forward to a new, contemporary place without ever losing sight of its roots. Fans of Lake Street Dive, Nickel Creek, and even Fleetwood Mac will find much to like in this crew.

Be sure to follow Buffalo Rose at the links below for the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES

10/16 - Uncommon Ground - Edgewater - Chicago, IL

10/18 - Tell You What! Presents - Evanston, IL

10/19 - Hey Nonny - Arlington Heights, IL

10/20 - 10/23 - Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference - Lisle, IL

10/29 - Skyline Event Center - Comins, MI

11/4 - Caffe Lena - Saratoga Springs, NY

11/5 - Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 3) - NYC

11/18 - Thunderbird Music Hall - Pittsburgh, PA [ALBUM RELEASE SHOW]

CONNECT WITH BUFFALO ROSE

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

MEGAN SLANKARD RELEASES “POWERFUL AND IMPORTANT” (-XSNOIZE) SINGLE “SOMETHING MORE” TODAY

Photo Credit: Laura Kudritzki

“SOMETHING MORE”

SPOTIFY | VIDEO

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco indie rock singer/guitarist Megan Slankard releases her “powerful and important” (- XSNoize) single “Something More,” the third from the forthcoming album California & Other Stories (out 10/28).

“Something More” is about taking a leap of faith and going after your dreams. That message is visually illustrated in the video directed by Dan Foldes as Megan “unravels as a 1950’s-esque modern woman” (-AXS TV) while “I search for my greater calling in life,” explains Megan. “Dan and I had a blast creating this video. To me, this song is about staying true to yourself and walking your own path, regardless of what others around you want you to do. It’s for all of you who have ever had to hold on tight to your heart and just go for it.”

Co-produced by Alex Wong (Vienna Teng, Delta Rae), the album California & Other Stories showcases new sides of Megan’s music, balancing delightfully belligerent rock and roll with lush cinematic soundscapes of orchestra instruments and robot harmonies. It will be released October 28th.

BUZZ

“...a soaring breakup track… It's a song that checks all the breakup anthem boxes, sneaks up on you, then gets stuck in your head for days.”- KQED

"With clothes flying through the air and belongings being disposed of at once, Slankard is pulling no punches in her reaction to the actions and behavior of her ex-partner. When a dreadful relationship comes to an end, it’s time to put a capper on things, and everyone’s got their own style. Slankard’s just happens to be a little more candid." – V13

“Slankard takes the new wave punk flair of Wet Leg and mixes it up with her own brand of ragged reflection that makes her DIY rocker with an edge.” – Glide Magazine

“Slankard channels the best parts of guitar-driven indie rock with a sound that tows the line somewhere between Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy, but with enough twists and turns to make it her own.” -Chorus.fm

“CALIFORNIA” SINGLE

STREAM | WATCH

“MAGICAL THINKING” SINGLE

SPOTIFY | VIDEO

KEEP UP WITH MEGAN SLANKARD

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube