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Guide To: Muddy Roots Festival

August 20, 2016 0 comments

MRoots_1170x780Labor day weekend… let’s get dirty at the Muddy Roots Music Festival: with garage rock, punk, bluegrass, hellbilly, camping and more!

September 2-4th, in the tiny, yet beautiful, town of Cookeville, TN (at the June Bug Boogie Ranch) there will be underground country and pure rock and roll resounding …along with music fans, vintage cars, vendors, pinups and… of course, campers.

We are looking forward to attending this festival, where long time favorites such as Soledad Brothers and the Melvins will be gracing the field(s).

The lineup is inimitable… below is just a brief illustration of the talent the attendees will be subjected to:

Check out the full lineup and schedule HERE and purchase tickets HERE… see you soon?

Soledad Brothers: 


Melvins: 

Bonnie Prince Billy:


Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band: 

The Monsters:

Blackfoot Gypsies:

The Del McCoury Band:


 

Music

LISTEN: General Dollars “Bottle of Youth”

August 8, 2016 0 comments

GD_1170x780R.J. Dollars: He writes lyrics, picks up a guitar, and he sings.

There are musicians who perform because it is “fun,” it’s a hobby… Then there are those select few who have a desire, a passion, to write, sing and entertain… R.J. Dollars, has a passion.

Starting off as a way to amuse college kids through his comical songs, R.J. Dollars’ talent, passion and thirst for music has strengthened and matured over time.

Previously, fronting the band Eight Knives and other projects, Mr. Dollars has developed a stage presence bursting with intensity. His new act General Dollars has a sound and quality that is raw, expressive and stimulating. There is no veiling R.J. Dollars unique writing style. His play on words will have you analyzing every single verse.

Last fall General Dollars laid down a few tracks, which were recently pressed to marbleized vinyl. Fans have the choice of selecting from an array of colors: modern marble, Vince Gill Green, variant colored & Blood Visions Red (SOLD OUT).

“Bottle of Youth,” General Dollars’ debut 7-inch, includes two phenomenal tracks and features Matt Martin on drums (who has performed and recorded with such acts as Jessica Lea Mayfield & Bobby Bare Jr.). Jeremy Ferguson, of Battle Tapes Recording (Nashville, TN), recorded the tracks with a 1973 Studer A80 MKII 16-track 2? recorder.

We will be able to celebrate the release of General Dollars’ “Bottle of Youth” 7-Inch Friday, August 12th at JJ’s Bohemia. Friday’s celebration will feature General Dollars with openers, Rye Baby (Chattanooga, TN) and Slow Parade (Athens/Atlanta GA)… This is going to be one Hell of a show!

 Let’s find the Bottle of Youth together this Friday night… and pick up the new single HERE

Music

LISTEN: Okey Dokey ‘Wavy Gravy’

August 4, 2016 0 comments
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Photo by: Emily Quirk – emilyquirk.com

Polish your ears with this hot track from Okey Dokey… We recently stumbled across this fine Nashville collaboration fronted by Aaron Martin and Johny Fisher (Sol Cat & The Weeks), in addition to a band consisting of ever-changing members of The Weeks, Sol Cat, Desert Noises, Diane Coffee, Wild Child, Turbo Fruits/Bully, Rayland Baxter & more!

The band’s debut single, ‘Wavy Gravy,’ dropped earlier this year and is just a small taste from the band’s first full-length, ‘Love You, Mean It,’ which the band says via their Facebook page, is dropping “this Summer.”

Dig into Okey Dokey, purchase the debut single, ‘Wavy Gravy’ HERE… and keep your eyes pealed for ‘Love You, Mean It!’… Although there is no mention of tour dates or upcoming shows, we look forward to catching these guys very soon!

P.S. Frontman Aaron Martin is not only a musician, but a visual artist as well. He has crafted album art, posters and other means for numerous bands, such as TORRES, Diarrhea Planet, The Kingston Springs, Birdcloud, Blackfoot Gypsies, Hellbender, The Ettes, The Jag, & Alanna Royale. Read more about his “craft” HERE  & HERE .

Music

GET TO KNOW: Lando Chill

July 26, 2016 0 comments

Lando_1170x780Hip Hop collides into ‘retro-reggae-pop-punk’ with lyrics that elicit goose-bumps.

We have already briefly introduced you to Lando Chill, who originally went by the alias Lando Chillrissian, in our Guide to: Secret Stages Festival 2016 article; however, Lance Washington’s talent and flair of intensity deserves to be recognized independently.

When you dig down deep… deep into your soul, you may find pain, bitterness and heartache… aka: life’s struggles. Lance is a visionary, an artist… who outlines and dissects each struggle. He “hits the nail on the head.” In his debut single ‘Coroner,’  he paints a picture with his lyrics and displays heart-wrenching visuals with his powerful, yet applicable music video.

Fortunately, as of today (7/26/16), Lando Chill has indulged us with another heart-wrenching, yet exceptional video for the single, ‘Save Me directed by Malcolm Critcher and cinematographer Symeon Platts. The track premiered at Impose, where Lance and the director expose the message behind the track and new video.

Not only does he shine in his lyrics, he also has quite a badass live-band (with very talented members). Band members include: bassist Christopher Pierce, guitarist Jimmy Borquez, producer Andy Lasso, and drummer Isaiah Briggs.

So dig into some key tracks below and pick-up Lando’s debut LP, ‘For Mark, Your Son,’ which drops August 12th. You can pre-order the limited edition blue/white split vinyl HERE via Mello Music Group… DO IT!

We look forward to catching Lando Chill LIVE at Secret Stages on Friday August 5, 2016 9:00pm – 9:40pm at Rogue Tavern (18+) (2312 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203).

Coroner 

Save Me

Stay Gold

Links: 

Website: http://landobeenchill.com/#landochill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lando.chill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lando_chill
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lando_chill
Bandcamp: https://mmg-lando-chill.bandcamp.com/track/coroner 

Music

Summer Jams with: Whitney

July 25, 2016 0 comments

Main_1170x780Every year our album playlist that soundtracks our Summer gets larger and larger… This particular Summer we have been enjoying Whitney’s debut LP, Light Upon the Lake – Released June 3rd, on Secretly Canadian Music, Light Upon The Lake was recorded in Los Angeles with Foxygen‘s own Jonathan Rado overseeing.

This ensemble includes: Max Kakacek on guitar (Smith Westerns), Julien Ehrlich on drums and vocals  (Unknown Mortal Orchestra), Malcolm Brown on keys, trumpeter Will Miller, rhythm guitarist Print Chouteau, Josiah Marshall on bass, and also their traveling sound guy Charles Glanders. With a splash of country, folk, pop, soul and a pinch of classic rock-n-roll influences, Whitney has created a today’s-vintage sound that stands out… Each song will seize your soul.

So, grab a drink, head to the pool (or beach) and enjoy some Whitney… Stream some key tracks below and pick up their debut HERE

No Woman

Dave’s Song: LIVE

Golden Days:

INTERVIEW VIA FaceCulture:

CATCH THEM LIVE: 

WHITNEY TOUR DATES

  • Thu. July 21 Dallas, TX @ Dada
  • Fri. July 22 Austin, TX @ Sidewinder
  • Tue. July 26 Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
  • Wed. July 27 Denver, CO @ The UMS Launch Party at 3 Kings Tavern
  • Thu. July 28 Salt Lake City, UT @ Diabolic Records
  • Fri. July 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
  • Mon. Aug. 1 Vancouver, BC @ Cobalt
  • Tue. Aug. 2 Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern
  • Wed. Aug. 3 Portland, OR @ Holocene
  • Fri. Aug. 5 San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
  • Sat. Aug. 6 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
  • Tue. Aug. 9 Sat. Aug. 13 Oslo, NO @ Oya Festival
  • Thu. August 11Haldern, DE @Haldern Pop 2016
  • Fri. August 12Gothenburg, SE -Way Out West
  • Thu. Aug. 18 Sun. Aug. 21 Brecon, UK @ Green Man Festival
  • Fri. Aug. 19 Sun. Aug. 21 Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
  • Fri. Sept. 2 Sat. Sept. 4 Larmer Tree Gardens, UK @ End Of The Road Festival
  • Sun. Sept. 4 Vlieland, NL @Into The Great Wide Open
  • Tue. Oct. 25 Cologne, DE @ Blue Shell
  • Wed. Oct. 26 Munich, DE @ Unter Deck
  • Thu. Oct. 27 St. Gallen, CH @ Palace
  • Fri. Oct. 28 Dudingen, CH @ Bad Bonn
  • Thu. Nov. 3 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
  • Fri. Nov. 4 Nottingham, UK @ Bodega
  • Sat. Nov. 5 Glasgow, UK @ CCA
  • Sun. Nov. 6 Newcastle, UK @ Cluny
  • Tue. Nov. 8 Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
  • Wed. Nov. 9 Bristol, UK @ Thekla
  • Thu. Nov. 10 London, UK @ KOKO
Music

LISTEN: V.V. Lightbody “Fish In Fives”

July 23, 2016 0 comments
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Photo by: Maren Celest – marencelest.com

We stumbled across Chicago’s V.V. Lighbody earlier this year while she was touring with Rose Hotel in Atlanta and Nashville in support of her only released single, “Fish In Fives,” under the V.V. Lightbody name.

Fronted by musician Vivian McConnell, who is also the front-woman of the Chicago 4-piece band Grandkids, “Fish In Fives” is a haunting departure from her earlier works, channeling her inner Father John Misty with the soothing and melodic track that had us in chills within seconds.

But don’t just take our word for it… dig into and download “Fish In Fives” below and keep track of V.V. Lighbody’s next shows and recordings via Facebook HERE.

Music

Guide to: 2016 Secret Stages Festival

July 21, 2016 0 comments
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Photo by: Tamika Moore

Let’s finish this summer off with a “secret!”

August 5th-6th Birmingham, AL will be coming upon its 6th year of Secret Stages. We have personally attended and enjoyed this 2-day walking music festival in its previous years. With its affordability and excitement of “finding” emerging bands, Secret Stages is a win-win experience.

Why you should attend

  • The excitement of being able to watch emerging/talented artists in small venues before their “big break”
  • Each venue, bar and outdoor stage is within walking distance
  • There will be great food, delicious drinks and good company!
  • Affordability
    • SECRET TIER: Weekend Passes for $25 and VIP Passes for $60 Sold Out
    • RUMOR TIER: On sale now! NOTE: LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THIS PRICE:
      Day Passes for $20
      Weekend Passes for $35
      VIP Passes for $75
    • WHISTLEBLOWER TIER: Final pricing including day of show. Kicks in when “Rumor” tickets sell out
      Single Venue Passes for $15 (available at venues an hour before show time),
      Day Passes for $25,
      Weekend Passes for $40
      VIP Passes for $90

Just a few of the many genres of acts we recommend checking-out: Check out www.secretstages.net for more information regarding the schedule, bands performing and venues. 

Lando Chill (Hip Hop) – Tucson, Arizona:

Unpretentious, inspirational and incomparable. Lando Chill has a sound of his own and delivers heroism to hip hop.
Just watch, listen , and enjoy:

Music Videos:

Links:
Website: http://landobeenchill.com/#landochill
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lando.chill/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lando_chill
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lando_chill
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lando_chill/

Thayer Sarrano (psychedelic, dream-rock) –Athens, GA:

Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) + Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Belly), and Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) = Thayer Sarrano. In brief, she perfects the 90’s dream-grunge.

Music Videos:

Links:
Website: http://www.thayersarrano.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thayersarrano
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thayersarrano
Bandcamp: http://thayersarrano.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thayersarrano/

Caddywhompus: (psych-punk, indie rock) -New Orleans:

This duo provides a musical explosion of structural elements that transition in exuberant shapes and colors. We are smitten with their charm. Frank Zappa would be proud.

Music Videos:

Links:
Website: http://www.caddywhompusband.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caddywhompusband

Elroy Love: (folk, alternative country, rock) – Macon, GA/ Murfreesboro, TN:

A smooth and unique collaboration of folk and alternative country tinged with a hint of rock and roll. These Georgia boys give us an alternative to your regular “chill-out” music.

Music Video:

Links:
Bandcamp: https://elroylove.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elroyloveband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elroylove/

Skylar Gudasz (Indie rock, folk, jazz) –Durham, NC:

Skylar exposes her angelic voice in a distinctive folk-country, yet rock-n-roll form. Her music bestows joy & despair with a bit of sarcasm and relief. Enjoy!

Music Videos:

Links:
Website: http://www.skylargudasz.com
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/car-song-dream-lover-single/id952869533
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkylarGudasz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkylarGudasz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylargudasz/

Sun Seeker (indie, folk, Alternative rock) –Nashville, TN:

Nashville’s, Sun Seeker brings a haunting familiarity of Elliot Smith with a vivid yet stimulating ambiance.

Music Videos:
http://www.sunseekeramerica.com

Links:
Website: http://www.sunseekeramerica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunseekeramerica/
Bandcamp: https://sunseeker.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunseekeramerica/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thirdmanrecords/01-georgia-dust
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunseekerusa

7) Ona (alternative, indie rock) -West Virginia:

With an album produced by Bud Carroll, former (phenomenal guitarist) of one of our all time favorites American Minor, you are NOT going to be disappointed by West Virginia’s Ona. Ona embodies an appetite for representing and bringing us back to the original “rock-n-roll”.

Music Videos:

Ona – Sleep, Rinse, Repeat from brainwrap on Vimeo.

Ona – World at War from brainwrap on Vimeo.

Links:
Website: http://www.thebandona.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebandona
Bandcamp: http://thebandona.bandcamp.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandona
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebandona/

Via http://www.secretstages.net/about/ : “Secret Stages is a two-day walking music festival that takes place in downtown Birmingham, AL on the first weekend of August. For two nights a diverse group of music enthusiasts are treated to around 60 bands performing on the stages of neighborhood establishments. These acts were drawn from the nation, the region, and our own back yard, and all are up-and-coming or buzz-worthy acts on the cusp of making a big splash. All Secret Stages venues are within a two-block radius, so our patrons can come to the city center, park, and have walking access to dozens of bands, a variety of venues, and delectable restaurants.”

Music

Slow Parade: “Big Plans”

February 17, 2016 0 comments

_slowparade_1170x780Since we are on a roll with artists from Georgia, here’s one more for you… Atlanta’s Slow Parade have been our soundtrack this past month during these cold Winter evenings. Perfect tunes to end your day with while sitting back with friends and sipping on a neat glass of whiskey… which is exactly how we’ve been enjoying this debut full-length.

Self-released last April, “Big Plans” is a solid effort and unique extension of what seems to be the band’s major influence, A.A. Bondy… hence the name Slow Parade… Now don’t take that as we are comparing sounds… take it as a compliment, because A.A. Bondy’s “When the Devil’s Loose” is one hell of a record!

So pour yourself a glass of whiskey (or whatever you kick-back to) and dig into Slow Parade’s “Big Plans” LP below… and catch the 3-piece live around the Atlanta-area in March. See those and future dates HERE: