Annie J‘s genre-bending sound is not stereotypical of Seattle–with its grunge and alt-rock history–though her artistic confidence is something that powerhouse artists out of the PNW have held a torch over for decades. Her new single titled “Your Power” is a further demonstration of that confidence, though the sonic approach is very different than you would expect from a song of that name.
Though the upcoming EP (Been Loving You) will be Annie J’s first solo project, she has demonstrated her talent well with impactful artists for years, including The True Loves, Odesza, The Dip, and Allen Stone. “Your Power” is light-as-a-feather in lyrics and composition, inducing goosebumps with each new, impactful line.
Admits Annie of the single:
Imagine embodying that voice in your head, the one you hear from time to time that seems to say: “Hey, I’ve been here loving you the whole time. You can heal, and grow and reach for joy.” This song, to me, is remembering that a patient inner voice exists, though she’s sometimes quiet compared to the rest. And knowing I will fall, again and again, and there will always be a way back,” she continues.
On Thursday, July 18th, pop-punk outfit Bowling For Soup hit up The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri to an eagerly-awaiting, sold-out crowd for the second stop on the 20th Anniversary tour of A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. The band is expertly comprised of original members Jaret Reddick, Chris Burney, and Gary Wiseman, joined by Rob Felicetti of The Ataris fame. Noting that it was the first time they’ve completely sold out a show in Kansas City ever, the band seemed very down-to-earth and super grateful, as always. Jaret recounted some great memories around the city from previous passings through and launched us right into the madness of A Hangover You Don’t Deserve.
To note, Chris Burney is currently out of the live lineup to heal from a leg/foot injury. They added his jersey to a mannequin for the duration of the set, which was wildly decorated to call back to the bright, funky ambiance of the album for which the tour exists.
The venue staffed multiple ASL interpreters for the performance, and their presence at the corner of the stage distracted the guys multiple times. They engaged in conversation as best they could, and asked some absurd questions while they took some time to remember the track list and keep a pace for the evening.
While Bowling For Soup aimed to play the 17 songs from the album in order, they did blank a couple of times and got things slightly out of order. Not enough for the crowd to fault them, and it made the set even more charming. With the help of a big wheel on stage, they chose “My Wena” as a mid-set track to shake it up a bit. And once they finished the album in its entirety, they encored with three fan favorites.
“High School Never Ends,” “Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day,” and “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” were the last songs echoing in our heads as elder millennial after elder millennial exited The Truman, joints popping and earplugs falling out. The evening was temperate and beautiful, keeping us in a cozy cocoon of nostalgia as we drifted home.
Last week, Young The Giant – expertly made up of Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Francois Comtois (drums), and Payam Doostzadeh (bass) – surprised their fans with the official release of a song that has been a long time coming. The track, “Metropolis”, was written and recorded by Gadhia during Mind Over Matter‘s massive success. With 2024 marking the hit album’s first decade of existence, they brought this incredible, vulnerable song out of the vault.
The stripped-down track is beautifully and simply comprised of an acoustic guitar and Sameer’s voice. The video – by Guadalupe Bustos – shows frames of the recording process and the band in the studio together in a moody black and white mostly, with other B roll footage from the tour adding moments of pure joy to the visual. The song is paced like the lyrics, as it brings a sense of calm to the listener. Check out “Metropolis” below.
Mind Over Matter is being released as a 10th-anniversary edition. The exclusive deluxe version comes in clear smoke vinyl and includes a 12-page booklet, fold-out poster, and an exclusive slipcover — Pre-order / Pre-save. See all tour info here
Mind Over Matter (10th Anniversary Edition) Tracklist: “Slow Dive” “Anagram” “It’s About Time” “Crystallized” “Mind Over Matter” “Daydreamer” “Firelight” “Camera” “In My Home” “Eros” “Teachers” “Waves” “Paralysis” “Mind Over Matter (Demo)”* “Camera (Demo)”* “What You Get (Demo)”* “Metropolis (Acoustic)”*
The leadup to alt-pop trio Valley’s new album Water The Flowers, Pray For a Garden has been thrilling, culminating in an international tour at the end of September that runs through mid-November. Their new track “Bass Player’s Brother” – to be included in the August 30th full-length release – is about a toxic relationship that can’t seem to find its end. The sound is everything you would hope for from a summer anthem, with words that cut a little deeper.
Valley approached the song in a vulnerable moment after being stranded in North Carolina. They built up the composition to sound as upbeat and fun as possible. This is reflected in the optimistic nature of the track, despite the song really being rooted in heartbreak. They returned to their roots and a carefree attitude in this song, which makes it come alive as a standalone from the upcoming album.
Explains the band:
‘Bass Player’s Brother’ is a song about cyclical love and obsession. In life we often find ourselves in realities that don’t suit our truth, yet we continue to drag ourselves back to the feeling of staying for love’s sake. It’s cyclical in nature yet rooted in heartache and hurt. It’s the back-and-forth outcome of these habits that cause us to stay when we know we should leave. This is the only song on the album where we didn’t reference real names. Sometimes we like to play characters in songs even though we’re always thinking about someone in our lives. We wanted to paint a picture of a classic Americana heartbreak love story.
Don’t forget to pre-save and pre-orderWater The Flowers, Pray For a Garden, out August 30th.
Ohio-bred indie folk outfit Oliver Hazard swooped through Kansas City last night, lighting up the stage at recordBar — quite literally, with their backdrop and Edison bulbs. The trio brought their melodic magic to a captivated crowd.
To note, it was an audience of mostly Gen Z, carrying Nikon point-and-shoot cameras to capture their memories in a wholesome, “old-fashioned” way. It was a delightful way to spend an otherwise uncomfortably warm Wednesday evening, as the band rolled through their catalog and spoke of singing the national anthem at a Royals MLB game. (You know, as one does.)
Catch Oliver Hazard on one of the upcoming tour dates!
Oliver Hazard Tour Dates: Headline dates June 27 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill Jul 26 – Jul 28, 2024 – Newport Folk Festival* August 2 – Bozeman, MT – Sweet Pea Festival* August 16 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center^ Aug 17 – Waterville, OH – Oliver Hazard Day*
w/the 502s Sept 3 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Sept 5 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount Sept 6 – Portland, ME – Aura Sept 7 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage Sept 8 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Sept 10 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom Sept 14 – Charleston, SC – The Riviera Theater Sept 15 – Charleston, SC – The Riviera Theater Sept 16 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel Sept 18 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club Sept 19 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Headline dates Oct 16 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern Oct 17 – Syracuse, NY – Funk ‘n Waffles Oct 18 – Concord, NH – Sound and Color Festival* Oct 19 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom Oct 20 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair Oct 22 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live Oct 23 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg Oct 24 – Washington, DC – Union Stage Oct 26 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
This was my second year witnessing the greatness of Big Freedia at Boulevardia. (I have been lucky enough to see her twerking class at Bonnaroo in years past as well, thankfully.) The hottest weekend of the year so far in Kansas City, this weekend slot of the biggest beer and music festival in the area is always sweltering. And Big Freedia always brings the attitude and energy to make that heat bearable.
What I love about a Big Freedia performance is that, as I walk around the perimeter of the main stage area, I can see people in every direction realizing she is on stage, or hearing dance music, and running in her direction. What an insane power to have. What a great thing to get to see in my life. Here, some early highlights. (And we have gifs to come!)
The headliner of night 1 at Boulevardia 2024 was Milky Chance, a band the event’s organizers had been trying to contract for years. They were giddy as they introduced them, as the night set in on the streets of downtown Kansas City. The band was as fun as ever and the music created an entirely standalone vibe in the main stage. Milky Chance kind of sprinkles magic where they go with their feel-good energy. Photos below to prove it.
Love them or hate them, bands that were popular at the turn of the century are making a comeback. And Hanson? They never really went anywhere. After going indie when their label failed them professionally, the three-brother band has maintained a brand – with multiple creative endeavors within it, including a beer company, tiered fan club membership, collaborative fan community, and more – that has continued to serve them and their growing family over the years. They have consistently toured, continuously contributed to nonprofit funding efforts, and continue to deliver new music as a sibling project year after year.
On Friday, June 14th, Hanson entertained a large crowd gathered in front of the Visit Missouri main stage at Boulevardia in Kansas City, Missouri. There, they announced the release of their new peach cider venture – that comes in honor of the 20th anniversary of “Penny & Me” – that they would be pouring themselves at the Taps & Tastes event the following day.
taylor hansonisaac hansonzac hanson
Boulevardia draws thousands to the Kansas City area every Father’s Day weekend for an interactive beer and music festival, with local makers and food vendors galore.
Every Father’s Day weekend – for years now – Boulevardia has taken over a crucial area of Kansas City, bringing the best taps, tastes, and tunes to the metropolitan area. (And region, if we are being honest.) The relocation to Crown Center a handful of years ago made the festival a little more central — though no less sweltering hot.
I arrived later on Friday, making it a point to get there in time to see Pom Pom Squad. Frontwoman Mia Berrin introduced the band as Hanson – who was coming up next on the Visit Missouri main stage – and then proceeded to rip our faces off. Berrin’s dynamic vocals serenaded us through a breezy, hot Midwest sunset. A few fun photos below.
