When Dwight Twilley wrote and released “I’m on Fire” back in 1975, he probably wasn’t expecting it to be covered decades later, complete with a fresh video. Well, maybe he was! Who’s to say? Either way, the cover, featuring vocals from Sarah Frick for Back to Paradise: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music, is stunning, and the video is a perfect visual that beautifully highlights the rock n’ roll essence of the track.
The video itself is a bit like a montage, with some shots showing Frick trying on different outfits before cutting to a scene of her rocking out, drink in hand. Of course, we also get to see Frick prancing around in the quiet nightlife, still being the rock star she knows she is. Not only do we get to see the fun nature of the track played out visually, we also get to watch an empowered badass female take on the night in true “empowered woman” fashion. I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to Twilley and the music of Oklahoma.
Coming out of Oklahoma and deciding to work as a solo artist post-rock band world, This Coast Bias is giving fans a sweet taste of what he’s been working on lately with his newest smooth pop track “Poison Candy”. With a plethora of musical influences to look to when creating a track, it’s no wonder that he is gifting us with such dynamic, multi-layered creations. This latest addition to his discography cleverly uses sugary metaphors and pop synths to craft an understanding of how something can feel so great while potentially causing our lives to slowly crumble. Of course, he makes the case for why we choose to keep these things around, it simply makes us feel good. It is important to point out that This Coast Bias seems to have found a sound that makes us feel good without creating turmoil, so maybe we should stick with that.
He says of how he got a taste for the track:
“Poison Candy” is about habits. Whatever it is, we all have things that taste sweet but cause ‘cavities’ in our lives. Whether it’s a girl or boy, our spending, or iced coffee, we can cause problems by sticking with something we probably shouldn’t. In this case, it’s about a girl I was dating.
Eugene, Oregon singer, songwriter and producer khai dreams debuts an acoustic version of their latest track, “Good Advice”. Half Vietnamese and 21 years of age, khai dreams has been releasing music since 2017. Their sound is an eclectic blend of influences ranging from contemporary hip-hop and R&B to modern indie, surf rock, and neo-soul. This dreamy brand of intimate pop has helped them amass more than 490 million career streams and a dedicated online following. With such an impressive background and fan base, there’s still something so humbling about “Good Advice”. With just vocals and strings, khai dreams sets a tone for the listener to just breathe. This acoustic version and accompanying video is such a comforting, feel good vibe that seems to give you a hug as you take it all in. Bittersweet and honest lyrics catch up to you quickly though with this verse,
“And you seem to think that we got time / But we never seem to get it right / Everyday I’m wishing there was more.”
Take our advice and listen to this song today, and listen to even more sweet melodies and indie masterpieces by khai dreams from their spotify.
In his return to performing, Glenn Morrow put together a group of talented musicians to form a band, Glenn Morrow’s Cry for Help. Out of that band comes a new album, 2. For anybody yearning for more rock and roll in their lives, 2 is the perfect place to turn. Filled to the brim with some answers to tough life predicaments and a way to move forward, the album is the perfect opportunity to just sit and be cozy while enjoying important stories and comforting melodies.
A major theme throughout the album that creates this heartwarming feeling is simply the idea of moving forward. Tracks like “Soul Hold” and “The Sun the Moon the Scars” are warm reminders that bad times don’t always have to stay that way. The latter song provides a jazz-esque sound, making it one of the most memorable tracks. There are also songs that fall more on the side of yearning for more, namely “Come Back”, “Watch it Burn” and “Other Side of the Dream”. The group provides layers of emotion that truly represent what life can be like, sorrow mixed with some fun, making it a sobering and comforting experience.
Rock/folk creative outlet Coma Girls, run by Chris Spino, is gearing up for an EP release next month. To get us started, he is giving us a taste of the title track, “Skyboxer”. In true rock fashion, the track is filled with guitar-heavy moments with sticky melodies and raw vocals. It is the perfect modern rock song, utilizing the loudness that makes rock what it is while taking the best of what modern music has to offer and blending them into a cohesive whole. Combine this with the stirring storytelling found in the lyrics and you realize Coma Girls has got it all. A story of loving and losing being turned into an explosive rock tune tells us to stay on the lookout for what Spino plans on bringing next.
Spino says of the creative process of the upcoming EP: “We were able to explore each song differently but give it a common thread as well. It’s supposed to take you places. It’s more like a form of escapism.”
Out of New Orleans comes trio Kelly Duplex, here to put a spin on your favorite pop/rock vibe. “Hoverround” is kicked off with a spicy guitar lick that, only one second in, seems to cement its place in your favorite rock playlist. It certainly is a special take on pop music in general, or at least what we know pop music as today. The result of such a task is a loud, big band track that makes you want to start your own rock band in the comfort of your own home.
Beyond all the glamor of rock n’ roll is deeper layers that bring you and me closer to the band and the message that they want to put into the world. It’s an honest look at some of the various difficulties that come with life, and they range from struggles with being a parent to even the hardships that come along with diabetes. Despite how specific it gets, the band does not close themselves off from their listener by ensuring some level of ambiguity throughout the song.
If you have been sitting around looking for the perfect way to entertain yourself as a cure for your boredom, it is perhaps most appropriate to turn to Antidote to Being Bored, Oscar Lang’s folk-rock experiment. Lang promises a high-volume experience with his newest release, starting with the EP’s title track all the way down to the final track, “Something Has Changed”, and every track in between. The entire track list is a blesses us with piercing electric guitars and bewitching melodies, perfect for both your winter run around the block or your quiet fireside music listening sessions. What makes this release stand out is the ability of every song to fit different moods and still be a fantastic choice.
Lang says of the EP:
I wrote Antidote to Being Bored to be an absolute blow-the-roof-off-the-stadium rock banger and I think it lives up to that. I wanted to get a little darker with this EP, while continuing the sound of the previous one. I feel like I really found a style of music that I love and am just excited to play. So, this release was all about developing that sound further.
Today, we’ve got the exclusive premiere of Devil Love’s “Everywhere Leads The Sound” alongside its new lyric video. The first track off their upcoming release Broken Things (February 12), it sets the tone for an album rich in meaning and replete with the unique blend of genres the band is known for. “Everywhere Leads The Sound” clearly bends to the ’90s alt-rock scene, with lighter vocals that bring the overall tone of the song to a softer place.
Typically, when you hear a song with heavy drums and a rougher guitar riff, you don’t necessarily consider it a lullaby. But Devil Love is here to prove that theory incorrect. The band’s willingness to be vulnerable while exhibiting strength in sound is a testament to their work as men outside of the band. Explains Peter Buzzelle of the inspiration behind the track:
This song was originally inspired by my very busy first born daughter, who was later diagnosed with ADHD. The song then morphed into a more broad comment on society and the need to take in life with gratitude.
We’re excited to learn more lessons with Devil Love as they continue to tease the upcoming album.
When Heather Porcaro decided to jump back into music as her form of self-expression, she did so in a way that bends genre lines. This is reflected in “Charleston”, a heavy tune that addresses the suicide of her cousin’s brother. What makes it even more personal is that it was co-written by her cousin. Together, they crafted a story that takes you through various moments of time, stopping along the way at the most crucial and captivating moments to tell their story. For example, these stops may include heart shattering details about the final conversation that they had with the person who is no longer around. More than just a journey through time, Porcaro does what she does best, giving a sprinkle of different genres. This magic touch ties the entire project together, giving listeners jazz, pop, and even rock elements and an opportunity to dissect while listening.
When sitting down to listen to “Charleston” for the first time, you should be prepared for a heavy theme running throughout the track. While heartbreaking and real, it offers a chance to reflect while also appreciating the musical complexities that Porcaro has to offer.
