You may have already heard of the talented quartet My Brothers And I from their many features on popular TV shows such as ‘Pretty Little Liars’ which featured one of their well known songs ‘Nowhere To Run’. Their music has also been featured on commercials here and there, which helped the band get to the successful place they are at now. This quartet is made up of very talented artists including: Jordan Roach, David Wurgler, Scott Wurgler, and Erik Wurgler. These four have recently released their new EP Heartbeat today, August 17th! One of the reasons this quartet is so successful, is because they include aspects of many different genres. In their new EP Heartbeat, you can hear the likes of pop music with a blend of indie and alternative styles. Primarily in the songs ‘When You’re Ready’ and ‘My Heart’, you will hear many vocal similarities between My Brothers And I and fellow pop artist Troye Sivan. When comparing all of their other songs, ‘Temporary Love’ is one of the more darker tracks on the EP that includes more of an upbeat alternative style. With this EP, it is impossible to pick just one favorite song. Each track is completely different, but equally as great as the next. Just from the first listen, I can already that this EP will be on repeat everywhere around the world! In celebration of their new EP release, My Brothers And I will be going on a small EP release tour which you will not want to miss!
It’s back. More than 20,000 music and camping lovers from 41 states and 3 countries are expected for the fourth annual Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles, Iowa, on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4.
Grammy Award-winning country music and roots rock singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson and South Carolina-based indie-rock band Band of Horses will headline the festival at Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, just 30 miles south of Des Moines.
The 2018 event also features Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES, Denver folk artist Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, classic Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke and up-and-coming country star Margo Price. R&B musician Anderson East, independent Melbourne busker turned singer-songwriter Tash Sultana, the energetic, piano-driven roots rock of J Roddy Walston and The Business, country singers Tyler Childers and Joshua Hedley will also perform. Completing the lineup are Iowa acts The Nadas, celebrating their 25th anniversary, and R&B synth gaze group Ancient Posse.
Hinterland enhances the unique atmosphere of Iowa’s beautiful rural landscape with music, camping and activities ranging from children’s crafts to after-hours campfire performances.
Gates open Friday at 3 pm and the music starts at 5:15 pm.On Saturday, gates open at 11 am and music starts at 11:45 am. Tickets run from $49 to $65, depending on the day and whether you get them in advance or day of. Two-day tickets run $95 to $110. Tent camping is available for $25 to $35 per person, and RV camping spots may still be available. Campers get exclusive access to watch more performers at the Campfire Stage both nights after the headliners.
There are more than a few reasons to partake in Lawrence Field Day Festival this coming weekend. Now in its seventh installment, the 3-day annual event in Lawrence, Kansas continues to feature great live music from dozens of bands at a very affordable ticket price. The festival runs Thursday through Saturday.
Started by Cameron Hawk and Quinton Cheney in 2012, LFDF was envisioned as a live music showcase for Lawrence residents while University of Kansas was on summer break. Of course, students are welcome at LFDF, but the environment on Mass Avenue is different, in a good way, when there are about twenty-thousand fewer people clogging up the joint.
And, fewer students is the first reason you should attend. If you’ve had prior experiences in downtown Lawrence in which it took you five minutes to drive one block, or you’ve ended up parking 4 streets over, or you’ve had your shoes puked on by a drunken frat boy celebrating his 21st, then you really need to come to LFDF. You will finally be able to devote your attention to music.
Another perfect reason to attend is the cost. It sounds almost unbelievable, but you can get a wristband with 3-day access to five venues and sixty bands for only $15. So far this summer, I’ve heard of no festival offering so much music for such a low price. And the great music is the other best reason to attend.
Lawrence Field Day Fest has featured several genres of music, but there is an undeniable focus on rock, and secondarily on hip-hop. Although Lawrence and Kansas City are well-represented, this year’s fest is pulling in talent from Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and other cities. Let’s do a look and listen on some of this year’s bands.
Truck Stop Love will make a visit from the past. The early-90s rockers are back after a 25-year hiatus and a couple of personnel changes. Known for their county fuzz rock, the Manhattan, KS band hits the Bottleneck for the Black Site Records Showcase on Saturday at 11 pm.
If you missed Bruiser Queen when they played the Riot Room in Kansas City back in March, you’ll have an opportunity to take in some good indie garage pop from the St. Louis two-piece. Just show up at Jackpot Music Hall at 9:15 pm on Friday.
The Ghoulies want to show you punk rock with a bluesy, garage feel. Adding an organ to the mix only amps up the excitement for this Denver band that’s been busy touring all summer. See them at the Replay Lounge on Saturday at 11:45 pm.
The Bottleneck has been involved in LFDF since the inception, and will have about 20 acts during the Fest. Don’t miss metal rockers Hyborian of Kansas City at 12:15 am Friday night. Bringing a mystical and sci-fi vibe to metal, Hyborian built their own studio in the West Bottoms.
The immutable laws of physics will prevent you from seeing the complete sets of all 60+ bands at LFDF, but some of the other acts that I’ll make a point to see this weekend are The Uncouth, Westerners, Momma’s Boy, Headlight Rivals, The Sluts, The Goodbye Sort, Vigil and Thieves, and Stiff Middle Fingers.
After their fresh and nuanced first album, the indie-rock trio Bad Bad Hats are back with “Write It On Your Heart,” the lead single from their sophomore album Lightning Round, which is set to be released on August 3. Frontwoman Kerry Alexander delivers a sucker punch of a song. She pairs her pure vocals with defiant, edgy lyrics about the end of a relationship:
“Love was growing teeth You were spitting blood Write it on your heart, dear You were never mine.”
The lyrics hold a personal significance for Alexander. “I haven’t always stood up for myself in situations like this,” she shared. “So this song is an ode to the version of me that does.” The lyrics’ realistic grittiness paired with the song’s softer instrumental tones from Chris Hoge and Connor Davison embodies the band’s sound – a balance of hard and soft, of pop and rock, of simplicity and complexity. “Write It On Your Heart” is a single that showcases their sound as well as their personality in an honest way. This is surely something we will see in Lightning Round, resulting in a new album that is bound to inspire and surprise their listeners.
Be sure to check out on their website for updates, and catch them on their summer tour.
Brooklyn based indie duo Pollens, just dropped their latest track “$$$_PSA.” The duo consists of Jeff Aaron Bryant and Elizabeth “Emay” May. Right off the bat, the name of the track of grabs your attention. Listening to the track invited me in even more. The track starts off with the sassy chanting of the duo “Affluent men in their 30’s they’re all asking, ‘Is it better to get the credit for all of the things I know?” The title of the track immediately makes sense almost as “Affluence, PSA!” The track is adorably snarky with talks of affluence, sophistication, and intelligence. Combined with the pop-indie beat, the duo really feed off each other. The ingenious lyrics really shine through on “$$$_PSA.”
Pollens lyrics are purely intentional as they want their music to be “simple and immediate.” Jeff of Pollens says on the creativity “with a tiny band, we’re totally free to explore sparse, dumb, over committed ideas without a lot of risk or investment.”
Breaking out with his first ever full length album full of energizing anthems and inspiring lyrical loops, is Nashville native Taylor Cole (Chalaxy, Creature Comfort) and his music project Tayls. The self entitled album, Tayls is his greeting to a wider demographic of fans who he hopes to inspire with his commitment to insane fun and beautiful art. Although this indie project has gathered a great following since the very first single, this new release is surely going to push his popularity over the edge as he dives even deeper into the sound profile that he has created for himself. From a humble start to his current standing at the top of thousands of fan playlists, Tayls has created a movement composed of self-empowering music that is both easy to listen to and incredibly intricate.
The instrumental talent that is demonstrated captures the attention of listeners instantly. Coupled with the intense and pumped-up vocals that match the mood set by the music, Tayls can do no wrong as his lyrics pack a “powerful punch” of exciting empowerment to the individual. Known for overenthusiastic live performances, it is clear that Tayls was able to focus the same energy into the recording sessions. Although fans won’t be able to experience all of the lights, dance moves, drag queens and giant swan dives that have become essential elements of the live performance, the music on this album speaks for itself.
Layered with subtle scream vocals, there is no doubt that this album is going to pull in fans of The Flaming Lips, Bright Eyes and everything in between. As this project continues to deepen its understanding of its unique sound, Tayls is sure to pick up fans throughout the world who are inspired by the out of the box lyrics and fast paced rhythms.
Tayls is available now. Keep up with the project here.
LA based duo Freedom Fry is excited about their latest song “Cold Blooded Heart.” “Cold Blooded Heart” is the newest single off is their album Classic which will be out on 6/1. Freedom Fry brings a new sound on “Cold Blooded Heart” teetering between the sound of indie, pop, and alternative. The track tells the tale of a heartless uninvolved lover. “Cold blooded heart, yeah that’s how I pegged you from the start,” sings the duo as their voices are blend seamlessly.
My favorite line is, “Seasons change but winter stays, yeah you can make it go away and all you have to do is not give up.” With the sounds of piano, drums and banjo the track makes for a catchy tune with great writing.
Look out for Classic which will release June 1st. Keep up with Freedom Fry here.
LA-based indie-pop band, Little Monarch is hitting the music scene with their very first single of the new year, “Tangerine.” This exciting new release is a wonderful display of everything that fans have come to know and adore about this young, thriving group. In many ways, Little Monarch is the life blood of the young music scene and they will continue to be so as they follow up this hit single with an EP loaded with the same fun, energetic vibes that they so beautifully highlighted in, “Tangerine.”
Speaking of their latest single they said:
We are so excited to release new music and start tour! ‘Tangerine’ is the first single off our upcoming EP. The song started with the guitar riff, and we found ourselves building on this feeling of escaping to a magical island off an emerald bay à la Wes Andersons ‘Moonrise Kingdom’. Leaving your old ways behind in search of the next great adventure.
Although this is a relatively young band, they have talent and musical skill that leaves very little to be desired. Jam packed with lyrical genius and spunky soundscapes, there is a overwhelming sense of organic joy that is relayed through every aspect of their composition. As every beat is coupled with vocal artistry, there is no doubt that this team has the potential to reach all new heights with this exciting new release.
Australian native and Nashville based Quinn Lewis just released his latest “Weekend Luv.” The indie-pop artist is following up on his recent releases “Slipping” and “In Between.” “Weekend Luv” is one man’s search for seven day of the week kind of love. “Five days is more than a foreplay,” Quinn comes in with his clever lyrics. “Weekend Luv” discusses the struggles of dating in an adult world. “I’ve been working too much lately- you’ve been waiting for the weekend…to see me, hold me, love me right,” Quinn says on his busy schedule but his desire to have a seven day romance stating “Don’t give me that weekend luv.” Along with Quinn Lewis’ clever lyrics, he incorporates several sounds that back his voice perfectly, and even throws in an electronic vibe with bass drops during the chorus. “Weekend Luv” is infectious and an instant summer jam.
