On Wednesday, March 29th, Billy Raffoul and KC favorite Jake Wells opened for Parachute at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. Through both of the first sets, the large crowd was more respectful than any crowd we have ever been a part of, a fact magnetized several times when Raffoul swapped out guitars and didn’t have to ask us to settle down before his next track. His witty banter on stage made the show that much more incredible, and his fan base has no doubt multiplied in Kansas City. His deep, gravelly, charming vocals stayed with us for hours after, and we are thrilled to name him as one of our favorite live performers of the season. Some photos from the intimate evening below.
Seattle-based alt-country rockers Massy Ferguson – comprised of Fred Slater (keys), Dave Goedde (drums), Ethan Anderson (Bass/lead vocals), Adam Monda (guitar/vocals) – recently released the music video for their track “Maybe the Gods”, and we’ve got it here for your viewing pleasure. Fun illustrations basked in brilliant, contrasting colors make for a gorgeous and entertaining visual. Check it out now!
Indie rock outfit Manzanita Falls – Jeremy McCarten (Guitar, Vocals), Cameron Morris (Drums), Matt Robinson (Bass), Ross Barbieri (Guitar, Vocals) – releases their new music video for “Windows” today, and we’ve got your first look! Charming, well thought out, and visually engaging, the video follows the band members as they carry a red door around on an adventure. Watch it all unfold with the backdrop of this incredible song below!
Today, we have the insane pleasure of premiering alt-rock collective James World‘s latest visual gem for the title track off their upcoming album Funny Dreams. Beginning in a rural community walking down the street, you get a feeling that something is a-brewing if not only for the edgy vocals and guitar that lead in to the core of the track. Overlays of scenes enter the frame in black and white, creating a psychedelic space for the viewer, amidst flashing lights and a sense of confusion amidst the insanity. And yet, the adventure is somehow calming as the beautiful trees lead you out.
Check it out below and let us know what you think on Facebook!
In the lead up to the release of Ryan Thompson & The Delicate Hounds‘ new album Waiting On a Ghost, we have a fresh new treasure to delve into. Their latest song “Stop” premiered recently, and it is one for the books. Coupled with Ryan’s robust vocals, the song is a mid-tempo dream. Rife with waning guitars that give it almost a surfer vibe, the track is the perfect amount of scrumptious for a warm weather barbecue. (Not that you needed a reason for a party, but if you want one, this is it.)
Waiting On a Ghost is out May 24th. Keep up with the band here.
Ohio-based band The Shootouts’ debut album Quick Draw is the ultimate throwback to the age of honky-tonk in America. Every detail, from the lyrics to the vocals to the instruments to the album cover art, hearkens back to the good old days of classic country music. The band, consisting of Ryan Humbert (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Brian Poston (electric & acoustic guitar), Ryan McDermott (bass), Dylan Gomez (drums, percussion) and Emily Bates (harmony vocals), create a wholesome album with heart that is sure to make their listeners feel as if they have travelled back to a much simpler time.
With the first track, “Cleaning House” jumps right in with a toe-tapping ditty that’s as fun as it is metaphorical. Other tracks like “Who Needs Rock & Roll” and “Reckless Abandon” have the same carefree, catchy vibe that almost guarantees its ability to get stuck in your head. They’re short, sweet, and incredibly charming. Even a song called “Alimony” is full of charm and humorous lyrics:
Alimony, oh alimony, I thought I bought steak and it was old bologna. Me oh my, oh goodness sake, I’m paying for my mistake.
There’s a fair share of the album’s softer side with songs such as “California to Ohio,” “If We Quit Now, “Lonely Never Lets Me Down,” and “Losing Faith in Being Faithful.” These songs are pretty and emotional, bringing us back to traditional country ballads that are often hard to find in the current age of pop-country.
At first glance, Quick Draw may seem like just another country album, but it is entirely its own entity. The lyrics are sharp and well-written, the instrumentals are skillful, and even if this isn’t your kind of music, it’s quite an enjoyable listening experience.
Be sure to check out Quick Draw, which is out now, and keep up with The Shootouts here.
Indie-folk duo Cricket Blue are storytellers in ever sense of the phrase, and their new album Serotinalia is packed full of them. With pristine harmonies and scaling acoustic guitars, Cricket Blue is able to cause the listener to drift off into another conscious zone, full of hope, but also darkness.
Members Laura and Taylor are a vocal match made in heaven. As you listen to each song/story, you feel you are at a concert, with Cricket Blue performing just for you. This concert is not at a large venue. It is simply in a small room, with just the sound of Cricket Blues voices and strings enveloping the confined space. The darkness in every song prompts contemplation of self, allowing the listener to be full immersed in the art. I cannot stress enough how talented these two musicians are, and how their chemistry creates an album containing the purest form of the indie-folk genre.
Serotinalia is out now, and you can keep up with Cricket Blue at http://cricketbluemusic.com/. You should keep up with Cricket Blue.
Birmingham-based rock musician Alabama Rose just released a song that was basically made for your next great adventure. “Come With Me” boasts ethereal reverb for days, and robust vocals that weave gracefully in and out of guitar-heavy instrumentals. We’re hearing hints of Zooey Deschanel and Joan Jett coming through, a sound that is enigmatic and timeless all its own. As Alabama Rose urges you to “Come With Me”, the urge to move energizes you. This song is perfect for road trip weather and lazy, beautiful days in the grass.
Punk in every sense of the word, the ZigZags’ new album They’ll Never Take Us Alive rings out loud and proud with electric guitars and metal riffs. From its lead off track “Punk Fucking Metal”, the Zig Zags let it be known that they are not messing around with their fourth album.
You can physically feel the metal influences in every single note and lyric sung. This listener appreciates the constant appearance of the galloping electric guitar, accompanied by fast kick pedals. Like something straight out of a Guitar Hero video game, the ever present guitar solo will have you wanting to do anything requiring physical energy, let’s just say, I don’t know, run head first into a roaring mosh pit. With all this speed metal talk, it is hard to look pastZig Zag’s ability to also slow it down, in a very punk rock way. Their track “Fallout” brings the tempo down just a hair, almost reminiscent of Dio’s “Holy Diver”. But, the consistent theme across the board is the methodical gallop of the electric guitar that will be ringing in your ears for days to come after listening to this album.
Zig Zags have been an ever evolving force in the punk rock landscape for years now, and their fourth album really puts on display their growth, in the most punk way possible. They’ll Never Take Us Alive is available now, and make sure to keep up with ZigZags here.
