jaco, “blackboard”

jaco, “blackboard”

In the mood for a beautifully composed track that carries you on a very interesting plot line in its new accompanying music video? Jake Waitzman’s project Jaco has just released the new video for his song “Blackboard”, and the black and white video is wild, to say the least. Take yourself on a bit of an escapist’s journey below, and let us know what you think on Facebook!

Keep up with Jaco here.

jai wolf @ truman

jai wolf @ truman

On Wednesday, May 1st, we celebrated May Day with Jai Wolf at the Truman in Kansas City, MO. The room was decked out with humans from wall to wall dressed in their EDM best. We have a few photos to share the kaleidoscope of a night with you!

Keep up with Jai Wolf here.

emily chambers, “real talk”

emily chambers, “real talk”

Last Friday, soulful songstress Emily Chambers debuted her new track “Real Talk”, and we’re absolutely smitten. The lyrics are highly-relatable – I mean, we have all been in relationships we didn’t anticipate – and so stunningly delivered that this is hands-down one of our favorite spring releases. While she croons about that no-good feeling of confusion, we get a look into her ferocity with edgy instrumentals and attitude to match.

Keep up with Emily Chambers here.

rising appalachia, leylines

rising appalachia, leylines

Atlanta-based foul/soul collective Rising Appalachians – comprised of Leah Song, Chloe Smith, Biko Casini, and David Brown – releases their new twelve track album Leylines today, and we’re overjoyed with the sonic adventure it leads its listeners on. From the first, caressing lines of “I Believe in Being Ready”, the album feels alive. The vocal layers are absolutely exquisite, and we’re blown away to see the ferocity with which said vocals lead the album as a whole. Working with talents such as Ani Difranco (“Speak Out”), Trevor Hall (“Shed Your Grace”), and Maurice Turner (“Indigo Dance”), Rising Appalachians has found a way to bring in distinctive traits from each act and meld it into a sound all its own.

“Make Magic” and “Sassafras” are two of our personal favorites on the release, and their contrasting sounds are the perfect display of how robust the talent found in this four piece truly is. Take the album for a spin below, and let us know what tickles your fancy!

Keep up with Rising Appalachia here.

cayucas @ recordbar

cayucas @ recordbar

On Monday, April 29th – just days after the release of their new album Real Life – brother duo Cayucas made a phenomenal appearance at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. They were joined by Cape Francis, which was also an incredible delight. In all sincerity, it’s a little more difficult to get a midwestern out of the house on a Monday night. Especially when the weather has been gloomy. But Cayucas is the band you show up for, as you’ll never quite understand how impressive they are without witnessing them live.

Keep up with Cayucas here.

a conversation with blake la grange

a conversation with blake la grange

On today’s episode, we sit down with someone I have known for almost a decade. (If you didn’t know, I may mention it too many times.) Blake La Grange is the Owner and Founder at Mastering.com. He is also the CEO & Founder at Mercury Mastering LLC and has worked with talents of all kinds. He and his family recently made the move to New York for the next chapter of their journey, and it was a pleasure to catch up.

0:00    Intro

0:11     EZVisibility.com

0:22    Dbl-take.com

0:33    imperfectfifth.com/merch

0:46 Blake La Grange Intro

1:39 Led Zeppelin “One”

4:06 P.O.D. “Murdered Love”

7:48 Mercury Mastering

11:43 Mastering.com

16:15 Hanson

19:52 Work/Life after baby

24:09 Sasquatch

28:14 Alien Contact

31:06 Drake’s Equation

34:56 Envy

39:08 Atlas Shrugged

slenderbodies, “dewdrops”

slenderbodies, “dewdrops”

Los Angeles-based indie pop duo slenderbodies brings us a groovy new tune in “dewdrops”, laced effortlessly with their quintessential relaxed sound and ethereal vocals. It seems to go well with the midwest weather this time of year, as April showers seem to be extending into the month of May. But we’re entranced completely by this song, and all about the soundscape that surrounds you when you allow yourself to delve into it.

Wrap yourself in “dewdrops” for a bit, why don’t you?

Keep up with slenderbodies here.

shells, “mexico”

shells, “mexico”

Searching near and far for an ethereal soundscape, propelled forward by some of the most magical and fierce vocals you’ve ever experienced? Then SHELLS‘ new track “Mexico” could very well quench that thirst for you. A song that feels warm and embraces you from the get-go, there is also a sense of longing in the lyrics that could open one’s heart up and make it feel something. And that’s what we want – what we need – from music, especially now. So take “Mexico” for a spin, and embrace the reality of your week ahead.

Keep up with Shells here.

the brookses, lucky charm

the brookses, lucky charm

From the very first slow chords of “Little Miss Raincloud”, you can tell that The Brookses have concocted something undeniably alluring with their debut EP Lucky Charm. An Atlanta-based father/daughter country/Americana duo,  there is a certain magnetism about them that you can find in each of the twelve tracks on their new release. While songs like “Over Again”,  “Evening Star”, and “Victrola” have some pep to their step, there is an overarching feeling of melancholy that encases the entire album.

But that’s the true beauty of it all. Meg and James Brooks have found a way to weave heavy lyrics into gorgeous backdrops, electrifying the project with instrumental layers and a feeling of coming home. It’s almost as though this album could only have been made in this serene and balanced way by a family band, and we’re thrilled to hear the release in its entirety as it was meant to be experienced.

Tracked live in one room at Standard Electric Recording Company with producer Damon Moon (Blair Crimmins, Big Brutus, Sydney Eloise & the Palms), Lucky Charm is an absolute masterpiece. Hold this one in your pocket for a while. If you aren’t drawn in already, you will be.

Keep up with The Brookses here.