great news, “told”

great news, “told”

Bergen-based trio Great News – comprised of Even Kjelby, Kim Åge Furuhaug, and Ole Kristian Einarsen –  just released their new single “Told”, and we’re smitten. The track is a piece of daze pop to share with the masses, the newest single from the guys since their single “Never Get My Love”.

“Told” lives up to its one word title. The song is about people constantly growing up and being told what to do, and slams society’s expectations of what you have to be in life. Great News breaks down all of these preconceived notions of who you ought to be in their song. “Told” is truly a ‘do what you want’ and ‘live your own life’ anthem. It speaks volumes when it comes to encouraging people that they are capable of living their best life without following the world’s rules. 

“Told” is from Great News album “Wonderfault” which is to be released this February 16th. Keep up with the band here.

mattis, “the chain”

mattis, “the chain”

Copenhagen-based Mattis – a musician whose voice is a reflection of soul and pop with a mixture of gospel R&B and jazz – garnered a lot of attention with his debut single “Loverboy”, and Mattis plans to build on that success with his next single “The Chain”. This track allows Mattis to showcase his soulful vocal range while he dazzles us with the instrumentals and sings of breaking away from an unhealthy relationship. 

“The Chain” is a track about enjoying life and all that life has to throw at you. The song is telling the listener to celebrate life instead of allowing every curve ball life throws at you defeat you in every way. Mattis is advising the listener to enjoy life and party your sorrows away.

Keep up with Mattis here.

disco shrine, “up in the air”

disco shrine, “up in the air”

Disco Shrine’s “Up in the Air” grooves hard with a catchy synthesizer/drum mix making it the quintessential song to add to any party or road trip playlist. The uplifting fluidity of the instrumental makes this the kind of song you want to swim in. It’s easy to get caught up in the energetic, electronic beat and disregard the lyrics when a song has such a free-flowing, feel-good vibe. However, the alluringly crafted lyrics of “Up in the Air” invoke the desire to delve deeper into what Jessica Delijani, the mind behind Disco Shrine, is saying.

“Up in the Air” depicts the struggle Delijani’s parents faced immigrating to America from Iran during the 1970s Iranian Revolution.

Delijani beautifully describes the song saying, “’Up in the Air’ paints a picture of them literally on their plane ride over to America, leaving the past behind and looking toward the future.” She continues to explain the symbolism behind the phrase “up in the air” and how it relates to the feelings of uncertainty and unexpectedness her parents were facing by uprooting their lives at the time.

Not only is this song rhythmically appealing with brilliant lyricism, but it also effortlessly and impeccably reflects the current situation in the United States.

Keep up with Disco Shrine here.

micky james, “give it to me straight”

micky james, “give it to me straight”

Bowie fans of the world, rejoice! Ziggy Stardust’s influences are evident on Micky James’ debut single, “Give It To Me Straight”, his first solo project after the dissolution of his previous touring band. NYC-bred Micky James pays homage to classic rock and rollers while creating his own sound suited for the 21st century, especially during the bridge. Micky offers a delightful throwback feel for those of us who are missing some good old rock and roll. With in-your-face vocals and percussion to match, Micky James provides a distinct sound with “Give It To Me Straight”. He’s got the sound down, and is always serving looks to match.

Alongside Dirty Canvas’s Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta, Micky James lets the beat take him where it will on this single. We can’t help but think of the 70’s with lines like “I thought I had you when/We were wasted and wasting time.” Brash, unapologetic, and oozing with authenticity, we can’t wait to hear more vivaciosu songs like “Give It To Me Straight” from Micky James, carrying on the legacy of Major Tom. 

Keep up with Micky James (and his fabulous style)
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a very loud death, lanterns

a very loud death, lanterns

Lanterns, the full-length debut from Atlanta 3 piece A Very Loud Death opens with “Consumer” an atmospheric stage-setter for a lucid journey into a darkness that could be the background music to any Edgar Allen Poe story. Don’t question the production of a simple 3 piece band, somehow they pull off full spectrum sound that you would expect of a 5 piece. Chris Edge’s vocals are heartful and poignant, while the slow to medium paced music confirms the emotive romanticism of nurturing a heart you yourself inflicted damage upon.
The album overall has segments of dreary alternative rock, emo but not whiny, and some metal dynamics. With a vast audience opportunity, A Very Loud Death would appeal to fans of Chevelle, HIM, Mars Volta, and artists that have that hint of saddened macabre. Animated and heartfelt A Very Loud Death offers heart on sleeve honesty that you can feel with every musical change and vocal melody. “Lanterns” has a System of a down like guitar riff that takes an entirely new meaning once the chorus kicks in and tones become more epic and the vocals more desperately dyer. Applying instrument and vocal effects that expand the tonal dreariness yet cast a spooky shadow that is as perfectly subtle as a thin cloud coverage.
The vocals return with a soothing embrace on “The Ease of Absurdity”. Lightly brushed tom rolls accommodate a strong bass line that really takes the wheel and directs this track. The build-ups ad an unexpected turn that isn’t overpowering and breaks up the predictability that typically bores listeners. “The Wild” is the album’s most fast-paced song and pulls between the low dark overtone and a slight anger that cradles the ears yet instills that same uneasy feeling you get when someone shoots you an uncertain grin that you cant tell is sincere or wicked. With music that is melodic and driven to fulfill the albums intense theme, the lyrics have an offbeat obscurity that follows a rhyming pattern that kind of hints that a progressive rock influence had been tossed into the blender of sound that A Very Loud Death has inside their already genre-bending core.
In closing, the best way to describe A Very Loud Death’s latest offering is that there is enough dramatic loudness to wake up empathy in a stone-cold psychopath.

Keep up with the band here.
mt. joy, “jenny jenkins”

mt. joy, “jenny jenkins”

The unforgettable Mt. Joy is set to release their self-titled debut album March 2nd. A reunited high school band that consists of Matt Quinn, Sam Cooper, Michael Byrnes, Sotiris Eliopoulous, Jackie Miclau, Mt. Joy’s latest single “Jenny Jenkins” is a song that has its lead vocalist singing with desire in his heart. The song talks about love but is not a rendition of the folk song that has the same name.

In “Jenny Jenkins” the lead vocalist shows his love and appreciation for whoever “Jenny Jenkins” is. The song shows the tenderness and raw emotions of love for his loved one. And it’s built to be a classic, really good down from its acoustic sound to the singer’s soulful voice. “Jenny Jenkins” shows what it is like to truly love and appreciate someone.

Mt. Joy’s album features thirteen original songs that are about many different serious topics. Mt. Joy’s self-titled debut album Mt. Joy will be available March 2nd. Keep up with the band here.

a revolutionary moment with matt ward of violent revolution

a revolutionary moment with matt ward of violent revolution

I had the opportunity to chat with Matt from Violent Revolution, a metal band based out of Phoenix, Arizona. While I am a little biased having liked a band he was in locally around 2001, I find it more inspiring to be able to pick the brain of a musician I respect. Matt is well known in this area. A scene veteran if you will. With Violent Revolution he has teamed up with some other tight players and together they have unleashed a brand of metal that not only has listeners asking “how did they do that” but keeps the mosh pit rotating like a ceiling fan.

Your name and role in the band?

Matt Ward, Lead Guitar and Vocals

What motivated you to play/create music?

Honestly, a big part of it was growing up kinda poor. My friends and I never had money to do pretty much anything so in my juvenile brain I thought shooting for the occupation of “Rock Star” would bring some cash and travel into my life… oops. Not quite the case. But also there are allot of musicians in my family and it seems to just be genetic. My Grandad was a guitar player who worked in Vaudeville and taught guitar and even worked with Les Paul for a time. Sadly he died before I could meet him so I’ve always kinda wanted to pay tribute to his memory. That and Jimmy Page.

Who are your influences?

That answer changes every few years it seems. Early days it was Zeppelin, AC/DC, Iron Maiden… Twisted Sister was actually my first favorite rock band and they brought me into the whole cosmos of metal. Over the years I have been influenced by so many things a competent list would be all but impossible. But lately I am very into Meshuggah, Aesop Rock, Opeth, Maximum the Hormone, Belphegor… and of course… a constant stream of Tom Waits flowing! He’s my god!

Describe the sound of Violent Revolution for a new listener.

That would depend on whether you hear the new stuff or the old stuff. Our Debut disc “State of Unrest” is pretty straight up Thrash/Punk kind of stuff. There has been some line up changes since then and nowadays we are quite a bit more adventurous. Imagine Nuclear Assault meets Lamb of God and The Haunted… maybe… this question I always suck at haha.

What sets Violent Revolution apart?

Another hard question to answer. I guess that may ride in the hands of the listener. It’s hard to be objective about that answer from the inside. I don’t wanna sound braggadocious or off base.

What is the story behind the name Violent Revolution?

It’s from a Kreator song. That’s really the whole story haha. Nothing too deep behind it. Just fit music that is fast and angry and somewhat politically charged. 

What is the most rewarding aspect of being in Violent Revolution?

I think as of now the most rewarding thing is the new line up. We are just in a good groove with each other and the writing is flying. We all get along and we all keep each other on our toes but most importantly we all agree on pretty much everything. No bitching and moaning at each other EVER! If anyone complains it’s always me but never about them haha. It’s just actually fun playing in this band. I have been in plenty that were very far from fun.

What’s next for Violent Revolution?

We are shooting for finishing up all the new writing that is underway and then getting an EP together so we can get this stuff out to everyone. I don’t think enough people have had a chance to check out the new direction. Plus we have a ton of merch to make! It’s gonna be a busy spring for us. But we will be coming out swinging by summer. It seems as though we are on track for a really good year! Let’s hope that is the case.

___

Keep up with the band here!

thanks to thanks. for blessing us with “your world”

thanks to thanks. for blessing us with “your world”

“Oh, someone took control of your world.”

Yep, thanks. did. Indie pop duo Steve Pagano and Mario Borgatta of thanks. are celebrating their signing to Highland Park Records by re-releasing their debut single, “Your World”. Psychedelic yet approachable is a succinct description of the song. If the vocals of Bad Suns and the upbeat vibes of Bakermat mashed with the psychedelic aspects of Glass Animals, it’d almost make thanks. Key word there is “almost.”

Thanks. is able to distinguish themselves from other indie artists by their flexibility within a single track. LA-based thanks. brings something new to the indie pop scene, with an accessible sound for the pop-loving people that is still alternative enough to be enjoyed by those who rebuke the mainstream. With fantastic lines like “Why sit down when you want to dance/Let’s change the way we look at the world,” Pagano and Borgatta are already impressing us, both lyrically and musically. “Your World” is the perfect windows-down, carefree tune to blast on your stereo.

Our eyes are on thanks. as they begin to bless our ears with amazing tracks like “Your World”, and all we can say is “thank you” to thanks.

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thanks.theband
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thanks_theband

smoke season releases “wolves”

smoke season releases “wolves”

Indie rock band Smoke Season recently released the official video for their new single “Wolves”. From the moment ‘play’ is pressed, the song displays a deep seductive beat. “Wolves” is a catchy song, especially when it gets to the chorus portion. The beat behind the song sounds like a heartbeat that increases speed when the song gets to a certain point in the chorus. The video is just as exciting as the track, and starts off with scenes of mountains and a rose that is prominent throughout. There is a somewhat vintage/grainy filter over the scenes which makes the work look stunning.

The music video for “Wolves” then moves to a city strip for a chorus that shows the lead female vocalist Gabrielle Wortman singing along to the chorus. The video mostly takes place out in the nature and looks like fun based off of the artists’ energy and the creativity that went into its production. With mesmerizing music videos like “Wolves”, Smoke Season will continue to have a successful career in music.


Keep up with Smoke Season here.