Jim Mikesell sits in the middle of a bar in downtown Wilmington, N.C. He and fellow bandmates from Brown Shoe are a long way from home - Folsom, Calif. Mikesell sits with a leg crossed, making room for strangers on the couch nearby. Behind him are pool tables and on a far wall a movie poster for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. The bizarre close-up of Faye's painted eyeliner becomes a murky glow behind his head. He talks about ways to solve problems in the world without making empty statements, by merely offering common-sense solutions that essentially boil down to hard work... get the full story
FEATURE: Grandchildren
Much of the hopes and dreams of preceding generations is concerned with the transmission of cultural heritage and tradition to future descendants. The same occurs in music, as artists constantly strive to either revive their influences or innovate new styles for future followers. In essence, music is like a family tree - comprising the history of different genres, showing the trails that have been trodden and what bridges remain to be crossed. Electronic-rock is no different, from the grandfathers (Kraftwerk, Brian Eno) to the offspring (Radiohead, Animal Collective). As forefathers fade into history, new artists ultimately arise to fill the void. That is what the Philadelphia-based Grandchildren looks to become - the proud inheritors of those who came before them... get the full story
FEATURE: Milktooth
For a city as musically prolific as Nashville, there is an ironic homogeneity present in the artists and labels that garner the majority of acclaim outside of Davidson County. Perhaps it's simple economics: Music City has been a country, Christian and (to a lesser extent) rock, hit-making machine for so many generations. The marketplace of music fandom expects nothing more from the city, despite its diverse and overwhelming reservoir of talent. Sure, Paramore and Kings of Leon have improved Nashville's one-note image, but careful observers can't help but wonder if the city's vibrant indie scene will ever crawl out from the domineering, slick-music shadow... get the full story
SPOTLIGHT: Lissie Maurus
The story begins at nightly open mics in Chicago where rising folk luminary, Lissie Maurus, cut her teeth. Getting older, she headed west to Colorado, but grew tired of the thin music scene. Pulling up stakes again, she found inspiration among the broad, knotty oaks in the artist community of Ojai, Calif. "I wanted to be near Los Angeles and my musician friends who helped me get started," she says. "I just couldn't see a career in music happening in Colorado and Ojai is close enough to L.A. without the craziness and congestion of L.A... get the full story
SPOTLIGHT: Lucius
In the summer of 2008, Holly Laessig and Jessica Wolfe, the principle singers and songwriters of Brooklyn-based Lucius, were scouring Craigslist housing ads looking for a new place. They came upon an ad that immediately caught their attention. It was for a residence called the Bromley House, which struck them since it isn't too terribly often that you find a house in Brooklyn with a proper name. As they read the rest of the ad, they knew it was meant to be... get the full story
SPOTLIGHT: Soldiers of Jah Army
As the band's moniker so clearly suggests, Soldiers of Jah Army can come off as an homage solely to the Rastafarian religion. But SOJA is better understood as a band of earthly faith, whose journey is through a world of perspectives and religious ideals - and whose ultimate goal is translating the universal message of peace and love into one of spiritual and cultural acceptance... get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: Elsa Cross
Elsa Cross should have been touring with Johnny Cash during his American Recordings days. Unfortunately, he's long gone and folks prefer to hang onto the past sometimes rather than dare take a step into the future. So, instead of touring with Cash, Elsa is playing a tiny stage with no soundman in Dover, NH - for now.
.. get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: Gary Ray and the Heartwells - Dagnese - Chris McCarty
Without any introduction or chatter of any kind, Gainesville's Chris McCarty and band swooped onto the stage and started playing. That's one way to let your music and performance do the talking and the crowd couldn't help but pay attention. The music was undeniably rock, at times with an underlying jazz vibe, and chock full of adrenaline-packed jams by the four piece. .. get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: Jack DeJohnette Quintet
A wise man once said drum solos are like Robitussin - a little bit might be good, but overdo it and you'll be left dazed and confused in a mental stupor. Unfortunately, that's not too far from what Jack Dejohnette's quintet doled out. .. get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: Roman Photos
The term "art rock" can signify a plethora of different meanings, some more derogatory than others. The term encompasses such a wide range, from kids with too much money to burn who buy an overabundance of guitar pedals and twist and turn knobs, warping the sound from any discernible tone or melody, to genuine artists who craft something honestly different, experimental and universally pleasing. Atlanta's Roman Photos craft a blend of post-punk and electronica into something danceable, chic and simultaneously "art rock.".. get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: The Pack A.D. - The Moon Knights
The Moon Knights, from Anchorage, played a wild and spastic show. The jury is out on the best Alaskan band, but the weirdest is widely uncontested. With a voice that recalls Lou Reed, Lester Smiley's music was more than a subtle nod to classic '70s underground rock 'n' roll. He and his band dressed in outrageous, colorful clothes and wore wigs - perhaps mocking the glam genre - and he garnished his songs with quirky arrangements and a sardonic humor... get the full story
LIVE REVIEW: The Smith Westerns
Atlanta's the Earl recently hosted a sold-out, Friday night show featuring several nostalgic, garage-pop revivalists, including the critically acclaimed Girls and Magic Kids. While Girls were the headlining act everyone came to see (and were impressive in their own right), opening act the Smith Westerns turned heads with not only their respectable performance, but also their age. Despite the fact that the Smith Westerns were the only underage individuals in the 21+ venue, they made up for their lack in years with an impressive blend of glam guitars, '60s pop harmonies and overall catchiness... get the full story
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| LIVE REVIEW: Tokyo Raid - Paranoids - Siddhartha
The stage and dance floor at Kimo's take up a space barely the size of your average living room. But this space is wired with enough kerjiggers to transmit sound to the moon. Clearly, earplugs would be a good idea for this Performer Presents show. Suspicion was confirmed about 30 seconds into Siddhartha's act. The formidable energy level broadcasted by the band throughout was best personified in guitarist Scott Franklin, a long-haired imp who leaped around the stage and occasionally offered up a few Pete Townsend windmills. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: AC Deathstrike
AC Deathstrike's startling debut, Last Picture Show, hits an ambitious chord. Hailing from Jacksonville, this magnificently original foursome delivers punchy, guitar-driven indie rock from a bed of coy, layered harmony and inspired songwriting. Singer and mastermind Alex Dougherty describes the album as "basically a single concept, sequenced purposefully to describe a man once on top of life, hitting rock bottom, with the second half dedicated to his struggle back up.".. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Adam Lasher Band
Adam Lasher is a man who can erase all doubts with a guitar in his clutches. He also happens to be Carlos Santana's nephew, basically making him a rock 'n' roll demigod. Love for Granted is the band's debut album and it's a king-hell bastard of musical expression. From the first spine-tingling chords of "Valley Below," to the band-wide jam at the heart of "Arachnid," the listener is treated to a journey through tales of love found and lost. The tunes are certainly danceable, if that's your thing, but they are also legit musical enterprises... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Agency
Modern rock quartet Agency named its second studio album Revolutions for a reason. Soaring, lush instrumentation meets lyrics focused on attacking social and personal issues, while spreading hope and unity to the masses. The result is a collection of powerful messages and beautiful melodies that will keep listeners enthralled throughout its entirety... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Ben Fuller
At the push of play, Ben Fuller's dreamy indie-pop fills the room with an atmosphere that competes with a bright supernova or the milky dreaminess of a wintry moon. "Ashes" opens up Aquarian Son, a brilliant production of five songs graced with beautiful melodies and creativity that bends the standards of songwriter styles. Each track shimmers with lush, golden instrumentation, most notably fervent percussion, heavenly acoustic guitars and chiming keys and synths.
.. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Blair
Although the alt-rock sweetheart Blair Gimma (known simply as "Blair") is happily settled in Brooklyn at the moment, her first full-length album has done some interstate travel. Written and recorded over the last five years, Die Young combines the best elements from the earthy 20-something's time traipsing around L.A.'s artsy Silver Lake and Echo Park neighborhoods with the tail-end of a musically varied adolescence in her jazz and blues-saturated hometown of New Orleans. The album's storm of angry titles belies a sweetened pass through '90s-era garage daydreams with tickled electronic twists - meanwhile Blair carves a distinct path with edgy vocals and headstrong guitar.
.. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Carnivores
Atlanta's Carnivores have crafted an album that sets a new standard for noise-pop bands around the city. The calm, cool and collected tones the band mixes with its brand of spastic, chaotic and melodic clamor resonate to the top of a scene populated by dime-a-dozen acts of the same genre. Infusing punk rock spirits and ethics, with a feeling of nostalgic reverence, the band has produced a fresh sound with infectious melodies and grooves.
.. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Dillon and Paten Locke
With guest shots going out to the likes of Chuck D, Akrobatik and H20 of Mass Influence, Dillon & Paten Locke's newest release, Studies In Hunger, is stuffed with savory promises. Dillon's voice can easily be compared to artists like the late J Dilla or Talib Kweli and his collaboration with beat maker and master cutter Paten Locke resonates with an energy and eclecticism similarly found in projects by music pioneer Danger Mouse... get the full story
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| RECORD REVIEW: Fin Fang Foom
If ever there was a band to guide its listeners on a journey of personal anguish and come out the other side a survivor, it's bards of turmoil and solace, Fin Fang Foom. Having gone through the tragic death of original drummer Peter Enriquez and guitarist Michael Triplett's near-fatal trial with spinal meningitis, Monomyth is nothing short of a constant battle of rising tensions and a search for release... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Free Energy
Nostalgic guitar rock has always gotten the better of me: it's one of only a handful of musical traits that allure me time and time again without fail. When done correctly, confident and anthemic riffs remain rock's most powerful and endearing element. Just listen to songs like the Hold Steady's "Banging Camp," the Black Keys' "10 A.M. Automatic" and the Thermals' "Now We Can See." Go ahead and try to resist these powerful licks. While these three artists are far from similar, the one commonality that ties them together is their mastery of the hook... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Girlfriends
With this radioactive green cassette, you'll get three new girlfriends who like to hang out in dusty basements, make noise and yell at you. Oh, and two of them are guys. Maybe not the ideal romantic situation, but it makes for an excellent, bopping, in-your-face, giddy garage-punk trio. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Huak
Huak's second release, the EP Secret Trees. brings forth a heavy hit of melodic punk mixed well with mathy, toe-tapping grooves. Each one of the five songs on the record offers different musical sections and styles that bend your attention with intelligent and artful tastes. The four members of the band play well with each other as they switch tempos, building up to powerful and ear-catching transitions and exploring different time signatures and deep rhythms... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: iLa Mawana
iLa Mawana's self-titled EP is a mixture of old school dub/roots reggae with a modern twist. Think Israel Vibrations meets Lee Scratch Perry and Matisyahu on a stage somewhere in the ska-filled 90's. At its core, Boston-based iLa Mawana is solidly reggae, but by mixing dub, roots and Afro-beat, they add dimension to their sound, taking them from quintessential to alluring. .. get the full story
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| RECORD REVIEW: La Chansons
Greg and Carson Keller, the married dynamic duo know as La Chansons, have been self-releasing homemade recordings since 2005. King and Queen of the Dance Floor, however, marks their first full-length foray into the world of dance music. Recorded over a flurry of weekends, first in Nashville with Chris Grainger and then Atlanta with James Salter, this album is a party in a box... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Light the City
Building on their unremitting energy and youthful ambition, Light The City's sophomore album, It All Starts Here, once again showcases the band's infectious and bop-along sound. While some may initially mistake the band for just another overtly emotional, teenage singalong, It All Starts Here sets them apart through the use of clever lyrics and skillful production. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Roy Davis
The new Roy Davis album, We Are Lightning Bolt, takes the listener in and out of dark and gloomy shadows. Most of the album is slow and sparse, infused with contemplative lyrics and a dreamer's mentality. But before the record sets you into a blissful daze, the pace livens and a joyous light is seen at the end of the tunnel. .. get the full story
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| RECORD REVIEW: Seven Saturdays
Los Angeles' Jonathan D. Haskell is behind this EP, which shines throughout its five tracks, showcasing his composing skills. Most songs have a cleverly played drumset that makes them instrumental pop songs in the vein of Sigor Ros, rather than the generic new age that might be heard on Hearts of Space... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: The American Dollar
New York City duo the American Dollar conjure heaven, earth and the great unknown on their fourth full-length album, Atlas - an artistic collection of expansive instrumental works that fuse ambient electronica with post-rock eruptions and classical touches. John Emanuele and Richard Cupolo compose their emotive soundscapes wielding instruments including keyboards, drums, guitar and electronics that - even without a voice to top it off - manage to sing in their own right. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: The Packway Handle Band
What would you say about a band that recently released their fourth full-length album, with no discernible end to music-making in sight? For the Packway Handle Band, let's just go with an all-encompassing "those guys just play some damn good bluegrass." This five-piece Athens band's 2010 album What Are We Going to Do Now? is unbelievably catchy, to say the least.
.. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: The Splinters
At home on a rainy day, lounging in the park on a summer's afternoon, at a bar in the dead of winter: the Splinters will feel good just about anywhere. Hailing from Berkley, these gals have quickly made a name for themselves with their indie-pop, which, at once, sounds comfortably familiar while completely their own. Equal parts garage and girl, these tunes are simple, witty, heartfelt and catchy... get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: The Strange Boys
The Strange Boys are poised to break out of Austin. Vocalist Ryan Sambol ranges from Wilson Pickett to Julian Casablanca, settling somewhere in a dreamy '60s that happened the way baby-boomers like to remember. The simple backing of guitar, bass, drums and sax can drift down the lazy river of Sambol's voice or pick up the pace to add some post-punk punch. In short, this band can appeal to a wide variety of audiences; a fact that has not gone unnoticed by London-based label Rough Trade Records. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: The Threads of Grass
The Threads of Grass is a fitting name for the sunny, faintly psychedelic, yet understated sound of the Portland-based band. Not quite indie, not quite folk - and reminiscent of a subtler and more blissed-out Shins record - Sun Tunnels is an impressive debut album that'll soon have you daydreaming about the breezy summer days ahead.
.. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Three Day Threshold
TDT's newest album, which they claim was inspired by a trip to the Jim Beam distillery, is to country music what Old Grand Dad is to Jim Beam. The musicianship is there; rockabilly guitars a la Stray Cats, beautiful banjo work, talented steel guitar and drumming. .. get the full story
RECORD REVIEW: Tindersticks
Falling Down a Mountain is the eighth full-length album release by Tindersticks. The vocals of Stuart A. Staples are reminiscent of the smooth, smoky sound of Luther Vandross, complete with vibrato and soul. As an album, Falling Down a Mountain presents very tender, mellow compositions that would be appealing to a serene and breezy mood... get the full story
