Who: J and the 9s are one of my favorite bands. They are a glam punk band originally from NYC, currently based in LA.
What: They have released three new singles in the last few months. Check out all of their music at the links below. Share with your friends and maybe some strangers. (Then they won’t be strangers, right?)
Why: J and the 9s have an RV with a stage on top. They love animals, babies and rock n’ roll.
Why: It’s always a good time when Air Circus is playing. If my neighbors weren’t watching me out in the garden, I might bust a move out there. They’ve seen me in my pajamas so there’s nothing left to lose. It could be my own little garden party with Air Circus.
Color Out is a new solo rock and roll venture from Dave Hedrick. His music is reminiscent of the music from the 2000s. I’m ok with it and you probably will be too. Today Color Out is gracing us with their presence on the blog.
Where was your first concert as a fan? As a performer?
I think my first concert was Nine Days in Tallahassee, FL. I was up visiting my brother in college at FSU and went to that show at Floyd’s Music Store. As a performer, my first concert was a house party my senior year in high school. It was actually the night before prom and we ended up playing a couple songs in the backyard. It was such a good time and of course the cops came which just means it was a good party.
Do you have a bucketlist? If so, what’s on it?
I actually do as a musician and I’ve been fortunate to be able to cross a couple items off. When I first started, just getting songs on iTunes was a bucket list item. A couple others that I’ve done is get played on internet radio, get a song on TouchTunes jukeboxes (Those are the digital jukeboxes at bars/restaurants), get a sync placement for one of my songs and hit 5,000 subscribers on YouTube. A couple that I am looking to do in the near future – Get a song on a Spotify editorial playlist, tour Europe and write a full length album with a producer.
What was the last thing that you read?
I am terrible at finishing books. I really need to read more and that’s a resolution of mine I am failing at. The last thing I read was probably a news article dealing with this COVID-19 stuff. Super lame I know.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Ruston Kelly, PLTS, Jason Aldean, and also listening to a lot of 90’s grunge. Not a ton of new rock out right now so I find myself just going back and listening to old records that really influenced me as a songwriter. I find myself studying them more than listening, as I am always looking to learn from these artists to make my music and songwriting better.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I am technically not a professional musician since I do other things to supplement income. With that being said, if I wasn’t a musician I would probably be into film or photography. I have a strong creative side so I can’t imagine that not coming out in some other capacity.
Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
Ace Enders from The Early November. I really dig his music and his style. He has a studio in New Jersey I would like to record at someday. The other one is Nick Hexum from 311. I’ve been a huge 311 fan since a kid and I would love to do a song with him. He has such a unique voice and style I think it would sound really cool.
What do you want people to know about your music?
I just released a new EP titled ‘Perspectives” on 3/13/20 featuring 6 songs. You can stream this EP and the entire catalogue on all major streaming platforms so go check it out. You can also follow Color Out social media at these links:
Color Out is 100% rock music, but there are a lot of elements and genres mixed in that I think a lot of people will appreciate. In talking with some fans, I think what they connect with most are the lyrics. There is a lot of emotion in these songs and they tell real-life stories dealing with relationships, love and heartache.
Bonny Light Horseman released their self-titled debut album in January. I’ve put off listening to it but the album is definitely worth the wait. The band call their music “mystical semi-trad folk jams.” I’m here for it 100%.
They don’t necessarily sound like Peter, Paul and Mary but I get that same feeling that I used to get when listening to my mom’s 8-track. Maybe you could call it comfort. If the 8-track was still around, I would put this album in the rotation. My favorite songs on the album are “10,000 Miles,” “Bright Morning Stars,” and “Magpie’s Nest.”
Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman came together from different musical projects to form Bonny Light Horseman.
Bonny Light Horseman will be playing at the Railbird Festival in Lexington, Kentucky this August. I thought a railbird was something related to trains. (It’s a spectator at a horse race that stands along the rails.) This album would be really great to listen to on a train trip. Either way – horse race or train trip or my mom’s basement- I will be listening to this album for eternity.
What: They have a new single out called “It’s Alright.”
Why: The new single, “It’s Alright”, was inspired by the people in our lives who think they know you but at the same time, they just can’t work you out. They wait until the most creative moments to get in your head and make you second-guess what it is you are doing. Not to mention – they have the worst sense of timing. We all have those people we love or care about in our lives. How can we have it all without sacrificing or hurting others in the process? We figure it out and make it all happen – so, It’s Alright.
Who: Sprints – comprised of Karla Chubb, Colm O’Reilly, Sam McCann and Jack Callan
What: The band’s third single “Kissing Practice” is available now.
Why:
Notes from the songwriter on ‘Kissing Practice’: The mundanity and monotony of everyday life is the real driving force behind the track. I always joke that I seem to be in this state of constant existential crisis. Some people know exactly what they want out of life, they’re happy having a routine or a rinse and repeat process to everyday life. Whereas I struggle a lot of the time to see what the point of it all is, sitting back and just thinking ‘There has to be more to life than this’. I wanted there to be a clear juxtaposition between this high energy fast tempo song rhythmically and the mundanity of routine and repetition, which is also reflected lyrically then too.
Angelica Garcia will be releasing her latest album, Cha Cha Palace on February 28.
Her music is like a bluesy salsa mix. It’s not like Latin pop. There’s too much depth and soul to be any kind of pop music. No offense to Latin pop musicians – I mean, I’m not the only one that loves Marc Anthony, am I?
Still, it will probably make you want to dance. Garcia brings the dance party but also emotions and protest anthems. It has all of the feelings that people have. My favorite song on the album is “Valentina in the Moonlight.”
With Mexican and Salvadoran roots in the San Gabriel Valley, East of Los Angeles, Garcia has built a personal and professional life in Richmond, Virginia.
I used up all of my free listening chances on this album. I had to ask for a second round just to finish this review. I used up all of the 2nd round also. No regrets. Would recommend that everyone use their time to listen to the Cha Cha Palace.
I’d like to listen to this album at ICE protests and road trips across the world.
‘WEAR YOUR ROOTS’ t-shirts and posters are now available for sale via her website, with all proceeds going to regionally based organizations supporting migrant families in the U.S.: ¡MIRA!, Annunciation House, and Immigrant Families Together .
03/16 -03/22 – Austin, TX – SXSW Music Festival 03/31 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s * 04/01 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd * 04/02 – Chapel Hill, NC – Cats Cradle (Backroom) * 04/03 – Asheville, NC – The Mothlight * 04/04 – Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5 * 04/06 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks * 04/07 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall * 04/09 – Austin, TX – Antone’s * 04/10 – Dallas, TX – Ruins * 04/11 – Kansas City, MO – Encore * 04/12 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr. * 04/14 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry * 04/15 – Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music * 04/16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups * 04/17 – Detroit, MI – Deluxx Fluxx * 04/18 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison * 04/20 – Montreal, QC – le Ministere * 04/21 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall * 04/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg * * w/ Vagabon
Who: Adult Mom is the solo project of Stevie Knipe.
What: They are releasing a new single, “Berlin.” It is awesome and lovely.
Why:
“‘Berlin’ is a song that took over a year to write. It’s about processing the loss of an important friendship without knowing the exact cause of the loss.” says Stevie Knipe (they / them), adding “Through loss, there are moments recalled, like meeting for the first time, the moment you got close with that person, singing “hole” in dorm rooms, drinking beer in a bathroom, and of course, the complete paralyzation that comes with loss. It’s about being in between healed and not, and trying my best to calculate the reasons why she left.”
Where: Adult Mom will be on tour with Palehound. You can find them in the following places.
Get excited because Elliot Moss will be releasing an album, “A Change in Diet,” on January 17, 2020. It will be released just in time for a new year, new you and all of that. There’s a month to watch the videos for “July 4” and “Barricade” while you are waiting for the album.
Moss writes and performs electronic music but not the kind that will get on your nerves. Think of it as electronic music with a heart and soul. My personal favorite songs on the album are “Barricade” and “Untroubled Mind.”
The music reminds me of some dubstep/electronic music that I have heard at music festivals. I miss going to hear music at festivals, just not a fan of the outdoor elements. However, I would weather most storms in order to hear Elliot Moss. He has the right mix of everything that is good – good vocals, good lyrics and good melodies.
Moss is from New York and still lives there. He’s going to be on tour so maybe you can catch up with him in a town near you.
Who: Sweet Pill – Zayna. Jayce. Tom. Jack. Chris. Sweet Pill is an indie/pop punk/emo band. But I feel like they are more than just a genre.
What: On December 6, 2019, Sweet Pill returns with two brand new songs, “Miss This” and “Tell Me,” which marks their debut release with Know Hope Records.
