Elly Low – “I’m Afraid” (Video Premiere)

Elly Low

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to a new artist named Elly Low, and share her debut music video for “I’m Afraid.” This song is a catchy jazz-pop track that explores the relatable vulnerability and uncertainty of falling in love. The song reminds me a bit of Amy Winehouse’s charisma paired with Lana Del Rey’s songwriting. Her label shared, “Elly sent me a few demos, and I was knocked out. I immediately offered her a development deal. She has a modern sound in an earthy, bluesy, Georgia kind of way. ‘I’m Afraid’ is the first of what’s going to be many songs coming from this uniquely talented singer/songwriter.” If you’re enjoying the debut single from Elly Low, keep an eye out for her debut EP that will be released later this year. I was also able to catch up with Elly for a brief interview below.

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Geoff Rickly Talks With Vulture

Thursday

Geoff Rickly of Thursday talked with Vulture about their musical return:

In 2019, we started writing and it was really contentious. We were tossing demos back and forth, and nothing was happening. We let them sit for a while. With the last one, everyone was like, “This one has an amazing chorus. How can you not like that?” And I was like, “I just feel like it’s too much the same thing over and over again.” Stu Richardson, who plays bass for us on tour and is an amazing producer, was like, “That’s an easy fix.” Stu slowed down the beginning, took out the drums, and added some keyboards and then I sang a totally different thing over it, and it was like, “Oh! Suddenly I love this song!”

The funny thing is, I don’t know what will come next from us, but now that the Band-Aid is off, it feels a lot easier to write together. Since we got back together eight years ago, this is the biggest the band’s been. Every night we’re going out and the audience makeup is tilting toward younger fans instead of people that have been with us the whole time.

The weather is starting to turn here in Portland. You can feel it in the city. People are starting to spend more time in the park across the street, the temperature is creeping upward, and this week has been ideal to break out this pop-punk gem from last year. Reminding me of the best parts of Sum-41 and early Blink-182, with a fresh youthful perspective, this is easily one of my favorite pop-punk releases in a long time. A worthy addition to not only one of my favorite genres, but my favorite summer albums playlist as well. (And once I saw this t-shirt I knew I had to order it. Could that be anymore me?)

Record Store Day Countdown: Collective Soul – Dosage

CD, Record Store

The march towards Record Store Day continues today with a look at Collective Soul and their fourth studio album, Dosage. The record is celebrating a 25th anniversary this year, so the timing was perfect to reissue this LP. This “RSD First” release is limited to just 2,000 copies via Craft Recordings, and it is pressed on “translucent lemonade” vinyl. The set features the singles “Heavy,” and one of my all-time favorite ballads in “Run.”

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Crow and Gazelle – “The Only Thing” (Song Premiere)

Crow and Gazelle

Today is a great day to share the new single from Crow and Gazelle called “The Only Thing.” The song comes from the band’s new LP, As Above Now So Below, that releases everywhere music is sold on April 26th. The band shared:

When I used to volunteer in the max ward of the jail in Austin, I would sing this chorus to the women in our closing circle, where we worked to heal trauma, every week. In the context of this album, the words of this song fit the theme of love helping us to heal and to recover…A song of love, but not just to another… this one, especially the first part, is often sung to myself–to the part of me that I have recovered and reclaimed, which was torn apart as a child. She is the one who helps drive out the demons of the past. Because I want to give her that power, now, just as I want to give it to anyone who has suffered at the hands of another. To undo, unlearn, and draw attention to the truth of our worth, through songs like this and the rest of this album, feels like ‘the only thing I’ve done right.’ Not literally of course, but it feels like the most right thing I could do, at this very moment. Love brought us both to this place–it empowered us to find our truth, and to share it.

If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the new LP here.

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JD Pinkus – “Charmer” (Video Premiere)

Video

Today I’m excited to share with everyone the latest video from JD Pinkus called “Charmer.” On this vibrant, rhythmic instrumental track, JD Pinkus shows off his playing chops in a sprawling song. JD Pinkus shared, “This one was written for snakes of all kinds, but mainly my friendly rattle snake buddy, Fred. My friend, Jed Willis, helped me out with his sci-fi pedal steel and Film Maker, Courtney Sell, made this nice hypnotic video for it, to capture this instrumental with his organic visuals.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider pre-ordering JD’s new album, Grow A Pear, here. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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