Ashlynn Malia – “Feels So Good” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Jul 21, 2023

Today I’m excited to re-introduce everyone to indie-pop songwriter, Ashlynn Malia, who is back with a great new single and video for the song, “Feels So Good.” The track comes from Malia’s recently released EP, Navigating Galaxies, that is available now where everywhere music is sold. When speaking on the latest single, Malia shared:

I’m in a phase of my music that I’m calling my ‘ethereal pop era.’ This is one of the first songs to come out of it, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s new for me to put out a song about being happy, I feel like there tends to be this idea that happy music can get a bit cheesy. Instead of being scared of that happening I leaned into the fun of it, while trying to incorporate a cosmic quality as well.

I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jul 20, 2023

The meteoric rise of Greta Van Fleet has not been over-exaggerated. Most bands would give their right arms for the attention that they garnered since they stormed onto the music scene in April of 2017, having introduced themselves with the Black Smoke Rising EP. The Led Zeppelin comparisons, the snarky takes on the band’s style choices, all coincided with the band’s ability to take it all in stride, and their perseverance led to them delivering their most cohesive and best album to date with Starcatcher. While I felt that The Battle At Garden’s Gate was a bit of a mixed bag of quality tunes and bloated song structures, the 2023 version of this band has my undivided attention. The latest LP was produced by veteran hitmaker and Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell), and he does a tremendous job of accentuating the best parts of this artist. Through Cobb’s attention to detail, he gets the best performance out of each musician on these ten songs brimming with purpose and reigniting the fire in this ultra-talented young band. Guitarist Jake Kiszka shared, “We didn’t really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual. If anything, the record is our perspective, and sums up where we are as a group and individually as musicians.” Through this process of sticking to their musical instincts and getting back to the basics of early days of the band, Greta Van Fleet are creating their own lane and driving themselves down the highway of rock & roll immortality.

Adam Grundy Jul 19, 2023

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single and video from Alt Rock artist, America Jayne, called “Life of the Party.” The track comes from her forthcoming EP, Shove It, out everywhere music is sold on August 11th. With a sound that fits well within the realm of Snail Mail, Lucy Dacus, and Phoebe Bridgers, America Jayne could be the next breakthrough artist to take the alternative music scene by storm. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jul 18, 2023

Coming off of the rocket-fueled success of 2020’s bulletproof album, Use Me, PVRIS (the solo project of Lynn Gunn) returns with her latest effort, Evergreen. On her fourth studio album, Gunn again collaborated with co-producer JT Daly, as well as introduced some new blood, with Carrie Karpinen. Gunn described Evergreen as “a reclamation of control in our post-pandemic culture, posing a complex discussion on fame, technology, spectacle, and female autonomy,” and her laser-focused approach to her songwriting pays off in eleven songs dripping in purpose. The set has already spawned five singles, with the lead one being the dual-attack of “Animal / Anywhere But Here,” that was released last October. With the majority of the tracks clocking in under the three-minute mark, PVRIS delivers an accessible, albeit condensed version of her songwriting prowess. Having teased these songs that became Evergreen for so long, it must feel refreshing for this artist to finally unleash the full picture onto the world now.

Adam Grundy Jul 18, 2023

Today I’m excited to bring everyone a great new single and video from D.C. punk rock band, American Television, called “Snakes.” On this emotionally charged punk song, the band highlight their knack for slick hooks, improved songwriting, and crisp musicianship. The band shared, “We hope for the best from any person we vote into office, as they frontload their promises to the people. But if history has told us anything, they’ll backpedal. Yet, somehow, there’s always money for the war machine. The snakes are all around.” With a sound that fits somewhere within the political punk rock of Anti-Flag, paired with the memorable songwriting of Green Day, American Television could be your next favorite band. If you’re enjoying “Snakes,” please consider pre-ordering their new LP, Scars, that releases on September 22nd via A-F Records here.

Adam Grundy Jul 17, 2023

The second full-length studio album by The Japanese House, called In The End It Always Does, is a rich display of emotion from Amber Bain who continues to explore the depth of her music. The set was produced by Bain, The 1975’s George Daniel, and Chloe Kraemer, with each of the talented artists leaving behind their musical blueprint on it. Having not released any music since the 2020 EP, Chewing Cotton Wool, The Japanese House could have gone in a number of directions with the proper follow-up to 2019’s Good At Falling. The latest studio effort relies less on atmospheric elements and sounds, and instead highlights Bain’s musical development with a more indie rock feel to the song structures and sonically it breathes new life into the allure of what makes this artist so special.

Adam Grundy Jul 17, 2023

Typically when most bands decide to make an acoustic record, it’s to re-record some of their old hits or re-imagine the possibilities of where they could take their songs in their discography. Out of Service is not like most bands. When the time came for lead vocalist Mike Capuano and guitarist Teebs Williams to begin thinking about their fourth album, they were unsure if the songs that they were writing would be best suited for this project. The tracks they were cooking up were largely based in the acoustic style, and yet through their picturesque storytelling and song structures, they all seemed to fit the continued narrative of the band. By the time that bassist Brian McGovern and drummer Ken Bond had heard what would become the bones of Reflections & Refractions: Volume One, they were convinced that these songs belonged under the umbrella of Out of Service. With everyone on board, the band spent nearly three months carving out these songs and recording them Perkins Center for the Arts, a nearly 100-year old building. The recording process was done in the living room that had wooden boards that helped accentuate the reflective and refractive sound of these songs. While the acoustic side of some bands feels a little forced and lacking of theatrics, Out of Service embrace this challenge head on and continue to explore the limitless possibilities of their music.

Adam Grundy Jul 17, 2023

Today is a great day to share the latest single from indie-folk singer/songwriter, Hallie Spoor, called “Diamond Ring.” With a sound that fits somewhere between the easy-going attitude of Sheryl Crow, paired with the powerful and memorable vocals of Amy Winehouse, Spoor checks all the boxes for what you’d want in a talented songwriter. Not to be outdone by her dynamic new single, Spoor also announces that her new EP Heart Like Thunder will be releasing on October 17th. If you’re enjoying “Diamond Ring,” be sure to check out Hallie Spoor’s Bandcamp page here.

Adam Grundy Jul 14, 2023

When Queen first took a break in the early part of 1983, Brian May decided to use this extra time in his hands to get some of his closest rock band friends for what would become the Star Fleet Project. This mini-album features Edward Van Halen (guitar), Alan Gratzer (drums), Phil Chen (bass) and Fred Mandel (keyboards), with May taking the reins of lead vocals and guitar for a crowd-pleasing set of three songs that have been reissued on a remastered vinyl collection released today. In addition to the vinyl single, the box set includes a thrilling 23-track CD filled with previously unreleased material. Brian May shared, “It’s all here. ALL of it. Every note we played on those two days is right here, on show for the first time. I will take you behind the scenes into that studio with us for two unforgettably exhilarating days.” This dedication to the project that took place on April 21-22, 1983 is remastered in pain-staking detail and care, and pulls back the curtain on one of the most beloved classic rock recordings of all time.

The record launches off with “Star Fleet,” that has a sound somewhere between the classic rock sheen of Boston, paired with the memorable guitar riffing from May. Brian May’s vocals sound as brilliant as they’ve ever been on this remastered mix and it really makes the music shine out of the gate. The other song on the A-side, called “Let Me Out,” is a bluesy rock song that is sure to make even the most skeptical music fan a believer in the chemistry May had with these legendary musicians. Not to be outdone by their early work, the back half features a gargantuan, 13-minute blues rock song on the aptly titled “Blues Breaker,” that further highlights the impressive back and forth wailing between Van Halen and May. Even without any vocals on the instrumental closing song, it remains a captivating listening experience that was meant to be played on a turntable in all its glory. The Star Fleet Sessions is getting another worthy moment in the sun, and I think we’re all better off because of this.

FORAGER – “Hello To The Kiddies” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Jul 14, 2023

Today I’m excited to introduce everyone to indie pop band, FORAGER, who are back with their second single off of their recently announced LP, Pipedream Firewood, called ”Hello To The Kiddies.” “Hello to the Kiddies” is an earworm that’s warped by the band’s characteristic off-kilter production choices, propulsive bass lines, and dreamy vocal styling. The chorus only hits once, but that’s all you’ll need to remember the hook. Pipedream Firewood hits music streaming services on August 18th, and I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jul 14, 2023

Right off the coattails of a success single, called “Seattle,” the rock band known as The American Hotel System have returned with a more vulnerable side of themselves on “Tripping.” The Grand Rapids, Michigan band has opened for marquee acts like Bon Jovi, earned the Grand Champions of Music Prize in 2022, and it’s easy to see why they’re making such a big name for themselves early on in their career. Lead singer Jacob Betts shared, “I believe we all experience pushes and pulls in life—events from our past that propel us forward and aspirations for the future that draw us toward tomorrow. As I progress in therapy, the pain from my past has become a source of joy, pushing me forward even during the darkest moments when I feel like I’m falling…that is at the heart of ‘Tripping.'” With a sound that fits well within the realm of Switchfoot, The Fray, and Goo Goo Dolls, The American Hotel System may just be the next great rock band to take the music scene by storm.

Adam Grundy Jul 13, 2023

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the latest animated music video from The Cosmic Neighborhood called “Sunlight.” Fronted by the brother-sister duo of Mateus Teo (pronounced Tay-oh) and Happy Silva, with backing band members Josh Grandbouche, Adam Perkowski, and Sam Kunesh, the band are currently playing shows and writing their second album. The band mashes up indie rock, emo, bossa nova/samba, lo-fi hip hop beats, and pop into a brazilian-inspired indie-pop fusion, but they really have an unique style of their own. Lead singer Mateus shared:

My sister and I come from Brazil and with this band unbridled creativity is the goal. Having lived in both Brazil and the US, we’ve always been exposed to a vast array of sights and sounds. We’re always trying to combine those ideas from across cultural backgrounds into new sounds. With Sunlight, the band tried pushing our influences to the extreme, resulting in one of our most melancholy yet explosive tracks. It’s about getting stuck – emotionally, mentally, physically, & creatively – and trying to live with it. Our words only express so much; we’re focused on the vibe and the best way we know how to communicate is through our music.

If you’re enjoying this early listen to The Cosmic Neighborhood’s latest single, please consider purchasing something from their Bandcamp page here.

Adam Grundy Jul 13, 2023

Today is a great day to announce the latest single from Alternative-indie singer/songwriter, BabyJake, called “Brown,” as well as the official announcement of his brand new LP, Aren’t We Ever Gonna Be More Than Friends?, that will be everywhere music is sold on July 28th. BabyJake shared:

Really, what happened with this song is that I wrote the bass line 2 years ago. I always loved it and felt this James Brown-esque funk to it (a bit slower, but still). We recorded the whole band at Jon’s house and we had the instrumental done for 2 months or so and I kept putting off the lyrics, putting off the lyrics, putting off the lyrics over and over…I’d make an excuse or this or that or whatever. But finally, we got to it and it was like, ‘well, Jake this is the last song on the project and you still haven’t written the lyrics,’ so I said ‘well, shit mate, ya got me in a chokehold here don’t ya?’ That day, in 30 minutes, I wrote the song in the studio. I always had the first line ‘Strung Along’ and from that, you could go any direction, it could really mean so many things.

I was also able to catch up with this artist for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jul 12, 2023

”No I’ll never be all right, but maybe I’ll get close…” Charlotte Sands sings vulnerably on the single “Alright,” as she now has a true home for the great song on the Good Now EP. Sands stormed onto the music scene by being at the tip of the tongue of bands, like The Maine and Sleeping With Sirens, with key collaborations on singles such as “Loved You A Little,” and she continues her trajectory in the right direction with this latest collection of songs found here. The EP finds Charlotte Sands exploring the realm of possibilities that she can take her music next, and makes all the right moves on arguably her most dramatic and immediate record to date.

Adam Grundy Jul 12, 2023

Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the latest single from DJ/Producer Kris Baha, who under the solo moniker of Ghosts In The Machine, has released “Flesh & Code.” It is the second single from the forthcoming LP that will be released later on this year. Metaphorically, the track represents the desire to break free from societal constructs, experiencing alienation, doubts and glitches that plague one’s existence. With a sound that strays somewhere between the heavy synths of Blaqk Audio paired with a techno-punk sound, Kris Baha has found the right groove with Ghosts In The Machine.

Ashlynn Malia – “Feels So Good” (Song Premiere)

Review: Greta Van Fleet – Starcatcher

America Jayne – “Life of the Party” (Video Premiere)

Review: PVRIS – Evergreen

American Television – “Snakes” (Video Premiere)

Review: The Japanese House – In The End It Always Does

Review: Out Of Service – Reflections and Refractions: Volume One

Hallie Spoor – “Diamond Ring” (Song Premiere)

Review: Brian May + Friends – Star Fleet Project

FORAGER – “Hello To The Kiddies” (Song Premiere)

Review: The American Hotel System – “Tripping”

The Cosmic Neighborhood – “Sunlight” (Video Premiere)

BabyJake – “Brown” (Song Premiere)

Review: Charlotte Sands – Good Now EP

Kris Baha and Ghosts In The Machine – “Flesh and Code” (Song Premiere)