Review: No Trigger – Dr. Album

Adam Grundy Sep 2, 2022

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since No Trigger released a full-length record. In the decade that’s passed, the band appeared to be cooking up just the right combination of punk-flavored hooks paired with a more melodic approach to the groove of their songs to make one of their most memorable records to date on Dr. Album. This six-piece punk band will be touring in support of the new record with The Lawrence Arms, Riot Fest, and more to spread the message of this great-sounding album that has a little bit of something for everyone. The band shared they were trying to create, “the Sgt. Pepper of punk records. We took a bunch of drugs and made this record while the world stopped. It sort of just poured out of us. A ‘had to get it all out’ sort of scenario.” Out of this experiment, No Trigger have proved that the world needs more punk bands like this.

Adam Grundy Aug 31, 2022

The latest offering of music from Panic! At the Disco leaves a lot to be desired. It has some of the magic that made Panic a household name, but most of the ideas that are brought forth on Viva Las Vengeance ultimately feel forced and not fully fleshed out. The album was produced by Jake Sinclair, Mike Viola and Brendon Urie, and when the material is on point, it can be a fun ride, yet too many of these songs don’t live up the high (high) hopes. The promotional cycle included releasing four singles, that tried to garner enough interest in the record that was coming off of one of Panic! At The Disco’s more successful albums in Pray for the Wicked, and yet early reactions to the title track, “Middle of a Breakup,” and “Local God” left a lot of fans nervous about the direction Brendon Urie would be taking on the band’s seventh studio album. What we’re ultimately left with is a missed opportunity for Urie and his production team to take Panic! At The Disco to the next level.

Adam Grundy Aug 30, 2022

The latest EP from indie rockers, Hello Stranger, is a blast of fun-sounding rock songs that have plenty of meaning behind them. The band set out to create a collection of hard-hitting tracks that have plenty of substance behind them, and I’d say that is “Mission Accomplished.” The band shared, “We had these incredibly topical, salient songs we had been working on for months, but it was difficult to get into studios or collaborate with producers. As many other artists did during that time, we decided to do it ourselves.” By choosing the route of independence, this raw EP called True Belief stays true to who the band members are as people and they make a bold leap forward as a unit. With a sound that strays somewhere between Bayside, paired with the pop rock sensibilities of Switchfoot, Hello Stranger seem destined to be familiar in your music rotation.

Adam Grundy Aug 29, 2022

The latest single from Snarls feels like those last great gasps of summer air before the uncertainty of autumn wraps over us and makes us wonder where the time went. The band is coming off of releasing a great EP (What About Flowers?) with Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla, and they continue to go down the rabbit hole of self-discovery with vibrant, full guitars, enveloped with vocal harmonies much like Fleetwood Mac, or contemporary artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Hayley Williams, to make the listener feel welcome. On this single, Chlo White shared:

”After You” is my love song to my long distance bestie, Samantha. She lives in Denver now, but we met in high school when I invited her to come to one of my shows! We quickly became really close friends and I found myself out in Yellow Springs, OH at least once a month for a while. That was about an hour away from where I lived in Columbus at the time, and my dad would drive me halfway and meet up with her at a TA station so we could hangout for a weekend. Too cute. I think friendships like ours are rare. We can go months without talking and pick up right where we left off. She moved a while ago now, but I still feel so close to her. I don’t think I’ll ever know another love like Samantha’s!

By creating a song that is both personal and sonically rich and full in its sound, Snarls continue to impress.

Adam Grundy Aug 29, 2022

The latest EP from Baltimore rock band, Have Mercy, is their first taste of new music since 2019, which in the middle of a pandemic might as well feel like it’s been eons. In addition, Have Mercy called it quits when the world went to shit in the spring of 2020, only to suddenly return with this reinvigorating self-titled EP that finds them sounding as refreshed as they’ve ever been. The record blasts off on the right foot with the anthemic “I’m Gonna Be Ok,” that sounds larger than life. Frontman Brian Swindle shared, “When we wrote this song, I realized that it summarized my entire life as of late. I met the love of my life and wanted to move forward with her but couldn’t until I took care of my issues. I had to get sober, get my mental health in check and just do better. This song was a reflection of all of that.” By handling the personal issues and coming out on the better side of things, Swindle and his bandmates in Have Mercy may have just made their late career masterpiece.

Adam Grundy Aug 29, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the lead single from indie band Good Sleepy, called “Make Pretend.” The song comes from their forthcoming EP I Better Start Dreaming, which releases on October 21st via No Sleep Records. The EP features three full-band tracks as well as three acoustic ones to round out an EP that showcases the band’s continued songwriting growth. The band shared:

”Make Pretend” is the first single off of our upcoming EP release, titled I Better Start Dreaming Vol. 1. We chose to release this song as a single because we felt it accurately gets many of the main points of the EP across, which is all about setting goals for aimless realities, trying so hard to be happy that you lose sight of what makes you happy, and burning your home town to the ground. “Make Pretend” is a song about regrets and giving yourself another chance when you feel like there won’t ever be another.

If you’re enjoying the latest track, please consider purchasing it here.

Adam Grundy Aug 29, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the latest music video from singer/songwriter Andrew Pitrone, called “I Talk To The Wind.” In this great, picturesque single, Pitrone channels the best parts of his well-rounded sound in a crowd-pleasing song. Pitrone shared:

When your words seem to fall on closed ears and nothing you say seems to be heard, your words must be swept up to the wind. ‘I Talk To The Wind’ was written in an instance like that. Whatever the circumstances are, we have all had the feeling of being unheard when outspoken. Sometimes the rain is needed to clear the air and refresh the vision. There’s a great story behind the recording of ‘I Talk To The Wind.

If you’re enjoying his latest single, the full EP has been released via Lolipop Records here.

Adam Grundy Aug 26, 2022

The latest single from talented singer-songwriter, Kulick, called “Goner” reminds me a bit of the great, anthemic rock from the early 00’s, and packs plenty of punch in its delivery. The song features some guest vocals from Sleeping With Sirens vocalist Kellin Quinn, and he takes the reins of the second verse to paint the story being brought forth in the single. Kulick is coming off the success of his Everyone I Know Will Die sophomore record and he continues to explore the depths of his improved songwriting on tracks like this. The brilliant and vibrant chorus features vocal harmonies between the two vocalists and makes for a full-sounding vocal attack.

Adam Grundy Aug 26, 2022

Today is a great day to share the latest single from singer-songwriter Joshua Lewis, called “Heartbreaker.” With soaring vocal harmonies that fit somewhere in between the pop bliss of George Harrison and John Mayer, Joshua Lewis is well on his way to superstardom with great songs like this. “It was all about discipline and motivation to make the best possible thing I was capable of, striving for perfection and doing what I love,” Lewis explains. With his heart firmly planted in the right place, Lewis transcends the boundaries of his music ability in this great-sounding single.

Adam Grundy Aug 25, 2022

Recently I was able to catch up with lead vocalist of Anarbor, Slade Echeverria, for an in-depth interview about the band’s new music. I also asked Slade about Anarbor’s legacy, and the range of emotions now that Anarbor will be releasing their fourth studio album, called Love & Drugs on September 2nd via ONErpm.

Adam Grundy Aug 25, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest single from indie pop band, One South Lark, called “Pop Star.” The band is comprised of singer Robert Freeman, guitarist Grayson Worley, and drummer Tabor Brewster, and their unique chemistry pays off on tracks like this one. The track comes from their upcoming EP, ’Til September, and showcases the band’s continued growth in writing pop heavy hooks.

Adam Grundy Aug 25, 2022

I couldn’t be more excited to bring everyone the latest single from Junro, called “Stay Here Now.” The song builds off of the band’s successful debut EP, Throwing Stones, and speaks to their commitment in putting their best foot forward in their music. The band shared:

”Stay Here Now” is about hating where you are and trying to get out. I moved back to my home town a few years ago with my family and even though we came back on our terms and for our own reasons, it’s hard for me to feel successful living where I grew up. This song is one of the first we sent over to Andrew Groves, the singer and guitar player of Arcane Roots and our producer for ‘Matches’, and it really was the catalyst in our sonic change. We had a ton of fun trying to make the ending sound as massive as possible, layering so many guitars and different sounds. We think the track really defines the new vibe and we hope it hits listeners as hard as we worked on these tracks.

If you’re enjoying the single as much as I have been, please consider purchasing it starting this week. Junro’s new EP, Matches, also features this great single and will be released on November 4th.

Adam Grundy Aug 25, 2022

Today is the perfect day to share The Roof Dogs new music video called “Weather.” In this track, that comes from their 2023 debut LP Here You Are, the band packs into crunchy guitars paired with crisply delivered vocals for a crowd-pleasing indie rock delivery. A traditional four-piece in composition, the band consists of Andrew Marczak on guitar, synthesizers, and shared lead vocal duties with Jesse Cheshire (guitar), Sean Maher (bass), and is rounded out with Jack Brereton on the drums. Your next great musical obsession has arrived.

Adam Grundy Aug 24, 2022

Recently I was able to catch up with Eli Hirsch of the pop-rock band, Courtship., to discuss his band’s latest record called I Hope You’re Well In These Crazy Times. The record comes after their great debut, Denial In Paradise, and finds the band continuing to tinker with their pop-based sound. I asked Eli about the new album, which includes a cool cover of “I Try” by Macy Gray, as well as some of the core influences and writing strategies that the band have experimented with.

Adam Grundy Aug 24, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest music video from Mother Sun called “Orange Colossus.” The single comes from the band’s forthcoming LP Train of Thought, out everywhere music is sold on October 28th via Earth Libraries. Guitarist Jared Doherty shared:

”Orange Colossus” is about the way ignorance can grab a hold of an ugly thought and mutate it into resentment and hate. Angry fuzzed out verses describe the narrator’s unchecked frustrations, which are countered by melodic choruses urging the pursuit of understanding and empathy as ways to combat falling into cycles of negativity and instead promote an openness to learn and grow.

If you’re ready to take the next dramatic leap forward, Mother Sun are prepared to shine your path ahead.

Review: No Trigger – Dr. Album

Review: Panic! At The Disco – Viva Las Vengeance

Review: Hello Stranger – True Belief

Review: Snarls – “After You (Samantha’s Song)”

Review: Have Mercy – Have Mercy

Good Sleepy – “Make Pretend” (Song Premiere)

Andrew Pitrone – “I Talk To The Wind” (Video Premiere)

Review: Kulick – “Goner”

Joshua Lewis – “Heartbreaker” (Song Premiere)

Interview: Slade Echeverria of Anarbor

One South Lark – “Pop Star” (Song Premiere)

Junro – “Stay Here Now” (Video Premiere)

The Roof Dogs – “Weather” (Video Premiere)

Interview: Eli Hirsch of Courtship.

Mother Sun – “Orange Colossus” (Video Premiere)