Mackenzie Shivers – “johnny gown” (Video Premiere)

Adam Grundy Jan 29, 2024

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to Mackenzie Shivers, an ultra-talented NY-based singer-songwriter who is gearing up for releasing her new album, primrose was in season, later this year. Her latest single and video for “johnny gown” is a synth-driven track about going through grief privately, and a reminder that you never know what someone is going through. Shivers shared:

When I wrote ‘johnny gown’, it struck me how we are all working through things no one else sees. I had been working so hard to let myself feel all emotions after having a miscarriage, because that was the only way I knew how to move through the grief. Radical acceptance of all feelings. And while that was essential, it was also very exhausting, and it affected how I moved through the world. I felt like I was wearing this heavy yet invisible cloak, this secret. It was a reminder that you never know what someone is going through. We all have our shit.

Mackenzie Shivers is an artist to watch as this year unfolds.

Adam Grundy Jan 26, 2024

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone a new acoustic video performance from Frank Viele called “Mountains We Can Climb.” On this heartfelt song, Frank Viele channels the best parts of rustic Americana music with veteran ease. Viele is currently on tour in support of the single, and the dates are below. I was also able to catch up with this talented songwriter for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jan 25, 2024

It’s a little hard to believe that Can We Start Over? is the debut album by Charlotte Sands. Why? For a myriad of reasons. Charlotte Sands has been on the tip of the tongue for several marquee artists like The Maine, Taking Back Sunday, and Sleeping With Sirens for lending her vocals in guest spots on their singles. Additionally, Sands has been self-releasing music since 2018, and with her electric charged debut finally arriving this year, this blue-haired warrior shows little signs of slowing down anytime soon. Coming off of the success of her last EP, called Good Now, Sands is poised for sustainable success by adding ten bulletproof songs on Can We Start Over? to her repertoire.

Sands shared, “The inspiration behind the title can we start over? came while writing a song for the album about the idea of restarting a relationship, and the idea of beginning again or reintroducing yourself to someone. I’ve changed so much over the last few years personally and in my career and I love the concept of starting over as who I am now with the information and knowledge I’ve gained. It’s not about forgetting the past or regretting our choices but more so letting go of the previous version of ourselves and meeting each other where we are at this moment in the phases that we’re currently in. I think this album for me represents exactly that, standing firmly where I am as the person I am today.” By putting her strongest and best foot forward, Charlotte Sands is taking full advantage of her moment.

Adam Grundy Jan 22, 2024

The 14th studio album by pop-punk legends, Green Day, called Saviors, lives up to its title as it very well may have saved the band from going down the unfortunate path that has haunted so many other legendary bands in their careers. While some bands have had trouble living up to the legacy of their past work, Green Day were getting dangerously close to this label after a bit of floundering after American Idiot. Sure, there were a few nuggets of gold to be found every now and then, but looking at the large body of work after American Idiot was a bit of a mixed bag. You had the strong 21st Century Breakdown record, followed by the hit or miss trilogy of ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré!, then 2016’s decent Revolution Radio, only to be succeeded by arguably the weakest LP in Green Day’s discography, 2020’s Father of All Motherfuckers.

Adam Grundy Jan 22, 2024

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Sean Scanlon, the lead vocalist/keyboardist of Alt Rock band, Smallpools, to discuss everything that went into their great new single called “Night Shift.” In this interview, I asked Sean about how the band typically does most of their writing, his favorite songs in Smallpools’ discography, as well as the upcoming touring plans. Smallpools will be touring the U.S. with Grayscale starting this April and tickets are currently on sale.

Adam Grundy Jan 19, 2024

The latest single from Chicago pop-punk band, Definitely Maybe, called “Are We Having Fun Yet?” embraces the chaos of chasing your dreams head on. The band found moderate success with their last single, “One More Night,” and Definitely Maybe continue the momentum gained on this electric track. Singer/lyricist Courtney Clinkert remains as captivating as she’s ever been on this single that sounds reminiscent of the sound that Charlotte Sands and Yours Truly have gone for recently, with equally pleasing results here. The band shared, “’Are We Having Fun Yet?’ is a relentless exploration of the toll ambition takes on the soul. Delving into the highs and lows of chasing dreams, it offers an unfiltered look at the exhaustion and self-discovery that comes with the journey.”

Adam Grundy Jan 19, 2024

Today I’m excited to share with everyone the latest single from Aussie pop artist, Ben Hazlewood, called “Always There.” On this heart-wrenching track, Hazlewood encapsulates the feeling of a one-sided relationship. As Hazlewood writes on the single, “‘Why don’t you love me?’ The question hands in the air, frozen in time, a mirror to my soul being left in the cold. I hoped I could translate through song an audible monument to love’s resilience. Despite your attempts to knock it down, my love is ‘Always There.'” Ben Hazlewood understands the beauty of pop music, and he’s an artist to watch as this year unfolds.

Adam Grundy Jan 18, 2024

Today is a great day to share the latest single from Alt-Pop artist, Joseph Luca, called “My Best Dancing Shoes.” With a style that fits somewhere in the realm of Prince, Jeff Buckley, and Miguel, Luca showcases his depth as a talented songwriter. Speaking on the track, Luca shared:

”My Best Dancing Shoes” is a poignant musical narrative that encapsulates the intricacy of an unrequited love story. It weaves the tale of an individual grappling with the acceptance of their authentic self, compelled by a love that remains un-reciprocated. The song beautifully metaphorizes dancing shoes as a symbol of embracing one’s purest and most genuine identity despite facing adversity. It speaks of patiently waiting for a kindred spirit to arrive, a partner willing to join in the dance of life as true equals.

The latest single comes from the newly announced EP, PART 2: Ouroboros (Death), that will be released everywhere music is sold on February 16th. I was also able to catch up with Joseph Luca for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jan 18, 2024

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest music video from songwriter Lana Nauphal, called “Is It Raining In California?” On this vibrant single that fits somewhere in the world of Ingrid Michaelson and Iron & Wine, Nauphal channels her love for sweeping instrumentation and pure songwriting bliss. This talented songwriter shared:

I wrote two songs about the rain, one very stormy summer spent in Washington, D.C. Summers in DC: it gets so hot and humid, and the pressure builds and builds and builds until it breaks into these raging storms; they’re hard not to write about, especially when they mirror your state of mind. ‘Is It Raining in California?’ is the second rain song I wrote. There was a wild thunderstorm one night at 3am and I couldn’t sleep, and this song just burst into my head, almost fully formed. ‘Is It Raining in California?’ is about the messy middle part of getting over someone, when you’re still yearning for them but don’t want to be, and you’re mad at yourself for feeling what you feel but you just can’t help it. So you ask if it’s raining where they are, however unlikely that may be, in the hopes that you might be sharing something still.

The song comes from her newly announced debut LP, Wildland, that will be released on May 24th, and if you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the track here.

Adam Grundy Jan 16, 2024

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to the new single from New Jersey emo band, Graduation Speech, called “No Confidence.” With a sound that fits somewhere between the pop bliss of The Get Up Kids and the working-man rock of The Menzingers, Graduation Speech check all the boxes for what you’d want in a band. The band shared, “‘No Confidence’ is my attempt to sum up the feeling of disgust and fatigue from watching parasitic ghouls that show total disregard for humanity and people.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider pre-ordering their new LP called Arcane Feelings here.

Adam Grundy Jan 16, 2024

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone a tasty slab of rock from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, called “Hush, Hush.” Band member Carla Kihlstedt shared:

’Hush, Hush’ is a celebration of dusk, when angels and demons come out from the dusty corners of our houses and our minds to play. It was the first song I wrote after moving to the East Coast, the saddest part of which was leaving my dear Sleepytime Gorilla Museum comrades and community. Matthias and I formed a duo called Rabbit Rabbit Radio – making the most of our new lives and our self-imposed musical isolation. ‘Hush, Hush’ poured out of me — the music itself, an obvious tribute to all that I absorbed in so many years of living, rocking, creating, and conjuring both on stage and off, next to the fine humans of the Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

If you’re enjoying the new single, you can pre-order their upcoming LP titled Of The Last Human Being here.

Adam Grundy Jan 16, 2024

Today is a great day to introduce everyone to the Austin-based bedroom pop artist known as Skateland. On his latest single, called “Autobahn!” Skateland makes writing breathtaking melodic hooks look easy. Skateland shared, “‘Autobahn!’ is a dialogue about the hills and valleys of love and relationships. The narrator begins the song with what he presumes is a breakup speech, but somehow along the way concedes that for better or worse he will always love this person, and that the tough parts of loving someone are what make it worth it in the end.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the track here.

Adam Grundy Jan 12, 2024

It’s always nice to hear new voices in the music scene. Whether it’s a new band taking the world by storm, or in the case of Cassie Dasilva, an indie-pop artist that has a sugary sweet delivery to make you take notice. “Part of the Club” is a great introduction to the sound and world that Dasilva is creating with her music. As she puts it, “‘part of the club’ is my anti-love love song. I’ve always had an aversion to conventional relationships – specifically marriage – but this song is about finding the person who makes you stop and think, ‘I can see why people might do all this.’” By taking a long hard look at why relationships can be so complex, Cassie Dasilva makes a memorable step in the right direction with her latest single.

Adam Grundy Jan 12, 2024

Today is a great day to share the latest single from Mortal Prophets, called “Sleeping In My Bed.” The title track comes from his forthcoming EP Sleeping In My Bed, that will be released everywhere music is sold on March 15th.

Adam Grundy Jan 12, 2024

Recently I was able to schedule an interview with 2:00 AM Wake Up Call, the solo project from Micah Leith, to discuss the band’s latest single called ”No Nostalgia.” In this interview, I asked Micah about what went into the process for creating the visualizer video for the new track, how Micah does most of the songwriting for this project, and the opening of 2:00 AM Wake Up Call’s new merch store. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting this artist here.

Mackenzie Shivers – “johnny gown” (Video Premiere)

Frank Viele – “Mountains We Can Climb” (Video Premiere)

Review: Charlotte Sands – Can We Start Over?

Review: Green Day – Saviors

Interview: Sean Scanlon of Smallpools

Review: Definitely Maybe – “Are We Having Fun Yet?”

Ben Hazlewood – “Always There” (Song Premiere)

Joseph Luca – “My Best Dancing Shoes” (Song Premiere)

Lana Nauphal – “Is It Raining In California?” (Video Premiere)

Graduation Speech – “No Confidence” (Song Premiere)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum – “Hush, Hush” (Video Premiere)

Skateland – “Autobahn!” (Video Premiere)

Review: Cassie Dasilva – “Part of the Club”

Mortal Prophets – “Sleeping In My Bed” (Song Premiere)

Interview: 2:00 AM Wake Up Call