Darker Lighter is the alias of the talented musician, Salar Rajabnik, who has spent countless years on the road perfecting his songwriting craft and musicianship. Along the way, Rajabnik caught the eye of artists like Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Kim Gordon, who entrusted him as their guitar tech and associate. In this interview, I asked Darker Lighter about his great new single called “Nice To Meet You,” his upcoming self-titled album, and much more.
Read More “Darker Lighter”Interview: TVOD
Recently I was able to connect with TVOD (short for Television Overdose), to ask the band about their electric-charged new single, “Uniform.” The track comes from the Brooklyn, NY punk band’s debut LP, Party Time, that releases on May 9th. In this interview, I asked the band about the new single and music video, plus I had TVOD describe their live shows. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering Party Time here.
Read More “TVOD”Interview: Kellin Quinn of Haunted Mouths
Recently I was able to connect with the lead vocalist of Sleeping With Sirens, Kellin Quinn, to discuss his great new solo project called Haunted Mouths. The project was produced by Aaron Marsh of Copeland, and the two musicians also collaborated in the writing process found on the record, A Collection Of Greetings. In this interview, I asked Kellin about working with Aaron, the differences in writing for a solo project versus for Sleeping With Sirens, and how he thinks people will react to the music once they put their ears on it. A Collection of Greetings released last Friday, and is up on all streaming services here.
Read More “Kellin Quinn of Haunted Mouths”Interview: CDSM
Recently I was able to connect with Atlanta post-punk band, CDSM, to discuss their great new single and video for the frenetic “This Is My New Hell.” The track comes from the band’s recently announced LP, Convertible Hearse. In this interview, I asked the band the creative process behind their music and much more.
Read More “CDSM”Interview: Jesse Davis of TopHouse
Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with guitarist/backing vocalist Jesse Davis of folk rock band, TopHouse, to discuss the band’s new EP that released on February 14th, called Practice. This EP comes hot on the heels of the band’s last EP, Theory, and showcases the band’s continued improvements in their songwriting. In addition to songwriter Jesse Davis, TopHouse is comprised of violinist William Cook, Joseph Larson (lead singer and guitar/banjo player,) and Andy LaFave (piano). I asked Jesse about the band’s upcoming headlining tour, what went into the writing/recording process of the tracks found on Practice, and much more. Practice is up on all streaming services here.
Read More “Jesse Davis of TopHouse”Interview: Gates of Light
Recently I was able to connect with Louise Quinn, from Gates Of Light, who has collaborated with producer/musician Finlay MacDonald in Glasgow, London-based producer and DJ Scott Fraser, producer and DJ Kid Loco in Paris, and film and art director Tim Saccenti in New York to create her latest video for “10,000 Years.” Gates Of Light will be releasing their next record, called Gates of Light II, and if you’re enjoying the new single you can check out pre-save options here.
Read More “Gates of Light”Interview: George Alley
Recently I was able to connect with George Alley to discuss their latest single and video for “Blue Valentine.” In this brief interview, I asked George about how the artistic direction of the video came about, as well some insight on George Alley’s debut self-titled LP. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting this artist here.
Read More “George Alley”Interview: Errth
Recently I was able to connect with Errth, the newest addition to Philadelphia’s vibrant punk scene. Including Kevin Day (Aspiga/Graduation Speech), Eric Saylor (Reunions), Tim DeMarco (ex-Public Serpents), and Brian McClure (Seeing Snakes), Errth mixes the influences of East Bay, Chicago, and Northeast punk bands for an end result that is familiar yet refreshing. With three different songwriters at the helm, each identity has a moment to shine but is reinforced by the group as a whole. In this brief interview, I asked them about their cool new single called “New Orleans,” that will officially be released this Thursday, and the band’s writing process. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting the band here.
Read More “Errth”Interview: Casino Hearts
Recently I was able to connect with Alt Rock band, Casino Hearts, to discuss their recent cover song of an MTV Unplugged: Nirvana classic, “Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam”. In this brief interview, I asked the band members about what drew them to putting their spin on this cover song, plus more about the tribute album. If you’re enjoying their cover version, please consider supporting Casino Hearts here.
Read More “Casino Hearts”Interview: Greg Freeman
Recently I was able to connect with singer-songwriter, Greg Freeman, to discuss his latest single and video for “Colorado.” The song comes from Freeman’s reissued debut LP I Looked Out and showcases the songwriter’s incredible depth found in his music. Greg Freeman shared, “I wrote this song a few years ago, when the world was entering a scary and uncertain time, and hope seemed fleeting and very far in the distance. The song is about wanting to find connection in such a world. In a way, it feels like an old song to me at this point, but that place of uncertainty feels even more pronounced than when I wrote it. The acoustic version is just more sparse. There’s a harmonica instead of a saxophone. There’s no drums either. Merce does the high part and I do the low part. I also play the concertina in the recording. Our friend Nate Campisi recorded the song at Mr. Smalls studio in Pittsburgh (where we also recorded the video). It used to be an old church.” If you’re enjoying the video, please consider supporting this artist here.
Read More “Greg Freeman”Interview: Thirsty Curses
Recently I was able to connect with Raleigh, NC eclectic rock band, Thirsty Curses, to ask them about their great new single called “Breakfast Schemckfast.” In this brief interview, I asked them about their forthcoming LP called Music is a Scam, and what fans of their band can expect when they listen to the record front-to-back. Music is a Scam releases digitally on February 27th, and vinyl pre-orders are on-going here.
Read More “Thirsty Curses”Interview: Occurrence
Recently I was able to connect with NYC-based indie rock band, Occurrence, to discuss everything that went into their latest single called ”Feeding Time.” On top of the new single, the band is thrilled to announce their new LP called Real Friend that will be out wherever music is sold on February 28th. In this brief interview, I asked the band about how the new single helped shape the upcoming album, their improved writing process, and the themes present in Real Friend. The new LP is available for pre-order here.
Read More “Occurrence”Interview: 8123 Fest Preview
8123 Fest, the music festival curated by Arizona rock band The Maine, is making its highly anticipated return in January 2025. For the first time ever, the festival will span two full days, packed with incredible performances, exclusive events, and more. Taking place at the Mesa Amphitheater on January 17–18 2025, the festival offers a celebration of music, nostalgia, and community that fans won’t want to miss.
To highlight everything that is taking place during this two-day festival, I thought it would be cool to connect with some of the bands who would be performing. In this article, I have interviews with members of The Maine, Real Friends, and Bad Suns. Each of the bands I interviewed shared what the 8123 Fest means to them, the new music they are working on, as well as what fans can look forward to from their bands in the new year. 8123 Fest tickets are on sale here.
Read More “8123 Fest Preview”Interview: Taylor Acorn
Recently I was able to connect with Taylor Acorn to discuss what went into the writing and recording process of her newly announced EP, Greener (Acoustic). The EP hits streaming services tomorrow, but we are thrilled to bring everyone the exclusive premiere of the two-track acoustic collection today. Featuring songs from Acorn’s thrilling debut, Survival In Motion, this EP gets to the core of what makes her such a talented songwriter. Taylor shared:
”Greener” has been one of those songs that has just gotten me through. I needed to write it, I needed to feel it, and I know there’s two versions already, but I am a sucker for an acoustic. There’s something that’s just so sweet and uplifting about the acoustic, and I’m really excited for everyone to hear it.
If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can also pre-save the EP here.
Read More “Taylor Acorn”Interview: The Clamor
Recently I was able to connect with Aaron Louis, better known as the solo project called The Clamor, to discuss what went into the writing and recording process of the latest single, “Staircase Stomp.” The song navigates the recognition of a sense of emptiness and unmet desires in life, coupled with an internal rebellion and the quest for comfort and connection. The Clamor are onto something great here, and more music will be coming soon in the new year.
Read More “The Clamor”