Dave has pretty much worn all the creative hats there are to wear. Musician, promoter, (small) record label boss, festival co-organiser, journalist, reviewer, publicist and everything in between. He now divides his time between writing about music and any number of other subjects from travel to games to social issues. He runs his own new music website and contributes to a number of UK based printed music magazines and a few smaller websites. He has spent the last ten years writing music columns for his regional newspaper though has recently given this up to spend more time with his record collection.
Keturah Allgood was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She is a soulful Americana artist who draws on her myriad of life experiences for inspiration. Her latest single, “Rosary Beads,” is out today.
Drawing on influences from the likes of Blondie and The Ramones, Green Day and The Dollyrots, this tight-knit family unit uses humor and the power of music to push back on all the crap going on in the world. Bad Mary holds up a warped mirror to the current culture and reminds us that having fun is the best way to give yourself an escape from the craziness.
Saturday’s Child is the latest release from Scott Zosel, a Minneapolis songwriter who works hard to exemplify the style and swagger of creative, edgy TC artists like Paul Westerberg, Prince, Dave Pirner, Gary Louris, Adam Levy, and others, who have successfully garnered national attention.
Ben Noble is a Minneapolis-based artist and producer. Noble’s serene, innocent melodies drift lithely along sonic textures that range from sleepy-time folk to intrusive, experimental hyper-synth scapes. Through any aural difference, the heart is the same: Noble wants to embody his truth and experiences in his music. His third album, Bitter Work is out today.
Based in the New Jersey town of Secaucus, Clay Joule is a singer-songwriter who makes buoyant and uplifting soft rock music. Characterised by his poignant messaging and powerful, he crafts music which is genre-hopping and adventurous yet infectious and accessible.
Based in Chicago, The Bellwether Syndicate is William Faith (vox, guitars), Sarah Rose Faith (vox, guitars), Philly Peroxide (keyboards, percussion), Stevyn Grey (drums) and Corey Gorey (guitars). Formerly of seminal goth acts Christian Death, Mephisto Waltz and Shadow Project and co-founder of Faith & The Muse, William Faith moved from his native LA to Chicago in 2010, forming The Bellwether Syndicate with Sarah Rose Faith a.k.a. Scary Lady Sarah, one of the scene’s most eminent DJs and club promoters and host of Nocturna, the longest-running goth event in North America.
A revolving collective, Gramercy Arms is inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70-80s New York. Their addictive indie pop features exquisite hook-laden melodies that are lyrically driven and rich on vocal-harmony, interspersed with elements of 60s sunshine pop and folk-rock. Deleted Scenes follows The Seasons of Love (2012) and Gramercy Arms (2008).
Their names are Phil Pigeon, Jimmy Pigeon and Tommy Pigeon. They are English and the concept of their first album, Bird Brain Gang, is that they all wear pigeon masks. Musically, it flies higher than with the aforementioned birds: one thinks of the beautiful experimental England of the 70s, of no wave à la James Chance and even of kraut à la CAN period Damo Suzuki.
*Dilly Dally Alley *was formed with the intent of eternally seeking out the perfect groove, as well as repairing and re-embodying communal spaces that dissolved from the pandemic. The tunes from their debut album Make You Whole are meant to be interacted with live. Crowd games and raucous nonsense are all integral to the celebration of this music.
Singer/bassist Scott Allen has released his debut album, and after a along and entertaining run as a local musician and Twin Cities front of house sound engineer. Mixing sound for much of the last three decades, Scott’s had a front row seat/backstage pass to many thousands of great shows, cool bands and talented artists to draw inspiration from.
NYC-based postpunk duo A Cloud of Ravens have released their Lost Hymns album, just days after kicking off their European tour with Swedish label-mates Then Comes Silence. Mastered by ACTORS’ Jason Corbett at Jacknife Sound studio, this collection of 11 tracks will reach ready ears via Nexilis Records / Schubert Music Europe.
Alternative post-punk outfit The Bellwether Syndicate’s greatly anticipated Vestige & Vigil album, is out now via Sett Records in North America and elsewhere via Nexilis Records / Schubert Music Europe. It arrives nine years after debuting with The Night Watch EP.
Rachael Blanche is a London-based artist, actress and entrepreneur who splits time between England, Australia and the United States. “Translator” marks the first of six songs Blanche is readying for release over the next year with live shows in the works in the U.S., U.K. and Australia
Keturah Allgood was born and raised in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She is a Soulful Americana artist who draws on her myriad of life experiences for inspiration. While traversing the dusty back roads and often forgotten places she taps into the heart and soul of our shared existence. Keturah believes that music has the power to bring all of us together and reminds us that love, kindness and compassion always shine through the darkness of these often trying times.
With their new EP, _Live At Sugarshack Sessions – Volume 2, just released, it was the perfect time to sit down with Bumpin’ Uglies singer, Brandon Hardesty.
Modern London synthpop icon Rodney Cromwell is back with a 4-track EP of crisp and wondrous sound with The Winter Palace Remixes. In addition to the radio edit of “The Winter Palace” and one original track, this release includes several remixes, featuring the talents of two thrilling electronic acts – Norfolk electro-chanteuse Gemma Cullingford and Brighton-based synthwave act Infra Violet.
UK-France duo The Noise Who Runs present their Preteretrospective album, a 14-track offering sprung from the mind of Ian Pickering (of Sneaker Pimps and Front Line Assembly). Featuring songs from their first two EPs – curated and set in a more far-reaching context – along with six new, previously unreleased tracks.
Kevin Bowe is a writer/producer/mixer/musician from Minneapolis. He has written songs on 3 platinum records and 2 Grammy winning albums working with Johnny Lang, The Replacements, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Paul Westerberg, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, 3 Dog Night, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Little Steven Van Zandt, Communist Daughter and John Mayall. His songs have been performed by Lucinda Williams and Bruce Springsteen.
NYC indie rock outfit Gramercy Arms presents “F*cked Up and Beautiful”, the third single from their acclaimed third album Deleted Scenes, released by New Jersey -based *Magic Door Record Label8.
Roman Angelos is the nom de plume of Brooklyn-based producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Rich Bennett, developed as a vehicle to explore his obsession with library recordings of the 60’s and 70s, muzak and exotica. Exotic, dreamy, and wistful, this is the sound of a jazz sextet as channeled through synths and drum machines, creating a spacey feel.
Jennifer Harper’s music evokes a 1970s flower-child spirit with a fresh layer of uplifting pop. With her rich voice and intimate lyrics, it’s easy to fall in love with her contemplative, assured artistry.
New York-based band Nonstop To Cairo release their hook, horn, and riff-filled new album, KAI. This short, sharp and shockingly good seven-song set is fun yet intensely sincere and filled with heart and purpose. The songs feature all the right notes, ska, melody, hip-hop, funk and some harder punk moments.
Sarah Morris’ fifth album of original material begins with an ending and ends with an introduction. In between, the songs eavesdrop on intimate conversations between partners, lovers, friends, and family. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Dave Mehling, and featuring long-time bandmates Thomas Nordlund, Andrew Foreman, and Lars-Erik Larson, Here’s To You sees Morris explore a more lush, celestial flavor as she sheds some of the country swagger she’s known for.
Melbourne-based synthwave artist Suburban Spell presents his new single “Bright Gold Cross”, the first taste of his forthcoming Falling Down EP, named such in direct reference to the long-term consequences of bad choices and giving into guilty pleasures.
Britain’s Lighterthief label has announced an exciting new project. The 3 Clubmen – a new project comprised of Andy Partridge, Jen Olive and Stu Rowe – will release their eponymous debut EP on June 30. The first taste is “Aviatrix,” an avant-pop delight offering a strange, seductive blend of experimental pop, jazz and sci-fi cinema excellence.
Nashville -based songwriter Tim Easton presents “Sliver of Light”, a song that lives in the category of powerlessness over the behavior of others. Literally inspired by a personal event and the thin line that exists between life and death, this single is released via Oklahoma -based Black Mesa Records.
Nordic prog rock outfit Pennies By The Pound present their new Nothingside album, released via the Lilith label. A collection of 10 tracks primarily in prog-rock territory, Nothingside is a concept album that takes the band’s music to a fantastic new realm beyond anything they’ve released before.
UK indie pop outfit Jody and the Jerms present their full-length album Wonder, released via JATJ Records and arriving on a wave of rave reviews and airplay for lead tracks “Started Something” and “Insatiable”.
Their third album to date, this new collection of 12 tracks was produced, mixed and mastered by RIDE frontman Mark Gardener at his OX4 Sound Studio in Oxfordshire. Loaded with a healthy dose of melodic crystallised indie pop that is heartfelt and honest, they present endearing jangle-pop songs that are both evocative and relatable.
Withered Hand is the nom de plume of Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Dan Willson, who originally hails from London. On this album, Withered Hand continues to live up to his reputation as one of Scotland’s most gifted songwriters. He has garnered worldwide support and heavy airplay on tastemaker stations including BBC 6 Music and Amazing Radio.
Lionhaire is a British singer-songwriter born in U.K. but having spent her childhood in Paris. Growing up between the two countries has had an influence on her music, as she flips casually between the languages to tell her story. Now back in the U.K. based in London, you’ll find Lionhaire on stage in the big city writing, performing and conveying her feelings with her guitar and voice, a voice whose smooth vocals are already being compared to the likes of Lauryn Hill.
“North Carolina” indie pop outfit The Mystery Plan present their new album Haunted Organic Machines, released via American boutique label 10mm Omega Recordings. Their eighth full-length album and 13th major release to date, the band explores new, but familiar territory from spacey dance grooves to spooky, moody dream pop and thensome.
UK-France duo The Noise Who Runs present their latest single, “2poor2die” ahead of Preteretrospective, a 14-track offering sprung from the mind of Ian Pickering (of Sneaker Pimps and Front Line Assembly), which will featuring songs from their first two EPs – curated and set in a more far-reaching context – along with six new, previously unreleased tracks.
Alternative post-punk outfit The Bellwether Syndicate have released “Golden Age”, the final single from their Vestige & Vigil album, out on April 28 via Sett Records in North America and elsewhere via Nexilis Records / Schubert Music Europe.
Clay Joule always has something vital to say and his latest song, “Drifters” is certainly no exception. Here he teams up with vocalist Elisa Mammoliti and Truwan Studio to create a song that is both fantastic to listen to in the moment but which will also raise awareness and ask crucial questions of the listener.
Ahead of his much-anticipated How To Love album, UK folk-rock troubadour Withered Hand presents “Crippled Love”, along with a live acoustic set of this endearing song. This record – his first new music in nine years – will officially be released on April 28 via Reveal Records,
Toronto-London experimental pop/space rock collective The Flowers of Hell will soon release the first vinyl pressing of their cult classic Odes album via Space Age Recordings (whose tightly curated roster includes Spacemen 3, Spectrum, The Telescopes, and Acid Mothers Temple). Timed to occur on April 22nd for Record Store Day UK, this record will be available roughly two weeks later in North America and elsewhere. They’ve also released a video for their cover of Joy Division’s “Atmosphere” featuring vocalist Lisa Conway.
Bumpin Uglies spawned from an Annapolis, MD scene awash in musical history over a decade ago. They are rooted in East Coast ska, punk, and reggae, making their mark up and down the Eastern Seaboard. In the past ten years, Bumpin Uglies have worked to carve out their path by relentlessly touring, and releasing one album after another.
Chicago-based collective Evidence of a Struggle presents their debut single “Do’Oa”, a wonderful fusion of sounds that recall the works of Tortoise and 4AD artist Dif Juz all at once. This spring of creativity offers the first taste of the forthcoming eponymous album, scheduled for release on June 9.
Rachael Blanche is a London based artist who splits her time between LA/Brisbane. She has, in recent years, teamed up with Stuart Stuart and they have been working together on her upcoming releases, her next single “Translator” is coming out on April 28th 2023.
UK indie pop artist Ruth Blake presents her new single “Not Your Angel”, rejecting the idea that our beauty lies only in our capacity to be angelic, beautiful and sweet. An antidote for that toxic ideology, Blake invites women to embrace their own fierceness.
“Stop This Climate Change” is a poetic and uplifting call to action fraught with cataclysmic imagery of fire, ice, flooding, and the desire for change. The lyric “We’ve got to stop this climate and change” refers to the climate of helplessness and denial that surrounds climate change. Vocalist/composer/lyricist/performer Betina Hershey wrote the song about interpersonal relationships with each other, but also with Mother Earth, because, collectively, the human race must stop denying climate change.
Trans-Atlantic alternative neo-folk collective Lusitanian Ghosts present “The Long Train”, engineered and mixed by Sebastian Muxfeldt (Elbow, Peter Doherty, Teenage Fanclub) at Clouds Hill Studios in Hamburg. This is the first single from the band’s forthcoming Lusitanian Ghosts III album, due out later this year via European Phonographic. The ‘Ghosts offer a brilliant taste of the sonic prism through which they present ancient sounds in the 21st Century.
Nordic prog rock outfit Pennies By The Pound present their new Nothingside album, released via the Lilith label. A collection of 10 tracks primarily in prog-rock territory, Nothingside is a concept album that takes the band’s music to a fantastic new realm beyond anything they’ve released before.
Brazil-based sonic adventurers BIKE have released their new single ‘‘Filha Do Vento” (translation ‘Daughter of the Wind’) with its tense progress and syncopated rhythm. This is the second invigorating taster of their new album Arte Bruta scheduled for release on May 5 via Quadrado Mágico Records and Before Sunrise Records.