I’ve never been to Oklahoma, let alone Oklahoma City. I had to check a map to refresh my memory of its location. Sitting on the Texas northern Border, I began to wonder if there’s a cross pollination of styles between the two states. One thing is for sure, Blueprint Tokyo has a sound all their own. We’ll have to
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I had the pleasure of reviewing a previous single by Zanilonia. That single was zany. When I got the opportunity to review another Zanilonia track, I thought I knew what was coming. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Their new single, “The Door Never Opened Before” is completely different. Everything about it is different. Kudos to
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Anytime the word fusion is used I get suspicious. Suspicious because I don’t know how those using the term will interpret its meaning. Full transparency, I looked up the definition of Jazz Fusion. Argentinian born, Israeli based Pablo Embon describes his music as Jazz Fusion. After looking up the definition, I would have to agree with
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A musician’s inspiration to create can come out of nowhere. As an example, Barry Gibb famously mentions how the noise when going over a bridge inspired the rhythm to “Jive Talkin”. All musicians have noteworthy inspirations behind their work. Chick Corea made a huge impression on our featured artist Ryan Saranich. With his passing in Feb. 2021, Ryan
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Some musicians out there are true gear heads. They can tell you what kind of instruments/hardware are used when listening to a record. I find it fascinating. Our featured artist, Jesse James Allen is 100%, a synth gear head. His new album In The Company of Machines is a synth orchestra. I found the inclusion of
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Something is brewing in the south eastern hemisphere. I’ve noticed an uptick in talent making headlines from Australia. Time to add another name to that list. Bec Taylor and The Lyrebirds hail from Canberra, Australia. Their sound is a blend of country / alt / indie / folk. Bec Taylor is no stranger to the
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I hate to admit how much time I spend on social media looking at short videos. There’s a certain theme these videos share. The theme is inspirational and motivating. There are several videos featuring legendary producer Rick Rubin discussing music. Riven By Ravens mentions a particular video in an interview and how it impacted them. The
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To live a life in music. Being a part of the music business is an adventure unto itself. In this adventure we experience things that most won’t. Navigating the good and bad times become phenomenal memories we take to the grave. Those memories/stories will be worth more than gold when we rest for eternity. There is something extra
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Being a music promoter was key in my discovery of new music. The need to pass out fliers was real. One day, I walked into a packed club. Crazy packed. I had no clue what genre the music fell under or who was performing. Easily one of the most memorable Monday nights in my life.
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The jam band genre is one I’m familiar with the least. However, as an avid concert goer. I have seen a lot of jam bands perform. Performing live is a jam band’s natural habitat. How they play off of each other’s energy on stage is electric. Atlanta native’s Wabi Sabi knows this all too well. They’ve been together
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Our connection to music is special. How that connection changes over time, our journey. Edmonton Canada resident, Tim James is a great example. A veteran multi-instrumentalist / studio producer. Taking the reins as band leader felt natural. Tim James tapped his fellow musicians for assistance in the studio. Those who assisted were dubbed “The Very Special
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Artists leaving California and New York for Nashville Tennessee is a thing. I know a few who left California and made a name for themselves in Nashville. Originally from New York, David Vogel also made the move down south. Speaking of moves, he’s made a few. Appearing on The Voice, a recently signed a pub/ production
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Take a man out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the man. My ongoing thought as I listened to Kurt Hagardorn’s new album An Analog Man In A Digital World. From New Orleans to North Carolina and now a Portland Oregon resident. He’s moved around a bit. His heart must still be in
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I’ve heard many comparisons to what being in a band is like. The “relationship” comparison comes up the most. I agree with that one. Much like a relationship a band requires time, love, and money. NYC native’s Playing In Traffic has been together for 14 years. Through their highs and lows, they have stayed together
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A lifelong dedication to music will require overcoming obstacles. Maybe you started on one instrument but adapting meant learning others. Music lifers will wear many hats. At some point, the idea of “I’ll start my own band” takes hold. Thanks to technology, I find there are more musicians throwing their hats into the ring.  Minneapolis Minnesota
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Rockford Road are Virginia residents who have devoted their sound to classic rock. Since 2016 they have been churning out music. They rally for one last hurrah. Epilogue will be their fourth and final album. I must confess, I was unsure as to the definition of epilogue and looked it up. Epilogue is the perfect word to
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The covid lockdown has become a bit of our very own K/T boundary. Even though covid’s impact affected everyone differently. That indelible line of pre / post covid will remain forever. Who you became post lockdown has become a defining moment. James Keen speaks of looking inward during the time the world paused. Many others did
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The idiom “march to the beat of one’s own drum” came to mind when listening to CatsMelvin new LP, Seasick Circus. This thought was further cemented when going through their social media. Catsmelvin is living life to the fullest in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are supporters of equality, sustainability and the arts. They play with an old school
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The human experience is something I think about. Usually when meeting someone new. I wonder about their daily routine. What kind of outside stress do they face? Rampant crime? Maybe it’s climate driven stress. Family issues do plague us all.  Our featured artist Fergal Nash is from Limerick, Ireland. Struggle, hardships and perseverance are topics his new
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Growing up in Monterey California was special for me. Driving to Southern California, stopping at our favorite places along the way was always fun. Time permitting of course. When I learned Mark Adams laid roots in Paso Robles after coming up from L.A… The memories poured back. Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo have a laid-back
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Everyone’s covid lockdown experience was different. Catastrophe can strike at any moment, and it struck in a way none of us could have imagined. Jack Nolan said the lockdown showed him there are no certainties. With this new sense of awareness, stemmed a new sense of urgency. Through those tumultuous covid years from Sydnie Australia, he worked
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Eleven months ago, Stephen Jacques released Send Them Love. Since then he has been busy creating his new album Groove Atlantic – 0.  Pulling out all the stops, Stephen raids the cabinets of Chicago’s best musicians to back him in the studio. He also taps a legend to engineer the record. Behind the board is none other
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Putting out a double LP in today’s short attention span world is a bold move. Joe Boris is a bold man. Since the early 90’s Joe has been performing on stages alongside some of rock n roll’s best. What his eyes have seen over the years could certainly make a great movie. Sorry folks, there’s no movie.
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I was confused as to why Alias Wayne’s online presence is also under Ranzel X Kendrick. The answer was right in front of me.  Ranzel X Kendrick is also known as Alias Wayne. Recording under an alias allows an artist to venture into new territory. The same applies here. He’s been making music for quite some
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How we are impacted by our childhood can vastly differ from one another. For some, a direct correlation exists as to who they grow up to be. Others don’t even remember those early years, having no impact whatsoever. David Zee was definitely impacted by his childhood. Growing up in Baltimore, MD he gravitated to the piano. Over the years,
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As the saying goes “birds of a feather flock together”. When doing my due diligence and learning about Rob Alexander, I went down several internet rabbit holes. I read past reviews, checked out his social media and began to put the pieces together. Still, I felt I needed a bit more and turned to his
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Being true oneself is a trait that all trailblazers share. Going against the grain takes a certain brand of confidence. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Kanye West are great examples of unwavering vision. Our featured artist Death.wav and his music go against the cookie cutter world of hip hop. His lyrical subject matter is personal,
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What’s in a band name? Most band names are clever buzz words put together. It’s true, some monikers have no meaning whatsoever. Our featured artist’s name has a deeper meaning. Vocalist Satoru Nakagawa and Yukiko Fujii relocated from Japan to the bible belt. By chance they met in Boston and Tokyo Tramps was born. As far as
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I’m not sure when the term “dream team” was first coined. I will always associate it with the 1992 American Olympic basketball team. Now I loosely use the term anytime those who are at the top of their profession pair up. Gareth Koch and Martin Kennedy in my mind are a dream team. Both are regarded
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Catching the music bug is a peculiar thing. However, this “bug” changes directions. Whatever drives us to go through the music business meat grinder may change over time. Most want to be famous and bask in adulation. Chasing fame and the fatigue of constant self-promo may cause artists to lose track of why they began. Taking a
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Who is Les Fradkin? Mr. Fradkin is a dedicated lifelong musician whose career spans decades. Born in NYC and raised in the Bronx before settling down in sunny California. Safe to say music has taken him coast to coast and beyond. Behind piano keys is where it all began. Once he got going, nothing was stopping
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Recently, I was introduced to Jonathan Brannon’s discography. For some time now, he’s been hard at work in Los Angeles. There is a collaborative spirit to Jonathan’s music. Whatever music genre he takes on, an unquestionable quality exists. An acoustic record? Sure! How about hip-hop? Why not! Always diversifying his approach, Jonathan reached out to vocal
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When I think of a “party band” two bands immediately come to mind. ZZ Top and Chromeo. I always thought Chromeo and ZZ Top sharing a bill would be the ultimate event. Does Coachella take suggestions… asking for a friend? I bring this up because Louisville Kentucky natives War Panties tap into this raucous party vibe.
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We all have dreams and aspirations. My guess is that Brian Hutson dreamed of show business at an early age. Singing in choir and performing in theatre was the start. Once the Hudson Valley native arrived in the big apple, it’s been full speed ahead. Endorsement deals, touring, recording is all in a day’s work.
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Louisville Kentucky sits atop the southern belt, nestled next to the southern Midwest hip. Drawing influence from both regions must be why Louisville native Cary Shields and his new EP, Radio’s Playin stand out. Cary’s a self-described drummer, songwriter, singer and storyteller. I would add to that list “music appreciation zealot” because his new EP borrows cues from various eras and
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Life works in mysterious ways. We fall in and out of love with people, hobbies and lifestyle. One minute, we are certain on a chosen path to happiness only to realize one day that something is missing. When someone asked drummer Mike Annese why he stopped playing music, he ended up asking himself the same
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What is a jam band? Well, it depends on who you ask. My initial thought when listening to The Blackbird Sessions, the new album by Sugar Lime Blue was “this is a jam band”. However, Sugar Lime Blue is much more than a jam band. Their music is a reflection of the blue-collar American soul.
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Once upon a time, writing a full-length album was requisite for any serious recording artist. Times have changed though. In this world of streaming, most artists have resorted to releasing a trickle of spaced-out singles leading to an EP / LP. A strategy that feels like leaving proverbial breadcrumbs to lure listeners to the pot.
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No stranger to the pages of Indie Band Guru, we welcome back Stephen Jacques. Mr Jacques is a singer/songwriter/bandleader who’s lead an extraordinary life. Life’s journey is perhaps one’s best teacher. Various situations, characters, tangents and choices we encounter ultimately mold the people we become.  Being an engineer, actor, tv host and overall life enthusiast has
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We all have something that we become passionate about and dedicate our lives to. When chasing this love, at some point we stop to reflect on the journey and its origin.  At 10 years old, the spark for Brooke Surgener of Erie PA was lit when discovering Michelle Branch. In pursuit of this passion, she
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Cinematic rock is a new term I’ve embraced. Using this term to describe Rob Massard’s music would not do Rob’s music justice. His music is a voyage. I know voyage rock doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but Mr. Massard’s music is a soothing escape. Hailing from Detroit, the land of Techno, Rob Massard continues
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New Jersey’s very own Working Class Hussys have officially arrived. When I think of the Garden State, blue collar workers and Bruce Springsteen are what come to mind. Ian Patrick Gentles, the man behind the band exudes blue collar grit. Once upon a time Mr Gentles was cruising our nation’s highways as an open road
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We continue to turn a blind eye as the fabric of life deteriorates around us. Ignoring hard truths and burying ourselves in material things has become the norm. Seldom do we listen to music that confronts our apocalyptic scenarios as a casualty of our inaction. Palms Psalm, a project by Eric Pasi aims to change that narrative. Eric
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Musicians all have a moment of inspiration to trace back to. A song or shimmer of a musical instrument can captivate imaginations and never let go. Jarad Miles moment came when he found his mother’s old guitar in the basement of their South Dakota home. A new lifelong musician was born. As the family moved around the country,
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Donald Price aka Cello/Phn (pronounced cellophane) is on a mission. Finding musical interest at an early age, his creative childhood included choir and high school bands. Like any creative kid, other aspirations blossomed. Unfortunately, these aspirations were hampered by constrictive parents. Joining the Army became the catalyst to becoming the man he’s always envisioned. The
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When reflecting on one’s life, the sentiment will differ with age. Our constant evolution of who we are today and who we will be tomorrow is intertwined with confidence, experience, and our interest at the time. Researching our featured artist Haley Gold, personal evolution was the theme that struck me. In her early adolescence, Haley mentions wanting
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Busy as ever, the Grammy nominated Tank and The Bangas continue to roll in support of their latest album Red Balloon. Hailing from New Orleans, their endless grind has led to international success. Mixing and blending genres is just another day at the office for the group. Fresh concoctions of jazz, hip hop, gospel, funk, soul and pop
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The COVID lockdown of 2020 impacted the world to varying degrees. Taking a mandatory work hiatus without the ability to travel was unusual for our modern day. Music projects sat idle due to our unique circumstances. Musicians turned to online collaborations and to other musicians in their immediate radius. Unexpected collaborations emerged and new bonds
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Bob Fleming and the Cambria Iron Co bring us gritty American rock n roll from Charlotte, North Carolina. The group’s new album Remnants tackles the everyday struggles Americans have been waking up to. All the emotions, fear and anger in the face of endless uncertainty bog us down. As clouds of hopelessness and despair hang overhead,
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The 2020 Grammy nominated group Tank and The Bangas continue their trailblazing path. To commemorate Black History month the band is releasing the singles “Black Folk” and “Stolen Fruit.” In 2010, Tarriona “Tank” Ball (frontwoman, lead vocals) met keyboard player Norman Spence, and drummer Joshua Johnson at an open mic night in New Orleans. Along
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