Category: Artists We Like

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Bands On Our Radar

5Gringo Star

Don’t sleep on these guys despite their eclectically cool band name. The sound is a bit vintage, and they are very proud of this fact. Swirling guitars, hazy vocals, and a very laid back approach make this band unique. Thin Feist and Cat Power here, but only if they grew up listening to Buddy Holly, The Kinks, or The Animals. Their new record is called Back to the City and is well worth a listen.

Gold Star

Power Pop is alive and well in 2018, Gold Star is carrying the torch quite nicely. Also known as Marlon Rabenreither, his given name, his latest record Uppers & Downers was recorded at historic Valentine Studios in Los Angeles. At it’s poppiest the record has a real Greg Kihn or Bodeans vibe to it. When he takes it lower and slower like he does on “Chinatown,” a song that was inspired by the spirit of a recently deceased friend, he evokes the ghost of Elliot Smith or the spirit of Paul Westerberg.

Dan Mangan

Dan Mangan is one of those guys that should be a lot more famous than he is. Toiling pretty much in anonymity North of the border in Vancouver, Mangan is a two-time JUNO (Canadian Grammy)  winner and is a several time nominee for the coveted Polaris award. A couple of singles he has released ahead of his new record shows an artist that is ready to break through in a big way.

Slothrust

Slothrust is songwriter, singer, guitar player, and all around cool Rock Chick Leah Wellbaum along with drummer Will Gorin and bassist Kyle Bann. Their new record that comes out on September 14th hits you between the ears with the fierceness of a wolverine. Think Patti Smith if she wasn’t o depressed back in the 70’s.

River Whyless

River Whyless is a should be on your radar from Asheville, North Carolina. Having started as a more traditional folk band, on their new record, Kindness, A Rebel, they lay on a psychedelic landscape with some Fleetwood Mac style harmonies to create a wholly unique sound that will wash over you like a dip in a cold spring on a hot day.

Video of the Day: J.D. McPherson – Lucky Penny

J.D. McPherson is a tough artist to pigeon hole. Last years record, Let the Good Times Roll, was a bit on the Country Rockabilly side while his latest effort, Undivided Heart and Soul, is more of a straight up Rock affair. Either way, this is a top-notch artist worth your ear-tention.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Releases For This (August 31, 2018)

5In preparation for a bunch of cool new releases for the pre-Christmas release frenzy, we are starting to get some cool ones coming in.

Tash Sultana – Flow State

Multi-Instrumentalist Tash Sultana is really good. Here, she plays all of the instruments and channels Pink Floyd, J.J. Cale, Jimi Hendrix as well as Janelle Monae. There is not a song that is not cool on this record and “Blackbird” is a virtual Stunner.

Madeleine Peyroux – Anthem

This one is pure Madeleine Peyroux. Enough nuance and cross genre jumping to make things interesting without losing her Jazz sensibilities.

Passenger – Runaway

This time out England’s Mike Rosenberg, AKA Passenger, shows his love for his American roots, his father is from New Jersey, his mother from England, with a breezy, twangy record that is worth several listens.

Aaron Lee Tasjan – Karma For Cheap

Yep, it is finally here. We have been waiting for this one since it was first announced. Psychedelic in all the best of ways, this one spins the stylings of 70’s singer songwriter, George Harrison, and a little Glam on the side for a delectable listen.

Muncie Girls – Fixed Ideals

Whether you want to call this 3 piece U.K. band Post-Punk, Rock and Roll, or Indie Rock, it’s all good. There is a bit of Blondie vibe going on here with a whole lot of energy and swagger that carry’s through the entire record.