Released by Little Village Foundation, ’20 X 20 – Singer Songwriter Compilation’ Offers Timeless Variety (ALBUM REVIEW)
Music with a cause is not necessarily the same thing as music for a good cause, but 20 X 20 largely succeeds on multiple fronts. Twenty different artists recorded in isolation during the course of this ill-fated year and the Little Village Foundation has collected it to share in one fell swoop. In doing so, […]
Extensive Testing of Slot Strategies
Strategic planning has not hurt anybody as yet and if this statement does not manage to steer your inflexible presumptions about the world, the slot’s history will surely do so. Remember, what Napoleon was famous for? What means did this diminutive man have that allowed him to subdue nearly the entire world? That’s right! He […]
Cat Ridgeway Demonstrates Fluid Musical Versatility & Chops On ‘Nice To Meet You’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Cat Ridgeway’s singing supersedes the lyrics so finely-printed inside the digi-pak of Nice To Meet You. But that’s no criticism of the words to the seven songs, only an observation/reminder the human voice is rightly regarded as the greatest of all musical instruments. On this the woman’s fifth recording, however, she also demonstrates her multi-instrumental […]
LISTEN: Matt Dorrien Delivers Buoyant Piano Based Holiday Single “Sure Miss Those Days at Christmas”
When Matt Dorrien moved from San Francisco to Portland with his girlfriend, it was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter. After two folky, ethereal, guitar-based records under the name Snowblind Traveler, Dorrien was looking forward to experimenting with writing songs on the piano, the first instrument he ever learned to play. As luck would […]
LISTEN: Brooklyn Duo TOLEDO Offer Inviting & Spiritous Wordplay Via “It’s Alive!”
Brooklyn based TOLEDO (Daniel Alvarez and Jordan Dunn-Pilz) shine on their spacious and warm-hearted new single “It’s Alive!.” A soft and inviting vocal delivery is supported by tasteful acoustic rhythm guitar, a deep and mellow bass groove, with stunning and swirling harmonies. TOLEDO makes gorgeous music with poignant lyrical wordplay seem effortless and simple. “It’s Alive! uses […]
LISTEN: maxime Breaks The Folk Mold On Acoustic Nugget “ode to my (shitty) apartment”
maxime., born Maxime Trippenbach, makes alt-pop music – whose sounds are lush and distinct – from his room in Ottawa, Canada. In December 2019 he self-released an ambitious 18-track debut, whatevernowiscalled. Featuring him as its sole writer, producer, performer, and engineer, the album saw maxime. come into his own. On cerulean (FINAL), his forthcoming sophomore […]
LISTEN: Oddnesse Brings Krautrock Meets Dream Pop Winner On “Hot Air”
Oddnesse is the grungy dream-pop project of songwriter and producer Rebeca Arango. Arango, a guitarist who loves baselines, writes songs and makes records with collaborators when not daylighting as a copywriter. With tasteful guitar application and subtle synth color, Oddnesse shines with a woozy and lush warmth on her new single “Hot Air.” This versatile composition is […]
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ A Stunning Tour De Force for Netflix (FILM REVIEW)
Chadwick Boseman’s final performance is one for the ages.
Alive Again – Even During Covid! Keith Richards Earns Yet Another Year & Turns 77 (Watch “Before They Make Me Run” ’79)
VIDEO PREMIERE: frigidkitty Reflects on Failed Relationship with Slow-burning Indie Pop Tune “World to Save”
Kool kats! Welcome to the sleek world of frigidkitty. Following a 40-second introduction that feels like you’re entering an upside-down Disney netherworld, Lexington, Kentucky’s Kim Conlee bares claws. To scratch an itch? To draw blood? The answer depends on the listener, because Conlee is the kind of sonic seducer that leaves you wondering if you […]