Posts by Shane Handler

Whatever else Star Wars means—culturally, personally, cinematically—it also means money. Big money. The phenomenon of Star Wars leads to the kind of rabid fanaticism that translates into piles of money at the box office. Even the maligned prequel trilogy, widely regarded as the three worst films in the franchise, was able to pull in mountains […]

Sounding Arrow is the first solo project from Scott Kinnebrew, singer and lead guitarist of roots rockers Truth & Salvage Co., and former ringleader of Smoky Mountain indie faves Scrappy Hamilton. Sounding Arrow’s new album Loving Is Breathing was released on September 22, 2017, on California Country Records. After ceaseless touring with Truth & Salvage Co. between 2009 to 2014, the band […]

When it was announced seven months ago that Superfly Presents (Bonnaroo, Outside Lands) would be launching a festival in Phoenix, Arizona featuring nationally renowned headlining acts- many an eyebrow was raised. Was Phoenix really a big league festival city? Well after witnessing the inaugural Lost Lake Festival October 20-22, 2017: the answer is an emphatic […]

Great songs might be hard to write for some, but for John McCauley and Deer Ticks quantity vs quality has never been an issue. The Providence, Rhode Island quartet might be New England’s most essential true rock band with its array of multifaceted offerings that remain rooted in twang and soul. While For its follow-up […]

Robb Torres may be best known for his time with the platinum rockers Trapt, but with Robbery Inc., but he’s working on something decidedly more soulful and personal: Robbery Inc. Rounded out by Jonah Wei-Haas on bass/keys and Matt Camgros on drums, the band — which is, yes, just a fun play on Torres’ name […]

YES certainly isn’t the first band to continue on without all their original members. Name any group formed prior to 1990, and aside from U2, there’s very few that still remain. But with a song catalog as vastly underrated and cherished as the one YES has built over the course of 40 plus years, their […]

Led by the unique voice and creative mind of Brandon Decker, decker. is gearing up to release his latest album, Into the Red, on August 25th, 2017 via the Royal Potato Family decker. Into the Red gathers some of the finest moments from decker.’s six album discography thus far, offering a bird’s eye view of the artist’s remarkable journey as a songwriter and […]

Eli Cook is surely not the first blues singer to evoke legends past and present in his respected genre, but he’s probably one of the few to be guided by a genuine pull of authentic American music. Coming from Albemarle County in Virginia at the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Cook grew up listening […]

San Francisco based artist Andrew St. James’ The Big Ole Veronica Apology Record – released on June 16th, 2017 via Island Jar Records -might very well be one of the best albums of 2017 you haven’t heard yet. But if in fact, you have heard it, chances are you’ll agree with its fascinating take on baroque, lo-fi sound […]

The Daybreaks are a Nashville-based indie band that takes the electric nuances of Blondie and Garbage and adding a modern flair of poignancy. Fonded in 2015 by Kaleb Jones, Heather Bond and Bobby Holland, later adding Adam Bokesch and Zac Stred to intensify their sound – which has been described as theatrical and haunting with […]

Although Rich Robinson is best known as the former co-founder and guitarist of The Black Crowes, he’s been more prolific as a solo artist the past 15 years (four solo albums), versus the two original albums The Black Crowes put out over the same time. So as his brother Chris has been equally prolific and […]

Having just opened an arena tour for John Mayer, The Record Company have been playing to their biggest audiences EVER. Consisting of Chris Vos (guitar, lead vocals), Alex Stiff (bass, backing vocals), and Mark Cazorla (drums, backing vocals), the trio is electrifying in every means possible as the three musicians harken the power trio of […]

There aren’t many left of them thats for sure. That being artists like Brian Wilson; those who have suffered numerous close calls but still manage to persevere. With the recent passing of Gregg Allman it leaves a few remaining original rock icons including the last living Beach Boys member whose last name is Wilson. When […]

In a perfect world, Wire should need no introduction. But as punk’s defining cult band, they certainly have never received the widespread notoriety and acclaimed they are due. Perhaps it’s because they’ve essentially become three different bands over the course of 40 years, taking on new musical faces and always pushing forward. In fact, Wire […]

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival has come a long way in its 14 years. What was primarily a roots and jam festival early on has now blossomed into a mini Bonnaroo of sorts with three days showcasing a variety of genres with quirky modern rock, EDM and jam taking top billing. This year M3F brought […]

Most avid music listeners will have this recurring dilemma. An artist playing sounds so familiar that one can’t quite fathom if and when those ears had even heard it prior. That Sarah Bethe Nelson sounds so recognizable – so much that it sounds like you went through a big portion of your life with one […]

Going on 18 Years, Lotus has evolved with more proficiency than most bands within the instrumental improvisational scene. Most importantly, the band has gradually built its fan base strong,  where today its live shows continue to be an anything goes must hear affair that now draws to Red Rocks and most prestigious of venues  No […]

Donnie Biggins, leader of Chicago’s The Shams Band and owner/promoter/head of Tonic Room, Harmonica Dunn and the annual Dunn Dunn Fest, will be dropping his solo debut, Profiles, on Tuesday, Nov 29. He will be celebrating the release with back to back shows at Tonic Room in Chicago on Dec 2 & 3. Glide is hosting an exclusive […]

“If people see me as the godfather of indie rock, than I’m ok with that: clearly I’m not,” said a self deprecating Bruce Hornsby midway through his solo performance on Friday November 18th at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Hornsby was referring to a recent article in Rolling Stone which credits him as […]

Upon forming at a Halloween house party debut in 2011, the Chicago 7 (sometimes 8 or 9) piece Gramps The Vamp has been carving out its own niche of orchestrated funk workouts. In 2014, a year after being named Best New Band by Chicago Reader, Gramps The Vamp released its first official album produced by Sergio […]