B-Sides

We’ve had the pleasure of catching a local Albuquerque jam band called The Noms twice this summer and decided this band is something to talk about! The ensemble collection of four guys and a gal never fail to impress as they lay down track after track of original material with well blended harmonies and impressive acoustic breakouts that belie their youth.   Having already won local competitions and recently breaking into ITunes, it won't be long before the Noms move beyond the Sandia Scene.  When they embark upon their 40 city tour next summer, remember you heard the name here first!

e Damon Castillo Band is all about music and love. The quintet from San Luis Obispo, CA, entertains its loyal home base time and time again.  They operate out of a quaint recording studio on a street called Laurel Lane, and have toured the West Coast and beyond.

In unison with the drastic transcendence into psychedelic  Sixties, surfer sounds, MGMT has matured. As a result their appearance has evolved from funky tie-dye to thrifty dress clothes. Before their sophomore album, the band had been labeled as hippies creating indie, synth-pop music, but after their latest album, Congratulations, was released on April 13, 2010, it became clear that these shape shifters of sound won’t be condemned to a specific genre.

A year ago the name Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros would have attracted a big “huh?” Today, they are selling out club sized venues quite easily, and are destined to the breakout band of the summer festival season.  Although the band is relatively young in history, (their first show as a full band was played 7/18/07), they are experienced, as the ensemble is led by Alex Ebert, former vocalist of the power pop group Ima Robot.  Along with a crew of seasoned musicians – that is not unlike what the Polyphonic Spree were doing years back (without the white robes), Edwards Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros appear to be motivated by something bigger than themselves.

There is nothing wrong with a little back up.  And by “back up,” I mean a bass guitar and a set of drums.  I have listened to Jake Nannery’s voice, accompanied by nothing but an acoustic guitar.  The added sounds provided by bassist, Ramon Salumbides, and drummer, Mike West was excellent.  The slap of the bass and the solid percussion was the perfect touch to Nannery’s signature bluesy, rock style. The three have been playing and creating music for three to four years, and the opportunity to tour as a group was an exciting and fulfilling experience.  Between April 16 and April 20, they traveled down America’s west coast, and camped in beach towns between shows.

Mason Reed has released an EP titled, You Can’t Come Back from Heaven, in February.  As the follow-up to his 2005 release, Witches and Whiskey, the new record is his account on lost loves and the comfort and freedom of driving the open road. “I hope it gives people an idea of where I'm coming from. I hope to be able to write songs and tour as long as I live.  I'm in this for the long haul.  Willing to follow the road wherever it leads for the love of the song, the story, and the music,” he says.