Music for Monday - The Tower and The Fool

I know. I talk about these guys all the time. I can't help it. But it's Monday and I've spent most of it a my local Starbucks, writing out a handwritten letter for the Art House Co-op Note Swap and I just can't turn off the new album. How Long is such an epic ride, it's great for that blues you're feeling on your Monday, getting back into the groove as summer dares to start. You want it to be summer. I want it to be summer, and this is the album for reminding you why. For those moments you long for that summer love lost. For those nights where work and life and school aren't more important than the moment. Maybe elsewhere that happens year 'round, but down here in the South that only usually happens in the summer. So go stream the album, then pick up a copy. You won't regret ...

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Concert - The Maine, Lydia, and The Arkells

I'd been a little short on concerts and this one wound up being my treat night. Kat tweeted me and we decided, last minute to go to The Maine show. My idea of a good time. I'd never heard The Arkells before, but they caught my attention with less than a few notes. Their music, reminded me of Austin Gibbs, though that's not to lump them in with a former opener for The Maine, I can see the appeal. I was blown away by the energy, the sound, the solid rock beat that didn't waver even from the start of the set. The Arkells with Kennedy Brock I caught myself singing along to repeated chorus, getting really caught up in songs like "Deadlights" and "Whistleblower", easily caught up in the whole feel of everything. I definitely could get behind...

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Album Review - "How Long" By The Tower and The Fool

You know all those feelings you pretend you don't have? The forlorn ones that you watch movies about or read books about and pretend that they happen to other people and not yourself? The Tower and The Fool will remind you that you do have them. Just get that box of tissues out before even turning How Long on. Don't let that fear of feeling deter you though. Every song, even the few you've heard before, will cut right to the bone, words to remind you how it feels to actually feel something. (And that's what we're all striving for these days isn't it?) I made the mistake (or very right choice) of listening to it for the first time around late at night and found myself caught up in way too many feelings and wide awake for longer than I would...

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Color Me Excited

I can't wait for tomorrow. The Tower and The Fool's full length album comes out tomorrow and I can't wait for it to wind up on my doorstep (sometime next week I'm sure) but I'm still excited. This gorgeous acoustic rendition of "Dive Bar" was shared by their label, Run for Cover Records, and it is, in a word, stunning. Enjoy it, get excited and then go over the RFC store and pick up your copy. Another note: I've said this before, but RFC has a solid cast of characters on their label. And I slightly hero worship Jeff, who started it. Do everyone on the lab...

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Music for Monday - Pretend Surprise

It's oddly windy and cold here today (which is strange for April, though everyone else I talk to has rain and I at least still have some sunshine), and it's a day that needs something to distract you from that weather. (If I had rain, the mood might change, but I'd rather perk up the windy weather). Which leads me to today's music choice Pretend Surprise. Perfect choice for this sort of weather. "The Product of a 24-hour News Cycle" is the kind of song you listen to and you can feel your hair blowing around your face, sweeping you up into sky like Dorothy or something. The band hails from Wilmington, NC and can't really fit into a specific genre in my mind, but their upbeat beats and thoughtful lyrics give them the energy of all your favorite bands smashed into one. Every track on their...

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"What Should I Be Listening To?"

It's fast becoming my favorite question to get. And I'm getting it a lot. "What should I be listening to?" Or "What's new?" I sort of really love introducing people to new music. But that's why I'm doing this in the first place right? One of my oldest friends, Daniel picked on some Early Morning Blues lyrics that I tweeted and I of course, am forever willing to support my favorite band by spreading that music everywhere I can get it. Not surprising, Daniel fell in love with the lyrics. I got another tweet today, that I really did need to give him a list of stuff to check out. So I worked on it for a bit, and I started a spotify playlist. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of stuff that went asked, I opt to introduce the world to. You can check it out here! I'd love to hear what you like...

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Music for Monday - Darling Parade

(image source) I got a tip on this one from one of my favorite girls, Colleen who suggested I check out today's Music for your Monday, Darling Parade. She's a big supporter and honestly, I almost always trust her tastes. As always, she hit the mark with this one. The Nashville based group claims their own new genre of "popcore" (I love that. I love coming up with new genres.) and it definitely is fitting. With a front girl on vocals there's a fine line to tred, one side very Avril and obnoxious and the other side very Evanescence, which toes the line of rock opera. It's not an easy no man's land to be in but Darling Parade shines their way through it. While other girl-lead rock groups tend to leave me wanting more, the only thing Darling...

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David and Jacki's Wedding!

(as a heads up, this one is going to be picture heavy) I do love a good wedding. And I love it even more when one of my best friends gets to marry the guy she loves. I met David and Jacki through Champ and I've loved being friends with her and David. It was such a thrill to be in her wedding, because it was finally the wedding where Gina, Jacki and I all got to be in the same wedding. We'd been joking for a while that if we met sooner we would have been in each others without a doubt. Finally right? Meet David (with his handsome groomsmen in the background). I cared very little that I got a snide comment in my direction during the rehearsal. I was taking photos. Hah. I so love this shot of Jacki. This is her. Perfectly done, a sign...

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Album Pre-order: The Tower and The Fool "How Long"

One of my favorites, and a band I tend to frequent shows for when in Boston, The Tower and the Fool, has a new album coming out on April 24. The pre-orders for the album, being released on Run For Cover Records, just went live. The deluxe CD and vinyl first 100 orders come with a 120-page book with an in-depth look into the method behind the madness that went into the album. I've heard a few of the songs on the album live and I'm sure we're in for something great. Pick up your pre-order on the Run For Cover Recods webstore and then, if you can't wait? Check out my new favorite song by TTaTF, "Scoliosis": Bonus: If you're feeling creative, there's not a bad thing on the RFC label. A few month's ago I picked up their "Mixed Signals" compilation and it's solid. Make sure you check everything...

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Album Review: The Lakehouse Recordings: Unplugged by Anchors

I've reviewed Anchors before. Even gave you some insight into these alternative rockers who really truly believe in music. Their first EP was laden with great lines, reminiscent of Tool and true alternative music that just doesn't seem to exist any more. As a treat, at least that's the only thing I can call it, they debuted an acoustic EP, The Lakehouse Recordings: Unplugged, with two of their songs and it's a must-hear. You can give it a listen to it over on their bandcamp page. I've already said that these guys do have the vocals which seem to be far less important with an alternative album these days, and they prove it in this EP. "The Weight of a Hummingbird" is a song I already really loved, but in acoustic it just shines. You definitely...

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Music For Monday - Go Periscope

Eletrorock. Hey, don't you dare go clicking somewhere else, I know you're being skeptical, but stick with me here, I wouldn't lead you astray. If you visit here half of regularly, you have an idea of what my type of music is. You think: Who cares how cute the guys are from Seattle-based Go Periscope, it's not your style of music. You aren't going to like it. And I'm here to tell you: I do like it. Take a deep breath and give these guys a shot. Their new single "Boys Like, Girls Like" isn't too far from anything from Cobra Starship and face it you like them. It's like listening to 3Oh!3 and not cringing at how stupid the lyrics are. It's a fun ride, peppy and enough to get you dancing. Their album, which you can stream off their website is just as good and after you dig it? You can go...

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Album Review: On Your Way EP by Radio Drive By

God love these boys from Arizona, I think Radio Drive By follows me on every form of social media I have. Not that I mind, I just have to laugh every time their name comes up. Finally getting around to checking them out, I have to say I was impressed. They remind me a lot the other bands out of Arizona that I love (My Girl Friday, The Maine and This Century to top the list), but that's not to say they sound the same. They don't. It must be something about the dry heat out there, but they have that feel. Vague yes, but that's the best word I have for it and you're used to me being vague. The EP they've put out, On Your Way is a four song love story from end to start, oddly enough it does seem to go in that order. "Desiree" opens with the line "we were just kids" which hooks anyone over the...

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