by Sharon Gissy

Tony Aguiar aka Paris Radio, brings heavy 80s/90s synth and guitar sounds, a steady retro beat, and raw emotion to his latest project. "If I could be anything/I would be yours, a tangled shadow," Aguiar sings in a melodic chorus with layered vocals to his powerful single "Tangled Shadow" before more complex, pounding synth lines drop in. The song can be heard on the artist's Soundcloud page here. 

Tony Aguiar, formerly of Voxhaul Broadcast, said after the demise of that band, "I began to love listening to music with heavy synth sounds and electronic elements. When I began writing songs for Paris Radio I really wanted to incorporate my love for all of those musical elements."

"Tangled Shadow" was written at Tony's little home studio. He says he wrote the song "after spending an amazing night with a special lady" who is now his wife. 

 by Sharon Gissy

Red White & Blue Live  will be released by Loud & Proud Records on July 1, 2016. This is the only live recording in existence of Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Donnie (38 Special) Van Zant, and it was captured at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia, in January 2006.

The live show includes a mix of new Van Zant country hits, such as opener "Takin' Up Space" and the 2005 hit "Help Somebody," as well as versions of 38 Special's "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" and Lynyrd Skynrd's "Call Me The Breeze" and "Sweet Home Alabama." The title track, "Red White & Blue," first appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd's 2003 Vicious Cycle record, and contains the iconic line "We're trying to sing the truth to you."

The recording of the legendarily good show was taken by bassist Larry Junstrom, who brought it back up when fans were clamoring for new material. Listening to it again, Donnie Van Zant was impressed by how good the show truly was. "The plan was always to enjoy ourselves and have fun," he said, "and this recording captures a moment when we had a great night."

The brothers joined forces over twenty years ago to create Van Zant, and since have kept their family's country and popular rock heritage going. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead vocalist and chief songwriter for Lynyrd Skynyrd, had always wanted to make a country record, so they consider their work partially a tribute to him. Of their new live recording, Johnny says "We can't wait to see what the fans think. We love it, so we hope they do too."

 by Sharon Gissy

Pierce The Veil's highly anticipated new album, four years in the making, was released on May 13. Already it has received signs of a huge response from their rabid fan base, including over 750k streams within just two weeks on YouTube for their single "Circles" about the Paris attacks.

The San Diego post-hardcore band, with the combined attack of Vic Fuentes' melodramatic, emo singing, and swirling, buzzing, and wailing guitar work by Fuentes and Tony Perry, paints a musical landscape that can gently buzz both the body and the heart.

​Fans will not be disappointed by the wait for this record, which begins its sonic attack with "Dive In," where keys and anguished vocals eventually give in to a wall of rapidly and falling guitar lines, rollicking bass and drumming, and some words screamed for emphasis, hinting at what is to come. The first single from the record "The Divine Zero," like many of their songs, alternates aggressive screaming and heavy guitar riffs and drumming with verses of melodic catchiness of the pop-punk variety. Second single "Texas Is Forever" comes on heavy and fast, and then finds its strongest melodies in the chorus before powering back into a lightning-fast assault of guitar, bass, and drums. Wildly popular single "Circles" may moderate the extremes of Pierce The Veil, echoing the pop/punk roots of the brothers' earlier band Before Today while touching upon topical events, just with heavier instrumentation. "Nowhere to go, so we both spin around in circles," Fuentes croons after talking about running from bullets, lending the song added emotional weight that resonated with audiences everywhere.

Pierce The Veil consists of brothers vocalist/guitarist Vic Fuentes and drummer Mike Fuentes, bassist Jamie Preciado, and guitarist Tony Perry. The band, which headlined the Warped tour last summer, begins their new North American tour on June 5. Tour dates are available on their website here.

by Sharon Gissy

Jonathan Jackson, also known for his role in General Hospital, took a break from that Grammy-nominated show to record the five original songs (and a cover of "Unchained Melody" recorded at the Grand Ole Opry) that have become Blame-Shifter, which was recently released on May 13. The EP will be a part of Jackson + Enation's next full album, which is available through pre-sale on Amazon here.

On the EP, Jackson and his band alternate between noisy, guitar-driven anthems like the titular song and the acoustic ballad "Alleluia," which still features an intensity in his vocals and a background choir. "Let The Beauty Out" presents a both a thumping bass line and a driven guitar building to a climactic chorus and dramatic moments where all instruments drop out for Jackson's voice. Meanwhile, "Wasteland" is a more quiet, melancholic song about running away from your father's house and seeing something for which you are not prepared, set up only with keys and vocals. The collection of songs proves Jackson can be both quiet and loud, over-the-top and subtly affecting, but is always emotional.

Jonathan Jackson + Enation includes Jonathan Jackson on vocals and guitar, Richard Lee Jackson on drums, and Daniel Sweatt on bass. The group is currently touring and their tour dates can be found here.

by Sharon Gissy

Riot Fest And Rodeo (Denver, CO, September 2-4) and Riot Fest And Carnival (Chicago, IL, September 16-18) have announced their first wave of programming. As in the past, Riot Fest has included a diverse array of performers, while offering a strong nod to its punk roots and followers. In addition to its music, Riot Fest has also featured quirky roadside attractions, such as Lucha Libre, freak shows, and actual carnival games and rides.

Some highlights of each festival follow:

Riot Fest And Rodeo (Denver): The Original Misfits, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Jane’s Addiction (performing Ritual De Lo Habitual), Sleater-Kinney, NAS, Deftones, Descendents, Wolf Parade, Yo La Tengo, Flatbush Zombies, Fitz and the Tantrums, Meat Puppets, The Dandy Warhols, Motion City Soundtrack & more

Riot Fest And Carnival (Chicago): The Original Misfits, Morrissey, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Social Distortion (performing White Light, White Heat, White Trash),  Rob Zombie (performing White Zombie’s Astro-Creep: 2000), Brand New, NAS, Deftones, The Specials, Jimmy Eat World, Refused, Death Grips, Bob Mould, The Hives, Descendents & more.

Tickets can be purchased for the Denver show here and for the Chicago show here. 

by Sharon Gissy

The original Misfits lineup, which includes original singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig, original bassist Jerry Only, and long-time guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein will reunite for the first time since 1983. The reunited Misfits will headline punk rock festival Riot Fest in Chicago (September 16-18, 2016) and Denver (September 2-4, 2016).

A fitting choice to headline, The Misfits defined an original sound that extended beyond the punk and hardcore community with Danzig's deep, baritone voice, Only's thundering bass lines, catchy melodic choruses, and short but catchy songs, often horror and sci-fi themed. Fans will have their first chance in over 30 years to see this particular lineup of The Misfits, the one that first impressed audiences so much starting back in 1977.

by Sharon Gissy

Wildcat! Wildcat!, the Los Angeles-based indie-electronic duo comprised of Jesse Carmichael and Jesse Taylor, have just released their latest catchy, tuneful track, featuring rapper Wynne, "Relentless." You can listen to "Relentless" on their Soundcloud page here.

The idea for "Relentless" started after the band's first show in Minneapolis, where they watched a "cheerfully intoxicated young girl" try multiple times to click her heels into the air until she finally got it right. The track solidified with the lyrics about restlessly trying and gained musical shape after working with their producer Ran Jackson. Jackson suggested a rapper for the bridge of the song, and even had an idea: up-and-coming young female rapper Wynne, who agreed to the idea quickly after he suggested it. Wynne's contribution helped complete the dark yet hook-filled synth-pop tune.

After spending the majority of 2013-2014 touring and playing dates with such names as Portugal The Man and Spoon, Wildcat! Wildcat! decided to spend the majority of 2015 writing new songs, which they are releasing individually for free. "Relentless" has already garnered a great deal of praise, including "A bobbing indie electronic tune with guitars, driven bass, deep sub, a slick rap verse from newcomer Wynne, and a killer chorus hook that I can't get out of my head" (Beautiful Buzz) and  “With their new single ‘Relentless,’ L.A. duo Wildcat! Wildcat! officially graduates from ‘nice indie-pop band’ status to supersized purveyors of electronic music.” (Buzzbands LA)

by Sharon Gissy

The sunny, poppy, and nostalgic, yet incredibly complex four-part harmonies and instrumental arrangements of The Explorers Club recall an earlier era of The Beach Boys of The Mamas and Papas. The band's leader, Jason Brewer, has acknowledged these influences, noting that his parents were in a church choir and his currently Nashville-based band draws inspiration from Burt Bacharach, Phil Spector, Jimmy Webb, and The Zombies, among others.

There is perhaps no better tribute to the fact that Brewer's band manages to tap into a timeless well of songwriting prowess than the fact that several collaborators from the Brian Wilson Band and John Davis from Superdrag have contributed to the new album, Together, due out June 24th on Goldstar Recordings. The record can be streamed here. 

The latest incarnation of The Explorers Club, which includes Nashville musician Wyatt Funderburk as well as longtime Brewer collaborator Mike Williamson, who Brewer claimed helped him land the vocal harmonies on the tracks, is currently on tour. A list of upcoming dates includes the following:
June 29 The Grey Eagle Asheville NC w/ Brett Harris
June 30 Sellersville Theater Sellersville PA
July 2 Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY
** with Robert Schneider (Apples in Stereo)

by Sharon Gissy

Beginning April 1, 2016, independent label Loud & Proud Records embarked on a worldwide partnership with ADA, the independent arm of Warner Brothers Records. The partnership includes physical and digital distribution, exclusive sync representation for all visual media, and the marketing of long-time artists and the development of new artists.

Loud & Proud Records actually lived under the Roadrunner Records umbrella of the Warner Music Group from 2007 to 2012. Since breaking out on their own, the label has featured releases from veterans like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Rossingtons to Grammy award winners such as Blues Traveler and Rick Springfield and newcomers such as The Delta Saints and Jonathan Jackson + Enation.

ADA, the independent branch of Warner Brothers Records, was created in 1993 to help independent artists gain access to a heightened level of distribution, marketing, and promotion for more visibility in the competitive music business. Tom Lipsky, President & Owner of Loud & Proud Records, said “The team at ADA made a strong impression on us, and their seamless global system provides us with tremendous opportunities for our artists. Loud & Proud started as a Warner company joint-venture, so it feels right to partner with them now as we build a unique environment for both established and emerging artists.”

 Jonathan Jackson, also known as an actor in General Hospital and such films as Deep End of the Ocean and Insomnia, is a beloved creator of anthemic alternative rock. Jackson's last release, Radio Cinematic, garnered acclaim such as Rolling Stone saying it was "filled with electric guitars, chest-beating vocals, and swirling synths." 

Now Jackson + Enation have announced they are in the recording studio with Grammy-nominated Greg Archilla, at work on the EP Blame-Shifter. Blame-Shifter will contain six tracks, including a cover of "Unchained Melody" that they performed at the Grand Ole Opry. It will also be released on Jackson's own personal label, Hilasterion Records, on May 13, 2016. This was part of the band's desire to become more independent and connect with their fans. The band also ran a Pledgemusic pre-order campaign catering to their fans through April 6, where fans could have access to autographed merchandise, meet-and-greet opportunities, and even a chance at an executive producer credit on the record.

Jackson + Enation is Jonthan Jackson (vocals, guitar), Richard Lee Jackson (drums), and Daniel Sweatt (bass). Jackson has been in the midst of solo tour dates, but soon tour dates with Jackson + Enation will begin, and they are listed here.