Redding

"Just keep holding out, don't go this way."

We, myself included, should have been hearing about Redding a long time ago. Taking their cues from ultra-famous bands like U2 and Coldplay, this band from Belleville, IL has big aspirations. I know one thing is for sure - they just might make it. This band is great, they and deserve to making waves outside of just the Midwest. The two sample tracks are from the bands new self-titled EP, which is well worth your time and money. An additional track, "In Montauk" can be downloaded on the band's myspace site.

Redding - Another Day
Redding - Gleam

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Go Big Casino

"I'm going to end up burning out too soon."

I'm a big Jimmy Eat World fan. Huge, in fact. That's why I'm surprised I had never even heard the slightest murmur about Go Big Casino. This is the side project of Jimmy frontman Jim Adkins. In all honesty, I still know next to nothing about this project. Go here to study up, they know a lot more than I do. In my opinion, anything sung by Jim is gold. He's wonderful. I decided to post up some acoustic JEW tracks as well.

Go Big Casino - So Proud Of You
Go Big Casino - Carry You
Go Big Casino - Ready

Jimmy Eat World - No Sensitivity (acoustic) <-- one of my favorite tracks. of all time. Jimmy Eat World - The Middle (acoustic)
Jimmy Eat World - Lucky Denver Mint (acoustic)

more info...
Site
Myspace

Gary Nock

"Don't be another to let me down..."

In short, this was essentially a myspace submission. I usually don't expect much. Now, I'll eat my words because I was blown away by what I heard this time around. By way of Birmingham, England comes the sweet subtleties of Gary Nock. I read something that described Gary's talent as being completely effortless. I couldn't agree more - it all comes so natural. He plays with a finesse that is easily comparable to that of Damien Rice. Oh, don't let me forget - his voice is absolutely beautiful. Gary got to do some recording at Abbey Road studios, which is pretty rad.

Gary Nock - Troubled Blue Eyes
Gary Nock - Lift Me Up

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

Contest!

CONTEST is now CLOSED.
Winners have been contacted. Thanks for entering. You guys are awesome.
I'm sure there will be another one soon.

Enter. for a killer cd. and a t-shirt. just do it. there's nothing to lose, kids.

Thanks to Cornerstone Promotion, we've got two prize packs to giveaway. They include the band's new disc, about-face, and a Working Title t-shirt. Their shirts are awesome, just so you now. You know the drill, all you have to do is leave a reply to this post with a comment including your email address. Remember, you don't have to be registered or anything. Anybody can leave a comment to enter.

Dear and the Headlights

"And each of us were golden..."

I can't get over this band. They've got something that I can never quite call to fore without being totally sure of myself. It's some kind of raw, untouched appeal that gets me. This band is completely unaffected by today's popular music, and this makes them all the more enjoyable. Every person I've discussed Dear and the Headlights with has pretty much jumped on board almost instantly. That has got to say something. If it were up to me, this band would make it big.

Dear and the Headlights - Sweet Talk
Dear and the Headlights - Daysleeper
Dear and the Headlights - Run In The Front
Dear and the Headlights - Mother, Make Me Golden

More info...
Official Site
Myspace

Josh Moore

"Rest your weary eyes, they're keeping me awake."

This post is mirrored from my guest post a week or so ago over at MFKWCRG. Josh is wholly deserving of being double posted more so than any other new musician I know right now.

Josh Moore is more rock 'n' roll than you think. He is a former member of the band Beloved and a current member of rock outfit Classic Case. His solo stuff is so completely different than any of his other projects. They're just demos, but they're incredible. "Rush Down My Spine" is far and away one of the best tracks I've heard this year - and I'm not exaggerating. Josh sent me these tracks, but as far as I know he doesn't plan on officially releasing them. Leave some love if you like the tracks and maybe we'll get him to change his mind!

Josh Moore - Rush Down My Spine
Josh Moore - Streaked Faces
Josh Moore - After Dark

more info...

Myspace

Artisan remixed

"Save your breath, I don't need an answer."

I love this band. If I had 1) the ability, 2) the time, and 3) the resources, I would release this band's debut EP in a heartbeat. The fact that someone hasn't done it already blows my mind. I've not much to say, seeing as I've already mentioned them not once, but twice before. At this point, I'm about 90% sure I'll be in London studying for my spring semester. All I can say is that these boys better put on an Artisan show for me! Hear that, Joe? Anyways, we've got a remixed version of one of my favorite songs in the world, as well as a newer recorded track and a live version. Hit up the guys if you like what you hear, they're quite nice.

Artisan - I Hold My Breath (remix)
Artisan - Wind Change
Artisan - Take On Me (live)

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Francine

"Sir, the nascent bits have claimed you as one of their own."

Boston-area band Francine is something to talk about. Since their conception 7 years ago, thanks to songwriter Clayton Scoble, the band has three records under their belt. "Airshow", being the most recent of these released by Q Division Records, is a mildly lo-fi, folk-oriented, gem of a record. I myself have a copy of it, and have nothing but praises to spout. Jump on this train, and listen to a few tracks. The first two featured are from "Airshow", while the latter two are from previous releases.

Francine - Connectionless (highly recommended)
Francine - Zeroes and Ones
Francine - Trampoline
Francine - Technical Books

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

One massive Working Title post

"This is the turning point, no one is going back."

Finally, the time has come. Their debut album, about-face, from Charleston's the Working Title drops tomorrow. If you're anything like myself, you wander into your local record Tuesday to see if there is anything new to pick up that catches your attention. Let this catch your attention, and let my recommendation count for something - pick this disc up. Universal played their cards right with these guys. I haven't been this impressed with a band this young for awhile now. I have all the band's previous EPs and recordings, but nothing compares to the work they've done on their first full length. about-face is a great album - an adventure in experimentation and accesible radio-rock music. Its a good mix.

The Working Title - Weigh Me Down
The Working Title - The Crash

If the mp3s aren't enough, you can stream this extra track on Real Player
The Working Title - The Mary Getaway

I was able to catch the band at the end of June here in Minneapolis at the Triple Rock Social Club. The crowd was loving them, and they had a great on-stage energy. A couple my friends and I were able to sit down with the guys and interview them before the show for the other site I write for - www.emotionalpunk.com

The interview can be accessed at the link below. It was fun. They're a great group of guys, and really down to earth. It's worth checking out.

Interview with the Working Title

I was also able to get a few pictures while the band was playing.

Tour Dates

The is spending the remainder of the summer touring with the Counting Crows and the Goo Goo Dolls, which is absolutely rad. Also, the guys really love both of these bands, so I'm excited for them. Don't miss these shows.

7/14/06 - Columbus OH - Germain Amphitheater
7/15/06 - Burgettstown PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
7/21/06 - Detroit MI - DTE Music Center
7/24/06 - Toronto Canada - Molson Amphitheater
7/28/06 - Hershey PA - Hershey Park Arena
7/29/06 - Boston MA - Tweeter Center
7/31/06 - Uncasville CT - Mohegan Sun
8/1/06 - Gilford NH - Meadowbrook
8/3/06 - Babylon NY - Jones Beach
8/4/06 - Babylon NY - Jones Beach
8/6/06 - Atlantic City NJ - Borgata Events Center
8/7/06 - Saratoga Springs NY - SPAC
8/9/06 - Bethel NY - Bethel Woods
8/11/06 - Scranton PA - Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain
8/12/06 - Holmdel NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

John Paul White

"You rise above with a shove and a step on my shoulders."

From deep in inland Alabama comes a talent so effortless and sincere that it is a wonder why the big wigs didn't jump on him sooner. John Paul White, who has recently signed with mega-label Capitol Records, relies mostly on his acoustic guitar to build his songs - but has no problems dressing them up with melodic electric guitar lines. I know I'm always pulling the dramatics out of my hat, but these songs really are achingly beautiful. I hope you'll hear more from JPW in the future as he records his new disc for Capitol. He was excited about me wanting to share two tracks from the demo I had him send, and I hope you'll be just as excited to hear them.

John Paul White - Losing Me
John Paul White - Alien

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

Sleepless Me

"By the time I get beyond it there is something new to take its place."

Cory Clark and his boys, who together form LA pop/rock trio Sleepless Me, are all too appealing. Their debut EP, Grow, boasts five super slick, made for the radiowaves tracks. "Alone", the first of the featured tracks scores big points with me as the result of its wandering, melodic lead guitar work while the second track is just a bit more "rock 'n' roll"...

Sleepless Me - Alone
Sleepless Me - Grow

more info...
Myspace
Purchase

quick note...

I'm being a guest writer for a few days for Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good while Taylor is doing some volunteer work in Kenya. Go and check it out, I've done two posts already, and I have one more tomorrow. I brought those Alt-Country mixes back to life. So, if you liked those, head on over. I changed them a bit, so some it should be new.

Jeniferever

"Has it ever crossed your mind that this is where you might end?"

Drowned In Sound, a great label over in London, has rightfully picked up on young Swedish band Jeniferever. This group of guys are absolutely phenomenal musicians. They create incredibly gorgeous, layered, and complex shoegaze music. This whole record is wonderful, and I highly suggest you find yourself a copy one way or another. Even the cover art is phenomenal. Look at me - I'm beaming. My words end and the music starts...

Jeniferever - From Across The Sea
Jeniferever - A Ghost In The Corner Of Your Eye

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

The Idle Hands

"You used to laugh at all those things that I said."

This band floored me the very first time that I heard them. And as if I needed more of a reason to love them...The Idle Hands are from Minneapolis. Perfect. Neo-new wave never sounded so good. They've just released their first single over in the UK thanks to LaVolta Records, but have yet to officially release anything here in the states. Lucky for us, they've made four of their tracks available. "Loaded" is great, and it's clear that frontman Ciaran has quite the sense of humor. The song undoubtedly pokes fun at various subcultures within the music scene today. What else can I say? Look for out for this band. Good things are coming their way.

The Idle Hands - Loaded
The Idle Hands - Queen Of Air & Darkness

more info...
Official Site
Myspace

**Thanks goes to Steve for originally putting me onto this band!**

Matt Mays & El Torpedo

"I've got a plan - It'll get you through."

After releasing his solo debut, Matt Mays was able to round up a group of musicians to form Matt Mays & El Torpedo. Canada hasn't been the same since. With Warner Music Canada and Sonic Records as their guide, the boys released their first self-titled disc and were able to garner for themselves a good deal of success. According to the band's website, their single "Cocaine Cowgirl" was the #3 most played rock single on Canadian radio - which I'm sure is no small feat. On top of that, they've toured with Sam Roberts and the Black Crowes. It's still unexplainable why here in the states we don't catch onto this great stuff coming from our North.

Matt Mays & El Torpedo - The Plan
Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Stand Down At Sundown
Matt Mays & El Torpedo - Cocaine Cowgirl

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase

Stellamaris

"I'm holding out for a punch in the arm when you'll say 'well done.' "

Stellamaris is from Dallas. I dig them. I'm a staff writer at emotionalpunk.com, and I wrote a review on the band's current self-titled EP. Here is most of it:

What can you expect from a young a band who had to both self-record and self-release their latest EP? Not something quite this enjoyable, I’m sure. Hailing from the wonderful city of Dallas, TX, young five-piece band Stellamaris carries with their soft sound some big ideas and a bright future.

Though the ride on the Stellarmaris wave is short, it’s a sweet one at that. The disc's foundation is built chiefly upon the interplay and exchange of the band’s melancholic piano compositions and acoustic arrangements. However, the band does a great job of dressing up their dulcet tones with melodic, sauntering guitar lines and an effectual use of reverb.

Though the EP’s harder hitting electrically-based first track ironically puts my aforementioned commentary to shame, the rest of disc’s tracks stay pretty true to form. “Strangers”, the perceived single, even includes an ephemeral little string arrangement that only elevates the disc’s already subtly beautiful disposition.

Stellamaris - Apparitions
Stellamaris - Strangers

more info...
Official Site
Myspace
Purchase available on Myspace