The Culmination EP, the latest from Los Angeles, California-based acoustic-pop-rock singer-songwriter Eric Mellgren (aka Shotgun Honeymoon), is just that, the culmination of a lot of hard work following up Shotgun Honeymoon’s 2007 debut, Forgone Conclusion.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, but picking up the guitar in his college days at Florida State University, Shotgun Honeymoon played throughout Florida, honing his craft during college, often times supporting his high-school music teacher’s band. Getting an itch to take music more seriously, Shotgun Honeymoon moved to Los Angeles, got a job at a major record label, and began working in the industry. All the while writing songs that would become Forgone Conclusion.

The Culmination EP, delivers a five-track collection of songs that find the songsmith further exploring the sounds he created on the debut, while also being more adventurous with the assistance of his backing band. Shotgun Honeymoon shows growth both lyrically and musically from Forgone Conclusion, without losing the loving, and passionate vibes that made his debut a warming, soothing collection of acoustic pop.

You may watch the official video for the track “Up to Something” on YouTube.

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“Up To Something” by Shotgun Honeymoon

Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter Barry Brusseau spent twenty years playing everything from metal to hardcore punk, with fifteen of those years spent touring in the pop-punk band The Jimmies, before they eventually disbanded.

That journey lead to Brusseau’s complete one-eighty with the release of his debut solo album, A Night Goes Through, released exclusively on vinyl and digitally. Now, he has returned with his sophomore full-length, folk-based The Royal Violent Birds.

Brusseau went to Jackpot! Studios to work with Larry Crane. Larry recorded some of Brusseau’s old punk material and his resume is full of great projects, including Sleatery- Kinney, Quasi, Elliot Smith, and Tape Op Magazine. Guest musicians for Brusseau’s new record include his brother Tim Ward, Tyler Tornfelt on bass, Aubrey Webber on cello, and jazz horn player Michael Paul.

Watch the making of the special edition canvas vinyl on YouTube.

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“Love and Adoration” by Barry Brusseau