Boston, Massachusetts-based outfit Offbeat Motif (OM) released their first self-titled EP on April 17. They recorded tracks for the entire album during one day-long session (11 Hours) back in January with Toft Willingham of national touring act Spiritual Rez at 9B Studio in Milford, Massachusetts.

OM singer and guitarist, John Hanson, has been part of the open mic scene since age 15, and began hosting local open mic’s in 2011. During this time Hanson began forming a group with long-time friends. In May of 2012 Offbeat Motif was officially born. The core group of members is now: John Hanson (vocals and guitar), Connor Quigley (lead guitar, vocals), Ricky Giorgio (drums), and Matthew ‘Gravy’ Giorgio (bass, vocals). Common guests and past musicians of the group are: Mike Mullen (drums, one of the founders), Colon Kirwin (bass, one of our founders), Steve Cerrata (Lead guitar) and Jim Macguire (keys, sax).

Next on the agenda is to begin recording a full length album, featuring 12 brand new songs. They aim to record the whole thing at Hanson’s house studio, and release it in September 2015.

In other news, Hanson is also now a guitarist and songwriter in another band called The Daybreakers. They are in the process of recording their first album in his studio and they are planning to drive across the country on tour in September.

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“Backs Against the Wall” by Offbeat Motif

The new single from Vinnie Ferra called “Behind The Scenes” will be on his new album arc en ciel, scheduled to be released on June 23. The track premiered on Diffuser on May 6. Chuck Armstrong of Diffuser said the track “expertly blends the worlds of indie and folk rock into one cohesive sound.”

Last year, Ferra successfully ran a Kickstarter campaign to record his new album. Fans were given a glimpse of the new album with the single “God Forbid.” The song and video plunges listeners into the struggles of love and relationships. Ferra states that he “wants the listener to leave knowing more about themselves. I hope to help them tap into a part of themselves they maybe spend all day ignoring or suppressing. Join them in that alone time or that moment they are sharing with another. To me, I feel if someone has listened to a song of mine and all they think about at the end is me, then I didn’t do my job properly.”

Known for being an indie-folk artist, Ferra is more composer than singer-songwriter. He writes the lyrics, composes the arrangements, and orchestrates the musicians and parts of these harrowing, yet approachable songs.

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“Behind The Scenes” by Vinnie Ferra

Stretching his soulful Detroit, Michigan roots all the way to the rocky skyline of Durango, Colorado, singer-songwriter, Robby Overfield, offers an exceptional vocal delivery, along with the personal and relatable art of storytelling.

You can find Robby playing regularly in Durango at 6512′, Derailed, the Office, and Embassy.

Back in 2011, Robby and the Trio (Jesse Ogle on bass and Dave Rodriguez on drums) released a 6-track EP entitled The Breaks. The album is available on itunes, cdbaby, and via Robbie’s website. The latest release — Robby Overfield & The Breaks Live At Fort Lewis College — is also available.

Robby and Jesse produced The Breaks, and it was mixed in Durango by Scott Smith of Scooter’s Place. It was basically recorded in one room in one take minus the harmonies. On the album you hear Robbie’s friends and fellow musicians, Ben Scharf from Oregon on keys, Mary-Elizabeth Holby from Montreal on violin, David Rodriguez on drums, and Zack Jones on saxophone. Robby himself is heard on all vocals and guitar.

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“The Breaks” by Robby Overfield