The folk-gypsy-rock band, I Am Love, originally began as a singer-songwriter project in the countryside just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to founding member, Joshua Christopher, the area is deeply rooted in the earliest days of American culture.

“This is where many of our founding fathers lived when they birthed this great nation,” Christopher explains. “The countryside has a strong influence on our style of living, as well as our music. I sing a lot about overcoming difficult times, but with an overall sense of hopefulness. I want to make music that will generate good feelings.”

Base player, William Whitmore and Christopher together fine-tuned songs which would become the first EP, Starting Over, released in January of 2012. They then went into the studio with seven other musicians who played various instruments that could help Christopher achieve the kind of music that he wanted to represent I Am Love.

The band was whittled down to three members which included Christopher, Whitmire, and the addition of Kris Jackson (percussion, keys, vocals). The three moved their base of operations to Orlando, Florida. They released an album in the beginning of 2014, and have been touring throughout the year which included SXSW and the Brandywine Folk Festival.

From the forthcoming January 20, 2015 release of their self-titled album, have a listen to the single “Pillar Of Salt” below. Plus, check out their music video for “Ghost in the Hallway.”

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“Pillar Of Salt” by I Am Love

Electronica-pop, downtempo outfit, Aubergine MACHINE, released the single “Sundown” in October via Muzik Liberated. Aubergine MACHINE is a collaboration between world renowned multi-platinum selling producer Ian Carey and new-comer to the scene Shanti Ellis. They formed the band in late 2012 after realizing their unique capability to create genre-blending electronic music with mainstream pop appeal.

Having both travelled the world in their own right while picking up many influences along the way, their mental catalog of music includes everything from pre-EDM to the uber-current sounds of post-dubstep and future garage. Carey, who is very established in the international House Music scene, sites influences ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Black Flag and DJ Premier, while Ellis sites influences such as Santigold, Vampire Weekend, and No Doubt. Carey’s production combines with Ellis’s brand of indie-pop laced vocals to build a foundation of melodies that range from youthful to emotive and haunting.

Watch the video for their cover of The Stroke’s “Call it Fate, Call it Karma” on YouTube.

Have a listen to “Sundown” below.

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“Sundown” by Aubergine MACHINE

Bluesy singer/songwriter, Darrin James, released the single “Bombs Away” as the first in a new series he plans to offer via his label, Ravine Records.

James was born in Kentucky, raised in Metro-Detroit, and spent a formative decade in New York City, honing his skills as a producer, guitarist and singer-songwriter, before returning to Ann Arbor, Michigan, a unique, liberal college-town with a great history supporting jazz, blues and folk music. Upon his return, James set up a state-of-the-art studio on Main Street. His musical style is as varied as his background as it draws on his love of the blues and folk music of the south, the Motown soul and classic rock n’ roll rawness of Detroit, and the eclecticism and immediacy of Brooklyn.

In New York, James assembled a stellar roster of Brooklyn musicians, and in 2006 he released his debut album, Thrones of Gold, which earned a wealth of positive reviews in the press, as well as radio and television exposure. James’ gravelly vocals and thought-provoking lyrics generated immediate comparisons to Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. The lyrics of the bluegrass-tinged title track, “Thrones of Gold,” were published in American Songwriter magazine. The beatnik blues “Crazy World” was placed on the Emmy-nominated reality TV sensation, The Deadliest Catch.

Darrin James Band’s second album, The Lovely Ugly Truth, was released in 2009. The album is filled with parables that illustrate moral dilemmas and regret.

A vinyl release is due out in 2014. With a new studio and a roster of great musicians from both Brooklyn and Ann Arbor such as Dave Johnson (Project/Object), Dan Bennett (Nomo), Ross Huff (Macpods), Tim Haldeman, and Dan Piccolo.

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“Bombs Away” by Darrin James

New York-based cinematic alt-pop band, QVALIA, released an ambitious debut album titled This Is the Color of My Dreams on September 1. The QVALIA lineup consists of Michael Hazani (guitar and vocals), Pierluigi Salami (keys), and Shawn Crowder (drums), three musical soulmates who met while attending Berklee College of Music and have been playing together for years.

Stream the album in full at Soundcloud, or purchase it via bandcamp. Plus, check out the songscapes trailer here.

This Is the Color of My Dreams proudly wears its influences on its sleeve – analog synth and 80’s inspired guitar-laden melodies and percussive war drums a-la action film scores.

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“Sound The Alarm” by QVALIA

London-based rock-alternative-roots quartet, The Healing, have released an EP entitled Childhood Home. Musically, their songs weave together strong vocal and guitar melodies with dynamic grooves, close harmony singing and alternate guitar tunings.

The four-piece band combines elements of rock, roots, soul and poetry. Their full line-up was completed in the autumn of 2013, consisting of Jim Moreton (vocals, guitar), Nicolas Py (drums), Sam Thiery (bass) and Ariel Moreton (harmony vocals). Their style ranges from atmospheric driving rock songs such as “Tonopah” to tender, country inspired ballads such as the title track, “Childhood Home.” In either gear, songwriter Jim Moreton’s lyrics frequently draw from the theme of childhood memories, stories, and the lives of family members to create intimate and emotionally powerful songs.

Have a listen to lead single “Childhood Home” on Soundcloud and stream the full EP via Bandcamp. Also, you may watch “Childhood Home” on Youtube.

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“Childhood Home” by The Healing

Folk-rock artist, Michael Leonard Witham, began his musical after finding a well worn Yamaha acoustic guitar with a slightly damaged body and no strings. Soon after fixing it up and writing incessantly, he was chosen from an iphone recording as one of a handful of artists to perform in the Arkansas Times Musician’s Showcase. As the instrument became more and more familiar, the songs almost effortlessly poured out. Words and melodies told stories in a style that was unique and anything but common.

He began performing often and continued to craft songs that would become his debut, A Scandal In The Violets. The album will be released on October 21.

Visit Soundcloud to preview two tracks from the album. And, you may watch the video for “John’s Old Lady” on Vimeo. Plus, streaming is available via Bandcamp.

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“Oh The Evil!!!” by Michael Leonard Witham

Prague’s guitar-driven, pop-quartet, Latimer House, released its full-length All The Rage on the band’s own label, Honk Records, back in February. Now the band is back with its lyrically witty, yet quintessentially English-pop “Birdcage Walk,” and its b-side, the noisier, more experimental “Until Then.” The single was released digitally on July 7 and a 7″ pressed in red translucent vinyl was released on August 11 from the Honk Records shop.

Band members, Joe, Jiří, Anar and Michael, like a wide range of music from classic pop and rock, to funk, folk and New Wave, to obscure experimental rock, jazz and contemporary alternative sounds. All four have played in various bands down the years. Thus, their different backgrounds and interests all appear in the sound created by Latimer House.

On a creative roll, Latimer House plans to release their next full-length in 2015.

Stream and share the tracks from Latimer House via Soundcloud. The band would also like to highlight “Splash!” — now streaming on Bandcamp. Plus, watch the band’s official music video for “This is Pop.”

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“Birdcage Walk” by Latimer House

NYC artist Eric Frisch has recently released his first self-produced full-length album entitled Goodbye Birdcage. The album merges modern indie pop with 50’s and 60’s pop to create it’s own unique sound.

A throwback to 50s and 60s pop productions, Frisch created an album that was true to his biggest influences like the Beatles and the Beach Boys and reminiscent of the classic Motown sound. His other influences range from Sam Cooke and the Four Tops to Bob Dylan and Jackie Wilson. Frisch wrote all of the songs in a two week span, and each track tells a story. For instance, the title track is about Frisch leaving his home in Toronto behind and moving to New York City to pursue music.

Frisch has performed at venues like Rockwood Music Hall, the Bowery Electric, the Living Room, and the Studio at Webster Hall. A talented artist and performer, he writes songs that are original, catchy, and memorable.

The album can be streamed in full via Soundcloud. Plus, visit Youtube to view the official videos for “Pretty Girls” and “Learn to Swim.”

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“Pretty Girls” by Eric Frisch

John Tielli (vocals, guitar, midi programming) and Tessa Kautzman (vocals, bass), the charismatic Montreal duo known as The Hydrothermal Vents, boil with a chemistry that pulls listeners deep into their imaginative world. Both members have extensive personal music history, from a mutual love for the Pixies to North American tours and solo collaborations with heavy hitters like Arcade Fire. The Hydrothermal Vents are characterized by an experimental spirit, dreamy lyrics and inventive vocal interplay.

The duo released their debut full-length, Secrets of the Deep!, on July 5, 2014. The album expands on the theme embodied in their band name: a mysterious life-giving energy and a source of light in the darkness.

On stage, Tielli and Kautzman perform with energy and precision, using inventive vocal interplay including rounds, spoken word, ghostly howls and tight harmonies to recount their fantastical tales of the deep. Thoughtfully crafted backing tracks add layers of infectious beats and synth hooks.

Have a listen to the recommended track, “Neptune’s Grave,” via Soundcloud, or stream the full album via bandcamp. Plus, check out the new live music video for “Neptune’s Grave” here.

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“Neptune’s Grave” by The Hydrothermal Vents

Indie folk/folk rock artist Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World released a successfully crowd-funded album via Eternal Mind Records on June 23, 2014. The songs feature themes of loss and redemption, spiritual yearning, romantic longing, death, re-birth, freedom, alienation, gratitude and more.

Matt Townsend began writing songs in secret around 2008 and began performing in 2010. Initially busking on the streets of Burlington, VT and playing local coffeehouses, he soon began gracing the stages of clubs and venues around the Burlington area. Influenced by the songwriting of Bob Dylan, Neutral Milk Hotel, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, William Blake, and many many more, Townsend’s songs “connect universally while remaining personally vulnerable.”

The new self-titled album is streaming in full on Soundcloud.

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“Desire Like a Lion” by Matt Townsend and The Wonder of the World