“If I Let Myself Dream” by Empire Of One
24
Jun

Lead vocalist Wil Seabrook brings a raw warmth, lending a heartfelt take to soaring choruses with multifaceted songs full of depth, and emotion, with harmonies. Seabrook’s band, Empire of One, released a five-track rock-pop album that sounds raw and anthemic. It’s building choruses and emotional lyricism resemble The Fray and The Script.

The first single off their debut EP, “If I Let Myself Dream,” features a liberating melody, crashing cymbals, heavy riffs and wistful lyrics that reflect love and romanticism.

[audio:If I Let Myself Dream.mp3|titles=If I Let Myself Dream|artists=Empire Of One]
“If I Let Myself Dream” by Empire Of One

Image and mp3 courtesy of Sera Roadnight of M T Press

“London” by In Cages
24
Jun

In Cages is an alternative rock/indie quartet from Hillsdale, New Jersey inspired by acts such as the Pixies and Sonic Youth. With each member coming from a long history of playing in bands, their work ethic, extensive touring plans, and new self-titled EP (June 23) all reflect their collective experience and influences. The 4-song disc was described by Neufutur Magazine as “catchy arrangements with a down and dirty style; putting the guitars front and center ensuring that listeners stick around for the long haul.”

Fans of acts like Band of Skulls, the Black Keys and the White Stripes should be happy about In Cages’ arrival.

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“London” by In Cages

Image courtesy of James Moore of Independent Music Promotions

“California” by Delta Spirit
24
Jun

Delta Spirit has “…taken a risk by forever associating themselves with a self-titled album that departs in any capacity from their earlier releases, but it’s paid off in more sophisticated songcraft.” ~ Consequence of Sound

On Delta Spirit the record, the band capitalizes on its hard-fought inertia by presenting their cleanest and most sonically homogenous record to date. It is a clear example of artistry within worn and comfortable musical landscapes. But it also represents a slight back-step emotionally – and perhaps not for content’s sake so much as for production’s. ~ American Songwriter

Check out the video for California!

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“California” by Delta Spirit

Image courtesy of the Delta Spirit mailing list/ mp3 courtesy of Soundlike

“Trust Us” by Tyrannosaurus Grace
23
Jun

The exuberant synth pop/alt rock group, Tyrannosaurus Grace has just released their sophomore album, Much More Than A Story, on iTunes. Featuring deep and worldly topics like evolution, love, lust and religion, Tyrannosaurus Grace provides a touch of insight.

The band formed in mid-2009 when founding members Tim Held and Justin Foss began working on music together via the internet. Tim was attending college in Michigan while Justin was going to college in Oregon. They moved back to their hometown in central Washington in early 2010 and immediately began work on their first full length album. Since then they have been steadily gaining momentum in the northwest music scene.

Tyrannosaurus Grace has elements of pop, punk, indie and electronic music but their most dominant trait is expressed through up-tempo, high-energy Rock and Roll.

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“Trust Us” by Tyrannosaurus Grace

Image and mp3 courtesy of Gabbi Cottee of LaFamos, Marketing & Publicity

“The Angels Were Singing” by Matthew Perryman Jones
23
Jun

Matthew Perryman Jones’ first full length album since 2008, Land of the Living was produced by Cason Cooley (Katie Herzig) and was released on May 29th. The record could not have found a better birthplace than the elusive bohemian studio in Round Top, Texas, where it was recorded.

In each song there is a sense of wandering in the desert and wrestling with the angels. “Waking up the Dead” conveys the transition from mourning to once again feeling passionate about life. Matthew mirrors the poetry of Leonard Cohen when he sings, “You stand in the water with your arms crossed, groaning hallelujah.”

The song “The Angels Were Singing” delves into Jones’ grief over the recent loss of his father. He says, “I started running to feel more alive, to wake up my senses that slowly had died . . . each tear was a chorus, a sacred reprise, and I finally was grieving that long goodbye.”

MPJ has been a staple feature in the nationally acclaimed Ten Out of Tenn. Collective with fellow artists, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle and others. He is currently getting ready to start touring in support of his upcoming album.

[audio:The Angels Were Singing.mp3|titles=The Angels Were Singing|artists=Matthew Perryman Jones]
“The Angels Were Singing” by Matthew Perryman Jones

“Flower Flower” by The Vespers
15
Jun

Here is the official music video for The Vespers’ brand new song “Flower Flower” from THE FOURTH WALL, released on April 3, 2012.

They will be playing 25 plus shows throughout the summer and the rest of the year.

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“Flower Flower” by The Vespers

Image courtesy of The Vespers FanBridge mailing list

“Holdin’ Me” by Darin Bennett and the Requiem
13
Jun

Los Angeles-based artist, Darin Bennett, represents the new breed of the old school singer/songwriter/guitarist. He uses a combination of slide guitar driven, gritty delta blues, with elements of both modern and classic rock and soul. Since his debut album as a solo artist 20 Scarlet Monkeys, he has been at work with his band DARIN BENNETT AND THE REQUIEM who just released the EP Midnight Storybook. The EP is available for purchase via the band’s official website.

Bennett’s sound has been compared to a wide variety of artists including Tom Waits, Nick Cave, and Bruce Springsteen, as well pioneers such as Son House, Robert Johnson, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke.

For a look at the video for the first single off Midnight Storybook, click here. “Holdin’ Me” was directed by Andrew Cochrane.

[audio:Holdin’ Me.mp3|titles=Holdin’ Me|artists=Darin Bennett and the Requiem]
“Holdin’ Me” by Darin Bennett and the Requiem

Image and mp3 courtesy of Darin Bennett (media query direct contact)

“Mulberry Breakdown” by Michi
12
Jun

Young singer-songwriter, Michiko Egger, has vast talents that have not gone unnoticed in the music industry. At just 16, she’s worked with seasoned musicians such as Grammy-award winner Steve Mitchell and Jazz guitarist Sheryl Bailey. With the release of Where Your Heart Is, Michi exposes her songwriting skills. Her honesty, attitude and unique vocal have drawn comparisons to Fiona Apple and Avril Lavigne. A jack-of-all trades musician, Michi plays everything from the drums to the clarinet to her signature guitar.

You may download a free mp3 of the first release off Michi’s debut album, “Mulberry Breakdown,” via SoundCloud.

To purchase the album, please visit bandcamp.

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“Mulberry Breakdown” by Michi

mp3 courtesy of Sera Roadnight at MT Press

Image courtesy of ReverbNation Images

Emancipated Soul Movement Vol​.​1 by Anthony Rodriguez
10
Jun

AREXPRESSIONS is the vision of creative artist, Anthony Rodriguez. Anthony has been active in the music industry for over 20 years as a composer, guitarist, vocalist, producer & sound engineer.

Only in recent years has his primary passion for music shifted into one that is more in tune with the healing aspects of music and yoga. And this is where AREXPRESSIONS was born. Emancipated Soul Movement Vol. 1 is the first installment in a series, available for purchase from bandcamp.

In addition to music, Anthony recently began developing his passion for photography. Each digital track on Anthony’s bandcamp page is accompanied by one of his photos. To view his gallery click here.

Image downloaded via facebook

“Bright Day Coming” by Marc Scibilia
10
Jun

I saw Marc Scibilia in 2010 at the SXSW BMI Breakfast and I knew he’d find his way into the indie world – if a live stream feature on pastemagazine.com means you’ve made it, I don’t know?

His debut EP on Hickory Records was released digitally on June 5th! To accompany the EP is the official music video, “Bright Day Coming.” If Marc’s co-star looks familiar to you, it’s Isaac Blanks, the boy who played a young Michael Jackson in Jackson’s final music video with Akon, “Hold My Hand.”

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“Bright Day Coming” by Marc Scibilia

Image dowloaded via Facebook