Wax Owls – “Overpriced Bullets” -From the first time I clicked play on this track I got some early 90s alt rock vibes (in the vein of Oasis). I love the phrasing and style of the song. It feels like it’s got a familiar energy. The effect on the electric guitars definitely has an intentional alt rock element to it. The effect on the vocal on the chorus is meant to intentionally soar over the rest of the production. I like that it has this bright pop energy in the chord progression, all while feeling like a sound that wouldn’t fit into a conventional top 40 slot. It’s a great encapsulation of wh ..read more

Joel D’Aubin – “Come Home” -This is a song about hard work and dedication. The instrumentation is a bit more chill than the Americana we’ve been curating lately, but I really liked the vocal harmonies here. There’s a whole atmospheric vibe about the song that makes it resonate. The lyrics are encouraging and supportive, which we are definitely happy to support here. If you have someone to be blessed to “come home” to, this song will feel good. It sure does for me. Kiefer Luttrell – “Every Shade of Blue” -If you like old fashioned folk music in the vein of Woody Guthrie or even later artists l ..read more

Rose Hotel: “Drown” There are two artists we think of when we hear this incredible new rock act. First, vocally we hear Courtney Barnett. While the group shares vocal similarities, the wordplay is just as compelling and rich. “Drown” is an undeniably cool sounding track, but it also speaks of mental illness and family trauma. It is wonderfully layered, but easy to look past because of such a compelling New York cool rock style (although the act are from Atlanta). Secondly, we are reminded of one of our all time favorites, The Dandy Warhols. Both acts blend so many different sounds and personas ..read more

Juno Roome – “Think You’re Falling” “Think You’re Falling” has an unescapable hip shaking ability we could not ignore. The bass is especially groovy, while the vocals are the perfect amount of smooth. We classify this track in its own category; indie dream, although it is accessible to anyone who loves great music. The way the artist crafts a restrained lo fi sound speaks of an artist in the pocket of their talent, confidence, and maturity. We were pleasantly surprised by Juno Roome and cannot wait to hear more. The Lostines: “Neon Lights” “Neon Lights” has a wonderfully whimsical talent that ..read more

Alara – “Even When It’s Over” -There’s a magical energy to this song that you’ll hear from the moment Alara starts singing. The sweetness in the line, “think I’m gonna love you forever” resonates. The lyrical concept of the song is that “even when it’s over, it’s forever.” Talk about romance. Swoon! This is a really beautiful piece of songwriting that captures the heart of what true love really is, that is to say love that has no bounds. Alara writes with sincerity, but it’s the vocal delivery that makes it go from good to great. Virens – “Apocalypse” -If you’re a fan of acoustic folk music ..read more

Brad Wilson – “You and I” -This is such an endearing song that I’m pretty sure I approved it in the first 20 seconds. The lead vocal is unbelievably smooth and well delivered. The lyrical message is quite sweet as well; it’s about falling in love. I appreciate how the main melody feels like a timeless folk pop song. Some of the backing elements bounce around from atmospheric to contemporary alt forms, but it all works together for a really wholesome and engaging sound. Wise John – “standing in sunlight” -The first track I heard by Wise John absolutely floored me (in a good way), so when I saw ..read more

Remy Sher – “Barstow” -The first thing I did when I heard this song was share it with a friend of mine who is a songwriter. If that’s not an endorsement, I don’t know what is. It’s a beautiful story that shows how broken human life can be sometimes. It’s full of pain and anguish. But you know what? It’s also got this underlying beautiful hope about striving to love. It’s a little bit philosophical, a little bit theological, and an absolutely heart wrenching listening experience. This is what alt country is all about right here, folks. Dom Glynn and His Sunday Best – “Time Would Slow Down” -Wh ..read more

Glenn Thomas – “Certain Things Remind Me Of You” -Something about this track reminds me a bit of “These are a few of my favorite things.” The list of significant every day items connecting with a loved one feels good here. Thomas writes with an accessible folk style that’s sure to resonate with a lot of listeners. The balance between the guitar and piano makes for an energy that feels familiar yet fresh. This is a love song with beautiful relatability that will help others connect as well. The section with different types of grass feels like a wonderfully unique songwriting challenge that was ..read more

Porto Ruby – “Your Bird Has Flown” -Sometimes people need to be reminded that rock music didn’t start out as head-banging hard music. The origins of rock music sounded a lot more like bluesy folk music, a lot like this track from Porto Ruby. A lot of folks would hear this song and think it was an early Beatles tune. Yep, it’s that good. The stand up bass really makes it feel more like a traditional track, but I like the way the easy going rhythm section allows the vocal to soar over everything. I’m not certain, but I think the lyrics are about the feeling of sadness and uncertainty when your ..read more

Our Atlantic Roots – “I Do” -If you’re a fan of acoustic folk harmony duos, you’ll find a lot to like about this sound from Our Atlantic Roots. It’s a love song, for sure. It’s not just about a relationship; this is about the commitment of marriage. The intimacy in the recording captures the beauty of dedication and the vows of marriage, going above and beyond. I could definitely see this being a song used in a wedding ceremony. The subtle country influences give it a romantic sway perfect for a first married dance. I like this one so much I might just share it with my wife of 17 years. It’s r ..read more