If you are into British electropop (or listen to American Top-40 radio), you have probably heard the song “Bulletproof” by La Roux. It’s become a bit of a dance anthem, simple but catchy. Interestingly, understanding who La Roux is can be a study in itself. La Roux is not frontwoman-redhead Elly Jackson (even though...
Hailing from San Francisco, Music for Animals has been gaining traction on the west coast for the past few years. Their hooky, danceable pop/rock vibe has drawn comparisons to The Killers. As a songwriter, I’m always looking for the “hook” in songs or in a sound. I also look for the balance between creativity and accessibility. I don’t...
In the fall of 2007, Fox TV’s year-of-trying-out-every-different-talent-show-they-can-think-of, I particularly enjoyed The Next Great American Band, sort of a battle-of-the-bands version of Idol. It only lasted one season, but the absolute standout band was The Clark Brothers, three brothers named Jones (kidding) who wowed the audience–and the judges–by playing the crap out of a dobro, violin...
To hear them describe themselves, Paean (pronounced, “PAY-in”) is more of a collective than a band–a cooperative community of friends and family. The central rendezvous point seems to be the Maddocks Family Barn, just up the road from here in Ft. Collins, Colorado. It was here that the creative madness of Dave Maddocks eventually grew into...
Open Hand, an indie rock band from LA, is exploring new territory with their album Honey. While their previous work tends toward straight out jam-band rock, this record seems to venture into a more atmospheric, progressive, experimental vibe–even incorporating some hip hop elements. Additional contributors to the record are Matt Talbot of Hum and Christopher “Kid”...
I don’t know why sometimes the electronic, new-wave, Brit-pop type sound appeals to me, but it does. Maybe it’s a reminder to me of the 80′s. (Should I have written that??) Anyhow. Deluka has been stirring it up in the UK for awhile, but with their newly-released self-titled EP they are getting attention here in the...
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Churchill. I’ve been watching their progress here in Denver with great interest ever since I first saw them play. In less than a year’s time as a band, they have put out a great first EP, earned a Top 3 slot in Channel 93.3′s Hometown...
When LnZ Kade of A Melodic Daydream sent me their latest project, A Little Weird, I wasn’t quite sure how to describe what I was hearing. Oh, I can’t help it. The pun is just sitting there waiting to be used. It was a little weird. Not that the music itself is weird, or the record,...
I saw these guys for the first time during their debut performance on David Letterman, and I was immediately captivated. Four guys from London doing their own unique take on folk/bluegrass? London’s gotta be, what, 4000 miles from the Appalachians? But they make it work. Here’s the clip below: listen for yourself. (And...
I’ve probably said this before (I’m not looking back in the posts to see if I have)…but I’m a lifetime student of music. I’m the kind of guy who listens intently to music, who prefers it in the foreground rather than the background. I’m also the more reflective type at concerts. I don’t do...
