Show Review: Hail The Sun (San Antonio, Texas)

Words & Photographs By: Chapin Patel

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Hail the Sun is an experience. Whether it’s seeing them perform in a venue filled with 100 people or in this case over 3000 people. Their performance can only be described as an unapologetic expression of self reflection and a hunger for revolution within society and its problematic norms. Donovan is a vocalist with charisma and can keep the energy up, having the crowd participating in moshing, jumping and of course finger pointing to catchy lyrics found on the banger “Human Target Practice”.

The band also expels this energy that demands your attention. You can’t help but acknowledge that this band can do no wrong musically. With every guitar solo or intricate chord progression and screaming bass section you can’t help but feel the emotion sonically. Hail the Sun does the unthinkable infiltrates your mind all through a 30 minute experience. They are truly enjoyable in every sense and I look forward to seeing them again soon.

You can listen to Hail The Sun down below:

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Grab tickets to see Hail The Sun at one of their upcoming tour dates here:

Interview: Wolf & Bear

Interview & Photos By: Chapin Patel

I had the chance to chat with Wolf & Bear about challenges they’ve faced together, their latest single, Deleto and their hobbies outside of music.

The band consists of:

Marcus Cisneros - Vocals
Tyler Watt - Vocals
Cameron Nunez - Guitar 
Joshua Unitt - Guitar
Tim Feerick - Bass
Jacob Koval - Drums

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1. Your 1st Full Length record “Everything is Going Grey” was a 2017 effort that really put you guys on the map. Generally did that record live up to what you all wanted it to be?

CN: I think it came out great with how unprepared we were it lived up better than I thought it would!

MC: I definitely agree with the hardships we were going through at the moment from losing two members. It came out much better than we could have anticipated.

CN: We learned a lot!

2. Your new single “Deleto” which was released in late February of 2019. How has the online reception been from the fans?

TW:I think it’s been really great with how its been a softer release than what we normally do!

MC: It’s been good to change it up, but at the same time stick to our Wolf & Bear sound. Don’t be afraid to get funky with it!
CN: I feel it’s not too far different from our other songs on the album especially like Catch and Release and Everything is Going Grey.

3. Songs can have multiple meanings whether intentional or not but what does “Deleto” mean to you all individually?

CN: For me it’s a toxic relationship and the constant struggle of I don’t know if I want this or not, and over coming familiarities.

MC: For me it’s knowing someone is already bad for me but struggling to know if it’s right.

TW: Same

4. Can fans expect this sound to continue in a new record?

TW: No I don’t think so but we're always open.

MC: We don’t know where the music gods will take us.

CN: Only time will tell.

5. Do you have plans to release a new record this year?

MC: We can’t say yes or no, we have to keep the suspense.

TW: So maybe?

CN: Yes

6. What sorts of things are you doing differently from your last record compared to this new one that’s in the works?

TW: Having full demos completed.

MC: Utilizing our time better instead of being on a time crunch.

CN: This will be the first time we will be writing with a full line up as well.

7. If Wolf and Bear could endorse a brand (Snacks, alcohol, stores and or clothing) what would it be?

TW: JUUL, Taco Bell, FromSoft, Modelo

CN: Blizzard Entertainment, Amy’s Vegan & Vegetarian Products, Walrus Audio.

MC: The Raider Nation, Cannabis endorsement, endless weed as long as its fire.

8. Favorite restaurant here in Anaheim?

TW: Disneyland since I know of nothing else here.

9. What sorts of hobbies do you all involve yourselves in outside of music?

MC: I have so many. Football, basketball, just sports in general. Playing cards. Keeping up with current events.

CN: Playing games and hanging out, I don’t have many other hobbies. Music takes a lot of my time.

TW: EVERYTHING. Honestly I do so much all the time. Traveling, Skateboarding, Music festivals.

10. A majority of your band is DIY what sort of advice could you give to bands that are following a similar path?

CN: Invest in your recordings and take your time writing songs that you want to hear.

TW: Basically invest in your band the way you would want to start a company.

MC: Don’t be afraid to take chances.

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You can listen to Wolf and Bear here as well as Spotify which is linked below.

Show Review: The Aces (Kansas City, Missouri )

Words & Photos By: Haley Pagenkopf

The Aces made a stop at the RecordBar in Kansas City, Missouri on March 13th. This was the third to last stop of their Waiting For You Tour which would wrap up in Salt Lake City in the band’s home state of Utah just a few days later. The band consists of members Cristal Ramirez (lead vocals/guitar), McKenna Petty (bass), Katie Henderson (lead guitar/vocals) and Alisa Ramirez (drums). 

That first time I had the opportunity to see The Aces take to the stage was in 2018 when they had the opening slot for 5 Seconds of Summer on their Meet You There Tour. I was in seats that could’ve been considered nosebleeds, but even from there those four girls took to the stage and owned the venue. Cristal has a stage presence that is so electric. Whether you’re up front or in back, she commands whatever stage she is on and makes it her own. You can tell that all four of them are good friends both on and off of the stage, a bond that shows in their performance. Even in a smaller venue like the RecordBar, they took to that stage and made it theirs in a way that will keep me returning to see The Aces time and time again. 

The ‘Waiting for You’ Tour was named after a track from their full-length debut album titled ‘When My Heart Felt Volcanic’ which was released in April of 2018, a year after they dropped their ‘I Don’t Like Being Honest’ EP. Their setlist contained every song from both releases. They opened their performance with ‘Put It On The Line’ to a very excited crowd that kept the energy going all night. The energy from the fans really hit a peak when songs like ‘Holiday’, ‘Last One’, ‘Physical’ and ‘Lovin’ Is Bible’ were performed. A tender moment that was unique to the Kansas City date was that fans were given red paper hearts by a fellow fan and were then all raised in the air during ‘Volcanic Love’. They ended the night on a strong and very energetic note by closing the show with ‘Stuck’ which was the band's first single, released in May of 2016, and was certainly another crowd favorite. 

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The ‘Waiting for You’ Tour was named after a track from their full-length debut album titled ‘When My Heart Felt Volcanic’ which was released in April of 2018, a year after they dropped their ‘I Don’t Like Being Honest’ EP. Their setlist contained every song from both releases. They opened their performance with ‘Put It On The Line’ to a very excited crowd that kept the energy going all night. The energy from the fans really hit a peak when songs like ‘Holiday’, ‘Last One’, ‘Physical’ and ‘Lovin’ Is Bible’ were performed. A tender moment that was unique to the Kansas City date was that fans were given red paper hearts by a fellow fan and were then all raised in the air during ‘Volcanic Love’. They ended the night on a strong and very energetic note by closing the show with ‘Stuck’ which was the band's first single, released in May of 2016, and was certainly another crowd favorite. 

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I can’t recommend The Aces and their music enough. Please, please go give ‘When My Heart Felt Volcanic’ a listen on your chosen music streaming platform and check out these moguls on their social medias below. 

Twitter: @theacesofficial 

Instagram: @theaces

Facebook: @acesmusic

Show Review: Badflower (Kansas City, Missouri )

Words & Photos By: Haley Pagenkopf

Badflower which consists of Josh Katz, Alex Espiritu, Joey Morrow, and Anthony Sonetti are currently on Nothing More’s ‘Truth’ Tour alongside Palisades and Of Mice & Men. This tour made a stop at The Truman in Kansas City, Missouri on March 1st.

This show took place just one week after Badflower’s debut full-length album titled ‘OK, I’M SICK’ dropped on February 22nd. A few of the songs included on their setlist for the show that can be found on the album include ‘Die’ and  ‘x ANA x’ along with ‘Heroin’ and ‘Ghost’, which are two of my personal favorites. Also performed were ‘Animal’, ‘White Noise’ and ‘Drop Dead’ which are all songs from the bands 2018 EP titled ‘Temper’.

Badflower is a band that may or may not sound familiar to you, but they have quickly become one of my favorites and they’re on my concert go to list anytime they’re playing nearby. You can catch the band in a city near you soon! Find Badflower opening up dates on Nothing More’s ‘Truth’ Tour as well as Shinedown’s ‘Attention Attention’ Tour, but that's not all. To top it off they will be embarking on their very own headlining tour soon!  Be sure to also check out Badflower’s new album ‘OK, I’M SICK’ on your favorite streaming platform and follow the band on all of their socials.

Twitter: @Badflower
Instagram: @badflowermusic
Facebook: @wearebadflower  

Interview: Rome Hero Foxes

Interview & Photos By: Chapin Patel

Can you Introduce yourselves and what your role in the band is?

My name is C. J. Burton and I provide vocals and guitar.

My name is Emilio and I play bass.

My name is Michael Fox and I play lead guitar.

My name is Andrew Hagan and I play keyboards and backing vocals.

What is something you’ve learned from your album 18 Summers?

Emilio: I think for 18 Summers it taught all of us that if we want to do something different because the two records are very different sounding. I think 18 Summers, as in the gap between these two records and playing those songs live off of 18 Summers really taught me that when we want to do something drastically different we can really pull it off, you know? We just had to give the same energy that we gave to the last record for it and when we just go in on songs it feels raw and real for us.

Michael: I think 18 Summers just felt more genuine to what we are and what we’re going towards. 18 Summers is more in my wheelhouse and it’s more what I enjoy.

Andrew: I’m in the same boat, I enjoy this more than For When You’re Falling Backwards.

What is something you’ve learned from your album For When You’re Falling Backwards?

CJ: That’s a can of worms, basically just becoming more in touch with ourselves and our true intentions. Post-hardcore is just something we’ve just very delicately brushed with. We weren't always supposed to do. Emilio and I were in a band before Rome Hero Foxes in junior high, it was always fixated around an indie/pop idea and it shows on For When You’re Falling Backwards. After being through that scene and it just not working out it really pushed us to figure out what kind of band we are, how we wanted to brand ourselves, and what music we want to make and if it’s true to us because we all like different kinds of music.

Michael: For When You’re Falling Backwards felt off to me but that’s because I didn't grow up with a post hardcore background.

Andrew: I feel like I’ve heard stuff like For When You’re Falling Backwards a million times, but I was not in the band when they recorded that. So when he (CJ) asked me to join the band I was like nah, but then he showed me 18 Summers and I was like yeah that sounds really good, I love this.

CJ: From an audience perspective you look at releases and when they came out and you kind of only have that window of time to look at. 18 Summers was a bunch of material I had written that at the time I had that post-hardcore attitude that we wanted to go for at the time, I just shelved it. A lot of sat in dropbox/my computer for years. I think when we made the decision to move away from that we found ourselves in that decision to leave post-hardcore. There’s two releases that happened in between 18 Summers and that doesn’t mean that we didn’t have 18 Summers in mind, it was actually already being worked on thoroughly. I/O was a collaborative effort. When Andrew first joined the band,

Horoscope was something we did a little bit more together and I wanted to pave the way for what we were gonna do on 18 Summers and I think with those two releases it kind of showed us that this is who we are, and we are a band who is always changing and we love when people tell us that we have that effect. A lot of the bands I looked up to do that as well. Definitely the era of writing 18 Summers was a breakthrough for the band.

Where did you record 18 Summers and how did the location play into what the album became?

CJ: We recorded 18 Summers with Ben Rosett who Is the drummer of Strawberry Girls. He has this really cool studio set up in Carmel, CA which is located by the Bixby Bridge. The scenery was so relevant to what we were doing on the record. We were going for something beach and we were right by the beach, so that drew a lot of inspiration for us. We would walk outside and hear the wonderful sounds would definitely inspire us.

Michael: We also started writing four songs in Galveston We have a friend who has a beach house and we cleared out the entire upstairs and we set up there for four days and the writing began there.

Andrew: That was the first time that I heard anything from the record, they finished recording demos and asked me to write something on top of it and the first thing I wrote for was Seattle Queen. I hadn't been in the band and he asked me to join. He sent me Seattle Queen and asked me to write since I am a piano major, so I came up with some sick piano parts and really enjoyed it.

CJ: 18 Summers went through a lot. At that beach house we were working on a couple songs which included Don’t Call My Name, Seattle Queen, Be Your Side, and Lost In a Room. When we put out a record it’s something we wrote 2-3 years prior. By the time the record is being put out, we are onto the next one. After that we started writing a little bit more. The way it works is in the past I’ve been primarily the song writer and I’ll just put drums to logic and then add guitar parts, and add my song parts. Next I’ll ship it off to them and they’ll listen to it and we will meet up and try to hash it out and that’s really what makes Rome Hero what it is because everybody has their different tastes and I try to leave room for that because if it was just me doing it the music wouldn’t sound very good.

So do you guys live close by and work together on songs?

Andrew: We live close now. But I used to live in South Carolina so he would demo out some stuff and send me voice memos and I would write without having a physical format. When we did I/O together we would FaceTime and write songs together, he would send me voice memos and stuff. He would write out his parts and send me the file and then he would send me his file and then CJ would engineer them together.

CJ: On top of that, our drummer Adrian has been in Lubbock. He’s going to school at Texas Tech. Rome Hero’s timeline plays into that so we have summers, one week of winter break if we are lucky and then spring break. Emilio moved to Norway for three years (2013-2016). We did what we could and still worked together. They would fly out to record the albums. We have adapted to a rushed environment. We have so much chemistry and they can fly out and get it done.

Emilio: I moved back after graduating high school in 2016! I flew out For When You’re Falling Backwards. When we were recording that, we were already talking about the next direction and how it was going to be so different and thats how Horoscope, I/O and 18 Summers came to be.

CJ: You need to be at least six months out from recording process, you know what you’re doing and we don’t have the budget or the time to go into the studio blind without our songs being finished. That’s stress on us, thats stress on the people we work with. We talk about the material that we are working for after it. It makes for some pretty good songs. Sometimes we will write some good songs and we kind of forget about them. A lot of personal and emotional bands will happen it the band it will kind of age It like wine.

Who are some bands you would suggest us to listen to?

CJ: There’s been so many good bands on this tour. Last night we saw this band, Johnny Manchild who are very theatrical. The frontman is a keyboardist and they have a horns section and they're very cool. In New Jersey we saw a cool band called Tula Vera. They were like a psychadelic band, they’re incredible. Their front woman had an interesting voice as well. They really had it together. We get really excited when we get to play with bands who we really enjoy.

Andrew: The Kinda Collective were very good as well. We saw them in Tulsa and they are a jazz fusion band. They blew me away. The group are all in high school and way ahead of their time. They were great to watch. They were playing very formulated jazz music. I think they should be headlining festivals. They’re incredible.

What’s been your favorite moment on tour?

CJ: I’ll preface it with this, our other tours before this one have been a little hard, honestly. This one had more of a direction and an objective. Everything was more put together this time. Aside from the long drives, everyday had its own comedic just over the top moment.

Emilio: When we’re on the road, we get bored. We get tired and hungry and things get weird.

Andrew: I found these glasses at the venue and put them on and made a character out of myself. I pretended as if I had a new persona called Andre Avocado and acted as if I was this pretentious art nerd.

CJ: We like to make kind of skit comedy with ourselves. We talk about it down to what someone’s wearing, their mannerisms and what they talk like.

Emilio: It’s like we’re pretending we’re in a tv show. We have different chapters of each character. We love Eric from Heart Attack Man, they’re so funny.

CJ: New Jersey was a really good date for us. Every local band was really good and we were so impressed. As soon as we came in the owner was super nice and bought us all shots and had catering for us. It was a small town and had a booming local scene. We got there early and we were able to book a hotel and take a nap before the show which was very nice for us. We were so well rested and we played smash later that night. It was such a great day for us.

Are there any songs on 18 Summers that reference your older material?

CJ: Definitely! I’m not sure I want to spoil them, they're kind of like scattered throughout the album. The most obvious one is in the introduction of Chest Piece, I reference When We’re Older. I say cause I know that when we’re older, I’ll be stronger for your games. I find myself using those words, 18 Summers is a very reflective record. Some of the songs weren’t finished so I got to go back and reaffirm what I was trying to say with more guidance. As well as, in Seattle Queen, we reference For When You’re Falling Backwards, when I say Take a step forward, but you’re falling backwards.

Michael: I think that Don’t Call My Name sounds like a For When We’re Falling Backwards song.

What can listeners expect from you guys in 2019? Any tours coming up? New music in the works?

CJ: We get really ahead of ourselves as I said earlier. By the time 18 Summers was being recorded , we already had stuff lined up. We’ve been working towards it more. We are trying to wait for another LP because we feel as if its way too soon for that. We will probably do two releases in between both of them will be very unique.

Andrew: Basically the stuff we have for our LP doesn’t really mesh well with what we already had. We want to take what we already have and get it out there. We don’t want to have to step back. We are putting a new song in the near future.

Emilio: As far as tours go, hopefully this year we can be on the road a lot more. We don’t have anything set in stone, but want to tour more for sure.

CJ: We just got picked up by APA who are a booking agency, they book Turnover and Citizen. That’s why we did this tour, we played for them in New York and they liked it. We are going to start being submitted to bigger support slots. We are ready to kick ass and go full force.

Lightning Round:

Let’s settle it: Is Bucc-ee’s just a gas station or is it much more than than that?

Andrew: It’s a safe haven. Every time we go to Bucc-ee’s I get super excited because we don’t have that in Charleston! Every time I go in I get so excited and I love that I can buy anything from there. It’s scary but also awesome.

CJ: What a concept, it’s the most Texas thing ever, honestly.

Michael: I love Bucc-ee’s! It’s great!

Andrew: The last time we went was when we were on our way to record our new single.

CJ: We got those ghost pepper chips and we were eating them in the van and I was crying because they were so hot. It’s like a Walmart sized gas station and we love it.

Emilio: I used to have videos of myself arguing with the statue of the beaver.

What music platform do each of you prefer?

Andrew: Apple Music because I have a huge iTunes library.

Emilio, CJ, Michael: Spotify all the way!

If you could describe touring in three words, what would they be?

CJ: No fucking showers.

Emilio: Allergies, air conditioning.

Michael: Stress eating & alcohol.

Andrew: Smash, naps, smash.

To wrap up, do you have anything else to add?

CJ: RHF 2019 we are coming in hot. We are very thankful for everything great thats happened to us. We are excited and proud to finally make this brainchild-passion project into a career. Cheers!

Emilio: This is going to be one of the biggest years for us and I’m excited to make it happen.

Check out Rome Hero Foxes here!

You can check out their merchandise here as well as listen to their album here as well!

Show Review: Calpurnia (Austin, Texas)

Words & Photos By: Chapin Patel

On a very rainy Friday Night in Austin, fans stood patiently waiting for their favorite band to take the stage. Some fans had camped out since 1 am the night before and sat in the dreary weather all day, but were excited for their moment to begin. As the group came on stage, fans were cheering and smiles were spread all around, this was paradise and the mood became joyous and exciting. Vancouver-based Calpurnia consists of Finn Wolfhard (vocals + guitar), Jack Anderson (bass), Ayla Tesler-Mabe (guitar +vocals) and Malcom Craig (drums). The band signed to Royal Mountain Records in November of 2017 and their success has been astounding. The group has been touring all over North America and is also set to play the upcoming Shaky Knees festival as well as The Governor’s Ball.

The band did not disappoint and opened with a fan favorite, Blame. The crowd was very involved and singing along to every word. Later on, the band also played some covers such as Where Is My Mind by The Pixies and Say Ain’t So by Weezer. Fans jumped around and bobbed their heads during the set, some even brought homemade signs and cards to hold up. The band had amazing energy and kept everyone in a great mood despite the not so great weather. They truly, genuinely love what they do and that’s very easy to see. I really enjoyed their performance and would love to see them again.

Calpurnia is an amazing band and puts on a great show filled with energy and smiles.

Grab tickets to see the group here!

Show Review: Mackenzie Nicole (Lawrence, Kansas)

Words & Photos By: Haley Pagenkopf

On December 7th, 2018, Kansas City native Mackenzie Nicole played at The Granada in Lawrence, Kansas as the opening act for Tech N9ne on his 2018 Live Tour.

In April of 2018, Mackenzie Nicole released her debut album titled “The Edge” via Strange Main and she brought a few of these songs to life on stage. Some of the songs she performed from her album included those such as “Preview”, “Dark Side”, “One More” and the album’s title track. The set list didn’t end there as it also included songs like “Hero”, “Warrior”, “Demons” and  “Actin Like You Know” which is commonly considered to be the first official song she released at the astonishing age of 16.

Mackenzie Nicole is a natural born artist and it shows in her stage presence, don’t believe me? I think that the rest of the crowd from this sold out venue could persuade you. The crowd, however, may not have been there just for her, but I believe that the MackMob gained a few new members that night.

Mackenzie will once again be an amazing open act for a few of the shows on Tech N9ne’s 2019 tour with their first show being in North Kansas City, Missouri on January 19th. If you are from the KC metro area and love local artists or you simply just love the atmosphere of great shows, then this show could be a great investment! If you’re not in the area, be sure to check out her music on your favorite listening platform or give her a follow on her social medias:

@MackenzieNicole on Twitter

@TheRealMackenzieNicole on Instagram

and @RealMackenzieNicole on Facebook.

Show Review: Circa Survive (San Antonio, Texas)

Photos & Review By: Chapin Patel

On November 24th, 2018 I drove to San Antonio to witness the legendary, Circa Survive perform on their tour with La Dispute & Queen Of Jeans. The Philadelphia natives deemed this tour the Amulet tour. The group came on stage after what seemed like hours of excitement. The band kicked off their set with a favorite, Lustration. Vocalist, Anthony Green stood on a riser getting as close to fans as he possibly could while other members came close as well interacting with crowd surfers and concert-goers who were yelling the lyrics with huge smiles on their faces. This was an experience I will never forget. Circa Survive interacted with their fans to an extent that I have not witnessed before, they deeply care about their fans safety and did everything they could to make sure they were enjoying themselves.

They also played fan favorites such as The Difference Between Poison and Medicine Is In The Dose, Get Out and Tunnel Vision to name a few. The alternative rock group simply impressed me, with their crowd interaction, energy and emotional performance. I look forward to seeing Circa Survive again soon, they are truly a band you should not miss out on!

Check out Circa Survive on tour in a city near you!

Show Review: Chase Atlantic, Cherry Pools, R I L E Y (Kansas City, MO)

Words & Photos By: Haley Pagenkopf

R I L E Y  started this show off with a bang. He came out on stage repping his own ‘Loss Angeles’ merchandise while performing some of his songs such as “No Limit”, “Prescriptions”, and “Let You Down”. His stage presence as an opening act was amazing, nothing short of the headliner. He came up and showed what it meant to be R I L E Y. The crowd loved it and loved him. He also returned to the stage later on in the evening to join Chase Atlantic during their song “Into It”.

Cherry Pools, consisting of Martin Broda, Talyn Prior and Sean Medeiros, took to the stage next bringing songs from their recently released EP titled “Less Religion More Sex” with them. A few of their songs performed that night consisted of songs like “Are You In Love”, “All The Way” and “Caught In The Stars”. Cherry Pools also included an incredible cover of “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson in their set which drove the crowd absolutely wild. They were high energy and connected with the crowd extremely well.

Chase Atlantic is made up of Mitchel Cave, Clinton Cave, and Christian Anthony along with long time touring members Pat Wilde and Jesse Boyle. The Chase Atlantic sound is a unique combination of genres which in turn creates a diverse atmosphere at their live shows. Previously I have only seen them on tours they weren’t headlining such as opening for Lights on the We Were Here Tour and rocking the only.fm stage during the 2018 run of Vans Warped Tour. Seeing them now on their own worldwide headlining tour was a new experience that felt familiar in all of the best ways, but new and better at the same time.

This show was nothing short of a party. A great party in fact. I’m not a stranger to seeing Chase Atlantic live and they continue to bring an insane presence to the stage. Chase Atlantic has a one of a kind presence not only on stage but also off. These guys are no stranger to performing and that’s what keeps myself and many other fans coming back for more. They brought a lot of songs from their self-titled album to the stage with them including “Okay”, “Triggered”, “The Walls” and more. Also included on their set list were some recent releases such as “YOU TOO.”, “Tidal Wave” and “Numb to the Feeling”. The upbeat and high energy feel of their songs kept the crowd on their feet and going all night.

All of these artists are wildly talented and they definitely know how to put on an incredible show. If you’re ever in need of new music to listen to, be sure to check out Chase Atlantic, Cherry Pools and R I L E Y on your preferred streaming service and try to catch them in a city near you!

New Video/ Song from King Complex: Falling For You

"Falling For You" is the first in a new string of releases from Florida-based electronic-rock duo King Complex. The dark, suspenseful energy of the song translates into a thrilling video that catches people off guard in the best way possible. Brimming with electric energy, the group blends dance-rousing anthems with the mysterious allure of a sensory-heavy live show. Bridging the gap between electronic-driven pop and aggressive rock, King Complex tactfully flirts with mainstream styles while preserving their signature sound. Within the next few weeks, fans can be on the lookout for another new song.

Watch the Music Video HERE

Connect with King Complex

Website / Instagram / Twitter

Elesa Marmo - New single "Strawberry Candy"

Recorded/produced by Greg Almeida of VISTA, Her sound blends together elements of pop, electronic, and acoustic to create a unique mix.

“This song I wanted to be really fun and just completely sarcastic. I wanted to capture the feeling of being “ghosted” but in a whole other view where instead of making the person upset it sort of gives them a reason to keep trying. I brought this song to Greg Almeida who produced the track, with just a voice memo of my vocal melody and some piano chords and we sat in his room and just made the song come alive and we experimented with different sounds and sound bites like the dial tones and phone operator voice.”

-Elesa Marmo

Listen to “Strawberry Candy” HERE

Connect With Elesa

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Sarah And The Safe Word - New EP - "Red Hot & Holy"

Since taking Atlanta by storm in 2017 with the release of their debut full-length Strange Doings in the Night, Sarah & the Safe Word has been up to no good. After playing the Vans Warped Tour in 2017 at the personal request of founder Kevin Lyman, guest appearing on the CW show The Originals, opening for national touring acts like Motionless in White, booking independent tours across the United States, and headlining their own sold-out Atlanta shows, this 7-piece group has been brewing up something sinister in their basement. Now, they’re prepared to unleash their melodically macabre experiment onto an unsuspecting music scene.

Sarah & the Safe Word are a band used to turning “What the fuck is this" into “This is fucking awesome.” Whether playing to an audience of 200 or 2000, their unique twist to the standard rock formula—which includes a violinist, violist, and double keyboards—often endears them to unfamiliar audiences. Their queer and POC-positive lineup also means that Sarah and the Safe Word are a band for everybody, and they believe strongly that their shows should remain a safe, inclusive space for anyone who attends.

Red Hot & Holy fulfills the promise only hinted at by previous releases. Each song is an explosive cinematic adventure, careening from breakneck demon-powered race cars (“Formula 666”), to swashbuckling pirate battles on the open sea (“Dead Girls Tell No Tales”), and back down home to the swampy, Southern marshes of revenge (“Lit Cigarette”). With a sound that speaks nostalgically of days gone by and a future that never came, Sarah & the Safe Word can safely guarantee a live experience like no other. They enthusiastically encourage all listeners, young and old, to prepare themselves for cabaret, vaudevillian antics, Southern gothicism, demented gospel, dark pop, and—of course—blistering rock and roll.

For fans of Panic! At the Disco, Halsey, My Chemical Romance, and Banks. 

Twitter / Instagram / Facebook

Show Review & Photo Gallery: The Wombats

Photos & Review: Mika Earley

The Wombats carry something timeless.  Though they officially formed in 2003, their music sounds as if it has been around for decades longer.  Opener Barns Courtney embodies this tendency towards perpetual youth. He infused the audience with an infectious energy that extended beyond the space of seven songs.  The crowd was nearly jumping out of their skin to shout lyrics back at him, learning the choruses to songs that they likely searched for and downloaded after getting back home.  Under the guise of a shiny optimistic sound, The Wombats transitioned into themes that Courtney began to touch on with “Fire”. “Cheetah Tongue” encapsulated this duality that can emerge alongside coming of age.  This time will not always follow a clear or predictable trajectory that can be romanticized into a palatable story. And yet that did not discourage The Wombats from trying. Following this line of thought the show transformed into more of a party with each song, culminating as a horde of wombat mascots that swarmed the stage.

Check out The Wombats on tour here:

Photo Gallery: Joywave & Sir Sly

Photos & Review: Mika Earley

Sir Sly has been bumping around the indie music circuit since 2013 with “Gold and Ghost”.  The year after brought You Haunt Me as their first extended play.  Don’t You Worry, Honey arrived in 2017 with an added energy that translates into a spirited live show.  

There is something unmistakable about Landon Jacobs’ voice in this setting. It became surreal in combination with the sweeping instrumentation of bandmates Jason Suwito and Hayden Coplen.  Their set alternated between the contemplative wistfulness of early releases and radio favorites like “&Run” and “High”, held together with a thread of psychedelia. A giant light up brain pulsated on beat in the background, seeming almost alive.  Such cerebral imagery underscored another recurring thread of the night: how experiencing Sir Sly live felt simultaneously like an individual journey and collective exploration.

Joywave catapulted the crowd into a sea of light and sound, beginning with the appropriately titled “Blastoffff”.  From there the fervor increased exponentially, fed by blinking signs flanking either side of the stage with instructions such as “listen”, “welcome”, “talk”, and “applause”.  An equally powerful air of nostalgia intertwined with this excitement because “Tongues” was one of the first songs I ever heard on an alternative station, something I can pinpoint as a key part of cultivating my investment in music.  Especially on their most recent album Content, Joywave mulls over the complicated relationship people have with each other and technology.  It shines through live with their self-aware, grandiose visuals. These emphasize just how much of a fabrication each performances is, while also serving as a foil to the genuine vulnerability of the accompanying songs.

Grab tickets here to check out these two amazing bands!

Photo Gallery: Maggie Rogers

Photo Gallery:Elena Strawn

Grab tickets to see Maggie below!

Photo Gallery: MAX, Nina Nesbitt, EZI (Kansas City, MO)

Photo Gallery & Review By:Haley Pagenkopf

On October 28th, MAX brought his House of Divine tour to Kansas City, Missouri with Nina Nesbitt and EZI opening the show up. You may know of MAX from his song “Gibberish” which featured Hoodie Allen, his time on Nickelodeon in ‘How To Rock’ or perhaps you’ve heard him on the radio at some point this year with his hit song “Lights Down Low” featuring gnash.

However, if you’re someone that hasn’t heard of him yet or hasn’t seen him live, I highly recommend you give him a listen. The energy and the presence he brings to the stage is like that of no other, it’s truly an experience you have to be apart of at least once in your life. From the amazing blue tinsel jacket to the toe-touches and cartwheels I got to witness, I was in awe for the duration of the show. MAX is quite a unique and incredible artist and his stage presence tops that. His personality and spirit shines brighter than the beautiful clothes on his body and I am so unbelievably fortunate to have been apart of this show and experience it all for myself. 

EZI

EZI and Nina Nesbitt started the night off on a roll. EZI warmed the crowd up by singing songs off of her EP titled “Afraid of The Dark” along with her newest single titled “Need You Like That.” A memorable moment from EZI’s set was her cover of “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, a song nearly the entire audience knew by heart.

Nina Nesbitt

As for Nina, her songs such as “Loyal to Me”, “The Best You Had” and “The Moments I’m Missing” were a few of the songs she decided to play. Nina also created a very personal atmosphere when she let the audience decide on which cover she was going to sing with the options being “Cry Me A River” by Justin Timberlake or “Toxic” by Britney Spears. Nina being the great artist she is sang both for the audience after the choices of which song to sing were split. Both of these women performed great opening for MAX and even made a reappearance on stage during MAX’s last song of the night.

MAX

MAX brought a lot of songs from his album “Hell’s Kitchen Angel” to the stage such as “Holla”, “One More Weekend”, “Basement Party” and closed the show with “Mug Shot”. Although, I loved the classics, MAX brought a few new songs to light on stage including “Still New York” and “Worship.” As if the show couldn’t get any better, the infamous duo Party Pupils which includes members MAX and Ryan Siegel also had their time in the spotlight for a portion of the show. Party Pupils has released covers of some of our favorite jams including those such as as “Ms.Jackson” originally performed by OutKast and “Pony” originally performed by Ginuwine, both of which were performed at the show.

If you haven’t given MAX or Party Pupils a chance yet I suggest it would be very wise of you to go ahead and give them a listen on a streaming device of your choice. I promise it won’t be a waste of your time. The House Of Divine Tour is on the road until mid-November so try to catch a show and enjoy the presence of MAX and his incredibly talented tour mates in a city near you!

Show Review: Years & Years

Photo Gallery & Review By: Kian Earley

Years & Years are a group I have wanted to see live since high school.  I remember the exact moment when I first discovered them. Four years later, I finally got to experience their music in person.  Arriving hours before doors meant there were only a handful of people in line, the most dedicated fans. As we waited various band members and crew passed through the venue, us holding our breath waiting to see if frontman Olly Alexander would make an appearance.  He stopped for a few moments when he saw the line on his way back from an errand, chatting, taking photos, and even making a point to greet the people who were too timid to approach him first.

By the time doors arrived, the little group at the front of the line had been talking for awhile.  We exchanged socials and promised to save each other a spot at barricade if one of us got held up with security. The anticipation reached a near fever pitch after we saw the stage setup, empty for now but carrying the promise of a glittering headline performance.  Jess Kent started the evening, occupying center stage by herself with only a guitar and small electronic setup as accompaniment. Her set intercut soft acoustics with charged electronic riffs, the latter of which transitioned seamlessly into CYN.

That is the alias of Cynthia Nabozny, an artist on the brink of becoming a household name.  With only a handful of singles officially released, she more than held her own as the interlude between Kent and Years & Years.  Her bright, confessional pop effortlessly captivated the almost one thousand person crowd. The electric energy radiating from onstage was palpable, making the melancholy performance of “I’ll Still Have Me” especially resonant.  Its quiet sadness provided a necessary antithesis to the infatuating rush of the love stories in other parts of her discography.

Olly Alexander had completely transformed by the time he strode onstage.  Gone was the quiet, soft spoken man from earlier. In his place was a natural born performer who was instantly magnetic from the moment he started singing.  While Alexander is the face of Years & Years, Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen are the backbone without which it would be incomplete.  Their lush, tropical production gives songs an effervescent heartbeat, also forming the framework for the mythology of Palo Santo.  “Sanctify” introduced both the show and this world, bookended by the final encore of “King”.  Posts I saw afterwards from people I met in line all echoed what I personally felt: this show nearly defied description, exceeding expectations in every possible way.