AOW is back to offer another dose of quality artists that deserve your attention. First up is a returning group to the AOW feature with the excellent lo-fi of Phili’s Von Hayes. Then we get much darker with a space trip of heavy psych melded with grunge from Bristol’s Yo No Se. Lastly, we visit … Read more
How about some new tunes? TFN offers up a new soft voice on the indie scene with Pasadena’s Charley Hickey, shoegazy 80’s synth rock from Manchester’s Saccades and some fantastic lo-fi out of The Fragiles Philadelphia basement! Charley HickeyPasadena, California Twenty-one year old Pasadena-based artist Charlie Hickey has his debut EP, Count The Stairs, set … Read more
AOW is ready to officially kick of 2021 with three completely different artists. This week finds Montreal’s Bell Orchestre making a return after 10 years with a mesmerizing new record, a rising artist out of Phoenix named Danielle Durack and the cool home-recording out of New York from Black Nash. So far 2021 has already … Read more
AOW is full of great music again! This week showcases the talents of Caleb Cordes and his band Sinai Vessel. Power psych rock is always welcomed and this week it is coming from Belgium’s The WRS. Finally, the excellent four-track recordings from Canada’s Christo Graham. No time like the present to pick up some new … Read more
Ground Aswim — the second album from Sinai Vessel — the band turned solo project of 27-year-old Caleb Cordes (he/him) is out now. The sound of Sinai Vessel has always evolved alongside Cordes’s life. As the band’s sole constant creator, Cordes wrapped bright indie-rock guitar tones over the wistfully earnest Labor Pains (2011) and paired … Read more
Love Coma Love ComaSelf-Released [2020] Evidently, San Antonio, TX-band, Love Coma have some unfinished business. Formed in the early 90’s by Chris Taylor, Matt Slocum, and Chris Dodds, they released an album on the indie label Etcetera Records, Soul Rash in ’93. Slocum departed shortly to start the band Sixpence None the Richer with singer … Read more
How about some artists to check out before the weekend. This week Chicago’s Miranda Winters shows off her solo talents away from her band Melkbelly, we have some great collective soul from Kansas City in The Freedom Affair and to wrap things up moving to the west coast with indie rock from Portland’s Floating Room. … Read more
Another week – another three artists to check out! Hailing from Melbourne, Australia we have found a great post-punk group in Moth, from Toronto the veteran DIY band Teenanger has a fun new album and finally SPAZA returns from Johannesburg, South Africa with a powerful new record that will make you reflect on your every … Read more
Ready for some new tunes?! Transmitting from Sydney is the exciting lo-fi fuzz of Daughter Bat And The Lip Stings, calling from London is the reggae R&B soul from Liam Bailey and lastly the return of Los Angeles’ Jack Name. When you get a chance make sure to: Discover, Support, Share! Daughter Bat And The … Read more
AOW’s goal is to always help our readers find at least one new artist for their playlist and hopefully their physical collection. Today, all the way from Dublin, TFN is featuring the debut from Pillow Queens, out of Ohio and from the ashes of Buffalo Killers we get The Gabbard Brothers and finally coming to … Read more
Lo Tom LP2Self-Released [2020] Lo Tom’s 2017 eponymously-titled debut proved an unexpected delight. In an age of political and emotional dysfunction, it just felt so good to hear these long-time friends and musical collaborators get together in the garage with their guitars, turn up the amps and let it rip. Singer David Bazan of course … Read more
Chris Taylor Born On The BeatSelf-Released [2020] Chris Taylor, a San Antonio artist, both a singer/songwriter and painter, is exemplary of how real indie rock artists (not those bands we call “indie rock” even though they’re signed to a major label) are struggling to get by, made all the more “interesting” by the current global … Read more
The Lees Of MemoryMoon ShotSelf-Released [2020] There is something really refreshing and energizing about the latest The Lees Of Memory record Moon Shot. For all of those unfamiliar, The Lees of Memory is an indie rock trio featuring Superdrag co-founders John Davis and Brandon Fisher along with drummer Nick Slack. Moon Shot now represents the … Read more
Weiwu Are You Perfect Yet?Self-Released [2020] Weiwu is the name chosen by Michael Gungor, as he steps away from the contemporary Christian music band that he led with his wife, Gungor, to explore both a broader, more expansive musical and spiritual realm, which for lack of better genre definition has been loosely labeled as “New … Read more
Paul Melancon The Get Gos Action Hour!Self-Released [2020] Atlanta-based, power-pop indie rock artist, Paul Melancon released a number of full-length albums in the early 2000’s to a modicum of local success, even touring with the Indigo Girls. But then, as he described in this new album’s Kickstarter campaign, he went radio silent due to “severe … Read more
Kip & JJ Loui Show Me StateSelf-Released [2020] Show Me State is a country rock/Americana love letter from songwriters and spouses, Kip & JJ Loui to their home state of Missouri, with music support from members of The Bottle Rockets and Loui’s local club band, Diesel Island. Kip Loui has been a significant presence in … Read more
Red Dirt Boys Red Dirt BoysSelf-Released [2020] Emmylou Harris has a way of picking great back-up players for her band. Nevermind that she sang with Graham Parsons, Mark Knopfler and nearly every major country and Americana act in the last b decades, but back in the day she had the Hot Band with James Burton … Read more
Andy HampelNightshiftSelf-Released [2020] There is nothing better right now than being able to complete some long overdue projects with the extra time we have staying at home. For Andy Hampel, that solitude has produced his first solo record, Nightshift. Who is Andy Hampel you ask? He is a current member of Columbus Ohio’s lo-fi indie … Read more
Ty SegallSegall SmeagolSelf-Released [2020] I can’t name many good things so far that have come out of self-isolation but this new free EP from Ty Segall will be near the top of my list. Segall Smeagol offers 6 cover cuts from singer Harry Nilsson’s 1971 classic Nilsson Schmilsson. Ty states that he has wanted to … Read more
Sleepies Time v PleasureSelf-Released [2020] Who: Sleepies awake from their three year hiatus to deliver a unique take on their sound. Sound: Sleepies branch off from their established jangly post-punk sound and dive into the early years of stripped-down post-punk with stunning results. I have been a fan of Sleepies since I heard the herky-jerky … Read more
Chris Taylor Lovers, Thieves, Fools + Pretenders Self-Released [2019] Album Review: While I’ve been a fan and acquaintance of San Antonio singer/songwriter, band leader and visual artist Chris Taylor for more than two decades, I have to admit when I recently checked out his bandcamp page, it was immediately obvious that he’s a lot more … Read more
Patty Griffin Patty Griffin Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: On her 10th studio album, singer/songwriter Patty Griffin has created an intimate, passionate recording centered around her singular artistic vision and beautiful voice. Album Review: Folk singer/songwriter, Patty Griffin’s songs on her self-titled 10th studio album are so intimate and quietly impactful, that you might forget … Read more
Peter Rogan Still Tryin’ To Believe Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist, Peter Rogan creates his first album with the help of the Red Dirt Boys, resulting in soulful light rock and blues. Album Review: The very existence of this album by Reading, PA singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Rogan should be an encouragement to anyone who’s … Read more
Plains Peace in Restland Self-Released [2019] Who: Plains are a Newmarket, New Hampshire-based quartet . Sound: Peace in Restland, Plains debut LP, is an engaging blend of psychedelic Americana folk and punk. TFN Final Take: I decided to check out Plains on a whim after seeing their name on a show poster as a supporting … Read more
Three Merry Widows I Was The Moon Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: St. Louis folk rock band, Three Merry Widows reunites after 28 years to produce their sophomore album, a collection of mature folk rock songs that will leave you wanting more. Album Review: Once upon a time, the early 90’s to be exact, in … Read more