Browsing Tag

blues

Ryan Bowen and the Non-Player Characters got something, even if you’ve got nothing.

Ryan Bowen and the Non-Player Characters know how to forge a sound, taking elements of blues, punk-rock, and gritty classic sounds, there’s a lot happening here. Their newest track “You Got Nothing” is a two-fisted warning to the unwanted and annoying – it’s the kind of song we’d all sing to those individuals who deserve a punch in the face, but never receive one because of things like “social norms.”

Grungy distorted rhythm guitars start the song. I assume that Ryan Bowen is the lead singer (but the way band names are created, we never know), and his tone is fantastic – think David Bowe’s 70’s era style mixed with a mild folk/blues character, processed like singing through a megaphone and you sort of have the aural image of what it sounds like. The rhythm section is tight on the level of a sailor’s knot. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the fantastic guitar solo; it’s melodic and sharp and breaks the character of the song somewhat in a way that ramps up the energy when the main themes return, making the track “You Got Nothing” the right kind of journey in a world full of cookie-cut pop-songs.

I was pleased to find out that these folks are somewhat local to me, they reside in Portland, Oregon, whereas I live in a small town about three hours south (I might have to make the trek north to check out a show). But upon reflection, I’m not that surprised. Portland is known for its artistic scene and this kind of refined yet against-the-grain sound is as native to Oregon as the Nike corporation and it’s good that Ryan Bowen and the NPCs are making us proud.

Check them out on IG and listen to the track on Spotify.

Wanna Run Round With Me: The Good Dudes drops bluesy kiss-filled Taste of Me

Knowing that sweet talking will only go so far, The Good Dudes reminds us we can be happy if we say those words which might drive a new lover’s ears wild on Taste of Me.

The Good Dudes is a south Louisiana-raised 8-piece blues/pop/rock-fusion outfit who reminds us of that timeless sound which will get many dancing like the 70s again.

Since making their full-length debut in 2019, the band has played Festival International de Louisiane, toured the southeast, and continued to grow their devoted fanbase.” ~ The Good Dudes

Floating into our minds with something rather accomplished on the ears, The Good Dudes untangles the seaweed of the world off our bodies like a lifeguard and urges us to move onto happier seas with a twinkle in the eye.

Taste of Me from south Louisiana-raised 8-piece blues/pop/rock-fusion band The Good Dudes is a terrific song made with so much soul and love. This is proper music. There is genuine substance on offer. Real energy. Vocally on point and dipped in a romantic energy to truly lather inside, this is one of the best moving singles of the year so far.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more news on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Love Prevails in Mermaid Avenue’s Indie Alt-Country Single, Darkest Hour

Brisbane’s most amorous indie alt-country outfit, Mermaid Avenue, has testified to the redemptive propensities of love in their latest single, Darkest Hour, taken from their third album, which is due for release in 2023.

The crooned country twang with the heart-wrenchingly executed vibrato in the vocals beside the meandering blues of the guitars and flourishing piano motifs is a potent combination which amplifies the message in the uninhibitedly romantic lyricism to the nth degree.

What Mr Darcy is to literature, Mermaid Avenue is to the airwaves. Any fans of Trudy and the Romance will want to sink into the cinematic sincerity of this serenade time and time again. It’s not country as you’ve known it before; Mermaid Avenue could never be so assimilative in their autonomously scintillating style.

Darkest Hour is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bahrain-based band Hotboxgroove are at their groovy best on Midnight Blooms

With a mysteriously frightening intro that shall stun your senses awake, Hotboxgroove shows us why they’re so highly regarded on the underground with an instrumental gem to play loud right now on Midnight Blooms.

Hotboxgroove is a Bahrain-based indie alternative 6-piece band who fuses together a potent mix of jazz, blues and funky psychedelic to get hearts beating worldwide.

Displaying so much skill and precise timings to solidify a quite outstanding performance, Hotboxgroove has the power to change the mood of the world with a monumental anthem of patience with Midnight Blooms and they certainly deliver. Brimming with a head-nodding style which shall get your soul alive quickly, we find a rather special song waiting to be loved.

Midnight Blooms from Bahrain-based indie alternative 6-piece band Hotboxgroove is a track that might get even the sleepiest souls to awaken from the dead again. Circulating with a world class sound that has so much value in a world with so much sadness, and shall get that blood flow streaming properly again.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cut Me Loose: Danny Smart moves on from a past lover on Unwind

Wishing for a happier time after so much sadness whilst dealing with a shattered romance, Danny Smart puts his smart shirt on and is ready to Unwind from it all with a sensational performance.

Danny Smart is a Barnsley, UK-based blues-rock solo singer-songwriter and music producer who assembles those delicious gems to swim in forever.

I just play guitar and write songs. Sometimes work on big boats.” ~ Danny Smart

Taking us into a whole new world of possibilities when two hearts know the right course, Danny Smart is rather brilliant on Unwind and shall stimulate many emotions we all forgot about.

Unwind from Barnsley, UK-based blues-rock solo singer-songwriter Danny Smart is one of the more memorable tracks which will take you down memory lane. Soaked in with so much care and love, this is a tremendous single which is a fantastic listen and is surely one of the more ear-stirring releases the world is likely to hear in 2022.

Listen up to this fine song on Spotify and view more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Fish in the Sea: Hertfordshire duo Tranquility Beach drops magnificent single Only One

After a memorable 48 second intro to wet our insatiable appetites, Tranquility Beach holds our attention with a masterful display that shall be your new theme song on Only One.

Tranquility Beach is a Hertfordshire, UK-based indie blues duo who makes those authentic gems you can’t help but smile with no matter the time of day.

Formed as a covers band in 2018, they began writing and recording their own material in 2019. Their music fuses Molly’s soulful vocals with Ben’s guitar and percussion to produce tracks that blend modern rock, blues, folk and soul.” ~ Tranquility Beach

Proving once again that music made from the heart can warm your mood, Tranquility Beach are rather spellbinding and takes us on a ride that will awaken your precious soul from hiding.

Only One from Hertfordshire, UK-based indie blues band Tranquility Beach is a rather revved up single which might get your head nodding like it was 1999 again. Wrapped in a timeless authenticity that teases our ears awake. we have stumbled upon a truly outstanding single that has a cinematic excellence.

There are many fish in the sea if you look hard enough.

Listen up loud on Spotify and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

SRVR unleashed a debut of spacey blues with their alt-rock release, Birdman

In response to America’s political decline, the South London producers and songwriters Sidney Rivers and Vincent Rogue merged their visionary creativity under the moniker SRVR and released their art-rock debut, Birdman.

Converging bluesy guitars and spacey textures in the soulfully gospel-esque production, there’s a subversive surrealism to the release, making it more than fitting for the 2022 airwaves. With Rob Wilks (Foals, Florence and the Machine, Lianne La Havas) at the mixing desk, Birdman spread its wings as a cathartically compelling sensory experience that everyone with an affinity for the Avant Garde will want to aurally revel in.

With their debut LP due for release in early 2023, save a space on your radars.

Birdman will officially release on September 14th. Stream it on SoundCloud or watch the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Been Let Down Before: Todd Michael Chapman knows that she doesn’t want to be lonely again on The One

Wondering if he can actually be that light to change how his new lover views relationships, Todd Michael Chapman sees her eyes close softly as he holds her so tight on his passionate new romantic release, The One.

Todd Michael Chapman is a Western New York-based indie rock/blues single-songwriter who performs from the heart and got his start when he was just 7 years old.

All thanks to his aunt who gifted him his first guitar when he was a wide-eyed young fella looking for a wholesome path, Todd Michael Chapman shows us his pure respect for a woman who he truly cares for. Wanting to be that special soul who shows her that love is actually possible in this seemingly forget-quick world, this is a vital reminder that a close bond is possible if you both want it enough.

The One from Western New York-based indie rock/blues artist Todd Michael Chapman is a vintage-like single from an underground storyteller who has dropped a song that so many will relate to. Packed with a pure vocal skill that is undeniably authentic, you will feel your heart jumpstart like a cold car on this gem.

When two souls connect and vow to leave the past where it belongs, the power of love can overcome it all.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Play The Fool: Robert John Hanson knows that its hard to breathe sometimes in that Crowded Room

After stirring up our senses with a quality performance on Blue Cocktail, Robert John Hanson takes that one-more-dance with someone who will hopefully not leave any mental scars on Crowded Room.

Robert John Hanson is a hugely experienced Liverpool, UK-born, Rhode Island, USA-based indie blues singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer.

Hanson has lived in L.A. and New York where he played with Spinal Reflex and Grandma Tootle.” ~ Robert John Hanson describing his career so far

Filling our beating hearts with a reminder of what can be if you take a chance sometimes, Robert John Hanson returns with a top single, which will encourage many to speak up when a connection is felt inside that stuffy room. Packed with terrific vocals and his storytelling brilliance that will have you sensing you are listening to an underground legend who deserves more love.

Crowded Room from Liverpool, UK-born, Rhode Island, USA-based indie blues singer-songwriter Robert John Hanson is a late night single for anyone who needs to believe that there is actually a chance. With true love seemingly hard to find, this is a dreamy single that will get you knocking on the door of your heart again, to see if there is anything romantic left in your soul after so many disappointments.

Sung with his signature deep tone that will make many swoon in delight, showing us that classic music still has a place for those who desire something with actual substance.

Hear this fine release on Spotify and see more on his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Arbor Creek gave us the Chicago blues in their old school rock n roll single, Make Your Mind Up

Keeping the wheels turning on rock n roll, deep from Chicago’s south suburbs, Arbor Creek is set to release their debut album, Thanks for Wading, featuring the nostalgically bluesy hit, Make Your Mind Up.

Immune to the allure of modern rock gimmicks, Arbor Creek is committed to keeping the warm overdriven vintage tones of rock n roll alive, and pouring soul into each of their tracks which are sure to appeal to any fans of The Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and Buddy Guy. For the outro, Make Your Mind Up gives John Bonham a run for his legendary money; the nostalgically rich progressive single keeps on giving as it gradually builds in saturated analog momentum.

Thanks for Wading will officially release on August 26th. Check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast