The Black Keys New Single - Lonely Boy!

The Black Keys are releasing a new album, El Camino, December 6th and considering how much I loved the first one I know that I will love this one. They released their first single today titled "Lonely Boy." Watch the video and witness some sweet dance moves.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Anticipation

Its only a few more days until Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco and in anticipation of my first time going I've been knee deep in live Punch Brothers videos as well as created a Spotify playlist of all the artist performing this weekend. Enjoy!

My Spotify playlist! Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Punch Brothers Youtube Playlist: Click Here

Katie Herzig - New Music Video and New Album Out Today!

Katie Herzig, who has been featured here before, has a new album out today titled The Waking Sleep. She also released the new video for her first single on the album "Free My Mind" which you can watch below. Katie has a wonderful folk but also quirky pop sound that makes her music unique and a joy to listen to. You can't help but tap your toes to her songs. If you like artist like Sia or Ingrid Michaelson you will love Katie Herzig! You can buy the album on iTunes,  Amazon or her website.

Katie Herzig - Free My Mind from Katie Herzig on Vimeo.

Apparently for this video 2000 post-its, 300 Q-tips, and 3,000 glue dots were used in the making of this video.

Mutemath's new single Odd Soul!

Mutemath is one of my top 5 favorite bands. I also think they are one of the top 5 underrated bands as well. Finally a few weeks ago I was able to see them live for the first time and I was thoroughly impressed. They played almost all new songs and put on a great show. The drummer has to tape his headphones to his head so they don't fly off while he is playing. That's when you know you are doing it right.

I got the courage to go up to Paul Meany, the lead singer, and tell him how much I loved their music. I always feel like a music nerd doing that but it had to be done. They needed to know. Paul was so nice. I actually forgot to say my name when I introduced myself and so he asked me and asked us all questions about ourselves. They have a new album coming out titled Odd Soul in the next month or two and I can tell you that its going to be one of their best. So far the two singles included the title track Odd Soul have been released and I am loving them. Check out the music video below!

Kimbra - Good Intent (New Official Video)

If its not already obvious I'm a huge fan of New Zealand singer Kimbra. She's only 21 but her voice and talent goes well beyond her age. This new music video is just fabulous. Eagerly awaiting the album's release in the U.S.! Check out the video for Settle Down as well!

New Video From Andrew Belle - Ladder

Absolutely loving this new video that just came out from Andrew Belle. I particularly love the part when he uses his vest as a parachute. Vests are more then just stylish these days...

Charlie Hardin's Kickstarter Campaign- Be A Part Of Making An Album!

We stream it. We steal it. We "borrow" it from friends. We buy it. How about actually being a part of making it? Well with Kickstarter you have that chance. Artist from all over the country are using Kickstarter to raise money to record albums while allowing their fans and supporters to be a part of the process. The best part is that you are not just donating. You get something in return and you can tell people you helped make that album happen. Charlie Hardin out of Nashville is in the middle of his Kickstarter campaign to raise money to record his first album. If you remember Charlie was featured here way back and was actually my first ever artist interview. Its been a joy to watch how his music career is unfolding and I've also had the pleasure of hearing a few of the new song demos and let me tell you that so far they are amazing. I got back with Charlie to hear more about the new album and Kickstarter. Check out our convo and make sure to visit the Kickstarter page and if you want to support the arts support Charlie!

1. So Charlie, your Kickstarter is off and running for the new album. Can you tell us a little about what Kickstarter is and how it works?

It is indeed off and running! Kickstarter is a sweet platform for artists such as myself to fund projects. A person can choose to pledge any amount of money, and in return they will be given a reward if the goal is reached (if it's not reached, then you don't get the rewards and you are not charged for your pledge). I was recently discussing the whole thing with my friend Will - at first he was under the impression that is was like running a donations-based fundraiser. I don't care for that description because it seems to infer that people are involved in a one-sided transaction. With Kickstarter, nobody gets nothing in return for something. Every person who pledges not only will receive a cool Thank-You for their support (like a signed copy of the album, or their name in the liner notes or their initials tattooed on my body), but more importantly, by backing this project, they become part of it's history. When you choose to back this record, you are literally becoming a valuable part of it getting made. I'm going to love delivering every one of my supporters their rewards, but the best part will be giving them the completed record, because we have all been a part of making it.


2. How long have you been waiting to make this album?

It's been about 2 and a half years since my last release, but it really feels like I've been building up to this record my entire life, frankly. I will have a great deal more creative control with this record, and will be recording material spanning about 4 or 5 years. I have been very fortunate to make many kinds of recordings in the last decade or so, but I am most excited to really express what I've been given with this go-round. There are some very important family stories that I wasn't able to tell last time, which I'm really excited about. One that has been with me for a while is "John David", about my late identical twin brother, which has been a favorite for several years. I've recorded it before, but never officially released it. That's a song that has apparently touched a lot of folks for a while, so letting it fully come to life is going to be a priority. Another favorite (at least of mine) is called "Invention". I've done demos of it a few times, but the most recent one was possibly the closest I've ever come to putting on tape what I actually wanted in my impressionistic brain! I've listened to it a ton of times. How vain! It's based on a dream I had a while back where I had built a time machine involving a 2" reel-to-reel tape deck in this basement, and I traveled back in to a time before my mother suffered from the mental illness that plagued her during her later years. It was such a vivid dream, and the recording, even in demo form, has this amazing dreamlike quality. I just can't wait for everyone to hear it.

3. How has the recording process gone for you so far?

At this moment, we've mostly been doing demos and deciding which songs to use - pretty early on in the actual recording process, but it's already surprising me. The success we experienced with "Invention" has really got my blood moving. I can't wait to see what we come up with when we really dig in to the process.

4. Has your music changed since your previous released recordings? Do you feel like your style has changed or developed over the last year?

Sure, I absolutely do. It's taken me a long time to feel comfortable with the rock and roll side of what we play, and the last record was not taken in that direction. Of course, I listen to stuff I've been recording since college or high school or before that, and it always has this feeling of "did I know what that sounded like when I did it?" In a sense, I feel more like myself as a writer and a performer than I've ever felt. I have always had a weakness for epic sounds and melancholy themes, I feel the way that sounds differently than I have before. Still big, but not too glossy. Still personal, but not unnecessary.

5. Once the album is out do you plan on hitting the road and touring?

I do! Most of the touring will likely be in the spring, but I will start circling the wagons in the fall. Part of the Kickstarter is the option for people to buy a personal concert, so those will be my first priority.

Charlie Hardin's Kickstarter!

Hope you enjoyed Charlie and all his plaid glory. Check out the campaign and help an artist bring a dream into reality.