Tag Archives | rock

Nashville-Based Rock Band SWEETTALKER Releases “Black Magic” In Time For Halloween

By on October 29, 2017 in artist spotlight, Music, The Latest

Nashville-based roots rock band, SWEETTALKER, just released a new single, “Black Magic”, on October 26th.

The dark, riffy, hard driving rock song is a nod back to timeless classic rockers, punk and psychedelic rock bands.  The song is about being unable to shake the “spell” that an ex-lover casts upon you as they re-appear in your life just when you least expect it never quite allowing you to forget them as you are drawn back into their “web”.  Something I think most can relate to if you have ever had an ex you find difficult to get over when they keep re-appearing in your life.

They first hit the Nashville scene in early 2016, and can best be described as root rock revival of warm and vintage sounds filled with hard driving guitar riffs.

SWEETTALKER got their name from the mom of one of the band members saying out of frustration that they would probably become a car salesman one day because could sweet talk their way out of almost anything or into it as a young kid.  Looking for a catchy name, it just seemed to be the perfect fit for the band and it stuck.

SWEETTALKER have spent the past two years touring all over the Southeast and Midwest U.S., honing their craft and growing their fanbase.

Catch them in a city near you as they set out in support of their new single, “Black Magic”.

Listen to SWEETTALKER’s new single “Black Magic”– https://soundcloud.com/swttlkr/black-magic/s-xF9s6

For more information on SWEETTALKER, please visit:  http://www.sweettalker.co

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Nashville-Based Southern Rock Band SWEETTALKER Set To Release New Track “BLACK MAGIC” On October 27

By on October 16, 2017 in In The Press

SWEETTALKER’s newest single, “Black Magic”, is a driver, to say the least. With moments of reverence to the classics like Aerosmith, AC/DC and even The Beatles, “Black Magic” very much has a no-prisoners agenda of its own and will have your head banging in no time. “Black Magic” is set to release on digital platforms, Friday, October 27th, right in time for Halloween.

“We wanted to put something out that we could let loose on- a real jammer.” says guitarist, Ryan Pattengale, who wrote and produced the song with lead singer and bandmate, David Brown. “It’s about that thing that drives you crazy and keeps you up at night. Good or evil, it’s got you and you know it.”

SWEETTALKER is kicking off a string of tour dates in support of “Black Magic” later this month with stops including St. Louis, MO; Marion, IL as direct support for rising country music singer, Kendell Marvel; and Knoxville, TN where they will share the stage with fellow Nashville rockers, The Weeks.

About SWEETTALKER:

Nashville based Roots Rock band SWEETTALKER has made quite an impact since landing onto the Music City scene in 2016. Their very melodic, yet almost involuntarily rambunctious tone showcases the band’s young gun persona as it sweetly bleeds through an overall warm, vintage sound.

The band has spent the past two years touring all over the Southeast and Midwest U.S. since debuting their first single and music video for “Jenny,” which garnered attention from industry publications like Highlight Magazine- being cited as highly entertaining, energetic and filled with dirty riffs. The band goes back to the roots of their sound, creating aggressive rock tones mixed with hardheaded and relentless emotion.

SWEETTALKER has been out on the road this past summer promoting their latest release, “’95”– a track described by Nashville music blog, East of 8th, as a “feel-good, late-summer anthem [that] is heartland rock at its finest.”

The group is currently gearing up for their next single, “Black Magic”. SWEETTALKER’s upcoming music video for “Black Magic” is set to release on October 26th while the song will be released digitally on Friday, October 27th.

For more information on SWEETTALKER, please visit: http://www.sweettalker.co

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Jade Jackson Announces Summer Tour Dates With Social Distortion

By on May 13, 2017 in In The Press

Country rock sensation Jade Jackson is set to release her anticipated debut album Gilded on May 19th via Anti-. The young California singer-songwriter, described as “part Hank Williams, part The Smiths” by Bluegrass Situation, was featured on the newest installment of the Walking The Floor podcast hosted by Foo Fighter guitarist Chris Shiflett.

Listen here: http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/jade-jackson-chris-shiflett-talk-california-mike-ness-w481165

Jackson was also just profiled in the Huffington Post, which writes, “ For a young woman with a healthy appetite for life and a musical menu filled with enticing possibilities, Jackson and her delicious debut album should leave even a moody foodie with the most discerning taste craving for seconds.”

Read here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/with-debut-album-jade-jackson-finally-getting-a-taste_us_59112fd1e4b056aa2363d888

Jackson’s debut album Gilded was produced by Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and powerfully merges the unflinching honesty and melodies of Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris with the raw energy of a musician influenced equally by George Jones, Hank Williams, The Cure and The Gun Club.

Jackson has just announced a series of live dates opening for Social Distortion.

Live Dates W/Social Distortion

July 22, 2017 The Depot  Salt Lake City, UT
July 25, 2017 Liberty Hall  Lawrence, KS
July 26, 2017 Palace Theatre Saint Paul, MN
July 28, 2017 The Riverside Theater Milwaukee, WI
July 29, 2017 Bogart’s  Cincinnati, OH
July 30, 2017 Newport Music Hall   Columbus, OH
Aug 1, 2017    House of Blues  Cleveland, OH
Aug 3, 2017    Stage AE  Pittsburgh, PA
Aug 4, 2017    The Fillmore  Philadelphia, PA
Aug 5, 2017    Paramount Theater Huntington, NY
Aug 8, 2017    Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA
Aug 9, 2017    College St. Music Hall  New Haven, CT
Aug 11, 2017 Palladium  Worcester, CT
Aug 12, 2017 Starland Ballroom Sayerville, NJ
Aug 13, 2017 The Fillmore  Silver Spring, MD
Aug 15, 2017 The Norva Theater Norfolk, VA
Aug 18, 2017 The Mill & Mine Knoxville, TN
Aug 19, 2017 The Fillmore  Matthews, NV
Aug 20, 2017 The Ritz  Raleigh, NC
Aug 22, 2017 House of Blues  Myrtle Beach, SC
Aug 23, 2017 Tabernacle    Atlanta, GA
Aug 25, 2017 House of Blues Orlando, FL
Aug 26, 2017 Revolution Live Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Aug 27, 2017 Jannus Landing  Saint Petersburg, FL
Aug 30, 2017 House of Blues   New Orleans, LA
Sept 01, 2017 Concrete St. Pavilion Corpus Christi, TX
Sept 02, 2017 The Aztec Theater  San Antonio, TX
Sept 05, 2017 Tricky Falls  El Paso, TX
Sept 06, 2017 Sunshine Theater Albuquerque, NM
Sept 08, 2017 Doheny State Beach Dana Point, CA

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“Springsteen Of The South” Rick Brantley Releases Today His Newest EP, Starts Tour With Kiefer Sutherland

By on April 14, 2017 in In The Press

0Rock-infused Rick Brantley releases today his newest EP ‘Hi-Fi,’ a six-song project that delves deep into his thoughtful lyrics and rocking energy. ‘Hi-Fi’ is a record of hope: the release features a warm optimism that’s the perfect soul food for our crazy world.

 

 

Rick has been compared to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp by Rolling Stone, and was recently referred to as the “Springsteen of the South.”

 

 

‘Hi-Fi’ is available on iTunes and Spotify. Media can listen here.

 

 

Watch the video for thought-provoking lead single “Hurt People”:

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iw_PHibOY0

 

 

Rick also announces today that he’ll be joining Kiefer Sutherland’s national Not Enough Whiskey Tour beginning May 2 in Solana Beach, CA and wrapping in Asbury Park, NJ. The Georgia native has recently toured opening for Shawn Mullins and John Hiatt.

 

 

Dates for the Not Enough Whiskey Tour with special guest Rick Brantley:

 

May 2 – Belly Up – Solana Beach, CA

 

May 3 – Roxy Theatre – Hollywood, CA

 

May 4 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA

 

May 6 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR

 

May 7 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA

 

May 9 – The Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT

 

May 10 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

 

May 12 – Choctaw Event Center – Hugo, OK

 

May 13 – 3TEN – Austin, TX

 

May 14 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX

 

May 17 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

 

May 18 – Singin’ River Live – Florence, AL

 

May 19 – Exit / In – Nashville, TN

May 20 – Fubar – Saint Louis, MO

 

May 21 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL

 

May 23 – The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA

 

May 25 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY

 

May 26 – The Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY

 

May 27 – The Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ

 

 

 

About Rick Brantley:

 

Rick is a Macon, Georgia native that’s one part introspection and one part rock and roll. His influences include Bruce Springsteen and Guy Clark, and he’s been compared to both Springsteen and John Mellencamp by Rolling Stone. Rick has recently impressed crowds opening for the likes of Shawn Mullins and John Hiatt, and continues to tour with both in 2017.

 

 

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Album Review: Nobody Is Ok By This Is She

By on August 1, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Well, this is a little change of pace from the music we primarily focus on at FOCUS on the 615, which is usually country.  However, good music is just good music and if it’s coming out of Nashville, we will let you know about it if it catches our ears!

This Is She is a rock/pop/electronic/dance band based out of Los Angeles, California with a Nashville connection in lead singer, Alana Grace.  I’ve written about Alana as a solo artist, then when she was part of the group: TOY, now part of This Is She that is made up of 3 of the 4 members from TOY.  Ok, confused already? Don’t be! Just a name change, but same type music if you enjoyed TOY.

This Is She was introduced to a large Nashville audience most recently during the 4th of July celebration at Riverfront Park last month where they were met with rave reviews.  Their music can best be described as a mix of darkly-influenced melodies & lyrics blended with pop, rock, electronic, and dance influences.  You’ll even hear a little dubstep in the mix from time to time.  Led by Alana Grace whose vocals are most reminiscent of Amy Lee from Evanescence.  She is joined by lead guitarist, Christian Paul Meadows, and Ryan Folden on drums, who were both formerly of the band, After Midnight Project.

Check out their video below that was recently featured on the MTV Buzzworthy site:

With their debut EP release entitled Nobody Is Ok, you’ll find a mix of hauntingly-beautiful clear vocals mixed with the darkly-rooted melodies & lyrical themes intertwined with the pulsating constant rhythms, electronic additions/textures, and ambitious guitar licks.  This is not your bubblegum pop, but something that is more refined and geared towards an audience that wants a little more than just a simply good dance beat and simple lyrics that seem to dominate so much of the pop charts lately.  For example, they would not appeal to the same audience that enjoys “Call Me Maybe”.  I would say that a college crowd would be more attuned and appreciative of their music.

My favorite off the album is “Disobey”.  It’s dark, edgy, uptempo with a constant driving rhythm. This one has me hitting the repeat button often.

Check This Is She out at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thisisshemusic and you can buy their music on iTunes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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TOY: THE Band To Watch! A Closer Look @ TOY: Episode 4

By on December 30, 2011 in A Closer Look @, The Latest

Here’s the final episode featuring TOY here on Focus on the 615!  “A Closer Look @ TOY” features live performance clips from here in Nashville at the Mercy Lounge during Jingle Ball on December 5th, 2011, along with an interview to get to know the band better! Be sure to watch the video below!

Trust me on this, THIS IS THE BAND TO WATCH! They are going places and you can be one of the first to discover their music.  Head to their website: www.toymusicbox.com to find out more and hear more great music by TOY!

Also, see these other related articles:

http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/22/a-closer-look-toy-episode-3/
http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/15/a-closer-look-toy-episode-2/
http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/10/a-closer-look-toy-episode-1-and-welcome-matt-williams-to-the-site/
http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/12/album-review-toys-self-titled-debut-release-toy/

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A Closer Look @ TOY: Episode 3

By on December 22, 2011 in A Closer Look @, The Latest

TOYHere’s the 3rd episode in the continuing interview series about pop/rock band, TOY, entitled “A Closer Look @ TOY”.  Featuring live performance clips along with the video interview.

Find out more about TOY at: www.toymusicbox.com.

See these other related articles about TOY:

http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/15/a-closer-look-toy-episode-2/

http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/10/a-closer-look-toy-episode-1-and-welcome-matt-williams-to-the-site/

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10 Questions With Yellowire

By on December 17, 2011 in The Latest

YellowireI had the pleasure of hearing for the first time, Yellowire, at BMI’s “Jingle Ball” showcase on Monday, December 5th. Yellowire is an incredibly talented indy rock band that came all the way from England. All that I know is there was just something magical when they took the stage that made me want to learn more about them! I think if I had to describe their music, I would say a cross between U2, Beck, and Robbie Williams.  Definitely worth a listen!

Yellowire is comprised of Ol Beach (vocals, piano, guitar), Jim Board (guitar), Billy Brimblecom/Adrian Meehan (drums), Greg Lafollette/Simone Butler (bass).

Want to learn more about Yellowire??? Sure you do! Be sure to check out their video and interview below.  Also, find them at their website: www.yellowire.co.uk

Interview With Lead Singer, Ol Beach:

1) Where is your band based out of?

“The band is based mainly out of London.
We all come from different parts of the UK and London is the meeting point now.”

2) How did you come up with the name of your band?

“I was on tour in South Africa supporting Robbie Williams. I met a masseuse with spiritual connections. She told me that was my bands name. I didn’t want to argue.”

Yellowire

Ol Beach of Yellowire

3) When was your band formed and how did you get together?

“We’ve been playing together for a few years now. It’s a very organic process and such a small world of musicians here the line up has been constantly evolving. Everything keeps growing and moving forward. The last dates we had in the US were with a drummer and bass player from Nashville who we met through people. We had one rehearsal and it felt like we’d been playing together for years. I’d be very excited to work with those guys again.”

4) How would you describe your music?

“Indy rock.”

5) Musical influences?

“Influences that go all the way back. The great early players had so much going on. They are very inspiring. We’re just listening and learning all the time. I saw Rachael Yamagata play the other day, she taught me some beautiful lessons.”

6) Do you write your own music?

“Yes.”

7) Any plans for touring?

“Hopefully we’re going to be touring again in the US around March 2012. But we’re looking at some recording in Nashville before then so we might try and have one or two gigs during that time as well. In a perfect world.”

8) New music in the works? When being released and where can people buy?

“We are releasing our album in the US next year. You can pre download it from our website and also i-tunes in the US.”

9) Anything exciting in the works for you coming up in the near future?

“We had a great time doing these dates [Jingle Ball] and hopefully after talking with everybody there will be more to come.”

10) Message to your fans?

“Spread the word and have a great Christmas!”

 

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A Closer Look @ TOY: Episode 2

By on December 15, 2011 in A Closer Look @, The Latest

TOYWell, I’m on a roll lately and pumping out these articles. Let’s continue with the video series “A Closer Look @ TOY”! I think you’ll like this pop/rock band.  You’ll have to forgive my camerawork during the interview part.  I couldn’t seem to keep it steady! lol

Anyway, check out TOY in the video below.  Also, find their website  at: www.toymusicbox.com and interact with them on their Facebook page, too: www.facebook.com/officialtoymusic

Related articles:

http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/10/a-closer-look-toy-episode-1-and-welcome-matt-williams-to-the-site/

http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/12/album-review-toys-self-titled-debut-release-toy/

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Album Review: TOY’s Self-Titled Debut Release

By on December 12, 2011 in Album & Song Reviews

Hands down across all genres, my absolute favorite album of the year is this debut release from newly-formed pop/rock band,  TOY.  It has literally NOT left my car cd player since I got it Monday night until now when I have to look at it to make sure that I’ve got everything right from it for this review.

Rarely does an album come along that grabs you and takes hold of you like this one! How do I begin to describe it and do it the justice that it deserves? If you take the best parts of Evanescence, Lady Gaga, and Florence & The Machine, then created something new and original from those musical influences, you would then have TOY.  At least, what I think best describes them! They are high energy, dance, rock, pop, electronic with a dark, edgy sound.

TOY is comprised of 4 members: Alana Grace (lead vocals, guitar, keys), Spencer Bastian (guitar, bass, vocals), Christian Meadows (lead guitar), and Ryan Folden (drums).   For more in-depth information on TOY, please see this article: http://focusonthe615.com/2011/12/10/a-closer-look-toy-episode-1-and-welcome-matt-williams-to-the-site/

All songs on the album are original and written by TOY.

Full Track List:

1) “Uh Oh”:  This one put me most in mind of Lady Gaga, but they aren’t trying to imitate.  Uptempo, dancy, edgy.

2) “Ghost”:  Dark, uptempo, and my favorite lyrically.  One of my favorites overall.  I can listen to this one over and over without tiring.

3) “Give It To Me”: Again, uptempo, high energy…another that I don’t tire of hearing.  Best listened to in the car where you can crank if WAY up and not disturb the neighbors!

4) “Music Box”:  Dark, melodic, and hard rock edginess at it’s best.

5) “Traffic Signs”:  This one starts with a lot of electronic adds and build-up to the actual song. Very dark and edgy.  Almost a tribal sound.  Enthralling–lyrically and musically.

6) “Flying High”:  My absolute favorite off this album! Uptempo, electronic, dance, rock…builds up to a frenzy.  Even better live! Watch the video of this below and listen to the crowd being built into a frenzy midway through as they scream with excitement.

7) “Night Hunters”:  This one makes me want to get up and dance.  Seriously, there’s not a weak one on the album.  Not one!

The only downside for me was I wanted MORE than 7 songs on this album.  It’s just that good! It left me wanting much more and I want to see them live again soon.  They are riveting, charismatic, high energy, and a breath of fresh air.  If you like pure and powerful vocals mixed with excellent musicianship, deep & thought-provoking writing, then TOY is for you! THIS is a band that is better experienced live.  The album is GREAT, the live show will blow you away! It is like a tidal wave of energy flowing over the room when they take the stage.  Your attention will be captured and held until they leave the stage, which you don’t want to happen.  This band is going places!

Anyway, my point is GET THE ALBUM! Request it from their site and if they come to a town near you, GO! You won’t be disappointed! Enough said.

For more information and to connect with TOY, please go to their website at: www.toymusicbox.com.  You can also find them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/officialtoymusic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.  An absolute must-have!

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