New in 2017: MAYVE – Cruel Intentions
Artist: MAYVE
Song: Cruel Intentions
Released: Jan. 18, 2017
Genre: Indie pop
Category Archives: Beyond the Valley
Beyond the Valley Review: Second Player Score – Nobody’s Hero
Artist: Second Player Score
Album: Nobody’s Hero (LISTEN)
Released: Nov. 1, 2016
Genre: Rock
We’re not sure who Second Player Score is trying to convince that they are “Nobody’s Hero,” because the 11 tracks of versatile rock and roll they just released this week sure sound heroic to us.
Magnificent Birds of Prey Let Us Know It’s OK to ‘Start Over’
Artist: Magnificent Birds of Prey
Song: Start Over
Released: Aug. 1, 2016
Genre: Alternative Rock
Philly’s Magnificent Birds of Prey soar on a mid-tempo ode to new beginnings with “Start Over,” using tight four-part vocal harmonies and percussion that is off-and-running from the jump to create a tender, yet powerful anthem.
Highlighted by the versatile Lyle Kelch Jr.’s vocal performance – which starts light and sweet, and builds up over four minutes to a commanding, gravely climax – “Start Over” gives us permission to wipe away the fear associated with leaving our pain behind, and encourages us to re-create our pathway to becoming who we need to be.
Check out the four-piece’s latest effort on their SoundCloud page!
Marc Ambrosia to Leave ‘Footprints’ on Haverford Music Festival
Looking to take a day trip on this hot Saturday? If you head down to Haverford Music Festival, you just might see a familiar face…
Marc Ambrosia, whose album, “Footprints,” received glowing reviews in the early days of LVU, and who has been a featured guest on The Quinn Spinn, will be appearing with his band at the sixth annual festival, presented by ACME Markets. Ambrosia and his band will headline the festival’s WHHS Eagle Road Stage this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Ambrosia will share the same festival bill as national touring acts, including Grammy nominee Lisa Loeb, jazz singer Sasha Dobson, longtime touring act The Figgs, and Italian-born singer-songwriter Giada J.
“I’m thrilled to be taking the stage with my band at Haverford Music Festival. They’re wonderful musicians and I’m lucky to have them,” Ambrosia told LVU. “I’m also incredibly honored to be playing this event with other amazing acts like Lisa Loeb, Sasha Dobson, and Giada J, among others. It’s going to be a full day of really great artistry. I’m looking forward to it!”
For full lineup and artist information for today’s Haverford Music Festival, visit HaverfordMusicFestival.com.
WSCI Radio Sponsors Sept. 8 Blacktop Mojo Bus Trip to NYC
Up-and-coming Texas hard rockers Blacktop Mojo are playing in New York City on Thursday, September 8, and Bethlehem’s WSCI Star City Indie Rock Radio wants to make sure you can get there.
WSCI is sponsoring a bus trip to New York next Thursday, providing fans of Blacktop Mojo with the ultimate meet and greet experience in celebration of the band’s trip to the Northeast. Fans will get to hang out with Blacktop Mojo as they ride into the city with the band, starting with the trip’s departure from WSCI’s Studio 73 – 1667 Woodfield Dr. in Bethlehem – at 2 p.m. The bus will head to the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial, and will then make its way to The Red Lion, located at 151 Bleecker St. in Greenwich Village, to catch Blacktop Mojo’s 8 p.m. performance.
Tickets are $40 and include admission to the evening’s show. The bus will fill on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, check the event out on Facebook or call (484) 387-8191.
Review: D.S. Bradford – Elemental Evolution
If you’re in the Philadelphia area, catch D.S. Bradford’s “Elemental Evolution” EP release show this Friday, Aug. 5 at the Dockside Bar at Dave & Buster’s.
Artist: D.S. Bradford
Album: Elemental Evolution EP (PRE-ORDER)
Release Date: Aug. 5, 2016
Genre: Alternative Rock
Philadelphia singer-songwriter D.S. Bradford describes his new “Elemental Evolution” EP as being “about evolving into a form of ourselves that is conscious of peace and embraces love.”
While that theme is ever present throughout the effort, there is another “evolution” at play – that of D.S. Bradford into a versatile musician who seamlessly intermingles alternative rock with the progressive and psychedelic.
Perhaps the track that best blends all of those styles together is the album closer, “A Call to the Stars II – A Home in the Sky.” The EP’s longest track, clocking in at just over seven minutes, is a dreamy epic that moves between ideas that represent themselves as movements. “A Call to the Stars II” temporarily forfeits its dreaminess about halfway through, picking up the pace with some killer guitar work, before returning to its roots and transitioning into a tender piano outro that brings about the conclusion of our galactic transmission.
For fans of straightforward alt-rock, you need look no further than “Oceans,” a fun, up-tempo tune, and the crisp, highly accessible title track, “Elemental Evolution.” Both songs contain great hooks and are radio-ready.
Track listing:
A Call to the Stars – Ascend the Lost
The Rise
Oceans
The Seasons
Elemental Evolution
The Move
A Call to the Stars II – A Home in the Sky
Review: The Gone – Self-titled
Artist: The Gone
Album: Self-titled (LISTEN)
Released: Jan. 2016
Genre: Punk/Alternative
Lancaster’s The Gone pay homage to so many of rock’s titans, past and present. Whether coming in with a hook that is reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots, or playing a melody that recalls the Foo Fighters, their influences have a clear and defined presence in the band’s sound.
That’s what makes the band’s self-titled album so exciting.
Right away, a listener will notice the band’s influences shining through a thin, but ever-present layer of punk sensibility. They play loud and with purpose, offering ten energetic pieces of music. A track like “Scapegoat,” a true headbanger, can set the tone for an entire live set, while “So” is punk with a dash of grunge that would light up CBGB in its heyday.
The album’s closing track, “Worlds End,” is perhaps the album’s highlight. The track features blistering guitar work and gunshot sound effects that make its texture as chaotic as its title suggests. For sure, The Gone should employ “Worlds End” at the conclusion of each of its sets. I can’t imagine a better way to leave each night with a bang.
Track listing:
Down in the Garden
Hit the Wall
Always the Same
Scapegoat
Change Your Mind
Middle of Life
You’re Scared
The Road to Hate
So
Worlds End
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: June 27-July 3
Summer is in full swing, and we are coming up on a holiday weekend. While you will surely have an opportunity to enjoy grilled burgers, ice cold beverages, and maybe even a trip to the shore this weekend, there is, as always, plenty of live music to enjoy right in your backyard. Exercise your independence as you travel across our section of this great land for some…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Tues.., June 28 | 9 p.m.
Raven Lounge Open Mic featuring Marc Ambrosia
Venue: Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St., Philadelphia
Admission: FREE, 21+
Description: Feel like making a mid-week trip to Philly? Be sure to check out Marc Ambrosia, who will surely be performing tracks off of his album, “Footprints.”
Wed., June 29 | 10 p.m.
The Moondogs at The Funhouse
Venue: 5 E. 4th St, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE
Description: The Moondogs howl for a Wednesday night party at the stalwart South Bethlehem venue.
Thurs., June 30 | 7 p.m.
Musos at The Originals Music Series
Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Rd., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Musos returns to rock the stage at Chicago.
Fri., July 1 | 8 p.m.
Whiskey Hollow Debuts (w/ special guest Crossroads Duo)
Venue: Chicago Restaurant, 1179 Airport Rd., Allentown
Admission: FREE before 10 p.m.
Description: Start July with the debut of the Valley’s newest country band.
Review: Slumlord Radio – Too Pretty for Tijuana
Artist: Slumlord Radio
Album: Too Pretty for Tijuana (LISTEN)
Released: Sept. 11, 2015
Genre: Punk/Action Rock
Slumlord Radio comes to us from all the way in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a brand of music they call “high-energy, dirty action rock.” Their latest effort, “Too Pretty for Tijuana,” delivers on that promise with tracks that are in-your-face as they are progressive.
Lead single “Bullwhip” starts the album off with a bang, featuring a catchy opening riff and gang vocals reminiscent of KISS, all while staying true to the band’s underground punk vibe (true to form, its music video is banned in China!). Another track of note is “Tycoon,” a gritty, instantly-recognizable headbanger with a chorus containing the album’s title (and which you just may have heard somewhere before)…
“Too Pretty for Tijuana” is raw and unapologetic, and that is exactly what it needs to be. Slumlord Radio has captured the essence of who they are as a band, and it rocks with no questions asked.
PHOTOS: 3 Pill Morning at The Gin Mill & Grille
Who says Tuesday isn’t a great night to rock?
Folks at Northampton’s Gin Mill & Grille last night were ready to hear the melodic hard rock sounds of 3 Pill Morning. The melodic Minneapolis four-piece is currently on tour, and their Lehigh Valley stop was nothing short of electrifying.
The night began with an opening acoustic set from singer-songwriter Steve McDaniel. McDaniel performed a set of mostly covers, peppering in a few originals that stood tall among classics from artists like Johnny Cash and more.
Then, it was time for 3 Pill Morning to take the stage. The band’s high-octane performance resonated well with those in attendance as they performed a mix of selections from their debut, “Black Tie Love Affair,” and their upcoming release, “Never Look Back.”
