Category Archives: opinion

Indie Darlings: November 2024

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We conclude our November rollout of The Playlists with the one that brings us closest to our true Underground roots.

Indie Darlings consists of the cuts that are ambient, experimental, and don’t quite fit into any one genre box. You’ll hear shades of pop, rock, and folk here — often at the same time — as you get lost in a diverse sea of sounds.

We phoned a friend for this one, too. Our friends at Circle Back Entertainment Group contributed roughly half of the selections here, because we believe in the power of teamwork! (Also, adding this playlist to the mix was actually their idea…)

Track listing
BoyWithUke – Ghost
Julia Kahn – Badlands
Accidental Friend – Empty Love
almost a.m. – Stand Still
Nico Son – Let This Go
Hunter West – Don’t Cry
Hugs ft. Parking Lot Funeral and Karaoke Bar – hummin
Post Meridiem – Love
Chasing Tonya – Why
Pierce Alexander – Doll Parts
Sierra Carson – skeletons
Davis Evanoff – Cranberries (2024)
rakey – Everything Is Summer
Adam Lamah – Even If
Common Man – Vermont
The Stremes – Got Myself Together
Max Blansjaar – Burning In Our Name
Unbelievable Truth – Roadside No. 2
Shawn Andrew – Valley of Hope
book NOT brooke ft. Zina – Everything I Wanna Know

LISTEN: On ‘Where Are You Now,’ Matthew Ryan Jacobs Captures Life’s Bittersweet Journey

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Life doesn’t always wait until we’re ready to make changes.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario-based songwriter Matthew Ryan Jacobs has experienced plenty of growth over the past few years, and he captures its essence on “Where Are You Now.” This bluesy waltz is passed through a gritty alt-rock filter, as Jacobs helps us reflect on the pivotal moments that comprise life’s bittersweet journey.

“’Where Are you Now’ is mostly about making changes in your life, whether you want to or not,” Jacobs said. “A lot of my writing over the last few years has had a lot to do with getting older or growth; and the struggle of leaving certain things or people in your past. It’s not intended to be a negative narrative, just honest. Even if you know you’re making the right — or at least, better — decision, you still second guess yourself along the way.”

“At least I do.”

Produced by Ben Kempel, Jacobs describes “Where Are You Now” as a song that “just kind of happened” — much like the reality that inspired its narrative.

“I didn’t overthink anything in the process. It felt right, so we went with it,” Jacobs said. “I had a pretty clear vision for the production, and Ben did a great job as usual making it happen.“

LISTEN: Sid Seth Invites Us to Ride a Different ‘Wave’

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If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Spooky Season, it’s that it can be fun to put on a mask and pretend to be somebody else.

That makes this the perfect opportunity to share “Wave,” the latest single from accomplished New York-based songsmith Sid Seth. Produced by the renowned Al Carlson (Lady Gaga, Slaters, Roy Blair, Jessica Pratt), this breezy pop tune features clean guitars, a Caribbean-inspired beat, and silky-smooth vocals, as Seth sings of joys of finding temporary refuge from who we’re “supposed to be.”

“(‘Wave’) is about putting on an alter ego for a night and letting that persona take over,” Seth said.

“Wave” is making waves across multiple media outlets in the U.S. and abroad, including Galore Magazine, Ones to Watch, ASCAP NMF, Future Hits Radio UK, and WFUV 90.7fm. Meanwhile, Seth is currently in the midst of a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, with planned stops in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and New York.

Go on — let yourself ride a different “Wave” for a change. Listen below!

LISTEN: On ‘Call You Mine,’ ROM COM Watches Summer Love Fade

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Artwork credit: Aron Rosing

As the summer sun fades, so does summer love.

In the dramatic, cinematic fashion we’ve come to know and love, ROM COM captures the essence of that moment brilliantly on their latest single, “Call You Mine.” A collaboration with songwriter/vocalist Eliza Harrison Smith, the dreamy new alt-pop single encapsulates our collective struggle to realize that nothing gold can stay.

“‘Call You Mine” is a song about a relationship that is fading away, but still trying to hold on,” said ROM COM vocalist Aron Rosing. “It is the first release with Eliza, with several more collaborations planned over the next few months.”

Imagine the late September sun shining, though not as bright as it did just a couple months prior. Imagine the sweet, warm air growing colder with the winds of change, as the first leaves turn yellow and we’re left to face the inevitable. That is the essence of “Call You Mine.”

Hold onto the moment before it’s gone, and check it out below!

LISTEN: KJ Wild Critiques Your Social Media ‘Highlight Reel’

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Welcome to 2024, where real life is never quite as perfect as the images we portray.

KJ Wild are here with a timely (and timeless) reminder to look behind the filter on “Red Hot Magazine Girl.” The alt-pop duo — comprised of powerhouse indie artists Kiki Halliday and Jon Worthy — wrote this song as a critique on the tendency of modern society and its influencers to post only about life’s good parts, painting an unrealistic picture of life, love, success, and happiness.

“We always see smiles, celebrations, amazing achievements, and pictures displaying a sense that nothing is ever wrong in a person’s life — but truly, that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Worthy said. “Nothing is as glamorous as it seems, and a lot of people in modern society feel the need to make everything seem perfect. So, this song is us calling out those people that live for the picture and not the moment; the people that always have to share that smiling picture in front of the beautiful sunset, even though minutes before, they were potentially scrolling on their phone, comparing themselves to their peers.”

“Red Hot Magazine Girl” was built on an acoustic foundation, and was written and produced entirely by the band. The song’s structure and infectious melody offer a nostalgic nod to rock and roll’s early days, while its hazy indie rock ambiance lends a modern, youthful energy to the final product.

If you’re in Nashville, come out to The 5 Spot on Sunday, November 3 to hear KJ Wild perform this one live (and while you wait, treat yourself to a preview…)

LISTEN: On ‘Hotel Bible,’ Max McNown Defeats Self-Doubt

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Photo credit: Benjamin Edwards

We all experience moments of self-doubt. Yes, even if you’re Max McNown, last week’s #1 artist on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart, and the current CMT Next Up Now artist of the month.

For those moments, Max gives us “Hotel Bible,” a rollicking Americana anthem that inspires us to find the light in our darkest hours.

“Even the most confident among us doubt themselves at times,” McNown said. “‘Hotel Bible’ follows a loved one who’s lost their ability to trust and love themselves. But as the lyrics illustrate, even in the darkness of self doubt, there can also be light. The song is meant to serve as a reminder of the best times of our lives, when we inevitably endure the worst, to see value in the times we feel cheapest.”

The feel-good tune is the latest triumphant moment for McNown, who was named as CMT’s Next Up Now artist earlier this week. The honor included CMT premiering McNown’s new music video for “Snowman,” from his recent EP, Willfully Blind. The video will receive extra airplay on CMT’s 24-hour TV channel all month long, and has been added to CMT’s “Country Music Videos On Repeat Playlist.”

Strike a match, light a candle, and curse the darkness. Check out “Hotel Bible” below!

LISTEN: Mobley is Haunted by ‘Y’r Ghost’

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Acclaimed songwriter Mobley just dropped his first new release since 2022 — and he’s wasting no time taking us on an emotional thrill ride.

“Y’r Ghost” is bubbling over with abrupt twists and turns — both in its sonic landscape, and the mood it serves to create. What begins with a sweet, soulful simmer transforms on a dime into a frantic, up-tempo dash, as our protagonist searches for answers after losing a partner whom he loved intensely.

“‘Y’r Ghost’ marks the return of Jacob Creedmoor, the protagonist from my last record, Cry Havoc!,” Mobley said. “It finds him reminiscing about the night he met the love of his life and mourning her loss, and the fact that she’s fading in his memory. The song’s shifts in mood and energy mirror the turmoil of our lovelorn hero, while the lyrics hint at a larger story still waiting to be told.”

That larger story — a continuation of the themes explored on 7-track Cry Havoc! EP — is coming soon in the form of a science-fiction epic. While we await more details, immerse yourself in the latest chapter!

LISTEN: With ‘Questions I Can’t Ask,’ falllift Finds Closure

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Sometimes, the only closure we’ll receive is that which we give ourselves.

North Carolina-based duo falllift explores the topic on their new single, “Questions I Can’t Ask.” The pair — songwriters Micah Cottingham and William Steven Hall — worked in tandem to craft the narrative, which addresses the words left unsaid after love has run its course.

‘”Questions I Can’t Ask’ is a song about closure where there was none,” they explained. “It’s about letting go and wishing someone peace, even when the same grace wasn’t given. This song is full of the things we would say to these people, the questions we would ask, if given the chance.

Listeners can expect a gorgeous, sweeping alt-folk arrangement; one whose impact hits us with a crescendo of both sound and emotion as the track progresses. Produced by Nick Bullock and mastered by GRAMMY Award-winner Kim Rosen, “Questions I Can’t Ask” features the talents of Clark Singleton (bass), Aaron Shafer-Haiss (drums), and Emanuel Wynter (violin).

“We chose Nick to produce the singles we’ve released this year, and we couldn’t be happier,” the duo said. “He took our ideas and transformed them into world-class tunes, while maintaining the artistic integrity we presented. Clark nailed the bass and Aaron added an effortless touch on the drums. Emanuel did what only he could do on the violin, and Kim taught us about mastering with her GRAMMY-winning touch.”

You may be hearing “Questions I Can’t Ask” around much more very soon. The song was picked up for sync placement on the long-running hit ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy.

Not only has falllift found success with this release — they’ve found great artistic and personal fulfillment.

“Although it can be difficult for some to address prior relationships, we felt it was important for us to give ourselves that space.”

LISTEN: David Tucker Has a Hard Time ‘Forgetting Her’

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Missing somebody means missing all of them — even the little things that make us crazy.

David Tucker explores the difficulties of moving on with “Forgetting Her,” a spacious pop-country waltz that makes us consider whether walking away is really the right move…

“I’m tired of getting eight hours cause she isn’t keeping me up
I’m tired of not being late cause her hair don’t look good enough
I wish I could still see the face that she makes
When something I did isn’t going her way
If you’re ever thinking that loving her is too much for you to take
Try forgetting her.”

-David Tucker, “Forgetting Her”

Co-written alongside longtime collaborator Jake Saghi and seasoned Nashville artist Qvint, “Forgetting Her” has been making waves on the musical landscape. The single was exclusively premiered by PEOPLE Magazine last month — and, with its heartfelt subject matter and absolutely gorgeous vocal harmonies, it’s easy to understand why this one has gained traction — with listeners and media outlets alike!

LISTEN: On “Charlotte’s Web,” Andi Jane Walks the Thin Line Between Love and Obsession

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What happens when love is taken too far?

Andi Jane explores the moments when love turns to obsession on “Charlotte’s Web,” a lush, haunting masterpiece just in time for spooky season.

Co-written alongside her partner at the time, Craig Anderson, the gothic folk single was crafted with inspiration from chilling real-life events.

“I wrote the song shortly after being physically threatened by my partner’s admirer; a woman who admitted to stalking him in order to become his friend,” Andi said. “After the incident, I met my first brown recluse spider, and I couldn’t close my eyes without thinking of spiders and stalkers. We ended stayed up all night to write this song.”

Representing the “battle between longing and harm, desire and destruction,” “Charlotte’s Web” features the one-man string section of Billy Contreras, who added depth to the sonic landscape by performing each the song’s five — yes, five — distinct violin parts.

“Watching him layer part after part, with each violin having its own unique name, was like watching a mad scientist at work,” Andi said.

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