Category Archives: reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘A Small Notion,’ High Tea Showcases a Knack for Big Hooks

Posted on by Leave a comment

Based in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, High Tea consists of Isabella DeHerdt and Issac Eliot. Combining thoughtful songwriting with world class musicianship, Isabella and Issac have gone above and beyond with their new album, A Small Notion. The album provides songs that are gentle, alongside selections that bring a noticeable rebellious punk energy filtered through folkier sensibilities. 

A Small Notion has emotional weight drawn from their personal experiences of loss and change, with stories created to guide the listener through the journey. Starting with the title track – a folk rock offering with pop hooks – we are led into “A Stray in Lee County,” which is a true bluesy romp rock song, complete with strings and excellent vocals. 

“Paper Mache” is lighter and sweet, showing a softer side of the band, while “Ouch, Oh Shit” highlights the band’s ability to write a big chorus. I loved the layers of vocals on “Bittersweet Evenings,” a song which also includes a feature from Corey Latiman. 

“Heartbreak Kid” and “The Metaphysical and Technicolor End” both highlight the band’s musicianship, while “Scuba Diving” – a full band version of High Tea’s 2023 single – fits the album well. 

With another big chorus on “There Goes My Old Soul” – and, truthfully, nearly every song on A Small Notion – High Tea solidifies its knack for writing a hook. Then, to close out the album with a bang, we have “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (featuring Chris Freeman) and “Shadows and Shadows” (featuring Heather Maloney). 
A Small Notion is a polished album created by experienced musicians. High Tea has successfully blended folk music with rock and punk, and made an album unlike any I’ve heard before. When listening, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the band’s songwriting abilities. Each song has its own distinct hook and identity.

Keeping Tabs: Electric Lemonade Releases ‘You’re Watching Me’

Posted on by Leave a comment

Electric Lemonade fascinates me. Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, the trio made of Sarah Murphy, Hannah Mazurek, and Rob Jones prove the fact you don’t need to be in large, oversaturated music markets like New York or L.A. to be worthy of coverage. Electric Lemonade proves that musicians who focus on their own communities and stories tend to be among the most authentic, interesting artists. 

From the very first drum beat, their song “You’re Watching Me” pulls you into this organic spacious jam which highlights the band’s excellent musicianship – while reminding us that rock is far from dead. Lyrically, “You’re Watching Me” is the story of the end of a relationship, and the decision to move forward through the pain, choose yourself, and embrace who you are.

“You’re watching me, I see you in the list of viewers
On my Instagram story, you know that I can see you.
I believe that mistakes lead us to places that we’re bound for.
Can you let me go? Can you let me go?”

Those are my favorite lyrics from this song, as they highlight an absolutely modern phenomenon of the online interactions and algorithms we share with people. Personally, I haven’t had the experience of breaking up with someone and have them still watch my Instagram stories. How awkward that must be… 

On the song, the band states: “We wrote this one in the studio when we were working on our upcoming EP. It started out with a version of the lyrics and some musical ideas we had floating around for a while. We came up with a rough version to play for our producer (Jordy Walker) and tweaked it a bunch, but really, the bulk of the song was written over one jam session.”

I hope to find myself walking the streets of Whitehorse one day. It’s an amazing city nestled in brilliant mountain wilderness, and judging from what I’ve heard from Electric Lemonade, I bet its music scene is mature. I imagine hiking around the area, getting some food, and then heading to a show. Hopefully, that would mean I would be lucky enough to catch Electric Lemonade play their music. For now, I’ll be listening on repeat moving forward.

LISTEN: Bri Aspen Delivers on ‘Wearing White’

Posted on by Leave a comment

Heartbreak, as painful as it is to experience, oftentimes allows us to evolve and grow into a newer, fuller version of ourselves. There are people among us in this world that experience heartbreak while also being gifted artists. These people can channel their heartbreak into something of substance for the rest of us to rely on when we are eventually met with our own heartbreak.

Bri Aspen is one of those gifted artists. 

“Wearing White” is a song where Aspen explores that heartbreak of watching the person you love be in love with someone else. This song is an impressive showcase of Aspen’s voice, which is accompanied by a piano and a string section. 

“Sometimes, you introduce your soulmate to someone else – and then stand beside them on their wedding day,” Aspen said.

That’s a feeling no one should have to go through, but oh my, if you do… at least you have “Wearing White” for emotional support. 

“I wrote this song with Alex Lomartire and Jaan Harrison Kohm — (it’s) our third project together, and just the beginning of what I know will be a great creative partnership. I came into the session with the line, “I’m standing by your side, but I’m not wearing white,” and within a few hours, the full story had unfolded. Once we shaped the narrative, built out the characters, and found the right words to bring it all together, we knew we had something special. Jaan took it from there and produced the track in a way that truly brought the emotion and storyline to life.”

She explains further, “I learned throughout this writing process that sometimes, love means setting aside your own emotions, so that those you care about can find the happiness they deserve—even if that journey doesn’t include you.”

I am now a fan of Bri Aspen, who’s got more music coming out this year, and who you can catch playing all around Nashville. You’ll be a fan, too, once you check out “Wearing White” below!

LISTEN: On ‘NNYC,’ Haley Ganis Finds Her Way Through the Big Apple Post-Breakup

Posted on by Leave a comment

So many times in my life, I have sat on a New York City subway, off to a show or a restaurant. I’ve often sat back and wondered what it would be like to have a lived experience in New York, with all the love, joy, and heartbreak.

Haley Ganis is an artist who has lived and performed in New York City, and has experienced the city’s culture. Her single, “NNYC,” is the perfect kind of tasteful pop song that only someone who had a life in New York could write.

“Don’t wanna take the 6 train home
Window reflections swear I see your ghost
I can’t avoid our inside jokes
Eight million people and I’m still alone.”

With those lyrics, Ganis perfectly sets the tone, illustrating all of those routines you develop with another person — the car and train rides, always going to the same destinations. In an instant, these memories can be tainted by a breakup. You can hear that pain in Ganis’ vocals, over the backdrop of synths and a strummed guitar before the band comes in. 

On the song, Ganis says “The day I wrote this, I was really missing New York City, but was also reminded of a major breakup I went through while living there. During the writing process, I loved sorting through my feelings and having New York as the backdrop of it all. My co-writer and producer, Dylan Maloney, helped finish the song with me, and I hope listeners enjoy what we did.”

Music this good doesn’t just happen. Ganis is a skilled songwriter, and has such musical capacity that you can hear the years of work she has spent on her craft. This might best be exemplified when the song is just her and a piano, which I will let the listener experience for themselves. 

“‘Cause you got to keep the good things
East side, Goodnight Sonny
Apartment and the grocery store
But New York isn’t yours.”

(Perhaps, in another timeline, I too am walking around New York City post-breakup, dodging bright city lights while walking past bodegas, trying to find a path to my new home in a new side of town…)

Haley Ganis wrote a stellar piece of music with “NNYC,” and I will be playing it on repeat. The tune is a part of a number of singles she will release before dropping her album in October. Keep an eye out for it!

WATCH: Brother Dusty Makes Us Go ‘whoa’

Posted on by Leave a comment

Last Wednesday — following our inaugural UnderDogs Across Borders livestream benefit concert — our friend and fellow UnderDog Brother Dusty held a special event in Nashville at The Underdog, in celebration of his birthday *and* the release of the music video for his new single, “whoa.” (Clips of the event have begun surfacing, in case you want to check ’em out.)

We can definitely understand why Dusty threw a party of such magnitude. This one is worth celebrating!

Produced in conjunction with Ensworth Guitars and directed by Anastasia Elliot and Josh Saltzman, “whoa” is a thrill ride that breaks the rules and bends the genres as only Brother Dusty can. The video was filmed on location at popular Nashville music venue The Underdog and the Garden Family Warehouse, and is as dynamic and explosive as the hard-hitting single for which it was created.

Brother Dusty is just getting warmed up. Make sure you keep an eye on his socials for updates, and watch the video below. It’s sure to make you go… “WHOA.”

On ‘Pretending to Read,’ Amelia Ray Interprets our Everyday Struggles

Posted on by Leave a comment

With nothing more than some jazz-influenced guitar chords and her own stellar powers of observation, Amelia Ray has given us plenty to ponder about the human condition with her new single, “Pretending to Read.”

The new single — released in conjunction with the start of The Interpreter’s Soulveillance Tour — helps us connect and empathize with those spending life’s journey alongside us. Amelia assumes the role of a train passenger who, despite having an open book in front of her, is much more in tune with the plight of her fellow passengers. Smoky vocals and clean, simplistic guitar work help us float thoughtfully between characters and observations, before we come full circle to realize that all of these external distractions are preventing us from truly going inward.

If you want to learn more about Amelia Ray — and see if the Soulveillance Tour is coming to your city — head over here.

If you want to listen to “Pretending to Read” — and we’re sure you do — you can do that below!

Bailey Cole Doesn’t Want Fear to Hold You Back ‘Anymore’

Posted on by Leave a comment

There are moments in life that call for us to push past our fears and limitations.

For these moments, we have “Anymore” — the smoldering new cinematic pop single from Bailey Cole. The contemplative new tune — described by Cole as “a declaration of self-worth and a reminder that growth means letting go of the fear that used to define you” — features Cole’s smoky vocals calling to us over a thoughtfully layered, atmospheric soundscape. The lyrics float through the ether with a palpable tension, not unlike the inner conflict that arises in us all before a major breakthrough.

“’Anymore’ is a personal reckoning—a song about the moment you realize you’re finally getting somewhere in life, and that quiet fear creeps in,” Cole said. “What if I lose it all again? It’s about refusing to let the past steal joy from your present.”

“Anymore” was produced by Adam Clark, mixed by Grammy-winner Mikaelin “Blue” Bluespruce (Solange, Nas), and mastered by Idania Valencia at Sterling Sound. It is the latest installment of Chapter 1, a series of singles that is set for a full project re-release later this year. Listen to it below, as you sttep away from your fears and into your power!

LISTEN: With ‘cross that line,’ Brooke Martin Addresses the Elephant in the Room

Posted on by Leave a comment

What do we do when love begins to fade?

Brooke Martin confronts that question on “cross that line,” a groovy, upbeat new tune with melancholy undertones. Produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Chris Penny, the single’s shimmering pop soundscape juxtaposes adeptly with the sobering reality of a spark between two people that now struggles to ignite.

“To me, “cross that line” is such a fun, upbeat song—but the lyrics are quite sad when you really listen,” Martin said. “It’s about two people who love each other but are starting to realize they might not be right for each other anymore. There’s still hope—they’re trying to find their way back to the happiness they once had.”

“cross that line” was the first song written for Martin’s forthcoming EP, which is expected to drop later this September.

For now… go on. Cross that line. But once you do, there’s no turning back…

https://open.spotify.com/track/15UPQSEGPYKqKmblOOLs16?si=6d865897efa94f04

Not Sure Where to Go Next? Listen to This Song from Jon Worthy

Posted on by Leave a comment

Nashville-based indie alt rock artist Jon Worthy has given all he has to music. He’s toured across the nation, consistently released music, and has been featured in 150 popular media outlets. He’s even been to the Lehigh Valley’s very own Musikfest in Bethlehem, where I’m from! To many aspiring artists, he has certainly made a successful music career.

After the pandemic, his music career went in a different direction. He began focusing on studio sessions, songwriting, and production, while answering the COVID-era question on every creative’s mind…

“Where do I go from here?”

Jon’s new tune, “I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down,” reminds you that you aren’t alone if you don’t know where to go. The dreamy, wayward tune details how his own journey changed direction, leaving him feeling like he didn’t know what to do next.

“It’s about living day by day, and just trying to enjoy life as it came to me,” he said. “It speaks to all the highs and lows of life, but being complacent and, at the same time, hoping something will really change for the better.”

I am most fascinated by the fact that Jon found healing in music, even as his path in the industry became uncertain. It’s almost like entering down the path of being lost is inevitable in order to find where to go next. It’s also inevitable for artists to create, because its apart of who we are. Expressing the confusion of feeling lost allows us to find our way. This is inspiring to me as an up-and-coming artist, and helps tame the questions and doubts in my own mind. It’s a reminder that it’s OK to not have it all figured out, all the time — just keep going and letting the music take you.

Stay on the lookout for Jon Worthy’s next collaborations, to be released in coming months. And remember: even if you don’t know where to go, have the hope one day you’ll make it

-Matt Schmoyer

LISTEN: Evan Kreutz Releases Spontaneous Summer Love Song, ‘last call’

Posted on by Leave a comment

Summer is the time to lose track of time, forget your inhibitions, and fall in love.

Evan Kreutz captured the celestial spontaneity of discovering a new connection with his latest single, “last call.” What begins as a slow burning, acoustic rock daydream progresses with intensity toward alt-pop hyperspace, providing us with a proper interpretation of what it’s like to lose yourself in the excitement of exploring someone new.

“A breezy, feel-good ride built on impulse and connection, ‘last call’ is the sonic equivalent of taking the long way home with someone who makes you forget your worries,” Kreutz said. “It’s less about thinking and more about feeling—spontaneous, sweet, and exactly what you needed.”

“last call” was produced by Kreutz’s Young and Eager Entertainment co-founder Douglas Grama, and is the latest genre-bending stop on the road toward Kreutz’s forthcoming EP and deluxe album. Make sure you give Evan a follow to stay up to date on the latest!

« Older Entries Recent Entries »