WHERE ARTISTS AND FANS BAND TOGETHER.
Red Devil Vortex are a heavy metal act coming out of Hollywood, CA and for over the last month they have been on tour with Doyle & Otep.
Right after their killer set, we dove into a lot of fun such as, how's the tour been so far, road hacks, favorite cities, influences and their latest album just dropping last year
They are a high octane, riff fueled band that show no signs of slowing down this year. Full interview is now live and be sure to catch them on their upcoming tour dates
Scarefield are a relatively new project with their debut horror concept album, A Quiet Country, releasing this year. The band is composed of two members, Simone Manuli & Markus Kristoffersson, which can sometimes hinder a unique style band purely on the sense on creative direction of the music; being able to bounce & expand ideas between multiple members. However even with just two official members, this debut album is still able to find its musical clarity with some exceptions.
As noted before, A Quiet Country is a concept album paying respects to classic horror, with even artwork showing love to Stephen King’s Children Of The Corn.
Essentially the first tale in this horror themed journey is the opening track ‘Ancient Evil’, where you are immediately greeted with an 80’s thrash metal tone. Without knowing how they recorded, traditional analog or D.I. ( direct input ) with plug-ins, the guitar tones have an absolutely nice crunch to them & harmonizing leads provide an eerie feeling for this track about The Call Of Cthulhu from H.P. Lovecraft.
Even though this album is directed toward its love for classic horror, it also shines as a concept for the 80’s style metal that influenced them. On the sixth track for this album ‘God Of Terror’, the tone of Megadeth is very prevalent and will have the listener unknowingly throwing their horns in the air.
This debut album was also produced by the members themselves and mastered Ronnie Bjorstrom. As inspiring and respectable it is for bands to produce their own music, there are some short comings that fall with that as well. “A Quiet Country” weaves a great tale of thrash & melodic metal, but feels copy & paste throughout the album. Markus Kristofferson vocals sound as if they are in the same key for each track, which sounds amazing within the first three opening songs but as the album progresses, the only differences you feel are the lyrics.
Scarefield’s debut album is a step in the right direction for a modern ‘80s metal while creatively throwing love toward horror fans. However with almost a cloned sound for each tale in this album, it feels like the sequel might actually be better.
Nick Guckert. Where do I even begin when it comes to describing Nick Guckert? His voice is one that just sticks with you once you first hear him sing. The second you hear his voice, you start wanting more and more of what he has to offer in his music.
Following his time in Pittsburgh-based bands, such as Cisco Kid and The Living Street, Nick is venturing out on his own as a solo artist for the first time. And he has released a three track self-titled EP that you will certainly want to listen to again and again.
So with that, let’s dive in and see how this EP holds up.
The first track, “Miss You More” is a gorgeous way of starting this three track journey. This track is beautiful in every way. It gives that sentimental feeling of missing someone - hence the title of the song. The lyricism of this song holds such a beautiful meaning and it’ll reel you in again and again.
Moving onto the next track, “The Very Best”. My personal favorite, if you ask me. If there’s one thing I’ll forever praise Nick for - it’s his ability to tell stories in his songs and this song is no exception. mThis track is as relatable as it gets, with the song’s chorus being, I could be the very best or I could be too scared - which is such a beautiful lyric itself. That could tell a million stories. The folk elements of this song, plus Nick’s vocal performance is a true highlight in every way and it’s nothing short of stellar. By the way, Nick - you are the very best.
Now we’re at the third and final track - “This Ain’t The Last”. This song is an anthem in every way, a mantra. If there’s one thing I can explain about this track, it’s the fact that Nick is coming back out on top and stronger than ever before. It gives a very strong impression, a strong feeling in every way. And just like the lyrics says, Nick says what he means.
And he’s right - this ain’t the last we’ll be seeing of him.
This EP was beautiful and melodic in every way. It’s a folksy storybook from start to finish, with all three songs having a story of their own and it makes you want more of what Nick has to offer. The lyrics, the vocal performance, all of it gives so much flavor to the EP in more ways than one.
Overall, a wonderful start to a solo career. We look forward to more of Nick and his musical adventures.
In a world of love and relationships, breakups are often viewed as the end-all and be-all. It’s a moment of intense emotion, whether it be heartbreak or relief. Yet, what happens when you’re the one left behind or whether you were the one left unsure about your decision to call it quits? Atticus Roness, a power pop tour de force hailing from Atlanta, knows all about that inner conflict. His latest single, ‘So What,’ is a song about duality; an in the style of Elliot Smith, the Beatles and Big Star; a thought-provoking and emotionally-charged tune about the incompatible or at variance: contradictory, intramural monologue that follows a breakup.
From the opening notes of So What, the lyrics embody a part of ourselves that yearns for closeness and intimacy, regardless of the reason why we seek it. It’s a bittersweet symphony to those moments when we feel lost and alone and just want someone to hold us, even if it’s just for a little while. As Roness sings “Sometimes I go out kissing people, but I know in my head that I’m just trying to rest my mind.”
It’s clear that this isn’t your typical love song. Rather, it’s an introspective examination of the ways we sometimes use others as a crutch for our own emotional turmoil. The line “On somebody else’s bed” serves as a poignant metaphor for the fleeting nature of these encounters — a momentary distraction from our own thoughts and worries. It’s a bold admission of guilt from an artist who has made significant progress and has taken a risk in creating something new and different when writing from a deeply personal place. But “So What” isn’t all darkness and self-doubt. Roness’s clear, soothing vocals sulk over a line that exemplifies the lack of certainty that often accompanies an ending of a relationship or partnership; a separation.
This acoustic, problematic ballad and catchy laidback melody, elevates the song to an empowering, smooth, and soft-spoken climax as he croons about a complex relationship. “All my friends are talking shit about you/That’s cuz they know who you are” indicates that Atticus’s friends are critical of the person he is singing about, usually implying that this person might not have treated him well or there are elements of their behavior that are seen as negative.
The second line “That’s cuz they know who you are” supports this idea by suggesting that this person’s identity and actions are well-known and potentially controversial or hurtful. He paints a vivid picture of how it feels when someone you love is no longer around. If you are someone who is trying to make sense of a broken heart, you need to add this single to your playlist and let it guide you on your journey towards a better tomorrow.
Apropos to throwing a bottle into the ocean and wondering if anybody, including the object of his affection has ever found it; in the third line, “And still I know that in my heart, you are never gone too far.” Atticus Roness acknowledges that despite what others may think or say about this person, he still holds them close to his heart, signifying either strong romantic feelings or possibly an inability to let go. It means that, in spite of everything, he still has strong emotions connected to this person. It suggests a struggle between what Atticus feels privately and the advice or perceptions of his friends, indicating an internal conflict.
In part of a purgatoric, godawfully scratched, damaged record, we can’t help but replay our past memories over and over, despite our best efforts to move on. Ultimately, the beauty of “So What” lies in its authenticity. Roness is unafraid to breed and sow the seeds of a soothing refrain into complex, emotional territory of relationships, which is often underrepresented at high levels in mainstream media. As far as calling the attention to the inner monologue of a breakup, Roness allows his listeners to relate on a personal level. In the end, “So What,” serves as a reminder that relationships, even when they end, are not one-dimensional. We’re complex creatures, and our emotions are equally so. Whether you’re missing someone or doubling down on a breakup, it’s okay to feel uncertain. As Roness so eloquently puts it, “so what?”
As summer comes to an end, so do love affairs and summer flings. Zachary Wayne from Peoria, Arizona teamed up with Audrey Collins for this heartbreaking ballad. The king of summertime took a break from partying in the sun to relate to some of us dealing with the end of summer blues. Wayne leads “Version of You” with his bluesy raspy toned voice. Collins joins mid song adding hints of pop and country intertwined. The music chemistry between the duo is shown through their clever lyrics; My favorite lyric being “Your tattooed all over me like a song stuck in my head.
If you'd like to give this record a listen it's available on all streaming platforms along with all of Wayne's other songs. Wayne is currently working on releasing a full album and got his start in the music industry from working with the band Crashing Revelry. He was Fortunate enough to go on tour. Zachary has worked extremely hard for all of his success thus far and appreciates all the support he can get.
For Women’s History Month, I decided to interview someone who I consider to be a good friend of mine, Jasmine Zade.
Jasmine is a music industry commentary YouTuber with over 60k subscribers on the platform and she uses her platform to also talk about the importance of Fangirls and with that, she created the nonprofit organization, Fangirl Frontline.
Jasmine and I discussed all things fangirls and their importance and importantly… One Direction.
Jasmine has the ultimate power to let everyone in the world know that fangirls are super important to the music industry and she does just that in her videos so we look forward to see what’s next for her in terms of fangirls.
There’s no better feeling than when you’re surrounded by live music. That feeling becomes even greater when your entire day is spent surrounded by live music which includes watching two of your best friends perform. That sums up the Saturday I spent on 6th Street in Austin, TX during SXSW.
Earlier in March, I had traveled to Apalachicola; where I would spend my entire weekend supporting my friends, The Living Street, as they performed around Apalachicola and St. George Island. We were back at the same place I had first met them just three years prior. The following week, I was set to go to Austin to support some unofficial showcases they were a part of during the week of SXSW. However, I became sick from all the travel. As the days progressed and I felt worse, I was not able to travel and meet up with them. I was disappointed but nevertheless, I felt so proud watching their fun and excitement online.
Once I started getting better though, I realized I could make it to their last show in Austin. So with every bit of excitement I had in me, I ventured off to Austin on the morning of the 18th. I could feel the excitement and anticipation building up as those two hours went by and before I knew it, I was in Austin.
First, going to the San Jac Saloon, I met up with Edward and Nick. It had only been two weeks since I last saw them at that point but seeing them again had me just as excited. I was introduced to three incredible people, Becky, Kayla , and one of The Living Street’s managers, Maddy. I really loved being around Maddy that day. (Huge shoutout to her.)
San Jac Saloon had been hosting a day dedicated to women in music, which - right off the bat - I knew was up my alley. The first act I managed to catch there was a trio called Century lll. The vibe and the sound of the music immediately reminded me of one of my favorite bands, The Runaways, so with that alone, I was hooked. They were my first artist introduction of the day and I knew they would be on my radar.
After Century lll’s set, Edward and Nick had a show at the Blind Pig Pub, which was right across the street. I headed over to the pub with them for their performance. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that every performance of The Living Street’s always brings a huge smile to my face and always makes me feel so beyond joyful. Watching them perform, in that moment I realized just how proud I was of them. Just to be watching them perform during Austin’s biggest event of the entire year and seeing people enjoy their performance. Words cannot even begin to describe how proud I am of them and seeing how far they’ve come in the last few years.
This was originally supposed to be their only performance of the day. However, they ended up booking two other shows - one at Shakespeare’s and another one at San Jac Saloon, so after the Blind Pig Pub, we went to Shakespeare’s; where I was introduced to yet another incredible act: McKayla Prew.
McKayla Prew is a young country artist from Detroit, Michigan - with a very bright future ahead of her in the music industry, I should add. When listening to her perform her originals, my mind shifted to Taylor Swift’s earlier work. She was giving me the vibe of 2006-2008 Taylor Swift and it only made me want to hear more of what she had to offer.
After McKayla’s set, The Living Street performed their second set of the day; in which for this one, I got up and danced around to bring in some additional energy.
Advice: When supporting friends at their gigs, dance your hearts out and bring in that energy.
Once that set ended, we went back to San Jac Saloon. Some time after getting back to the saloon, I found another amazing act named Lauren Rose Thayer. Her sound was especially incredible and she was another act that I couldn’t help but think that there was something special about her. I loved her instantly. Another artist on my radar? Oh, absolutely.
Next up after Lauren’s performance came one of my favorite discoveries from that day: Katie Toupin. Up until that day, I had never heard of her but one thing I caught onto quickly once she began to perform: She filled up the room. It was probably the biggest crowd I had seen all day long and the energy really packed the room fast. That energy? Infectious!
The biggest honor of her set though? I was her muse. It was during the second or third song when she pointed her hand towards me. In fact, after she finished her set, she came up to me and said, “Thank you for being my muse! You’re so pretty, so I wanted you to be my muse!” I had never been a muse before, so to hear that? I was surprised but I felt super honored.
Did I mention that I reunited with a friend during Katie’s set? During her set, a good friend named Tess (who a lot of you may know as @safetytess) came to the saloon after I had invited her. I had only met her once in person at a Greta Van Fleet concert in 2019 and we became friends after that. This was our first meeting since that concert and man, it felt so good to see her again after such a long time.
The Living Street had one more full set to do; in which, Tess and I enjoyed the show together. Since first seeing The Living Street, I had always been one to tell my friends about them and encourage said friends to listen to them and to see one of my friends enjoy their set? It made me so happy.
It was another moment where I felt so beyond proud of them. So proud, I could probably cry. Nothing made me happier than watching two of my best friends do what they love doing and seeing them bring joy to others through the music that they create and the joyful performances that they bring in through performance as well.
The last full set I watched after The Living Street’s last performance was a musician named Lincoln Foley. He was absolutely fun to watch perform. Edward and Nick joined him halfway through his set and performed some songs with him, which was cool to witness. And just like that, I knew I found yet another artist to add to my radar.
The rest of the night was just filled with conversations with Edward and Nick, along with all the new people I had met that day. I found myself getting along with them all rather quickly. It was a moment where I thought of what music has done for me and the people it’s led me to. Because of Nick and Edward, I had my “Almost Famous” William Miller day. I felt like I was having that William Miller moment just being around them the entire day. Hell, I even looked down at my “it’s all happening” tattoo a few times because I kept thinking of that.
I talk a lot about how much these two mean to me and everything I credit them for. They continue to inspire me and bring joy into my life. That day in Austin especially made me so happy because of them. I mean, someone that day told me I really had to be their #1 fan to know all of their songs.
In just two weeks, I went from only watching them perform only three times to ten times. That’s the first time any artist/band had ever reached the double digits on the amount of times I had seen them.
In just one day, I discovered a handful of new artists that are now on my radar and I now know I’ll be writing about in the future. Those discoveries were definitely a huge highlight as well and overall, the day was fantastic.
One last shoutout: To Edward and Nick - thank you guys for one of the best days of this year. I’m grateful to say that you two are some of my best friends and my favorite band. Not only that, thank you guys for the fun.
Okay, I lied. This is my final shoutout: To every artist I had discovered that day - You are amazing. You guys have a bright future ahead of y’all in the music industry and I look forward to talking about every new release and giving you guys all of the promotion and continuing to attend y’all’s shows anywhere.
This is the power of music, folks.
I have had to learn a lot of lessons in life. I've dealt with grief, jealousy and even the joys of life. Music often helped me through those life lessons. Arguably the biggest lesson I've learned is how important it is for women to support women. From Brandie Carlile’s lyrics to Lauryn Shaffner’s work with Loudwire, I think I can speak for most women by saying Women's History month is an everyday celebration.
To continue the celebration, here are 10 women in the music industry who I think you should support…
Aubree Gomez
Founder Of MGG Media
Commonly known for running the Greta Van Fleet Bold n Gold event, Aubree Gomez is a girlboss when it comes to music management. Bold n Gold was a charity fan event that donated to Michigan's very own Hurleys Foundation. Aubree organized the whole event and created all the promos. From the incredible vendors to the rockin’ live music, she really outdid herself. Gomez has also worked with bands such as Mac Saturn and Loud Thoughts. She’s been on tour with Dirty Honey and has made connections with other incredible artists. MGG just turned one this past December. Through networking Aubree has been able to bring the Rock community together and her future looks bright.
Taylor Momsen
The Pretty Reckless
Taylor Momsen started her career as an actress from landing roles in The Grinch and the popular show Gossip Girl. Her acting career branched into modeling and music. Since 2008 Momsen has been the front woman of the famous rock band, The Pretty Reckless. Her signature snow white hair and deep gravelly voice make her the queen of hard rock. Rising to stardom with The Pretty Reckless’ 2010 album Light Me Up, Taylor earned her reputation in the music industry. Traveling the world and performing in front of vastly large audiences along with touring with some huge names in the music industry, Momsen rocks hard.
YOLA
Vastly known in the UK and speaking her truth through music, Yola is a one of a kind artist.
“Diamond Studded Shoes,” a song about the sad truths of our corrupt society, is her trademark song of her discography. Working with Brandi Carlile, Marren Morris and so many other powerful women to create “Highway Women” boosted her popularity in America. Her country soulful sounding vibe and honest lyrics make her songs iconic poems.
LIZZO
Lizzo is a 4 time grammy winner and an activist for the body positivity movement. Her upbeat soulful songs about self love and female empowerment have reached the hearts of so many young women today. Her top song is “Special” featuring SZA showcases the beauty of humans being created equal but different. Realizing there are different figures, skin colors and sexualities makes everyone uniquely different yet we equally deserve the same basic human rights. “About Damn Time” gained popularity on the app Tiktok. Eventually it became the hot girl summer anthem. Lizzo can sing, rap and even play the flute which makes her one of the most diverse musicians today.
Lauryn Shaffner
Journalist for Loudwire
Lauryn is the youngest full-time writer for Loudwire. Interviewing bands such as The Black Crowes and Mammoth WVH, her connections go beyond the spectrum. Her talent, creativity and drive to make her interviews and projects the best they can be is coherent when you see the finished product. Doing little projects such as The GOAT and the history of bands in 60 seconds, Shaffner’s creative approach is what Loudwire needs. She is a huge inspiration for everyone on the Banded Staff and we are rooting her on as we watch her career with Loudwire blossom.
Taylor Balding
Photographer for Staged Haze and Musaholic Magazine
Taylor Balding’s inspirations come from Hannah Wicklund and Greta Van Fleet, her two favorite shows she's photographed. Taylor’s photos draw you in like you're actually at the concert. Her edits add that extra spice and drama, making her one of a kind. She shines the most when she's in the photo pit almost like it's a dream come true. She graduates from college in May and hopes to pursue concert photography as a full time job.
Brandi Carlile
LGBTQ+ activist and proud mama, Brandi Carlile conquers the music industry with her unique talent. The nine time grammy winner has a soulful rock voice with some country twang. Being an incredible role model to her two daughters and women all over the world, her unapologetic energy and badass performances are what make her such a loveable musician. “The Joke” is a song about loving yourself and overcoming fear and judgment. My favorite song by her is “Broken Horses” . The melody and harmonies are like having an out of body experience. Her lyrics are like poetry and there's no one out there making music like she does.
Candrika Rice
Bassist of Lylyth
Candrika Rice from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is a domestic abuse activist and creates music with her band Lylyth to empower women. Playing concerts to raise money for domestic abuse survivors along with suicide prevention organizations, Rice is a true rock n roll queen. The song “Fight Back” was Lylyth’s first ever released song. Unfortunately with Roe V Wade being overturned Drika and her band knew they had to raise their voices. Candrika’s energy on stage is equivalent to Victoria De Angelis bass player of Maneskin. Drika’s big heart, talent and funny personality is what makes her so incredible.
Rihanna
The first pregnant women to perform at the super bowl halftime show, 9 time Grammy winner and 33 time nominee there's no one like Rhianna. “We found love” is her most popular song. If you grew up in the 2010s then you probably know half of her discography. Songs such as “Umbrella” and “Diamonds” shaped me. She worked with Paul McCartney and Kanye West for the song “FourFiveSeconds” which was a unique trio to say the least. Rhianna is a trailblazer for women of color in the music and beauty industry and continues to feed us with her incredible work on and off the stage.
Cassie Irene
Banded’s very own Cassie Irene does a little bit of everything in the music industry. At Banded, her sole focus is photography. When she's not in the photo pit, she’s at home creating songs of her own. Cassie is the perfect example of working outside the box. There is no perfect way to work in the music industry. Once you're in it, you're in it no matter how you contribute to it. Her two songs “Vampire” and “The March” are available on all streaming platforms and there's more to come.
The challenge was on this Women’s History Month: find a woman in this chaotic music industry who we feel makes waves today, to interview. Without hesitation, my first pick was Roxx Revolt, front woman of the Florida based, electrifying and star-studded rock band, Roxx Revolt & the Velvets. In this interview, Roxx and I discussed her introduction to rock music, her brightest influences, including male and female, her immigration to this country from Venezuela and the task of formulating a band once a citizen of the U.S. What’s next for RR&TV in 2023? You’ll have to watch me sit down with the fierce femme that is Roxx Revolt
{trigger warning: mentions of child sexual abuse}
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In the past, I’ve spoken out about my story of being sexually abused when I was 7 years old; which was both really hard and also healing at the same time. This year, I decided to make a playlist filled with songs I felt I saw myself in through the years that followed my experience. These are all songs that I felt were a huge part of my healing process.
Starting off are a few songs by Demi Lovato including “Skyscraper”, “Warrior”, “Believe In Me” and a couple of more. Demi was someone I really looked up to in high school. So, these are some of the songs I saw myself in, especially “Believe In Me” because I struggled with self-esteem and insecurity after what I had been through.
Some songs were by Halsey, including one of her most popular songs, “you should be sad”. Specifically, the lyric “you would never ever touch me again,” hits close to home for me. I consider that line to be my “fuck you” to my abuser.
And because even now, I still worry about how people close to me view me after I share my story with them, I added a song by my friends, The Living Street: “Mean The Most”. The lyric “you watch me as I fall, there you go. I’ve never felt so small,” hits me specifically when I think back to feeling like I wasn’t good enough and just wanting to mean something to someone.
Two other songs that I also feel so connected to when it comes to this topic are by singer, Birdy, “Keeping Your Head Up” and “Wild Horses”. When it comes to “Wild Horses”, one lyric that I felt spoke to me during the chorus is “I will move on and you should know I mean it. Wild horses run in me,” This became my mantra after I first listened and it is still my mantra to this day.
Other songs I included are by Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, Shinedown, Sia ,and more. If you’ve ever been through this, I hope these songs heal you the way they’ve healed me. I love you. I see you. I hear you.
With their first (and last!) full release record playing on repeat in my headphones since 2015, The Arcs dropped their latest full-length release, Electrophonic Chronic, at the tail-end of January. A time capsule of sorts, musical magic captured in time, this record functions in many ways as a tribute to band member Richard Swift, who passed away in 2018.
Electrophonic Chronic hearkens back, and not too terribly far, to the same sort of emotionally raw lyricism you’ll find on The Black Keys’ Turn Blue, heavy, but somehow emotionally rewarding. With the majority of tracks already scaffolded in 2015/2016, the only task keeping Electrophonic Chronic from being released as the unit it is today was the putting of pieces together. This process started in 2021, when vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach sent some Dropbox links of these old tracks to multi-instrumentalist in the band Leon Michels – they then started working. The end result is a very personal, bittersweet piece.
Electrophonic Chronic is more than just a sophomore album, it’s a taste of what it might’ve been like to hang with the band. It feels very personal, like the listener is a fly on the wall through the band’s tour and studio adventures. Electrophonic Chronic is the perfect example of what The Arcs always were, a band of friends who just liked to play around with sounds and listen to music. That energy is evident here – it’s raw, but that kind of rawness that only comes from well-seasoned musicians just doing their thing, and doing it well, even when they’re just having fun. You can hear the love they had for what they were doing and for each other.
Electrophonic Chronic explores all ends of the emotional spectrum in its 38-minute package. “Sunshine” is a bright blue-sky day in sonic form, “Behind the Eyes” is an introspective masterpiece on the two-sided nature of people. “Heaven is a Place” honors the grief and pain associated with loss while maintaining a sense of hopefulness, “Backstage Mess” is pure fun and happiness from the road somehow pieced together into a solid home-video-esque song. “Only One for Me” is a heartbreakingly relatable lament of loneliness (and acceptance, depending on your perspective), “A Man Will Do Wrong” (a gender-bent version of the Helene Smith soul number) is a beautiful aching description of love and the lengths we’ll go to for it. I could go on and on.
Thematically, where Yours Dreamily seems to have its moments evoking that immediate and raw, yet poetic, response to hurt, Electrophonic Chronic feels like that years-later acceptance and healing. Despite these songs having not actually been recorded that far apart in time, there’s a maturity and growth to the theme of these tracks, still raw, but having started to heal from the experience. Several of the tracks delve into some really heavy concepts, almost dark at times, but the way the band executes it lends an air of hopefulness. There’s a feeling of acceptance and healing underlying these heavy themes. “Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” for example, has a focus on the unpacking of generational trauma and letting go of a toxic relationship, with the simple resolution of “I’ve got more love to give today / more than you could ever steal away.” There’s an acknowledgment and honoring of pain while simultaneously healing from it, and it feels especially fitting now in the context of the record honoring Swift. Much of the record functions this way, and it’s indicative of the group’s growth over the course of their time together not as musicians, but as friends, through talking and working through their own personal issues and being each other’s’ source of support, something Auerbach has mentioned in recent interviews. You really can feel the love these guys have for each other in this record; it’s remarkable.
On top of being emotionally rich and eclectic, the record also exudes one of my favorite things about the Arcs, their inability to be closed into one genre. Even within a single track, you’ll find multiple expressions of various genres. Electrophonic Chronic explores elements of 60s soul and funk, classic country, indie rock, and even a touch of electronic. Couple that with one of the best voices in modern music delivering those gut-wrenching yet somehow therapeutic lyrics and you’ve got one of the best records of the last and the next decade.
As a self-proclaimed Arcs superfan who genuinely never thought they’d see another release from the band, Electrophonic Chronic was worth every bit of excitement and hype it’s been given since it was announced last October. Though it feels in many ways like a new chapter for the band, it functions as a beautiful piece of closure, tying up loose thematic ends and honoring a musical genius and good friend in a way he’s sure to be proud of. It remains on track to be my favorite record released this year. I hope it’s not the end of the Arcs story, but if it is, what a damn good way to go out. RIP Swift.
San Antonio born-and-raised rockers Ready Revolution have returned from hiatus with their brand new, heavy-hitting record, Let It Out. I sat down with Diego, Emilio, Matt, Kevin, and Shane over Zoom to talk about the record and their upcoming show in San Antonio this Saturday (3/25/23). We talked about the process of getting Let It Out into the world, our favorite tracks from the record, and how excited they are for their first show back in 5 years!
I found my way to Ready Revolution because of their close proximity to another of my favorite bands, The Last Bandoleros, who I’ve written about several times for Banded. Brothers Diego and Emilio Navaira are the connecting pieces, and together with their friends Shane Gamboa, Kevin Diaz de Leon, and Matt Zavala, they put together this kickass rock band before TLB was a solid thing, and they’ve been rocking all over San Antonio ever since.
photo credit: Josh Huskin
With their last release, Ready Revolution, out in 2015, and their last live show in 2018, the release of Let It Out and their upcoming live show in San Antonio feels like a rebirth for the band. Let It Out really feels like a record for the fans. All of the sounds we’ve known and loved from the band since their inception still remain, but you can hear the growth in musicianship and brotherhood among the band when you listen; it truly feels like the second coming of Ready Revolution in a way. This music has more-or-less sat in the vault for years until recently, when the band decided to get back together to finish things up and make final cuts. Vocals were re-recorded, little bits were added and changed, and seemingly out of nowhere, Let It Out was here and in our ears before we even knew what hit us.
The record feels incredibly cohesive despite its general pieced-togetherness, and I think that can only be attributed to the strong brotherhood this band embodies, a sentiment that was echoed by guitarist/vocalist Emilio during our interview. It’s clear upon first listen that these are more than just musicians placed together in a studio, these are the best of friends who know each other better than anyone else. They know how to get the best out of each other and out of the band as a unit, and that’s evident in the overall production – Let It Out is incredibly well-produced. That’s not something you find very often in self-made bands like this one.
Let It Out is addictive. As I sit here listening to it while writing this review, I find myself jamming (and getting distracted by said jamming!) and wanting to start every song over for another listen. It’s a record that amps you up and leaves you feeling good. Starting and ending you on such high notes without a single filler track, it’s impossible to put down. Not to mention the phenomenal musicianship that shines through on every track; these are five of Texas’ absolute best musicians. It’s never even a question that they know exactly what a track needs and how to lay it down. They’re masters of their craft.
Deserving a paragraph all his own is lead vocalist Diego Navaira. I’ve long been hyping up his vocal prowess, but never has that been more deserved than with his work on this record. He has complete control over his range and tone, and he demonstrates all levels of the spectrum on Let It Out. He leaves nothing to be desired; if anyone was born to lend their voice to rock ‘n’ roll, it’s Diego.
Let It Out is everything you want from a modern rock record. It ebbs and flows heaviness and anger, softness and emotion, and everything in between. Rich with brilliant guitar tone, strong lead vocals and perfectly executed harmonies, and relatable lyrics to tie the whole thing together, the only complaint I could have about the record is that it just isn’t long enough! The thirty minutes of rock magic the band does give us though? Very much worth the aching for more. Give it a listen – you’ll thank me.
If you’re local to San Antonio and the surrounding areas, check at their show at the 502 Bar this Saturday (3/25) night, and if you’re listening from afar, be on the lookout – they might be hitting the road soon!
It was an honor chatting with Hannah Wicklund this Women's History Month. Her story is truly inspiring, sharing stories of heartbreak and success. Wicklund has toured with the likes of Greta Van Fleet, The Pretty Reckless and many more. New music is coming soon so be on the lookout!
It's been two years since I've last spoken with Houston-based rock band, Rozy. It was such an incredible time chatting with them about their latest single, One For All. We dove into the story of the single as well as what's on the horizon for Rozy.
Stream One For All on all streaming platforms.
If there’s anything I can say about Red and The Rebels, it’s the fact that they know how to make songs that stand out. Songs that are electrifying. Songs that will stay in your head for days and make you want more.
Once again, they’ve released another song that will make you want more, “Pisces Moon.”
Right off the bat, we’re being greeted with an incredible instrumental start to the song, which is something that already gives such a positive thought about the song itself. What’s a good rock ‘n’ roll song without an excellent instrumental beginning?
The heartland rock sound of the song is very reminiscent of Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever album, while lead singer Deidre’s vocals give off the vibes of Stevie Nicks. Not only that, Deidre’s vocal performance on this track shows how powerful of a singer she is. She’s got the fierce sound of any badass woman in rock ‘n’ roll. She’s on her way to becoming a future star in the world of rock ‘n’ roll.
The lyrics of “Pisces Moon” will also stay with you and you’ll find yourself singing it. The beauty of the lyrics are nothing short of beautiful and lyrically, this may be their best song to date. One standout lyric is “no one’s light compares to you.” It’s an extraordinary and undeniably beautiful lyric on its own.
Everything about the song - from the lyrics, the instrumentals, the vocal performance - is extraordinary in every way. It will fill your rock ‘n’ roll loving heart with joy.Watch out, world. Here comes Red and The Rebels and they’re here to stay.
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