Author: Shannon Shumaker

Meresha is a force to be reckoned with. As the first artist to debut an EP on start-up Tsu, the eighteen year old singer,songwriter and producer is onto something, and listeners are definitely taking notice. Meresha’s new EP, New Revolution, which dropped on April 7th has been making waves, and we had the chance to chat with Meresha about the new EP, the pros and cons of being a young indie artist and what the next chapter in her story is looking like. You can check out the entire interview, as well as Meresha’s recently released video for “You” below. Interview by…

Review by Shannon Shumaker The Early November can do no wrong. While their new album, Imbue, is definitely a step away from their 2012 release, In Currents, it still has everything that makes The Early November strong. Kicking off with a strong guitar riff is the first, and one of the most explosive songs on Imbue, “Narrow Mouth.” Within moments, The Early November reminds old listeners just why they fell for them in the first place, and are guaranteed to hook new listeners with this opening track. The band’s use of negative and positive space (if that makes sense) is…

Review by Shannon Shumaker The Cerny Brothers’ newest release, Sleeping Giant, has everything that it takes to make a strong folk-rock album and then some. Strong, fast paced guitar work, an incredible string section, flawless vocal harmonies and strong lyricism, all peppered with harmonica can all be found in just the first song, promising a monumental release from this band. When the album moves forward, The Cerny Brothers just seem to prove themselves again and again. “Porch Lights,” the first track on Sleeping Giant, is the perfect teaser of what to expect from this incredible album. The first notes of…

Photos & Review: Matt and Kim Featuring: Matt and Kim & Rose Quartz The Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO. 5/5/15 Photos and review by: Shannon Shumaker Full photo gallery HERE Matt and Kim know how to throw a party. Having seen the duo for the first time a couple of years ago at Denver’s first ever Riot Fest, I knew I had to catch Matt and Kim on their headlining tour in support of their new album, New Glow, and unsurprisingly, I was not disappointed. Even if you’ve never had the pleasure of listening to Matt and Kim before, it’s impossible not to have fun at one…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Miles Away’s new album, Tide is a raw burst of energy that is sure to keep listeners coming back for more. With five years between their last full length album, Endless Roads and Tide, it seems that Miles Away have taken the time to really refine a sound for this album. Easily one of the strongest things about Tide is the raw, gritty quality of the vocal work and the palpable amount of heart and soul beneath it. This is apparent especially within the second song of the album, “Terra Incognita.” On top of seemingly pulling out…

Review by Shannon Shumaker In Hearts Wake’s new release, Skydancer is the masculine half of the band’s ambitious and beautiful two-part series, Earthwalker and Skydancer. These are things that any fan can go online and read about, but I’m mentioning it because the way that In Hearts Wake have managed to bridge these two albums together and create a gorgeous concept series is incredible. The way that Skydancer flows from the band’s previous release, Earthwalker is remarkable, but even more so is the fact that the band managed to keep this album, which was recorded back in 2013 with Earthwalker,…

Review by Shannon Shumaker It is few and far between that you find an album that combines the amount of emotion, instrumentation and storytelling as much as Where Were You? does, but PJ Bond makes it feel easy. Where Were You? begins with a high energy, summery sounding rock n’ roll track, “Everglades,” which feels light and easy, but as the album progresses, it quickly becomes apparent that the album is much more than upbeat summer songs, catchy guitar work and pretty vocals. As the album progresses, it grows and changes and begins to tell a story, one of small…

Review by Shannon Shumaker 4th N’ Goal’s new EP, Turn on the Light starts and ends strong with beautiful vocal harmonies, great guitar work and memorable, catchy choruses that are sure to keep fans coming back for more. Right away, the album kicks off with a high energy and upbeat track, “Pickles.” The high and low vocal harmonies in “Pickles” are one of the strongest aspects of the song, and when the super catchy pop-punk chorus comes in, it’s hard not to have high hopes for this six song EP. The following song, “Red Line Extreme,” is carried heavily by…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Florio’s new EP, Power is very aptly named. Each of the four songs is strong in its own way, but as a whole, Power is incredibly, well, powerful. Carried by strong bass lines, dreamy instrumentation, stunning vocal work and catchy choruses, these four songs are bound to stick with you long after the EP comes to an end. Power begins in a very dreamy way, with a sound similar to that of The 1975. “I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend” is mellow, laid back and easy to get lost in, but with a catchy melody…

Photos & Review: American Football Featuring: American Football, Foxing & Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir The Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO. 4/25/15 Photos and review by: Shannon Shumaker Full photo gallery HERE “It’s just like riding a bike… once every fifteen years,” American Football vocalist, Mike Kinsella joked to a nearly sold-out Gothic Theatre in Denver on Saturday night. The band played their first show in Colorado in fifteen years, and needless to say, they had the full attention of the entire crowd, from shaky start to beautiful finish. When the first band, Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir, took the stage, it was…