Author: Shannon Shumaker

With their debut self-titled EP out now and with some big plans for the future, we decided to have a chat with Taylor & the Wild Now about working on the album, the differences between working alone and working with a band, and their future goals. You can pick up Taylor & the Wild Now on iTunes or check it out on Spotify, and be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming shows and news at www.TaylorandtheWildNow.com! Hi guys! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us! Hi! Thanks for having us. How would you describe your music for anyone who hasn’t had…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Northernmost’s self-titled debut album has a melancholy beauty to it that is really just easy to listen to. From the moment that the guitars came in on the first track, “Basic Space,” I knew I was in for a real treat – the guitar tones are soft and easy to get lost in, and by the time the song faded into the second track, “Marble,” I was aching for more. Northernmost just flows very well from one track to another, and every instrument compliments the others well alongside the vocals, and both the clean vocals and…

Review by Shannon Shumaker The simple acoustic guitar coupled with Jared McCloud’s unique vocals in the beginning moments of his new EP, To Live And Die In Your Arms, is the perfect opening for this record. The first track, “King Of New England,” honestly just sets the tone for the entire album, which is an easy-going vibe with a lot of heart. One of the greatest parts about To Live And Die In Your Arms is Jared McCloud’s incredibly unique vocals. Most singer-songwriters have the same sort of vocal style – soft and easy-going, not too much but not too…

Foxy Shazam are no strangers to theatricality. On top of their trademark insane live performances over the years, they decided to step it up a notch earlier this year by unexpectedly dropping their fifth studio album with absolutely no advertising, no announcements and no label. And on top of all of that,Gonzo was released for free. In support of the album, Foxy Shazam set off on a massive headlining tour and we got the chance to talk to horn player/backing vocalist, Alex Nauth about the challenges in self-releasing and producing the album, Foxy Shazam’s crazy live performances, and their plans for…

Review by Shannon Shumaker I’m a sucker for albums that start and end strong, and Prawn’s newest release, Kingfisher does both of those things, making this album a real stand out for me. The first track on Kingfisher is “Scud Running” and it starts soft and simple, just a clean guitar and simple drums, and when the rest of the music kicks in, I’m already bobbing my head along to the tune. The first thing that really stands out about Prawn is the soft, mellow quality of their music and the way it contrasts beautifully with vocalist Tony Clark’s voice.…

Review by Shannon Shumaker I feel as if splits are really hit or miss for me. It’s difficult for me to listen to only two songs by an artist and really have much to go off of, but thankfully, both The Felix Culpa and Foreign Tongues have provided me each with two amazing tracks each that really showcase their abilities as artists. This split starts of with The Felix Culpa’s “Karma City” and while I’ve listened to them a couple of times in the past, I’m not sure what to expect, especially considering that this is the first music that…

With their new album, Unless dropping in just a month (9/9) via Spartan Records, we decided to have a chat with Louisville, Kentucky’s The Foxery about the concept behind the album, their unique writing and recording process, and their goals as musicians. The Foxery seem to know exactly what they want their fans to be able to take away from their new record and live shows, making Unless an album that shouldn’t be missed! You can read the entire interview and check out a stream of the band’s new track “Broken Vessels” below. Interview by Shannon Shumaker Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time…

Review by Shannon Shumaker The opening notes of “Always Never,” the first track on Lee Corey Oswald’s new full-length, Regards are gorgeous – just enough to hook me in the first few seconds. They’re soft, possibly even verging on folky, then it progresses immediately into an almost Weezer sounding guitar part, and by then, they’ve definitely captured my attention. By the time “Always Never” fades into “Living Room,” the second track on the album, I’m excited to hear what this unique band has to offer. It’s very apparent within the first few tracks of Regards that Lee Corey Oswald know…

Review by Shannon Shumaker To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I sat down to listen to The Life We Lead, the new full-length album by Wisconsin metalcore act To Set Ablaze. I’m honestly pretty weary when listening to new metal core or death core bands, because it takes a lot for a band of that genre to stand out to me. In this day and age, they all just seem to blend together. The intro track on The Life We Lead, however, definitely piqued my interested and convinced me to stay, just to see what…

Photos and interview by Shannon Shumaker If I had to choose one word to describe Pistol Day Parade, it would be humble. For a band that is currently out on tour with the legendary Ted Nugent, guitarist Rob Banks’ self-proclaimed idol, they don’t let it get to their heads. They said it best themselves: they’re just raw, gritty real rock music for real people. It’s apparent within minutes of speaking with them – and after watching their incredible set – that they’re really just a group of down-to-earth, hard working guys, who are both thankful to be where they are today, but also excited…