Author: Shannon Shumaker

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…

Review by Shannon Shumaker While I haven’t listened to much bluegrass or country music lately, it’s not because I’m not into it – it’s just because I haven’t  found anything that has really caught my attention. Mustered Courage, however, have definitely hooked me with their new album, Powerlines. It’s an album that grabs you tight from the gorgeous first lines of “Standing By Your Side” and doesn’t let go until the very last energetic and powerful note of “Still Shinin’.” As a Colorado native, this album honestly just screams summer to me. Powerlines is perfect for long drives on hot…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Field Mouse’s new album Hold Still Life is just an easy listen. It’s soft and relaxing, and the fuzzy guitars coupled with vocalist Rachel Browne’s dreamy voice are just soothing and beautiful. It’s so easy to get lost in this album that, upon my first time listening to it, I just had to press play again after it was over, having cruised through all twelve tracks without even realizing it. The best part about Hold Still Life is easily the dreamy and mystical quality about every single song on the album. And the great thing is,…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Allison Weiss has always been a master at writing simple, yet incredibly catchy and relatable songs, and her new EP, Remember When is no exception to that. In fact, about halfway into the title track of the record, I knew that this short, five song EP would be one of my favorite releases by Allison Weiss to date. “Remember When” is the first track on the EP, and it’s arguably one of the strongest. It’s upbeat and high-energy, all while keeping that vibe that makes Weiss’ music so unique. After “Remember When” comes “Giving Up” which…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Four Year Strong have absolutely proven that they’ve still got it with their new EP, Go Down In History. While I wasn’t necessarily the biggest fan of the band’s 2011 release, In Some Way Shape Or Form, the moment that the opening riff in the first track, “What’s In The Box?” kicked in, Four Year Strong had easily won my heart all over again. And with an opening song as strong, catchy and fast paced as “What’s In The Box?” Four Year Strong set the bar high for this one. And the best part? They don’t…

We got the chance to chat with singer-songwriter David Rosales about his recently released album Along The Way, staying motivated on the road, and the challenges and rewards of working on an album on his own. You can pick up Along The Way now and check out a new music video for David’s track “Too Young To Know Better” below! First off, for anyone who hasn’t listened to you yet, how would you describe your new EP, Along The Way? It’s a good mix of American roots music with a California vibe. Did you have any goals in mind when you started writing/recording this album?…

Review by Shannon Shumaker I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that I’ve fallen in love with a band within just a few seconds of listening to one song, but Bad Luck has thankfully managed to change that for me. The first line of “Willoughby,” the first track on Cold Bones is so powerful that I was in love within seconds and I was just even more blown away as the song continued to progress. With a track so anathematic and muti-dimensional as “Willoughby,” I knew that I was in for a treat with Cold Bones, and boy,…

With her debut full-length album dropping at the end of the month (July 29th, to be exact) we had the chance to chat with singer-songwriter Tamar Haviv about You And Me Without Pajamas, her songwriting process (or lack thereof) and about what inspires her the most. You can pick up You And Me Without Pajamas on July 29th and check out a teaser for the album below! Be sure to keep an eye out for her new music video for “The Good Has Won” coming out soon! How would you describe your music for any new listeners out there? Ok, imagine Kate Nash, Ani…

Review by Shannon Shumaker I was sold on War Games’ The Acoustic Sessions EP from the moment that I first heard the mellow opening track, “Don’t Lose Your Head.” The entire EP, while soft and simple is also powerful, especially in the vocals, and I think that’s what makes it so unique. The second track on The Acoustic Sessions, “The Only Debt We Bear Is Love” is a very emotional song, and the added piano really drives it home, making it almost sound anthematic. Kyle Therrien’s vocals are especially strong on this track making it easily one of the best…

Review by Shannon Shumaker I haven’t been able to stop listening to K.Flay’s Life As A Dog since the moment I first hit play. While K.Flay would be classified as hip-hop, there’s also a very prominent indie feel to Life As A Dog that makes this album just very unique and interesting to listen to. Just when you think a song is going in one direction, she throws a catchy run into the mix or an eerie, hypnotic chorus that completely changes the mood and keeps you on your toes. While I wasn’t certain what to expect with this album,…