SML : Spontaneous Music Live

The L.A. musical quintet known as SML have had a couple incredibly productive years. The band -which includes Josh Johnson(sax), Anna Butterss(bass), Jeremiah Chiu(electronics), Booker Stardrum(drums), and Gregory Uhlmann(guitar)- have given new spark and excitement to the world of improvisational music. Their 2024 debut, Small Medium Large, was built with these jumpy, kinetic tracks that […]

Yes : Aurora

I had to do a double take when I saw that there was a brand new Yes album out in the year of our Lord 2026. Yes, the prog rock Grandfathers that started -along with Genesis, King Crimson, Soft Machine- prog rock.Yes came out of the late 60s British rock scene to show those pesky […]

Paul McCartney : The Boys of Dungeon Lane

When you’re an ex-Beatle and 84-years old I suppose you can do pretty much whatever you want. Paul McCartney is still hitting arenas playing in front of thousands of adoring fans, all coming from different generations. From great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers to great-grandsons and granddaughters. And given the fact that the man is old enough to […]

Jeff Parker ETA IVtet : Happy Today

Jeff Parker comes across as lowkey, almost sleepy in his guitar delivery. The jazz guitarist has traveled many music miles over the last 20 years; as a member of the post-rock/experimental outfit Tortoise, sought-after collaborator for artists like Makaya McCraven, Rob Mazurek and most recently Flea, as well as a steady flow of masterful solo […]

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs : Mission Of Mercy

I always felt like Mike Campbell was Tom Petty’s secret weapon. Petty took the spotlight for sure, as he was the music scholar in the band. He took his love of bands like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and so many others and turned it into a lifelong music career. Borrowing from but never […]

Slippers : Slippers 08

Slippers is the music project of LA-based singer/songwriter Madeline Babuka Black, or Madeline BB. Black brings a nostalgic, almost melancholy sound to her music. Power pop with a bit of grit. If you took the poppy punk of Alvvays and threw in some early Strokes, The Feelies, and Camera Obscura you’d get in the ballpark […]

Feverdreamt Returns 7/3 With New Album ‘Our Only Fault Is Existing’; Listen To Haunting New Single “Waiter Without Guests”

Alexander Donat never slows down. The German musician/producer/label runner of Blackjack Illuminist Records keeps a constant flow of amazing musical works humming right along. Check out Blackjack Illuminist Records’ Bandcamp page and you’ll see an artist with a fire burning within him that never goes out. From his flag ship dark-wave project Vlimmer to the […]

Of Montreal : aethermead

Kevin Barnes has been making music as the front man/ringmaster/sole continuous member of the band Of Montreal for nearly 30 years. He emerged from the Elephant 6 Recording Company collective, along with bands like Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, the Apples In Stereo, and Neutral Milk Hotel. The one connecting musical DNA was 60s pop. […]

Hell Of A Year For Music : Favorite Music of 2026 So Far

I realize it’s not quite the halfway point of 2026 so far, but man it’s been such an incredible year for albums that it feels like we’re already into late fall. Music has always been a mental sanctuary for me; from being an awkward kid sitting in my bedroom on a Friday night popping in […]

Kurt Vile : Philadelphia’s been good to me

Kurt Vile has built a solid musical career out of jangly, classic rock vibes with a touch of outsider weirdness. It’s like Tom Petty meets R. Stevie Moore with a brush of John Prine and JJ Cale for good measure. His quietly genius guitar playing and stream-of-consciousness lyrical style feels both relatable and alien at […]