Tag Archives: California

Song Review- Wanted Noise- “Burn the Time Away” from the upcoming album Easy Listening

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Four casually dressed men standing in front of an orange and green wall with a large "You Are Beautiful" sign above them. They seem pretty happy and relaxed.

At some point, somewhere along the course of many trips to California I had heard some music from this group, probably around 2019 or 2020.  After getting the press release on this from Earshot Media I had to go back and listen through their Bandcamp portfolio to try to figure out what I had heard back then and I think it was “Every Time” (off 2017’s Plate Lunch).  That album is a pretty decent offering on its own and combines some hard rock vibes with punk and a little reggae groove to good effect.  Much of their prior press highlights this multi-genre style in their music and it is definitely a strength for Wanted Noise.  

This new single has a subtle and melodic lead-in that goes on just long enough for you to give that head turn of curiosity before it slams into a wall of guitars and furious rhythm.  This track has a definite message to convey as explained by lead singer Suri Sherman:

“’Burn The Time Away’ was written about life with our crew in Goleta, where I grew up—capturing the duality of living the dream while also facing the tragedy that can come with life on the edge, but experiencing all of it together.”

This is a solid and energetic song and a nice advance peek at what is coming from the band.  You can pre-save here and this is due out on January 6, 2026:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wantednoise/burn-the-time-away?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Email+&utm_source=SendGrid

Musicians on this (other than Sherman who also plays guitar): Taylor Wagner (drums), Matt Lappin (bass) and Caleb Adkins (guitar, vocals).

As another random and cool thing to know and check out – Sherman is a close friend of Mendeleyev (https://www.levsongs.com) who has a rather interesting project going on.  I also read about this in the Earshot Media press release and then poked around on Apple Music to find the IN WAVES concept album.  I have failed to properly absorb this collection of pretty cool takes on his “In Waves” song but will be continuing to work on it – you might find it interesting also.   Additionally, there is a version of this by Wanted Noise being released today as part of a second project from Mendeleyev.

You and your community are powerful – get out there and explore it 🙂 

Release Alert! Katie Knipp – Dance Me

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A stylized photo of a woman singing into a microphone.

I am always a fan of artists who take a chance and step out of their usual style or genre to give some other sounds a try.   Knipp has long been a great talent (mostly in the blues / rock space) going all the way back to her first album Midnight Mind.   She has displayed other chops along the way (speaking of that first album check out “Someonewherelse” which is a piano driven number and a fav of mine).  Some other highlights from the past to check out include “Santa Cruz Blues” (off Take It With You), “The Gospel of Good Intentions” (The Well and also a great performance on Live at the Green Room Social Club) and “Outlaw Doc” (Me).  One of the things I appreciate the most (other than the great band she always has with her) is her ability to write piercing lyrics that kind of sneak up on you sometimes…you can just be listening along and she will turn a phrase or a sharp line on you unexpectedly.   So, all of that being said, when I started seeing her release some “re-mixes” as singles I had a “what the heck is this all about moment?”  Not to worry though as Dance Me, which she proudly proclaims as “my first ever electronica record!” is an interesting and worthy addition to her catalog.  

This new album, featuring re-mixes of eight of the ten songs off of 2024’s Me, hits a range of grooves in that electronica space.  These include a club-bopping version of “Vampire”, the slow and slightly breathless funk of “Go” and a dreamy and stark reggae influenced take on “Stillness.”  You can definitely dance to these but they are also pretty cool to listen to just sitting around and pondering the world.   

If you check these songs or the album out…please think about purchasing as streaming does not pay well even times a thousand.

You can check out more music and info at either link below:

https://katieknipp.bandcamp.com/music

https://katieknipp.com/home

And please remember to support all of your locals…that community out there is a pretty cool place 🙂 

Album Review- Seahaven- Winter Forever

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Four men standing in a dark place with a pale, single source of light above left. They are also dressed in dark clothing giving the image an eerie quality.

Yes, yes, I know…this is an album from quite a long time ago…15 years to be exact.  I had not listened to it for a good stretch of time either when the press release from Earshot Media hit my inbox announcing that Seahaven was headed out on a special tour.  This short run (which will span eleven dates in January and February 2026) will feature them playing the album in full.  Considering that Winter Forever contains a really great collection of emo / pop-punk songs this sets up to an event worth attending.

Back in the day (2011) when I first heard the album I was struck by a few things:

  • The unique voice of Kyle Soto (who also plays guitar) which adds a layer of texture to every song; kind of a heartfelt, ironic, slightly cheeky overlay that will stick with you.
  • Interesting and varied arrangements; these range from the change-of pace groove of “Goodnight” to the hammering choppiness of “Thank You” and on to the simple, stripped down “Honeybee.”  There is a lot of musical talent going on within these tracks. 
  • Very cool guitar sounds – I have always liked the tone on this album – a simple thing but notable to me. 

Musicians on this (other than Soto) are: Cody Christian (guitar), Mike DeBartolo (bass, piano) and Eric Findlay (drums).

Check it out on your favorite streaming channel and let me know your thoughts about it – music makes for good conversation 🙂 

And if you have the inclination …think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

There is also a pretty cool acoustic EP on Bandcamp that is worth checking out (including a version of “Goodnight “ which is also on Winter Forever) – link below: 

https://seahaven.bandcamp.com/album/acoustic-sessions

And support your locals – community is powerful!

Release Alert! The Bobby Lees – “Napoleon”

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A slightly sunburned person (seen from behind) appears to be looking at a large seafood menu. The name of this band is also sunburned into their back.

Good news recently as it was announced that this great band (whose decision a couple of years ago to go on hiatus was understandable but still lamented by me) has signed to Epitaph.  They also dropped this new single “Napoleon” which was described by singer Sam Quartin on the labels’ website:

“This song is about wanting to change and no longer being interested in complaining about a problem or situation. It’s about trying to live in the solution.”

The track is a solid comeback for The Bobby Lees and it is very nice to hear some new music from them – looking forward to what comes next! 

Musicians (in addition to Quartin): Macky Bowman (drums) and Kendall Wind (bass). 

Check it out here and let me know what you think.

Song Review- Meklit –  “Stars in a Wide Field” from the album Pieces of Infinity

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A woman in a blue top looks off camera right - she is also gazing upward

Today we take a little journey into the wonderful world of Meklit and this amazing album.  There are a lot of great things going on throughout the nine tracks here.  The arrangements range from traditional to spiritual, jazz and folk and each one will have a different effect on you.    Meklit, who is from Ethiopia and currently based in California, has a rich voice that imparts feeling into everyone of these songs.  Now I am not going to claim that I understand most of the lyrics due to my own limitations on other languages  but I am hopeful that someday either the singer herself or someone else will explain them to me.  The tracks  though are artfully arranged and you can pick up on the emotion and feeling behind them just from that and the vocal styling.  

There are a couple songs that do have either all or mostly English lyrics and I picked one of them here for this review.  It begins on a really unique stringed instrument sound which I found out (from some of the liner notes) is a krar.  That instrument stays throughout, setting a pulsing rhythm that gives a feeling of running just in front of the vocals.   There is a gentle percussion and bass accompaniment filling out the musical space along with an alluring saxophone (I had to listen a few times to catch it…but it was worth it for sure).   A very interesting piece of music and one that will stick with you. 

Musicians on this are: Meklit (vocals and krar), Howard Wiley (tenor and alto saxophone), Kibrom Birhane (microcosm), Marco Peris Coppola (percussion), Sam Bevan (upright bass and guitar) and Colin Douglas (drums).  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://meklitsings.bandcamp.com/album/a-piece-of-infinity

Your community – us and you and everyone else – is powerful…remember to support and engage.

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Let me know you think! 

Song Review- Stoke Signals- “rockville winters build character” off the upcoming EP Making Enemies

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Four men, sitting at a bar and looking toward the camera.

My first exposure to this band was earlier this year when they released a split with Heartwells containing “The Squid” and “Killin’ Me Now.”   I read about it and then never had a chance to give it a listen.  The fact that they were working with Heartwells though was interesting as I am already a fan.  I later went back and checked out Stoke Signals 2024 album Make Dying Fun and was impressed.  My favorite track there is “Burning Daylight” with “Nothing to Worry About” a close second.  

There is something delightfully chaotic about this new single which starts on plenty of volume and energy.  In addition to a drum line that sets a feisty tone this song also features some nice pace changes. Melodic guitar riffs and bass grooves fill space between the vocal sections which, other than the bridge, are delivered at a fast clip.  This is a good song and a bit more aggressive and edgy than their previous work.  The album comes out October 31st on Hey! Fever Records.

Musicians on this are: Jordan Calhoun (bass), Giuliano Messina (vocals, guitar), Chris Perez (guitar, vocals) and Michael Nusbaum (drums).  

You can check out the video for this track here: 

Also available to pre-save and pre-order:

https://show.co/vscbbKg

https://www.heyfeverrecords.com/product-page/stoke-signals-making-enemies-ep-pre-order-10-3

And support your locals – community is powerful

Song Review- Jayden Seeley  –  “Amplified” 

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A young man wearing a white t-shirt, flannel shirt and trucker cap looks slightly off camera right. He appears to be smiling but a cup in his left hand covers his mouth,

This one is listed as having come out back in May of this year on Hopeless Records although it did not cross my path until a little while ago – not sure if I missed a memo again…which is possible.  When I first listened to the song it did not click in my head that Seeley’s former project was With Confidence, a band that was on Van’s Warped Tour a couple times (2016 & 2018).  I had caught an interview with them (likely via a YouTube post) on the 2016 tour, lost track and then picked back up by listening to their 2018 album Love and Loathing.   That is a solid album, in the young adult-alternative groove with some catchy riffs and a bit of range in the composition of the songs.  You can still check that album and there other music on Bandcamp. 

Since his time in With Confidence Seeley has expanded into producing and developing some young artists.   That work has included songs and projects with Zach Hood, The Wrecks and Ryan Oakes among others.   He signed with Hopeless Records in 2023 according to the bio on his jaydenseeley.com website.  

“Amplified” starts on a loud rock guitar sound with some buzzy distortion and proceeds on a good rhythm-driven run for a solid 2+ minutes before it drops down for a few moments of slow space and then rides out on the faster groove.   Really good mix and production on this track also with some clear vocals and instruments.   This is some engaging music and it will be interesting to see what else Seeley puts out as part of this solo project.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://hopelessrecords.bandcamp.com/track/amplified-1

Support your community and be a good neighbor 🙂 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Let me know you think! 

Song Review- SUNBENDR- “Stay All Night”

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three casually dressed men standing in front of a white-washed cement brick wall. They are looking at the viewer.

Ok, so an unapologetic love song can go several ways once you hit play, not all of them especially pleasant.  We all have our own definition of what those not-so-great qualities might be but I tend to steer away from the really sappy side of things.   I had reviewed the prior release from this band (“Stick Up”) back in June and liked it a lot.  This new single is definitely in a different vein but does not go off the rails for me.  Instead it is a positive & breezy track with some cool guitar moments and a catchy hook.   Hopefully they are playing this at some of their shows as I bet it makes for a good gig moment.  

Note that this track is the third one released from what I understand was a five song session with producer George Perks (You Me at Six, Enter Shikari).   I will be interested to hear what comes out next! 

Check it out on your favorite streaming channel (link below) – and let me know your thoughts about it – music makes for good conversation 🙂 

https://onerpm.link/StayAllNight

And if you have the inclination …think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

Remember your community people and places – we all need each other 🙂 

Album Review- Pulley & Fire Sale – Split Personality – split 7 “

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Five men (two sitting and three standing) looking at the camera with one man staring slightly off the viewers left. They look content and at ease.

I definitely do not need a second reminder to review any new music from Pulley as songs like “Cashed in” (from Esteem Driven Engine) and “Empty” (Together Again for the First Time) have been part of the mixtape of my life.  And…speaking of tapes, here is another one of my requests for you:  There was a promo cassette that had three songs from Esteem Driven Engine on it that was out sometime in the late 90’s.  If you ever see one…give me a shout please.  Pulley is a great band live also although it has been awhile since I saw them.  I know less about Fire Sale but the associated bands of the musicians (The Ataris, 22 Jacks, No Use for a Name and Ann Beretta among others) are some favorites of mine.  I had previously head their song “A Fool’s Errand” and found it pretty groovy.  

The Pulley songs on this new 7” split (“Write a Note If You Leave” and “Torn Apart by Time”) are right in that melodic punk space.  These tracks have tight instrumentation and a refined composition accompanied by some straight-forward and heartfelt lyrics.  There is much to enjoy between the hammering drum line, booming bass and some screaming guitar moments.  I would pick “Torn Apart by Time” as my personal favorite on this album. 

There is a bit of a different tone and feel to the Fire Side songs “An Archaic Construct” and “Call of the Void.”  These are a little more raw and edgy, backed up by a wall of distortion and buzzy energy.  That distortion drowns out a little bit of the other instrument sounds in a couple places but it all works out really well overall.  You can catch some nice guitar moments on these songs also.

The four tracks on this release fit well together and represent both bands creative approach and high energy.  You can listen to these on repeat for awhile!    This music is coming out on Negative Progression Records on September 5th and you can get a limited edition vinyl right here:

https://shop.negativeprogressionrecords.com/

And support your locals – community is powerful!

Song Review- For Closure- “Take Two”

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Well, cool things sometimes happen and as you may recall I had just reviewed Sleep Pod Two’s “All That We Have (Is Each Other)” earlier this month…and then along comes another band with Wal Rashidi on the drums.  Although I was aware of some of the other associated bands from this group of musicians I had not heard about For Closure much prior to this release.  

The guitar tone at the start of this is very cool and a bit of a throwback for me to somewhere in the 80’s – it is a groovy riff that sets the mood right away.  As the volume and sound build from there it takes you along on a wave of melody and soaring vocals that give a broken love story a slightly defiant vibe.  Short and to the point, the track drops right off the edge at the 2:13 mark. This is a good song in the power-pop tradition and a nice listen for a Sunday afternoon.  

Musicians on this are:  Luis Estefania (guitar), Gizz Lazlo (vocals), Steve Brown (bass), Marc Maxey (guitar) and of course Wal Rashidi (drums).  

The full EP (also titled Take Two) is set to drop September 12th on Mindpower Records.  It is going to include a cover of “In My Head” by the Doughboys which I will be interested to hear.

Check it out on your favorite streaming channel (link below) – and let me know your thoughts about it – music makes for good conversation 🙂  

https://orcd.co/forclosuretaketwo

And if you have the inclination …think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful!