Fueled by Dreams of the Future

URL: https://www.dylanmcdonaldandtheavians.com/

Led by singer/songwriter Dylan McDonald, the Avians divide their time between Santa Barbara and Nashville, Tennessee. Their first album Fueled by Dreams of the Future is a ten song collection covering significant stylistic ground without ever losing direction. They are fully immersed in traditional rock and pop forms while retaining strong roots affectations that deepen the songwriting, but their secret weapon in selling even the hoariest of structures is lead singer McDonald’s voice. It proves itself a versatile instrument from track to track, as equally at home with the pop rock leanings of “Broken Lullabies” as it later is with the bluesy suggestiveness required for “Evil Perfume”.

Perfect Word. Perfect Beat

URL: https://www.dancoyle.com/

Living in a virtual melting pot for singer/songwriters of every persuasion, New York City denizen Dan Coyle intuitively grasps that setting himself apart doesn’t come down to outrageous displays or a willingness to sell himself off to what Joni Mitchell once called the “star-making machinery”. The six songs on Perfect Word Perfect Beat are products of an artistic vision that cannot help but be true to itself. There is a strong connection with traditional elements, especially blues, that runs through these songs but Coyle is a born performer willing to dramatize his songs in a variety of ways.

URL: https://www.gypsylumberjacks.com/ 

It’s a fine thing to hear a Gypsy Lumberjacks album. Few bands combine versatility with substantive songwriting in such a satisfying way. While the band proclaims themselves to be non-traditional and, instead, an almost fusion-esque melding of disparate forms into an unified whole, labels aren’t necessary. There’s traditional elements their new album, Giants of America, but there’s always a forward-looking feeling. It suggests, in their own small way, that the songwriting and musical brain trust guiding this band fully realize that for roots or folk music to escape the fate of butterflies pinned in museum display cases, new artists must step forward to revitalize its conventions with modern sonics and a fearlessness to stretch out.  

Official URL: https://magnificentbirdsofprey.tumblr.com/

Magnificent Birds of Prey just released the latest effort entitled Kaleidoscope. How would one describe their overall sound? Moe on this in a minute. Formed in 2012, (Philadelphia) MBOP self-produced & released two EP’s, played over 50 shows spanning across 4 states and won Gashouse Radio’s Tournament of Champions award within their first two years. The band’s raw approach and passion for entertaining translates in both their high-energy live shows and recordings. There is also a deep sense of care and loyalty that can be felt; for each other, their music, and humanity in general – the band matches 100% of every dollar they make in support of Fender Music Foundation, autism awareness and many different animal rights organizations. Band members include: Carl Kunz Jr. (Guitar / Vocals), Chris LaFrancis (Bass, Synths, Backing Vocals), Joel Adams (Drums & Percussion) and Lyle Kelch Jr. (Vocals / Guitar).

Primary URL: https://www.autopilottheband.com/about.php

Autopilot, the indie, alternative rock band, based out of Saskatchewan offers their latest band album, titled ‘Desert Dreams.’

‘Distant Dreams’ is produced by produced, recorded and mixed by S.J. Kardash at Full Color Studios in Saskatoon and mastered by Dave Greenberg at Sonopod Mastering in St. Petersburg, FL. The band has received commendable reviews from eminent personalities. For instance, Chris Morin of Ominocity, speaking about the band, said, “Recalling various power-pop trio influences, Autopilot have developed their own unique sound within Saskatoon that defies being pinned down to one genre.” Not just good reviews, but the band has managed to score well on the charts as well. Within the very first week of its release, the album ‘Distant Dreams’ debuted in the National Top 50 Earshot charts and was added to SiriusXM’s Iceberg Radio.

Album: ……Beneath Potomac Skies 

URL: https://kenwenzelmusic.com/ 

Ken Francis Wenzel says that each track on his new album ‘…Beneath Potomac Skies’ is designed to be an almost self-contained vignette. Not necessarily connected, but each a slightly different insight into American life. After spending two years putting together his first record with a full band, it ties together the various strings of his existence, the time he has spent in cities across the country, and the ways they both interconnect and differ. It’s a bold ambition, something approaching Springsteen by the way of Steinbeck. Whilst setting lofty ambitions is to be applauded, it can also serve to illustrate the failure to reach such potential. 

Teased we have been (…) If these four tracks paint the portrait correctly, we’re in for something with definite influence

Fresh out the box, the Hip-Rock Montreal/Quebec trio Sunspinnaz have released their four track EP Teaser. After putting out two singles with the smooth Keepin’ Motion and the West-Coast influenced Sun Day Trippin’, at least this was clear: stylistic variety should be expected in their upcoming full-length Stream of Thought, set to drop in Autumn 2015.