For a few years now, a group of guys and a gal have taken their love of music and put a lot of hard work into making more of their hobby. Those five are now called Uncle Bucket and they have fused together sounds of the sax, with traditional “rock band” instruments to make music that can not only been viewed as progressive, but jammy as well. Uncle Buckets sound is versatile. Listening to what I could on their Facebook proved that not every song is the same, each has a personality to get to know. Melt seemed to be a bit overbearing compared to the rest. It appeared the most progressive of the bunch. Then there was Nature, which was a slower track that allowed the mood to get calmer, while Breathe Easy made me jot down, “Sting’s baby.” Take that as what you want and run with it. Listen to those vocals though in that one and you might be with me on that one. Last one to note is Melt. That was the star in my eyes. It was cleaner than the rest and gave off a positive vibe I could not ignore. If you are into bands that sound like they are a crockpot of goodness on stage, meaning they blend the odd and ends of music to make a delicious treat, then check out Uncle Bucket. (https://www.facebook.com/UncleBucket)

One of the most intriguing genres in music is Country. It is honest, straightforward and never leaves you wondering about symbolism. If your daddy had a drinking problem, you sing about it. You do not dress it up and take it out and pretend it never happened. That is what music is supposed to be, a real relief. That came to mind as I was listening to Channing Coker. She is a country gal who says what she means and means what she says. Her songs are autobiographical and the listeners can appreciate the personal touch she gives to each. Dangerous is one of the most telling tracks about an abusive relationship, while The Pearl and Sharecroppers Daughter are more nostalgic and tell about her childhood in a storybook manner. Both songs that look back are slow in pace and thoughtful, while Thank You Boy is one of the most upbeat tracks she has to offer. The best songs from my point of view though are her takes on femininity. Why Can’t Girls is not only a good song, but it questions females in a hilarious way that will make you start to think the same way. That was kind of the same idea when I got One of the Guys. A tomboy myself who likes to dress up occasionally, I took this one to heart and smiled wide. If you are into Country gals like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, then take some time to check out Channing Coker. (https://www.channingcoker.com/website/web-content/index.html)

A silky smooth flow, catchy beats, and memorable lyrics are pushing Minneapolis, Minnesota’s E’Stylez to all new heights throughout the rap scene. Capable of penning everything from party anthems to soothing R&B jams, his songs ebb and flow across the genres while appealing to fans from coast to coast.

With a collection of tracks already burning up the internet, E’Stylez is quickly becoming one of the top independent rappers throughout the Minneapolis area. Songs such as “Weekend” and “Travelin the World” threaten to become the next fiery soundtrack to everyone’s favorite clubs, fanning the hip hop flames until they reach the ceiling.

Roaring in with the force of a locomotive is Cincinnati, Ohio’s Altered, one of the latest rock bands tearing their way through the Midwestern music scene. Built from a solid hard rock foundation and topped off with scintillating guitar solos, this five-piece continues to make waves each and every time they take the stage. Dripping with attitude and confidence, Altered makes their presence known in each city they visit, while continuing to tour the country and spread their musical prowess. Taking cues from 90s hard rock as well as traditional metal hooks, they churn out a style of no frills rock which keeps the fans coming back for more. Driven by an impressive initial collection of songs, as well as their first single “Just Another Day,” the band is working as hard as ever to reach new heights.

There are few things that one cannot bare to turn down; pictures of cats on the internet, free food and a cute love song. This is where we cue in Conor Kearns. He is a singer songwriter who does his best to compete with the growing number of cat memes on the web, with his style of thought out pop music that is less Justin Bieber and more Jason Mraz. Love, or at least the idea of, is the fuel to Conor Kearns fire. All the songs I have gotten a chance to hear tell that tale. Mraz came to mind when Papercut started because it felt beachy and gave off an airy tone. It was a sweet song, as was Pretty Much. This one reminded me of a male Taylor Swift due to the content of them. The last of the trio was Breaking Hearts By Breakfast and I just thought, man, that is a great title and the after the song was over and done, the whole song. (https://www.youtube.com/user/ConorKearnsMusic/videos)

With a sensational Latin flair, Reno’s Drinking with Clowns are pumping out a funky brand of reggae which keeps the people coming back for more. Laid back like a day at the beach and as spicy as a habanero pepper, the impeccable four piece unit demonstrates their clear cut intuition for genre blending, infectious music during each and every song.

Tracks like “It’s All Good” or “Dame Funk” deliver a chilled-out, mellow vibe, while “Fine Girl” borders on a funk-hip hop fusion song as the band continues to exhibit their versatility. Sung in a mix of Spanish, English, and Spanglish, Drinking with Clowns’ music is your next soundtrack to those hazy Saturday afternoons and warm summer days.

Part electronic, part instrumental, part experimental – these are the ingredients which make the music of Steven J Farrell tick. As he paints a colorful audio portrait, each song feels as if it was pulled directly from a movie or video game, providing specific moods and thoughts as the keyboards ebb and flow from beginning to end.

Songs like “The Dark Subconscious” contain moments of adventure and tribal-like inspiration, laden with electronic drum machines and keyboard-driven melodies. “Sophia” is more laid back, delivering an icy cold sound which chills the listener to the bone before they’re quickly fired back up by the bumping, energetic “I Go to the Disco.” Eclectic and versatile, these are the characteristics which makes Steven J Farrell tick.

The underground hip hop community recently gained another ally, as The Sav is poised to come surging out of his Seattle, Washington home turf and roll across the United States with the force of a Mack truck. Spitting clever metaphors and utilizing thought provoking wordplay, this up and comer is fighting out of the corner of the West, yet discovers his influences from around the country. After founding his own record label and preparing to launch his first full length record, The Bar Exam Art of Savagery, The Sav’s time is now.