A volatile cocktail of blues, rock, R&B and classic influences, New York City’s Sleepy’s Exit Band is pumping out a genre-defying brand of music which invigorates the senses with each and every song. Driven by the release of their most recent LP, Are You Clairvoyant / Summer’s Here, this seasoned five piece showcases their chops throughout the 11-track album with precision and passion.

Led by rock and blues veteran Sleepy, the group bears striking resemblances to legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, or Sly and the Family Stone. Their influences are deeply rooted in classic rock and R&B, which shines through in their music during moments which range from scintillating guitar solos to funky, grooving piano melodies and bass lines. Songs such as “Night I Was There” or “Summer’s Here” evoke memories of rock n’ roll greats like Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn, as Sleepy’s vocal tone possesses a number of similar qualities.

Unburden your ears and relax your senses with the beautiful piano solos of John Paris, an internationally recognized performer of new age jazz fusion. Combining the saucy sensibilities of light jazz fusion with the experimental and soothing nature of new age, this composer and arranger creates fascinating songs filled with inspiring melodies and tranquil rhythms. Now riding the release of his latest album, Reflections, he’s added 14 new original pieces to his already burgeoning repertoire.

Right on the ground floor of the grassroots indie rock n’ roll movement is David Wheeler, a singer-songwriter who isn’t afraid to perform his music exactly the way he wants it. Driven by plenty of distorted guitars and Wheeler’s unmistakable vocal tone, each song delivers a delicious slice of toe-tapping indie rock, sans the pretentious attitude and faux experimental noise.

Flying high on his 13-track debut, There’s a Rhythm, Wheeler remains on the cutting edge of underground music, penning rocking thumpers such as “You Say,” as well as more adventurous tunes like “Fundamental Truth,” which utilizes fiddle, piano, and funkified walking bass lines. True rock n’ roll fans be advised – this is the next “must have” for your iPod’s playlist.

Relationships, everyone will have at least one in their lifetime. They are a lot of hard work and when times are good you get songs like Britney Spears I’m A Slave 4 U, but when times are bad, well that is when you get Cassandra Lleas Promise. See, the tale in Promise is one that most can relate to. It is when the two in the relationship grow apart from their starting point and/or are just too different to work. Cassandra is singing that she is a girl who likes to go out and have fun, while the boyfriend (likely to be an ex) is as interesting as a rock. He is satisfied with a couch and a TV, while she cannot stand to be home and wants to go out and enjoy life while she is young and can. So there you have it, the jest of the track. As for the music, Britney was mentioned because Cassandra could be compared to Britney in her later years. So less bubblegum, more oomph in her pop performance with a knack for making you move on the dance floors. Dance music with a pop influence that is what we will say Cassandra Llea is. So if you like to dance, have a partner who needs a hint or just want a new artist in your life, check out Cassandra Llea now. (https://www.cassandrallea.com/)

People often forget that one of the truest forms of music is that that has no words. Instrumental music is so powerful that it can evoke emotion without telling you how to feel. Musicians like David Bradshaw recognize that and that is why is creates musical landscapes of sound with just an instrument at hand. Sometimes things can get a little funky, but that is a good thing when it comes to songs like Stupid Funk which is a great jazz inspired track and Simply Funky. David can also paint a scene with sound, like a new day with Morning Mist, the medieval times with Sontata or a mothers love with Mama. David also has the gift of taking classical and fusing it with a more modern genre. Take Feel Like Making Love and Take It Slow for example. Both utilize classical elements while bringing to life a spin on R&B music. It is sensual and classy all at the same time. Instrumental music allows you to escape from the burdens of reality. David Bradshaw knows that and that is why he made tracks like Mellow Out and In the Middle. One could get lost for days in those two. If you are into music that is heavy on the instrumentation of pianos and more, and like artists like Jamie Mitges, then check out David Bradshaw and learn to listen, relax and enjoy with his music. (https://soundcloud.com/dave90713)

Just last week I wanted to reach out to people who consistently upload cover songs to YouTube and interview them. I do not know why, just seemed like a good idea. Then I got bombarded down by other things, and that fell through. So I am glad that I can at least tell you about one avid YouTube uploaded right now, Kyle Rowe. He is a clean cut face who any one would love their kid to bring home for dinner. Kyle has that American Idol, or shall we say Canadian Idol, good looks. Yes, he is from Canada, eh! So he could have won Idol with a guitar and those looks, but can he sing? You better believe it. With a palate that showcases variety on his page, you can hear the talent oozing out of Kyle Rowe. From Otis Redding to Jimmy Eat World and then over to City and Colour, Kyle manages to bring his singer/songwriter feel to each song. If you like artists like Phillip Phillips and Matt Nathanson, then check out Kyle Rowe. (https://www.youtube.com/user/kyle27085)

Take a trip back to the chaotic days of the Wild West with Los Angeles’ Proprietors of Violence, a haunting outfit of true innovators hell-bent on smashing the musical boundaries which plague the contemporary scene. Completely instrumental, their album Themes and Anthems of Assassins, Agents and Other Engines of Mischief utilizes everything from banjo, dobro and jaw harp to African percussion to create a melting pot sound of rock, bluegrass and folk.

Hollywood’s latest up and comer is soaring out of their Southern Californian home, riding a wave of alternative rock driven by captivating enthusiasm and energy. Franklin Manor draws from a variety of influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, piecing together their musical talents to create a sound which ultimately becomes their own.

Combining moments of driving rock with catchy melodies, Franklin Manor inks head bobbing, singalong tracks that stick with the listener long after the record stops spinning. Their latest single, “Pushover” sees the band coming into their own, combining elements of groups like Incubus or Kings of Leon to generate a smashing success of a song.