Album Review: Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus

The last time I was excited about an upcoming Miley Cyrus album, I had to be either 10 or 11 years old. So, it’s been QUITE a while. 

However, hearing “Midnight Sky”, as well as her cover of “Zombie” by The Cranberries and the mashup of “Midnight Sky” and “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks, had me thinking that “Plastic Hearts” could be very promising. With that, I felt the same excitement and anticipation I used to feel back when I was a kid and a mega Miley fan. 

When listening to the first song, “WTF Do I Know”, I already felt like I was in for a damn good rollercoaster ride. It has an excellent rock ‘n’ roll sound to it. I mean… can we talk about the bass in the beginning AND the guitar solo appearing later in the song? It’s certainly a solid start.

As the album progresses, you really start to feel an 80’s vibe come through. In my opinion, that is what makes the album stand out. Every song screams, “Miley!” It continuously proves again and again that this genre truly fits Miley’s vocals. 

One (actually, two) of the most iconic moments on this album are her collaborations with both Joan Jett AND Billy Idol - two of the biggest 80’s rock ‘n’ roll icons ever. “Night Crawling”, which features Billy Idol, has that 80’s synth pop sound to it. Hearing that? I felt like I time traveled back to the 80’s. 

“Bad Karma”, which features Joan Jett, really gives off The Runaways - which was Joan’s first band before forming Joan Jett And The Blackhearts - vibes to me. This collaboration is one of the biggest highlights on the album. Who knew we needed an iconic collaboration between Miley and Joan?

Overall, this album is most certainly Miley’s best work yet. Everything about this album is incredible from the music, to the lyrics and the features. I think it’s safe to say that Miley has a great future as a rock artist. Man, does she sing rock well.

Overall, my favorite songs on Plastic Hearts are (in no particular order) “Hate Me”, “Gimme What I Want”, Angels Like You, Bad Karma, Never Be Me and Golden G String. These songs were Miley’s strongest moments on the album, both vocally and lyrically. Needless to say, she did a fantastic job finding her sound.

Here’s to Miley singing more rock ‘n’ roll oriented music in the future.

Interview with Ashes

This week I sat down with Ashes, and we talked influences, records, and the accessibility of making organic music like surf. Brothers Braden and Brett Reddell take us through what it’s like to be a modern surf rock band, how to pay homage to an artist while still adding your own spin, and give us a sneak peak into what you can expect from Ashes. Stream Surf Carnival 2, now on Spotify!

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Andrew Hagar Builds Suspense with "Cold Knife Karma"

A great song takes you on a journey. It transports you to a time, a place, or even a feeling. In just it’s first few seconds, Andrew Hagar’s “Cold Knife Karma” sweeps you in. Now It’s up to you to decide which side of the story you’re on…

“Cold Knife Karma” is Hagar’s second release following “Judgement Day”, both serving up a gritty americana rock sound. In these two releases, it seems evident that Hagar is truly finding his own sound. 

With a steady beating drum and suspense-inducing guitar riff, “Cold Knife Karma” is a reminder that everything comes back around. “I’m sure everyone has somebody in mind when they listen,” Hagar shared in a recent interview.

As the song trails on, let yourself sink into the alluring guitar solo, only to be built back up into the chase. This consistent feeling of being pursued makes this song a perfect contender for a soundtrack. If this is a primer for what’s to come from Hagar, then count us in for the long haul. If this is a primer for what’s to come from Hagar, then count us in for the long haul. 

“You can’t run from a cold hard fact,” ‘cause in the words of Sammy Hagar, “It’s gonna get ya ass!” Listen to “Cold Knife Karma” below and stay tuned for more releases from Andrew Hagar in the future.

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Listen to Wolf Van Halen's Heartfelt Tribute to His Dad

Shot from music video.

Not even two seconds in and my eyes are swelled up with tears. Home videos spanning Wolf Van Halen’s life with his father take over the screen. Intimate father + son moments between Wolf and Eddie Van Halen help tell the story of love and loss.

“Distance” is Wolf’s first solo release under the name Mammoth WVH, an ode to family history, and wow, what a start. Wolf not only wrote the song but plays all instruments and takes vocal lead. A true testament to the talent amongst the Van Halen Family.

Wolf wrote the song as his Father was battling cancer and imagining what life would be like without him…

“As my pop continued to struggle with various health issues, I was imagining what my life would be like without him and how terribly I’d miss him. While the song is incredibly personal, I think anyone can relate to the idea of having a profound loss in their life. I never intended ‘Distance’ to be the very first piece of music people would hear from me, but I also thought my father would be here to celebrate its release. This is for him. I love and miss you, Pop.”

— WVH

Although incredibly emotional, I find “Distance” comforting in all aspects - lyrically, vocally, and in it’s composition. Wolf truly created a beautiful piece of work to tribute to his father. Eddie would be SO proud. Our hurt for the loss of Eddie Van Halen cannot be compared to the pain that Wolf is feeling, but we’re all still grieving and “Distance” certainly brings us all some solace.

“The song is one thing but it’s very important to watch the video", Wolf shared with Howard Stern. Watch the video + purchase the song at the links below. Proceeds from “Distance” will be donated to Eddie’s favorite charity, Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.

Stay tuned at the very end. If you aren’t already in tears, the last few seconds will hit you hard.

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The Pretty Reckless Releases the Hauntingly Beautiful, "25"

"On November 11, The Pretty Reckless announced the release date for their upcoming, much anticipated album release, Death By Rock And Roll, which will be released on February 12, 2021. On the same day, they announced that they will be releasing a new song called “25”, which is also on the album.

After the release of their Tim Burton-esque song, “Broomsticks”, I began wondering when more information would be revealed regarding the release of their new album, so once I saw this announcement, I got excited.

The Pretty Reckless have quite a few incredible collaborations on this album: from Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil to Tom Morello. Hearing that they all took part in collaborating with The Pretty Reckless on this album - you know it’s bound to be a good one.

Without further ado, let’s get on with the review.

In this autobiographical song, Taylor reflects on turning 25. As the music starts, it’s very reminiscent of Evanescence.

“25” has a hauntingly beautiful sound to it that reels you in quickly. Then Taylor’s vocals come in. Already a rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse, but to hear her voice in this song? Goosebumps.

Halfway through the song, the lyrics really start to grow more and more chilling. While Death By Rock And Roll  won’t be released for another few months, I will say that I feel that this song is already standing out a little bit more than the album’s title track.

Overall, “25” is beautiful on its own. Taylor’s vocals, the lyrics, and the production, make the final product exquisite. A standout so far.

Listening to this song has made me look forward to the release of this album even more and honestly, I think it will most certainly be worth the three month wait. If you’re looking for a good song to listen to on a cloudy day, or any day for that matter, just go listen to “25”.

You can pre-save Death By Rock And Roll now. Here.

Interview with Velvet Meadow

In 2020, we are witnessing the resurrection of Rock N’ Roll. Musicians from all around are shaking up the industry and taking the world by storm. Do you want to know one thing I’ll never get tired of? Finding groovy bands or solo artists that remind me that Rock N’ Roll will never fade away into dust.

Recently, I had the honor of speaking with Kris Heironimus of Velvet Meadow. Growing up, Kris became heavily influenced by the hypnotic and euphoric sounds of Psychedelic Rock N’ Roll. Pink Floyd, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin are just to name a few. Kris encapsulates a soul that oozes with a deep passion for music. On October 22, 2020, he released a brand new single called, Cosmos. Earlier this year, he released not just an EP “In the Meadow” but also an album called, “Colored Seas.” 

“At first, it was just for fun. Now that I’m actually writing songs, I’m addicted to it.” - Kris (Velvet Meadow)

Grab a snack, sit back in your seat, and discover the wonders of Velvet Meadow.  

Angel recently had the honor of speaking with Kris Heironimus of Velvet Meadow. Growing up, Kris became heavily influenced by the hypnotic and euphoric sound...

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More Than A Boogie; How The Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack Sparked A Lifetime of Passion

If you ever hear someone say the word “Disco,”  you are most likely gonna think of two things: Saturday Night Fever  and/or The Bee Gees. 

November 15th will mark 43 years since the release of the iconic Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The album includes different songs you can dance to like “Night Fever”, “If I Can’t Have You”, and of course, “Stayin’ Alive”. It may also have that one song that makes you want to fall in love with someone. Yes, I’m talking about “How Deep Is Your Love”. 

Even though I was born 20 years after the release of the soundtrack, it holds a special meaning to me. “Why?” You’re probably wondering. Well, let me explain...

This album is the reason why I am so passionate about music in the way that I am now. I had to be a year or two old when the soundtrack first came into my life, thanks to my mom. When I first listened to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, I immediately just wanted to have it played 24/7. I always demanded to have that album and only that album played. 

This album is the reason why I am so passionate about music the way I am now.

According to my mom and cousin, my favorite song at the time was “More Than A Woman”.  Whenever my cousin would babysit me and we would play with my dollhouse, I would always have the album playing on repeat on the boombox.

By the time I was two, I learned how to control the stereo, so because of that newfound skill, I would play the album constantly. Also because of my love for the album and my early love for 70’s music, I disliked almost every kind of music that came on the radio. In fact, my mom always says that I would cry whenever she would play Beyonce in the car.

It’s not like I hated all music on the radio. I did have my fair share of liking certain artists when I was little. Norah Jones, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Evanescence, Avril Lavigne, and more. Honestly, my being critical of some of the music that was being played on the radio should have been the first sign that I would become a music journalist one day.

When I was twelve, I saw the biopic about The Runaways at the movies. From that point on, I became more and more infatuated with 70’s culture. This was also when I revisited the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack for the first time in a long time, where I was once again reminded of how much I love the album.

As time went on and I began listening to The Bee Gees discography, the more I realized just how amazing they were are as songwriters. I found myself realizing how extremely underrated they were and that, in my opinion, don’t receive enough credit for their songwriting, especially the songs that have followed Saturday Night Fever. 

Now, at 23, I still credit this soundtrack (and The Bee Gees) for making me fall in love with music the way I did. That soundtrack was my first favorite album, it had my first favorite song, my first favorite everything music wise. 

It’s one of those albums that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Interview With Nashville's DRUMRZ

This past week I sat down with one of my favorite up and coming bands on the Nashville Rock Scene.

Drumrz consists of frontman Nick Amend, bassist Gray Perry, and drummer (hah) Kirk Gower. I had a chance to chat with these guys and get the scoop on what it’s like to be making rock music in 2020, the climate of the Nashville music scene, and whether a band consisting of only drummers is capable of shredding (spoiler alert: they are- majorly.)

Check out the video below, and listen to their new single ‘I Hope She Don’t Read Minds’, available for streaming now!

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Black Stone Cherry Brings The Heat With New Album + Cincinnati Show This Friday!

Photo: Mike Rodway

“People, people, you’re attention please!”

Black Stone Cherry has released a new album AND is hitting the road to play a socially distanced concert in Cincinnati this week. Great news, right?

It’s been almost a week since Black Stone Cherry released their seventh studio album, The Human Condition, and I’m still listening to the full album on repeat. It’s rare that I don’t skip a song or two, but this album is STRONG from beginning to end.

Although written and recorded before the pandemic and civil unrest, the album feels incredibly relevant. It’s emotional, it’s uplifting, and it straight up ROCKS hard. A perfect album to shut up those who say “Rock is dead”. Give The Human Condition a listen below.

If you’re itching for a taste of live music, don’t miss out on their show at Riverfront Live this Friday along with The Josephines and Rootbound. If you’ve been following Rock My Soul, you know just how hard Black Stone Cherry and The Josephines bring it.

They’re taking precautions to make sure everyone is safe + can enjoy the show. So, don’t miss out. Details below…

SHOW DETAILS:

Riverfront Live! | Friday, November 6 | Doors: 5:30PM, Show: 7PM

Social Distancing Guidelines will be put in place at the venue including required masks, separation of parties by at least 6 feet,  and Temperature checks at the entrance. To assist with distancing, tickets are sold in groups. Need a group to go with? DM us on Instagram and we’ll help put one together.

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Aces High with John Foley [INTERVIEW]

I first met John Foley through the online music festival, Doomed Fest, back in March. The moment I first heard John sing, I knew there was something special about him and his talent. His voice sounded like something straight from the 70’s rock ’n’ roll era, which is something I think is truly admirable.

Ever since I became a music journalist and becoming friends with him after the festival, I’ve thought of interviewing him. This piece right here was a few months in the making but it was worth the wait! I had a great time talking with John, learning more about him personally and his history playing music.

So without further ado, let’s get on with the interview with the man who is the future of rock ’n’ roll, ladies and gentlemen….

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Starting off, What’s your earliest memory involving music?

John: My earliest memory with music? There’s a song I found that I wrote when I was six called Rocky Road. The only line I remember from it is, “Gonna go down to the beach, gonna bring back a leech” So just great songwriting from early John. 

(laughs) Sounds like it.

John: (laughs)

What does your songwriting process look like?

John: So I normally start with just one lyric or a line, like a phrase. It’ll either come from listening to another song and getting an idea or reading a little phrase, and then I’ll kind of base the song around that and go from there. I always start with lyrics and then a melody. So I just kind of sing the song as I’m writing it and then I try to put chords to it after. I’m really not a great instrumentalist, so everything starts off with just singing and then trying to make the guitar fit to it afterwards.

Do you come from a musical family?

John: Yeah, my dad is a bass player. He’s been playing for fifty years, or something - I’m in his music room right now - and he taught me guitar - I wish that I had let him teach me earlier than I actually did because he tried to get me involved in music since I was really little and I was not interested in it, when I was in middle school doing other things, I guess. Then, when I was 16, I finally let him teach me a few chords and started learning from him. But yeah, he plays in a lot of bands around Charlotte, like bar bands and things like that. 

His dad was a trumpet player, I think and my mom’s dad sang in a choir church, so (laughs) there’s a little bit of it here and there. 

So you’re releasing a new song called, Aces High, which I wanna add it is a very good song, by the way. And I wondered if there were any certain artists who inspired the song?

John: Thank you. I don’t think, off the top of my head, if not directly with this song. All of the songs on this new EP, I think I finished in 2017 as well as my last EP, so it’s been a while since it’s been written. I don’t super remember writing this song, so I wish I could give you some insights into what inspired it but I (laughs) really cannot remember writing this song.

(Laughs) Well, that’s perfectly okay. All that matters is that you did a great job and I like the lyrics. I like everything about it.

John: Thank you, I appreciate it!

You’re welcome. Speaking of musical influences, when you’re writing a song, who usually inspires the songs you’re writing?

John: So I think a lot of my songs, for the most part, they’re not - I don’t sit down to write about myself and my life. Usually, it’s from just writing a story, so I pull a lot of influences from Tom Petty and country writers like Robert Earl Keen, that are just really good story tellers, and Brandi Carlile. So that’s what I just try to do with my songs is tell a story, but even when I’m not trying to write about myself, I’ll go back and listen to older songs and be like, “Oh, that was about my life,” and I just didn’t realize it at the time.

So, what draws you to rock ’n’ roll?

John: I’ve always grown up with rock ’n’ roll. The Beatles, The Eagles, and Tom Petty were always playing in the house when I was little, so I just grew up with it. Then at a concert - the energy and the raw emotion in rock is what really draws me to that more than other genres. I listen to just about everything, but the energy, especially live shows - which sucks  that we can’t go to any right now - that rock ’n’ roll energy that makes you feel badass and you can do anything.

What can we expect from your new EP?

John: After Aces High is released, three of the five songs will be out, but it’s kind of a moody, dark EP. The last song on it is kind of more Americana-y. I look at it like a bonus track because it doesn’t really fit in with the other four, but it’s one of my favorites, so I’m really excited for that to come out and Aces High, obviously. I’ve spent a lot of time with that song recently, working on the video, so I’ve grown to like that one too. It’s very lyrically-based. Like I said, very singer-songwriter is my method. So there’s some great musicians that played on there, some great guitar solos, and things like that, but lyrically-based, moody kind of classic rock feel music.

Well, I’m looking forward to this EP.

John: Thank you. Me too! I’m excited to get it out.

Since concerts have come to a halt, one question I want to ask you is: are there any concerts that have added to your inspiration to want to write a song?

John: I don’t know if I’ve had a song directly inspired by a song from a concert, but my most memorable concert is when I went to see Fleetwood Mac in Washington D.C. last year in March and we had nosebleed tickets. I think it was in the top row of the venue because I waited so long to get them, and we got there, I misread the door time so I thought the show started an hour later than it did. We showed up thirty minutes late and they went to scan our tickets, and he was like, “Oh, wait here for a minute,”  and he stopped at the box office and waved us over, “So we have some extra seats. Do you want a free upgrade?” We were like, “Absolutely!” So we ended up 30 feet away from the stage, on the side. It was insane!

So being that close to Fleetwood Mac was like, “They’re real people. They’re right there!” And Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers was filling in for Lindsey Buckingham, so it was like you get a little bit of Tom Petty in there too. It was just crazy!

I definitely agree because I saw them last year in February and I never had the chance to see Tom Petty in concert, so to see Mike Campbell playing, I’m just sitting there like, “This is the closest thing I’m ever gonna get to seeing Tom Petty.”

John: Yeah, and then they did that tribute thing to him at the end, I thought I was gonna cry!

What do you miss the most about playing music live?

John: Definitely playing with a band. I’ve learned music and have done the vast majority of music playing by myself, just solo acoustic type things, but with a band, it just goes back to that energy. You have people to feed off and you have an audience. You can’t really get people going like you can with a full band with just an acoustic guitar, but just having people on stage with you sharing that moment, it’s like everybody comes together in those live shows with full bands and I really miss that community aspect of it.

What do you love the most about creating music as a whole?

John: My favorite thing would be letting a song go where it wants to go, so, like I said, I usually start with a lyric and build it from there. I usually don’t have a road map of what’s gonna happen with the whole song - Sometimes I do. Sometimes, I’ll sit down and very deliberately write a specific kind of thing, but normally, I just kind of let it go where it ends up going and so that’s where it goes for me. My really favorite part is when we start recording things and session musicians come in, and I don’t give a whole lot of guidance to the session musicians, at least to start with. Just watching it grow from a solo acoustic thing to more and more tracks being layered on and it finally turns a fully realized song. It’s awesome, it’s definitely my favorite part. Just watching the song grow from outside of my influence.

From what I’ve heard in your songs, it definitely works out very well.

John: Yeah, I’ve been very lucky to have some great session musicians play on the tracks.

Alright, that was all of the questions I had for you today and thank you again for joining. I had a great time interviewing you!

John: I’m glad that we got to do it!

'All I Got Was Band Merch' Series: SWEETTALKER

Most of us haven’t been to a live show in a solid 7 months. Festivals? I’m not sure any saw the light of day in 2020. As we continue to navigate the world amongst the Covid-19 pandemic, the All I Got Was Band Merch series documents how this time is affecting both artists AND fans alike.

Right off the bat, Nashville’s Sweettalker single release show was cancelled in March due to Covid. While we were all looking forward to the show, the band turned lemons into lemonade and really used this time wisely from online festivals, social takeovers, music videos, offering merch bundles, all the way to releasing their full EP, Paradise. In a way, not much has changed but Ryan and David can tell you more about that…

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How have you been making this time useful? (As a band and individually)

Ryan: It's been a pretty productive time for us, I think. We've been able to focus on creating videos and merchandise for our releases, while trying to learn as much as we can about marketing and getting our music out there in times such as these. I'm grateful for how we've all been able to adapt and work together through it all so far.  

Has songwriting been easier or harder, without seeing your other band mates?

David: It's been a challenge, but we've managed to stay productive. As an independent band, there's SO much work to be done after the music is written and recorded. Whether it's designing and ordering new merch, rehearsing, shooting videos, interviewing about the release, or brainstorming on what's up next, we're always working on something. New song ideas have begun to float around pretty well here lately as well. We've definitely got some new music planned for 2021. 

What do you miss most from the “normal” world, before COVID-19?

Ryan: SHOWS and traveling! We had all the glorious plans of touring and playing our new music this year as we put it out, but NOPE. 

During your free time, are there any bands/artists you have newly discovered or any old albums that you love, that you’ve been playing a bit more recently?”

David: I've really enjoyed listening to podcasts and audiobooks during this time actually. I'm learning a ton and I find it helps with staying inspired and motivated. I've also been jamming Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Parcels, and Behold the Brave’s new stuff lately.

Have you picked up any new hobbies during this time?” 

Ryan: Yes, reading! I can get wound up pretty tight sometimes. The anxiety of either having too much work to do or with this new Covid world, seemingly nothing to look forward to can really get to me. I find reading helps me put my brain to work on something and helps it relax and become more creative and productive in other uses. 

How has your daily routine changed since COVID-19?

Ryan: We had spent a lot of time at the end of '18 and most of '19 either recording or working to pay for it, and had taken a break from playing shows to focus on our project; so in some ways, our routines haven't changed as much as many other musicians. However, now that the music is recorded and out in the world, it's killing us not to be able to play it live in the traditional sense. In the meantime, streaming shows and staying in touch with our friends and fans online will have to do. 

On the positive side, all of our doggos are thoroughly appreciating all the added attention and quality time. :P 

SHOP MERCH

‘All I Got Was Band Merch’ Series: Heavy Hearts

It’s 2020 and live music is at a standstill. It’s been about 7 months since most of us have experienced live music. Artists are getting creative with online performances and even selling masks for merch. WILD.

A year that looked to be stacked with concerts and festivals is now pay per view shows and a pile of band merch we can’t even properly show off. As we continue to navigate the world amongst the Covid-19 pandemic, the All I Got Was Band Merch series documents how this time is affecting both artists AND fans alike.

This week, we’re kicking things off with Ontario’s alt rock band, Heavy Hearts, who were named “one of the top bands leading an emo revival” by Alternative Press. Justin Glatt (vocals'/guitat) and Jamie Gorman (bass) walk us through how they’ve been dealing with quarantine both personally and as a band.

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How have you been making this time useful? (As a band and individually)

Justin: Musically, I’ve been learning more on recording at home. I’ve improved my set up a bit since quarantine and having other kinds of instrumentation available to me has helped come up with ideas that I might not have come up with on a guitar. Otherwise I’ve been exploring other ways of writing outside of music, and trying to find new ways of being creative.

Has songwriting been easier or harder, without seeing your other band mates?

Justin: It’s kind of come in waves. I feel like it can be easier to pursue ideas when we’re all together and can actively work on things in the moment. I had a period of time where I felt really productive, but at the same time it’s been difficult to find inspiration or motivation to keep creating. Some days I feel extremely detached from music, and on those days it kind of feels like I’ve lost a part of my identity.

What do you miss most from the “normal” word, before COVID-19?

Jamie: Friends. Definitely miss being able to get together as a group and practice, or just hang out and goof off. Just that human connection.

During your free time, are there any bands/artists you have newly discovered or any old albums that you love, that you’ve been playing a bit more recently?

Jamie: I have gotten super in to Haim’s new record, and I’ve fallen back in love with all of the older arcade fire releases lately.

Have you picked up any new hobbies during this time?

Jamie: I have been doing a lot of gardening. vegetables and herbs. I’ve been going for big bike rides, and I’m trying to learn how to reupholster furniture. Just trying to get up and out of the house.

How has your daily routine changed since COVID-19?

Jamie: My daily routine is out the window. Each morning my goal is just to make sure I do something, anything with my day. 

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During quarantine, Heavy Hearts released their LP, Room With a View. Give it a listen and check out their beautiful merch packages below. You can never have enough band merch!

SHOP MERCH

Hella Mega Tour and The Summer that Never Was

The crowd mills about in energetic anticipation. The air inside the venue is thick with the wanton energy often felt before shows, leaping from head to head of concert goer, as we packed ourselves in like sardines. The lights are low; the floor is sticky. The opener had killed it. 

Some young men that had driven up all the way from Baton Rouge joke and tease each other next to me. They’re drunk on excitement (and Miller light). They good natured-ly offer to hoist me up on their shoulders so I can see better and I joke that I’m afraid of heights. We’re Show Friends now. That unique type of friend you maintain only for the hour or two you spend sweating next to them in GA (although I’ve met some lifetime friends this way too.)

“You seen ‘em before?” 

I shake my head. 

“You’re in for a treat.”

A single chord rings out across the room, reverberating off each wall, like a bat caught in a belfry. 

The crowd’s attention is laser focused now on the stage as they erupt into cheers and howls, a cacophonous cry of unified joy. We are as a pack of coyotes, crying out into the night, each cheer multiplied by the voice adjacent. 

My new friends nudge my shoulder, smiles nearly cracking their faces in two. The joy of the night has only begun, and yet the crowd already moved as one unified being. 

This was 2017, my first experience seeing Green Day. My local stop on their tour had sold out in minutes, so I’d driven nearly 300 miles up to Tulsa to see them. It had been worth every penny and mile. I saved the confetti they dropped on our heads that night. 

I was looking forward to my second experience with Green Day this summer, on their Hella Mega Tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer. I’d bought tickets in advance, even looked into hotels in the area. Wouldn’t be caught with my pants down twice.

 Much like many, many shows and concerts, Hella Mega Tour has been postponed to next summer, due to the pandemic. 

I’ve spent time grieving The Summer that Never Was, much like most of us avid concert goers. I find myself wondering if live music will ever be the same again. The idea of not being surrounded by hundreds of other fans with the same type of love for music and lust for freedom as me is heartbreaking, and yet the idea of being packed into an arena with thousands of people I don’t know terrifies me. 

But if there’s anything my limited experience in life has taught me, it’s that if you’re worried about the future, seek wisdom from the past. 

I was lamenting the loss of live music this year, when a friend of mine (who is an ever delightfully glass half full type of person) pointed out to me a little show called Toronto Rocks. Never heard of it? You might know it by one of its other names, like SARSStock or SARS-a-palooza. It was a benefit show put together to celebrate the end of the SARS outbreak in Canada. 500,000 people showed up, no one got SARS, and the world was reminded that although pandemics, outbreaks and awful things happen, when the proper precautions are taken, and we heal, we can go back to doing the things that we love. 

My tickets to Hella Mega Tour remain, pinned to my cork board, a reminder of the good things to come. So I live in the now and look forward to the future, and imagine the satisfying sound of those perforated slips of joy getting torn at the turnstiles. 

Tom Petty - "Wildflowers & All The Rest"

You’ve heard at least one Tom Petty song in your lifetime. Whether you heard it out in public or you heard it while in the backseat of your dad’s car, the bottom line is that at least one Tom Petty song has been a part of the soundtrack of your life.

I can say that Tom Petty’s Wildflowers is the soundtrack to my life.

Speaking of that album, Wildflowers & All The Rest was finally released today. Nearly 26 years ago, the iconic fifteen-track Tom Petty record, Wildflowers, was released. In fact, it was originally set to be a double album with 25 tracks in total, but with the advice from the record label, it was cut down to one album with 15 tracks. In June of this year, it was announced that the long awaited Wildflowers & All The Rest  box set was finally going to be released.

Starting on track 16, we get to the additional songs that were meant to be on the double-album, starting off with Something Could Happen and ending with Hung Up and Overdue, plus the home recordings. 

First and foremost, it’s very clear to see that these outtakes truly have that beautiful and magical touch that the original Wildflowers cut has, which is what makes Tom’s songwriting as special and unique. Each song tells a story that people around the world could resonate with.

One song in particular, Leave Virginia Alone, was made very popular by Rod Stewart’s version, but when you listen to Tom sing it, you can tell that the song really does belong to him and that it is way better than Rod Stewart’s version. It’s only a fact.

While each song is truly beautiful, the songs that stood out to me the most were Something Could Happen, Climb That Hill Blues, Confusion Wheel, and Harry Green. There was something about those four songs that definitely added a deeper meaning to Wildflowers and made the album especially beautiful. They add to the legacy of the album itself. 

Next, we get to the home recordings, which starts with a previously unheard track titled There Goes Angela (Dream Away). When you go further down that section and delve into more and more of the home recordings, you really start to truly fall in love with this set a little bit more than before. The home recordings of each song, including one true Wildflowers classic, You Don’t Know How It Feels, are nothing short of amazing. 

Overall, this album is a gem and the ultimate tribute to Tom Petty. It really defines the kind of songwriter and storyteller he was. It’s been shown again and again that his legacy will forever live on, and this box set really proves that in every way. Tom himself would be very proud.

In the 26 years since its first release, Wildflowers still connects with people to this very day, even with people of the new generation. It’s easy to see why people still manage to connect with it - it’s relatable. These additional songs are just as easy to connect with as the songs on the original cut of the album. 

Thank you, Tom, for everything you have ever given us. Your music and your songwriting is a treasure through and through. As the saying goes, 

“You belong somewhere you feel free.” 

'All To Myself' - Soup! Collabs With Meredith Adelaide For A Pop Pep Talk

Amidst lockdown, London based Italo-British experimental duo SOUP! collaborated with American singer and multimedia artist Meredith Adelaide to bring us abstract pop track, ‘All to Myself’.

A sort of how-to, ‘All to Myself’ tells a story of how allowing yourself to let go will let the right things boomerang back to you. “There should be no convincing ourselves that something is right for us. Letting go can be a meditation to help me gain clarity about the elements of what I want from what I’m letting go of," shared Meredith.

Though created remotely, SOUP!’s instrumentals pair seamlessly with Meredith’s vocals. “The track began with a kind of pitched-up vocal loop. To date, I have no idea what it is or where it came from. We jammed over this as a band and developed the current groove. Loads of crazy arpeggiators and guitar loops were added in the process. We really wanted it to sound as mad as possible,” explained Matt.

The tracks sweeping synths and mesmerizing beat make for the perfect anthem to our lockdown days. And when we tell you they sound like the perfect fusion of Talking Heads and LCD Soundsystem, we MEAN IT. But we’ll let you decide for yourself…

LISTEN IF YOU LIKE: LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, Soulwax, Radiohead, ChkChkChk(!!!), Atoms For Peace

ABOUT SOUP!

SOUP! began in 2019 from the encounter of award winning producer Gigi Piscitelli and drummer Matt Hardy. Gigi cut his teeth training under Alan Moulder and Flood working on records for the likes of Goldfrapp, The Killers and the Charlatans. He produced Dele Sosimi, from Feta Kuti’s Egypt 80 and he is now working on the forthcoming LP by London’s Afro-Punk pioneers Ibibio Sound Machine. Matt is a young veteran of the British contemporary Indie-Folk scene. He provided the drumbeats for artists like the celebrated singer-songwriter Jake Houlsby and Folk chanteuse Ajimal.

FOLLOW SOUP!
 INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

ABOUT MEREDITH

Primarily a self-photographer, Meredith Adelaide touches multiple disciplines as an independent artist. A union-actor and filmmaker with a decade-long modelling career behind them, Meredith is a well-rounded artist, now adding their voice to the world of music. In their art - much of which is released through the creative platform 'Patreon' - Meredith explores themes of grief, loss, self accountability, identity, unconditional love and sexuality.