Elizabeth Woolf’s ‘Til It’s Dark Outside’ is a Coming-of-Age Soul-Funk Masterpiece

Reintroducing the late ‘70s into the 21st century. ‘Til It’s Dark Outside,’ independently released on October 16, 2020, is the story-based debut studio album from Elizabeth Woolf, a budding Los Angeles, California grown singer-songwriter. Wise beyond her years and at the peak of her songstress game, Woolf grew up singing along to early Frank Sinatra records in the backseat of her mother’s gray minivan. She has since found her voice with those high belted notes while tracing back childhood. Sara Bareilles and Bon Iver are heard on the radio from a sobbing driver’s seat section of her father’s hand me down vehicle. However, fusing these influences into a sound of her own wasn’t until she attended University of California, Berkeley, where she became close friends with musical artist Lorenzo Loera (of The California Honeydrops), who introduced her to the album, “Songs In The Keys Of Life.” 

“We would all jam together,” says Woolf, “and Lolo would send me lots of music recommendations - mostly Stevie Wonder. Stevie’s music is so inventive and fun! It inspired me to start singing at the Thursday night “Funk Night” jam at a local bar in Oakland.”

Like the ‘70s, where we saw the rise of smooth and sultry to downright funky. All your favorite disco, funk, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, and soul music made popular throughout that decade. Woolf, arguably this generation’s Nicolette Larson continues to build a sound that felt familiar, a nostalgic chapter in recreating a coming of age story, where a string of songs surrounded change, love, heartbreak, adventure, and the fumblings of your early twenties.

Showcasing a sweet, honey like vocal offering, gentle and pleasant, yet moody and melancholic, the titled debut record single, ‘Til It’s Dark Outside’ resonates with the memory of growing up in the sweetest time to be alive, an innocent era that transitioned between childhood and adulthood.

“It was a special moment of togetherness for my friends and I” she expresses, “and a memory I cherish. I decided to write lyrics for the rest of the song, and tell the story of my friendship with Harry, as we navigate the ups and downs of our emerging adulthood. In essence, is what the record feels like to me.”

‘Valencia Street,’ a city where “the very best kisses are the last of their kind.” That piece of lyric couldn’t be more true as we’ve all been there. This playfully quaint groove emits a smooth jazzy, folklike luring feel. The uniquely charming and honest storytelling is all about exploring a personal reflection seeking closure in the aftermath from a messy, past relationship. Woolf admits, “I was feeling lost and confused. Suddenly, I found myself walking familiar streets in San Francisco, as if it were a time machine. I saw memories flash before my eyes of wonderful romantic moments shared, paired with the bittersweet reality that those moments would never happen again.”

If there’s an urgency to say ‘Goodbye Old Friend’ (as the title depicts of Woolf’s experience in London), then letting go of a friendship that’s no longer aiding in mutual growth is only best to leave behind those and move forward in becoming who we are meant to be and letting go of who we once were.

Til It’s Dark Outside has sprung out to be a stunning, thoughtfully crafted masterpiece of a debuting wholesome wildflower; an ode to repressed memories, deliverance, growing up, and figuring things out in the company of good friendships and cherished memories. Singing along to the musical horn lines with a giddying smile, Elizabeth Woolf made us feel soothed, welcomed, and comforted. Even when we didn’t realize we needed comforting.

Fangirl to Music Industry: Why Fangirls Can Be Music Industry Professionals

Not many people realize it, but fangirls play an important part in the music industry. I know people think of fangirls as overzealous, emotional, and dare I say it “Crazy”. As well as other words. However, there’s a side of fangirls that people don’t realize or don’t pay attention to: It’s the fact that they can help with an artist/band’s following. 

You can be a fangirl and work in the music industry - whether it’s in music marketing, A&R, music journalism, radio, etc.

I’ve had my fair share of fangirling over different musicians all my life. In elementary school; it was Hilary Duff, The Jonas Brothers, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus.  In middle school; it was Paramore, Linkin Park, Death Cab for Cutie, Flyleaf, Evanescence, The Runaways, Breaking Benjamin, Joan Jett, Mayday Parade, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, etc. 

In high school; it was One Direction, Lana Del Rey, Demi Lovato, Lorde, Milky Chance, Cage The Elephant, The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Marina and The Diamonds, The Black Keys, and plenty of more. 

I had dreams of writing during those periods, but was not aware of music journalism until my junior year of high school and years later, I accomplished that dream and do you know what I credit? Being a fangirl. I ran a One Direction fan account on Instagram and Twitter back in high school and being a fangirl during that period is what helped me get to where I am now. It was because of the passion I had and still have for the music.

But this isn’t about my story. That was just an example. This is about other fangirls who grew up fangirl-ing over different artists who work in different fields of the industry. 

So without further ado - Meet the fangirls, read their stories and learn about what they do. 

Stephanie Hernandez | Music Journalist

@hstephanie9

When I was about 9 years old, I was in the honor choir in elementary school. We learned a little song called "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, and I was instantly hooked. Since then, my entire personality was wrapped up in the Beatles and their contemporaries. In high school, I somehow always managed to weave the Beatles into school projects, essays, and pretty much every facet of my life. I went to tribute concerts, dressed like it was the '60s, and only started dating my first boyfriend because I thought he looked like George Harrison.

I moved from Houston, TX to London under the guise of a scholarship to pursue my undergraduate degree - but it was really to be close to the spaces my favorite bands were around in their heyday. Over the summers, I got a job at the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, where I had the opportunity to talk about my favorite band all day, every day. I spent most of my nights in the Cavern Club, or otherwise involved in the local music scene. My undergraduate dissertation, of course, was all about the Beatles.

I decided to do my Master's degree in London as well, and this is really where I became involved in the music industry through my fandom. I enrolled in an intercollegiate class (at a separate university): "Popular Music and its Critics."  This class went through the history of popular music criticism, and required us to write our own piece for 100% of our grade. I wrote about Stevie Nicks' "witchy" persona, and its legacy. On the back of this piece, I began my career. My professor was so impressed by my writing that he advised me to consider writing professionally about music, and introduced me to a few of his contacts in the industry. 

For about a year now, I've had bylines at Warner Music UK, Ultimate Classic Rock, Rhino Entertainment, and a few local publications in Liverpool. Presently, I'm doing my PhD in Literature & Music at the University of Liverpool, where I also lecture on musical analysis and criticism.

Ariana Elise | Musician

@arimusicnash

I grew up in northeast Ohio, home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and several famous musicians / bands. 

My father was always a music junkie, and naturally my siblings and I became such as well. We started early with the influences of The Beatles, Jackson 5, Boston, and so on.

So as a child, I remember my first encounter as a fan girl when Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) made her debut, and of course my dad wanted me to be as much of a fan as possible. I had every CD, soundtrack, outfits, posters, and anything that was labeled in her brand. Eventually, I became a teenager, and so my attention turned to One Direction; the most chaotic, exciting fan base I’ve ever been apart of. Going to concerts with friends, daydreaming of them falling in love with me, writing fanfictions on wattpad. All my thoughts for a couple years relied solely on a boy and that would never know my name; but I will always remember theirs.

Now when I graduated high school, the fan girl fad in me was pretty much dead due to teenage blues and different focus.

However I began diving into the classic rock music world and my interest was sparking again. I ended up dropping out of college shortly after I started because I just couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. I’ve always loved music, but I was so shy and didn’t know how to get started or where I could even start so late in the game. I originally went to school for creative writing / poetry, though I didn’t want to just be a writer. 

I ended up spending a year at home with my dad, collecting records and being unemployed. I would listen to music from sun up to sun down. I’d research every little bit of information about any band I was listening to and absorb their stories. Every lyric, every melody pieced together a puzzle I’d been trying to finish for years. I wanted to be a musician, I wanted to be a star just like all of them. 

I’ve always known I wanted to be something big, and music was always an answer/escape I’d use to make my life have some sort of sense. My poetry turned into songwriting and it clicked.

But I’ve been shy my entire life, and never voiced the fact that Id always sing when no one was around. So, my dad bought me my first Dean acoustic guitar, shortly after I heard “The Chain” demo- I immediately began lessons. 

In this time I discovered an up and coming band called Greta Van Fleet, and looking back now; that was a rebirth of my fan girl heart. Getting fired up to see hot, young rockers play some of the most beautiful new music this generation needs has been an absolute pleasure (and an inspiration). 

I now live in Nashville, after being a groupie for a band that no longer exists and networking; I reside in a city that has opened so many opportunities for me. I still go to shows, and I still get geeked over bands. But now that I’m playing my own gigs, recording my own music- my perspective on fangirling and the industry has definitely changed.

I have not only major respect for musicians but for bands who are big and have to put up with a lot of slack. You do get the more “wild” fans and people who cross boundaries from time to time. You get annoyed of loud and obnoxious people yelling songs at you and being demanding. It gets so exhausting, until you look at it as a whole. These people are here for YOU and YOU’RE music. They are spending their money to hear YOU sing YOUR songs. They want to be your friends, your fans, and close to a musician. Fangirling can be a lot, and overwhelming at that. But how touching is it to see people love a band so much, that they would do anything in the world to see a show and support them? 

I’m blessed to be in a hardworking, tough industry because seeing those faces light up and having that support around you is the most rewarding, fulfilling life I could ever ask for.

Carmela Carr | Writer/Owner of The Generation Clash

@retronautqueen

@thegenerationclash

When I was a kid, my dad borrowed two Lime Spiders albums and he burned them to our Dell computer and I remember sitting at the computer when he was burning them and I noticed the red/black/orange background of the cover art of Volatile and I knew that it was cool. I always considered Lime Spiders to be my first "cool" band because they weren't anything like the music my friends listened to.

My love for music comes from growing up in a house where music was always playing. Midnight Oil, ELO, Jughead, Maroon 5, Kiss, I heard it all when I was little. As I got older, I joined Tumblr and discovered Spotify and I started creating playlists. Eventually, this led to me creating the original website for Generation Clash on Tumblr because it was a platform that I always shared the music I loved, except now I was writing articles and making graphics and it wasn't a hobby, it was a career. I'm a music journalist now, but I was an enthusiastic fan first. Without my passion for music, GenClash wouldn't exist. 

Sara Brown | Music Journalist

@_downtown_sarabrown_

It’s safe to say it all started when I was 12 years old. I’d loved musicians before, but I think the combination of my age, the musicians I was fascinated with, and my lack of internet access at the time was what kept me from crossing that “fangirl” threshold. 

When I discovered Hunter Hayes at the age of 12, that all changed. I don’t remember how it all went down, truthfully. I remember discovering his music, and the next thing I know, I’m running a stan Twitter and Instagram account. 

It was around this same time that I began to think about what I wanted to do with my life. I had grown fascinated with Nashville and the idea of studying music business – I was so sure that I was going to go to school at Belmont University and pursue that. I didn’t know what I wanted to do specifically, but I wanted to be involved. 

Time goes by, I eventually abandon my Hunter Hayes stan accounts (the negative of fandom reared its ugly head), I discover and fall in love with new artists, I progress through my undergraduate degree, and I start to realize that I miss music. I’m producing a radio show, but with my impending graduation, I know that it’s coming to an end, and then I’ll have nothing connecting me to that world anymore. I was terrified that my foot was being shoved out the door. 

I first connected with Baylee through Facebook. For whatever reason (I’ve never asked!), she friend-requested me, and having recognized her from the comment section of a band on Instagram, I accepted, and followed her on Instagram. I started seeing posts from her about something called Banded, and at first, I didn’t give it much thought – it just wasn’t something I considered for myself. As my life began to get more chaotic, with the question of whether or not I’d get into graduate school looming over me, the stress of writing a thesis and completing my last semester of coursework, and running an undergraduate club, I subconsciously was looking for something that would last beyond my last semester. I truthfully don’t remember what it was that lit the fire under me, or how I ended up on the Banded website looking at the form to submit to become a contributor, but there I was. I hesitated for the longest time, afraid I didn’t have the time to do it, but a song that had fueled my life ever since I first heard it in 2019 popped into my head. 

It’s funny, I’ve written about this song for Banded – quite the full circle moment. “Waiting for Life to Begin” by The Shelters inspires me in ways most of the songs I love haven’t been able to touch. 

I don’t have enough time. It’s something you want to do; you can make time. I’m not a good enough writer for this. Who ever said that? Learn from the other contributors and develop your skills as you go. No time for self-doubt. Knowing that the musicians could see what I write freaks me out, not to mention maybe getting into interviews. Get outside of your comfort zone, it’s good for you. I’m not ready. When will you ever really be ready for anything? If you wait until you’re ready, it’ll be too late. This opportunity is in front of you now. Take it. 

Life was happening and opportunities were presenting themselves in that moment, regardless of whether or not I was ready. I could be scared, or I could follow the advice of that Shelters song and go for it. It was because I’m a fangirl that I made that leap to industry. 

Not only is my story one of going from fangirl to industry; it is BECAUSE I’m a fangirl that I got into industry. 

My fangirl/industry story is very intertwined within itself. Being a fangirl led me to industry, and being part of the music industry has led me to new fangirl experiences. These two things feed each other.

Kristal Terrell | Digital Marketing at MTV

@kristalterrell

My first fangirl is experience was helping my friend, Vivian run her account @JustinCrew back in 2011. Eventually I became a co-owner of the Instagram (170k+ followers) and Twitter account (1+ million followers). Being a fan of Justin Bieber helped to define me as a fangirl — it introduced me to other fans turned professionals, seeing what jobs were available in the industry, etc. 

Being a fangirl helped to land me the job I have now with MTV. On both my cover letter, I shared how being a fangirl prepared me for the role and it was something that my team mentioned help me to stand out. Because fans understand fans and speak the language!

Emily Jade | Music Photographer, Journalist, and Editor

@emilyjadephotos

I’d probably say my first experience was when I became a fan of All Time Low back when I was 13. Helped me through a real rough patch of my life and I was lucky enough to meet them when I was 16.

I’m a music photographer, journalist and editor of a magazine. My love for music and bands gave me the passionI needed to really give me everything I have to what I do, it’s the reason I got into music photography as I loved it but wanted to add my love for music into the mix too!

Kiki Gilligan| BANDED Writer and Music Influencer

@kiki5800

I like to think of my journey as a fangirl in stages; the seed being planted into my personality from a very young age. The first time I deeply invested in an artist was in my single digits, easily, and it was none other than Michael Jackson. I remember my best friend's mom sitting us down in front of the computer and showing us the Thriller music video, and while my friend was terrified, I was instantly hooked. I went home and spun my mother’s original pressing of the album daily, studied the choreography in his videos, and the fantasy of the legendary MJ coming to visit me one day while I was sick in my hospital bedroom, as he would for many other ill children, quickly became a dream of mine.

When he passed away, my parents referred to me as the most emotional 9-year-old they had ever known, as I went and cried in my shower for what had to be at least a half hour, (and now in retrospect as a 21-year-old looking back, the fact I did shed so many tears over a man I had never known makes me giggle, but he truly meant so much to me and my creativity). My love for the King of Pop though steered me down a road of dedication to the art form that has always meant the most to me: music.

The first time I was able to express to musicians their power in the art they share with the world, and what I would believe to be the moment I truly identified with the title of being a fangirl was when I was 14 years old. I was teased in middle and high school day in and day out for loving R5, a five-piece family band with frontman Ross Lynch, who starred on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally. Nobody’s words could diminish my love for those five sweethearts that decorated my early teenage bedroom, and the group I forced all my nurses to listen to with me during my annual hospital stays as a kid. One trip to see the group, though, resulted in a night I will never forget. Prior to the gig I managed to make my way to the meet & greet and get my picture with the band. Upon my arrival, following their down to earth hugs and getting our picture taken together, I looked at Ross and his bandmates as they all appeared like skyscrapers to me, (my five foot tall behind was a nugget standing next to these men towering over me at LEAST six feet tall and Rydel in massive gorgeous boots) and started spewing out gratitude. Thanking them for being there for me when they never knew and during some of my hardest days. I was able to let them know just how much they meant to me, and all those times I had hung up their pictures on my hospital bedroom walls, and the ones at home too. I’ll never forget Ross shining his electrifying smile and telling me I was “so cool,” and Rydel, teary eyed, demanding that I give her another hug. After those ten minutes with the band I knew I wanted a lifetime full of moments just like that one. 

My next move is to continue my place here on BANDED PR, to expand my social media networking and TO KEEP SHOWING UP! The best way to be a fangirl, and just a fan of music in general is to show up and do your part in showing your support. I’m pursuing a life of endlessly choosing the road and inner happiness, and I want to inspire other people that despite the curveballs life throws at us and despite any ailment or obstacle in our way, we ALL can live a life that we’re proud of.

Jasmine Zade | Music Business Student and YouTuber

@jasminezade

My first fangirl experience runs really deep for me. In a way that feels mind-blowing, actually, because that very experience ended up acting as a basis for my entire career and large parts of my personality. I was eleven, and stumbled across the boys of One Direction after flipping through J-14 magazines for collage pieces, and they ended up being my safe space for years to come. This is what reminds me that the butterfly effect is truly beyond me because that one decision to cut out their pictures from the magazine led me to researching them online, then learning about them, falling in love with them, and then framing what felt like my whole life around that culture. Fandom culture. 

I spent all my free time running fan accounts for One Direction, reading stories about them, making drawings to hang in my room, even staying up late to watch livestreams of their tour shows and post live updates on social media. Some of my most prominent teenage memories are going to the mall with my friends to see their cardboard cutouts, crying over concert tickets, and going to watch their film in theaters over and over; dressed like a One Direction fan would. There’s not a single doubt in me that growing up with this band is exactly what defines me as a fangirl, and has taught me valuable lessons about true friendship, community, and new-age music branding and marketing. The One Direction fandom really was its own community with very specific elements that made it a stand-out in the world of music fandoms, especially the amount of detail fans would pay attention to on the management and behind-the-scenes side. Being a One Direction fan meant being analytical, hard-working, supportive, and innovative; it was like a career on its own, and I don’t think many of us realized how important it was until now.

These are the exact things that lead me in the direction of a passion for the music industry and giving a voice to the fangirls like me who do so much for it. I spent about 2 years making YouTube videos about One Direction specifically that gave me an incredible platform and so much support and exposure, and I loved the opportunity to explore my opinions on their management, what made them popular, and the true impact of music-fandom culture. That YouTube channel just about One Direction made me realize I had a real passion and need for digging into the business side of music and rallying for change in the areas of diversity and male-dominance. I remembered a friend telling me about finishing her Music Business courses at school, so I looked further into the path, and eventually decided I wanted my Bachelor’s to be exactly that. It was a life saver for me to start studying something I cared so much about, and used it almost as an extension of my fangirl heart, and it only went further and further. I began making regular YouTube videos about the music industry and not just One Direction and built up a brand for myself that truly highlighted my music and music pop culture passion. These videos have put me in touch with some incredible people and opportunities that never stop being exciting. Along with studying Music Business I’ve gotten to do street marketing for an American Idol winner, work hand-in-hand with Universal Music on video projects, and even help a string of indie artists find their brand in the industry, and it’s only the beginning. All of these steps I’ve made in my music industry journey, however, truly have boiled back down to my start as a fangirl. 

I learned that growing up in the One Direction fandom was actually such a powerful tool in the world of music internships as I settled into my dream of becoming an artist manager. I have valuable, transferable skills because I was a fangirl; like community management, writing, research, audience acquisition, social media, and even some basic marketing. It was really empowering to use these skills and my own, real interests as an authenticity factor to speak to industry professionals and work with small artists. I never want being a fangirl to stop being a part of me and what did everything for me in the first place, and I absolutely hope to inspire many, many more to own how important it is. 

Giuliana Jarrin | Various Parts of the Music Industry

@rocknrollpadawan

My first fangirl experience started when I was about four years old - even younger - and it was Michael Jackson. I just adored him. He was everything to me! I loved his voice, his dance moves. I have lots of memories of his music and watching his videos. I learned how to use my VHS to record his concerts, so it all started from there. 

My father used to live in the US, so he used to listen to all of this music in English. I used to always listen to rock music because of him. That’s also how I eventually got into Aerosmith and I remember watching this special on Steven Tyler, and I specifically remember watching him, his outfits, and the way he moved around on stage. When I was 11, I listened to “Jaded” for the first time and that was the moment where I really became a hardcore fan. Something inside of me just exploded and that was a moment where I became super interested about a particular band. If it wasn’t for Aerosmith, I wouldn’t be the kind of fangirl I am today. 

I’ve been working with bands since 2008. Little by little, I began to learn that there were people that were actually behind the music and it made me realize that I still could do something because I’m a graphic designer, so I was like, “I could design logos, I can design posters!” 

I’ve even done some collaborations with Aerosmith and have made some templates for them and some content, also help their content creator by making some playlists on Spotify, using my fan knowledge!

By being a fangirl, you learn how fans behave. Some of us actually want to work for these bands. They think that fangirls are immature girls who just scream and cry, and that we only want to be next to rockstars. They don’t actually know that we’re professionals who could really elevate their marketing if they used our knowledge and the passion we have because we only want the best for them. 

Emily | Social Media and Marketing 

@whoevenisemily

I’m a senior finishing up my last semester at university to get my free in Public Relations. I also just wrapped up a digital marketing internship at Crowd Surf and decided to stay with the company after I finished. 

Growing up, I was (and still am) a major One Direction fangirl. I’ve followed them since I was twelve, and as a sophomore in high school, I worked on planning fan projects for my shows at stadiums that held almost 43K people. This is what really sparked my love for creating campaigns through social media for artists I love, and now I’ve had the opportunity to do it professionally, doing things I never thought I would do would be able to do for some of my favorite artists of all time. 

I even still find time to create fan events as a fan outside of work just for fun, so still being able to balance my life as a fangirl with being a professional now and developing an awesome path towards my dream has been a really cool adventure. 

Carla Jara | Video Content Producer

@jaycommacarla

I grew up a huge fangirl of artists like the Jonas Brothers and after university, I got my start in the music industry as a Promo Assistant for a major LA radio station. I worked my way upwards and now, I’m currently a full time Video Content Producer for Audacy, Inc. where I’ve had the opportunity to both film and photograph The Jonas Brothers, bringing it full circle.

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The stories that were told by these fantastic women proves one thing - Fangirls are powerful. You may not think so, but the passion we have for the bands and artists we love helps us out in every way possible. Especially when it comes to being a music industry professional. We all have stories; we all have that one band/artist that inspired us so much that it led us to what we do now in the music business. 

Fangirls rule the music business.

Film Review: Foo Fighters Present Studio 666

When I found out one of my all-time favorite bands, Foo Fighters, were going to be releasing and starring in their very own horror flick, I knew instantly I’d have to check it out and write up a review. As a longtime fan of the band, I was thrilled to see them embark on such a unique and ambitious project, yet another accomplishment on their extended roster of impressive feats. Blending music, horror, and comedy, Studio 666, filmed in secret during the pandemic, is a campy, kitschy, fast-paced and brilliant wild ride from start to finish. 

From the mastermind that is Dave Grohl, Studio 666 follows the Foo Fighters through their unsettling and supernatural journey moving into a dilapidated Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock history, as the band seeks out an evolved and leveled-up soundscape for recording their highly-anticipated tenth album. Upon moving in, frontman Grohl finds himself grappling with a stubborn case of writer’s block - and blood lust - that threatens both the completion of the album and the lives of the band. 

There’s plenty to enjoy about this film. In the opening scene, I was delighted to see recent maven of horror Jenna Ortega make an appearance, as well as Whitney Cummings, Will Forte, Leslie Grossman, and Jeff Garlin, who has been a favorite of mine since his Wizards of Waverly Place days. In addition to the star-studded cast, Studio 666 is chock-full of tongue-in-cheek humor, brotherly digs from the band to one another, and impressive comedic timing. The film boasts great visual effects, and is abundant in blood and gore - which is exactly how I like my movies. I definitely admired the creativity in the script as each band member met their untimely, graphic demise. Be prepared for a hearty belly laugh one minute, and then getting guts shoved in your face the next - as Grohl, possessed by something quite unholy, takes his own album title One By One far too literally. 

My favorite moment of the film was when music superstar Lionel Richie popped in for an unexpected, quick, cheeky cameo. I won’t reveal too much, but you’re in for a laugh! In addition, I thought the entirety of the band did a great job with the acting, especially Grohl, who has a bit of a background in acting after his appearance as Satan in Tenacious D’s slapstick musical-comedy The Pick of Destiny. Even drummer Taylor Hawkins, who has admitted he didn’t bother learning the script and instead improvised all his lines, was a treat to watch on screen. For (mostly) first-time actors, the Foos definitely made a good impression. 

Fans of metal will enjoy the film’s soundtrack, which features not only a number of Foo Fighters’ greatest hits and deep cuts, but heavy, sludgy material recorded by Foo Fighters’ as their evil, sinister alias, Dream Widow. 

Currently, the film holds a modest 55% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, and an 81% audience score. While not favored by critics, fans seem to love Studio 666, further proving my point that the flick was made for the fans and not the critics. With Studio 666, Foo Fighters’ never set out to release a billion-dollar, record-breaking, Oscar-worthy, perfect score cinematic blockbuster, but instead, they created a low-budget, campy slasher movie, where the primary goal is to make the fans happy and let the band go wild and have fun, doing something they’ve never done before. It’s safe to say the band has achieved and surpassed this goal. In conversation with Rolling Stone, Grohl proved this point and spoke further about the film’s inspiration, saying “It’s part The Shining, part Amityville Horror, part Evil Dead. The ‘rock band film’ as a tradition seems to have disappeared…We’re not going for There Will Be Blood. We just want to have fun in that old tradition of rock & roll.” 

Studio 666 is in theaters now and on-demand March 18th. 

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs Deliver Explosive Rock with Sophomore Release External Combustion

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The new Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs release, External Combustion, is perfect for lovers of classic and modern rock alike. Campbell and the Knobs demonstrate mastery of rock for all ages, with something everyone in your group is bound to love. 

External Combustion is a truly phenomenal collection of tracks. I would even be bold enough to say that it’s one of the best if not the best rock album you’ll see released this year, but then again, I may be a little biased. As a hardcore Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fan, I believe that Mike Campbell can do no wrong, and he and the unbelievably talented Dirty Knobs have put out a no-skips record that I will never stop talking about. Let me take you track-by-track. 

They throw you right in with “Wicked Mind” as the album opener, a blast of pure, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll that I still can’t stop singing the praises of since this track dropped back in February. “Wicked Mind” hits you smooth in the face and gives you the perfect taste of what’s to come in this 45-minute rock journey. Perfectly snappy and jangly, it’s just a fun listen and it entices the listener to stick around a while and jam. 

The Dirty Knobs waste no time demonstrating their range as players as they jump into the next track. “Brigitte Bardot” follows a bluesy formula, with the repetition and chord structure you’d expect from your favorite old blues tunes, but delivers it in an upbeat, rockabilly-tinged package. It’s an interesting love song, comparing the love interest to a 50s and 60s sex symbol, but perhaps that’s what makes it unique. However the person being courted by this track feels about the comparison, there’s no denying that it’s catchy.  

Like a sonic slap in the face, the album transitions into “Cheap Talk,” arguably my favorite track on External Combustion. With the use of strings and backward masking, I immediately found the track to be reminiscent of Electric Light Orchestra, like the most perfect mix of their 70s stuff and 2001’s Zoom (my ELO fans out there will know exactly what I mean). It’s haunting in a way, and a bit more heavy and progressive than I might have expected to hear on this record, but it doesn’t sound a bit out of place. The Dirty Knobs have range, and they show it every chance they get. 

Expanding on that progressive vibe, the title track takes things in a different direction, away from the strings and more toward a dirty, Southern blues-rock sound. I find it to be very reminiscent of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ Mojo. Sonically, they took the title very seriously when crafting this track. The verses build brilliantly into this intense chorus that shakes you up and hits you hard in a perfectly disastrous way. It demands to be listened to loud. 

To pull you out of the rubble, they ditch the prog elements and launch into a raw rocker. “Dirty Job” is hard-hitting, borderline grungy, and sonically satisfying, featuring vocals from the legendary Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame. This was a combination I can’t say I expected, but now that I’ve heard it I can’t quite figure out how I ever lived without it. I keep going back to this one and I can’t get over how perfectly placed into the record it is. 

As a self-proclaimed Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers superfan, “State of Mind” hit me hard. Campbell’s voice is so much like Petty’s here that it took me by surprise when he started singing. The track also features singer/songwriter Margo Price who blends beautifully with Campbell. With the brilliant use of strings and horn sounds, “State of Mind” would fit right in on Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Southern Accents; it’s like rock and classic country had a baby. I find it to be the most beautiful song on the album. 

Getting you back up on your feet is “Lightning Boogie,” and this track is a bit deceptive. With an opening guitar riff that mimics the one at the beginning of Autograph’s “Turn Up the Radio,” you think you’re about to be sent to the 80s rock stratosphere, but instead the Knobs launch into a rock ‘n’ roll, ragtime, boogie woogie extravaganza that would get even the grumpiest person in the room on their feet. If it hasn’t already been emphasized enough: This. Band. Has. Range. And they aren’t afraid to use it. 

Transitioning back into the southern-tinged rock you’d expect from a band fronted by a Floridian, “Rat City” is a sonically satisfying rock masterpiece. The track is perfectly balanced, and eases up on its driving heaviness, maintaining the listener’s interest with a jangly acoustic final verse, before diving back into the train-like sound that characterizes the track. Vocally, I can’t get over how good Campbell sounds on this track. For him to have not been a lead vocalist for the majority of his career, he steps into the role so seamlessly with The Dirty Knobs, and it really shows on this record. You’d think he’d fronted a band as the singer his whole life. 

Providing a bit of a break from the head-bobbing jams, “In This Lifetime” is a dark, mellow, and beautifully haunting piece placed perfectly in the record. It sends the message that the ride is slowing down and soon coming to an end in such a satisfying way. One of the greatest tests of a rock band is the quality of their slower songs, and The Dirty Knobs pass with flying colors. This was one of the tracks that surprised me the most and solidified my believe that The Dirty Knobs can do no wrong. 

After the haunting beauty of the last track, diving into the bouncy, happy “It Is Written” is just what the listener needs. I think this track is what you get when you mix a Bob Dylan song, a Traveling Wilburys song, an old bluegrass tune, and a long drive in the middle of nowhere on a sunny day.  It’s undeniably catchy and perfect for the time we find ourselves living in. “It Is Written” is uplifting without approaching toxic positivity, and that’s something I’ve found myself needing these past few months. It’s a gem of a track. 

Finally, bringing the album to a close is easy rocker “Electric Gypsy.” A perfect album closer, “Electric Gypsy” touches on the ever-popular theme of the rock ‘n’ roll vagabond without seeming overdone. It puts you in the boots of the rock ‘n’ roll vagabond himself, evoking desert vibes and feelings of the road. It’s a brilliant track and couldn’t be a better way to bid farewell to one of the best records to come out of 2022 (said it before and I’m sticking with it!). 

What more can I say? If this isn’t enough to convince you to go spin this damn record, I don’t know what else to tell you. External Combustion is phenomenal, and if you love rock ‘n’ roll, you’re gonna love it. Go give it a spin, try to prove me wrong. 

REVIEW: The Last Bandoleros Take You to the Beach with "California Moon"

Having recently transitioned from a four-piece to a trio, The Last Bandoleros are finding their groove with their new lineup and embracing collaboration. TLB have delivered some strong, hard-hitting releases over the past few months, but it’s been a while since they’ve shown their more laidback, acoustic side. 

Teaming up with singer/songwriter Hannah Brier, and showcasing lead vocals from Diego Navaira, “California Moon” is hypnotizing in a haunting way, almost like the singers are telling a ghost story. Navaira and Brier both sing about a mysterious love that didn’t last, like a fairy tale with a less-than-ideal ending. 

Just as with their last release, TLB explore some sounds I haven’t yet heard in a Bandoleros studio release. They have always been genre-defying, and “California Moon” is no exception. Like “Maldita,” released back in September 2021, “California Moon” was written during a week-long writing session with Shaggy at his home studio. The songs resulting from that session have been affectionately described as “Tex-Flex,” and all find themselves dipping more into pop and hip hop, something a bit different for TLB. “California Moon” deviates from the Tejano rock sound many have come to know them for in favor of a Latin-pop sound that is equally as delicious.  

Brier’s and Navaira’s voices blend beautifully, creating a vocal combination I wasn’t expecting. Having heard TLB collaborate with Kree Harrison in live settings, I knew what a female voice could bring to the table, but I wasn’t anticipating just how lovely Brier’s use of alto and Navaira’s tenor would be together. 

“California Moon” is haunting, but in a truly beautiful way. It evokes feelings of being on the beach as the sun has just set, taking in that last bit of warm before the water and sand start to cool. It takes me to California despite having never actually been there. It’s immersive, as though the story of a fleeting love is actually about you. 

“California Moon” is a perfect reminder of the storytelling powers The Last Bandoleros and Brier possess. With every release I still find myself amazed. The music video just dropped, so give it a spin and fall into the story.  

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REVIEW: Florence + The Machine's 'King'

Florence + The Machine, a band I fully believe was sent from the cosmos above, has already brought me to my knees and has left me yearning for more. I’ve been eagerly waiting for new material since 2018 so when I tell you I leaped out of my skin as soon as I learned of a new single... my soul damn near left my body. 

King is the first single to launch Florence + The Machine into their brand new era. A brand new chapter in the making that’s already setting the bar to the highest stratosphere. King, a song that will have you proclaiming at the top of your lungs, “I AM NO MOTHER, I AM NO BRIDE, I AM KING.” Pretty much sticking it to the man and saying “f*ck the patriarchy.” We live in a world where societal standards for women have always been, “To be known as someone's wife or someone’s mother.” The idea of being seen as basically someone's property has never sat right with me. I wholeheartedly believe a woman should be known for more than her "expected gender role." The way Florence lays her heart out on a silver platter and poetically speaks with such ferocity leaves me breathless. Time and time again, I'm covered in shivers from head to toe with tears brimming in my eyes.

“But a woman is a changeling, always shifting shape

Just when you think you have it figured out

Something new begins to take

What strangе claws are these scratching at my skin

I nеver knew my killer would be coming from within

I am no mother, I am no bride, I am King

I am no mother, I am no bride, I am King.”

“I need my golden crown of sorrow, my bloody sword to swing

I need my empty halls to echo with grand self-mythology.”

If you listen to Florence’s entire discography (or even a song or two), you can tangibly feel the raw passion and intensity she conveys through her craft. There's an ethereal nature about her that engulfs you from the moment she opens her mouth to sing. Florence strikes a chord within her listeners and makes them feel like she's reading their innermost thoughts. When in all actuality, she's inviting us all into hers. Music is her greatest form of expression and her greatest love. In King, she wrestles with the lingering thoughts of having to sacrifice her career for a domesticated way of living. The monumental battle between family versus ambition. This hauntingly beautiful track will empower you to view yourself as a King. A divine being.

Director Autumn De Wilde and Florence are an absolute match made in heaven. The first time I watched the music video for King, I was entranced. The way my eyes never left the screen and were fixated on the magic taking place in front of me. I wish that I could rewatch it for the first time, and relive the emotions all over again.

King is a cinematic and lyrical masterpiece.

Do you know what excites me the most? This is only the beginning.

I'm ready to make this upcoming Florence + The Machine album my entire personality for the next century.

EP REVIEW: The Thing With Feathers' Sundays in the South

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I must admit as a huge Rock n’ Roll fan, when it comes to new releases in the Alternative Rock world, I get excited every single time. So, when The Thing With Feathers released their debut EP, Sundays in the South, on February 18th, I immediately gave it a listen.

Nashville native band, The Thing With Feathers, is ever evolving and expanding the space of what Alt-Rock is, and fans are loving it, myself included. The group describes their sound as “… pushing the boundaries of pop-infused alternative rock to lengths not previously exhibited by (their) Nashville contemporaries.” After listening, I would have to completely agree. Sounding like seasoned professionals, it’s hard to believe this is the groups very first EP. Cumulating a distinct sound of their own, this band encapsulates the energy of a mix of bands like; The Strokes, Coldplay, and The 1975. Sundays in the South is incredibly well balanced, yet each song is unique and distinguishable amongst one another. It has a wonderful cohesiveness that has listeners coming back for more.

 The Thing With Feathers is a group of four made up by, Dave Welsch (Vocals), Alex Hendricks (lead guitar), Sean Carroll (bass), and Chris Roussell (Drums). After the release of the EP’s singles “Static” being released on November 19th, 2021, followed by “Lights Down Low” on January 14th, 2022, this five track EP was a highly anticipated one for many.

Here is my personal track-by-track perspective and breakdown of Sundays in the South… 

Saturday Night

Starting with the EP’s opening track, “Saturday Night”. This track is instrumental with nice subtle background vocals from front man, Dave Welsch. It is energetic, setting the tone for the musical journey you’re about to embark on for remainder of the EP.

Lights Down Low

On January 14th, 2022, “Lights Down Low” was the second single to be released from Sundays in the South. The tracks accompanying music video (directed and created by filmmaker Hannah Grey Hall), naturally found its way into MTVs ‘Spankin’ New’ video channels rotation. This track has become a fan favorite for many, with over 71,000 streams on Spotify. Front man, Dave Welsch, is quoted describing the origins of this track as “… tells the events of a fast and dangerous relationship that started in a smoke-filled bar. [the song is about] two characters’ rebellion against the whitewashed ideologies of southern Christian culture. The song is centered around a bass riff and has an overall darker tone, something we were eager to play around with after writing songs that were bright and pop-forward.”

Listening to “Lights Down Low”, you’re encompassed into this world as if you can see this scene playing out right before your very eyes. I believe this easily became a fan favorite due to the nature of the story line, and how relatable it can be for many in today’s culture, along with its undeniably catchy rhythm. 

Static

Entering all streaming platforms on November 19th, 2021, “Static” was the first single that debuted for the Sundays in the South EP. This track quickly became a personal favorite of mine, due to the musicality behind it all. This track highlights the talents of guitarist, Alex Hendricks, with energetic riffs that leave you wanting more. “Static” is intriguing with its lyricism that depicts a storyline of brutal honesty within a relationship where one partner is always left puzzled and slightly intimidated by the others actions. It sends the listener to a plane in which this storyline truly exists, feeling the turmoil and each emotion depicted. 

Walk Home

“Stop the car its over!

I shouldn’t have to show ya.

That you leave me feeling, so alone!

Prisoners on the freeway.

Always too little too late!

Park it on the shoulder!

I’d rather walk home.”

In comparison to the first three tracks on the EP, “Walk Home” presents itself with a major shift in tempo, as well as a somber tone. This track is a perfect representation of feelings we have all experienced before, at one time or another. Its plotline perfectly depicts the emotions of confusion, frustration and a little bit of anger that the characters are experiencing while feeling ‘stuck’ going through the motions in a relationship that has passed its expiration date. 

Sundays in the South

The EP concludes with title track, “Sundays in the South”, which also has an accompanying music video. The soft acoustic undertones paired with the lyrics, displays the struggle and vulnerability of moving on from a past relationship. With this track, The Thing With Feathers show us a side of their music that we have not previously seen from them before. Giving us raw and heartbreaking lyricism such as

“Wish you were honest when you called me,

Wish I was honest from the start.

Its like you’re treading on my fingers.

When I’m still hanging from your heart.”

I believe this was a perfect conclusion track for the Sundays in the South EP, as it gathers all the poetic undertones of the previous tracks. 

In its entirety, I think this Debut EP was phenomenal. Considering how well Sundays in the South went, I cannot wait to see what the future holds in store for The Thing with Feathers. This is only the beginning for them, and I truly believe it is only a matter of time until the group skyrockets into stardom within the world of Rock n’ Roll. One can trust in my recommendation to stream this EP. Sixteen minutes and twenty-eight seconds is all it takes to be transported into the world that is The Thing With Feathers. Keep an eye out for live performances of this EP during the ‘Sundays in the South’ North American tour, with dates still to be determined. Be sure to check out The Thing With Feathers on social media, Youtube, and your preference of streaming services!

INTERVIEW: Generation Underground

Hailing out of the east coast, I sat down with frontman Mike Florentine and bassist Rafael of Generation Underground to discuss their history, music, rock scene currently and what music/inspirations influences them and their writing.

PREMIERE: Liberty Deep Down Calls Us ALL Out with New Release, 'Typical'

Columbus, Ohio’s most energetic rock band, Liberty Deep Down (LDD), is back with an upbeat, attitude soaked jammer, ‘Typical’. It begs you to dance around yet it makes you pause for a split second to question how you, yourself, act on social media. A jammer AND a thinker, if you will.

The single was written in a grimey LA house full of rockers back in 2021 . Taking inspiration from our every-day, “the song is an eye roll to the way everyone interacts/dates online. How surface level it feels, as well as how fake social media can feel as a whole.” A fusion of quirky analog synth, fuzzy guitar riffs, and a little angst mixed the classic LDD sound, ‘Typical’ is one serious earworm.

We caught up with lead singer, Dominic Frissora to chat a little about the release…

Was the song inspired by any particular personal experiences or just a more general view of how we’re all navigating that space?

We’ve all definitely experienced our share of online dating nightmares but this song really is about how social media and the material world has changed the way we view and navigate life. All we ever see is the highlight reel on Instagram when we have no idea in reality what’s going on with anyone unless we’re close with them. 

Any artist / sound inspo for this piece?

We wanted to have a song that sounds modern but still has some classic taste so there’s a lot of big guitar and strong vocals that are heavily rock influenced Aerosmith being one specifically for vocal inspiration. But then you hear the synths and ear candy layered throughout the verses that are inspired by artists like Gorillaz and P!nk. This song is so fun and is inspired by many artists of all genres. 

What social media or dating advice would you give?

Don’t let it control your life. Enjoy life without your phone as much as you can and experience it in the moment. It’s so much better than filming it and watching it later or looking down at your phone the whole time. And we’re not totally innocent in this either we use social media and spend too much time looking at memes too but we’re trying to do better 😂

As far as online dating try it if you want to but meeting someone in person naturally can be so much more refreshing and real and fun. Either way we hope you find what you’re looking for!

‘Typical’ is out NOW on all streaming platforms and will soon be followed by a music video later this month. Stay plugged in…but not TOO plugged in.

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Album Review: Venom Prison's Erebos

British death metal has always been around (Dark Heresy, Impaler, Cancer) but not until this recent decade with the rise of streaming platforms, has it become so mainstream and truly appreciated. Venom Prison is apart of this new wave of UK death metal and they may have just locked in their slot for album of the year.

Erebos is the fourth album release from Venom Prison and with each album the guitars become increasingly more technical in song writing, vocals & lyrics are more precise, drum tracking & sound become more brutal, and post production with each album is taken to a new level. 

I was first introduced to Venmo Prison with their sophomore album, Samsara, but it felt like a traditional death metal album sound: high gain amps (probably Peavey 5150, Orange or EVH) , fast paced death metal drums, and a sound, mixing wise, that felt the same in each song. Not saying it’s a bad album at all, I still loved it, but it didn’t break new ground for me. It did, however, very much shock me to find out the singer is a front woman, Larissa Stupar. Female metal vocalists have been on a rise, and Larissa’s name should be on the top of that list. 

For their latest album, VP comes baring the sound of darkness and rejuvenation for the death metal genre. “Judges Of The Underworld” was the first single released from this album back in November, and as soon as the opening riffs and drums kicked in, I knew this album was going to hit differently. Both rhythm and lead guitars were beautifully showcased, a drum sound that thunders into you, and vocals from Larissa that choke your soul for more. 

Songs such as “Golden Apple If The Hesperides”, “Castigated in Steel and Concrete” and their single release “ Judges Of The Underworld” truly show how this UK death metal act has evolved since their debut in 2016 yet still offer a more traditional sound for original fans with songs such as “Technologies of Death” and “Veil of Night”.

One song though, that threw a curve ball in this album was “Pain of Oizys”. If there was one track to be considered a ballad on this album, this song would be it. It is beautifully orchestrated in the most death metal way and is actually one my favorite songs on the album. 

Erebos: a place of darkness in the underworld on the way to Hades. That is the journey you will take while listening to Venom Prison’s fourth musical installment “Erebos”. And when you come back, you will yell to metal gods: album of the year. 

The Importance of Black History in the Music: 28 Artists + Their Impact

When you think of rock music, your mind usually thinks of Led Zeppelin or the Beatles. What most people do not realize is the origin of rock music came from black blues artists. Black musicians have shaped the music industry through social change, poetry, and the creativity of the sonic sound of blues rock and Rock N Roll jazz, along with other genres of music.

In the late 1800’s, Blues music became popular amongst slaves. Blues was mostly popular in states such as Mississipi and Louisiana during the great migration of slave workers. Blues rock was especially popular during the civil rights movement in the late 50s through the early 60s. Their poetic lyrics discussed topics of racism, segregation, and social change. Jazz and Soul became very popular during the Harlem renaissance around the time of the great depression. Musicians protested through their music. Artists such as Donna summer, Sam Cooke, and Etta James are known for being some of the most creative and outstanding black musicians in the music industry.

For Black History Month, I listened to 28 different black musicians. Here is the list and what I learned about them…

February 1st Aretha Franklin: Respect is what everyone should be giving to Aretha Franklin. Some of her greatest hits are “Respect’, “I say a little prayer”, and my personal favorite “You make me feel like a natural woman”. Josh Kiszka, the lead singer of Greta van fleet has said in many interviews that he sings along to Aretha Franklin songs before he performs because it calms him down. Franklin was a trailblazer in the music industry and will never be forgotten. 

February 2nd Jimi Hendrix: Although he did not live very long, Jimi Hendrix released some of the most iconic music in rock history. His most Iconic album is 1967s Are You Experienced. Hendrix was one of the first black musicians to turn blues rock into rock n roll. He’s influenced many musicians such George Clinton and John Mayer. Jimi Hendrix died at the early age of 27 and is missed by many. 

February 3rd Ronnie Spector: We can all collectively agree that the world was shook when legend Ronnie Spector died on January 12th. She is most commonly known for her music group The Ronettes and their iconic song “Be My Baby”. Known as the “Bad girl of Rock”, Spector inspired musician Amy Winehouse and many other female musicians. 

February 4th Sam Cooke: His music career started at church. Gospel music was a huge inspiration for him as he joined Soul Stirrers, a popular gospel group in the 50s. Through prayer and music Cooke was a huge activist against racism and violence. “A Change is Gonna come” brought up the trauma of racism but also hope for the future. Cooke was the first black musician to be involved with the business and marketing sides of the industry and brought people of all races together. 

February 5th Elmore James: Known as “King of the slide guitar” Elmore James inspired artists such as The Rolling stones and Eric Clapton. James released hit songs such as “The Sky is Crying” and “Shake Your Money Maker”. In 1980 he was inducted into The Blues Hall of Fame. In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. 

February 6th Muddy Waters: Inducted into The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Muddy waters was known as a post war blues musician. His most popular song “I’m your Hoochie Coochie Man” has unique a sexy blues sound that gives the song an iconic vibe. Waters was most known for performing in small Chicago bars as he enjoyed more intimate performances. 

February 7th Little Richard: Not only was he a music icon but he was also a fashion icon. Known for his very flashy outfits, little Richard was a trend setter. He inspired Elton John when it came to his fashion choices and his skillful piano playing. Little Richard died at the age of 87 from bone cancer and will always be remembered for his feminine fashion choices and hit songs. 

February 8th Stevie Wonder: Probably one of the most creative and outstanding musicians ever, Stevie Wonder has won multiple grammy awards and was inducted into The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Being blind since birth never stopped him from enjoying and creating music. Wonder was a child prodigy known for his Motown and Hip Hop sound. 

February 9th Ben E. King: Known for his R&B soul sound Ben E. King is remembered for his beautiful song “Stand By Me”. His deep raspy voice and heartfelt poetic lyrics inspired peace love and unity during the civil rights movement. King died on April 30th 2015 from old age. 

February 10th Chuck Berry: Known by many as “The Father of Rock N Roll” Chuck Berry found music through school but mostly church. His most popular song is “johnny B. Goode” with the intro being one of the most famous guitar riffs of all time. And to note: Berry once said his career was “one long Sister Rosetta Tharpe impersonation’. Tharpe was a black female musician who invented rock n roll with her upbeat guitar playing.

February 11th Etta James:  Known as a gospel prodigy, Etta James was a powerhouse in the music industry. Her most popular song “At Last” is probably the number 1 wedding song. She is known for her love ballads and deep sultry rhythms.  She started singing in her church choir at the age of 5 as she had a beautiful smooth tone to her voice. James changed the industry for woman but especially for black woman as she gave the community a voice. 

February 12th Louis Armstrong: one of the greatest trumpet players of all time, Louis Armstrong shaped the jazz industry. His most popular song “What a Wonderful World” has been featured in many movies. He was the first African American star in a Hollywood film. Armstrong died at the age of 69 from a heart attack. 

February 13th Duke Ellington: Known for composing some of the greatest jazz songs in the late 20th century such as “in A Sentimental Mood” and “Sophisticated Lady”. Duke belonged to the biggest Jazz bands, and toured all over the world. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and awarded a doctor of music degree from Yale University. 

February 14th Maurice White: Co-founder and lead singer of the R&B music group Earth, Wind & Fire Maurice White was one of the first musicians to create the sonic sound of funk music. Known for their top songs such as “September” and “Let’s groove” Earth, Wind & Fire performed with and energetic spirit and flashy 70s and 80s fashion. White died at the age of 74 in his sleep.

February 15th Donna Summer: Known for her 70s hit “Hot Stuff”, Donna Summer slayed the Rock and Disco industry. She was called the “Queen of Disco” because of her amazing voice and catchy songs. Summer died at the age of 63 from Lung cancer. 

February 16th Anita Ward: “Ring My Bell” was one the biggest Disco songs in the late 70s. Anita Ward has released music all the way up until the late 2010s. Her voice has a soothing high pitched tone that goes unmatched. She has inspired singers all around the world and is still living today.

February 17th Joan Armatrading: Known for her amazing guitar skills, beautiful voice and outstanding songwriting, Joan Armatrading is one of the most underrated 70s rock musicians. Still alive today and releasing music she has grown a huge following. Some of her most popular songs are “Love and Affection and “Drop the Pilot.”

February 18th Peggy Jones (Lady Bo): Known for her work with Bo Diddley, Lady Bo was an amazing yet underrated guitarist. When she was 10 she started playing the ukulele, then later started playing the guitar. She was the first female hired by a major rock artist and the first female to start her own blues rock band. Jones died at the age of 75 in 2015. 

February 19th Tracy Chapman: Her poetic songs and deep smooth voice makes me cry. Her most well-known song “Fast Car” sheds light on issues such as racism and growing up poor. She has won multiple Grammys for her folk rock music and is still alive today at the age of 57. 

February 20th Patti LaBelle: “Lady Marmalade” was her most popular song and a smashing hit in the 80s. With her incredible vocal range and girl-boss attitude, Labelle owned the Soul and Disco industry. Still alive today she is named “The Godmother of Soul.”

February 21st Diana Ross: Still alive and releasing music today, Diana Ross is a trailblazer in the music industry. Known for her solo music including releases such as “I’m Coming Out'“ and her work Lionel Richie and their hit song “Endless love”, Ross is an incredible performer. Her last album came out in 2021 and she continues to release new music. 

February 22nd Lionel Richie: Known for his famous song “All Night Long” and now you can catch him as a judge on American idol. Richie is a very talented artist whose career started in the mid 80s. Still releasing music today, Lionel’s voice has not weakened one bit. 

February 23rd Tina Turner: “What’s Love Got to Do with It” was Tina Turner’s number 1 song in the 80s. “Proud Mary” was her 90s hit along with her album What’s Love Got to Do with it? At the age of 82, she is still releasing music today.

February 24th Marvin Gaye: Known for his devilish good looks and sexy songs, Marvin Gaye was a 70s heartthrob. Some of his most popular songs were “Sexual Healing” and “Let’s Get it on.”  Along with iconic classics like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Gaye unfortunately passed away at the young age of 44.   

February 25th Nina Simone: One of the most mysterious musicians of all time, Nina Simone, released some incredible music. “Feeling Good” and “I Put a spell on You” are two of her most Beautiful and sexually powerful songs ever.  (Editors Note: If you haven’t watched it, we highly recommend watched the documentary, ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’)

February 26th Nat King Cole: Famously known for his jazzy love songs and Christmas tunes, Nat King Cole revolutionized jazz music. “L-O-V-E” is his most popular song as its been featured in many films. Cole died in 1965 at the age of 45.   

February 27th Marian Anderson: Her operatic voice is hauntingly beautiful. Known for opening the doors for other African American musicians facing discrimination. Anderson sung mostly Christian and spiritual music. She was the first black woman to sing at the Lincoln memorial and at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Her rendition of “Ave Maria” is still one of the most memorable performances in the White House. Anderson Died in 1993 at the age of 93.  

February 28th Leontyne Price: Still living today at the age of 95, Price is one of the most popular Opera singers to date. Price was the first African American to achieve an international reputation, becoming the first African American leading soprano of note. She also studied at The Julliard school of music which is where her career really began to take off. 

28 days is not enough to fully encapsulate the impact Black artists had and still have on music. Their history should be celebrated year round. Black artists were crucial in the making of some of the greatest music of all time.

Check out some charities and non-profit organizations to support and donate to below…

Black AIDS awareness: https://blackaids.org 

Apollo Theater: https://www.apollotheater.org 

American Civil Liberties Union: https://www.aclu.org

Harlem Academy: https://www.aclu.org 

Seeing Double Bring the 70s to 2022 With First Release “Leah”

Your new favorite 70s rock band is here, and they just dropped their first release?

A new band called Seeing Double popped up on my TikTok For You page a few weeks ago, just brushing their teeth while their first release, “Leah,” played in the background. It only took a few notes to instantly have me hooked – their promo tactic worked!

With ABBA-esque harmonies and the musicality of Fleetwood Mac with a touch of ELO, “Leah” is undeniably catchy while still retaining that haunting, witchy vibe that Stevie Nicks brought to the masses all those years ago. 

It’s incredibly well-produced – it’s balanced and has that 70s feel without it feeling forced. And this group is tight. Their harmonies snap brilliantly into place, it’s clear they know how to handle their instruments to give the track the sound they want – they already sound like pros. This isn’t one of those groups that’ll take a few albums to find their groove; they already have it. 

Even lyrically, “Leah” evokes the 70s. I could promise certain death / and storms on Venus hold their breath… the moon’s a marble in her hand / I watch the tides roll from the sand – these are lyrics you’ll only find from modern artists who take their inspiration from the rock ‘n’ roll of yesterday. It’s thrilling as a 70s enthusiast to find another band of today incorporating those themes, especially from a band as young as this one is.  

“Leah” is no doubt the first of many harmony-laden, retro-tinged jams from Seeing Double that you’ll be throwing on your playlists as fast as they come out, and I’m already excited to hear what they do next. Until they drop their next masterpiece, I’ll be spinning “Leah” (and its B-side, “Don’t Wait”) non-stop, and hey, friendly reminder, don’t neglect the music you hear on TikTok. 

REVIEW: Wallows Kick Into New Era with 'Especially You'

As a diehard Wallows fan, I’m ecstatic that the new era has kicked into overdrive. The dynamic alt-indie trio has released their latest single from their newest album, Tell Me That It’s Over, set to release March 25th. Especially You is a song about the initial beginning stages of entering a new relationship.  If you’ve ever been in a relationship or you’ve been in endless “talking stages” there’s a 99.99999% chance you can relate to this song. (I know I sure as hell can.) ‘Especially You’ hits the nail on the head and accurately describes how oftentimes we are the ones getting in our own way. How miscommunication and spiraling intrusive thoughts can get the best of you. 

“Thinking 'bout what you just said

Sleepless, now my eyes are red

My head can't comprehend

Living in the background, wondering what you meant

That's when my eyes got red

Thinking 'bout what you just said

Some things leave me confused

But especially you.”

What I absolutely adore the most about Wallows is how they are continuously raising the bar and expanding their sonic evolution whilst staying true to themselves. This lively single will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a “coming of age” movie. To be honest, that’s how I feel anytime I listen to Wallows. There’s a reason why their music has reached the masses and is continuing to do so. Wallows’ music is honest, full of life, and zestful. Most importantly, it leaves you feeling fulfilled and understood. 

I’m counting down the days for the album release of, Tell Me That It’s Over. Honestly, so should you. I wholeheartedly believe we’re all in for a treat. 

In the meantime, Stream ‘Especially You’ on all stream platforms and check out the music video.

I’m so proud to be a Wallows fan. 

Hickeys ‘Motherlode’ Is Wild and Intimate, a Debuting Tour De Force

On their anticipated debut, Motherlode, Hickeys (the nascent grunge foursome in Madrid) let it all hang out in a miasma of confessional heartache that’s been locked in a compelling generational heart-shaped box. It is a surreal, experimental, avant-garde album: moody, poetic and fraught with intense conflict. Gestures of grieving and mourning over false and withheld promises of a world in present decompose, a motherly witches’ sabbath (in the form of being born with horns) takes on carrying the lode as a form of healing for all and sundry in eloquently solemn communion and reclaiming rebirth. 

Hickeys, circling around in immense meditation by virtue of anger and frustration, shifts their volatile voice from quiet caress to raw-throated fury. The eye-popping band feel there’s no place like home within the walls of the ‘90s darkwave scene with their ominous, risqué, atmospheric sound. 

‘Circuit Lies (You Don’t Have To Know)’ showcases a different bruise of Hickeys, a more diamond in the rough sound of heavy-punk rawness since their fun and carefree song, that was “Hickey Hickey Bang Bang.” The music video, wherein menacing red strobe light falls, is especially haunting. Hickeys pen a pent-up thrilling mystery of repetitive tightrope leisure, where motionless mannequins substitute for socialite strangers in gatherings that lack the ability or strength to move nor speak or display any emotion. Tortured souls genuinely look heartless. 

During the two uncensored decades that MTV has been a flagship of cutting-edge cable-television and mind-blowing musical montages, many of the musicians and video directors have showcased intense, calculated, and a little intense choreographic works of visual art. And as for Madrid’s Hickeys, all dappered in white slick suit lounge attire, pigeonholed through security cameras into drunken reverie, and has pursued to obey the same “creepy and eerie” theatrics across the screen — hence dragging mannequins in place of human beings and making them more captivating to watch.

And for those who aren’t familiar with Courtney Love and her role as the frontwoman of Hole, the brooding imagery and the reality of Hickeys, an emerging hard-to miss, kiss bite, bite kiss (as their name suggests), would make the late Kurt Cobain of Nirvana blush. 

The debuting Motherlode album, operative to be released in 2022, explores new territory for an uninterrupted youth and pushes against commercial forces with their cavernous, grunge-inspired explicit trash-rock anguish of young America in the nineties. Characteristically, a musical vision of togetherness through conflict, and even fear. There’s no tantrum, argument, and or drama within the head-turning foursome, just a genuine relationship between best friends, in essence, sisters. 

Motherlode, irresistibly, is a wild and intimate tour de force; a melancholic portraiture of modern noise-rock that prizes old-school intimacy and captures how far the band is willing to defy expectations. Hickeys, with more sharply honed songwriting have sharpened their songstress focus, it doesn’t get any more Sonic Youth meets Stereolab than this unblemished masterpiece! This could be their breakthrough album. Take a backwood spliff and inhale the therapeutic smoke of this loose leaf roll up and listen to their discographic coup de maître, Motherlode, and try to tell us we’re wrong.

FOLLOW HICKEYS

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The Knee-Hi’s Release Dreamy, Nostalgic Debut Album “Charmed”

Suffice it to say, I’m a sucker for anything nostalgic. As a self-proclaimed “old soul”, there’s nothing I love more than bell bottoms, throwback seventies jams on vinyl, and anything that can take me back to the magic of decades’ past. That’s why I was so thrilled to discover Chicago girl-group, The Knee-Hi’s, right before the release of their very first LP. 

The group describes their sound as blending “the explosive energy of rock and the romanticism of doo-wop to sweep you away to an atomic dreamland”, and, without a doubt, they have succeeded in this premise. The Knee-Hi’s are a blast from the past existing right here in the present. One look at the band, and you’ll swear they walked right out of 1975. Not only is their style and image reminiscent of days gone by, the band has successfully culminated a sound that is all their own, but with prevalent influences of pure rock and doo-wop across the board. Listening to their music, I’m reminded of old-timey, romantic crooners of the fifties and sixties, such as Lesley Gore, The Ronettes, The Supremes, and even The Mamas & The Papas, while at the same time, the essence of pure, punchy, energetic seventies rock n’ roll shines through, making me think of Suzi Quatro, Blondie, and especially, The Runaways. 

Charmed, the debut installment from The Knee-Hi’s, was released worldwide on 2/2/22, at exactly 2:22 AM. According to sacred numerology, the number 2 is known as a supremely feminine force, representing both grace and power. It is associated with harmony, balance, partnerships, sensitivity, intuition, and love, all of which are showcased throughout the album. I was very intrigued at the band’s creative choice of release timing, and with my love for numerology and all things mystical, knew this LP would be a fun one to fully immerse and dive into. 

So, without further ado, here is my track-by-track review of Charmed…

DARLIN’ DARLIN’

The band’s debut single, and opening track, Darlin’ Darlin’, whisks you away to a romantic dreamland in the clouds. A soft, gentle beginning to the musical journey the listener embarks on for the duration of the album, this song brings all the Valentine’s Day vibes with dreamy harmonies, melancholy lyrics of longing and desire, and mellow, hazy instrumentals. Staged Haze describes the song as “like slipping into a warm bath in a claw-foot tub”, and I couldn’t agree more. Darlin’ Darlin’ is a handwritten love letter, sprayed with rose perfume, a gentle, tender kiss on the lips, a lover twirling you during a romantic dance, a dimly lit candle flickering in a dark bedroom. Darlin’ Darlin’ is what dreams are made of. 

MELVIN

“Tell you about who?”

“My baby”

“Your baby?”

“My baby, tell ya ‘bout my baby”

Following the sudden, abrupt ending of the album’s opening track, Melvin thrusts the listener into a jumpy, catchy tune, in which the band describes a lover and sings their praises. With a simple but funky melody, I could easily see myself in a crowd jumping around and chanting the chorus with other enthusiastic fans. It’s hard not to get the infectious melody stuck in your head, and Melvin makes a great, fast-paced follow-up to the soft and gentle opening track of the album. 

ACTION!

The band’s second single, and my personal favorite track of the album, Action! opens with the highly relatable lyric “Wake up in the mornin’, ain’t feelin’ so well, I wanna kick and scream, I wanna really yell”. An anthem for all those (like me) who adore weekend nights out on the town and the sublime spectacle that is live music, Action! describes the universal yearning to go out and just have fun, which is so felt during these cabin-fever-ridden, isolated, pandemic days. I definitely hear The Runaways in this track, and I especially love the primal yell heard right before lead guitarist Alice shines with a passionate, energetic solo. Overall, Action! will definitely be on repeat every time I get ready for a night on the town, y’know, to ~set the mood~. 

FUN AT THE BEACH

Lighthearted, campy, carefree and expeditious, Fun at the Beach sounds like summer and sunshine in a song. Clocking in at just under two minutes, this track combines the feelings of teenage rebellion, freedom, and the uber-importance of soaking up youth and making memories, with the song ending just as quickly as it began, perhaps a metaphor for how fleeting the summer, and youth in general, can be. In this song, I hear a little Beach Boys, and even hints of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” and The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop”. All of these influences combine to make a very enjoyable interlude tune, one in which I’ll definitely put on next time I go seeking sun and sand. 

MAKE YOU MINE

“Listen up boys, here’s a taste of your own medicine”

Oh boy…I am in love with this track. Make You Mine is a tongue-in-cheek tune in which the group reverses “traditional” roles of men relentlessly pursuing women, with brutally honest lyrics about the reality of being followed, harassed, stalked, pursued, by someone who just won’t give up and take no for an answer. Even though the instrumentals sound light and sugary, a close listen to the lyrics will reveal the song is anything but a love letter to men. This particular spoken exchange between the band speaks for itself, further proving the point of the song:

“I heard he got a restraining order.”

“Another one?”

“It was more like a request.”

“You gonna see him again?

“What do you think? Nothing’s gonna get in my way!”

WHAT A WAY TO DIE

“Well baby come on over, come on over to my side, well I may not live past twenty-one but, whoo! What a way to die!” 

Live fast, die young, this song says. In a similar instrumental style to Melvin, but with some country influences, What A Way To Die is a brisk, energetic ode to lust, drinking, partying, and good ole fun. This is a tune I could see myself dancing and jumping around to, and enjoying a round of shots with friends, celebrating youth and good times. Cheers! 

FIRST 10

I love the harmonies on this track. First 10 is a catchy, fast, tune that unapologetically confesses devotion to a longtime lover. Starting with the line, “It’s been so long since I admired you from afar”, this song is a success story of a love gone right, with the chorus ending with the line, “The first ten years with you could be the best I’ve had”. This song shows the true security and happiness that comes from being in a long-term relationship, and having it work out exactly how you hoped it would. 

TEENAGE KICKS

“Are teenage dreams so hard to beat? 

Every time they walk down the street

Another babe in the neighborhood

I wish they’re mine, they look so good” 

What a delightful surprise! The Knee-Hi’s have taken the 1979 hit by Irish rockers The Undertones and breathed new life into it, energizing and speeding up the song and putting their own spin on the classic, diversifying their album with a fun cover in the midst of all-originals. Dare I say it, I like this version more than the original! Something about it is just infectious. I can definitely see this one hyping up a crowd and getting folks singing along. Kudos to the band for such a fun choice of cover, and an excellent job in covering it. 

DAUGHTERS OF FIRE

“Wanted by many, tamed by none

Earth couldn’t hold her, she could kiss the sun”

Remember the numerology lesson we touched on at the start of this review? It comes full circle in this track. Celebrating femininity, women, power, confidence, independence, tenacity, and union, Daughters of Fire is a jumpy, electric feminist anthem - honoring the divine feminine, friendship, and women in general in a most rock n’ roll way. This has easily become another favorite of mine on the album, and has also found its way into my “confident bitch anthems” playlist. The whole band shines extra bright on this track, and they should be very proud of the magical, empowering anthem they have created. I, certainly, will be playing this one anytime I need a boost or a pep talk. 

As Beyonce once said, “Who run the world? Girls!” 

(FAST) DARLIN’

I’ve gotta say, this is a very creative way to end an album. Circling back to Charmed’s inaugural track, (Fast) Darlin’ is the slow, dreamy, romantic doo-wop song reimagined as a rapid, raw, bass-heavy rock n’ roll banger, complete with loud and proud group vocals, yelling, and punk influences. I absolutely love this choice of a closer. This is the song that plays as the credits roll in The Knee Hi’s feature-length film, tying up all the loose ends and impressing the listener with the band’s ability to show us two sides of one song. I can’t sing this tune’s praises enough. You’ll just have to listen for yourself!

“So won’t you hold me and tell me goodbye, before I lay here, aaaaaaand DIE!” 

All in all, I am extremely impressed with this album, and I’m so stoked to see what else The Knee-Hi’s will release in the future. Be sure to check out the band on social media, streaming services, and YouTube, where bassist Devyn Crimson, rockstar and vintage fashionista extraordinaire, runs a channel dedicated to beauty, style, band vlogs, and much more.

FOLLOW THE KNEE-HI’S

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