Interview with Music Commentary Youtuber and Fan Girl, Jazmine Zade

For Women’s History Month, I decided to interview someone who I consider to be a good friend of mine, Jasmine Zade. 

Jasmine is a music industry commentary YouTuber with over 60k subscribers on the platform and she uses her platform to also talk about the importance of Fangirls and with that, she created the nonprofit organization, Fangirl Frontline.

Jasmine and I discussed all things fangirls and their importance and importantly… One Direction. 

Jasmine has the ultimate power to let everyone in the world know that fangirls are super important to the music industry and she does just that in her videos so we look forward to see what’s next for her in terms of fangirls. 

A Day Of Music: My SXSW Experience

There’s no better feeling than when you’re surrounded by live music. That feeling becomes even greater when your entire day is spent surrounded by live music which includes watching two of your best friends perform. That sums up the Saturday I spent on 6th Street in Austin, TX during SXSW.

Earlier in March, I had traveled to Apalachicola; where I would spend my entire weekend supporting my friends, The Living Street, as they performed around Apalachicola and St. George Island. We were back at the same place I had first met them just three years prior. The following week, I was set to go to Austin to support some unofficial showcases they were a part of during the week of SXSW. However, I became sick from all the travel. As the days progressed and I felt worse, I was not able to travel and meet up with them. I was disappointed but nevertheless, I felt so proud watching their fun and excitement online. 

Once I started getting better though, I realized I could make it to their last show in Austin. So with every bit of excitement I had in me, I ventured off to Austin on the morning of the 18th. I could feel the excitement and anticipation building up as those two hours went by and before I knew it, I was in Austin.

First, going to the San Jac Saloon, I met up with Edward and Nick. It had only been two weeks since I last saw them at that point but seeing them again had me just as excited. I was introduced to three incredible people, Becky, Kayla , and one of The Living Street’s managers, Maddy. I really loved being around Maddy that day. (Huge shoutout to her.)

San Jac Saloon had been hosting a day dedicated to women in music, which - right off the bat - I knew was up my alley. The first act I managed to catch there was a trio called Century lll. The vibe and the sound of the music immediately reminded me of one of my favorite bands, The Runaways, so with that alone, I was hooked. They were my first artist introduction of the day and I knew they would be on my radar. 

After Century lll’s set, Edward and Nick had a show at the Blind Pig Pub, which was right across the street. I headed over to the pub with them for their performance. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that every performance of The Living Street’s always brings a huge smile to my face and always makes me feel so beyond joyful. Watching them perform, in that moment I realized just how proud I was of them. Just to be watching them perform during Austin’s biggest event of the entire year and seeing people enjoy their performance. Words cannot even begin to describe how proud I am of them and seeing how far they’ve come in the last few years. 

This was originally supposed to be their only performance of the day. However, they ended up booking two other shows - one at Shakespeare’s and another one at San Jac Saloon, so after the Blind Pig Pub, we went to Shakespeare’s; where I was introduced to yet another incredible act: McKayla Prew.

McKayla Prew is a young country artist from Detroit, Michigan - with a very bright future ahead of her in the music industry, I should add. When listening to her perform her originals, my mind shifted to Taylor Swift’s earlier work. She was giving me the vibe of 2006-2008 Taylor Swift and it only made me want to hear more of what she had to offer.

After McKayla’s set, The Living Street performed their second set of the day; in which for this one, I got up and danced around to bring in some additional energy.

Advice: When supporting friends at their gigs, dance your hearts out and bring in that energy. 

Once that set ended, we went back to San Jac Saloon. Some time after getting back to the saloon, I found another amazing act named Lauren Rose Thayer. Her sound was especially incredible and she was another act that I couldn’t help but think that there was something special about her. I loved her instantly. Another artist on my radar? Oh, absolutely.

Next up after Lauren’s performance came one of my favorite discoveries from that day: Katie Toupin. Up until that day, I had never heard of her but one thing I caught onto quickly once she began to perform: She filled up the room. It was probably the biggest crowd I had seen all day long and the energy really packed the room fast. That energy? Infectious!

The biggest honor of her set though? I was her muse. It was during the second or third song when she pointed her hand towards me. In fact, after she finished her set, she came up to me and said, “Thank you for being my muse! You’re so pretty, so I wanted you to be my muse!” I had never been a muse before, so to hear that? I was surprised but I felt super honored.

Did I mention that I reunited with a friend during Katie’s set? During her set, a good friend named Tess (who a lot of you may know as @safetytess) came to the saloon after I had invited her. I had only met her once in person at a Greta Van Fleet concert in 2019 and we became friends after that. This was our first meeting since that concert and man, it felt so good to see her again after such a long time. 

The Living Street had one more full set to do; in which, Tess and I enjoyed the show together. Since first seeing The Living Street, I had always been one to tell my friends about them and encourage said friends to listen to them and to see one of my friends enjoy their set? It made me so happy. 

It was another moment where I felt so beyond proud of them. So proud, I could probably cry. Nothing made me happier than watching two of my best friends do what they love doing and seeing them bring joy to others through the music that they create and the joyful performances that they bring in through performance as well. 

The last full set I watched after The Living Street’s last performance was a musician named Lincoln Foley. He was absolutely fun to watch perform. Edward and Nick joined him halfway through his set and performed some songs with him, which was cool to witness. And just like that, I knew I found yet another artist to add to my radar. 

The rest of the night was just filled with conversations with Edward and Nick, along with all the new people I had met that day. I found myself getting along with them all rather quickly. It was a moment where I thought of what music has done for me and the people it’s led me to. Because of Nick and Edward, I had my “Almost Famous” William Miller day. I felt like I was having that William Miller moment just being around them the entire day. Hell, I even looked down at my “it’s all happening” tattoo a few times because I kept thinking of that. 

I talk a lot about how much these two mean to me and everything I credit them for. They continue to inspire me and bring joy into my life. That day in Austin especially made me so happy because of them. I mean, someone that day told me I really had to be their #1 fan to know all of their songs. 

In just two weeks, I went from only watching them perform only three times to ten times. That’s the first time any artist/band had ever reached the double digits on the amount of times I had seen them. 

In just one day, I discovered a handful of new artists that are now on my radar and I now know I’ll be writing about in the future. Those discoveries were definitely a huge highlight as well and overall, the day was fantastic. 

One last shoutout: To Edward and Nick - thank you guys for one of the best days of this year. I’m grateful to say that you two are some of my best friends and my favorite band. Not only that, thank you guys for the fun.

Okay, I lied. This is my final shoutout: To every artist I had discovered that day - You are amazing. You guys have a bright future ahead of y’all in the music industry and I look forward to talking about every new release and giving you guys all of the promotion and continuing to attend y’all’s shows anywhere.

This is the power of music, folks. 

Women's History Month is an Everyday Celebration: 10 Women in the Music Industry You Should Support

I have had to learn a lot of lessons in life. I've dealt with grief, jealousy and even the joys of life. Music often helped me through those life lessons. Arguably the biggest lesson I've learned is how important it is for women to support women. From Brandie Carlile’s lyrics to Lauryn Shaffner’s work with Loudwire, I think I can speak for most women by saying Women's History month is an everyday celebration.

To continue the celebration, here are 10 women in the music industry who I think you should support…

Aubree Gomez

Founder Of MGG Media 

Commonly known for running the Greta Van Fleet Bold n Gold event, Aubree Gomez is a girlboss when it comes to music management. Bold n Gold was a charity fan event that donated to Michigan's very own Hurleys Foundation. Aubree organized the whole event and created all the promos. From the incredible vendors to the rockin’ live music, she really outdid herself. Gomez has also worked with bands such as Mac Saturn and Loud Thoughts. She’s been on tour with Dirty Honey and has made connections with other incredible artists. MGG just turned one this past December. Through networking Aubree has been able to bring the Rock community together and her future looks bright. 

Taylor Momsen

The Pretty Reckless

Taylor Momsen started her career as an actress from landing roles in The Grinch and the popular show Gossip Girl. Her acting career branched into modeling and music. Since 2008 Momsen has been the front woman of the famous rock band, The Pretty Reckless. Her signature snow white hair and deep gravelly voice make her the queen of hard rock. Rising to stardom with The Pretty Reckless’ 2010 album Light Me Up, Taylor earned her reputation in the music industry. Traveling the world and performing in front of vastly large audiences along with touring with some huge names in the music industry, Momsen rocks hard.    

YOLA

Vastly known in the UK and speaking her truth through music, Yola is a one of a kind artist.

“Diamond Studded Shoes,” a song about the sad truths of our corrupt society, is her trademark song of her discography. Working with Brandi Carlile, Marren Morris and so many other powerful women to create “Highway Women” boosted her popularity in America. Her country soulful sounding vibe and honest lyrics make her songs iconic poems. 

LIZZO

Lizzo is a 4 time grammy winner and an activist for the body positivity movement.  Her upbeat soulful songs about self love and female empowerment have reached the hearts of so many young women today. Her top song is “Special” featuring SZA showcases the beauty of humans being created equal but different. Realizing there are different figures, skin colors and sexualities makes everyone uniquely different yet we equally deserve the same basic human rights. “About Damn Time” gained popularity on the app Tiktok. Eventually it became the hot girl summer anthem. Lizzo can sing, rap and even play the flute which makes her one of the most diverse musicians today. 

Lauryn Shaffner

Journalist for Loudwire

Lauryn is the youngest full-time writer for Loudwire. Interviewing bands such as The Black Crowes and Mammoth WVH, her connections go beyond the spectrum. Her talent, creativity and drive to make her interviews and projects the best they can be is coherent when you see the finished product. Doing little projects such as The GOAT and the history of bands in 60 seconds, Shaffner’s creative approach is what Loudwire needs. She is a huge inspiration for everyone on the Banded Staff and we are rooting her on as we watch her career with Loudwire blossom. 

Taylor Balding

Photographer for Staged Haze and Musaholic Magazine

Taylor Balding’s inspirations come from Hannah Wicklund and Greta Van Fleet, her two favorite shows she's photographed. Taylor’s photos draw you in like you're actually at the concert. Her edits add that extra spice and drama, making her one of a kind. She shines the most when she's in the photo pit almost like it's a dream come true. She graduates from college in May and hopes to pursue concert photography as a full time job.

Brandi Carlile 

LGBTQ+ activist and proud mama, Brandi Carlile conquers the music industry with her unique talent. The nine time grammy winner has a soulful rock voice with some country twang. Being an incredible role model to her two daughters and women all over the world, her unapologetic energy and badass performances are what make her such a loveable musician. “The Joke” is a song about loving yourself and overcoming fear and judgment. My favorite song by her is “Broken Horses” . The melody and harmonies are like having an out of body experience. Her lyrics are like poetry and there's no one out there making music like she does. 

Candrika Rice

Bassist of Lylyth

Candrika Rice from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is a domestic abuse activist and creates music with her band Lylyth to empower women. Playing concerts to raise money for domestic abuse survivors along with suicide prevention organizations, Rice is a true rock n roll queen. The song “Fight Back” was Lylyth’s first ever released song. Unfortunately with Roe V Wade being overturned Drika and her band knew they had to raise their voices. Candrika’s energy on stage is equivalent to Victoria De Angelis bass player of Maneskin. Drika’s big heart, talent and funny personality is what makes her so incredible. 

Rihanna

The first pregnant women to perform at the super bowl halftime show, 9 time Grammy winner and 33 time nominee there's no one like Rhianna. “We found love” is her most popular song. If you grew up in the 2010s then you probably know half of her discography. Songs such as “Umbrella” and “Diamonds” shaped me. She worked with Paul McCartney and Kanye West for the song “FourFiveSeconds” which was a unique trio to say the least. Rhianna is a trailblazer for women of color in the music and beauty industry and continues to feed us with her incredible work on and off the stage. 

Cassie Irene

Banded’s very own Cassie Irene does a little bit of everything in the music industry. At Banded, her sole focus is photography. When she's not in the photo pit, she’s at home creating songs of her own. Cassie is the perfect example of working outside the box. There is no perfect way to work in the music industry. Once you're in it, you're in it no matter how you contribute to it. Her two songs “Vampire” and “The March” are available on all streaming platforms and there's more to come.              

INTERVIEW: Roxx Revolt

The challenge was on this Women’s History Month: find a woman in this chaotic music industry who we feel makes waves today, to interview. Without hesitation, my first pick was Roxx Revolt, front woman of the Florida based, electrifying and star-studded rock band, Roxx Revolt & the Velvets. In this interview, Roxx and I discussed her introduction to rock music, her brightest influences, including male and female, her immigration to this country from Venezuela and the task of formulating a band once a citizen of the U.S. What’s next for RR&TV in 2023? You’ll have to watch me sit down with the fierce femme that is Roxx Revolt

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Songs I Saw Myself In

{trigger warning: mentions of child sexual abuse}

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  In the past, I’ve spoken out about my story of being sexually abused when I was 7 years old; which was both really hard and also healing at the same time.  This year, I decided to make a playlist filled with songs I felt I saw myself in through the years that followed my experience. These are all songs that I felt were a huge part of my healing process.

Starting off are a few songs by Demi Lovato including “Skyscraper”, “Warrior”, “Believe In Me” and a couple of more. Demi was someone I really looked up to in high school. So, these are some of the songs I saw myself in, especially “Believe In Me” because I struggled with self-esteem and insecurity after what I had been through.

Some songs were by Halsey, including one of her most popular songs, “you should be sad”. Specifically, the lyric “you would never ever touch me again,” hits close to home for me. I consider that line to be my “fuck you” to my abuser.

And because even now, I still worry about how people close to me view me after I share my story with them, I added a song by my friends, The Living Street: “Mean The Most”.  The lyric “you watch me as I fall, there you go. I’ve never felt so small,” hits me specifically when I think back to feeling like I wasn’t good enough and just wanting to mean something to someone.

Two other songs that I also feel so connected to when it comes to this topic are by singer, Birdy, “Keeping Your Head Up” and “Wild Horses”. When it comes to “Wild Horses”, one lyric that I felt spoke to me during the chorus is “I will move on and you should know I mean it. Wild horses run in me,” This became my mantra after I first listened and it is still my mantra to this day.

Other songs I included are by Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, Shinedown, Sia ,and more. If you’ve ever been through this, I hope these songs heal you the way they’ve healed me. I love you. I see you. I hear you.

Review: The Arcs Deliver Their Signature Musical Magic Captured in Time with Electrophonic Chronic

With their first (and last!) full release record playing on repeat in my headphones since 2015, The Arcs dropped their latest full-length release, Electrophonic Chronic, at the tail-end of January. A time capsule of sorts, musical magic captured in time, this record functions in many ways as a tribute to band member Richard Swift, who passed away in 2018. 

Electrophonic Chronic hearkens back, and not too terribly far, to the same sort of emotionally raw lyricism you’ll find on The Black Keys’ Turn Blue, heavy, but somehow emotionally rewarding. With the majority of tracks already scaffolded in 2015/2016, the only task keeping Electrophonic Chronic from being released as the unit it is today was the putting of pieces together. This process started in 2021, when vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach sent some Dropbox links of these old tracks to multi-instrumentalist in the band Leon Michels – they then started working. The end result is a very personal, bittersweet piece. 

Electrophonic Chronic is more than just a sophomore album, it’s a taste of what it might’ve been like to hang with the band. It feels very personal, like the listener is a fly on the wall through the band’s tour and studio adventures. Electrophonic Chronic is the perfect example of what The Arcs always were, a band of friends who just liked to play around with sounds and listen to music. That energy is evident here – it’s raw, but that kind of rawness that only comes from well-seasoned musicians just doing their thing, and doing it well, even when they’re just having fun. You can hear the love they had for what they were doing and for each other. 

Electrophonic Chronic explores all ends of the emotional spectrum in its 38-minute package. “Sunshine” is a bright blue-sky day in sonic form, “Behind the Eyes” is an introspective masterpiece on the two-sided nature of people. “Heaven is a Place” honors the grief and pain associated with loss while maintaining a sense of hopefulness, “Backstage Mess” is pure fun and happiness from the road somehow pieced together into a solid home-video-esque song. “Only One for Me” is a heartbreakingly relatable lament of loneliness (and acceptance, depending on your perspective), “A Man Will Do Wrong” (a gender-bent version of the Helene Smith soul number) is a beautiful aching description of love and the lengths we’ll go to for it. I could go on and on. 

Thematically, where Yours Dreamily seems to have its moments evoking that immediate and raw, yet poetic, response to hurt, Electrophonic Chronic feels like that years-later acceptance and healing. Despite these songs having not actually been recorded that far apart in time, there’s a maturity and growth to the theme of these tracks, still raw, but having started to heal from the experience. Several of the tracks delve into some really heavy concepts, almost dark at times, but the way the band executes it lends an air of hopefulness. There’s a feeling of acceptance and healing underlying these heavy themes. “Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” for example, has a focus on the unpacking of generational trauma and letting go of a toxic relationship, with the simple resolution of “I’ve got more love to give today / more than you could ever steal away.” There’s an acknowledgment and honoring of pain while simultaneously healing from it, and it feels especially fitting now in the context of the record honoring Swift. Much of the record functions this way, and it’s indicative of the group’s growth over the course of their time together not as musicians, but as friends, through talking and working through their own personal issues and being each other’s’ source of support, something Auerbach has mentioned in recent interviews. You really can feel the love these guys have for each other in this record; it’s remarkable. 

On top of being emotionally rich and eclectic, the record also exudes one of my favorite things about the Arcs, their inability to be closed into one genre. Even within a single track, you’ll find multiple expressions of various genres. Electrophonic Chronic explores elements of 60s soul and funk, classic country, indie rock, and even a touch of electronic. Couple that with one of the best voices in modern music delivering those gut-wrenching yet somehow therapeutic lyrics and you’ve got one of the best records of the last and the next decade.  

As a self-proclaimed Arcs superfan who genuinely never thought they’d see another release from the band, Electrophonic Chronic was worth every bit of excitement and hype it’s been given since it was announced last October. Though it feels in many ways like a new chapter for the band, it functions as a beautiful piece of closure, tying up loose thematic ends and honoring a musical genius and good friend in a way he’s sure to be proud of. It remains on track to be my favorite record released this year. I hope it’s not the end of the Arcs story, but if it is, what a damn good way to go out. RIP Swift. 

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Rock ‘n’ Rollers Ready Revolution are Born Again with Let It Out, Their First Release in Eight Years

San Antonio born-and-raised rockers Ready Revolution have returned from hiatus with their brand new, heavy-hitting record, Let It Out. I sat down with Diego, Emilio, Matt, Kevin, and Shane over Zoom to talk about the record and their upcoming show in San Antonio this Saturday (3/25/23). We talked about the process of getting Let It Out into the world, our favorite tracks from the record, and how excited they are for their first show back in 5 years!

I found my way to Ready Revolution because of their close proximity to another of my favorite bands, The Last Bandoleros, who I’ve written about several times for Banded. Brothers Diego and Emilio Navaira are the connecting pieces, and together with their friends Shane Gamboa, Kevin Diaz de Leon, and Matt Zavala, they put together this kickass rock band before TLB was a solid thing, and they’ve been rocking all over San Antonio ever since. 

photo credit: Josh Huskin

With their last release, Ready Revolution, out in 2015, and their last live show in 2018, the release of Let It Out and their upcoming live show in San Antonio feels like a rebirth for the band. Let It Out really feels like a record for the fans. All of the sounds we’ve known and loved from the band since their inception still remain, but you can hear the growth in musicianship and brotherhood among the band when you listen; it truly feels like the second coming of Ready Revolution in a way. This music has more-or-less sat in the vault for years until recently, when the band decided to get back together to finish things up and make final cuts. Vocals were re-recorded, little bits were added and changed, and seemingly out of nowhere, Let It Out was here and in our ears before we even knew what hit us. 

The record feels incredibly cohesive despite its general pieced-togetherness, and I think that can only be attributed to the strong brotherhood this band embodies, a sentiment that was echoed by guitarist/vocalist Emilio during our interview. It’s clear upon first listen that these are more than just musicians placed together in a studio, these are the best of friends who know each other better than anyone else. They know how to get the best out of each other and out of the band as a unit, and that’s evident in the overall production – Let It Out is incredibly well-produced. That’s not something you find very often in self-made bands like this one. 

Let It Out is addictive. As I sit here listening to it while writing this review, I find myself jamming (and getting distracted by said jamming!) and wanting to start every song over for another listen. It’s a record that amps you up and leaves you feeling good. Starting and ending you on such high notes without a single filler track, it’s impossible to put down. Not to mention the phenomenal musicianship that shines through on every track; these are five of Texas’ absolute best musicians. It’s never even a question that they know exactly what a track needs and how to lay it down. They’re masters of their craft. 

Deserving a paragraph all his own is lead vocalist Diego Navaira. I’ve long been hyping up his vocal prowess, but never has that been more deserved than with his work on this record. He has complete control over his range and tone, and he demonstrates all levels of the spectrum on Let It Out. He leaves nothing to be desired; if anyone was born to lend their voice to rock ‘n’ roll, it’s Diego. 

Let It Out is everything you want from a modern rock record. It ebbs and flows heaviness and anger, softness and emotion, and everything in between. Rich with brilliant guitar tone, strong lead vocals and perfectly executed harmonies, and relatable lyrics to tie the whole thing together, the only complaint I could have about the record is that it just isn’t long enough! The thirty minutes of rock magic the band does give us though? Very much worth the aching for more. Give it a listen – you’ll thank me. 

If you’re local to San Antonio and the surrounding areas, check at their show at the 502 Bar this Saturday (3/25) night, and if you’re listening from afar, be on the lookout – they might be hitting the road soon!

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INTERVIEW: Rock Trailblazer Hannah Wicklund Shares Her Story

It was an honor chatting with Hannah Wicklund this Women's History Month. Her story is truly inspiring, sharing stories of heartbreak and success. Wicklund has toured with the likes of Greta Van Fleet, The Pretty Reckless and many more. New music is coming soon so be on the lookout!    

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INTERVIEW: RoZY Chats About New Single, "One For All"

It's been two years since I've last spoken with Houston-based rock band, Rozy. It was such an incredible time chatting with them about their latest single, One For All. We dove into the story of the single as well as what's on the horizon for Rozy. 

Stream One For All on all streaming platforms.

Red and The Rebels Gives Tom Petty And Stevie Nicks Vibes In “Pisces Moon”

If there’s anything I can say about Red and The Rebels, it’s the fact that they know how to make songs that stand out. Songs that are electrifying. Songs that will stay in your head for days and make you want more. 

Once again, they’ve released another song that will make you want more, “Pisces Moon.” 

Right off the bat, we’re being greeted with an incredible instrumental start to the song, which is something that already gives such a positive thought about the song itself. What’s a good rock ‘n’ roll song without an excellent instrumental beginning?

The heartland rock sound of the song is very reminiscent of Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever album, while lead singer Deidre’s vocals give off the vibes of Stevie Nicks. Not only that, Deidre’s vocal performance on this track shows how powerful of a singer she is. She’s got the fierce sound of any badass woman in rock ‘n’ roll. She’s on her way to becoming a future star in the world of rock ‘n’ roll.

The lyrics of “Pisces Moon” will also stay with you and you’ll find yourself singing it. The beauty of the lyrics are nothing short of beautiful and lyrically, this may be their best song to date. One standout lyric is “no one’s light compares to you.” It’s an extraordinary and undeniably beautiful lyric on its own.

Everything about the song - from the lyrics, the instrumentals, the vocal performance - is extraordinary in every way. It will fill your rock ‘n’ roll loving heart with joy.Watch out, world. Here comes Red and The Rebels and they’re here to stay. 

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INTERVIEW: Trev Lukather talks New Music, Highs and Lows of the Music Industry, and more

Trev Lukather and Laura Kane sat down to talk about new music, the highs and lows of the music industry and what’s to come in 2023.

WOMEN FKN ROCK | Celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month

Did you know the Banded Staff is comprised of 99% women? Founded by Rebecca Potzner, Banded has flourished throughout the years because of women who are passionate about music and sharing it with the world.

Celebrate #internationalwomensday all day and every day with our playlist featuring 25+ hours of music by women.

Read about the women who inspired our love for music here.

Daisy Jones & The Six Becomes The Real Deal With Debut Album + "Regret Me"

Daisy Jones & The Six may be a fictional band, but they managed to get to a million streams on Spotify. Just over a month shy of the release of the new Amazon Prime Video series of the same title - based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid - it’s been announced that they’re also bringing Daisy Jones & The Six’s debut album, Aurora to life. 

Featuring amazingly talented musicians from Phoebe Bridgers to Madison Cunningham to Jackson Browne and more; it’s no secret that this album will certainly have some brilliantly written songs in store for us.

Not only that, we’ll also be able to purchase Aurora on vinyl, so that way, we can all experience listening to the album and imagine ourselves living in a time where Daisy Jones & The Six are a real band and we’re figuring out a way to get tickets to see them on their world tour.

Oh yeah, did I mention that there’s already a song released on music streaming platforms? That’s right, folks! Daisy Jones & The Six has now also come to life by releasing their first single, ‘Regret Me.’  So, how is the song? Will this get you hyped for the series and the album? Well, let’s find out.

Right off the bat, the guitars in the beginning perfectly capture the vibe of a 70’s song. It contains riffs that will likely stay stuck in your head for days and are reminiscent of various 70’s bands, especially Fleetwood Mac.

Now, the lyrics and vocal performance? Between Riley Keough’s (who plays Daisy Jones) Sam Claflin (who plays Daisy’s love interest and bandmate, Billy Dunne), Riley’s vocals really stand out strong. She’s got a tone that is certainly fit for the 70’s; giving off a Stevie Nicks vibe while also very reminiscent of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley’s voice. 

Sam Claflin’s vocals are just as strong and because Fleetwood Mac has been mentioned, Sam’s voice also gives off the vibe of Lindsey Buckingham. Are we sure that this band wasn’t a real 70’s band? His vocal performance - combined with Riley’s - brings out a fiery duet in the song. 

The lyrics? Oh, my. The lyrics are powerful. The song captures the turmoil of the relationship between Daisy and Billy so perfectly, you can hear it through Riley and Sam’s vocal performances. If this song isn’t a perfect kind of kiss-off song, I don’t know what is.

One moment that will give you chills when listening to the song? Riley when she softly sings this lyric: “go ahead and regret me but I’m beating you to it, dude.” Instant goosebumps all around.

The song is fiery and powerful. It contains everything you love about the 70’s. Not only that, this song is bound to be what ‘Fever Dog’ by another fictional band, Stillwater is to hardcore Almost Famous fans: A classic. Daisy Jones & The Six will be this generation’s Stillwater. Mark my words. And the series will be this generation’s Almost Famous. Honestly? I’m living for it.

If you haven’t read the book, please do so before the series because it’s definitely worth the read. Catch “Daisy Jones & The Six” when it premieres on Amazon Prime Video on March 3rd.

You can stream ‘Regret Me’ on any music streaming platform. Aurora is now available for pre-order on Urban Outfitters’ website and Amazon.

Feed your angst this Valentine's day with POET The Band's “Miss Misery”

Are you tired of Valentine's day? Did your partner just walk out on you, steal all your life savings and your dog? If you answered yes then i'd like you to meet POET The Band. They call themselves an independent DIY hard rock band since they record and produce all their songs and music videos independently. Their latest single “Miss Misery” is for the folks feeling depressed and heartbroken this Valentine's season.

Bringing metal and pop elements together, POET creates a unique sound to alternative and hard rock. Including heavy lyrics such as “I've been searching for so long been stuck at the bottom”: at some point in life we will experience loneliness and heartbreak. As humans we have the ability to love but with that ability comes depression, anxiety and isolation. “Got me feeling fucked up like im ready to die”: everyone has demons their trying to overcome. Rejection cuts like a knife, we all want to be loved but unfortunately the more we crave love from others who don't love us back we become drained from the ability to love ourselves. The added vocal elements create the image of lead singer Aiden Shaw crying for help. Sometimes it feels like no matter how loud we scream no one can hear us. Sometimes screaming into the universe is the best therapy.

Love yourselves this valentines day and make sure to let the ones who love you know you love them back. 

If you or someone you know needs support, please check out the Suicide Prevention Hotline HERE.

INTERVIEW: Scotty Mik of Hollywood Nightmare

At the end of 2022, I caught up with fellow shedder from SoCal, sir Scotty Mik! He is a guitarist for local metal core band Hollywood Nightmare. We go into their newest album just released last September, band changes, his own personal rig, the future of modern guitar playing and more. Be sure to follow them for their show dates and stream their latest album on all platforms now and listen to this interview on Spotify below.