Excelsior-Gold Runs

A lot of music that gets sent to me follows a pretty similar formula. It makes sense, based on the stuff I write about, that new artists that make folk/rock/americana would find this website and shoot me an email. Sometimes, though, I get sent things that are nothing like the usual tracks I receive. Such is the case with Excelsior’s latest single, “Gold Runs.” The … Continue reading Excelsior-Gold Runs

Nils Bloch-Iolanda

Art, in whatever for you are experiencing it, has the ability to pull you out of your own head and feel things from another perspective. Through others experiences art can help you make sense of your own trials and tribulations. It can also take you on an adventure you would never otherwise go, and that is what Nils Bloch’s “Iolanda” does for me. From the … Continue reading Nils Bloch-Iolanda

Sono Oto-A Way To Stay Away (Video)

Mark Henry Phillips’ first album under the recording name Sono Oto will be released in March, with the first track debuting today. Known for his work as a sound designer and composer for movies (Cutie & The Boxer) and podcasts (Serial), he brings a lot of the sweeping musicality of scores into his pop songs.  “A Way To Stay Away” spends much of its duration … Continue reading Sono Oto-A Way To Stay Away (Video)

Ono at Double Door 1/6/2017

A few years ago Ono returned to the stage after a three decade absence, and luckily they are here when we need them most. Friday night at Double Door they tore through ambient slam poetry dealing with racism, gender identity, and misogyny. At 70, Travis still commands attention from the audience as one of the most fascinating on-stage characters I’ve witnessed. Check out this video … Continue reading Ono at Double Door 1/6/2017

Lionel O -MLO

I was instantly smitten with Lionel O’s music when I saw them play at Subterranean a couple years ago. I had no idea who they were or where they were from, but something in the songs spoke to me. I later found that the band is a project from Matt Orenstein, a Chicago citizen who came from Minnesota via Oberlin College. Ever since I’ve been … Continue reading Lionel O -MLO