A soulful progressive rock sextet from Burlington, North Carolina, Big Something has been captivating audiences with its magnetic flow and improvisational chemistry since 2009; the band just celebrated its eighth year hosting the annual summer music festival and campout, “The Big What?” Big Something performs a spacey mixture of rock, funk, hip-hop, and jazz. Think […]
Katie Halligan
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Album review: ‘Blooming’
Candy Isle ‘Blooming’ Self-released candyisle.bandcamp.com Originally formed in 2017 as an acoustic duo by college friends Kat Bakrania on cajon and Lydia Dake on guitar and ukulele, Candy Isle now has an amplified, indie pop sound with the addition of its newest member, bassist Allison Froio. The trio’s new album, “Blooming,” shifts through all the […]
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ALTERNATIVE ROCK | The Cordial Sins
Painting sepia-toned portraits of life in the Midwest, The Cordial Sins maintain a balance between dreamy, floral pop and grungy alt-rock. Inspired by life-flashing moments from its first national tour, the band has just released its new EP, “In Memory,” via Diversion Records. Vocalist Liz Fisher sings indie rock melodies with silky smoothness, similar to […]
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PSYCHEDELIC ROCK | The Mushroom Cloud
Get down and dirty to the funky rock variations of Connecticut-based quartet The Mushroom Cloud. Featuring guitarist-keyboardist Paul Harris, guitarist Matt Cuddy, bassist Ryan Berry, and drummer Russ Harris, the band has been sharing its mostly instrumental jam sessions with audiences since 2011. The Mushroom Cloud mixes rock, funk, electronica, and psychedelia into a danceable […]
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Album review: ‘For the Record’
Jack West ‘For the Record’ Self-released jackwestlive.com Local fourteen-year-old prodigy Jack West collaborated with famed producer Barrett Jones at Laundry Room Studio in Seattle for his debut studio album, "For the Record," released back in August. The eight-song album is an homage to old-school vinyl records, while West’s lyrics reflect the simultaneous feeling of jumping […]
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Album review: ’64’
Vanishing Sun ’64’ Self-released vanishingsun.com Local jazz fusion sensation Vanishing Sun is about to release its third studio album, "64." Originally formed as an instrumental collective in 2016, Vanishing Sun now boasts six members, including its powerhouse vocalist Zahyia. "64" combines jazz, pop, electronica, and hip-hop, bringing the heat and attitude with an emphasis on […]
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Album review: ‘Dream Float EP Vol. 1’
Dream Float ‘Dream Float EP Vol. 1’ Self-released dreamfloat.bandcamp.com Rochester piano trio Dream Float performs with little to no written material, allowing compositions to flow from improvisations focused around a theme. Drummer Chris Palace and keyboardist Thomas Mariano originally formed the group in 2018, adding bassist Jordan Rabinowitz later that year. In September, the instrumental […]
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Album review: ‘Always There’
Full Body ‘Always There’ Five Kill Records fullbody.bandcamp.com After four years together and a recent personnel change, local quartet Full Body is about to release its third studio album. Recorded mostly at Headroom Studios in Philadelphia, "Always There" delivers a sludgy mix of hardcore, grunge, slowcore, and shoegaze. Lead singer Dylan Vaisey’s vocals cut through […]
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CLASSICAL CROSSOVER| Time for Three
Time for Three plays refined chamber music covers of everything from Bach to pop music such as Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” and The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” Based in Philadelphia, the trio has inspired audiences across the globe with its viral anti-bullying YouTube video, “Stronger.” Violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang, along with double bassist […]
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HIP-HOP-FUNK | Sophistafunk
Sophistafunk promotes strength in unity, with thought-provoking lyrics about societal activism in a crisp rap delivery. Based in Syracuse, the established trio of vocalist Jack Brown, keyboardist-bassist Adam Gold, and drummer Emanuel Washington recently added a new member, saxophonist Tommy Weeks of the Funky Dawgz Brass Band. Sophistafunk takes you on a galactic space ride […]
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HIP-HOP AND JAZZ | Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs
Known for the viral dance hit, “Hit the Sean Payton,” songwriter-trumpeter Shamarr Allen is a musical prodigy with down-to-earth charisma and unabashed love for his hometown of New Orleans. Backed by his band, The Underdawgs, Allen stays true to his roots by blending Cajun rhythms with hip-hop beats and jazz-tinged trumpet flourishes. Featuring a catchy […]
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INSTRUMENTAL FOLK | William Tyler
William Tyler is known as a former member of Lambchop and Silver Jews, but he also performs solo instrumental music that evokes inward and outward reflection. Released in January, Tyler’s latest album “Goes West” demonstrates a cerebral shift in his playing, from electric to acoustic guitar — though electric instrumentation still enriches the music. Tyler […]
