Last month, Olivia Rodrigo covered the Magnetic Fields’ “The Book Of Love” for the HELP(2) benefit compilation. Now, Stephin Merritt and Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold performed the 69 Love Songs classic on the East Village Radio show Elia Vs.
The post Stephin Merritt – One Of <em>NYTimes</em>’ Greatest Living American Songwriters – Sings With Robin Pecknold On East Village Radio appeared first on Stereogum.
Recorded across intimate yet charged club settings in Los Angeles and London, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London captures Philip Sayce in his natural habitat, on stage, plugged in, and fully unleashed. Backed by Sam Bolle on bass and Bryan Head on drums, Sayce makes no effort to dress things up beyond what’s necessary. The focus is on feel, interplay, and the kind of controlled chaos that only comes with years of arduous touring.
Sayce has long occupied an interesting space in modern blues rock. Born in Wales, raised in Canada, and now based in Los Angeles, he carries a bit of each of those influences in his playing. His style leans heavily on the tradition; you can hear echoes of Hendrix and the late-60s blues explosion, but it never sounds like imitation. Instead, there’s a rawness to his approach and a willingness to push things a little further, especially in a live setting.
That instinct is on full display from the opening moments of “One Foot in the Grave.” It’s a forceful, no-nonsense rocker, driven by sharp, aggressive guitar work that immediately establishes the album’s tone. “Once” follows with a more measured groove, leaning deeper into blues phrasing while still carrying that same intensity. Sayce lets the notes breathe a bit more here, but the fire never really dies down.
“Bitter Monday” pushes things forward again, another tightly wound performance where the band sounds completely in sync. Then comes “Peace Machine,” the album’s most expansive moment. At over nine minutes, it allows the trio to stretch out, building around extended, explosive guitar leads.
“Morning Star” keeps things grounded with a punchy approach, maintaining the album’s forward motion. There’s a clear sense of cohesion across these tracks, the kind that comes from a band sticking to what they do best. Still, there are moments where a slight shift in direction might have added an extra layer, even if the consistency itself is part of the appeal.
The closing take on “Spanish Castle Magic” leans heavier than its source material, trading some of the looseness of Hendrix’s original for a thicker, more muscular sound. It works as a closer, giving the album a final burst of energy while nodding to one of Sayce’s key influences.
The production doesn’t try to smooth things out too much, and that’s the right call. It captures the grit and immediacy of the performances, letting the rough edges be part of the experience.
Overall, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London stands as a compelling live document, driven by palpable energy and tight-knit chemistry. It captures a band fully in sync, playing with confidence and instinct, resulting in a performance that remains engaging and consistent throughout.
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– One Foot in The Grave
– Once
– Bitter Monday
– Spanish Castle Magic
– Peace Machine
The Big Hit
– Peace Machine
The post Philip Sayce: Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
GA-20 and Charlie Musselwhite will release their collaborative album BLUES NOW on July 31, 2026 via New West Records. The 10-track album was produced by GA-20’s Matthew Stubbs and recorded at Rare Signals in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The project pairs GA-20, one of the leading young blues trios on the scene, with veteran harmonica player and vocalist Charlie Musselwhite. GA-20 has built a strong following since forming in 2018, with four studio albums reaching No. 1 or No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart. Musselwhite brings more than six decades of experience to the collaboration.
The first single from the album, “Crazy Love,” has also been released. The song was written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Buddy Guy.
GA-20’s Matthew Stubbs said, “This song has all of the elements we look for: the attitude, Chicago blues-based, with a soul/garage approach. Buddy Guy is a favorite, and this tune is not one easily found. It’s a hidden Buddy Guy gem.”
According to the band, the material for the album was chosen in part because of Musselwhite’s personal connections to many of the artists represented.
Stubbs said, “We tried to find songs that Charlie had a connection to or artists that he knew personally from Chicago, but also just songs that we liked and thought we could do justice.”
He added, “The GA-20 sound historically has been in that ballpark of raw Chicago Blues from the late ’50s and early ’60s, but we didn’t want to simply re-create Stand Back!, we just wanted to be influenced by it. We wanted to capture the spirit of that record.”
Musselwhite said of the recording sessions, “We’re so good we have to make mistakes on purpose. Everything went smoothly. Making this album was as easy as falling off a log.”
BLUES NOW will be available digitally, on CD and vinyl. Limited color vinyl editions will also be offered through select retailers and directly through the band.
TRACK LISTING
TOUR DATES
May 01 – The Town and The City Festival – Lowell, MA
May 22 – Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA
May 24 – Ocean Mist – Matunuck, RI
June 10 – Warner Vineyards – Paw Paw, MI*
June 11 – Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH*
June 12 – Kent Stage – Kent, OH*
June 13 – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – Warrendale, PA*
June 16 – The Warehouse – Fairfield, CT*
June 17 – Newton Theatre – Newton, NJ*
June 18 – Blue Ocean Music Hall – Salisbury, MA*
June 19 – Landsdowne Theatre – Landsdowne, PA*
June 21 – Live Oak Music Festival – San Luis Obispo, CA^
June 27 – Eldorado Music Festival – Vancé, FR
July 03 – Blues Cazorla – Cazorla, ES
July 04 – Rockin’Fest – Madrid, ES
July 10 – Åmåls Bluesfest – Åmål, SE
July 11 – SALT – Oslo, NO
August 14 – Homer Center for the Arts – Homer, NY*
August 15 – Songs At Mirror Lake – Lake Placid, NY*
August 20 – Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, WI*
August 22 – Chenango Blues Festival – Norwich, NY^
August 23 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN*
August 25 – Redstone Room – Davenport, IA*
August 26 – Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL*
August 27 – The Acorn – Three Oaks, MI*
August 28 – Sharon Wilson Center – Brookfield, WI*
August 30 – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY*
September 19 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO^
September 24 – Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club – Portsmouth, NH^
September 26 – Narrows Center for the Arts – Fall River, MA^
September 30 – Jazz Dock – Prague, CZ
October 02 – Blues Heaven Festival – Frederikshavn, DK
October 03 – Rampelys – Silkeborg, DK
October 06 – Kulturkvarteret – Kristianstad, SE
October 07 – Medley – Malmö, SE
October 08 – Sundbyberg – Stockholm, SE
October 09 – Hunker Junker – Söderhamn, SE
October 10 – Roda Kvarn – Ljusdal, SE
October 11 – House of Blues – Borlänge, SE
October 14 – G Livelab – Tampere, FI
October 15 – G Livelab – Helsinki, FI
October 16 – Apollo – Turku, FI
October 17 – Elojazz Klubi – Oulu, FI
January 31, 2027 – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise – Fort Lauderdale, FL^
^ Charlie Musselwhite & GA-20 Together Onstage
The post Charlie Musselwhite and GA-20 to release “Blues Now” appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
The Los Angeles Lakers have some good things going for them in Game 6 against the Rockets but need to play smart.
The post Lakers Get Good News Before Game 6 vs. Rockets appeared first on Audio Ink Radio.
Equal Vision Records, Civilians and Sparta are pleased to present Everything You Say, the latest track to be lifted from the Friday, May 29 release of Cut A Silhouette, the forthcoming album from the celebrated El Paso, TX-based alt-rock band. “The music for this was brought in by Matt [Miller] to the earliest writing sessions […]Warren Haynes has released a live version of “Banks of the Deep End,” the first preview of his upcoming symphonic album Dreams & Songs, which will be available in the U.S. through Evil Teen Records.
Originally appearing on The Deep End, Volume 1 in 2001, “Banks of the Deep End” has become a staple for Gov’t Mule fans. The new orchestral arrangement was recorded in 2019 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville. The performance marked the debut of his Dreams & Songs symphonic show alongside the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and a backing lineup featuring Oteil Burbridge on bass, John Medeski on organ and keys, Jeff Sipe on drums, and Greg Osby on saxophone.
“‘Banks of the Deep End’ is one of the songs that we probably play more than any other,” said Warren Haynes. “Although it doesn’t vary as much on a nightly basis as some of the other tunes, it somehow takes on its own personality just based on the song itself and the lyric and uniqueness of the chord structure and the melody. Playing it with a symphony emphasizes all the dramatic and dynamic changes that song presents, and it’s wonderful hearing it in that light.”
On April 30, the Warren Haynes Band will perform its Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at The Orpheum Theater. The show explores music from Haynes’ catalog, including material from Gov’t Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and his solo work.
The following night, Gov’t Mule will headline the venue for the final date of its spring headlining tour. After a short break, the band will return to the road in July and August for a summer run featuring headlining shows, co-headlining dates with Joe Bonamassa, and festival appearances.
More details on Dreams & Songs are expected soon.
The post Warren Haynes reveals first sneak peek at symphonic album appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
This song opens with intriguing pads complemented by powerful guitar riffs. These elements transport listeners to a dystopian and epic sound world. As the vocals enter, they showcase remarkable expressiveness. Occasionally, the lead vocals are supported by background harmonies. This band aims to communicate profound messages through their music.
“What Lives In Me” delves into the internal struggles of individuals. It addresses topics that are often difficult to discuss comfortably, such as identity. The song captures the complex emotions one feels within but struggles to express. Its essence is about finding the courage to embrace one’s true self. The powerful sound reinforces this theme, echoing a desire for liberation from invisible chains that bind us.
The dynamics in the song are noteworthy. It maintains high intensity throughout, combined with excellent variations. Around the two-minute mark, a suspended moment arises, leading to a bridge that transports listeners into a parallel realm. This change in mood is skillfully executed. Following this shift, the female voice enters briefly, creating an interesting diversion.
To appreciate the depth of this track, it is essential to recognize its layered structure. Each component contributes to the overall narrative. The use of guitar and pads establishes a psychological atmosphere that resonates with many listeners. The instrumentation feels deliberate, guiding emotions effectively without being overbearing.
In a world where emotional expression is often stifled, this song encourages honesty and bravery. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability that many can relate to, making it a universal anthem for self-acceptance.
The contrasting segments of the song keep audiences engaged. Moments of intensity alternate with softer passages, allowing for emotional release. This balance is crucial in presenting the myriad feelings associated with personal struggles.
Production quality plays a vital role in the overall impact of “What Lives In Me.” Every instrument is distinctly present. The meticulous arrangement ensures that no element overshadows the other. The mix effectively highlights the band’s intent to share meaningful messages.
“What Lives In Me” invites listeners on a journey through internal conflicts and the quest for authenticity. The song’s dynamics reflect the intensity of the message and the desire for liberation from societal constraints. Brightstar has crafted an important piece that resonates with many.
Listeners looking for a song that genuinely captures the essence of personal struggle will find satisfaction in this track. It is a commendable effort that emphasizes the importance of self-expression and courage. Therefore, this song comes highly recommended to everyone searching for a heartfelt musical experience.
Epic
If you love this music: Discover MoreThe post Brightstar What Lives In Me Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
Chris and Julia Bentley, known collectively as Pumpkin Skull, enchant listeners with their single “Black Velvet Horror.” From the first sound of the guitar, a foggy, nocturnal atmosphere envelops the audience. Embracing elements of darkwave and gothic alternative rock, the song offers sinister yet hypnotic vibes. It resonates with echoes of bands like Type O Negative, Nick Cave, and Depeche Mode.
The vocal performances are remarkable. The duo alternates and harmonizes, creating an ancient quality that draws listeners in. This interplay evokes imagery of a rainy night, where the asphalt glistens and neon lights reflect off the pavement. It transports the listener to a world of shadow and intrigue.
The chorus delivers a melody that strikes with nostalgia and intensity. It is more than a mere song; it feels ceremonial, almost ritualistic. The production quality and artistic vision are robust. Pumpkin Skull demonstrates a clear understanding of the musical product they wish to create. Their world is dark, yet it has a hint of romance that adds depth.
The track features atmospheric pads and distorted guitars, crafting a nearly dystopian auditory landscape. These elements come together seamlessly, showcasing their ability to build a rich auditory experience. The arrangement enriches the song, as it flows effortlessly through haunting verses into a powerful chorus.
“Black Velvet Horror” is a beautiful discovery in the alternative music scene. It offers a refreshing take on the genre while maintaining ties to the classics. The song stands out for its emotional resonance, making it not only enjoyable to listen to but also memorable. It invites listeners to immerse themselves in its haunting beauty.
From the moody instrumentation to the haunting vocals, the track maintains a consistent theme. Pumpkin Skull wishes to explore the darker side of human emotions. Yet, there is an undeniable romanticism woven throughout. It’s a duality that many listeners will find relatable and engaging.
This single is likely to attract fans of various genres, as it blends aspects of rock, darkwave, and even electronic music. The overall atmosphere is thick, layered with rich tones and textures that reveal new nuances with each listen. It is exciting to see how this duo will evolve and what they will offer next.
“Black Velvet Horror” is an experience. The combination of mesmerizing melodies and thoughtful lyrics speaks to the heart. Pumpkin Skull has crafted a piece that resonates deeply.
Nocturnal
If you love this music: Discover MoreFor fans of:
Type O Negative • Nick Cave • Depeche Mode
The post Pumpkin Skull Black Velvet Horror Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
Madonna has been ramping up to Confessions II, the sequel to her Stuart Price-produced 2005 club classic Confessions On The Dancefloor. She dropped lead single “I Feel So Free” two weeks back, just before making a surprise guest appearance with Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella weekend 2. Onstage in Indio, they debuted a new collab called…
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