As everyone knows by now, Superstorm Sandy (or whatever you want to call it) pretty much destroyed New York and New Jersey. Dayton-based Heartless Bastards were a band who got diverted from their tour schedule due to the storm, but managed to survive and talk about it. Their latest video for “Marathon” channels the Wizard of Oz and though the sto...

Remember “In the Waiting Line,” that down-tempo hit by Zero 7 from way back in 2001. Of course you do. Featured in movies like Garden State and TV shows like House, the song was everywhere. Much of its success was owed to the vocalist Sophie Barker, whose silky smooth delivery and desperate timbre made the song an anthem of failed and failing rel...

In one incarnation or another, Yukon Blonde (formerly known as Alphababy) has been around since 2005, and in those seven years, the Canadian band has released a handful of EPs and two LPs, including this year’s Tiger Talk. The band is currently on a three-month tour, which is nothing new for the indie rock outfit that has spent nearly 200 days...

With the release of their debut album in 2010, Los Angeles indie pop outfit Fitz and The Tantrums made some big moves. “Moneygrabber,” the outfit’s first single caught on with radio and their energetic live shows has won them many new fans They’ve made appearances on late night programs like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Conan and The Tonight Show with Jay...

Charlie Mars is a singer/songwriter from Tupelo, MS who’s not just another white guy with a guitar whining about his girlfriend. He’s releasing his latest album, Blackberry Light today, independently, and about to go on an extensive tour in support.  I recently had what turned out to be a really sobering conversation with him, as he provided a gl...

Lollapalooza wasn’t only for the big stars. A lot of up and coming new bands and new artists made their collective big time festival debut at the event. One such artist is Helena. The India-born, Los Angeles-based 21-year-old newcomer has a lot to say. Her unusual life so far has provided heartfelt lyrical grist for the songwriting mill, inspirin...