There’s something about these close-to-the-earth songwriters and singers that attracts a good portion of the listening public. Farrell Jackson isn’t the world’s best vocalist, though he is a passable singer. But story-telling is a strength with this guy from Oakdale, California. This is what he has to say: “Hello, Farrell Jackson here, just some music for [...]

It’s hard to argue with someone who is devoted to spreading the good word, as Chozen Vesselz does with its own version of spiritual hip hop music. It wasn’t possible to find the group and its tunes at chosenvesselz.com (coming soon, according to the MySpace information). We were able to listen to some samples from the [...]

Caustic Casanova is a power trio based in Williamsburg, Virginia - Michael Wollitz: guitar, keyboard, and vocals; Francis Beringer: bass, harmonica, and vocals; Stefanie Zaenker: drums and vocals. I suppose it’s safe to say they are still a power trio and working band, since their Web site does show one playing date, October 31, 2008. Their [...]

Occasionally, someone points you in a certain direction and you find yourself listening to a group that is wise beyond its years. Such is the case with Boyce Avenue, based in Florida. With a foundation going back to 2000, when these fellows were teenagers, Boyce Avenue has established itself as one of the premier young bands [...]

He’s smooth and trending toward jazz. But to put Ben Hammond’s music in that pigeon hole would be too easy and, more important than that, it would be incorrect. Why? Because the beginning of “Let’s Get Alone” (Peliguin Drop Records) is smooth jazz, as is the ending. Somewhere between those sections is a hip-hop sort [...]

To take some information straight from the Web site of this French producer/composer – this young artist from the north of France has been a fan of hip hop and a few other genres for most of his 20 years. He had a demo CD in 2006 and now offers Beyond Words (2007). Be warned – [...]

Welcome to the world of symphonic techno-rock. From Maine, no less!! “Band members” Matthew Tardy and Jason Tardy cite such influences as Danny Elfman, Soul Coughing, Fatboy Slim (yes!!), Stevie Wonder, Chemical Brothers….. They even state that they “sound like” some of these performers, then include Blue Man Group as one of the “sound likes.” I [...]

Listeners should prepare themselves for the “industrial” sounds of Lucio, whose myspace.com presence sends the seeker to his Web site. That stop features a large photo that depicts graphically what the CD tile states: For The Drained (Deus Ex Machina). This listener has never been a great fan of the somewhat-repetitive nature of industrial/straight-beat music of [...]

Any Irish rock/alternative is a favorite type of music, for this listener. “Ask John” is a good vehicle to highlight the unusual voice and phrasing of Aine Duffy. Guitar work is also very strong in the Aine Duffy band. I was particularly drawn in by the “feel” of No Conscience at All.” It’s even a [...]

I have to admit, I didn’t know about this one. I have been to Hog Rock, Lollapalooza, Big Muddy Blues Festival and more, but I had never heard of Pickathon. I think the fact that it is held in the evergreen forests of Oregon is the main reason. (I live near St. Louis and the [...]