Author: Annie Schlottman

Sometimes I randomly stumble upon a band and later forget how I found them.  Transient is not one of them.  I remember exactly how I found this awesome band.  I heard their song “No Light” on The Sound 228 online radio station. And I was hooked.  They became one of my favorite bands.  Honestly, I love all of their songs they have put out thus far.  I’m excited for the future of Transient.  I truly believe big things are coming for this talented quartet.

Transient is a hard rock/metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana.  It was the brainchild of veteran musician Jody Linnell, former bassist of Smile Empty Soul and 12 Stones. After starting out as a solo project, Linnell, who plays guitar in Transient, brought in three friends to round out the lineup – Trey J. Mollo (vocals); Emmett Shumate (guitar); and Phil Krohn (drums). Transient performed at the WCPR 97.9 CPR Fest in Biloxi, Mississippi in April,  2022, which included Nonpoint, Badflower, Seether, and 3 Doors Down.  The band really started to gain a bigger following after that, and went on to play at various venues on the Gulf Coast in 2022. This past March, Transient was part of the lineup for The Sound 228 Rockin’ The Sound festival in Biloxi, along with bands such as Nonpoint, Adelita’s Way, and Gemini Syndrome.  Now, the band is looking to branch out and perform in other areas of the country.  Any fans who are lucky enough to catch a live Transient show will be blown away by their electric onstage performance.

The band is grateful for the support of Ms. Pepper Gomez, the founder of their record label, WakeUp! Music and WakeUp! Music Rocks.  She is a champion for so many up-and-coming bands, not just the ones with her label.  Ms. Gomez is truly a gem in the music industry, and anyone who interacts with her on any level is very lucky.  Recently, Transient signed a booking deal with Full Circle Entertainment, a new project launched by Kevin Harris and Brandi Fontana. The band is managed by MVK Music Group.  The members of Transient are thankful to The Sound 228 – Kevin Harris, Jared Seymour, Lisa Wills, Matt James, Michele Cregg, Brandi Fontana, Brent Kriner — for continuing to play Transient music on the air.

Recently, Transient released a three-song EP called Lotus.  It’s a concept EP, according to Trey Mollo, and it contains an important message.  I wanted to tell the story of Lotus, and Trey and Jody Linnell were kind enough to help me with the background.  But first, a little about how Transient music comes to life.

Lyrics for Transient songs are written mostly by Trey, but they get funneled and filtered through the rest of the band.  Trey comes up with possible names for songs based on feelings, thoughts, or anything that inspires him at the time.  He’ll bring them to the rest of the band, and they’ll sit down and go through them. That’s what sets the whole vibe and tone for the song-writing process.

Writing the music for the songs is also a group effort.  Emmett or Jody come up with ideas or riffs, and they’ll bring those to the band’s producer, Jonathan Dolese from KonKrete Studios.  There are also times when Trey and Phil have their own ideas and input for the music.  Trey says, “It’s truly a fun process”.

How to describe Transient’s music?  Powerful and heavy.  Melodic and intriguing. The dual guitars and thunderous drums, along with the combination of Trey’s clean and hard vocals, give the band a metalcore-ish feel. There are lots of intriguing guitar riffs and electronic elements that add to the songs. Trey has a fantastic vocal range that shows the emotions in the songs he is singing.

I was doing some research about the lotus flower and found this in an online dictionary:  “Lotus flowers are beautiful flowers that are commonly associated with purity, inner strength  and tranquility. They symbolize resurrection and new beginnings.  The lotus flower is known for its ability to grow in muddy waters and rise above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty.”  As Jody said in an interview with The Sound 228, “the lotus is a flower that can grow from dirt and muck and mire and come out beautiful in the end”. This is the symbolism behind the progression of the three songs on the Lotus EP.

Trey shared with me that the Lotus EP was originally Jody’s idea.  He brought it up while the band was getting ready to go into the studio.  The band sat down and came up with the idea of naming the songs  after different stages of the progression and growth of the lotus plant, and tying it into what we as people go through in life. In order — the birth and awakening, the struggle to grow, and then the strength to sustain itself — “Seed”, “Sow”, and “Thrive”.  As Jody said to The Sound, overall, “it’s about empowering yourself, and finding respect and love for other people no matter what they believe in.”

I came up with some of my own ideas about each song on the Lotus EP, and shared them with Trey, who responded with some more insight.  The first song is “Seed”.  To me, this song is about someone who is trapped in darkness, looking for the light to stay alive.  Things seem dark, but the seed symbolizes that there is always an opportunity to come out of that darkness. Trey told me that was a great interpretation.  He shared that the thought process for “Seed” was dealing with internal conflict and struggles.  It’s a song about finding yourself and believing in yourself, while battling being complacent and succumbing to the negative around you.  It also describes being self-aware and knowing “Hey, if I keep living this way I will never survive”, and the understanding that there’s always a way out, if you keep climbing for the light, because the light will bring you to life.

The second track is “Sow”.  When I listen to “Sow”, it makes me think of when the seed is planted and needs to develop strong roots in order to grow.  It’s about hope for a better future. Trey says it has a bit of a deeper meaning – it’s about letting go, and staying strong against the pressure of the world, even when everything is crashing down around you.  Trey describes himself as an empath.  He says he tends to “soak up the emotions around him”.  At the time they were recording this song, the world was going through a lot. The day they tracked the vocals for “Sow”, Russia declared war that morning.  Trey explains how he was feeling. “It’s in the news – you open up your phone and it’s the first thing you see every time.  It’s the topic of every conversation.  I’m in the vocal booth, which is basically the size of a closet.  It’s completely soundproof, and in between takes it’s just silent, and I’m looking at my phone and just stewing in my thoughts. This sinking feeling in my stomach started to set in, and I just couldn’t help but think, ‘Wow, this is just crazy, how fast things change in the blink of an eye.’ For all we know, this could happen here.  Our lives can be turned upside down in an instant.” Trey says he finished up in the studio and called some friends back home because he felt like he needed to reach out to them.  It was a reminder that our lives are just way too short.

The final part of the Lotus story is “Thrive”.  This song is an anthem of sorts – it’s the triumphant ending.  The flower has bloomed and now has a strong foundation and a new beginning.  It’s a song about evolving and becoming a better version of yourself.  Trey says I’m spot on with my interpretation.  “It’s a song about progression, inner strength, and victory.  About pushing through the bullshit in life and hitting your stride and succeeding.  One of the thoughts I held onto while tracking this song was ‘success’ – never backing down, never being afraid to change into that final form.  So, you are correct. This song is indeed an ‘anthem of triumph”.

I also wanted to share some of my thoughts on the music videos for the three Lotus songs, as they are all tremendous.  Transient filmed all three of the videos with Elynia Productions in Texas. What stands out to me the most in the videos are the lighting effects.  They help to set the tone for the videos, as well as tie in with the theme of the songs.

In the “Seed” video, the dirt and roots and darkness are depicted, but there are also flashes of light throughout, which symbolize hope. This is highlighted in the lyrics:

“My sentiments in denial
They hold me on trial
A dichotomy of life
Brings me closer to the light
To the light

To the light” 

The fire is symbolic of the light coming through the darkness. 

The video for “Sow” has a different feeling.  Yes, there is still darkness, but more light comes through the shadows. It looks like neon lighting effects to me, which make it brighter.  The light will lead you out of the darkness, with the ultimate goal of finding something better in the end.

Lastly, the video for “Thrive”.  The lotus flower has finally bloomed!  It is a symbol of triumph and overcoming darkness.  In an interesting twist, Jody Linnell appears in the video as a character based loosely on an idea he had for a “defector” from an underground group called “The Lotus Society”. This defector is trying to free the lotus flower from the society. It definitely added a mysterious element to the video, and Jody had fun doing it.  The light at the end of the video from the face covering and the lotus flowers is the ultimate symbol of escaping the negativity and darkness.  

I definitely recommend listening to the three songs on the Lotus EP — “Seed”, “Sow”, and “Thrive” — in order to get the full idea behind the concept.  There is a great theme of overcoming darkness and negativity and finding a better version of yourself.

Coming up for Transient is the New World Order Tour in Texas with SevVven and Third & Delaware.  Check out Transient on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and the band’s website.

Photo credits:
Spade Image
Chris Montgomery

How do you describe an album so amazing that it brings you to tears as soon as you start listening to it?  Beautiful. Magical.  Mesmerizing.  Powerful.  Emotional.  BRILLIANT.

This is the masterpiece that Chrystal James and ANOXIA have created.  Relinquish The Quiet is a result of Chrystal and her band’s blood, sweat, and tears for many months leading up to the release of this full-length album. Chrystal’s songs tell a story that is not only personal, but relatable to the listeners.  She truly makes you feel like she understands the struggles we all deal with, because she has battled through them herself. There is solidarity and empathy in this common bond.

Based out of Maryland, ANOXIA is a hard rock band led by frontwoman Chrystal. She is backed by her “Guardians” – “Relic” (guitar); “Dust” (guitar); “Shadow” (keyboard/synthesizers); “Ash” (bass); and “Void” (drums)

The whole album was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Deep End Studios in Middle River, Maryland. All lyrics were written by Chrystal.  Most of the music was written by “Relic”.  He and Tony Correlli collaborated in the studio.  One of the songs on the album, “Fail Me”, was contributed by “Dust”.  Another track, “Tuum Exspiravit”, was originally written by “Shadow”, and the original composition was recreated in the studio. 

One of the awesome things about this album is the variety of the songs.  Each track is unique.  Some are heavier than others. But even those that aren’t quite as heavy have an unmistakable rock element that any headbanger will enjoy.  The guitars and bass, the keyboards and synths, and the drums all combine and blend with Chrystal’s breathtaking yet powerful vocals. This album is just the perfect marriage between intriguing melodies and sublime singing.

Relinquish The Quiet is a concept album.All of the songs together are meant to tell a story.  It’s a tale of battling through pain, sorrow, fear, darkness, loss, and heartache and becoming a strong, capable, powerful, fierce warrior in the end. The songs inspire the listeners to find the strength and the power that is inside each and every one of us.

I’d like to give some of my thoughts about the tracks on this album – my interpretation of the meanings behind the songs.  First off, there are excerpts between many of the songs, most of them spoken, called “Soundscapes”.  They add a mysterious element to the album and tie together nicely with the songs.  Most of them are named after the ANOXIA “Guardians”.

Resurrection
This track has been remastered from its previous form, and the difference is remarkable.  It is crisp and clean, and sharper.  To me, resurrection is a song about longing for someone who is no longer there.  Despite missing that person, you are somehow free to move on.

Fail Me
This is a song about someone trying to hold you back from your destiny.  You are stronger, however, and will fight through and overcome this struggle.

Tears, I Bleed
There are multiple themes in this song. Generally, it is about a relationship gone bad. Someone is trying to get over the pain and heartbreak, but at the same time is hoping the other person is hurting the same way.  It is also a song about strength and moving on.

Earthbound
Earthbound is an emotional song that is a reflection on the sacrifice and the consequences we face in our lives after giving up on things we love.  It’s about giving too much and not receiving enough to meet our needs – the lack of reciprocal love, and the lack of boundaries we have, even within ourselves.

All For You
Tying together with the theme of the previous track, this tells the story of realizing that you’ve been doing everything in your life for someone else.  But now it’s time to break free and do what you need to do FOR YOURSELF.

YANA
The title stands for “You Are Not Alone”.  This song, to me, seems to be about people who are suffering and think they’re all alone and nobody understands. But this is not the case. There is always someone there who understands and maybe is going through the same struggles, and can help lead you out of the darkness.

Relinquish The Quiet
The title track is also the album’s ultimate anthem.  It represents anyone who has suffered in silence but is now breaking that silence to speak their truth.  It’s the final triumphant outcome.

Tuum Exspiravit
In Latin, this can have several meanings, including:  “Your time has expired”; “Your ghost”; “The ghost of you”; or “Your essence”.  All of these are fitting for this wonderful song, as it has a haunting yet beautiful ambience.  This song is simply exquisite.

ANOXIA had an album release show Saturday, July 8th at Baltimore Soundstage. It was an amazing night. Other bands who performed were 51 Peg, Rise Among Rivals, Amathia, Distance To Dawn, and Lunatic High. All of the bands were awesome! The performance of Chrystal James and her Guardians was magical. It was her triumphant return to the stage with her own band singing her own songs after a long hiatus, and it fittingly reflects the theme of the Relinquish The Quiet album. Chrystal has battled and overcome so much, and she never, ever gave up. She is an inspiration for many. I’m so glad I was at the show so I could be a part of the magic.

I will be listening to every track on Relinquish The Quiet for years to come. If you want the full experience of this album, I highly encourage you to get a physical copy.  There are elements not included in the digital version, including a surprise at the end of Tuum Exspiravit.  Chrystal and her people should be so proud of the work they put into this project.  It is simply wonderful. I’d like to close out this review with something she shared with me.  It is something she has always and forever will quote:  “If anyone ever truly wished to know me, all they have to do is listen to my music.”

You can find ANOXIA on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Starner Photography

Relinquish The Quiet track listing
“HEX”
Resurrection
Fail Me
“Relic”
Tears, I Bleed
“Dust”
Earthbound
“Shadow”
All For You
YANA
“Ash”
Relinquish The Quiet
“Void”
Tuum Exspiravit

Chasing Supernovas, a rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, released a debut album, A Chance To Burn, earlier this year.  The album is full of interesting songs that keep the listeners on their toes.  One of those songs, “Razorblade Crosswalk”, has been re-mastered and upgraded to “Razorblade Crosswalk 2.0”.  The band collaborated with producer Myles Clayborne of Vigilante Productions on this project, and it is absolutely amazing! There is also a cool music video to go along with the new version.

Members of Chasing Supernovas include:  Kyle Sasse (lead guitar/backing vocals/songwriter); L.A. Skye (lead vocals/songwriter); Cody Heinke (drums/live sound); and Randall Miller (bass). The origins of Chasing Supernovas began with Dear Freida.  Things were changing with the band, including the sound.  Many of the songs on the A Chance To Burn album started out as Dear Freida songs.  Due to some internal struggles with the band, however, Lindsay and Kyle took a chance to breathe new life into what they had been working on for so long.  It was a re-birth of sorts. And lo and behold, Chasing Supernovas was born!

Regarding getting hooked up to work with Myles Clayborne, Kyle says he and Lindsay know his bandmate from the popular hard rock band Saul, Bill McIlravy, due to Bill being from Lincoln.  Myles is the drummer of Saul.  Lindsay and Kyle got to know Myles through various channels, including Facebook interaction. They say he is super personable and easy to talk to. They heard the work he had been doing as a producer with other bands such as SevVven and GEARS, and they knew they wanted to work with him because “he just makes magic”.

Why did they choose “Razorblade Crosswalk” for this project? Because, as Kyle says, it’s their most sought-after song and they knew Myles could help them sculpt it into something they could be proud of.  He definitely delivered! 

Kyle actually wrote the music and lyrics for “Razorblade Crosswalk” a long time ago – around 2006. He says, “Lindsay made it truly come alive, adding her amazing voice and ethereal layers”. They give credit to Cody Heinke for bringing their music alive on stage.  They are grateful to Matt Savner and Dawn McIntyre from MASSIVE MEDIA MS for pushing them to keep going and not give up despite the nay-sayers who said they couldn’t do it. 

When asked about the meaning behind “Razorblade Crosswalk”, Kyle tells a story about “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden.  It was stated that Chris Cornell wrote the lyrics as a poem, matching the word phrases together, but that the song wasn’t written about anything in particular.  Cornell wanted to allow the listeners the freedom to come up with their own personal meaning based on what they heard, not what he told them.  Kyle says he used this same approach with “Razorblade Crosswalk”. When I listen to the song, I interpret it as being about battling through self-destructive behavior and fighting to not let it get the best of you.  Kyle does share that it’s a song that was “birthed from negativity and living in a very dark time”.

So part of the purpose of writing this review is to compare the two versions of the song.  I really liked the original “Razorblade Crosswalk”.  It’s honestly probably my favorite song on the A Chance To Burn album.  When I first heard “Razorblade Crosswalk 2.0”, my mouth literally dropped open.  I couldn’t get over the  transformation.  It is clean, crisp, and polished. The vocals are layered perfectly. The electronic elements add an interesting twist.  The way this track was put together makes it sound heavier than the original.  The hard vocals give it a bit of a metalcore feel.  The bridge of the song has that headbanging element, and Kyle’s guitar solo is stellar.

Lindsay was the mastermind behind the “Razorblade Crosswalk 2.0” music video.  She spent countless hours filtering through different video segments, cutting and splicing, fitting people’s images into TVs, and creating the amazing effects.  Kyle says, “She did it all and she nailed it!
 Both Lindsay and Kyle filmed all of the video using only iPhones and one GoPro.

The concept behind the video . . . TVs are cool? But in all seriousness, Lindsay wanted to incorporate more than just the TVs. She wanted to toggle back and forth between retro and modern times, using TVs, theater screens, laptops, computer monitors, and even phones.  Not to mention the clip of the band on the billboard!  That was a play on social media as well as where they hope to be in the future with their band. The video is fun and interesting!  It’s energetic and includes cameo appearances by many awesome people from the music industry who have been supportive of Chasing Supernovas.  It’s awesome to see so many people come together for this project to support this great band.

Chasing Supernovas is starting to book shows all over the U.S.  They have performances lined up in late July in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. They are working on setting up a “weekend warrior tour” in the Chicago area, as well as hopefully a bigger tour of the Gulf Coast next year.  After that . . . the world? There will also be more new music to come!  The desire and determination along with the work ethic of this band will certainly lead to awesome things in the future for Chasing Supernovas!

You can find Chasing Supernovas on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Let me start by saying how fortunate I feel to have found this awesome band, THEM GUYS.  I live in Pennsylvania, but about a year and a half ago I started developing connections with a lot of bands on the Gulf Coast, especially Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.  THEM GUYS became one of those bands.  I quickly realized how special they are.  Not only are they a fantastic rock band, they are also some of the nicest people in the Gulf Coast music scene. They support other bands and are amazing with their fans.  People are drawn to their magnetism, which makes their shows spectacular.

THEM GUYS is a band from South Louisiana made up of four friends who are more like brothers and have the same music vision. The band includes:  Nick Oubre (lead vocals/rhythm guitar); Anthony Green (lead guitar/backing vocals); John Waguespack (bass/backing vocals); and Chet Tabor (drums/percussion/backing vocals). The band formed in 2019 and was originally going to be a Chevelle tribute band, but because of COVID they shifted their focus to creating original music.  In 2020 THEM GUYS released their first studio album, All A Dream, courtesy of OCD Recording and Productions.  The second album, Insomnious, came out in 2022, also via OCD.

Recently, THEM GUYS have been focusing primarily on live shows.  The band joined forces with Pro Audio Video & Security LLC. in 2022, and MASSIVE MEDIA MS in November 2022.  Ross Johnson was added as producer/sound man, and Benjamin Kliebert became the light man for the band.

The amazing support of THEM GUYS fans is highlighted in a story Chet Tabor tells.  “We met our great friends David and Erin Pesquie at Battlefield Bar when we opened for Flaw.  It was our first show as an original band. Ever since then, they have become family.  We do some holidays together, they make it to the majority of our shows, and they support us in the most adamant ways possible. An interesting thing is when we played at 19th Hole Grill and Bar in The Woodlands, Texas, which was about five and a half hours away from home. We were standing outside waiting to go on stage, and here comes a car with Louisiana plates pulling into the parking lot.  Low and behold, David and Erin got out of the car after driving at least six hours to come to our show and support us.  Our minds were blown!”

THEM GUYS recently released a great new song, “Push Away”, with a music video to go along with it. This is the first track being released off the band’s upcoming third studio album, Delusions, and if it’s any indication, fans of THEM GUYS are in for a real treat when the album drops.

The song-writing process for THEM GUYS is the same as it has always been.  Basically, Nick writes the lyrics, and the whole band writes the musical elements of the songs together. The main difference now is that Ross Johnson is producing the music and helping the band find that next level of greatness.  Right from the start of “Push Away”, that funky guitar riff catches your attention.  Nick’s vocals in the verses are hard but somehow melodic, too.  The singing kicks in for the pre-chorus and the chorus, and the vocals combine harmoniously.  The guitars are thunderous and the drums and bass combine to create a headbanging rhythm.  There is a stellar guitar solo by Anthony in the bridge!  I really like this song.  It seems to be a different direction for THEM GUYS from their previous work, and I’m excited to hear the rest of the music they’re creating for the upcoming album!

“Push Away” is a song about dealing with anxiety and distancing yourself from your problems, and sometimes, from everyday life in general.  The lyrics reflect what goes on inside your head when you are trying to escape from the problems and anxiety – almost like what you’d be saying to yourself in that situation.

What can I say about the video for “Push Away”?  It’s awesome! It truly reflects the electric energy THEM GUYS brings to the stage during their live performances. The lighting and ambience are spectacular.  The band credits director and editor Nick Miller of JNickMiller Productions for his “incredible work” on the video.  They say he exceeded their expectations by miles.  Ross Johnson came in at the last minute, dialed in the lighting, and turned the video into something the band couldn’t have even dreamed of.  Gene Broome from Spade Image helped also.  Chet says Gene always goes above and beyond for the band, and they can’t thank him enough.  They appreciate Dustin Lanier from Awaken The Giant, who allowed the band to use his studio to film the video. Alex Carr from NVSN helped out setting up scenery, and Dustin’s bandmate Mike Yorks was also on hand to offer support. There were so many people who came together to make the video shoot an awesome experience, and you can see that from the professionalism of the final product. It’s just a really fun video to watch.

The entire upcoming Delusions album is written, but there is no set release date yet.  The band is working hard to get it out to their adoring fans.  Meanwhile, THEM GUYS have several upcoming shows:

Saturday, July 1 – Hurricanes Sports Bar in Metaire, LA
Saturday, July 22 – The Sound 228 Dirty Thirty Fest at The Juke Joint in Ocean Springs, MS
Saturday, August 12 – Hometown Throwdown Music Fest ’23 at Warren J. Harang, Jr. Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux, LA
Saturday, August 26 – Hollywoods Bar in Napoleonville, LA

THEM GUYS can be found on Facebook, YouTube, and the band’s website.

The Storyline, an up-and-coming band from Jonesboro, Arkansas, recently released a debut single, “Secrets”, and a music video to go along with it.  If this song is any indication, this band has a bright future ahead.

Members of The Storyline include Adam Stormes (lead vocals, rhythm guitar); Brent Holcomb (backing vocals, lead guitar); Travis Smith (drums); and Carson Hewett (bass). The band describes itself as post-hardcore, EMO, pop-punk. Basically, several genres mixed together to form an awesome sound that would appeal to a lot of listeners.

How did The Storyline begin?  Adam wanted to start a band that wrote original music and use the influences of his favorite high-school bands. As he says, “being an elder EMO guy”, he wanted some flavors of emo, post-hardcore and pop-punk. After gathering a few members in March 2022, the project wasn’t moving forward very fast, until May when Brent and Travis became “free agents” after the band they were in disbanded, and they joined The Storyline. The band started writing, and it became clear that they all worked well together. They played their first show together just a month after Brent and Travis came on board. The Storyline caught the eye of Joel Gillihan, guitarist and vocalist of Memphis band Twelve Spies, and they became friends with him. They accepted his offer to record their EP with him at his home studio in Memphis. They have made several trips to the studio and are working on recording songs for their first EP.  When founding member Buddy had to leave The Storyline due to personal reasons, Carson recently joined the band as the bass player. Carson is a multi-instrumentalist, and the band is excited to have his skill and creativity. 

“Secrets” was the first song the band wrote.  It came together quickly, which made it apparent how well the band writes together.  The song structure was developed by Adam, Brent, and Travis, along with former bass player Buddy.  Adam got lyrical inspiration from the pain of real-life experiences, and Brent added lyrics for the bridge to help bring out the dark and intense vibe of the song.

The band members of The Storyline give credit for production and audio quality of “Secrets” to Joel from Twelve Spies, who has been a phenomenal producer and friend. The band agrees that the music video turned out excellent, and Joe Lane from Anointed Media made it a super fun process for them.  The stars of the video are Keragan and Gavin.  They did a wonderful job portraying the painful, chaotic spiral of failed relationships.

Most of the song is very fast-paced and high energy. There are two catchy guitar riffs that I really like – one in the chorus and one in the verses. Adam has a tremendous vocal range.  The bridge of the song has a slower tempo, but it builds back up to hard vocals – Brent’s screams layered with Adam’s yells — that reflect the raw emotion of the song’s theme.

My interpretation of “Secrets” is that it is a song about a relationship that is based on lies and secrets and is about to fall apart. It’s also emotionally devastating, especially to one person in the relationship. Adam shares, “We think the song is about something a lot of people have experienced. It is a darker song about a dark time in my life. The song has personally helped me process and move past some of my own pain. Hopefully it will do that for someone else.”

Regarding the video, the band wanted something that fit the theme, and decided an abandoned structure was a perfect reflection of the dark vibe of the song.  The video loosely narrates the events laid out in the lyrics.  You can see in the video examples of how lies and deceit cause the main character pain and lead him to spiral into hopelessness and self-destructive behavior.

What’s coming up for The Storyline?  The band will be performing at a local festival in Jonesboro scheduled for September 8th and 9th.  They’re planning an EP release show in November at The Foundation Of Arts Forum. The band would definitely like to break into the Little Rock music scene.  Another new song, “Mistakes”, will be released June 23rd.

The Storyline can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Linktree.

Penny Fountain is a band from the Tampa, Florida, area that encompasses multiple music genres, including alternative rock, hard rock, modern rock, punk, and EMO. The band recently released a new single, “White Whale”, and it’s a perfect combination of all the band’s musical styles wrapped up into ones song.

Members of Penny Fountain include:  Xavier Wilkinson (lead vocals/bass); Tony Massaro (backup vocals/guitar); and Joel Lopez (drums).  The three were high school friends who formed the band back in 2018.  They began recording with the Del Couch Music Education Foundation, and started out playing shows locally in the Tampa area.

Tony says the band name Penny Fountain and the name of one of their first songs share the same story in how they came to be.  “One day in 2018, I was at the Brandon Mall thinking about a name for our ‘new’ band.  I was listening to music and ‘Early Sunsets Over Monroeville’ by My Chemical Romance came on.  I was sitting by one of the fountains in the middle of the mall and heard the lyric ‘pennies in colder fountains’ and something just clicked for me.  I thought, ‘What if we called the band Penny Fountain?’ and I just remember really liking that name. When I got home, I finished a song that I had been working on for the band, and I called it ‘Brandon Mall'”.

Penny Fountain released a debut single, “Brainz”, in July 2019, and subsequently released a music video October 31st of that year.  In March 2021, the band appeared on the reality show No Cover, where they performed on the stage of The Troubadour in Los Angeles.  The show was a great learning opportunity for the band, and they used that experience to help them evolve into the band they are today.  Kellin Quinn, lead singer of the band Sleeping With Sirens, was their mentor for No Cover, and Penny  Fountain would love to collaborate with him in the future.  Musical influences for the band include Smashing Pumpkins, blink-182, and Bring Me The Horizon.

Despite being a young band, there is already a cool history behind Penny Fountain. As the band says, “Even though we are relatively young, we have a plethora of stories we can share.”  One of their favorites is when they were playing Tampa Mini Fest at New World Brewery.  They were packing up their gear after their set outside when all of a sudden, the back door opened and the bouncer kicked a guy out of the venue. “When the door opened, we saw all this smoke pouring out of the venue.  The bouncer just kept yelling at the guy and telling him to get out. The guy had two sparklers in his hand and put them on the ground.  We’re all looking at it wondering what’s going on. Then seconds later they both catch on fire and two big ass flames just like shoot out like six feet in the air. That show was wild. The entire venue was completely filled with smoke. It turns out that the man decided to light fireworks during his second song of his set inside of an indoor venue and it did NOT go well. That was some of the funniest shit we’ve ever seen.”

When it comes to the song creation process for Penny Fountain, lyrics are written by Tony and Xavier, while all three band members write the music.  The whole band has input on all projects, so it’s a cohesive joint effort on everything they put out.  Each song is credited as being written by Penny Fountain.  The band believes that it is important to create and perform as a unit rather than as individual members. As Tony says, the band members are more like brothers than friends, which is why they work together so well.

The new Penny Fountain single “White Whale” was recorded at Del Couch Music Foundation’s studio and was mixed and mastered by Kyle Jeffcoat from Chasing Airplanes.  The Del Couch Music Education Foundation is a non-profit program run by Del Couch to help youth musicians gain experience and knowledge about the music industry.  The foundation offers free access to music education, recording equipment, and mentorship.

The band describes “White Whale” as a song that “evokes emotions of longing for something that can never be obtained. The vocals and guitar riffs create a desperate plea to gain back what was lost, while the synths generate a haunting, ethereal melody and a dreamlike ambience”. The song starts out with mellow vibes but picks up with heavier guitar riffs and thunderous drums.  Xavier’s vocals are soft at the beginning but get more intense as the song proceeds.  I love the vibe of this song.  It makes me happy and takes me away to another world where I just get lost in the music.  To me, that is what makes a great song.

To go along with the single, Penny Fountain just released a great lyric video.  It was put together by Matthew Jacques of AnuvaMedia.  According to Matthew, the band wanted a spooky vibe with graves included, and he incorporated those requests perfectly in the video. 

Penny Fountain has several shows coming up in July: 
Friday July 14th with RichGxth in Miami
Friday July 28th at Neverfest in Sarasota
Saturday July 29th NASCAR Aloe Mansion Show

The band is currently working on their latest single, with plans to release it this summer. There will also be two more singles along with accompanying music videos before the release of an EP sometime this fall.

Penny Fountain recently became part of the MASSIVE MEDIA MS family.  Massive Media will be handling booking and management for the band.

You can find Penny Fountain on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Linktree, and the band’s website.

CARBONSTONE, an industrial alternative metal band from Westminster, Maryland, just released a new single, “Damaged Like You”, and a music video to accompany it.  Like all of this band’s music, this new song provides an insight into the mind and heart of frontman Corey James, and shares emotions that anyone can relate to in their own lives.

Members of CARBONSTONE include Corey (songwriter/vocals/guitars); Neely Johns (guitars/additional live screams); Eric Dee (bass); Jeremy Robertson (drums and programming); Tony Correlli (synths and production); and, last but definitely NOT least, “Frankie Carbonstone” (nightmare hype bear). Frankie has quickly become a CARBONSTONE fan favorite, and is a fixture in videos, at shows, and on the band’s Facebook live video streams.

CARBONSTONE has an interesting history.  After eight years on hiatus, Corey brought the band back in 2019.  They dropped an EP called Oddity and a few singles up until 2021.  Corey calls the process of recording the 2021 album Dark Matter “crazy”, and the band couldn’t wait to finally get back on stage  They had all of the pieces except for one – a drummer.  Corey says finding the right drummer is always the toughest thing for a band. Fortunately, synth player/engineer Tony knew the right guy for the job.  Here’s an unbelievable but true story – Corey met this drummer, Jeremy, at one full rehearsal just two days before playing their giant return show in Baltimore.  Thanks to the “band Gods”, Jeremy handled the stress and pressure well and the band nailed the performance!

When it comes to songwriting, lyrics are very important to Corey.  He says he likes to think of each song that he writes as a tiny sliver of the madness inside his head.  And there’s a lot, he says jokingly. Corey shares,  “Musically, I always write the core foundation of each song – guitars, vocal melodies, and song structure.  I’ll demo it with Neely once I feel the entire song is complete and ready enough to take the next step.  After it’s properly demoed, I then take it over to Tony’s studio where he and I will drink coffee or beer and upgrade the song with all of the killer synth elements.”

Corey says that CARBONSTONE had an entire team backing them on “Damaged Like You”. “I’ll say right off the bat that this was actually Jeremy’s first time tracking drums to a CARBONSTONE song since joining the band. Up until now, all of our drums had been digitally programmed. He did a wicked job on this one and Tony crushed it as usual with his mixing and mastering.  I’m super happy with how the whole song came out!” Corey gives huge props to TJ Darpino from Darpino Media and Josh Grosscup from the band Pink Elefants for their killer work on the music video. TJ did all of the filming and Josh did all of the editing. “They are both absolutely talented dudes and I couldn’t be happier to have them as part of the team!”, Corey shares.

CARBONSTONE songs always seem to be written from deep down in the depths of Corey’s heart and soul.  He says, “It’s all mainly whatever I’m feeling at that moment in time when I’m writing. I tend to draw from my past a lot. I have a lot of not-so-happy memories from my earlier years. That’s why this one (“Damaged Like You”) is extra special for me. I was able to write it from not only my own perspective, but as anyone dealing with depression, sadness, trauma as a whole. It’s definitely something I know we can all relate to, unfortunately.” This is one of the many things that draw fans in to the music of CARBONSTONE.

The guitar riffs on “Damaged Like You” are intricate and multifaceted, and the bass and drums combine in perfect unison. The synth/electronic elements add so much complexity to the track.  The song varies in tempo, with the verses being fast paced, compared to a slower pace for the chorus.  That changes up at the end of the song, when the chorus picks up in intensity, featuring rapid-fire drums.  Corey’s distinctive, passionate voice portrays the emotion of the song, and there are some growls and screams mixed in for emphasis.  I’m just going to say that, after following CARBONSTONE for a little over two years now, “Damaged Like You” just might be this band’s best song yet.

The video for “Damaged Like You” is dark and symbolic.  Corey came up with the concept at almost the same time he was writing the song.  He always tries to incorporate some kind of “horror” theme into his videos because he is a mega horror movie fan.  He looks at each video as a chance to make a mini four-minute movie.  Corey’s wife, Chrystal James, the frontwoman of ANOXIA, and their good friend and photographer Beth Starner did an amazing job with the costume for “The Wraith”.  It actually took them a few days to assemble it together.  The band wants to thank their good friend Roger and his family. Roger went “above and beyond” for the music video. The whole thing was shot on their property in March.

The setting for the video is the band playing in a forest with flames and smoke.  This is the same forest featured in the cover art for the 2019 Oddity EP. “Frankie Carbonstone” is featured prominently in the video, which fans of CARBONSTONE love.  He stirs up “The Wraith” (portrayed by Chrystal James), and it is finally revealed who the hand from the Dark Matter album cover belongs to. Corey says “The Wraith” is the physical manifestation of darkness, sadness, depression, doubt, etc. The green glow from the lantern “The Wraith” carries is particularly emblematic. There are some moments later in the video where Frankie is lurking behind Corey, like a haunting presence that won’t go away.

Corey says writing music comes in waves for him.  He’s not sure when the next new song will be, so he wants to see how far “Damaged Like You” can go. The song and video are already getting great response. He hopes people enjoy this new track as humanly (or “vampirically”) as possible!

CARBONSTONE is currently booking shows for the summer.  The band is scheduled to play at Rock On The Hill in Hanover, PA May 13th and The Sound 228 Dirty Thirty Fest at The Juke Joint in Ocean Springs, Mississippi July 22nd. The bamd cam be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Beth Starner of Beth Starner Photography.

REdEFIND, a band from Greenville, South Carolina that combines elements of Hard Rock, Nu Metal, Metalcore, and Rap/Rock, recently released a new EP called AudioVideoDisco. The EP is interesting and unique, and definitely would attract listeners of any genre of rock spanning multiple decades.

The band lineup includes:  Jordan Caparell (vocals): Dru Woodall (guitar); Drew Porter (bass, vocals); and Dustan Snow (drums). REdEFIND signed with Godsize Records in August 2021.  The band is compared to Korn, Sevendust, Deftones, Fire From The Gods, and Beartooth.  Personally, I hear influences of Nonpoint, Papa Roach, and From Ashes To New. My boyfriend says they remind him of P.O.D.  In all honesty, REdEFIND has their own special style and energy that shows on this EP, as well as important messages to share with their songs. 

AudioVideoDisco is the fourth EP released overall by the band, and the third with the current lineup.  Physical copies of the EP will be available June 2nd, and will include two bonus tracks:  a cover of Halsey’s “I Am Not A Woman I’m A God” and a cover of “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X that REdEFIND released during the COVID pandemic for fun. There’s a music video for “Montero”.

REdEFIND has an interesting band history.  Dustan and Drew are the two remaining original members.  The band was technically formed in 2012, but has gone through a good number of member changes since then.  Things really got moving along when Dru, Bobby Lark, and Branden Knapp joined the band.  They released an EP called Pros And Cons with that lineup.  While recording what would become the Let’s Party EP, Branden was in a terrible motorcycle accident.  Due to the injuries and mental strain, he stepped away from the band, wishing them the best of luck finding a new vocalist.  A good number of vocalists auditioned.  The third one was Jordan.  As soon as they started jamming, they knew he was the right guy for the job.  After accepting the frontman duties, Jordan hit the studio, and shortly thereafter the band released Let’s Party.  Their first video with the new lineup was for the title track of that EP, followed by “Spoiled”, “Dead Boi”, and “Miss Jackson (If Ya Nasty)”.

The writing process for REdEFIND is interesting. As Dustan says, “We tend to write differently. Jordan does most of the lyrics, but is always open to suggestions. Musically. sometimes Dru will come in with a riff or a complete song written. Sometimes I will give Dru a ‘mouth riff’ and he will take whatever idea I give and make it much, much cooler. ‘Big Drew’ normally will structure out a song or he will do the fine tuning on a riff or track and often it’s for the better afterwards.”

Regarding the themes of REdEFIND songs, Dustan shares, “Jordan writes about life from either a personal standpoint or from something he has noticed in society. We are big advocates for mental health. which will come across heavy on AudioVideoDisco.”

The band credits Zack Dufort with Exodian Studios in Black Mountain, NC for his work on the AudioVideoDisco EP. Dustan calls him “a wizard that makes the songs sound the best that they can.”  Notable elements of REdEFIND music include chugging guitars, thunderous drums and bass, and powerful vocals – a combination of singing, rapping, and screams.

I want to highlight a few songs on the EP that I really liked.

“This Is Fine”
This is a song about battling mental health issues, but you keep trying to convince everyone you’re “fine”.  The lyrics in the chorus sum it up.
“I’m fine!
Even tho I find my own heart and my mind are always constantly battling
I’m ok!
These are the things that we say. Each and every day to hide that we’re caving in”

The middle of this song reminds me of the band Tool.  It is slower paced with softer vocals by Jordan and a catchy set of guitar riffs.

“Fake Love”
This is a song about someone whose love is conditional and they’re only around when things are good and “convenient”. This is reflected in the opening verse.
“You only come around
When it’s convenient for you
Think it was easy for me without seeing the Hell I’ve been through
You’re only here for the ups
You’ll never see me when I’m down
If it benefits you that’s the only time you’re around”

“Memories”

This song is a tribute to the fans of REdEFIND!  To me, this song isn’t about being famous.  It’s a song about wanting to make an impact on people’s lives through music.  The third verse shows how much the band loves and appreciates their fans.
“There’s so much that I want to say
But there’s not enough words or hours I could spend in a day
To express the love that’s been expressed to me
You’ve all shown me the things that I just cannot believe
You think you need me well I definitely need you
You wouldn’t believe all the things that you’ve helped me through
If this is the last song I write and the last thing I say
I hope it gives you light to make it through these dark days”

The chorus shows the hope that their music will live on for years to come.
“Even if I go away
Tomorrow or today
Keep me a memory
Remember me”

A line near the end of the song especially moved me.  “We’ll still live on.  Through all our songs.”  I think everyone can relate to wanting to make an impact and leave a lasting legacy, if not with the whole world, at least in their own community or family. The final vocal segment of this song is awesome. It almost reminds me of a choir singing.  It’s actually Jordan doing multiple harmonies.  He is joined in singing by Cameron Segars, the vocalist of A War Within (Easley, SC), and Zack Dufort, guitarist of Fractured Frames (Asheville, NC) and, as mentioned above, the producer of AudioVideoDisco.

The band members of REdEFIND are always writing and coming up with new riffs and ideas for future songs. Dustan says, “We are planning on trying a few different ways of writing on new material just to see what we come up with.”

REdEFIND has an upcoming tour with Ill Nino, Through Fire, and Dropout Kings. There is a show planned for the physical release of AudioVideoDisco June 2nd at The Radio Room in Greenville SC with Den of Wolves (Charlotte, NC), H3RO (Greenville, SC), and Mydas XXII (Anderson, SC). There are quite a few other shows sprinkled in throughout the rest of the year and another major announcement by the band coming soon! 

You can find REdEFIND on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Linktree.

AudioVideoDisco Track Listing

This Is Fine
Outcasts
Progress
Fake Love
Helping Hands
Memories

BONUS TRACKS – PHYSICAL COPIES ONLY – AVAILABLE JUNE 2 ND
I Am Not A Woman I’m A God — Halsey cover
Montero (Call Me By Your Name) – Lil Nas X cover

Review written by Annie Schlottman and Dan Nazar

Annie

The popular modern alternative metal band Pop Evil recently released a new album called Skeletons, and fans of this Michigan quintet are sure to hear a progression to a heavier sound compared to previous albums. The tone of this album also seems to be a bit darker, but there are still themes of hope, courage, and inspiration that will remind you of earlier Pop Evil songs.

Members of Pop Evil include Leigh Kakaty (lead vocals); Dave Grahs (guitar, backing vocals); Nick Fuelling (guitar); Hayley Cramer (drums); and Joey “Chicago” Walser (bass).  Pop Evil was formed in 2001, and Kakaty is the only original member.  The band is with the MNRK Music Group record label.

In order to fully understand the direction in which Pop Evil’s music has been heading, I listened to their last two albums in their entirety – Versatile (2001) and Pop Evil (2018).  In my opinion, the new music on Skeletons is definitely a little harder than on those last two albums.  There is almost a metalcore feel at times with the occasional hard vocals.

My friend Dan Nazar and I collaborated on this review, and he and I each chose a few songs to highlight.  His songs are below.

Dan

This album has a heavy theme of mental health issues, and how we fight through them to become a stronger person than when we first got hit with these issues. Even through the decay we can become better people if we really want to.

“Paranoid (Crash And Burn)”
The first song I am going to write about is “Paranoid (Crash and Burn)”, which is the second track on the album. The song is about being paranoid, having the voices in your head be your worst enemies, and having everyone see your scars even when you do not want them to. It starts with a hard guitar riff being played over a good amount of time for build up, then everything else comes in like a shock to the system. It’s very catchy and pretty heavy. I like the melody and the lyrics. Speaking of the lyrics, a few lines into the song — “The scars from my past are like matches/Soaked in kerosene, now/Everyone can see” — matches soaked in kerosene will burn really bright. It could also burn a house down if you let it, so more than likely everyone could see the pain in his eyes. The chorus is a cry for help. Could someone help him when he’s falling into the deep, dark pits of his mind? Will someone save him from himself? Then the repetition of “The voice in my head is a threat” with the word “paranoid” in the background — he could very well be paranoid. This could cause him to “crash and burn” if it goes on long enough as it usually leads to a self-sabotage of sorts. Towards the end the singer states “I don’t know how it all began/And I don’t want it all to end me” and “I pushed you out to keep it inside”. He is pushing something or someone away to keep the paranoia inside, even though maybe he should not do this if it is just paranoia. It is a great song with meaningful lyrics and awesome instrumentals.

“Skeletons”
The next song I want to discuss is the album title track, “Skeletons”. It actually is a little bit softer with a country rock vibe. There is a tambourine in the back track playing. The song itself switches between country rock and just rock. At some points when it is slower there is a more distinguished country rock vibe, but when everything kicks in it flows more to the rock side of the music. I feel that the lyrics are a critique of the world and ourselves as humans. “Whenever it’s sundown with nowhere to go/I’m running from the dead of night/So I drive down a lonely road/Praying for the morning light” is the first verse. After sundown a lot of people go to sleep and that’s when everything during the day(s) that you may have done wrong or thought you screwed up takes a hold. Some people go for long car rides to listen to music or have things to cope with their daily life, but it is really just to escape the thoughts of the night to get to another day. The song talks about how turning on the news is now a hellish ringside preview to a world that’s gone mad. I think that part is true, too, as everything on the news has to be negative or divisive to get views nowadays. The more we watch the more we spin and the more we spin the more we lose ourselves to our own demons. We become broken down, lonely, and lost. One of the lines that really gets me in this song is “What doesn’t kill us leaves a hole in our soul”. It seems like it is the opposite of “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”. Although both are correct to some degree, we as humans need human contact that is not negative. For the most part, all we see or hear is negative and so we all break down and can fall to our own demons if we let it happen. I think that “Chase a satellite, get lost in outer space” has something to do with the digital age and how this is making everything worse rather than better for us as well. All in all, it is a great song that deals with human interaction — how we treat each other individually – and the global news spectrum.

“Who Will We Become”
“Who Will We Become” has a heavier guitar and drum track but not so heavy that it overtakes the lyrics in any shape or form. I almost think this was done on purpose to give the lyrics more attention because the band thought that the lyrics to this song were more important. This is not to say that the instrumentals are bad. They are pretty good, if not a little bit typical for a rock song. The song, in my opinion, is about events that you cannot control taking a hold of your daily life, and you have two choices — you can choose to be consumed by them, or realize the fact that you can’t control these events, so why let them control you? “Are we caught in the deep end? Is there hope for a sign?” in the first verse sounds like we are past the point of no return, and questions if there is hope that we could turn this ship around. I think the next few lines are more political — “Are we stuck in the future? Where the blind lead the blind?”. Politicians do not have our best interests at heart no matter what you think. They seem to be out of touch, a little too rich for their own good and it shows in their policy or sometimes lack thereof. The chorus is the central theme of it all as well, stating “We may not control the events that happen to us . . . But we have a choice to choose who we will become. Who will we become?”. This emphasizes the point I made at the beginning — you do have a choice in how events you can’t control impact you. The bridge is also really cool, too. In my opinion, taking all your misery and fear and burning it all down is a way to start anew. The instrumentals are cool with a small solo after the bridge, but the lyrics are what make this song really shine.

I would check this album out if I were a new or old Pop Evil fan. They always make great songs with meaningful lyrics, though if you are looking for heavy metal music this is more alternative rock than heavy metal. This does not take away from any of their music, though. I love this album and would recommend it to anyone who is into the heavy alternative rock sound.

Annie

“Eye Of The Storm”
This was the first single released off the Skeletons album, and became a hit right away.  The band describes the meaning behind the song: “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, at some point we all face a situation beyond our control. The wind howls at your door as darkness fills the sky and everything you know is being tested. You don’t know if you can survive it. At times, it feels hopeless, but it’s not. There is a path through the chaos and a way out of the confusion. You are stronger and closer than you think you are. The storm will pass. Don’t let it bury you.” 

The recurrent line “You’re only one step away” is symbolic of a choice you have – you can either give up and step over the ledge, or keep going and step away from the pain and darkness.  Even when things seem hopeless, you’re closer than you realize to getting away from the storm. The chorus sums up the theme.
“You’re only one step away
From breaking down the walls you made
The walls you made and
I know it’s hard to move on
I know it’s hard to let go
But you’re only one step away
From getting out of the eye of the storm”

“Eye Of The Storm” is a high tempo song with killer guitar riffs and pounding drums.  There are also electronic elements mixed in.  Hard vocals combined with singing add a heavier sound to the track.

“Circles”
To me, this is a song about the “circle of life” – it’s a constant loop from birth to death. Our lives are stories that we write. There are ups and downs and hard times – but you can change things up by “turning the page”.  Ultimately, you always come back to your “home” – the place where you were alwayss meant to be. 

The chorus reflects the concept of our lives being books with chapters and pages that we turn as we see fit.

“All the chapters, they come and they go
The pain will fade before you know
All the pages we tear out alone
But running in circles brings you home”

The verses of “Circles” feature rapid-fire drums, and there is a heavy breakdown in the middle of the track.

“Worth It”
This song is a ballad of sorts.  It incorporates the album title, with “skeletons” being mentioned at the beginning of the song – representing the mental health issues that so many people go through.  It’s a song about facing your sadness, fear, doubts, and mistakes head on and pulling yourself up – because you’re worth more than you realize and need to keep going.  You’re not doing this for anyone else – you’re doing it for YOURSELF. The chorus provides an encouraging message.
“How does it feel to live every day
Holding on, but so broken?
How do you heal when you can’t explain
Why your heart is so frozen?
But it’s in the dark, you’ll find a spark
To get to the other side
I know that it feels like there’s no escape
But you’re the reason and the purpose
I promise you, you’re worth it!”

The bridge of the song shows empathy with the struggle we all go through every day.
“I can see it on your face
Every tear you can’t erase
When your world falls down
Get off the ground
You’re more than your mistakes
I can see it in your eyes
You’re dying to survive
You’re dying to survive”

Leigh Kakaty’s vocals on this track are wonderful and make it a very emotional song.  There is also a stellar guitar riff in the middle of the song.

BONUS:  “Dead Reckoning” (with Fit For A King vocalist Ryan Kirby)
The producer of the Skeletons album, Drew Fulk (WZRD BLD), heard the demo and immediately suggested that Ryan would be the perfect fit for a vocal collaboration.  The band says “Dead Reckoning” is about “a clear and unwavering decision a person makes within themselves”.

Even when things seem dark, you can find the light by staying strong and true to your convictions.  If you do this, you’ll win in the end.  This is highlighted in the chorus.
“I’m running through hell
I’m running through sorrow
I see the light in the distance
I will prevail the darkest tomorrow
There’s no turning back for me
Dead reckoning”

“Dead Reckoning” is a high tempo song with lots of electronic elements and rapid-fire drums.  The combination of hard and clean vocals and a heavy breakdown at the end with a killer guitar riff definitely give this song a metalcore vibe.

Pop Evil will begin a tour of the UK and Europe May 4th, and is scheduled to play at multiple music festivals this summer in the United States and Canada. The band can be found on Facebook, Instagram, the band’s website, and YouTube.

Skeletons Track Listing

Arrival
Paranoid (Crash & Burn)
Circles
Eye Of The Storm
Sound Of Glory
Skeletons
Worth it
Who Will We Become
Wrong Direction (Pop Evil, Devour The Day)
Dead Reckoning (Pop Evil, Fit For A King)
Raging Bull (Pop Evil, ZILLION)

Recently Ehren Thomas, the lead vocalist of Weekend Picnic, asked me if I would listen to the band’s self-titled Weekend Picnic album and critique it.  I was happy to do it.  I’ve been following and listening to this Minnesota rock band’s unique music for quite a while, so I thought this would be awesome.  Making it even cooler was that Ehren offered to send me the .wav files of the songs, which provide a much better sound quality.  I really appreciated that the band allowed me to listen to their music this way.  Everything was so crystal clear.  I could really hear all of the intricate details of the music and Ehren’s wonderful vocals.

The Weekend Picnic lineup includes:  Ehren; Ben Valle (rhythm guitar); Patrick Bangasser (lead guitar); and Drew Morrisette (drums).  The band was  founded by Ben Valle in early 2019.  At that time, the band still did not have a name yet.  Drew was the original drummer.  Ehren and Patrick were added later that year.  All of the current band members were involved in the completion and recording of the self-titled Weekend Picnic album.

As for the band’s name, it was created by the original lead guitarist, and it came to him in a dream. The initial reaction included some laughs, but eventually it just felt right.  As Ben says, “Weekend Picnic is not your typical angsty and edgy hard rock band.  We’re a chill group of guys with a sense of humor.  It’s fun to have a name that reflects our personality more than what the industry expects.”

Most, if not all, instrumental components of Weekend Picnic songs are written and recorded on a live stream.  Ben used to do #CreativeSunday streams on his Twitch channel – he would sit down to write and record whatever came to him.  This music would span any genre or style, but the best tracks were often hard rock.  One day after a live stream when he wrote “Believe In Me” he decided that this music needed an outlet to be performed.  That set the stage for the creation of Weekend Picnic – both the band and the album.

Musical elements of Weekend Picnic songs are mostly written by Ben.  He offers an extensive pedigree of instrumental composition.  Drew and Patrick always add their personal touch and feel to the music as well, to truly bring it to life.  Ehren compliments Ben’s musicality as the lyricist.  He takes the music and melodies and writes from his heart.  Ehren and Ben often work together to align the feel and texture of a song, and then Ehren will take the notes to write a story, an anthem, or a piece of poetry that speaks about a given theme or situation to a wide audience.

The Weekend Picnic album was produced by Ian Combs at River Rock Studios.  Ian is a musical engineering juggernaut in the local rock scene and was an instrumental component in bringing the band’s vision to life.  For a new band trying to break into the scene, the members of Weekend Picnic learned and grew a ton working with him.  The band gives special thanks to their families for their constant support and to their friends for always encouraging them. They are also extremely grateful to anyone who has checked out their music and attended their shows.  This band is extremely passionate about their music.  They truly believe that music can impact lives profoundly, and their fans enable them to continue to do just that.  Their support means everything.

Listening to Weekend Picnic music is a very emotional thing. What do I mean by that?  Let’s see if I can explain it with an example of a recent morning as I was on my way to work.  I had the Weekend Picnic album playing in my car via my Bluetooth and I was literally in tears as I was driving.  The work this band creates takes me to another place. The melodies, Ehren’s singing, the variety of the music from soft to heavy, the relatable themes – it’s all amazing and ethereal.  This is one of the most beautiful things about music – when it conjures up a range of emotions that shake your soul to the core.

Weekend Picnic’s music is so interesting and complex.  It incorporates electronic and keyboard elements, stellar guitar-playing, and the dynamic rhythm of the drums.  Ehren’s vocal range is remarkable.  It can easily transition from soft to powerful, and there are some hard vocals by lead guitarist Patrick sprinkled in for emphasis.  One of the songs on the Weekend Picnic album, “Initials On A Tree”, even features full strings, which is absolutely breathtaking.  No Weekend Picnic song sounds the same as the others, which makes listening to their music so intriguing.

Something I love about Weekend Picnic songs is that they incorporate many relatable themes and messages.  There are some songs on the album that really struck a chord with me, and I want to highlight them.
 
“Believe In Me” is a song about overcoming trauma and rising above it to become a light for those who are broken. The lyrics in the bridge reflect triumph:
“See me
Seated in victory
Hear me
This is the reckoning”

“Suffer The Silence” reflects on self-doubt, and thinking you’re not good enough for someone who seems to be very pure and angelic.  Part of the chorus lyrics speak to the acceptance of defeat:
“I know that you
Are better off walking away
I’ll be okay”

“Remember October” tells the story of someone who is in a toxic relationship, but is always coming back for more because they find something redeeming in the other person.  In the end, the subject realizes they’re better off closing the book on the relationship because all that other person does is cause them pain. This is summed up in the bridge:
“And my fall from grace
Is my rising pain
When I think I’m done
You manipulate
I’ll close the book
The end is wrong
Here
I don’t belong”

“Not The Same” is about domestic abuse.  It is written from the point of view of a domestic abuse survivor. This theme is incorporated in lyrics throughout the song with lines such as “You lost your way”, “We’re not the same”, “I’m not ok”, “The price is paid”, and “Forget my face”.

“Initials On A Tree” Is an emotional story of a loved one who needs a transplant surgery to survive.  You remember how much you love them and everything they do for the world, so in the end you volunteer for the transplant.  Something goes wrong in your surgery, and you die. The other person, however, lives on with a part of you and your sacrifice inside of them keeping them alive. Some of the lines that stand out include “Something you need I have in me”; “And you saved me/In ways I can’t describe/In return this is a small sacrifice”; “Not everything goes exactly to the plan/But I promised to protect you until the end”; “I gave you my life/’Cause I still held you to that promise made/Like initials on a tree”; and, finally, the very last line of the song which tugs at the heartstrings – “You’ll always have a part of me”.

Weekend Picnic is working on new music, so be on the lookout for that. Upcoming shows include Throw The Fight’s album release party Friday, June 3oth at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Rock Fest 2023 in Cadott, Wisconsin Thursday, July 13th. You can find Weekend Picnic on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and the band’s website.

Weekend Picnic album track listing

Believe In Me
Suffer The Silence
Lies
Savages
Plastic Entourage
Remember October
Great Escape
Before Your Time
Alone
Not The Same
Initials On A Tree
The Answer

Silvertung, a hard rock band based primarily in Maryland, recently released an intense new single, “Integrity”, and a music video to accompany it. The song is a personal statement for this band, which has been through ups and downs but definitely has a bright future ahead.

Band members include:  Speed Vincent (lead vocals); Marc Marchetti (guitar); Jimy Grime (bass/backing vocals); and Andy Romeo (drums).  Silvertung was formed in the mid-2000s in Baltimore.  The band name is based on a 1990s porn movie called “Silver Tongue”.  It actually started out as a joke, but everyone liked it, according to Speed, who is the only original band member.  He didn’t like the spelling, though, so they put a twist on it with “tung”. 

With the original band, things were not going in the direction Speed wanted, so he shut it down.  His drive and determination kept him hungry, however, so he reformed the band.  They played the local circuit, making connections and learning how things are done. In 2015, a song Speed wrote called “Never Too Late” hit the radio and charts.  He knew then that they could make a career out of being musicians.  That’s where the true journey began. The band was called upon locally to open for national acts like Pop Evil, Saliva, Buckcherry, HELLYEAH, and In This Moment, among others.  They also began landing spots in big festivals such as The Mayhem Fest with headliner Slipknot, The Uproar Fest with Godsmack, Disturbed, and Shinedown as headliners, and The Shindig Fest opening for Stone Temple Pilots. The list goes on.

Speed admits that finding other band members with the same drive and ambition has been a challenge. The band has faced difficult times and obstacles, as well as several reformations, but Silvertung has survived and overcome these hurdles.  One of the biggest challenges was the pandemic.  The band was on the rise prior to that, with tours being planned, songs on the charts, and the Silvertung band name becoming familiar to people in the United States as well as other countries.  All of that stopped due to COVID.  One by one each band member at the time walked away, forcing Speed to make a hard decision – should he keep going or give it up?  He knew he still had too much music to share and he had to rebuild the band that he had started from a vision he had.

Now, the band is focused on being as successful as they can be and bringing fans the best music they can possibly create. Speed says he is proud that Silvertung has always stood out from trends.  Because of that, he was careful bringing in new musicians.  He believes the current band members mesh together very well and have a lot of the same musical ambitions and goals in mind as he does.  Though the current lineup has only been together for a little over a year, they have made huge strides.  They did a 28-day tour in 2022 with Tantric and Smile Empty Soul, and are now releasing brand new music. They also just came off a tour of the Midwest in March with Awaken The Giant and NVSN.  Speed says he is fortunate to have these talented bandmates in Silvertung now.

“Integrity” was written by the band with arrangements and composition already in place.  Producer Steven Wright of Wright Way Studios was part of the refinement process along with the band, and the song was mastered by Tony Eichler of Goldtone MasterWorks, LLC. The song came from a guitar riff Marc Marchetti had brought into one of the band’s writing sessions.  As soon as they heard that riff, all the other band members thought it was, to quote Speed, “badass”.  From there, they began writing the song’s structure, and they kept going with their ideas in that first session until 1:00 a.m.  After a three-hour drive home, Marc finalized a few more riffs to add to the track.  The next morning, Speed received a text from Marc that said “Check these ideas out.” After digesting the music Marc had just finished, Speed immediately began hearing melodies and lyrics to go along with it.  Speed says he felt like a kid with a brand new toy that he couldn’t put down.  Over the next few days, he wrote and rewrote new lyrics and melodies and the song really started taking direction.  Andy and Jimy started writing drum and bass sections which, as Speed says, gave the song “more attitude” and “brought it all to life”.  He says “Integrity” was a true collaboration by all four band members. The most exciting part according to Speed? “Silvertung had created its first new song in three years!”

The main inspiration behind the song is people who try to tear others down and don’t want them to succeed.  Speed says he witnessed this during the pandemic when the world was “turned upside down”.  He said he has witnessed first-hand that “people can take your trust, your respect, your love, and crush you with one blow.  But they can never take away your integrity.  Only you can determine the value of that.”

I would definitely describe “Integrity” as an anthem that many people who face negative people in their lives can relate to.  Speed’s singing is passionate and reflects the song’s message of strength and standing up to negativity and those who want to take away your integrity.  Jimy’s hard vocals are powerful and add emphasis to the meaning behind the song.  Marc’s guitar-playing is complex, and he has a fantastic solo in the middle of the track.  The thunderous thumps of the bass mix well with the rapid-fire drum beats, especially in the verses.  The lyrics in the chorus sum up what the song is about:
“Hear this as a warning, I’m not falling
For all your tragedies
I’m calling you out now
You’ll never take my integrity”

The video was done by Wade Spencer of Spencer Images.  With the band having all new members except for Speed, they wanted to do a performance video to showcase each new member and the impact of their live performance. The whole band, along with Wade, played a part in the production. Speed admits it was a rough process – it took time and a lot of research, and was done on a small budget.  Finding a good location took a few months – they wanted both inside and outside options.  Then they realized the location was literally right in front of their faces the entire time – Jimy’s farm.  They began brainstorming what would occur at each location on the farm.  It really came together during the actual filming.  Each band member and Wade shared their ideas for each section of the video.  Marc had what Speed calls an “insane but great idea” for the beginning of the video — doing a reverse scene in real time.  It worked perfectly.  Speed says it was exciting as things came together and they saw their ideas and the video come to life, and he’s excited to do this for the next video. I think the video has a lot of energy and definitely showcases how awesome Silvertung is live onstage.  I, myself, have been lucky enough to see this band perform this year, and it was very entertaining.

Silvertung is currently working on more new music.  There is another release planned for this summer, with a music video to go along with it.  In addition, there will be more local shows as well as touring coming up.  One of the band’s main goals is to release as much new music as possible this year, plus videos.  They are also hoping to drop an EP in 2024.

Upcoming shows for Silvertung include: Friday, April 28th at Zen West in Baltimore, Maryland; Saturday, April 29th at Artie’s Bar and Grill in Frenchtown, New Jersey; Sunday, April 30th, at The Union Firehouse in Mount Holly, New Jersey; and Saturday, July 15th at Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin, along with Godsmack, Papa Roach, Highly Suspect, and Everclear, among others.

You can find Silvertung on Facebook, Instagram, the band website, and Linktree.

ENMY, a heavy modern rock band out of Cincinnati, released a new single, “Silver Bullet”, recently. As soon as I heard the beginning of this song I knew it was going to be one that resonated with me, and it definitely lived up to that potential.  This is the first of several new songs coming up for this awesome band, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to get to know ENMY’s music more and more.

Formed in 2019, the lineup of ENMY has not changed since the beginning. It includes: Brady Reis (vocals); Michael Quinn (guitar); Kevin Vincent (drums); and Trevor Johnson (bass).  After releasing music in 2019, the band pretty much “started over” after the pandemic so they could take their music in a different direction. The first release in this new era of ENMY was “Demon Eyes” in September 2020.

ENMY collaborated on the initial instrumental writing and demoing of “Silver Bullet” with Jake Adkins of the band Wake Up Hate. They took the song to producer Jon Eberhard (I Prevail, Until I Wake), and proceeded to construct a revised demo that sounded closer to the finished product.  The lyrics were written by Brady Reis, and later edited with Michael Quinn and engineer Nick Matzkows (Attack Attack, Wake Up Hate).

Michael Quinn was kind enough to answer some questions for me about the writing process for ENMY, and specifically “Silver Bullet”.  He told me “Silver Bullet” is part of a larger work of art, which is a full album to be released in the future.  The band has been working on further developing their sound style from their previous work – adding more industrial and electronic sounds and elements.  Michael says he’s a big fan of “creepy” or “sad” sounding melodies, similar to Avenged Sevenfold or Alice In Chains.  He’s also recently gotten into video game soundtracks and artists like Mick Gordon who have introduced him to a whole new style of guitar and melody writing.

“Silver Bullet” opens with a build up to a heavy guitar riff that leads to the first verse, which is haunting and incorporates those electronic elements Michael mentioned.  The chorus is powerful, with the amazing and unique voice of Brady Reis. There is an intricate guitar solo in the bridge of the song.  Following the final chorus, the song changes pace, featuring the bass and drums in harmony with new lyrics sung by Brady that bring closure to the track.  I really love this song from start to finish. The different tempos keep me intrigued, and the outro actually might be my favorite part of the track.

Regarding bringing lyrics and melodies together, Michael shares that Brady Reis focuses on giving each song its own story and theme, and making that theme mesh with the instrumental sound of the song so the overall energy is cohesive.  Trevor Johnson and Kevin Vincent strive to find new ways to be creative with song structure and grooves.  Overall, Michael says the band is finding ways to do “more with less”, and let the songs just come to them – not forcing things.

When it comes to lyrics, Michael says the band always tries to keep their songs open to interpretation, so each listener can draw their own conclusion about a song’s meaning that they relate to the most. When I listen to “Silver Bullet”, it makes me think of someone who is battling inner demons and uncertainty in a relationship, and it’s turning them into a monster.  The realization that this change is happening is reflected in the chorus lyrics:
“I come alive in the night
Feel it through the moonlight
I’m changing, cannot escape it
I cannot let my guard down 
I will eat your heart out
Cock back and pull it
You are my silver bullet”

Michael said I’m pretty close.  They tied in the “Werewolf” theme to give it a creepy element.  At the end of the song, the subject has to accept that they have succumbed to the change they sensed was coming:
“It lives in the shadows, it stalks me like prey
The burden that won’t go away
I wait in the gallows m      ow I can’t escape
I’ve become the monster
The monster you’ve made me”

The lyric video is absolutely perfect for this song.  It incorporates colors of red and black, and the “creepiness” of the werewolf theme.  It reminds me of an old-fashioned horror movie. The design and animation for the video were done by Frank MacNeil.

Currently, the band members of ENMY are heavily into writing and developing new music. They have four or five songs completely done, and will continue releasing singles.  Eventually those songs will be combined into an album with other, unreleased tracks.  The band is planning on doing shows this summer, focusing on the Midwest. You can find ENMY on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and the band’s website.

Raid Booking is gearing up to host Raidfest 2023 HTX in Houston, TX, Saturday, April 22nd.  The event will be held at Acadia Live at 3939 Cypress Creek Parkway.  Doors open at 7:00pm, and the show starts at 7:30pm.  Presale tickets for this all-ages event are available now for only $10 with no additional fees. Click HERE for tickets.

Sponsors and partners for Raidfest 2023 HTX include Black Bayou  Coffee Roasters, Art Echo, Born Dead Clothing, Breakdowns & More, GearHead Productions, Scriptorium Magazine, and Total Deathcore.

The lineup for Raidfest 2023 HTX includes two co-headliners from Missouri who will be on tour:  deathcore bands The Order of Elijah and Abaddonia.  Other bands are:  Houston brutal death metal band Scrap Pile; State Of Filth, a Houston beatdown band; metalcore band Ethreal from Pasadena, Texas; and Vilamoura, a metalcore band from Austin, Texas.

Be on the lookout for more Raid Booking events this year, including festivals in California and Louisiana.  You can follow Raid Booking on Facebook.

ANOXIA has released a new single, “EARTHBOUND”, and it’s already certain that this song will appeal to many listeners.  Like previous tracks from this Maryland-based rock band, it incorporates the amazing vocals of frontwoman Chrystal James as well as intriguing melodies and a relatable message that comes from the heart.

Two new “Guardians” have become members of ANOXIA.  “Dust” (The White Goat) has evolved from his previous form and is the lead guitarist.  “Shadow” (The Black Wolf) is the newest member, and plays keyboards and synthesizers.  They join guitarist “Relic” (The Crow/Raven).

The musical elements for “EARTHBOUND” were written by “Relic”.  The guitars and keyboards blend perfectly into an enchanting melody.  Chrystal’s beautiful voice is powerful and emotional, and her vocal range is stunning.  In a surprising twist, the song intensifies in the bridge and features singing and hard vocals by Chrystal’s husband, Corey James, who is the frontman of hard rock band CARBONSTONE. 

As the lyricist for ANOXIA, Chrystal’s Guardians say she “breathes life into the music”.  Chrystal definitely writes about things we all go through.  Her songs are about pain, sadness, heartbreak, fear, and uncertainty, along with strength, power, determination, perseverance, and courage.  We all go through hardships, but we must overcome these obstacles in order to move on.  Chrystal’s lyrics tell the stories about the roller coaster that our lives can be sometimes.

Chrystal shares that “EARTHBOUND” is the most emotional song she has written since the return of ANOXIA. She says, “It’s a reflection of sacrifice and the consequences we face in life with giving up on things we love so much, simply from exhaustion, giving too much, and not receiving enough to meet our needs.  It’s about the lack of reciprocal love and devotion and our lack of boundaries, even within ourselves.”
 
The chorus lyrics bring to life the questions and uncertainty brought on by the inner struggle:
“Tell me do you wanna be here
I feel like giving up again 
Self-inflicting wounds are binding
Martyr, am I broken
So what if I fail again 
Seeking truth before the fall and 
You’ll just leave me here to drown Cursed, Earthbound . . .”

The music video for “EARTHBOUND” was filmed by TJ Darpino of Darpino Media and edited by Josh Grosscup.  It’s an artistic and deep piece that fits perfectly with the song.  The crystal ball symbolizes the reflection into our own lives that Chrystal speaks about.  However, are we looking into our past, present, or future?  That question remains to be answered. Chrystal shares that she finds it important to keep the mystery and enchantment in her work, and this video definitely does that.

“EARTHBOUND” is the last single to be released before the upcoming ANOXIA album to be released this year. Be on the lookout for Relinquish The Quiet in June or July.  It’s sure to be a masterpiece.

Anoxia can be found on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Beth Starner of Beth Starner Photography.

Singer/songwriter Brenden Starr recently released his debut album, Hopeless Romantic, and it’s filled with songs written from the heart about personal experiences.  Brenden’s varying musical styles shine through in this album – a combination of rock, pop, and alternative.  I would call this a very successful first album by this talented young musical artist.

Brenden, who is from Hanover, Pennsylvania – not far from Harrisburg, York, and Baltimore – has been singing most of his life, since he was young.  He’s also been playing drums for nearly 20 years, and can also play keyboards. Brenden has been writing songs for about 15 to 20 years.  He got his start in high school in a band called Restraint. Brenden says that really gave him a lot of insight into the industry and it was the beginning of his lifelong passion for music.

Currently, Brenden does not have an official backing band, but he’s hoping to change that soon. He’ll be holding auditions for drums, bass, and guitar.  For the album, he and Hayden Calhoun of Darkside Audio developed and played all the music together in Hayden’s studio. Brenden writes all the music himself, but he gives Hayden a lot of credit as his “second set of ears” when it comes to making creative decisions while recording and producing.  Brenden says it really is a partnership with him and Hayden.  He shares, “I’m really glad to have had Hayden along for the ride on this project.”

Brenden also writes all of the concepts and scripts for his videos.  He says  it’s important to him to have a hand in creating every piece of art, from start to finish.  Thus, he tries to make sure he spends plenty of time not only on writing and recording his music, but also o the filming and creation of the videos.  The videos for “Gravity” and “Top Of The World” were filmed and edited by directors Eric DiCarlo of Square Up Studios and Robert McCoy.

I found Brenden’s album Hopeless Romantic impressive on several levels.  First, he is a remarkable singer. Secondly, his songs all have a personal meaning which shines through and is relatable to the listener.  Finally, the musical style from song to song is varied and kept me on my toes.  I think fans of many music genres would enjoy listening to this album.

I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Brenden’s musical background as well as his creative process while working on this review.  Brenden calls himself a storyteller and loves sharing, which was very helpful to me.  I want to highlight some of the songs on the album that I really enjoyed.  I shared with Branden my interpretations of the songs, and he was kind enough to give me some more insight into the meaning behind the tracks.

“Top Of The World” is a song about being able to get back up after being knocked down many times.  It’s also about being able to take criticism and push through despite negativity.  Brenden calls it this generation’s “Eye Of The Tiger”.

“Crossroads” is about work ethic. According to Brenden, there was a point a few years ago when he didn’t know where he wanted to go in his musical journey.  He was at a crossroads and needed to make a decision.  He had to take a hard look at himself and what he had to offer as an artist, and push himself to get back in the studio and push through the slump.

“Gravity” is a song with a deep message that will resonate with so many people.  Brenden says he has gone through some things that relate to the theme of the song, and he grew up around domestic violence, so this song really hits on those formative experiences which influenced his childhood.  Brenden states, “It’s about both women and men suffering from these experiences.”

To me, “Tonight” is a song about seeking closure to a romantic relationship that ended with uncertainty. Brenden says I’m pretty spot on with that interpretation.  He expands on it:  “The song touches on bits and pieces of a previous relationship.  I wrote this song four years ago with Cristian Machado, who is the former lead singer of Ill Niño.  We worked on this song together in New York. Christian loved my song “Rooftops” so much that he wanted to record with me, and we ended up writing this together.”

Finally, the song “I Remember”, to me, is a song about broken hearts and missing the person you love who is no longer with you.  Once again Brenden says my interpretation is pretty accurate.  He shares, “Parts of it could  relate to a break-up and parts could relate to the passing of a loved one.  I wrote this back in maybe 2013 on my iPad and actually kind of forgot about it, until I stumbled upon it recently. So one day I brought it to the studio, and I just felt like I really NEEDED to do something with it.”  Hayden and Brenden spent some time working on what they wanted it to sound like, and ultimately Brenden decided it would be best as an emotional ballad.  His inspiration for this song came heavily from Adele as well as “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses.

Brenden Starr has several live performances coming up, including:  a full band performance Saturday, March 25th, at Café 611 in Frederick, MD; an acoustic show Friday, March 31st at The Kennel At West York Inn in York, PA; Saturday, May 6th at Racehorse Tavern in Thomasville, PA; and the Rock On The Hill Festival Saturday, May 13th in Hanover, PA.

Brenden Starr can be found on Facebook amd TikTok.