If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Natia Cinco Cool or not, we tend to love cover songs here at If It's Too Loud... Progressive bluegrass band AJ Lee & Blue Summit are set to release a new all covers album, and just released their version of Sheryl Crow's iconic "Soak Up the Sun." Jeff has always been a champion of Crow's first couple of albums, and I'm just getting over my indie rock snobbery and admitted how great her music is after last year's Boston Calling. A progressive bluegrass cover of "Soak Up the Sun" is pretty much a perfect fit, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit keep all of the pop hooks of Crow's original while adding just enough of their own sound to it. It's a great and fun cover, and both versions of the song are perfect summer songs.  You can listen to AJ Lee & Blue Summit's version of "Soak Up the Sun" below. Cover to Cover is due out September 11 on Signature Sounds, and is available to pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on ...

The Green River Festival is one of our favorites of the year. It always seemed to slide under the radar no matter how great their line up has been, but the past few years have seen it get national attention. They've announced the initial line up of their 2025 edition, and this one is certain to make Green River a destination festival. Headlining the 2025 Green River Festival are indie rockers Mt. Joy, Australian phenom Courtney Barnett, and the already legendary Waxatacheee! They also have current indie favorite MJ Lenderman and the intriguing pairing of Julien Baker and TORRES! Aside from that are other If It's Too Loud... favorites such as Kathleen Edwards, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and Merce Lemon. As always there are bands we're not as familiar with, but we have seven months to do our research and become enamored with new favorites! The Green River Festival will take place June 20-22 at Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, MA. "Plan Ahead" packages are n...

In the past we've brought you both The Brothers Comatose and AJ Lee & Blue Summit. This time it's The Brothers Comatose joining forces with AJ Lee to cover Neil Young's classic "Harvest Moon." Both bands have a similar modern and mainstream take on roots and Americana, and "Harvest Moon" is the perfect way to showcase that sound. AJ Lee takes the lead for vocal duties, and this is a virtually perfect cover/tribute to Young. It's a little more traditional folk and roots than Young's original, but that is hardly a bad thing here. Plus, covering Neil Young is fairly topical these days. You can watch the video for The Brothers Comatose featuring AJ Lee's take on "Harvest Moon" below. The song is currently available as a download via Bandcamp . It's part of The Brothers Comatose's new weekly video series "Ear Snacks." For more on The Brothers Comatose, check out the artist's website . Upcoming tour dates are bel...

AJ Lee & Blue Summit formed back in 2015 in Santa Cruz, CA and have settled in the Bay Area. Their new single, "Lemons and Tangerines," has that modern mainstream neo-bluegrass sound that just never seems to get old for us. Despite using traditional bluegrass instruments, it's hardly a throwback sound. It's more of a modern traditional take that is perfect for fans of a bands like Twisted Pine or Lake Street Dive, especially with the hint of soul in Lee's voice. It's sure to become your favorite song inspired by a grafted lemon tree in Lee's backyard. You can listen to "Lemons and Tangerines" below. I'll Come Back is due out August 20. For more on AJ Lee & Blue Summit, check out their website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song. AUG 7 - The Independent @ 8:00pm - San Francisco, CA* AUG 13 - Caffe Lena @ 8:00pm - Saratoga Springs, NY AUG 14 - Podunk Bluegrass Festival 2021 @ 12:20pm - Goshen, CT AUG 15 - Hardeman Orchards @ 7:30pm...