Joelton Mayfield - "Speechwriter"

By -

Photo by Tyler Squires

It's been a while since we've heard anything as classically alt-country as the latest from Joelton Mayfield. The Texas native and currently Nashville based artist just released "Speechwriter," which is filled with all the twang you could possibly want with a ton of indie rock noise sprinkled throughout. Mayfield also has a strong sense of pop songwriting. The song could have been an amazing singer-songwriter track with a pop leaning based on his voice, and we would have still enjoyed it and happily brought it to you. But with the alt-country edges and noise that drops in unexpectedly, "Speechwriter" turned out to be one of the best songs we've heard this summer. There is a lot going on here, so be sure to take some time out of your day for multiple listens. You'll be thanking us later.

You can watch the video for "Speechwriter" below. Crowd Pleaser is due out October 24 on Bloodshot Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Joelton Mayfield, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include a September 21 date opening for Jack Van Cleaf at The Middle East in Cambridge.


Wed. July 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ Permanent Records Roadhouse
Thu. July 24 - Colusa, CA @ Levitt AMP Colusa Music Series
Fri. July 25 - Stinson Beach, CA @ Backyard by the Beach
Wed. July 30 - Stateline, NV - Harrah's Lake Tahoe *
Sat. Aug. 2 - Monterey, CA @ Golden State Theatre *
Mon. Aug. 4 - Grass Valley, CA @ Center for the Arts *
Tue. Aug. 5 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern *
Tue. Aug. 12 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge ^
Thu. Aug. 14 - Ft. Collins, CO @ The Coast ^
Fri. Aug. 15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court ^
Sat. Aug. 16 - Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club ^
Mon. Aug. 18 - Spokane, WA @ District Bar ^
Tue. Aug. 19 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza ^
Wed. Aug. 20 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios ^
Fri. Aug. 22 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe Du Nord ^
Sat. Aug. 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo ^
Sun. Aug. 24 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar ^
Sun. Sept. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ Smith's Olde Bar ^
Tue. Sept. 16 - Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse ^
Wed. Sept. 17 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle ^
Fri. Sept. 19 - Washington, DC @ Pearl Street Warehouse ^
Sat. Sept. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie ^
Sun. Sept. 21 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs ^
Mon. Sept. 22 - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right ^
Wed. Sept 24 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground ^
Fri. Sept. 26 - Grand Rapids, MI @ The Stache at The Intersection ^
Sat. Sept. 27- Urbana, IL @ The Canopy Club - Red Room ^
Sun. Sept. 28 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry ^

* supporting Steve Earle
^ supporting Jack Van Cleaf

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

By -
Image
Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
Read more

The Freqs - "Witch"

By -
Image
Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
Read more

Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

By -
Image
How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
Read more