Jason Shrum, Author at Rock Oracle

May 4, 2025 Jason Shrum

Free Gaga! Yes Please

Lady Gaga isn’t going anywhere and nor should she. In fact, she may be doing her best work most recently. I have seen Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta AKA Lady Gaga in concert twice and she is nothing short of stunning. It wasn’t until I first saw her in Orlando, Florida years ago that I realized what an amazing singer and talented musician she was. I knew she was an artist. I knew she was a performer. I knew she had an act. However she has all the depth to back than up and she is showing that side more and more. Her new album, Mayhem, is a prime example of that. If you haven’t heard it yet, you are doing yourself a major disservice. Another toss-away descriptor, but I am lacking otherwise- it is brilliant. Her seventh studio album is what the kids would consider to be a banger. It is a maximum effort of all things Gaga, if that is at all possible. To date, however, I feel, its is her best work. You can hear all the knowledge that she has absorbed over the years poured into this record.

FEATURED LIVE REVIEWS

April 28, 2025 Jason Shrum

Gentry Blue Immerses Audiences in Sound

I find myself in East Nashville once again amongst a row of “Dive Bars” and independently operated live music venues. I find the area to be a great section of the city where you can find hard working bands grinding out passionate sets on any given day of the week. Downtown on Broadway you can certainly find an amplitude of fine musicians doing the same thing and the music is fantastic, but sometimes the tourists can be too much. You won’t find a gaggle of bachelorettes in sparkled hats and boots sipping blue drinks from penis straws. East Nashville is a little rawer and more local driven. The strip includes famously great joints like The Underdog, The Cobra, The Basement East, The 5 Spot and so many more. Tonight, I was patronizing The Cobra that not only offers cheap drinks but three different areas for music to happen. There’s a spot near the main bar, an outside space and “The Venue” which is just off to the right when you enter streetside.

FEATURED INTERVIEWS

April 23, 2025 Jason Shrum

Getting to Know Echo Pilot

We all met at varying times. Echo Pilot is the brainchild of Ryan Van Abeele (singer/rhythm guitarist) and was started in 2018. Andrew Stuart Howsmon (bass/backing vocals) auditioned and was brought on in 2022. Dan Russell (drums) was recommended by a friend and fan of the band and auditioned and was brought on in October 2023. Aaron Smith (lead guitarist) auditioned around that time as well and was officially brought on in January 2024. The name Echo Pilot was literally just thrown together by Ryan who thought the two words together sounded cool. There’s no awesome name origin story (laughter ensues).

ALBUM REVIEWS FEATURED INTERVIEWS MUSIC NEWS

April 21, 2025 Jason Shrum

Sweet Mylo Just Got Sweeter

Sweet Mylo was a band I bumped into as I was just starting to check out the local Nashville music scene. I went to see my friend Ian Brice of Loose Bolts play in East Nash and this is where I met the duo. Sweet Mylo is an indie-pop band formed by husband-and-wife Kevin Jones and Grace Melody Jones. I was mesmerized by the group from beginning to end. This week they will be releasing a new album (officially their first, as I would learn). The band will also be playing a live show at the Historic Stonewall to promote the project. Historic Stonewall, in the heart of Gallatin, Tennessee’s downtown district, has been standing iconically since 1831. This architectural wonderment has been a silent spectator to the evolution of the community around it for almost 200 years and serves as an event space and music venue. Almost one year ago to the day I got to ask the band about their formation, their process and the future of Sweet Mylo. Enjoy!

FEATURED LIVE REVIEWS

April 21, 2025 Jason Shrum

Two Helpings of CAKE

The show included all the hits and fan favorite songs, as well as a few covers and a new piece from their upcoming 2025 album (no release date as of yet). That was certainly my big take as they approached the start to a new tune called ‘Billionaire in Space’ and announce the upcoming drop. CAKE hasn’t had a studio album release since 2011 with Showroom of Compassion – so to hear of a brand-new record coming out I was beyond excited. This unknown titled piece will be their 7th studio album release.

FEATURED LIVE REVIEWS

April 10, 2025 Jason Shrum

Parker Barrow Doesn’t Rob Their Audience

Parker Barrow. Parker Barrow. Parker Barrow! I want to say it as many times as I can so that you will remember the name of this band. After seeing them perform live at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, I will never forget. I have to say thank you to Gregg Bell, Parker Barrow’s manager, for reaching out to me and inviting me to the show. I have been getting a lot of submissions through Rock Oracle to go out and see bands or listen to a new single and most the time I listen or find them online and I pass for one reason or another. When I looked up this bluesy-southern rock band I found myself going down the rabbit hole to watch and listen to as much as I could – and then I saw them live – and I am a fan for life!

B Sides FEATURED MUSIC NEWS

April 8, 2025 Jason Shrum

Record Store Day Returns in 2025

EXCLUSIVES: These titles are physically released only at indie record stores.
RSD FIRST: These titles are found first at indie record stores but may be released to other retailers or webstores at some point in the future.
SMALL RUN/REGIONAL TITLES: These titles are either regionally based and sold at specific stores, or are press runs under 1000, which means they may be much more difficult to find at record stores around the country.

Many of these RSD titles are in “limited” variety, so that usually means waking up early to secure your place in line. I usually tend to get up around 6am to be in line be 7am depending on the store and their hours. I strongly encourage contacting your local record store, or visiting their social media page or website, to see if they offer any guidance on how the queue will be operated. Most stores opt for a “first come, first served” basis and only allow a few people in the building at a time to cut down on the wildness of 1980’s Black Friday’s mayhem style.