INTERVIEWS Archives - Rock Oracle

September 27, 2026 Jason Shrum

Single Review: Zara Chantelle | ‘Toxic Ex’

There was a new track that slid across my desk last week and this one stuck with me. I get lots of requests these days to check out new music from various artists via their management or record label. However, this one came straight from the artist and from the Land Down Under. Not to be confused with The Upside Down from Stranger Things (old punk head trying to keep up with the kids), this is from Australia. I received a very polite and straight forward message, asking me to simply check it out if I could, from a musician named Zara Chantelle.

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September 17, 2026 Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar

Quality Time with George Gruhn

I do not care for a polished publication. I cherish the way I leave my mark upon this world as a woman living in this era, in the way that I am. Just as George wove his legacy into stamping his mark upon our world as a man of his era, living in the way that he is. A perfect example of a healthy Leo Sun Life Path. What I would give to dive deeper into the Astrological birth chart of George for a deeper assessment. However, I do not necessarily need to see the ins and outs of his chart to see the truth of his life experience radiating from his aura. I love the way that George is simply L-I-V-I-N.

B Sides FEATURED INTERVIEWS

September 10, 2026 Mooney

Cinematica | Small Town Artist Highlight

The band itself started simply enough: Eddie and Bean, guitar and drums, two guys making instrumental music together. Six months later, bassist Oj joined, and the connection was immediate. The trio eventually christened themselves the “Cosmic Triangle”, which is exactly the sort of wonderfully dramatic name I expect from a psychedelic instrumental band wandering around the New Mexico desert.
And for nearly nine years, the triangle held.

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August 17, 2026 Jason Shrum

Meet Musician Jon Worthy

Jon is a grinder. A hustler is the greatest sense. A go getter of all things and he will not be bogged down by the way that the music industry is dictating how you should go about your tactics. Go back to 2019 when he played 121 shows – including a handful of festivals such as Musikfest. In 2020 (you remember that beautiful year), Worthy pivoted to recording and production where he set up a studio in his house and began releasing self-produced tracks. Songs such as “She’s Alright,” “Remember When” and “I’ll Be Ok” were released at that time. Worthy has also worked with several prominent names including Lincoln Parish (Cage the Elephant), Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes) and Arlie. Also, in 2019 Worthy released his third full-length album called Something’s Gotta Give. This album veered towards more of an indie-Americana-folk blend than his prior releases. The album has amassed well over 300K streams and radio play across the country including heavy rotation on Nashville’s Lightning 100.

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August 6, 2026 Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar

“Deidre” A Modern Mystical Muse From Austin, TX

It is not a secret that I am a vibrant critic of the social media music and artistry world. I tend to be quite cantankerous around this modern culture and industry. Most of the time, the artists you discover through popularity contests online and viral trends, are inauthentic, mass produced slop. I romanticize the elder generations and how other musings were discovered. However, nothing is inherently benevolent, nor inherently malicious. There are the hidden gems to be treasured in these online spaces. Social Media is an amazing tool for the underdog to have a chance at achieving their dreams. It is a fine line in these spaces. The critique is absolutely necessary to maintain the ethical efficacy. Although, on the other end of the spectrum we have the elitist march that snubs anyone who dares to utilize such a tool for their benefit. I do believe it is in how you use the tool, not the fact that you’re engaging with the tool at all. And so, I am grateful for the use of modern technology. Otherwise, I am not sure how else I would’ve aligned with Deidre and her magickal, mystical musings. I suppose, the Universe would’ve found a way through the networks of that era. Nevertheless, these are the moments I find reward in the bullshit I sufferingly indulge within my online presence and engagement. This is the magick of sacrifice. This is the beauty of the internet, and its empowering capability of connection. This is a story of the wellness we can cultivate within social media culture. The healing, and unity, of our virtual realms.

ALBUM REVIEWS B Sides FEATURED INTERVIEWS MUSIC NEWS

May 27, 2026 Jason Shrum

Cam Gallagher & The Tasty Soul Are Set To Release New Music

I’d say that Cam Gallagher is at it again, but the truth is this dude never stops. I often read about or see the moniker “The Hardest Worker in Showbiz” tied to an artist, and I can honestly say that I have met that someone personally. I first saw Cam play with a southern rock band, and then a soul band and a jazz band, then with operatic band and most recently at a rock/punk show. Oh, by the way, he is a saxophone player. This guy is so versatile that he can play across any genre of music and fit the part. And let me just say that calling him just a saxophone player is very limiting to the full description of what Cam brings to the Nashville music scene.

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April 29, 2026 Melinoe Macaria Mourningstar

Artist Spotlight on Dolly Cash

I grew up in Abingdon, VA. It was a small historic town in South-Western Virginia, in the Appalachians. But after graduating High School, I bounced around the US in the army. Maryland, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Afghanistan. It was in North Carolina, more specifically Fayetteville, that I began to hone my music skills. The community within the city was very rooted in the arts. I’d crash on my friend’s couch and cut songs with like 5 or 6 different people. They would put on cool local shows and really push each other to create. I got out of the Army in 2016 and moved back to Abingdon. After a year of couch surfing and job hopping, I applied to go to The University of Tennessee. That’s how I ended up in Knoxville. While here, I met my wife, and realized Tennessee was now home. While here, I got back to my mountain roots, fell in love with mountain music, as well as the Goth culture. I believe traveling to the US and war-torn countries has given me an appreciation of where I live.