music news Archives - Page 10 of 25

Several years ago, in Seattle I discovered Independent Radio (and yes, I am capitalizing because it’s important), funded by the listeners, and it changed my life for the better. That radio station was KEXP and it became my everything. DJs can play whatever they want, any theme, without algorithms or pay-to-play formats. They are both educational and spin a heavy rotation of local music as well as classic indie gems. I had never heard anything like it before. You might catch Public Enemy, followed by Joni Mitchell and then some small independent artist follows that track. Each radio host did their own thing as well. John Richards was the host that I first caught onto, and his music knowledge floored me. I like to think of myself as having a refined palate of sound logged in my craw, but this dude buried my grasp of music, and I learned so much from him. I am forever indebted. I got to meet him once and as I trembled terribly inside, I think I played it cool.

FEATURED INTERVIEWS MUSIC NEWS

May 5, 2025 Cretin

RIP Mike Peters – Love, Hope, Strength Defined

I slipped “68 Guns” onto the turntable, and my musical life changed forever. The song is filled with slick guitars and powerful rhythms, but the key was this long-haired Welshman belting out the killer vocals. Mike Peters was it! Raw, passionate vocals that made the listener take notice, and the lyrics were great. I remember that moment in the dingy WUVT studio, and the power of that music as if it happened yesterday. Mike Peters and The Alarm helped me slip into this new Modern Rock / New Wave world where I soon dug into their peers: REM, The Cure, Pretenders, etc… I stuck with the DJ gig, and it made me a bunch of money, and directly led to me meeting my wife.

FEATURED MUSIC NEWS

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.

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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).

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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!

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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.