Boyce Avenue
Occasionally, someone points you in a certain direction and you find yourself listening to a group that is wise beyond its years. Such is the case with Boyce Avenue, based in Florida. With a foundation going back to 2000, when these fellows were teenagers, Boyce Avenue has established itself as one of the premier young bands in the U.S. With a lineup composed of Alejandro Manzano: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano; Fabian Manzano: Guitar, Background Vocals; Daniel Manzano: Bass, Background Vocals; Stephen Hatker: Drums, Percussion, the team puts out crisp guitar chords and some biting lead on “Tonight” from All You’re Meant ...
The Cast Before The Break
Here's what some are saying, "Rarely does a simple acoustic project turn into something as ambitious as Oneonta, New York's THE CAST BEFORE THE BREAK." The bio written by Dave Graupman (written well, I might add) explains, "TJ Foster started the group as an outlet to explore new facets of his music, but with the addition of guitarists Jeremy Carter and Jordan Stewart, bassist John Cannon and drummer/producer Ben Hemingway, a much more developed sound emerged." "Understanding the Universe" from As Your Shoulders Turn On You starts with some nice, easy keyboard (for which I am a sucker) but then ...
Stephanie Rivers
This is jazz, and it's soul, cleanly produced and smoothly sung. Rivers offers an interesting mix of rhythms in "Fairy Tales" from the Play Things EP (2008). According to her own marketing information, on the Stephanie Rivers Web site, she hails from Tulsa Oklahoma. Apparently she was a child entertainer, singing in and around Tulsa, in just about every venue you can imagine. She lists legends such as Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin among her influences, along with more recent but equally talented singers such as Ani DiFranco, Lauren Hill and Mariah Carey. For some reason, it seems those performers who take ...
Marching Band
This indie/pop band is certainly pop, but it sounds like fun music. Here's their MySpace info, in short form: Based in Linköping, Sweden. In 2008, their first full-length album Spark Large was recorded and highlights the bands one-of-a-kind indie pop sound. While the group does use the mainstay rock sounds of guitars, drums and bass guitar, they also employ an array of more eccentric musical instruments for a indie/pop band, such as xylophone, marimba, banjo, vibraphone and unique vocal harmonies. Marching Band is Erik Sunbring and Jacob Lind from Linkoping, Sweden. According to this dynamic duo, all they need are ...
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