​Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp follows up his two critically acclaimed full-lengths [Run Engine, Run and Rangers & Valentines] with his latest EP, Bay Beach Amusement Park, which was released June 2nd. The self-penned outing, named for the cherished Wisconsin park (which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year), offers wildly original, well-crafted story-songs that salute six classic rides, each taking the listener on a detailed, imaginative journey while incorporating romance, fear, and excitement in ways that are distinctively unique and flat out fun.

Schoepp relays the idea for the project which began with one particular ride, “If you haven't been to an amusement park in a while, it's a bit of a sensory overload. It's the sights, sounds, and that feeling deep in your gut when you're on a big twisting piece of machinery in the sky. Bay Beach is everything the big corporate amusement parks aren't, and it's not pretending to be anything it isn't. The Zippin Pippin is what drew me in initially, but I fell in love with the park a little more with each visit.”
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Further capturing the nostalgia of a day at the park, Schoepp grounded the project with a 50’s feel from the carefree beach party vibe of the opener to the darker, smoky flavor of "The Scat" saying, “Like the rides themselves, I wanted the songs to be a throwback. I was thinking of it as a period piece but had no delusions that we could make it sound that much like those early rhythm and blues records. There are a multitude of technical and artistic reasons why those records sound the way they do and you'd be a fool to think you could capture the same kind of lightning in a bottle in those Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly records. The record is a nod, not a replication.”

Read on as Schoepp takes you on a musical ride, giving a glimpse into the story behind the songs, track by track.

(Press Release) Alternative singer/songwriter and activist, Declan McKenna’s debut album What Do You Think About The Car? is out now via Columbia Records. Following rapturously received performances at Glastonbury and Latitude, the 18 year old Brit is very proud to release his first collection of socially aware, melody-heavy indie pop songs. Topics include transgendered youth, right leaning television news, corruption, religion and the frustration of being a young person in the modern world. The album is available digitally here: smarturl.it/CarDL. Purchase the physical album here: http://smarturl.it/DeclanShop.

What Do You Think About The Car? is the follow up to Declan’s EP Liar released last May. The full-length album was recorded in London and LA alongside renowned producer James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco (Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys). The song “Listen To Your Friends” was produced by Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend; the track, “Paracetamol” was produced by Neil Comber; and “Brazil” was produced by Max Marlow. Declan, an adept songwriter and multi-instrumentalist wrote all of the songs and co-wrote “Listen To Your Friends” on the 11-track LP. See below for full tracklist.

Declan McKenna
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Nashville, Tenn. (July 21, 2017 Press Release) – Big Loud Records newcomer Jillian Jacqueline continues to make a bold statement in the Country scene with today’s (7/21) release of her refreshingly honest new piano ballad, “God Bless This Mess,” along with its gorgeous lyric video.

Now available for purchase and streaming on all digital music platforms, “God Bless This Mess” was co-written by the rising star with producer Tofer Brown and GRAMMY award-winning hitmaker Lori McKenna (Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind,” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”). 

Now Available on iTunes, Amazon, and Cdbaby!
Stream “This Too Shall Pass” here and on the band’s website http://thecontribution.net

​Listen to "This Too Shall Pass" HERE

ASHEVILLE, NC (Press Release) -- Since this February, The Contribution have been living up to their name and giving back with each song. They have been releasing one single a month, as sort of a mid-month pick-me-up since February 2017 and have partnered with a variety of nonprofits to which 100% of the profits from each single (sold as a digital download) will go to a charity (hand-picked by members of the band) in perpetuity. Nonprofits involved include Rex Foundation, Conscious Alliance, HeadCount, Rock the Earth, The Delaware Riverkeeper Network, BCEF, and Piedmont Land Conservatory.

The Contribution is the brainchild of Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth (violin, guitar, vocals) together with Phil Ferlino (keyboards, vocals) and Jeff Miller (guitar, vocals) of New Monsoon. Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident), has been the bass player from the band's inception along with vocalist Sheryl Renee (The Black Swan Singers). The drum chair has been occupied by Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), and currently Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic). Both Matt Butler and Duane Trucks appear on the band’s new record, Wilderness And Space. The full ten song album will be released on vinyl this Fall on LoHi Records and reveals the group's love of 60s pop and soul coupled with their ability to flat-out shred.

(Press Release) Born out of a spontaneous series of freewheeling and collaborative live tours, songwriter/producer super-trio NHD - Salim Nourallah, Billy Harvey, and Alex Dezen - will release their joyful debut album, 'And The Devil Went Up To Portland,' October 20 via Dallas-based Palo Santo Records. Equal parts humor and heart, the album showcases the infectious lyrical wit and undeniable chemistry of NHD's three kindred frontmen, who, according to Austin NPR station KUTX, have already developed the kind of "depth and polish you would expect to find in long-running bands." Listen to "The Boys Are Back In Town" via Cowboys & Indians here: bit.ly/2vFrGyu
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The first official release to come out of Dixie Chicks fiddler Martie Maguire HEK studio in Austin, the record combines sharply crafted melodies with the kind of clever, free-spirited storytelling each member has become known for in their own right. From the hysteria of "Hello From an Emergency Room in Hollywood" to the whimsical, Beatles-like psychedelia of "Ballad of a Patient Man," 'And The Devil Went Up To Portland' is a whole far greater than the sum of its already-remarkable parts, as well as a much-needed reminder of just how fun making music can--and should--be.

Watch the video HERE


July 21, 2017 - Austin, TX-based Cosmic Country artist Johnny Dango recently shared the video for his single "Hole in My Heart" at Huffington Post who called Dango's music, "Mouthwatering." Additionally, Dango recently premiered his track "I Was Wrong" at PopMatters, and also shared singles at No Depression and more. Dango's forthcoming LP, Recluse in Plain Sight, drops September 1.

From the hushed fields of Stillwater, Okla., to the raucous barrooms of Austin, Texas, the hard work and bloody fingers of singer/songwriter Johnny Dango have given rise to a cosmic honky-tonk thunder, a deliciously irreverent mix of downhome Americana and heady classic rock. Dango has paid his dues in bands such as Brothers & Sisters and The Memphis Strange, and as a sideman for country-rocker Stoney LaRue. And he’s shared bills with legends such as Billy Joe Shaver, Jerry Jeff Walker and Alejandro Escovedo, over the years developing a unique and gorgeously tumbledown aesthetic that is potently concentrated in the neon avenues and creaking front porches of his debut solo album, Recluse in Plain Sight.“I’m not into paint-by-numbers,” Dango says. “I have no interest in making another generic Americana record. There are already plenty of ‘em out there.”