"Goodbye Virginia… 10 hours west to Nashville… I’m looking for a promise I don’t know if I’ll find.” So sing The Hummingbyrds on their second CD, Purgatory Emporium which documents the  duo's  -  life partners Debra Buonaccorsi and Steve McWilliams - move from the Virginia area to Nashville on a  ten track collection that is awash with jangly guitars, bouyant melodies, pristine harmonies, and heartfelt, relatable lyrics. 

One of the album's standout tracks, "Simple Life," is an honest look at the difficult choices we make in life - and the questions that accompany them. 

"Maybe I should have chosen a simplier life
Maybe I should have chosen sunnier skies
Wish that I could see through differnt eyes
Maybe  a simple life is just a lie"

The Little Miss (Hayley Johnson) is a Los Angeles-based musician with roots in jazz, blues, and folk who will be releasing her new album, American Dream,  later this year. Having been inspired by female vocalists such as Fiona Apple and Jewel, Johnson can remember starting girl bands at recess and writing lyrics in notebooks beginning in the first grade. In middle school, Johnson began performing original music around San Diego county with her father at local coffee shops and surf competitions. Johnson developed the idea for The Little Miss while in college at San Francisco State University, where she rediscovered her love of music by way of her studies in Philosophy.

 The sound of The Little Miss ranges from gritty guitar riffs to one-take, twangy samplings straight from the plains. Her latest single, "Doubt," merges a fuzzy, bluesy guitar alongside  a stirring organ and The Little Miss's  soulful  vocals on a track that explores self-doubt via an almost uncertain, noir vibe.

The Little Miss has said that, "Doubt concerns itself with the  intellectual understanding that life's answers cannot be summoned, but  takes note of the relentless desire to still call for said answers. Essentially, it's about asking
questions that you know you will never have an answer for." Indeed, the song questions, "I pray every day and I pray every  night, but I'll never know if I am getting it right. Or will I?"

Listen below and for more information visit HERE

Seafoam Green   (featuring Rich Robinson of Black Crowes) are releasing their alt-country debut Topanga Mansion  on  April 22nd. Following initial acclaim for the album, the band has now unveiled "Runaway"  a sumptuous Americana rock-jam from  the project. Give it a listen below. For more information head HERE.

After a week or so hiatus, Ear Grabbers has  returned with some new tunes and new artists  that  really deserve  your ear.  Give a listen! Let me know what you think and  who you're listening to!

"Through Your Eyes", the fourth and final track from Emma Ballantine's Somebody's Story EP, offers a glimpse of the world as seen by 14 year-old James, who has autism. Based on a story submitted by James' mother Nancy, the song credits James as a co-writer and features samples from his own music, created with Baltimore-based producer and beat-boxer Max Bent.

Released ahead of World Autism Awareness Day (2nd April), the track combines elements of James' track "Don't Bore Anyone's Ears" with layered synths and subtle backing vocals to create a powerful and expansive soundscape to conclude the four-track record. Emma adds  "From the moment I read James' story and heard his music, I knew I had to write a song that captured the wonderful way he sees the world. I hope it challenges preconceptions and shows that perhaps people with autism have a clearer appreciation of things and a deeper wisdom than people without. "

The EP, recorded with Brixton-based producer Moseley, was released on March 31st.  Purchase it HERE

Tuffet Bunnies is the alias for Clem Darling's musical whims. Born in Boston, Darling grew up in Albany and played music in the Northeast before moving to Los Angeles to attend film school. After graduating, he moved to Austin and finally returned to Los Angeles because he fell in love with an acrobat and burlesque performer who inspired his debut album of love songs. “Lucky Number" is one of those tunes; it's a charming indie folk love song, that features acoustic guitar, saxophone, and Darling’s soothing, airy vocals. Give a listen to the song below.

RIYL:  Devendra Banhart, Ingrid Michaelson, or Noah and the Whale.