Category: Videos

Fresh September video singles: Airport 77s, The Thirsty Curses, Ines South, Madison Cunningham, TAM

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I get a variety of different bands contributing to my inbox, and some are just too good to ignore. Firstly, a heads up on what I think will be a great album; The Airport 77s are set to release We Realize You Have A Choice on JEM Records, and the opening single simply rocks. Review coming soon, but this was too good a video to pass unpromoted. The Thirsty Curses do a puppet version of Natural Born Killers with a compelling melody. Ines South looks like she’s having fun here, and the song “Sun’s Son” is a fun single too. Another up-and-coming star is Madison Cunningham, her LP is out this week and she reminds me a little of Sheryl Crow. Finally, TAM is LA artist Tommy Mai, and he gives us a cool “mental souvenir” with its late 1970s vibe.





Videos: The Buckleys and Lisa Mychols & Super 8

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Alert! The Buckleys may not fit into my “power pop wheelhouse” but I know a sweet hook when I hear it. The band’s newest single, “Oops I Love You” has the kind of catchy country-pop flavor that could become a HUGE hit if it gets a little love from the music media and fans. The Buckleys are a three-piece band from Australia, consisting of siblings Sarah, Molly, and Lachlan. While they are country-pop; you can hear several classic pop influences; Sheryl Crow, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Fleetwood Mac. They are very polished performers with an interesting history, and their new EP Take It As It Comes, is out on August 5.

On August 5th, Jem Records will release the third tribute album (after John Lennon and Brian Wilson) “Celebrates” album with JEM Records Celebrates Pete Townshend. Once again presenting the label’s artists’ interpretations of a classic rock icon’s songs. I really dig this beatnik version of “Can’t Explain” by Lisa Mychols and Super 8 ( Paul ‘Trip’ Ryan). Snaps all around for this one. More is coming from this release, so hold on to your hats. For a preview of all the artists, check out this compilation video!

Looking toward 2022

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We’ve got a lot of great music to look forward to in 2022. The group Walcot was formed in Chicago several years back and band leader Asher George is now based in Charlotte, NC. The debut single “Dreamin’ Away” is from the upcoming Songs for the Disenfranchised EP. The timeless hook draws you into its easy-going melody.

Maple Mars teases us with “Goodbye California” an upcoming single from the new 2022 album coming from Big Stir Records.


Speaking of Big Stir — they are now the dominant label in this genre, and they offer a huge FREE download of music from this past year in a worthy retrospective.

Rum Bar Records also is giving us a preview of 2022 with The Dirty Truckers. The blue-collar rockers return to the bar for another round with their highly anticipated brand new full-length in 2022. But here is a three-shot sampler EP.

Any way you look at it 2022 looks to be an even bigger year for power pop and rock n’ roll.

New Singles: LMNOP, Geoff Palmer, Tommy Sistak, Jonny Polonsky, The Reflectors, Drew Beskin

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The one-man band LMNOP has a new album coming called whatNOP dONW7 on July 16, 2021. “The song ‘Nuclear Trust’ doesn’t have anything to do with anything nuclear, just liked the way those two words sounded together. The line “Now I’ve found I don’t know what I’ve found” kinda sums up where I’m at in 2021.” says LMNOP mastermind Stephen Fievet. I agree. Look for an LP review soon!

Geoff Palmer is back with a catchy punk answer to that query when you forget the name of that band. You know, the one that goes…

Canadian Tommy Sistak is back with a new retro-harmony-covered tune. Fans of The Beatles and Monkees will enjoy this comforting music.

Jonny Polonsky is back and he’s sounding much more like himself on this hook-filled single. He certainly has a pulse on the public’s anxiety with COVID. Favorite lyric; “To make me feel like Felix Unger – I have to set myself on fire”

Speaking of retro – The Reflectors are a brilliant 80s-90s styled power pop combo that rocks! Explore last year’s debut for more.

Finally, we have Late Night with Drew Vandenberg introing Drew Beskin singing “Going Alright For You” from his upcoming third full-length solo album, Problematic for the People. It’s a damn good power-pop tune with its crunchy riffs, handclaps, and a killer hook. Enjoy!

The Last Christmas Music of 2020: Jack Blackman, Cliff Hillis, Lisa Mychols, Karla Kane and The Big Stir Yuletide Wave

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Are you sick of Christmas music yet? Like the video from Jack Blackman and The Beautiful Wreck, I’m getting a little tired of all tinsel. Jack also is also quite adept at songs tailor-made for this Pandemic (see “Self-Isolation Song”). We’ve got a few more goodies under the tree, like more Cliff Hillis (always welcome) and chiming holiday singles from Lisa Mychols and Karla Kane. And if you still haven’t had enough, the entire roster of Big Stir Records has a 25-track Yuletide Wave featuring Nick Frater, The Brothers Steve, The Bobbleheads, and many more.