Slum Summer - Radio Drive

Slum Summer - Living In Milk / Tenderize The Night.

We first featured Slum Summer back in November 2018 describing them as a vibrant indie rock band. The two songs featured from the new album confirm all of that and more, they really do impress! From San Diego, CA, and made up of two British expatriates along with two US natives we can comfortably quote them as "a special relationship - a special new band."

Living in Milk is their second album, following up their 2019 debut, ABABO. Standing out from 99% of recent releases, this is NOT a pandemic album, having been written and recorded before all that happened, and, refreshingly, featuring no songs about isolation, staring at walls, craving human contact, etc. Instead you will find songs about houses being engulfed in flame, houses being choked by snow, hotels suffocated by storms; songs about riding the Greyhound into northern California, desperately hiding out in dilapidated cinemas; songs about dying in prison, and about listening drunkenly to the Grateful Dead. Or maybe you'll come to your own conclusions what the songs are "about," if that even matters to you.

The record builds on the sound of their debut, with indie-rock and indie-pop styles being stretched out in different directions, drawing on 60s guitar jangle, moments of punkish abandon, Laurel Canyon folk-rock balladeering, and occasional diversions into more metallic territory. You can certainly listen to the album and make some guesses about what their record collections might look like, but Slum Summer is developing a sound and style that is distinctly their own. The supple playing from guitarist Jen Edwards, drummer D.J. Anderson and bassist Grant Stewart underpins guitarist/singer Hugh J. Noble's unique writing, cryptic and rich with obscure references, strange half-jokes, and oddly unsettling imagery.

zlumzummer · 01 - Living In Milk

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Radio Drive - One Breath Away (E.P).

Radio Drive featuring Kevin Gullickson had just released a full album in September of 2021, titled “Before The Day is Through”. It was still the early winter months of 2022 in Minnesota, where Kevin lives and has his home studio. 

The timing wasn’t quite right to resume live performances, so Kevin being the ever busy musician, songwriter and recording artist, decided to record some new song ideas before the arrival of spring. He didn’t want to undertake such a huge project as a full album and yet had too many songs to just release a single, so a 4 song EP was the perfect option.

Looking for more of a pop feel to the album, Kevin worked with Steve “Mr Mig” Migliore to do the final mix and mastering. Steve has worked with several platinum selling artists, including Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Madonna

The four songs each have a different feel and meaning. 

• I Believe I Believe: A song of faith and hope, something we all need.
• Moment by Moment: Cherishing the precious moments we have with our loved ones.
• Be Yourself Tonight: So many difficulties people deal with can be resolved by becoming their true and authentic self.
• Don’t You Know: The deep commitment of love drawing out the best in someone.

Before the official release of the EP on August 5th, 2022, songs were already gaining attention. “Don’t You Know” won the Top Finalist Award for Best Rock Song by the World Songwriting Association (WSA).

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Cass Clayton Band - Bridal Party - Radio Drive

Cass Clayton Band released their new album entitled 'Play Nice' a few week back and it's well worth us catching up on it. The musical influences that inform the bands direction include rock, soul, funk and blues which ensures plenty of variety, more importantly the new collection of music has plenty of melodic hooks and is delivered with quality, passion and style.

We have already featured a couple of tracks from Bridal Party this year ahead of their 'Too Much' album release, and now we have the full album to enjoy. Their goal of making music they like is all apparent, as is their ability to write and perform exceptional, imaginative and notably creative pop songs.

The sixth full album from Radio Drive is 'In The Light'. Packing a fine collection of indie and alt rock tracks, the bands unpretentious natural rockers are determined and catchy throughout. 
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Cass Clayton Band - Play Nice (album).

"Play Nice is an ironic title for this album, because I wasn't really playing nice in the writing of these songs. That's a departure from the norm for me, because I've always been careful to make sure people feel comfortable. I have a triple decker filter before my thoughts hit my tongue. I didn't want to do that with the music, so I stepped away from the comfort of being liked and said what I needed to say. I believe Play Nice turned out to be more expressive, vulnerable and sensual. Even the rock-based songs have an underlying message. I definitely feel overexposed, and maybe that's the way an artist should feel. Hopefully putting it out there without a filter allows other people to feel a little freer as well."

Cass Clayton Band has become known across the region for its tight chemistry and high-energy stage presence, a reputation that has landed them on some of the best stages, shows, festivals and radio shows in Colorado and beyond. Their unique blend of rock, R&B, funk, blues and soul has a distinctly contemporary feel, and has won over audiences across age groups and genres. Cass’s 2018 album (released June, 2018) won 4 songwriting awards and garnered top reviews from magazines nationally and internationally. They were also recently voted Album of the Year 2018 in the Colorado Blues Society Members’ Choice Awards. In addition, Cass has been voted as one of the top 3 slide guitar players in Colorado and top 2 vocalists (CO Blues Society Members’ Choice Awards). In February, 2019, she was featured on the cover of Recording Magazine with a 4-page feature article. Known for a uniquely soulful and velvety vocal style, Cass effortlessly moves from gentle and contemplative to a belting range that will knock you flat.

In 2019, Cass Clayton Band is shaping up to be an exciting year. Cass was recently invited to be a voting member of the Recording Academy, and the band is headlining for numerous festivals.  They will be joining Tab Benoit on the main stage at the Brighton Blues Blast, headlining Denver Arts Festival (50,000 attending), Art Night Out  in Lafayette, Stargazers Theatre Summer Series in Colorado Springs, and co-headlining Dickens Opera House with Grammy nominated, Brigitte Purdy.

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Bridal Party - Too Much (album).

Victoria, BC art-pop quintet Bridal Party have always had the goal of making pop music they like. Now with the approaching release of debut full-length Too Much (on Kingfisher Bluez) the band find themselves at a critical moment: as songwriters and collaborators presenting their personal vision.

Principal lyricists Suzannah Raudaschl and Joseph Leroux formed Bridal Party with bassist and producer Lee Gauthier and drummer Adrian Heim in 2015. Jordan Clairmont joined on keys in 2017. Their initial EP release Hot Daze (2015) found chart success on college radio and some modest but promising support through placement on Bandcamp Weekly. Their second EP, Negative Space (2017) charted well and lead to six-figure streams of lead single Fruitless on Spotify. Beatroute (BC) magazine describes Bridal Party as “a perfect marriage of indie pop and soul.”

The band recorded Too Much over three separate week-long immersive studio visits in 2017 and 2018. This disparate recording process would ultimately undo and reform everything the band knew about their sound. A playful and unflinching lyrical voice was honed, drawing on themes of care and self-love as well as their sombre opposites. Each players’ particular handle on their instrument resonates without tuning out the chemistry of influence the members enjoy with one another.

The resultant record is a vibrant collection of songs of uncanny intimacy, thriving from experimentation in studio that remains honest to the band’s live set. Whether it’s the confessional lyricism and feathery textures of “When I’m Naked”, the plaintive riddle and bedlam of “Armour”, or the celebratory disco of the title track, Too Much shines a light on the band’s interior joys and terrors in equal measure.

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Radio Drive - In The Light (album).

The 6th full album release by Radio Drive, featuring Kevin Gullickson, is titled "In The Light".  Released earlier this month, the album is already receiving massive indie radio play and rave reviews.

Radio Drive is an Alternative Pop Rock band featuring  Kevin Gullickson.  As the engine behind Radio Drive, Kevin has won international awards and nominations for his songs and music videos. 

The music of Radio Drive is being aired on radio around the world alongside major artists and is receiving rave reviews by music critics.  He has been featured on web zines and radio shows in Europe, Canada and the USA.

Kevin’s music has landed on charts on indie stations around the world, including Canada, Germany, the UK and the South Pacific.  His music has been used on shows airing on Animal Planet, National Geographic, History Channel, NBC Sports, Fox Sports and Discovery Channel and other TV programs around the world.

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The Luck - Radio Drive - They Might Be Giants - Mitch Bullen

The Luck - Rise and Shine.

Background - London indie folk duo The Luck have premiered the video for their new single Rise and Shine, which is out now through Common Market Music. The Luck are Max and Esmay Luck, a brother and sister duo whose indie folk sound is influenced by their childhood musical heritage, from Fleetwood Mac and Simon & Garfunkel to Joni Mitchell and The Eagles. Singing in choirs and learning to play an array of instruments, including cello, harp, piano, guitar and bass, from an early age, they finally formed a band together in 2011.

Residing in Los Angeles over the past year, the pair have been working with Paul Broucek, President of Music at Warner Brothers Pictures, and three-time Grammy Award-winning engineer/mixer Ed Cherney (The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt), and with over a million Spotify streams to their name, they will be announcing their debut album soon.

New single Rise and Shine follows their True North EP released last year and is a dramatic and emotive track with melodic vocal harmonies that build to a catchy and powerful chorus. The video was filmed in LA and directed by Jeff Thomas and the band say;

"We wanted to show the inner workings of someone’s mind when they’re trying to take themselves out of a bad situation. Jeff Thomas, the DP and director found the perfect actors, Jenna and John, to help us tell the story, captured against that technicolour light that is so unique to LA." WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'Rise and Shine' is a richly layered indie folk or perhaps folk rock song (it seems to veer between both). The production is very high quality, the hooks are consistent through out, and with a polished video in support, I hope this piece gets the attention it deserves.


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Radio Drive - Borders.

Background - Radio Drive is an Alternative Pop Rock band featuring Kevin Gullickson. As the engine behind Radio Drive, Kevin has won international awards and nominations for his songs and music videos. The music of Radio Drive is being aired on radio around the world alongside major artists and is receiving rave reviews by music critics. He has been featured on web zines and radio shows in Europe, Canada and the USA.

Kevin’s music has landed on charts on indie stations around the world, including Canada, Germany, the UK and the South Pacific. His music has been used on shows airing on Animal Planet, National Geographic and Discovery Channel and other TV programs around the world. In 2014 Kevin released his single "A Taste of Heaven", produced by Chris Garcia (credits include Celin Dion, Adele and Katy Perry), which was an instant hit on indie stations around the world and is still getting massive airplay and rave reviews.

In mid August 2015 Kevin finished a project with internationally recognized producer, Stuart Epps. Stuart has worked with some of the most influential artists in music, in cluding George Harrison, Bill Wyman, Jimmy Page, Oasis and more. Kevin now has the honor of being listed among the artists Stuart has worked with. The result is a magnificent song entitled “Humanity”. Late 2016 Kevin released a music video for
"Humanity".

In 2017 Kevin was chosen by BEM Wireless to endorse their products. Currently Kevin has engaged in a European radio campaign and is receiving extensive radio play of his music and in September and October has been in the Top 20 on the Top Indécouvertes, Official European Independent Music Chart and in October has landed at #8. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

I had a few tracks to choose from and each one was in contention. 'Borders' is more alt rock than pop, it does however show off the distinct & fine vocals that are a hallmark of Radio Drives music. Some tracks are more melodic, however I'm in the mood for some unpretentious rock & roll which is taken care of in style with this song.

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They Might Be Giants - I Left My Body.

Background - Why is the world in love again? They Might Be Giants has announced the release of I Like Fun, a remarkable 15-track album to be available physically and digitally on 19th January 2018.

I Like Fun jumps with surprises, vitality, and the startling point of view of these Brooklyn originals. Over a year in the making, songwriters and band founders John Linnell and John Flansburgh draw on themes of dread, death, and disappointment and set them to their driving, hyper-melodic music. The results will leave even the most heavy-hearted among us with a renewed sense of wonder. Fresh and sonically adventurous, the band’s command of the studio and the song is in rare form from beginning to end.

On I Like Fun, the spotlight is also on the band’s formidable long-standing live lineup; drummer Marty Beller, bassist Danny Weinkauf and lead guitarist Dan Miller. While the group enjoys a reputation for delivering one of the liveliest shows around, the album accomplishes the rare feat of capturing that ecstatic intensity on disc. Co-produced with and mixed by Patrick Dillett (St. Vincent, Donald Fagen, The National, Mary J. Blige), the album was tracked and mixed at the brand-new Reservoir Studios—site of the legendary Skyline Studios where TMBG recorded their platinum-selling album Flood.

2018 will also see the return of TMBG's Dial-A-Song service, with weekly instalments toll free at www.dialasong.com, and on streaming sites everywhere, featuring new music all year long! WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

It's been a long while since They Might Be Giants first appeared on my musical radar and the new song 'I Left My Body' is going to get me digging out some of their old albums. They can certainly still turn out a pleasing song, this one being a case in point, it's catchy, powerful and uniquely their sound.


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Mitch Bullen - The Fray.

Background - Mitch Bullen is a London based singer songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. His gentle, acoustic guitar finger picking and beautifully soaring vocals draw inspiration from a range of artists from different eras including Ray Charles, Matt Corby, Passenger and Bon Iver. 

Mitch grew up in a musical household, listening to his songwriter Dad's classic rock records, before graduating to generation x emo bands. He tried his hand at automotive engineering and industrial design in two different universities before realising he hated physics and maths, and opting for a career in personal training. But with more music than sweat seeping out of his pores, he decided to move to the music capital of the world, London, to seek his fortunes.

Mitch performs regularly in London's singer songwriter clubs at night and makes a mean coffee as a barista in Fitzrovia by day. With songs that are like short poems inspired by life, time and relationships, Mitch sings with a dreamy zeal that goes straight to the heart. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.

'The Fray' will be followed by another single in November, Mitch Bullen would appear to be in a creative mood. The song gently unfolds with his vocals and a delicate acoustic guitar allowing the track to build, and yes it builds! The vocals are exceptional & the musical arrangement allows them to shine, it's a simple case of more please!

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