Once again we take a new music trip around the globe on The Matinee July 27th edition. Speaking of trips, some of us, including myself, are en route if not having already arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, and we hope one of these days the artists listed below will be gracing the stages of NFF or one of the after-parties. […]

We have arrived at our favorite time of year and one of our top two festivals. There is nothing like Newport Folk Festival, now in its 58th year! The Festival’s longevity is a testament to its influence and impact on music, such as when Bob Dylan went electric in 1966 or as recently as last year when Kris Kristofferson made […]

Just like Day 1, the second day of Newpork Folk Festival is filled with conflicts, as is expected. The first half of the day features several international artists, some of whom occupied many of our “Favorites of 2016” lists. The mid-afternoon to evening portions are littered with some of the biggest names in indie, folk, Americana, and alt-country. Oh, there […]

Like the first two days, the final day of Newport Folk Festival is loaded with marquee-worthy performers. There are several collaborations officially on the bill. To make things even more interesting, there is one time slot that features an unnannounced artist. Who could it be? Hmm… To assist with your planning, the Newport Folk Festival 2017: Sunday Guide is your […]

The Matinee July 25th features music that I like to listen to while taking a long trip by plane. There are songs that ease the nerves and help you relax, and a few whose sole intention is to get the energy flowing and awaken you from your high-altitude stupor. With that, let’s take a musical trip that starts in the […]

The Matinee July 20th features another set of a 9 awesome new music singles. There is, as usual, a mix bag of goodies, so reach in and find a surprise. Chad VanGaalen – “Pine and Clover” (Calgary, Canada) RIYL: Father John Misty, Richard Swift, Jonathan Richman Where does one even begin to describe Chad VanGaalen, the Swiss Army knife of […]

Kalmia Traver is often associated with leading the alt-pop marching band collective Rubblebucket. With her booming tenor and baritone saxophones, her radiant vocals, and frenetic dancing on stage, she exemplifies the term frontwoman, or, in this case, field commander. While she looks in control on stage, she was quietly fighting another battle off it, one with ovarian cancer. Like everything […]

The Matinee July 18th edition is perfect for these steamy summer nights. The songs are either radiant, dreamy, or really sultry with a wide range of genres included. Reggae, dream-folk, disco-pop, alternative rock, electronic rock, and a slice of Americana are among the selections.   French for Rabbits – “It Will Be Okay” (Wellington via Waikuku Beach, New Zealand) RIYL: […]

Woolly mammoths reigned the northern hemispheres during the Ice Age, but as everyone knows they have long been extinct. They can now only be spotted in museums and history books, never to rise again. Now a different type of giant is re-awakening, having adopted the Latin form of its name as their own. Icelandic band Mammút have returned with a […]

The Matinee July 13th offers another round of great new music. There are some spine-tingling numbers, gritty rockers, quirky electronic pop, and a folk tune that will have you smiling. Let’s get to the tunes. TORRES – “Three Futures” (Brooklyn, USA) RIYL: St. Vincent, Waxahatchee, Weyes Blood Mackenzie Scott, a.k.a. TORRES, has slowly trickled out new music and teasers, offering […]

The Matinee July 11th is like a grand buffet, offering a diverse and eclectic set of new music from across the globe. There’s dream folk from New Zealand and Australia plus blistering indie rock from England and the USA. Great Britain also offers some savory R&B, synth-pop delights come from Canada, and the country of Norway offers some biting psychedelia. […]

“It is the blessing of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson In their nearly 20 years of existence, Broken Social Scene have established the benchmark for indie rock in the 21st century. They have also become the ideal for what it means to be a super-collective, as each member has achieved […]

GN by Ratboys “Ratboys are your new favorite band” screams out the headline on the Chicago-based band’s press kit. Those are bold words in an era full of bands battling to be heard and embraced by old and new generations of music fans. While such a proclamation would be dismissed as just ultra-exuberance, Ratboys back up the statement on their […]

The Matinee July 6th edition features only eight songs instead of the usual nine, so we could add two videos. Besides the number of tunes, the mini-playlist is also a bit different in that it has a heavy UK emphasis. Today’s list could be mistaken as a BBC Introducing episode. Anyway, enjoy the mini-playlist, which has plenty of variety. Be […]

For nearly two decades, Gordon Raphael established himself as one of the industry’s most respected and sought-after music producers. His “claim-to-fame” occurred in 2001 when he produced The Strokes debut EP, The Modern Age, and their first two full-length albums – 2001’s This Is It, which was named by NME as the album of the decade, and 2003’s Room on […]

For most 21-year olds, it will be years before they understand what the future holds for them. For Annabel Allum, the future is now. Allum began her career making mostly indie-folk music and released a well-received EP, Absent. The record put the Surrey, England native’s name out to the music world, but it was her transformation in 2016 that caught […]

Happy Fourth of July to all our American friends. We hope the day is full of fantastic food, drink, and, of course, friends and family. To help you celebrate the holiday, we offer a selection of nine songs on The Matinee July 4th edition. Some of them are as explosive as fireworks while others will have you contemplating what it […]

Wellington’s motto is “the coolest little capital in the world,” and the New Zealand city has earned it. Despite a population that is just four percent the size of London, Wellington possesses fantastic restaurants, excellent micro-breweries, and an exceptional arts community. Its music scene is surprisingly rich and diverse, but you have to live here to really appreciate it. One […]

It’s been a whirlwind of a ride for Kane Strang. In 2015, he recorded his debut album, Blue Cheese, in the confines of his bedroom and self-released it. Shortly after, Flying Nun stepped in and distributed the LP internationally, and the record was widely applauded for Strang’s ambition and clever lyricism. Then late in 2016, indie label giant Dead Oceans announced […]

The Matinee June 30th features another exhilarating set of new music. Nine songs once again are shared. There are some familiar names and a few that are still making a name for themselves. Listen right to the end because the final song is one of the year’s most stunning. CYMBALS – “Car Crash” (London England & Paris, France) RIYL: Future […]