Erik Hassle

Who knew VH1 would provide me with some great music. Well they play music in the early morning and there I was suffering through those same old videos they play all the freaking time and then Erik Hassle's video for Hurtful came on. I've never heard of Mr. Hassle before and was blown away by his tone, and his song. Upon further research Hassle, who hails from Sweden, released his debut album Pieces back in February. It's filled with pop fueled rock with a hint of electronica and may not be for the indie crowd.

On Hurtful, Hassle creates an atmospheric quality with loud drums and a quiet undertone of synths. It's a slow burner with a burst of a chorus. One of the best off of Pieces. Don't Bring Flowers is a guitar driven groove that really show off Hassle's knack for the unexpected. Where you expect the song to lift off it holds back. Erik's voice is what drives all of his songs though. He cuts through the music with his pure vocals. A bit of soul, a bit of pop, with a healthy dose of electronica all make for a great new find. Keep your ears open for this guy on the radio.


Erik Hassle- Myspace
Hurtful-

The Riverwinds

Whatever happened to the great Americana rock band? Jakob Dylan held onto the genre with The Wallflowers for a while, and now he's trying to keep it alive with a solo act. And helping him with that heavy torch is The Riverwinds. They somehow have infused their straightforward rock with a homespun quality that is very hard to get right. What The Riverwinds do is create a music landscape that encompasses great melodies, slick guitar licks, and hooks that pull you in closer.

Lead singer Bryan Wood, has a rugged country twang that elevates everything he sings. Let's Roll could've been just a secondhand affair about getting out of a small town. With Wood at the helm he sings his heart out where you actually believe him. I Want You to Know is filled with guitar hooks that from the first 30 seconds you know the song cannot disappoint. It doesn't both musically and lyrically. With lines like I'll think twice before I get myself into something that could be good, that tell of a former player with his heart set on change.

The Riverwinds are brimming with a modern Americana sound that would fit nicely into the dusk of a cool summer night. Good luck finding a physical copy of their full length LP though, digital copies are available through all the usual outlets. A must buy for any lover of a little alt-country with their rock.

The Riverwinds- Myspace
Let's Roll (acoustic)-