J Roddy Walston & The Business

Pure, raw energy is the only way to describe J Roddy and the Business. From Baltimore by way of Tennessee, these guys play rock n' roll as if their lives depend on it. And a few of today's bands could stand to have their lives threatened. (I'm glaring at you Nickelback!) Their sound is jagged and rough, but then goes down smooth once the melodies take control. JR&TB are nothing if not super catchy. With a sophomore album out on July 27th, JR&TB hope to really show the world what it really means to rock. And roll.

Roddy's voice is all gravel and glass but never veers into grating. One moment he is subdued and the next note everything is unleashed. Piano rocker Don't Break the Needle is one of their strongest tracks with slow burning vocals by Roddy before he lets loose the flames on the chorus. Jerry Lee Lewis would be proud.

Roddy is backed by some serious Business as well. The entire band's sound basically body slams emo to the floor. Not only are J Roddy and the Business performing barn burners with every tune, they set the whole damn town aflame.


J Roddy Walston & The Business- Myspace
Don't Break the Needle-

The Victorious Secrets

FreeCreditScore.com is currently looking to replace their popular fake band. You know the ones with the guys singing in a Renaissance Fair or at a restaurant in pirate get-ups. Yeah, they're fake. Sorry to ruin your childhood fantasies. Anyway, the company has been searching the country for a real replacement band. There are 4 bands that you can vote for right now. I have my favorite and their little commercial ditty is even more catchy than any jingle I have heard on TV. (Maybe the Empire Flooring 1-800-988-2300, EMPIRE!)

The Victorious Secrets (get it?) is an unsigned band from Detroit with a national commercial and the goods to back it up. Their sound is a grungy/pop/rock thing going on. Simultaneously catchy and tongue planted firmly in cheek, they're songs are self-aware and so are the guys in the band. (As evidenced in some of their interviews) Riding on a Falcon, is a thumping good time with excellent lead vocals by Danny Zott. A definite winner in my book for the competition which hopefully leads to bigger and better things for these guys.

The Victorious Secrets- Myspace
Riding on a Falcon-



FreeCreditScore.com Jingle-

Lady Danville

Hailing from LA, acoustic rockers Lady Danville specialize in lush harmonies and gentle hooks. Formed in 2007 after meeting for UCLA's acappella group Awaken, Lady Danville have been hitting every venue in LA to spread their music and gather a following. They are currently recording their full length album. A little bit Death Cab for Cutie mixed with the vocal stylings of Ben Folds.

One of their best songs is Cars which is all bouncy piano and plucky guitar. Lady Danville are on top of their game when they fully embrace the hooks and harmonies that seem to just ooze out of every song. Also check out Anthem, a piano driven mid-tempo that will definitely grow on you. Lady D takes you back to a time when music felt organic and actually performed by musicians. A lot of potential with these guys.

Lady Danville- Myspace
Cars-

Lady Danville - Cars from Matthew Kurtin on Vimeo.

American Bang

I heard about these guys through a Verizon commercial. They had a catchy little song on it a while back and then I had just forgotten about them. I stumbled across them again, very randomly, and and it just so happens that they are finally putting out a proper debut album. (Their self titled effort comes out at the end of August.)

After listening to their first single Wild And Young, they strike me as a cleaner version of Kings of Leon. Lead singer Jaren Johnston even mimics some of Caleb Followill's twangy vocal mannerisms. I am not saying it is a bad thing by any means. If you like Kings of Leon then you'll love American Bang. Their songs are soaring, anthemic, and rollicking. Many of you will scream 'derivative' but I say that American Bang bring a spit shine polish that KoL were just getting around to on their latest album. There's enough room in the music landscape for a band this talented.

American Bang- Myspace
Wild And Young-

Fairline

After combing through some blogs I came across this great band. (Thanks Come Pick Me Up) Fairline have a storied beginning. Coming from the ashes of the band Ivory, lead singer Nathaniel Moon started up Fairline after a series of events involving The Maine led him to quickly get a few tracks in front of the right people.

With a yearning voice that creaks and cracks in the right places, Moon keeps things interesting. Need A Way Out, their first single off their upcoming EP, has a touch of an electronic edge before breaking into full on pop/rock mode for the soaring chorus. Keep an ear open for this band, definitely worth your time.

Fairline- Myspace
Need A Way Out (Acoustic)-

New Americans Video

I first posted about The Americans in March of last year which you can read here. They are just an amazing band from New York with a knack for the retro. Their sound infuses old school doo-wop with a modern rock twist. (The backing vocals and harmonies aren't bad either!) Lead singer Charlie Klarsfeld has a Mark Ronson vibe going on and his voice is what keeps drawing me back in.

Their new EP entitled The White EP is coming out around August. I've got my hands on it and am currently listening the hell out of it. The Antidote is a sort of preview of what's to come. More on this up and coming band. Keep up with them right here on Digging For Days.



The Americans- Myspace
The Antidote-

The Americans - ANTIDOTE Music Video from Charles Klarsfeld on Vimeo.

Download This : The Antidote

The Band Perry

DJ-ing for a country music radio station gets me exposed to a ton of music. It's all country music, which is bad enough, but there are some groups (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum) that cause me to go over to the dark side for a bit. I'm not knocking the genre but I have no use for songs about trucks, rain, and being middle class. I'm from Georgia-don't need a musical reminder. The Band Perry will go onto my acceptable country music list. I saw their video for If I Die Young this morning and was completely taken by two things- #1) singer's Kimberly Perry's soft melodic tone and B.)the lyrics.

The Band Perry consists of siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neal. Having only an EP under their belt, lead singer Kimberly sure does know who to write a song. Having written If I Die Young all by herself, the song has such a great perspective and excellent phrasing. And where it matters most-in the delivery- she hits it out of the park, relying on the lyrics to push the song forward rather than bombast vocals.

An melancholy ballad about a woman's wishes if something should happen to her. With spine-tingling lines like A penny for my thoughts/I'll sell them for a dollar/They're worth so much more after I'm a goner/And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'/Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'. And having gone through losing a friend way too young this really hits me in the gut. A catchy song with killer harmonies and a great message-no matter the genre.

The Band Perry will no doubt get many Lady Antebellum comparisons due to their 2 guys and a girl lineup. But with songwriting this strong and a full length album not even out, I have high hopes for this new group.

The Band Perry- Myspace
If I Die Young-

Carney

Scope. That is what Carney possesses that not many bands can get right. Consisting of brothers Reeve and Zane Carney, the band is just a little left of center. With their debut album, Mr. Green Vol. 1, Carney dives into a different genre with every track and yet somehow remains intact with their sound. They bop with the Cabaret-esque Amelie, infuse quiet blues on Think of You, and completely rock out on Love Me Chase Me. The latter being a slinky, sexy track with a kiss off lyric that is simple and not so sweet. (I don't want you baby/I don't need you lately/Girls I've got to let you go.) It is one their best tracks with slow burn then an avalanche of emotion.

Carney has such a cinematic quality to their music. It is epic in every sense of the word. Just take the nearly 8 minute Testify with its dirty guitar and cool vocals. Carney, in my mind, represent a new direction of rock music. One that doesn't fit their songs into an easily digestable 3 minute radio ready hit. Their songs take their time and the payoff is well worth the wait.

Carney- Myspace
Love Me Chase Me-

Christian TV

Thanks to Crazed Hits for finally getting me to listen to Christian TV. I'd seen this name floating around on the Internet for a while now and just never really wanted to listen to it. (Partly due to the name) But boy I will never judge an artist by their name again. (Well not right away.)

Christian TV is the next big thing in pop music. His single When She Turns 18, may sound inappropriate but it is one of the freshest, catchiest things to come around in quite a while. Borrowing from Timberlake's swagger and throwing in a bit of electronica/rock, Christian TV really knows how to make a splash in the music world. He is currently working on his debut album and if this is the taste of what is to come, then expect a lot out of this guy. Hooky, energetic, and perfect with its summer time care-free feel.


Warning: The video will melt your computer screen and is definitely not appropriate for young 'uns.


Christian TV- Myspace
When She Turns 18-

Good Old War

Leaning a bit to the alt-country side, Good Old War has been one of those bands that I have heard of before but never really say down and gave them a chance. Too bad I did that because now I know what I've been missing. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Good Old War consists of three guys who play down home and left of center country tinged music. Lead singer Keith Goodwin possesses a simple voice that perfectly suits the atmosphere they create.

They just released their self-titled sophomore album and after listening to it, it is a laid back summer-y affair. With tracks like the heartbreaking My Own Sinking Ship about a relationship that felt so right but just didn't work out. (It's the last time we'll fall in love) But they really shine on I Should Go/Thinking of You. It begins with a three part harmony intro before getting into a sweet acoustic, almost Jack Johnson type guitar strum. The song is often sung as a group and the guys know who to blend their vocals perfectly. Both musically and lyrically this song is steps above anything else on the album. The song conveys the strong feeling of wanting and knowing what you can't have. Goodwin sings I can only think of one reason why I should go/I'll see you tomorrow/I'll go back home and think of you.

Good Old War perfectly encompasses that space of down home, laid back, heart on your sleeve music that really wants to speak to the listener. And it only gets better with each listen.

Good Old War- Myspace
I Should Go-

Good Old War "I Should Go/Thinking of You" Glassroom Session

Good Old War | MySpace Music Videos

Ohio Avenue

It says it right on their website- "We're not from Ohio." OK? Now that that is taken care of, Ohio Avenue is the street lead singer Derek Williams grew up on in Indiana. Formed back in 2005, Ohio Avenue kind of falls into that Switchfoot category. You know the "Christian" band with "Christian" overtones. Some of y'all stopped reading right there. Christian bands can get a bad rap. Ohio Avenue, thankfully, don't beat you over the head with their lyrics. They fill their songs with meaning wrapped around a radio ready hook.

Their debut album The Sound is a solid pop/rock effort that boasts rollicking tracks such as Liar Liar and Running Away. Liar has a start/stop guitar lick and a chorus that will eat at your brain for a bit. With lines like, We look the other way and fall in love with the lies we create, it's safe to say that Ohio Avenue is aiming to say something about the society we live in. The Cure is a bit experimental with an echo effect that keeps the song fresh and interesting. Every song is hook laden and perfect for those who like solid pop/rock with substance.

Ohio Avenue-Myspace
Liar, Liar-

The Tails

I get sent a lot of music to be featured here on Digging. I sift through them all and only bring you (what I think is) the best. A lot of bands don't really make the cut but The Tails definitely did. I was surprised to tell you the truth because I've been going through a musical drought. The Tails consist of cousins Craig and Mike Chambers from Long Beach and their music has that California easiness to it. Reminiscent of the Beach Boys with harmonies full of sunshine The Tails provide a much needed jolt of laid back-ness.

Surely is a bouncy number with toy piano and acoustic guitar. It's lightness in its music, though, is a contrast with the lyrics about giving someone space even when it's killing you. (Now I sit on my hands and I'm playing your game/I force myself not to call while you get it all straight.) Check out Science Camp as well, it's a tale of young loves (Where were you when I was through with her? Didn't you know baby that was your turn?) It's one of their catchiest. The Tails are allowing you to download their record for free off of their Myspace page. They may be unheard of now, but once you crank up their songs while soaking up the sun you'll be glad that you dug 'em.

The Tails- Myspace