“Americana” is both a fitting title and one that doesn’t do this set justice. Clearly the music presented here is set in a style of music that is intrinsically and organically American music. There’s no sound here that’s something cut of out of a cloth that feels like it comes from anywhere other than America, and nothing here that feels unknown or exotic. However, with that title, there’s a wide range of sounds and Hurt pulls them all off with a sense of genuineness and clarity that’s incredible.

On a quiet week night in Boulder, CO, the Positive Force, led by band and movement leader Femi Kuti, came to bring their traditional power and spirit through music.

Jupiter in Velvet is based out of London and has received critical acclaim from many music critics from around the globe. With the release of his Debut CD ‘Screaming the Love Behind the Scars’, Jupiter has landed and is set to achieve galactic domination. The 10 song CD is available on their website, iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon and many more global digital distributorsScreaming the Love Behind the Stars is one release that certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Coming to a dance floor near you, an infectious new track by the electro-rock duo BoomBox, who is set to release their new album in the upcoming year. BoomBox is made up of producer/DJ Russ Randolph and singer/songwriter/guitarist Zion Godchaux, who have established themselves as one of the premier late-night acts in the festival circuit.

From New York comes a4 member Rock band known as “Dog Society” who just released his latest effort Emerge (2012). Dog Society is strongly established in that region and this latest release is a collection of 12 amazing songs. Dog Society are:   Band members include Bruce Erik Brauer (guitar), Guerzon (Bass) and Joe Ranieri (Drums + Percussion) and last but certainly not least  Brian Schnaak (vocals).

On December 31, 2012, The Mantras along with Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, rang in 2013 in fine fashion at Greensboro, North Carolina's Blind Tiger.  On this leg of the tour, the Mantras and Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band are alternating the headlining role from night to night.

These SoCal miscreants came shredding down the alleys of the LA punk scene in 2009, and have recently been LA-reppin’ with the likes of Pitchfork and SPIN Magazine. FIDLAR consists of Zac Carper, Brandon Schwartzel, and brothers, Elvis and Max Kuehn, and the boys are set to release their eponymous record on Mom & Pop/Wichita recordings January 22^nd. This highly anticipated release is fresh on the heels of a year spent touring with the Hives, Delta Spirit, and JEFF the Brotherhood.

Though it’s barely a week into January, the 2013 music festival rumors are plentiful.

“Never miss a Sunday show.” This has long been word of the wise from many Phish fans when it comes to experiencing a run of shows. On top of that, the date 12/30 has always been a legendary night for the band. Walking into Madison Square Garden that Sunday night I expected to hear an entertaining show and hoped for some longer extended jams. After all, the opening two nights had overall solid set lists, but there was definitely room for more experimental jamming and improvisation.

The first time it happened, in December of 2001, I was in a room roughly the size of The Fox Theatre in Boulder. I stood ten feet from the edge of the stage while my girlfriend and her sorority sister shared a stale rum ‘n’ coke beneath the east wall jungle mural. Ekoostik Hookah, an Ohio-based jamband, launched into the eurhythmic, tom-driven section of their epic piece, Ecstasy.