No conversation about the modern resurgence of Jamaican roots reggae would be complete without mentioning the influence of Jesse Royal. A man who is nothing short of the embodiment of why Jamaicans and lions so often go hand in hand, he has let his heart lead his career and brought his message of love and unity to all corners of the world. Over the past few years, his career has taken off in spectacular fashion. Performing to crowds so far away from his home town of St. James Parish and growing his fan base with every performance. After his set at this year’s Cali Roots festival, we spoke with Jesse about a wide range of topics from his family ties, stereotypes that affect him, and his relationship with something very near and dear to our hearts, The Grateful Dead.

22-year-old rising guitarist and songwriter Madison Cunningham is debuting her new song “Something To Believe In;” listen/share HERE. Cunningham says the song is about, “the hesitation someone feels before they know they can entrust their love, past, future, joy, and sorrows to another.” She goes on to explain, “I think the most reassuring version of love isn’t in finding a faultless hero, but in finding a friend who admits they are bound to fail you, but will always keep faithfully and steadily trying.”

During the first few seconds of Bobby Hawk’s first solo single, “Lights On Kinks Out,” the listener feels as though they’re tuning in through static to find a secret message unfolding on a faraway radio station. As the song comes into audio focus, it transforms into a haunting musical mantra about escaping a bad situation and returning to where one’s heart resides.

In a city that thrives on its diversity, sun-soaked California retro-soul band Midtown Social unites a fractured San Francisco undergoing swells of monumental change with an uplifting and outright funky new full-length studio album, Fantastic Colors, due out nationwide on Valentine's Day 2020. Midtown Social is of the fabric of San Francisco with its members representing the wide swathes of what makes the city so extraordinary.

Israeli Rock Star delivers a beautiful rendition of a song that’s all over the news this year as Woodstock celebrates its 50th Anniversary.   50 years later, the iconic festival still resonates and folks around the world recognize the impact it has in pop culture today.

Ninet Tayeb is an artist, not only a singer/songwriter/musician but also an acclaimed actress from Israel who’s taken up residency in Los Angeles.

In celebration of tomorrow’s Summer Solstice, Consequence of Sound has unveiled “Violet Light”, the new music video from rock n’ roll missionaries The Artisanals. “Violet Light” will be officially released across all digital and streaming platforms tomorrow, Friday, June 21, and timed auspiciously to be available on a day marked with magic and illumination. Be among the first to watch the dreamy new video for “Violet Light” HERE

The PBS string sensation, Annie Moses Band, re-imagines the Christmas season with stunning arrangements of beloved carols. Classical finesse and fast-paced fiddling fuse in a concert that bridges the gap between the halls of Juilliard and the American heartland. Beautiful original songs (“When The Christmas Baby Cries”) join eternal melodies (“O Holy Night," “Carol of the Bells”) in an Christmas experience that is virtuosic, deeply reverent, and unforgettable. 

Simultaneously familiar and fresh, The Steel Wheels bring a singular energy to every note they play and sparkling craft to each song. This potent combination, paired with a robust tour calendar, have made the veteran band hands-down favorites of fans and peers alike. From their base in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, TSW have played the most prestigious festivals, listening rooms, and clubs in the world, cementing a reputation as one of the top independent bands on the scene today.

Matthew Pinder announces the release of his first full-length album, Give Me Some Time. Produced by Chris Jacobie (Penny & Sparrow), the ten tracks of the album seek to find answers and slow the world down while ranging in themes from fighting through heartbreak to striving for hope.

Turkuaz just released a pro-shot live cut from their performance of a rare David Byrne song, "Big Business," into their song "Murder Face" from 2015's record, Digitonium. It just premiered on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H0j1hJYh_WU