The Resonars - Crummy Desert Sound

The earliest photo of the Resonars. Coma Cave rooftop, 1991. — with Matt Rendon, Dustin Oj Moyer, Mario Lizarraga Cordova and Eric Royer.

The Resonars started out in 1992 as the brainchild of guitarist and chief songwriter Matt Rendon of Tucson, Arizona. Rendon, in fact, had adopted the "group" name as a tribute to a '60s Tucson band of the same name, which had featured his older brother, John Rendon. Rendon's four-track recordings -- made at his own Coma Cave home studio -- were a blend of moody, introspective psychedelic pop, folk-rock harmonies, and garage rock. Rendon continued to record on his own, and in 1998, released the first Resonars album, on which he had four-tracked himself on all instruments and vocals. This cassette-only release was issued on the Tucson-based Star Time Records (not to be confused with StarTime International Records of Brooklyn).
After a lengthy period, Rendon added additional musicians -- guitarist Eric Royer, drummer Dustin "OJ" Moyer, and bassist Mick Huxley (later bassist Forest Dunn) -- to his Resonars' lineup for live shows and for additional recordings. Two 7" singles and numerous homemade cassette releases (including Tripping in Your Coffin) were made available to fans at their shows. Their second album, the critically acclaimed Bright & Dark, was issued by Get Hip in 1999, with Rendon again playing all of the instruments himself.
Rendon had always intended to get a new band together to play live shows, but eventually retired The Resonars moniker in October 2000. By then he had accumulated scores of collected homemade recordings, some of which he began to release as Kilgore Trouts. He also continued playing shows with Al Perry & the Cattle. After moving to the Seattle area, Rendon joined the Vultures (he plays the drums under the name "Mickey Finch"). The group also featured Heath Heemsbergen, who had known Rendon when he was a member of the Tucson band the Fells.
Rendon later returned to the Tucson area and joined the Knockout Pills, a garage punk band featuring members of the Weird Lovemakers and Los Federales. Royer, meanwhile, returned to his hometown, near Boston, and turned away from rock as his love of the banjo increased. He'd begun playing on the streets of Tucson, and eventually designed a "guitar machine" to play his one-man band shows, accompanying himself on the Dobro and harmonica. Royer has recorded several albums.
In 2002, Rendon resurrected The Resonars name for a new release on Get Hip called Lunar Kit, which featured both sides of the 2000 released "Floor Lamp Eyes" b/w "She's in Love with Her" (Star Time Records) 7". In June of 2002, a new Resonars album was released on Get Hip Records. Titled Lunar Kit, it recalled the last album and even included the single released between the two albums.
After a long break from The Resonars, Rendon returned in 2008 with the band's last album for Get Hip, Nonetheless Blue. Jumping over to the influential California label Burger Records, the band continued cranking out great records, with That Evil Drone in 2008. After recording an EP for Trouble in Mind (Long, Long Thoughts) in 2012, the label released The Greatest Hits of the Resonars, a career spanning sampler of Rendon's genius, in 2013.

Reissued July 2014 on Burger Records the latest release is 'Crummy Desert Sound'

STREAM> Kill It Kid NEW Album You Owe Nothing

Members Marc Jones - Drums (@marcgsjones) Chris Turpin - Vocals and Guitar (@killitkid) Stephanie Jean - Vocals and Piano Dom Kozubik - Bass

Kill It Kid (sometimes shortened to KIK) are a British blues/grunge/Americana band based in Bath and fronted by both Chris Turpin and Stephanie Ward.
Kill it Kid's blend of roots, rock and blues features lead vocals by both Chris Turpin and Stephanie Ward; their line-up has included slide guitar, fiddle and at times banjo. Although the band never really saw their music as folk, the band are still often linked to the British nu-folk revival.

The band was widely recognised as one of the best new acts of 2009, with magazines such as NME and Clash rating their debut album 8/10 and 9/10 respectively; the album was nominated for XFM's New Music Award 2010.

Kill it Kid released their first two albums with London indie label, One Little Indian Records, whose roster includes Björk, Paul McCartney and Skunk Anansie. They signed a publishing deal with EMI in September 2011. In late 2012 the band signed a worldwide recording contract with legendary A&R man Seymour Stein, inking to his Warner Music imprint label Sire Records. Spring 2013 saw the band head to LA to begin work on their third studio album 'You Owe Nothing'

Now a four piece, the band's output, as showcased in their album 'Feet Fall Heavy' (2011), is guitar-driven, drum heavy and raw, and has drawn comparisons to bands like The White Stripes.
Chris Turpin describes the change in a 2011 interview:

‘It’s an entirely different record, it almost feels like a different band, to be honest. It’s just the reality of living and working in the music industry for two years and turning into a family band. You all become siblings which is a bit peculiar after like, the seventeenth day on the road. The main difference is there’s no violin and there’s no acoustic guitars, it’s a much heavier process."

STREAM> You Owe Nothing

Tour Dates

Listen> The Pine Hill Haints Share NEW Song Galaxy Buffalo

The Pine Hill Haints a traditional bluegrass/folk/honky tonk/country band from Alabama, though the band members themselves describe their unique southern roots music as “Alabama Ghost Music" have shared another new track from their upcoming album, The Magik Sounds of the Pine Hill Haints, out September 30th on Olympia-based label K. A high-energy number with a driving rhythm and sing-along melodies, "Galaxy Buffalo" features twangy guitars and banjo to accompany lead singer Jamie Barrier's storytelling vocals.
A group of troubadours and kindred spirits, mix elements of folk, rockabilly, bluegrass and just a hint of punk, their shadowy narratives paint pictures of late nights in small-town diners, cowboy gunfights, and lonely travels across America. Their lineup and sound have changed and evolved over the past decade, but the band's goal has remained the same: to capture a living pulse-- and often an underlying darkness-- with their raw and honest music.

The Last Bison share 2nd #FREEBEE single Bad Country from upcoming album VA

To capture the new sounds on The Last Bison's upcoming album titled VA (It's called "VA," but it is pronounced Virginia. out 9/30), the band spent many days and nights in an old A-frame cabin, on the outskirts of the Great Dismal Swamp near the band's home in Chesapeake, VA. Out of this rustic cabin emerged a collection of music with booming organic drums and energy beyond anything from their previous work. The 11 songs on VA reveal a rejuvenated band relishing in their newfound freedom and returning to their independent roots.

The band has undergone some changes. Gone is the 19th-century stagecoach attire favored by the musicians while touring in support of last year's "Inheritance." Cellist Amos Housworth has married percussionist-vocalist Annah Hardesty. And the band has lost a member, dropping percussionist Jay Benfante in favor of a full drum kit played by session musicians on some tracks. Housworth also adds some electric bass, the first time the band has departed from its all-acoustic sound.

Ben Hardesty, who is the primary songwriter and vocalist, also recorded the drum tracks on the new album.  Andrew Benfante, who has played a 1930s reed organ on previous works, adds piano to the layers, and Amos Housworth has expanded from cello to offering all the bass tracks on the project. Dan Hardesty alternates from banjo to mandolin to guitar, while he and Annah Housworth, who plays bells, provide the lush backing vocals. Teresa Totheroh's violin is the thread that sows the myriad parts together.

Upcoming Tour Dates

9/26 - Richmond, VA - The Camel (tix)

9/30 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hard Rock Cafe (tix)

10/01 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop (tix)

10/02 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern (tix)

10/03 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry (tix)

10/04 - Rock Island, IL - Rozz Tox (tix)

10/16 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge (tix)

10/17 - Fairfield, CT - StageOne (tix)

10/18 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live (tix)

10/22 - Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall (tix)

10/23 - Atlanta, GA - Vinyl (tix)

10/24 - Athens, GA - New Earth Music Hall (tix)

10/25 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre (tix)

11/06 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java (tix)

11/07 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern (tix)

Follow The Last Bison: Artist Website  Facebook  Twitter  YouTube  Instagram Soundcloud

To capture the new sounds on VA, the band spent many days and nights in an old A-frame cabin on the outskirts of the Great Dismal Swamp, near the band's home in Chesapeake, VA Out of this rustic cabin emerged a collection of music with booming organic drums and energy beyond anything from their previous work. Take a quick look at the making of the new album 

Preview> Cody Joe Tillman & The Wicked Truth DEBUT Album

Showcasing a musical fusion of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Texas Country, and Alternative Rock, Cody Joe Tillman & The Wicked Truth is weaving a new sound that is sure to excite the masses hungry for a fresh listening experience. The self-titled album is being recorded now at the famed Sugar Hill Studio in Houston and is planned September 23, 2014 release. The Album will be available on thier website and through CDBaby which distributes to all major digital retailers such as iTunes and Amazon.

“I’ve listened to Chris and 3 Doors Down’s music a lot over the years, and even covered a few of their songs at times,” says Tillman.  “Chris is as cool as they come, and did everything to encourage me and push me to be better in the studio.  He could hear what I should have been singing already in a few of the songs, and knew just how to tell me to get the notes he, and ultimately I, wanted and could be extremely proud of.  We had 11 days to do 11 songs from start to finish.  We actually worked till the last possible second before our flight left to take us back to Texas.”

 In addition to Henderson’s production mastery, the album also benefitted from current 3 Doors Down lead guitarist Chet Roberts’ input behind the boards, as well as his contributions on both vocals and guitar.

“Chet’s lead on ‘No Approval’ could not be any more perfect,” says Tillman.  “It’s high-speed from go and has a part where it feels and sounds like he’s changing gears on the guitar. I remember screaming profanities out loud when it happened because I was so excited.”  

Also contributing drum parts to the album was 3 Doors Down’s current drummer, Greg Upchurch.  From the low, gritty, earthy tone of “See You Around,” to the killer bass line of “Sunday Funday” (compliments of Glen Ackerman), to the simple yet stunning “Soldier Song” (written will Tillman was overseas in the Army right before he crossed the border into Iraq), the album is chock full of many musical flavors, each as interesting as the next.

Tillman, who has been singing “since he was old enough to talk,” watched his father play guitar at home, played in the church band and spent considerable time with his cousin, Mike "Mo" Land, who was in two different Southern rock bands (Second Helping and Justin Time). Picking up the guitar at 12, Tillman penned his first song at the age of 15.  Taking note of his talent, an uncle enrolled him in New School for the Arts in Arizona. Joining the Army later, he played for comrades in Iraq and won more than a talent show; Tillman is a decorated veteran, put in for a bronze star and receiving an Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device.  Returning home a changed man, Tillman went through rough times personally. As his marriage fell apart, he lashed out for a period of time by turning to fighting and drugs before a musical reprieve put him back on track.

Loaded with inspiration, Tillman’s struggles came to life through music and he became the voice of two bands, BLOWN and DRIVEN. Signed to an indie label in Austin, BLOWN shared the stage with Bob Schneider and Push Monkey and made numerous appearances on Austin’s Infynit Hour TV Program. When that didn’t pan out, he returned to Houston, where good friend "Mean" Gene Kelton (Texas Blues Hall of Fame member) introduced Tillman to his sons, Sid and Jamie, who joined forces to form DRIVEN. Between the two gigs, Tillman appeared on Season 5 of America's Got Talent where he truly learned what musical direction he was destined for, with his lyrical truths told in a style shadowing the legends of his influences: Scott Wieland (Stone Temple Pilots), Layne Staley (Alice In Chains), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden & Audioslave), and Jim Morrison.

“Our music is very hard to categorize we’ve been told,” stated Tillman. “It’s a unique mix of styles that are organic and have a whole sound about them. The songs are also more than just words strung together, they are heartfelt and can be felt to down to the core.”

Consisting of Tillman, longtime friend Casey Jouette (lead guitar), former BLOWN members Austin Krecz (drums, percussion) and Michael Alcayde (bass), as well as Justin Kociban (keys, guitar), the current lineup banded together in 2011.

Listen to two songs from the upcoming album

Grifters and Shills - NEW LP Watershed

Rebecca Ferguson: Lead Vocals

John Stoll: Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Harmonica, Backing Vocals, Percussion

Grifters & Shills writes and performs timeless music with deep ties to the past and a very assertive outlook on the present. They pay homage to the paths long taken, but continue forging the trail using their own voice and style.

Featuring tight vocal harmonies, guitar, banjo, percussion, harmonica, and bass, Grifters & Shills epitomizes the modern take on classic roots music. At the heart of it all lies a deep appreciation for where all of this music comes from. And, by extension, where all of us have come from as well.

Grifters & Shills released their debut full-length album, "Watershed." in July 2014. Produced by Brad Sayles (Houston Symphony) and featuring Max Dyer (cello) and Kevin Hardin (fiddle), "Watershed" guides listeners through a unique and thorough journey of roots music set in the modern day. This new album is the much-anticipated follow-up to their EP, "Trainwreck Junkyard" (2013).

John and Rebecca Stoll met and began playing music together in 2008. Their first band, Westbound, released two albums - "Now & Then" (2012) and "Blackjack Road (2010).

Music from all of their albums is playing on left-end-of-the-dial radio stations across the country.

Their instrumentation and vocals have also been featured on albums from other artists, including Texas favorites Myrna Sanders (Big Head Diva; 2012) and Zach Tate (End of Time; 2012). The band has also appeared in Musician’s Friend advertisements in Guitar World, Mix, Electronic Musician and Modern Drummer magazines.