Bronco Simmons – “Away She Goes”: It’s always refreshing to hear a band where you know the passion is there and the talent is self-evident. In the seven minute epic that is “Away She Goes,” the swirling synths do a number on what our expectations for what a good old fashioned rock and roll tune can sound like. The Dallas band put out a song that frankly I was surprised by in a good way. I love finding hidden gems.

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The Bay Rays – “Four Walls”: As this song kicked into gear, I thought “Finally! This was the song I was waiting for tonight.” One of my favorite parts of running a blog is clicking through emails, hearing clips of various tunes. Just a couple of seconds into “Four Walls” I intuitively knew the track as a whole was going to be awesome. The Bay Rays are based in Kent in the UK. Coincidentally, I have family based in Kent in the US.

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Of Clocks and Clouds – “Another Life”: There’s something to be said for a song speaking for itself. When a song isn’t particularly well polished yet grabs your attention regardless. While “Another Life” is full of layers the kind of lo-fi approach of this band does nothing to distract from the catchiness of the song. The Brooklyn duo definitely has an avant garde aspect to their aesthetic and style, yet never runs terribly far from their rock roots.

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Kinky Rhino – “All American Slam”: What can I say? Having booked Jeffrey Wright’s other band Plastic Planets in Columbus a couple of summers ago, my expectations for his more straightforward rock and roll project were high. How can you not love that band name? “All American Slam” is exactly what you would expect from a band called Kinky Rhino. A loud, catchy, badass, and dirty rock and roll tune. You’ll have fun listening.

Matt Gresham – “Small Voices”: Hearing this makes me assume right away that women everywhere will melt to this track. I just think it’s a really catchy, unique track that sounds like Broods replaced their vocalist with a dude. Or if Lorde did a collaboration with Nick Lachey. I also hear a bit of Glass Animals in there. It’s the saccharine, organic sound that comes from something like a xylophone that nails that effect for me. Cool tune.

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