Janet Noh has become a regular on these pages. While in L.A. for NAMM and then GRAMMY week, I crossed paths with Janet more than once. There’s a fun story behind this… While at NAMM, my wife was excited to see a certain artist perform on the Sheraton stage. Being the awesome husband I am, […]
That Moment You Can’t Quite Name in A is For Atom’s New Single “Out of the Blue”
There’s something understated about Out of the Blue that really works in its favour. It doesn’t push too hard or try to manufacture a moment that isn’t there. Instead, A Is for Atom lets things evolve the way these situations tend to in real life.
At its heart, the song deals with that shift most people recognise: when a long-standing friendship starts to feel like something else. Not in a dramatic way, but in the quieter sense where it creeps up on you over time. It’s in the shared history, the familiarity and the little details that suddenly start to mean more than they used to.
Beyond the Spotlight: Bobbo Byrnes and the Realities of the Touring Circuit
Despite spending more than two decades on the road, playing everywhere from dive bars to festival stages across the U.S. and Europe, Bobbo Byrnes has largely remained just outside the traditional spotlight. Which makes his new book Too Many Miles: On the Road with an Unofficial Rock & Roll Goodwill Ambassador feel not only overdue, but necessary. It’s a document of the kind of career that rarely gets written about, even though it represents the reality for most working musicians.
Too Many Miles casts a wide net, chronicling Byrnes’ evolution as a touring artist through years of constant movement. This isn’t a rise-and-fall story or a neatly packaged industry success narrative. Instead, it’s a long haul account of building a life in music the hard way: through house concerts, radio appearances, long drives and the word-of-mouth touring network that exists far below the mainstream radar.
Siren Premiere Emotional New Video for “February’s Son”
For South Florida rock veterans Siren, music has always been about storytelling – about translating real life into something listeners can hold onto. With their new single and video, “February Son,” the band reaches one of the most intimate and emotionally powerful moments of their career.
Written by frontman Rob Phillips, “February Son” honors the memory of Reese Puckett, a beloved family member who passed away at just twenty years old as a result of fentanyl. The song was born out of grief, empathy, and a desire to process loss through creativity.
“It’s one of the most difficult songs I’ve ever written,” says Phillips. “My wife’s daughter lost her son, and we went to her home to comfort the family. I wrote this as a way to deal with the pain and senseless loss—a song for his family and friends to remember him by.”
Interview with Eddie Canyon – Id10t
Sometimes I come across a recording artist and songwriter who seems to be running in parallel to a previous life I lived. When these rare moments happen, its safe to say the music resonates 99.9% of the time. That’s definitely the case with Eddie Canyon and his vinyl-only release, Id10t. I have a copy of […]
Finding Balance in Amana Melome’s New Album “Recalibration”
When I say there is a sense of calm confidence running through Recalibration, I don’t mean that it ever drifts into the background. Quite the opposite. What Amana Melome delivers here is music that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t feel the need to raise its voice to be heard. In an era dominated by volume, speed, and constant digital noise, this feels quietly radical.
A is For Atom Reflects on Memory and Consequence on “Enola”
Songs that draw on history always walk a delicate line. Lean too heavily on reference and they become academic exercises. Ignore context altogether and they risk feeling hollow. The trick is to let the past inform the present without overwhelming it. A is For Atom’s latest single “Enola” is a good example of how to strike that balance.
The title’s connection to the Enola Gay immediately places the song in the shadow of the Atomic Age, of technological power and moral consequence. But Mike Cykoski is not interested in retelling history. Instead, he uses it as a framework. A way of talking about memory and the quiet ways that earlier decisions continue to shape later lives.
Matt Alter Charts an Honest Course with “Train to Nowhere”
On his latest single “Train to Nowhere,” Matt Alter once again proves that he doesn’t need big gestures or flashy production to make an impact. Here he leans into what he does best with honest songwriting, emotion and confidence.
Instead, he leans into what he does best: honest songwriting, lived in emotion, and a quiet confidence that comes from years of refining his craft.
The song arrives as the next preview from Alter’s upcoming, fourth solo album I’m Lonely… It’s My Fault, produced by Tavis Stanley, is scheduled for release on March 5, 2026. “Train to Nowhere” continues his thoughtful, single by single rollout, before the full record arrives. It’s an approach that mirrors his creative process, allowing every song to feel fully formed and intentional.
Rene Lopez Digs Deep on “Goin Back To Lovin’”
Bronx born singer-songwriter Rene Lopez has never been one to smooth the edges, and his latest single, “Goin Back To Lovin’,” leans fully into that. Out now, the track offers a stripped down, emotionally direct look at what happens when the bravado fades.
Built on a gritty blend of outlaw country, Latin soul and rock & roll, “Goin Back To Lovin’” finds Lopez confronting his own missteps head-on. The song doesn’t shy away from broken bridges or hard earned lessons, but instead it follows the quiet determination of someone choosing to stop running and start rebuilding. The groove is not forced, and Lopez’s vocals are close and conversational, like a late night confession shared over a drink at a neighbourhood bar.
Finding Forward Motion – Amana Melome’’s “Recalibration” Arrives Ahead of New Album
About Amana Melome’
Amana Melome’ is a Euro-Caribbean American singer songwriter whose music layers soul, jazz, folk and global influences into a sound shaped by lived experience and deep musical lineage. Born in Germany and raised across continents, her work reflects a life spent moving between cultures, languages and creative worlds.
Melome’ comes from a celebrated jazz family. Her grandfather, Jimmy Woode, was the youngest bassist to join Duke Ellington’s orchestra and performed alongside legends including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis. While honoring that heritage, Melome’ has carved out a voice that is distinctly her own – warm, introspective and with plenty of emotional honesty.
Her forthcoming album Recalibration marks a significant chapter for Melome’, following several years away from releasing music while embracing motherhood. The project reflects themes of growth, connection, and realignment, offering a soulful, grounded perspective.
