Tag Archive for: live music

COMING TO ATLANTA AT THE EASTERN ON DEC 9 – PORTUGAL. THE MAN!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/1/25

To celebrate their 10th studio album, they’ll be hitting the road! They’ll play on Dec 9th at The Eastern.


SHISH finds Portugal.The Man on the edge of discovery – pulling the curtain back further. Across its ten distinct tracks, the band leans into discomfort, vulnerability, and the warped pop sensibility that only Portugal. The Man can offer. SHISH represents a period of intense reappraisals for Gourley, both in music and in life and it combines Gourley’s most revealing writing yet, not only about the lessons he learned being raised in Alaska, but also some of the lessons he’s already learned raising his daughter, Frances, who was diagnosed with one of the world’s rarest genetic disorders four years ago. 

These personal tales and philosophies mirror a broader sense of musical freedom than Portugal. The Man has ever before embraced, in spite of how wide-ranging their music has always been.

The band’s released some great teases of the record so far with their tracks: “Angoon,” “Denali”, “Tanana,” and “Mush.” 

Praise for Portugal. the Man:


“Shish, the most explicitly Alaskan record Gourley has written, because he felt he owed it to Alaska and he owed it to himself.” – SPIN

“Shish’s early singles hint at a certain propulsiveness to the structures of these songs, even if Gurley’s falsetto, surfy guitars, and bubblegum psych-pop aesthetic tend to bring MGMT’s Congratulations to mind.” – FLOOD “

“Tanana” finds the band in hazy psych-pop mode, while “Mush” is a little more rocking and propulsive.” – Brooklyn Vegan

“Portugal. The Man, whose 2017 smash “Feel It Still” has been stuck in your head no fewer than six times, have announced their forthcoming album, “SHISH,” with these two new songs. “Tanana” — a city in Alaska, the band’s birth state — evokes a woozy psych-rock freefall, countered by the skittering alt-rock anxiety of “Mush.”  – Boston Globe

“SHISH is yet another awe-inspiring effort from Gourley and his Portugal. The Man project turned out to be some of the most honest, refreshing music the artist has added to his discography in some time. These ten songs pinpoint the exact time and space Gourley is currently in, and turn his point of view into relatable slices of daring, artistic indie rock.” Glide Magazine

“SHISH saw Gourley scale-back from the limitless world to a tightened circle. It became a call back to the band’s Alaskan origins and upbringing, adopting a mentality of taking only what you need rather than everything at your fingertips. Through SHISH, Portugal. The Man invites listeners into their home, proudly representing the community they came from.” Luna Collective

“The Grammy-winning indie-rock mainstays’ next project shows them braving fearsome new sonic possibilities and drawing inspiration from their origins in Alaska” – Relix 


“A pretty eclectic mix of music that hops extravagantly from foot to foot” – 13th Floor

Rest of the tour:

Dec 2 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (The Lords of Portland Present Portugal. The Man)

Dec 3 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
Dec 4 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Dec 5 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
Dec 7 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns
Dec 8 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Dec 9 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
Dec 11 – Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory
Dec 12 – Austin, TX – ACL Live – Moody Theater

DAVID BYRNE IS ON TOUR AT THE FOX THEATRE ATLANTA – DEC 2 & 3

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/5/25

DAVID BYRNE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 

AND WORLD TOUR

WHO IS THE SKY?

DUE SEPTEMBER 5 FROM MATADOR RECORDS

A COLLABORATION WITH PRODUCER KID HARPOON AND GHOST TRAIN ORCHESTRA

ALSO FEATURING HAYLEY WILLIAMS, ST. VINCENT AND TOM SKINNER

HEAR FIRST SINGLE “EVERYBODY LAUGHS”

David Byrne is proud to announce Who Is the Sky?, his first new album since 2018’s acclaimed and award-winning American Utopia, which will be released September 5th by Matador Records. The album was produced by the Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), while its 12 songs were arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Click here to pre-order the album, including a limited Cantaloupe Orange / Strawberry Pink split vinyl featuring a lenticular cover.

Musical friends old and new, including St. Vincent, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, The Smile drummer Tom Skinner and American Utopia percussionist Mauro Refosco, also make appearances on Who Is the Sky?, which is led by the infectious single “Everybody Laughs.”  Along with the song, Byrne has released its official video, directed by multimedia artist Gabriel Barcia-Colombo.

“Someone I know said, ‘David, you use the word “everybody” a lot.’ I suppose I do that to give an anthropological view of life in New York as we know it,” says Byrne. “Everybody lives, dies, laughs, cries, sleeps and stares at the ceiling. Everybody’s wearing everybody else’s shoes, which not everybody does, but I have done. I tried to sing about these things that could be seen as negative in a way balanced by an uplifting feeling from the groove and the melody, especially at the end, when St. Vincent and I are doing a lot of hollering and singing together. Music can do that – hold opposites simultaneously. I realized that when singing with Robyn earlier this year. Her songs are often sad, but the music is joyous.”

“It took me a second to realize, oh yeah, these songs are personal, but with David’s unique perspective on life in general,” adds Kid Harpoon (aka Tom Hull). “Walking around New York listening to the demo of ‘Everybody Laughs’ was so joyous, because it made me feel like we’re all the same – we all laugh, cry and sing. The thing about David that resonates with a lot of people is that he’s in on the joke. He gets the absurdity of it all, and all of these personal observations are his perspective on it.”

Byrne will also return to the road with a brand new live show in support of Who Is the Sky?. The touring band will comprise 13 musicians, singers and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band, all of whom will be mobile throughout the set. The North American tour begins in September, with Australia & New Zealand dates kicking off in January 2026 and European & United Kingdom dates starting the following month. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 13 and can be purchased HERE. Fans can sign up for the artist presale now through June 12th at 10:00 pm local HERE. The artist presale will begin Tuesday, June 10th 10:00am ET through Thursday, June 12th at 10:00pm local. See the full tour itinerary below.

In 2023, as his triumphant American Utopia era came to a close after morphing from an album and tour into an acclaimed Broadway show and then a Spike Lee-directed HBO film, Byrne began jotting down the occasional groove, chord or melody. It had been a minute.

During the tumultuous three prior years, “I did a LOT of cooking (Mexican and Indian mostly) and a LOT of drawing,” says Byrne, who also started compiling lyric ideas and phrases for possible songs. “I’ve found that when the time comes, it’s easier to start if there’s a little stockpile – and before too long there was. Very rudimentary songs began to emerge, with just me on acoustic guitar singing over a programmed loop or beat.”

And with the world, and the in-progress American Utopia Broadway run, on pause, he, like much of humanity, took the opportunity to ask, “Do I like what I’m doing? Why am I writing songs, or working this job, or whatever? Does any of it matter?”

Byrne’s attempts to answer those weighty questions can be found on Who Is The Sky?, which builds upon the optimistic themes laid out by American Utopia and its supporting tour, and more specifically spelled out by the Grammy-winning Broadway show and subsequent movie. With this offering, Byrne continues his lifelong exploration of human connection and the potential for societal unity against the chaotic backdrop of the world. Who Is the Sky? is particularly cinematic, humorous and joyful, but often with a lesson baked in – that love is unexplainable, that enlightenment means very different things to different people and that it’s always a good idea to moisturize, whether you wake up the next morning with skin like a baby or not. Most importantly, the songs evince Byrne’s gift for riding the razor’s edge of avant-garde and accessible pop.

Byrne was inspired to enlist Ghost Train Orchestra for the album after hearing their 2023 tribute album to the blind New York composer and street poet Moondog, and later that year jumped on stage with the group during a Brooklyn performance. Enticed by the 15-member Ghost Train’s varied instrumental lineup – which includes drums, percussion, guitar and bass along with strings, winds and brass – he thought to himself, “what if that’s what these new songs of mine sounded like?” Byrne asked if they’d want to serve as his band for the Who Is The Sky? sessions, and they quickly agreed.

“David sent me some demos and asked us to put together some orchestral ideas,” says Ghost Train Orchestra leader Brian Carpenter. “Curtis Hasselbring and I quickly wrote a couple rough draft arrangements of his songs for Ghost Train, including ‘My Apartment Is My Friend,’ which was the first song we rehearsed at our tiny rehearsal space in Chinatown. To hear him singing with us for the first time on that song was just incredible.”

Via an introduction at a party by a friend, Kid Harpoon came into the picture next. “Sometimes things do happen at parties,” Byrne notes. “I knew this could all get complicated and I also wanted to be sure the recordings sounded as good as possible. An outside set of ears can be super helpful. A few artists I knew had worked with Kid Harpoon, and I thought those records sounded really good.” Byrne sent Harpoon some demos, and after a discussion at the former’s Santa Monica hotel, he jumped aboard too.

There are “more story songs than usual” on Who Is the Sky?, according to Byrne. These “mini-narratives based on personal experience” include “She Explains Things to Me” (sample lyric: “how come it’s all so obvious to her?”), “A Door Called No” (which magically opens after Byrne receives a kiss), “My Apartment Is My Friend” (“you’ve seen me at my very worst / but we always get along,” he sings) and “I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party” (at which the onetime spiritual guru is more interested in the unhealthy deserts than deification).

Marked by the inviting vocal interplay between Byrne and Paramore’s Williams, the jaunty “What Is the Reason for It?” aims to codify love in a way logic can rarely accomplish (“does it do something useful? / nobody understands it”), while “The Avant Garde” wrestles with the merits of art for art’s sake (“it’s ahead of the curve / it’s deceptively weighty, profound, absurd / it’s whatever fits” – a meta observation if ever there was one from one of the most iconoclastic artists to emerge from the New York rock underground.

“I suspected that intimate orchestral arrangements would bring out the emotion I sense is there in these songs,” says Byrne. “It’s something that folks don’t always hear in my work, but this time for sure I thought it was there. At the same time, I also see myself as someone who aspires to be accessible. I imagined that Kid Harpoon would help with that, as well as being a set of trusted ears, since there was a lot going on. People think of producers as people who mainly make a record sound good, and Kid Harpoon did that, but he was also aware of how important the storytelling is.”

An admitted “stickler when it comes to grooves,” Byrne welcomed late-in-the-game contributions from Skinner and Refosco, with whom he’s recorded and toured for more than 30 years. Mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent and mastered by Emily Lazar, the finished product is about both hiding and revealing, or as Byrne puts it, “a chance to be the mythical creature we all harbor inside. A chance to step into another reality. A chance to transcend and escape from the prison of our ‘selves.’” These concepts are heavily incorporated in the Who Is The Sky? album package, which was designed by Shira Inbar and finds Byrne nearly obscured by radiating, colored patterns and psychedelic, spiky outfits designed by Belgian artist Tom Van Der Borght.

“At my age, at least for me, there’s a ‘don’t give a shit about what people think’ attitude that kicks in,” Byrne says. “I can step outside my comfort zone with the knowledge that I kind of know who I am by now and sort of know what I’m doing. That said, every new set of songs, every song even, is a new adventure. There’s always a bit of, ‘how do I work this?’ I’ve found that not every collaboration works, but often when they do, it’s because I’m able to clearly impart what it is I’m trying to do. They hopefully get that, and as a result, we’re now joined together heading to the same unknown place.”

Who Is the Sky? track list:

  1. Everybody Laughs
  2. When We Are Singing
  3. My Apartment Is My Friend
  4. A Door Called No
  5. What Is the Reason for It?
  6. I Met the Buddha at a Downtown Party
  7. Don’t Be Like That
  8. The Avant Garde
  9. Moisturizing Thing
  10. I’m an Outsider
  11. She Explains Things to Me
  12. The Truth

WORLDWIDE TOUR DATES

North America: 

09/14/2025 – Providence, RI – Veterans Memorial Auditorium

09/16/2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center PAC

09/17/2025 – Columbus, OH – Mershon Auditorium

09/19/2025 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre

09/21/2025 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors

09/23/2025 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre

09/25/2025 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theatre

09/27/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem

09/28/2025 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem

09/30/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

10/01/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

10/03/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre

10/04/2025 – Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre

10/07/2025 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale Theatre

10/08/2025 – Portland, ME – Merrill Auditorium at City Hall

10/10/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall

10/14/2025 – Richmond, VA – Altria Theater 

10/16/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark

10/17/2025 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark

10/21/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall

10/22/2025 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Massey Hall

10/25/2025 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

10/28/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium

10/29/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium

10/31/2025 – Chicago, IL – The Auditorium

11/03/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre

11/04/2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Orpheum Theatre

11/06/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre

11/07/2025 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre

11/11/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre

11/12/2025 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre

11/16/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

11/17/2025 – San Francisco, CA – The Theater at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

11/20/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre

11/21/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – Dolby Theatre

11/25/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall

11/26/2025 – Austin, TX – Bass Concert Hall

11/28/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park

11/29/2025 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park

12/02/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

12/03/2025 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

12/05/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre

12/06/2025 – Miami, FL – Fillmore Miami Beach At Jackie Gleason Theatre

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with presales that will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, June 13 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.  Select packages include premium tickets, a tour of the stage and an on-stage photo op, a signed copy of David Byrne’s photo book and early entry into the venue. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

LEON MAJCEN PLAYING THE EASTERN IN ATLANTA ON NOV 19 AND 20

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/28/25

MAKING A LIVIN’ (NOT A KILLIN’) OUT TODAY VIA CLOVERDALE RECORDS

ON TOUR THIS FALL AND WINTER

Dates Include Support For Margo Price, Kip Moore, Sam Barber + Headline Shows

Majcen makes music reflective of his journey from growing up in the Gulf Coast of Florida as the son of Bosnian war refugees, to honing his craft in New York City, to finding his voice in Nashville’s Americana scene. Influenced by legends like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Guy Clark, he blends Americana, folk, and country into songs that are as soulful as they are sincere. Making A Livin’ (Not a Killin’) – out October 17 –is his fourth album in five years and produced with multi-instrumentalist Pat Lyons (Colter Wall), who helped Majcen expand his sonic palette while staying true to his roots. Inspired by the tours that have taken him far beyond his adopted home of Nashville, the result is an album alive with motion, roadside revelations, and the lessons learned along the way.

“The 12-song experience tells a tale that is inspired by a journey of growth for a songwriter but also a man. It is a quintessential offering for an early summer sit down with a record player and a thunderstorm in the background, a perfect escapism opportunity.” – American Songwriter on Better Days

“Leon Majcen is an up & comer you need to know, & his new record Better Days is proof” Whiskey Riff

“his live performance made me an instant fan” The Pitch

Today, singer-songwriter Leon Majcen releases his fourth full-length album in five years, Making A Livin’ (Not a Killin’), via Cloverdale. A modern-day folk singer in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt and John Prine, Majcen was by Bosnian refugee parents who moved the family to Florida in search of a better life. His father introduced him to outlaw country at an early age, and he soon began developing his own voice while performing locally. Majcen gained national attention as a teenager when his single “Love and Misery” became a hit on SiriusXM’s The Coffee House Channel.  The new album reflects a decade spent touring, performing, and chasing stories across the country, balancing solo acoustic intimacy with full-band energy. From the reflective “Down The Road” to the bluesy rocker “Walking Down The Street,” Making A Livin’ (Not a Killin’) captures the highs, lows, and humor of life on the move, marking it Leon’s most layered and honest work to date. Stream/purchase Making A Livin’ (Not a Killin’) here. 

Majcen’s unmistakable talent has earned the attention of Nashville’s finest including Margo Price, who personally invited him to join her on tour. He’ll be on the road throughout 2025, performing both headline shows and support slots alongside Price, Kip Moore, and more. All dates are below and tickets are available here.

Leon Majcen tour dates

10/17 – Pueblo Memorial Hall – Pueblo, CO*

10/18 – The Lincoln – Cheyenne, WY*

10/23 – Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise, ID*

10/24 & 10/25 – The Elm – Bozeman, MT*

10/30 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI*

10/31 & 11/1 – Saint Andrew’s Hall – Detroit, MI*

11/6 – Petersen Events Center – Pittsburgh, PA%

11/7 – The Anthem – Washington, D.C.%

11/8 – Wolstein Center – Cleveland, OH%

11/11 – The Commonwealth Room – Salt Lake City, UT^

11/12 – Belly Up Aspen – Aspen, CO^

11/14 – Longhorn Ballroom – Dallas, TX^

11/15 – Emo’s – Austin, TX^

11/16 – John T. Floore’s Country Store – Helotes, TX^

11/19 & 11/20 – The Eastern – Atlanta, GA+

11/22 – St. Pete Country Festival – St. Petersburg, FL

12/5 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX+

12/12 – Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL***

12/13 – The Merry Widow – Mobile, AL***

*support for Kip Moore

+support for Sam Barber

%support for Turnpike Troubadours

^support for Margo Price

***support for Liam St. John

^^^support for American Aquarium

MOTHE PLAYING THE MASQUERADE ATLANTA NOV 3

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/19/25

MOTHÉ

NEW ALBUM TOTAL POPSTAR 

OUT NOW

HEADLINING SHOWS IN AUSTIN, DENVER, SEATTLE, LOS ANGELES & MORE

SUPPORTING INDIGO DE SOUZA ON 

PRECIPICE FALL TOUR

Inspired by club culture and the aura of late-night DJ sets, pop artist, DJ and producer Mothè (they/them or she/her) embodies the spirit of their new album Total Popstar. Their most honest record yet is a journal of raw experiences – from rowdy encounters in after hours warehouses to introspective reflections on the emotional complexities of relationships and self-discovery. Each moment spent within Los Angeles’ underground rave/party scene answered their understanding of freedom, resulting in 10 tracks primarily freestyled in their 1800s Victorian-stylized home following a night’s adventures. “The album is a story about an extremely messy year in my life,” they say. “There’s not a huge throughline to the way life goes, but it does touch on every emotionally complicated aspect of my life while emphasizing the need to let loose.”

To celebrate the release of Total Popstar, Mothé has kicked off their headlining tour, making notable stops in cities including Austin at Empire Control Room, Salt Lake City at Kilby Court, Denver at Globe Hall, ending in Los Angeles at The Echo. This fall, they will support Indigo De Souza for her Precipice tour, starting October 18 in Columbus at Athenaeum Theatre and wrapping November 2 in Asheville at Orange Peel – find a show near you and get tickets HERE. Full list of tour dates below. 

TOUR DATES

8/19 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger Small Room

8/20 -Austin, TX -Empire Control Room

8/22 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall

8/23 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court

8/25 – Portland, OR – Holocene

8/26 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lou’s

8/29 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet Room

8/30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo

10/18 – Columbus, OH – Athenaeum Theatre +

10/19 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall +

10/20 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall +

10/22 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer +

10/23 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club +

10/25 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall +

10/26 – Boston, MA – The Royale +

10/27 – New York, NY – Webster Hall +

10/30 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson +

11/02 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel +

11/3 – Atlanta, GA – Purgatory

+ supporting Indigo De Souza

ROCKET PERFORMING AT AISLE 5 ON NOV 4TH!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/15/25

R is for Rocket, out Oct 3rd via Transgressive Records / Canvasback (Greg Freeman, War on Drugs) sees the band deliver on all of the promise of their 2023 self-released debut EP. Great introductory story at Rolling Stone if you’re unfamiliar. Stream the new album, check out the Press Kit, and watch videos for “Wide Awake” & “Crossing Fingers,” both great examples of their fully formed sound. 

The band’s jagged, fuzzed-out sound has antecedents in ‘90s guitar bands like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, but Rocket are doing something uniquely their own with those touchstones. It’s no wonder they are widely considered one of the most promising guitar-forward bands of their generation. They’ve just wrapped up a tour with Smashing Pumpkins, and this will be their debut headline tour. Definitely worth catching this very promising band at this stage!

“an explosive introduction.. levels up their dynamic, Nineties-inspired rock sound” – Rolling Stone

“nods to ’90s indie rock staples..blissfully detached dream-pop..hard-hitting numbers..Rocket have built themselves a solid launching pad” – Stereogum ‘Best New Artists of 2024’

“It’s rare to find a band so fully developed without an album out.. they’re certainly not lacking in the songwriting department” – Consequence ‘Artists to Watch in 2025’

“combines a laid-back California charm with biting lyricism and tight, synergetic compositions. If Sonic Youth made pop chart-friendly hits, you’d have Rocket”- Paste Magazine 

“The harmonies glide, whereas the riffy, daydreamy guitars build to a glorious climax in the back half, reminiscent of Sonic Youth and Momma” – Alternative Press ‘Rising Artists to Know’

“this underground band are making big, open-hearted anthems for a new generation to rally around” – NME ‘Cover Story’

“catchy, yearning ballads that evoke nostalgia for adolescent frustrations” – Document Journal

Los Angeles, CA’s Rocket have released their highly anticipated debut album, R is for Rocket, their first for Transgressive Records / Canvasback. “We dedicated this record to Alithea’s dad, who passed away unexpectedly this year,” the band shared in a heartfelt statement. “Choosing him as the cover was the perfect way to immortalize him forever on our first record. This record is so special and close to our hearts and we spent years getting it to the place it is now.”

Comprised of Alithea Tuttle (vocals, bass), Baron Rinzler (Guitar), Cooper Ladomade (Drums) and Desi Scaglione (Guitar), Rocket have had a busy few years. The Los Angeles crew with friendships stretching back to their childhood formed in 2021, convening in an unmarked shed to put their debut EP to tape. Despite it being the first time any of them had seriously approached the idea of a ‘band,’ they seemed to arrive fully formed with combustible, airtight songs.

R is for Rocket, the quartet’s remarkable debut album, is a joyride through sonic terrain that is gloriously loud, anthemic, bombastic and beautiful, with instantly captivating songs that achieve the rare feat of evoking nostalgia while sounding completely new. The band’s jagged, fuzzed-out sound has antecedents in ‘90s guitar bands like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, but Rocket are doing something uniquely their own with those touchstones. It’s no wonder they are widely considered one of the most promising guitar-forward bands of their generation.

While the album builds on the energy of their critically lauded Versions of You EP, R is for Rocket is also hugely evolutionary, elevating the band’s craft in major ways. By the time they began work on the album in early 2024, they’d been on a near constant touring schedule, spending countless hours on the road opening for their heroes Ride, Sunny Day Real Estate and Silversun Pickups, and writing in their modest studio – a back house in drummer Cooper Ladomade’s parents’ yard – both refining and expanding their sound.

The quartet have been slowly releasing their first new music since the 2023 EP this year, sharing album cuts “Crossing Fingers” & “One Million,” before formerly announcing the album in July with the head turning “Wide Awake,” which arrived alongside an in-depth Rolling Stone profile, and support from Alt Press, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, FLOOD Magazine, Consequence and many more, and was followed by the euphoric and sparkling “Act Like Your Title.” The album’s final single, “Another Second Chance,” arrived alongside an iconic music video featuring a medley of homages to Devo, Kiss, The Beatles, and Blue Man Group, and an in-depth ‘Best of What’s Next’ feature with Paste Magazine. 

This Fall, Rocket will embark on their debut US headline tour, kicking off in October after having wrapped international festival appearances and a UK run supporting Smashing Pumpkins. They’ve also announced their debut headline tour of Europe kicking off in early 2026. They’ll perform a special LA show at Amoeba Hollywood next Tuesday, Oct 7th. Tickets on sale HERE. 

“All of the touring led to the songs changing for the better,” says Tuttle, “because we got to play them for so many different kinds of audiences and hear what worked and what didn’t.” Whenever they got home from a tour, they were infused with new ideas for how to finish the in-progress tunes, and many were upgraded in major ways thanks to the time Rocket took to hone them. “Recording the second half of the album eight months after the first half gave us a lot of time to think about what we were doing,” says Scaglione.

With guitarist Desi Scaglione again at the helm as their producer, Rocket logged time at two Los Angeles studios that provided the perfect balance between those extremes. They tracked the more introspective elements at 64 Sound in Highland Park, which offered an array of tasty vintage gear that was ideal for the quieter, more intimate tunes. The heavier moments were captured during sessions at the Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 in Northridge, where they could get the massive drum sound they wanted for tracks like “Crossing Fingers” and “Wide Awake.”

TOUR DATES:

Tickets Here

2025

Oct 7th – Los Angeles, CA @ Amoeba Hollywood

Oct 27th – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge

Oct 30th – Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves

Oct 31st – Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Indoors)

Nov 3rd – Nashville, TN @ drkmttr

Nov 4th – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5

Nov 6th – Washington, DC @ DC9

Nov 7th – Philadelphia, PA @ Warehouse on Watts

Nov 8th – New York, NY @ Baby’s All Right

Nov 11th – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison

Nov 13th – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups

Nov 14th – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern

Nov 15th – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry

Nov 18th – Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Nov 19th – Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall

Nov 21st – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill

Nov 22nd – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy 

2026

Feb 10 – Bristol, UK @ The Croft

Feb 11 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club

Feb 12 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tut’s

Feb 14 – Dublin, IE @ The Workmans Club

Feb 16 – Manchester, UK @ Deaf Institute

Feb 17 – London, UK @ Scala

Feb 19 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique – Witloof Bar

Feb 20 – Rotterdam, NL @ Rotown

Feb 21 – Utrecht, NL @ EKKO

Feb 23 – Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft

Feb 24 – Cologne, DE @ Bumann & SOHN

Feb 26 – Paris, FR @ Point Ephémère

Feb 27 – Tourcoing, FR @ Le Grand Mix

RAY AND PAUL TO PLAY AT THE MASQUERADE ATLANTA ON OCT 28

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/13/25

Ray and Paul Drop Fading — A Bold New EP Blending Surf and Garage Rock, Available Now

Music Video For Title Track “Fading” is Out now

 Ray and Paul are proud to share their brand-new EP, Fading, now streaming everywhere.

“These six songs reflect the past five years of our lives—love, heartbreak, sadness, doubt, confusion, and pain,” the duo says. “They’ve shaped who we are and changed how we see the world and our music. We’re so grateful to finally share this with you and excited for what’s ahead.”

Fading is a 6-track collection featuring the fan-favorite and top-streaming single “Pelican,” live staple “Blue,” three new tracks released earlier this year, and the title track “Fading.” The EP will also be available on limited edition vinyl.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO TO “FADING”

Hailing from the SF Bay Area, brothers Ray and Paul started the band at just 17 and 13 years old. After building a loyal local following, they found their stride playing house shows in Isla Vista while attending school in Santa Barbara. Their signature surf-rock-meets-garage-rock sound shines on Fading, shaped by producer Jarvis Taveniere (Mild High Club, Surf Curse, Allah-Las) and three tracks produced by John Goodmanson (Weezer, Pavement, Nada Surf, Hockey Dad).

2025 has been a breakthrough year for Ray and Paul. They’ve performed at SXSW, Treefort Festival, and toured in support of The Moss and Sun Room. This fall, they’ll hit the road for a California headline tour in September, followed by a full U.S. tour in October supporting Australian band Dice. See all tour dates below.

2025 TOUR DATES 

September 11 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho Music Club

September 12 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent

September 19 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Libertine Brewing Company

September 20 – Fresno, CA – Strummers

October 4 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst

November 29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour

SUPPORTING DICE 

October 7 – Seattle, WA – Barboza

October 8 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall

October 9 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club

October 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – The DLC at Quarters

October 11 – Denver, CO – Meow Wolf Denver

October 14 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club

October 15 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern

October 16 – Columbus, OH – A & R Music Bar

October 17 – Ferndale, MI – The Magic Bag

October 18 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground

October 21 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs

October 23 – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right

October 24 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda

October 25 – Washington, DC – DC9

October 26 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Halle

October 28 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

October 29 – Nashville, TN – The Basement

October 31 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall

November 1 – Austin, TX – 3TEN ACL Live

November 2 – Dallas ,TX – Ruins

November 5 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress

LEGENDARY PRODUCER, DJ JAZZY JEFF IGNITES WESTSIDE MOTOR LOUNGE’S MAGNIFICENT PARTY, OCTOBER 04

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/25/25

Mixing An Unforgettable Mix of House, Hip-Hop, Go-Go, and R&B for One Night Only

Tickets Available Now

Muddywater Live and Peteyparty presents Philadelphia’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff at Westside Motor Lounge’s Magnificent Party Saturday, October 4, 2025. Hip-hop legend, A Touch of Jazz production founder and one half of the multi-platinum and GRAMMY-winning duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, known for such hits as “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “Summertime,” and “A Nightmare on My Street” will spin a mix of soulful house, hip-hop classics, smooth R&B, and deep cuts across the Westside Motor Lounge complex- lovingly known as the Hi-Fi Dive. 

Kicking off at 6 p.m. and running deep into the night, The Magnificent Party will feature expertly crafted cocktails, food, a heavy dose of vibes, and the energy that makes Westside Motor Lounge Atlanta’s favorite adult playground. Tickets are available now starting at $40, plus fees.  VIP options, including reserved outdoor group seating and indoor couch seating complete with a leather couch for four, cocktail tables, and bottle service, are also available. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit https://web.myle.com/ticket/CsbjwYpQNuX5BC. Westside Motor Lounge’s Magnificent Party is rain or shine.

Westside Motor Lounge is located on the corner of Northside Drive and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway at 725 Echo Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Stay connected on Instagram @Westside_Motor_Lounge.

SHAKY KNEES 2025 DAY 3: WE’RE NIRVANA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/22/25

Photo: Pooneh Ghana, Shaky Knees

Now that Shaky Knees day three has wrapped, it’s time to reminisce about our favorite moments from the final day of the festival. Our legs hurt, we’ve walked over 13,000 steps each day, and all of it was totally worth it. From seeing Weird Al for the first time to taking a trip down memory lane with Devo, we ended Shaky Knees 2025 on a high note.

I want to go straight for the jugular today and hit it off with my favorite performance of the day, Weird Al! I didn’t ever think I would be saying that but, he really is animated and puts on a great show. It has you rolling laughing! My friend even cried a little he was thought it was so funny. He started out with We’re Nirvana (Smells Like Teen Spirit) and dressed like Kurt Kobain in the original video, and we found out online that he used the same set, janitor, and extras. He then moved on to a Devo parody, literally wearing the same outfit that Devo, who played right before him wore!

After that, Weird Al did a compilation singing everything from Eat It (Beat It), Like a Surgeon (Like a Virgin), and so many more all rolled together. Moving on to White & Nerdy riding a segway on the stage to Amish Paradise (Gangstas Paradise). Finally, doing a whole ending about Star Wars, the Yoda song, and the oddest set of mixed together chanting I have ever heard. I can’t imagine getting everyone in sync acapella on this song!

Best of the rest, included getting to hear Devo sing Whip It live. We loved watching all of their really funny graphic like a donut and a french fry. Plus, they work their iconic red hats. They threw some out into the audience, but I was too far back. The Stereophonics did their main song, Dakota and it was fun to hear it live. We caught Vampire Weekend and my friend exclaimed, “They sound like the Jonas Brothers.” Do they? I’ve never heard the Jonas Brothers. As we walked out, a couple was getting married on stage of the Lucy Dacus show. I’ve never seen anything like that before, so we stopped and watched!

Oops, I did it again. Our ride was leaving before Blink 182, so we didn’t stay. How much did we miss?

With Shaky Knees in the rear view, my favorite performances in this order included Deftones at the top. Then Cage the Elephant came in second for me. Then, rounding out the top three is Cage the Elephant. What was yours?

FELLY COMING TO ATLANTA’S TERMINAL WEST ON OCT 9

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/22/25

SHARES STANDOUT RECORD AMBROXYDE (LP)

OUT NOW  

HEADLINE TOUR KICKS OFF THIS SEPTEMBER

“He bounces between soft folk and rugged southern rock. Today, he’s shared another single called “Wildfire” that (ironically) feels perfect to blare outside in the blossoming weather.” 

Stereogum on “Wildfire”

“An elevation of FELLY’s jangle-pop directive, refining his already dream-seeped atmospheres with a buoyant rhythm section and a bed of delicate vocal melodies.”

Paste Magazine on ” High On You”

“There’s a quiet kind of magic to Felly’s “Ambroxyde” – a dreamy, gentle indie folk meditation that stirs the soul in ways I still can’t quite articulate.”

Atwood Magazine on “Ambroxyde”

“Ambroxyde” drips like incense smoke—slow, heady, and intoxicating. It’s a genre-blurring haze of psychedelia, R&B, and coastal cool, delivered with lyrical mystique.”

Glasse Factory on “High On You”

“Felly has continued to step into different comfort zones…and comes full circle as a stronger lyricist and storyteller.”

American Songwriter

“Felly is back to his independent roots”

Beats Per Minute

“[Felly’s] gathered a growing fan base along the way, with his laid-back demeanor and experimental approach”

Grammy.com

Connecticut-born, Los Angeles-based artist Felly is back today with the release of his standout record, Ambroxyde (LP). Produced alongside Grammy-nominated and Mercury Prize-winning producer Gianluca Buccellati (Lana Del Rey, Arlo Parks, The Marias), the album was created across a range of remote and inspiring locations—from the northernmost tip of Iceland to the sun-drenched Greek island of Hydra, to Tornillo, Texas. 

Across its 12 distinct tracks, Ambroxyde (LP) marks a bold new chapter for the ever-evolving artist. With Ambroxyde (LP), Felly dives deeper than he ever has. He made his name as a rapper and producer, but on the album, Felly taps into the indie and alternative music that has always soundtracked his life. This isn’t Felly 2.0 – it’s Felly as he has always been, removed from all expectation. “This is the album I’ve always wanted to make,” he says. 

Last week, Felly shared the latest tease of the record with the lilting “Route 44,” a pure love song. Watch HERE. 

Ambroxyde (LP) Tracklisting

Spinning Around

Black Shoes

Shoes in a Glasshouse

High on You

Route 44

Emmy

Wildfire

Let me down easy

Marigold

Ambroxyde

Song for the Crows

Cool River

Flóki Studios sits at the northernmost point of Iceland on a sliver of land abetted on both sides by water. On lucky nights, that water reflects the enchanting Aurora Borealis. Those lights drew Christian Robert Felner, BKA Felly, to Flóki, where he recorded part of his striking new album, Ambroxyde (LP). The title refers to a synthetic molecule found in perfume and the scent memories that carry us from one stage of life into the next.“ Ambroxyde (LP) is the start of something new being born,” Felly says. 

To make Ambroxyde (LP), Felly chased inspiration outside of his familiar Los Angeles. Accompanied by producer Gianluca Buccellati, he traveled to remote parts of California and far-flung parts of the world. “Luca approaches production holistically. He’ll pick up a project and work with the artist for a long time,” Felly says. In this case, the duo spent over a year on the road together between Felly’s tour dates. “We went to Iceland first where we were really far from the rest of the world and could really tune out any type of influence.” They wrote “Wildfire” inspired in part by the remote, natural beauty of their surroundings. Its chorus  blows in like an unanticipated gale-force wind as Felly sings: “Come around like a wildfire/ When my wells run dry/ You fill my desire/ And make it all feel alright.” 

Beyond Iceland, they wrote and recorded on the Greek island of Hydra, where cars have been banned since the 1950s and Felly could record at all hours of the night surrounded by crystalline Mediterranean water. There’s a hazy road narrative to be found on Ambroxyde (LP), heard especially on songs like “High on You” and “Route 44,” wherein whole passing days are distilled into a single detail. Felly wrapped the Ambroxyde (LP) at the storied Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX, alongside a group of eleven musicians, ten of whom he’s worked with on past tours and records. This tightknit group of longtime collaborators weaved the disparate threads of Ambroxyde (LP) together over the course of two weeks. “I pieced this record together over a year or so writing almost entirely just me and the guitar. It’s my first proper ‘studio’ album which is crazy to think about – First time you can hear all my friends actually playing with me.” Though the pieces of Ambroxyde (LP) were recorded across long distances, they converged in post-production. Each song on the album combines takes from the various studios Felly and Buccellati frequented over a transformative year. “As we pieced these songs together, we tried to catch the soul of different places we’d been. On a single song we might take the Greece drums, the Iceland vocals, and the guitars from Sonic Ranch,” Felly says.

That patchwork process contributes to the textural, sensory experience of the album. When Felly talks about Ambroxyde (LP), he tends to speak visually, using words like “dark indigo purple, northern sky at night, sunset” to describe it.
While Ambroxyde (LP) might mark a departure for Felly, he is still operating on a continuum. “This album might put people off who maybe hold me to a certain version of myself. “I’ve got to be honest with where I am, and who I am,” he reflects. That message of preserving authenticity resounds on “Black Shoes,” which has been sitting in Felly’s audio notes for years “just waiting for some context.” That context took time and experience to reveal itself. “I wrote that song when I was feeling wrapped up in a situation that didn’t feel right to me anymore,” he says. “It’s always nice when something you think is dead pokes its head up and takes in the light.” Like that song, this album didn’t emerge from the ether; it is in conversation with past iterations of an artist in a constant state of becoming. “It’s about coming into your being,” Felly says. With Ambroxyde (LP), Felly is closer to his truest self than he’s ever been as he continues to create authentically over vast physical and emotional distances. 

Felly will celebrate the release of the new record on the road this fall! The ‘For The Crows’ tour kicks off September 23rd in Louisville, KY, and will see stops in New York, Boston, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle, and more! See below for full list of tour dates and find tickets HERE.

Felly – For The Crows Tour Dates

7/1 – Nantucket, MA – Chicken Box 

7/2 – Nantucket, MA – Chicken Box 

9/23 – Louisville, KY – Headliners

9/24 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi Fi

9/26 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg 

9/27 – Boston, MA – Sinclair 

9/28 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry 

9/30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird 

10/1 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups 

10/3 – Detroit, MI – Loving Touch 

10/4 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall 

10/7 – Nashville, TN – Basement East 

10/9 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West 

10/10 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn 

10/14 – Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum 

10/15 – Austin, TX – Antones 

10/17 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom 

10/23 – Los Angeles, CA – Echo 

10/25 – San Diego, CA – Music Box 

10/29 – Santa Barbara, CA – SoHo

10/30 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moes 

11/1 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent 

11/2 – Reno, NV – Cypress 

11/4 – Portland, OR – Holocene 

11/5 – Seattle, WA – Madame Lous 

11/7 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl 

11/8 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo

11/11 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club 

11/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell 

11/13 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie

11/14 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre 

SHAKY KNEES 2025 DAY 2: MESS AROUND

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/25

Photo: Roger Ho, Shaky Knees

With day 2 in the Shaky Knees book, yesterday was a whirl wind of bands and music. We call it the mess around, a nod to my favorite Cage the Elephant Song. We saw as many bands as we could from Radio City Alice to kick it off to Public Enemy to end the night. Here are some of our thoughts on them.

Starting with Radio Free Alice, they had a solid sound and vocals and were impressed with them for such young men. Next, we joined our friends to watch Johnny Marr. I should know who he is as he is the guitarist from the Smiths, but I had no idea until my writer and photographer friend, Reece told me, so I had to go. They didn’t disappoint playing greats like my favorite of theirs, How is Soon Now? and The Charming Man. Morrisey who?

We walked over to Highly Suspect but it was more a chat fest for our group. We agreed they were like a folky Cage the Elephant. Returning back to the Peachtree stage, we caught TV On the Radio. I have always wanted to see Wolf Like Me live since falling in love with the cover by Local H. They turned me on to the song.

Now on to Cage the Elephant, the best show of the day. I have so many stories about their music, like my niece, Katherine, was a huge fan in her teens and I took her to their concert as her birthday present and really enjoyed it. Shultz is so animated and seems to really enjoy his own music. When we covered Shaky back in 2016 at Centennial Park, the group was in the media room doing interviews, so we listened in and caught the show there and were impressed. This one was just as good, maybe better. We were on the hill, and the light show and pyrotechnics were fun, the energy high. They played all of their hits from my favorite Mess Around to Trouble, their first hit Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, and ending with Cigarette Dreams.

We ended our night seeing a few songs from The Black Keys and heard the iconic Lonely Boy to open. But we really wanted to catch Public Enemy because we love old school rap. They are so engaging, really talk to the crowd, and want the crowd to be in it. They actually have new music that was good!! It was a nice reprieve from all the rock we’d heard all day and a great way to end the night.

I know, we didn’t stay for My Chemical Romance. I liked their first album but was disappointed in a concert I saw before the pandemic. To be honest, I was just so tired by then, I hit a wall.

Pro tip: bring a flashlight!