MUSIC MONDAY

The Rocketboys - Islands

These guys opened for my band a handful of times, while we were touring through Texas. I always remembered them because of their live precision, which I found quite impressive. Not only were they tight, but they had a real knack for melody and such control over their instruments. They were a breath of fresh air compared to the local openers we’d run across on a daily basis.

Anyway, they’ve recently released a new album, 20,000 Ghosts, which is full of melodramatic indie pop akin to bands like Eisley, Deas Vail, or Lydia. Is it totally original? No. But they do it better than the rest, and without a label to boot. If you like it, pick up the record or check out their shows. I’ve got a real soft spot for the DIY road warrior types.

The Rocketboys Tour Dates:

6/23 - Wichita Falls, TX @ Iron Horse Pub
6/24 - Amarillo, TX @ Northpoint
6/25 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
6/26 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Rocket Room
6/27 - Wichita, KS @ Rock Island Live
6/28 - Fayetteville, AR @  George’s Majestic Lounge
6/29 - Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
6/30 - Norman, OK @ The Opolis
7/1 - Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
7/23 - Dallas, TX @ The Loft w/ Lydia
7/24 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s w/ Lydia
7/25 -  San Antonio, TX @ Sam’s Burger Joint w/ Lydia
7/26 - Houston, TX @ Mangos w/ Lydia
7/27 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon w/ Lydia
7/28 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks w/ Lydia
7/29 - Tallahassee, FL @ The Engine Room
7/30 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
7/31 - Macon, GA @ 567 Cafe
8/1 - Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
8/2 - Norfolk, VA @ 37th and Zen
8/3 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory
8/4 - Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
8/5 - Asheville, NC @ Lexington Ave. Brewery
8/6 - Nashville, TN @ Exit In
8/7 - Memphis, TN @ Young Avenue Deli
8/8 - Little Rock, AR @ Juanita’s

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NEW MUSIC MONDAY

ROGUE WAVE - Good Morning

Chances are Rogue Wave is a band you’ve heard of. With a handful of releases on Sub Pop, and then Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records, the band has been recording and touring heavily for the better part of a decade. While the band has slowly morphed from lo-fi bedroom-born indie rock into a more lush sounding, high gloss act, they’ve still maintained their penchant for clever songwriting, as evidenced by “Good Morning,” the first single off of their upcoming record Permalight.

This is Rogue Wave at their most “studio.” Driving bass synths, drum machines, and a super produced finish leaves “Good Morning” sounding a bit like a guilty pleasure. However upon closer inspection, every little nuanced part of “Good Morning,” plays a specific, structured role. While the electronics are heavy, it’s not particularly reflective of the album as a whole. Permalight still maintains a more classic Rogue Wave sound as evidenced on the album opener “Solitary Gun,’ which you can download for free below.

DOWNLOAD “SOLITARY GUN”

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