Memphis Inspired Soul From Elizabeth King

For those of you who listen to me talk music on the regular, you know I’ve been on a deep dive over the last few years into soul and R&B music with a major focus on Memphis and the surrounding musical hot beds in the South. To be straight and totally honest, Elizabeth King is not a name I was familiar with prior to today. Maybe her musical history has something to do with my unfamiliarity as her recording career lasted only from 1970-1973 as lead vocalist for Elizabeth King & the Gospel Souls who only had one true physical release (that I can find). After a brief recording career in the 70s, King retired from recording and performing live to pursue raising a family and singing in her local church. Nearly 50 years later, King and her powerful, gospel inspired voice has returned to making music and my inner soul enthusiast couldn’t be more excited.

After a compilation of older material in 2019, The D-Vine Spirituals, and a new album of material from 2021, Living in the Last Days, King isn’t planning to slow down in 2022. Another new album, entitled I Got Love, is due out on June 24th via Bible & Tire Recordings. In the meantime, check out this soulful new tune “I Got Love” featuring video of King being chauffeured around the magical city of Memphis. You’ll be happy you stuck around this long. Pre-orders of I Got Love are live now.

Aquarian Blood Share Time in the Rain

Being a fan of Aquarian Blood, this tune was already destined to be a personal favorite, but it might also be the sort of tune that weasels its ways into the core of mainstream indie coverage. To me, it sounds like the Horrell’s are channeling an old school K Records aesthetic, though integrating it into their own brand of Tennessee folk. JB and Laura’s voices never felt so compatible as they do right here; this feels rooted in the song’s message that “love sees us through.” Personally, I love the careful acoustic notes, spontaneously interrupted by another guitar note that seems to be creeping down the scaled stairs after each mini verse, evolving into a hint of psychedelic exploration. Bending the Golden Hour is out on May28th via Goner Records.

John Christie Shares Skeleton Earth

It’s interesting trying to decipher the meaning behind the title of John Christie‘s latest single, “Skeleton Earth.” Of course, some folks will dig deep into the lyrical meaning, and I’m sure you’ll find an obscured answer. But, the more I listen to this track, the more I’m drawn to the skeletal feel of the song itself. The drumming, for instance, is precise, and perhaps played with a touch of flare, but it never seems overbearing. Christie’s baritone too feels almost emotionless, like its this constant lifeblood drawn from the Earth, flowing through us all. At least that’s what I was thinking on when I listened through; good jam nonetheless.

Stream The New 7″ From Ex-Cult

unnamed (14)It seems like my day will continue to rock with these new songs from Memphis based Ex-Cult. So the band is releasing a brand new 7″ soon, and in preparation they have posted both of the new songs on bandcamp for all to enjoy. I’m sharing both below, and many of you might recognize “1906” from earlier this month, but new song “Summer of Fear” is really doing it for me. While rock at it’s core, I love the overtones of punk rock and psychedelia as well.

Pick up this new 7″ on vinyl via Famous Class on August 12th.

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Bright New Single From Snowglobe

8919019_1_origMany thanks are due to local Austin label Super Sonic Sounds Records for sending over this bright new single from Memphis based Snowglobe. It’s pure indie pop at it’s core, but also features some elements of Americana and a bit of quirkiness as well. Hopefully we’ll be hearing more from these guys real soon.

Snowglobe will release their new self-titled LP on July 29th via Super Sonic Sounds Records.

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Epic Rocker From NOTS

unnamed (4)We’ve talked about Memphis based NOTS on this here website in the past and they are one of those bands we eagerly wait to hear more from. Today our thirst for new music is quenched with this epic new single entitled “Entertain Me”. Prepare yourself before hitting play because this thing is an epic, 7 minute long, punk rock jam session. It’s full of grit, wailing guitars and vocals, and all things badass.

NOTS will release new album Cosmetic on September 9th via Goner Records.

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Don Trip does it again

Memphis-native Don Trip has been making a name for himself in underground hip-hop for a number of years, however his most notable contributions to the genre have come from his Step Brothers collaborations with fellow Tennessean Starlito. Don Trip had one noticeable blip on the radar back in 2011 but ultimately has not been able to get much attention beyond that. I would entirely attribute that to how brutally honest and baggage-filled his music has always been. Don Trip’s newest offering, God Speed, continues to match the criteria. It’s a great album from beginning to end, including the song “Medicine“, a somber and moving tale about getting caught being unfaithful. It may also be the most beautiful hip-hop song of 2015. God Speed can be picked up on iTunes or Google Play, and “Medicine” can be heard below.

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Not just another groupie ode

A Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa collaboration is nothing new, nor is an ode to groupies. But what I like about this newest song between the two, “For Everybody”, is the purposeful contradictions throughout the whole song. Also included is a very obvious entire verse dedicated to Wiz Khalifa’s ex-wife, exotic dancer turned video vixen Amber Rose: “I fell in love with a stripperrrr / funny thing is I fell back out of love quickerrrr”. This is not slut shaming. It’s far from it.

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Song Premiere: Another Green World

agwWe’ve posted and shared our fascination with Alec West’s new solo project Another Green World a few times in the past.  The style is sonically right up our alley with its dream like sounds and beautifully composed pop tendencies.  Today we’re happy to be premiering a new song from the project called “Snow”.  Once again we are finding many things to like here and I’m sure you guys will too.

New album, Memorial, is out October 21st on 80s Ladies Records.

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Top 5 Bands at Goner Fest 11 – An Insider’s Guide

gonerI’ve been intrigued by the festival fascination of the world as of late, but as most of us know, the idea isn’t a wholly new one. For example, Goner Records is hosting their 11th Goner Fest this year on September 25-28 in Memphis.  I love the label and the things they’ve been putting out, so I reached out to our friend Madison, who handles press and bookings at Goner, to see who the Top 5 Acts of the festival are.

If you’re looking to get your rock n’ roll fix, and are willing to travel, this is the place to be.  You can still get your hands on tickets HERE. Thanks again to Madison for the time, and the advice on who to check out.

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