PUMP Sessions

Heath McNease - "Calls That Never Come" (Official Video)

2013-05-14T21:22:00.001-04:00

Really diggin on this Georgia-based melodic singer/songwriter, Heath McNease.

"Calls That Never Come" is a sweet singalong that gets your foot tapping and head nodding.

Beautiful voice, creative guitar playing, and thoughtful lyrics are gonna take him a long way.

Josef Salvat - "Hustler" (Official Video)

2013-05-14T11:39:00.000-04:00

London-based Josef Salvat has one hell of a voice, but his music hasn't grabbed me until now.

"Hustler" is meaningful orchestral pop that bleeds emotion through honest, confessional lyrics.

This is one of the best songs the snobby Pitchfork TV crew has highlighted so far this year.

Olivia Sebastianelli - "Rose Of Stone" (Official Video)

2013-05-14T11:13:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Daytrotter, I stumbled on to the breathtaking London songstress Olivia Sebsatianelli.

"Rose of Stone" is a genre-defying, masterfully produced window into a brilliantly talented soul.

Hat tip to Dan Weller for capturing her raw emotion and power so effortlessly in the studio.

Teen Girl Scientist Monthly - "New Age" (Official Video)

2013-05-13T15:38:00.006-04:00

Listening to unpolished music all day can grow quite tiresome by three in the afternoon.

But then that riff blares out of the speakers and a voice chimes in and BAM you snap out of it.

NYC's Teen Girl Scientist Monthly and their song "New Age" absolutely fucking ROCK.

Beware of Darkness - "Howl" (Official Video)

2013-05-02T13:22:00.000-04:00

Hat tip to Chachi Riot for turning me on to a killer rock n roll band called Beware of Darkness.

This ferocious LA trio is supporting Soundgarden in the US and Smashing Pumpkins in Europe.

So I think it's safe to say that we'll be hearing a hell of a lot more from these boys real soon.

John Grant - "GMF" (Official Video)

2013-05-02T11:45:00.001-04:00

John Grant is one of those artists that reminds us how lucky we are to live in an age of accessibility.

"GMF" should be ubiquitous on AAA radio and I hope it's on rotation at MusicChoice & SiriusXM.

Grant has a spectacular voice and such a unique songwriting style that grabbed me immediately.

Kelli Scarr - "Dangling Teeth" (Official Video)

2013-04-25T14:17:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Daytrotter, I've been listening to the immensely talented Kelli Scarr all afternoon.

The breathtaking video for "Dangling Teeth" in Wyoming's Ucross Foundation artist retreat.

I am blown away by her spectacular voice, moving lyrics, and masterfully produced songs.

The 1975 - "The City" (Official Video)

2013-04-24T11:57:00.000-04:00

My favorite rock n roll band on planet Earth is The 1975, but you already knew that.

Muse just tapped the Manchester boys to open their UK stadium gigss, so things are looking up.

This morning The Fader premiered the new video for "The City" - and it's fucking sexy.

Young Galaxy - "Pretty Boy" (Official Video)

2013-04-23T10:03:00.004-04:00

I've been diggin on Young Galaxy for quite some time now, but now I am a bonafide fan.

The Montreal-based quintet have totally mastered the art of synth pop on this new record.

"Pretty Boy" has been on repeat at full volume for the last half hour with no sign of stopping.

Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons - "Flat Tire" (Official Video)

2013-04-22T14:13:00.000-04:00

I keep meaning to post a tune by Rhode Island country rocker, Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons.

A big thanks to my buddies at 1 Band 1 Brand for reminding me of this outstanding artist.

"Flat Tire" is a hot jam of blues, country, and rock n roll delivered with an outlaw attitude.

Turbogeist - "Mermaid's Revenge" (Official Video)

2013-04-17T11:23:00.002-04:00

VICE and their music channel Noisey are hit or miss, but they hit with a Hall of Fame average.

They've got a big fucking audience to cater to and all kinds of hipster genres to exploit.

London's Turbogeist is super fun punk rock and "Mermaid's Revenge" is just nasty.

Hank & Cupcakes - "Aint No Love" (Official Video)

2013-04-11T12:03:00.002-04:00

Oh man, Hank & Cupcakes dropped this bomb today and I am losing my mind over it.

"Aint No Love" is hard proof that bands that work hard will improve their game over time.

I started seeing this crazy NYC duo a few years ago and they get better with each gig.

Brett - "Kate Moss" (Official Video)

2013-04-06T12:20:00.000-04:00

DC/LA rockers The Dance Party have created an alter-ego with a dirty electro pop sound.

"Kate Moss" is a soothing track with an infectious groove and only a hint of 80s nostalgia.

But don't be fooled by Brett's chillwave studio vibe because their live sets are still FIRE.

Tara Priya - "Who You Do" (Official Video)

2013-04-03T14:11:00.005-04:00

Tara Priya has the most soulful voice from an American woman that I've heard in about a year.

"Who You Do" is an absolute smash and should be ubiquitous on pop and AAA radio right now.

She's got the look, the sound, and the attitude to be a star, so keep your ears peeled.

Still Corners - "Berlin Lovers" (Official Video)

2013-04-03T13:24:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite SubPop acts in recent memory is definitely UK act Still Corners.

"Berlin Lovers" is a chillwave, synth pop, dream alt masterpiece and it's on repeat all day.

Can't help but comment on the reoccurring theme of empty, underground roller disco parties...

Camera2 - "This Is Not A Sad Song" (Official Video)

2013-04-02T22:15:00.001-04:00

I'm not a fan of the term "supergroup" but this band is a super fucking group.

Brooklyn's Camera2 is comprised of a monstrously talented crew from a range of killer acts.

Producer-songwriter-vocalist Andy Chase (Tahiti 80/Juliana Hatfield/Smashing Pumpkins), guitarist Michael Jurin (Stellastarr*), bassist Aric Gillis (Teenage Kick), and drummer Mike Williams (Teddybears).

"This Is Not A Sad Song" is not just a clever name - I promise you that much.

Chvrches - "Now Is Not The Time" (Official Video)

2013-04-02T17:35:00.000-04:00

Glasgow synth pop stars Chvrches - yes, with a V - are slowly becoming one of my new faves.

I dug what they put out last year, but "Now Is Not The Time" is genuine electro pop perfection.

And the loft party makeshift roller rink performance clip is absolutely adorable.

Unstoppable Death Machines - "Trial & Error" (Official Video)

2013-04-02T17:02:00.001-04:00

These guys know I've been a fan since last year, but if you're not hip to them yet, get on it.

Brooklyn's Unstoppable Death Machines have a 70s metal vibe unlike anything else today.

"Trial & Error" is a track that could have easily been a Black Sabbath B-Side.

Walking Shapes - "Pusher" (Official Video)

2013-03-26T16:51:00.003-04:00

Walking Shapes will be opening tomorrow night's Mercury Lounge gig for The 1975.

"Pusher" has a cool, seductive vibe that makes me think of 1960s Los Angeles.

Beautifully written and masterfully produced, this song is super tight.

Pop. 1280 - "Bodies In The Dunes" (Official Video)

2013-03-26T14:48:00.003-04:00

New York's Pop. 1280 doesn't really fall in line with my typical style of preferred rock music.

But thanks to the internetz, I am constantly discovering bands outside of my comfort zone.

"Bodies in the Dunes" is dark, powerful, and absolutely terrifying... so HORNS UP \m/

Elijah Ocean - "The Diplomat" (Official Video)

2013-03-21T21:16:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn alt-country and folk-rocker, Elijah Ocean, has released this visual masterpiece.

"The Diplomat" was directed by Chell Stephen of NYC collective Think/Feel productions.

This is the latest cut off his acclaimed album, the aptly-titled Tumble and Fall

Modoc - "Coward" (Official Video)

2013-03-21T15:10:00.000-04:00

Oh man if you dig your rock n roll battered in the blues and deep friend in country...

Nashville's Modoc has been on repeat at my desk all afternoon, thanks to Kings of A&R.

"Coward" is an absolute smash and I guarantee these guys are about to hit it real big.

The Stone Foxes - "Everybody Knows" (Official Video)

2013-03-21T14:33:00.002-04:00

SXSW 2013 was a zoo of talented bands from across the globe, but there's always a highlight.

San Francisco blues rockers The Stone Foxes blew me away and everyone in my crew.

They were so good that I broke one of my few rules of SX and went to see them again.

New Yorkers, you can see them on April 2nd at Mercury Lounge. Tour details here.

Sad Robot - "God Damn the Man" (Official Video)

2013-03-01T13:37:00.002-05:00

LA pop rockers Sad Robot dropped their latest video for "God Damn the Man"

The super fun new clip features their gorgeous frontwoman losing her shit at the office.

The cherry on top is the appearance of Kristen Renton from SONS OF ANARCHY.

Hanni El Khatib - "Family" (Official Video)

2013-03-01T12:40:00.002-05:00

Los Angeles garage rocker extraordinaire Hanni El Khatib is fucking awesome.

"Family" is one of the greatest videos ever and you'll see why as soon as you click play.

The premise: "Wild Asian Motorcycle Sex Gang" - need I say more???