Articles by Joshua

COO of UL Sounds.com, a boutique publishing admin firm based in Sacramento, COO of Pac Ave Records (Stockton, CA), writer for Indie Music Discovery.com. Father of 3, all around jedi.

Love Stallion Live Large On Soaring New Single, Listen to Big Rock Radio and Watch the Video Now

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 10:58 am Tagged With: 80s rock, Colorado, Rock, United States

It’s always a great day when some energetic, soaring, 80s rock and roll comes across my desk. Remember Love Stallion? They are back with a new single and video, Big Rock Radio, off their album Unforgettable Ride which is the focus of this feature (read my thoughts on the album here, psst it opens in […]

Matt Westin Delivers Emotive Country Single, Listen to You Leave Me No Choice Now

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 10:38 am Tagged With: Country, Pennsylvania, singer, songwriter, United States

We’ve been buzzing about Matt Westin on these pages for a small chunk of time now. If you missed our previous features, be sure to find those here, here, and here (opens in new tab). Off his critically acclaimed album Legacy, You Leave Me No Choice continues in the spirit of well polished, radio ready, […]

Interview with Raymond Dickerson – Command and Control, New Album Epiphany Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 10:11 am Tagged With: Funk, gospel, jazz, Louisana, R&B, Soul, United States

Raymond Dickerson is a retired US Army officer. In his last assignment, he served as project officer and course manager/developer of the Signal Officer Captains Career Course Reserve Component as part of 442nd Signal Battalion Officer of the Education Division at Fort Gordon, GA. Colonel Dickerson has always been a top notch administrator who has […]

Fitzsimon & Brogan Will Get You Uplifted and Moving On Jammin’ New Single, Listen to Girl In A Gilded Cage

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 9:45 am Tagged With: indie pop, London, Pop, pop rock, United Kingdom

London, UK based retro pop-rockers Fitzsimon & Brogan have delivered an upbeat, uplifting, highly danceable new single titled Girl In A Gilded Cage. Their album Big Blue World is now available. From the moment I clicked play on Girl In A Gilded Cage, my mood was immediately boosted, my energy level suddenly picked up and […]

Bill Abernathy Shares Stories Over Beautiful, Folk Soundscapes, Crossing Willow Creek Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 9:25 am Tagged With: Americana, Country, Folk, Kansas City, Missouri, songwriter, United States

Kansas City, Missouri based singer/songwriter Bill Abernathy has arrived with his latest album, Crossing Willow Creek, which takes us a on a journey through enchanting roots music sound beds that set the tone for his prolific storytelling approach to writing. A story that might resonate with some of us, Bill fell in love with music […]

Interview with Kris Kelly – We Flew

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 9, 2019 5:00 am Tagged With: Folk, New York City, singer, songwriter, United States

Kris Kelly blends classic chamber pop and indie folk on debut single “We Flew,” an intimate love song urging self-assuredness in the face of homophobia. Kris originally wrote “We Flew” to his husband as they navigated their new relationship in Buenos Aires, banned from reentering the U.S. as a married couple due to DOMA, but […]

Interview with Filthy Animals – Still Filthy

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 8, 2019 3:25 pm Tagged With: Canada, Hip Hop, rap

Still Filthy showcases the same booze-filled but razor-sharp technical lyrics alongside the comedic wit and storytelling fans of Filthy Animals have come to expect of the duo, over a mixture of boom bap and trap beats produced entirely by Pnutty Goldust, and with guest appearances by a handful of the Deepcave Records collective. Still Filthy […]

Interview with Tiny Tree – The Lion and the Meteor

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 8, 2019 5:00 am Tagged With: alternative rock, indie rock, Rock

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Addison Eilers (guitar, vox) and Paul Jensen (drums, electronics) of Tiny Tree about the band’s latest project, motivations, challenges and more. Full Q&A along with links and music below. Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or […]

Imagination Movers Bring Families Together Through Music, New Album 10-4 Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 7, 2019 2:36 pm Tagged With: Rock, singer, songwriter

You might have seen or heard them on Good Morning America, The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, NPR’s American Routes or Morning Addition, SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wipeout, The Today Show or in Disney’s amusement parks and cruise ships. They have performed at The White House, for two different administrations, […]

Swedish Hip Hop Artist Lil T-Shirt Drops Mysteriously Haunting but Hypnotic Video For Summer, Watch and Listen Now

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman January 7, 2019 2:12 pm Tagged With: Europe, Experimental, Hip Hop, R&B, rap, Sweden

Sweden based Hip Hop artist Lil T-Shirt has delivered a hard-hitting, hypnotic, somewhat dark summer love anthem that can easily fit into any urban music playlist for any season. The title is Summer. The single and music video are now available! Growing up near Stockholm, Lil T-Shirt came up in the hardcore and punk scenes. […]