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.

Interview with Nausica – Black & White

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 11:11 am Tagged With: art pop, Europe, Experimental, Germany, indie pop, Pop

Eccentric quartet Nausica prepare to release their cinematic single Black & White out now via Knight Rider Records. Black & White symbolically describes two different mindsets in the form of an ongoing flashback. The band elaborates, “conscious choices are made with clear memories, in contradiction to the typical grey area, where everything you feel and […]

Interview with Megan Airlie – Honey

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 11:02 am Tagged With: Alternative, Folk, Scotland, singer, songwriter, Soul, United Kingdom

Following the release of her debut single After River, Scottish singer-songwriter Megan Airlie makes a welcome return through her alluring follow up single Honey, available to stream and download now via Bloc Music Records. Showcasing her charming jazz/blues vocals, Honey accentuates Megan’s breathtaking natural talent as well as her ability to transmit intense, personal vignettes […]

Interview with Alexa Ferr – If You Only Knew

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 10:57 am Tagged With: Canada, Pop, R&B, singer, songwriter, Toronto

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Alexa Ferr about her latest release, motivations, challenges and more. Full Q&A along with links and music below. Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.) Alexa Ferr: I’m from […]

Interview with TreeHouse! – Prayer for the Day

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 10:48 am Tagged With: indie rock, Reggae, Rock, roots rock, South Carolina, United States

Forming in 2010, American Reggae Jam Rock band TreeHouse! has performed hundreds of shows a year throughout the country, introducing established reggae, rock and jam band scenes to a brand new fusion of sounds. These road warriors have shared the stage with top names and international acts in both genres, including 311, Dirty Heads, Steel […]

Interview with Thee MVPS – American Dreamin’

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 10:39 am Tagged With: garage rock, indie rock, London, Rock, rock n roll, United Kingdom

With a reputation as the best live band in London, and a gig list longer than The Old Testament, Thee MVPS are preparing to uncage their indefatigable garage-rock sound through the release of single American Dreamin’, available to stream and download now via Big Indie Records. Fusing the raw 60’s Detroit rock sound made famous […]

Interview with American Spirits – Nowhere Near Perfect

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 10:23 am Tagged With: alternative rock, indie rock, Ohio, Rock, shoegaze

In this interview spotlight, I chat with American Spirits about their latest project, motivations, challenges and more. Full Q&A along with links and music below. Nowhere Near Perfect by American Spirits Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular […]

Interview with Bad Wave – Good Son

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 11, 2018 10:14 am Tagged With: indie pop, Los Angeles, Pop, synth, United States

Los Angeles-based duo Bad Wave are back with their latest synth-infused single Good Son, out now. Written as an ode to mothers everywhere, Good Son describes the relationship between mother and son and how it cannot always be an easy ride. The band elaborate “I think it’s safe to say that moms love their kids […]

American Amnesia RAWK On New Album! …Yet Here We Are Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 9, 2018 5:29 pm Tagged With: alternative rock, Connecticut, hard rock, indie rock, Rock, United States

Connecticut based rockers American Amnesia might be young in age but their musical prowess and song crafting abilities are well above and beyond their physical years living on planet Earth. The one thing that is undeniable once you start listening to …Yet Here We Are is the band’s unfettered, no holds barred approach to RAWKing […]

Maxwell James Delivers Radio-Ready, Roots Rockin’ Jams On Self-Titled Release

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 9, 2018 4:42 pm Tagged With: Americana, Folk, folk rock, indie, Nashville, singer, songwriter, United States

Nashville’s Maxwell James has delivered a refreshing, uplifting blend of bluesy, folk-rockin’ Americana sounds on his latest self-titled project. Embracing the spirit of Nashville, this EP was recorded at Farmland Studios which is a house that has been converted into a recording studio. Musicians who contributed to this project include: Jason Cheek on vocals and […]

Good Field Unleash Enticing Rock and Roll Sounds on Surface Tension

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman July 9, 2018 4:18 pm Tagged With: Experimental, indie rock, Rock, rock n roll, Texas, United States

Texas based rockers Good Field have arrived with an epic wall of rock and roll sounds that manages to capture the essence of rock eras from the classic period through the distinct and familiar vibes of ’90s indie rock onto the more refreshing and experimental sounds that can be attributed to a band not afraid […]