This Is How Great Aaron Espe Is

 

He is unbelievable...and covered the song.

    This is how great Aaron Espe is. I was introduced to him by an old crush that first shared the song "Hope in a Maybe" with me. I'm pretty sure she was 110% positive I was "The One" for her, and that song honestly gave me a lot to ponder..when she shared it, and the day after Christmas when I got an email from her saying she didn't want to contact me anymore. His music helps me calm down, think clearer, and remember I'm not alone.

    Now to add more reasons why this guy just rocks (in a whisper-rock, chill, acoustic, singer/songwriter way). He is so intentional with his fans (answering fan email..what in the world.). He writes about his life. His genuineness/rawness comes through with every blog post and each song. It's not just music, it's a look into an independent artist's life who is making it his mission to care for his family and himself and share his talent with the world. 

    Go give 'im a listen, and consider subscribing on Bandcamp for as low as $5 a month. If you don't wanna' do that, listen to or buy his stuff on that website so he can actually profit from you supporting him. As much as I love Apple Music/Spotify, they're fatally flawed because they hardly support their artists.

    I for one cannot wait for this concept album coming out s00n, and I hope you join me in supporting this guy. He is something else.

Christmas Series #5: Stephen Day

The man himself

Ahh...this feels right. Was just listening to this, and thought I needed to make sure I shared it on this here blog. 

This guy's discography is fantastic, so get on it. He's possibly a mix of Ben Rector, Gavin DeGraw, and more? This guy is so great... Please, just agree with me and move on.

Christmas is here. So this one just hits so. It really does, in every sense of the way that sentence ended. This song has been in my "Best of Christmas" genre ever since I heard it four years ago. 

It has these lyrics that make me smile just toomuch (re: ill-fitting sweaters). And feel toomuch, too (I'll let you decide which ones those are). 

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Christmas Series #1: Andrew Belle

It's that "time of year again" and...this year, I wanted to share how much I love Christmas music. Please follow this blog closely as you never know what's gonna' show up on Tuesdays, Sundays, Fridays, Thursdays, Mondays, and other days too. Or don't. 

This is Andrew Belle

This guy..well, honestly.. I don't wanna' say toomuch about him. Just go check him out. 

Very much a singer/songwriter kinda' guy, but...what a voice. What a TALENT(s). He rules. This is the first song I heard from him, "In My Veins," but...it's Christmas. It's time to reveal one of my top FIVE Christmas songs of all time. 

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is a song that seems like everybody has done. I have about 14 versions in my library. You know what though? This is the only one you need.

He adds another layer of meaning to this song. He adds melancholy, yes, but..it's deeper. It seems to be riddled with hope, even if this year has been so tough for so many. Notice the slight/massive lyric change towards the end and tell me that doesn't inspire. 

UPDATE: He now has three total Christmas songs. Including two originals... "Whatever Happened to Christmas" is brand new, and this one from four years ago, "Back for Christmas..."SO good.

Merry Christmas!

Heard of Brady Alan? Tell Your Friends and Your Mom!

Just the man

This guy. Oh, what can you say? When you're proud to call him a friend, and he's just dropped a full-length album? 

Not convincing yet? Let me try again. This guy. He records, mixes, produces, and writes all of his own material. Sometimes even in that order!! Well, maybe not exactly. But still shreds on multi-different-instrumentations. He just knows how to do shtuff! 

Let's see here. Some of his songs might cause you to think of John Mayer (a major influence to Brady), or a different singer-songwriter that's in that vast (confusing) category. While other genius work might encourage you to think of bands like Two Door Cinema Club or Vampire Weekend. And maybe Electropop, and bedroom pop too? Or just simply, "Pop," whatever that is today. 

Honestly, if you're trying to categorize this man and put him in a box, pick someone else to hit play on. He's got funny songs, fun songs, cool songs, chill songs, quiet acoustic songs, loud electric songs, happy songs, and (my favorite) sad songs. 

Brady Alan you say? Yes, I say. Go give this dude a listen. He lives in Nashville with a host of people, but sure stands out (and shines) among 'em. His newest work is my favorite, and you can hear the effort and passion in it. Have fun, and keep listening!

[A Little] Pop But More Than jake Jess Penner

                                   A pretty and Classy one!                                             via

Time for another pretty lady voice. What's that? You're doubting me? Well shuckidarns, go download her second album then! Fine! It's called Growing In the Cold and of course it's free, but..i mean really, can't you tell Tipping her wouldn't be too much to ask?

Jess Penner is just.. Plain Classy! Although different and a little less pop-ish, her first full-length album (Love, Love, Love) is still a great listen, but if you like the NoiseTrade option more, that's fine too. i Can't decide what i like better, but if i had to pick i guess it would be the Cold one...because, i like..the cold and the poppy-ness of it but, i'm weird and i digress.

She has a loverly voice that combines well with the synthesizers, chimes, acoustic guitar, light drum beats, and whatever else is goin' on! But seriously, check Jess Penner out please, and thank Hawaii they let her settle in California to create some tunes! Plus, it turns out her mom makes Saturday Waffles-- a vital key to being successful in life..i know.

From Out West With Wesley Blaylock

           Soft and sad-happy, but melodious and Indie!      vie

i'm hopeful this guy looks familiar to you? If you've heard of Deas Vail, then you're in the clear because Wes is their lead singer! What's really neat is, his wife (Laura) plays with him in the band and is featured in his solo EP on the song "Falling Over You!" Go right ahead and stream it on that great old website Noisetrade.com!

If you're streaming it, you can tell something is certainly different about this guy. He sings in a sort of falsetto that is wickedly High. But, isn't it talent-infused-goodness?? He knows how to carry and push his voice wayY up there and somehow..make it sound terrific!

Basically, it's safe to say, by downloading this you will have a singer/songwriter that not many know about and sounds different than everybody else. i Like his voice because it's a pure, emotional soft, but high sound. It can go above the instruments well and fits well with his music.

Speaking of instruments, what is expected? Well his solo work is quite a bit different than his band's, but they're both so GOOD. If you're more into finding something to jam to, than check out Deas Vail. If you want something to listen to on a rainy day or fall asleep to, than check out the EP! It's got a lot more just acoustic guitar and soft drum beats.

Please check out this man, Wesley Blaylock. He may be soft and sad-happy, but it is definitely a melodious indie sound that should be discovered!

Enjoying Carefree Jeff Carl

                           He's just plain smooth and content-like               via

Ah, here's a character. A friend of mine introduced me to this guy and i took an immediate liking to him. In talking about the music that comes from this talented man, my friend said, "Every time i listen to Jeff Carl i can't help but be in a happy mood; i just love to sing along with his music."

That about sums it up for this talented one. But in terms of his sound, i personally would describe it as just plain smooth and content-like. He's a multi-instrumentalist for sure playing keys and guitar!

To top it, he's got an amazing range! His vocals can be quite low and almost kind of a quiet talking, but then can be a kind of high pitched "Ooh!" sound. These two fit together like finding the last puzzle piece and putting it in.

i'm pretty sure the first song i heard by this guy, and the the one that exemplifies his talent best, is "I'll Be Gone Tomorrow." i Extremely encourage you all to check that out as well as the rest of the EP which is.... FREE! So please, go to Jeff Carl's facebook page and 'like' him. His lyrics, sound, and overall remarkableness make this guy a Real indie champ!

A Lot More to Just Jonathan Jones.

           J. Jones, the face of Talent                  via

Waking Ashland, We Shot The Moon, and his own solo stuff! This man plays the musics and knows what it's all about! Multi-instrumentalist including the piano and guitar, "Talent" is basically his middle name. The two bands listed above are both projects he was/is the lead singer of and does quite a superb job at it. If you haven't heard of Waking Ashland, sadly that band broke up, but never fear because We Shot The Moon (WSTM) is still kickin' it (new album out March 5!!), as well as Jones himself is churning out tunes on his own.

To be fair, WSTM has more of an alternative rock sort of sound. With that being said, i have to explain why this guy is on my site if his band's sound isn't too much indie.. Here's the kicker: The fact that he isn't well known makes him way indie! More importantly, his newest solo album Community Group sounds very much like an indie record and it's terrific, so please give it a listen!

As i've already explained, he is incredibly talented and it doesn't take a genius to realize this musician should have a lot more popularity by now. His lyrics are earthy and his sounds are addicting. Whether it's rockin' guitar riffs or slow piano ballads, it is so entertaining. Lastly, this guy is genuinely amazing at reaching his fans. i Participated in backing his Community Group project and ever since he enjoys replying to me on social media. That right there is not just a musician but someone you can call a friend. Oh, by the way, why not get some more free music: "Claim Me" by WSTM!

Welcome to U!

Oh hey there, so glad you could stop by!
My name is "theo," and i am extremely into two main fields that both play huge roles on this earth where i live. They include: my Savior and music. i Can't live without either one (especially the former!), and not capitalizing my I's and spelling my name with a lower case T is a constant reminder of Who i am living for. Secondly, music and finding new tunes to listen to is something i find immensely entertaining. As my reader, i hope you are into one of these two phenomena!

(Above picture: My iTunes library holding over 13 days of music. This is where i listen to the new found "chunes," as they say in Ireland!)

This blog is all about you and keeping you up to date with those artists or groups that do not have enough recognition, but deserve a whole lot. i Absolutely cannot get enough of promoting and sharing knowledge about musicians that fall under this category of being "unknown." With that being said, please comment on my posts about groups that you like and that may remind you of the one i am reviewing, so i can get "in the know" like you! These posts will not really focus on where i found the artists or what their personal names and relationship status is, but will seek to interest you so you can go out and share the knowledge with friends. Basically, be "that guy" that knows Talent that nobody else does and gets others interested as well. Personally, i can only do some singin' and li'l bit of harmonica; therefore, i am repetitively getting my mind blown by guitar or piano riffs, strange but talented vocals, and lyrics that make me melt inside. i Am going to be focusing on predominantly Indie artists with a smattering of electronic, folk, and the incredibly large genre known in iTunes as "Singer/Songwriter." In short, this blog is all for YOU and seeks to open your mind on to a less traveled path in the vast world of music.