Johnny Stimson - Daddy's Money

With Johnny's previous releases there was a bit of a 60s Mod to his sound and it was incredible.  It cultivated a feeling that was missing in the industry.  With this single and his previous track, "Human Man", he has both feet firmly planted in a much funkier place.  There's a bit of disco and a bit of rock and roll and a whole lot of Johnny in these tracks.  "Daddy's Money" just makes you move.  It's got a tremendous breakdown and it is brilliantly produced.  Every subtle nuance of Johnny's voice is carefully cultivated so that it is never lost in the track.  And let's not forget about his range.  The man has an incredible instrument that deserves to be at the top of all the charts.  The track is full and the instrumentation is solid.  If you didn't know any better, you would swear that this is the track of someone that has been doing this for two to three times longer than Johnny has.  I am impressed with what he's offering us right now and I can't wait to see what's next.

Liquid Diet - Writing On The Wall

I love entendre; single, double, none at all. I think that it takes a tremendous amount of intelligence to properly write an entendre. You don't want it to be smutty for the sake of being smutty. It has to be smart and it has to make you go, "Oh you...." after you realize what it is that has just been said. Billy and Georgia are two of the most competent vocalists in the industry today because their chemistry is palpable. It’s got weight and a depth that can’t be faked. You trust the vocals because they allow you to.

This song is full of wit and leaves nothing to be desired. It’s well thought out and brilliantly produced. I think they’ve done a phenomenal song that makes you smile and have a great time. They are one of the most creative and individualistic bands today. I am glad to call myself a fan.

Eric Himan - Red Hot Tears

I haven't written in a long time, seriously written because I haven't felt inspired.  Had some things in my life not go the way thought they should so I've felt put out and bitter about the music scene.  That is until today.  I am subscribed to Tom Goss' youtube channel and he liked Eric Himan's new video, "Red Hot Tears".  I've seen Eric's name pop up on one blog or another and honestly I had never given him a chance.  I bypassed him for other artists and I don't know why.  Sitting here now, I have watched the video 4 times, I have watched other videos and I have purchased his album, Gracefully from his bandcamp. 

In my opinion, that's the magic of the internet.  It's this domino effect that can send you tumbling down a rabbit hole of amazement and you never know what you're going to find on the other side.  Without a question, I am damn glad that I made the decision to click on the video.  Eric has this magnetic chemistry that just oozes through every lyric and every move he makes in front of the camera.  I'll go ahead and say this one and only one time.  He's a damn attractive man.  That being said, let's move past it and talk about the way he carries himself.  This man has the goods.  Plain and simple.  He's not hiding behind production, he's not relying on autotune.  He is working every beat and note for all it's worth and pouring himself into every bit of it. 

The track has this down and dirty groove that you have to just settle into.  You get low and bob your head and rock from the hips while he just wears this song out.  It's funky and it's got a soul to it that not many artists are able to cultivate.  When you watch the video and see him just grooving to his own track, that's when you know that he enjoys the hell out of what he's doing.  He is fully invested in this music and what he's sharing with the world.  At this point, I think I am working on my 6th go round with the track and I haven't even listened to the words yet.  I'm not done with the funk.

Ok, so it's not your typical "Somebody Done Wrong" song.  It's taking all the emotion of being mistreated and misused when they walk out of your life and just letting it burn through you til all you can do is cry.  Not because you're sad or heartbroken but because it's either that or just tear it all down.  Each and every bit of it.  So you just want to scream to the heavens because that's the answer.

After I get done listening to his album, I am going to be posting a HUGE write up about it because I am a fan.  With one song, I am sold.  Thank you, Eric.  You have reinvigorated my passion for the music industry. 

Eric on the Web

http://www.erichiman.com/
Twitter: @RealEric_Himan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricHimanMusic
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eric-himan
BandCamp: http://erichimanmusic.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThumbcrownRecords

Delta Rae - Twisters in the Canyon

Intensity.  That's the only word that properly describes this song and this performance.  From Mike's feverish drumming to Ian's clinched jaw, every member in Delta Rae gave this number everything they had and then some.  This is one of the new tracks they have been working on for the new album and this performance was filmed at the Pleasantville Music Festival in Pleasantville, NY.  This track is bar none all the evidence you'll ever need to see that these six individuals love every minute of what they do.  I simply cannot express how this makes me feel to see just how incredible and how mature this sound is.  They never cease to amaze me.

Rita Ora - How We Do (V.A.B. Remix)

You don't have to totally reinvent a song when you remix it.  You just have to give it your own spin.  Make it something more than it was.  That's exactly what German producer, V.A.B has done on his remix of Rita Ora's club burner; "How We Do".  It's an amazingly clean vocal sample and he has layered it over a new track that just gives the song a whole new feel too it.  If you're a fan of Rita or simply want to hear a new take on a pretty great song, give this remix a shot.  While you're at it, check out his other remixes on his youtube channel or his soundcloud.

Meet Regulation Nine

I recently had a chance to sit down and talk with one of the coolest guys to hit the Nashville music scene, Rodney Noffsinger - lead singer of Regulation Nine.  Regulation Nine are tearing up Music City with their own brand of thunderous alternative music.  They've just released their debut EP and premiered their first single on Hunter Briley's show "Local Buzz" on Nashville's premiere station for all things alterative, 102.9 The Buzz (a station that I listened to religiously when I lived in Nashville).  So I'm gonna do something a bit crazy, I'm gonna link that interview in this interview (Yo Dog! I heard you like interviews so here's an interview in your interview) so you can hear their new single, "En Fuego" which is this blistering, fast, hardcore rocking track that just gets into your bones.  The song is about 18:00 minutes in to the video but listen to the whole thing cause Hunter is a great guy and the interview is pretty awesome.

Now that I'm done plugging Hunter, let's get back to me.  Here's the transcript of the interview.  Check it out and hop on the Regulation Nine bandwagon.  They're an amazing group of guys and they deserve a ton of success because they are pretty damn incredible.

Pop, Rinse, Repeat (PRR): Hey Rodney! Hope life is treating you well. Summer time in Nashville is one of the best places to be I think, being a Nashville native I can totally appreciate all the city has to offer as it's getting full into concert season. Any upcoming gigs that you're super excited about playing?

Rodney Noffsinger (RN): Being a new band to Nashville we’re excited about playing on the street corner if necessary. We are fortunate enough to be booking at places like The Rutledge, 12th& Porter, The End and other well known Nashville venues. Two upcoming shows were looking forward to are at The Rutledge on July 14th (Battle of the Bands) and a show in August at The End. Recently we joined the Sad Spaceman Promotions family so we’re going to be busy and we’re excited. Gig outlook for the remainder of 2013 and beyond look great!

PRR: As a new band, how are you finding your footing? I know that you are starting to get some traction in Nashville and people are starting to talk about you guys. How does that feel?

RN: It feels absolutely amazing. Who doesn't like to feel liked and wanted? I think the compilation of artist that make up the band gives our unique sound. Lee Darby (drums) not only is he an amazing drummer, his talent in orchestration and melody brings all of our talent out. Vincent Peer (Guitar) is just an unbelievably talented guitarist that brings our riff ideas to life. Jeff Wall, his understanding of lyrics and the ability to make a song really say something is just phenomenal! I am just the big idea guy, the dreamer, and (red bull) to the songs. People seem to like us, I am so glad of that! Without them we are nothing! Having someone you have never met before start singing your song during a live show is just crazy amazing!

PRR: I can assume that being a rock band in Music City USA has it's own set of challenges as well. Do you feel as if the audiences you've played to have an expectation of what you should sound like?

RN: Of course, but I love the challenge. No matter where you’re at, you've got to stand out.

PRR: When you first started, you learned some covers in order to test the waters. Who immediately stood out in your mind as a band you wanted to cover?

RN: Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains were no brainers because they are big influences of ours.

PRR: Dreaming big, if you had the opportunity to work with another act or acts, who would you want to collaborate with?

RN: Dave Grohl. Period. Watch Sound City and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

PRR: I understand you have an EP coming out soon. What can we expect to hear on it? Can we sneak a peek or a listen to all our readers out there?

RN: Rock and freakin’ roll with some heart and soul. Our website regulationnine.com directs you to any of our social media platforms where all of the songs on the EP can be heard except two. We did however debut recently one of the two songs “En Fuego” on Nashville’s 102.9 Local Buzz with Hunter Briley. You can check out the in studio interview and the song on You Tube: https://www.facebook.com/RegulationNine

PRR: Digging deep now, what do you want to be your musical legacy?

RN: To be honest with you and to the point, I just want to be the band that remains true to themselves which is what got us this far.

 PRR: What do you want my readers to know about Regulation Nine?

RN: We’re coming for your ear-gasms.

Lightning Round:

1. Family Matters or Full House? Family Matters
2. Lucky Charms or Trix? Trix
3. Baked or Fried? Fried
4. Behind the Music or Pop Up Video? Behind the Music
5. Physical Media (CDs) or Digital (MP3s) Physical

Thanks for your time. You guys are doing great things and it won't be long before people are saying, "I knew him when". I can't wait to get a hold of the new EP.