Dumb and Dumbest Episode #294: Steve Reis of Does It Doom Returns


If done right, YouTube is one of the best ways to build a community on social media. As one of the largest social networks and most searched websites in the world, the future is probably all video. Dumb and Dumbest #294 is streaming and it features Steve Reis of Does it Doom Returns! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions) and Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), in addition to the podcast, Matt and Curtis host The Music Marketing Challenge, a low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! Message them at the links below. Continue reading


Dumb and Dumbest Episode #293: G Money On AOTY Lists and The All Decade List


At the end of every year, one of the most popular things in music is the Album of the Year Lists done by popular websites and music journalists. Being 2019, we are seeing a lot of End of the Decade lists too. Dumb and Dumbest #293 is streaming and it’s with G Money On AOTY Lists and The All Decade List! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions) and Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), in addition to the podcast, Matt and Curtis host The Music Marketing Challenge, a low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! Message them at the links below. Continue reading


Dumb and Dumbest Episode #292: Why Your Band Isn’t Getting Signed


One of the issues with bands trying to reach for success is that they lack self-awareness or understand realistic goal-setting. Dumb and Dumbest #292 is streaming and it’s an all about Why Your Band Isn’t Getting Signed! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions) and Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), in addition to the podcast, Matt and Curtis host The Music Marketing Challenge, a low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! Message them at the links below. Continue reading


Dumb and Dumbest Episode #291: Lady J Bookums of Indie Artist Blueprint


Setting realistic goals for the short, medium, and long-term are as key as the quality of your music and content when trying to “make it in music”. Dumb and Dumbest #291 is streaming and it’s an all about Lady J Bookums of Indie Artist Blueprint! Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions) and Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), in addition to the podcast, Matt and Curtis host The Music Marketing Challenge, a low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! Message them at the links below. Continue reading


Dumb and Dumbest Episode #290: Interview With Leah McHenry of Savvy Musician Academy


Marketing for your release seems complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. It starts with the right amount of strategy, tactics, and follow through! Dumb and Dumbest #290 is streaming and it’s an Interview With Leah McHenry of Savvy Musician Academy. Dumb and Dumbest is hosted by Matt Bacon (Dropout Media, Ripple Music, Prophecy Productions) and Publicist Curtis Dewar (Dewar PR), in addition to the podcast, Matt and Curtis host The Music Marketing Challenge, a low-cost, super high-value private training to bands and artists. Get hands-on practical experience to market your band like a pro today! Message them at the links below. Continue reading


Dropkick Murphys Book 20th Anniversary Tour For 2016


Dropkick Murphys 20t Anniversary

Celtic influenced punk rock pioneers Dropkick Murphys have booked dates for their 20th Anniversary Tour for 2016. The run of dates culminating their annual week of shows in their hometown Boston area. For those shows the openers will be punk legends Slapshot, Fenian Sons, and a surprise guest to be named later. Tickets are on sale now from The Dropkicks website, www DropkickMurphys com

Dropkick Murphys 20th Anniversary Tour Dates for 2016

Feb 18: House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH

Feb 19: Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL

Feb 20: Myth Live – St Paul, MN

Feb 21: Orpheum Theater – Madison, WI

Feb 23: The Pageant- St Louis, MO

Feb 24: New Daisy Theatre – Memphis, TN

Feb 26: House Of Blues- Dallas, TX

Feb 27: Stubb’s – Austin, TX

Feb 28: Civic Theatre – New Orleans, LA

Feb 29: House Of Blues – Houston, TX

Mar 02: Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN

Mar 03: The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC

Mar 04: The Ritz – Raleigh, NC

Mar 05: The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

Mar 06: Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH

Mar 08: Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

Mar 09: Webster Hall – New York, NY

Mar 10: Webster Hall – New York, NY

Mar 11: Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT

Mar 12: RFK Stadium (Shamrock Fest) – Washington, DC

Mar 13: Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA

Mar 17: Venue TBA * – Boston, MA

Mar 18: Venue TBA * – Boston, MA

Mar 19: Agganis Arena with House Of Blues Afterparty ** – Boston, MA

Mar 20: Venue TBA * – Boston, MA

* Openers to be announced

** Slapshot, surprise guest and Fenian Sons open

Dropkick Murphys online

Dropkick Murphys on Facebook

Dropkick Murphys on Twitter

Dropkick Murphys on Instagram

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Nechochwen – Heart of Akamon


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Nechochwen are classified as Folk Metal, but whereas most music in that genre is inspired by Celtic or Nordic heritage, this band finds its themes in Native American heritage. Heart of Akamon (Bindrune/Eihwaz) is their third record.

‘The Serpent Tradition’, the opening song of this album, immediately showcases the folk and the metal that are combined in this band. The acoustic guitars sound magical, and while the switch from heavy to soft was abrupt, the build back into heavy is very well done. The clean vocals are beautiful, as are the acoustic guitar pieces intermingled with the metal riffs, and there is a lot of variation. However, the end is once again rather abrupt.

The more acoustic-centred songs such as ‘The Impending Winter’, ‘October 6, 1813’, and the guitar section in ‘Traversing the Shades of Death’ are really well crafted and unique, while the metal sections and songs, such as ‘Skyhook’, are good but not truly remarkable.

The musical highlight of this album, however, is the instrumental ‘Kišelamakong’. It is a beautiful composition.

One point that this band could improve upon is cohesion. There is a bit too much of a split between folk and metal, and while ‘The Serpent Tradition’ for instance has sections where they blend together perfectly, this does not happen often or fluently enough on other parts of the album. Additionally, the switches between loud and gentle are at times too abrupt, while being very organic at other points. While each individual section is very good, the changes in speed in the introduction of ‘Škimota’ aren’t great. The addition of the drums helps keep the following variations together.

Finding a balance throughout the songs or even the entire album would make a massive difference. Still, there are a lot of excellent pieces of music and it is certainly an album worth listening to.

 

7.5/10

LORRAINE LYSEN


Serpentyne – Myths and Muses


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The quickened yet subtle rhythms of Myths and Muses (Serpentyne Music), the second album from London Neo-Folk outfit Serpentyne, are the only aspect that would ordinarily stir the discerning Rock or Metal fan. It’s an attractive sound nonetheless, heavily rooted in traditional Folk whilst bleeding melodies of both Celtic and, more prominently, Eastern origin: the enchanting, mystical instrumentation and chants of ‘Alexandria’ and ‘Valkyries’ in particular.

The template is set from the start – samples and sequencing underpinned by both authentic and programmed rhythms, while melodies skip along the surface like a giddy yet graceful child. The voice of Maggie Beth-Sand is at once beautiful, delicate and haunting; occasionally adopting a narrative style yet soaring and lilting with fragile ease. Constant bursts of Electronica have more in common with Dub Trance: the pulsing lynns, manufactured beats and samples erasing some of the core sound’s natural charm. It shows adventure however, and affirms the varying influences the band blend together with no little skill. ‘Freya’s Firedance’ and the classic ‘Gaudete’ carry much of the traditional Folk feel yet ally this with subtle but pacy beats, French harmonies and Asian chanting which add a quirky life to the body.

The rustic charm of ‘Hymn to Cynthia’ has that up-tempo feel akin to modern Dance music and, while the inclusion of other genres is refreshing and inventive, it begins to grate after a while if it ain’t your bag. The horribly cheesy 80’s Synth-Pop of ‘Pastyme With Good Company’ comes across like late Genesis meets Bucks Fizz and is the prime example of that creative freedom going a little too far. The French reel-laments ‘Je Vivroie Liement’ and ‘Douce Dame Jolie’ and the beautiful ‘A Rosebud in June’ are pure fiddle-and-pipes Folk: jaunty yet eerie; the harmonies mild yet perfect and as soul-piercing as they are throughout the album; and it’s where the real joy can be found.

If it’s steel you’re after you’ll find little here. There’s enough about Myths and Muses, however, to delight the closet folkies among us, and it’s a toasty chillout after a hard day’s worth of crushing noise.

 

6.5/10

PAUL QUINN