In the mid-90's when the giant wave of post-Nirvana A&R signings crested and broke, Cincinnati, OH experienced a blink-and-you-miss it moment in the sun birthing a sultry, greasy and noise-addled contribution to the Indie Rock lexicon with bands like Afghan Whigs, Ass Ponys, Wussy and compatriots Brainiac. But to say that Cincinnati possesses a "sound" that has any kind of throughline is a bit more difficult to place. Instead, the city like the music it produces, is a bit of a liminal zone - straddling the South and the Midwest, concentration of the world's most successful multi-national companies and a startling high poverty index. The music that makes it out feels unplaceable - how did a city of just over a million birth Why?, The National, Adrian Belew and John Bender?
While so many of the acts named feel like they are constantly in the act of becoming, Spoils, a band formed in 2021 right on the cusp of another wave of creativity in Cincinnati, feels completely the opposite. Their songs sound as if they were plucked from the slipstream as fully formed, fully realized and hooked into a lineage much bigger than themselves. Songs by Spoils, once played, immediately dig deep caverns into your brain with a pace that feels practically metabolic. On their latest EP - Nothing For a Man (their first for the Cincy based Happy Families label) expands on the tunefulness of their debut 2022 EP Find Later - while expanding their musical vocabulary.
Violins appear on the intro and "Riverbed (Redux)" and Rhodes piano grace "David", giving these songs a bit more space to breathe while catalyzed by perfect hooks that songwriter, guitarist and violinist Nina Payiatis's is so well suited for. The tunefulness of that dog., the irresistible hooks of bands like Unrest and the scrappy economy of The Spinanes are good entry points while contemporary indie bands like Spirit of the Beehive and Horse Jumper of Love seem to be fellow travelers.
Within the span of two years Spoils has managed to retain the accelerants that made Find Later such a treasured find allowing the simmering verses to feel out their depth a bit more. About the creation of the EP Nina Payiatis states, "The EP itself was written in the past year or so when the atmosphere felt more fertile from pandemic tensions being released. It's made of threads that tie back to growing and living here– family, friends, fables, emerging into adulthood as the world opens back up."
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Nashville's charming country artist, Charlie Rogers, is gearing up to release the acoustic version of his latest single, "When He Was Me." This song is a heart-wrenchingly vivid account of letting love slip through one's hands and overcoming a broken relationship, all told over a distinctly Western ballad. The song was notably co-written by Shay Mooney of the famed pop duo Dan + Shay and Benjy Davis (Jake Owen, Anderson East, Maddie & Tae).
Oregon-born and Kansas-raised, Charlie Rogers' writing and musical journey began at a very young age. His passion for musical pursuits was purposed to communicate equity and commonalities between the listener and the musician resulting in his genre-alchemizing country/singer-songwriter style.
Now residing in Nashville, his love for representing unheard voices helped push his career to open for artists like Russell Dickerson, Brothers Osborne, and Janelle Arthur. His prominent writing and compassionate voice accelerated his musical journey, allowing him to play CMA honors ceremonies for Charley Pride and Ricky Skaggs. Rogers’ music has been praised by The Boot, Country Fancast, and more.
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Tilia is a songwriter from Zurich and explores themes of escape, uprooting, and the hope of finding happiness elsewhere in her latest single «Healing Voice».
The song tells about the search for meaning, setting out for unknown places, ending up in dead ends on detours and the confidence of always finding the right path.
After two albums and tours in Switzerland and Germany, she took a break for 4 years ago to pursue other artistic projects. However, the distance from music led to new music.
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The Resonant Rogues are Keith Josiah Smith and Sparrow. Keith (guitar, vocals) grew up in the punk scene, and started hopping trains at 18, riding the rails all over the country and busking for a living. Sparrow grew up performing everything from music and dance, to figure skating, was a circus performer, and holds down vocals, banjo and accordion duties for The Rogues.
They are announcing their amazing self-titled LP (out on November 10th) with its lead single "Show Me," featuring background vocals and harmonies from their pal, Sierra Ferrell. "Show Me" is a yearning track about how we all deserve to be be treated right, and it's out today August 18th.
The album was produced by the illustrious Andrija Tokic (Hurray For The Riff Raff, Alabama Shakes) at his analog paradise, The Bomb Shelter, here in Nashville. It's the first records for The Resonant Rogues since 2019. Naming this LP after themselves was a bold move for the band - they're staking their ground, laying down roots, and giving us the best of their career with this one. It's a delicious blend of traditional music, Appalachian old-time, classic country, and vintage soul, featuring friends like Sierra, Benjamin Tod, The Deslondes' John James Tourville, and more.
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