The Lumineers
“Salt and the Sea”
From the album III
Dualtone Music Group
III is audacious—with every note, every syllable and every moment of silence in between having an emotional charge. Presented in three chapters, the album and accompanying short films tell the story of the fictitious Sparks family, and how addiction and trauma reverberates through three generations.
thelumineers.com

Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots
“Velvet Rope”
Single
Self-released
Maddy Walsh & The Blind Spots, a five-piece moxy-rock band from Ithaca, N.Y., steered by magnetic songstress and force of nature Maddy Walsh, recently released their fourth album and have been actively touring on it, bringing to the stage their signature high-energy performances and incessant penchant for FUN.
theblindspots.com

The Ballroom Thieves
“Unlovely” ft. Darlingside
Single
Nettwerk Music Group
The Ballroom Thieves will release their third album Unlovely on Feb. 14. With subject matters including female empowerment, love in a committed relationship and their fury about the state of American leadership, this album is the distillation of the band’s personal and political passions.
ballroomthieves.com

Moonshine Society
“Southern Road”
From the album Sweet Thing
Self-released
Moonshine Society is the offspring of three Berklee alumni delivering a searing blend of blues, soul and roots-rock. Johnny Winter, Gov’t Mule, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Tower of Power, John Mayer and Ron Holloway count among the legends the band members have accompanied or opened for.
moonshinesociety.com

Kings and Associates
“Neighbor”
Single
Big Wing Records
Australian neo-blues outfit Kings & Associates are wowing music lovers around the globe with their eclectic blend of blues, funk and rock. Their third album, Neighbour, produced by multi Grammy award winner Jim Scott, is due to release in early 2020 with American tour dates set throughout the year.
kingsandassociatesmusic.com

The Cuckoos
“Why Don’t U Ever Call Me Anymore”
From the album I Hate Love
Jiggy Jig Records
The bittersweet incandescent shimmer of The Cuckoos is deeply rooted in classic rock, dance-club funk and neo-psych art soul, earning the young Austin, Texas-based band a remarkable reputation in a few short years. The debut album, I Hate Love, is crackling with the electricity of the band coming into their own.
thecuckoosaustin.com

Stevie C. Bowen
“Bushwick Boogie”
From the EP Music From the Rooms of My Head
Self-released
Stevie C. Bowen is a soulful slide player/guitarist, originally from Southeast Virginia, currently based out of Brooklyn, N.Y. Former lead guitarist for A Valley Son, his instrumental debut EP, Music From the Rooms of My Head, is an emotive journey through his mind and an aural journey through his inspirations.
steviecbowen.com

Viva la Muerte
“Obscuro”
From the album All the Birds
Ex Umbra
Viva la Muerte is an eight-piece band from Greensboro, N.C. In 2019, VLM was voted “Best Original Band in the Triad” by the readers of YES! Weekly. Describing VLM’s first album, David Gans said, “Very nice variety of feels and flavors here. Hearkens back to the ‘60s in the best possible way.”
vivalamuerteband.com

Jessica Rhaye
“Sun Will Shine for You”
From the album Song in Me
Self-released
Jessica Rhaye is a Canadian singer-songwriter. “Sun Will Shine for You” can be found on her album Song in Me. Her latest release with The Ramshackle Parade, Just Like a Woman – Songs of Bob Dylan, is a folk-rock interpretation of Dylan’s works and has been getting rave reviews from critics and peers.
jessicarhaye.com

Honey Tap
“If It Ain’t Got Soul”
From the EP Honey Tap
Self-released
Honey Tap is the sweet fruit of two musicians in love with dancey rhythms and soulful vocals. The founders insist on creative freedom—to fly from flower to flower, collecting the nectar and making music—cross pollinating genres to make ear candy.
honeytapmusic.com

Slow Train
“In Between”
From the album In Between
Self-released
Hailing from upstate New York, Slow Train’s album In Between blends Americana, folk, roots, heartland and psychedelic-rock with powerful lyrics touching on love, loss, joy and wonder. The upbeat title track blends all four band members’ diverse influences. Keep on movin’ it’ll be alright!
slowtrainsyracuse.com

Editor’s Pick: Cold War Kids
“Dirt in My Eyes”
From the album New Age Norms 1
CWKTWO/AWAL
Cold War Kids have fielded music’s seismic shifts while sticking to their own game plan. Over the course of a dozen releases—including seven studio albums, nonstop tours, the biggest festival stages, and massive radio and streaming successes—they are a major part of the modern music landscape.
coldwarkids.com