Matthew Phillips - "Till It's Over"

By Jessica Klausing

San Diego-based musician, Matthew Phillips, is trailblazing across worldwide stages, pairing electronic elements, cinematic soundscapes and classic hook-filled lyrics that breathe new life into the alternative genre. On July 2nd, Phillips and his band took to the Main Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the single and video release concert of his debut single "So In Love” with thousands in attendance. As for the reminder of 2023, the multi-instrumentalist shows no signs of slowing down with the release of his newest single, “Till It’s Over.”

“Till It’s Over” showcases a vulnerable side to Matthew Phillips as he grapples with moving on from a toxic relationship. 

Phillips says, “I wrote “Till It's Over” from a place of uncertainty. Not really knowing where I stand with this relationship. The one thing I knew is it was very toxic. I needed to move on from but chose to stay out of fear of being lonely. It hurt deeply and during the recording of the song I had a few moments where I completely choked up and had to stop. “I am a shattered heart, I am a shattered soul” is exactly how I felt when I had to let go. It really hurt. “It's not over till it's over, but it's time to get over you” speaks to the notion that while there will always be history with this person. At some point it's time to move on and take a chance on finding someone else who will value you.” 

Melancholic lyrics brood over a lamenting guitar and piano before a frenzied electric soundscape surge in intensity throughout the track. Phillips’ vocals effortlessly convey heartbreak through the ebb and flow of the cinematic instrumentation. Despite the pain Phillips offers a glimmer of hope, “Love would be the emotion I am trying to convey. While in the moment it might seem like it's the end of your world. We have to make a choice to get out of the relationship and love ourselves. While the song is about heartbreak, it's more about making the difficult choice to set yourself free.”

“Till It’s Over” is a must listen for anyone healing from a breakup and trying to find the inner strength to move on. 

Check out the music video for “Till It’s Over.” The video was filmed live at the House of Blues San Diego on Nov 18. 

Mikey Videotape - "The Strangest Dream"

By Jessica Klausing

Hot off the presses from Lost Records comes the debut single of Mikey Videotape’s “The Strangest Dream.” This progressive song has a modern day The Romantics - “Talking In Your Sleep” vibe with its electronic production.

“The Strangest Dream” begins just like something from a dream with a whimsical sonic ambiance as Mikey croons softly, “Last night I had the strangest dream/Every number, every piece/One…Two…Three…”

Mikey takes listeners on an ethereal journey through the use of cinematic moving synths and hypnotic layered vocals. When the acoustic guitar outro abruptly kicks in, it snaps listeners awake from the lush lucid dreaming soundscape into a more traditional musical arrangement.

Listeners are left almost discombobulated as Mikey gently reflects with, “Everytime you fall asleep, you’re gonna wonder what it means/When you wake up, I’ll be gone, but the feeling lingers on.”

With elements of nostalgia and mystery blended among the programmed instrumentation, “The Strangest Dream” is an infectious earworm worth keeping on repeat. 

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INTERVIEW: Jeremy Neese of Snowcone For President

Snowcone For President. Photo by Emily Neese.

“A vote for Snowcone For President is a vote for a heavy sonic candidate.”

Snowcone For President is an alternative rock band straight out of Carrollton, Georgia. Their high energy performances coupled with the antics of band mascot Snowcone the Bad Panda have earned the band attention within the indie music world.

In this interview frontman Jeremy Neese discusses his musical projects, the new Snowcone For President album and Snowcone the Bad Panda’s origins. Read it HERE.

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INTERVIEW with Guitarist Sean Hurwitz

Sean Hurwitz performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Photo by Candace Hogan.

Israeli-born guitarist Sean Hurwitz has played amongst the big leagues in the music world. He’s toured with Enrique Iglesias and Smash Mouth, and played with Gin Blossoms, Anna Nalick, Chris Wallace, Judith Hill, just to name a few. When he’s not on the road, he’s hard at work recording, writing, and producing for music and film. Technical mastery and keen precision to detail make up his trademark skills on and off stage.

Sean took time to chat with us about his guitar gear, collaborating with other artists, and how he spends his time off tour.

INTERVIEW

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SONG REVIEW: Ch3ls - "Crying Wolf"

By Jessica Klausing

Ch3ls releases her new single, “Crying Wolf,” a seamless blend of country, blues, and hard rock with a tinge of pop appeal, thrown in for good measure.  She’s a spitfire powder-keg of talent ready to explode into the atmosphere.

The delicate opening guitar lulls you into a false sense of security as Ch3ls sweetly sings, “Oh you know/I used to care/ but how much can a girl take?”

Her sugary sweet delivery comes as a surprise when you realize that she’s calling out a guy who did her wrong: “Don’t you know…You did it to yourself/so go lay down in that bed you made,” she croons casually before the tempo picks up and we’re thrown into a whirlwind of booming hand claps and somber backing vocals.

Ch3ls’ howls are justified when she reveals evidence of this man’s behavior: “A wolf in sheep’s clothes/ That huffin’ and bluffin’ is bullshit/I’m sick of your lying and whining, you crying wolf!” The electric guitar solo that ensues will have your heart pumping on an adrenaline fueled high. Before long you’ll find yourself howling along with Ch3ls’ fierce wolf pack. It’s well worth the listen.

Follow Ch3ls:
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Check out more of Ch3ls’ music:
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Static and Surrender @ Hollywood's Hotel Cafe

Static and Surrender are on tour throughout California in honor of their debut album release. Their energetic riffs and rhythms are on par with the alternative superstar acts such as Lifehouse and Matchbox Twenty. Jeff Campbell (lead vocals, guitar) backed by John Schuman (drums), Adam Schuman (guitar, vocals), and Lauren Stockner (bass player) – all stars in their own right – delivered a passionate performance at Hollywood’s Hotel Café.

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Check out Static and Surrender’s debut album. If you get the chance to see them live, do it! Very few artists have that special knack to sound better live than in the studio. Static and Surrender is definitely one of those bands that kick it up a notch in the live shows.

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Snow Patrol @ LA's Fonda Theatre

Gary Lightbody and Minnie Driver at the Fonda Theatre. Photo by U2Soul/Flickr.

Snow Patrol performed a legendary set at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre over the weekend.

Check out Courtney Lavender's REVIEW.

The mark of a great singer is measured less by vocal quality, and more by believability. Do you believe what you are singing? Do others believe you when you sing it? Though he may have tripped up technically at points, I never once doubted what Gary Lightbody was communicating, nor did anyone in the rapt audience. "Heal Me" was dedicated to someone who saved his life. I've been standing in the fire for way too long, he sang, and I could feel the flames.

Animal Hope and Wellness Charity Event - A Dog's Night

Written by Jessica Klausing

Last month the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation hosted A Dog’s Night at North Hollywood’s Federal Bar. Guests enjoyed a night of vegan appetizers, drinks, and live entertainment. Hosted by Kemble and Jen Walters, guests could participate in a silent auction to help raise money for the foundation. Auction items varied from gift cards to exclusive television set tours. All ticket and auction proceeds went directly to the foundation’s animal rehabilitation services.

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The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation (AHWF) helps rescue abused and neglected animals, providing full rehabilitation services, and working to help find them new homes. The foundation has recently been focused on rescuing dogs from the Asian Dog Meat Trade.

Founder and CEO Marc Ching has made countless trips overseas to videotape and document evidence of the brutalities and torture of live dogs before they are slaughtered for human consumption.

Marc Ching photo by Jessica Klausing

Ching has saved thousands of dogs, even going as far as risking his own life to smuggle them out of the slaughterhouses. By raising awareness, Ching and the AHWF team expose these barbaric rituals in order to enact change and force the government to create laws to protect these animals. Ching continues to fight for these dogs and to help the dog farm owners find new occupations.

AHWF has a few upcoming fundraiser EVENTS in March.

VOLUNTEERS are always more than welcome to stop by the foundation's headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California to help with the dogs.

Looking to ADOPT? Look no further than an AHWF rescue pup! Please READ the adoption process on the website.

Petty Cash photo by Jessica Klausing

Petty Cash entertained guests with a powerhouse performance of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Johnny Cash covers. Setlist highlights included “Ring of Fire,” “Runnin Down a Dream,” and “I Won’t Back Down.”

Surprise musical guests joined onstage were Noodles (The Offspring), Kevin Martin (Candlebox), Mark Schulman (PINK), Brett Scallions (Fuel), Abby Gennet (Slunt), and Sean and Juliette Beavan (8MM).

Noodles photo by Jessica Klausing

Juliette Beavan photo by Jessica Klausing

Kevin Martin photo by Jessica Klausing