Some people choose to make music, and others are drawn to it. For Danielle Evin, the rising singer/songwriter whose self-titled release is featured on Amie Street, it would seem that music was always her calling. "I felt at an early age I had a knack for singing," says Evin. "My mother says I used to sing in the crib."

A combination of blue-collar work ethic and superior talent, Danielle Evin appears to be something of a rarity in today's music scene: a skilled singer, writer, and musician, with her eyes open and her feet on the ground. Evin's perspective may be valuable to young musicians trying to maintain artistry within a space so often dominated by industry. Her sage advice reveals a clear view of things both as they are and as they should be: "Don't let anybody change who you are, you always want to stick with your instinct... and hire a great lawyer."

Evin is currently on tour, coming next to Providence, RI this Thursday at The Century Lounge.

Listen to Danielle Evin now

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Tagged as Classic Rock, Rock

For those that haven't heard them yet, the Boston Afrobeat Society tracks on Amie Street are pretty dayumn good. My personal favorite is System Slaves , but don't sleep on Abami Eda either, it's a close second.

The Society is making its way down to Providence, RI on Friday night for a show at the Tazza Cafe. Be sure to be there.

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Tagged as Funk

If you need evidence that Austin, Texas is the live music capital of the world, look no further than The Everyday People. In just one year, the soul and rock foursome has risen to the top of the card in what is arguably the greatest local music environment to be found.

Songs like Wasting My Time and Better Off Alone , with their smoky blues bar sound and thoughtful lyrics, have quickly made The Everyday People one of the hottest bands around and added to their considerable reputation among the downtown barhoppers.

Throw in the soulful homage Better Off Alone , and it's no surprise that the EP Complicated has fans excited about the upcoming full length album. Listen to the Everyday People here

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Tagged as Rock, Soul

It didn't take long for State Radio to become favorites on Amie Street: with tracks like Riddle In Londontown and Mr. Larkin , the band has taken over the block. We thought you might like to learn more about them.

State Radio continues an important and powerful tradition in music - artists employing their craft to speak about social justice. This well-conceived rock and reggae trio was built by former Dispatch frontman and filmmaker Chad Stokes who brings an activist's mentality to his art. After Dispatch's unprecedented success as an independent band, and after creating two political documentaries financed by South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Stokes set out to form a band with a unique sound and an inspiring message. Stokes enlisted Chuck Fay from Philly's hip-hop collective Princes of Babylon, and drummer Mike Najarian.

What sets State Radio apart from many political artists is their proactive approach. The band seeks to empower listeners and address potential positive change, rather than harp on those who are to blame for society's troubles. Stokes himself tells us, "I don't think my stance is any more important than the next guy's, but I do feel that, with State Radio, we have an opportunity to create some awareness and get some change in this country. We need it in a big way."

This approach is best embodied by the band's encounter with Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia of the Florida National Guard, a soldier whose experience in Iraq turned him into a conscientious objector to the war. Mejia refused to return to Iraq and was subsequently jailed. When Stokes learned about the case, he wrote the powerful war song Camilo in support of Mejia, who has since been released.

Mejia has continued to make his voice heard, appearing on stage with State Radio at some of their many concerts across the country (they've been touring like champions for the past few years, playing with Matisyahu, The Wailers, and Slightly Stoopid). The song written for him appears on State Radio's first full release Us Against the Crown, accompanied by other songs of substance such as Right Me Up and People to People . The message, combined with State Radio's original and captivating sound, has led to a first-run production that cannot be ignored. With this release State Radio raised the bar and set a new standard for today's socially conscious music.

Posted in Uncategorized | by christopher | No Comments »
Tagged as Reggae, Rock

If you haven't heard the Breakestra's funk-infused groove, you will. With fans ranging from A Tribe Called Quest to Carson Daly, the Breakestra is poised to become a modern-day classic collective. Honestly, take one listen to a song like Getcho Soul Togetha - you'll think these guys traveled forward in time cruisin' in a 1972 Cadillac with fuzzy dice in the mirror and James Brown riding shotgun. The hip hop orchestra coming from LA is one of the premier funk bands of our era, mixing their own material and covering classics so well even legends can't tell the difference - no joke, the Roots' ?uestlove once sampled a Breakestra track thinking it was a 30-year-old original! On jams like Root Down , Inner City Blues , and Little Old Money Maker , the combination of today's hip hop rhythm with yesterday's soul power is sure to put the jangle back in your jingle.

Posted in Uncategorized | by christopher | 1 Comment »
Tagged as Funk, Music