Pete Donnelly “Face The Bird”

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Figgs bassist/songwriter Pete Donnelly, has quietly gone about establishing his solo career with inventive melodies and soulful rock without the Figgs harder punk edge. Like a younger, more playful Paul Westerberg, Donnelly starts out with the quick beat and bounce of “Face The Bird,” its truly infectious and will have you tapping along right away.

The catchy piano melody “Always Something” follows, and the Lou Reed meets Springsteen “Got Caught Up” just radiates cool. No fillers here, as easy going rhythms like “Going On This Way” ooze soulful street charm. Another gem is “Hear It From Me First,” which feels like a Van Morrison classic single. The tone and style vary enough to keep things from getting predictable, making this album a highly recommended collection of songs. Best of all, Donnelly sounds like he’s having just as much fun making this music as you are listening to it.

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Power Popaholic Fest: Almost ready to rock…

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Almost one week away from Power Popaholic Fest in Brooklyn. As an added incentive to get you down to the show on Sept. 7th @ 7:00pm – we have some special goodies for all those who attend the concert. Each attendee will receive a wristband with a code for a FREE album download of The Power Popaholic Fest original soundtrack Vol. 2  (while supplies last) and we will be selling limited edition commemorative album-cover sized posters (12″ x 12″ suitable for framing) at the merch booth. Get your favorite Fest artist to sign the cover as your own personal keepsake. Now who wants to go? Let me know on Facebook if you’re coming.

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Coke Belda “Coke Belda I”

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Coke Belda “Coke Belda I”
 Coke Belda is part of the power pop covers band Cokeroque, doing awesome things (like a mashup of Badfinger and Jellyfish). This is a guy who know his way around every musical cliche to craft something totally original. His new solo album has been produced by Anders Hellgren (The Merrymakers) and it shows. Beldas style is mainly baroque-styled pop, flowing across a massive 16 tracks.

It all starts with the epic “Last Show (part 1)” which has an ELP/Pink Floyd concert vibe. Then “Vero Suite” blasts us with a sweetly layered mix of chords and harmonies. “18 Miles” is a bedroom suite that takes from Brian Wilson, and “I Understand” is like a mix of Richard X. Heyman and Gilbert O’Sullivan. Plenty of great songs are here, from the fast-paced “Roses” to the orchestral Left Bank meets ELO “Daylight.” Not everything here is a catchy classic, but enough tracks succeed to make this album a highly enjoyable treat. This is a Bandcamp download only.

Free Music Monday: The Kavanaghs, Salt III, The Kimballs, Dot Dash

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The Kavanaghs “Need A Pity Day” EP
FREE 2013 EP includes the single “Need A Pity Day”, from the critically acclaimed Love Conquers Pain album, plus 3 unreleased tracks that were going to be part of the album but were not included on the final version.

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Salt III “Salt III”
A collaboration of American Michael Zwecker (The Poster Boy) to sit down with Russian Oleg “Toof” Zubkov (Kollaps) to hammer out a new pact under the guidance of Hungarian diplomats Zoltan Kovary (The Trousers) and Imre Poniklo (amber smith). Stockpile these tunes, they are awesome!

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The Kimballs
The Kimballs are Tom Burns (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Michael Mark (drums, percussion, vocals.) The indie rock duo grew up in suburban Colonia, New Jersey, where they met as drummers in their high school marching band. They have been recording and performing together for over a decade. Earlier releases available on CD Baby.

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Dot Dash
The new album Half Remembered Dream comes from this ever improving, ever impressive band in a few weeks. As a personal favor, they are letting you have their first song “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past” for FREE. Get it and look forward to the rest. So far the band is on track for an album each year. If you want to hear last years release, check this one out.