Greetings to all those reading. Whale House is mainly made up of Clayton Brice and Caleb Price. Surprisingly, this pair met while in Music Composition class and that lead to the band forming in 2007. It was an instant connection and bonding over rock music, 60's counter-culture and 90's alternative rock that they grew up with. "Between 2009 and 2012 they have released 3 Eps and 2 singles. They have played all across the Midwest, opening for acclaimed bands such as Retribution Gospel Choir and The Bad Bad Hats."

This Wisconsin-based band recently released their single "Milk", which is featured below. The song itself makes you want to listen to it on repeat (I know I did). It took me to that early 2000's rock that really made feel me good. A sort of melancholic reality. It's truly "been so long and the world moves on". Although it takes me back, there is a modern touch to it that makes it fitting to 2019. However, not only is the song very well executed, but the visuals for the video are pretty good too. The vibrant colors are a  nice contrast to the rock sound of the song.

The good news is that on September 7th, Whale House music is set to release their first full length album, "Clowder", which was recorded at Drum Farm Studios. "Clowder" was made by a talented team of individuals who have worked with bands such as Green Day and MGMT and it will be available both digitally and on vinyl. 

For those of you listening to Whale House for the first time, you are in for a pleasant surprise. 

Link for Whale House's site:
www.whalehousemusic.com

New York duo, Phantogram, made up of John Carter and Sarah Barthel recently released a new single  called "Mister Impossible". A single that truly sounds like it belongs in an action blockbuster movie.  This is a follow up from their previous single, "Into Happiness", which is a song about learning to find happiness after being in a dark place and that also seems to be the consensus by Phantogram fans commenting beneath the song on YouTube video. I get chills every time I hear "wish you could be here." Lots of people have found it as a way to deal whether it's listening to a song or writing one. That brings me to the fact that the band has actually made it their mission to donate one dollar from every ticket sale to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This decision stems after the loss of Sarah's sister. It is about creating a consciousness and helping. There is always a silver lining.

Phantogram whose sound is a nice mix of rock, pop, and electronic psychedelic grooves, is currently touring and one of the dates include El Paso on September 15th at the Lowbrow Palace. The Lowbrow Palace is a great venue that has been graced by bands like Le Butcherettes, The Marias and many more. I really recommend that you see Phantogram in this setting, it is pretty intimate. Phantogram is one of those bands that has the ability to transport me in a certain time and place in my life no matter which song it is. It's so nostalgic and comforting. Even if you don't know who Phantogram is, you would be supporting a great band and a great cause. Plus, Bob Moses will be opening up for the band. It will be such a special night!

Don't forget to catch Phantogram during this headlining tour and buy your tickets for the Lowbrow either online or at the door! For more tour information click here: www.phantogram.com/tour

Location:
The Lowbrow Palace (Outdoors)
1101 Texas Ave, El Paso, TX 79901

None other than Mexico's Sabino, does a new era for SabHop come in the form of a brand new album, Yin. SabHop is a mixture of light, relaxing, and seductive music. It's the type of music you want to pump up to before going to the party and or the after party. The best thing about this sexy mix of genres is that you can't strictly categorize it as reggaeton or hip-hop or "typical" for the party scene. 

Sabino has been in the music scene since 2012. Throughout that time, he released hit singles like "Me Puse Pedo", "Los Raros de la Clase", and. "Nueve Quince". That led to his rise in the Mexican music scene. Now fast forward to 2018, Sabino gifted us with more funny party anthems like "Ya le Bajo", "Los Enamorados", and "Jalo".

2019, Sabino blessed us with the eight-track list, Yin. This new vibe that Sabino has taken on this new album is so fun. I remember when I listened to "Los Enamorados" for the first time, I was like "Wow, this is totally giving me Santana vibes", but then I hear a song like "Tu" and I swear I feel pumped for the day.

Sabino not only has the ability to deliver musically, but lyrically too. I really takes craftsmanship to deliver such smart and funny lyrics that make so many references to pop culture. Not only that, but it is nostalgic. Just look at the video below for "Ying Yang", it has all the 80's kung fu vibes. Plus, it's so good. This album will have you hitting the repeat button. 

Just take a peak of the Ying Yang lyrics below:

"Tocaron la de calle 13: Atrévete-te-te
Y me sentí bien Molotov: Mátate Teté
También pusieron a J Balvin, men
Pero que Dios bendiga el SabHop, amen"

Those four lines really sum up the reference master that Sabino is. The best part is that it is fun to sing and dance along to.

If you want to have fun listening to this album like I did, the album is now available on all digital platforms. Check out some links below: 
www.facebook.com/elsabinox/
open.spotify.com/artist/0zgFL90nGTrH2iOMD8Vysy
www.instagram.com/elsabinox/?hl=en

On Friday, opening up The Night Running Tour was none other than L.A. based rock-band, Starcrawler. For those of you who don't know, it is fronted by Arrow de Wilde, who is truly an embodiment of "rock n' roll", Henri Cash (guitar), Tim Franco (bass), and Austin Smith (drums).  

As soon as she took the stage, she had all eyes on her. For people that have seen Starcrawler before, they know about Arrow's rock antics while first timers are like "what is going on?" At one point a concert-goer turned to me and asked, "does she always do the blood thing?" "You, know, its kind of her thing", I replied. As someone that has seen Starcrawler before, watching them is always a treat. It's so refreshing to see a band like them in today's music world. It was also nice to see that the lamb on the speaker still follows them on tour. 

The band really got the crowd started for what was an incredible night. They played their hits: "Pet Cemetery", "Chicken Woman", "I Love LA" and more. For such a young band, they truly seem like they have been in the "game" for years. It's fantastic to see how much Henri and Arrow play off of each other's energy and truly make the audiences engage whether they are familiar with their music or not. The set was so good, that it felt so short. 

If you are reading this and haven't listened to them, I really recommend that you check them out. Links are:
www.starcrawlermusic.com
www.instagram.com/starcrawler/?hl=en

Cayey Cicada is a bilingual indie-pop artist that magically blends different genres in his music. The name itself is an homage to Puerto Rico (his birthplace). That helps him represents himself in the music industry, especially in the culture mix of L.A. Cayey Cicada is getting ready to release his second EP in the wintertime, but in the meantime he released his latest single: Vuelo. This brings me to the lovely conversation I had with him last week where we talked about his music and musical influences.

"Vuelo comes from a poem my brother wrote." He said that he asked his brother for permission and modified a few things, added music to it, and it became Vuelo. It truly is a trans/indie/electronic-type song that is chill, but also leaves you feeling good. The process behind it is evident.  

"Lots of beats. The new EP will have a lot of Lo-fi, rock, and synths." He also mentioned that for the EP, other genres present  like salsa, reggae, and jazz amongst others. What fun! 

I asked him what motivated him to become a musician and at what point he felt that it was a necessity. "I discovered music so late. I was in my second year of college. I was 21 when I truly discovered music. A friend of mine was playing "Vagabundo" by Draco Rosa on the guitar and I felt it. My dad, my parents in general, were not too happy with this decision at first."  It's amazing that even though discovering music "late" , it has lead him in this wonderful music journey.  

We also talked about the impact of music and the impact his he hopes his music will have. He mentioned that he wants to transcend, which also happens to be his favorite word. "My music will be a message of transcendence." He also feels like he has grown with this musical process and with that in mind, I also asked him what his biggest musical influences have been. He responded with people like Bob Marley and Gustavo Cerati amongst other music legends. Such good musical influences. 

If you are reading this, don't under estimate the power of music. Please go check out Cayey Cicada!