In 2008 musicians Kristen Wagner and Josh Shapiro met in a West Hollywood cafe and decided they needed a change. Frustrated with their former bands, they chose to join forces as musical partners. It proved to be a songwriting match made in heaven with Kristen taking care of lyrics and vocals while Josh pounds out the electro-rock fused backings. Under the moniker Bullet & Snowfox, the duo is heating up the L.A. scene with infectious tracks like “Bad Days” that display a punk at heart attitude and a new wave finish. The handful of the band’s songs circling the web demonstrate a common theme: these kids are determined to make fans dance their feet off and have fun while doing it. Bullet & Snowfox is currently working on new material amid word of the possible involvement of the best DJ/Producers in the biz, Baron von Luxxury. We suggest you bite the bullet and check out the rest of their tracks available on OurStage.
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Taking cues from genre pioneers like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, Killed by Design’s approach to rock stands out from current trends with their larger-than-life rhythm section and timeless vocals. Led by singer Kyle Spicer, the LA-based alt-rock group takes the tried and true guitar+ bass + drums formula and infuses it with a modern twist. Their track “Get Out of Alive” dominated in June’s music finals with its epic build up and chunky sustained power chords. So it’s not surprising to hear stadium-ready quality production value on Killed By Design’s Occulta Veritas EP, thanks to the magic of mixer Ken Andrews (NIN, Beck, Failure) and producer David Spreng (The Bravery, Bob Dylan). Give it a spin and prepare to be blown away.
The Whiskey Saints; there’s an oxymoron for you. But there is nothing moronic about this band, who has been catching attention on our Country Channels ever since they’ve joined. In the hustle and bustle of their home in Los Angeles, this foursome is making space for a genre as rare in LA as a wrinkle on Joan River’s face. Their sound is original and head turning, so the band really has the potential to cultivate LA’s country scene simply by playing one show for an undecided crowd.
One thing is decided here at OurStage, The Whiskey Saints’ videos deserve a shot. The video for their song, “With the Lights On” is a humorous story that begs the question “What the hell happened last night?” The video reveals what occurs when the boys play in the basement of an old Victorian home, with no lights on. Not only is the song enough to keep you entertained, the video shows you that you never know what the night vision cameras may reveal. Heck, if Mother Theresa knew a Whiskey Saint could be this good, I’d bet she’d be willing to cozy up to Jack Daniels (and make all that saint work a little more interesting.)
Check out The Whiskey Saints’ video for “With the Lights On,” and make sure you stop by their fanclub. You’ll want to stay until even the lights shut off.
From the LA rock scene comes Native June with their fun and skankable track “Circus.” Syncopated up strokes? Check. Shout-a-long chorus? Check. Pop-punk that doesn’t revolve around about some dude whining about not getting the girl? Checkmate! “Circus” is the kind of track to keep all the Reel Big Fish fans happy while their shows get rained out. The band describes the tune as “an upbeat commentary on life in middle America and trying to break out into something grander.” Two months ago Native June bid farewell to drummer Jeff Streitel who left to attend grad school on the east coast. The band is currently working on a follow up album to their debut LP, Whiskey & Walnuts, with demo cuts cropping up on the web for fans to preview. Hopefully, this LA staple will soon start gigging outside the Golden State and to a club near you.
Courtney Leigh Heins is one name you’re bound to hear more of in the world of Alt. Country. The singer-songwriter from Indiana packed her bags for LA soon after graduating from Boston College to try her hand at being a full time musician. While in LA, she met her current songwriting partner, multi-instrumentalist Bryan Dobbs. Together, Dobbs and Heins write tunes inspired by the Heartland and Hollywood. This week’s free track, “The Great Divide” provides an insightful commentary on American politics in small town America in between twangy guitar solos and folky mandolin riffs. With influences spanning from Loretta Lynn to Wilco, Courtney is destined to win over a wide variety of listeners.
