Baltimore Bands: Dan Deacon's "Wish Book Vol. 1"

As a post-Christmas present, here's a mix that Dan Deacon concocted during this tour this year. It's jam packed with glucose-sucrose-fructose enhanced melodies and bubblegum beats, an especially heady duo when combined with the insanity of pop hits from 2012 like Psy's "Gangam Style" in the first track (sweet Jesus, it's like a swarm of kaleidoscopic honey bees).

All completely original and completely confectionery, pop these sweets in your ear buds and get kickin' for the up coming new year. Hats off to ya, Dan Deacon. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Best of Bandcamp, Christmas Edition: Marijke

Not only is her name fun to say, but her music is wonderful to listen to. Two simple songs put together with the accompaniment of an acoustic guitar, these holiday originals are exactly what you need to hum as you walk down a snowy path.

Cotton-soft clear vocals make "Just Isn't Christmas" as pure as silvery snowflakes and just as shining to listen to. Marijke's finger picked guitar melodies add a calming backdrop to the wintry scenery that her songs paint in watercolors.

Buy her Christmas songs here and add some peace and harmony to your winter break.

Philadelphia Bands: Lucy Stone

Sugary sweet and butterfly light, Lucy Stone's voice will soften your heart and warm you like chamomile tea.

Springy and bluesy, tip-toe melodies hold hands with Stone's rosemary vocals. With songs this gentle, you'll find yourself letting down your guard and opening up yourself to her various albums and EP of gorgeous music. Singer/songwriter, Lucy Stone, crafts handwoven lyrics that reveal a vintage hued world.



This folksy alternative music seems inspired by a mountain view or a vast open plain. Steady like a staircase, Stone's songs are just the thing to brighten your day. Check our her bandcamp and give her a try.

Events: BBC Xmas Party at the Ottobar

This is something you definitely don't want to miss. If you're in the Baltimore area on December 23rd, come down and party like you just survived the end of the world.

You don't want to miss electo-punk band The Death Set. With head nodding beats and catchy lyrics, they've got it all wrapped up with a Christmas bow.



Spank Rock will shake you up with some 80's inspired melodies and unmistakable vocals.


Get your tickets now here.

Outside Forces: Everything Ever

Music Review

Staten Island, NY/Haworth, NJ three-piece rock outfit, Everything Ever, blends some hints of ska-punk with  a contradictory energetic angst in their single, "Rock Bottom."

A quiet intro with lonely lyrics suddenly meet a zipper of guitars and banging drums that throws "Rock Bottom" into an upbeat, Bomb the Music Industry!-esque song, emotive vocals and all. Fingers run down the fret board like spiders in this song as a bassist and drummer provide the foundation for solid formation. Punk riffs join forces with the dry voice of the singer like a french braided tune. This song is one of many to come from this band, so be on the look out for Everything Ever and download their single here.

Best of Bandcamp, Christmas Edition: Illect Recordings

Hip-hop artists all around Seattle collaborate in Illect Recording's compilation album, "An Illect Recording's Christmas Recording" with ill results.

This album has everything it takes to get you gettin' your swerve on. Songs like "Jingle Bell Knock" have the poppin' percussion rhythm that provides the solid beat to your holidays, and artists Page One, Theory Hazit, MG! the Visionary, and DJ Because get hyphy in "We Three Kings" with some spittin' raps juxtaposed with the cheery jingle of bells.

Bring it back to relaxation this season with other tunes like L.A. Symphony's "Christmas Song," where smooth background melodies balance the sharp cut lyrics. Everything you could possibly want this hip hop holiday season is gift wrapped in "An Illect Recordings Christmas Recording".

As L.A. Symphony puts it, "too bad the season goes by so fast," so hurry up and get this album now here and get your groove on.