Happy New Year! I am excited to welcome in the new year as my 2021 ended on a high note. I am looking forward to what 2022 has in store for me. My playlist for December was Who’s Kissin’ Santa Now. If you are still listening to Christmas music check it out. But if you are ready to jump headfirst into 2022 hopefully this month’s playlist, “Inspire Me”, will help to get you motivated. I...
November’s theme was Gone To Soon. I shared with you some of the artists that we lost way to early. I also talked about the infamous “27 Club”. This month’s Who’s Kissin’ Santa Now Spotify Playlist is more upbeat for those of us that enjoy Christmas music. For any of you who have been with me since the beginning know that last year’s Christmas genre was metal. That’s not the case this month. This month’s...
October’s theme was Pretty in Pink. It was not a discussion of the Molly Ringwald movie, but female musicians that had an impact on the music scene. This month’s ‘Gone To Soon’ Spotify Playlist I am going to highlight those musicians that passed away at a young age. I knew most of the musicians in this playlist had died younger, but it really didn’t synch in how many had died early in life until I...
Crash Army, a local rock band, seems to be fresh to the Pittsburgh music scene. When I say fresh I mean I couldn’t find the individual names of these folks anywhere. Bandmates Corey Barr, Mike Dixson, and Josh Christner have been busy booking shows and are currently working on a second album and finding a record label. The band recently released “Happy Never After“, a single that reminds me of classic grunge, from their album...
When I’m asked about my own influences, as if it can all be brought down to one or two people… (there are musicians, writers, historical moments and movements, close buddies, girlfriends, family; my kids, who very much influence my sleeping habits lately..!). It does make me go blank a little, just a little. But, in truth, when it comes to songwriters, I tend to keep coming back around to Paul Simon, over and over. Even...
A lot of bands take on an emotional, true-life outlook when it comes to writing music. For Red Eleven, their music is an overflowing outpour of the true situations and movements of life, especially with their latest moody single, “Before I Fall.” Red Eleven is a hard-rock band out of Finland ready to make an influence on the rest of the world. They’re currently working on their fourth album, “Handled With Chaos,” but along the...
gate·keep·er – /ˈɡātˌkēpər/ – noun a person or thing that controls access to something. When I first started learning about the music industry in Pittsburgh there were these odd clips of ideas about Gatekeepers. I sort of felt like Dorothy in Oz, attempting to follow a path that would lead me to these powerful people who held the keys to growth and refused entry to so many. Much like Dorothy, what I stumbled upon...
First Angel Media has scoured through our writers, reviews, catacombs, and vaults and is pleased to launch the ever-evolving, rotational, and official First Angel Media Spotify playlist, “First Angel Music”! All artists contained therein have been reviewed, covered, or in some way promoted by First Angel Media, and in some cases, even work for us! Here is how you can support this endeavor and thus, continue building the scene: Follow the playlist. Share with someone you think...
Honestly, when I heard the first line of “Chosen and Justified” by The Dead Daisies, I immediately took the review onto my plate. What I wasn’t ready for, was how amazing the song and this band in general, actually are! Once I heard this song and watched the visual, I kept asking myself why I was even writing this; I didn’t think I could have anything else to add! The experience truly speaks for itself!...
22 years ago I added a section to a band’s website for a benefit concert that they were holding. I didn’t know it then, but I signed and sealed most of my summers’ itinerary for almost a quarter of a century. It started in 2000. Let that sink in for a moment, 2000! I am talking about the Rock for Life Concert Series. Started by percussionist Matt Ferrante and bassist Steve Craven of the band...
