5 Songs You Should Hear Right Now

My weekly call to action for you to turn up the songs that have been rocking me all weekend long. Turn them up LOUD, that is.

Vera Bloom- “Breathe”

Vera Bloom released her debut single “Breathe” and I’ve had it on repeat ever since. She has a sound that mixes everything I love about Poe, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and Best Coast but somehow still makes it her own. It’s always exciting to see new artists coming out with songs that hit me like this one does. Here’s what Vera had to say about the meaning behind “Breathe”.

“Breathe” was written in the aftermath of a panic attack and the experience of existing in that moment. The track provides an honest view of being caged by your thoughts and the need to focus, breathe, and continue forward. “My main goal as a songwriter [is] to translate a specific feeling … I think anyone that’s felt out of control in any capacity can relate to the lyrics” says Vera. “It’s a genuine account of something profound that happened to me.”

Transylvania Stud- “Burn The Witch”

Transylvania Stud has been one of my favorite bands for a few years now. I’ve actually even played drums on a few of his tracks throughout the years and I would do it again in a heartbeat. He’s one of those artists who is unapologetic in every aspect of his life and his music has always depicted that. It’s what rock n roll was once upon a time and I hope to see more artists in the future blazing their own paths unafraid of the consequences. Recently he teamed up again with George Pauley, of one of my other fav bands The By Gods, for this RAD cover of a Queens Of The Stone Age classic. You might also recognize another By God in the video below.

Teenage Fanclub- “Home”

Growing up I was SUCH a fan of Teenage Fanclub. To be honest, “The Concept” still pops up every year on my Spotify “most played songs” list. They are one of those bands that seem to have influenced anyone and everyone. I remember having an interview with Sam Powers of Superdrag and The Lees of Memory once where he told me he opened up for Teenage Fanclub once and the only stipulation he requested was he would get to meet them. I have to be honest, I would open up for them for the same deal if it ever presented itself to me. Their latest single, “Home” dropped on Friday and I’ve had it on repeat ever since. It has everything we love about the band from the old days but somehow it’s new again. I don’t know how Teenage Fanclub do it, but this is exactly why they have and continue to influence us all.

Eric Paquette- “Mood”

Nashville’s own Eric Paquette recently came onto my radar when someone said we were hair twins. I took it as a huge compliment and then I checked out his music and instantly became a fan. To be honest I had never hear the song “Mood” which is by 24KGoldn but after hearing Paquette’s rad take on it, I have no desire to. His cover reminds me of when Ryan Adams covered Taylor Swift’s “Out Of Style” and introduced a ton of indie rock fans to a hit they may have never heard otherwise. I know the 24KGoldn version is a huge song, but just wait until the masses hear Paquette’s version.

Meg Myers- “The Underground”

It was amazing to see Nashville native Meg Myers rise to fame a few years ago. She has such a unique and passionate sound I’ve always been a fan of. My band Cavo opened up for her in 2015 and we were terrified to share the stage with her knowing her fans were as passionate as she was about her music. (She was super nice to us as were her fans thankfully).  Myers has always played by her own rules so I was stoked to see her release not one, but two EPs on Friday The 13th. Her sound is always evolving and she sounds vocally stronger than ever. “The Underground” is a testament to Myers playing by her own rules and writing songs for herself, which I wish more artists would do these days.