Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with hip hop-reggae socially-conscious artist Xiuhtezcatl at California Roots 10, following his morning performance. With an EP on the way, a summer tour and a book published (with props from mega-actor Leonardo DiCaprio), the young protégé shares what drives him forward, his thoughts on planet sustainability and […]
The essence of summertime is encapsulated in various ways. Family barbecues. Beach excursions. Exploring the great outdoors. What would the season be without bringing people together, out of their previously hibernated states into the world around them? Leave your gadgets at home; it’s summertime and the livin’s easy. Two archetypes of summertime combine into one […]
It might’ve been a sleepy Wednesday night elsewhere, but The Music Box in San Diego had alternative plans on July 10th, 2019. Going past their usual midnight sound cap, the venue opened its doors to three deejays who spun trancy, funky tracks until the wee hours of the morning. The starting deejay played remixed bangers […]
The punky, dubby Philly-based band Among Criminals is back with new music! Blending turn-of-millennia alternative with Jamaican rhythms, Among Criminals gained a fast following with their debut self-titled album in 2012, which spurred anticipation for their sophomore album to drop the following year entitled The Break, leading to their latest Kill The Precedent in 2017 […]
After releasing his new single with Big Youth and George Dekker “Get Ready”, a cover of Smokey Robinson’s classic hit, we asked production maestro Prince Fatty to put together a playlist of his Top Reggae Influencers. On creating the playlist, he also added, “In one way or another, these tracks have been with me along […]
Marcus Upbeat, aka Downbeat, has had himself quite the impressive career. Gaining fandom in the UK from his former band, No.1 Station, Upbeat not only worked closely with Lee Scratch Perry, but further toured with Roxy Music in the height of their prime! Now a solo artist, Upbeat is ready to release new music — […]
A beacon of the alternative music industry, G. Love commemorates his 26th year with his Special Sauce band with the return of his Cape Cod Roots & Blues Festival. Originally celebrating a quarter century in the performance world, G. Love brings together another round of the best in blues music to Nauset Beach of Orleans, […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with two great independent artists at California Roots 10, Kyle Smith and Brendan Clemente! Performing together for the first time, the two chat about their individual efforts in the scene, what’s to come next and how Cali Roots brought the two of them together in the first […]
Denver-based band Project 432 is a unique one, to say the least. After bursting onto the recording scene in 2017 with their debut album The Science of Numbers, the band quickly gained recognition for their approach as much as their music. The inaugural album — combining reggae with dub with hip hop all wrapped into […]
Chula Vista concerts are a trademark of summertime. The weather is finally warm enough to enjoy an outdoor event, strangers mingle amongst each other with drinks on the lawn, friends bond in every direction by the sheer act of live music. A concert arena that has boasted many names, The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre […]
Founding member of John Brown’s Body and 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Kevin Kinsella continues to be a cornerstone for the American reggae industry. His accomplishments range from musician to festival founder, releasing new music in between planning Ithaca Reggae Festival taking place next weekend in Ithaca, NY! Top Shelf Music is proud to host the […]
Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with Roots of a Rebellion at California Roots 10, all the way from Tennessee! The band opened up Day Two of the festival and with a new album out shortly, Roots of a Rebellion members were stoked to share details on the LP and what’s coming up […]
It’s always a cathartic experience, gracing the Monterey Fairgrounds gates for yet another Memorial Day Weekend at California Roots Music & Arts Festival. Unlike any other year, expectations were peaking for the 10th Annual to get underway (the milestone dubbed ‘Cali Roots X’ for good measure). Also unlike any other is the feeling of togetherness, not […]
There’s nothing like a family reunion. Now imagine one without any family drama, surrounded by endless familiar faces on a beautiful day sprawled across the breathtaking lawns of San Diego’s Embarcadero Marina Park North, with the monumental Coronado Speedway looming in the distance, boats passing by on the water and the palatial highrises of the […]
Brooklyn-based band SUNDUB has officially dropped their debut album! Since formulating their smooth sound in 2013, these east coast reggae soldiers have been committed to spreading the good vibrations embedded in roots and Jamaican ska music to the masses, evident in their inaugural Burden of Love album. Available as of today on all digital outlets, Burden […]
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