Cali Roots 2019: Day One

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 […]

Being at Bayfest San Diego

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 […]

SUNDUB drops ‘Burden of Love’ LP

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 […]

A chat with The Late Ones at California Roots 2019

Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with The Late Ones, a hip hop meets island reggae trio out of Hawaii, at California Roots 10 ahead of their late night afterparty performance in Monterey, California. With a new single available as of that day, The Late Ones were excited to share music, upcoming summer plans […]

Protoje interviews at California Roots 10

The leader of the reggae revival movement himself, Protoje, sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose following his California Roots 10 performance in Monterey, California. After dropping a single and about to hit the road with Rebelution, Protoje chats what inspires his music, what he’s currently binge-watching and more. For more Protoje or […]

Same Same But Different Fest returns for Year Two

The end of summer is a marvelous time for a weekend festival. Combine that with a serene camping getaway, the best in funky, fresh bands and a core group of friends to render yourself one of the greatest experiences. Same Same But Different Festival hit the sandy shores of Lake Perris last year: a secluded […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Inna Vision “Survivor”

Hawaiian rap-meets-reggae artist Inna Vision is hyping up his latest single “Survivor” off his Best Yet: Celebrating A Decade Of Vision album with a raw video showcasing a day in the life. The track off Roots Musician Records features a soulfully smooth saxophone throughout, jazzy keys across the bridge, a wailing guitar outro and lyrics […]

BeachLife Fest 2019: Day Two

Day Two BeachLife Festival was upon Redondo Beach: one exciting day in the books, capped by Grateful Dead icon Bob Weir, and another yet to come for this first year fest. Saturday on the ocean brought with it perfect weather on May 4th, 2019. Attendees lined the entrance fence as opening band Latchkey Kid serenaded the early birds already inside. […]

Steel Pulse sits down with Top Shelf Music

Steel Pulse members David Hinds and Selwyn Brown sit down with Top Shelf Music journalist Keela Sweeney following their Day One BeachLife Festival performance in Redondo Beach, California. With their long-awaited Mass Manipulation album out as of May 17th, Steel Pulse chats about the inspiration behind the album that took 15 years in the making […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Ras Teo x Lone Ark “Down In The Garrison”

Ras Teo brings his humanitarian efforts to the forefront in his new track “Down In The Garrison” off his Ten Thousand Lions album and featuring the likes of Lone Ark. The duo felt called to action after witnessing the struggles of the Caribbean streets, a situation that doesn't seem to be improving any time soon. “Down […]

BeachLife Fest 2019: Day One

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WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Lea Love “Way I Am”

SoCal songstress Lea Love is about to drop her much-anticipated EP and to celebrate, she is releasing the title track “Way I Am” here on Top Shelf Music! Available tomorrow on all digital outlets, Ms. Love showcases not only her vocal range, but her open persona. This is who she is, folks! With a catchy […]

Roots of Creation talks BeachLife Fest & beyond

East coast jam band Roots of Creation has been hitting the road hard for some time now, accumulating quite a following for their unique take on the reggae-rock movement. After gaining critical success with their Grateful Dead tribute album Grateful Dub, RoC is about to perform alongside Dead frontman Bob Weir this weekend — on the same […]

Austin City Limits 2019 announced

Now that Coachella weekends one and two have passed, it’s time to fast forward to fall — fall in Texas, specifically. There are some bucketlist fests on everyone’s radar and Austin City Limits (ACL) continues to reign supreme (next to Bonneroo and Lolla, of course). ACL might not be as old as its aforementioned predecessors, […]