Same Same But Different 2021: Day Two

After a frivolous Day One, everyone emerged out of their camping spots along Lake Perris for yet another crazy day of Same Same But Different Fest! I unfortunately was running a little late (with hopes to interview the boys of Capyac, who performed the night before), so when I arrived on the scene to set […]

Gov’t Mule drops ‘Heavy Load Blues’ album

Conducted by GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and overall guitar legend Warren Haynes, celebrated foursome Gov’t Mule has gifted the world once again with their newest venture: a full blues album titled Heavy Load Blues, released on November 12th through Fantasy Records. The first ever head-to-toe blues album recorded by the band, Heavy Load Blues […]

Boy Harsher & friends pack Empire Garage for Levitation Fest

Empire Control Room & Garage was absolutely packed Thursday for Day Two of Austin’s annual psych rock fest, Levitation. The five-day experience prides itself in showcasing some of the coolest and most unique shows anywhere in America. This night, Empire would be hosting some rising artists, such as Nation of Language and Rosegarden Funeral Party, […]

A chat with The Collection at Shaky Knees Fest

The Collection is an amazing seven-piece band hailing from Saxapahaw, North Carolina. Their wild live shows and upbeat blend of pop rock have earned them a 2019 NPR Tiny Desk judges pick, as well as a recent opening spot with Larkin Poe. Their latest single, “Get Lost”, was released a few weeks ago and they […]

The full Shaky Knees Fest 2021 experience

Shaky Knees is Atlanta’s premiere alt and indie rock music festival and Friday would mark its triumphant return to the Peach State after a 2020 absence. Located in the heart of downtown in Central Park, the festival would be a sight for sore eyes for many hungry music fans excited to return to live music. […]

Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast, Ep. 60: The Dodies

Air date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Top Shelf Music is proud to present Episode 60 of Eclectic Soundtrax, hosted by Skunk Manhattan and Victor Ramos! On today’s podcast, Manhattan and Ramos chats with The Dodies, a two-piece garage rock duo from the southern desert of Israel. Yoni Avittan fronts the band as lead vocalist and […]

IDLES & Gustaf destroy Atlanta

Friday, October 22nd was one of those days that absolutely drained me. I left Nashville around 8 o’clock in the morning to drive four and a half hours to the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta. It would be an understatement to say that, by the end of the evening, I was completely exhausted. Anyone who […]

Beth Crowley talks her spooky single “In The End”

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Beth Crowley melds mystical folklore with soothing sounds in her hauntingly beautiful new single “In The End”. Based off Netflix’s The Witcher series, this song tells a familiar tale of star-crossed lovers, whose love will “burn until there’s nothing left”, yet will ultimately lead to their downfall. Sometimes “twin flames” can destroy as […]

A night with Badflower at San Diego’s Observatory North Park

Badflower played a rare San Diego show at the North Park Observatory on October 17th! They don’t play in San Diego that often, so it was a pretty special show, with support from Dead Poet Society and Teenage Wrist. Dead Poet Society has a really unique sound that I really dig! They mostly played songs […]

Jimmy Eat World & Taking Back Sunday rock Paso Robles

Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday brought their double-headlining tour to Vina Robles Amphitheater in Paso Robles on October 19th, with special guests The Beaches. First up was The Beaches, an all-female Canadian rock band. I haven’t heard of this band, so it was cool to see someone new. I was most excited for […]

Same Same But Different Fest 2021 brought the beach party

The third annual Same Same But Different Festival (SSBD) returned this September 9th through 12th in full force, representing all that is freedom and love in the hidden gem of Lake Perris, California. A beautiful, hot weekend perfectly complimented with a cool dip in Lake Perris was a combination made in heaven. Gleaming the best […]

311, Iration & Iya Terra absolutely stun Irvine

On October 15th, 311’s Live From The Ride Tour made its Orange County stop at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine. They were joined by tour support bands Iration and Iya Terra.  Iya Terra started the night out strong, hitting the ground running.  Even with some minor technical difficulties, they still put on an amazing set. Next up […]

Willow brings lifE to The Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles

Willow Smith brought her band to her hometown and performed at Los Angeles’ Fonda Theatre on 26th of September. As the part of her lifE Tour, she has been traveling all around the United States, coming to LA to remind us what pop punk means. With a bald head, an edgy outfit and a very […]