Roots and Tings’ “Election Time” surges with raw political honesty

Every four years we feel it. Every four years we dread it. The overwhelming frustration and, for some, fear that comes with ‘Election Time’ in America. The never-ending flood of lies and misinformation, cheap political promises and in the case of the current administration, the blatant and obvious sexism, classism and racism seem to invade our […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Double Tiger “Drop Sound”, feat. Slightly Stoopid

Double Tiger, aka Jay Spaker, is back in action premiering lead single “Drop Sound” off his forthcoming album today on Top Shelf Music before it hits digital outlets tomorrow! The song is the first to surface from sophomore album, The Journey, a much-anticipated follow-up to his debut solo venture Sharp & Ready, both off Easy […]

Crucial Blend offers ode to OB in “Need You” music video

Cali reggae band Crucial Blend captures an ode to Ocean Beach in their new music video for “Need You”, a sweet slow jam off their No Bad Daze album. Being based out of San Diego, any resident of the city knows there’s nothing like OB: the easygoing mecca of lovable misfits, the beach that, let’s […]

Slightly Stoopid & friends perform Del Mar drive-in show

San Diego-based Slightly Stoopid joined the Concerts In Your Car Series on Saturday, October 10th at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for their first show since the COVID shutdown in March 2020. During the sold-out drive-in show, the band brought the good vibes, the party and the explosive energy we’ve been needing with the deprivation of […]

Surfer Girl’s debut single “Hero” hails political change

Aer frontman Carter Schultz is back in action — calling for an action hero, that is. Resurfacing from his last Aer release in 2016, Schultz debuts the first single “Hero” today under the new sobriquet Surfer Girl off Ineffable Records. Surfer Girl might sound laidback, yet they are far from politically passive. “Hero” has all […]

The Steppas return with “Stay” single

Hawaiian reggae staple The Steppas return from a brief dormancy with “Stay”, a song equally about loss and acceptance. The single off Easy Star Records follows a string of personal grievances for the band over the past few years, including the sudden and saddening death of longtime friend and band manager Kaliko Keawe’ehu. Not willing […]

Akae Beka teams with Chronixx in “Black Carbon”

A mastermind of spiritually-conscious reggae, Rastafarian Vaughn Benjamin brings forth music from the grave in his new Akae Beka single “Black Carbon”, featuring reggae revival catalyst Chronixx. Vaughn’s untimely passing in 2019 did not deter Akae Beka’s co-founding member Ron, brother of Vaughn, from releasing yet another beautifully-executed call to action with the late singer […]

Fortunate Youth drive-in concert at The Grove: Night Two

On September 26th, Fortunate Youth continued their second of two headlining shows at The City National Grove of Anaheim. The weather was great and the vibes were just right. There were even more friends and family in attendance than the night before! You could feel the anticipation of all the fans there, enjoying quite possibly […]

Sublime With Rome drive-in concert at Alameda Fairgrounds

A Drive-In Concert Experience featuring Sublime With Rome and Bikini Trill stretched two nights at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Night One was a smoky due to the California fires, but that didn’t stop reggae-rock fans from coming out with their family and friends and enjoying their Friday night to the fullest! Vibes were high and […]

Dirty Heads kicks off Del Mar’s Concerts In Your Car series

Kicking off the first CBF Productions ‘Concerts In Your Car’ — a socially-distanced concert series at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego — was Dirty Heads! The band brought the energy and the great vibes we’ve all be craving since COVID-19 hit earlier this year, leading to the shutdown of all live entertainment. After […]

Fortunate Youth drive-in concert at The Grove: Night One

On September 25th, Fortunate Youth performed the first of two headlining shows they had at The Grove in Anaheim. The opening band for Night One was the The Expanders, who, with FY, were the perfect combination to kick off the weekend of fun. After so many months not seeing friends or being out at shows […]

TSM Artist #HotList: September 29th, 2020

Welcome to Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList: Episode 12, with your host Alexia Johnson! Artists featured: Total Hip Replacement — “Lost In Thought” For a funky, light and breezy sound, we bring you Total Hip Replacement! If you are a fan of The Skints, this is a new band to check out. Total Hip Replacement […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 8

It should be fall festival season. We are aware. Yet, that doesn’t deter Top Shelf Music News from reporting the latest in music news, coming straight out of the mouthholes of lovable hosts Matt Cook & Kristy Rose. Joining the two is Ohio Correspondent For No Reason Mike E.P., commenting on current medical phenomena, as […]

Prince Fatty talks producing in the COVID era & new single

British sound engineer and renowned record producer Prince Fatty has released an impressive amount of singles this year, concluding the series this week with his own take on Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”. Dubbing it “Black Rabbit” (with a heavy dose of dub), the single features guest vocals by Shniece McMenamin and is available everywhere as […]