Cali Roots 2023: Day One

Entering the gates of the Monterey Fairgrounds for another Memorial Day Weekend at the California Roots Music & Arts Festival is always a cathartic experience. This year, however, the anticipation was soaring as it marked the 12th anniversary of the notorious annual event. What sets this year apart is not only the extension to a […]

Reggae Under the Stars Festival announces second year lineup

It’s undeniably festival season. With old favorites returning bringing incredible lineups, and new festivals popping up for their maiden voyage, 2023 is going to have an incredible selection of musical performances all over the world. Near the middle of Texas though, the Reggae Under the Stars Festival is back for the second year with a […]

15 songs to countdown Cali Roots 2022

The countdown has officially begun! Who’s been listening to the Cali Roots playlist and getting ready for Memorial Day Weekend in Monterey? I know I’ve been planning outfits, checking the lineup, looking at photos from years’ past, getting hyped about seeing everyone’s faces and doing it all while listening to the official California Roots playlist […]

Brendan Clemente captures COVID feels in “Later In June” single

It was only supposed to be for two weeks. They told us if we all stayed home, it would just go away. Stay home in March and — don’t worry — we’ll see you during the summer. That was over two years ago at this point and the COVID-19 pandemic has done as extraordinary of […]

Brendan Clemente promotes “All Love” in new single

It’s time to embrace the weekend vibes — regardless of what day it is — with reggae/world newcomer Brendan Clemente’s mellow tune, “All Love”. Produced by Johnny Cosmic and released via Ineffable Records, the new single represents (in his own words) “one of the proudest moments” of his life, as well as an absolute fire […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 4

Your Top Shelf Music News hosts Matt Cook and Kristy Rose are back for Episode 4… although their sanity is questionable, at best. Under the current COVID-19 circumstances, the music industry has all but ground to a halt, yet these two dedicated news reporters aren’t giving up, assembling what few bits and pieces of music […]

Cali Roots 2019: Day Three

Mixed weather didn’t deter Cali Roots X attendees from enjoying the third and final day in Monterey to the fullest. With two days down, Day Three at the fairgrounds brought with it one of the most stacked lineups to date when it comes to reggae rock. The morning started off with The Elovaters’ high-energy set […]

Kyle Smith & Brendan Clemente chat at Cali Roots X

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 […]

Brendan Clemente debuts “Cali Roots Love Song”

Now that the 7th Annual California Roots Music and Arts Festival has came and went, most are reflecting back on the magical weekend they have just experienced. Some festival-goers traveled home with photos and autographs, others went home with band merchandise and priceless art, but all went home with lasting memories of love, friends and […]