Ocean Alley astounds in “Hot Chicken” single & video

Australia’s surf rock band Ocean Alley is back in action with the lead single “Hot Chicken” now available on all digital outlets off their forthcoming Lonely Diamond LP. The third full-length follows the band’s 2018 Chiaroscuro album — one that took them straight to the top! Gaining a following playing small gigs around Sydney’s Northern […]

Between Kings drops surprise ‘Antidote’ EP

Aussie-bred turned LA-based rock band Between Kings has achieved critical acclaim since their formation back in 2013. The band’s debut album, The Escape, instantly started climbing the Alternative Charts in 2018, escalating the emo four-piece to over 1.5 million Spotify streams last year. Now pairing with producer Jimmy Messer (AWOLNATION, Kygo, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez), […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Mutual Groove “Funky Butternut”

Let’s face it, this COVID-19 lockdown is getting to people. Monetary circumstances aside, the prolonged forced isolation is resulting in high numbers of depression and anxiety worldwide. Answering the call aren’t politicians or doctors — it’s funk group Mutual Groove out of Nashville! Mutual Groove, former touring members for hip hop artist Stealing Oceans and […]

TSM #HotList: March 29th, 2020

We’re proud to present Top Shelf Music Artist #Hotlist with your host Alexia Johnson, March 29th Edition! This time, our lineup features Blarre Bianchi & Iam Christarz, DJ Greenguy and Reime Schemes, Fantan Mojah and Rome (of Sublime With Rome) with Duddy B (of Dirty Heads)! With so much going on in the world right […]

Sal’s Greenhouse blossoms in new ‘Bloom’ EP

Bay-area powerhouse funk/soul collective Sal’s Greenhouse is releasing a new EP Bloom on Friday, March 27th! This talented NorCal assembly is everything you need to make staying at home feel like you’re back to fun on Friday nights. The EP was produced by Justin Stanley, who has worked with a full list of artists already […]

Celebrating 311 Day 2020

In what could possibly be the last concert for a long time (with the current COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe and all), diehard 311 fans flocked in hoards to Viva Las Vegas for three full days of 311 performances — complete with pre-parties and after-parties around the casino! An annual tradition, the band has been […]

WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Kalalea “This Is Country”

Hawaiian solo artist Kalalea surprises all in his latest self-produced EP This Is Country that dropped late last night. The typically characterized reggae artist has pivoted his sound after parting ways with his former Roots Musician Records label, from roots to, dare we say it, more of a trap demeanor??? First off, in this day […]

Hippie Sabotage at Observatory North Park

San Diego was ready to rage on February 27th at the Observatory North Park as Hippie Sabotage hosted The Direction of Dreams Tour, an evening of insane beats and visuals to match. With openers ilo ilo kicking the night off right, the evening was a recipe for a good time.A dynamic duo, to say the […]

Dr. Dog delivers at Observatory North Park

A late February Friday night in North Park is the perfect atmosphere: not too hot, not too cold, finally thawing off that thick layer of hibernation everyone has been living in all winter. The Observatory Theater attracts a wide array of musical talent, ranging from hip hop to alternative to reggae to metal artists; this […]

The Struts takeover SOMA San Diego

It was an epic evening on Friday, February 28th as glam-rock group The Struts — hailing all the way from Derby, Derbyshire, England — hosted the first show of their ‘Tour de California’ at SOMA San Diego. The four-date run featured Starcrawler, an up-and-coming local band from Los Angeles, California. Starcrawler’s lead singer, Arrow De […]

Lords of Acid returns to the road bringing acid house for all

It was 1988 and, like many a teenager, my music was the bane of my parents’ existence. From behind my poster-covered bedroom door, you could hear thick acid house electronic dance beats mixed with the most scandalous and erotic lyrics. Lords of Acid‘s single “I Sit on Acid” was on repeat. By 1991, I could […]

Dashboard Confessional at San Diego Observatory North Park

A night so good they did it twice — icons Dashboard Confessional graced San Diego on Tuesday, February 11th for their first of two sold-out shows at The Observatory North Park. Out for their 20 year celebration of the band’s history, they played a near two-hour set of their favorite sing-alongs, all the way to […]

TSM #HotList: February 20th, 2020

Welcome to another installment of our Top Shelf Music Artist #HotList, with host Alexia Johnson! This episode brings forth the talents of Skunk Funk, The Irie, Boca 45 and Pacific Roots… which makes a pretty funky bunch! Follow us on social media (specifically Instagram) @topshelfmusicmag to be the first to know more music news as […]

Ani DiFranco hosts sold out show at Observatory Santa Ana

It was an evening of beautiful feminine strength, powerful messages and sweet solidarity. Devoted fans gathered to see Ani DiFranco in a sold out show on February 15th at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. Starting the night off was the beautiful indie folk songbird, Jesca Hoop. Supporting the 2019 release of her fifth studio […]