Gipsy Kings at San Diego’s Humphrey’s By the Bay

Gipsy Kings put on a great show at Humphrey’s By The Bay on November 3rd! The Latin pop group brought the same energy to San Diego that they started with 40 years ago and had most of the crowd standing and dancing at their seats. Even fans enjoying the show from their kayaks just outside […]

TRISHES’ emotive ‘Id’ album release show in Los Angeles

It was a stormy Monday night for Los Angeles on October 25th, yet nothing indicated a stay-home attitude at the Hotel Cafe on Cahuenga Boulevard. TRISHES’ dedicated fan base came out in full force for the highly-anticipated, intimate album release show her latest, The Id. Following The Ego, The Id is (naturally) another side of […]

One psychedelic trip with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in St. Louis

The earlier this month, I experienced a band for the first time. It was a band with a quirky name and an even quirkier onstage personality. They play a pretty intense version of electro-funk, mixed with a psychedelic-esque groove undertone that is unmistakable to their particular genre of music. All four of the band members […]

TSM Artist #HotList: November 20th, 2021

Alexia Johnson for #TopShelfMusic here, with another TSM Artist #HotList! This week, we visit an island reggae artist originally from Guam (now based in Colorado), a Guyanese artist (famously known as “Lady LAW”) and two reggae rock groups from the San Francisco Bay Area. Thank you for tuning in! (Please set your video settings to […]

Julien Baker headlines Oakland’s Fox Theater

On Saturday November 6th, Julien Baker was back in the Bay Area, after a surprise opening set with Boygenius bandmate and friend Phoebe Bridgers a mere few weeks ago at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Tonight’s occasion was for the Little Oblivions Tour in honor of Baker’s new full-length album of the same name. Baker’s third studio […]

Outside Lands 2021: an extra special Halloween

Halloween in San Francisco was one for the record books this year! After being postponed two years in a row (and then rescheduled for Halloween weekend), the beloved Outside Lands Music Festival returned to Golden Gate Park for its usual three-day event, starting Friday Oct 29th and ending on Halloween night. Headliners included The Strokes on […]

Rock on the River 2021: two terrific days in Timmins, CAN

Welcome to a small town rock festival in the far-off north! It’s a place where friendly, happy-go-lucky organizers are as serious about good music as they are about making sure there’s enough cold beer to go around. And, it was a bigger than big rock lineup — we’re talking nationally acclaimed artists — The Arkells, […]

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 […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Nolo Grace “Don’t Wanna Go Home”

Alternative pop rising star Nolo Grace returns with her “Don’t Wanna Go Home” single, premiering exclusively with Top Shelf Music before it hits all digital outlets on November 5th! The Korean-American songstress debuted earlier this year, after learning to embrace her voice and vision over quarantine with producer husband Martin Wave. No novice to production […]

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 […]