Co-Founder Brad Sweet talks the return of Same Same But Different Fest

Same Same But Different — a festival for freedom, funk and fun-loving individuals everywhere — returns to the shoreline of Lake Perris, CA this upcoming September 9-12th. Announced back in early April, SSBD 3 plans to bring live music and camping back to southern California without missing a COVID beat. For those wondering if it […]

Same Same But Different returns as CA’s first camping festival since COVID

Some festivals are just destined to be revolutionary. One such music and arts weekend event is in its third year along the sandy shores of southern California’s Lake Perris (albeit, skipping the year that shall not be named). That’s right, the funky monkey crunchy radical bunchy folk of Same Same But Different Festival plans to […]

Chris del Camino calls for betterment in “Brighter Day”

Chris del Camino (of HIRIE) is more than just a hired horn. The suave saxophonist is further a singer-songwriter, helping on HIRIE tunes as well as his own! As of this week, del Camino has yet another brilliant solo single to offer — calling attention to much-needed subject matter, to boot! Considering its inauguration week, […]

Calling All Crows presents 2nd Unlocked Voices livestream fundraiser

Calling All Crows, a nonprofit organization for musicians and music-lovers wanting to create social change through hands-on activism, is conducting its second of eight livestream concert fundraisers to educate the public on the rising pandemic of mass incarceration within the United States. As of now, one in two adults has immediately family members locked away […]

Vaudeville Revival delivers in ‘The Death of Los Angeles’ album

Living their lives caught somewhere in between starving artists and superstars, the members of the LA-based indie rock duo Vaudeville Revival have independently released their second full-length album, suitably titled The Death of Los Angeles — a followup to their 2019 debut, Free Dirt. The music of Luke Culhane and Jake Marino shouldn’t solely be pigeon-holed […]

Top Shelf Music gets to know The Vibe

All three members of San Diego alt-funk band The Vibe sit down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose! With COVID-19 restrictions for musicians, The Vibe talks about what they had to do to adapt during the forced quarantine, how this downtime has been a blessing and what’s ahead on the horizon. After recently changing […]

John Legend marks Juneteenth with ‘Bigger Love’ LP

A second after the stroke of midnight on Juneteenth (aka, June 19th, a day commemorating the final emancipation of black slaves in 1865), John Legend unleashed his highly anticipated full-length album Bigger Love to the public. Four years have lapsed since Legend’s last Darkness and Light LP heightened the soulful superstar’s career ever-higher and, let […]

Galactic updates 1996 classic & shares video for “Something’s Wrong With This Picture”

New Orleans jazz-funk group Galactic has updated their 1996 hit “Something’s Wrong With This Picture”, a single describing the egregious injustice and inequality faced daily by African Americans, complete with a brand new music video! Considering the current state of this divided nation, Galactic players felt compelled to re-release the inspiring track off the band’s […]

Glass Bandit debuts with ‘Reflections’ EP

One thing this country, nay, the whole world needs right now is some funky, fresh music to keep moods elevated under the current COVID circumstances. Answering the call is Lawrence, Kansas funk-soul-rock fusion band Glass Bandit, debuting onto the recording scene with a three-song EP, Reflections. The eight-piece Kansas co-op emphasizes self-worth, perseverance and, obviously, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Thundercat sells out Observatory Santa Ana

A Los Angeles native brought funky, electronic vibes down to Orange County, resulting in a sold out show at The Observatory in Santa Ana. Stephen Bruner (also known as Thundercat), his pretty pink six-string bass and his angelic voice set a mellow type of mood in the venue. For the majority of Thundercat’s set, the […]

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 […]