Kenny Nishikawa comments on new lo-fi EP & playing reggae

2021 is already shaping up to be a renaissance of sorts within the music industry! With the New Year comes spotlights on new music releases. Today we are highlighting lo-fi artist Kenny Nishikawa of San Jose, California. You may have seen Kenny rocking the bass for Vana Liya or maybe you’ve seen him behind the […]

Meet SoCal reggae artist & scene advocate Rude Creation

San Diego, California has always been a hot spot for roots reggae and reggae rock music. From Slightly Stoopid to Big Mountain to Tribal Seeds, the city continues to proffer acts who have changed the course the reggae genre’s collective history. Yet, there are countless artists and bands that reside within the middle of the […]

Katchafire’s Jordan Bell talks new tunes & tours

Drummers, with the exception of a few backline frontmen, rarely get enough love. Katchafire’s Jordan Bell likes to live a little differently. His family band, originally started by father Grenville Bell and alongside brother Logan Bell, has since grown to be a staple of New Zealand and roots reggae music altogether. Jordan Bell goes centerstage, […]

An interview with Arran Sym

Scotland artist and producer Arran Sym is rising in the alt music realms of late — landing him smack dab on our radar for an artist spotlight! This up-and-coming low-fi name might be a novice to some, yet is quickly becoming a master of his craft. Arran Sym has been making such major waves in […]

Among Criminals talks new album & creating in the COVID era

Among Criminals, an eclectic genre-hopping Philly band, knows all about reinvention. It was in the midst of making their latest album, Darker Sweetness, when COVID-19 crashed down, grinding everything as we know it to a halt for months to come. ‘Darker Sweetness’ is a new horizon for the band in sound and subject matter, yet […]

ZeeCeeKeely talks forthcoming debut album

Tucson band ZeeCeeKeely has come up in the reggae rock genre of late, announcing new work off their forthcoming debut album, Fightahs & Unitahs. Although its release date is to be determined later this year, ZCK has launched a sneak peak with their single “Beautiful Creation” with more in tow. But, who are the boys […]

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 […]

Trevor Hall talks new singles & forthcoming album

The day my editor asked if I was interested in interviewing Trevor Hall, I pulled into the driveway and opened the car door right next to my little lime tree, (named Trevor, of course) and discovered my first lime! You see, the tree was an anniversary gift to my ex, but I took the tree […]

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 […]

Top Shelf Music News: Episode 5

Top Shelf Music News is back with Episode 5, or should we say, Quarantine Edition #2: Electric Boogaloo. Host Matt Cook streams from his living room while Kristy Rose… well, she’s somewhere the COVID can’t reach. With no live concerts or fests going on until further notice, the two comment on new music releases, current […]

Getting baked with Vana Liya

Learn how to make snickerdoodle cookies quarantine-style, as Top Shelf Music journalist Alexia Johnson interviews rising star Vana Liya! The reggae rock queen signed to LAW Records chats about upcoming works, plans and life in general over some sweet home cooking. Vana Liya links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website

RootfireTV currently raising funds for quarantined artists

Hysteria has swept the globe, forcing citizens around the world indoors in fear of contracting COVID-19, the rapidly growing Coronavirus plaguing humanity in the shortest amount of time. Most are scrambling to stay sane and provide for their immediate loved ones, stocking up on rations for — as of now — an indefinite amount of […]