Roots of Mine chats at One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2020

The amazing SoCal natives band, Roots of Mine, made their One Love Cali Reggae Fest debut this year on the Tiki Stage on Saturday, February 8th. On the heels of their new single (and subsequent video) “Anna” and a sick cover of Bad Religion’s “I Want To Conquer The World”, Roots of Mine had earned […]

One Drop chats at One Love Cali Reggae Fest

In support of their latest release, Far From You, in October of 2019, San Diego-based One Drop took to the stage at One Love Cali Reggae Fest in Long Beach on Saturday, February 8th and bringing the party with their roots/reggae/dub sound blended with the perfect mix of R&B, pop and rock. The band met […]

4th & Orange interviews at One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2020

It was a nostalgic weekend for Long Beach locals, as 4th & Orange made their festival debut at the One Love Cali Reggae Festival on Friday, February 7th 2020 — the same day they dropped their new single “In The LBC”! Formed in 2019 by longtime friends Garrett Douglas (lead singer) and Chris ‘DJ Irey’ […]

Julian Marley interviews days ahead of 62nd GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated reggae legend Julian Marley sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose, days ahead of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Up for ‘Best Reggae Album’ for his fourth full-length album As I Am, Julian Marley shares his feelings on his first nomination from the Academy, what’s to come for 2020, how […]

Tomorrows Bad Seeds comments on new single, “Surf Trip”

Reggae-rock-meets-hip-hop band Tomorrows Bad Seeds have had quite a career since their formation nearly two decades ago and they aren’t anywhere near done yet! Following a year of touring, TBS celebrates by premiering their latest jam “Surf Trip” on all digital outlets and ending the year in style. We wanted to chat about such a […]

An interview with Scrap Yard Aces

Scrap Yard Aces, a rock-reggae dub band from Huntington Beach, shares their success story with Top Shelf Music journalist Renee Simpson on their recently released album, Sense in This Time. Check out this intimate interview with the band! Can you tell us about the creative process for the new album? We wrote most of the […]

A chat with Katastro

Back in 2007 in Tempe, Arizona, four very different, yet similar friends got together to play some music and created the musical ear candy that is now Katastro. After working the music scene in Arizona to the point the band opened for renowned alt -hip hop band, Dirty Heads, Katastro picked up a fantastic opportunity […]

A chat with Bad Cop/Bad Cop frontwoman Stacey Dee

If you haven’t heard of Bad Cop/Bad Cop yet… let me tell you, you are massively late to the party for the most insanely talented group of punk rock women! The badass ladies of Bad Cop/Bad Cop are cooling their heels after a wild summer of touring to get up close and personal with their […]

Xiuhtezcatl interviews at Cali Roots 10

Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with hip hop-reggae socially-conscious artist Xiuhtezcatl at California Roots 10, following his morning performance. With an EP on the way, a summer tour and a book published (with props from mega-actor Leonardo DiCaprio), the young protégé shares what drives him forward, his thoughts on planet sustainability and […]

An interview with Ishmael I

Ishmael Turner, known as Ishmael I, is an independent reggae artist, writer and producer, currently spreading his Jamaican roots vibes to the American public and beyond. A humanitarian at heart, Ishmael I transcends borders with socially-conscious music in an effort to make the world a better place. I recently had the opportunity to chat with […]

The Movement’s Josh Swain talks new album, ‘Ways Of The World’

For those of you reading, completely unaware of who or maybe even what The Movement is, back in the day, some Columbia, South Carolina teenagers started up a band. They traveled and acquired more members, adding and changing up some bandmates, but ultimately settled on the current four-piece band we see today. The Movement was […]

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 […]

A talk with Taj Weekes at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl

I had the opportunity not only to attend Taj Weekes & Adowa, but also had to chance to speak briefly to Weekes himself! Blessing the Brooklyn Bowl with root reggae vibrations, Taj Weekes illuminated the stage alongside his opening acts, Allinor and Te’La.  Allinor blessed the stage with melodic sounds of traditional roots reggae music. […]

A chat with The Late Ones at California Roots 2019

Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose sits down with The Late Ones, a hip hop meets island reggae trio out of Hawaii, at California Roots 10 ahead of their late night afterparty performance in Monterey, California. With a new single available as of that day, The Late Ones were excited to share music, upcoming summer plans […]

Protoje interviews at California Roots 10

The leader of the reggae revival movement himself, Protoje, sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose following his California Roots 10 performance in Monterey, California. After dropping a single and about to hit the road with Rebelution, Protoje chats what inspires his music, what he’s currently binge-watching and more. For more Protoje or […]