Folk | Music Junkie Press

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers announce tour dates and album release of July 29th

May 22, 2014

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have announced the release of their new album, Hypnotic Eye set for July 29th. Hypnotic Eye is the first studio album in four years and will be coming out on Reprise Records. Hypnotic Eye will be available in CD, digital, high resolution Blu-ray audio and vinyl formats. The vinyl will be available as 1-LP or as 2-LPs inclusive of an additional track not available in any other format. Beginning June 3, fans can pre-order the vinyl, CD and Blu-ray audio editions on TomPetty.com and Amazon and can pre-order the digital edition on iTunes and Amazon. In addition to the news of the much anticipated album, they have announced the dates for the North American 2014 Tour. The tour, featuring very special guest Steve Winwood, will begin in San Diego, CA on August 3rd. The tour includes already announced headline performances at San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival and at the Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, VA. On Labor Day weekend, for the first time ever, the band will perform at Boston’s Fenway Park. Check out the [Read More]

Jesse Denaro’s debut album, Dear Love is out TODAY!

May 13, 2014

The dedication and passion that Jesse Denaro has put into his writing of his debut album, Dear Love is taking center stage today! Singer/Songwriter Jesse has done a wonderful job at creating an album full of emotionally driven lyrics, songs that connect the listener and engages them on his musical journey. It is quite a superb journey to be a passenger on as you will experience the ups and downs of life, love and loss. You can pick up the new for purchase at iTunes and is also streaming at the following sites; SubstreamMagazine.com, MSN.com and RelevantMagazine.com. You can check out one of my favorite tracks, Young & Naive here: Jesse‘s music is magical and his honest emotions shine through his passionate vocals with such a vulnerability yet a sense of comforting. It is an album that you will fall in love with, regardless of what your main love of music may be. His sound transcends the blurred lines of genres and creates a clarity through song. I will leave you with my absolute favorite track which I must have [Read More]

Breakaway Patriot is our Bottle Rock Napa 2014 Featured Band of the Day

March 27, 2014

Today our Bottle Rock Napa Featured Band is Breakaway Patriot from San Francisco. Breakaway Patriot has an Alternative Rock/Pop Rock feel to them but don’t let me categorize them because they have music that will span the genre boundaries. Emotionally driven lyrics, catchy hooks and melodic choruses is exactly what they deliver. Once you take a first listen, you will be hooked. Their song Jessika Raine is fantastic and has an amazing intro that I love. It has such a bluesy rock feel, spirited beat and along with the passionate vocals, definitely a hit. Breakaway Patriot gained a lot of notoriety when their song, Flying on the Water was selected as the official theme song for the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco. It was great for them to get the attention they deserve. You can purchase their song Flying on the Water as well as their EP Strong on Itunes. I am sure you will be hearing a lot more from this great band. Here is our quick band feature: Band Members: Brad Tyner – [Read More]

The Sorry Lot is our Bottle Rock Napa 2014 Featured Band of the Day

March 26, 2014

Today our Bottle Rock Napa Featured Band is The Sorry Lot. You can’t have a successful festival in Napa without some fun Irish drinking music, can you? Definitely not! So we are glad to see that The Sorry Lot will be “performing renditions of traditional drinking songs, as well as a few modern ballads and original tunes, while keeping the music true to it’s roots in the pubs and bars of Ireland.” Now this sounds like a lot of rowdy fun that I am going to enjoy! You are treated to a variety of instruments form banjos, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, guitars and so much more. It is a fusion of musical delight in true Irish fashion. The Sorry Lot is a seven piece band from Napa and have played regularly all over the Bay Area at pubs and Breweries. What started as a St. Patrick’s Day side project with members from local bands in 2007 has turned in to a dedicated band who performs year round. They provide the fun music and create an atmosphere [Read More]

Get ready to be swept off your feet by the alluring vocals of Roméo Testa

March 22, 2014

I wanted to share with you the amazing and alluring vocals of a young musician from Los Angeles. The first moment I heard his voice, I ran back over to the computer to get closer and re-examine who I just put on. Allow me to introduce you to Roméo Testa. His voice was magical, filled with such passion and yet maintains a serene vulnerability. You can’t help be mesmerized by him and you are fully engaged as his words touch your heart and his song dances around you. Roméo Testa began his passion in music at the young age of 7 when he took up the violin and the guitar at age 8. He then went on to learn other instruments, and over the years began his incredible journey into singing and songwriting. His style can be classified as acoustic rock or folk rock, but is definitely not limited to there. His songwriting skills are brilliant, as he is in the caliber of such great musicians like Ray LaMontagne, John Mayer or Jason Mraz. Yes, he is just [Read More]

Ben Sollee is our Bottle Rock Napa 2014 Featured Artist of the Day

March 21, 2014

Today our Bottle Rock Napa Featured Artist is Ben Sollee. This year’s Bottle Rock lineup has such a variety of music to enjoy and I hope that everyone will take the time to take it all in and enjoy the gift of music. Ben Sollee is just that, an amazingly talented cellist and singer who delivers his gift of music through soulful folk songs. His music can range from soft and sweet to fun and upbeat. He is a definite treasure in this year’s lineup. Ben grew up in Kentucky where he began playing the cello in fourth grade. Music was always surrounding him as his parents encouraged him in his art. H quickly grew into a spectacular songwriter and would bring his music to life on his cello. He is exceptional at creating depth in his musical elements and his folk songs dance off the notes and tones. You will be wildly captivated by him. Music: Half Made Man available on Itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/half-made-man/id556347983 Song to Check out: Letting Go Check Ben out make sure [Read More]

Ani DiFranco mesmerizes Napa with her passionate and heartfelt set

March 9, 2014

It was a magical night at the Uptown Theater in Napa, California yesterday. It was a night filled with love, hope, inspiration and sweet beautiful music. Ani DiFranco, the amazingly talented singer/songwriter/poet was in the house to perform her final show of her tour. First, I must share that the ambiance that the Uptown Theater creates was the perfect backdrop for this stellar performance. The Uptown Theater has a very strict photo policy which you don’t really appreciate until you experience it firsthand. Going to about 15 concerts a month, I tend to spend so much time bobbing my head side to side in hopes of capturing the performer in my line of site, but instead I am greeted by cell phones and cameras in the air. Without the distractions of these, you can’t help but bathe in the beauty of the artist and become one with the moment. Last night was that perfect night. Her impressive opener, Jenny Scheinman woed the crowd with her touching and sometimes jovial folk songs. The crowd was purely [Read More]