If your playlist lacks as much variety as a Top 40 countdown, put a new local record on this year with these fresh tunes chosen by Grog Shop manager John Neely, oWOW Radio host Ravenna Miceli and Danger House Studio producer Dave Douglas.
Cheap Clone
Headed up by former Prisoners frontman Drew Ritchey, Cheap Clone has been churning out fuzzy slack-rock gems from the garage since 2011. Its 2015 full-length debut reflects the melancholy and tension heard during college radio's golden age. "Cheap Clone reminds me a little of' '80s Cleveland band the Mice," says Neely of the punky sound. Must-play song: "Aviation High." "It's a straight-forward power-pop tune with sharp hooks," says Neely.
Mountain Lions
After Steven Diaz parted from the Lighthouse and the Whaler, he re-emerged last year with the haunting and confessional new project Mountain Lions. "He's folk music with a bit of a twist," says Douglas. "It's a little bit of the Beatles, a little bit of the blues." Must-play song: "Deep Blue." "It's both lyrically and musically dramatic as it builds toward the end of the song," says Douglas.
Nate Jones Band
Nate Jones and his band's 2014 The Nate Jones EP is an eclectic mix of indie-rock with just the right jolt of mystery and old-fashioned finesse. "I saw him open for Bruce Hornsby and his lyrics really caught my attention," says Miceli. Must-play song: "Terrified." "It's about being so in love that you're scared," says Miceli.
Shale Satans
The heavy lo-fi psychedelia on their 2014 debut EP, Get Weird, mixes Summer of Love sounds with Rust Belt attitude. "They have a perfect mix of thunderous rock riffs and surf leads," Neely says. Must-play song: "Get Weird." "It has a mystic quality, and I love [lead singer] Jeanna Lax's vocals," says Neely.
The Spencer Reed Band
After amassing a following for breezy songs that sound just as at home around a campfire as they do at a pub, vocalist Spencer Andrei kicks up the tempo on his full-length debut out this spring. "His sound is very college alternative with a Dave Matthews, acoustic rock influence," says Douglas. "It has really interesting guitar parts with saxophone and violin." Must-play song: "Lie You Down." "It makes me think of sunny weather," says Douglas.
