The summer of 2012 saw Gerry Sheridan and Simon Usher begin their songwriting partnership, which progressed to become Traveller in January 2016 when they were joined by Martin Yves on guitar and Brian Socha on bass.
By spring 2016 the band had written and recorded their debut EP at Chamber Studios in Edinburgh. Taking just four days to complete, ‘All This Time’ enabled Traveller to connect to an ever-growing fanbase who are drawn to their Anthemic Rock wall of sound.
Gerry started out playing violin and piano focusing more on Classical music before teaching himself guitar and concentrating his efforts on more contemporary music; his songwriting is influenced by bands such as The Stereophonics, The Beatles, Crowded House and Travis.
Simon started playing the piano and taught himself both the piano and drums from an early age by listening to artists such as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Elton John, Sting, Pink Floyd, Crowded House, as well as Coldplay and U2. Drummers such as Steve Gadd provided the initial inspiration for him to focus on his writing and playing.
Martin remembers seeing his dad play the harmonica that sparked the inspiration for him to dedicate himself to music and a lifelong appreciation for all styles of music though he’s particularly passionate about the late sixties to early seventies Rock, especially the sonic experimentation and sound of Pink Floyd.
Brian’s influences are very diverse from Rock and Pop to Jazz, Funk and Soul, from Frank Zappa to Pink Floyd, Brian’s bass playing provides a solid foundation for the band’s music.
“There’s a sonic harmony that is often created by the band during rehearsals and it’s often from this that sparks the imagination to write” explains Simon. “We write about life’s journey, from the people we meet along the way to all the various experiences that we have, both good or bad…”
LINKS:
http://travellerband.com
https://facebook.com/travelleruk
-
Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag Premiere Brasstown (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Alt-Country has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, being a guitarist myself. So when I see such a blast from the past as Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag, I get goosebumps. The band originally formed in 1993 and, essentially, disappeared sometime in the late ’90s. But, as of 2014, they are back! With one reissue already under their belt in the form of their album ‘High Hat’, they keep the reenergized momentum going with another upcoming release, this time with unreleased material in the form of ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’.
The sessions really capture the raw energy of the band and that controlled gritty feeling with dirty slide guitars, raspy brass, and a country swagger only found in the purest of traditionalists. This will be released in only 500 copies of special vinyl so be warned, quantities are limited.
The album will be available from RSD-participating record stores on April 13 as an official Record Store Day release. The 12″ red vinyl edition of ‘The Jag Sessions’ also comes with a download card featuring two bonus tracks not included on vinyl.
About 6 String Drag
Schoolkids Records has announced the new 6 String Drag album ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’, which will be released especially for Record Store Day. This will be issued on limited edition 12” red vinyl with just 500 copies to be made available.In the mid to late ‘90s, Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag stood out as pioneers of the nascent alt-country movement. After a leaving a mark on this, as well as the Americana / No Depression scene, the Carolinas quartet essentially broke up.
The band’s second record ‘High Hat’ was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy and was released in 1997 on Earle’s Warner Brothers imprint label E-Squared Record. This album remains an undisputed classic of its era.
In early 2014, 6 String Drag reformed with the ‘High Hat’ line-up and recorded their 2015 comeback record ‘Roots Rock & Roll’ too much fan excitement and critical acclaim.
In January 2018, the band reissued a 20th-anniversary reissue of ‘High Hat’ on CD, vinyl and digitally, following up with their fourth full-length studio record ‘Top of The World’ in March 2018. This album features 6 String Drag founding members and frontmen Kenny Roby and Rob Keller, along with new members Dan Davis and Luis Rodriguez. Both releases are available through Schoolkids Records through Redeye Worldwide Distribution.
‘The Jag Sessions’ album is a collection of unreleased rarities and record quality demos recorded by Byron McCay at Jag Studios in Raleigh, NC between 1996 and 1998. Previously, these recordings have only been circulated among fans and digitally as low flying CD releases for sale at shows.
This album represents the first time any versions of this collection and the songs found here are available on vinyl. Some of the collection are songs originally recorded for Columbia Records in 1996 for a demo deal with this label, but that ultimately never came to fruition. The songs from 1998 were recorded as pro demos and were intended for release as a new EP following ‘High Hat’.
Outside of the four 6 String Drag albums, Kenny Roby has released four critically acclaimed solo LPs – ‘Mercury’s Blues’ (1999), ‘Rather Not Know’ (2003), ‘The Mercy Filter’ (2006), and ‘Memories & Birds’ (2013), in addition to various compilations.
“The world’s a better place with 6 String Drag in it”
– Steve Earle“So thrilled to have 6 String Drag back again. They’re as great as ever. Like reconnecting with a long lost friend”
— Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)“A raw, raucous take on alt-Americana, a sound hard to put your finger on but one that wraps comfortably around your ears while it rocks your ass off”
— No Depression“In their original run in the ’90s, 6 String Drag was regarded as a better-than-average alt-country act; with Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and now Top of the World, they’ve shown that they’re more than that in their second act, and this is mature, heartfelt, and resonant rock & roll that’s also plenty of fun”
— AllMusic (4 Stars)“A pair of deeply satisfying albums – including Top of the World, released on Schoolkids Records – that sound as though the band never went anywhere”
— Rolling Stone Country“Rootsy, authentic and heartfelt tunes with great harmonies and just enough of an Americana vibe to draw in those who claim not to dig rock. Vocal reminiscent of early Elvis Costello, and more jangle than twang”
— The MusoscribeLINKS:
http://www.6stringdrag.com
https://6stringdrag.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/6stringdrag
https://twitter.com/6stringdrag
https://soundcloud.com/kenny-roby
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4WvOP47oMCIksgyMLpiGNB?si=aMLIWwNXSFWZWNa9xlkqUQ
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/6-string-drag/924629764 -
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for 6/7/2021
This week we feature an exclusive interview with Bishop Tha DJ about his new album ‘#trueOGseries Vol 2: New Day Co-Op’ and more. Also, premieres, exclusives, and new music and videos from Faultress, Heartour, Touchy, BrokenRail, Joker’s Hand, La Fleur Fatale, Richard Wølf, and Jim McHugh.
-
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for 4/25/2022
In this Season 8 premiere we find the band Partisan return in triumphant form with a new single and video, ‘Animal’, plus an exclusive interview with frontman Stuart Armstrong. We also have exclusive interviews and new music with Animalweapon, Kate Cosentino, Tamar Berk, and Van Chamberlain. We also have new videos from The Mercy House, Lukas Rossi, Svvarm, and Cody Jasper.
About Partisan
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with Stuart Armstrong from the band Partisan. Partisan are back with their first single in over a year titled ‘Animal’. And, to say the least, this is a clear evolution in the sound and future of the band musically and, as you will see in the interview, the start of the new Partisan.
In this interview, we talk with Stuart about the new single, as well as the video for ‘Animal’, which drops today as well as the future plan of all things Partisan. This is definitely a band to follow.
LINKS:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3zNHap1Yn9j3vM3wrp6tkp?si=rPmtZb8ISGGXYJgSWSfyZQ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09T6BJPV9/ref=dm_rwpmb_pur_lnd_albm_unrg
https://music.apple.com/us/album/animal/1611251457
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=9y8T9U1rjPs&list=RDAMVM9y8T9U1rjPs
https://www.facebook.com/Partisan-360533304938173
https://www.instagram.com/wearepartisan
https://twitter.com/wearepartisanAbout Tamar Berk
Tamar Berk has released her long awaited album titled ‘Start at the End’ on jammerzine.com. And we also have the bonus of an exclusive interview with Tamar about the new album as well as a great conversation with a legend of an indie artist. Having just come fresh off the heels of the 31st Annual San Diego Music Awards as a multiple nominee, Tamar showcases a clear evolution of an album with ‘Start at the End’. I have no other way to say this than this is a beautiful album.
Done as a series of life-stories and as a therapeutic diary, Tamar makes each song a personal and relatable journey that we can all not only relate to, but learn from. And in this interview, we talk with Tamar about those life-stories and how they molded into what became a very personal and introspective set of songs.
LINKS:
https://tamarberk.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/TamarBerkMusic
https://soundcloud.com/tamar-berk
https://www.instagram.com/tamarberkmusic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWZ8eEq0W5bxexMyWRi6Kw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2A3VeCpyVPOSRW4woZXt8qAbout Animalweapon
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with Animalweapon (a.k.a. Patrick Cortes). today also sees the release of his new album titled ‘Set Of Constraints’. Animalweapon is more than an electronic based music project. It is an immersive experience for the senses. And, in this interview, we get a solid glimpse of how and why that came to be with Patrick’s insight on, not only his new album, but how his music came to be and how it is evolving.
We also get that glimpse into the mind behind the music and what drives and inspires him from music to movies to life and everything in between.
LINKS:
https://animalweapon.com
https://www.facebook.com/animalweapon
https://twitter.com/animalweapon
https://www.instagram.com/animalweaponAbout Kate Cosentino
Kate Cosentino has released her new single titled ‘I Don’t Know Where It Went Wrong’ and, in celebration of this release, we have an exclusive interview with Kate herself. And what an interview it is! More like a good conversation between old friends, imho. With this interview, we get a glimpse at, not only the artist, but mindful entrepreneur, social media star, and just all around good person and how she tackles the creative process and mix between business and art.
LINKS:
https://www.katecosentino.com
https://www.instagram.com/katemcosentino
https://www.tiktok.com/katemcosentino
https://www.facebook.com/katecosentinomusic
https://www.twitter.com/katemcosentino
https://www.youtube.com/k8thegreat13About Van Chamberlain
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with Van Chamberlain. With their new album titled ‘In The Sun’ dropping today, we get a behind the scenes glimpse at the minds behind the magic behind the music. And today we talk with Van about this new album as well as how everything VC came to be and the recording process of this first full length album during COVID.
Recorded during the lockdown and released via Very Jazzed, ‘Into The Sun’ is a uniquely retro style of sound with hints of post-modern and smooth #indie rock. What I hear, that is totally signature, is the harmonic mix of the beautiful vocal mix and chord progressions via guitar. This gives such a blend of energy and inertia that one can’t help but crack a smile when listening. Think the vintage sound of 70’s AM radio hits with the fuel of MTV’s ‘120 Minutes’.
LINKS:
https://www.vanchamberlain.com
https://open.spotify.com/track/1sq4IoKOY4VpnF2MbToOLA?si=1858fb8ac41f47b5
https://vanchamberlain.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/vanchamberiain
https://www.facebook.com/vanchamberlainbandAbout The Mercy House
The Mercy House return with a dose of original music and visuals in the form of ‘Redemption’. As the elation wears off of me, I get giddy like a little girl as I watch this, for the first time. The music has an evolved sense of that hard edge, gritty, yet melodic sound that The Mercy House has peppered their fan base with for years, but, we also get that natural evolution from artists that know their music and progress as life happens.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/themercyhouseband
https://www.instagram.com/themercyhousebandAbout Cody Jasper
Cody Jasper has today released his new video for the single titled ‘Disco Lemonade’. To be honest, if this song and video totally sucked, I would still give it a good review just for the sheer coolness of the titled. Lets be clear, however, this song and video kicks all the asses.
A total future classic. Just saying the name alone demands that first listen. Having said all that, holy shit this song is dripping with awesomesauce fresh out of SRV’s nutsack. And, if you don’t get that, just keep listening to this monster-track until you do. You will. Or you won’t. Doesn’t matter. Because with ‘Disco Lemonade’ we have that stuff. That certain something not released from that bottle of funk o’ magic since the last of the original delta blues bars was closed down and replaced with a Dave & Busters.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/codyalanjasper
https://twitter.com/CodyJasperAbout Lukas Rossi
Lukas Rossi has released the video for his latest track titled ‘A Perfect World’, from his upcoming album to be released later this year. Lukas has come a long way from his ‘Rock Star: Supernova‘ days. A very long way. In fact, I would say he has long ago found his sound and established himself musically.
With ‘A Perfect World’, we get a continuation of Lukas as he delves deeper from life and those affecting his life with meaning in the music and soul in the lyrics. We have an artist with an introverted heart and that heart is on his sleeve. This is what makes music resonate with most of us. We relate. We ingest. We make the song a part of us. This, to me, is what Lukas will be remembered for. Let’s listen.
LINKS:
https://www.lukasrossimusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/LukasRossiOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/LukasRossiOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/OfficialLukasRossiAbout Svvarms
Svvarms (Swarms) has premiered their new video for the track titled ‘Oceans’, from their upcoming EP of the same name. Filling the headspace with imagination and originality, Svvarms gives an earnest performance in a stripped location that highlights the music in a pure and true atmosphere.
While atmospheric, ‘Oceans’ also gives a storybook feeling for the listener and an almost dreamlike state to absorb what you are hearing. Svvarms show, with ‘Oceans’ that simply being yourself, musically, can be the best way to showcase your music. Signature sounding from that first note, there is that certain something that endears this song, and in other ways, the band into your collection as well as your heart.
LINKS:
https://svvarms.com
https://linktr.ee/svvarmsthebandClick HERE to watch Season 7 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.