The latest from Northeast Florida singer-songwriter Tori Nance aligns with her self-professed title of “the Queen of Breakup Songs.” Leaning into an indie-adult-album-alternative sound, “The Key to My Door” is an acrimonious anthem that is a minor-key delight for codependency and flat-out lovelorn listeners. Over the course of the song’s three and a half minutes, Nance doesn’t roll too far …
On new single “Respectfully,” Jacksonville Singer-Songwriter Ebonique Moves with Purpose
Ebonique has returned, in dominance mode no less, with a new single called “Respectfully.” Over nimble guitar work and a hissing drum machine, the Jacksonville-based R&B and soul singer-songwriter states what she notices about how others intentionally gravitate to her for clout. In doing so, she clearly lays down the guidelines of what her purpose is. The confidence and competence …
Australian Singer-Songwriter Angie MacMahon’s “Saturn Returning” is a Savvy Revival of Symphonic Rock for Global Romantics
The latest from Australian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon is a plaintive ballad that isn’t afraid to dip into the majestic. “Saturn Returning” slowly paces itself with a simple plucked motif that is gradually overtaken by a borderline-bombastic symphonic wall of sound, as McMahon’s voice mirrors itself into a monolithic, over-dubbed chorale. McMahon’s undeniable and versatile skills as a vocalist help elevate …
Diners Find “The Power” in a New Sound on Lead Single from New Album, ‘Domino’
Los Angeles-via-Phoenix singer-songwriter Blue Broderick, who records and performs as Diners, has announced her seventh full-length and shared its first single ahead of a fall U.S. tour that includes multiple Sunshine State shows. Produced by Mo Troper (a guitar-pop wizard in his own right) and due out Aug. 18 on Bar/None Records, the new LP’s first preview arrived Tuesday in …
On “Backseat,” Jacksonville Singer-Songwriter Sun Child Untangles their Radiant Charms
Somewhere between the prescriptive freedom-with-an-asterisk atmosphere of indie and the predictable wash-and-wear weather of Adult Album Alternative exists the music of Sun Child. Led by beaches native Brooke Garwood (Girl Pluto), the debut EP Everything features six cuts that lean predominately on acoustic guitar and piano arrangements with a production that is polished to a mellow, decorous sheen. “Backseat” is …
On Eureka Springs’ “Nothing Quite Like,” Jax Singer-Songwriter Cory Driscoll Balances the Light and Dark
The latest from Duval singer-songwriter Cory Driscoll is an impressive mix of what could be described as cheery morosity—no small feat when one considers the “ship in a bottle” delicacy of penning a tune, about love no less, that is neither grinningly hypomanic nor headed for the psych ward. “Nothing Quite Like” is the first song of Driscoll’s new full-band …
Celebrated Singer-Songwriter Neko Case On Her Many Career Milestones, Her Love of Collaboration and Feelings About Twitter
Judging by her sheer velocity and creative endeavors, 30 years into her career, Neko Case remains too busy to glance at her reflection. Prior to our talk with the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, she had just completed an intense tour with The New Pornographers; the Canadian indie-pop-juggernaut group whom Case began working with some 25 years ago. Yet her current tour, in …
The Best Roots Music of 2022
In 2022, artists working within the orbit of the unstable category “roots music” got personal even as they explored complex cultural lineages and continued to challenge the rules of established scenes and forms. Before any tradition is solidified, it travels from hand to hand, heart to heart. Whether pushing the boundaries of mainstream country, demanding an expanded vision of traditional …
Jax Singer-Songwriter rickoLus live from JME Studios
In a now famous — and, thanks to YouTube, now widely available — 1965 press conference, a young and insouciant Bob Dylan was asked if he considers himself more of a singer or a poet, among other earnest questions by a fawning San Francisco press corps. “Oh, I consider myself a song and dance man, y’know?” Dylan answers without skipping …
Alex G | Tiny Desk Concert
“I don’t have a lot to say,” Alex Giannascoli, who performs as Alex G, says with a laugh after his first song behind the Tiny Desk. Judging from his discography alone, that’s not something you might ordinarily accuse the Philly singer-songwriter of: nine full-length albums in the last dozen years, in addition to a couple EPs and a film soundtrack. …
Randall Bramblett Talks About a Career Spent Pushing the Sonic Boundaries of Modern Roots
While barely in his twenties and fresh from dropping out of a college career studying religion and psychology, Randall Bramblett made his recording debut in 1970 with Goose Creek Symphony. Considering how esoteric and indefinable that particular drugs-meets-jug-band group were, it was an auspicious beginning for the young multi-instrumentalist whose career remains inventive and unpredictable. In the fifty years since, …
Watch | Sailor Goon live at Blue Jay Listening Room
Jax singer-songwriter Sailor Goon spins and sings in Jax Beach
With the release of several singles that blend jazz, neo-soul, psychedelia and pop under her alter ego Sailor Goon, Jacksonville vocalist Kayla Le has had our attention for some time now. Indeed, at the beginning of the year we named her one of the 10 Jacksonville artists to watch in 2022. Just a few months after the release of her …
Liner Notes | Bebe Deluxe is Not Asking for Your Respect
Bebe Deluxe has been cranking out distinctive electropop for a few years now. And she’s one of several Jacksonville artists who seemed to come out of the pandemic with a sense of urgency and a renewed creative drive. Deluxe has been performing at a heavy clip recently, and was even invited to play this year’s SXSW back in March. And …
Ada Lea | Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It’s the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space. Ada Lea‘s Tiny Desk (home) concert opens just as her 2021 album, one hand on the steering …
On ‘Eureka Springs’ Cory Driscoll Chronicles a Physical and Emotional Journey
Jax singer-songwriter on how a road trip to America's heartland inspired his latest concept album
In an era in which music streaming services seem to encourage consumption of singles, Jax-based singer-songwriter Cory Driscoll writes tunes based around a theme in order to create an entire body of work –– it’s called an album, kids. Driscoll’s been in several musical projects over the years, but his first record under his given name, 2018’s Tropical Depression, was …
Just Announced | Phoebe Bridgers at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Acclaimed, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter continues her red-hot run with a stop at The Amp
One of the most respected and commercially successful contemporary singer-songwriters, Phoebe Bridgers, has announced the addition of several dates to her upcoming Reunion Tour, with a stop at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in May. The 27-year-old California native’s 2017 debut solo effort, Stranger in the Alps, established Bridgers as one of the most compelling new voices in indie-rock. Her 2020 …
Local Spotlight | 3 Northeast Florida songwriters you need to hear right now
New tunes from CS Hickey, DL is Ok and Pineapple Peace
We’re always keeping our ear to the ground in order to put the spotlight on the beautiful noise emerging from Northeast Florida. This week, Jacksonville Music Experience contributors share three songs by local singer-songwriters that we think you’ll really dig. Let’s dive in. “Youth Crescendo” by Pineapple Peace “How do you fall in love?” sings Jax singer-songwriter Lauren Chase on …
Jax Artists rickoLus and Ángel García Team Up for a One-of-a-Kind Collab
Backed by The Ángel García Quartet and Good Pluck Trio, rickoLus will perform jazz standards, classic covers and new arrangements from his original song book
Two guys walk into a bar. One is Jacksonville’s most enduring songwriter. The other is a multi-instrumentalist and composer involved in an eclectic list of musical projects. There’s no punchline to this setup. It’s the origin story for an intriguing collaboration between two of the city’s most-respected musicians: Rick Colado and Ángel García. Under the moniker rickoLus, Colado has stacked …
Just Announced | Iron & Wine @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
The professorially dressed singer-songwriter brings his artful lyrics (and guitar) to Northeast Florida
The South Carolina-bred, former film professor Sam Beam played an integral role in the neo-folk revival of the early aughts, dispensing a handful of whispery, lo-fi and critically lauded albums under the moniker Iron & Wine, including The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002) and Our Endless Numbered Days (2004). A studied visual artist, the often professorially dressed Beam’s cinematic lyrics …
Local Spotlight | “Every Excuse” by Jesabel
Ambitious pop from talented Jacksonville-based singer-songwriter
Since the release of her 2020 debut single, “Forgiveness,” Jacksonville singer-songwriter Jesabel has continued to crank out the kind of ambitious indie pop that’s more easily suited for FM radio than open-mic nights at coffee houses. Her latest, the lush and cathartically sung “Every Excuse,” is packaged for comparable grandeur. “Every lie, every break, every second that you take is …
Just Announced | R&B super-producer Babyface added to Jacksonville Jazz Festival
Singer-songwriter, R&B super-producer and 12-time Grammy winner Babyface will headline the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Sunday night, October 3. Born Kenneth Brian Edmonds, Babyface get his start as a multi-instrumentalist for prominent funk acts in the late ’70s and ’80s before making his mark as a songwriter and producer working with pop and R&B acts including Bobby Brown, Karyn White …
Want to be a Songwriter Spotlight Featured Artist?
Local showcase is looking for songwriters
The folks that run the popular weekly open-mic showcase at Five Points bar and music venue Rain Dogs are looking for artists to feature at upcoming Songwriter Spotlight events. The showcase put out an all call via its Instagram account last week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Songwriter Spotlight (@songwriter_spotlight) Every Wednesday night, Songwriter Spotlight offers …
Local Spotlight | 3 new releases by Jax artists
New local music to add to your playlist
As wild fires rage out west and the Delta Variant burns through the Southeast, the world certainly appears to be in peril. And the local releases that came across the JME desk this week find Jacksonville artists responding to the current (and horrifying) milieu in unique ways. While multi-instrumentalist Reggie Froom waxed existential, singer-songwriter Stacey Bennett gathered her friends to, …
Local Spotlight | “Florida Motel” by DL is OK
Singer-songwriter DL is OK is so Florida, man
Though he spent his formative years building his catalog and amassing a following in New York City, St. Augustine-based singer-songwriter David Tashjian (AKA DL is OK) is so Florida, man. Tashjian’s sonic approach has drawn comparisons to the likes of Mark Knopfler and the War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel; singular songwriters who deftly reign in a breadth of influences to …