When I saw Porcupine Tree listed as an influence, I immediately thought, “Okay, these are my people.” And I was right. Hailing from California’s Central Valley, Riven by Ravens is a two-man progressive/alternative/melodic metal outfit composed of longtime music partners Brian Havrilla and Paul (spiritually related to Steven) Wilson. Formerly of the Ghost Army ensemble, Brian and Paul wanted to hone their skills and expand their expressiveness, and did so with the subject of this very review: Riven by Raven’s forthcoming LP, Venerate. Does Venerate demonstrate the duo’s aggressive chops, maste ..read more

Acclaimed composer, pianist, and creator of deftly constructed dreamtime music, Galliano Sommavilla revisits and updates the track “You Too (Three)” – one of many songs written during Sommavilla’s self-administered challenge to create one song per day (over the course of an entire year). Is “You Too (Three),” regardless of its hasty creation, on par with the rest of Galliano’s exquisite, genre-bending music? Let’s talk about it. Listening, and talking about it. Galliano Sommavilla considers this particular instrumental “electro-rock,” and from the very first second, I have to acknowledge its ..read more

California, the orchestral rock project helmed by music industry legend Les Fradkin, returns with “Come Fly to Fall in Love.” And, like the rest of Les Fradkin’s capable, intricately composed catalog, “Come Fly to Fall in Love” is warm, hopeful, and always extremely comfortable in its own skin. Let’s talk about it.Wait. Who does what? Les Fradkin nearly tackles it all with the following and very prodigious list of classic and contemporary instruments: Lead and Background Vocals, Starr Labs Clipper, Fender Bass VI, 12-String Electric Guitars, Acoustic Rhythm Guitars, Electric Oud, Piano, Mel ..read more

From Bongo Boy Records’ stable of independent, incredibly capable artists, comes Simonne Draper – an EXTREMELY talented classical acoustic guitarist and composer hailing from the Czech Republic, and currently conquering most of Europe with her incredible string-picking acumen. With her very next album, Silence of Eclipse, releasing June 4th, she was kind enough to debut its first single, “Accordiana” – and we were lucky enough to be an honored early recipient. So, let’s take a listen to Simonne Draper’s latest, and see if it measures up to her usual brand of classical, oft-Spanish-flavored fa ..read more

Singer/songwriter Gary Dranow comes to us with an exciting and diverse set of skills, including equestrian-turned-motocross champion, clothing line entrepreneur, and well-regarded ski instructor. And this love for fully investing himself – and reinventing himself – throughout various professions is the sort of dedication and self-exploration found in his longest and most consistent pursuit: music. With “Never Give Up,” the eponymous track from Dranow’s latest EP, his adaptive talent, smarts, and experience are immediately on display, granting a more restrained offering from his dynamic, genre ..read more

No, you do NOT need an electric guitar to write and perform guitar-based, alternative rock and modern pseudo-psychedelia. What you DO need, and what sounds just as effective, surprisingly, is an electric ukulele. Georgia-based Winchester 7 and the Runners return with their latest album, The Waking Giant of Echo’s Rest, and it’s filled with rocking, modern, accessible and sometimes contemplative tunes with that foundational, unexpectedly powerful instrument. Ready to experience Winchester 7 and the Runners’ latest collection of modern alternative rock, and presumably from the grounds of Echo’s ..read more

Australia’s accomplished, award-winning pianist and composer Galliano Sommavilla returns with “A Kind Heart” – a piano-led instrumental taken from an earlier collection and re-recorded/remastered to properly celebrate World Piano Day (which occurs on March 28th, or the 29th if subjected to a leap year). Is “A Kind Heart” the sort of classical/emotive new age goodness prevalent in Sommavilla’s earlier works? Let’s talk about it. But first, an interesting song fact:  “A Kind Heart” clocks in at 8:08, a clever nod to the 88 keys of a full-size piano. Talking about it…. “A Kind Heart” begins ..read more

Toby Tune, creating enthralling soundscapes from his natural, inspiring locale – a mountainous rainforest in Costa Rica – is, thankfully, quite prolific. Having recently released Toby Opens His Mouth, Toby returns with Be Afraid, an imaginative score and/or excerpts for, according to the  album’s description, “dramatic media.” Is Be Afraid the odd, eerie, and perhaps terrifying soundtrack for unnamed and potentially-hiding-right-behind-you horrors?? Prepare to be anxious, thrilled, or downright terrified by Toby Tune’s latest unnerving collection. Read on…if you dare! Be Afraid begins w ..read more

It’s time for another episode of Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV – a collection of the latest, hottest videos from Bongo Boy Records’ prodigious roster of talented, award-winning independent artists. The theme of this particular episode? “Spring Love,” which is appropriate, considering the East Coast is slowly trending towards longer days and warmer nights. Ready to watch the flowers bloom to spring’s unofficial but positively propulsive soundtrack? Let’s talk about it. “Wait. Where can I watch the latest episode of Bongo Boy Rock n’ Roll TV?” Having premiered on Ch. 29 in Portland, Oregon, this pa ..read more

Michael Novak isn’t giving up on his childhood dreams. Regardless of putting musical ambitions on hold for family and an extended recovery from the debilitating, bone-degrading Kienböck’s disease, Michael Novak is here to finally, and thankfully, create that music – to fulfill that promise made to his childhood self. Excerpted from his first album, Permission To Speak, Michael presents “Used To Be” – a melodic vehicle expressing the tragic dissolution of his 30-year marriage, and an emotional salve for those needing a serious hug. Does “Used To Be” linger in the dark while unraveling the bond ..read more