Ex-Rentals Vocalist, Sara Radle, Releases Solo Album on September 14th

When you’re involved with as many successful projects as Sara Radle, it's hard to get back to the studio to work on your own music. But the former Rentals vocalist has finally done just that, the result being Four, a full-length album due out September 14th. Filled with beautiful, darling pop songs, complete with 60s-girl-group-inspired background vocals, string arrangements and clever lyrics, Radle’s musical career comes full circle. "…It's been a long time coming," says Radle. "It’s special to me…it feels like I’m back on track in my path as a musician. It’s like coming back home."

Playing in handfuls of bands, including the current project Walking Sleep, pop-punk band Lucy Loves Schroeder, and The Rentals (re-formed with former Weezer member Matt Sharp), Radle has acquired a whole new arsenal of skills and experience to bring to her solo material. Working at her home studio (Good Kitty Studios), as well as with Grammy-winning engineer, Dennis Moody, Radle was able to work with her songs whenever she liked; trying out new sounds and styles. "The whole recording process was a perfect mix for me – a little Los Angeles, a little Texas, a little studio, and a little home studio," muses the singer/songwriter.

On Four, Radle's precious and pure pop voice is showcased in ten gorgeous songs that tug at the heart (and sometimes punch) with strings and lush layers of vocal harmonies. Every song is like a peek into her personal diary; however Radle does not fit into the simple category of girl and her guitar. She is a well-versed musician and arranger who knows how to work with Americana or folk and meld them into one another with pop magic and wonderment. Radle admits she was a bit cautious about re-launching her solo career in Los Angeles (after spending years establishing herself in Texas). But with Four, it’s not so much a re-launching, as it is just the beginning.

Four Track Listing
1. Fooling Nobody
2. The Baxter Hill
3. The Lonely King
4. Morning Light
5. A Reason To Stay
6. Lucy
7. Convenient Again
8. Song For Adam (free mp3)
9. Crossroads
10. A+K
11. Chicago
12. Over Now
13. Superstar
14. It Won’t Last
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Indie Twee Pop at It's Finest. The True Jacqueline Release Nice Bird on June 22nd

Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, The True Jacqueline’s debut full-length release Nice Bird set for release on June 22, presents indie-rock twists, breakdowns, and unusual arrangements that always remain melodic. TJ’s songs can be both campy and heartfelt; they write about what they know: real life, pop culture, and historical subjects. “We pull topics from many places,” says Stevralia. “We’re kind of nerds, so academic subjects like science, math, and history--as well as science-fiction --tend to crop up often.”

Nice Bird presents straight up bouncy indie rock reminiscent of late ‘90s Canadian power-pop (“Pon Farr”), sonic jamming dubs (“Citrus Alarm“ and “Mondegreen”), and delicious folk-pop (“Starts With She”). Though each song is sonically unique, what all of Nice Bird’s songs have in common is odd and whimsical lyrical content. They sing about magnets, Barbara Streisand, the 1989 Fred Savage video game movie “The Wizard”, and hating your brother enough to want to kill him.

The True Jacqueline have shared the stage with Bishop Allen, Sam Roberts Band, and Golden Bloom. In 2009, Spin.com tagged the band as one of “7 Undiscovered Rock Bands Worth a Listen.” "...Crunchy guitar riffs and singing tight girl/boy harmonies, a la Apples in Stereo ... lo-fi and loosely constructed but really kind of fun..." declared Jennifer Kelly of PopMatters of The True Jacqueline. Click Here to Read More..

No Second Troy Announces Northeast Tour in May

Washington, DC’s own, No Second Troy, announces a northeast tour in May in support of the release of their album, Colors, on April 27, 2010. Following up their praised 2007 release Narcotic, Colors combines contemporary indie rock and the precise amount of infectious pop to be lively and bright, without being saccharine or lackluster.

No Second Troy garnered praise from SPIN while charting on the CMJ Top 200 on their last record, Narcotic. On the upcoming release, Colors, the band was led to Inner Ear Studios where they worked with Chad Clark of Silver Sonya Studios (Fugazi, Q & Not U, Georgie James), TJ Lipple and Nick Anderson to produce and engineer the record. Lead singer Jeff Wharen notes, "We really liked Chad and TJ's vision of capturing the band's sound at its most authentic - moving away from digital editing and auto-tuning, while recording drums and bass on tape, and encouraging the band to just sound like itself, rather than trying to sound like something we think might be a critical success. We also liked Chad's commitment to mixing the songs based on what they were about, pairing the aesthetics of the musical and the lyrical."

Northeast Tour Dates
Sat May 1, 2010: Black Cat (Record Release Party) - Washington, DC
Sat May 8, 2010: Arlene's Grocery - 95 Stanton Street New York, NY
Fri May 14, 2010: Slim's Downtown - 227 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh, NC
Fri May 21, 2010: Evening Muse - 3227 N. Davidson Street Charlotte, NC
Sat Jun 5, 2010:Herndon Festival 2010 Herndon, VA Click Here to Read More..

No Second Troy Record Release Party at the Black Cat on May 1st

It may be DC, but you don't have to be a Washington insider to help No Second Troy's record release party become a success. Help the band celebrate the release of their album, Colors,  at the Black Cat on Saturday, May 1st. And to insure it's a rousing good time join Team NST to promote the show in advance, so you can be surrounded by all your favorite people and a fine band indeed. 


You may be asking, but what does this fine band sound like? Well let me tell you. In a nutshell, No Second Troy combines contemporary indie rock and the precise amount of infectious pop to be lively and bright, without being saccharine or lackluster. As if that isn't enough, joining the pop stalwarts will be The Reserves and Soft Complex.

Don't have time to lend a hand? Simply show up, the more the merrier as they say. Get your tickets directly from No Second Troy to get the special deals!


Black Cat
1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC
Show at 9:00pm
$12 Cover Click Here to Read More..