By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Released in 2007, the third album from Canadian singer-songwriter Leslie Feist went a long way to solidify not only her artistry but also her fan base. Having released her debut album, Monarch, in 1999, she soon had listeners take notice of her signature, somewhat haunting vocal style, mixed with […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Way back when, soundtracks to movies were usually a film score with the occasional vocal track for the title tune. Often created by one composer or artist, these soundtracks served as a sonic companion to the film. From the countless brilliant Henry Mancini soundtracks of the 1960s (and […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor What happens when your “side project” gains momentum and takes off down the road unexpectedly? You roll with it, and let it go! Just ask acclaimed singer/songwriter Ben Gibbard, of Death Cab For Cutie, who in 2003, took a break from DCFD to work on some other ideas, […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor I don't know about you, but I strongly dislike the term "dropped" when talking about the release of a new album. “So and so’s new one drops this week” sounds like elders using the term "groovy" in 1975. It's over! A product is released, issued, or perhaps "hits […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Chappell Roan has appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, with a debut album that is catching fire more and more every day, hence the appearance in the 'Essentials' series. Our own Brad Savage always has one eye on the future, one on the past, and one on the used […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Oh my, the 1980s. Radio, video... boogie with a suitcase. We got the beat of a Mexican radio gaga. It was a lot to take in. And that’s just the tunes. Never mind the follicles—here's A Flock of Seagulls. Yes, sad to say, hair reigned supreme from the […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Indie rock heroes Spoon, led by the duo of singer/guitarist Brit Daniel and drummer Jim Eno, had been steadily ascending the rails of success since the release of their debut album, 'Telephono' back in 1996. Jumping briefly to major label distribution, the band swam back into indie waters […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor "Australia, the chance of a lifetime" - Ray Davies, 1969 The list of great music to come out of Australia is massive! From heroes of the 1960 like the Easybeats and Bee Gees, through the glam era of Skyhooks, punk pioneers the Saints, hard rockers the Angels and […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor Let us rewind back to the olden days when radio was a genuine force of power and influence. No, seriously! Way back before anyone's Tik had even thought about Toking, radio had a significant presence on the musical landscape. From the 1960s through the early 80s in particular, […]
Read MoreBy Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor "I felt like I was going f***ing crazy," Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brian told Q Magazine looking back on the time period just before writing what would become 'Kid A.' "Every time I picked up a guitar I just got the horrors. I would start writing a song, stop […]
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