Category Archive for Artist Feature

Listening to The UVs lead singer and guitarist Mia X power her way through exercises in classic punk ’n’ roll in tracks like “Adored,” you would never guess she didn’t start playing music until she was in her mid 20s. The frontwoman and bandleader for this punk rock powerhouse was always involved in the music scene as a promoter and friend of bands, but was inspired to pick up the guitar by So-Cal hard rockers Betty Blowtorch. Continue Reading Punk On The Rocks: The UVs

Among the hoards of pop and rock acts at this year’s SXSW, a few fine rap and hip hop acts have the honor of representing their genre.  In the past, the showcase has hosted rap legends like Eminem and Xzibit who threw down all they had to make an impression on attendees. One artist trying to do the same is Twank Star, a Texas native who is ready to bring it.

Describing himself as “The South’s Best Kept Secret,” Twank Star’s been rapping since the age of 13.  Today, standing 6’5, he is a commanding presence.  Twank was recently signed to Nappy Boy Records after winning the OurStage “Converse Get Out of The Garage” Contest.  He’s also recorded with T-Pain and done drops for numerous artists and radio personalities. The rapper’s performance at SXSW is sure to get him the exposure he needs to become the next big thing on the rap and hip hop scene. Rest assured, Twank Star won’t be a secret for much longer.

OurStage caught up with Twank Star to talk about the showcase and plans for his Austin debut.  Check out the audio below!

Continue reading ‘SXSW Preview: Twank Star’

One of hip hop’s unsung heroes is OurStage’s own Alternative Hip Hop Channel stand out, Jahi. The Cleveland MC shrugs off the flash and cash that dominate the mainstream scene, using his music as a way to give back to the community. Not surprisingly, Jahi’s incredible, down-to-earth mentality comes as a breath of fresh air.  With 10 albums under his belt since 2000, Jahi’s hard work and soulful, old school hip hop style has not gone unnoticed — he’s shared the stage with hip hop all stars such as Jay-Z, Outkast and Missy Elliott. “The Realness” is a track that best illustrates Jahi’s dedication to his roots. On this week’s Liner Notes, he explains the story behind the song.

Continue reading ‘Liner Notes: Jahi – “The Realness”’

The Antlers are a perfect example of one of those bands that fly under the radar for years, but completely take off once their music sees the light of day.  Robin Hilton of NPR Music recounts his introduction to the band a year ago: “All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen came by my desk holding a rare copy of the then-homemade Hospice CD by The Antlers. ‘You’ve got to hear this,’ he said. We trotted off to one of NPR’s studios — a dark, cavelike space with an unusually good surround-sound system — and popped in the album. As the opening notes crept from the speakers, along with the eerie, ambient rhythm of a hospital respirator, I was transfixed.” Thus began a cascade of NPR, SXSW and label support from Frenchkiss Records/Mom + Pop Music.  Peter Silberman, frontman and founder of The Antlers, had been writing and recording songs in his Brooklyn apartment since 2006, but it wasn’t until about a year ago that people really began to take notice.
Continue reading ‘Tour De Force: The Antlers’

Holden Lewis and Jeremy Mendicino may be pretty and nice, but most of all, this duo is fun.  Pretty & Nice, Lewis and Mendicino’s band, have been Boston’s best-kept secret for years now.  Formed in a basement somewhere on the outskirts of the city, the band records their own snappy pop with both grace and childlike abandon, making them the pop band to beat.  After adding two members to their lineup, the band took to the streets, touring relentlessly.

Pretty & Nice’s latest release, Get Young, is nothing short of wonderful.  Warping pop hints around a solid static and noisy aggression, the latest release is modern in sound, but a throwback in emotion — embodying all that Pretty & Nice is.  The band’s been on tour essentially since the release (with more energy than most of the bands you could think of) and shows no signs of becoming “too old” or “too worn out.”

Lewis and Mendicino got OurStage up to speed on life in the fast lane, how they stay so fun and their plans to record.

Continue reading ‘A Q&A With Pretty & Nice’