MINA Western Maryland www.soundclick.com/mina AX:  How would you describe your music to people?MINA:  I would describe my music as an appreciation for all that is dark in human nature. AX:  How and when did you start performing?MINA:  I have been actively recording since 1992 and performing for over 20 years at many venues in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. It…

Melody Gardot Philadelphia, PA www.melodygardot.com Miss Melody Gardot sat and spoke with me before a benefit concert held at World Café Live Downstairs in Philadelphia in January.  She, with the help of her management team, put together a benefit show for a hospital in Philadelphia, including door prizes and giveaways to all concert attendees.  After attempts to get her attention,…

Man vs. Machine Bethlehem, PA www.manvsmachine.org I first became acquainted with Man vs. Machine while choosing bands to profile for the February issue of AX. Their music wasn’t exactly my style, but I liked their attitude. I do what I can to be fair to all genres. In this case, I didn’t think I could fairly represent them by writing…

Maggie, Pierce, and EJ Philadelphia, PA www.mpeband.com AX: Where are you from?MPE: Philadelphia, PA AX: How would you describe your music?MPE: Mutt music…a mixture of everything and the kitchen sink…with sweeeet harmonies leadin’ the cart. AX: If we were to go to one of your live shows, what could we expect?MPE: Melodic songs, a memorable show with lotsa instrument switching,…

Looker New York, NY www.lookernyc.com So, I’ve got a problem with New York City. Yeah, it’s “the best city in the world.” I know. It’s the hub for the creation of great music and art. But, could you share it with the rest of us? Maybe? Venturing to New York City I check out the female-fronted indie/hipster/dance-y band Looker, whose…

Longspur Yonkers, NY www.longspur.com AX: Where are you from?Longspur: Yonkers, NY AX: How would you describe your music?Longspur: A weird blend of pop-punk, metal, rock, and just about everything in between. AX: If we were to go to one of your live shows, what could we expect?Longspur: We’ve always been really big on our live shows. We give a lot…

Location: York Genre: “Early-to-Mid-90’s Pop Punk Revival” Members: Max Hess – Left-handed Lead Guitars, Chad Childers – Vocals, Jon Smith – Right-handed Lead Guitars, Spence – Bass, and Blain Herman – Drums Started: March 2004 Influences: Strung Out, Lagwagon, and Pulley. As for vocal influence, Chad is into such groups as Allister, Punchline, Staring Back, and other Drive-Thru Records type…

Lelia Broussard Philadelphia, PA www.leliasmusic.com I’m not really surprised that Lelia Broussard is getting signed to a major record label. When I first heard Lelia (pronounced Lil-yah) I thought I was listening to a seasoned pro pictured in a smoky, bluesy downtown bar, pulling in the crowd and letting the music do the work. But then a fresh face comes…

Laura Cheadle Philadelphia, PA www.lauracheadle.com With a funky, jazzy sound there’s no ordinary way to describe Laura Cheadle. You could say “coffee shop folksy,” but that wouldn’t cover the hip chords.  You could say “jazz singer,” but that wouldn’t include the soul lyrics. So, let’s throw it all in the same pot, simmer it, and say you’ve got a hot…

Last Week Lawrence, NY www.lastweekrock.com How does a band that is unsigned and unheard on mainstream radio get heard in this time of format changes, painfully pricey concerts and watered down pop music flooding the scene? The answer is quite simple. “We are promo whores.” There you have it. There’s the key to getting your funky, head-bopping band known throughout…