Local indie-pop favorite Francesca Blanchard’s latest single (translated: “I don’t know what to tell you”) starts with the sound of 60s French pop known as ye-ye and transforms it into a wild and chaotic landscape of hard-driving dance beats, whirring synths and whispered vocals. If you play this song, be sure to announce Francesca’s upcoming […]

Two of Burlington’s premier shoegazey psychedelic groups team up for a joyful cover of Norma Tanega’s 60s pop classic. Now finally available on all streaming services! FCC: Clean RIYL: Animal Collective, The Flaming Lips, Deerhunter, Jorge Elbrecht

The 2nd album from VT country rockers Maple Run Band is no sophomore slump. Indeed, bandleader Trevor Crist’s songwriting is even more timeless, clever, and heartfelt than before. You’ll almost certainly find yourself singing the infectious tunes on this album to yourself. Track Picks: 1, 6, 7, 8 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Avett Brothers, The […]

Award-winning VT singer-songwriter Sarah King has expanded the sonic palette of her brand of dark Americana on her latest releases: the Memphis-style soul groove of “Always an Almost,” the uptempo piano-driven country pop of “Blame It On the Booze,” and the hard-driving blues rock of both singles’ B-sides. All tracks recommended!  FCC: Clean RIYL: Brandi […]

The debut EP from Burlington’s Levi Kz (kay-zee) is a charming collection of homespun folk and rock tunes. Fuzzy bedroom psychedelia with clever lyrics and an alt-country twang.  Track Picks:  3, 4, 6 FCC: Clean  RIYL: Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs, Big Thief, Another Sexless Weekend

Local singer-songwriter and guitar shredder Greg Freeman’s debut album packs a punch. Hefty riffs and passionate solos abound, and Greg’s unique vocals and lyrics keep you listening for more.  Track Picks: 2, 3, 4  FCC: 7  RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr, Ayden Flanigan

From promo: The latest single from Maple Run Band’s upcoming album is a “stripped-down acoustic country ballad… a eulogy for a lost companion inspired by The Louvin Brothers and Billy Joe Shaver that showcases [singer songwriter Trevor Crist’s] ability to blend genuine emotional expression with clever witticisms.” If you play this song (or any other […]

BTV guitar wizard Ben Collins, formerly half of the Rose McCann Band, takes on a grittier, bluesier sound on his debut album as frontman of The Celestial Company. Tracks run the gamut from hard rockers to jazzy slow burners, with Collins’ gravelly voice and fiery fretwork at the center of it all.  Track Picks: 2, […]

Enosburg-based “celestial flute jazz” trio The Astral Underground bring a truly unique sound on their debut album. Margaux Simmons’ flute playing takes center stage over hefty synth-bass and drum grooves, with swells of organ and guitar filling in the sound.  Now available on all streaming services! Contact local@wruv.org for access to alternate versions recorded live […]

Brattleboro’s Sage Hatfield continues to spin emotionally affecting tales and portraits on his latest EP, bringing together humor, pathos and tragedy in a lo-fi, soft-spoken acoustic package. Check out “Chelsea Royal Diner” for an unexpected WRUV cameo!  Track Picks: 2 (clean version only), 3, 5 FCC: 2, 4 (contact local@wruv.org to access clean version of […]

On their latest EP (their last as a Burlington band), Father Figuer have sharpened the attack of their sound in order to bring intensity to powerful, personal lyrics focused on healing from trauma and abuse. The emotional power of their slow-building compositions and arrangements is as strong as ever. Track Picks: 1, 2 FCC: 4 RIYL: […]

There are certainly a lot of dynamic flavors of music on this album, as multiple different singers and songwriters bring elements of alt-country, power-pop and psychedelia to the table, but if the sonics are varied, the quality of clever songwriting is consistently great. Some choice covers of classic pop songs are the proverbial cherry on […]

Maple Run Band’s Trevor Crist continues to prove himself one of VT’s best songwriters with the group’s latest single, a portrait of the life of an artist who came this close to fame and fortune, set to an upbeat country-rock tune. FCC: Clean RIYL: Jason Isbell, Son Volt, Old 97s, Erin Cassels-Brown

The debut solo release from Austin Kopec (formerly of The Hydes) is a low-key, lo-fi collection of indie bedroom R&B, with jazzy lead guitar, melodic bass, and only one vocal number.  Track Picks: 3, 5 FCC: Clean  RIYL: Homeshake, Blood Orange, Mild High Club, XEN Miles

The debut album from genre-blending Burlington rock group The Burning Sun was conceived as “an ode to the wild grandness of life.” It certainly sounds that way, with complex prog-jazz rhythms, echoes of guitar and synth, and Katy Hellman’s intensely passionate vocals. Track Picks: 1, 3, 8 FCC: Clean  RIYL: Heartless Bastards, The Cranberries, Sinéad […]

Local rock band Lake Waves blend the sounds of post-punk and indie folk music into an intoxicating mixture on their debut full-length album. Allie Krasner and Amaal Abdelrahman’s powerful, emotive vocals are the star of the show.  Track Picks: 1, 4, 7 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Cranberries, Slothrust, Wet Leg, Clay Aching

Burlington comedic punk veteran James Kochalka teams up with local hardcore heroes Rough Francis and legendary Dead Kennedys vocalist Jello Biafra (!!) for a goofy, spooky, and heavy monster mosh released just in time for Halloween.  FCC: Clean RIYL: Dead Kennedys, Death, Ghost, Clutch

Members of UVM bands Comatose Kids and McAuley Kart team up for this bossa-nova flavored single, a beautiful slice of jazzy neo-soul with themes of self-acceptance. FCC: Clean RIYL: Norah Jones, Everything But the Girl, Lianne La Havas, XEN Miles

BTV’s Cosmic the Cowboy have further refined their sound on their sophomore album, bringing elements of power pop, Americana, psychedelia and modern indie into a unique sonic palette. Trevor Sohnen’s songwriting is as catchy and clever as ever. The only shame (for radio) is how many tracks are explicit! Track Picks: 1, 5, 8 FCC: […]

Burlington singer-songwriter Peter Day’s latest single is a lush piece of psychedelic-tinged Americana with melancholy lyrics about picking up the broken pieces of one’s life and making something new.  FCC: Clean RIYL: Dawes, My Morning Jacket, Steve Gunn, Ryan Sweezey

Anyone who’s been following BTV’s No Showers On Vacation has been waiting for this – an official live album that showcases their jazz-inflected jam-rock sound much better than any studio release could. Features an eclectic mix of original compositions and covers ranging from Billy Cobham to Led Zeppelin. Track Picks: 1, 2, 9 FCC: 6 […]

The sophomore studio effort from beloved BTV psychedelicists The Dead Shakers is something of a concept record, with themes of life, death, plants, and reincarnation dominating Kevin Bloom’s songwriting. Sonically, the album expands on the reverberant sounds of the group’s debut, with twangy guitar licks, power pop melodies, and motorik grooves all snaking their way […]