In its heyday, Stax Records was synonymous with soul music’s biggest stars – from Otis Redding and Carla Thomas to Sam & Dave and the Staple Singers. But behind their iconic hits was a talented team of songwriters. Craft Recordings celebrates the work of these unsung heroes with a brand-new collection, Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos.

Youth on Rewind is a new podcast from Youth on Record (YOR) which will amplify the voices, stories, and ideas of young storytellers. The show will feature an array of youth produced stories, interviews, poetry, music, and other audio art guided by the creative visions of paid podcasting interns.

In the mood to hear live music right in your living room but can’t afford to foot that bill? Allow me to introduce Boulder’s hidden gem Jaka Purnomo! If you’re looking for that feel-good music where the audience sings along to every song - and in between the singer just casually chats you up - this is the man to see. Nothing like guitar, harmonica and crowd participation to get you smiling! You’ll feel right at home. Just ask Mother Tucker, where he played earlier this month.

Today, Waldemar releases the cinematic album-lead track “Limbo” from their forthcoming debut full-length album Ruthless (PRE-ORDER), to be self-released on May 5. Listen here.

Local Boulder band Kings of Oblivion continue to impress with their eclectic set played earlier in the month at Louisville’s Mother Tucker. No Freebirding to be had here! For the last year or more, singer-songwriter Wysh Seidman has been taking some of his favorite poems and putting them to music. Lines like Ezra Pound’s, “The paired butterflies are already yellow with August,” could only be made more bittersweet with this band’s poignant notes. Check them out @apublicguy on YouTube. They’ve got summer in their veins and are looking to play!

Tommy Weeks, a saxophonist and music producer from Connecticut, just released his first solo EP titled Strangers, today April 25th. The EP is a fusion of pop, R&B, house, and hip hop music, and features many musicians and close friends hailing from the Connecticut music scene. The EP includes three singles previously released, "Strangers," "Fire In Your Eyes," and "Mission." The EP was written by Tommy Weeks himself and co-produced with Grammy award-winning engineer Mikhail Pivovarov.

Coming to NOLA Jazz Fest for Dead and Co? Join us the night/morning before at the 21st Annual Bayou Rendezvous benefiting the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic during NOLA Jazz Fest! and catch the Guitarmageddon: Dawn of the Dead late-night set! A stacked line-up of incredible musicians and guitar shredders who are well-versed in the Grateful Dead catalog will turn it up to 11 for a no-holds-barred throwdown ala Steve Vai vs. the Karate Kid in the movie Crossroads! Full schedule and more info https://fanlink.to/BR2023

Craft beer enthusiasts, get ready to mark your calendars for the most exciting event of the summer! The Whale Invitational Craft Beer Festival is making its debut in Asheville, North Carolina, to showcase the best beers in the world. The Whale is celebrating its 5th anniversary by throwing an extraordinary party that will undoubtedly live up to their high-caliber reputation. Don’t sleep on this one!

Missouri-born musician and songwriter Fred “Dave” Davis was a character of note. A Cleveland-based laborer and performer whose influence was felt almost exclusively by those who came face to face with the man, “Dave’s” unique musical touch and almost spiritual take on Kansas City blues would be virtues to which but a select few could attest.

Joey Frendo is a man on a mission: to tell stories that speak to the human experience with authenticity and passion. His grit will pull you in, and you’ll stick around for a while once you’ve caught an earful of his lived-in blue-collar storytelling. After building his brand on the soulful hooks and detailed arrangements of 2021’s Stone Mason’s Son EP, Frendo returns in 2023 with his debut full-length offering Bound for Heartache.