Getting To Know Todd Thanhauser, Drummer of Alternative Rock Band A.D. 2020

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?

Todd: We were at the height of pandemic in 2020 when the album concept was conceived as a special one off project and so as a moment in history we felt A.D.2020 was a fitting name.

LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?

Todd: Personally, there is a bit of one of my favorite band Dan Reed Network on the album since Dan and Melvin Brannon from the band are on the album. Dan also collaborated with us on the songs so that influence is there.
There are lots of influences, but the songs are all unique and have different musical landscapes and textures. Due to the variety of people on the album there are lots of influences being drawn upon and
I feel the result has been a unique listening experience.

LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?

Todd: The hardest part is getting the music to the listeners and navigating the whole streaming and internet social media world.

LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?

Todd: Both, while I do appreciate lyrics that move me in some way emotionally, there are also some great instrumentals out there and even just a brilliant musical moment in a song can be something that makes
you take notice and elicit a response.

LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?

Todd: A.D.2020 “Lockdown Diaries” lol once the album is released in August I probably won’t listen to it again.
Right now I am really into vinyl and so I am listening to some of the great vinyl remaster collections that have been released. I have quite a stack of vinyl to listen to beginning in September 2021 including box sets by RUSH, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Clash “London Calling” are all in the queue. If I stream music I tend to listen to artists works that I haven’t listened to previously. I have listened to Prince’s entire catalog an lots of other bands entire collections. I only listen to new releases when I am driving .

LLTM: Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?

Todd: Mark McNelley, lead vocals and my musical partner is a big inspiration, because he tends to balance me and keep me grounded. That’s one of the reasons despite difference of opinion we have never had an argument and have
been playing music together for over 12 years.

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Todd: I hope the fans are moved in some way, whether they are excited, find humor or some other emotion as long as they are touched by the music that’s all I need,

LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?

Todd: There are many things I would give up for 30 days to perform with Paul McCartney. I suppose meat might be appropriate since Paul is vegetarian we could talk about that for certain.

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Todd: Writing and recording more music to share with those that want to listen.

LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?

Todd: John Lennon has a quote about happiness, and I think that being happy is very important.
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process began for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Todd: Our album “Lockdown Diaries” will be released on August 10 2021 and details are on our website www.ad2020music.com

LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2021?

Todd: For me and most of the musicians on the album there will be touring in 2022

For More Information on This Talented Band, A.D. 2020, from music, news and more click on the link below

https://www.facebook.com/AD2020Music/

Peace, Love and Music

Hope Romine❤

Review For Lexington KY, Based Band “Rags And Riches” On Their Newest Song “OUTLAW”

So in case you’re new to my blog or maybe somehow missed my posts in the past about these incredible guys (Tanner and Peyton Whitt), I’ve done quite a few reviews on them, matter of a fact more than I have for any artist. Why you maybe asking, well because not only are they talented musically, they are very creative and their music videos are quite entertaining.

And if you are a fan of western movies, then this will be right up your ally, while the music is definitely not what you would think you would hear, it somehow seems to work. And to mention, this is not their first western inspired music video, “Crossfire” was released March 19th, 2021 and was quite the video with so much action and I really love that song.

Okay so back to “Outlaw”, so I’m sure just by the title of the song, you will know that this video will include at least one outlaw of some sort, and the video is action packed from the very first second that the video starts. Just seeing the outlaw running and being chased had my heart racing lol. While this video is almost 6 minutes long, it’s like watching an action packed short film.

So when I first listened to this song without headphones, I wasn’t sure on my thoughts, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. So I truly believe that you should listen through a good pair of headphones before stating your opinion. So that’s exactly what I did, and my opinion changed a bit.

I’m someone that gets moved by the musical (instrumental) side of a song, not so much the lyrics, but this song has the best of both. Other than the sick beats and catchy melody, their vocals always get me sucked in a little more. I probably listen to this song 10-15 times and the more I listened to it, the more I started to love it, and found myself singing and bobbing my head to it.

For more information on this incredible band, from music, news and hopefully touring schedules, click on link below

https://www.facebook.com/ragsandrichesmusic/

Peace, Love and Music

Hope Romine❤

Getting To Know Rock Artist/Band Abby K

LLTM: Is there a special meaning or back story on how the band got its name?

Abby K: Abby K is based off of my legal name. Before I came up with the band name, I had never even gone by Abby. I was always Abigail until I found music. 

LLTM: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences and can we hear any similarities?

Abby: I get a lot of people saying they can hear some Lita Ford and Iron Maiden in my music, which makes sense as they’re two of my biggest influences!

Crispy Borell: Zakk Wylde and Richie Kotzen for me. I definitely think I pay homage to them in my playing, be it intentional or unintentional.

LLTM: What has been the hardest part about being in the music industry today? What about the easiest?

Crispy: I mean the pandemic was definitely not good for anyone, so I guess dealing with that has been the hardest part. Honestly the easiest part of being in the industry is probably actually playing live. Like from the moment you step on stage to the moment you step off.

Abby: Not only being a girl, but being a young girl. It is very hard to get people to take you seriously. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked if I was with the band. No, I am the band. The easiest part is when you find your people. Music has never been easier than it is with Crispy and Diego. It just kind of happens. 

Diego Vargas: The hardest part is the fact that you need to constantly grab people’s attention because the “internet generation” has such a short attention span which has led to art being devalued as just “content”. The easiest part is the fact that now everyone has a platform to promote themselves. Social media can do just as much to promote you as a record label can.

LLTM: When you listen to music, do you connect more with the lyrics or the instrumental side?

Crispy: I tend to connect with both equally. I’m a sucker for a good melody more than anything.

Abby: I am definitely more on the lyrics side of things. So far, I have written almost all of our songs by myself, and I always write lyrics first, music second. Since adding Crispy and Diego to the band, it’s been very interesting to see their songwriting methods and the different orders and processes we can come up with. 

LLTM: Who is currently on your playlist, and what song could you never get tired of?

Abby: Diamante’s new album “American Dream”. I could never get tired of Iron Maiden. 

Crispy: Currently I’m listening to a lot of Lost Society and Children Of Bodom.

Diego: Lately, Panic! At The Disco to be honest, haha.

LLTM: Who has been that person in your life you have always looked up to and why?

Abby: With life in general, it’s always been my dad. He’s where I get my work ethic from and he’s the reason why I fell in love with music. In a career sense, Nita Strauss is an amazing role model to me. I’ve never met a musician that would take time out of their day to call me when I need advice. Nita is that person for me. 

Diego: My guitar teacher Griff Hamlin. He played a massive part in showing me what I needed to know to become a professional musician. If it weren’t for him, I don’t know where I’d be today.

LLTM: What do you hope the fans get out of your music?

Abby: I try to write very relatable songs so people can feel less alone and know that it’s okay to feel a certain way. 

LLTM: If you had to give up something for 30 days to perform with any artist/band for 1 hour, what would you give up and who would you be performing with?

Abby: I would give anything to play with Iron Maiden. I’ve seen them live once and I cried the entire 2 hour concert. It’s such a huge dream, that I’m in tears just thinking about it as I type it. 

Crispy: I’d give up social media to perform with Prince (RIP). If I had to choose someone living, definitely Zakk Wylde.

LLTM: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years and what will it take to get there?

Abby: In the next 5 years, we hope to release our first and a few more albums and hopefully we will have toured somewhere international at that point!

Crispy: I’d love to see our music topping the charts and have us playing sold out shows as large venues. It’ll take a lot of hard work to get there, but we are willing to put everything we have into make that dream a reality.

LLTM: What is the most influential quote or saying for you and why?

Abby: “And so, by herself, one stone at a time, she built her empire with every brick thrown at her.” It helps me remember when something doesn’t go as planned, or something didn’t turn out the way I thought it was supposed to, there’s a reason for it. Just keep working and I’ll eventually figure out why.

Crispy: “The show must go wrong.” It’s obviously a play on “the show must go on,” but it references the fact that every rock show (and honestly everything else) is going to have its problems. You just gotta keep going and roll with the punches.

LLTM: Has the writing or recording process began for a new EP/Album, if so when can the fans expect it to be released?

Abby: Our first album is written! We start pre production this month! 

LLTM: What does the touring schedule look like for 2021?

Abby: We are touring July 6th through 10th east coast USA! Tickets are available at abbykrocks.com

For more information on Abby K, from music, news and more click on the link below

https://www.facebook.com/abbykrocks

Peace, Love and Music

Hope Romine❤

Slammin, Jammin and Crammin at The Jam House (Lucasville OH)

So what do you think of when you think of going to see live music, attending an all day or all weekend festival in the hot sun beating down on what feels like your burning flesh with Mr. B.O and all his sweat particles he’s willing to share with everyone within 6 feet of him, or maybe a nice big air conditioned venue with a loaded bar that will cost you a month salary just for that night, or don’t let me get started on ticket prices for a shitty seat, but either way they all need our support, the venues, the festivals, even the small county fairs, but especially the artist! But with Jam House, you get a little bit of each experience wrapped up in one!

No these aren’t mainstream artists and no this isn’t some fancy stadium, it is a house where the kitchen used to stand is now the stage, and with a window AC, with the door open and probably at least a 100 hundred people crammed in you are going to sweat more than you would want to do so.

The thing I love most about this is it’s a great opportunity for a musician that maybe isn’t used to being on a big stage or is having a hard time finding a place to play or just wants to spend as much time as possible doing what they love and that’s performing for a crowd who is going to enjoy their music as much as they do. Now I will say there were all different genres and experience levels that performed on that stage, and the crowd was feeling it.

So the first performance that really caught my eye and ear was D.J. Everman, whom is also lead vocalist Rock Band “Reverend Electric” from Southern Ohio, and while I had seen them perform a few times, this was a different side of him, it was just him, a mic and his acoustic and a complete different style/genre. This was more of a Country/Folk type of vibe, which is weird cause I honestly am not the biggest country fan but I can tolerate it, but this is one of few Country artists I could actually listen to. So if you are interested in hearing some of D.J. Everman’s or “Reverend Electric” songs click on links https://www.facebook.com/evermandj/about https://www.facebook.com/ReverendElectric

And the second artist that definitely has stuck in my mind and was also another solo artist with a mic and acoustic is James Clark aka “Catfish” in his project known as “Banished Street Performers”. As soon as he started singing, I was like okay not bad, then by the 2nd song I was hooked! Not only is he super talented, but he has amazing energy and got the crowd involved, which was cool to see. I would probably classify his genre as Blues. I still have the song “Downtown” stuck in my head. 😂 So if you’re interested in checking out his work, click on the link below https://banishedstreetperformers.bandcamp.com/

And the third act was the hosting band, a band currently without a name and bass player, that consist of vocalist/guitarist Dakota Free and drummer/backup vocals Wade Gillette. These guys are incredibly talented! Their energy is out of this world to say the least. They even performed and dedicated “School” from “Nirvana” for my son-in-law, whom lives in Delaware. This is definitely a band to watch out for!! They don’t really have any music links at the moment, even though they do have some originals. I will have a live video of one of their performances and keep in mind I used my phone and the sound quality might not be the best.

And the honorable mentions are listed below with links for more information on each artist and each and every artist brought their A game and killed it.

https://www.facebook.com/sunsayer/

https://www.facebook.com/trashpageant

https://www.facebook.com/songsbynoone

So for anyone that has a interest in attending or possibly performing Jam House party/ live music experience definitely reach out to Dakota. There is possibly another one scheduled for July. Not sure about you, but I’m so happy live music is back!!!

Happy Early July 4th to everyone as well! I hope you have a fun, awesome and safe holiday weekend! And don’t forget to support your local musicians!

Peace, Love and Music

Hope Romine❤