Jennifer Tefft & The Strange Deliver Hauntingly Beautiful Cover Of The Lumineers “Salt and the Sea”

We recently had the extraordinary opportunity to check out Boston, based Jennifer Tefft & The Strange and their phenomenal cover of The Lumineers , “Salt and the Sea”

You can listen to “Salt and the Sea” Here

There are a few unwritten rules that sort of goes hand and hand with releasing a cover song . The first one , is that you should always try and honor the original version in the best way possible. The second is while not straying too far from the original, you have to make it your own.

Jennifer Tefft & The Strange have not only honored the original version of “Salt and The Sea “They have also have without question made it their own. They have also once again proven why they are one the most skilled and well put together group of musicians on the freaking planet.

The vocals on “Salt and The Sea”, literally gave us goosebumps, Jennifer Tefft, is in our opinion one of the best female rock vocalists in today’s musical landscape…. And her band is the notch that is way above top notch .

Jennifer shared,“We wanted to try our hand at a reinterpretation of someone else’s work. We’ve been playing this song live for a few months and it always gets a great response. Recording it allowed us to really dig into the song and get creative with the arrangement and parts “

Jennifer Tefft & The Strange’s music combines intense rhythms with unique guitar textures and vocals that wind easily from darkly ethereal to soaring anthems, creating their own brand of gritty-lush alternative rock. Along with Jenn on vocals, the band features longtime collaborator John Parrillo on guitar, Tim Provost on drums, and Stephen”Sharky” Beccia on bass and background vocals. The band released their new album Strange Beginnings, produced by Grammy award-winning Bob St. John in April of 2024, which garnered them an “Album Of The Year” award, as well asthree other nominations in the 2024 New England Music Awards, plus placement on “Best of 2024″ lists. The first single off the album “Caffeine” reached the #1 spot on Radio Indie Alliance’s Top 100 songs. Currently, they arenominated for Rock Act of the Year for the 2025 New England Music Awards and their song “Tonight” was officially accepted for Grammy Consideration for “Best Rock Song” .

You owe it your music loving heart to get lost in the otherworldly cover of The Lumineers , “Salt and the Sea”, from Jennifer Tefft And The Strange.

We Are Over The Moon, For The Dollyrots Brilliant Cover Of “You Don’t Own Me”

November Tour with Bowling For Soup and Don’t Panic

We recently had the spectacular opportunity to check the magnificent cover of “You Don’t Own Me” via Wicked Cool Records, from beloved punk rock power trio The Dollyrots

You can listen to “You Don’t Own Me” Here.

You can watch the visualizer below

The mark of a great cover , is when the band stays true to original while at the same time adding their own vibe . The Dollyrots , certainly accomplished this with “You Don’t Own Me”

At a time when empowerment anthems are more needed than ever, the band is releasing a rousing, punked-up cover of Lesley Gore’s feminist classic “You Don’t Own Me.” The song was the idea of labelmate Brian Ray (Etta James, Paul McCartney), who co-produced and contributed guitar parts to the track.

Photo: Jen Rosenstein

The song is an anthem for female empowerment, about willing to be defiant in the face of something that’s just plain wrong. Sadly, it’s still just as timely as when Lesley sang it over 60 years ago,” shared singer/bassist Kelly Ogden.

With their signature mix of sugar-rush melodies, punk grit, and bubblegum sneer, The Dollyrots breathe new fire into Lesley Gore’s classic “You Don’t Own Me.” It’s part candy-coated chaos, part fist-in-the-air rebellion—hook-laden guitars collide with Kelly Ogden’s unmistakable voice, equal parts sweet and savage. More than a cover, it’s a technicolor punk anthem that channels the band’s playful heart and fearless bite—reminding us that freedom and fun can both be loud.

In addition, a limited-edition evergreen vinyl 7-inch single featuring the high-energy original track “Get On This Ride” and “You Don’t Own Me” is out now. The vinyl and an exclusive bundle—including the 7-inch, a t-shirt, and a sticker—are available exclusively at The Dollyrots Store and on tour while supplies last.

Fronted by Kelly Ogden (bass/vocals) and Luis Cabezas (guitar/vocals), with Simon Hancock on drums, The Dollyrots continue to deliver their infectious blend of attitude, melody, and heart that has become their signature sound.

The Dollyrots are hitting the road this November for a run with Bowling For Soup and Don’t Panic, culminating in a set at Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, FL. Tickets available HERE.

Tour Dates

Bowling For Soup, The Dollyrots, and Don’t Panic
November 6 – Tipitina’s, New Orleans, LA
November 7 – Mars Music Hall, Huntsville, AL
November 8 – The Hall, Little Rock, AR
November 9 – The Mill & Mine, Knoxville, TN
November 10 – The EARL, Atlanta, GA
November 11 – The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

The Dollyrots and Don’t Panic
November 12 – FIVE, Jacksonville, FL
November 14 – Crowbar, Tampa, FL
November 15 – Respectable Street, West Palm Beach, FL

Vans Warped Tour 2025
November 16 – Orlando, FL

The Reverend Shawn Amos Delivers A Flawless Cover Of “Twisting The Night Away”

We recently had the opportunity to check out the second single from The Reverend Shawn Amos Dance Party, “Twisting The Night Away

You can listen to Twisting The Night Away” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

“This second Dance Party groove is from Sam Cooke—who was more than a beautiful face and voice. Brother Cooke used his massive popularity to sway people’s conscience in the struggle for civil rights. He understood the necessity of raising your voice and spirit. Sam Cooke knew why we should dance. Sometimes dancing is a righteous act of joyful defiance.” 

Celebrated recording artist and NAACP Image Award-winning author Shawn Amos, best known as joyful bluesman The Reverend Shawn Amos, is an astute storyteller of multiple mediums. Shawn invests his unique creative vision and business savvy in both his own work and the endeavors of countless collaborators. He first honed these skills—and a restless entrepreneurial spirit— as a child of 1970s Hollywood, helping his father Wally “Famous” Amos launch a now-iconic cookie brand on then-gritty Sunset Boulevard.

Following a stint at NYU film school, Shawn wrote scripts for A & M films by day, recording and performing original music focusing on race and identity by night.

The Reverend Shawn Amos Dance Party!—an album of originals and 1960s dance classics—is forthcoming.

The Reverend Shawn Amos, artfully gives new life to the classic , “Twisting The Night Away” by honoring the great Sam Cooke , while also adding his own personal touch.

The Disassociates Release Sparkling Cover Of SZA’s “Kill Bill”

We recently had the opportunity to check out The Disassociates sparkling cover of SZA’s “Kill Bill” You can listen to “Kill Bill” Here

Southern California alt-rock standouts, The Disassociates, are continuing to build on their recent buzz with the release of a high-octane rock cover of SZA’s chart-topping hit, Kill Bill.” Known for their genre-blending sound, sharp wit, and unforgettable hooks, the band has carved a bold new space in the rock scene.

We have forever said that the true mark of a great cover, is when a band takes a song and makes it their own. The Disassociates, have most definitely achieved this with their cover of SZA’s , “Kill Bill”

The group burst onto the map with their 2024 debut album, No Reason This Can’t Be Fun—an explosive fusion of rock subgenres, layered with clever, boundary-pushing lyrics and irresistibly catchy melodies. Since its release, the album has garnered critical acclaim and captivated a growing fanbase.

In addition to their musical chops, The Disassociates gained viral fame through their wildly popular “Wrong Door” social media series, racking up over 6 million views. Their single “30mg” earned both Single of the Year and Video of the Yearat the Bakersfield Music Awards, cementing their status as one of the most exciting acts to watch.

Featuring vocalist Brie Marie, guitarist Jordan Sutton, drummer Michael Bonanno, and bassist Justin Pittman, the band is celebrated for their genre-defying approach, drawing influences from pop punk, metal, Broadway, and classic rock. Their newest release—an amped-up take on SZA’s darkly addictive hit—brings their signature edge to a song already rich in drama.

“‘Kill Bill’ was begging to be a rock song,” the band shares. “SZA’s incredible lyrics are all about revenge, pettiness, violence, madness—a lot of themes we cover in our original music, so we were extremely drawn to this song. And it’s a Tarantino reference!? Come on—that’s so punk and dramatic—we live for it. The original was so beautiful, we just knew we had to make a high-energy mess of SZA’s masterpiece.”

We can’t think of a better way to spend 2 minutes of our day than listening to The Disassociates , picture perfect cover of SZA’s, “Kill Bill”

Catch The Disassociates live at their upcoming shows:

  • Tower Porch Fest – Fresno, CA | April 26
  • Henry Miller Plaza – Los Banos, CA | May 17
  • Henry Miller Plaza – Los Banos, CA | May 30

Holy Roller Make The Music Gods Smile With Their Cover Of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”

We recently had the splendid opportunity to check out Southern Rock band, Holy Roller and their amazing cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” that is out now on all platforms. You can listen to “The Chain” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

Listening to Holy Roller, is nothing short of a religious experience. We got literal goosebumps listening to the divine cover of Fleetwood Mac’s , “The Chain”

Holy Roller? More like holy sh**!” That’s the review lo a x laccording to Nashville’s multi-Grammy award winning songwriter, Jim Lauderdale. The Richmond, VA based group is quickly proving that they intend to be the new face of southern rock. Holy Roller has been dominating the east coast, selling out nearly every show over the last year, not to mention some outstanding performances that landed them as festival favorites at Bristol Rhythm & Roots and Red Wing. Their sophomore album, Good Religion is out now and boasts some seriously riff-heavy, yet deeply intimate songs that are best played L-O-U-D. Holy Roller is down home, and damn good at it. 

There is so much rock and roll/ southern goodness going on with Holy Roller, that they should be declared a national treasure. Do yourself a favor and check out the phenomenally fantastic cover of Fleetwood Mac’s , The Chain” from Holy Roller

Holy Roller Absolutely Dazzle With Sparkling Cover Of Of Elvin Bishop’s, “Fooled Around And Fell In Love”

We recently had the glorious opportunity to check out Southern Rock band, Holy Roller and their cover of Elvin Bishop’s “Fooled Round and Fell in Love” You can check it out on Spotify Here Apple Music Here

We are absolutely captivated with Holy Roller’s flawless version of “Fooled Around And Fell In Love “ We had literal goosebumps it was simply spectacular. The amount of heart and soul poured in to this amazing performance, is off the charts .

Holy Roller released their sophomore album, Good Religion last year and boasts some seriously riff-heavy, yet deeply intimate songs that are best played L-O-U-D. In support of their new music, the band has been touring nonstop . 

They been dominating the east coast, selling out nearly every show over the last year, not to mention some outstanding performances that landed them as festival favorites at Bristol Rhythm & Roots and Red Wing. In May, they will be playing at the Boston Calling Festival.

There is a beautiful uniqueness to Holy Roller, that we absolutely love and it comes across crystal clear on “Fooled Around And Fell In Love “

CIAO MALZ covers Elliott Smith’s “Clementine,” And It Is So Amazing We Got Goosebumps, Also Records WFUV session

Photo credit- Gus Philippas for WFUV

We recently had the exciting opportunity to check out singer-songwriter CIAO MALZ (aka Malia DelaCruz) We were over the moon this past December, when she released her stellar label debut Safe Then Sorry

While a follow-up to ‘Safe Then Sorry’ is still a while away, CIAO MALZ has issued a cover of Elliott Smith’sClementine” from his classic 1995 self-titled second album. Coincidentally, it was a cover of Frog’s You Know I’m Down”) which introduced her to the Audio Antihero label , and saw her join Frog on their roster late last year.

You can listen to “Clementine” below

We got absolute goosebumps when we listened to CIAO MALZ’s breathtaking cover of Elliott Smith’sClementine” , it is a beautiful version that will stay with you long after the music has faded.We also enjoy her authentic and captivating performance on WFUV

Clementine” isn’t the only new recording from CIAO MALZ this month. Having already recorded radio sessions for WVKR (accompanied on pedal steel by Hefner’s Jack Hayter), East Village RadioBFF.FM, and numerous others, her most high-profile session to date just aired via NPR-affiliate WFUV in the Bronx. Without the expanded lineup of guitarist James Chrisman (Sister.) and drummer Felix Walworth(Florist / Told Slant), DelaCruz performed solo acoustic versions of “Two Feet Tall” and “Gold Rush,” alongside an interview.

Do your music loving heart a favor and check out the amazing cover of “Clementine” , as well as the WFUV session from CIAO MALZ, you will be glad you did.

The Mary Tyler Whores Offer Up Flawless Cover, Of DEVO’s “Whip It”

We recently had the amazing opportunity to check out The Mary Tyler Whores and their electrifying cover of the DEVO classic “Whip It” via Golden Robot Records, You can listen to “Whip It” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here You can also watch the video below.

“Whip It “ , from DEVO , is probably one of the most electrifying songs in music history. The Mary Tyler Whores deliver a blazing version of “Whip It” that they make all their own and we freaking love it .

Produced by punk legend Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks / Bad Religion), this turbocharged, high-voltage version of Devo’s cult classic slaps harder than ever, dripping with the band’s signature filthy punk energy. 

Covering ‘Whip It’ felt like the perfect way to pay tribute while ripping it open for a new generation.” Shot in downtown Los Angeles in January 2025 – right in the middle of the city’s wildfire devastation – the ‘Whip It’ video is a high-intensity, no-holds-barred spectacle. Directed, edited, and enhanced with SFX by Faust (Infinivision), with cinematography by Blake Russ, and Money$Punk Productions backing the madness, the video blends surrealism with pure punk destruction.

So dust off those new wave dance moves and get ready to “Whip It”

Travels With Brindle Display Artistic Brilliance With A Sparkling Cover Of “Tryouts For The Human Race”

Art Credit: Catherine Maddux

Chelsea Spear’s lo-fi ukulele-pop project releases a fully licensed cover of the Sparks classic on today (September 6th) with the video to soon follow

We recently had the breathtaking experience to listen to the new single “Tryouts For The Human Race , from Travels With Brindle .

Travels With Brindle is the lo-fi ukulele pop project from Massachusetts songwriter and artist Chelsea Spear. “Tryouts For The Human Race” is the fully licensed cover of Sparks’ ‘70s classic tune. You can listen to “Tryouts For The Human Race “ Here and on Bandcamp Here .

Chelsea Spear is an artist in every sense of the word . Travels With Brindle is an artistic lens that Spear uses to artfully bring meaningful stories to life. Chelsea Spear elegantly adds a wonderful new perspective on “Tryouts For The Human Race “ from Sparks.

Photo Credit: Krzystina Calderone for Vintage Girl Studios

Recorded at the Boston Public Library, “Tryouts For The Human Race” kicks off a bit of a Sparks era for Spear, as it not only serves as the follow-up to last year’s literary-minded Notes From Undergrad album, but sets the tone for her latest covers record, a ukulele and banjolele reimagining of Sparks’ entire Georgio Moroder-produced disco album “No. 1 in Heaven”, due next year.

One of the things that hit me about Sparks is how effective they are at pastiche and at making genres their own,” says Spear. “It feels like they learn the rules of a genre just so they can subvert them. The fact that Sparks inspire such strong feelings among their fanbase also lends itself well to cover songs – you can hear the joy in the recording.”

The track’s vocals were engineered by Spear’s longtime trusted collaborator Joel Edinberg, with ukulele arrangement by Sage Harrington and mastering by Josh Cohen. Spear helmed the ukulele recording and track mixing, and Catherine Maddux supplied the textured sleeve cover art. 

Spear says the effort put in, both for “Tryouts For The Human Race” and the forthcoming record, was worth the time and investment.

“Tryouts For The Human Race “ from Travels With Brindle is a beautiful example of how artistic interpretation can give joyous new life to a classic.

JACK Delivers Stunningly Magnificent Cover Of “Father Of Mine”(Everclear Cover)

To be a really good artist, you have to be willing to be inventive and willing to think outside the box. Omaha based indie rock songwriter does it not only extremely well but with a vibe and style all his own and… We freaking love it .

You can listen to “Father Of Mine” on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here

His latest is a brilliantly reimagined cover of the 1997 Alt-Rock classic “Father Of Mine” from Everclear .

One listen to JACK’s version of “Father Of Mine” and it is crystal clear you are hearing greatness.

The track was produced by Rick Carson (GRAMMY-nominated producer and engineer of Make Believe Studio). It follows the Omaha-born artist’s latest single, Rick Carson (GRAMMY-nominated producer and engineer of Make Believe Studio). It follows the Omaha-born artist’s latest single, “Try To Arrive Alive,” which was released in January. which was released in January.

Maisy Kay Delivers A Stunning Cover Of “Running Up That Hill “

We recently got check out the phenomenal cover of the Kate Bush classic “Running Up That Hill “ from London native and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Maisy Kay . You can listen to “Running Up That Hill “ on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here

The classic Kate Bush cover, shared as a ‘thank you’ to fans, caps off a busy 2023 for Maisy Kay following the release of her Metamorphosis EP featuring the singles “Doorway” and “First Time” this past fall.

It was so much fun performing this song on tour with JVKE, because I could interact with the fans. And since everyone watches Stranger Things, I thought ‘Running Up That Hill’ would be the perfect song. A lot of the other music wasn’t out yet, so it was such a cool experience to have everyone singing the lyrics with me.” Maisy Kay

We are absolutely captivated by this amazing version of “Running Up That Hill“ from Maisy Kay.

New original songs along with an exciting remix are slated to drop in 2024, and we can’t wait.

JACK Offers Up His Brilliant Take On A 90’s Classic.

We recently checked out Omaha indie rocker JACK and his cover of Meredith Brooks‘ iconic 1997 single, “Bitch.” It follows his recent covers of “Patches” by Clarence Carter and “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille.

You can listen to “Bitch” on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here.

My producer Rick Carson came to me with the idea to do this song, and upon playing it on the acoustic we both knew we had to do it. The song takes on a whole new meaning when sung from the male perspective, and I’m really proud of how this one turned out. The video for this song was my first YouTube post ever, and I’m so excited for it now to be available to stream.”

JACK released his debut album, SAD SONGS IN C MAJOR, this fall after sharing four singles from it throughout the year.

JACK does a phenomenal job of taking an iconic 90’s song , and making it his own-Bravo

SMARTPUNK RECORDS CELEBRATE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BLINK-182’S ‘UNTITLED’ ALBUM WITH NEW TRIBUTE COMPILATION

Today Smartpunk Records release the “(untitled) As Told By Smartpunk & Friends” exclusive compilation. The release is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of blink-182’s transformative untitled 2003 album. Under the guidance of label manager Matt Burns, a vibrant lineup of musicians are coming together to breathe new life into the tracks that have remained pillars in the pop-punk genre for two decades. The tracklist features some of the most notable names in modern punk including Northbound, Bad Luck., Debt Neglector, One Flew West, and more.

Purchase “(untitled) As Told By Smartunk & Friends” HERE or Stream The Compilation HERE

Visit Smartpunk Records for More Info HERE

The compilation is now available on all major streaming platforms and for vinyl purchase with Smartpunk’s 2 exclusive D2C variants. The half-transparent yellow, half-opaque brown (dubbed the PooPooPeePee variant, limited to 182 copies) sold out on the first day of pre-orders. This leaves the Opaque Yellow with Green and Purple Splatter available with a limited run of 250 copies.

“We’ve transformed our admiration for blink-182 into a unique tribute. With the help of an array of talented bands, we’ve re-imagined this influential album, and we believe fans old and new will appreciate these fresh takes on classic tracks.”Matt Burns, Label Manager of Smartpunk Records

We are absolutely loving this Compilation We think that “Untitled As Told By Smartpunk and Friends “ may be one of the smartest compilations we’ve heard.

Casii Stephan Delivers An Absolutely Stunning Performance of Leon Russell’s Famous Love Song “A Song For You”

We recently checked out Minnesota born and Tulsa , indie-pop meets soul-rock singer-songwriter Casii Stephan and her soulful interpretation of the Leon Russell classic “A Song For You” Recorded At Church Studio (Live)

You can listen to “A Song For You” Recorded At Church Studio (live) on Spotify Here and on Apple Music Here You can also watch the video below

Casii Stephan confides, “I believe this song is one of the greatest when it comes to best-written love songs. It’s also just not an easy song to cover. Part of me viewed this as a challenge to myself and the other part viewed it as a way to express my respect for what Leon did as a songwriter and musician. Recorded in one take (It was Take #4), it forced me to accept the performance with all its nuances just like the song describes the acceptance between the two lovers. It ain’t perfect and that’s the beauty of it.”

Recorded in one take at The Church Studio in Tulsa, which he (Leon Russell) founded, Casii’s rendition is deeply soulful and present, giving a stirring take on the timeless song.

Casii Stephan is an authentic songwriter, who writes her songs honestly, from the depths of her emotions, with lyrics that push back on negative societal norms like sexism, ageism and “playing nice” as a woman. She uses writing to deconstruct her own beliefs with an underlying hope that things can change, inviting listeners on their own journey.

We are enthralled with her latest single, which is a timeless and emotional cover of Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” – Casii Stephan’s rendition is a must listen for all music fans

New Friends Release Amazing Cover Of Radiohead Classic “High And Dry”

We recently had the chance to check an amazing cover of the Radiohead classic “High And Dry” from the band New Friends.

You can listen to “High And Dry” on Spotify Here . You can also watch the video below

New Friends — comprised of players from all over Southern Ontario, lead singer Stefan Boulineau (Windsor), guitarist Cole Wilson (St. Thomas), keyboardist/lead writer Ayden Miller (Orillia), Conrad (Waterloo) and Drummer Nico Elias, (Guatemala)

The band has experienced quick success , L.A. management and a top booking agent.

The band went viral with the very first song they ever recorded, “Purple Candy,” in 2019, when they were practically strangers. Now at 8 million streams and counting, they released their new single “Sad Sugar” in July 2023. In 2021, New Friends won Slaight Music’s life-changing “It’s Your Shot” contest. The resulting EP, Camaro, was recorded with the $100,000 studio and promotion prize.

The band had already recorded with producer Brad Delson, Grammy-winning guitarist of Linkin Park, and after the “It’s Your Shot” win, they were able to work with even more outside producers including Finger Eleven drummer and Arnold Lanni protégé Steve Molella (Stuck On Planet Earth, Gus, Kayla Diamond), and TV/film composer Brian Rivlin. They also self-produced a couple of the songs, and although it’s usually just the four of them, New Friends was excited to have the opportunity to co-write for the first time with a handful of writers.

New Friends offers a fresh take on the Radiohead classic “High And Dry” we absolutely love their take on the song and.. we think you will too !