The Time Dave Elkins Played in My Living Room

Prelude to a Dream This is the story of my best birthday present ever.  One of the hallmarks of adulthood is realizing that paychecks allow you to buy yourself gifts; and who knows you better than you?  Armed with a modest but steady income, on the eve of my quarter-century day, I made an investment…

Exclusive Interview with Sam Behymer

Rising singer-songwriter Sam Behymer was gracious enough to talk with EarnThis.net, following up on our recent post about her competing on NBC’s The Voice.  Since that post, Behymer was knocked out of the televised competition but has garnered many new fans from the experience.  And, as you’ll see below, she appears to be revitalized in…

Edge of Success: Sam Behymer on The Voice

Tonight, at 8/7c, I will be watching The Voice. NBC probably expects to net a fair number of 25-to-35-year-old males every week with their elaborate talent show, even if their ideal viewer is younger with longer hair.  But how can any self-respecting independent music blogger be caught tuning into such a commercialized, pop-centric circus of…

Highway//Catharsis: Do You Feel

Alone in the car, we can sing as loud as we want.  Highway//Catharsis is a series in which I share the albums that get me all worked up when I’m behind the wheel.  To earn a post, the CD must bring me to tears while I’m screaming along.  That means every drive is an audition.…

Concert Review: Vanessa Carlton @ The Birchmere, 2/6/14

Imagine it’s 2002.  September.  Switzerland has just joined the United Nations.  Um… Disturbed just released an album… but not The Sickness, the one after that.  You know, with, like, “Liberate” and “Prayer” on it.  Oh!  The first OK Go record just came out!  But most of America won’t know about them until they make that…

Exclusive Interview with Johannesburg’s Skylight

Ready to be inspired?  From South Africa, the voices behind Skylight connected with EarnThis.net to chat about hope, growth, and their debut album.  Greg, Pete (who couldn’t join us), Brad, and Wes first transfixed me with their music, but over Skype they charmed me with their openness about issues close to their homes and hearts. …

The Grammys: Deep Cuts Recap

Last night’s awards show rollicked along with inspired live collaborations pushing crossover appeal to new heights, touching moments honoring timeless musical champions, and a whole lot of gold getting handed out.  At least, I assume that’s how it continued: low on energy and staring down the barrel of a new week of work, I only…

Everything Music Survey: Colton’s Picks

This is part of the Everything Music Survey series AllMusic Questions The Usual Suspects — Boring Desert Island Discs I Still Love: 65daysofstatic – The Destruction of Small Ideas The American Analog Set – Know By Heart Battles – Mirrored Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlanticism Dragonforce – Sonic Firestorm Dream Theater – Six Degrees of…

FAQ: Grammy Snubs

Q: Why didn’t [your favorite artist] get nominated for Song, Album, or Record of the Year? A: Nominations in the Big Three categories are designed to recognize achievements beyond those of the artist. That’s why none of these awards have the word “artist” in them. Song of the Year, then, is given for the best…

How to Support the Artists You Believe In

Today I’ve got a message for you that’s near and dear to my heart.  Remember that band Mae?  If not, it’s cool, but they were a big part of my musical life.  And for the last three records they put out, Mae was a self-managed band from top to bottom. Lead singer Dave Elkins has…