You voted Rival Sons your BeatCrave Fav of the month of November! These four rockers from Long Beach, California just finished a Euopean Tour, and already have some more tour dates readied for early 2012. Their latest album Pressure and Time has a mixture of sounds that verge upon rock, funk, and a great feeling of freedom that exudes the album. They have garnered international attention for a reason: they seem to have fun doing what they do best! We caught up with lead vocalist Jay Buchanan to talk about touring, advice, and his favorite food. Check it out in our exclusive interview below!

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We selected five bands for the month of November, and now we need you to vote for your  BeatCrave Fav  of the month!

Your choices include: an L.A.-based band whose sound is as united, harmonious and seamless as it is layered with hints of alternative, country, and folk  A House for Lions (listen here), four crazy rockers from Long Beach with a great sense of style and some serious talent Rival Sons  (listen here), a couple whose puppy love-themed songs look and sound like 60s pop Neverever (listen here), the soulful and dramatic folk trio with a simple approach and heartwarming vocals If Birds Could Fly (listen here), and an alternative rock duo with old-school rock n’ roll, pop and folk influences Cassiopeia (listen here).

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Cassiopeia started off as the side project of Missing Bricks, having since branched off from a primarily alternative rock sensibility to old-school rock n’ roll with pop and folk influences. They bring forth a sound that American Bandstand would have loved – but that’s not all. It is worth mentioning that reflective view back towards 1988 coupled with an overall essence of longing and heartache for a loved one is a message being able to transcend the decades, sure; but the Bellingham, Washington-based band’s strength lies in the art of variety. A banjo here, a slightly different rhythm there, the same honey-dripping vocals that help carry each song – all comprise a unique take on a familiar genre, relevant and welcome to the 21st century music scene. Due to their production (as well as putting out music that sticks with you), their following is strong, verifying the resilience, integrity, and welcome intimacy of the indie scene. They will soon release a full-length album later this month; until then, check them out in our BeatCrave Fav series below.

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Hailing from Big Stone Gap, Virginia is the folk trio If Birds Could Fly. Here is a group that loves to write their own music and perform acoustically, along with a guitar, a bass and a harmonica. Leading woman Brittany Ashley is the band’s soulful and dramatic voice, and she’s backed by Andrew Carter’s guitar and Casey Cockrum’s bass. If Birds Could Fly started up as a duo (Ashley and Carter) in 2010. Together they played everywhere, from street corners to dive bars. Earlier this year, the folk group released their debut album “No Place to Roam.” Their sound is very heartwarming, mostly due to Ashley’s amazing vocals and simple approach. Be sure to check them out now in our BeatCrave Fav series below.
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If Andy Warhol was alive today, Jihae and Wallace Meek of Neverever would surely be part of his entourage. That’s because this duo has formed a band that looks like and sounds like 60s pop. Based in L.A., Neverever is lead by Jihae’s dramatic voice, and backed by classic pop melodies. In 2010, they put out their debut album “Angelic Swells,” a brilliant first effort. Now, they’re about to start a month-long residency at The Echo in Echo Park, CA. Another thing you should know about this duo is that they are a couple, and that’s obvious when listening to their puppy love-themed songs. Whether or not you get the chance to see Neverever at The Echo this December, be sure to check them out now in our BeatCrave Fav series below!

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You voted Beijing your BeatCrave Fav of the month of October! The four rockers from New Haven, Connecticut whose sound is unique: a 90s grunge runs throughout their debut release, It’s Not So Simple, blending that same hardcore noise with a lighter, more fluid sound.  The instrumental section can hold its own; indeed, there’s a certain beauty to the angsty fast pace and tightness of the band alone. But the lyrics, kicked out by skidding vocals across their noise rock base are truly the icing on the cake.  Beijing is currently working on two full-length albums due out in Spring of 2011.  Want to know more? Check out our exclusive interview with Thom Smith, who talked to us about the forming of Beijing, their two full-length upcoming releases, and the 60 songs they’re currently working on (yes, 60!)…

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Four rockers hailiing from Long Beach, California who call themselves Rival Sons are four crazy musicians with a great sense of style and some serious talent.  Heavy guitar shredding, funky beats, and catchy vocals are their trademark, so it’s no wonder they’ve garnered some international attention recently. They’re latest album Pressure and Time has a mixture of sounds that verge upon rock, funk, and a great feeling of freedom that exudes the album. It feels like they’re having fun recording this, which is all the more intriguing. And they’re known for being edgy; even their video for “All Over the Road” took some editing to get it to an “R” rating. Right now, the band really is ‘all over the road,’ as they’re currently touring through Europe and the United Kingdom. Can’t make it to one of their sets? No worries; you can still check out Rival Sons right here in our BeatCrave Fav series below!

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In our opinion, A House For Lion‘s debut EP, I Want Us To Be Remembered, has set the bar pretty high as far as debuts are concerned. On the one hand, an EP is a great way to precede a full-length, giving listeners a taste and letting things go from there as far a second helpings are considered. In their case, however, instrumentally and vocally they are so rich, raw, and appealing that we were already ready for more on the second track. Their sound is united, harmonious and seamless as much as it is layered, with hints of alternative, country, and folk in a rock setting. Also, we are very happy to report that the LA-based band’s sound is as polished in the live venue as it is in studio. Having just played the CMJ Music Marathon, we’re looking forward to more catchy melodies from them as the year closes and well into the next. Check out A House For Lions in our BeatCrave Fav series below!

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We selected six bands for the month of October, and now we need you to vote for your favorite BeatCrave Fav of the month!

Your choices include: singer-songwriter with brilliant color, fun storylines, and an overall psychadelic feel Old Man River (listen here), a trio whose relaxed psychedelic pop rock feels like a summer road trip Black Light White Light (listen here), four rockers from New Haven, Connecticut with an angsty, 90s punk rock feel Beijing (listen here), four garage rockers from Brooklyn whose music feels like an eerie dream The Living Kills (listen here), an octet with playful, pop-friendly tunes and hyperactive jazz-quality Rubblebucket (listen here), and Australia-based soul surf band whose latest album is fueled by a surf-esque richness punctuated by pop that just works Love Connection (listen here).

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