WELCOME TO HOMEGROWN W/ MO!
A Local Music Segment airing every Monday through Friday at 11pm.
Check out who’s featured this week, then vote which band/artist gets their song played again on Friday!
Monday:
The Alt. Pop-Rock band Gillwire formed in 2016 and in the same year released the album Silver Streak which Absolute Powerpop called “An impressive debut”. Notable tracks such as Tragedy Sells and Big Win display an eclectic pop sound evoking 90s alternative tinged with a British Invasion meets AZ Southwest type of sensibility. The songwriting from frontman Jonathan Gill Thwaits, known simply as Gill, evokes similarities to artists like Beck, Pavement, and even The Beatles at times but the airy vulnerability of his vocals puts a unique stamp on the package creating a distinctive Gillwire sound. The band is currently doing live performances around Arizona and have begun laying down tracks for a followup album to be released later this year. You can catch Gillwire at Tempe Festival of the Arts and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Check out “Big Win” below and if you like it, vote to hear it again for the Friday replay.
Tuesday:
Katastro formed in 2007 in Tempe, Arizona by Andy Chaves (Vocalist) Andrew Stravers (Drummer) and Tanner Riccio (Guitarist). Later on Ryan Weddle (bassist) joined the band to complete the current lineup. Katastro gained a quick following by creatively blending elements of rock, funk, blues and hip hop.
There is no sign of the band slowing down anytime soon as they recently signed with LAW Records, which is owned and operated by the members of the music group Pepper. In September 2016, Katastro released their latest album, “Strange Nights”, produced by Kaleo Wassman (Pepper) and Mike Sutherland. The first single off the record was “Waste The Night” featuring Jared Watson of the Dirty Heads. You can catch Katastro on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Soundcloud. Check out their song and music video for “Oh My” below, then vote to hear it again for the Friday replay, at the bottom.
Wednesday:
The Hourglass Cats are a Desert Reggae & RockNRoll collective based out of Phoenix, AZ. Formed in 2011 by frontman Cori Rios and drummer “Hot” Karl Maier. The Hourglass Cats consist of Chaz Fertal (Saxophone), Lisa Lizanec (Trombone), Seth Gory (Bass), Jesse Morrrison (Keys/Vox), Enrique Naranjo (Drums) and Cori Rios (Guitar/Vox).
In 2013 The Hourglass Cats released their debut 432 EP to an incredible response and esteemed reviews. With Modern Times calling it “one of the most fun listens of the summer” and YabYum hailing it for it’s complex journey into the world of 432 hz. They followed up their EP with a slew of singles throughout 2014, including the critically acclaimed and spectacularly catchy “Too Damn Rude”. Described as not just catchy, but a “fantastic take on 2 Tone ska with an edgy rock vibe. It is an immediate, in-your-face dance number.”
2016 saw the release of Portraits of Cats, THC’s second and most diverse album to date. Recorded and produced by their very own Jesse Morrison of Studio at The Farm. “Portraits of Cats will take you on a musical journey of THC’s influences”. From the “intoxicating reggae pop” of the opening track, Rainchecks, to the Latin inspired Bailar Para Mi, which will “transport you south of the border for a few minutes of fantasy,” all the way to the “prowling, growling, edgy Garage-Rock sound of Downtown Funk,” you will get a sample of their wide range of influences. The Hourglass Cats are on their way to becoming one of Phoenix’s premiere bands. Having most recently performed on the Main Stage at Mcdowell Mountain Music Festival, The Hourglass Cats have toured the west coast and southwest regions including California, Texas, and even as far south as parts of Mexico. They have twice headlined an AZ showcase at SXSW and have shared bills with Passion Pit, Portugal The Man, Thievery Corporation, Slightly Stoopid, KONGOS, STRFKR, Allen Stone, Dispatch, Tribal Seeds, and more! You can catch The Hourglass Cats on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Check out their latest single “Esta Bien” below and if you love it, love to hear it again on the Friday replay, at the bottom.
Thursday:
Sunday at Noon is a raucous 4 piece rock band hailing from Phoenix, AZ led by Jack VanDerPol, who has a charismatic stage presence that is reminiscent of the quintessential frontmen of 1970s rock bands. Jack is backed on drums by his younger brother Nate, a phenom whose skills far exceed his age and guitarists, Dylan and Anthony who are accomplished musicians in their own right. Formed in 2015, Sunday at Noon instantly became a local fan favorite and distinguished itself as a noteworthy member of the vibrant Phoenix music community. Sunday At Noon has had two singles named to the 50 Best Songs Written by Phoenix Bands by the Phoenix New Times (“Maybe I’ll Regret It” in 2015 and “Brain Damage” in 2016), and “their potential to rock seems limitless.”- Mitchell Hillman, Phoenix New Times.
They released their first demo, Burning Pictures, recorded at Treehouse Studios in Scottsdale, AZ in December 2015 recorded in Scottsdale, AZ. Their single, “Brain Damage” and pending EP release were recorded at SoundVision Recording in Mesa, AZ (previous clients include Lydia, Soilwork, Knights of the Abyss, Andrew W.K, Abigail Williams) with producer/engineer Michael Beck (Red DragonCartel, Abigail Williams).
Sunday at Noon writes and performs high energy pure rock music with the goal of connecting with fans on a personal level and sharing their belief that there isn’t a situation in life that music can’t fix. They draw inspiration from Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age. Their sound is a unique blend of youthful exuberance, impressive classic guitar riffs, and richly expressive vocals. You can see SAN at Pub Rock Live April 21st and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube. Check out their song “Like The Last Time” below and if you love it, vote to hear it again for the Friday Replay.
