New Jersey isn't just about "The Boss," Bon Jovi, and Fort Lee lane closures. There are a ton of great bands (and great things) to come out of the Garden State, and I've got two more reasons to forget all the turnpike traffic and focus on the positives. Young Rising Sons and The Mosers are both going to bust out in 2016. It's not an empty statement. It's just a fact. Good music is good music, and good music often finds a home in many ear canals eventually.
Young Rising Sons have already gotten a taste of success. Their hit alt-rock-pop single "High" (off their self-titled debut EP) got them plenty of notice last year - leading to radio airplay and bill shares with everyone from Bleachers to The 1975. This year was another standout in that they released another EP - The Kids Will Be Fine this fall, and shared a stage with The Kooks, and respectively co-headlined shows with Halsey and Hunter Hunted. Fittingly for this column, they also play shows with The Mosers. Let's talk about them shall we?
The Mosers are basically a gritty, punk,pop, rock band that have drawn comparisons to Weezer - I kind of disagree unless you drown Rivers Cuomo with whiskey. To me, the band sound is utterly original and their lyrics come packed with a whole lot of grit. Take their first single "Cold-Hearted Girl," for example, and you'll hear what I mean. The band will be touring most of next year, and have earned props for their debut Ticonderoga. Tonight (Dec. 21), they'll play Webster Hall in New York City with Oh Honey. Happy Holidays, ears!
Anyway, both Young Rising Sons and The Mosers stopped by Primary Wave for respective A-Sides (YRS interview only) earlier this month. Watch it, and you're welcome. Oh, and go New Jersey. It's your birthday. We gonna party like it's your - oh never mind. That was just dumb. Watch on anyway and forgive me.
Young Rising Sons Interview
The Mosers - "Cold Hearted Girl"
To watch another exclusive performance from The Mosers as well as an interview, visit thisisasides.com.
"Bonus Jonas"
Like the bands above, Zack Biss has started galloping ahead of the music pack. With over 56,000 followers on Twitter and quite a following in his native Nashville, the singer/songwriter is hitting all the right notes (oh what cheese Mr. Chattman) with his crafty originals and catchy covers. Say that three times fast. Anyway, the musician, who has opened for The Goo Goo Dolls, sat down for an A-Sides chat in Music City and performed his single "Brand New" at Lover's Circle. Enjoy the video, which was shot by Andrew Thorpe and arranged by Jake Luttrell.
Watch the interview with Biss here.
A-Sides' "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve" based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week (no matter when they were released -- think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, song posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls and, most importantly: what my toddler is currently enjoying thoroughly with an assist from my infant.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Air Supply, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, fun, Bleachers, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds and Bastille.