A Look Back: Yellow Second Article

I interviewed power pop band Yellow Second for HM magazine's May/June 2005 issue.

A Look Back: The Rocket Summer

I interviewed pop/rock (one-man) band The Rocket Summer for HM magazine's July/August 2005 issue. I also recall seeing him play live at Rocketown in Nashville, Tenn. that year, although I have no log of the actual date.

A Look Back: Jennifer Knapp Live Album Review

I reviewed Jennifer Knapp's album Jennifer Knapp Live for HM magazine's March/April 2006 issue.

A Look Back: Man Alive Article

I interviewed punk rock band Man Alive for HM magazine's November/December 2005 issue.

A Look Back: Inked in Blood Article

I covered hardcore/metalcore band Inked in Blood for HM magazine's September/October 2005 issue.

A Look Back: Adelaide Album Review

I reviewed rock band Adelaide's album Over Tired & Ill Prepared for HM magazine's July/August 2005 issue.

A Look Back: Eleventyseven Article

I covered pop/punk band Eleventyseven for HM magazine's March/April 2006 issue.

A Look Back: Bloodlined Calligraphy

I saw female-fronted metalcore band Bloodlined Calligraphy in concert at Rocketown in Nashville, Tenn. on Apr. 22, 2005, after covering the band for HM magazine in a story published in the January/February 2005 issue.

A Look Back: All Star United

I experienced the Brit-flavored pop/rock band All Star United at least once in concert.  I believe it was at the Fold Zandura/All Star United/Kosmos Express show I witnessed at The Underground in Jenison, Mich. on Apr. 27, 1997 that the band signed my All Star United (self-titled) CD booklet (pictured above).  I recall also seeing ASU open for Third Day at a Grand Rapids-area church (perhaps at Sunshine Community Church) at some point.  I am certain, however, that 10 years later, I interviewed the band's founder and frontman, Ian Esklelin, for HM magazine for a story published in the May/June 2007 issue (pictured below).

Mat and Mag Nostalgia

I saw pop/rock singer/songwriter Mat Kearney in concert last night at Dimnent Chapel.  Having seen Kearney twice before -- once in 2006 and once in 2015, the night was a bit nostalgic.  In honor of nostalgia, I have posted a photo of the Mat Kearney album review I wrote for HM Magazine above.  The review was my take on his breakout record, Nothing Left to Lose, and was published in the July/August 2006 edition of the now-online-only mag.

My Two Cents: Do You Feel

I interviewed Bryce Avary (a.k.a. one-man band The Rocket Summer) for HM Magazine a couple of years ago to promote his sophomore indie label release, Hello, Good Friend. I had the chance to see him and his touring band some months later when they played the basement of Nashville's Rocketown. I almost didn't buy his first major label project, Do You Feel (released July 17 on Island Records), because, despite his obvious talent and passion, HGF did not excite me. But being a sucker for a good price, I found the new album at Target for $9.99 (regular price). I was pleasantly surprised. The 24-year-old has definitely matured over the past two years. His vocals sound a little more developed and the lyrics a little more grown-up. I like the guitar-driven pop/rock of DYF much more than the piano-pop-driven sounds of HGF. And it's amazing what a bigger recording budget can do for ya.

The Little Things

I recently experienced great joy thanks to a little piece of news from my friend and former roommate, Taryn. Upon googling the band Cool Hand Luke, she discovered that the band's Wikipedia page cites me as a reference. (I covered the band for HM Magazine in the March/April 2007 issue.) What an unexpected thrill! Of course, that enticed me to set out on a quest to find out if any of the Wikipedia pages for the other bands/artists I've covered have listed my name, as well. The only other citing I found was on All Star United's Wiki page, referencing my piece in HM's May/June 2007 installment. For someone who gets excited to see her new business cards in print, it was a happy moment. Thanks, Taryn! As I've posted on Once Upon a Line, "Little things that mean a lot make every day a holiday." Or, as India.Arie sings, "It's the little things and the joy they bring."

My Latest Freelance Assignment

You can read my featurette on All Star United in the May/June edition of HM Magazine. HM is found on most Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Family Christian Stores shelves. For a list of locations in your state, click here.

My Latest Freelance Assignment

You can read my feature on Cool Hand Luke in the March/April issue of HM Magazine. HM can be found at most Barnes & Noble and Family Christian Stores locations. Some Borders stores have also been known to carry the mag.

The Sky's the Limit

I was so excited to learn that Tyrone Wells, former Skypark frontman, has gone solo. What a voice! Now a Universal Republic artist, his national debut, Hold On, hit shelves Feb. 6. Of the freshman disc, HM Magazine's Doug Van Pelt said, "Hold On is about as hot as the marriage between R&B and Rock can get." I plan to purchase the disc and post a review in the near future.

For Nostalgia's Sake: Shawl

I'm spinning The Prayer Chain's Shawl tonight. The 1993 release reminds me of my junior year of high school. I remember dancing around my living room with my friend Jodi like a Native American every time we listened to "Crawl." I was prompted to pop Shawl into the player tonight because I've been e-mailing Tim Taber, TPC's frontman, a bit lately, as I am writing a feature on Cool Hand Luke for HM Magazine, and Taber (now the owner of Floodgate Records) serves as CHL's publicist.

CD Reviews: Mat Kearney & Plumb

For my complete review of Mat Kearney's Nothing Left to Lose, pick up HM Magazine's July/August issue; for my complete review of Plumb's latest disc, Chaotic Resolve, see HM's May/June issue, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Family Christian Stores.