Hello, my local family. It’s about that time to chat music. What have you been listening to? What shows have you been attending? I need to hear from you! I have a new email for you all to submit me your music at, so be sure to shoot me a note over at maria@theaquarian.com. I expect it to be flooded with submissions by the end of this article (joking… kind of).
Anyway, warm weather is finally here, shows are booming, and bands are doing big things. Little birdies have been telling me that some of our household favorites are getting signed to labels and going on tours. Oh, the excitement! And to think, some of them started out right here on the Local Radar. It just gives my heart a smile! Anyway, I know what you’re thinking, enough with this sentimental crap, talk some music! All right, hint taken, let’s go.
This week, I am going to talk about another group that is paving the way for themselves, one day at a time. They go by the name of Small Town Scoundrels. I’ve been a fan and supporter of them for quite some time now, and they even reached out letting me know that I was the first person to play their tunes on the radio, so as you can see, we have a special bond. They are from Hillsborough, New Jersey, with members Chris, Eddie, Ithamar, Kevin and Josh. They put themselves into a joint category of alt rock, indie and hip-hop. Now, that may confuse you a little, but trust me here, it works. Have you ever dipped french fries in honey? Sometimes the salt and the sweet just blend. That may be a poor example, but this girl likes to eat, so it makes sense to me! Let’s learn more about them, shall we?
Small Town Scoundrels are one of those bands that you need to see live to completely understand. Their set is nothing but fun. When I was first introduced to them a few years back, it immediately grabbed my attention, because it was music that was different, original and innovative. I have written about them a few years ago, but they are doing so much as of late that it’s time to put them back into the spotlight. From opening shows for Badfish and Shaggy, to recently being added to the bill to play with George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic at Starland Ballroom, I think it’s safe to say that their resume is stacked!
Small Town Scoundrels have a real fresh sound. Oz (Chris), the lead singer, draws your attention to him at all moments. His rhymes are noteworthy and he can flow while being able to belt out a tune as well. In addition, their lyrics range from various topics that we all can relate to. Basically, for a frontman, no stone is left unturned here. With a great stage presence, sense of humor and crowd interaction, it’s all a part of the band’s appealing charm. As far as the rest of the band goes, there are no flaws to mention whatsoever. Their hooks are contagious and they’re as tight as your high school jeans. They can attract hip-hop fans and punk rockers alike, and to be honest, it’s a breath of fresh air. I happen to like both genres, so it’s a perfect blend for a gal like myself!
If I had to recommend a few tracks for you all to indulge in, it would obviously be all of them, but I will try to select some. “My Shoes” is really fun; you will totally want to blast that one out of your car windows on a warm day. “Crashing” is a good one as well, with very relatable content. Just take a listen to the lyrics and you won’t regret it. You can check out all of their material on their Facebook page at facebook.com/smalltownscoundrels. Over there, you will also find that they are extremely interactive with their fans, and always posting videos, photos and fun content for all to drool over. Again, as stated before, this is a band that you need to build a relationship with based on their live set, because once you see them at a show, you will never turn back. That is their biggest selling point, their biggest asset, and the main reason why they keep getting added to so many awesome shows with big acts! Take a note from these guys; they know what they’re doing and are mastering their craft!
Be sure to give Small Town Scoundrels a “Like” and tell them Maria sent you. I will be back next week with another original act that has me floundering for a speaker to blast music from. In the meantime, send me your music at maria@theaquarian.com so I can fall in love with you, slowly but surely. Support local music, for now and for always.
