Heart Like War signs with MMLJ Records

MMLJ Records is thrilled to announce the signing of Los Angeles based Christian pop-punk band Heart Like War.  The high energy, passionate, playful three-piece is currently working on a new full length album and acoustic EP, which will be released later this year.  While having their own unique sound, Heart Like War has received favorable comparisons to MxPx, Allister, Major League, and The Ataris.

In describing their name, lead singer David Camarena says:  “We are living in a Spiritual War. Every day is a battleground, our hearts go to war to fight the good fight, make choices, decisions, which precede our actions. Some wear their hearts on their sleeves, some choose to hide it under their words of violence; but in the end, we will all be found out, the winners from the losers. We all suffer, win or lose; let your heart decide. You must save yourself before you can save anyone else, and this is the success to victory.”

Heart Like War features David Camarena (Guitar & Vocals), Andrew Camarena (Drums), David Robledo (Bass).  In 2015, Heart Like War will be returning to play JoshuaFest, as well as playing stages, nightclubs and youth events throughout the west coast.  Heart Like War’s album Party Propaganda Machine and debut The Battle Begins EP are available for free through the Heart Like War website.

Website:   www.heartlikewar.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/heartlikewar

The Meltdown 2.68

Music news from Zao, Stavesacre, Norma Jean, Copeland, and more!

The Meltdown 2.67

Mxpx frontman Mike Herrera joins the Meltdown to talk podcasting, music, and more!

The Meltdown 2.66

New music from Sullivan and False Idle. Plus music news from xDeathstarx, Mat Kearney, The Hawk In Paris, and more

Bethan - Time Gone By

Since this record ranked in my top 30 of 2014, it'll come as no surprise that I loved Bethan's sophomore release, Time Gone By. But I'm going to say a couple of words about the record anyway.

A mixture of Richard Swift's 20's/40's laced nostalgia, Map's ability to craft compelling pop songs, and Kissing Cousins' slight quirkiness. That's what Time Gone By offers. All of those things in varying doses and to different degrees, but long time fans of Velvet Blue Music should be drawn to Bethan. The difference from Chapter 1 is noticeable and vast. In a good way!

Songs like Low Expectations, Beside Me, Out West, and Greedy Songbird jump out of your speakers. None are indie pop hits in the traditional sense, but each offering a unique expression and stylistic impression of an era gone by. The more introspective moments, In Our Paris, Honeymoon, We Are All Expiring, Don't Be Afraid To Lie To Yourself, all play like moments torn out of a diary and shared. There's a painful beauty in Time Gone By that can only be experienced.

Time Gone By is one of those records that reminds you how special an artist is and rekindles your love for depth and intricate layers in a "pop" record. Obviously, 5 out of 5 Stars.

Household Premiere “Purpose” Music Video / On Tour

Household have premiered a new music video for their song “Purpose,” off their debut EP, With or Without, released on September 30 via Blood & Ink Records. The video was filmed during the final show at the house/venue where the band started. Frontman Josh Gilbert had this to say about the video:
"This house was the foundation of the band's start. Everything we've done and everyone we know is connected to that home. We had to make this (video) in honor of our great experience."
The video was shot and edited by Dan Ostrem

Stream "Purpose" Now - YouTube.com
Household will be continuing their relentless touing this winter with dates alongside Until We Are Ghost (InVogue) and Revivalist (On The Attack).
Dates are below and can also be found at www.bloodandinkrecords.com.
*****
 

TOUR DATES

Jan - 09  Des Moines, IA @ Underground Rock Shop Jan - 10  Moundsview, MN @ the Northstar Room  Jan - 15  Kansas City, MO @ The Sandbox  Feb - 01  Bedford, IN @ Bender Banquet Hall Feb - 02  Colombus, OH @ House Show * Feb - 03  Akron, OH @ It's a Kling Thing * Feb - 04  Port Huron, MI @ The Roche * Feb - 05  Grand Rapids, MI @ Take Hold * Feb - 06  Crown Point, IN @ RAW Church *  Feb - 07  Chicago, IL @ Borellis * Feb - 08  Indianapolis, IN @ The Hoosier Dome *  Feb - 09  Louiseville, KT @ Spinelli's Pizzeria * Feb - 10  Evansville, IN @ The Hatch * Feb - 11  Springfield, IL @ The Black Sheep * Feb - 12  Menomonie, WI @ University of WI - Stout * Feb - 13  Ames, IA @ The Muffin Top * Feb - 14  Kansas City, MO @ Art Closet Studios * Feb - 15  Moore, OK @ Moore Season Church *  Feb - 16  Abiline, TX @ The 22 ^ Feb - 17  Brownwood, TX @ Coggin Ave Baptist Church ^  Feb - 18  Albuquerque, NM @ Blu Phoenix ^ Feb - 19  Phoenix, AZ @ The Underground ^ Feb - 19  Laveen, AZ @ Late Night House Show ^ Feb - 20  Riverside, CA @ Blood Orange Info Shop ^  Feb - 21  Fullerton, CA @ Programme Skate and Sound ^ Feb - 22  Las Vegas, NV @ House Show ^ Feb - 24  Grand Junction, CO @ City Lounge ^  Feb - 25  Denver, CO @ Seventh Circle Music Collective ^  Feb - 26  Salina, KS @ Salina Indoor Skatepark ^ Feb - 27  Lawton, OK @ Black Dog Cross Fit ^ Feb - 28  Amirillo, TX @ Wreck Room ^ Mar - 01  Wichita Falls, TX @ Grand Hotel Ballroom ^ Mar - 02  Dallas, TX @ Riot Mar - 03  Norman, OK @ Dope Chapel Mar - 05  Denver, CO @ Seventh Circle Music Collective Mar - 06  Colorado Springs, CO @ House Show  Mar - 08  Kearney, NE @ House Show    * = w/ Until We Are Ghosts ^ = w/ Revivalist

Humble Beast Introduces Left Roasters

Hip-hp label Humble Beast Records is getting into the coffee game. Read their statement below.

We love coffee a lot...so we decided to start making it ourselves. That might seem like a cruel joke allowing your imagination to run wild, bringing you to the edge of hope before the disappointing realization left you with "If-only"s and "What-if"s. Well, this is no joke friends. We're making coffee. Humble Beast proudly presents to you Left Roasters or simply, Left. You may be confused. Why is a hip-hop label diving into the coffee game? What does coffee have to do with music? Why spend so much time and energy developing an entirely different brand that has nothing to do with hip-hop? Let us give you just two reasons. Keep reading below.

Reason #1: Beauty and Excellence We know that God is good. That might seem obvious or even cliché, but think about the implications of that. Every awe-inspiring sunset, every emotional harmony, every tearful embrace, every steaming cup of delicious coffee were created and given to us by a God who deems these things good and beautiful. We believe that seeing the beauty that God intends for us to see in His creation only leads to a deeper and more intimate understanding of our great God and King. Seeing beauty glorifies God. In this way, a delicious cup of coffee glorifies God in and of itself. Just creating coffee does not suffice though. We want to do it excellently. We do everything that we possibly can to give you guys our best when it comes to the music. Long hours, weekends, sleepless nights, and an undying passion to hone and study our crafts ensure that you guys receive the best of our efforts. Just as our great God and King sacrificed everything for his people, we too want to model self-sacrifice in our pursuit of excellence. This holds true for our coffee. We have worked to study the art and science of roasting. We have brought an expert roaster, Samuel Nagel onto the team to ensure a high-quality bean. If we are going to make coffee, we want nothing else than the best cup possible. Excellence glorifies God.

Reason #2: Because it sustains our ministry. We thought that this was an incredible opportunity for folks to support us. As a music label who has decided to forego selling our music for the sake of the Gospel more easily going forth, we are always looking for ways in which you guys can support us financially. Up until now, buying merchandise or paying for music were the only ways you guys could help us out. We feel that roasting and selling coffee is a tangible and beneficial way for our supporters to help provide sustainability for the ongoing ministry of Humble Beast. Watch the video above to listen to Propaganda tell the story. watch now

The Gist To sum it up, we have decided to take our passions for God's good gift of coffee and excellence and turn it into a way that you guys can support us to make sure Humble Beast can keep making great music.  You can order coffee from Left Roasters at http://www.leftroasters.com

The Meltdown 2.65

The Best of 2014! Music from my 30 favorite records of 2014.