The Form Fits Their Own Mold

[this article was originally published June 26th, 2010 for Examiner.com] 

The Form’s appropriate and hardline categorization as a “jam band” could likely put off a few people curious about their debut album Smalltown. Generally, since smoking pot remains a legally frowned upon pastime, the bulk of the music consuming population tends to steer clear of any song that requires an attention span of more than four minutes - at most. It doesn’t matter how well composed the songs are, how detailed the musicianship or how unique it is in comparison to anything else - the fact remains that the average music consumer’s interest starts to wander around the five minute mark... unless they're high.

The Maze's 'Awakens' Album Is Acoustic Outsider Art

[this article was originally published June 16th, 2010 for Examiner.com]

As strongly acoustic as The Maze’s Awakens album is, frontman Robert Hansen commands a mastery over melodies that won’t settle for the standard issue you’d normally expect. The band runs in a similar vein to the kind of artists you might find on the renowned 4AD label (at least back in the day when bands like His Name Is Alive, Pale Saints and Dead Can Dance were active on it), capturing that same sort of trademark ethereal feel and haunted undertones. Accented by echoed out guitar bleeds, the ghostly wail of a musical saw, and the little spots of light brought on by delicate banjo refrains, the music instantly dives headlong into the realm of the uncategorizable.

Underground Oddities Stand A Chance Against The Odds

[this article was originally published June 11, 2010 for Examiner.com]

One of the most endearing qualities of truly underground bands is that a good majority of them have not self-applied that label. We give them that tag because they have the guts and the gumption to embark on a mission to bring something musically unique into a world that doesn’t always fully embrace that. While these bands’ songs might not be the most conventional, the acute ear can spot the significance in what they’re doing from miles away.

JAILL Reigns In Milwaukee At Verge Festival

[this article was originally published June 7th, 2010 for Examiner.com]

Though last weekend's Verge Festival on Milwaukee’s Summerfest grounds was more or less rained out on Saturday evening, local indie group Jaill, playing in the covered Potowatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion (called the Fringe stage for the event), “reigned in" the majority of the festival goers by default.