Baby Robot Media

Music City Mike Interviews Nashville’s Andrew Leahey

If I were a musician, would it bother me if people kept comparing my music to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen? Absolutely not! And in the case of Nashville’s Andrew Leahey who grew up in awe of these two artists, I’m sure he’s quite pleased to be mentioned in the same company.

Andrew’s 2016 debut LP, “Skyline in Central Time” and his current single “Start the Dance” elicit that lively Petty/Springsteen spirit and sound great when you’re blazing down the highway. Rocking out to them this week, I only wished that it was summer, and I had my convertible top down!

by Baby Robot Media

The Lakelander premieres Michael McArthur’s new live video for “Rest Uknown”

Recorded with Grammy-winning producer Ryan Freeland, Ever Green, Ever Rain is the sound of a songwriter who’s unafraid to shine a light on his own faults. The Lakeland-based singer-songwriter’s work has been featured and nationally recognized by Billboard, Huffington Post, Exclaim!, and Baeble Music.

Here is an exclusive premiere of Michael McArthur’s new live video from his forthcoming LP Ever Green, Ever Rain. Video filmed by Pete Gill.

by Baby Robot Media

Glide Magazine Premieres Andrew Leahey’s “Make it Last” Off Latest LP

Written in the wake of a brain operation that nearly cost him his life, Andrew Leahey’s sophomore LP, “Airwaves”, is as carpe diem as they come, an urgent sonic love letter channeling the 1980s FM-radio anthems he cut his teeth on as a kid.

In addition to being an acclaimed solo artist featured at Rolling Stone, Billboard and American Songwriter, the Nashville-based Leahey is also a sought-after guitarist who regularly tours with Elizabeth Cook, and has backed Rodney Crowell, Drew Holcomb, Will Hoge and more. For Airwaves (out March 1), Leahey tapped multi-platinum producer Paul Ebersold, who enlisted Steelism’s John Estes and Jon Radford on bass and drums, respectively. Leahey also brought in his childhood best friend Phil Heesen III to add harmony vocals and guitar, as well as his buddy Sadler Vaden, who took a break from touring with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit long enough to drop by the studio and lay down some guitar leads on “Start the Dance,” “We Came Here to Run” and “Workin Ain’t Workin.”

by Baby Robot Media

Americana Highways premieres Michael McArthur’s song “Prisoner”

Americana Highways brings you this track premiere of “Prisoner” from Michael McArthur’s album Ever Green, Ever Rain, due to be released on January 25. Produced by Ryan Freeland (Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne), the album features Michael McArthur, with Lee Pardini (Dawes) on keys, Grammy winner Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann) on bass, Steven Nistor (Daniel Lanois) on drums as well as Dan Kalisher on guitars.

McArthur’s vocals exhibit an undeniably vulnerable quality while he sings his grieving state — of being “chained, like a prisoner” of someone’s will — out loud: “Try to run free but she caught you.” The band rallies around the prisoner’s lament in a slow rock ballad style, with a flaming hot electric guitar solo by Dan Kalisher, and solid power rhythms.

by Baby Robot Media

Andrew Leahey’s single “Airwaves” makes Belwood Music’s “Top Tracks”

Americana and nostalgia are always a winning combination, you need look no further than this track for proof. ‘Airwaves’ is a layered love letter to the days when radio ruled the world, the days when the M in MTV stood for music and not miscellaneous. It’s a celebration of the sounds that became an important foundation for so many people growing up, and a sad reflection on how future generations will never know what they’re missing out on. More than that, it’s a view into a more personal connection with the music. Singer/songwriter Andrew Leahey underwent an operation that risked not only his hearing, but his life. An experience like that is sure to make someone appreciate the little things in life all the more, like hearing a song on the radio that just awakens something inside you. ‘Airwaves’ is a message: take it from someone in the know, seize the day and cherish the music that made you.

by Baby Robot Media

PopMatters highlights Tom Freund’s dreamy folk in “Runaround” video premiere

When PopMatters last caught up with Tom Freund, he was gearing up for the release of his latest LP, East of Lincoln. Freund still has plenty to eke from the release with it four months behind him, showing as much with the premiere of a brand new music video for its latest single, “Runaround”. Featuring an impressive array of shots taken from gorgeous natural vistas, Freund’s latest aims to inspire with its stunning cinematography and forward-driving, dreamy folk stylings. Melding a myriad of 12-string guitars with brushes of electronic synths, it’s an ethereal exploration of acoustic and electric influences that the singer-songwriter navigates with ease.