Taking ‘Five,’ but Giving Back So Much More
John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting discusses performing an original song for Ukraine in front of the wreckage of Mriya and the band’s upcoming show at the Anthem with Barenaked Ladies with contributing writer Eric Althoff.
John Ondrasik would just as soon chat sports. In fact, even his stage name, Five for Fighting, comes from the world of hockey. When his face pops up on a Zoom screen, behind the singer-songwriter in his Los Angeles-area home resides not just his piano but jerseys of Pat Tillman and Luc Robitaille—the latter given to Ondrasik following the Kings vs. Ducks hockey game played at Dodger Stadium on a decidedly un-snowy California day in January of 2017.
“Not to rub it in, but I was at the final game when the Kings beat the Devils,” Ondrasik smirked of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. (I am from New Jersey.) When I shared that I am also a USC alum, Ondrasik, who attended cross-town rival UCLA, waxed about the dynasty of his alma mater’s basketball program under legendary coach John Wooden. Our conversation then turned naturally to both of our schools decamping from the Pac-12 in 2024 to join the Big 10.
Garland Kelley Draws a Line in the Sand with “Point of No Return”
Recent Articles Nashville-based, alternative Rocker, Garland Kelley, denounces climate change and tackles ecological anxiety in his latest single “The Point of No Return”. There’s a singer-songwriter feel that underlies the song’s more grassroots political messaging. It’s both heartfelt and urgent, but there’s a nice indie rock sheen to it with propulsive guitars, stacked harmonies, and […]
PsyOp: A Psychological Operation into Hardcore that Shocks.
Recent Articles DC hardcore ‘shock rock’ punk band PsyOp conducts a psychological operation in their latest EP, Permanent Underclass. DC Punk just makes sense. Regardless of what quadrant you’re in.. Chances are there’s something to be angry about: Gentrification, Parking Tickets, George Santos… In the DC Hardcore scene, you may end up at a venue […]
Forty Feet Tall! Says “We Can’t Go Back To Normal”
Recent Articles There’s a punk energy seething from the teeth of the Portland-based indie rocker’s, Forty Feet Tall’s, latest single “We Can’t Go Back To Normal” that is utterly intoxicating. The relentless chanting of the song’s namesake, in particular, makes a perfect mantra as we find ourselves knee deep in the new year. It’s the […]
Gordon Sterling Speaks on Truth, Perception, and Manifesting Dreams
“I had a dream one night when I was 15,” DMV-based guitarist and singer Gordon Sterling recalls, “that I should start playing music because I would be part of a movement that would remind people of a side of themselves that they had forgotten.” A young, eager Sterling got himself a guitar the very next day and started playing everything he heard, gravitating toward blues. Jump forward to today, and Gordon Sterling and the People, the musician’s band, has found its drive deep in political and philosophical thoughts about race and truth inspired by Sterling’s identity as a Black man. Learn more about Sterling’s empowering mission as a creative with contributing writer Charlie Maybee.
Latin Folk Rock Artist Elena Lacayo: ‘When Women Give Other Women Opportunities, It Allows Us to Step Up’
Elena Lacayo, frontwoman of Latin folk rock band Elena y Los Fulanos, is living her dream. Learn about her inspiring story with contributing writer Cynthia Gross, including the unexpected circumstances that led to her pursuing a career in music, highlights from her recent tour with Latin Grammy-winning female mariachi band Flor de Toloache (she got to hang out with John Legend and Miguel among other things), and her special message in honor of Women’s History Month.
Philippe de Pontet Utilizes Wordplay in ‘Which Way?’ EP
Recent Articles By Margaret Adams D.C.-based singer-songwriter, guitarist, and percussionist Philippe de Pontet recently released his new EP “Which Way?”, on January 28. The 7-track collection is a follow-up to his 2021 album, Unwind Your Mind. The EP’s most vibrant and intriguing parts are the lyrics; almost every song features enormously creative and interesting elements. […]
Nathan Gray & The Iron Roses Are Feeling ‘Fired Up’
More to Watch By Cynthia Gross https://youtu.be/H-PN5eGO1A0This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum. In anticipation of their upcoming U.S. tour dates, Elkton-Maryland-based Nathan Gray […]
‘Losing Sight’ is Ocean Drive at their Most Brutal and Political
More to Watch By Charlie Maybee https://youtu.be/Ro-cC8OuL2c This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum. Montreal-based metalcore band, Ocean Drive, just released their new music […]
888moment, Gusto Mane, and Kayrxn Power Through Thoughtful Rhymes on New Single ‘Foundations’
Recent Articles By Charlie Maybee https://youtu.be/XxsMy9p6S4Q This reading of Alchemical Records content provides a multimedia experience for our audience while increasing the accessibility of our content to persons with hearing loss, low vision, dyslexia, physical or motor disabilities, or are on the autism spectrum. Baltimore-based rapper 888moment closed out the year with a chill, but […]
