The lead up to the new Sun Speak album, Moon Preach, continues with the release of the second single, "Jagged Midnight". It's a somber, chiller tune than previous single, "Mbira" (which actually precedes that banger on the album), but like one should expect from this group, it's all about the awesome slow builds. Check it out below and get ready for Moon Preach, October 25th on … [Read more...]
Stream Sun Speak’s “Mbira” from their October 25th Album ‘Moon Preach’ (Premiere)
There are few groups I have been a constant fan of more than the Chicago duo of guitarist Matt Gold and drummer Nate Friedman, otherwise known as Sun Speak. Album after album have been quiet and not-so-quiet bangers and they're keeping the consistency up with their next new album, Moon Preach featuring Dan Pierson on Wurlitzer and analog synthesizer, out October 25th on Flood … [Read more...]
Makaya McCraven Performs at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival
Drummer Makaya McCraven is the only musician to receive Nextbop’s Album of the Year on two separate occasions, first in 2015 for his sophomore effort In the Moment then again in 2018 for the highly praised Universal Beings. An exploit made the more remarkable considering the honor has only been awarded a total of nine times since our 2009 launch. On June 30th, McCraven, amidst … [Read more...]
Saxophonist Greg Ward Previews New Album ‘Stomping Off From Greenwood’; Hear Single “Metropolis”
Alto saxophonist and composer Greg Ward has a new album in store for us coming January 11th to Greenleaf Music on which he introduces his new band: Rogue Parade. Ward’s fourth album Stomping Off From Greenwood does, in fact, feature a quintet of heavyweight creative Chicago musicians namely, guitarists Matt Gold and Dave Miller, bassist Matt Ulery and drummer Quin … [Read more...]
‘Sun Speak with Sara Serpa’
Sun Speak, the Chicago duo of guitarist Matt Gold and drummer Nate Friedman, have always sounded great together. Since their 2014 debut, the pair have made a tight sound that works simply but makes epic leaps. We've been charmed by them for years. So the idea of changing up this dynamic by adding a vocalist made us briefly take pause. However, we should have known to trust … [Read more...]