Formed initially as an experiment in diverse songwriting, Rare Creatures has grown into a full on rock spectacle. Their sound navigates between heavy synth rock and melodic acoustic rhythms seamlessly from song to song, switching it up around every corner. Influenced by bands from Alt-J to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, with some ethnic spices sprinkled in for good measure. The group is fronted by Coleman Sawyer on vocals and guitar, with Hugh Camp on bass and synthesizer, Keller James on lead guitar, and Logan Crank banging the drums. Recordings are forthcoming, and will be released in late 2017.

Upon listening to Nashville outfit The Hollow Roots’ self-titled debut, their hard southern edge is apparent. The seven-track EP is full of driving guitar and smashing high-hats, and when paired with vocalist/guitarist Zach Chadwick’s soulful drawl, makes for a Raconteurs-meets-Alabama Shakes vibe that is hard to ignore – and even harder to resist.

Echoes of the classics are also apparent, especially Cream, with many a bluesy lick punctuating each of the songs on the record. Tracks including album opener “Your Lips” especially draw this comparison to mind, with slow and sultry guitar from Chadwick and Colten Delgado accented by Tyler Stonell’s thumping bass line and Billy Kitterman’s clean but crackling drum hits. – Blurred Culture