Boston quintet Morningbird is a difficult band to pin down with genre descriptions and buzzwords. Their new album, Only Believe in Love, invokes classic influences and hearkens back to the "golden age" of rock, while keeping a modern flair. The record is driven, largely, by impressive vocal performances, beginning with a soulful, Queen-esque chorale in the standout debut track, "It Takes a Woman". Eclectic and dynamic, the album showcases the band’s considerable range, while maintaining a steady flow from start to finish. Check them out at Hard Rock Boston on 10/6 with The Poor Sports, Charles Delta, Violet Intent, and Helen. -Brian Varneke  

 Boston-based artist Erica Leigh, is not only a singer/songwriter with an exceptional talent. She is also an uplifting figure in the community, a source of hope for those who share in her struggle. Diagnosed with thyroid cancer on the day of her debut CD release, Erica was told she may never sing again. Now she is back in the fold with a message of perseverance and courage, hoping to spread awareness and get her story out to the people that need to hear it. Erica reached out to us to help pass that message along and to premiere her new video, "Calling All Survivors":

The new song is called "Calling All Survivors". What do you hope to achieve with this single/video?

When I wrote this song, I was writing the song that I needed to hear – a song of defiance, resilience, and hope. After it was complete, I knew I had to turn this experience into something positive by bringing awareness to this disease, and bringing people together so that no one has to feel alone with what they are surviving through.

The video features a number of talented local musicians. How did you pull the group together?

I feel extremely grateful that my friends also happen to be talented local musicians and a brilliant local videographer! All I had to do was ask: they made it too easy on me! Hearing their voices in surround sound as I played the song was a magical experience that I’ll never forget!

You received some devastating news on the day of a milestone in your career. How did that phone call affect how you approached your performance that night? Has your creative process changed since you have overcome this obstacle?

I still remember being startled awake by that call. I was in shock, of course, but I didn’t want to walk off the stage to a bunch of apologies and worried faces. I wanted the evening to be solely about the music. And as a result, there was a tangible emotion behind every lyric. It was certainly traumatic, but also a bit serendipitous to receive this news on a day when I was scheduled to be around all my family and friends. Looking back on the difficult years that followed, I am not the same songwriter or singer (or person) I was before. My lyrics are no longer limited to love songs. They’re about overcoming loss, letting go, and strength in vulnerability.

In your documentary (link listed below) you mention that you began singing again mere weeks after your recovery process started. What was this like for you? What role did music play in your recovery?

I remember singing through the pain at an open mic, with surgical tape still on my neck. I was devastated to release a CD one day, and then have to completely abandon it the next. I was afraid that if I stopped too long to recover, my album would become irrelevent, so I pushed myself too hard and burned out completely as a result. I was losing a loved one to cancer at the same time. Times were dark. Suffice it to say, no release tour happened. I tried to keep up appearances but I lost all desire to make music in the process. Long story short, the identity crisis that followed led me to finally take a long break. And several false-starts later, I am finally loving music again!

What would you say to someone going through a similar struggle?

I would say let others help you. Don’t feel guilty and be compassionate toward yourself, too. Allow yourself a break without any deadlines. Also prepare for late-onset emotional trauma when you think you’re finally out of the woods. Advocate for yourself. Consider therapy. Hang in there – you are not alone!

It seems that, understandably, this has become a motivating force for you. What can we expect from Erica Leigh in the future?

I’ve got new songs to share that I’m going to release in multiple waves of 2-3 tracks, beginning sometime in 2018. I just finished building a state-of-the-art vocal isolation booth with my boyfriend Sean, and I’m currently setting up shop in a new multimedia music & art studio where my songwriting and painting can influence each other! I’m playing a bunch of shows, headlining at The Burren Pub 1/27 and Amazing Things Art Center 3/31!

Erica’s debut album, Puzzle Heart, is available now on iTunes and you can see more of her story in a short documentary featured here.

Catch Erica Leigh live at The Burren Pub backroom in Somerville, MA on 9/30.  Discount tickets available here. -Brian Varneke

Observere, the debut album from Boston’s Tory Silver, is one of those records that hits you right on the first downbeat and never lets you go. It’s dirty and dance-able with a genuine vibe of self-expression. This is a record that needs to be listened to in its entirety, from the tasty licks of "There’s No Need", to the smooth Latin grooves of "I’ve Been Stressing", to the stripped down folk of "I Feel Like". You can catch Tory at Christian A Herter Park in Allston on 9/19. -Brian Varneke

Noise-y pop punkers, Weakened Friends, have been busy making waves. When they’re not warming up the stage for heavy hitters like CHVRCHES and Silversun Pickups, they’re becoming a force all their own. For evidence, look no further than their new single "Hate Mail", a driving, aggressively infectious breakup/fuck you song featuring the legendary J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) on guitar. The band is currently on the road, bringing a headlining tour to a Northeast town near you. Click here for dates and check out the track below. -Brian Varneke

Boston trio Today Junior has been quickly gaining steam, combining fresh, upbeat melodies with a classic, throwback vibe, creating memorable and lasting tunes for their fans. Don’t believe me? Check out their latest video for popular song "Lee’s Anthem", a fuzzy, energetic offering from their EP "Leaving Easy." Catch their vibrant indie-rock at Smith College on 9/28 or O’Brien’s on 10/14 with Colbis the Creature. -Brian Varneke

 Boston-based indie-folk project, Covey, is gearing up to release a new record, Haggarty, and with it, a brand new single.  "Same White Shoes" is a new indie anthem, with a sustained melancholy broken up by a bright, catchy sing-along chorus.  Covey captures the listener with full-bodied guitar tones, unique and complimentary, and a wonderfully warm, analog sound.   Soulful and engaging, the album is expected to be a must have for our playlist when it dropped on 9/22.  Check out the single below. -Brian Varneke

 Take the swagger and strut of The Stones, mix with some QOTSA-style desert fuzz, and throw in some catchy vocal melodies a la The Strokes, and you still won’t exactly nail down Marvelous Liars.  The Connecticut rock n rollers are just that, embodying the vibe of old-school rock with a modern edge.  The new, self-titled record shows off those chops, with each track showing off a different flavor of the trio’s eclectic style.  Hit the player below for a taste and catch the band at Knickerbocker Cafe in Westerly, RI on 8/12. -Brian Varneke

 Coming off of their Deli emerging artist poll nomination, Boston ambient metal outfit Glacier is bringing a new album to the world.  The new record, succintly titled Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet, They Shall Be White As Snow; Though They Be Red Like Crimson, They Shall Be As Wool, is a journey through the band’s dark musical atmosphere.  The two-track instrumental odyssey begins with a snowstorm of noise, out of which emerges menacing metal grooves accented by wall-of-sound ambience.  Check out the album below and catch Glacier at O’Brien’s on 9/16. -Brian Varneke

Hailing from Salem, Ma, shiver. is an eclectic mix of ambient dream pop and emo-infused indie rock.  Their latest release, 2016’s Evergreen has a laid back vibe to it, but it’s not afraid to get aggressive when needed.  With constantly catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and unexpected grooves, shiver weaves an enthralling web.  It’s an album that you instantly ‘get’ and yet, begs for a second listen.  Catch shiver live at O’Brien’s Pub on 8/3 with oldsoul, Pushflowers, and Another Musician. -Brian Varneke

 It’s been a little while since we checked in with Boston power pop/rockers Elephants and it seems as though they are continuing to establish themselves within the scene and develop a signature sound.  Formed in 2011, the band honors their namesake with a robust, full sound that mixes garage punk fuzz with indie pop vocal melodies.  Their latest release, 2016’s Endless Arcade is a shining example of this, a forcefully melodic endeavor that explodes through its opening phrases and maintains a high energy through to its ending riffs.  Catch Elephants at Great Scott on Tuesday 8/1 with Partner and New Swears. -Brian Varneke

 New Haven jam-rockers Off the Dome is the kind of band that you listen to and think "these guys must put on a kick-ass show". Imagine that Duane Allman hooked up with Jerry Garcia and hired the Red Hot Chili Peppers as their backing band and you’ve got an idea of the vibe these guys put out.  Their latest release, Pixels, stays true to their classic rock/jam roots, while embracing reggae and funk sensibilities to create some must-add tunes for your summer playlist.  You can catch Off the Dome at Zuzu in Cambridge, MA on 7/20 with The Stupid Robots.  They will also be hitting the Organic Smiles Festival in Middletown, CT later this month. -Brian Varneke

 Somewhere between the minimalism of Vulfpeck and the virtuosity of Snarky Puppy lies Boston-based funk ensemble STIG.  Adding their own flavor to the funk revival scene, STIG keeps it smooth and sexy, interesting without ever overstaying their welcome.  The band is currently on the back end of their Summer tour (hitting Sea Dog Brewing Co in Bangor, ME on 7/20), promoting their upcoming EP, Downtown Tom.  Check out the video for the title track below.  -Brian Varneke