Hey guys! Good to be here again. Hope you’re all are having a delightful summer. Can you belive it’s been a year of these columns? I can’t! Let’s keep the fun rolling! We are doing something a little different with this week’s AOTW column. We are going to take a brief look back at former featured artists over the past year, and then throw a few tracks together for this year’s Super Fun Summer BBQ Mix. At least one person has called it “The perfect playlist for all your get togethers, gatherings, shindigs, and hootenannies.” The one person that said that was me. I said that. Check it out!
1.    Middle Brother-Middle Brother
The side project for the front men of Dawes, Deer Tick, and Delta Spirit has provided many a party tracks. None better than their self-titled track off their self-titled album. You can’t help but tap your foot to this one. It’s best listened to through blaring speakers in a backyard while grilling red meat.
2.    I Don’t Know-The Sheepdogs
AOTW way back in November of 2012, this throwback band from the Great White North is the perfect 70’s summer jam. Their harmonies are pitch perfect and their melodies remind you of your favorite Doobie Brothers track. They are classic rock radio, trying to make it in an indie rock world.
3.    Stroh 80-Casual Sex
AOTW from back in May, Casual Sex has been playing it pretty casual. What I mean by that is they still haven’t put out an album and the most we’ve seen is a few soundcloud singles and a 7”vinyl. That’s all right though; they still have this track named after very strong rum. Bring some rum to your BBQ and throw it in that C2O coconut water. It’s good shit.
4.    The Round- Pickwick
AOTW from September 2012, these Seattle boys have been pumping out tunes since 2008. They caught some buzz when they released the Myths EPs. One featured their hit Hacienda Hotel which got heavy airplay on the indie Northwest station KEXP. I love that track, but I think the B-side to it, The Round, is their best. The keys on this track are unmatched.
5.    Sadie– Turbo Fruits
AOTW from October 2012, this guys rip. I first saw them when they opened for Deer Tick. These dudes rip. They write songs about drinking, drugs, and partying. Sadie is the closest thing they have to a love song. A love song about a one night stand is still a love song right?
Gimmie Something- FIDLAR
One of the first AOTW’s of 2013, FIDLAR is a group of young kids from LA that like nothing more than thrashing on stage and turning a crowd into frenzy. This year they appeared on the live stream of Youtube’s comedy week kick off. Don’t know if that was the best venues for them but I’m glad they’re getting exposure. Gimmie is one of their only chill hang out tunes.
7.    Mange– Deer Tick
Deer Tick is one of my favorite bands of all time. I tried to hold of writing about them as long as I could but it didn’t last long. I wrote about them in June of 2012 in like my 3rdcolumn. Who cares though? Write what you know. I know Deer Tick. I’ve seen them live a handful of times, I have most of their bootlegged recordings, and I never stop talking about their tunes. I am to Deer Tick, what Dead Heads are to the G.D. Mange is one of those throw back songs that sounds like it was bumped in the 70’s during your Dad’s BBQ’s. The solos at the end are outstanding.
- Long Tall Sally- Little    Richard
Little Richard melted faces back in the day. He still melts my face every time I blast this track. This song is an all out assault of rock. It’s one of those songs that you hear, and ya just wanna do stuff. Stuff that involves taking a shot, eating a burger, and doing a little dance. Hell yeah.
- Sweet Home Chicago– Honey Boy Edwards
It’s not summer until you’re sitting outside, sweating in some sticky heat, with a glass of whisky, while cranking some Honey Boy. Dude is my summer jam. Plays the harp like none other. His violent guitar styles were way ahead of his time. His voice is heart breaking and beautiful. This is a man that I couldn’t write enough about back when he was the AOTW legend in June of 2012. Raise a glass to this man, and groove to his tunes.
- Goodtime Charlie–Â Â Â Â Cheeseburger
I can’t find this on Youtube. It will be on the mix. Man this is embarrassing.
The band that started it all. The first crew I ever wrote about. Why not jam to a song about and transvestite prostitute?
- Dead Wrong- Hanni El Khatib
This is the song I thought was going to put the Cold War Kids back on the map. Low and behold, it’s not a fucking Cold War Kids song. What better way to end a BBQ with a than with dance party song from the man who was AOTW a little over a year ago? Hanni El Khatib everybody.
Enjoy the mix guys. Jump on Spotify and jam to this. I’ll be posting it to my Facebook so you can find it at https://www.facebook.com/
Big hugs,
Kelly