A.D. Kay Music

Getting off the social media/algorithm treadmill in 2025, beginning with a peace out to Facebook tomorrow. My songs will remain available at the following places, however, so please do like or follow or subscribe, etc to those things if you're so inclined.

Thank you for listening 🎧💙✌️

Purchase & download tunes at https://adkay.bandcamp.com/

Stream for free at soundcloud.com/ad-kay-90901

Liner Notes blog at renegademusicproject.substack.com

Watch/listen at youtube.com/.d.kaymusic

Favorite Puget Sounds #10: Mother Crone & The Lonely Hearts Club

I came to understand the magic of metal later in life than most fans, and I'm happy to say that Mother Crone has contributed to my newfound appreciation of the genre! Their single "Electric Funeral/Rat Salad" is a particular favorite (I love a good drum solo)🤘 You can listen to it and their full-length album "Awakening" in all the usual streamy locations but as always, it's best to support them directly through BandCamp: https://mothercrone.bandcamp.com/album/awakening

There are a lot of Beatles fans. There are lot of musicians who are Beatles fans, and as such, there are A LOT of Beatles cover bands out there. However: though I could be accused of bias, I'm confident in my assertion that you will be hard-pressed to find a group of musicians (and rabid Beatles fans) who are as committed to recreating as faithful a tribute to the Fab Four as Seattle-based The Lonely Hearts Club are. I've been a fan for many years (not one, but TWO t-shirts!) and I am always blown away by what they do. I would file them under "Must See" if you haven't had the pleasure of catching one of their live shows yet, but even if you have seen them before, then you know I don't need to tell you to see them again - you'll already want to! You can keep an ear to the ground for upcoming show dates here: https://www.facebook.com/LonelyHeartsClubTribute

Favorite Puget Sounds #9: The Yellow Peddled Flowers & Kerf
(more links in comments)
Snohomish's own psychedelic/garage-rock trio The Yellow Peddled Flowers is a force to be reckoned with. First time I saw these guys, they were the youngest to share the stage that night and blew everyone in the room away. They've only gotten better and better since! As they are young and hip, you can follow them on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/yellowpeddledflowersofficial/ They also just released a new EP called "Trilogy" which rocks pretty hard and can be found in all the usual places, but honestly - if you get the chance to catch them live, do not pass it up. There's a helluva lot of talent between these three youngsters that's guaranteed to amaze.

Kerf is a newly-minted indie/rock duo from the greater Seattle area, and though it is unclear whether they plan to take their act live, they are in the midst of recording a debut album. While doing some studio sausage work with them, I got to be a fly on the wall for a few of their demo recordings and I am really looking forward to the finished products. As each half of the duo come from drastically different music backgrounds (Logan cut his teeth in indie folk and Imani in what she affectionately refers to as "punk stuff") they're still taking their time in finding their sound, but I recommend staying vigilant and checking back with their (currently vacant) SoundCloud page: https://soundcloud.com/thebandcalledkerf

I doubt it will remain empty for long!

Favorite Puget Sounds #8: Neurotic & Steven Pontius

(facebook links in comments)

Plugging a couple of metalheads today!

Neurotic is a self-produced death-metal project that gives me hope, joy, and a healthy dose of RAGE. Like myself and other self-producers, balancing daily life and recording time can slow down the production process some, but I've found each one of Neurotic's tracks worth the patient wait! I'm particularly fond of the song "Languid Demise", which you can listen to on his SoundCloud channel here: https://soundcloud.com/user-429103681/languid-demise While you're there, give him a like and a follow so you can get a front-row seat to his next stroke of evil genius!

Steven and I met in college where we both took an introductory music theory class. I did not pass that class, but he did :) And while Steven definitely excels and specializes in complex and sophisticated guitar techniques (metal, jazz, classical, you name it), he is also a gifted and heartfelt composer. If you don't manage to catch him at one of his solo gigs in several local bars, coffee shops, and wineries, you can always listen to one of his gorgeous compositions on any of the usual streaming services. One of my favorites can be found here on his BandCamp page: https://stevenpontius.bandcamp.com/track/loraine

Both of these guys are good people and fantastic guitarists. I highly recommend them both. Do support their projects!

Favorite Puget Sounds #7: Blue Velvet Groove & Full Metal Jacket

(video links in comments)

We're covering some awesome local cover bands this time, because who doesn't love a good cover? And these are some PNW bands that do *exceptionally* good covers!

First up is Blue Velvet Groove, an insanely talented disco, funk, and pop group that do everything from Earth, Wind, & Fire to Adele to Chic to Bruno Mars, and a helluva lot more. They are a deeply entertaining bunch and if you're looking to get your groove on, they've got a New Year's show coming up at McMenamins in Bothell, which you can find more info about here: https://www.facebook.com/BlueVelvetGroove/ But if you can't make that show, they're a regular act with casinos and festivals in the Puget Sound area. I recommend checking out their virtual concert as well, which I will link to in the comments.

And now for Full Metal Jacket! These guys are guaranteed to melt your faces off. Specializing in 80s and 90s hard rock and heavy metal, these fellas pretty much epitomize this gesture right here: 🤘 I've yet to catch the latest gossip about their next upcoming event, but if you're in the mood for some kickass weedly-weedlies (and viking helmets!) I recommend stalking their page here for fresh updates: https://www.facebook.com/FMJROCKS/

"And besides..." EP is out now (and don't forget, it's a twofer with a bright and a dark version for each song)! Will leave all the relevant links in the comments...

Big thanks goes to The Whole Bolivian Army, David J at Rhapsodic Sounds, Glenn Welman, Patricio Penin & Lake Chalk for lending their masteries of all things musical. Also want to thank Rosco Haverton, Chuck Shoultes and LazyDayBeatz for letting me often "borrow their ears" throughout the mixing process and for offering helpful feedback and insight.

And thank you again to friends, family, listeners and encouragers who help spur the whole thing on and helped to make it all worth it! This has been fun to make, I hope you enjoy listening to it ✌️

New Album available in all the usual places tomorrow! In the meantime, here is the final pre-release track✌️

My Survival (pre-release version) written & performed by A.D. Kay produced by Rene G & Rosco Haverton Mixed & mastered by David J S.D.G

Favorite Puget Sounds #6: Beatdown Saints & Mossy Rock

(facebook links in the comments)

It's hard to beat a solid, soulful blues/roots-rock trio and that's exactly what the Beatdown Saints offer us. Again, nothing I could say about them that their music won't say better, but if you're inclined towards classic, organic rock-n-roll, try your best to see these guys live and/or grab a copy of their debut studio album "Some Call It Sinning" which I heartily recommend for things like driving fast down back roads or drowning out whatever tuneless suckage your neighbor is cranking out of their garage radio in the middle of the afternoon. For more info & links to videos, music, merch, here's their official website: https://beatdownsaints.com/

I'll confess to being a bit of a Mossy Rock "stan", as the kids these days call it (do they still call it that? "stan"?) First time I saw Mossy Rock live, my jaw literally dropped. Not "literally" as in figuratively, as the kids use it these days (do they still use it like that? "literally?"), but "literally" as in LITERALLY. Anyway, they don't have a ton of recorded material yet, so you should also become a stan and keep track of their live performance schedule. And while we all get hyped for their upcoming album (do the kids these days still say that? "get hyped?"), they do offer us a gorgeous teaser in their single "The Flowers of Robert Maplethorpe" which you can stream in all the usual places or you can go stalk 'em like I do via The' Gram (do the kids still call it that? "the Gram?"): https://www.instagram.com/mossyrockband?fbclid=IwY2xjawHRSsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSL384yIM9kn3_4PaByxTb22uK0or4Qvc9q8Z70MVpPYfK-1Z0tRUtPdQw_aem_0sFovGn5bw_0wK0Wla9Bfg

New Release "And besides..." arrives Saturday! ☯️ 12/21 ☯️ Furthermore:

Come the New Year, "A.D. Kay" and ReneGade Music Project will be put on indefinite hiatus to make room for new projects and such. I want to say that this has been a super cool experience and a valuable experiment recording and producing music independently. Honestly, I've been very lucky to have received the support and encouragement from my family, friends, and listeners as well as valuable mentorship from more seasoned independent musicians, producers, and performers who were all very generous with their time and thoughts. I learned a lot, I still have a lot to learn. I got to work with a bunch of crazy-talented and lovely folks all along the way. Together, we made some stuff we can look back on with pride, but more importantly: there's always the hope that these songs were of real benefit and joy and value to the people who listened to them. It was that hope that helped me to push through all the awkwardness and murk and tedium of modern music making, and it's a hope that will keep me going into future endeavors I'm sure.

Both albums, "And besides..." (2024) & "Through Another Filter" (2021) will remain available on streaming platforms (as well as the single releases), although I might encourage you to check out my BandCamp site which I'll link to in the comments. I'm not really a merch person, but if you wanna enable my coffee habit, you can do inexpensive direct downloads of A.D.'s songs from BandCamp instead of streaming them. I'll also keep everything up on SoundCloud, which is free all the way around.

Man, I'm so grateful to you guys! I'm so grateful to have actually accomplished a dream of producing original tunes! It's kinda hard to believe 💙 Thank you for listening, and please do continue to support and encourage your local independent artists of all stripes.

Favorite Puget Sounds #5: Spitfire Tree & Samantha Jane

Both of these artists are younger and much hipper than me. and make me feel rather geriatric by comparison. I've been watching their progress as musicians (but also as people) with glee for decades, and am always learning a lot from each of them💙

Spitfire Tree is actually about to release something new REAL soon, so I am currently crouching at the door (so to speak) in anticipation. But until then, let us all familiarize ourselves with this gorgeous album which can access here through various different platforms: https://ptpoahlive.hearnow.com/
You can also watch his live performance on the tubes (link in comments)

Just as with Spitfire Tree, Samantha Jane is someone I've known for a quite some time, and though I started doing music when she was a wee one, she (and Spitfire Tree) quickly surpassed me in skill, talent, and overall hip-ness. You can follow what she gets up to at https://breakbeatbitch.com/

I will also link their Instagram accounts in the comments so you can continue to cultivate your own awe and appreciation for each of these exceedingly talented, exceedingly intelligent artists:

Favorite Puget Sounds #4: The Brush Apes and The Lion & The Sloth
(facebook links in comments)
We're going with a zoological theme for this one!

Like Sasquatch himself, The Brush Apes tend to keep a low-profile, but have been sighted regularly at the annual Brush Stomp Hootenanny and in the greater Snohomish County Area. Their cryptid-like mystique is only further enhanced by their limited online catalogue, so you should definitely catch them live when the next opportunity presents itself! In the meantime, if you want to familiarize yourself with what a Brush Ape sounds like, here are some mysterious recordings:
https://soundcloud.com/user-932998507
https://thebrushapes.bandcamp.com/music

There's nothing I could say about The Lion & The Sloth that their music couldn't say better, but I will say that I am constantly impressed by what I hear coming from their direction. Their latest album, "Silverskin" is a wonderful listen and if you get the chance to see them live, don't skip it! For more info, check out their webpage here: https://linktr.ee/thelionandthesloth?fbclid=IwY2xjawHNa31leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcUkjpzdbAEVq9E63V5ZeVXG1yLaEVebxSFQjV_qTeUh-nla0_bQP8VVPw_aem_bclxDuIvaSMOxf1JpdQPMw

Favorite Puget Sounds #3: Shudderspeed & Deep Contact

(facebook links in comments)
I mentioned FRONTL!NE and Bungus in the last post, but did you know they have some kickass friends? You can find both Shudderspeed and Deep Contact at Lucky Dime this week, and for details check here: https://www.luckydimewa.com/events

Every time I see Shudderspeed, I'm impressed afresh. These guys kill, and continue to kill, and you should go see/hear them kill if you can. They'll be playing at Nightmare Before Bungus Christmas tonight! But if you can't make it, here's a direct link to their stuff: https://www.shudderspeedband.com/

Deep Contact is a helluva lot of fun to see live! It appears as though they're still cooking on their upcoming release, but until then you should put boots on the ground and go see them play on Dec 20th for Frostbite Frenzy. Here's a link to their official site: https://deepcontactmusic.com/

(facebook's algorithm likes to throttle competitor content, so I will not post youtube clips or such directly so this post doesn't get labeled "spam")