Featured Listens - Nov. 3, 2010

It's our favorite time of the week again. It's when we get to search through tons of new music and find three great examples of Myrtle Beach music to showcase from local artists in our Featured Listens segment. This week we feature music from one of the area's most well known bands who's ready to breakout with anew album, a band that's ready to breakup after a farewell show Saturday and a song about taking a break to enjoy some sweet, sweet goodness.

Ten Toes Up "Carolina Mess"

Myrtle Beach Music: Ten Toes Up

This first single from the Murrells Inlet band's latest album, "Sleeping Lion," has been out there for quite some time, but with the record release just a few days away we thought it was a good time to showcase this heartfelt acoustic track.

We'll let you form your own opinion about the track's quailty, but there's no question about it's marketability: The song has inspired a line of T-shirts at local retailer Tiki Jim's and served as the title track for the band's EP which was sold exclusively at the store. 

Check back tomorrow for a preview of the new album and an interview with the band.

Brian Roessler "Unwrap My Smile"

Myrtle Beach Music: Brian Roessler

Local singer-songwriter Brian Roessler is one of the area's most involved musical people, with his hand in everything from hosting open mics and recording to teaching working with local academic organizations. As an dedicated student of his craft (working on a masters and planning to go for a doctorate) he is also one of the few really carrying the flag for focusing on the craft of songwriting and making original music.

Therefore, it's likely we're selling him short by featuring a song that is basically an ode to snack cakes. Still, in browsing through his musical catalog (much of which is available for free download) "Unwrap My Smile" was one of the more clever and fun songs Roessler had to offer and we couldn't help but want to smile upon hearing it.

If you're interested in learning more about Brian or getting involved in one of the great open mic nights or Songwriters in the Round events he hosts at Fresh Brewed Coffeehouse check out his website for contact info. 

Baboon Brigade "Let It Go"

Myrtle Beach Music: Baboon Brigade

These local rockers who describe themselves as a "pure beach boogie" band are ready to pack it in this weekend as they play Baboon Brigade's Last Stand at the Island Bar & Grill in Surfside. So we figured what better way to let it go than to feature one of their classic tracks.

"Let It Go" is an upbeat romp about doing just as the song suggests, being free and living life. While this would generally be to high a bar to set for a local band (likely doesn't matter much now since they're done playing together) the track seems to have a ton of potential as sort of a lovechild between classic The Beatles sillyness with a punky Green Day sensibility and sound. 

But as any music fan in Myrtle Beach knows, farewell and reunion shows flow like water in this town, so we suppose there's always hope the band will follow its full potential at a later date. 

Check out the details for Saturday's show here.