Singer-songwriter Josh Krajcik has performed solo, in groups, and formed his own band - all showcasing his unique gravelly voice and musical talent over the last 14 years. Then in 2011, he reached a new audience by being the runner up in The X Factor USA, and never looked back. His latest album, Blind, Lonely, Lovely has just hit the stores, and showcases a mix of rock n roll, R&B, and soul music. You can stream the album in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan and Bill Withers should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words:

A: Honest, bluesy dark soul music.

Q: What can fans expect from you in the coming months?

A: Well I’m extremely excited to get out on the road. Playing in front of people is my favorite thing. I’m also gonna keep trying to film little videos and keep as much on the road content as possible.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the new album?

A: I think just being on my own inspired me a lot. Being a stranger in a strange city can do a lot for the creative process.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I had so much fun writing “Don’t Make Me Hopeful” ,”Nothing”, and “When You Go” with Eg White. His process was chaotic and I like that. We really clicked.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: It’s not an easy job. Be prepared for that. Always remember why you do it. For me I love people seeing me perform for the first time.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I had the opportunity to tour in my mid 20s Really taught me a lot about hard work and perseverance. Life on the road is good, but its tiring.

Q: Some fans may know you for your extraordinary performances on The X Factor USA. Talk us through what goes through your mind before performing on a TV show?

A: For me I didn’t think of it that way. I had an audience in that studio. I played to them. That was a comfort zone for me, made it easy.

Q: Would you like to do any other kind of TV work?

A: Sure. I’d enjoy that maybe.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I love them both, but performing is why any artist does it. In the studio you’re like the prep cook. Playing live you are the chef.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: If you can’t afford six of them you can’t afford it.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Beethoven’s premiere of his 9th symphony in Vienna.

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UK new-wave pop outfit My Tiger My Timing have acheived a lot in their few short years; playing at festivals and nightclubs across the UK and Europe including the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury, picking up airplay on the BBC and Xfm, and fans in the press from NME to Clash. 2012 also saw the release of their debut album Celeste in 2012, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Vampire Weekend, Talking Heads and Blur should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Guitar. Rhythm. Melody. Heart. Soul.

Q: What can fans expect from you in 2013?

A: We had an amazing 2012 with the release of our debut album Celeste and a load of touring so now we’re back in the studio writing and recording a new album. It’s really exciting to be writing new stuff again and we can’t wait for people to hear it later in the year.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the album?

A: I guess it’s inspired by London because that’s where I grew up and where the band was born. But we’ve travelled around so much and met so many incredible people along the way, so it’s really inspired by all of them.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: Most of the songs have a bit of a melancholy heart, so sometimes the writing process can be a bit painful, but it’s always fun once that bit’s over when we get into a room as a band and inject some passion and energy. I think Endless Summer was a bit of a moment when it all came together, it’s like you become more than the sum of your parts when that happens, as a band.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Write! I know how impatient you can feel wanting to get out there and get heard, but you’ll be in such a better position in every way if you’re sitting on an album’s worth of material. Don’t get distracted by trends and other people’s successes - your wave is coming, be patient and work hard in the meantime!

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: It’s made it much more fun and much more exhausting. But really it has made us exist for real - it’s so easy to overestimate (or underestimate) your real world following online, but when you’re out there on the road you see the true size of it… and often you can be pleasantly surprised. There’s nothing better than rocking up in some small town in Germany and everyone somehow magically knowing all the words.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both - for us they are two sides of the same coin. Being on the road is great because the emphasis is on fun and energy, but it’s also a lot of work. Studio is intense and sometimes you hit a dead-end, but the results I guess can be more long-lasting and rewarding.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Don’t go for a curry before the show (unofficial band motto).

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Nirvana… their whole career.

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Austin, TX musicians Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears employ a classic blues / rock / funk sound that is both instantly addictive and somewhat timeless. The band recently finished a huge tour of the US, including a stop at Metro in Chicago where the Groovebug team were in attendance. The tour was a secondary run supporting his last album, Scandalous, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of The Black Keys, Jimi Hendrix and Charles Bradley would all be interested in checking out the sounds on the album.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Black Joe Lewis music, news, videos and more.

Q: Tell us about the tour you just wrapped up… how did it feel to sell out iconic venues such as Metro in Chicago?

A: The tour was a good one for us. We don’t have a brand new record out now [Scandalous was last year] and all the shows were still packed so that’s bad ass. Selling out Metro blew my mind. I didn’t expect that. It was a giant stoic Chicago crowd.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: We do this for the live shows. We love it and it is what we are best at so touring is my favorite thing. I saw the mountains and the ocean for the first time on tour. I hadn’t been to many places prior, so it’s bad ass.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Like I said, the live sh*t is the best.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I guess Ballad of Jimmy Tanks. I just read the story in the paper about an old man that had a gun battle with the repo men and took one out but they got him too. The song just wrote its self.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Scandalous album?

A: She’s So Scandalous was about this scandalous b*tch that always cheated on me but I kept going back for more

Q: What can fans expect next from Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears? Time off to relax? Back in the studio?

A: We just finished recording the next album and it’s our best work yet. So… expect us to be in your town again soon.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: My dad said I need to learn to be patient. My rush attitude has bit my ass a lot of times. In a lot if different ways.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: To see Jimi Hendrix at Monterey Pop.

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Finish Tcket are an indie pop-rock outfit from San Francisco. We fell for the fun uptempo rhythms, retro-tinged synth sounds and beautiful vocals of their latest album, Tears You Apart, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of The Killers and Alt-J should definitely give the album a listen.

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Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Angsty, Upbeat, Indie, Alternative, Rock

Q: What can the fans expect from Tears You Apart LP?

A: When we were recording Tears You Apart, we were all going through a lot of changes and had many uncertainties, and I believe it shows in the music. Fans can expect an easily relatable album, no matter what mood they are in.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the album?

A: We were inspired by our home town, Alameda, Los Angeles and the different colleges we attended.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: It has given us a lot of exposure and allowed us to see a lot of beautiful places all across the country.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Definitely performing live, there is no feeling quite like playing to a good crowd.

Q: What’s the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song?

A: Catch You On My Way Out was a really fun one to write. At the time we did not have a drummer so Brendan wrote the drum part with one hand and the chord progression with other. It worked out well!

Q: What can fans expect next from Finish Ticket?

A: We will be continuously touring over the next year and working on a new EP. The writing has already begun!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Work hard. It is easily the best advice we have ever gotten as a band.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Summer of Love in San Francisco. Being from the Bay Area we have heard so many stories about how amazing it was. Wish we could have been there!

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English indie rockers Mystery Jets have been building their success since their 2006 debut LP, Making Dens. Last year saw their fourth studio album, Radlands, even hit number 40 on the UK Albums Chart. Soon to release their first live LP to coincide with Record Store Day 2013, we asked guitarist William Rees a few quick questions. Fans of The Libertines and Pink Floyd should definitely take notice.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Thats a hard question to answer…ok, i’d say our sound is a ‘roaming, restless rendez-vous of any/everything we’ve ever been through’… (thats 9 words, sorry)

Q: What can the fans expect from Mystery Jets in 2013?

A: Different Disguises.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Radlands album?

A: Austin, Texas was a huge influence on the songs of Radlands. It’s a liberal dot in the republican ocean of Texas and for about two months it became our home and writing spot. We knew we were looking for something before we headed out there, a certain unnameable that we could hear in early Neil Young records and the Mick Taylor Stones’ albums, but whether or not we ‘d find it we couldn’t be sure. Really, Austin and it’s colourful characters are the fabric that Radlands is printed upon, it offered itself as a context for our songs and when we finally realised that we were off and running with it.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: There’s so many occasions, it’s hard to pick one. Someone in our band thought it’d be a great idea to get bag pipes on our song Lorna Doone (off the Serotonin LP), so we googled bag pipe players in the London area and what walked through the door was a very lost looking young man who’d just clocked off from his stock-broking job in the city. He had his suit jacket tucked under one arm and an electric bag pipe in the other. After he’d showed us all his skills with a rendition of the Star Wars theme tune, we sent him to the recording booth and quickly realised that he was completely tone deaf. Not a single note he played was in tune. To add to this he kept popping into the loo’s and coming back with the sweats ( a mid-song snort we all presumed) until the last time when he emerged wearing a penguin mask. It was then that he played his part perfectly and disappeared into the night….£500 richer.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: Henry has been a huge part in that. From teaching us our first Buddy Holly renditions on spanish guitars to bank rolling early tours and releases before we got signed. Our management company Urok have been fantastic too, giving us great advice on our songs, remix/writing work and of course endless tours with some of our favourite bands.

Q: What advice could you give a young musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Work hard, regularly, play your ideas to friends, find the things that excite you the most and emulate them.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I love touring, it’s like stepping onto a roller coaster, only it lasts for 3 weeks instead of 3 minutes.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both, when you’ve done enough of one it’s time to be doing the other and vice versa. Touring and recording are two sides of the same coin and they need each other.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Turn your guitar down please.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: The Rolling Stones at Hyde park, with King Crimson in support.

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LA-based rock band Sad Robot had an explosive 2012; their debut album 1.0 dropped in the fall (which you can stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app), their lead single Hold On was picked up for a spot on the Season 8 premiere of ‘Bones’, and they finished up featured in Purevolume’s ‘Top 10 Unsigned bands’. Expect to hear much more of them in 2013, with new works and a major tour on the horizon. Fans of Kings of Leon, Muse and U2 should definitely check out the Sad Robot sounds and stream their album on their Groovebug artist page.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Dirty Fuzz Pop Indie Rock.

Q: What can fans expect from Sad Robot in 2013?

A: New EP, new full length album, new music videos, and our first tour.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the 1.0 album?

A: This album is full of songs inspired by the masses with the message to stand up for yourself and each other. The grafitti album artwork reflects the message of the everyday working man struggling to be heard and the songs “Sing” and “Hold On” shout that message loud and clear.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: The secret album-only track Pussy Pop recorded during the 1.0 sessions. This song was inspired by Jack Daniels and a saying we created during the recording process which basically meant “job well done”. The song was recorded on a hijcked Omnichord and our drummer sings on it. Its also on youtube and is worth a listen (:

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Be true to yourself and do as much as you can on your own. Write something you’re proud of and find a good chemistry of people to work with and play everywhere. Most importantly dont give up.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: Playing live has helped us develop a fan base. It has brought us closer together and gotten our music sounding tight. It’s also helped us gauge new material before we record it. The first time we played our song “Hold On” in front of an audience everyone asked us about it immediately. That song ended up getting placed on the television show “Bones” and became one of our most popular songs off of 1.0. Playing live has definitely improved our songwriting and is the most fun and honest part of being in a band.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both. There is an electricity when you play live that is instant gratification and recording is such an incredible creative process. The best for us is when were able to capture the best parts of playing live in the studio.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Be nice to the soundguy.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Woodstock.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Sad Robot music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Lexie Roth is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Brookly, New York. Her first album was recorded at the age of 18, and was co-produced by her father, famed guitarist Arlen Roth, gaining attention of music fans and critics worldwide. Last year saw her follow-up self-titled LP Lexie Roth, which you can stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Alison Krauss, Janis Joplin and The Black Keys should definitely give it a listen!

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: moody, rhythmic, soulful, true, toothsome.

Q: What can fans expect from Lexie Roth in 2013?

A: Touring and all sorts of new music. I’m currently writing my third album and working on a side project.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Lexie Roth album?

A: There are so many people and places that inspired me for this album that it’s near impossible to list. A lot of my songs touch on losing my mother and sister when I was very young. “Lost Memory” is ode to my sister Gillian and my dear friends son, and brother who drowned on Martha’s Vineyard far far too soon. There are amazing friends I met while living in Italy picking olives that inspired me to write songs about them, namely “Windfield”. Most of my songs are about real meaningful relationships I’ve had all over the world and this is my way of expressing what I went through. This album is like a web of life experience connected by string, touching down in South Salem, Tuscany, Northampton, Brooklyn, and Martha’s Vineyard.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: Hmm, good question. I think it would have to be a tie between Ghost Of Childhood, and Country Diddy. I mean Country Diddy refers to the Fresh Prince theme song, and I sing it in a country twang. It came out of me in about 10 minutes; a very fun 10 minutes. But with Ghost Of Childhood, the simple two string meditative guitar part of the verses lent me to write in a very poetic dreamlike way and sing of childhood memories like “we weaved your hair into braids, like cars through traffic”, “we dipped our hands in the silky water, of our river that wound so strange, walking paths through fields, the time didn’t matter.” Then coming up with a chorus that would bring it to life was an exciting challenge that came quick. It ended up being a powerful 60’s The Hollie’s-sounding 12 string jangley chorus with lots of harmonies and oomph. Very fun.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: DO IT. But it is hard work. Work on your craft, be prepared, and practice. (I tell myself this all the time). If you can stay in school for as long as possible do it because it will always benefit your life and wouldn’t it be awesome to have answers to your kid’s questions someday? Playing music is so important to me and I feel like everyone can benefit from singing, banging on drums, whatever it may be, just to let some energy out! It’s good for you. Pursue, pursue, pursue.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: In all honesty I haven’t done an extraordinary amount of touring but this next year I would like to change that around. I’ve played shows in places very far away where I’ve traveled for other reasons but I haven’t done an extensive tour. I know what I’ll say afterwards though. Rewarding, mind-blowing, challenging, beautiful. I can’t wait.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I enjoy both thoroughly but for different reasons. I love recording because of seeing my creative process through, it’s so exciting to bring a song to life with layers of richness and I love singing in a cozy isolated booth in the dark. But performing live is really where it’s at because of the powerful energy you get from the audience.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: It was something my dad told me when I was on the mound as a pitcher in softball in 8th grade. I was pitching a no hitter and the best batter of the other team came up and I got a little nervous so I kept hooking the ball because I wasn’t releasing on time. The coach called time and allowed my dad to come up to me and he said “You’re respecting her too much”. After that I really had my game face on and I finished off the no hitter by striking everyone out. Sometimes you gotta play tough but at the same time, protect yourself and be strong. Life is tough and you’re not going to get anything done if you keep floating through it avoiding anything difficult. I go through life as an incredibly gracious person but I am also very strong willed if someone is wronging me or someone I love, I am not afraid to speak up. To conclude my point, my best advice was to focus, be strong and hold your grace.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Hearing The Band’s organ intro Chest Fever across White Lake at the Woodstock festival. And Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin…. and every one else who performed there. I would have been in the mud for sure.

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