Gee Slab often goes by the name B.I.N.O. – an acronym for “Believe In New Opportunity.” It’s a personal pseudonym, the name of his Lifestyle Band & Multimedia Company and, most importantly, it’s a mindset; a positive headspace to get things done. With the release of the official video for “Triple Beam” the effectiveness of that thinking could not be more front and center.

Back in June 2020, he released the No Signal EP and followed that up with multiple videos to promote it. He also released numerous episodes of KEEPITGEETV, an interview and music show of his own making.

Amongst all that, he also managed to write and shoot this video for “Triple Beam,” which is no ordinary music video. There are performance interludes throughout but it plays out predominantly like a mini-movie; following characters The Black Myer Lansky (Gee Slab) and Silas Slim (Cashmere CrooL) as they make their way through their neighborhood before ending up at a house party. It’s cinematic both in visual style and scope of story. After watching it, there’s a real desire to see these characters for a full 90 minutes (and the track is great too).

On top of all of that, today Gee Slab also released a brand new EP entitled Because I Can. That title is apt because it shows there’s no slowing down when you Believe In New Opportunity. Gee Slab is firing on all cylinders and creating a massive, and impressive, body of work in a very short time. He’s not the only Nashville hip-hop artist making waves but he’s one to keep a watchful eye on. Everything he’s released has been increasingly impressive in its execution. “Triple Beam” is just the latest evidence that Gee Slab is constantly leveling up; don’t miss out on whatever comes next.

The “Lost Album” is always an entertaining topic of conversation within any given circle of music nerds. Hours of discussion around what could have been from the likes of David Bowie, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Dr. Dre or even Supergrass. In the case when such an album is released, like The Beach Boys Smile, there’s all sorts of debate about the validity of the original “vision.” In short, the Lost Album is an exciting and contentious subject. So, when it came to light that early 2000’s local mainstays Imaginary Baseball League announced that a shelved album from 2005 was getting a remixing and remastering for release some sixteen years later, our attention was piqued.

That album, The Inevitable Parting, is set for release this Spring. The first single, “Elliston”, debuted over on the Scene and is a triumphant offering after nearly two decades away. We’re proud to premiere the second single from the no-longer-lost album entitled “Steeple to Steeple” and are happy to report that it’s equally as impressive, possibly moreso by showcasing the bands diversity.

IBL has always excelled in blending driving drums, intricate guitar parts and Aaron Robinson’s soaring vocals. “Steeple to Steeple” exemplifies this layering as much as any track from the band but the sound is fuller, the vocals feel more confident and, more importantly, the context has changed. The recordings themselves benefit from modern techniques but had this been released in 2005, it’s possible that it would have been unfortunately lumped in with bands lazily labeled “emo” at the time. Now that the cultural zeitgeist is familiar with the likes of Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket or Band of Horses it’s clear that Imaginary Baseball League is making rock music. Being emotive and vulnerable in your vocals and lyrics isn’t a pejorative. Quite simply, there’s no additional labeling necessary here.

It’s unclear if The Inevitable Parting was the title of the record back in the early aughts but it serves a new purpose now. IBL may have literally parted ways as a band but they’ve also parted from the baggage they carried at the time. There’s no way to know how this release would have done back in the day but it’s clear from “Steeple to Steeple” (and “Elliston”) that time has served the project well and it’s likely to be that rare success story of unearthing a Lost Album.

There are exactly two songs released by Wilby at this moment in time. The previously released, “Bad,” hit our regular rotation the moment we heard it and from the sounds of the latest release, “Mush,” history is about to repeat itself.

The allure of the first single was the melancholy lament of yearning to feel good wrapped in just the right amount of upbeat jangle. With “Mush” a similar refrain reveals itself lyrically as the narrator attempts to hide their feelings of affection, all behind a self-doubting veneer and more refreshing jangle.

There’s not much information about future singles but over on Instagram there’s a bit of insight that “Mush” was written with Thad Cockrell, produced by Thad Kopec and worked on by Zach Bodman, Ross Collier and Lisa Carrott. That’s a good group that bodes well for there being more music lying ahead. We’ve got our fingers crossed for an album or an EP. We’d also settle for a maxi-single. Long story short, we’re on board with Wilby.