Thanks to the inexplicable popularity of my Submit Music page — along with the endless number of releases I get via HumanHuman, Groover and SharePro — I always have a massive digital backlog of albums, EPs, singles and videos awaiting my perusal. Here’s another recent must-hear. If you’ve got something I need to hear, send it my way. If I think you’re half as good as you think you are, I just might include you next time.
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Checkerboard Floors want to play music you dance to, and they’ve been doing it for over a decade. Aside from their energy-packed live shows that have crowds singing and dancing along, nothing more clearly demonstrates the band’s drive than the songs they’ve been releasing independently. That includes their latest EP, Music You Dance To.
The EP was recorded in isolation throughout 2020 as the band sought to remain productive while gigs had largely dried up from the pandemic. The songs themselves had been in waiting for years; 2020 became the right time to focus on bringing them to light. Music You Dance To is meant to fuse the feel of the band’s live show. The result is five infectious tracks that feel altogether new and familiar, inspiring listeners to move. As a collection of songs, Music You Dance To is a fitting followup to the 2014 LP Art Project.
Checkerboard Floors are Derek Palango (vocals, guitar), Tyler Wilson (guitar, vocals), Matt Outerson (bass, vocals), and Kevin Barrie (drums, vocals). The group originally found themselves together through work, mutual friends, and a shared love of music in early 2009. They quickly secured gigs in local venues as a cover band, and spent the next few years refining their act. Their sound might be called alt-rock. However, it’s not hard for one also to hear varied styles within, which serve as important influences and propel the band’s music forward; including though not limited to blues, funk, Motown, and jazz. As for the future, the band continues to toil away, as best anyone can in these times. It seems it’s tougher than ever to know for certain what tomorrow will bring. But for Checkerboard Floors, no matter what, the music keeps on rolling.”
MY TWO CENTS: “Actually, it’s crowd-pleasing pop-rock delivered with skill, style, sincerity, simplicity and an enjoyably light touch. Nothing wrong with that — unless you were actually looking for dance music, as opposed to music you dance to.”
