By: Alex Templar - MSTv

Their sound opens the time-machine doors to journey listeners back to the revolutionary 1960's. Strong counter-culture music influences, with melodic sounds comparable to Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger comprise the California born duo called the Milk Carton Kids.

The two-man band and Los Angeles natives, Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale first teamed up in 2010. But besides both being from the city of angels, before teaming-up, Ryan and Pattengale were both unsuccessful solo singer-songwriters.

But, that was to change due to a simple suggestion made to Joey Ryan.

“Somebody recommended that I go see Kenneth’s show,” said Ryan.

And based upon the power of a song Ken Pattengale sang about a dying dog writing memoirs, Ryan was compelled to introduce himself to the singer after the show.

“After we met, Kenneth insisted that we try singing together,” Ryan said. “Our two guitars seemed like they were meant for each other. Our voices brought out sides of our singing that we hadn’t known before.”

That synchronicity, joined with a mutual love for folk music developed their musical creations into forming the Milk Carton Kids in 2011.

Even if folk music and its natural simplicity and unpretentiousness aren’t something the world at large associates with Ryan and Pattengale’s hometown of Los Angeles, a place thought to be glitzy and glamorous, the duo finds the general atmosphere in the show business capital encouraging.

“It’s a city where people are chasing dreams,” Ryan said. “It can be inspiring to be around so many people with big ambitions, some of whom are very talented.”

Because of these inspiring type people, that the band loves, the duo has hit the touring road. Now seeking highway and byway stories, so that they might gain more to share musically, The Milk Carton Kids are making a few stops in SE Louisiana.

We're hoping our different type of "LA"environments and unique people feeds their inspiration to create more classic, but powerful music in the future.  

Get a look at Josh Ritter/The Milk Carton Kids: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 30 @ Manship Theatre 100 Lafayette St. BRLA
and 9 p.m. Monday, July 1. Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans.

By: Conner James - MSTv

Between numerous health scares, rumors of retiring and legions of fans clamoring for his newest album, "I Am Not a Human Being II," Lil Wayne seems to live for controversy.  But in this case, the incident might be a cry out for justice.

But while shooting a video, this weekend past, for his single, "God Bless America in New Orleans," Wayne is seen walking strongly and quite some time over the U.S flag in the filming.

The outlash against him has been swift with outraged people demanding he change the video and show better respect for our nations flag.  However, the title and lyrics in the song may show reasoning behind the actions.

The words can be heard in a video uploaded to Youtube by an audience member:  "My Country 'Tis of Thee, Sweet land of kill 'em all and let 'em die.  God bless America, This ole' godless America."

As the title might suggest, Wayne seems to be asking for a blessing of the new, more "Americanized" New Orleans. Yet as the lyrics might suggest, this new America/New Orleans comes with a high cost.

The actual video is below, so as an individual, you can judge his message and intent of action for yourself.  But, as in any form of art, the general perception of the product is always open to interpretation. 

Lil Wayne continues to receive negative backlash for the act.

By: Alex Templar - MSTv
Additional info from NOLA.com

Alex Brown Church, the lead singer and power behind the the grouping, Sea Wolf, considers himself a lapsed-perfectionist.  In working on the band's newest album last year, Church saw fit to embrace change by concentrating on any aspect of a song that suited him at the time.

Quite a change for a man known for attacking single songs and developing them to their specific perfection. But change is what the newest album, Old World Romance" is all about.

And it appears this wind of change will make for a refreshing performance at Sea Wolf's June 15 appearance at the Spanish Moon in BR. "This time around I wrote a lot more song by not necessarily stopping and working on one particular song," said Church.

Sea Wolf's indie folk sound remains grounded in an earthiness reminiscent of big forests, cloudy seas and mountains, but that's mostly by design. Church grew up exploring the Sierra Nevadas in an "outdoorsy family."

Church, however, said he feels most comfortable in cities.-

"The reason I love the city is the people and the rich culture and art. The city is usually where artists are, and I like being around other artists," Church said.  "I try to paint the stories or the places in my songs. I try to paint a picture in people's minds, and I like to choose imagery that projects me or impresses me."

Church remains the one unmoving cog in Sea Wolf, a band he first started in the hopes of having constants backing him up but the pieces never fell into place.

But being the sole constant and founder benefits Church as he controls the band's over aesthetic and sound.

"I don't have to compromise," he said.

And neither should we, his audience...