Music
Crossroad Crooks Faces Painful Situations In Epic Debut Single “In Waiting”
“In Waiting” is an all encompassing rock anthem exploring the difficulties of breaking toxic patterns with colorfully melodic guitar riffs.
Indie rock trio Crossroad Crooks delivers an emotional commentary on negative cyclical patterns in their legendary debut single, “In Waiting,” out January 27th. Mike Davis-Penta (Vocals, Drums), Jedd Chlebowski (Bass), and John Leonard (Guitar) come together with electric performances on this hard-hitting, melodic rock song; being the band’s introduction to the music community, “In Waiting” is a chance for them to show fans what they’re made of. The first strum of Leonard’s guitar immediately draws listeners in before Davis-Penta’s powerhouse vocals leave listeners in awe with his charismatic delivery. The song’s riff-rock intro leads into an array of stacked guitar and bass work from unison, progressive riffs, to powerful open chords that allow buttery vocal harmonies to soar with an epic passion. Rock lovers from everywhere are bound to find themselves head-banging by the first chorus; expect to hear influence from artists like Soundgarden, Alter Bridge, and Black Sabbath.
This song captures the awareness of and taking responsibility for making choices that yield more harm than good. Throughout “In Waiting,” the character at hand acknowledges the pain caused by the negative cyclical behavior they are struggling with; when Davis-Penta sings, “I lie in the bed I make,” he is speaking to the acceptance of being emotionally attached to a bad situation despite having the logic to know otherwise. For the singer and drummer, “This song is an in-your-face acknowledgment of feeding a fire and enablement.” He says, “the lyrical themes of cyclical living combined with massive, melodic guitars and dark instrumentation make ‘In Waiting’ one of our favorites on the album.”
Listeners can stream Crossroad Crooks’ debut single, “In Waiting,” on all major streaming platforms January 27th.
More about Crossroad Crooks:
Crossroad Crooks is a seasoned indie alt. rock trio based out of New Haven, CT. Jedd Chlebowski (bass), Mike Davis-Pinta (vocals and drums), and John Leonard (guitar and recording engineer) come together to create a sound reminiscent of iconic rock artists like Soundgarden, Alter Bridge, and Black Sabbath. The trio delves into a myriad of complex topics in their music ranging from family dynamics, to romantic hardships, to some of life’s most devastating traumas. In their personal lives, Mike is a career firefighter, and John and Jedd are middle school music teachers. The three artists, all multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, initially came together to make music for fun as a potential cover band in 2017; after discovering their passion for original music and years spent honing their craft, the band stands at the forefront of a new era in which they find themselves taking a huge step into the spotlight.
Listeners can expect raw, authentic lyrics invigorated by electric energy and a big sound. Crossroad Crooks’ rock influence shines brilliantly through thunderous kick drums, face-melting guitar solos, and booming bass lines. With Mike Davis-Penta on vocals and drums, the trio packs a punch with every performance; they’re known to leave crowds amazed at how just three people can make such a powerful sound. Crossroad Crooks has played shows at a variety of notable venues including Foxwoods Casino, The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun, and the Lyric Hall Theater in Connecticut. For anyone who loves impassioned rock vocals, tender vulnerability, and hearing tight, blistering unison riffs that leave you head-banging, this dynamic trio is non-negotiable.
Artist Spotlight
Makk $aucy explores feminine power and emotional connection in “Agressive Woman”
Women are powerful to the people around them, and Makk $aucy explores that dynamic in his new single, “Aggressive Woman.” In this release, Makk $aucy dives into how our personal habits and views are shaped by our relationships and emotional ties, rather than just skimming the surface.
“Aggressive Woman” comes from a relaxed, flowing creative process, captured at Grill Studios in Emeryville, California. You can feel that vibe throughout the track, letting the performance speak real emotion without sounding forced. Much of the vibe comes from Makk $aucy’s vocal delivery, which matches the recording’s chill atmosphere.
Beyond the theme, the release also showcases Makk $aucy’s talents as an artist and producer. He lists R&B, hip-hop, and rap as influences and is still trying to find a musical direction that doesn’t confine him to one genre. His production work is central to this identity, reflecting his desire to shape the whole listening experience, not just his vocal performance.
“Agressive Woman” is another chapter in what Makk $aucy calls the “Makk $aucy Experience,” a larger musical journey based on experimentation and creative findings. It celebrates female power and spotlights an artist who continues to push the limits of his production and genre-bending approach.
Artist Spotlight
C’batch explores love, irony, and poor decisions in “If There Was Ever a Fool (One of a Cast of Many) 1”
“If There Was Ever a Fool (One of a Cast of Many) 1” by C’batch is a classic rock release that explores that complicated side of relationships. Based on a friend’s real-life relationship, the song explores love, bad judgment, and the emotional repercussions from a dark, ironic, and sometimes humorous perspective.
What’s interesting about the release is that it spans different eras, musically and lyrically. C’Batch first recorded the guitar improvisation in 2012, and the words came years later, after the relationship that inspired them was over. He kept the two apart until 2026, when he finally merged them. The unusual creative chronology links an early musical idea to a later observation of human behavior.
The track is steeped in classic rock and soul rock and showcases C’batch’s experience as a guitarist, composer, and producer. To truly appreciate this release, one must understand the creative process behind it, a process that has been touched by a musical history spanning four decades. He returns to an old guitar composition and gives it a new purpose in the telling.
The song is about how people can get so wrapped up in love that they ignore shady decisions and only see the consequences afterward. “If There Was Ever a Fool (One of a Cast of Many) 1” is an interesting intersection of past inspiration and present outlook. It also shows how an unfinished musical idea can be born years later.
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoJason Jarrett creates a country party anthem with latest release “Night Out”
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoFrançois Marius pushes lips to feet on the dance-ready on latest release “What You Gonna Do (Radio Edit)”
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoMetaphoric Mind unveils dark intensity and catchy rhythms on latest release “Jaws”
-
Artist Spotlight7 days agoX.irda and Slim Spitta showcase the darker side of holiday cheer on latest release “MASQUERADE”
-
Album Review3 days agoLegends of the Seven Golden Vampires explore healing and personal growth on “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” [album]
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoT1M1 featuring Keybeaux confront artificial creativity with latest release “Hip Slop”
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agoRicky’s Rebel Rabble honor family and remembrance through “Molly”
-
Artist Spotlight3 days agofor KING & COUNTRY celebrate faith and everyday joy on “the most beautiful colours”