HughShows welcomes back contributing music journalist Jill Berkin. A a UK-based writer and avid music enthusiast, she’s interested in shoegaze, rock, and alternative music. I couldn’t be more thrilled in highlighting her wonderful work on the blog.   Inspiration comes from many sources, and this is evident in a lot of music. Songwriters often find […]

BusCrates’ latest album, Control Center, is a collection of funky, instrumental tracks that blur the lines between synth-pop, electro-funk, and hip-hop. The album is characterized by BusCrates’ smooth, soulful keyboard playing, infectious melodies, and driving rhythms. The title track is an upbeat offering with a catchy melody and a smooth bassline. “Prisms” is another highlight, […]

The inaugural Northside Music Festival will take place July 14-16 within the heart of Historic Deutschtown on Pittsburgh’s Northside. The free, three-day event will feature 65 bands, art vendors, and more than 30 food trucks. In addition to music, the festival will feature numerous art vendors, food, and free family-friendly activities. More bands TBA Friday, […]

Migration by The Wolf Tones  Song: “White Winter Wolf” Artist: The Wolf Tones Album: Migration Year Released: 2023 Genre: Bluegrass Jamz Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2023 Did you know? The Wolf Tones are a ‘supergroup’ made up of members from Sweaty Already, Shelf Life String Band, and Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers PittSongs is […]

    Song: “Why Don ‘t You Call Me?” Artist: The Telephone Line Album: How’d We Get This Far? Year Released: 2023 Genre: Bluegrass Rock/Pop/Soul Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2013 Did you know? The Telephone Line have (sadly but amicably) decided to disband after 10 years together PittSongs is a non-chronological history […]

    Song: “Rt 30 Billboard Jesus” Artist: D’Arc’s Family Jams Album: D’Arc’s Family Jams Year Released: 2023 Genre: Psychedelic Soul Local Connection: Originally from Johnstown, PA Did you know? D’Arc’s Family Jams is comprised of brothers Jake and Mike D’Arc who’s first band was Peanut Butter Lovesicle PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh […]

Song: “Get Off the Train” Album: Cheap & Used Year Released: 2023 Genre: Rock & Roll Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2020 Did you know? The Freeloaders debut album Cheap & Used was recorded and mixed by Jake Hanner (Donora, Meeting of Important People, Bad Custer) and mastered by Mike Hillier at Metropolis Studios London which […]

“We are The Argonauts sail the seven seas play funk a lot like a record get into the groove the things you hear about us well they got to be true“ The Argonauts are a Pittsburgh funk blues rock band who released their self-titled debut album earlier this year and who have a couple members […]

“Blisters on my fingers who’d you burden me with this when will you come home?“ Oliver Hufford is a solo artist from Pittsburgh PA, a multi-instrumentalist whose music incorporates different styles and genres that merge into one unique sound. At 17, he’s writing A-level songs, melodies, lyrics, hooks… he puts things in a way that aren’t […]

  Song: “Killing the Au Pair” Artist: Sommelier Album: Single Release Year Released: 2022 Genre: Pop / Post-Punk Local Connection: Band formed in Greensburg in Spring 2020 during quarantine Did you know? Sommelier (pronounced suh-muhl-yei) is a wine seward, or highly trained wine professional who tests through four levels of knowledge: introductory, certified, advanced, and […]

Song: “Termites” Album: Hayday Year Released: 2021 Genre: Fuzz Rock Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2021 Did you know? feeble little horse has signed to Saddle Creek Records, who will re-issue their debut full-length on vinyl     PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support feeble little horse #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

  Song: “Ahimsa” Artist: Sapphirecut (w/ Jake Knights) Album: Single Release Year Released: 2018 Genre: Trance Local Connection: Born and raised in Pittsburgh Did you know? Sapphirecut (Megan Taylor) got her stage name when she realized that a sapphire needle is used to create a dub plate as she was helping physically balance a friend’s […]

  Song: “All I Want” Artist: Cristina Black Album: The Ditty Sessions Year Released: 2010 Genre: Pop Local Connection: Born and raised in Pittsburgh Did you know? Cristina Black has written articles for various publications including The Village Voice, Nylon, Dazed and Confused, Time Out New York, and LA Weekly           […]

  Song: “Pointless” Artist: Thirty Years Later Album: The Deep Now Year Released: 2021 Genre: Rock Local Connection: Band formed in Pittsburgh in 2013 Did you know? Thirty Years Later members Joe Hale (Guitar/Vocals) and Gary Burdelski started playing together in 1982 in the band Zero Factor. Subsequent bands included Quest, Blind Vengeance, Lone Rangers, […]

  Song: “Sangreal” Artist: Horehound Album: Horehound Year Released: 2016 Genre: Heavy Metal Local Connection: Formed in Pittsburgh in 2015 Did you know? Horehound vocalist Shy Kennedy runs the record label Blackseed as well as organizing the Descendents of Crom festival                             […]

  Song: “A Grand Nite for Swinging” Artist: Mary Lou Williams Album: Mary Lou Williams Year Released: 1951 Genre: Jazz Local Connection: Grew up in Pittsburgh Did you know? She is one of three women to appear in the iconic photograph by Art Kane “A Great Day in Harlem” in 1958 PittSongs is a non-chronological […]

  Song: “Suicide Blonde” Artist: INXS Album: X Year Released: 1990 Genre: Rock Local Connection: Last song as the encore INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence ever played in public at the Coca-Cola Starlake Amphitheater outside of Pittsburgh in Burgettstown, PA on September 27th, 1997 before his untimely death less than a month later Did you […]

  Song: “esketit” Artist: lys scott Album: punk kidwell Year Released: 2022 Genre: Rap Local Connection: Resides in Pittsburgh Did you know? lys scott’s debut full-length squashed dreams and broken wings was released in June of 2021 PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support lys scott #PittSongs #SupportPGHMusic

  Song: “Two Kinds of Love” Artist: LaRue June Album: The Sadness Year Released: 2021 Genre: Folk Local Connection: Formed near Pittsburgh in 2020 Did you know? LaRue June is the solo project from Casey Hanner, lead singer and guitarist for the indie pop band Donora PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support […]

  Song: “Star in Your Own Life” Artist: Nia Sioux Album: Single Release Year Released: 2015 Genre: Pop Local Connection: Born in Pittsburgh in 2001 Did you know? Nia Sioux gained attention as the longest tenured dancer on the TV program Dance Moms PittSongs is a non-chronological history of Pittsburgh music Support Nia Sioux #PittSongs […]