Danni, an Australian-born singer-songwriter, now based in Los Angeles, joined Eric armed with her Golden Mesa Silver Sky to discuss both her last EP, All The World to See and her upcoming album Danni’s Diamonds. Danni has won multiple awards both in Australia and the U.S. including the Australian Songwriting Award, Star Search’s “Performer of the Year,” a WAMI Award and most recently a Josie Award for “Vocalist of the Year”. With an extensive California tour planned this year, keep your eyes peeled for gigs and the release of Danni’s Diamonds.

Paul Smith also joined Rock & Review with his signature “Paul’s Guitar”, while Eric cradled a new SE Swamp Ash Special. Paul appeared in support of Lions Roaring in Quicksand, the latest release from his band Eightlock. Featuring three drummers, three guitarists, a bassist, and vocalist, many of the songs on Lions Roaring in Quicksand address social, political and world issues with world class musicianship. Be on the lookout for a tour, more singles and music videos from Eightlock!

Albums & EPs

Stefan Hauk – Heavy Handed

Abraham Montalvo (Monoliths) – Forever Gone

Singles

Rohit H. Sivaram – “Nákṣatra”

Cameron Smith (Roseland) – “Colorado”, “Lonely Barstool” & “Out in the Country”

Eric McCullough (Gabe Woodrow) – “Haunt Me”

Luiz Rodrigues – “The Machine God”

Adam James (Chloe Kay and The Crusade) – “Lies”

Dave Carr & Ron Holloway (Neck of the Woods) – “Bloodletting a Phantom Limb”

Durwin D’souza – “Ever Young”

HIginio Ruiz, Alvaro Castilla & Kike Martín (Heleven) – “The Mask”

Rob Riser – “Buzzkill”

Flip Twogood (Acacia Ridge) – “Background Noise”

Ayushmant Bharadwaj (Rizzless) – “MILF DAISUKI!”

Kaho Tsuji (Faulieu) – “Yomaigoto”

Carlos Bozzo & Marco Deustua (Stringlight) – “ANIMEDLEY”

Claire Genoud (GLYTSH) – “DISSOCIA”

Learn more about our Pulse Artist program here!

Opening its doors in 1973, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of the world’s leading medical institutions working to both understand and eradicate cancer. Part of the extensive Johns Hopkins Medical System here in Maryland, the Kimmel Center is renowned is for its pioneering research into the origins of a range of cancers and of course, cutting-edge treatment for those stricken with the disease.

Photo Credit: Erik Georges

Consisting of three drummers (Dennis Chambers, Gregory Grainger, Ju Ju House), a bassist (Gary Grainger), a female vocalist (Mia Samone Davis), and three guitar players (Paul Smith, Mike Ault, Bill Nelson) the band takes its name from the groove that these eight high-level musicians “lock” into onstage and in the studio. Eightlock’s sound is a heady brew of blues, soul, and rock all stirred up into a groove-alicious gumbo with its roots in Baltimore funk, DC go-go, and New Orleans swing.

“This group of highly respected and world-renowned musicians have a lot to say musically and spiritually,” Paul Reed Smith says. “It’s been an absolute joy to be the catalyst for their gifts resulting in the music found in Lions Roaring in Quicksand.” Added guitarist/vocalist Bill Nelson: “The musicianship in Eightlock is extraordinary, but what amazes me most is that the music – both the recordings and live performances – just keep getting better and better. Locking into an Eightlock groove is a dream.” And dynamic lead singer Mia Samone Davis summed it up by saying, “Creating this CD reminded me that, ‘Peace is the price when the mind is at war’……inner peace is priceless.”

Lions Roaring in Quicksand – Track List

1. Sarah
2. Never Give Up on Livin’
3. I’m Ready
4. Love and Happiness
5. Man in the Moon
6. Breathe
7. War
8. Phoenix in My Blood
9. Drivin’ At Night
10. Look At The Moon
11. Ay, Doctor
12. Echoes
13. He’s the One
14. 99

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Listen and learn more:

www.eightlockband.com/
Eightlock on Facebook
Eightlock on X
Eightlock on Instagram

“I’ve had a dream over the last several years to create a dynamic, real-time music channel that focuses less on genre and more on our changing emotional states throughout the days and weeks,” said John Mayer. “It’s a highly ambitious project, and SiriusXM is the perfect partner to build this experience with. I look forward to creating and fostering a sense of community through this channel, and shining a light on what music does best – providing the soundtrack to our lives.”

Photo Credit @aysiamarotta

“After playing the Silver Sky designed for the 2023 Dead & Company summer tour, I realized the guitar was special. It quickly became apparent this wasn’t just a tool for one particular job but could be extremely versatile in other players’ hands. I’m excited to hear the music that’s made on these guitars.” – John Mayer

Below, Paul Reed Smith shares his take on this unique new model:

Featuring a Swamp Ash body in favor of the traditional Alder to keep it lightweight, the “Dead Spec” Silver Sky is finished in Moc Sand Satin nitro which sinks into the ash to give the model its characteristic revealed grain. Another significant deviation from the original Silver Sky is the bridge, a modified PRS patented Gen III Tremolo screwed into the body, effectively rendering it a string-through hardtail bridge. Keeping the tremolo’s brass block in the equation adds a musical warmth to the guitar. At the other end of the strings are a brass nut and string retainer bar, which also contribute to the guitar’s resonance and tone.

Perhaps most notably, the Dead Spec Silver Sky’s jack plate has been swapped out for a brass-plate Alembic Blaster preamp. This preamp can be used as a straight boost but has an internal pot that allows players to add between 3 – 14 dB of gain to the guitar when turned on. This not only gives the Dead Spec Silver Sky added punch while maintaining crisp note separation, but it compensates for the capacitance that comes with long stage cables as well. The circuit is bypassed when in the off position.

Have a listen below where PRS Product Specialist Bryan Ewald demos the guitar:

The PRS “Dead Spec” Silver Sky will be made in a limited quantity of 1000 pieces. Shipping November 2023 – March 2024.