Durban M

08/12/2026

The clashing of two major titans, Sherbinskis and DGK at The Compound by Dirty Dog mixed West Coast skate culture, street style, and lifestyle branding. Hosted by Sherbinskis, the event felt less like a corporate sponsored contest and more like an authentic, high voltage mom and pop style summer skate jam.​The Compound proved to be an ideal spot for skating. With Keen Ramps building the setup of an indoor street course and an outdoor mini ramp, the course gave skaters plenty of lines to build speed, launch, and heavy technical tricks. The crowd energy was felt and driven by a heavy West Coast hip hop soundtrack by Faucet and Mellow Domingo and non stop commentary by Coach Cooley that kept the crowd hyped between drop ins. Judged by Stevie Willaims, Coach Cooley and Boo Johnson, ​rather than doing the same old traditional timed runs, they had an open format street jam allowed the skaters to feed off each other’s energy and push the limits for cash prizes on the spot.The Sherbinskis x DGK jam delivered on a great grass roots style event of heavy skating, authentic community energy, and solid cash rewards for the local talent holding it down. It stood out as one of the rawest and most entertaining street jams of the summer season. Shout out to Dirty Dogs for killing on the hot dog game and the Compound for killing it with an amazing venue. Big thanks to Sherbinskis for having me out and Keen Ramps for building testing and making an empty warehouse into a skate park.

07/02/2026

If you have searched for stand up comedy then the algorithm ninja of instagram has thrown a few clips in your late night doom scrolling of a smart witty human being who looks like a stylish, neon-clad anime character brought to life. That is Atsuko Okatsuka  who is currently burning down the comedy circuit with several sold out shows across the country. With her pristine, architectural bowl cut and a wardrobe that looks like a colorful explosion at a candy factory and her mischievous energy that is completely unmatched. Fans love her aesthetic so much that people regularly show up to her live theater shows wearing matching wigs. Some artists use heavy fast movements and high energy shouting rants but Atsuko uses an almost childlike frankness, wide eyed expressions, and incredible Soft physical comedy to speak about genuinely wild life experiences. Her background is fascinatingly pure chaos. She spent years growing up as an undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles, living in a room above her uncle’s garage, and she used humor to build a bridge with her grandmother and her mother, who has schizophrenia. The honest story telling has created a connection with so many fans. One viral clip of her set in Pasadena got interrupted by a 7.1 earthquake, she kept cool, calm and kept the crowd from panicking. Most would have run for the exit. Between her breakout HBO special The Intruder and her latest hit Father streaming on Hulu, she’s proving that you can take the strange, anxious parts of life and turn them into a massive, inclusive party. If you can grab some tickets for any of the shows coming up, well worth it. It's a brilliant invitation to join in on her beautifully weird world.

Shot for Channel 24 and Another Planet

06/11/2026

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, independent artist William "Mouse" Powell has built a house in the alternative hip hop scene. Rather than just following the same old story as so many others, Powell blends a rich canvas of mid-tempo rap, vibrant indie rock, and soulful Motown influences. This has helped him stand out as an artist and a creative force. Powell first began turning heads with his 2013 breakout record, These Are the Good Times, a project that celebrated his Arizona roots and layered smart on point storytelling over live brass arrangements and jazz-tinted grooves. Over the years, his hard work and hustle has been marked by a fierce commitment to vulnerability. Being open and honest, he expanded his footprint with records like First Love (2018) and Don’t Trip, I’m Fine (2025), working alongside frequent collaborators like alternative rapper Grieves. His tracks effortlessly jump from a high energy, tongue-in-cheek commentary on modern culture to deeply earnest reflections on heartbreak and isolation. 
What truly defines Powell is his resilience. When live touring halted during the global pandemic, stripping away his primary momentum, he took the time and  retreated to a bedroom setup with a guitar and an older version of Ableton. That isolation forced him to reconnect with the foundational joy of creating art for art's sake, shedding industry expectations in favor of pure, authentic expression. This allowed for no pressure art and music that hit home for so many. 
Whether he is dropping witty self deprecation on standout singles like "White Rapper" or leaning into hazy, atmospheric textures on newer releases like "I Didn't Get This High," Mouse Powell remains a compelling voice. His sound is lighthearted yet introspective, highly polished yet completely unpretentious, this is proving that independent rap can have a massive soul without losing its underground edge.
You can hear his blend of soul and alternative hip-hop by listening to the Mouse Powell - I Didn't Get This High Audio, which showcases the smooth, laid-back sonic direction of his latest musical releases. New music is on the way and it is definitely worth checking it out when it hits.

06/07/2026

Estrella is a raw, captivating force moving across the California music scene. She has mastered her  gritty, intoxicating cocktail of coastal reggae, heavy neo-soul, R&B, and dark, late-night jazz. Known for her velvety and sharp vocal tones and deeply intimate, vulnerable performances, she does not play it safe, she uses her music as a battleground for self empowerment, visceral emotion, and poetic defiance.
Home town of Salinas, California, Estrella’s artistic skills are forged from rich multicultural roots and over two decades of grinding and mastering her craft as a talented artist. Her evolution and growth from singer to skilled songwriter truly solidified during a chapter in Oahu, Hawaii. There, she found the creative space to turn off the noise and start crafting her own truth onto paper and found a true voice.
In 2022, she released the debut five-song EP, Why Wait. The project is not just a collection of tracks, it was a story and real life emotional survival and scars earned along the way of growth. It immediately became popular in the Northern California landscape of music, grabbing listeners with a distinct coastal jazz meets heavy reggae-soul sound and a relaxing get in the car and cruise vibe.
Estrella has spent the last few years aggressively banging the doors of local West Coast venues and hijacking major festival stages. A massive milestone in her relentless climb was a breakout performance at the legendary Cali Roots Festival, where she and her band proved they could more than hold their own alongside genre titans like Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, and Common Kings.
Currently, Estrella is continuing her shows across the West Coast, bringing a fierce, high-energy live show to a rapidly growing, cult-like following. Not content to rest on past momentum, she is actively writing and teasing dark, heavily anticipated new material designed to push the boundaries of soulful R&B and reggae rhythms even further.

06/03/2026

Boston’s The Elovaters have officially created and dropped their fifth studio album, Shark Belly Motel. Released right in the middle of a massive peak, the 18-track record from track one kills it as another notch in just how creative the energy can flow. 
Working with producer Jon Joseph, the band masterfully mixes traditional root rhythms with alternative indie-pop sound. Frontman Jackson Weatherbee describes the process as a cohesive, late night sonic escape. Tracks like "Leave The Light On" and "Sunburn" carry that signature, surf-influenced sound with bright brass horn arrangements. Other tracks bring a soulful grit "Jean Jacket" (featuring Collie Buddz) and the breezy, infectious hooks of "Pockets Full Of Sand" (with Bryce Vine) prove the band's need for creativity and want to push genre boundaries. It is well produced and does not lose its grassroots soul, packed with anthems designed specifically for massive outdoor spaces.
The Elovaters are backing this release with a massive touring schedule. Currently headlining their own Sunburn Tour 2026 alongside John Brown's Body and Surfer Girl, they are also set to get on the road with Slightly Stoopid for the massive Road Trippin' Summer Tour, which includes stops throughout the West Coast this fall.
The true test for any elite reggae rock act is the legendary Monterey County Fairgrounds, and the band’s recent performance at Cali Roots 2026 was polished and on point. Taking the stage on Friday, May 22, the group brought the energy and chill textures of Shark Belly Motel to life in the crisp air. The live delivery was exceptionally tight, effortlessly transitioning from deep dub pockets into soaring rock choruses. From the crowd, it was visually and sonically undeniable: The Elovaters aren't just participating in the progressive roots movement anymore,they are actively driving it forward.

05/31/2026

Hailing from the sunny beach town of Hermosa Beach, California, Fortunate Youth has established itself as one of the most dedicated and chart-topping forces in the American reggae-rock scene. Formed in 2009, the group’s origin story reads like a classic Southern California tale. Longtime friends who bonded on Little League fields and attended the same high school later crossed paths at a backyard birthday barbecue, uniting members from two local bands, Rude Boy Roots and Irie State of Mind.
Led by the distinct, soulful vocals of frontman Dan Kelly, the group includes Jered Draskovich (keys/bass), Corey Draskovich (bass/guitar/keys), Travis "Travi Bongo" Walpole (percussion), Greg Gelb (bass/guitar), and Revelation Kalauli (drums). Driven by a democratic, egalitarian philosophy, the band is famous for an on stage musical chairs routine where members frequently rotate instruments during live performances.
Fortunate Youth's signature sound is a vibrant tapestry woven from roots reggae, ska, rock, blues, and punk. Over more than a decade of relentless touring, they have transitioned from playing small local bars to headlining massive national festivals alongside genre giants like Slightly Stoopid and Stick Figure. Their grassroots, DIY work ethic paid off quickly: after their 2011 debut Irie State of Mind hit #2 on the iTunes Reggae charts, their subsequent studio albums It's All A Jam (2013), Don't Think Twice (2015), and their 2017 self-titled LP all claimed the #1 spot on both the Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts.
Through countless miles on the road and a prolific discography, the multi faceted sextet remains fiercely devoted to their original, simple mission: spreading messages of peace, love, and unity worldwide.

05/26/2026

Hailing from the beaches of Treasure Island, Florida, Seranation has carved out a unique space with their signature "Tropical-Rock" a seamless blend of upbeat reggae rock grooves and infectious pop sensibilities. Formed in 2014 by guitarist Adam Hocker and bassist Bianca Schlosser, the lineup was completed when lead vocalist J. Carter Gleason crushed his audition with Sublime’s "Garden Grove."
​The band established their regional presence with their 2015 independent debut, Island Thinkin'. Their major national breakthrough arrived with their 2018 sophomore album, Livin' the Dream, released under LAW Records (founded by Pepper). The record was a resounding success, hitting #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts and #5 on the Billboard charts, launching them into a cross-country touring powerhouse.
​Following high-profile collaborations with Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome, Seranation embraced total creative independence. In September 2024, they dropped their third studio album, Meant to Be, on their own imprint, Livin' the Dream Records. Fueled by standout singles like "Not Today" and "Waves," the band continues to spread positive vibes nationwide, recently delivering an incredible performance on the Cali Roots Bowl Stage with Adam taking over lead vocals.

05/21/2026

Emerging from the DIY South Bay punk scene of Los Angeles in late 1979, the Circle Jerks became the roots of the American hardcore punk movement. The group was co founded by singer Keith Morris, who had recently left his role as Black Flag's original vocalist, and guitarist Greg Hetson, formerly of Redd Kross. Eager to push the boundaries of punk with faster tempos and heavier aggression, they teamed up with bassist Roger Rogerson and jazz influenced drummer Lucky Lehrer to create a remarkably tight, high-speed rhythm section.
In the autumn of 1980, they unleashed their definitive debut album, Group S*x. This landmark release crammed 14  tracks into a solid 15 minutes, establishing the sonic template for West Coast hardcore. Anthems like "Live Fast Die Young" blended youthful frustration with biting societal critique. The band's volatile energy and chaotic live performances were famously captured by filmmaker Penelope Spheeris in her iconic 1981 music documentary, The Decline of Western Civilization.
Subsequent records like Wild in the Streets (1982) and Golden Shower of Hits (1983) showcased a willingness to experiment with pop parodies and varied melodies. However, the mid-1980s introduced instability. Frequent member changes disrupted momentum, though the arrival of bassist Zander Schloss provided a grounding presence. Additionally, Hetson's focus became split when he joined Bad Religion in 1984. Worn down by internal friction and a changing alternative rock landscape, the Circle Jerks split up for the first time in 1990.
A mid-1990s reformation yielded Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities (1995)—their sixth and final studio album—which was followed by a repetitive cycle of hiatuses and sporadic reunion concerts throughout the 2000s.The enduring impact of the Circle Jerks is visible across generations of rock music, directly inspiring mainstream heavyweights from Pearl Jam to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now featuring a revitalized lineup with veteran drummer Joey Castillo, the band continues to tour worldwide, bringing their foundational punk energy to contemporary audiences.

05/17/2026