Between the Grooves: Walk the Moon's Dance Happy Sounds

From the city that gave us the Isley Brothers, the Afghan Whigs and a wacky, fictional radio station comes the energetic sounds of Walk the Moon.

A love of Talking Heads and The Killers gave rise to the Cincinnati quartets' rhythmic blend of 80's-flavored keyborads and poppy guitars.

Walk the Moon's new album I Want! I Want! has enough allure in the lyrics to make it more than a dance album, though not that there would be anything wrong with that!

On this week's Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm, Walk the Moon plug in for a full set of happy, non-sedintary music. Oh yeah, the band also likes to face paint their fans onstage. Feel the love this Thursday!

Between the Grooves: Katie Costello's Infectious Charm

If Katie Costello's cute, retro look doesn't captivate you right away, the quirky melodies from her new album Lamplight surely will.

The line "I wish there was a social excuse to make you a cassette tape" from the already irresistible piano bounce on the single "Cassette Tape"adds an extra smile.

Catch Katie Costello on the next Between the Grooves Thursday at 2pm.

Between the Grooves: Justin Jones Hits a Nerve

When DC music scene veteran Justin Jones first realized he could be a serious songwriter, it was at a townie bar on the Outer Banks that he performed a song that had one patron in tears.

And the empathetic way he sings the lyric, "I could use another friend, I could use another brand new start" from the title track to his new EP The Little Fox, could make one mist up the glasses.

From a guy whose survived some of the darker byproducts of being a musician, there's a real truth and honesty that draws you into his music.

Hear this talent shine on some brand new songs on this week's Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm on WTMD.

Between the Grooves: The Apache Relay's Refined Roots

Nashville-based The Apache Relay bring their animated live performance to the air this week.

Despite the name, it's not a baton they pass around, but instruments. Their rousing live shows have turned audiences into advocates for the band.  Even more impressive, they've opened for Mumford and Sons and friendships between the bands have developed.

Their second album, American Nomad, produced by Neilson Hubbard, evolves their rootsy, raw repertoire from their early days at Belmont University into intricately structured, symphonic pop and soul. Frontman Michael Ford Jr sings passionately and is sure to place the record on critics top CDs of the year lists.

The Apache Relay play this week's Between the Grooves Thursday at 2pm on WTMD.

Between the Grooves: Cas Haley's Real Deal Talent

Being America's Got Talent's Season 2 runner-up may have given rise to his career,  but once Cas Haley opens his mouth and pounds his acoustic guitar strings with such surprising rhythmic virtuosity, you'll be glad this reggae-ska vocal dynamite got the break.

Still, even with the TV boost, the Paris, Texas native works like any other hungry musician, touring incessantly (he was on a bill with others at Bourbon Street last Thursday) to support his wife and two kids back home, which fans of the show know motivates him to no end.

Cas tells us why his second album Connection feels like his first and he demonstrates a surprising vocal influence this Thursday at 2pm on Between the Grooves. Don't miss this undeniable and uplifting talent!

Between the Grooves: Bobby Long's Honest Connections

Sprung from the Northern Soul hotbed of Wigan, England, Bobby Long seems to immerse himself in music's authenticity and power to change. He wrote his college thesis on the social impact of folk music in America, recorded with Liam Watson (producer of The White Stripes Elephant) and his vintage analog recording equipment live to tape at the famous Toe Rag Studios and created an immediate and disarming record, A Winter Tale.

At open mic nights in London, he'd sing with pal and future vampire heartthrob Robert Pattinson, who later recorded one of his songs for the "Twilight" soundtrack. But, it's not commercial success, but musical integrity to which Long's evocative style of songwriting and soulful singing speaks and why he's our guest on this weeks' Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm.

Between the Grooves: Schuyler Fisk Wins the Prize

Singer/actress Schuyler Fisk retreated to the rural Virginia where she grew up to make her second album Blue Ribbon Winner.

The daughter of Oscar winner Sissy Spacek's displays a soothingly smooth voice, a keen ear for bouncy pop/Americana melodies and a mom and apple pie kind-of vibe.

Schuyler Fisk plays this week's Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm on WTMD.

Check out the Sam Jones-directed ("I am Trying to Break Your Heart") video for Schuyler's "What Good is Love" that came out of a recent Vanity Fair photo shoot.

Get Between the Grooves With Ivan and Alyosha

The songs on Seattle quintet Ivan and Alyosha's new EP Fathers Be Kind both question and embrace faith.  That's not unexpected since the band is named after two sibling characters in a Dostoevsky novel who are on both sides of the spiritual spectrum.

They've combined religious themes with rich harmonies and punchy melodies that result in a delightful discovery for 2011.

Catch Ivan and Alyosha on this week's Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm.