Ol’ Yeller

Call it a quest, but songwriter Rich Mattson would likely shrug and just call it a career. After moving from his modest northern Minnesota hometown to the relatively brighter lights of the Twin Cities, Mattson has spent the past fifteen years making music. His latest creation, Ol’ Yeller — a stripped-down trio consisting of Mattson, bassist Dale Kallman and drummer Keely Lane — might just be the ticket he’s been looking for. If it needs a label, call it alt-country, but Mattson’s songwriting can stand on its own two feet without such crutches. Meanwhile, Austin’s Grand Champeen‘s efforts to avoid the alt-country tag have given it the resolve to proudly declare its allegiance to the roots of classic rock with Battle Cry For Help. Built on the solid songwriting of Channing Lewis, this powerhouse quartet channels its thrash-and-bash influences with an unapologetic stare while offering its own exuberant flair.