We’re no strangers to the awesomeness of U.S. Royalty. In fact, we can easily say that they’re one of our favorite DC bands. We were super excited when lead singer John Thornley agreed to do an Artist Mixtape for us, highlighting some influences on the USR sound.You can catch the band live at the 9:30 Club this Friday night, tickets available HERE.

MP3: Index – “Turquoise Feline”
I’m really into the wah-surf guitar.  There’s also a cool off-time drum fill in the middle of the song that sounds like  the song may de-rail but it comes back around and makes you smile.

MP3: H.P. Lovecraft – “Let’s Get Together”
Great author.  I was reading alot of his stories when we were recording our album Mirrors.  The band is named after him and have a few songs based on his stories, their most famous one being the song “White Ships”.  I really dig this song with its amped up organ arpeggios and jumping beat.  The flute solos are an added bonus.

MP3: Gallery – “Louisiana Line”
This song reminds me of traveling and being on the road.  We wrote a song at one point entitled “Louisiana Spell”.  There’s just something about that part of the country that draws one in.  This song has a bit of an Allman Brothers/southern country vibe with an ample helping of auxiliary percussion.

MP3: O.W.L. – “Salvation Song”
So the story goes something like this.  Stephen Titra is given an advance from Universal to record an album. He records it in Chicago but the label ends up passing on the project and only a few test pressings get circulated.  Fast forward to a few years ago when someone comes across it in a Chicago thrift shop and it is able to finally escape obscurity…somewhat.  It’s a beautiful collection of tunes and some have an almost medieval feel to them.  I appreciate this tune with its lead acoustic guitars, bongos, and chorus of vocals that give it a real earthy, driving feel.

MP3: The Cedars – “For Your Information”
This is a band from Lebanon.  While not being widely known overseas they were pretty well-known in their homeland in the 60′s.  It has a great electric sax lick that opens the song before it bops off into a very catchy groove.