Sam Sprague of The Donkeys and The Flamming Groovies
Sam Sprague’s recommendation: “A band The Donkeys really love is The Flamin’ Groovies. Especially fond of the early Roy Loney era records. The Groovies really proved that it’s okay to span all type of genres in music, something The Donkeys really appreciate because all four of us write songs which in turns brings alot of diversity. But enough about us. The Groovies are a Rock n Roll monster. They are just so fun and excting. So many bands forget that Rock n Roll should have a lighter side. The Groovies write such amazing songs. And they just are a kick ass tight machine. Sneakers, Super Snazz, Flamingo, Teenage Head. You can’t go wrong. Teenage Head
About our guest author, Sam Sprague: Sam is the drummer and lead singer of The Donkeys, a band that Rocktorch learned about from, you guessed it, an artist recommendation. Craig Finn of The Hold Steady was asked during the Jim Beam Music Series who the best kept secret in music is and Craig chose The Donkeys. We snagged up their CDs and found one treasure after another. Each album is stocked with laid back tunes that would get thumbs up from Gram Parsons, Wilco and Pavement fans alike, but their appeal easily can spread beyond the alt/alt-country sphere. Are The Donkeys alternative? Country? 70′s throwbacks? We’d say yes to all and just add that this is simply good music that has to be heard. Be sure to catch The Donkeys on tour and pick up their latest album, Born With Stripes.
MP3: I Like the Way You Walk by The Donkeys from
Born With Stripes
by far. She rocks out really hard but also can sing a beautiful ballad as good as anyone. Kate Bush, I also admire for her individuality. She is a complete innovator in her field. I think 
is one of the most perfect albums of all time.”
About our guest author, Marissa Nadler: Marissa has been releasing music since 2004 and gained serious attention when she won Outstanding Singer-Songwriter of the Year in the 2008 Boston Music Awards for her third album, 
. If that isn’t enough of an accomplishment, Marissa’s fourth album, 
racked up four star reviews from Mojo and Uncut and earned this glowing quote from LA Weekly critic John Payne: “You’ll want this music to never end, almost perversely, as Nadler echo-croons so ethereally over artfully plucked acoustic guitar, the shapes and colors of her melancholy muse shifting so subtlely as to suggest, best severe and complex emotions that we’ve possibly never recognized in this or previous lives.” Marissa’s next masterpiece is due out this Spring and can be pre-ordered on 
