The Oaks are more than a band, they’re a humanitarian effort. Of the two founding members, one spent two years in Afghanistan helping refugees, while the other has a master’s in philosophy & environmental ethics. Jen Cray spoke with both Ryan Costello and Matt Antolick.

Rip Through the Hawk Black Night (High Two). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Misadventures in Radiology (Sonic Boom). Review by Aaron Shaul.

First Light’s Freeze (Asthmatic Kitty). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Like Trees We Grow Up to Be Satellites (The Backwards America) (Temporary Residence). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Liz Janes & Create(!) (Asthmatic Kitty). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars). Review by Aaron Shaul.

You’ve Got Your Own (Acuarela). Review by Aaron Shaul.

A Sun Came (Asthmatic Kitty). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Metaphysics For Beginners (Redder). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Snow Tires (Hidden Agenda). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Poison & Snakes (Asthmatic Kitty). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Cathedral (Asthmatic Kitty). Review by Aaron Shaul.

You Are the Light (Secretly Canadian). Review by Aaron Shaul.

after (Lucky Kitchen). Review by Aaron Shaul.

folk,ambient,indie,nature,atmospheric,Daniel G. Harmann,The Lake Effect,Post 436,Aaron Shaul

The Lake Effect (Post 436). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Sweden,singer/songwriter,pop,indie-pop folk,Jens Lekman,Maple Leaves & Rocky Dennis EPs,Secretly Canadian,Aaron Shaul

Maple Leaves / Rocky Dennis (Secretly Canadian). Review by Aaron Shaul.

Seven Swans (Sounds Familyre). Review by Aaron Shaul.