lolitslea – “Exit Plan” (Video Premiere)

lolitslea

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to a cool new pop-punk band from New Jersey called lolitslea. With their latest single, called “Exit Plan,” this dynamic band quickly showcases why they’ve been winning over audiences each time they perform. When speaking on the latest track, lolitslea shared, “‘Exit Plan’ runs circles around the themes of liminal spaces, the backrooms, and realizing life will never be what it was back in 2008. Where my biggest regret in life was selling my Nintendo DS to a local pawn shop. This tune was co-produced and co-written by Tom Denney, formerly of A Day To Remember.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider pre-ordering the band’s debut LP Nothing Lasts Forever that hits the streets on October 11th here.

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Cascade Riot – “Ruby” (Video Premiere)

Cascade Riot

Today is a great day to share the new single and music video from Cascade Riot, called “Ruby.” “Ruby” is the 2nd single from Cascade Riot’s forthcoming debut album on PNWK Records. While their previous single, “Exit 55,” showed off a more aggressive side, “Ruby” shows off a poppier, bouncier side while still retaining the band’s trademark elements. Lyrically the song explores themes of introspection and longing for something that once belonged to you but has slipped away. Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Failla shared, “With this album we’re really trying to let all of our influences show and expand our sound a bitwithout losing sight of what makes us who we are. I remember picking up an acoustic guitar one day and just randomly strumming those opening chords. The rest of the song came very quickly after that. The lyrics just kind of spilled out and are a pretty accurate depiction of how I was feeling at the time.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider supporting Cascade Riot here.

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Interview: Peter James of Manic Kat Records

Manic Kat Records

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Peter James, the owner of indie label Manic Kat Records, to discuss his label’s upcoming 10th anniversary. I also asked Peter about what qualities he looks for when signing bands/artists to his label, the best practices he’s learned in the music business, as well as how he sees the state of vinyl production today. Manic Kat Records has a roster that includes Ryan Cabrera, The Anchor, Along Came A Spider, and Todd Morse.

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Japandroids Detail the End of the Band

Japandroids

An excellent feature on everything surrounding the final Japandroids’ album is up over at Stereogum:

These are standard talking points for a 41-year-old who has spent nearly half his life in a rock band. I imagine a glimpse into King’s personal life would endear fans who might otherwise be skeptical about a Japandroids album with a song called “Upon Sober Reflection.” But early sobriety and new fatherhood are special, fragile things of which anyone would be protective. Especially for someone like King, who is described by anyone who truly knows him with some variation of “intensely private.” If alcohol and lust were the lifeblood of Japandroids, it only stands to reason that serenity would be the death of them. But if anyone cops a resentment over King’s healthier, happier life, just know: You’ve been grieving a version of Japandroids that hasn’t existed for over a decade. Fate & Alcohol is the stage of acceptance