Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the new EP from Wilson Getchell called Life In The Circus, that releases officially today on all streaming services. The mini-EP consists of four songs, running just over six and a half minutes. The title track, “Life in the Circus”, is a tongue-in-cheek, bouncy indie pop song painting substance abuse in a colorful circus hue. “I’m Just Sitting Here Waiting” is a country ditty about waiting for “a neighborhood crackhead to show up to mow the lawn.” “King” is a catchy, yet demented and offensive coming-of-age story of a young monarch, featuring Will Hamilton on the drums and background vocals from Giselle Armenta. The mini-EP is rounded out with the indie polka number, “How Low Can We Go?”. Getchell describes, “On my new EP, Life in the Circus, I really leaned into Brian Wilson and Ween influences. Life in the Circus could be described as an EP or as a single with an A side, a B side, and two perky ditties. The four songs total run time is 6:40. It’s short, fun, and silly. The title track, ‘Life in the Circus’, is a tongue-in-cheek, bouncy bedroom pop song which paints reckless living in a colorful circus hue. The B-side, “King” is a fairly demented and humorous coming-of-age story of a young monarch. You’re going to want to wear a helmet for that one…” If you’re enjoying the album stream, please consider supporting this talented artist here.
Read More “Wilson Getchell – “Life In The Circus” (Album Stream)”Tokyo Rose – “Philadelphia In the Springtime” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to share the new bonus track/visualizer video from 00’s emo band, Tokyo Rose, that comes from their breakthrough record of called New American Saint, with “Philadelphia in the Springtime.” The band is also excited to announce their signing to the label of Manic Kat Records, and the deluxe version of New American Saint releases this Friday. Lead vocalist Ryan Dominguez shared:
I never imagined anything I did 20 years ago would ever be remembered, let alone be regarded fondly enough by anyone, other than the very small handful of people who were involved with it at the time, to be remastered and re-released 2 decades after the fact. But somehow Peter and the team at Manic Kat pulled a vinyl rabbit out of their magic hat, called “New American Saint: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Re-Mastered Edition
If you’re enjoying the newly released single, please consider staying tuned to Tokyo Rose’s Manic Kat Records page here.
Read More “Tokyo Rose – “Philadelphia In the Springtime” (Song Premiere)”Blonde Otter – “Your Number” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the new single from Brooklyn-based rock band, Blonde Otter, called “Your Number.” In this cool-looking lyric video for the single, Blonde Otter tackles staying connected in an AI-driven world, while still staying human in this environment. The band shared:
”Your Number” delves into the complexities of modern digital communication, exploring the superficiality of online interactions and the yearning for genuine human connection amidst the pervasive influence of data and AI. Our forthcoming album, from which ‘Your Number’ is the first single, marks a significant evolution for us, moving into broader political and societal themes that reflect our struggle to create amidst contemporary pressures. We are simply just part of the New York experience.
If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider staying connected with the band here.
Read More “Blonde Otter – “Your Number” (Song Premiere)”Interview: Trestles
Recently I was able to connect with Santa Cruz, California beach rock band, Trestles, to discuss their slick new single/video that recently released, called ”Bones.” Trestles are gearing up for the release of their sophomore full-length record called SALT, that will be released on September 26th. If you’re enjoying the interview, please consider streaming the band’s music here, or catch a show on their tour.
Read More “Trestles”Review: Lord Huron – The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
Lord Huron, the project of LA-based singer-songwriter, and visual artist, Ben Schneider, has released his fifth album that was written and co-produced by Schneider. Rounding out Lord Huron’s band are musicians Tom Renaud, Mark Barry and Miguel Briseño, and there is also two cameos to be found on The Cosmic Selector from actress Kristen Stewart (on “Who Laughs Last”) and Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino (on “Fire Eternal”). Lord Huron gets into a comfortable groove on this 12-track LP that seems like the logical follow-up from the band’s excellent 2018 record of Vide Noir, paired with the crisp songwriting that was most recently found all over the 2021 effort called Long Lost. One of the key tracks that helps set the tone for the entirety of the record is found on “Nothing I Need” as Schneider croons, “I feel in deep when you fell in love with me / Now I got everything I want, and I got nothing that I need / If I believe, will you fall back in love with me? / Now I got everything I want, and I got nothing that I need.” These lyrics act as a mantra for Lord Huron as he once again explores the cosmos on The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, an album that is rich with the themes of love, loneliness, and finding out the meaning of this thing we call life.
Read More “Lord Huron – The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1”Interview: The Strike
Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with indie pop band, The Strike, to discuss their new album called A Dream Through Open Eyes. In this interview, the band discussed their big opportunity of opening for The Fray, provided some insight into their songwriting process, as well as previewed their single called “The Getaway” featuring Mitchell Tenpenny out today.
Read More “The Strike”Review: The All-American Rejects – Move Along
”When all you got to keep is strong / Move along, move along like I know ya do / And even when your hope is gone / Move along, move along just to make it through.” Simple lyrics, but immediately impactful from The All-American Rejects on their sophomore smash of a record called Move Along. The band found an immediate spark in their songwriting under the careful tutelage of veteran producer Howard Benson, recorded by Mike Plotnikoff, and mixed by a “living legend” in Chris Lord-Alge, AAR struck gold…rather platinum (x3). This was the first album to feature guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor, while the band’s self-titled debut was a two-piece effort between Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) and Nick Wheeler (guitars/keyboards/programming). Looking back today on the record that changed The All-American Rejects commercial prospects for the foreseeable future is a fun task. The album spawned three singles in the infectious guitar pop of “Dirty Little Secret”, the timeless title track, and the piano-laced ballad of “It Ends Tonight.” The band has found an entirely new shelf life to Move Along, and their entire discography, by self-promoting impromptu house parties to begin the next phase of the band.
Read More “The All-American Rejects – Move Along”Chinese Junk – “Shut Up About the USA”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the hook-laden new single from UK punk rock band, Chinese Junk, that has a blistering take on the current political landscape called “Shut Up About The USA.” These punk rockers are coming in hot with some slick guitar-driven garage punk rock with meaning. Whether you’re tossing beers in your basement or screaming down a dirt road at 100 mph, this split (called Talk Trash w/ Gino & The Goons and Chinese Junk) that releases this Friday, will deliver the anxiety ridden chaos your soul craves. The sound of sweat filled shows and sweat soaked rebellion – get it while it’s still dripping on Big Neck Records. Band member Ben Nuthink shared:
I’ve got a few friends that are lucky enough to be able to afford to go to the USA on holiday pretty regularly. I can’t afford to, so it’s probably partly written as a case of sour grapes but also me having a bit of fun with it. I figured I’d write a song referring to all the stereotypes of the USA that I could think of to fill two verses. I mention cops in donut shops which funnily enough, I also mention in a song on our first album. The references are mostly good things. Americans do everything bigger than the rest of the world so it’s pointing that out too. The ‘Shut Up…’ lyric in the chorus is me saying to stop rubbing in that you’ve been there AGAIN and I haven’t for years!
If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider picking up the split record via Big Neck Records, here.
Read More “Chinese Junk – “Shut Up About the USA””Interview: Arts Fishing Club – “Gary Busey”
Indie rock band, Arts Fishing Club, has returned with a new single called “Gary Busey.” The band plans to support the single with a key support slot with The 502s. In this brief interview, I asked the band about the significance behind the name of the single, Arts Fishing Club’s core influences, their favorite “storytellers in music, and their plans for the rest of 2025. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider staying in the loop about the band here.
Read More “Arts Fishing Club – “Gary Busey””Review: World’s First Cinema – Something Of Wonder
On their Fearless Records debut, World’s First Cinema expand upon their starry-eyed vision for the movies and theater that they first tinkered with on their EP (2023’s Palm Reader) with the newly-released Something Of Wonder. The band’s first taste of the new direction they took on this record came with the lead single of “Hold My Own,” a sprawling, riff-heavy track that is in the same realm as bands like American Authors and Panic! At the Disco. World’s First Cinema is the duo of John Sinclair (piano/violin/arrangements) and Fil Thorpe (former vocalist of Neck Deep). On the “Hold My Own,” the band shared, “This song came together after a stretch of touring, where we found ourselves drawn to the high-energy moments in our set. We wanted to capture that feeling in a fresh way, and this track was the result. It felt like the perfect opener for the album—almost like a red herring for what’s to come. It makes a bold statement: we can make music that sounds like this, but we choose to take the album in a direction that’s less expected and, for us, way more exciting.” By adding that dramatic flair to their music, Something Of Wonder lives up to its name in more ways than one.
Read More “World’s First Cinema – Something Of Wonder”Royal Blush – “Go” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to Royal Blush, the Alt Rock band from New Jersey, who have released their debut EP called A Ways Away in May, who now have put the finishing touches on the video for the lead single of ”Go.” Formed by guitarist Andrew Merclean, and later joined by vocalist Allison Heckart and guitarist/producer Patryk Sikorski, this trio is already making waves. Heckart’s vocal range is somewhere in the same realm as Hayley Williams and Pinkshift’s Ashrita Kuma, while she truly has a unique style of her own. If you’re enjoying “Go,” please consider supporting the band here.
Read More “Royal Blush – “Go” (Video Premiere)”Review: Wet Leg – moisturizer
There’s so much to love when a talented young band quickly figures out their sound and takes their music in the directions you were hoping they would. There is no “sophomore slump” to be found on moisturizer, the second LP by indie rockers, Wet Leg. After an astounding self-titled debut record garnered the band some Grammy wins and a moment of, “Holy shit, we’ve arrived” in the chart-topping singles of “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream”, Wet Leg appeared to solidify their status as much more than a one-trick pony on moisturizer. The set was once-again produced by Dan Carey (Civil Twilight, Foals) and this continued relationship truly pays off here. Wet Leg was founded by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, and the two songwriters are joined here by Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, and Joshua Mobaraki to round out their attack found on this blistering record that is filled with brash guitars, hooks for days, and improved songwriting.
Read More “Wet Leg – moisturizer”Bec Lauder and The Noise – “Nobody Cares”
Bec Lauder and The Noise have returned with an electric-charged new single and lyric video for “Nobody Cares.” The song comes from the band’s new LP, The Vessel, out everywhere music is sold on August 22nd via Killphonic.
Read More “Bec Lauder and The Noise – “Nobody Cares””Interview: Idobi Radio Summer School Tour Preview
Recently, I was able to schedule some Zoom calls with Idobi Radio Summer School Tour artists Taylor Acorn, Charlotte Sands, and Arrows In Action to ask them about what they’re most looking forward to once the trek kicks off today (July 11th). In these full interviews with each artist, I asked each of them about their own “summer school” experiences as kids, the music they have been working on, and what to look forward to from each of them once the tour wraps up. Idobi Radio’s Summer School starts now, and there are still a few tickets available here.
Read More “Idobi Radio Summer School Tour Preview”Interview: Bert Martínez-Cowles of Split Chain
This past week I was able to schedule a Zoom call with lead vocalist Bert Martínez-Cowles, of the UK rock band known as Split Chain. The band is gearing up for the release of their debut LP, motionblur, via Epitaph this Friday, July 11th. In this interview, I asked Bert about how the band got their name, the meaning behind the title of the record, and some music discourse on how Split Chain realized they were on the right track. Split Chain’s debut can be pre-ordered here.
Read More “Bert Martínez-Cowles of Split Chain”