Pool Kids

Recently, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Christine Goodwyne (vocals/guitar) and Andy Anaya (guitars) of Pool Kids, ahead of the release of their great new album called Easier Said Than Done, out digitally via Epitaph on August 15th. In this interview, I asked Pool Kids about the unique artwork behind their new LP, what they did differently during their creative songwriting process, and which songs were the trickiest to pen on Easier Said Than Done. Pre-orders are up for the vinyl here.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

This past month I was able to connect with lead vocalist/guitarist, Christo Bowman, of the indie rock band, Bad Suns, to discuss what went into the band’s excellent fifth studio album, called Accelerator. In this interview, I asked Christo about his new foray into fatherhood and the affect it may influence in his future songwriting, plus Christo provided a detailed walkthrough of Bad Suns’ discography, and we also dove deep into the personal lyrical material found on Bad Suns’ latest album. Accelerator releases this Friday, August 8th via Epitaph Records and you can purchase the record here.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

Today is a great day to share the new music video from Origami Ghosts, called “Counter Counterculture.” The band, which fits in the same artistic vein as The Decemberists and Car Seat Headrest, makes their mark on the indie rock scene on this latest single. Band member JP Scesniak shared:

I was listening to a lot of Dead Milkmen at the time I wrote this song…and somehow — I recently realized — this tune was also influenced by the Frosted Flakes jingle (“Show ‘em you’re a Tiger…”). I watched too much TV as a kid. Too many commercials. We recorded this album at the end of a long tour, so we were pretty tight and into playing things fast. Maybe too fast. It’s spazzy. The inspiration behind this song is wordplay, trying to celebrate being square (counter counterculture) and being honest with yourself (counter counterfeit). When I sing, ‘I inhale only what I need / speaking to the hierarchy of light / of love and all that could be me,’ the hierarchy of light is the angels. This song is punk in that it’s a rebellion to typical punk themes. My friend Andie used to smoke a lot of pot during the time that I wasn’t smoking or drinking at all. I still don’t drink a whole lot anymore, and I’ll sometimes take cannabis recreationally. At the time of writing this song I was completely sober. Counter culture in 2025 is speaking up for your beliefs: voting for fair leaders that want things for people and not corporations.

If you’re enjoying the new single and video, please consider purchasing the new album this Friday here.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the heartfelt new single and music video from punk songwriter Sam Russo, called “The Muckleshoot Casino.” This great new single comes from Russo’s new LP, Hold You Hard, that releases everywhere music is sold this Friday, August 8th. Russo shared:

“The Muckleshoot Casino” is a very honest dive into loneliness, how it can hit you like a wave in the strangest moments, and the hope it takes to keep going. It’s a song of longing, written journal style after I got lost walking around a casino in Washington State. We shot the video in my local laundrette because it’s like a time capsule visually, but it’s also a place you go to sit and think and make things clean and new again, and that felt appropriate somehow.

If you’re enjoying the new single and are craving more Sam Russo, please consider purchasing his new record here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the video premiere of one of my favorite songs to come out this year, in The EXOHs incredible anthem of “Soarin’.” The band is Chris Canberg & Michael Perdichizzi and they have a sound similar to The Fray, Snow Patrol and The Ataris. The band shared, “This is our new video for our song ‘Soarin’’. Our music videos are a labor of love; we put a lot of work into them; we plan, write, and edit our videos ourselves, and ‘Soarin” is the latest in this line. It’s a breezy summer vibe, hopefully how the song also makes you feel. We hope you enjoy it!” The EXOHs are doing incredible work, and I hope they’re here to stay. If you’re enjoying the video/song, please consider streaming the single here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

The twentieth anniversary of the fifth studio album by Blindside is coming up this weekend, so it’s time to revisit The Great Depression. The album was largely influenced by a trip to Africa that their lead singer, Christian Lindskog, which left the singer “unsettled” by his experience and the things he saw vastly influenced the direction of the record. The LP also found Blindside going with an independent label, after the moderate commercial success of Silence and About a Burning Fire, and deciding to work with a different producer as well in Lasse Mårtén. While I felt the pairing of the previous two records with veteran producer, Howard Benson, was a match made in music heaven for Blindside, The Great Depression is truly an “artist’s record” in that the band was beginning to see the world through a much different lens. The set would spawn two singles in “Fell In Love With The Game” and the reflective “When I Remember,” but had trouble gaining traction commercially. The album is still adored by many Blindside fans to this day, and it’s easy to see why after a fresh listen. The Great Depression marked a significant shift in Blindside’s artistic direction, and left hints as to where they would take their sound on subsequent releases.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Recently, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Baltimore punk band, Pinkshift, to discuss everything that went into their forthcoming LP, Earthkeeper. I asked the band about what they love best about the DC-area music scene, the key influences and music upbringing each member brings into the band, and Pinkshift offered some cool creative insight on what fans can expect when Earthkeeper drops on August 29th via Hopeless Records.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single and music video from JULESY, the ultra-talented singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, New York, called “Heart On the Line.” This key track from JULESY’s new album, Flip The Bed, showcases this artist’s knack for writing deep, heartfelt hooks that have a lasting impact on the listener. In the same artistic vein as Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail, JULESY is your next obsession. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider staying in touch with JULESY here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Recently, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Jay Malcuit, the lead vocalist of a rock band called YUNGER, who have released a hard-hitting dual single in “Alive”/”Sinner”. In this interview, I asked Jay about what went into the writing and recording process of the single and the 7″ vinyl, his on-stage “persona”, and much more. If you’re enjoying the music and interview, please consider purchasing the 7″ single here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

I Am Waiting For You Last Summer, the cinematic/ambient post-rock band, has returned with a cool new single and video for “Nulla.” On this key song from the band’s forthcoming LP called Without/Within, this artist leans heavily into their epic sound. The band shared, “‘Nulla’ was inspired by the idea that we — as living matter—are part of an evolving process that, at some point, begins to question itself. There’s something powerful in the image of consciousness emerging from the same material that forms stars and planets — and then turning inward to ask: What am I? What is this?” If you’re enjoying the new music video, please consider pre-saving their new LP here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

I’d love to introduce everyone to South Florida hard rock band, The Haunt, who are led by a sister and brother duo, Anastasia (vocals) and Maxamillion Haunt (guitar/production). On their latest record, called New Addiction, The Haunt quickly re-solidify themselves as major players in the Alternative/Hard Rock scene with this album that was produced by Kevin Thrasher (Escape the Fate, Jelly Roll). The set includes The Haunt’s breakthrough single of “Masochistic Lovers,” that features Craig Mabbitt (Dead Rabbitts/Escape the Fate), that showcases the band’s knack for writing big hooks with plenty of emo-laced substance. The Haunt are a great mix of scene nostalgia, paired with powerhouse female vocals, and slick production in the same vein as Greywind, Paramore, and Evanescence. New Addiction lives up its name, because you will likely be obsessed and charmed by The Haunt.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with a few members of Have Mercy ahead of the release of their new album called The Loneliest Place I’ve Ever Been. In this interview, I asked the band about what went into the writing/recording process for this LP, their upcoming touring plans, and much more. The Loneliest Place I’ve Ever Been releases on August 29th via Rude Records and you can pre-order the vinyl here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single from The Heavenly States called “Fifth of July.” The band delivers a razor-sharp, new wave-tinged anthem that is sure to make you feel something. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting the band here.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

We need more punk music in this world, especially today, and Red Scare Records are supplying the goods to our demand with the recently released compilation of Red Scare Across Canada: 2025. The comp features a new single from four great artists in Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds, Guerilla Poubelle, Sam Russo, and In The Meantime. Red Scare Records is basically just showing off the depth of their dynamic punk rock roster on this compilation that plays out speedily, but is ultra-rewarding to the listener on repeat spins.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

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.

Pool Kids

Interview: Christo Bowman of Bad Suns

Origami Ghosts – “Counter Counterculture” (Video Premiere)

Sam Russo – “The Muckleshoot Casino” (Video Premiere)

The EXOHs – “Soarin'” (Video Premiere)

Review: Blindside – The Great Depression

Interview: Pinkshift

JULESY – “Heart On The Line” (Video Premiere)

Interview: Jay Malcuit of YUNGER

I Am Waiting For You Last Summer – “Nulla” (Video Premiere)

Review: The Haunt – New Addiction

Interview: Have Mercy

The Heavenly States – “Fifth Of July” (Song Premiere)

Review: Red Scare Across Canada: 2025

Wilson Getchell – “Life In The Circus” (Album Stream)