Liner Notes (May 8th, 2020)

This week’s newsletter revisits Fall Out Boy’s discography after realizing it’s been fifteen years since the release of From Under the Cork Tree. I also share some things I enjoyed around the internet this week, as well as my thoughts on music and various entertainment I consumed. And, as always, there’s a playlist of ten songs I loved and your usual sarcasm and snark mixed within. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

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Interview: O’Brother

Mary Varvaris 3 weeks ago

O’Brother has never been an easy band to pin down. I’ll leave it to them, as they explain it best: they’re a “borderline metal band that’s heavily influenced by Radiohead and Sigur Ros”. Their debut album, 2011’s Garden Window embraced chaos and mystique, featured vocals from Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra) and introduced the band’s experimental nature. O’Brother quickly amassed a loyal following through clever, brilliant music and non-stop touring. Disillusion (2013), their sophomore effort, expanded on the post-metal influence the band only teased beforehand. In 2016, O’Brother released one of the best albums of the year in Endless Light.

Last week, O’Brother put up their new album, You and I on Bandcamp for a pay-what-you-want price. On April 7 2020, first single “Killing Spree” was unveiled to the world, following a few days of teasing online. Where Endless Light touched the surface of using space as an instrument, their fourth album, You and I revels in ambience. Guitarists Jordan McGhin and Johnny Dang go back and forth between classical guitars and staring at the computer. Anton Dang still plays the bass guitar, of course. Michael Martens hardly plays the drums. In the meantime, vocalist Tanner Merritt reaches for the piano. I caught up with O’Brother this week from their respective homes over a surprisingly non-lagging Zoom call. Martens chatted from his living room, McGhin from his bedroom, Anton Dang from his porch, and Johnny Dang and Merritt from their offices/home studios.

Liner Notes (May 1st, 2020)

Jason Tate 4 weeks ago

In this week’s newsletter I offer my first thoughts on Hayley Williams’s debut solo album, share some articles around the internet and two-person board games I liked, and then go through my usual music and entertainment rundown of the past week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I loved this week and some unfunny jokes. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

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Liner Notes (April 24th, 2020)

Jason Tate 1 month ago

I’m here writing another newsletter, so I guess it’s Friday again. This week I look at the music I enjoyed throughout the week, including a nostalgic remembrance of Home Grown and a re-listen to Yellowcard’s discography. I also go through my usual media diet rundown, and there’s a playlist of ten songs worth your time. Also, I’ve started answering some questions via the newsletter, so if you have any of those you’d like me to tackle, let me know. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

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Liner Notes (April 17th, 2020)

Jason Tate 1 month ago

Friday already, huh? This week’s newsletter has thoughts on new music, my favorite things I saw online this week, and a rundown of my quarantine media diet. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I liked this week, and this week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here. I hope everyone is staying safe out there.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Liner Notes (April 10th, 2020)

Jason Tate 2 months ago

This week’s newsletter looks at the aftermath of last week’s bracket and plays another viral game that will probably get someone mad at me. Then I share some articles I found interesting last week, as well as thoughts on music and various entertainment. And, of course, there’s a playlist of ten songs I liked last week. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Liner Notes (April 3rd, 2020)

Jason Tate 2 months ago

This week I fill out my Early 2000s Emo/Pop-Punk Bands bracket and go through all the matchups and my picks. I discuss the upsets, the never had a chances, and why I went with a slightly different champion than you might expect based upon the bands involved. I also share some articles I enjoyed this week, go through music and entertainment I consumed, and share a playlist of ten songs I liked. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Interview: Derek Zanetti of The Homeless Gospel Choir

Adam Grundy 2 months ago

This past week, I was able to connect with Derek Zanetti (aka The Homeless Gospel Choir) and discuss everything that went into making his new album, This Land is Your Landfill. I asked Derek about how he is staying connected to his fans during this pandemic, his take on the current political climate, his cassette collecting passion, and what he is most looking forward to when things return to normal.

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Liner Notes (March 27th, 2020)

Jason Tate 2 months ago

At this point, the only way I know a week has passed is because I’m writing this newsletter. In this week’s edition, I share some articles, podcasts, and other things that have gotten me through the week, as well as do a rundown on music and entertainment I’ve consumed. Not sure what we’d do without streaming services right now. Dua Lipa’s pop-goodness and the absurd Harley Quinn cartoon are powering me through. Oh, and there’s a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed this week, and this week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Liner Notes (March 20th, 2020)

Jason Tate 2 months ago

Well, this is going to be a week I think I remember for a long time. This week’s newsletter looks at the weirdness of the past week, includes a variety of articles I found interesting and helpful, and then has some thoughts on music and entertainment I consumed while doing the whole “stay inside” thing. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed this week, and this week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Interview: Elle Winter

Adam Grundy 2 months ago

This past week, I was able to have a phone conversation with Elle Winter before she released her new EP called Yeah, No. In this interview we discussed what went into the recording sessions, the meaning behind the album title, and artists she looks to for inspiration. Yeah, No is available everywhere music is sold.

Liner Notes (March 13th, 2020)

Jason Tate 2 months ago

This week’s newsletter looks at the crazy week we just had. There’s some thoughts on music and entertainment as well, but honestly, my mind’s been pretty preoccupied this week with everything else. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

Liner Notes (March 6th, 2020)

Jason Tate 3 months ago

This week’s newsletter has me looking at a bunch of the great releases and songs out this week, offering thoughts on staying focused while working from home, and has my usual media diet rundown as well. Plus, there is a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed this week. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week (it’s free and available to everyone), you can sign up here.

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Interview: Paul Marc Rousseau of Silverstein

Adam Grundy 3 months ago

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to have a great conversation with the lead guitarist of Silverstein, Paul Marc Rousseau. In this interview we chatted a lot about everything that went into making their new album A Beautiful Place to Drown, the collaborative efforts present on the record, the detailed writing process for these sessions, and we even discussed lead vocalist Shane Told’s consistent vocal improvements. A Beautiful Place to Drown is available everywhere music is sold this Friday, March 6th.