This week’s newsletter has some first impressions of the new AirPods, some results after experimenting with iOS 16 lock screens, and the usual commentary on music and entertainment I enjoyed last week. As always, there’s also a playlist of ten songs I liked, 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (September 24th, 2022)”
Today I’m thrilled to share the early album stream from melodic punk rock quartet, New Age Affair, for their new LP called Paradise White. The band is signed to the legendary indie punk label Manic Kat Records, and they are making their name better known with a sound that drifts somewhere between MxPx and Masked Intruder. If you’re enjoying the album stream, please consider purchasing the record tomorrow.
Read More “New Age Affair – “Paradise White” (Album Stream)”
Today is a great day to share indie-pop star, Parris Mitchell, and his new lyric video for “Your Only.” This New York-based singer-songwriter channels the best parts of the pop genre in this crowd-pleasing new single. On the track, Mitchell shared:
I wanted this song to feel like the tension before a kiss. Being in between who you were before and after it. Not love gained or lost but the middle child of the two. I had the most fun writing this one, the songs that pour out immediately usually are. There’s a lot of elements to this song that excite me, especially the ripping saxophones paired with the 80’s-esque drums. I love this song deeply and I hope you can hear that through its soaring vocals and production.
If you’re ready to take the next step in joining Parris Mitchell in his musical evolution, there’s no better time than now. I was also able to catch up with the artist for a brief interview.
Read More “Parris Mitchell – “Your Only” (Video Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share a live performance from Baltimore experimental rock duo, The Furniture. The band recently released their debut, self-titled LP via the label, Spanish Prayers. On this latest performance-based video, the band shared, “From a distance this band has two moving parts but when you’re able to peer over our shoulders and under our noses, there’s a lot more going on. It’s almost like a micro-world happening with the various instruments and sound makers. The video captures this beautifully, putting the viewer in the micro-world.” If you’ve been looking for that next great rock band that transcends musical genres, look no further than the ultra-talented The Furniture.
Read More “The Furniture – Live Set (Video Premiere)”
This week’s (kinda late) newsletter has first impressions of the new iPhone 14 Pro, some thoughts on iOS 16, and some commentary on one of the better release weeks this year. 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (September 18th, 2022)”
Today I’m thrilled to showcase the latest single from San Francisco rock band, The Stone Foxes, called “Time is a Killer.” With a sound that strays somewhere between The Black Crowes, Jack White, and The Struts, The Stone Foxes have crafted a blistering new song that hits all the right chords. The Stone Foxes are comprised of brothers Shannon and Spencer Koehler, and the latest single comes from their forthcoming LP On The Other Side, out everywhere music is sold on November 18th.
Read More “The Stone Foxes – “Time Is A Killer” (Song Premiere)”
Today is the perfect day to share Atlanta punk rock band, New Junk City, latest music video called “High Contrast.” In this great-sounding single, the band channel their love of Tom Petty with more of a Green Day styling to it. The band fits well in the scheme of fans of The Menzingers and Kali Masi. Band leader, John Vournakis, shared this about the new single, “It’s pretty on the nose – just about making an effort to remind myself of those moments when the clouds part, the light shines in, and I can see all the good, positive things in my life instead of staying focused on everything that is fucked up, rotten, and ugly. I’m certainly guilty of this, but I think a lot of songwriters use misery, dissatisfaction or self loathing as the defacto starting point. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I frequently feel that way, but it’s where I’ve always written from, and I just wanted to try to write a positive song for once.” By facing their hardest challenges head on, New Junk City have crafted a masterful new single.
Read More “New Junk City – “High Contrast” (Video Premiere)”
Recently I was able to catch up with singer-songwriter Cal Stamp (Record Heat / Spirit Animal) to discuss his recent EP entitled Nylon, his second EP called Denim, and how Stamp plans to close out the “trilogy” with Leather. In this interview, Cal Stamp discussed his unique musical upbringing, what motivates him as an artist, and he mentioned several of his core artist influences. Stamp’s Denim EP will be available wherever you stream your music on October 14th, and the latest single, “Don’t Make Me Wait!” was released on September 9th.
Read More “Cal Stamp”
This week’s newsletter has some thoughts on the chaos of trying to order the first pressing of New Found Glory’s Coming Home and the unfortunate industry practices that lead to these dustups. I also share some commentary on music released this week and some entertainment I’ve enjoyed. As always, there’s a playlist of ten songs I recommend, 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (September 10th, 2022)”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from indie singer-songwriter Megan Slankard, called “Magical Thinking.” Slankard channels the best parts of guitar-driven indie rock with a sound that tows the line somewhere between Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy, but with enough twists and turns to make it her own. Slankard shared this about her latest single:
When I wrote this song, I was in the middle of a relationship where I felt I was disappearing, fearful and unable to express my feelings. Some days the only way I could write songs was to imagine myself as someone else. In my songs I could transform myself into a powerful, commanding, and confident character that was larger than life. She was like my own personal super hero who helped me get through difficult times.
If you’re ready for that next great musical discovery, look no further than the ultra-talented Megan Slankard, and you can pre-save the song here.
Read More “Megan Slankard – “Magical Thinking” (Song Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the latest single from Bret Koontz & Truancy Club, called “Strange New Love.” In this great-sounding single, the band channels power pop groups like Chicago and The Carpenters with a modern twist to keep things interesting for newer audiences. The track comes from the band’s upcoming new LP A Sparkle Road Cult, that will be out everywhere music is sold on November 18th. I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview too.
Read More “Bret Koontz and Truancy Club – “Strange New Love” (Video Premiere)”
Today is the perfect day to share the latest music video from Katrina Ford, a performance video of her single “Peace Out.” In this latest song, Ford shared, “This was the first time we played these songs in person to anyone. It has a prominently featured foot bass cam. The studio mid-pandemic was set up in this luscious blue opal room. These are the songs as we played them to some beats and triggers. This is OUR future present now.” If you’ve been looking for that next artist that checks all of those boxes, look no further than the dynamic Katrina Ford. I also had a chance to catch up with the artist for a brief interview.
Read More “Katrina Ford – “Peace Out” (Video Premiere)”
Today I’m excited to share the latest music video from indie pop/rock band Late Cambrian, called “Sydney Sweeney.” In this dystopian-styled song, the band explores the pitfalls of being stuck online with no glimmers of hope to escape the ugliness of this world. The single comes from their upcoming record entitled Future Snacks, where the band shared, “We were originally going to call the album Future Ghosts, but I thought it was too grim,” says Wlaysewski. “Future Snacks came out of that idea of planning for a party, creating an experience, but then underneath that there’s the creeping sense that it can all end at any time. In a way, we’re all future snacks.” If you’re enjoying the new track from Late Cambrian, Future Snacks hits the streets on September 23rd via Mifflin Street Music.
Read More “Late Cambrian – “Sydney Sweeney” (Video Premiere)”
This week’s newsletter has some thoughts on my first live concert in over two years (Dashboard Confessional and Andrew McMahon), some brief commentary on other music and entertainment I consumed over the past week, and a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed. 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (September 3rd, 2022)”
Recently I was able to catch up with the lead vocalist of the LA-based rock band, called Crossing I’s Dotting T’s. In this interview, we chatted about the direction the band took on their recent single “You,” which features the band Have Mercy, as well as the band’s core influences. We also discussed just how often people get the band’s name wrong as well as the band’s goals for the future.
Read More “Crossing I’s Dotting T’s”
