Interview: The Eyebrows

The Eyebrows

Recently I was able to catch up with Charlotte, North Carolina-based power pop band, The Eyebrows, to discuss their latest album called Double Take. The Eyebrows are singer-songwriter, producer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Jay Garrigan, bassist and vocalist Darrin Gray, and drummer and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lynch. In this interview, I asked the band about what went into the writing/recording process for Double Take, how they approach building out their setlists for tours, and much more. Double Take released on April 19th, and there are still a few physical options of the record at the band’s store here.

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Interview: Letters Sent Home

Letters Sent Home

Recently I was able to catch up with a German quartet called Letters Sent Home to discuss their new LP, Forever Undone, that released today via SharpTone Records. The highly anticipated album features recently released singles, “Request Denied” and “Elements”, alongside nine ambitious and exciting new tracks. The band is comprised of singer Emily Paschke, bassist Lara Ripke, guitarist Robin Werner, and drummer Louis Schramm. In this interview, I asked the band about their excitement level with releasing their debut LP, their touring plans, and much more. Forever Undone can be purchased here.

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Record Store Day Countdown: The 1975 – Live At Gorilla

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The first week of our Record Store Day countdown series wraps up today with a look into the live set from The 1975 called Live At Gorilla. This performance of the band’s debut LP, played in full from front to back for the first time since 2013, was recorded live in Manchester on February 1, 2023 and remains faithful to the original recording. The “RSD First” double LP is limited to 7,500 copies via Interscope Records and is pressed on white vinyl. The artwork for Live At Gorilla can be found below.

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Applied Communications – “Oxytocin Drunk” (Song Premiere)

Applied Communications

Today I’m excited to share with everyone the latest single from Applied Communications called “Oxytocin Drunk.” Applied Communications is the music alias of Max Wood, and he channels his love for slick production and powerful songwriting in a crowd-pleasing package. When speaking on the new single, Max shared that “Oxytocin Drunk” is “the first song I finished when I decided to make music again. It’s about the joy of being disappointed; realizing that means that you are capable of caring really deeply about the people, ideas, and experiences in your life. I tried to keep it relatively straightforward and poppy, though the yowling off-key chorus vocals and abrupt shifts will probably lose some folks.” If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering his upcoming EP here. I was also able to catch up with Max for a brief interview below.

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Elly Low – “I’m Afraid” (Video Premiere)

Elly Low

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to a new artist named Elly Low, and share her debut music video for “I’m Afraid.” This song is a catchy jazz-pop track that explores the relatable vulnerability and uncertainty of falling in love. The song reminds me a bit of Amy Winehouse’s charisma paired with Lana Del Rey’s songwriting. Her label shared, “Elly sent me a few demos, and I was knocked out. I immediately offered her a development deal. She has a modern sound in an earthy, bluesy, Georgia kind of way. ‘I’m Afraid’ is the first of what’s going to be many songs coming from this uniquely talented singer/songwriter.” If you’re enjoying the debut single from Elly Low, keep an eye out for her debut EP that will be released later this year. I was also able to catch up with Elly for a brief interview below.

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Record Store Day Countdown: Collective Soul – Dosage

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The march towards Record Store Day continues today with a look at Collective Soul and their fourth studio album, Dosage. The record is celebrating a 25th anniversary this year, so the timing was perfect to reissue this LP. This “RSD First” release is limited to just 2,000 copies via Craft Recordings, and it is pressed on “translucent lemonade” vinyl. The set features the singles “Heavy,” and one of my all-time favorite ballads in “Run.”

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Crow and Gazelle – “The Only Thing” (Song Premiere)

Crow and Gazelle

Today is a great day to share the new single from Crow and Gazelle called “The Only Thing.” The song comes from the band’s new LP, As Above Now So Below, that releases everywhere music is sold on April 26th. The band shared:

When I used to volunteer in the max ward of the jail in Austin, I would sing this chorus to the women in our closing circle, where we worked to heal trauma, every week. In the context of this album, the words of this song fit the theme of love helping us to heal and to recover…A song of love, but not just to another… this one, especially the first part, is often sung to myself–to the part of me that I have recovered and reclaimed, which was torn apart as a child. She is the one who helps drive out the demons of the past. Because I want to give her that power, now, just as I want to give it to anyone who has suffered at the hands of another. To undo, unlearn, and draw attention to the truth of our worth, through songs like this and the rest of this album, feels like ‘the only thing I’ve done right.’ Not literally of course, but it feels like the most right thing I could do, at this very moment. Love brought us both to this place–it empowered us to find our truth, and to share it.

If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the new LP here.

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Record Store Day Countdown: Paramore – ‘Re: This Is Why/Burning Down the House’

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The countdown to the annual Record Store Day observance continues today by taking a look at Paramore and their three vinyl releases. Paramore will be releasing their remix album, Re: This Is Why on red vinyl, as well as the comprehensive reissue of This Is Why plus Re: This Is Why on red/tan vinyl. This year’s Record Store Day Ambassadors are also releasing a 12″ vinyl single of their cover of a Talking Heads classic “Burning Down the House” with David Byrne contributing a cover of Paramore’s “Hard Times” from After Laughter on the A-side.

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Record Store Day Countdown: Dead By Sunrise – Out Of Ashes

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The countdown to Record Store Day continues today with a look at Dead By Sunrise and their only LP, Out of Ashes, that will be released on “black ice” vinyl for the first time in North America. For those unfamiliar with the band, they were fronted by Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington and included Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh from Orgy. This album was officially released on September 30th, 2009 and was produced by veteran hit-maker Howard Benson. This “RSD First” release is limited to just 7,500 copies and comes courtesy of Warner Records.

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Record Store Day Countdown: Filter – The Very Best Things (1995-2008)

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Today we are launching the first day of a Record Store Day countdown to the annual vinyl celebration of indie record stores, that occurs this year on April 20, 2024. Each day you can look forward to a different vinyl release that I will dive into with exclusive pictures, reviews of the packaging and material, as well as a brief write-up of what to expect on the recording. Kicking things off is Filter with their Craft Recordings compilation known as The Very Best Things (1994-2008).

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Misner & Smith – “Sadie’s Song” (Video Premiere)

Misner & Smith

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest video from Americana songwriting duo Misner & Smith called “Sadie’s Song.” Misner& Smith is the duo of Sam Misner (guitar) and Megan Smith, and they’re truly onto something great on songs like this. On this vibrant track that comes from their new LP, All Is Song, this duo capture the spirit of classic songwriters like Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell in the best ways possible.

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Faulty Cognitions – “Your Inheritance” (Song Premiere)

Faulty Cognitions

Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to a great band called Faulty Cognitions, who are providing an early listen to their new single called “Your Inheritance.” Faulty Cognitions are a brand new quartet from San Antonio, TX, and they announce their arrival with a chiming, subtly melancholic guitar line – brand new yet instantly familiar. When speaking on his band’s new single, lead vocalist Chris Mason shared, “‘Your Inheritance’ is a story about power and privilege.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider pre-ordering their new LP Somehow, Here We Are that releases on April 12th via Cercle Social Records here.

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Interview: Anthony Raneri of Bayside

Bayside

Recently I was able to catch up with Anthony Raneri of Bayside to discuss everything that went into their new album, There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive, that just dropped today. The latest record, Bayside’s ninth in total, is a great mix of all the elements that made the band rise to fame in the genre, and as Anthony puts it in the interview, “It sounds like Bayside, but better.” Bayside are currently on tour in support of the new album, and tour dates are below.

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