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.
Read More “Pool Kids”Origami Ghosts – “Counter Counterculture” (Video Premiere)
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.
Read More “Origami Ghosts – “Counter Counterculture” (Video Premiere)”Sam Russo – “The Muckleshoot Casino” (Video Premiere)
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.
Read More “Sam Russo – “The Muckleshoot Casino” (Video Premiere)”The EXOHs – “Soarin'” (Video Premiere)
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.
Read More “The EXOHs – “Soarin’” (Video Premiere)”JULESY – “Heart On The Line” (Video Premiere)
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.
Read More “JULESY – “Heart On The Line” (Video Premiere)”I Am Waiting For You Last Summer – “Nulla” (Video Premiere)
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.
Read More “I Am Waiting For You Last Summer – “Nulla” (Video Premiere)”The Heavenly States – “Fifth Of July” (Song Premiere)
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.
Read More “The Heavenly States – “Fifth Of July” (Song Premiere)”Wilson Getchell – “Life In The Circus” (Album Stream)
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)”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””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)”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””Native Sun – “No” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single and video from NYC-based rock band, Native Sun, called “No.” On this picturesque video, Native Sun evoke the right emotions through their unique brand of music that has previously earned praise from Rolling Stone, FLOOD, and more. The band shared, “‘No’ captures the tension of trying to hold onto yourself while the world is pulling you in different directions. It’s feeling of swinging between overload and emptiness, between faith and disillusionment. You’re searching for a foothold while the ground keeps shifting beneath you.” If you’re enjoying the single, you can stay on top of the latest Native Sun news here.
Read More “Native Sun – “No” (Video Premiere)”ELI – “Another Day” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to ELI, a really cool artist who is seamlessly merging a haunting sound with her ultra-intense visuals, as showcased on the video for “Another Day.” If you’re enjoying the early watch/listen, please consider supporting ELI here.
Read More “ELI – “Another Day” (Video Premiere)”