features - PAGE 16

lolitslea – “Exit Plan” (Video Premiere)

lolitslea
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to a cool new pop-punk band from New Jersey called lolitslea. With their latest single, called “Exit Plan,” this dynamic band quickly showcases why they’ve been winning over audiences each time they perform. When speaking on the latest track, lolitslea shared, “‘Exit Plan’ runs circles around the themes of liminal spaces, the backrooms, and realizing life will never be what it was back in 2008. Where my biggest regret in life was selling my Nintendo DS to a local pawn shop. This tune was co-produced and co-written by Tom Denney, formerly of A Day To Remember.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider pre-ordering the band’s debut LP Nothing Lasts Forever that hits the streets on October 11th here.

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Cascade Riot – “Ruby” (Video Premiere)

Cascade Riot
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single and music video from Cascade Riot, called “Ruby.” “Ruby” is the 2nd single from Cascade Riot’s forthcoming debut album on PNWK Records. While their previous single, “Exit 55,” showed off a more aggressive side, “Ruby” shows off a poppier, bouncier side while still retaining the band’s trademark elements. Lyrically the song explores themes of introspection and longing for something that once belonged to you but has slipped away. Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Failla shared, “With this album we’re really trying to let all of our influences show and expand our sound a bitwithout losing sight of what makes us who we are. I remember picking up an acoustic guitar one day and just randomly strumming those opening chords. The rest of the song came very quickly after that. The lyrics just kind of spilled out and are a pretty accurate depiction of how I was feeling at the time.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider supporting Cascade Riot here.

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Interview: Peter James of Manic Kat Records

Manic Kat Records
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Peter James, the owner of indie label Manic Kat Records, to discuss his label’s upcoming 10th anniversary. I also asked Peter about what qualities he looks for when signing bands/artists to his label, the best practices he’s learned in the music business, as well as how he sees the state of vinyl production today. Manic Kat Records has a roster that includes Ryan Cabrera, The Anchor, Along Came A Spider, and Todd Morse.

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Interview: M.A.G.S.

MAGS
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Elliott Douglass, aka M.A.G.S., to discuss the inspiration behind his new reimagined version of Destroyer that released this past week via Smartpunk Records, called Creator. In this interview, we chatted about how Creator came to be, his collaborations that made this record possible, as well as a quick preview of his fall tour with Barely Civil. Creator is available for purchase here.

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Interview: Benny Horowitz of The Gaslight Anthem

Gaslight Anthem
Adam Grundy

A couple weeks back, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Benny Horowitz, the drummer of The Gaslight Anthem, to discuss everything that went into recently remastered/expanded version of History Books. I asked Benny about how the collaboration with Bruce Springsteen came about, the circumstances that led a lengthy hiatus after the band released Get Hurt, as well as how The Gaslight Anthem’s headlining tour has been going.

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Interview: Dan O’Connor and Alan Day of Four Year Strong

Four Year Strong
Adam Grundy

This past month I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Dan O’Connor and Alan Day of Four Year Strong to talk about everything that went into the writing and recording process of their new album called Analysis Paralysis. In this interview, I asked the two guitarists/vocalists about how they crafted these songs, what they did differently in their creative process for this album, as well as what they’re looking forward to on their recently announced headlining tour. Analysis Paralysis is out today on all music streaming services, and there are still some vinyl options available here.

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Alffa – “Breathe Free” (Song Premiere)

Alffa
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from hard rock band, Alffa, called “Breathe Free.” Hailing from the rural village of Llanrug in North Wales, Alffa are the dynamic duo of guitarist/vocalist Dion Wyn Jones and drummer Sion Eifion Land. The band shared about the new track, “This song invites you on a journey of self-discovery, reminding us all that embracing and celebrating our true selves is the key to true freedom. ‘Breathe Free’ is not just a song for us; it’s a call to break free from internal struggles and celebrate the power within.” Alffa plans to release their sophomore album this November. If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can check out the streaming options here.

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Interview: RobbieTheUsed

RobbieTheUsed
Adam Grundy

This past month I was able to catch up with RobbieTheUsed to discuss everything that went into his upcoming solo album. I also asked him about The Used’s latest B-sides record called Medz, The Used’s plans for celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band next year, what led him to explore this solo project, and what he likes best about pop music. Tomorrow, RobbieTheUsed will be releasing his second single from his solo album, called “The Feels”, and you can pre-save the track here.

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Kylie V – “Lucky Streak” (Video Premiere)

Kylie V
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new music video from indie folk artist, Kylie V, called “Lucky Streak.” On this heartfelt single, Kylie V blends an operatic voice with the songwriting chops of Halsey and Phoebe Bridgers to make their mark on the music scene. Kylie V shared:

I wrote ‘Lucky Streak’ during the excruciatingly complex process of getting over someone, while everything else in my life seemed to be speeding up and getting better at a surreal pace. When I started this song in my notes, I was one one hand feeling lost and empty, and on the other hand it felt like all my dreams were beginning to come true–later in the month I wrote this song I played my biggest venue to date, and then flew across the country for another show. ‘Lucky Streak’ started as a folky breakup ballad, but as I worked on it with Josh (Eastman, my producer and friend), it began to blossom into what I think is one of my most fun songs, and took on an entirely different significance to me in the process.

If you’re enjoying this talented artist’s new single and video, please consider supporting Kylie V here. I was also able to catch up with Kylie V for a brief interview below.

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Massive Nightmares – “Back To The Beach” (Song Premiere)

Massive Nightmares
Adam Grundy

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the new single from indie punk band, Massive Nightmares, called “Back to the Beach.” Formed in the fall of 2023, indie-punk band Massive Nightmares is composed of members of bands Great Lakes USA, No Trigger, Save Ends, and David New Joy. After a brief stint as three-piece, friend (and being in as many bands as possible, addict) Tom Ciesluk joined on bass, rounding out the four-piece with Myke Doyle on drums, Alex Heinz on lead guitar and Pat Lavalle moving over to rhythm guitar, helping to achieve a riff-heavy mix of hooks and harmonies. Massive Nightmares blends influences from melodic 2000’s punk with 80’s indie and alternative reminiscent of The Lemonheads meets the Bronx. Alex Heinz shared, “‘Back To The Beach’ is the first song I wrote post Great Lakes USA going on a hiatus, after years of chaotic riffing and screaming I wanted to change course in both my songwriting and vocal performance to something that felt more in touch with who I am now. Keeping the structure of the song very simple and focusing heavily on layering melody and harmonies (and with a massive assist from our producer Trevor Reilly) we found ourselves with breezy summer jam ready for radio. Lyrically the song is about how rad it is to go to the beach.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider pre-ordering the band’s self-titled EP that releases on September 6th here.

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Frank Viele – “Necessary Evil” (Video Premiere)

Frank Viele
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the latest single and lyric video from Frank Viele called “Necessary Evil.” Viele takes us behind the scenes to describe the meaning behind his new single saying:

’Necessary Evil’ is a song that came from a special place in my own journey and became a story of self doubt through the main character’s eventual embrace of empathy. Human existence brings both monumental joy and crushing heartache…Love becomes real, nature speaks differently, music can bring tears to your eyes, an embrace from the one you cherish can truly make your knees tremble. Honest empathetic connection with other living beings is the greatest thing this planet has to offer but it comes with a lot of sadness and heaviness sometimes. One might say that it’s a heavy heart to carry but a necessary evil

If you’re enjoying the latest single from Frank Viele, please consider pre-ordering his new LP called The Trouble With Desire here. I was also able to catch up with this talented songwriter for a brief interview below.

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Burr Oak – “No Time To Dream” (Video Premiere)

Burr Oak
Adam Grundy

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the new single and video from indie rock band, Burr Oak, called “No Time To Dream.” This is the second single off the band’s EP, Annabelle, that will be released on September 20th via Easy Does It Records. Burr Oak explains, “This track outlines and emphasis how Annabelle spirals down into a deep, dark depression after she gives birth to her baby. Otherwise known as a serious postpartum depression. As the lyrics go, She has ‘no time to read, no time to sleep, and no time to dream.’ All of her time is taken up by taking care of her newborn without any help. She feels lost and hopeless. She contemplates what life would be like if she ended things. The only thing keeping her going is the will to survive for her baby.” If you’re enjoying the new video from Burr Oak, please consider supporting this artist here. I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview below.

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Vicious Dreams – “Too Tough” (Song Premiere)

Vicious Dreams
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single from punk band, Vicious Dreams, called “Too Tough.” Vicious Dreams are a power-pop influenced punk trio from Orlando, FL. Heavily influenced by the likes of the Buzzcocks, Nasty Facts, and other fun 70s/80s rock n’ roll. They tune into the middle-ground between harmonic vocal melodies and hard-hitting, slightly melancholic, chord progressions and lyrics. Their newest full-length record (Turn Off My Brain aka T.O.M.B.) explores the daily struggles of dealing with ADHD and anxiety while trying to keep your head on straight in a world that often feels majorly bizarre. The songs aren’t searching for any answers, only trying to make light, with a little three-chord rock, of how weird it is to be here. Guitarist/vocalist Amanda Little shared, “‘Too Tough’ is about macho guys who think being rude and shitty make them cool. They try too hard, and their pseudo-toughness ends up making them look foolish. The antagonist of the song reminded us a lot of Johnny Bravo, which is why we picked that name for the character.” If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering Turn Off My Brain here.

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José Lobo – “Pajarita” (Video Premiere)

José Lobo
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the latest music video from José Lobo called “Pajarita.” The track comes from Lobo’s debut album, In All Good Hope, that released this past May. “‘Pajarita’ is about a long distance relationship,” Lobo explains. “The lyrics are about the reality I imagined my partner at the time was living, how her mornings were, her walk to work everyday, a time during which I was asleep.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider purchasing In All Good Hope here.

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