Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom interview with Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line to discuss the band’s recently announced holiday shows. In this chat, we talked a lot about the band’s recent livestream performances, the legacy he hopes The Starting Line have achieved, as well as plans for new music from the band.
Read More “Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line”
Today I’m excited to bring everyone a new single and video from The Lighthouse and the Whaler called “What’s In Your Head.” In this great-sounding single that fits somewhere in the same vein as The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, this band crafts a crisp song about the complexities of relationships. I was also able to catch up with the band for a quick chat about this single.
Read More “The Lighthouse and the Whaler – “What’s In Your Head” (Video Premiere)”
This week’s newsletter has some thoughts on the When We Were Young festival cancelation yesterday and early thoughts on new music out last week (Taylor Swift, Pinkshift, Young the Giant). There’s also a playlist of ten songs I think are worth your time, and this week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.
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Read More “Liner Notes (October 23rd, 2022)”
Today is a great day to showcase the latest EP from indie-rock band, Partygirl. On this self-titled EP, the band are able to tackle the themes of surviving and finding their independence. The band’s founders, Pagona Kytzidis and Colby Lamson-Gordon shared:
The EP is about a reclamation of self, particularly in the context of confusing, disorienting, and/or violent intimate experiences. We were inspired by trying to find clarity in the wake of specific distressing experiences and as people navigating an absurd and terrifying world. This EP seeks to connect listeners with the band as we all search for and find healing. Our sonic influences draw upon the experimental structures, inventive musical textures, and confessional lyrics of Mitski, St Vincent, and Fiona Apple.
The self-titled EP makes its debut on streaming services tomorrow, but we’re here to bring you an exclusive early listen below. Also, the band has an EP release show coming to Brooklyn this Sunday.
Read More “Partygirl – ‘Partygirl’ EP (Album Stream)”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single and music video from Goalkeeper called “Lost Reality.” In this nice-sounding track, Goalkeeper channel the best parts of the pop-punk genre into an emotive song. Marc Juliano (guitarist) had this to say about the new single:
We worked hard to push ‘Lost Reality’ in a way where we give the listener a lot of energy and a deeper look within some of the darker emotions we experience. We were lucky to co-write & feature Nik Bruzzese (Man Overboard) on the track which makes us excited that this is the third & last single. We wanted to push our musical ability to manifest pop-punk energy from raw emotion. ‘Lost Reality’ culminates the frustration paired with the ineptitude to move on.”
Get ready to add this great single to that playlist you’ve been needing to round out with that perfect song.
Read More “Goalkeeper – “Lost Reality” (Video Premiere)”
Recently I was able to catch up with Nicholas Kerr (Guardin) for a brief interview. In this chat, we discussed his new record called Creatures Together, artists he admires in today’s music scene, as well as further insight to his songwriting.
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Today is a great day to share the latest single and music video from Marcus Paquin called “Something Beautiful.” In this beautiful-sounding song that expands upon the themes of friendship and unconditional love, Paquin makes you feel like you belong in his musical odyssey. On the single Paquin shared:
’Something Beautiful’ is a song about friendship and unconditional love. It celebrates an awareness that a myriad of beautiful experiences exist in every moment and that it’s up to each of us to be present in those moments so we can absorb and reflect that energy back onto others. Making the video for ‘Something Beautiful’ with my daughter was one of the most joyful experiences of my life. The original idea for the video was that it would be an animation. It would involve a number of characters that are typically natural enemies in the wild in conflict and then eventually, they would forge deep and unexpected friendships. But that concept fell through so I started considering alternate plans.
If you’ve been looking for that next artist that checks all of the boxes, look no further than the talented Marcus Paquin.
Read More “Marcus Paquin – “Something Beautiful” (Video Premiere)”
Today is the perfect day to share the latest single and music video from Rodolphe Coster called “The Free House Session.” On this great-sounding track, Rodolphe Coster channels the best parts of anthemic rock in a crowd-pleasing package. Coster shared:
With the band I work with in Brussels, we work more like A free jazz band in the frame of pop songs. I’m inspired by the feelings of human connections, those connections you feel with Art Ensemble Of Chicago, for example. That’s why I wanna keep this danger, the one that I think is so essential nowadays, the danger of LOVE and trust. I must say I love <my> musicians as humans, I think they are an incarnation of beauty. Both the ones that recorded the album and the one of the live session. As Jean Luc Godard said about the actors and actresses he worked with, first he needed to FALL IN love with them. I must say it happened with a certain sincerity so that i can’t even figure out how to describe their essential presence to me. We never stop the flow, we never rehearse but we ‘Wave on, we rave on, with the only thing that stands: the simplicity of a song.
Rodolphe Coster’s new LP, entitled High With the People will be everywhere music is sold on November 25th.
Read More “Rodolphe Coster – “The Free House Session” (Video Premiere)”
Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom interview with Cody Votolato (The Blood Brothers) to discuss his latest musical offering called J.R. SLAYER. In this interview we discussed his new EP called Not Rotten as well as the new single of the same name. Additionally, we discussed what keeps him motivated as an artist, the bands he’s influenced by, as well as much more. You can purchase Not Rotten here.
Read More “Cody Votolato of J.R. SLAYER”
Today is the perfect day to share the latest offering of music from Calling Cadence, with their Acoustic Session Vol. 1 EP. This LA-based band are following up their debut, self-titled EP with this collection of acoustic songs to further showcase their songwriting chops. The band is comprised of Rae Cole and Oscar Bugarin, who shared this about the acoustic record:
Getting into the acoustic versions of the songs, was really taking it back to how the songs began. Three part harmony and 12 string (I didn’t have much money, sold all my guitars except the old 12 string to get by). We used to work these songs by performing live around LA, and I used to bang on the guitar like a drum to fill it out, which is an indigenous technique, when they took away their drums. It’s in my blood, and embedded in these songs. This time we had Thomas on bass, and it felt a little more complete in the acoustic incarnation.
If you’re enjoying the early listen, the record will be available for purchase starting tomorrow.
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This week’s newsletter has my thoughts on the Blink-182 reunion, first impressions of new music out this week (1975, Betty Who, Ten Foot Pole), and some early impressions of the new Carly Rae Jepsen. 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 (October 16th, 2022)”
Charlotte Sands has been teaming up many pop-punk stalwarts this year–think Aaron Gillespie (Underoath), Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens), Adam Lazzara (Taking Back Sunday), John O’Callaghan (The Maine)–but she’s also ragingly successful on her own. In this Riot Fest interview, Sands talks about the power of collaboration and standing out from the crowd.
Read More “Charlotte Sands at Riot Fest”
The Tulsa, Oklahoma emo-pop band, Cliffdiver, released their debut album Exercise Your Demons in the spring. Cliffdiver got a chance to promote songs on the album while playing live at Riot Fest, where they gave this interview.
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I talked with No Trigger at Riot Fest about their new album, Dr. Album.
Read More “No Trigger at Riot Fest”
Today is the perfect day to share the latest single and music video from Jude Flannery called “Stars.” On this heartfelt song, Flannery croons over sweeping instrumentation in a song ready for that playlist you’ve been crafting. Flannery shared:
This song considers the moment we decide to continue to love someone, despite being aware of their more apparent faults. Directed by Marc Zajack and filmed by Alexandra Golden Flannery, the video for Stars is a series of moments accentuated by an abstract narrative that reflects upon the ideas of journey, relationship and connection. Intertwined with each other, these moments emphasize the intimate human experiences that keep us coming back to the connections we make with others over time.
I was also able to catch up with Jude Flannery for a brief chat about his upcoming record called Quiet By Your Side, out everywhere music is sold on October 28th.
Read More “Jude Flannery – “Stars” (Video Premiere)”