Recently I was able to catch up on the road with the ultra-talented band, Caracara, for an in-depth interview about the process they took while recording their latest record New Preoccupations. I asked the band about specific songs like “My Thousand Eyes,” “Colorglut” and more as well as what went into deciding the final tracklisting for the album. Be sure to catch Caracara on their current US tour with Sad Park and Heart To Gold.
Read More “Caracara”
Today is a great day to share the latest single from Alternative rock duo Flarelight, called “One More Night.” This great-sounding rock track comes from the band’s forthcoming new LP The Light We Make and the tight production found on this song and others showcases the limitless possibilities of this artist. The band is comprised of Rachel Brandsness and band leader Tyler Warren, who shared some insight on the single by saying, “Do you really want to stay the night…Do you really want to say goodbye…a situation that most of us have been in, I’m sure. Wondering if that person you met tonight could be the one that heals your broken heart… or not. Either way, you’ll at least share this one moment together. I love this track, our guitar work, and its hopefulness, and it leaves you wanting more, just like the story itself.” If you’ve been searching for that next breakthrough artist, look no further than Flarelight.
Read More “Flarelight – “One More Night” (Song Premiere)”
This week’s newsletter leads with my thoughts on what this upcoming week may bring us and then has some thoughts on music I enjoyed this week (Sunsleeper, AFI, Origami Angel). There’s commentary on some entertainment I consumed and a pumpkin patch story. As always, there’s a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed, and this week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.
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Read More “Liner Notes (October 8th, 2022)”
Today is the perfect time to share the latest single and music video from emo band Palamino, for their great sounding new song “I Really Want To Leave.” This New Jersey-based band does their best to reignite interest in the emo genre, and they have taken a dramatic leap forward in their songwriting from their earlier material. If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can check out some ordering/streaming options here.
Read More “Palamino – “I Really Want To Leave” (Video Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the latest single and music video from Tearing Up called “Highway Bandits.” Tearing Up comes from the mind of Graham Caldwell and his creative energy that he puts into this new project is felt far and wide. On the name of the band, Caldwell shared, “Growing up, I loved punk bands that sneered in the face of authority, demanding their voice be heard. They made me feel like I was stronger than I was. I was the kind of person who avoided conflict since I’d lose every fight I’d end up in, but there’s still a part of me that itches to get its hands dirty, hence the name: Tearing Up.” The single comes from the recently announced debut EP called Billy Is Dead, out everywhere music is sold on October 14th.
Read More “Tearing Up – “Highway Bandits” (Video Premiere)”
Today I’m ecstatic to share the latest single from the talented Brooklyn-based band TVOD (Television Overdose). The new track is called “Alien” and features a great mix of sounds that blend together in a crowd-pleasing package. The band’s vocalist, Tyler Wright shared, “This was a song I came up with while sitting on the floor of my practice space feeling sorry for myself. I was having a lot of feelings of self doubt and jealousy at the time and for some reason I could not stop painting this mental image that there was a little envious martian man slowly eating my brain and trying to take over my life. It’s amazing what some painful emotions and a couple catchy guitar riffs can become.” If you’ve been looking for that next exciting band that makes you feel a little less alone, TVOD have come to your rescue.
Read More “TVOD – “Alien” (Song Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the latest single from talented singer-songwriter Kelsey Magnuson for “Anna’s Song.” On this track, Magnuson channels heartfelt lyrics and upper echelon songwriting. She shared, “I was so drawn to her range of sound, from plucky guitar songs to heavier riffs, and how it flowed so well through one album. But I’d also be a phony if I didn’t mention my real life inspo-from-idea-man-confidant-and total lyrical genius, Anna McClellan.” If you’re ready to discover quite possibly your next favorite artist, look no further than Kelsey Magnuson.
Read More “Kelsey Magnuson – “Anna’s Song” (Song Premiere)”
Over the weekend, I was in attendance for the All Things Go Festival and specifically the “Creator Summit” that featured several key interviews of All Things Go artists like Bartees Strange, and Empress Of. I was able to record the full interview session of NPR’s Marissa Lorusso’s “Fireside Chat” with Bartees Strange, where he shared his unique story that led to his critical acclaim and commercial success. The event took place in the heart of Washington D.C., at the Eaton Hotel’s Beverly Snow Room.
Read More “All Things Go Festival Creator Summit: Interview With Bartees Strange”
This week’s newsletter has some thoughts on the music and entertainment I consumed over the past week. 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.
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 1st, 2022)”
The second year of the rebirth of Furnace Fest has come and gone, the weekend flying by even faster than I expected, and I’m probably buying a pre-order ticket for next year after I submit this write-up. I still remember the 2021 iteration as if I attended it last weekend, not over 365 days ago. My ears are still ringing, even though I wore my ear plugs a lot more faithfully this year. My legs still haven’t quite found their full strength again yet, and the less said about my lower back the better. It’s a special weekend and I am so thankful I’ve gotten to experience it twice.
I showed up to a Zoom conference with my freelance client at 6:45pm on the following Monday, still coughing and blowing dust out of my nose every few minutes. My face was slightly sunburnt from three days spent in the Alabama sunshine. Throughout the meeting, I couldn’t stop yawning. Eventually, my client goes, “You look like you had a fun weekend. What were you doing?”
“I was at this metal, hardcore, punk festival thing down in Birmingham.”
“Of all of the things you could’ve said, that is the one thing I wouldn’t have expected from you.”
Read More “Furnace Fest and Thoughts on Legacy”
Today is the perfect day to share a blast from the past. Spain have returned with a new single and video for their latest song called “Her Used To Been.” The song comes from the band’s new LP entitled World of Blue, out everywhere music is sold today. On the latest single, the band shared:
In the late 1980s, I worked as a music librarian at KCRW while taking college classes at Santa Monica College. One of the perks of the job was taking home lots of great music. The music director let me keep a Bessie Smith box set, and I listened to those discs all the time. ‘Her Used-To-Been’ is paraphrased from a Bessie Smith song about how the protagonist goes back to her abusive ex-. In my version, I’m the protagonist and I’m telling Bessie to not go back.
Step right up if you’re ready to experience some music that makes you feel something magical in its delivery.
Read More “Spain – “Her Used To Been” (Song Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the brand new album from post-punk trio, J. Graves, a day early called Fortress of Fun. The band would be perfect for fans of artists like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sleater-Kinney, and Interpol. The band is clearly excited for everyone to hear what they cooked up:
Say it: “Fortress of Fun is here.” Fortress of Fun is here – it’s surreal, unreal, and a little hard to believe. Maybe it’s just another dimension of our story, a different choice, and somewhere I’m actually still chanting “Fortress of Fun is coming!” This time last year J. Graves and our amazing, talented family of artists, film makers, musicians, stunt people, and loved ones were at the Oregon coast filming the music videos that would make FOF’s choose your own adventure visuals. It was this time last year we all donned the cursed chain-mail, faced our deepest fears, only to break its nefarious spell with love, acceptance, and a whole lot of help from our friends. And FOF has been just that – support from our loved ones and from the talented folks who played integral parts in bringing this adventure to life. Fortress of Fun IS here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.
If you’re enjoying the early album stream, please consider purchasing the album starting tomorrow.
Read More “J. Graves – “Fortress of Fun” (Album Stream)”
Today is the perfect day to share the latest single and music video from Brighton popstars, Fujiya & Miyahgi, with their great new track called “New Body Language.” On this latest single the band shared, “‘New Body Language’ is probably the most instant and accessible song on the record. We took a lot of our current listening habits and put them in a blender till it turned out like us.” The song comes from their new LP called Slight Variations, available tomorrow here.
Read More “Fujiya & Miyagi – “New Body Language” (Video Premiere)”
Today I’m thrilled to share the new single from talented singer-songwriter Eva Rose called “Final Girl.” The singer likens the theme of the song to the horror genre with pleasing results. As Rose mentioned:
Even though the story line of the song is fictional (I’m lucky to have never been involved with an actual serial killer), the song has a thread of reality in it. I think many people have experienced a similar emotional arc of being naive in the beginning of a relationship, believing the other person will spare you of their bad behavior if you can prove you’re ‘different’ from the rest. Then eventually after enough red flags have presented themselves, the rose colored glasses fall and you see the person for who they really are.
If you’ve been looking for that next great pop artist that makes you feel you’re a part of something bigger, Eva Rose is delivering the goods.
Read More “Eva Rose – “Final Girl” (Song Premiere)”
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)”