Mother Sun – “Orange Colossus” (Video Premiere)

Mother Sun

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest music video from Mother Sun called “Orange Colossus.” The single comes from the band’s forthcoming LP Train of Thought, out everywhere music is sold on October 28th via Earth Libraries. Guitarist Jared Doherty shared:

”Orange Colossus” is about the way ignorance can grab a hold of an ugly thought and mutate it into resentment and hate. Angry fuzzed out verses describe the narrator’s unchecked frustrations, which are countered by melodic choruses urging the pursuit of understanding and empathy as ways to combat falling into cycles of negativity and instead promote an openness to learn and grow.

If you’re ready to take the next dramatic leap forward, Mother Sun are prepared to shine your path ahead.

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Baby Baby – “Next To Me” (Song Premiere)

Baby Baby

Today is a great day to share the latest single from indie rock and funk band, Baby Baby, called “Next To Me.” In this enchanting song, Baby Baby bring forth the best elements in their sound in a pop-pleasing song. The track comes from their forthcoming full-length record U Good?, out everywhere music is sold on September 16th. The band shared this about their sound, “We’re just a bunch of nostalgic dudes. We love that part of our lives. No offense to the apocalyptic nature of the now, but there’s something beautiful in nostalgia.” If you’re ready to embrace the past, with a steady heart beating towards the possibilities of the future, look no further than Baby Baby.

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Kramer – “Burial At Sea” (Video Premiere)

Kramer

Today is the perfect time to share the latest music video from Kramer, called “Burial At Sea.” This ambient-style song examines the depths of the sea, the mystery of those who have been lost to those elements, as well as exploring what happens to the people who have been left to wonder this world without those lost souls. The song comes from Kramer’s new LP, Music For Films Edited by Moths, and he shared:

What I have come to embrace is the working notion that there is no past, and no future. There is only a constantly evolving series of microscopic moments that constitute the miraculous present. As fertile as it is and always has been, for me, memory is a chimera. So if you asked me what it is exactly that I am trying to do now, with music, be it through song, or through ambience, I would confess that what I’m doing couldn’t be more simple; I am just trying to explain myself. I’m trying to show you who I am.

Through this thoughtful exploration comes great-sounding tracks like the one found here.

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Interview: Me Like Bees

Me Like Bees

Recently, I was able to catch up with a great indie rock band called Me Like Bees for an interview about their new single and music video for “Radio.” The band sounds like a mix between the best parts of Cold War Kids, Jack White projects, and Manchester Orchestra. I asked the band about how they typically do their music writing, what went into the filming of their music videos, as well as a fun question about curating their perfect touring lineup.

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Dogbreth – “Like A Walletchain” (Video Premiere)

Dogbreth

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest single and music video from indie rock band, Dogbreth, called “Like A Walletchain.” In this great-sounding single that sways somewhere between Joyce Manor, Jimmy Eat World, and the spirit of Arizona rock bands, Dogbreth are well on their way to making a name for themselves. On the song, the band shared:

We initially had a completely different concept for this video that we decided to scrap the day before shooting. It was originally going to take place in an empty swimming pool and be kind of like a skate video, but we only had a narrow window of time in the afternoon to film it, and we saw the weather forecast say it was going to be 110 degrees outside during that time and I didn’t want to put everyone through that. So I tried to think of a video that could take place indoors – and then I remembered I had this VHS tape I found that I had been wanting to show the band, so I invited them over to watch it before band practice and had the film crew there ready to go. I’m really pleased with how it turned out and I hope people enjoy it!

If you’re enjoying the new and exciting direction Dogbreth went here, you can purchase their full-length record called Believe This Rain here.

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Cooper Kenward – Cooper Kenward (Album Stream)

Cooper Kenward

Today I’m excited to share the latest full-length record from Cooper Kenward. It showcases the singer-songwriter’s quick development in this medium of art. Kenward shared, “This album is me noodling with my anxieties and exploring the weirder corners of my brain and heart.” If you’re enjoying the vibes being put through the speakers, please consider purchasing the self-titled record here.

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‘PussyCake’ – Exclusive Clip/Music Performance

Pussycake

Imagine if Evil Dead 2 and Josie and the Pussycats merged into one single movie. You’d likely be left with something that resembles this Pablo Parés directed horror film called PussyCake. In this exclusive clip, a struggling all-girl rock band kicks off a new tour, hoping to rekindle their popularity. Things are off to a bad start, however, when they show up to their first gig to find the town deserted. After they catch the attention of horrors from beyond our reality, the band realizes that being forgotten by their fans is the least of their problems. Maca Suárez (The Accused), Anahi Politi (Crystal Eyes), and Flor Moreno (The Talking Guts) star alongside newcomers Aldana Ruberto and Sofia Rossi. If you’re interested in learning more about the film, be sure to check out their website here.

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Liner Notes (August 20th, 2022)

Beach

This week’s newsletter has first impressions of the upcoming Death Cab for Cutie album, a realization I’ve been tying my shoelaces the “wrong” way, and some other thoughts on music and entertainment I consumed over the past week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed, 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.

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Interview: Todd Morse

Todd Morse

Recently I was able to catch up with vocalist/bassist Todd Morse (The Offspring/H2O) to discuss his latest solo work, including a great new single called “Everything Fun (Is Bad For Me).” In this in-depth interview, I asked Todd about his recent solo material, his current partnership with being a member of The Offspring, as well as the legacy of his punk band H2O. Todd Morse also shared the albums that have shaped the person and musician he is today. Morse has a new single that will be released this fall.

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Beach Bums – “Overcast” (Song Premiere)

Beach Bums

Today is a great day to share the latest single from Beach Bums, called “Overcast.” The single is the title track from their recently released LP and showcases the depth to the band’s improved songwriting. Beach Bums shared:

Overcast, the album, focuses on the different writing styles that Beach Bums can tackle. To put it simply, this album is the most updated version of the MYCORE concept and sound. “Overcast,” the song, was the first song we wrote as the new five-piece lineup. The song speaks on conflict in a relationship. This can be left to interpretation, meaning you can relate it to friends, family, lovers, enemies, and everything in between.

If you’re ready for another great musical discovery, look no further than Beach Bums.

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A Farewell to mewithoutYou

mewithoutYou

About eight years ago, I was sitting at a picnic table looking out at the lake near my house. I was listening to Catch For Us the Foxes, not a record for a sunny day, feeling the wood grain under my fingertips, in search of a little hope. It had rained so vehemently the night before that the level of the lake was up over ten feet. The sun shone so bright and the earth was so freshly washed that the greens of the trees and the blues of the water were the most vibrant I’d ever seen at this park. The water flowing through the dam was roaring loud enough to be heard over my music. The temperature was perfect in only the way a day after rain breaks the weather pattern can be.

“Tie me up! Untie me! All this wishing I was dead is getting old. It’s getting old! It goes on, but it’s old.”

I’ve written about my experiences with depression before and the albums that have helped along the way. But I’ve never written about mewithoutYou, or Aaron Weiss in particular, and how important they’ve been in that same journey. They were never a band I could easily talk about or explain; for me, they always had to be experienced to be understood. In large part, I think I’m having trouble finding the words because, quite frankly, I’m not saying goodbye. I’ll be listening to these records for the rest of my life. So I guess I’m saying thank you.

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Love Hounds – “The Furious Noise” (Song Premiere)

Lovehounds

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest single from punk rock band, Love Hounds, called “The Furious Noise.” The band consists of David Keith on drums, Eric Ralls on lead guitar, Josh Emmons on bass, and CB Brooks on lead vocals for a sound that sways somewhere between the hard-nosed rock of The Toadies paired with the punk rock spirit of Dead Kennedys. On this track, the band shared, “The original working title of this song was actually ‘Bolshevik Boogie.’ If you look at history, you can see there are patterns that repeat themselves, especially when it comes to the tensions between the working and ruling classes. It generally does not end well for the ruling class. I don’t see why this time should be any different.” If you’ve been looking for that next great punk track that checks all of the boxes, look no further than “The Furious Noise” by Love Hounds.

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The New Home Office

For years I worked from a giant 6-foot-long plastic table that I’m pretty sure I bought at Target. It was big enough for two (hilariously small by today’s standards) monitors, and I used to have a bunch of sticky notes, diagrams, papers, and stuff all over it while working on AbsolutePunk. It was mostly a means to an end. I needed a place to work, and I put most of the money I could spend into the website or my computers. Over the years, my setup has changed quite a bit. I finally got a “real” desk made of wood and everything. And my back greatly appreciates an ergonomic chair.

My wife, Hannah, started a new job a few months ago. Her office is a few blocks from where we live, within walking distance, and she has her own private office. With many of her co-workers still working from home, she discovered she liked going into the office regularly because it helped her focus and stay in “work mode.”1

This change led to me rethinking how I wanted my office at home, which we had been sharing during the pandemic, to be set up. My computer was over eight years old and needed an upgrade, so I figured that if I was going to upgrade the computer, I might as well think through the entire space, since I spend 9-10 hours a day in there, to make it precisely the office I’d always wanted.

And because I have a blog, I figured I’d blog about it and share some photos and links for future reference.

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  1. Unsure if my playing music constantly during work hours has any connection to this, but I’m going to assume the answer is yes.

Patriarchy – “Good Boy” (Song Premiere)

Patriarchy

Today is a great day to share the latest single from pop metal band, Patriarchy, called “Good Boy.” The new song comes from her new album The Unself, out everywhere music is sold via Outlet on August 26th. Patriarchy worked on this latest record with producer Matia Simovich, and the album is mostly about the conflict singer/band leader Actually Huizenga felt in her emotions of wanting someone that she couldn’t have. Through this conflict, comes songs like “Good Boy,” that showcase Huizenga’s gothic/industrial metal approach to her music.

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Liner Notes (August 13th, 2022)

Flower

This week’s newsletter has a rant about Alexa, some thoughts on the new Pale Waves and Young the Giant albums, and some other random bits about other music and entertainment I consumed over the past week. 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.

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