features - PAGE 29

Interview: Sean Scanlon of Smallpools

Smallpools
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Sean Scanlon, the lead vocalist/keyboardist of Alt Rock band, Smallpools, to discuss everything that went into their great new single called “Night Shift.” In this interview, I asked Sean about how the band typically does most of their writing, his favorite songs in Smallpools’ discography, as well as the upcoming touring plans. Smallpools will be touring the U.S. with Grayscale starting this April and tickets are currently on sale.

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Ben Hazlewood – “Always There” (Song Premiere)

Ben Hazlewood
Adam Grundy

Today I’m excited to share with everyone the latest single from Aussie pop artist, Ben Hazlewood, called “Always There.” On this heart-wrenching track, Hazlewood encapsulates the feeling of a one-sided relationship. As Hazlewood writes on the single, “‘Why don’t you love me?’ The question hands in the air, frozen in time, a mirror to my soul being left in the cold. I hoped I could translate through song an audible monument to love’s resilience. Despite your attempts to knock it down, my love is ‘Always There.'” Ben Hazlewood understands the beauty of pop music, and he’s an artist to watch as this year unfolds.

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Joseph Luca – “My Best Dancing Shoes” (Song Premiere)

Joseph Luca
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the latest single from Alt-Pop artist, Joseph Luca, called “My Best Dancing Shoes.” With a style that fits somewhere in the realm of Prince, Jeff Buckley, and Miguel, Luca showcases his depth as a talented songwriter. Speaking on the track, Luca shared:

”My Best Dancing Shoes” is a poignant musical narrative that encapsulates the intricacy of an unrequited love story. It weaves the tale of an individual grappling with the acceptance of their authentic self, compelled by a love that remains un-reciprocated. The song beautifully metaphorizes dancing shoes as a symbol of embracing one’s purest and most genuine identity despite facing adversity. It speaks of patiently waiting for a kindred spirit to arrive, a partner willing to join in the dance of life as true equals.

The latest single comes from the newly announced EP, PART 2: Ouroboros (Death), that will be released everywhere music is sold on February 16th. I was also able to catch up with Joseph Luca for a brief interview below.

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Lana Nauphal – “Is It Raining In California?” (Video Premiere)

Luna Nauphal
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest music video from songwriter Lana Nauphal, called “Is It Raining In California?” On this vibrant single that fits somewhere in the world of Ingrid Michaelson and Iron & Wine, Nauphal channels her love for sweeping instrumentation and pure songwriting bliss. This talented songwriter shared:

I wrote two songs about the rain, one very stormy summer spent in Washington, D.C. Summers in DC: it gets so hot and humid, and the pressure builds and builds and builds until it breaks into these raging storms; they’re hard not to write about, especially when they mirror your state of mind. ‘Is It Raining in California?’ is the second rain song I wrote. There was a wild thunderstorm one night at 3am and I couldn’t sleep, and this song just burst into my head, almost fully formed. ‘Is It Raining in California?’ is about the messy middle part of getting over someone, when you’re still yearning for them but don’t want to be, and you’re mad at yourself for feeling what you feel but you just can’t help it. So you ask if it’s raining where they are, however unlikely that may be, in the hopes that you might be sharing something still.

The song comes from her newly announced debut LP, Wildland, that will be released on May 24th, and if you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the track here.

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Graduation Speech – “No Confidence” (Song Premiere)

Graduation Speech
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to the new single from New Jersey emo band, Graduation Speech, called “No Confidence.” With a sound that fits somewhere between the pop bliss of The Get Up Kids and the working-man rock of The Menzingers, Graduation Speech check all the boxes for what you’d want in a band. The band shared, “‘No Confidence’ is my attempt to sum up the feeling of disgust and fatigue from watching parasitic ghouls that show total disregard for humanity and people.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider pre-ordering their new LP called Arcane Feelings here.

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Sleepytime Gorilla Museum – “Hush, Hush” (Video Premiere)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone a tasty slab of rock from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, called “Hush, Hush.” Band member Carla Kihlstedt shared:

’Hush, Hush’ is a celebration of dusk, when angels and demons come out from the dusty corners of our houses and our minds to play. It was the first song I wrote after moving to the East Coast, the saddest part of which was leaving my dear Sleepytime Gorilla Museum comrades and community. Matthias and I formed a duo called Rabbit Rabbit Radio – making the most of our new lives and our self-imposed musical isolation. ‘Hush, Hush’ poured out of me — the music itself, an obvious tribute to all that I absorbed in so many years of living, rocking, creating, and conjuring both on stage and off, next to the fine humans of the Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

If you’re enjoying the new single, you can pre-order their upcoming LP titled Of The Last Human Being here.

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Skateland – “Autobahn!” (Video Premiere)

Skateland
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to introduce everyone to the Austin-based bedroom pop artist known as Skateland. On his latest single, called “Autobahn!” Skateland makes writing breathtaking melodic hooks look easy. Skateland shared, “‘Autobahn!’ is a dialogue about the hills and valleys of love and relationships. The narrator begins the song with what he presumes is a breakup speech, but somehow along the way concedes that for better or worse he will always love this person, and that the tough parts of loving someone are what make it worth it in the end.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the track here.

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Interview: Infant Island

Infant Island
Drew Beringer

On Friday, Infant Island will release one of the best records of 2024. “But Drew,” you say, “there’s only been 12 days of the year so far!” Trust me, I just know. Obsidian Wreath has been four years in the making from Fredericksburg, VA’s Infant Island. The quintet’s debut album on Touché Amoré’s Jeremy Bolm’s Secret Voice imprint (the band’s third full-length album overall), Obsidian Wreath captures the how desolate and dark our modern world is against a furious, scathing back drop of hardcore, screamo, and post-rock, as the album’s ten tracks paint a picture of survival, anxiety, and community. I was fortunate to speak with vocalist Daniel Kost, guitarist Alexander Rudenshiold, and bassist Kyle Guerra about the album’s themes, creation, and more.

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Interview: 2:00 AM Wake Up Call

2am Wake Up call
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule an interview with 2:00 AM Wake Up Call, the solo project from Micah Leith, to discuss the band’s latest single called ”No Nostalgia.” In this interview, I asked Micah about what went into the process for creating the visualizer video for the new track, how Micah does most of the songwriting for this project, and the opening of 2:00 AM Wake Up Call’s new merch store. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting this artist here.

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Interview: Barely Civil

Barely Civil
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with one of my favorite up-and-coming emo bands in this scene, Barely Civil, who are gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated third LP. The record will be called I’d Say I’m Not Fine, and it was produced by Chris Tetti. In this interview, I asked the band members about the exciting new direction they took on this new LP, what they looked towards for inspiration, and much more. I’d Say I’m Not Fine will be available on March 22nd via Take This To Heart Records, and pre-orders are live.

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Ashlynn Malia – “Dying To Miss Out” (Video Premiere)

Ashlynn Malia
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the latest single and video from Ashlynn Malia called “Dying To Miss Out.” On this electric-charged new track that’s based on recent heartache, Malia channels her love for artists like Halsey and Lana Del Rey into her own eclectic mix of pop. Malia shared, “This song’s for those situations where I’d rather be literally anywhere than around the person I miss most, not because I don’t want to see them, but because of how badly I do want to see them despite how painful the interactions are.” The song comes from her highly anticipated debut LP, MALIA, that will be released on February 2nd via Jullian Records. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Susannah B – “Talkin’ To Myself” (Song Premiere)

Susannah B
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to Susannah B, an ultra-talented songwriter who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming album, POV, with the lead single called “Talkin’ To Myself.” Susannah B shared:

I wrote it over 20 years ago during a time of profound change, when I was pregnant. What began as my own rallying cry against the creeping shadows of self-doubt has evolved, much like I have. The song has matured, with a bridge that’s been re-imagined and a chorus that’s deepened in its truthfulness, mirroring the way I now confront that persistent inner critic. This critical voice familiar to so many of us can bring me to a standstill even after all these years. Yet the song remains hopeful and honest about the reality that this struggle with self-doubt might be a lifelong companion for many.

Through its evolution, “Talkin’ to Myself” is for anyone who’s ever faced the paralyzing echoes of self-critique, reminding us that while the conversation with ourselves can be challenging, it’s a universal experience that binds us in our shared humanity.

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