In this week’s newsletter, I talk about my experience at the Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World concert. That takes up most of it, but there’s also some commentary on books and movies I’ve seen recently. 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 (March 2nd, 2024)”
Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single from indie-pop synth band, Space Fight, called “Is It All.” On this vibey lead single from their upcoming EP, Hyperspeed, the band channels their love for big hooks and dazzling vocals in a crowd-pleasing package. Band member Miles said, ”Allem Iversom’s lo-fi remix of ‘Is It All’ embellishes the 80s synthy goodness of the original, seeming to transport us through time to the synth-soaked sounds of yesteryear. The track was produced by Allem Iversom and Space Fight, mixed by Iversom, and closes out our Hyperspeed EP with a sense of longing, a nod to the past, and a tinge of uncertainty towards the future.” If you’re enjoying the latest track, please consider visiting their Bandcamp page here. I was also able to catch up with this talented band for a brief interview below.
Read More “Space Fight – “Is It All” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to Joe P, an ultra-talented singer-songwriter who is releasing his latest single called “Shadow in the Sun.” Joe P shared, “When I dreamed of recording my first single for my first album on a major label, I didn’t imagine I would be recording the vocals in my basement ten feet away from the water heater but there’s a magic that comes from hoping no one upstairs uses hot water while simultaneously pouring your heart and soul into a vocal performance. I will always record vocals like that.” This artist is currently on tour with Cold War Kids, and is a marquee songwriter to watch as this year unfolds. If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can purchase it here.
Read More “Joe P – “Shadow In The Sun” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone a really cool cover of an Olivia Rodrigo track by Smooth Brain called “Good 4 U.” On this electric-charged cover, Smooth Brain channel the original spirit of the song and a few twists and turns along the way too. The band shared, “We’ve been playing “good 4 u” live – with a fun twist – since our inception, and we’re thrilled to finally put it out. If you’ve been to a Smooth Brain show before, you know how much these songs mean to us, and how much fun we have playing our version of Olivia Rodrigo’s hit single.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can check out the band’s Facebook page here.
Read More “Smooth Brain – “Good 4 U” (Song Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the latest single from songwriter Kim Richey called “Floating On The Surface.” Her vocals have been featured on Jason Isbell’s acclaimed Southeastern, Trisha Yearwood’s Everybody Knows, and Reba McEntire’s Starting Over. Richey shared, “This song is different from all the other songs on the album in that we decided to use the demo. Roger Nichols and I wrote this around a cool guitar line that Roger came up with. He engineered and played everything. I sang all the parts and played percussion (my secret favorite thing.) We tried re-recording it with the band while tracking songs for this record. We tried replacing the fake drums with real drums. We messed around with the vocals. Finally, producer Doug Lancio decided we weren’t going to beat the demo. Sometimes a demo has some sort of magic sauce that you just can’t recreate.” If you’re enjoying the latest single from Kim Richey, please consider purchasing the track here.
Read More “Kim Richey – “Floating On The Surface” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest video from Psych-folk artist, Vanderwolf, called “The 6.09.” The track is the second single off of Vanderwolf’s new album, The Great Bewilderment, out everywhere music is sold on March 13th. If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider visiting the artist’s Bandcamp page here. I was also able to catch up with this talented songwriter for a brief interview below.
Read More “Vanderwolf – “The 6.09” (Video Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the new video from Philly-based artist, George Alley, called “Just Leave Me Dreaming.” George Alley has made big waves in the Philly music scene as a composer, performer, choreographer, podcaster and more. He emphasizes his “DIY ethos” and his music takes inspiration from greats like Morrissey, The Cure, Suede, and Muse. If you’re enjoying the video, you can pre-save the single that comes out tomorrow here.
Read More “George Alley – “Just Leave Me Dreaming” (Video Premiere)”
This week’s newsletter looks at some music released, some TV shows and movies I enjoyed, and a plug for an excellent emo coffee table book. The 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 (February 18th, 2024)”
Today I’m excited to introduce everyone to the Alt-Indie rock band, Lime Garden, who have released their latest single and video from their debut LP called “Pop Star.” On this vibrant track, that comes from the recently released One More Thing, Lime Garden have the pop sensibilities of Charli XCX paired with the songwriting prowess of The Japanese House. Band member Chloe Howard shared:
’Pop Star’ was influenced by a real pop star and me not wanting to go back to my part-time job after being in the studio. On the morning of the studio session, I’d watched a TikTok of Damon Albarn talking about how Gorillaz used the standard preset on an omnichord for ‘Clint Eastwood’ – and then, guess what I found in the studio!? – so, we figured if Damon says so, we should try it! Then I sang over the demo about not wanting to go to work the day after and the lyrics stuck. The song is almost so sarcastic that it’s gone full circle into honesty and my work / life imbalance. The song has got a swagger that might surprise a few people!
If you’re enjoying the latest single from Lime Garden, please consider purchasing their debut LP, One More Thing, here.
Read More “Lime Garden – “Pop Star” (Video Premiere)”
Today is a great day to share the latest single and video from singer-songwriter, Robby Hecht, called “Someone To Dance With.” Hecht shared that, “‘Someone to Dance With’ explores the perils of navigating a wedding as a recently single person. The speeches, vows, music and revelry can be emotionally disastrous for the heartbroken. On the other hand, weddings do present an opportunity to meet someone new and potentially even move forward.” Hecht’s warm delivery on this single that tugs on all the right heartstrings is sure to make you feel something. If you’re enjoying the latest video, please consider purchasing his new album called Not A Number here.
Read More “Robby Hecht – “Someone To Dance With” (Video Premiere)”
Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the latest single and video from LA-based singer-songwriter, Niina Soleil, with her appropriately timed “Whiskey Valentine.” On this vibrant new track, Soleil channels established pop stars like Fiona Apple and Billie Eilish in a flavor that still fresh and unique to Niina Soleil. The song comes from the pop artist’s upcoming debut LP, Heliophilia, that will be officially released sometime this spring. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.
Read More “Niina Soleil – “Whiskey Valentine” (Video Premiere)”
This week’s newsletter has thoughts on new music, a few books I’ve been enjoying, and some good (and badly good) movies. 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 (February 11th, 2024)”
Today I’m excited to share with everyone the latest single from pop singer, Madeline Rhodes, called “Bailing on Your Birthday.” On the first single from her upcoming LP, The Brothel, Rhodes channels slick pop hooks paired with a great vocal performance.
It was my best friend’s birthday and I was having a terrible depressive episode,” Rhodes recalled on the track’s origins. “I called her after the party had already started and told her I wasn’t coming. She was pissed and I was like ‘it’s not always about you!!!’…on her birthday. Rude. But also kinda true? I wrote this song as an explanation for my absence at her party. I hope that when she hears it, she forgives me.
I was also able to catch up with this talented songwriter for a brief interview below.
Read More “Madeline Rhodes – “Bailing On Your Birthday” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the latest single from indie rock artist, Rachel Ana Dobken, called “Bed You Made.” Dobken collaborated with Blind Melon guitarist, Rogers Stevens, and the single is taken from the forthcoming LP, Acceptance, that will be released later on this year. Dobken says in regards to Stevens’ guitar parts, “for the verses he came up with this crazy line that fit so perfectly with the vocals. Whenever you listen to his playing on any of the Blind Melon records, it’s like, ‘Who would write this?’ This is so unique.’ And he brought that same energy to ‘Bed You Made.’” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save the single here.
Read More “Rachel Ana Dobken – “Bed You Made” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to Spencer LaJoye, a talented folk/pop singer-songwriter who is sharing an early listen to their new single called “Someday You’ll Wake Up Okay.” The track comes from their new album, Shadow Puppets, that will be released everywhere music is sold on February 16th. Spencer LaJoye shared, “There was a time in my young adulthood when if you’d have come to me from the future to say, ‘Hey kid, someday you’re gonna wake up and feel okay,’ I would not have believed you. I was so uncomfortable with and ashamed of myself, my body, and my desires. But the truth is that I wake up almost every day now feeling okay. I wish my younger self could know that, so this song is my attempt to tell them.” I was also able to catch up with this artist for a brief interview below.
Read More “Spencer LaJoye – “Someday You’ll Wake Up Okay” (Song Premiere)”