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

Susannah B

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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Josephine – “Normal” (Song Premiere)

Josephine

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to Indie-Americana songwriter, Josephine, who is releasing her latest single called “Normal.” The song comes from her forthcoming EP, Leaning, that will be released this March. Josephine shared, “I wrote ‘Normal’ a little over a month after a breakup. This is when the initial sadness faded but it was still present and I was exhausted from it. I was over being a mess physically, mentally, and emotionally. I did multiple layers of vocals to create a haunting and pulling feeling, and I wanted you to be able to hear the upset and exhaustion in the harmonies.” If you’re ready to discover your next favorite artist who checks all of the boxes for what you’d want in a songwriter, Josephine is here for you.

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Charles Moothart – “One Wish” (Video Premiere)

Charles Moothart

Today is a great day to share the latest single and video from Charles Moothart, called “One Wish.” On this great-sounding new track, Moothart channels his love for psych rock in a crowd-pleasing package. The single comes from his new LP, Black Holes Don’t Choke, that will be released on March 8th via In The Red Records. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Chorus.fm’s Top 30 Albums of 2023

Best of 2023

And we are back, once again, with our annual ranking of our favorite albums of the year. Below you’ll find the contributor best of 2023 list with blurbs written by the staff talking about why we loved these albums. Each album title links to a streaming page so you can check out anything you may have missed. There’s also a playlist featuring a song from every album on this list, and a few staff members have shared their individual lists and some commentary in their blogs.

As always, thanks for spending 2023 with us, and I hope you find something new to check out and love.

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Interview: Pat Kirch and Garrett Nickelsen of The Maine

The Maine

Recently, I was able to catch up with Pat (drums) and Garrett (bass), of The Maine, before they played a show at The Fillmore Silver Spring. In this interview, I asked the band about their range of emotions with putting together the Sweet 16th Anniversary Tour, how they’d rank their albums in their discography, the status of several key vinyl reissues, and some fun facts about each of the band members.

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Interview: Chris Dudley of Underoath

Chris Dudley

Recently I was able to catch up with composer/Underoath keyboardist, Chris Dudley, to discuss his recent scores for films like the Screambox exclusive, Night of the Missing, that is currently available for streaming. In this interview, I asked Chris about some of his favorite scores of all time, his process for making his scores for films he’s assigned to, how music can feel different when listening to it in different environments, and he also offered up some news about Underoath’s new album progress.

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Trash Fiasco – “One Bird” (Song Premiere)

Trash Fiasco

Today is a great day to share the new single from Chicago-based garage punk band, Trash Fiasco, called “One Bird.” Displaying the group’s elastic vocals and rhythmic drive, “One Bird” is straightforward without being mundane, and embodies every bit of reckless, gritty energy that their name suggests, as the band blasts their way through the song’s 70-second run time. With a sound similar to energetic punk bands like The Cramps and Wine Lips, Trash Fiasco have truly arrived. I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview below.

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Sonic Blume – “Falling Behind” (Video)

Sonic Blume

Today is a great day to share the news that indie rock band, Sonic Blume, have released their latest single and video for “Falling Behind.” Sonic Blume is Max Connery on vocals/guitar/synth, Danny Murray on drums, Noah Sullivan on guitar/synth, and James Waltsak on bass, and this NJ-based band is onto great things on this track. The single comes from their latest LP, All Your Favorite Songs that is out everywhere you stream your music now. I was also able to catch up with this talented band for a brief interview below.

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Interview: Nick Woolford of Have Mercy

Have Mercy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Nick Woolford (bassist/backing vocals) of Have Mercy to discuss the band’s latest full length record called Numb, that releases today via Rude Records. In this interview, I asked Nick about the band’s process for crafting the songs on this LP, the chemistry with their new drummer, how Taylor Swift’s Midnights led the band to some creative discoveries, and their favorite bands/venues in the Maryland area. Numb is available today here.

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Chris Garneau – “First Man” (Song Premiere)

Chris Garneau

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Chris Garneau called “First Man.” On this vibrant single, it finds Garneau plumb the longing of a person’s first crush: the excitement, surprise, and, eventual heartbreak. The song comes from the forthcoming Out of Love release by Garneau. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Middle Part – “Nowhere” (Song Premiere)

Middle Part

Today is a great day to share the new single from alt-pop artist from NY, who goes by Middle Part, called “Nowhere.” On this new track, the gritty pop elements showcase an artist willing to take calculated risks to expand his sound. The artist shared, “‘Nowhere’ is a refrain from all the anger that populates a lot of the record. It’s a confession of wanting to choose self-acceptance over continuously worrying about what others may think. Appreciating the present moment rather than placing oneself at the center of the universe is the key theme.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider visiting Middle Part’s Bandcamp page here.

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Night Windows – “Something Simple” (Song Premiere)

Night Windows

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to alternative rock band, Night Windows, new single called “Something Simple.” With a sound that fits well within the realm of indie rock bands like Death Cab for Cutie, plus the emotional attachment of lyrics like Bright Eyes, Night Windows are breaking through at just the right moment in time. Taken from their upcoming 2024 LP titled In Memories, “Something Simple” finds the beauty in all things. As band lead vocalist Ben Hughes explained:

A one-take recording (guitar/vocals) from my room with the windows open. ‘Something Simple’ is about loss and longing. It’s about reckoning with the idea of greener pastures. It’s about the desire to move away, and the desire to return home – only remembering the good parts of what was left there. All these wishes and fears about the future. Hopes and dreams. And at the end of the day, it’s about leaning on the little moments that occur each day to pull us through.

If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering In Memories here.

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Interview: Sublime With Rome

Sublime With Rome

Recently I was able to connect with the lead vocalist/guitarist of Sublime With Rome, Rome Ramirez, to discuss the band’s latest EP called Tangerine Skies. In this interview, I asked Rome about how he and his bandmates turned the pandemic-era demos into the final cuts for Tangerine Skies, how the band chemistry has been since they acquired a new drummer, and the process for crafting their setlists when they’re on tour. Sublime With Rome will be on tour starting next month.

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BenBen – “Endless Summer” (Video Premiere)

BenBen

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single and video from NYC-based artist, BenBen (the solo name of Ben Wigler), called “Endless Summer.” On this vibrant summer song, albeit released during winter, BenBen channels his love of radio-ready rock into a crowd-pleasing package. BenBen shared:

This is, in many ways, the very earliest song in the BenBen stable. My best friend, James Byron Schoen (who I still make music with in the storied progressive metal band Edensong), and I first played around with the melody for the chorus when we were six years old! This song, which features the stunning vocals and violin of Camellia Hartman (ConorOberst/Skullkrusher) is about youth, about being a more mature guy and trying (failing?) to imagine what it’s like to be young, about obsession with getting first moments right and the fear and elation of being a shy person who is finally seen for who they are. It’s a playful, loving homage to the kinds of “songs of the summer” that blast on the radio (not many of them feature the West African Kora) and infect you with their incessant hooks and uncomplicated energy.

Get ready to fall in love with your next favorite artist.

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We Owe – “Slight Inconvenience” (Video Premiere)

We Owe

Today is a great day to share the new music video from We Owe (the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Christopher Pravdica) called “Slight Inconvenience.” The single comes from We Owe’s full-length record, Major Inconvenience, that will be released everywhere music is sold on December 1st. As Pravdica wrote on the track:

I did this track instrumental with backing vocals. Trying for a more melodic sound. I was gonna do lyrics, but I found this patient interview that I very much related to, and I dropped it over the music. It fit so well that I was like: ‘Yo, this works!'” Video director, Jim Larson, continued: “The song ‘Slight Inconvenience’ contains an audio sample from an actual therapy session with a catatonic schizophrenic from many years ago. So I decided to sample the visual portion of the interview and edit the footage to make a new version to accompany the song.

I was also able to catch up with this artist for a brief interview below.

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