Liner Notes (September 4th, 2021)

Jason Tate Sep 4, 2021

This week’s newsletter is not allowed to review the new album from Thrice, so instead, I hint at first impressions. I also talk a little about my rediscovering my enjoyment of Last.fm stats, more love for Turnstile, and some other thoughts on music I listened to this week. And, of course, there’s some commentary on the entertainment I consumed and a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed. This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

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Mary Varvaris Aug 31, 2021

The most insufferable discourse awards of the year go to: “Solar Power sucks because Jack Antonoff produced it,” and “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is only good because Halsey worked with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from Nine Inch Nails.” Not only are these statements over the top, but there’s also a level of sexism, albeit most of the time unconscious and these comments rob artists of their agency. I’ve seen various conversations like this, but never to this point where people everywhere undermine a songwriter’s prowess due to their relationship with a producer’s work. Let’s not forget, Lorde demonstrated storytelling beyond her years from her beginnings with The Love Club EP in 2013. Halsey, who uses she/they pronouns, hasn’t found the same critical acclaim thus far, but fans who have followed their career recognize their growth since they released the Room 93 EP in 2014.

Alex DiVincenzo Aug 30, 2021

With music fans eager yet apprehensive about the return of concerts, Vinnie Caruana has been providing an ideal experience in the form of private outdoor shows throughout the summer. After over a year without live music, I found myself in the cranberry capital of the world – Middleborough, MA – being serenaded by his acoustic performance in a safe, intimate backyard setting on July 24. Enjoy the full set of The Movielife, I Am the Avalanche, and solo material.

Jason Tate Aug 28, 2021

This week’s newsletter has my first impressions on the new Every Time I Die album, thoughts on Turnstile’s masterpiece, and some other random commentary on music, movies, and TV shows I consumed over the past week. There’s also a playlist of songs I enjoyed last week, 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.

Adam Grundy Aug 24, 2021

Today, I’m pleased to share the latest video from New England’s finest, Kitner, with their single “Junebug.” In this Dawson’s Creek-stylized summery video, the band wanted to capture the essence of the song taken from their October 1st release Shake The Spins. The band shared this about the video:

”Kitner Creek” came together over the course of a week in the best and brightest parts of New England. The warm and fuzzy “before times” gig was filmed at Big Nice Studios in Rhode Island on a 100+ degree day (thanks to owner Brad Krieger for the use of the space and the ice pops!) The meta “music video brainstorm Zoom” scene, and James going into the TV, were filmed at Brianne and James’s house in Merrimack Valley. The scenes of the band frolicking in and around the beach were filmed on Old Orchard Beach in Maine, which gave us the Dawson’s Creek-style vibes we were aiming for with director Cait Brown and DP Chris Tremblay. We hope the video gives you the same sense of nostalgia, friendship, and fun that the song “Junebug” evokes, and that the fun we had making this video with new friends and old shines through your screen.

If you enjoy the single as much as I do, be sure to pre-order it here.

Jason Tate Aug 21, 2021

This week’s newsletter has thoughts on the new albums from Lorde and Deafheaven, as well as some commentary on other music, movies, TV shows, and much more I consumed over the past week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I loved 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.

Adam Grundy Aug 17, 2021

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom interview with DC rockers, The Slang (John Bobo and Felix Nieto) before they release their debut LP called Divide. In this interview, I asked them about the songwriting process for their debut record, the comparisons some have made to their slick pop-rock sound, how genre lines continue to blend, and also what went into their music video shoot for “Nothing Lasts Forever.” Pre-orders are now up for Divide.

Adam Grundy Aug 16, 2021

After the release of his popular book called Name Dropping: Seeking Creative Truth Through Trendy Altruism and Punk Rock, I was able to connect with author Jameson Ketchum for a great conversation. In this interview, we discussed how this semi-memoir came together, the bands he spent time with including Taking Back Sunday, The Used, and Fallstar, as well as what other projects he has in the works. Jameson Ketchum’s book is available now on Amazon for purchase, and I’d highly recommend everyone interested in what goes on during tours check out this great book.

Jason Tate Aug 14, 2021

This week’s newsletter has thoughts on The Killers, M.A.G.S., Ben Platt, Meet Me @ the Altar, and much more. Plus, there’s commentary on various things I’ve seen over the past week and a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed. I think it’s a pretty good one if I don’t say so myself. 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.

Adam Grundy Aug 12, 2021

Recently I was able to chat with veteran singer-songwriter Lee DeWyze before he embarked on his US tour in support of his latest record, Ghost Stories. In this detailed conversation, Lee and I discussed how the pandemic influenced the material found on the album, his noticeable growth as a songwriter in songs like the title track, his recent TV/movie syncs he’s completed, and artists that he admires in today’s music scene. Lee DeWyze begins his 35-city Ghost Stories tour the day after the record is released on August 13th. Pre-orders are available here.

Jason Tate Aug 7, 2021

This week’s newsletter has my thoughts on the new Foxing album and some early impressions of new releases from Wet and Grayscale. Plus, there’s some thoughts on other entertainment I consumed over the past week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed last week, 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.

Adam Grundy Aug 5, 2021

Recently, I teamed up with my fellow contributors to discuss the latest album from Billie Eilish, called Happier Than Ever. Much like other comparative articles like the one on the recent Modest Mouse record, I provided a template of questions for each of the writers to respond to. Here is our conversation on Happier Than Ever, which we have affectionately titled: The Metamorphosis of Billie Eilish: From Bedroom Pop to Global Phenomenon.

Jason Tate Jul 31, 2021

This week’s newsletter is a little longer than most as I make up for lost time. There’s thoughts on the new Bleachers album, first impressions of the new CHVRCHES album, thoughts on tracking TV show watching, articles I enjoyed over the past few weeks, and even more commentary on music, movies, and tv shows I consumed over the past two weeks. 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.

Adam Grundy Jul 29, 2021

This past week, I was able to chat with lead vocalist Sarah Rose of Sarah and the Safe Word before the band releases the brand new single, “Lost Ring On Riverside,” out everywhere today. In this interview, we discussed the band’s process for writing songs like this latest single, their love of cabaret and scene bands like My Chemical Romance and Panic! At The Disco, as well as the plans for the one-year anniversary of their last full-length record Good Gracious! Bad People.

Adam Grundy Jul 28, 2021

Today, I’m pleased to share the newest music video from the LA-based band Beach Bums, called “whatsinsideyourhead.” This track is the latest single from their full-length record BeachxBums! out everywhere now via Lolipop Records. The band shared this about the new single based on mental health awareness, “This is what it’s like to be attacked by your own thoughts.” If you enjoy what you hear, be sure to check out their full album here.

Liner Notes (September 4th, 2021)

Lorde, Halsey, and the Infuriating Discussion Around Their Producers

Chorus TV: Vinnie Caruana

Liner Notes (August 28th, 2021)

Kitner – “Junebug” (Video Premiere)

Liner Notes (August 21st, 2021)

Interview: The Slang

Interview: Jameson Ketchum

Liner Notes (August 14th, 2021)

Interview: Lee DeWyze

Liner Notes (August 7th, 2021)

The Metamorphosis Of Billie Eilish: From Bedroom Pop To Global Phenomenon

Liner Notes (July 31st, 2021)

Interview: Sarah and the Safe Word

Beach Bums – “whatsinsideyourhead” (Video Premiere)