A couple of weeks ago, I was able to catch up with a new artist named Ariel Bellvalaire. In this interview, I asked Ariel about her amazing guitar playing abilities, what keeps her motivated as a musician and a songwriter, as well as the Mad Max-inspired music video for her single, “Elastic.” Ariel’s new single will be released this Friday, June 25th, with the EP to follow shortly thereafter.
Read More “Ariel Bellvalaire”
Since I didn’t write last week, this week has two weeks’ worth of content for you. I share some articles I enjoyed over the past few weeks, share some thoughts on music I’ve been enjoying (it’s been oddly pop-punk heavy lately), and reminisce on Blink-182’s TOYPAJ as it turns twenty. As always, there are also some random thoughts on other entertainment I consumed over the past few weeks and some commentary on how I’ve been viewing life as I continue to grow older. 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (June 19th, 2021)”
The Portland, Maine R&B/pop artist known as Savas (also the vocalist of Roseview), is premiering his brand new music video today for the song “Pastels.” This song connects Savas to the unique communication we have with art, and is similar to other standout artists like YUNGBLUD with the songwriting poise of Phoebe Bridgers. Savas describes “Pastels” as being, “about the problems and struggles of lusting over someone that communicates through their art and actions. Its lyrics share the more emotional side of dating while the song as a whole portrays a poppy and happier side.” With so much more to come from this exciting artist, there’s no better time to invite you into Savas’ world.
Read More “Savas – “Pastels” (Video Premiere)”
When we last premiered a feature on Taylor Swift comparing both versions of Fearless, I was intrigued by the idea of working with my fellow contributors on a similar collaborative piece. Our next group topic takes a look at Olivia Rodrigo’s ultra-popular SOUR album. I asked Mary Varvaris and Zac Djamoos to join me in discussing key comparisons in Rodrigo’s sound to other modern artists, what worked well on the album, as well any missteps or areas for improvement in the young artist’s sound.
Read More “Do You Get Déjà Vu Listening To Olivia Rodrigo?”
This week’s newsletter has thoughts on music released this week, some of the entertainment I consumed, and random thoughts on time tracking, flipping through Dan Ozzi’s new book Sellout, and a playlist of ten songs I loved. 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 (June 5th, 2021)”
Parting is essentially a revivalist-emo super group consisting of Keith Latinen (Empire! Empire!), Ben Hendricks (Annabel), Gooey Fame (ex-Dowsing), and John Guynn (Hawk & Son). Latinen and Hendricks signature vocals pace the upbeat and melodic sound – their debut album Unmake Me is a must-listen for any fan of the genre. The collection drops this Friday but we got an exclusive first taste. Check it out below and pre-order it here.
Read More “Parting – ‘Unmake Me’ (Album Premiere)”
MxPx will be doing another Between This World and the Next show on June 4th. Today they’ve shared a performance of “Secret Weapon” to set the stage and whet the appetite. You can find more information and tickets at their website.
Also, if you’re looking for more MxPx content, after I appeared on the Long Live the Music podcast to talk about the band, Mike Herrera himself went on for a follow-up episode. It’s definitely worth your time.
Oh, and I hear more new music from the band may be just around the corner.
Read More “MxPx Share Live “Secret Weapon””
Like many artists this past year, 2020 was a challenging one for Mannequin Pussy. Just a few months removed from releasing Patience – their first record for Epitaph Records – the world was shut down by COVID-19. After discovering that creating new music in a socially distant type of way wasn’t working, the Philadelphia-based trio booked time at Will Yip’s Studio 4 to spark some creativity. What emerged was the Perfect EP – a five-track collection that showcases the best of Mannequin Pussy’s sound while also displaying a tenderness within. From the booming passion of “Control” and “To Lose You” to the abrasive thrash of the title track and “Pigs is Pigs,” Mannequin Pussy continues to evolve their style in incredibly special and diverse ways. Below, guitarist/vocalist Missy Dabice and I discuss being creative during a global pandemic, working with Yip, and “Drunk II” (of course).
Read More “Missy Dabice of Mannequin Pussy”
Hello, hello, hello. Happy Jason is Fully Vaccinated Day to all who celebrate.
This week’s newsletter shares thoughts on the new Apple TV remote, the Friends reunion special, the new Sigrid single, and much more. You’ll also find a playlist of ten songs I enjoyed this 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (May 30th, 2021)”
Remember Fuse Network? Before the channel was nothing but reruns of Sister, Sister and The Parkers, it was a haven for alternative kids. Dedicated to playing the newest and best in rock music, it was rose above other so-called music networks. It was true 24/7 music programming during a time when MTV and VH1 switched to reality TV. And back in the mid-2000s, I was obsessed with it. I’d watch Fuse every day just to see what bands they played. Programs like Comp’d and Steven’s Untitled Rock Show introduced me to My Chemical Romance, Dir En Grey, The Academy Is…, and Every Time I Die. But only one Fuse memory sticks out vividly in my head: watching AFI’s “Girl’s Not Grey” for the first time.
I had no idea who or what AFI was. My friends didn’t listen to them. I didn’t hear them on the radio. But when I saw that video, it grabbed me. It was strange, yet mesmerizing. The band performing under a red sky surrounded by cherry blossoms, the uncanny girl guided by a strange bunny creature, Davey Havok screaming while covered in black tar. It was like walking through a surreal dream. Unlike anything I’d seen before. And the song was catchy too. From that moment on AFI was my band.
I couldn’t get the video out of my head. I waited hours for it to download so I could watch it every day until I knew every scene by heart. But it wasn’t enough. I needed to know everything about AFI. I spent hours online learning about them, listening to their music, memorizing their lyrics, playing Sing the Sorrow daily, and even downloading their catalog from Limewire. (Hey, I was a broke high school student). Soon, printed pictures of Davey filled my locker. My notebooks were covered with poorly drawn versions of their logo. I told anyone who would listen about this amazing new band. I was obsessed.
Read More “How Fuse and ‘Girl’s Not Grey’ Sparked A Fire Inside Me”
This past week, I was fortunate enough to re-connect with author Mike Henneberger who wrote Rock Bottom at the Renaissance: An Emo Kid’s Journey Through Falling In and Out of Love In and With New York City. Mike Henneberger chose veteran actor/musician Tyler Posey to record the audiobook, that has recently been released. In this interview, Mike, Tyler and I discuss the importance of working consistently on our mental health, the process Tyler went through for recording this audiobook and what made this project different than being on screen, and also how Mike has been constantly promoting his memoir in hopes that others will benefit from his story.
Read More “Tyler Posey and Mike Henneberger”
Hello, weekend!
This week’s newsletter looks at the new album from Olivia Rodrigo and why I think it has such massive potential and crossover appeal to all generations of music fans. Then I share some thoughts on the new Twenty One Pilots and a re-found love of skate punk. Of course, there are also some thoughts on entertainment and a playlist of ten songs I loved this week. 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 (May 22nd, 2021)”
Recently I was able to connect with lead vocalist of Trade Wind, Jesse Barnett, before his band’s release of their new album called The Day We Got What We Deserved. The album comes out this Friday via Other People Records and we discussed everything that went into the new record. I asked Jesse about Trade Wind’s strengths, what they draw on for inspiration, and what stood out most looking back on these writing sessions.
Read More “Jesse Barnett of Trade Wind”
This week’s newsletter walks through some podcasts I found interesting this week, as well as some random thoughts on movies, TV, and music I enjoyed over the past week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs, 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.
Read More “Liner Notes (May 16th, 2021)”
Today I’m thrilled to premiere the latest video from Love Again called “May 16.” This Lagwagon cover is played with the same passion as the original, and the video captures the spirit of the lyrical content. The Texas-based emo rock band, Love Again, will be releasing this cover as a standalone single tomorrow via Wiretap Records.
Read More “Video Premiere: Love Again – “May 16” (Lagwagon Cover)”