Recently, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Baltimore punk band, Pinkshift, to discuss everything that went into their forthcoming LP, Earthkeeper. I asked the band about what they love best about the DC-area music scene, the key influences and music upbringing each member brings into the band, and Pinkshift offered some cool creative insight on what fans can expect when Earthkeeper drops on August 29th via Hopeless Records.
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Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single and music video from JULESY, the ultra-talented singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, New York, called “Heart On the Line.” This key track from JULESY’s new album, Flip The Bed, showcases this artist’s knack for writing deep, heartfelt hooks that have a lasting impact on the listener. In the same artistic vein as Soccer Mommy and Snail Mail, JULESY is your next obsession. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider staying in touch with JULESY here.
Read More “JULESY – “Heart On The Line” (Video Premiere)”
Recently, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Jay Malcuit, the lead vocalist of a rock band called YUNGER, who have released a hard-hitting dual single in “Alive”/”Sinner”. In this interview, I asked Jay about what went into the writing and recording process of the single and the 7″ vinyl, his on-stage “persona”, and much more. If you’re enjoying the music and interview, please consider purchasing the 7″ single here.
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I treat end-of-summer songs the way most people treat Christmas music.
There is an entire segment of the music industry that is built around the fact that, for at least a month at the end of every year, a significant percentage of the music-listening population only wants to hear holiday songs. It’s why Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” will have an annual stint atop of Billboard charts from now until the end of time, and why Spotify Wrapped cuts off streaming stats for its users around Halloween. The last six weeks of the year is holiday music season.
Well, for me, August is end-of-summer music season. I have an entire playlist of songs that I associate solely with the fading of Earth’s most glorious season. Most of those songs, just like Christmas carols, sound wildly out of place to me if I hear them at any other time of year. But play them for me in August, especially in those last two weeks before Labor Day, and my heart will ache with all the melancholy of watching another summer die.
No song on the planet captures the sweet, sad feeling of summer’s end better than Dashboard Confessional’s “Dusk and Summer,” and its perennial re-entry into my life has made it one of my most cherished songs of all time. To tell that story, I have to break with the typical mold of this essay series – most parts so far have focused in on one specific memory or period of time – and explain the evolution of my end-of-summer ritual, and how music came to be a core part of it.
Read More “My Life In 35 Songs, Track 19: “Dusk and Summer” by Dashboard Confessional”
I Am Waiting For You Last Summer, the cinematic/ambient post-rock band, has returned with a cool new single and video for “Nulla.” On this key song from the band’s forthcoming LP called Without/Within, this artist leans heavily into their epic sound. The band shared, “‘Nulla’ was inspired by the idea that we — as living matter—are part of an evolving process that, at some point, begins to question itself. There’s something powerful in the image of consciousness emerging from the same material that forms stars and planets — and then turning inward to ask: What am I? What is this?” If you’re enjoying the new music video, please consider pre-saving their new LP here.
Read More “I Am Waiting For You Last Summer – “Nulla” (Video Premiere)”
Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with a few members of Have Mercy ahead of the release of their new album called The Loneliest Place I’ve Ever Been. In this interview, I asked the band about what went into the writing/recording process for this LP, their upcoming touring plans, and much more. The Loneliest Place I’ve Ever Been releases on August 29th via Rude Records and you can pre-order the vinyl here.
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Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single from The Heavenly States called “Fifth of July.” The band delivers a razor-sharp, new wave-tinged anthem that is sure to make you feel something. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider supporting the band here.
Read More “The Heavenly States – “Fifth Of July” (Song Premiere)”
Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the new EP from Wilson Getchell called Life In The Circus, that releases officially today on all streaming services. The mini-EP consists of four songs, running just over six and a half minutes. The title track, “Life in the Circus”, is a tongue-in-cheek, bouncy indie pop song painting substance abuse in a colorful circus hue. “I’m Just Sitting Here Waiting” is a country ditty about waiting for “a neighborhood crackhead to show up to mow the lawn.” “King” is a catchy, yet demented and offensive coming-of-age story of a young monarch, featuring Will Hamilton on the drums and background vocals from Giselle Armenta. The mini-EP is rounded out with the indie polka number, “How Low Can We Go?”. Getchell describes, “On my new EP, Life in the Circus, I really leaned into Brian Wilson and Ween influences. Life in the Circus could be described as an EP or as a single with an A side, a B side, and two perky ditties. The four songs total run time is 6:40. It’s short, fun, and silly. The title track, ‘Life in the Circus’, is a tongue-in-cheek, bouncy bedroom pop song which paints reckless living in a colorful circus hue. The B-side, “King” is a fairly demented and humorous coming-of-age story of a young monarch. You’re going to want to wear a helmet for that one…” If you’re enjoying the album stream, please consider supporting this talented artist here.
Read More “Wilson Getchell – “Life In The Circus” (Album Stream)”
Today I’m so excited to share the new bonus track/visualizer video from 00’s emo band, Tokyo Rose, that comes from their breakthrough record of called New American Saint, with “Philadelphia in the Springtime.” The band is also excited to announce their signing to the label of Manic Kat Records, and the deluxe version of New American Saint releases this Friday. Lead vocalist Ryan Dominguez shared:
I never imagined anything I did 20 years ago would ever be remembered, let alone be regarded fondly enough by anyone, other than the very small handful of people who were involved with it at the time, to be remastered and re-released 2 decades after the fact. But somehow Peter and the team at Manic Kat pulled a vinyl rabbit out of their magic hat, called “New American Saint: 20th Anniversary Deluxe Re-Mastered Edition
If you’re enjoying the newly released single, please consider staying tuned to Tokyo Rose’s Manic Kat Records page here.
Read More “Tokyo Rose – “Philadelphia In the Springtime” (Song Premiere)” I could feel it in my bones.
Driving home from college after successfully completing my freshman year, something told me that I was in for a banner summer. The calendar hadn’t even flipped over from April to May yet, but the air was warm and the sun was beating down and my car windows were open and the music was blaring. Getting off the highway, it felt like my hometown was welcoming me back with open arms. Somehow, I just knew I was about to live the greatest summer of my life.
I’m no great believer in clairvoyance, but my premonition that day is absolutely the closest I’ve ever come to predicting the future. Because, as it turned out, the summer of 2010 was the summer I fell in love with the girl I was going to marry.
There’s a special gravity to the albums and songs you hear for the first time right around the start of any new relationship, but that counts for double when it’s the relationship that’s going to last for the long haul. Such was the case for me with Black & White, the second album from Arizona rock band The Maine.
The Maine had come up as part of the “neon pop-punk” wave of the late-2000s, a micro-movement defined by uber-poppy, glossily-produced rock songs that sounded so bright you could almost hear the saturated colors in the music. Fast-forward to 2025 and The Maine have outlasted every other vestige of that movement, evolving into a widely-respected independent rock band whose music folds in influences ranging from Third Eye Blind to new wave to Americana. These days, they are one of my very favorite bands. Back in 2010, though, they were only barely on my radar.
Read More “My Life In 35 Songs, Track 18: “Growing Up” by The Maine”
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the new single from Brooklyn-based rock band, Blonde Otter, called “Your Number.” In this cool-looking lyric video for the single, Blonde Otter tackles staying connected in an AI-driven world, while still staying human in this environment. The band shared:
”Your Number” delves into the complexities of modern digital communication, exploring the superficiality of online interactions and the yearning for genuine human connection amidst the pervasive influence of data and AI. Our forthcoming album, from which ‘Your Number’ is the first single, marks a significant evolution for us, moving into broader political and societal themes that reflect our struggle to create amidst contemporary pressures. We are simply just part of the New York experience.
If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider staying connected with the band here.
Read More “Blonde Otter – “Your Number” (Song Premiere)”
Recently I was able to connect with Santa Cruz, California beach rock band, Trestles, to discuss their slick new single/video that recently released, called ”Bones.” Trestles are gearing up for the release of their sophomore full-length record called SALT, that will be released on September 26th. If you’re enjoying the interview, please consider streaming the band’s music here, or catch a show on their tour.
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Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with indie pop band, The Strike, to discuss their new album called A Dream Through Open Eyes. In this interview, the band discussed their big opportunity of opening for The Fray, provided some insight into their songwriting process, as well as previewed their single called “The Getaway” featuring Mitchell Tenpenny out today.
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Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the hook-laden new single from UK punk rock band, Chinese Junk, that has a blistering take on the current political landscape called “Shut Up About The USA.” These punk rockers are coming in hot with some slick guitar-driven garage punk rock with meaning. Whether you’re tossing beers in your basement or screaming down a dirt road at 100 mph, this split (called Talk Trash w/ Gino & The Goons and Chinese Junk) that releases this Friday, will deliver the anxiety ridden chaos your soul craves. The sound of sweat filled shows and sweat soaked rebellion – get it while it’s still dripping on Big Neck Records. Band member Ben Nuthink shared:
I’ve got a few friends that are lucky enough to be able to afford to go to the USA on holiday pretty regularly. I can’t afford to, so it’s probably partly written as a case of sour grapes but also me having a bit of fun with it. I figured I’d write a song referring to all the stereotypes of the USA that I could think of to fill two verses. I mention cops in donut shops which funnily enough, I also mention in a song on our first album. The references are mostly good things. Americans do everything bigger than the rest of the world so it’s pointing that out too. The ‘Shut Up…’ lyric in the chorus is me saying to stop rubbing in that you’ve been there AGAIN and I haven’t for years!
If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider picking up the split record via Big Neck Records, here.
Read More “Chinese Junk – “Shut Up About the USA””
Indie rock band, Arts Fishing Club, has returned with a new single called “Gary Busey.” The band plans to support the single with a key support slot with The 502s. In this brief interview, I asked the band about the significance behind the name of the single, Arts Fishing Club’s core influences, their favorite “storytellers in music, and their plans for the rest of 2025. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider staying in the loop about the band here.
Read More “Arts Fishing Club – “Gary Busey””