Polyenso are an indie rock band featuring Alex Schults, Brennan Taulbee, and Denny Agosto. At this year’s Bonnaroo I talked with the band about their latest release, Pure in Plastic. You can find the full interview below.
Interview: Polyenso (Video)
The Best Albums of 2016 (So Far)
As we pass the midway mark of 2016, it’s nice to sit back and reflect on the great albums that have come out so far this year. Below you’ll find a compiled list that looks at the selected albums from contributors and moderators to this website, as well as all of the broken down individual lists. Maybe there will be some albums you’ve heard of, hopefully there will be quite a few you haven’t checked out yet, and maybe there will be a few you’ll want to give a second look. I think it’s been a pretty damn good year for music so far and there’s quite a bit to still look forward to as well.
There’s a thread in our music forum where we’d love to see your lists.
Singles Club: Taking Back Sunday – “Tidal Wave”
To say that Taking Back Sunday is a polarizing band is an understatement. For nearly 15 years now the Long Island-based band have gone through it all – inter-band drama, outer-band drama, more member changes than they’d like to admit, and the transition from emo darlings to bonafide rock stars. And while not every fan has always enjoyed every change the band has gone through musically and professionally, Taking Back Sunday has always stuck to their vision. And the same can be said about the band’s latest song, “Tidal Wave,” the first single from the band’s upcoming seventh LP of the same name.
Interview: Tim Skipper of House of Heroes
Frontman Tim Skipper unpacks the story behind House of Heroes’ concept record Colors, including the difficulties and freedoms that come with tackling such a project, and the band’s early ties to Twenty One Pilots.
The Ultimate Yellowcard Setlist
Last week Yellowcard made the announcement that their forthcoming self-titled album would also be their last. After nearly 20 years, the pop punk outfit has decided to call it quits. So it only seemed fitting that we use this week’s playlist to honor the band and take a look back at their long and noteworthy career.
As always, the rules are 22 songs and a two song encore. Check out the full track listing below and stream the playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
Best of 2016 … So Far (Encore Episode 127)
This week’s episode of Encore looks at our favorite albums so far from 2016. Next week we’ll be posting our contributor and moderator list feature, but, before that you can hear your favorite podcast hosts explain what albums they like the best and how they came up with their very scientific lists. We also talk about beer, the NBA finals, Yellowcard saying goodbye, Paramore, Every Time I Die, Eisley, and a little about Blink-182 (but expect much more on that album in the next episode).
We’d love to hear what albums you’ve been enjoying this year as well, so please hit the the little quote bubble to join us in the forums and let us know. Also, feel free to leave any questions you’d like us to tackle in future episodes. Thanks to everyone who listens.
Interview: St. Lucia (Video)
Jean-Philip Groebler, lead singer of St. Lucia, has been immersed in music since he was part of a well-known choir in his native Cape Town, South Africa. Since then Groebler has written jingles for numerous commercials and two albums under the St. Lucia moniker. At Bonnaroo, he talks with me about his latest release. Later in the day he joined Halsey on stage for a rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Thunder,” which turned into a rain dance as storms interrupted the performance.
Interview: Civil Twilight (Video)
Civil Twilight are an indie rock band from Cape Town, South Africa and have been together for fifteen years. At Bonnaroo, the band talked with me about their latest release, Story of an Immigrant, their TV commercials, and the festival experience.
Interview: Cardiknox (Video)
Cardiknox are an indie dance-pop act formed of Lonnie Angle and Thomas Dutton (formerly of Forgive Durden). The duo is about to begin their “Make America Dance Again” tour and have played numerous festivals over the past few years. The band talks about their recent release Portrait, collaboration, and getting crowds excited in my interview with them from this year’s Bonnaroo.
Interview: Sam Means (ex-The Format)
Late last week, I had a chance to sit down for an extensive phone conversation with the wonderful Sam Means. Back in January, Sam released his debut full-length solo record Ten Songs, a record I have connected with a lot during these long, hot summer days in the Northeast. We discuss that record pretty thoroughly before delving into a number of other topics, including why Dog Problems has remained relevant even ten years later and why he feels a The Format reunion is “inevitable,” even if it’s not imminent.
Self Help Fest 2016
It’s been a few months since I captured images of Self Help Fest 2016 in San Bernadino, CA, but what can I say? Time flies! But better late than never. Check out the gallery below featuring images of A Day to Remember, The Wonder Years, Underoath, August Burns Red, Yelawolf, Letlive., Further Seems Forever, and more.
Interview: Austin Plaine (Video)
Austin Plaine is a singer/songwriter who decided that playing the guitar and writing heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics was more rewarding than trying to be a lawyer. Plaine passed up the LSATs and began writing music. He finished his self-titled album last year and I spoke with him at Bonnaroo this year about all of this and more. You can find the full video interview below.
Interview: Aparna Nancherla (Video)
Aparna Nancherla thinks depression is funny, or at least her goal is to make listeners laugh when she talks about the topic. The DC native has received the attention of Conan O’Brien, Amy Schumer, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Devine, and many other prestigious comedians. Nancherla fit right in on the comedy stage at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and you can find a video of our talk about her new album below.
A Chorus.fm Forum Tribute to Saves the Day
One of my favorite things about the forums is watching talented and motivated people come together to make awesome things. Today I’m excited to feature the latest in the “member compilation” series that has been taking shape in our music forum — a tribute to Saves the Day. Below you’ll find a stream of the 12-track cover album dedicated to the band.
Souveneer – ‘Merit Badge Season’ (Album Premiere)
Mason Maggio of The Republic of Wolves is releasing his new EP under the moniker Souveneer, titled Merit Badge Season, on June 28th. The album will be available on Spotify and iTunes tomorrow, but you can stream it right now below.
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