Singles Club: Touché Amoré – “Palm Dreams”

Drew Beringer Jun 24, 2016

I’m lucky. I’ve never lost anyone close to me during my adult life. My grandfather died when I was very young and my six-year-old brain really didn’t understand what was going on. I’ve never gone through what Jeremy Bolm has. The Touché Amoré frontman lost his mother to cancer in the fall of 2014 and much, if not all of his band’s upcoming new album, Stage Four, revolves around processing her death and remembering their life together. The album’s first single, “Palm Dreams,” is a soaring piece of post-hardcore that showcases the continual growth of the band’s songwriting while Bolm attempts to learn even more about his mother even after her passing. In the song premiere’s accompanying article, Bolm tells NPR that “’Palm Dreams’ was written around the realization that I never had a full understanding why my mother moved from Nebraska to California in the ‘70s.”

True Love – ‘Heaven’s Too Good For Us’ (Album Premiere)

Drew Beringer Jun 24, 2016

Detroit’s very own True Love are bound to set the hardcore world on fire with their Bridge Nine debut, Heaven’s Too Good For Us. The LP’s 13 tracks clock in at just over 17 minutes, leaving you breathless and wanting more of the band’s incredible hardcore fury. One things for certain: True Love’s anthems are crushingly uncompromising. Check out the album below, pre-order at Bridge Nine, and catch their set on August 7th in Philadelphia at This Is Hardcore Fest.

Interview: Pierce the Veil (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 23, 2016

Fans have been waiting with bated breath for a new album from Pierce the Veil. I recently talked with Jaime Preciado (bass) and Tony Perry (lead guitar) about what led to the the delay of their recently released album, Misadventures. The guys also talk about how fans might deal with the violence that occurred at the Bataclan Night Club last year (a venue they once played), as well as the violence at Pulse Night Club, and the murder of Christina Grimmie in Orlando, Florida. We also discuss the band meeting with fans that have terminal illnesses through the Living the Dream Foundation. You can find the entire interview below.

Interview: JJ Julius Son of Kaleo

Jonathan Bautts Jun 22, 2016

Lead singer JJ Julius Son talks about Kaleo’s American debut A/B, what it’s like to see your music reach a worldwide audience, and how anyone can embrace the blues.

The Used Live in Denver

Dave Gaslin Jun 21, 2016

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph The Used in Denver on their 15-year anniversary tour. You can find the full gallery below.

Interview: Nathan Henry of Sherwood

Jonathan Bautts Jun 20, 2016

Frontman Nathan Henry discusses the return of Sherwood and their first record in seven years Some Things Never Leave You, along with the hard work of doing music on your own, the self-doubt and toughness of getting older, and how the experience of being in a band never fully goes away.

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Interview: Mitski

Charlie Joseph Jun 17, 2016

It’s hard to put into words the effect of Mitski’s music. Her voice is as clear and sharp as a knife, and the instruments wrap around you with the warmth of a blanket on a cold day. Even though the name of her new album, Puberty 2, sounds like a cheesy American teen movie a la American Pie, Mitski reminds us that life is messy, the question of where you belong is complex, and we can’t always have the things we want. I had the pleasure of talking with Mitski during the lead up to this new album about everything from the music to the in-between.

The Starting Line in Portland (Throwback Thursday)

Dave Gaslin Jun 16, 2016

If I recall correctly, this “Throwback Thursday” gallery comes from the first time I ever photographed The Starting Line at the Roseland Ballroom in Portland, OR. I am pretty sure it was also their first national tour, and they were the opening band on a bill with New Found Glory, RX Bandits, and H2O.

It’s been interesting as I continue my deep dive into what seems like a never ending abyss of images; I sort through these boxes and struggle with where to even start. This week, when I came across these rolls of film, I realized these images would end up being a pretty sizable milestone for myself as a photographer. A few of the images from this night ended up being used on the album cover for The Starting Line’s release of The Early Years (We the People Sessions). You’ll find the full gallery below.

Interview: Royal Teeth (Video)

Jackie Cular Jun 15, 2016

Royal Teeth are a six-piece indie pop band from Louisiana that have been pushing their way into the scene since around 2010. Today I’m excited to bring you a video interview with the band that discusses life on the road while supporting their first album, Glow, and the band’s current work on recording a EP after signing with Elektra Records.

JANK – ‘Awkward Pop Songs’ Vinyl Release Show (Video Premiere)

Jason Tate Jun 13, 2016

On Friday, May 13th, JANK performed at Everybody Hits in Philadelphia for a special vinyl release show for their new album, Awkward Pop Songs. Today we’ve got the professionally shot video footage from this incredible show to share with you. You’ll be able to find that below. Enjoy!

It’s Been a Good Two Weeks (Encore Episode 126)

Jason Tate Jun 10, 2016

This week’s episode of Encore looks at a lot of the music that’s come out in the past few weeks, specifically: The Hotelier, PUP, Thrice, and Saosin. We also look at the new music from Descendents, Sum 41, Yellowcard, and A Day to Remember. Plus, there’s a nice tangent all about Less Than Jake, because those guys are still somehow not given enough credit for how awesome they are. This is a fun one! We hope you like it.

Steven Hyden’s ‘Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me’

Craig Manning Jun 7, 2016

If you’ve ever told someone they’re a fucking moron for liking band X more than band Y, or for otherwise disagreeing with your obviously superior musical opinion, then Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me is the book for you. Written by Steven Hyden, a former contributor for Pitchfork, the AV Club, and Grantland (RIP), Your Favorite Band Is Killing Me is a thoroughly entertaining excavation of artist-versus-artist pissing contests. The subtitle says the book will teach us What Pop Music Rivalries Reveal About the Meaning of Life. Hyden’s thesis is that, depending on which side you take in any given pop music war, your choice says something about you. Something like Oasis vs. Blur might seem pretty trivial for anyone who wasn’t actively paying attention to Britpop in the 1990s, but in the pages of Hyden’s book, these battles mean everything.

The Ultimate Brand New Setlist

Craig Ismaili Jun 3, 2016

In case you haven’t heard, it’s been an interesting week for Brand New. The band just kicked off their Canadian headlining tour as the start of a packed schedule of summer concerts. And in typical Brand New fashion, the start of that tour was overshadowed by their cryptic messaging of t-shirts and stage banter and upside down flower crosses. I’m glad I was given two years notice that Brand New were hanging it up, because it’s going to take me at least that long to prepare my tear ducts for that final tour. Because they’ve been on our minds this week, I decided I should probably devote one of our ultimate setlist playlists to the band.

Ten Best Things We Saw At Shaky Knees Festival

Craig Ismaili Jun 3, 2016

A few weekends ago, I was able to attend Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to being held in one of the best cities I have visited on the East Coast thus far, Shaky Knees also had the added benefit of putting on the most killer festival lineup this side of Riot Fest. With fantastic sets across all of the days and stages from the earliest Sunday doldrums (more on that later) to the main stage headlining acts. Below you’ll find my 10 favorite things from the festival along with some photos I took over the weekend.

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Interview: Joseph Karnes of Fitz and the Tantrums

Jonathan Bautts Jun 2, 2016

Bassist Joseph Karnes talks about feeling more confident and at ease on Fitz and the Tantrums’ self-titled third album, always keeping the live show in the back of the mind, and building success inch-by-inch.