Liner Notes (June 7th, 2019)

Jason Tate Jun 7, 2019

This week’s newsletter is brought to you by a belly full of funfetti cupcakes.

In this week’s newsletter, I write about Apple’s WWDC keynote and announcements, share thoughts on new (and old) music I listened to this week, and do my usual media diet rundown. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I loved this week and some Chorus wallpapers. 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.

Moss Jaw – “What Is Your Composition?” (Video Premiere)

Zac Djamoos Jun 7, 2019

Moss Jaw dropped their debut Embody this past April, and it’s one of the more unique albums I’ve heard this year. An ambitious blend of emo, punk, dream pop, and slowcore, it’s the sort of genre roulette LP bands don’t usually attempt until they’ve established themselves a bit more, but it pays off in spades for the Kalamazoo, MI, four-piece. Case in point is “What Is Your Composition?,” the band’s latest single, the J Ludeker-directed video for which we’re excited to bring you today. Check that out below and be sure to give Embody a listen if you like what you hear.

Liner Notes (May 31st, 2019)

Jason Tate May 31, 2019

This week’s newsletter is brought to you by my two-day schtick of using sarcastic Taylor Swift gifs around the website.

In this week’s newsletter I reminisce on the 20 year anniversary of Blink-182’s Enema of the State, talk a bit more about The Dangerous Summer and everyone’s reactions to hearing the new songs, and share the three bands I’ll buy anything from before hearing a note of music. Then I go through my usual music, movies, and TV rundown of stuff I enjoyed this week. There’s also a playlist of ten songs I liked 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.

Interview: Palaye Royale (Video Interview and Photos)

Jackie Cular May 28, 2019

I recently sat down for an interview with Palaye Royale. There’s also some photographs from the show below.

Gabe Maas and the Bruins – “Collapse” (Video Premiere)

Adam Grundy May 28, 2019

Today we’re excited to premiere Gabe Maas and the Bruins’ new video for their great new single, “Collapse.” Filled with synth-laden riffs and haunting vocals, this track is sure to stay in your mind for days on end.

Interview: Weathers (Video Interview and Photos)

Jackie Cular May 27, 2019

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Weathers and shoot some of their set. You’ll find my conversation here, and the photos below.

Liner Notes (May 24th, 2019)

Jason Tate May 24, 2019

This week’s newsletter is brought to you by a lot of caffeine, sparkling water, and the letter Q.

In this week’s issue I give my first (or more like seventh) impressions of the upcoming album from The Dangerous Summer (spoiler: I like it), go through some of the other music I enjoyed this week, and do my usual media diet rundown. 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.

LVRS – “Strung Out” (Song Premiere)

Deanna Chapman May 23, 2019

LVRS are taking their indie rock roots and going back to the 90s with it. They bring attitude with their guitar-driven sound and Olivia DeJonghe’s vocals are a perfect compliment. Today, we’re thrilled to be premiering “Strung Out,” which is off of their upcoming EP, Hamartia. The EP is due out on June 14th, and you can pre-order it now over at Bandcamp.

Track List: May – Warming Up

Trevor Graham May 22, 2019

Welcome back to Track List, your monthly dose of 30 songs aimed to match the time of year, sequenced into a playlist for you to vibe out to however you see fit. Hopefully some names will be familiar, and hopefully some will give you a new discography to dive into. Drop me a line with some of your seasonal favorites and check back every month for a new playlist.

You can find the playlist on Spotify and Apple Music read more about the selections below.

Liner Notes (May 17th, 2019)

Jason Tate May 17, 2019

Welp, we made through another week.

In this week’s newsletter, I look at my relationship with pop-punk in 2019, share some recommendations for ’80s sounding and/or inspired music, and give some thoughts on the new Carly Rae Jepsen album and other music released this week. Then I go through my usual media diet rundown of movies and tv shows I watched, and share ten songs that I enjoyed. 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.

Liner Notes (May 10th, 2019)

Jason Tate May 10, 2019

New Blink-182 music week means I’ve got a lot to say.

I’ve decided to try something a little different, and I’m going to start sending out this newsletter to anyone that would like it via email. If you’d like to have it delivered to your inbox each week, you can sign up here. On the website itself, it will remain a supporter only feature, but I put a lot of time into it each week and want it also to reach more people. And I’ve heard from some supporters that they wish they could share it with a few friends, so I’m going to try this and see if it may be a happy medium. I hope that if you sign-up to read it, and like it, you’ll end up becoming a supporting member so that I can keep writing it. To give you an idea of what you’ll get each week, I’ve made this issue free for all.

In this week’s roundup, I write a lot about Blink-182’s new single and everything surrounding its release. I also share some thoughts on new music I heard this week and the albums coming out that I think are worth your time. Then I go through my usual weekly media diet, share a playlist of ten songs I loved this week, and share some of the new things I rolled out around the website.

This week’s supporter Q&A post can be found here.

Reminder: If you’d like this newsletter delivered to your inbox each week, you can sign up here.

In the Spotlight Playlist (2019)

Jason Tate May 8, 2019

On Monday we unveiled the first batch of artists from our In the Spotlight feature, yesterday we shared the second, and today I’ve got playlists featuring all of the recommended tracks from the entire list. Hopefully you’ll find something new to love. Enjoy.

You can find those on Spotify or Apple Music.

In the Spotlight: 50 Bands You Need to Hear in 2019 (Part Two)

Jason Tate May 7, 2019

Yesterday we brought you part one of our annual In the Spotlight feature, and today I’m excited to bring you part two.

You’ll find the second group of 25 artists, along with blurbs, recommended songs, and sounds like comparisons, below. Tomorrow we’ll share a playlist of songs from the included artists.

In the Spotlight: 50 Bands You Need to Hear in 2019 (Part One)

Jason Tate May 6, 2019

Today I’m excited to launch the third version of our In the Spotlight feature. This is the annual feature that continues the tradition of the “Absolute 100” and hopes to introduce you to a whole bunch of new music that should be on your radar.

Just like years past we’ve compiled a list of 50 artists we think are worth your time. Some of the artists recently released their debut albums and some have been around for a while now. However, the one thing they all have in common is that we think they should be in the spotlight and are worthy of your ears. You’ll find the first group of 25, along with blurbs, recommended songs, and sounds like comparisons, below. We’ll release the second batch tomorrow and a playlist of songs from the included artists on Wednesday.