A couple of weeks ago, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with all four members of indie pop band, Snarls, to discuss their vibrant new EP called In Heaven There’s Rainbows. In this interview, I asked the band about where the title of the EP came from, which songs came easiest during the writing process to get to the finish line, and how they’re crafting the setlist for their co-headlining tour with Future Teens. One of my favorite quotes from this conversation was lead vocalist/guitarist Chlo White’s comment regarding how the band decides if a song will be included in a set: “The last couple years, when we’re deciding what goes on a setlist, it’s like, ‘Do you feel hot and sexy playing this?’ And if the answer is no, we’re scrapping it!” In Heaven There’s Rainbows releases this Friday, and pre-order options are available here.
Read More “Snarls”Holy Pinto – “One Tattoo” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the lead single from the new album from Holy Pinto called “One Tattoo.” Holy Pinto’s long-anticipated new LP, called Wedding Season, is filled with songs grappling with the concepts of love, distance, doubt, and adulthood. The album, which releases on all streaming services on September 14th, features some key collaborations from Bartees Strange, who helped produce some of the tracks found on Wedding Season. If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider supporting this artist here.
Read More “Holy Pinto – “One Tattoo” (Song Premiere)”Strange Lot – “Go Have A Dream” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to a vibrant new band called Strange Lot. They’re releasing their new single and music video for “Go Have A Dream” that captures just the right magic in the indie rock realm. Strange Lot is Dominic Mena, Cameron Martin, Levi Murray and Jason Desiderio, and their band chemistry is clicking on all cylinders ahead of their self-titled debut that hits streaming services on August 14th via Greenway Records. If you’re enjoying the video, please consider supporting the band here.
Read More “Strange Lot – “Go Have A Dream” (Video Premiere)”MojoPin – “Out The Door” EP Track By Track
Today San Diego alternative grunge band, MojoPin, are releasing their latest EP called Out The Door, and I was able to catch up with this trio for an exclusive track-by-track feature. The band has steadily been gaining traction in the rock scene, and their viral cover of Pearl Jam’s “Black” has been viewed over 500k times. If you’re enjoying the feature, please consider streaming the EP here.
Read More “MojoPin – “Out The Door” EP Track By Track”Violet Grohl in Washington DC
Violet Grohl might have the biggest “leg up” in the start of her solo career by being the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, but she proved that she belonged on the biggest of stages during a recent Washington, DC stop on her Be Sweet To Me solo tour. Donned in black clothing, Violet Grohl looked every part of a rockstar, while her tight backing band blazed through a 14-song set that included nearly every song from her thrilling debut LP, Be Sweet To Me, a Ween cover and three new songs that have not officially been released. The concert was held at The Atlantis (a venue directly next door the legendary 9:30 Club), which coincidentally hosted its first official concert in May 30, 2023 with Foo Fighters headlining, will likely be known as “the house that Grohl built” after two legendary shows in just three short years featuring a Grohl.
Read More “Violet Grohl in Washington DC”Effie Zilch – “Lover Boy” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single and music video from Effie Zilch called “Lover Boy.” This roots-rock band is Steve Wyreman & Evanne Barcenas, and their great musical chemistry together is immediately recognized on vibrant songs like this. The band shared:
Featuring a Benny Benjamin-inspired backbeat, a prominent bass riff, and Vandellas-style background vocals, ‘Lover Boy’ began as something of an inside joke. It quickly evolved into one of the album’s most infectious standouts. Sometimes songs don’t have to say anything deep or important. Some of our favorite music is playful and lighthearted. What is serious about the track is it’s composition, arrangement and style. It’s a fresh take on an old, familiar sound. Sticky-sweet and swaggering, ‘Lover Boy’ brings classic soul revue energy into focus through Effie Zilch’s distinctly Bay Area lens. The accompanying video leans into the song’s vintage charm – shot at historic Sacramento sites once used as film locations for silent-era icons like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, it pays homage to California’s cinematic history. “We knew we wanted to make a silent film, but how to capture the fun and whimsy of the song eluded us until we fully leaned into the ridiculous. Our video team, Station to Station Creative, didn’t bat an eye at our bizarre treatment. Instead, they went out and found the dapper duck costume the following day. A Flapper, Amelia Earhart, and a proper damsel dame set their eyes a gaze on Mr. Gentleman Duck. Cat and mouse chases, train track mishaps, and old-timey title cards tell the silent tale of this strange love story
If you’re enjoying the new video, please consider pre-saving the band’s new LP, Higher Calling, out everywhere on July 10th via Redtone Records.
Read More “Effie Zilch – “Lover Boy” (Video Premiere)”Zoon – “Omni II” (Song Premiere)
Today is a great day to share the latest single from shoegaze artist, Zoon, called “Omni II.” On this hypnotic track that features a cameo from Chris Chu of The Morning Benders, Zoon makes a significant mark on the indie scene. The song comes from Zoon’s new LP, Happy Thought School, that will be released everywhere on June 19th via Paper Bag Records.
Read More “Zoon – “Omni II” (Song Premiere)”Unicorn Dogs – “Bogus Journey” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to introduced everyone to a pop-punk band called Unicorn Dogs who are releasing their newest single called “Bogus Journey.” The Baltimore-based Unicorn Dogs are comprised of father/son bass and drum duo Jon Moser and Oliver Moser and former Dead Mechanical guitarist Lucas Carscadden. Jon Moser shared about working with Grath Madden (House Bout, Steinways) by sharing, “Grath has a distinct voice and style that we love and find inspiring. Short songs that are catchy but without overly predictable repetition and relatable, self-deprecating lyrics. That’s the formula!” If you’re enjoying the single, keep an eye out for the band’s new LP Closer To Death that will release later on this year via Mom’s Basement Records / Jolly Ronnie Records.
Read More “Unicorn Dogs – “Bogus Journey” (Song Premiere)”Candace Hastings – “Call Your Mama” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single from songwriter Candace Hastings called “Call Your Mama.” The deeply personal song is sure to evoke some sort of emotions from anyone who takes the time to listen to it. When asked about the inspiration behind the new single, Candace Hastings shared:
This song was written by Mary Beth Schaefer, who is a talented songwriter and just happens to be my daughter. And the backstory behind the song is almost as good as the song. I can’t even remember why I had called my daughter, but she didn’t pick up and didn’t call me back for several days. At the time, I remember thinking, ‘I’m glad I wasn’t having a heart attack or anything,’ but honestly I know she’s busy and didn’t give it too much thought. She told me she had that reminder rolling around in her head—call your mom, call your mom—but when she sat down to write, it turned into something different. What she came up with was a song about those exes who like to circle back after everything is over—calling to check in, keep tabs, or ease their conscience, when really, they ought to call their mama instead. I released the song as a single because it’s an ex-song that has a take I’ve never heard before. There’s no revenge keying of the car, no yelling, just some good old-fashioned boundary setting by a strong woman who’s had enough.
If you’re enjoying this single, please consider pre-saving the track here.
Read More “Candace Hastings – “Call Your Mama” (Song Premiere)”Crow and Gazelle – “The High Road” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Texas folk duo, Crow and Gazelle, called “The High Road.” The track comes from the band’s new album, Truth Be Told, that will be released on streaming services on May 15th. When speaking on the direction of the new single, the band shared:
We believe we have a soul contract together. As a couple, as friends or comrades, we have reincarnated together before, many times – millennia and centuries before and after, always seeking the higher road to find and feel real freedom. For us, that high road means we’re here to balance and harmonize the feminine and masculine for divine love. And we see the characters of Truth Be Told as the same. Remembering, when one is empowered, we both are. When one is oppressed, we all are. So we need to work together. In a place of balance, time itself is non linear, not a rigid straight line. Time, and life herself folds in and upon itself, giving us another chance (if we’re lucky) to take the high road to freedom. We set this as the first track to set the tone, that perhaps we’ve all been here before – our ancestors certainly have – in this place of being able to right the course and bring love and life back to the center. Into focus. This was the last song we wrote for the album; it came in a flurry to Mike, one night in our last days of recording the album.
If you’re enjoying the track, please consider pre-saving the album here.
Read More “Crow and Gazelle – “The High Road” (Song Premiere)”Princess Goes – “Stranger” (Song Premiere)
Today is a great day to share the latest single from NYC-based rock band, Princess Goes, called “Stranger.” Princess Goes features Michael C. Hall (vocals), Matt Katz-Bohen (keys/synths/bass/guitar) and Peter Yanowitz (percussion/additional instruments). The band explains: “‘Stranger’ is song about meeting each other with kindness and curiosity. A seminal 90’s grunge bass intro lead us into 90’s Britpop dance blur. We finally meet each other in the massive, epiphanic, glorious, and soaring finale, no longer strangers, but as….friends.” If you’re enjoying the track, please consider following the band’s updates here.
Read More “Princess Goes – “Stranger” (Song Premiere)”Pluralone – “Ranting and Raving” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single from songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer, known as Pluralone, for ”Ranting and Raving.” The track comes from the project’s new forthcoming LP, A Drop in the Ocean, out everywhere you stream your music on June 12th via Org Music. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering the new album from this talented artist here.
Read More “Pluralone – “Ranting and Raving” (Song Premiere)”Interview: Lightwatch
Recently I was able to connect with Lightwatch, an alternative rock band from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The band recently released their debut LP, Into The Evers last December and is already gaining a loyal following based on their high-energy performances. The band is hitting the road soon, and tour dates can be found below.
Read More “Lightwatch”Overton – “At The Seams” (Song Premiere)
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from North Carolina “dark punk” band, Overton, called “At The Seams.” The song is the second single from the band’s upcoming self-titled EP that will be released later on this year. With a unique approach to their brand of punk rock, Overton are embracing the darkness in more ways than one here. If you’re enjoying the single, please consider supporting the band here.
Read More “Overton – “At The Seams” (Song Premiere)”Fashn – “Continuation” (Video Premiere)
Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the video premiere of the latest single from Fashn, the NYC-based post-punk project of duo Thomas Peters and Julius Dolls. Blending gothic post-punk, modern indie rock, electronica, shoegaze, and darkwave pop, ”Continuation” carries a cinematic, coming-of-age intensity. If you’re enjoying the music video, please consider supporting this band here.
Read More “Fashn – “Continuation” (Video Premiere)”