A.M. Boys – “Space Times Six” (Song Premiere)

A.M. Boys

Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single and visualizer video from New York City-based post-punk/experimental rock band A.M. Boys called “Space Times Six.” The song comes from their sophomore record, Present Phase, that just released in full today. Band member Chris Moore said, “The first album was more focused on in-studio jams and songs written for live performance, but this time we decided to stretch out more and explore adding additional layers.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider streaming Present Phase here.

Read More “A.M. Boys – “Space Times Six” (Song Premiere)”

Taylor Acorn – “Burning House” (Song Premiere)

Taylor Acorn

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to the new single by Taylor Acorn called “Burning House.” The track comes from the recently announced deluxe version of Survival In Motion that hits streaming services tomorrow. “When I was dreaming up Survival In Motion, I always envisioned it having an extended life and so I’m so excited to be able to continue the story,” Taylor reflects. “I am so proud of the whole body of work that we have created and it was such a pivotal project for myself as a writer, as an artist, and as a human. It was something I truly needed at that time and I’ll forever cherish the experience of getting to create it.” If you’re enjoying the early listen to the single, please consider pre-saving Survival In Motion (Deluxe) here.

Read More “Taylor Acorn – “Burning House” (Song Premiere)”

After Ours – “Different Now” (Video Premiere)

After Ours

After Ours, the musical project of Kayla Janowitz, is releasing her music video today for a key song called “Different Now.” From the After Ours new LP of Imaginary Friend that releases on June 6th, this single dances around self-reflection and the realization that we can all find solace in self-healing. I was also able to catch up with Kayla for a brief interview below. If you’re enjoying the music video, please consider pre-saving Imaginary Friend here.

Read More “After Ours – “Different Now” (Video Premiere)”

Interview: M.A.G.S.

MAGS

About two weeks ago, I was able to sit down with Elliott Douglas, better known as M.A.G.S., during his recent tour stop in Washington D.C. to discuss his recently announced plans to take a hiatus from the project. I asked him about the factors that led to this decision, his recent collaboration with American Football, and what the future looks like for him.

Read More “M.A.G.S.”

U.S. Girls – “Bookends” (Video)

US Girls

The latest single and video from U.S. Girls (the experimental pop project from Meghan Remy), called “Bookends,” signals a new and exciting direction for the project. Today, U.S. Girls announces her latest LP called Scratch It that will be released on June 20th via 4AD. I was able to catch up with Remy for a brief interview below. If you’re enjoying the video for “Bookends”, please consider pre-ordering Scratch It here.

Read More “U.S. Girls – “Bookends” (Video)”

Clara Joy – “Find Things Beautiful” (Video Premiere)

Clara Joy

The second single from Clara Joy and her upcoming new album, What We Have Now, is called “Find Things Beautiful” and is a song about the difference between our emotions and tangible items. Clara Joy shared, “The song was written from the perspective of someone who is confessing to a psychotic break due to the separation they feel between their emotional world and the material world. The ‘material world’ in this song was inspired by downtown Manhattan culture over the last several years, addressing the city’s need to constantly posture itself as entertaining rather than truly culturally engaging.” With a great vision for her music, Clara Joy is a key artist to watch. If you’re enjoying the music video, please consider pre-ordering What We Have Now, that will be released on May 23rd via Shimmy-Disc here.

Read More “Clara Joy – “Find Things Beautiful” (Video Premiere)”

Interview: Wounded Touch

Wounded Touch

Recently I was able to connect with the Michigan-based metalcore band, Wounded Touch, to discuss what went into the process of their Smartpunk Records sophomore LP, A Vivid Depiction of Collapse. The band’s publicist had a cool idea of having two of the band members interview each other to get some rich insight on what make’s the band tick, so I was all for it! Kyle Maddock interviews Wounded Touch drummer Jeremy Schultz below. If you’re enjoying the band member vs. band member banter, please consider pre-ordering A Vivid Depiction of Collapse before it releases on May 16th here.

Read More “Wounded Touch”

Record Store Day 2025 Countdown

CD, Record Store

This year’s Record Store Day occurs this Saturday, April 12th, 2025. Get your lists ready and prepare to dive into the key vinyl releases for this celebration of indie record stores. The Record Store Day “Ambassador” for ’25 is Post Malone, and he shared in a press release:

What an honor, I can’t believe I was chosen to be Record Store Day’s Ambassador for 2025. Record Store Day is so important and I really hope to do my part to keep it alive. We love hitting local shops when we’re on the road, seeing all the crazy artwork, the whole energy in a record store is just super inspiring. I feel at home. It’s really an unexplainable feeling to hit up a shop and dig through crates, just see what grabs your eye. You can be looking for something super specific and end up finding something totally different. It’s the best. Keep supporting y’all and let’s keep records and these local shops going strong. Happy Record Store Day everybody!”

In this article, I’ll be providing some tips & tricks for navigating this year’s Record Store Day observance, plus some early previews of some of the key titles. You can also check out my initial RSD ’25 preview here.

Read More “Record Store Day 2025 Countdown”

Myriads – “Find Ourselves Again” (Album Stream)

Myriads

Myriads, the project name of songwriter Maria DeHart, is gearing up to release her new EP called Find Ourselves Again, that will officially release on April 11th. Today, Myriads are sharing an exclusive early listen to the EP and the project is great for fans of similar artists like Wednesday, Snail Mail, and Slow Pulp. When asked about the new EP, DeHart shared, “This EP is straight from my heart and the minds/incredible talents of my bandmates, who helped me string together this big and sometimes loud, sometimes delicate group of songs from bits and pieces of tunes I’d written in my bedroom over the years. I am so excited to share it and I hope it makes you feel something when you listen.” Overall, the EP is a study of love, happiness, depression, and the search for meaning in these universal human experiences. It’s Myriads’ most honest and thoughtful endeavor yet, and the new band is excited for what is to come. If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider pre-ordering the EP here.

Read More “Myriads – “Find Ourselves Again” (Album Stream)”

Common Holly – “Aegean Blue” (Video Premiere)

Common Holly

Today I’m excited to introduce everyone to Common Holly, the artist name of Montreal-based singer-songwriter Brigitte Naggar, who is gearing up for the release of her debut LP, Anything Glass, this June. First up is her new single and video for a vibrant song called “Aegean Blue.” With key influences from artists like Bill Callahan, Mount Eerie, Lomelda, and Leonard Cohen, Common Holly is anything but a common artist who is unafraid to push the boundaries of her creativity. When speaking on the new single/video, she shared:

A reckoning in meaninglessness and unending pursuit. The words came in a moment of change and of reevaluating. This song sits squarely in the album’s theme of orienting toward what matters most, doing things differently when they aren’t feeling right. You can hear some of the vocal doubling here–since the album was recorded live, many (all?) of the songs have doubled vocals, because I would sing live while we were performing the song, and then I would later add more vocals on top of that initial vocal. This came to be a quality we liked in the whole experience of the album.

If you’re enjoying the new video, please consider pre-saving Anything Glass here.

Read More “Common Holly – “Aegean Blue” (Video Premiere)”

Talulah Paisley – “What’s It Like?” (Video Premiere)

Talulah Paisley

Just in time for April Fool’s Day, Talulah Paisley has announced her debut LP, called Fool, that will be released everywhere music is sold on June 11th. On top of that, I’m excited to share with everyone her debut single and video for “What’s It Like?” Talulah Paisley shared:

I wrote this song when I was about to graduate from college. I had my entire life ahead of me and I feared I wouldn’t live up to its promise…what if: I did nothing with my life? What if I am a waste? I make no impact, no connection? I played and sung all the instruments on the track except that whistle- that was my bandmate, sweet Athena from the band Awksymoron. This song marks the first time I’ve ever recorded drums! The idea for the music video came from how I always notice little things on the street in NYC, and I pick them up and keep them- playing cards, dice, those plastic neon barrettes you wore when you were a little girl. I feel these objects are magical, and a reminder to play. I hand-painted the bike, helmet and spray painted the roses. I also handmade the costume. It was inspired by the incredibly brave and graceful lady lion tamers of circus’ past, who risked their lives in the name of spectacle.

If you’re enjoying the new video/single, please consider supporting this artist here. I was also able to catch up with Talulah Paisley for a brief interview below.

Read More “Talulah Paisley – “What’s It Like?” (Video Premiere)”

West Friends – “You’ll Hate It Here” (Song Premiere)

West Friends

Today I’m so excited to introduce everyone to pop-punk band, West Friends, who are releasing their latest single called “You’ll Hate It Here.” On this track that takes it roots from classic pop-punk bands like Sum 41, New Found Glory and Blink-182, West Friends make a memorable single with plenty of substance behind it. West Friends is the duo of songwriters and friends, Jordan Renshaw and Isaiah Dominguez, and they have a great style for the pop-punk 30/40-somethings crowd. The band shared, “‘You’ll Hate It Here’ is a tongue-in-cheek take on the cities we call home (Seattle and San Francisco), which, let’s face it, are some of the news cycle’s favorite punching bags. For locals, the negativity can get overbearing enough to warrant a snarky, ‘Grab a souvenir on your way out.” West Friends collaborated with Tom Iannello (Transit, Driveways) to make an anthem that says, despite their flaws, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can pre-save West Friends new single here.

Read More “West Friends – “You’ll Hate It Here” (Song Premiere)”