Pine Barons – “In The Air” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Jun 14, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the latest single from Philadelphia’s own Pine Barons, called “In The Air.” The song is a cover of The Fishmans’, a Japanese pop group that stormed their scene in the 80’s and 90’s. The song reminds me of lush dream pop meshed with psychedelic rock. Imagine if Beach House and Phish ever collaborated on a song; it might sound a lot like this. Lead vocalist Keith Abrams had this to say about the cover:

”In The Air” has such a haunting quality to it, both in the lyrics and the way it moves, and I get such a strong emotional response when I listen to it, like I can feel my heart breaking. The first version I had heard was the live performance off Otokotachi no Wakare. From this sort of cosmic meditative intro, like leaving the earth behind as you enter the upper atmosphere, and out comes this creeping hypnotic pulse with the bass and drums. The progression, as simplistic as it is, feels somehow ahead of its time, and it blew me away. As the last Fishmans single to be released in 1998, it was an important one to include on this album. I wanted to marry the essence of the live version with the studio version, with a slight deviation from the structure. When it feels like it might come to an end, it sort of blasts off into this other realm where you might forget you’re listening to the same song.

By putting a new spin on a classic, Pine Barons are off and running towards being your next key musical discovery.

Adam Grundy Jun 9, 2022

Today is a great day to share the latest single from pop-punk band Scotchka, who hail from Albany, NY, and are gearing up for the release of their full-length record this August. The new single is called “Corinthians” and reminds me a lot of Say Anything paired with Motion City Soundtrack. The band shared this about the latest track:

We’ve made a habit on this coming record to hyperinflate the ordinary and this song is one of the better examples. Corinthians is a culmination of life events, put into the most dramatic light possible. Trying to explore every facet of a relationship, processing a friend telling us they are considering suicide, always trying to find out where something went wrong and building from there.

If you’re enjoying the vibe of the latest single, be on the lookout for a pre-order notification on the band’s Bandcamp page here.

Adam Grundy Jun 9, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the latest single from singer-songwriter Chris Garneau called “Ballard.” The track is the first song to be released from his upcoming EP, that will be released this Fall, and reminds me of a bit of the style of Rostam paired with the flamboyance of Adam Lambert. Garneau had this to say about the inspiration behind the new song:

I wrote this song after a vivid dream I had last summer where I met and fell in love with a vampire. We agreed he could drink the blood from my neck, turning me, but two days later he disappeared. I never saw him again, not in my dreams not in real life. Even though it all happened while I was sleeping it stuck with me for a while, I couldn’t stop thinking about it for months until I finally wrote the song to get it out. I felt like I was hallucinating sometimes, like that it really happened. It was bizarre. Sort of hot, kinda fun, but also felt fucked up. Ultimately I was relieved to let go of the feeling.

If you’re enjoying the direction that Garneau took on the first single from his upcoming EP, you can purchase the song starting tomorrow here.

Adam Grundy Jun 3, 2022

Today is the perfect day to share Berlin-based Alternative Rock band, TWINS, and their latest B-side single, a jazz-infused song called “Something About Alice Coltrane.” The song comes from the mind of TWINS band leader, Miro Denck, and Miro shared, “This recording is my humble tribute to one of my greatest sources of artistic and spiritual inspiration, the sublime music of the great jazz mystic Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda. It would be presumptuous to think there’s even a way to get anywhere near the powerful talent unified on the original recording, ‘Something About John Coltrane’ of her 1971 album, Journey in Satchidananda, which includes Pharoah Sanders, Cecil McBee and Rashied Ali, let alone as a single musician. Rather than that, to me this is a very personal meditation on life, loss and the endless comfort I find in her music.”

If you’re enjoying this latest slab of experimental rock music from TWINS, their full-length record called The Human Jazz will be hitting music streaming services on June 29th via Earth Libraries. Additionally, I was able to catch up with Miro Denck for a brief interview about this new single.

Adam Grundy Jun 2, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest single from Bonsai Trees, led by the charismatic lead vocalist James MacPherson, “Not Better” is a song about finding ways to improve your outlook on healing. MacPherson shared:

”Not Better” is about healing at your own pace, healing from trauma is a non-linear rollercoaster of a process that requires support, love and understanding from the people around you. When the people in your life want to control you and create the idea of you that they want to see, they’ll lead you down the wrong path, tell you what’s good for you, when only YOU know what you need to heal. For me this song is about taking back my independence and becoming a more true version of myself in the face of a lot of adversity. Overcoming the control others think they have on you is crucial to your authenticity.

By preparing for healing while still maintaining their artistic credibility, Bonsai Trees may very well be on the cusp of self-discovery. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering the band’s new EP called Mine here.

Adam Grundy May 26, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest slice of music from Brooklyn’s own synth-pop powerhouse band, Endearments, for their single “Too Late.” The song feels like a blend of 80’s new wave paired with the sonic brilliance of modern rock bands like Foster the People and Car Seat Headrest. Self-produced by band leader Kevin Marksson at his home studio, he shared this about the new song, “I think breakups have these turning points where you realize things can no longer be fixed. ‘Too Late’ is about those moments—recognizing when you’re being taken for granted, and saying enough is enough.” Endearments have found the right balance between being at their breaking point while still remaining true to who they are as artists.

Adam Grundy May 24, 2022

Today I’m pumped to share the latest single from indie punk trio, TheWorst, for their song “This House Didn’t Build Itself.” The track comes from the band’s upcoming sophomore record, Yes Regrets, that will be released in full on June 3rd. For those unfamiliar with the band, they sound like a combination of the best parts of the early 00’s New Jersey emo scene, paired with the punk rock spirit of Joan Jett. Lead vocalist and guitarist, Brooke Binion, had this to share about the latest single and the overall direction of Yes Regrets, “It’s exhausting living this way where you’re constantly punishing yourself. I’ve been through a lot, and most of it was self-inflicted, but this record is just about that pain you can cause yourself and those regrets that wear you down.”

If you’re enjoying this song as much as I think most of you will, please consider pre-ordering the new album here.

Adam Grundy May 13, 2022

Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single from powerhouse singer Alice Merton called “Loveback.” The track inches closer to the finish line of her June 17th sophomore effort entitled S.I.D.E.S., and this artist would be perfect for fans of Florence and the Machine, Your Smith, and Maggie Rogers. Merton shared this about the latest single:

”‘Loveback’ talks about waking up one day and realizing someone has stolen a part of you that you want back. It was the realization that I didn’t ‘need’ anyone to exist. I was never dependent on anyone or anything, even if it at times felt like it. I felt like I was handing out something I was rarely getting back. At some point I felt like I had forgotten why I’m doing what I’m doing, and felt like I had lost sight of what’s really important to me.”

By setting her sights firmly back on what’s most important in her life, “Loveback” finds Alice Merton simultaneously at her most vulnerable and purposeful. If you’re enjoying the new single, please consider pre-ordering the new record here.

Adam Grundy Apr 21, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the latest single from the talented singer-songwriter Andrew Pitrone for his new song called “Locket.” The single is the second single to be released from his upcoming EP, Aurora Montage, out later this year on Lolipop Records. Pitrone had this to say about his new song:

”Locket” is a song about the Idea of committing to someone. In a sense when someone puts a photo in a locket it signifies their commitment to that person, that person in the photographs being extra special to them, in their heart, or close to their heart. If you were going to cut someone into the size of a little locket and shove them into the shape, even in the most loving gentle way, it might sound something like the feeling of the song ‘Locket.’ Suggesting that someone put you in their locket is like suggesting that they should feel free to have that attachment.

With heartfelt vibes and sweeping instrumentation found on this great-sounding single, it’s no wonder why so much buzz surrounds this artist. Pitrone has also shared the music video for this track, and it can be found here.

Adam Grundy Apr 4, 2022

Today I’m excited to bring you the latest single from the New Orleans indie-pop band, Hey Thanks!, called “The Part I Call Myself.” The band worked on their new album, Start/Living, with veteran producer Gary Cioni (Hot Mulligan, Free Throw), and he really helped this artist put their best foot forward. Hey Thanks! shared this about the new single:

’The Part I Call Myself’ was a song about me overcoming a point in my life where I was belittling my personality to fit the mold of the person I was trying to make happy by slowly sinking myself into their personality/lifestyle. It’s special to me because it marks that I’m in a point of my life where I no longer feel the urge to be someone I’m not. We feel really lucky to have worked with producer Gary Cioni on this, and ‘The Part I Call Myself’ was one of the highlights of recording. We are really proud of this record ‘Start/Living’ and excited to have this song finally available. It’s been an incredible experience working with Iodine Recordings getting the album together and being part of a label with so much history.

If you’re enjoying what you hear on this latest taste of new music, please consider pre-ordering Start/Living here.

Adam Grundy Mar 31, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the new double single of “Morning / Midnight” as well as “My Mind is a Mess in the Morning” by a talented singer-songwriter named Nick Leng. Leng is currently supporting the artist, LP, on their Spring North American tour, and the interest in this artist couldn’t be higher with expansive songs like these two. Leng shared this about each song:

I’ve always had trouble writing quotes that summarize songs. It feels like the words can put songs in boxes, and possibly snuff out any personal interpretation a listener might have. In a similar way, when I was finished with ‘My Mind is a Mess in the Morning,’ and was thinking about releasing it as a single, it really excited me to pair it with ‘Morning / Midnight.’ They’re equally important to me, and, one might say, quite different. together, I felt like they painted a better picture of what I’m trying to say.
’My Mind is a Mess in the Morning’ was written while I was living in Topanga in a trailer park which, subsequently, (and arguably hilariously) became rat infested prompting a hasty departure. ‘Morning / Midnight’ was started there as well one late night when I was chopping up a classical piano improvisational piece I had recorded, on a sampler. There’s a video on my Instagram of me playing the melodica in the intro in the morning and the sun peeked through that ended up in the final version. I had considered dividing that intro, with the chopped piano and the ‘second part’ when the beat comes in, into two songs, but the journey of the intro, and duality and sensation of when the bass and kick comes in, had a real story to it that it cemented the conviction that it’s one idea.

If you’re enjoying the two singles, please consider purchasing them from your favorite streaming service via SOTA Records.

Drew Beringer Mar 17, 2022

Warren Franklin is back with their new song “January,” which features vocals from Max Bemis. The song is from the band’s upcoming EP, Second April, which will be available digitally and physically on April 1st (pre-order here). The band described the song as:

”January” was the song that sparked the whole record. We wrote the song with Max in mind and he brought so much life to it. It was inspired by songs like Dancing in The Dark, Kyoto by Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski’s Nobody. Songs that sound so infectious and fun on the surface, but carry a deep sadness in them once you dig beyond that. That’s January for me.

Check out the song below.

Adam Grundy Mar 16, 2022

Today, I’m excited to bring you the latest single from LA’s Alternative/Pop band, Animal Sun, for their song “Chasing Shadows.” The track comes from their sophomore album called Generation Waiting, that will be released this Summer. The song was produced by Kenny Carkeet and Aaron “Zeus” Zepeda, and it has a nice groove to it. The band reminds me of a mix between Waterparks, Set It Off, and One OK Rock with some great anthemic moments thrown into the mix. Lead vocalist, Steven Blake, shared this about “Chasing Shadows,” “‘Chasing Shadows’ is all about living in the moment. We want to remind our listeners to stop chasing a perfect existence at the cost of missing what’s right in front of them.” If you enjoy what you heard from Animal Sun, the single will be hitting streaming services this Friday.

Adam Grundy Mar 10, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the lead single from Chicago-based band The Dead Licks for their song “With A Bottle of Whatever You’re Having,” taken from their debut LP In Disguise that hits the streets on May 20th. The band reminds me of the magic found on early Coldplay albums with a steady heartbeat of a familiar-sounding vibe that is comforting to the ears. The Dead Licks shared this about the new single:

Written during the pandemic, and one of the first songs written around a beat made on the drum machine. We sent Jimmy the drum machine/main riff and he came up with the high energy ending to the song. The song structure came about eventually, after we wrote/jammed the song for months.

If you’re enjoying what you hear, the song hits all streaming services tomorrow.

Adam Grundy Feb 24, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to share the great new single from Buffalo, New York’s own Lost Like Lions, called “Back to Life.” The band is set to release their next EP called Fear of Letting Go this Spring, and the band shared this about the new single:

Our new single ‘Back To Life’ is a quick reintroduction to our band, and it’s a song about feeling re-energized. ‘Back To Life’ definitely takes on new meaning as the winter winds down, and we head into the Spring, and hopefully back to some sense of normalcy in our lives after two years of the pandemic.

This band would be a perfect fit for fans of The Dangerous Summer, Relient K, and The Starting Line.

Pine Barons – “In The Air” (Song Premiere)

Scotchka – “Corinthians” (Song Premiere)

Chris Garneau – “Ballard” (Song Premiere)

TWINS – “Something About Alice Coltrane” (Song Premiere)

Bonsai Trees – “Not Better” (Song Premiere)

Endearments – “Too Late” (Song Premiere)

TheWorst – “This House Didn’t Build Itself” (Song Premiere)

Alice Merton – “Loveback” (Song Premiere)

Andrew Pitrone – “Locket” (Song Premiere)

Hey Thanks! – “The Part I Call Myself” (Song Premiere)

Nick Leng – “Morning / Midnight” and “My Mind Is A Mess In the Morning”

Warren Franklin – January (feat. Max Bemis) (Song Premiere)

Animal Sun – “Chasing Shadows” (Song Premiere)

The Dead Licks – “With A Bottle Of Whatever You’re Having” (Song Premiere)

Lost Like Lions – “Back To Life” (Song Premiere)