Vakili Band – “Father’s Son” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Jan 27, 2022

The latest single from the roots rock band Vakili Band, for “Father’s Son,” recaptures that spirit of the 70’s guitar rock era, and repackages it into a crowd-pleasing effort. The song comes from their new album, Walking Sideways, that hits the streets on February 25th, and you can pre-save it here. I was able to get a hold of lead vocalist, Lily Vakili, to provide some in-depth context on the new single. She mentions a strong Rage Against the Machine influence among many other insights. If you’re enjoying the new track, you can learn more about the band here.

Adam Grundy Jan 14, 2022

Today I’m excited to share the latest single for indie folk songwriter Ben Auld for the song, “O Athena!” The track comes from his upcoming debut LP Lemongrass, that hits the streets on February 15th. Auld shared this about the song:

This is possibly the oldest song on the album and it stuck around because I could imagine an audience singing along to it. Sufjan’s Illinois is one of my favorite albums ever and I wanted to create something that had a similar feeling of exultation. I can’t remember where the chorus lyrics came from, I guess I felt they fit this theme of praising or elevating people. Making a new friend or founding a new relationship can make people so elated and joyous. This song tries to express that period of time before things settle back to normality. The recording process for each song is slightly different and with this I wanted it to feel like it had depth without it being drenched in reverbs. So I recorded the bass, drums and rhythm guitars to cassette and then used an 8 track to layer the keys and picked guitars. Then I bounced that all to another 4 track and recorded the vocals. Each time a layer was bounced it got pushed down in the mix and so you have this sort of stratification effect.

Your next indie singer-songwriter obsession has arrived.

Adam Grundy Nov 15, 2021

Today I’m excited to share the latest single, called “Wild Heart” from Philly’s Riot Grrl band, Full Bush. In this blazing single, the band is able to grasp the spirit of early Riot Grrl bands and put their unique stamp on it for today’s audiences. Kate shared this about “Wild Heart:”

Learning to embrace what sets you apart and how you can embody those parts of yourself that perhaps you were told weren’t socially acceptable for one reason or another is what ‘Wild Heart’ is all about. I wrote it at a time when I was struggling to find answers to why I was stuck repeating habits that weren’t serving me, and beginning to do inner child and shadow work helped make sense of the cognitive dissonance I’d been experiencing. The culmination of the song’s message is to stop fighting the lies you tell yourself and instead listen to and feed the pieces of yourself that are screaming to break free and embrace the wildness of who you are without fear.

If you’re still rocking out to this song, their new EP is out on December 3rd, and pre-orders are available here.

Adam Grundy Nov 3, 2021

Today I’m thrilled to share the worldwide premiere of “Burn Me” by Divided Heaven. The band is comprised of Jeff Berman, and the band’s upcoming album Oblivion is slated for an early 2022 release date via A-F Records. Berman shared this about the great new single, “‘Burn Me’ is a punch thrown at the self-aggrandizing internet trolls. ‘Burn Me’ aims to counter the all-too-prevalent cultural pessimism and cynicism with the most raw and vicious song Divided Heaven has ever released. It’s not always easy to put your art on public display and to open yourself up to criticism and bullying (I’ve had my fair share, and then some). ‘Burn Me’ is a tribute to the artists that push the boundaries of their genre, dive into the androgynous, dabble in the dirty, all in the face of vitriolic social commentary. Produced by the great Charlie Stavish and a great way to kick-off this Oblivion-era of Divided Heaven!” If you enjoy this track as much as I did, consider pre-ordering Oblivion here, and international fans can pre-order here.

Adam Grundy Oct 26, 2021

Today I’m thrilled to premiere the single for “Oreo” by Pass Away. This Brooklyn, New York band formed in 2013 in what began as a side project from members of I Am The Avalanche and Crime In Stereo, Pass Away has become a powerful songwriting force in the scene. The band shared this quote about the new single, “This song is named after Oreo, a black cat that I woke up with sleeping on the top of my head on a very early Lower East Side morning. I was in a strange place, laying next to a stranger who a few years later ended up being my wife. I didn’t think I was worth a shit or worthy of any kind of love or partnership at that point in my life. This song is about knowing when to pump the brakes, chill out on the self abuse and let the good stuff happen.” With great hooks and impressive songwriting, Pass Away are truly onto something great here. The track comes from their new album, Thirty Nine, and pre-orders are now up.

Adam Grundy Sep 23, 2021

Today, I’d like to re-introduce you to Broadcaster. On their latest single for “Vacation Days,” they bring out all the great end of summer vibes into a crisp package of 90’s Alt Rock in the style of Third Eye Blind, Gin Blossoms, all with a bit of a modern spin similar to Seaway’s Big Vibe record. Broadcaster are from New York, and plan to release a record called Joyride +3, available for pre-order via Jump Start Records. Your next radio-ready gem is ready for your playlists.

Zac Djamoos Feb 25, 2021

Hanalei will be releasing his fourth LP Black Snow on March 12th via AF Records. While AF is known as a punk label, Hanalei is of decidedly different stock – if you like the folkier side of The Weakerthans or Kevin Devine you’ve got an idea of what to expect from Hanalei. This is never better exemplified than on “Steep Ravine,” the seventh track from Black Snow that we’re premiering today.

Brian had this to say about the song:

[It] draws parallels between the loss of love and the loss of the environment. A female narrator residing in the barren and nearly lifeless western fringes of Marin County, CA is crippled by grief and nostalgia. Memories of rain, redwoods, owls, and a deceased lover paint the monochromatic landscape in every shade of gone.

Stream it below.

Adam Grundy Nov 13, 2020

Today I’m pleased to premiere the brand new single from Who Will Meet Me At The Gates, called “Wet Cement.” Who Will Meet Me at the Gates is the latest installment in the ever-expanding universe of The Inevitables. Initially conceived as a soundtrack album and comic book, The Inevitables is evolving into a multilayered, multimedia project that extends into toys, art, and branded collectibles. On October 16th, the first single “Good Grief” dropped from a new five-song acoustic EP, featuring a veritable punk rock supergroup featuring members of Pears, Less Than Jake, The Jeff Rosenstock Band, Big D and the Kids Table, and Westbound Train.

As with the rest of the Inevitables project, the group was not satisfied stopping with music. For the graphic side of the concept, they brought in Portland-based artist Tomo77 to lend a visual experience to the songs. The result is a 6-print series reflecting the impact of the pandemic amid a tumultuous and changing social and racial landscape. Rendered in isolation, Tomo77’s images explore themes of racism, police brutality and a society in the throes of political chaos and disease, entwined with symbolism reminiscent of the middle ages. The art will be made available in a limited run of numbered and embossed prints.

If you like what you hear, you can stream the album here.

Adam Grundy Oct 30, 2020

Today I’m pleased to share the single premiere from the Chicago-based, Rock/Post-metal duo named Apolar. called “Stargazer.” The track comes from their third EP, STS-51-I, that is a concept record based around NASA’s Challenger mission in 1986, where the shuttle exploded on its way into orbit. The song reminds me of bands such as Explosions in the Sky and Align In Time, and makes for a great listening experience. If you enjoy what you hear, you can pre-order the new EP on Bandcamp.

Adam Grundy Oct 8, 2020

Today I’m pleased to premiere the latest single from The Inevitables called “The Weight of the Worry.” For those unfamiliar with this ska/punk supergroup project, they are featuring current and former members of a bunch of incredible bands including Vinnie Fiorello (Less Than Jake), Obi Fernandez (Westbound Train), Matt Appleton (Reel Big Fish), Billy Kottage (the Interrupters), John DeDomenici (Jeff Rosenstock, Bomb The Music Industry!), Alex Stern and Jon Degen (Big D And The Kids Table) and Sean-Paul Pillsworth (Nightmares For A Week).

If you like what you hear as much as I do, you can pre-save the song here. Also, pre-orders are now live.

Adam Grundy Nov 6, 2019

Today I’m happy to share the latest single from Holy Pinto, called “Malady.” This track comes from the latest trio of singles under the Holy Trinity record, and this track in particular reminds me of Interpol-inspired rock. The last song, called Acquaintances, Friends, Love Ends” was released in October, but the current single can be streamed below and it’s their best yet.

If you like what you hear, be sure to buy the Holy Trinity Singles Club.

Pelafina – “Blue and Gold” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Oct 16, 2019

Today I’m pleased to share the new single from Pelafina called “Blue and Gold.” This four-piece emo rock band from Chicago is poised for big things this year as their sound is reminiscent of bands such as Moneen and The Graduate. You can pre-save this single on Spotify and stream it below.

Convenient, Trash – “Lylas House” (Song Premiere)

Zac Djamoos Aug 23, 2019

Pooch, the sophomore LP by Convenient, Trash, has only been out a little over a year, but the Lansing, MI, indie rock troupe are already back with a new single, which we’re excited to premiere for you today. “Lylas House” is the lead single from the band’s upcoming N*VY BLUE, due out September 6th via We’re Trying Records. It’s a good taste of the album – catchy enough to sing along to, but unpolished enough to still feel raw.

It’s the kind of song that would be all over those “best songs of the emo revival” lists half a decade ago. If that sounds appealing to you, be sure to preorder N*VY BLUE, and stream the song below.

Western Settings – “Another Year” (Song Premiere)

Adam Grundy Aug 21, 2019

Today I’m excited to bring you the premiere of Western Settings’ new song, “Another Year.”

For those unfamiliar with the band, they are an incredible punk rock band from San Diego, California, and this second single is a strong representation of the band: solid punk rock with ear-candy hooks.

Lead singer and bassist, Ricky Schmidt, is as endearing as ever on the song, and the dual-guitar attack from Dylan Wolters and Will Castro allows the track to soar to new heights. If you’re into punk music, this band is one to watch as the year unfolds.

The song is available for streaming below, and the album is available for pre-order now on Bandcamp. It will be released on September 6th.

Emily Blue – “Bad Decisions” (Song Premiere)

Deanna Chapman Jun 28, 2019

Emily Blue is a pop singer from Chicago whose music is catchy and perfect for summertime. Her new song, “Bad Decisions,” is all about making the choice to not lead a mundane life, even if some of those decisions wind up being bad. The song follows her 2018 EP *69 and we’re thrilled to be premiering it today. Give it a listen below and it might just become one of your favorite songs of the summer.

Vakili Band – “Father’s Son” (Song Premiere)

Ben Auld – “O Athena!” (Music Premiere)

Full Bush – “Wild Heart” (Song Premiere)

Divided Heaven – “Burn Me” (Video Premiere)

Pass Away – “Oreo” (Song Premiere)

Broadcaster – “Vacation Days” (Song Premiere)

Hanalei – “Steep Ravine” (Song Premiere)

Who Will Meet Me At The Gates – “Wet Cement” (Song Premiere)

Apolar. – “Stargazer” (Song Premiere)

The Inevitables – “The Weight of the Worry” (Song Premiere)

Holy Pinto – “Malady” (Song Premiere)

Pelafina – “Blue and Gold” (Song Premiere)

Convenient, Trash – “Lylas House” (Song Premiere)

Western Settings – “Another Year” (Song Premiere)

Emily Blue – “Bad Decisions” (Song Premiere)