Frontman Nathan Henry discusses the return of Sherwood and their first record in seven years Some Things Never Leave You, along with the hard work of doing music on your own, the self-doubt and toughness of getting older, and how the experience of being in a band never fully goes away.
Lead singer Conor Mason talk about Nothing But Thieves’ self-titled debut album, breaking through in the States, his Jeff Buckley influences, being part of the new wave of British rock, and going big on the upcoming second album.
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I don’t know how to sum up 2018. At the end of most years, it’s possible to look back and see certain themes or narratives or big ideas coming through in the music from the past 12 months. 2018 was not one of those years. Most of the industry’s biggest stars sat the year out, and music critics couldn’t agree on a consensus album of the year pick. Instead, 2018 as a music year was chaotic. It was a dozen jukeboxes playing in the same bar at the same time, one blasting a starry-eyed country album about love, the next broadcasting a rock ‘n’ roll anthem about how it would be great if the human race didn’t fuck up the chance we’ve been given to, you know, exist.
But music years like this are thrilling for their seeming lack of structure or narrative. They are chances for underdogs to fight their way to the top, or for new superstars to be born in place of the old ones. 2018 was that kind of year for music, and it was dazzling to behold. The only option was to dive headfirst into the chaos and embrace the many disparate triumphs that came along the way. This list, of our 30 favorite albums of the year, is symbolic of that leap of faith, a wildly dynamic set of records that includes callbacks to this community’s roots, monuments to how we have grown over the years, and signposts to where we are going. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of this site for another year, and to see the way we all share the music we love with one another. This list was made in that spirit, of discovery and shared passion, and I can’t think of a better way to sum up such a chaotic year.
Strung Out announced they are remixing Exile in Oblivion and finished an unreleased song from that era.
Read More “Strung Out Remixing ‘Exile in Oblivion’”
Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 is selling his Banksy:
Read More “Mark Hoppus Selling Banksy Painting”“We loved this painting since the moment we saw it,” said Hoppus, who bought the artwork with his wife, Skye Everly, in 2011. He said the painting – “unmistakably Banksy, but different” – has hung in the family’s homes in London and Los Angeles.
Hoppus said he would use the proceeds of the sale to buy work by upcoming artists. Some will go to the California Fire Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Hematology Oncology Research.
Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to the new Sarah and the Safe Word single called “Pornstar Martini.” On this Motown-inspired track that sounds like a combination between early Panic! at the Disco paired with that classic Sarah and the Safe Word sound, the band continues their dramatic artistic development. Sarah Rose shared, “We wrote this song while we were on tour in the UK on an off day. I remember sitting in our AirBNB in Manchester and the chorus just kind of came out. Kienan and I knew pretty much right away that we were going to make a song out of it. It’s a love letter to our time in the UK as much as it is a love letter to some of our favorite vintage sounds. Feels like an interesting new chapter for the band. I’m excited to take folks along for this ride.” Additionally, lead guitarist Kienan Dietrich mentioned, “We’re trying to broaden the scope of our sound a tiny bit by taking the time machine back only a few decades instead of an entire century. The combination of references to works of dark academia, like Donna Tartt and Bret Easton Ellis, with a bright, Motown/Stax Records kind of music is such a fun thing to explore. The clash of squeaky clean, pop culture memories with the reality underpinning those memories. Classic juxtaposition stuff, and classic Safe Word. At the end of the day, who doesn’t want a penthouse view?” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can stream it everywhere you get your music tomorrow. I was also able to catch up with the Kienan and Sarah for a brief interview below.
Read More “Sarah and the Safe Word”
The Living End have finished recording their new album.
Read More “The Living End Finish New Album”
Zech Pluister of Sleep On It has been accused of various forms of misconduct.
Read More “Zech Pluister of Sleep on It Accused of Misconduct”
Eighteen Visions have released a video for “Live Again.”
Eddie Reyes, formerly of Taking Back Sunday, recently mentioned on a podcast that Mark had was no longer in the band:
UPDATE • Jan 7, 2025”I just recently started speaking with Mark again, who’s apparently, uh, he walked away from, er, he’s not in the band anymore.”
Mark has confirmed this on Instagram.
Lead singer JJ Julius Son talks about Kaleo’s American debut A/B, what it’s like to see your music reach a worldwide audience, and how anyone can embrace the blues.
Limbeck, The Color Turning, Astoria, Bed, Great Glass Elevator, and The Wild Forever are getting together to play a tribute show for David Del Fonzo (guitarist of Astoria and The Color Turning), who passed away earlier this year.
Darren King was a recent guest on the Your Favorite Band podcast. He talks about his history with Mutemath and why he decided to leave.
Vocalist Aaron Weiss explains the unique concept behind Ten Stories, the influence of faith on his lyrics, letting go of the desire to control, and mewithoutYou’s past/future.
