Tamar Berk - "stay close by"

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The latest from Tamar Berk is one of the most intriguing vintage leaning listens we've had in a while. "stay close by" is a 90's influenced singer-songwriter track from the California artist that picks from disparate genres. The song starts off with a DIY style bass line soaked in heavy fuzz, and Berk's vocals have this perfect 90's slacker vibe with just a little bit of caring thrown in. As the song goes on, it starts leaning into more of an Adult Contemporary sound from the same period while keeping its original indie rock spirit and sound. "stay close by" has a unique sound that would have been at home at the snobbiest college radio station and an episode of Grey's Anatomy. This is a gorgeous and kick ass track that is going to appeal to an unexpectedly wide audience.

You can watch the video for "stay close by" below. ocd is due out September 5, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Tamar Berk, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

On Repeat...

Live Shows: Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, Eight Foot Manchild, and Lovina Falls, The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA 7/12/25

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One of my favorite things is going to see a diverse live bill. Anyone can put together a show with three pop punk bands on it, but it's a challenge (and far more interesting) to put three unique bands on the same show and have it work out perfectly. Saturday night at The Sinclair saw the steamcrunk of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, doombrass heroes Eight Foot Manchild, and the baroque pop of Lovina Falls, and it was perfect. Opening the show was Lovina Falls, the current musical project of Valerie Forgione of Mistle Thrush. This was my third or fourth time seeing them in just a few months, and I'm still entertained every time. It's been interesting to watch Lovina Falls adjust and discover their sound over the past two or so years, and I think they've nailed their current sound down. It's an engaging blend of the baroque pop they started out with mixed with a more rock based sound. Songs like "Ellery Way" and "Vaulted" continue to ...
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Die Spitz - "Throw Yourself to the Sword"

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Photo by Anatheme Austin's Die Spitz have a sound that I'm shocked we haven't heard much of yet. Their latest single, "Throw Yourself to the Sword," has guitars that are both grunge and metal, and includes the intensity of riot grrrl adjacent bands like The Gits and L7. The guitars both chug along and thrash about, and it's reminding me of a more aggressive version of Castle Rat. "Throw Yourself to the Sword" is a giant, monster of a song that is going to demand that you headbang along, or at least throw up some devil horns. I'm not completely sure I'd classify Die Spitz as metal, but they're very close to metal. And grunge. And punk. This might be the one band that can unite fans of all forms of heavy music. Ellie Livingston says of her band's latest single: “‘Throw Yourself to the Sword’ is a high-energy ode to what we want young people to feel. There’s a lot of existentialism and despair in other songs on the album that still sheat...
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Brennan Leigh - "Dumpster Diving"

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Photo by Lyza Renee Brennan Leigh has quickly become a favorite of ours, with her take on a classic country sound with a slight sense of humor. Her latest single, "Dumpster Diving," which she describes as a "trashy little tune," is everything we love about the musician. It's a vintage style country song that comes in at a punk like one minute, forty-eight seconds. With a chorus of "Dumpster diving, this ain't gonna last / Dumpster diving, 'cause baby you like trash..." how can you possibly resist. Leigh's latest gives us a decades old sound with modern sensibilities and her fantastic voice that's tailor made for this genre of music. It's almost like a collaboration between Loretta Lynn and Shel Silverstein, and who doesn't want to hear that? You can hear "Dumpster Diving" below. Don't You Ever Give Up On Love  is due out October 3 on Signature Sounds, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Brennan Leigh,...
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