Other Brother Darryl - Rewatch the Trees

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Photo by Pat Piasecki

Other Brother Darryl's Roll Shine Roll has been a musical highlight of 2025, with their song "Watch the Trees" being our favorite track from the album. Now the Boston band has released Rewatch the Trees, a three song EP that includes the album version of the song as well as an acoustic one from a Q Division session and the demo of the song. If you love one of the best country/folk/Americana songs of the year as much as we do, you're going to want to check this out. I've personally always loved hearing alternate versions of my favorite songs, and most bands don't release alternate takes like they used to. The acoustic version of "Watch the Trees" is particularly compelling, since it may lose the epic build in the album version, but gains a more rootsy, personal feel. Other Brother Darryl have quietly become a Boston roots scene favorite, and releases like this are exactly why.

Nate Leavitt says of his band's new release:

“‘Watch The Trees’ has become a story of the before and after. Before its release, its meaning was something more personal and relatable amongst our band. Now it’s become our signature song of sorts. ...I think we knew it was always a special song but I don’t think we ever thought it would be the song to define us to this point.”

You can listen to Rewatch the Trees below. For more on Other Brother Darryl, check out the band's website.

On Repeat...

Holiday Ghosts - "Slipstream"

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The latest single from Holiday Ghosts hearkens back to when pop music was weird. "Slipstream" will remind you of classic early alternative artists like Talking Heads, The Modern Lovers, and Violent Femmes, but it also has the 90's slacker vibe of Pavement and Beck. It turns into a crazily fun and just offbeat enough indie rock/pop song. You can watch the video for "Slipstream" below. West Bay Playroom , the new album from Holiday Ghosts, will be released February 15 on PNKSLM Recordings. The album was recorded in band member Sam Stacpoole's childhood home, specifically his old playroom. You can pre-order the album here . For more on Holiday Ghosts, check out their Facebook .
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Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Midnight Peg - "Thirstland"

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Photo by Cecil Sykes Midnight Peg are an Edmonton, AB based band that are referred to as "madhouse punk." Their latest single, "Thirstland," is a just barely under control two minute burst of punk. You have guitar riffs that will make you think of At the Drive In, and somewhat spoken and yelled vocals which create a feeling of chaos throughout. This is a loud and angry track that is completely in your face. But, unlike most tracks this loud and punk based, "Thirstland" still keeps a sense of art in their music. Midnight Peg feel like a higher class of loud, angry punk rock. This one is great, with just enough of an emo undercurrent to make the song kind of melodic and almost palatable to a mainstream audience. You can listen to "Thirstland" below. Skinning is due out in October on Thousand Island Records. For more on Midnight Peg, check out the artist's website .
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