Live Shows: JVK, Tysk Tysk Task, and The Ghouls, Taffeta Music Hall, Lowell, MA 2/13/26

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Last week was a crazy week of amazing triple bills for me. The night before Valentine's Day was a truly can't miss show for me, with JVK hosting their second JVK Day show at Taffeta Music Hall in Lowell with two equally fantastic local bands: Tysk Tysk Task and The Ghouls!

Opening the show was Lowell's own The Ghouls. They're always one of the most fun live bands out there today, and Friday night was no exception. They announced they were only playing love songs during their set, and then just rocked it out, setting the tone for the evening. They have mastered the art of playing loose and tight at the same time, and have an amazing mixture of 90's slacker cool while still playing unbelievably well. A huge help is that their fans always show out to their shows and match the bands energy. Even if you've never heard of The Ghouls before, it's impossible not to get swept up in the excitement between the band and their fans. Plus, they closed with a wonderfully 90's style cover of "Careless Whisper" that set an exclamation point on their set.

Up next was Tysk Tysk Task, who we've covered quite a bit here. This was their first show in a while, and the hometown band broke out a pair (or trio?) of new songs. The first was "Home Now," a new ballad that helped break up the volume of their set while still keeping their indie grunge meets shoegaze sound. That was immediately followed by "Skin Hide" and "Hide Skin." This pair of songs blended into one, and completely floored me. It sounded like a cross between Shellac and The White Stripes, and forced me to completely focus on the song to take it all in. It's a monster of a song, and shows off Tysk Tysk Task's continued evolution as a band. The two new songs fit in perfectly with what they've been doing all along while still showing a possible new direction for the band.

Closing out the night was JVK. They've always been a great live band, but something has happened in the last year to make them full on rock stars. Jo Krieger's stage presence is far above playing a venue the size of Taffeta Music Hall, and I would not be surprised if they graduate to much bigger stages soon. Their particular blend of pop, rock, and punk is infectious, and the crowd found it impossible to stand still during their set. JVK is graduating to full blown party band while still making smart music, and that's exactly the spirit we all need right now. They've been getting their well deserved accolades quite a bit in the past few years, and don't be surprised if their stardom continues to grow.

On Repeat...

Sean Thomas Gerard - "Bright Side"

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Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
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DJ Haram featuring Bbymutha, SHA RAY, & August Fanon - "Fishnets"

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Photo by Sultana Garritano Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved.  DJ Haram says of her latest single: "‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated." You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here . For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter . Upcoming tour dates a...
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Izzy Heltai - "Father"

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Photo by Joanna Chattman I've been referring to Northampton, MA based Izzy Heltai's music as mainstream modern folk with just enough of a unique spin to keep it appealing to music snobs, too. His latest single, "Father," might be the perfect example of that. It's a quiet, deeply personal song that starts off painfully sparse but ever so slowly builds and builds as it goes on. It walks that line between accessible/mainstream and indie expertly.  You can watch the video for "Father" below. Father , the upcoming debut album from Izzy Heltai, will be out October 9. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Izzy Heltai, check out the artist's website .
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