Live Shows: Dry Cleaning, Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA 5/5/26

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I've been a fan of Dry Cleaning since I first heard "Magic of Meghan" way back in 2019. In the past seven years, they've played Boston a few times, but it's just never worked out to see them. They swung through Boston again on Tuesday night, and everything aligned to finally see them. I was a bit hesitant since I had seven years of anticipation, and sometimes a fairly mellow, experimental post punk band with spoken word lyrics doesn't translate to a live show.

Turns out, there was nothing to be hesitant about. Dry Cleaning overdelivered any expectations I had for them. They were an intensely engaging live band, and even their most mellow songs translated perfectly to the stage. As expected, their setlist focused on Secret Love, their album that was released back in January. Luckily, it's an excellent album, and all eleven songs were fantastic live. Personal highlights from the new album included "Let Me Grow and You'll See the Fruit" and "Evil Evil Idiot."

What was most surprising about Dry Cleaning's set was how much fun it was. Their music can be quite dark at (most) times, but they kept the mood light despite this. Part of this was due to the killer and humorous stage banter between vocalist Florence Shaw and guitarist Tom Dowse. They helped lighten the music's mood and kept the show fun, as live music should be.

The band did go back to some of their classics during their set, including the aforementioned "Magic of Meghan" and "Anna Calls from the Arctic." They closed out the show with a one song encore of "Hit My Head All Day," ironically the opening track of Secret Love. Dry Cleaning don't have casual fans. Everyone at the Paradise Tuesday night was a diehard, and they became even more so after the show ended.

On Repeat...

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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Yawn Mower - "Rascal"

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Photo by Mary Dorsi Asbury Park's Yawn Mower had two goals for their upcoming album. First, after playing their hometown's Sea.Hear.Now festival, they wanted to write songs that worked on a larger stage. Second, they wanted the album to be their Pinkerton , "A raw, rough around the edges, noisier follow up to [their] debut album." The first song from that album is "Rascal," a song partly about the kids of their friends and family. It's a fun track that includes lines like "Here he comes now what a little asshole." It's a quirky and noisy indie rock track that reminds me of an edgier Fountains of Wayne. As anti-kid as the song may seem, you can tell it's not done seriously and there is a ton of love behind the track. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Chick says of the band's upcoming album: “While Dana Yurcisin (bass), Rudy Meier (guitar),  and Nicole Scorsone (violin) have certainly helped fill out past releases, this was the first time that ...
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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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