Nate Smith featuring Lalah Hathaway Cover The Pointer Sisters

Photo by Tyler Scheerschmidt

I always like to close the week on a fun note, so this week we're bringing you Nate Smith and Lalah Hathaway's take on The Pointer Sisters' "Automatic." The Pointer Sisters were the soundtrack to countless childhood memories for me, and they don't seem to get a lot of love these days. Drummer/producer Nate Smith changes that with his reimagining of the 1984 hit song, which includes vocals from Lalah Hathaway. This cover is a much more chill and laid back version, that features some jazzy elements, along with some modern R&B and electronic parts. It's the kind of cover that stays true enough to the original while going off in a completely different direction. I could see many listeners not picking up on it being a cover until the chorus, or possibly not at all. But for those that grew up on The Pointer Sisters, you'll know almost immediately.

You can listen to Nate Smith and Lalah Hathway's version of "Automatic" below. For more on Nate Smith, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song and include an October 8 date at City Winery in Boston.

June 26: Richmond, VA @ Spacebomb
June 27: Durham, NC @ Missy Lane's
June 28: Durham, NC @ Missy Lane's
June 30: Montreal, QC @ Montreal Jazz Festival
September 26: Boulder, CO @ Chautauqua Auditorium
September 27: Denver, CO @ Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom
September 29: Los Angeles, CA @ The Lodge Room
October 2: Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
October 3: Portland, OR @ The Get Down
October 4: Oakland, CA @ Yoshi's
October 5: Oakland, CA @ Yoshi's
October 8: Boston, MA @ City Winery
October 10: Washington D.C. @ The Hamilton Live
October 11: Philadelphia, PA @ Perelman Theater
October 12: New York, NY @ Sony Hall
October 14: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
October 16: Chicago, IL @ The Promontory
October 17: Evanston, IL @ SPACE
October 18: Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
November 8: Brno, CZ @ Lucerna Music
November 9: Prague, CZ @ Sono Center
November 11: Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso - Tolhuis
November 12: Berlin, DE @ Gretchen
November 14: Paris, FR @ New Morning
November 16: London, UK @ KOKO
December 11: Milwaukee, WI @ Vivarium
December 12: Iowa City, IA @ Club Hancher
December 13: Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes - "Wearing Black"

Photo by Bella Peterson

Laura Jane Grace has released a new single with her latest musical project (which also features her wife Paris Campbell Grace, Jacopo "Jack" Fokas, and Orestis Lagadinos) just in time for Pride. "Wearing Black" is a punk rock rager about wearing black to the Pride parade. It's an intense and joyous song about acceptance that is perfect to both pogo and dance to. It's not quite a pop punk song, but it is filled with plenty of pop hooks and it's as catchy as anything else Grace has ever released. 

You can watch the NSFW video for "Wearing Black" below. Adventure Club is due out July 18 on Polyvinyl Record Co., and is available for pre-order here. For more on Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma Tropes, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below and include a June 27 show at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston opening for Murder By Death on their farewell tour.

JUNE
13 — Garwood, NJ — Crossroads *
14 — Albany, NY — Empire Live *
16 — South Burlington, VT — Higher Ground *
17 — Buffalo, NY — Electric City *
19 — Newport, KY — Southgate House ^ (SOLD OUT)
20 — Detroit, MI — St. Andrew's Hall ^
21 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall ^
22 — Montreal, QC — Le Studio TD ^
23 — Woodstock, NY —  Bearsville Theater ^
25 — Norwalk CT — District Music Hall ^
26 — Portland, ME — State Theatre ^
27 — Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club ^ (SOLD OUT)
28 — Brooklyn, NY — Warsaw ^
29 — Asbury Park, NJ — Asbury Lanes ^

JULY
01 — Cleveland Heights, OH — Grog Shop ^ (SOLD OUT)
02 — Cleveland Heights, OH — Grog Shop ^ (SOLD OUT)
05 — Pelham, TN — The Caverns ^ (SOLD OUT)
09 —Millersville, PA — Phantom Power ^
10 — Baltimore, MD — Union Craft Brewing ^ (SOLD OUT)
11 — Washington, DC — Black Cat ^ (SOLD OUT)
12 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer ^
13 — Pittsburgh, PA — Mr. Smalls ^ (SOLD OUT)
15 — Grand Rapids, MI — The Pyramid Scheme ^ (SOLD OUT)
16 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall ^
17 — Chicago, IL — Thalia Hall ^ (SOLD OUT)
18 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee ^
19 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue ^
20 — Maquoketa, IA — Codfish Hollow Barnstormers ^ (SOLD OUT)

AUGUST
01 — Peoria, IL — Scottish Rite Theatre >
02 — Omaha, NE — Slowdown >
03 — Fargo, ND — Sanctuary Events Center > 
05 — Winnipeg, MB — The Park Theatre >
06 — Saskatoon, SK — Louis’ Pub >
08 — Edmonton, AB — The Starlite Room >
09 — Calgary, AB — Commonwealth Bar & Stage >
10 — Kelowna, BC — Revelry >
12 — Vancouver, BC — The Pearl >
13 — Victoria, BC — Sticky Wicket>
15 — Missoula, MT — Monk’s Bar >
16 — Boise, ID — Treefort Music Hall >
17 — Salt Lake City, UT — Soundwell >
19 — Casper, WY — Oil City Beer Company > 
21 — Denver, CO — Gothic Theatre ^
22 — Denver, CO — Gothic Theatre ^
24 — Dallas, TX — Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ >
25 — Austin, TX — Antone’s >
26 — Houston, TX — House of Blues >
27 — Baton Rouge, LA — Chelsea’s Live >
29 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum #
30 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Revolution #

OCTOBER
24–26 — Gainesville, FL — THE FEST

DECEMBER
03 — Guadalajara, MX — Anexo Foro Independencia
04 — Mexico City, MX — Foro La Piedad
05 — San José, CR — Amón Solar
06 — Bogotá, CO — Boro
09 — Santiago, CL — Club Ambar
11 — Buenos Aires, AR — Uniclub
12 — Porto Alegre, BR — Bar Ocidente
13 — Curitiba, BR — Basement Cultural
14 — São Paulo, BR — Fabrique Club

* — w/ Rodeo Boys
^ — supporting Murder By Death
> — w/ Trapper Schoepp, Team Nonexistent
# — w/ Against All Authority, Catbite

The Peppermint Kicks - "Radio Wam Bam Boom"

We haven't heard from The Peppermint Kicks since 2021, but the project featuring Sal Baglio (The Amplifier Heads, The Stompers) and Dan Kopko (The Shang Hi Los, Watts) is finally back with new music. Their latest single, "Radio Wam Bam Boom," is a pop-filled garage rock ode to the radio. For those of us that grew up with the radio being an ever present part of our lives, it's easy to get swept up in the nostalgia of the platform that barely exists for us any more. This is a fun little rock and roll song that is as catchy as it could possibly be, and it's going to make you long for the days when you listened to more radio stations than you could fit on your car stereo's presets. It's kind of fitting that such a nostalgic song is wrapped up in such a nostalgic sound. If you love the Boston garage rock and power pop scenes as much as we do, this one is for you.

Sal Baglio says of his band's latest single:

“‘Radio Wam Bam Boom’ is a big loud bite. It’s an eardrum of rock candy about radio past and present, transistor, satellite, vinyl records revolving, guitar licks dissolving, disc jockeys spinnin’ & rock n roll dreamin’.” 

You can listen to "Radio Wam Bam Boom" below. Pop Rocks in My Chewing Gum is due out later this summer on Rum Bar Records. For more on The Peppermint Kicks, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Lovina Falls - "Light and Low"

Photo by Joan Hathaway

Lovina Falls, the new musical project of former Mistle Thrush singer Valerie Forgione, has a new single out that expands on their baroque pop sound. While other recent singles have moved more towards the alt-rock of Forgione's former band, "Light and Low" is more along the lines of Lovina Falls' first few singles. There is still plenty of rock in this new single, making it land somewhere in the middle of rock and pop. It's also much more fast paced than we've heard from this newer project, creating a swirling sensation that almost forces the listener to want to dance. Lovina Falls have mostly been a laid back band with more chill songs. "Light and Low" is their first that requires the audience to move, and that demand gets more and more intense as the song progresses.

Valerie Forgione says of her latest single:

"'Light and Low’ is about recognizing that as time goes on, it’s ok to let go of old and 'historic thinking' to create a new path through and out of the Thicket of Now. It’s about knowing that when things change, the path is not predestined. Change the change. Move with conviction but head gracefully into the unknown, light and low.” 

You can watch the video for "Light and Low" below. Lovina Falls is planning on releasing their sophomore album later this year. For more on Lovina Falls, check out the artist's website. There is a single release show tonight at Deep Cuts in Medford, MA with The Daylilies and Roser.

The New Eves - "Cow Song"

Photo by Katie Silvester

Brighton, UK's The New Eves have a new single out that you're going to either love or hate, but if you love it, you might just have found your newest musical obsession band. Their latest single, "Cow Song," came from improvised jam and part of it was recorded in a field with a cow named Bonnie. It was inspired by the Swedish pastoral tradition of kulning, which is a female-led vocal technique used to communicate with each other and call cattle. If that sounds a little too out there for you, "Cow Song" isn't as bizarre as that description makes it. The song fits more into the experimental alt-rock/art-rock world, even though it employs instruments like violin, cello, and flute as well as traditional rock instruments like drum and guitar. It kind of sounds like a blend of The Polyphonic Spree and Sonic Youth's later releases. The New Eves have given us one of the most unique and compelling new sounds so far this year, and we're thrilled to hear more of it. 

The New Eves say that their latest single is about...

“... big mountainous landscapes and the longing to enter them, to simply walk off, to wander. It is also a herding song. The rhythm felt like you were walking with animals, or more precisely, with cows.”

You can watch the video for "Cow Song" below. The New Eve is Rising is due out August 1 on Transgressive, and is available for pre-order here. For more on The New Eves, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Thu. July 24 - Sun. July 27 - Suffolk, UK @ Latitude Festival
Thu. July 31 - Sun. Aug. 3 - Oxfordshire, UK @ Wilderness Festival
Fri. Aug. 1 - London, UK @ Rough Trade East %
Sat. Aug. 2 - Bristol, UK @ Rough Trade %
Tue. Aug. 5 - Liverpool, UK @ Rough Trade %
Wed. Aug. 6 - Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade %
Fri. Aug. 8 - Brighton, UK @ Resident %
Sat. Aug. 30 - Wiltshire, UK @ End of The Road Festival
Mon. Sept. 15 - Birmingham, UK @ Hare and Hounds 2
Tue. Sept. 16 - Leeds, UK @ Hyde Park Book Club
Thu. Sept. 18 - Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland *
Fri. Sept. 19 - Dundee, UK @ Fat Sams *
Sat. Sept. 20 - Gateshead, UK @ The Glasshouse *
Mon. Sept. 22 - Bristol, UK @ Bristol Beacon *
Tue. Sept. 23 - Cardiff, UK @ The Tramshed *
Wed. Sept. 24 - Cambridge, UK @ Corn Exchange *
Sat. Sept. 27 - Manchester, UK @ The Castle
Fri. Oct. 3 - Bristol, UK @ The Old England
Tue. Oct. 7 - London, UK @ Hoxton Hall
Thu. Oct. 9 - Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2
Fri. Nov. 7 - Paris, FR @ Pitchfork Festival

% = In-store
* = w/ Black Country, New Road

Rocket - "Crossing Fingers"

Photo by Jaxon Whittington

Los Angeles' Rocket is comprised of friends that have known each other as far back as preschool, with the band forming while they were in high school. Their latest single, "Crossing Fingers," hearkens back to the alt-rock of the 90's. It's a giant rock song with huge guitars and drums, and vocals that do that 90's slacker thing perfectly. It's more along the lines of the mainstream side of alt-rock (think Veruca Salt's Eight Arms to Hold You), but that's certainly not a bad thing, particularly when a song is this great. "Crossing Fingers" is hook heavy, melodic alt-rock banger, and if you have any nostalgia for the mid-90's, you're going to adore this one.

Alithea Tuttle (vocals/bass) says her band's latest single...

“... is the story of falling so deep into a partnership with someone and bearing the weight of the fear of messing it all up. Knowing that changing for them would mean sacrificing yourself, but not being able to help the feeling of wanting to change for them. Hoping that the two of you can grow together over years and years, but not knowing if that is even in the cards for you. Knowing that only time will tell.”

You can watch the video for "Crossing Fingers" below. The single is out now on Transgressive Records/Canvasback. For more on Rocket, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

June 12th - Glasgow, UK @ McChuills  

June 14th - Manchester, UK @ Outbreak Festival

August 8th - Gothenburg, Sweden @ Way Out West Festival

August 10th - London, UK @ Gunnersbury Park ^ 

August 12th - Halifax, UK @ The Piece Hall ^

August 13th - Scarborough, UK @ Scarborough Open Air Theatre ^ 

August 14th - Colchester, UK @ Colchester Castle Park ^ 

August 16th - Wales, UK @ Greenman Festival

Oct 27th - Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge

Oct 30th - Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves

Oct 31st - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Indoors)

Nov 3rd - Nashville, TN @ drkmttr

Nov 4th - Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5

Nov 6th - Washington, DC @ DC9

Nov 7th - Philadelphia, PA @ Warehouse on Watts

Nov 8th - New York, NY @ Baby's All Right

Nov 11th - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison

Nov 13th - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups

Nov 14th - Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern

Nov 15th - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry

Nov 18th - Seattle, WA @ Barboza

Nov 19th - Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall

Nov 21st - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill

Nov 22nd - Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy 

* w/ Mannequin Pussy

^ w/ Smashing Pumpkins

Chad Kouri - "KHFHH"

Photo by Marisa Klug-Morataya

Chicago's Chad Kouri is an exploratory jazz artist that has a new single out off of his forthcoming album. As exploratory and alternative jazz as "KHFHH" is, it's still rooted in the traditions of modern jazz. It's experimental and pushes boundaries, but it never reaches a level where some people could claim that it's "not music." That doesn't mean that the single is mellow background music or could be played in a doctor's waiting room. Kouri has assembled a track that commands attention, and is truly only for a more open minded music fan. But if you tend to like the weirder stuff we bring you, "KHFHH" is well worth a shot.

Chad Kouri says of his latest single:

"The recording –– an improvisation featuring Rod Hunting, Alex Fuller, Andy Hall, and John Hall –– was captured during the very early days of my studies with Vincent Davis, and a lot of vulnerability is present here. More so than I’m typically comfortable sharing. The joy captured in this recording—the voices in the background laughing and encouraging each other—feels genuine and powerful. A great example of the excitement and camaraderie that I often experience during musical commune."

You can listen to "KHFHH" below. Mixed is due out June 20 and is available for pre-order over at Bandcamp. For more on Chad Kouri, check out the artist's website.

WITCH - "Kamusale"

Photo by Izzie Austin

Zamrock legends WITCH (aka We Intend to Cause Havoc) have their new album, SOGOLO, due tomorrow, and they have a new single out to keep us excited for it. "Kamusale" continues their previous singles' move towards a more rock based sound. The song has a crunchy guitar, and a sound that is a more updated version of their original 70's sound. "Kamusale" is based on a Bemba children's game song, and it has a certain vibe that makes it feel both retro and modern at the same time. It's a mixture of the funk of the 70's, the crunchy guitar of the 90's, and a modern sensibility that ties the whole thing together. WITCH have such an exciting sound on their hands, and we can barely wait until the full album comes out tomorrow.

Frontman Emmanuelle "Jagari" Chanda says of the band's new single:

“Children gather under the moonlight in the village and pretend to be preparing themselves for marriage. So we are saying as kids, be careful who you pick. Don't follow the beauty of the face or body. Go deeper into the character and make sure you are marrying the right person.”

You can watch the video for "Kamusale" below. SOGOLO will be out June 13 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on WITCH, check out the band's website.

AlphaSix featuring Hunt the Dinosaur - "DOOMcraftian Horror"

Our favorite Boston based Lovecraftian sci-fi horror band are back with a new single. "DOOMcraftian Horror" is the sixth chapter of their "Assimilate: Oceans" series, so they obviously released it on June 6. The song features deathcore legends Hunt the Dinosaur and is inspired by the DOOM franchise. The song tells the tale of H.P Six Slayer, humanity's champion who rises up to take on AlphaSix. The song is five minutes of relentless heavy music. In fact, this one could very well be too heavy to fit into the category of metal. "DOOMcraftian Horror" is loud, abrasive, furious, and most likely too much for most of you. But give this one a shot. You might surprise yourself.

AlphaSix say of their latest single:

"We wanted to capture DOOM's legendary extreme violence and cinematic action while translating that energy into our cosmic horror universe. When we envisioned H.P Six Slayer ripping and tearing through hordes of assimilated horrors, we knew we needed Hunt The Dinosaur's crushing brutality to match that visceral intensity."

You can watch the video for "DOOMcraftian Horror" below. For more on AlphaSix, check out the band's website.

Léna Bartels - "Amber"

Photo by Morgan Healani Mein

The latest single from Léna Bartels is an interesting one, to say the least. According to the press release, the Brooklyn-based artist fits into the singer-songwriter, grunge, country-rock, and avant-pop genres, and after hearing "Amber," I certainly can't argue. At times the song is a slightly heavier version of singer-songwriter that you might have heard more of thirty years ago, and at other times it's filled with grunge meets shoegaze guitars and their wall of noise. It's a giant song that still feels intimate, filled with fuzz and feedback that will actually sound comforting and lovely if your brain is wired that way. We're just discovering Léna Bartels, but hopefully this won't be the last we hear from her.

You can watch the video for "Amber" below. The single is out now on Glamour Gowns. For more on Léna Bartels, check out the artist on Instagram.