If It's Too Loud...

Taking place in Somerville, NICE, a fest has been slowly growing and becoming one of the go-to festivals every year despite an increasingly stacked festival schedule. This will be their fourth year, and hyperbole aside, they've grown even bigger and more impressive for 2024. This year will see over eighty bands with ties to Boston playing over four days. They're back to Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater and The Rockwell for 2024, but they've added a larger outdoor stage for Saturday at the Grove Street lot. The line-up is stacked and features many of our favorites. Vundabar, Palehound, Model/Actriz, Dutch Tulips, Hannah Mohan, House of Harm, Burp, Jake McKelvie, Sweet Petunia, Noble Dust, TIFFY, Vivid Bloom, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, and many, many more are playing. Every single time I look at the poster I notice a band I had previously missed and get even more excited for! And there are still two unannounced bands that are pretty high up on that poster, so let the speculatio...

Photo by Eric Bones House of Harm have such an interesting sound that evokes late 80's/early 90's synth heavy alt-rock while still feeling like modern day music. Their latest single, "Two Kinds," is a slower song that isn't quite a ballad, but isn't quite mid-tempo either. It sort of has a Pet Shop Boys discover feedback thing going for it. It has that upbeat New Wave sound, but in a downtempo/goths trying to pretend everything is ok way. It's an oddly beautiful song that feels like when you're in a deep funk and trying desperately to pull yourself out of it. This might be what's so great about House of Harm's music. It always feels like it's living in two worlds at the same time and finding a way to bridge them both. Lead singer Michael Rocheford says of the new song: “The lyrics are written from a place of reflection and weakness. It’s a desperate call for things to return to the way they were, imperfections and all.” You can watch the vi...

Photo by Gerson Vargas House of Harm have one of the most unique and most familiar sounds in Boston. The trio's latest single, "Roseglass," is described as "shadow-pop" in their press release, and that's a perfect description for their sound. It's a dark version of New Wave without getting quite as post-punk as Joy Division. "Roseglass" is reminding me of a darker version of Pet Shop Boys or Depeche Mode while still having a pop style sound. The song doesn't quite sound like the 80's or 2023, but almost like this alternate reality where both eras happen at the same time. Lead singer Michael Rocheford says about the band's new single: “;Roseglass' is about the human cycle of putting yourself into situations where you feel like you’re an intruder for the sake of a better outcome later.” You can watch the video for "Roseglass" below. Playground is due out December 1, and is available for pre-order here . For more on House...