Friko - "Crashing Through"

Photo by Pooneh Ghana

Chicago's Friko are set to release their debut album in early 2024, and you're going to want to join us on the ground floor with these folks. Their new single, "Crashing Through," is just a burst of pure indie rock joy. The song has nearly whispered gang vocals over guitars that seem to meander around without any real destination, and then it has these crashing moments with guitar bursts that we haven't heard since they heyday of Sonic Youth. And then there are vocal moments that recall The Polyphonic Spree where there's nearly an entire choir singing. "Crashing Through" is the kind of song that will make you wonder what you just heard, and then want to immediately hear more.

Vocalist/guitarist Nico Kapetan says of his band's upcoming album:

“It wasn’t intentional for us to have group vocals all over this record. It just happened naturally because we all kept singing along.”

You can watch the video for "Crashing Through" below. Where we've been, Where we go from here is due out February 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Friko, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Mon. Nov. 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
Wed. Nov. 29 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
Thu. Nov. 30 - Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. Dec. 9 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Sun. Dec. 10 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

Mannequin Pussy - "Sometimes"

Photo by Millicent Hailes

Mannequin Pussy are the best example of modern punk that has pop elements but still the biting edge of punk. They're latest single, "Sometimes," may be their best yet. The song travels between being a pop song with jangly guitars and a punk song with more rough guitars. It starts off as a beautiful track that isn't quite dance music, but is certainly dance friendly. And then the heavier guitar kicks in with this swirling burst of noise and aggression. It may get heavier at times, but "Sometimes" keeps sounding beautiful throughout no matter what is going on in the song. This is top tier rock music, and I'm already preparing my Best of 2024 list for Mannequin Pussy.

Marisa Dabice says of her band's new song:

“‘Sometimes’ is the internal conversation and subsequent battle that comes with facing your own desires. It is a song about the struggle of feeling a deep need for one’s independence while at the same time accepting that you are longing for someone who would understand you and be enough to draw you away from your solitude. It is the anger you feel at someone for making you feel desire. For allowing that desire to distract you from your work and your self and your mission."

You can watch the video for "Sometimes" below. I Got Heaven is due out March 1 on Epitaph Records. For more on Mannequin Pussy, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates with Soul Glo opening are below the video.

4/5 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall

4/6 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry

4/8 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall

4/10 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

4/11 - Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Indy

4/12 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop

4/13 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs

4/15 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

4/16 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

4/18 - Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips

4/19 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues Bronze Peacock

4/20 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

4/22 - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf

4/24 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

4/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda

4/27 - San Francisco, CA @ August Hall

4/29 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

4/30 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

5/2 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell

5/4 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater

5/5 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre

5/7 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

5/8 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

5/10 - Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall - The Shelter

5/11 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern

5/13 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair

5/14 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair

5/16 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel

5/17 - Washington, DC @ The Atlantis

5/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

Girl with a Hawk - "Feel Me"

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Since the untimely passing of Justine Covault back in June, her loss has been felt throughout the Boston music community. Girl with a Hawk were signed to Covault's Red On Red Records, and three out of five members of the band had known her since the 80's, so this loss was particularly difficult for them. Singer Linda Viens took that pain and channeled it into "Feel Me," a song inspired by the loss felt by the entire Boston music community. "Feel Me" is a garage rock meets New Wave song that is much darker than you'd normally expect with a blending of those two genres. Viens is just pouring her heart into this one, and, as much pain as there is in the song, it's also a rock song. So far all of the tributes to Justine Covault that we've covered have been sad and mournful, but they've also rocked, which is the perfect tribute to one of the biggest champions of the Boston music scene.

Linda Viens says of her band's new single:

“I can’t say that we have closure yet; as it has only been six months since we lost Justine, but the way the song for us embodies our heartache, and at the same time confirms that our relationship is still a living thing – whether you believe that or not, brings some comfort. We feel her guiding us, and for me personally, I still feel deeply motivated to make music and to conduct myself in ways that would make her proud. I’m sure the band feels the same way.”

You can listen to "Feel Me" below. The song is officially out on November 17. Keep 'Er Lit is due out December 8 on Rum Bar Records. For more on Girl with a Hawk, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram. If you're in the Boston area, They're playing The Square Root in Roslindale on Friday November 17 as part of the International Pop Overthrow Boston edition, and they're having an EP release at the Burren in Somerville on December 8.

First Listen: New Releases and Missed Music for 10 November 2023

Artist: Palm Ghosts
Album: I Love You, Burn in Hell
Quick Thoughts: Palm Ghosts is a band I always like hearing from, and this new album is up there with their best. A solid listen with a lot of super catchy songs (including the title track which is outstanding) and it becomes a cool little indie rock record that's a ton of fun. In what's a slow week, it's worth your time.
Songs of Note: "I Love You, Burn in Hell," "Automatic for the Modern Age," "Enemy Mine"

Artist: Aesop Rock
Album: Integrated Tech Solutions
Quick Thoughts: If I have any musical regrets, it's taking as long as it did for me to get into Aesop Rock. In as much as this has some conceptual feel to it like his recent work, this is just outstanding at the level of how great the individual songs are, never mind how well they work on an album level. "Pigeononmetry" in particular is a highlight, but if I'm being honest this is one of the better rap albums I've heard this year. Definitely excited to get back to this one.
Songs of Note: "Pigeonometry," "Kyanie Toothpick," "100 Feet Tall," "Time Moves Differently Here," "Bermuda," "All City Nerve Map"

Artist: Hit Bargain
Album: A DOG A DEER A SEAL
Quick Thoughts: In terms of the noisy post-punk stuff of late, Hit Bargain, a side project of sorts from members of The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Cold Beat, deserves a closer listen. This album is abrasive and political and just works on all levels, and was one I quickly told people about as I listened. Don't miss it.
Songs of Note: "Hair Trigger," "Cloud Cover," "A DOG A DEER A SEAL"

Artist: POM
Album: We Were Girls Together
Quick Thoughts: If Hit Bargain is the post-punk entry, POM provides the under-the-radar shoegaze/dreampop effort you've been looking for this week. So many songs stand out, but what's important is that this European act is fun while still being musically focused, and the result is a really great listen toward the end of the year. Give this some time.
Songs of Note: "A Burning House," "Together We Go," "Exoskeleton," "Red Dress," "RUN," "Deadly Sins"

Artist: Rufus Wainwright
Album: Folkocracy
Quick Thoughts: One of the missed ones this week, and I'm not sure how. I've enjoyed Rufus Wainwright for decades at this point, and this foray into folk is not so much an homage to his father as much as a truly Rufus-sounding folk record. It's a little jarring to not hear the piano up front on this one, but songs like "Down in the Willow Garden" with Brandi Carlisle and "Hush Little Baby" with his siblings more than make up for it. A great listen on a whole.
Songs of Note: "Down in the Willow Garden," "Shenandoah," "Harvest," "Hush Little Baby"

Artist: Astrid Cordes
Album: Hurry Up and Kiss Me While the Baby's Still Asleep
Quick Thoughts: Another one we missed, conceptual in thought but gorgeous in execution. After a series of EPs and a "musical diary" of her pregnancy, Cordes gives us a really great album with folk and country hints throughout, and I loved it. "Male Lead" is catchy as hell in particular, and Astrid Cordes makes sure with this record that she's someone I'll keep paying attention to.
Songs of Note: "Good Time," "Male Lead," "Dancing Cranes," "Heather and Pine"

Of note:

* Goodbye Karelle - Hugh Greene and The Lucies Made Me
* Jeremy Dutcher - Motewolonuwok
* KABEAUSHE - HOLD ON TO DEER LIFE, THERE'S A BLCAK BOY BEHIND YOU!
* The Buddy System Forever - Welcome to Buddyland
* Djif Sanders - SUPRA
* Misery Prize - Saints of Obscene
* Delia Mashlir - Bring Back the Light
* Bas Jan - Back to the Swamp
* Lila Blue - Sweet Pea
* Whatitdo Archive Group - Palace of a Thousand Sounds
* Aisha Devi - Death is Home
* Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, and Edgar Meyer - As We Speak
* Tyvek - Overground
* The Circling Sun - Spirits
* Stoylov - Malvina
* Pure Bathing Culture - Chalice
* Layperson - Massive Leaning
* Thandii - A Beat to Make It Better
* death's dynamic shroud - Midnight Tangerine
* death's dynamic shroud - Keys to the Gate
* KC Rae - Think I'm Gonna Die
* Bokoya and Gianno Brezzo - Minari
* Moritz Von Oswald - Silencio
* Last Dinosaurs - RYU
* David Holmes and Raven Violet - Blind on a Galloping Horse

EPs:

* Marathon - Marathon
* DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - Destextrinum
* Lake Haze - Mind Clarity
* Daneshevskaya - Long is the Tunnel
* Mia Joy - Celestial Mirror
* TVAM - Costasol
* A Tribute to The Strokes: The Songs of Room on Fire
* Mickey Dolenz - Dolenz Sings R.E.M.
* Bokoya and FloFilz - Reaching Out / Stalagtight
* Goldie Boutiller - Emerald Year
* Pearly Drops - Haunted Expansion Pack
* June McDoom - With Strings
* Sara Noelle - Four Songs II
* Roleplay - Tune In

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Cat Power - Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert (Live)
* HAAi - DJ-Kicks
* R.E.M. - Up (25th Anniversary Edition)

Also out:

* Beirut - Hadsel
* 99LETTERS - Zigoku

Sarah Jarosz - "When the Lights Go Out"

Photo by Shervin Lainez

Nashville's Sarah Jarosz is a folk-pop legend at this point in her career, both as a solo musician and as a member of I'm With Her. Her latest single, "When the Lights Go Out," is just pure folk-pop perfection. Of course, we would expect nothing less from Jarosz, and she always delivers just that. Her consistency is astounding, and she continues to release fantastic song after fantastic song at a point in her career where many artists start to coast on name recognition. "When the Lights Go Out" is the kind of mainstream singer/songwriter tune that could easily be middle of the road, but Jarosz just has that little something extra that makes her music stand out, and makes it impossible to resist.

Sarah Jarosz says of her latest single:

“I knew I wanted to write a song about the exciting time before a relationship has started when you’re curious to discover everything there is to know about the other person. Dreaming about them… intrigued by the unknown of it all. The album title, Polaroid Lovers, is found in this chorus. Each song is a snapshot of different love stories. Polaroid pictures are a forever document of a fleeting moment."

You can watch the video for "When the Lights Go Out" below. Polaroid Lovers is due out January 26 on Rounder Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Sarah Jarosz, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Feb 1st - Sixth & I - Washington, DC* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 2nd - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 3rd - McCarter Theater - Princeton, NJ* (SOLD OUT)

Feb 5th - Maryland Hall - Annapolis, MD*

Feb 7th - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 8th - Appell Center - York, PA*

Feb 9th - The Kate - Old Saybrook, CT* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 11th - Peoples Bank Theatre - Marietta, OH*

Feb 13th - Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL*

Feb 14th - Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 16th - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO*

Feb 17th - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO*

Feb 18th - Strings Music Pavilion - Steamboat Springs, CO*

Feb 20th - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT*

Feb 22nd - Knitting Factory - Boise, ID*

Feb 23rd - Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA*

Feb 24th - The Crocodile - Seattle, WA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 25th - Revolution Hall - Portland, OR* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 27th - The Chapel - San Francisco, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 28th - Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

Feb 29th - Lobero Theatre - Santa Barbara, CA* (LOW TICKETS)

March 8th - Bijou Theatre - Knoxville, TN (LOW TICKETS)

March 9th - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA

April 23rd - The Sheldon - St. Louis, MO+

April 24th - Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN+

April 26th - Memorial Hall - Cincinnati, OH+ (LOW TICKETS)

April 27th - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI+ (SOLD OUT)

April 28th - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON+

April 30th - Center For The Arts - Homer, NY+

May 2nd - State Theatre - Portland, ME+

May 3rd - The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 4th - The Shea Theatre - Turners Falls, MA+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 6th - Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville, VA+

May 7th - Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC+

May 8th - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC+

May 10th - The Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC+ (LOW TICKETS)

May 11th - Terminal West - Atlanta, GA+

May 12th - Brooklyn Bowl - Nashville, TN+

May 23rd - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX^

May 24th - The Kessler Theater - Dallas, TX^

May 25th - TBD - San Antonio, TX^

May 26th - Scoot Inn - Austin, TX^

May 28th - The Lensic - Santa Fe, NM^

May 30th - Center For The Arts - Jackson, WY^

June 2nd - Arts Campus at Willits - Basalt, CO^

June 4th - Knuckleheads - Kansas City, MO^

Tour Support

*The Ballroom Thieves

+Le Ren

^LIv Greene

Laetitia Sadier - "Une Autre Attente"

Photo by Marie Merlet

We haven't heard any solo music from Stereolab founder and singer Laetitia Sadier, since 2016, but luckily that has changed. The indie legend just released a new single off an upcoming album, and fans will be delighted with "Une Autre Attente." Sure, the song sounds a bit like Stereolab, which is to be expected, but "Une Autre Attente" isn't just a Stereolab song minus the other members. The song leans even more heavily into the groovy 60's world that Sadier's longstanding band dabbles in, and even adds some vintage disco into the mix. If you've been a long term fan of Sterolab, or just love a groovy tune, Laetitia Sadier is definitely going to be your thing.

You can listen to "Une Autre Attente" below. Rooting for Love is due out February 23 on Drag City Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Laetitia Sadier, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

Sat. March 2- San Francisco CA @ The Chapel
Mon. March 4- Portland OR @ Polaris Hall
Tue. March 5- Seattle WA @ Barboza
Wed. March 6- Vancouver BC @ Fox Cabaret
Fri. March 8- Salt Lake City UT @ Kilby Court
Sat. March 9- Denver CO @ Lost Lake
Mon. March 11- Minneapolis MN @ Turf Club
Tue. March 12- Chicago IL @ Empty Bottle
Wed. March 13- Detroit MI @ Third Man
Fri. March 15- Toronto ON @ Garrison
Sat. March 16- Montreal QC @ Bar Le Ritz
Wed. March 20- Brooklyn NY @ National Sawdust
Thu. March 21- Boston MA @ Arts at the Armory
Fri. March 22- Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda's
Sat. March 23- Washington DC @ Songbyrd
Mon. March 25- Atlanta GA @ EARL
Tue. March 26- Nashville TN @ Blue Room
Thu. March 28- Houston TX @ White Oak Music Hall Upstairs
Fri. March 29- Dallas TX @ Club Dada
Sat. March 30- Austin TX  @ Parish
Tue. April 2- Phoenix AZ @ Rebel Lounge
Wed. April 3- Pioneertown CA @ Pappy & Harriets
Thu. April 4- Los Angeles CA @ Zebulon
Fri. April 5- Big Sur CA @ Fernwood Tavern

Ben Kweller Covers Adam Green

Photo by Ronja Burkard

Last month we brought you the first single from the upcoming Adam Green tribute album from Sean Ono Lennon, and right now it's Ben Kweller's turn. Kweller takes on "Her Father and Her." While Green's original is a stripped down song with just his vocals and guitar, Kweller's "Her Father and Her" is a full band version heavy with piano and feedback. As you would expect, the cover is a more mainstream version of the song. Kweller adds a shocking amount of intensity to the song, which is something you don't always get with a cover. He's feeling every single line of this song, and delivers his vocals dripping with venom.

You can watch the lyric video for Ben Kweller's version of "Her Father and Her" below. Moping in Style: A Tribute to Adam Green is due out December 1 via Org Music and Capitane Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Adam Green, check out the artist's website.

Eight Foot Manchild - "We're Goin' Out on a High Note"

The world's first and therefore best doombrass band are back with a final single before their new EP is released on December 1st! Boston Music Awards nominees for Metal Artist of the Year Eight Foot Manchild have released "We're Goin' Out on a High Note," which could be their funkiest yet. This one is a little less metal than some of their previous songs. Instead, this one is straight up hard rock... just with a whole lot more funk. Eight Foot Manchild seem to be swinging for the fences on this one and trying to write a killer song, and they have succeeded. It feels a bit all over the place, but in a truly great way. Metal is a genre that tends to have subgenres that sound a lot like each other, but no one does it like Eight Foot Manchild.

You can listen to "We're Goin' Out on a High Note" below. Eight Foot Manchild's third EP is due out on December 1. For more on Eight Foot Manchild, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Artelia Green - "Ghetto Children Funk"

Photo by Mira Stern

Hailing from the Bay Area, Artelia Green have released a new single, "Ghetto Children Funk." Founded by author, educator, organizer, and activist Tiffani Marie, the group gets compared to artists such as Parliament Funkadelic, Lauryn Hill, and The Roots. Their latest single shows why. "Ghetto Children Funk" blends hip hop, funk, and gospel in a powerful mix. The song is a giant celebration despite being about black trauma. But, as we learned from Public Enemy and Parliament Funkadelic, sometimes the best way to reach people with your message is to make them dance. "Ghetto Children Funk" is the kind of song that will instantly grab you as long as you still have a soul.

Tiffani Marie says of her band's new single:

"’Ghetto Children Funk’ celebrates the resilience of BIPOC youth in the hood. Inspired by a youth-led participatory action research (“YPAR”) project conducted in collaboration with former California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, the song sheds light on stressors such as gentrification and racism, which are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (“ACEs”) and can result in chronic illnesses and early mortality.”

You can watch the video for "Ghetto Children Funk" below. In No Particular Order is due out March 8 on Redtone Records. For more on Artelia Green, check out the artist's website.

House of Harm - "Two Kinds"

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 video for "Two Kinds" below. Playground is due out December 1 and is available for pre-order here. For more on House of Harm, check out the band's website.