Haiku Hands - "Feels So Good"

Photo by Bronte Godden

According to Haiku Hands' Claire Nakazawa, the Australian band's latest single is inspired by Fatboy Slim and Gorillaz. Once you hear "Feels So Good," that makes perfect sense. The song is like a lower-fi, indie sleaze version of those artists. It goes without saying that "Feels So Good" is obviously a fun song. It's a giant anthem of a song that you'll find impossible to sit still during. The song will inspire you to move. Aside from the aforementioned artists, I'm also hearing some Le Tigre and Spice Girls on this one. Like I said, this is a fun song.

Beatrice Lewis says of the band's new song:

“'Feels So Good' is a song about speaking your truth into a world that would often much prefer you to stay quiet, polite, in line and obedient. It can be speaking loud political truths or quiet needs and wants to the people closest to you. This song is a dedication to those moments in your life when you can be brave enough to find your voice and let it out.”

You can watch the video for "Feels So Good" below. Pleasure Beast is due out December 1 on Spinning Top Records. For more on Haiku Hands, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Marnie Stern - "Plain Speak"

Photo by Nick Johnson

It's been a long time since Marnie Stern released a new album. As in ten years long of a time. During that timeframe, she's been the guitarist in The 8G Band for The Late Show with Seth Meyers and has raised two kids. Now, the guitar legend is back with new music! "Plain Speak" shows off Stern's fingertap method of guitar playing, and is just the kind of oddball indie rock meets guitar hero song we want to hear from Marnie Stern. "Plain Speak" is a joyfully intense song perfect for those who have been wanting to hear new music from their hero for a decade, or for those just discovering the magic of Marnie Stern for the first time.

Marnie Stern says of her new single:

"‘Plain Speak’ keeps a positive attitude in the face of frustration. Keeping that hope alive is really the most difficult thing for me to do in life, so I try to do it as much as possible in my music. This song is a perfect example of that. Some of the lyrics are backwards, to keep the theme of feeling like you are moving backwards in a situation and no one else seems to give a shit but you!”

You can listen to "Plain Speak" below. The Comeback Kid is due out November 3 on Joyful Noise, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Marnie Stern, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Slowdive - "alife"

Photo by Ingrid Pop

Shoegaze can be beautiful at times, and the latest from Slowdive might be the most beautiful shoegaze song we've ever heard. "alife" is an ethereal masterpiece. It's a lush sonic delight that envelopes the listener in this warm glow as it passes over you. Slowdive are one of the most gushed about bands in the shoegaze scene, and for good reason. Most bands that have been around since the late 1980's (even if they did take 1996 to 2013 off) aren't making music anywhere near this vital. Over thirty years in, and the UK legends are making the best music of their career.

Neil Halstead says of the new song:

“‘alife’ is one of the first tunes we finished for the record. Shawn Everett did a really nice job with the mix. We tried so many times to figure out a good mix by ourselves and couldn’t do it . . . it sort of had us beaten until Shawn stepped in. We decided if he could handle that one he could probably do the whole record. Our friend Jake Nelson did a really nice animation for this song; it takes some of the imagery from the artwork and digs a little deeper into that."

You can watch the video for "alife" below. everything is alive will be out September 1 on Dead Oceans, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Slowdive, check out the artist's website. Dates for their upcoming mostly sold out tour are below the video.

Sat. Sep. 23 - Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre [SOLD OUT]

Mon. Sep. 25 - Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues Boston [SOLD OUT]

Wed. Sep. 27 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall [SOLD OUT]

Thu. Sep. 28 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall [SOLD OUT]

Fri. Sep. 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer [SOLD OUT]

Sat. Sep. 30 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club [SOLD OUT]

Mon. Oct. 2 - Cleveland, OH @ The Roxy @ Mahall’s [SOLD OUT]

Tue. Oct. 3 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre [SOLD OUT]

Wed. Oct. 4 - St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre

Fri. Oct. 6 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom [SOLD OUT]

Sat. Oct. 7 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union

Mon. Oct. 9 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom [SOLD OUT]

Tue. Oct. 10 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo [SOLD OUT]

Thu. Oct. 12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield [SOLD OUT]

Sat. Oct. 14 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether [SOLD OUT]

Sun. Oct. 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether [SOLD OUT]

Mon. Oct. 16 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

Mon. Oct. 30 - Glasgow, UK @ QMU [SOLD OUT]

Tue. Oct. 31 - Manchester, UK @ Ritz [SOLD OUT]

Wed. Nov. 1 - Bristol, UK @ SWX [SOLD OUT]

Fri. Nov. 3 - London, UK @ Troxy [SOLD OUT]

Sun. Nov. 5 - Belfast, UK @ Mandela Hall

Mon. Nov. 6 - Dublin, IR @ National Stadium

Sat. Nov. 25 - Sun. Nov. 26 - Buenos Aires, AR @ Primavera Sound

Mon. Dec. 4 - Santiago, CL @ Teatro Coliseo

Thu. Dec. 7 - Asunción, PY @ Primavera Sound

Sat. Dec. 9 - Sun. Dec. 10 - Bogotá, CO @ Primavera Sound

Tue. Jan. 16, 2024 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso

Wed. Jan. 17, 2024 - Paris, FR @ La Cigale

Thu. Jan. 18, 2024 - Cologne, DE @ Live Music Hall

Sat. Jan. 20, 2024 - Hamburg, DE @ Grosse Freiheit 36

Sun. Jan. 21, 2024 - Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA

Mon. Jan. 22, 2024 - Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene

Tue. Jan. 23, 2024 - Stockholm, SE @ Munchenbryggeriet

Thu. Jan. 25, 2024 - Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle

Sat. Jan. 27, 2024 - Warsaw, PL @ Progresja

Sun. Jan. 28, 2024 - Prague, CZ @ Divaldo Archa

Mon. Jan. 29, 2024 - Munich, DE @ Muffathalle

Fri. Feb. 16, 2024 - Brighton, UK @ Brighton Dome

Sat. Feb. 17, 2024 - London, UK @ Eventim Apollo

Sun. Feb. 18, 2024 - Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute Birmingham

Mon. Feb. 19, 2024  - Norwich, UK @ LCR UEA

Wed. Feb. 21, 2024 - Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy Liverpool

Thu. Feb. 22, 2024 - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK @ NX

Fri. Feb. 23, 2024 - Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom

Sat. Feb. 24, 2024 - Edinburgh, UK @ Liquid Rooms

Mon. Feb. 26, 2024 - Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff University Great Hall

Tue. Feb. 27, 2024 - Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy

Grrrl Gang - "Better Than Life"

Photo by Tiny Studio

Indonesia's Grrrl Gang's latest single, "Better Than Life," is a ninety second post-punk blitz of a song. The guitars hit you with a buzzsaw-like precision, but it still has that dance-friendly groove that is required for the best post-punk has to offer. It's a brooding, fast paced song about singer Angeeta Sentana's struggles with mental disorder. It's the kind of song that could inspire a mosh pit and a dance party equally. We've been digging Grrrl Gang's singles so far, and "Better Than Life" is the most punk rock one yet.

Angeeta Sentana says of the new song:

"Being diagnosed with any mental disorder is not a nice thing to have. I'm still in the process of accepting it as a 'normal' part of my life, but there are times when I would feel super down about it." 

You can listen to "Better Than Life" below. Spunky! is due out September 22 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Grrrl Gang, check out the band on Bandcamp and Instagram.

Santa Chiara - "Worth It or Not?"

Photo by Zoe Salvucci

Chiara D'Anzieri started playing instruments in her native Italy at age three. When she was thirteen she joined an orchestra, and started her first string quartet at sixteen. At twenty, she left the world of classical music, taught herself guitar, bass, and drums, and started studying The Beatles, Frank Zappa, and The Velvet Underground. She started going by Santa Chiara, and almost quit music at twenty-four, but met her now husband Ron Gallo and kept going.

Her latest single, "Worth It or Not?," is a bouncy and dance-friendly rock song. It's bordering on pop, but most music is now. What the song is is a ton of fun that packs a lot into it's two minute run time. It's infectious and full of joy, and is an absolute must listen.

You can watch the video for "Worth It or Not?" below. IMPORTED is due out October 20 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Santa Chiara, check out the artist's website.

Daneshevskaya - "Big Bird"

Photo by Marcus Maddox

Daneshevskaya is the musical project of Brooklyn-based preschool social worker Anna Beckerman. Her latest single, "Big Bird," is going to appeal to fans of artists in the boygenius camp, except "Big Bird" is somehow both more folky and grungy than they typically get. In a two and a half minute span, the song switches tempos and styles, from a beautiful, otherworldly, folk adjacent style song, to a neo-grunge style, and to a more pop-ish track. The song feels like it should be roughly seven minutes long considering how much is packed into it, so our only complaint is wanting more. 

Anna Beckerman says of her new single:

 “I wrote ‘Big Bird’ on GarageBand on my phone. It automatically loops when you use it on your phone so the song ended up being a loop. When I showed the demo to Artur, Ruben, and Hayden, I said we could turn it into a full song but they were into the loop. The lyrics are about when a big bird swoops down and everyone in the area stops to look at it together. I like moments like that where everyone is childlike and curious.”

You can watch the video for "Big Bird" below. Long Is the Tunnel is due out November 10 on Winspear, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Daneshevskaya, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Tue. Aug. 29 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom *
Sat. Sept 02 - Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room *
Tue. Sep. 05 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Portal *
Wed. Sep. 06 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell *
Fri. Sep. 08 - Denver, CO @ Meow Wolf *
Sun. Sep. 10 - Lawrence, KS @ The Granada *
Mon. Sep. 11 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue *
Wed. Sep. 13 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
Thu. Sep. 14 - Detroit, MI @ MOCAD *
Fri. Sep. 15 - Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall *
Sat. Sep. 16 - Montreal, QC @ le National *
Sun. Sep. 17 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair (matinee) *
Sun. Sep. 17 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair (evening)*
Tue. Sep. 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church Sanctuary *
Wed. Sep. 20 - Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre *
Thu. Sep. 21 - Queens, NY @ Knockdown Center *
 
* w/ Black Country, New Road

Brad Marino - "Lucy"

Hailing from Rochester, NH, Brad Marino is back with more garage pop perfection. "Lucy" is just a brilliant little garage rock song that edges into vintage pop. This is the kind of song that's begging to get played on Little Steven's Underground Garage, since it's heavily inspired by both the Ramones and the music that inspired the Ramones. "Lucy" is a simple rock n roll song drenched in garage rock fuzz, sugary sweet lyrics, early rock keys, and a few "shoo-bops" towards the end. If you grew up listening to your local oldies station, you're going to love this one.

You can listen to "Lucy" below. Grin and Bear It is due out November 3 on Rum Bar Records. For more on Brad Marino, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Teenage Halloween - "Getting Bitter"

The latest from "NJ queer punks" Teenage Halloween is a great mixture of sweet and melodic with biting and angry. "Getting Bitter" is about the frustration of having a family member with an addiction problem. The song written and sung by bass player Tricia Marshall shows both sides of the situation throughout the song. The sweetness of the song is wanting your loved one to get better and wanting to help them, but there is anger in the song as well. "Getting Bitter" is one of those songs that is just a fun and cheery song on the surface, but once you actually start to pay attention it involves a lot of pain.

You can watch the video for "Getting Bitter" below. Til You Return is due out October 20 on Don Giovanni Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Teenage Halloween, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

First Listen: New Releases for August 2023

Artist: Sofia Talvik
Album: Center of the Universe
Quick Thoughts: We can't be objective about Sofia Talvik in these parts, but the good news is that we don't have to be. Center of the Universe is the latest album in a series of great, reliable folk records, and songs like "Too Many Churches" and "Two Thirds" present some of her best individual songs in a while. You can't go wrong with Sofia Talvik, and this is as great an entrypoint for her work as it is a wonderful addition to her already stellar catalog. Make sure you find time for it.
Songs of Note: "Center of the Universe," "Two Thirds," "Meanwhile in Winnsboro," "Too Many Churches," "Broken"

Artist: Beth Bombara
Album: It All Goes Up
Quick Thoughts: I hadn't heard of Beth Bombara before this August, and I need to say that this album was one of a few that blew my mind this month. There's a raw energy and sharp edge to this roots-first effort, and each time I've gone back to it I've found something new to love. It's like the best parts of Jason Isbell and Kathleen Edwards in a single package, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with her entire catalog.
Songs of Note: "Lonely Walls," "Give Me a Reason," "Carry the Weight"

Artist: O.N.E. the Duo
Album: Blood Harmony
Quick Thoughts: It's not always great to add an act to your list solely due to their relationships, but O.N.E. the Duo deserved a look if only because of its connection to the Wu-Tang Clan - one member is the daughter of RZA, and her mother featured on a number of Wu-Tang tracks. While country music is going through a bit of a mainstream identity examination as of late, O.N.E. the Duo straddles the line between R&B-tinged country music and the sort of traditionalist mindset in the overall community. It's well-produced enough to fit in at a summer cookout, but songs like "HoeDown" feel unique enough to set the album apart from others that may be like it. Don't miss out on this.
Songs of Note: "HoeDown," "Guilty," "One Minute to Midnight," "Stuck in the Middle"

Artist: Annie Hart
Album: The Weight of a Wave
Quick Thoughts: Annie Hart is perhaps better known for her work with personal favorite of mine Au Revoir Simone, and this album is a glorious mix of punk-style presentation with the synthy beauty that made Au Revior Simone so great. This is an understandibly different listen for a lot of reasons, but it clicks for me in ways that I didn't anticipate - Hart knows her voice, knows her style, and excels with this record. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Boy You Got Me Good," "A Crowded Cloud," "Nothing Makes Me Happy Anymore"

Artist: Florry
Album: The Holey Bible
Quick Thoughts: In a slowish month for new music, Florry provides a rootsy effort that deserves mention. "Cowgirl in a Ditch" perfectly presents that sort of indie-by-way-of-outlaw-country mindset we've seen from a lot of bands as of late. My initial thought was that they gave me a lot of Wednesday vibes, only to learn later that Florry toured with them recently, so I guess that's to say this is worth your time this week and you might fall in love.
Songs of Note: "Cowgirl in a Ditch," "Drunk and High," "Take My Heart"

Artist: Grace Potter
Album: Mother Road
Quick Thoughts: Grace Potter, sans Nocturnals, comes back with a very compelling blues rock record this week. A genre that can be hit-or-miss for me, Potter comes in with guns blazing on this album, with songs like the title track and "Lady Vagabond" making a pretty clear musical statement. I really enjoyed this, and it's worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Mother Road," "Good Time," "Lady Vagabond," "Futureland"

Artist: Margaret Glaspy
Album: Echo the Diamond
Quick Thoughts: Margaret Glaspy has been a favorite here for a while, even if her sophomore effort didn't quite land for us the way her debut did. I hesitate to say Echo the Diamond is a return to form, because it implies she was off her form, which was never true - Echo, in contrast, is a singer-songwriter finding that balance point musically and making a record that rivals her best work, and we all benefit as a result. Ken and I agree that the album tracks are better than any of the pre-release singles, and that says a lot given how great "Act Natural" in particular is. Don't skip this one.
Songs of Note: "Act Natural," "Female Brain," "My Eyes"

Artist: Noble Dust
Album: A Picture For a Frame
Quick Thoughts: Noble Dust is a folk act out of Massachusetts who sneakily put out one of the best records of the year period. A Picture For a Frame is an interesting, layered record that feels soft and quiet on first listen but slowly reveals itself over its runtime and in subsequent listens. "Abbey" in particular scratched an itch for me I didn't know I had. Do not sleep on this: Noble Dust deserves to be huge.
Songs of Note: "At Last, At Home," "In Fields," "Abbey"

Artist: Mipso
Album: Book of Fools
Quick Thoughts: We loved Mipso's debut, and while the opening track on this record feels like a change of pace, it quickly veers back into the familiar, quiet-but-heavy territory their debut set up. I ended up loving this record by the time it was over, and it's songs like "I Wait for Your Call" and "Carolina Rolling By" that establishes how special Mipso truly is. Add it to your rotation.
Songs of Note: "Radio Hell," "I Wait for Your Call," "Carolina Rolling By," "The Numbers," "Called Out Loaded"

Artist: Danger Mouse and Jemini the Gifted One
Album: Born Again
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight this collaboration as a record that sounds great from a producer who nearly always seems to bring the best out of the people he works with. "Brooklyn Bazquiat" was an advance favorite and the whole album is worth your time.
Songs of Note: "All I," "Locked Up," "Brooklyn Bazquiat"

Artist: Zilched
Album: Earthly Delights
Quick Thoughts: I feel like I waited forever for Zilched to come out with a follow-up to their debut, and Earthly Delights feels fresh and different while still maintaining the sort of hazy, gazy tone of the debut. It's funny, because I don't think of this as a lot of individual songs but it turned out that I loved a lot of songs on their own as well as loved them as a collective whole. You will too. Don't skip it.
Songs of Note: "Out of the Blue," "Strike Gently," "(You Love) The Tragedy," "Loveless," "Today, If Anything," "A Valentine," "Earthly Delights"

Of note:

* The Pleasures - The Beginning of the End (The latest solid entry in the male/female duo folk genre.)
* Joel Paterson - Wheelhouse Rag (More expert instrumental guitar.)
* SPELLLING - SPELLLING and The Mystery School (Lots of great moments here.)
* Nathan Micay - To the God Named Dream
* Art School Girlfriend - Soft Landing
* Rhiannon Giddens - You're The One
* Mapache - Swinging Stars
* Hannah Georgas - I'd Be Lying If I Said I Didn't Care
* Green Gardens - This Is Not Your Fault
* Tamar Berk - tiny injuries
* Nora Kelly Band - Rodeo Clown
* Gabby and the Gondolas - Pollyanna
* Dizzy - Dizzy
* A Giant Dog - Bite
* Who Is She - Goddess Energy
* Roselit Bone - Ofrenda
* Iraina Mancini - Undo the Blue
* Leah Senior - The Music That I Make
* Cindy Wilson - Realms
* Jet Jaguar - Epiphytes
* Yung Gravy, BABY GRAVY, and bbno$ - Baby Gravy 3
* Chris Farren - Doom Singer
* The One Eighties - Minefields
* Oldsoul - Education on Earth
* Birdy - Portraits
* Becca Mancari - Left Hand
* Ratboys - The Window
* Two-Man Giant Squid - Intro to Basement
* Quiet Light - Blue Angel Sparkling Silver
* Girl Ray - Prestige
* Be Your Own Pet - Mommy
* Gretta Ray - Positive Spin
* Old Crow Medicine Show - Jubilee
* Lawrence English and Lea Bertucci - Chthonic
* Atmosphere - Sad Clown Bad Dub II
* Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - Oscillating Forest
* Brontez Purnell - No Jack Swing
* DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - Destiny
* Buck Meek - Haunted Mountain
* Genesis Owusu - STRUGGLER
* Suzie Quatro and KT Tunstall - Face to Face
* Current Joys - LOVE + POP
* Goalie Fight - On Ice!
* Edsel Axle - Variable Happiness
* HMTLD - The Worm
* The Hives - The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons
* ford. - Guiding Hand
* G Flip - DRUMMER
* Taylor Ashton - Stranger to the Feeling
* 3rd Secret - 2nd 3rd Secret
* My Ugly Clementine - The Good Life
* Hurry - Don't Look Back
* Helios - Espera
* Cautious Clay - KARPEH
* Osees - Intercepted Message
* Tia Gostelow - Head Noise
* Diners - DOMINO
* Marlee Gray - American Socialite
* DJ Muggs - Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley
* Jungle - Volcano
* Simple Minded Symphony - Simple Minded Symphony
* The Abstructors - Elektronautica
* Saccades - Land of the Hearth
* Joell Ortiz and L'Orange - Signature
* Kim Moberg - The Seven Fires Prophecy Suite for Humanity
* Amaarae - Fountain Baby
* Hiss Golden Messenger - Jump for Joy
* Wandering Years - Mountain Laughed
* Fil;m School - Field
* Crooks & Nannies - Real Life
* Ruth Garbus - Alive People
* Kibi James - delusions
* Clementine Valentine - The Coin That Broke the Fountain Floor
* Son Lux - Alternate Forms
* Strawberry Runners - Strawberry Runners
* Abhi the Nomad - Abhi vs The Universe II
* Open Mike Eagle - another triumph of ghetto engineering
* Helvetia - The Beach at the Edge of the World
* Telemarket - Ad Nauseum
* Ordop Wolkenscheidt - Requiem for the Enchanted Forest
* Activity - Spirit in the Room
* Mikaela Davis - And Southern Star
* Mr. Greg and Cass McCombs Sing and Play New Folk Songs for Children
* Computerwife - Computerwife
* The Front Bottoms - You Are Who You Hang Out With
* Cowgirl Clue - Rodeo Star

EPs:

* Night Drive - Position II
* Crossed Wires - Ellipsis
* Glixen - She Only Said
* Rachel Bobbitt - The Half We Still Have
* Boy Jr. - Sheesh!
* BAMBII - INFINITY CLUB
* Molly Burman - Worlds Within Worlds
* Family Obligation - I'm Not Doing Fine
* Wetsuit - Sugar, I'm Tired
* FIDLAR - Unplugged
* Coco Bryce - Nirwana EP
* carina - after the stars ep
* EASYFUN - Electric
* Juliana Madrid - Afterlife
* Tristan Arp - End of a Line or Part of a Circle
* Rob Moose - Inflorenscence
* Perfect Angel at Heaven - EP
* Dylan Moon - Song & Dance
* Silkback - I S O L A T I O N
* Versing - Tape II
* JayWood - Grow On
* The Shivas - Covers Vol. 2
* gwEm - gwEmDMA
* claire rousay - Sigh in My Ear
* marinelli - Sarah's Birthday on the Beach
* Hannah Georgas - Home
* Josienne Clarke - Only Me Onliness

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Snow Patrol - Final Straw (20th Anniversary Edition)
* Anna Tivel - Outsiders (Live in a Living Room)
* Sonic Youth - Live in Brooklyn, Ny.
* Epoch
* Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - Australian Carnage - Live at the Sydney Opera House
* Panda Bear / Sonic Boom / Adrian Sherwood - Reset in Dub
* Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (Deluxe Edition)
* Liam Gallagher - Knebworth 22 (Live)
* Tell Everybody: 21st Century Juke Joint Blues from Easy Eye Sound
* The Raveonettes - Rip It Off/Whip It On

Also out:

* The Sloppy Boys - Sonic Ranch
* Everything Everything - Man Alive
* Spanish Love Songs - No Joy
* Dylan Owen - Take Care of Yourself and Others
* Naked Lungs - Doomscroll
* Freak Daddy - S.G.S.M.
* Filter - The Algorithm
* Fiddlehead - Death is Nothing To Us
* Burp. - Burp.
* draag me - lord of the shithouse
* Rebuilder - Local Support
* Leopard Print Taser - Existential Bathroom Graffiti
* Isaac Haden Organ Trio - The Glue

Hello June - "Interstate"

Photo by Rafael Barker

The music from West Virginia's Hello June is one of those sounds that's instantly familiar and yet unique. Sarah Rudy's band recently released a new single, "Interstate," that is raw roots meets indie rock. In the song, Rudy pours her soul out in an intimate way that belies the largeness of "Interstate." It may start off more quiet and intimate, but once it gets going its a near anthemic rocker. It has that folk meets indie rock vibe of Lucy Dacus but the huge roots rock sound of Drive-By Truckers towards the end. 

You can watch the video for "Interstate" below. Artifacts is due out October 6 on 31 Tigers Records. For more on Hello June, check out the artist's website.

The Helltones - "All My Heart"

Photo via Facebook

Some bands sound exactly like their names. The Helltones are not one of those bands. The Oakland, CA band have a garage rock base to their sound, which makes sense, but that garage rock base leans quite heavily into the world of soul and surf rock. Their latest single, "All My Heart," is a beautiful mid-tempo song that sounds more like Durand Jones & The Indications than The Cramps. It's a fun song with a vintage vibe, but without being a throwback. It's reminding me a lot of Arctic Monkeys' first album, but without the breakneck speed. The Helltones are just one of those bands you owe it to yourself to check out.

You can listen to "All My Heart" below. Medusa is due out November 17. For more on The Helltones, check out the band on Facebook and Bandcamp.

Kurt Baker - "She Don't Wanna Be Alone"

Photo via Facebook

It's no surprise, but the latest from Kurt Baker is just pure garage rock throwback bliss. "She Don't Wanna Be Alone" is a 60's garage rock power ballad that just sounds like it was plucked from an obscure compilation from that decade. The song is heavily inspired by The Beatles, which is very obvious once you listen, but I'm hearing a resemblance to fictional band The One-ders from That Thing You Do! It's a fun little song that is instantly infectious and perfect for fans of oldies and vintage garage rock.

Kurt Baker says of his new single:

“'She Don’t Wanna Be Alone' is a song that I think a lot of my old school fans will enjoy. John Lennon & the Beatles being a big influence. Wyatt and I co-wrote this song and it was one of those collaborations when everything just comes together so quickly! We threw a Mellotron as another nod to the Beatles - but I also I love how it sounds on 'Go Let It Out' by Oasis, which probably was most definitely influenced by the Beatles. Basically, let’s face it, the Beatles are the greatest band in the world and 'Rock N Roll Club' is my greatest record yet so boom goes the dynamite!"

You can listen to "She Don't Wanna Be Alone" below. Rock N Roll Club is due out September 29 on Wicked Cool Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Kurt Baker, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Mannequin Pussy - "I Got Heaven"

Photo by CJ Harvey

We tend to love that newfangled punk that leans heavily into the world of dance-friendly alt-pop, and no one does that better than Mannequin Pussy. The Philadelphia band just released a new single that embodies that genre perfectly. "I Got Heaven" starts off as a ferocious punk song dabbling in noise punk. It switches over to a more pop oriented sound while still keeping then same edge. It also keeps the same tempo as it moves from abrasive to calming. It's an interesting and captivating song as it transitions from styles without a whiplash inducing sonic change.

Marisa Dabice says of the new single:

“‘I Got Heaven’ is a song intended to merge the sacred and the profane and to serve as a reminder that we are all perfect exactly as we have been made and that no one gets to decide how a life should or should not be lived. Heaven is here on a planet that gave us everything we needed to survive. Heaven is in the plants and in the water and in the animals who we share this world with. Heaven is inside of me and inside of you. The weaponization of Christianity for political means, for individual profit and power, as a tool to intentionally divide us is one of the greatest threats to our modern world and a threat to our ability to find solidarity through love. To allow the hatred and the violence and the noise to rise is to reject our sacred purpose as individuals, which is simply to love.”

You can watch the video for "I Got Heaven" below. The song is available as a single via Epitaph Records. For more on Mannquin Pussy, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

9/7 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium *

9/8 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre *

9/9 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater *

9/10 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace *

9/12 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues *

9/13 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s *

9/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage *

9/16 - Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor *

9/18 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel *

9/19 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl *

9/21 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life *

9/22 - Mckees Rocks, PA @ Roxian Theater *

9/24 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium *

9/26 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *

9/27 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel *

9/29 - Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs *

9/30 - Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall *

10/3 - Lawrence, KS @ The Granada *

10/5 - Denver, CO @ Summit *

10/6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell *

10/10 - Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre *

10/11 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *

10/13 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst *

10/14 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues *

10/23-27 - Miami, FL @ Coheed & Cambria SS Neverender Cruise

11/17 - San Juan De Alicante, ES @ Magic Robin Hood

11/18 - L’hospitalet De Llobregat, ES @ Primavera Sound

11/19 - Lisboa, PT @ ZDB

11/20 - Porto, PT @ Maus Hábitos

* w/ Movements, Softcult and Heart to Gold