First Listen: New Releases for 26 July 2024

Artist: Elsy Wameyo
Album: Saint Sinner
Quick Thoughts: This brings so much Little Simz energy, but less anxious and more soulful. It's so good - sneakily so, with some great flow all throughout. It's one of my favorite rap listens of the recent months, if not the whole year, and I would whole-heartedly recommend it even in a busy week, so a week like this really means this deserves a spin.
Songs of Note: "Repercussions," "Umva," "Conquer," "Journey"

Artist: MAITA
Album: want
Quick Thoughts: Why is MAITA so good at this? Seriously. Their last album from a couple years ago was a dark horse sleeper for the year, and this one just has great song after great song on it. There is so much to love here, it's alt-indie done so, so, so right.
Songs of Note: "break up song x3," "hotel," "i used to feel different," "violet dream," "happy with you," "almost nothing, keeps me alive"

Artist: Loose Articles
Album: Scream If You Wanna Go Faster
Quick Thoughts: So will Loose Articles be everyone's cup of tea? No. Was it aggressively and specifically *my* cup of tea? You'd better believe it. It has a sneering British punk attitude with a post-punk sheen, and songs like "Are You a Welder?" and "It's Art" will get stuck in your brain and not let go. A favorite of the year for me, perfect for people who liked Art Brut in their 20s but want something meatier.
Songs of Note: "Mr Manager," "Are You a Welder?," "Unpaid Intern," "I've Nearly Made It," "I'd Rather Have a Beer," "It's Art," "Guitars, Cars, Knickers and Bras"

Artist: The Doozers
Album: Becoming an Entity
Quick Thoughts: Wanted to highlight The Doozers this week in particular, because this album would fit right in with the garage rock revival we've become so familiar with over the years. It's pure indie rock, familiar and catchy, while also not overstaying its welcome. Give it a listen.
Songs of Note: "Make it Tessellate," "Start Me Up, My Friend," "What's Mine," "Moontic," "I Think It's Time"

Of note:

* Brooke Candy - CANDYLAND (A delightfully horny album that feels like a cross between Peaches and Kim Petras.)
* Gracie Gray - Magnet
* ORB - Tailem Bend
* Throwing Snow - Isthmus
* Lola Young - This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway
* Abby Holliday - CRACK A SMILE COME ON STAY A WHILE
* Painted Shield - Painted Shield 3
* Nathan Bowles Trio - Are Possible
* Lil Texas - NEED FOR SPEED
* Black Market Karma - Wobble
* American Aquarium - The Fear of Standing Still
* Already Dead - Something Like a War
* VHS Head - Phasia
* Crack Cloud - Red Mile
* Modern Color - There Goes the Dream
* Miserable Chillers - Great American Turn Off
* Alex Winston - Bingo!
* Ferry Townes - Side Effects of Happiness
* Chad Crouch - Onion Creek Soundwalk
* Naim Amor - Stories
* Clothing - From Memory
* Dearthworms - Sapsucker
* Cults - To the Ghosts
* Rakim - G.O.Ds Network - Rebirth
* Cool Sorcery - Terra Invaders
* Grafh and 38 Spesh - God's Timing
* Robber Robber - Wild Guess
* Dog Day - A T-Shirt With Writing on It
* DJ Muggs and Raz Fresco - The Eternal Now
* Humanist - On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World

EPs:

* Fidlar - Down N Out
* Marley Hale - By My Own Ways
* Juliana Madrid - Lifetime
* Chloe Lilac - No Hard Feelings
* Sophie May - Deep Sea Creatures
* Kississippi - Damned if I do it for you

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* MisterWives - Nosebleeds: Encore (Great remixes/reworks from the band's most recent album.)
* Blur - Live at Wembley Stadium (Not gonna lie, it's stunning that they thought this was a good idea to release.)
* Bill Callahan - Resuscitate!

Also out:

* Jimetta Rose and Voices of Creation - Things Are Getting Better

Tercel - "Holiday"

If you listened to college radio religiously in the 90's, you're going to adore the latest from Tercel. Hailing from the Cape Fear area of North Carolina, the band's released "Holiday" last week, and it sounds like that song you always played on your radio show but just can't remember who it is by. It has all of the interesting quirk and pure indie rock oddness from a band like Archers of Loaf with the harmony and melody of Apples in Stereo. Tercel even throws in some country and surf guitar somewhat unexpectedly, but delightfully. Hearing a song like "Holiday" is a pure joy.

You can listen to "Holiday" below. The single is out now via Fort Lowell Records. For more on Tercel, check out the band on Instagram.

Goat - "Ouroboros"

Referring to Goat as psychedelic is one of the biggest understatements possible. The Swedish group's latest single, "Ouroborous," has some roots in the classic psychedelia of the 60's, but it takes that sound and amplifies it for 2024. The song is more of an organic dance track with beats that sound like classic hip hop, but also incorporates rock, jazz, and disco for this impossible fresh sound. It borrows elements from so many genres that it sounds like it could be a mash-up. Goat have designed this song to appeal to so many different tastes that it's almost going to have universal appeal, at least to people with musical taste.

Goat say of their latest single:

"The cycle of rebirth means the refinement of the soul. An evolution in which we slowly find our direction. Our own rhythm."

You can watch the video for "Ouroboros" below. Goat's self-titled new album is due out October 11 on Rocket Recordings, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Goat, check out the band on Facebook.

Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals - "Karma Too Close"

Photo by Fabiana Moreira

When it was announced that Laura Jane Grace was recording with and touring with Matt Patton (Drive-By Truckers) and Mikey Erg (The Ergs), I assumed it would be a cool one off and then all members would go back to their own projects. Turns out the quartet (they've been joined by Paris Campbell Grace on vocals and percussion) and have become Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals. Their latest single, "Karma Too Close," is a slightly faster than mid-tempo alt-rock meets punk track that is as jangly as it is edgy. I'm getting an unexpected Beatles decide to dabble in punk sound from this one, but that could just be the heavy dose of power pop in the song. The band's set at the Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater may have been the show of the year, and "Karma Too Close" almost captures the pure joy that was in that room in March.

You can watch the video for "Karma Too Close" below. Give An Inch is due out September 6, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

SEPTEMBER
03 — Louisville, KY  — The Whirling Tiger
04 — Memphis, TN — Growlers
06 — Pensacola, FL — Handlebar
07 — St Petersburg, FL — The Floridian Social
08 — Orlando, FL — The Social
10 — Gainesville, FL — The Wooly
11 — Athens, GA — 40 Watt Club
13 — Charlottesville, VA — Jefferson Theater *
14 — Ft. Monroe, VA — Supernova Ska Festival ^

15 — Atlantic City, NJ — Anchor Rock Club*
17 — New York, NY — The Liberty Belle
18 — Asbury Park, NJ — House of Independents
19 — Syracuse, NY — The Song & Dance
20-22 —Chicago, IL – Riot Fest

* — no Catbite
^ — no Taylor Hollingsworth

Live Shows: Mighty Poplar and New Dangerfield, Prescott Park Arts Festival, Portsmouth, NH 7/29/24

Prescott Park Arts Festival is one of my all time favorite places to see a show. It's in a gorgeous public park on the waterfront in Portsmouth, NH, and it's a very reasonable suggested donation entry fee to get in. Unfortunately, I haven't been since pre-pandemic, as my schedule hasn't worked, or a show has gotten rained out when timing did work out. But, if I was going to make my return trip to the festival, I can't think of a better option than seeing two string supergroups: Mighty Poplar and New Dangerfield.

Playing only their fifth show ever, New Dangerfield opened the show. The band is a black string group consisting of Kaia Kater, Jake Blount, Tray Wellington, and Nelson Williams. You would never know that this was a band that could count the number of total performances on one hand if they hadn't mentioned it. New Dangerfield had that perfect mix of playing tight and loose you get with folk/bluegrass/string bands, especially ones with a pedigree like theirs. They played a mixture of standards and original compositions, some instrumental and some with lyrics. It was an outrageously great fifth performance, and Mighty Poplar had quite the challenge playing after them.

Luckily, Mighty Poplar are another string band supergroup, consisting of Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers), Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers), Greg Garrison (Punch Brothers, Leftover Salmon), Andrew Marlin (Watchhouse), and filling in on fiddle was Stuart Duncan. (Fiddle player Alex Hargreaves was busy on tour with Billy Strings, playing in front of arenas and making much more money.) The band joked that their normal projects are all far more lucrative, but that just shows they're playing in Mighty Poplar out of love for the music, and that was obvious during their set. The band played a tight set that left plenty of room for solos and improvisation, and also played a set of standards and originals. There's just something magical about watching masters of their craft cutting loose and playing for the love of music. If you've ever been to a concert in a public park that's free or semi-free, you'll know that it can be a bit of a disaster as people are just there to be there, which allows for maximum chit chat and other distractions. Monday night saw a crowd that could not have been more appreciative, and everyone was rewarded with an all-star performance.

Strawberry Sleepover - "The Show"

Photo via Facebook

Baltimore's Strawberry Sleepover have released a single that shouldn't work, but somehow does. The garage/psychedelic band's latest, "The Show," starts off as a 60's throwback, stopping just short of a doo wop song. It's along the lines of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound work. And then the vocals kick in, which are crooned, but are much more along the lines of garage rock or modern indie rock. The song slowly morphs into a more garage rock friendly sound, without losing that oddball 60's vintage sound. It's that combination of the smooth and the gruff that makes "The Show" such an interesting listen. Garage rock and psych should be fun and interesting listens, and Strawberry Sleepover have nailed that.

You can watch the video for "The Show" below. Filth is due out September 6. For more on Strawberry Sleepover, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Sleeper's Bell - "Road Song"

Photo by Malcolm Riordan

"Road Song" is the first full band song from Chicago folk duo Sleeper's Bell. The song has this certain alt-folk quality that might delve into freak folk at times, but not too deeply. This is definitely not a standard or traditional folk song. Blaine Teppema (vocals/guitar) has a touch of Adrienne Lenker in her voice, and once the horns come in the song takes a unique and oddly wonderful direction. "Road Song" starts off at least a little traditionally, but soon ventures off into free jazz territory. Somehow this is accomplished inside of a folk song. Sleeper's Bell aren't exactly for the masses, but those with an open mind will most likely end up adoring this one.

Blaine Teppema says of the band's latest single:

“It’s partially about the sunk cost fallacy — you put so much time and energy into something that you forget you’re allowed to try something new. But then, sometimes, you put so much into something and then you’re a long way from where you started, and you have to figure out how to get back, or how to pivot.

“It’s also just about being a kid. I miss how visceral all my feelings were. I feel everything like that again when I’m driving long distances. And I listened to a lot of Townes as a kid, in the car with my dad. ‘Nothin’ was one of the first songs that ever made me feel sad. So I ripped that line from him and made it about me.”

You can listen to "Road Song" below. The song is out now via Angel Tapes/Fire Talk Records. For more on Sleeper's Bell, check out the artist on Instagram.

Jeshi featuring Louis Culture and Fredwave - "DISCONNECT!"

Photo by Blackwall

East London's Jeshi is back with a new single. "DISCONNECT!" features Louis Culture and Fredwave, and while it's a modern hip hop track that borrows heavily from the current electronic music scene, it also throws back to the garage sound coming out of England that was so thrilling in the early 00's. This new song is a true blend of styles that Jeshi has managed to weave together in a seamless way. The beats drop in that explosive way you get with trap, plus there is also some R&B thrown in to smooth it all over. "DISCONNECT!" is both polished and raw, and is one of the cooler London rap songs we've heard in a while.

Jeshi says of his latest single:

“‘DISCONNECT!’ is one of my favourite things I’ve ever made… it’s got this completely unhinged energy which to this day I don’t know how we managed to capture. It was me Fredwave, Louis Culture, Elijah Waters and Pablo Pullen in there but all I remember is pacing round the studio in circles like a psychopath writing it. Directed by Blackwall, we shot the video over 7 days around London, Bristol and Wales and used about 25 locations to constantly play on the feeling of disconnection - doing the opposite to those around me.”

You can watch the video for "DISCONNECT!" below. For more on Jeshi, check out the artist on Instagram.

Looking Glass War - "Rumination House"

Photo via Facebook

Looking Glass War continue to be one of Boston's best bands that doesn't sound anything like Boston. Their latest single, "Rumination House," is a glammed up song that sounds like 1980's British New Wave and darkwave. The glam is mostly from vocalist Goddamn Glenn, which sounds especially stellar on this track thanks to Johnny Marr style guitar provided by Pete Zeigler. It's a slower track that is heavy on groove, sounding upbeat despite being a relatively downbeat track. It's the type of song that will almost instantly grab you, and will have you completely smitten once the chorus starts. Looking Glass War are one of those bands that sounds like they've been playing together for decades despite being fairly new.

You can listen to "Ruination House" below. For more on Looking Glass War, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Live Shows: Jessica Pratt and @, The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA 7/27/24

Jessica Pratt may not be the biggest artist of 2024, but she most certainly is one of the most beloved. That adoration was in full effect Saturday night at The Sinclair where a sold out crowd hung on every word and note of one of their favorite artists. This was not an evening for those that were curious. All five hundred and twenty five in attendance stood completely rapt for the entire performance.

Jessica Pratt's show is a quiet one. All four musicians were sitting for the performance, and, despite having been to The Sinclair dozens of times, Saturday night was the first time I was aware of the noise caused by the HVAC system. The audience was dead silent during each and every song. Even between song chatter was kept to a bare minimum, and when it did happen it was barely even whispered. The crowd seemed to skew younger than I expected, and while "the kids" get a bad rap at shows, they were beyond well behaved for Jessica Pratt.

And they were rewarded with a night of exceptional music. Playing almost all of 2024's Here in the Pitch, every song was greeted with a quick rush of applause or a gasp of approval. Pratt has achieved a strong cult following, and it was impossible to not be sucked into her performance. Not many artists can command such attention sitting for an entire set, but with songs as breathtaking as "Life Is" and "World on a String," it's impossible not to win over a crowd. While not exactly being a "Hello Boston!" style frontperson, Pratt was just oozing with stage presence, in her own quiet way. She is simply a superstar in the making.

@ opened the night, and I was completely unfamiliar with them due to the very hard to Google name. They started off with some fairly standard alt-folk, but as the songs progressed they got more experimental and interesting. Members of the band played the typical guitar, bass, and drums, but also cello, flute, and a toy wind instrument. A good portion of the crowd was very familiar with their songs, and those of us who weren't were quickly won over. They seemed like a version of Twisted Pine filtered through the Army of Broken Toys. @ is a very interesting and unique band who will be worth the difficulty Googling.

Recalculating - "Candide Says"

Photo by Clay Rodriguez

Recalculating describe their music as "riot dad," and that kinda fits in with what we love here at If It's Too Loud... Their latest single, "Candide Says," is a reference to both Voltaire and Lou Reed, and it's an oddly upbeat version of post-punk and indie rock. The New York band have a bit more of an organic feel than you typically get from those genres, and an intense earnestness. It could just be bassist/vocalist Sean Wiederkehr's speak-singing vocals, but "Candide Says" sounds a little like an edgier version of The Hold Steady. Recalculating have one of the more unique takes on these well tread genres, and that's always something to celebrate.

Sean Wiederkehr says of the band's upcoming album:

“There is less armor and the songs aren’t as bleak—there is a healthy dose of hope—but Scott’s puckishness, my oozing id, and Michael’s from-the-gut perspective remains. There is a cathartic nature to these songs. They’re visceral and some wear their heart on their sleeves, but not in obvious ways.”

You can listen to "Candide Says" below. Do You Like to Laugh? was engineered by Steve Albini, and is due out in the future. For more on Recalculating, check out the band's website.

New Dangerfield - "Put No Walls Around Your Garden"

Photo by Justin French

It's been a little while since we've heard from New Dangerfield (the string superband featuring Kaia Kater, Jake Blount, Tray Wellington, and Nelson Williams) are back with a brand new single. "Put No Walls Around Your Garden" was co-written by Kaia Kater and Billy Keane, and it's simply a masterclass in folk music. It's surprisingly sparse and maintains a tension throughout the song. It's a timeless folk song that still sounds modern. If you are a fan of any style of folk or Americana, it's going to be impossible not to adore New Dangerfield.

Kaia Kater says of the band's new single:

"I wrote 'Put No Walls Around Your Garden' with Billy Keane, a wonderful songwriter from the Berkshires, during a 2023 retreat at The House of Songs in the Ozark Mountains. We used the allegory of a farmer and their seasonal crop yield as a commentary on resource hoarding and climate change. I brought the song to the band and we arranged it for a stringband context, while also inserting a bridge/breakdown meant to illustrate the urgency of the message. Playing and singing the twin banjo and vocal melody makes this song so fitting for stringband music in a new context, and I find it’s a bit of an earworm!" 

You can listen to "Put No Walls Around Your Garden" below. For more on New Dangerfield, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook. 

Linnea's Garden - "Cherry"

Linnea's Garden are one of the best indie rock party bands in Boston. Their latest single, "Cherry," is a little bit more laid back than what we usually hear from the trio, but it's still party ready. According to the YouTube description of the video, "It's a happy song, inspired by Miami beaches and nightclubs." While we previously declared their last single, "Chaotic Bisexual Summer," to be the song of the summer, "Cherry" is the perfect follow up for the dog days of summer. We're all a little burned out by the heat and humidity and are starting to look forward to the fall, but we need to try to get as much out of the last month of the season as we can. "Cherry" is a funky and fun indie rocker, with an unexpected amount of heart and earnestness. 

You can watch the video for "Cherry" below. The single is available now via Bandcamp. For more on Linnea's Garden, check out the band's website.

Karate - "Defendants"

Photo by Daniel Bergeron

I think we all have those bands that we know we should be more familiar with, but for some inexplicable reason, we just aren't. One of those bands for me is Karate. The Boston band's initial run was between 1993 and 2005 was my prime for going to shows and hearing new music, but even though I knew the name, I just never got into them.

Well... now's a good time for me to correct that since Karate is about to release their first new album in twenty years. Their latest single, "Defendants," fits right into the post-rock/slowcore/jazz rock sound that make Karate so beloved. It's the kind of single that makes a newbie like me angry for not discovering the beloved band twenty-five years ago when I should have, but at least now it's inspiring me to go into a full fledged deep dive. From the very surface of my dive, a song like "Defendants" and its B-side 'Silence, Sound" fit right in with their classic releases, showing that Karate have not lost a step at all in the past two decades.

You can listen to "Defendants" below. Make It Fit is due out October 18 on Numero Group, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Karate, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Inspector 34 - "Self"

Photo via Facebook

Inspector 34 are one of the more underrated bands of the Boston area music scene, and if you're just discovering them, "Self" is a great place to start. Their most recent single is a noisy and chaotic indie rock song, with melodicaly screamed vocals and clanging guitars. It kind of sounds like it half of At the Drive In decided to write a pop song, and the other half tried to sabotage it, but it all mysteriously worked out so they decided to keep it. The song sounds both angry and upbeat at the same time, just adding to the overall chaos. 

You can watch the video for "Self" below. Squint Your Ears is due out August 16 on Sad Milk Collective, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Inspector 34, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Happy Little Clouds - "Lungs"

Photo by Jac Mestel

The latest from Boston's Happy Little Clouds is a bit more downtempo than their previous songs, but it's no less impactful. "Lungs" is a soulful post-grunge power ballad that gives vocalist/guitarist Jac Mestel's vocals a place to shine. The vocals are the focus of "Lungs," and Mestel has never sounded so powerful before. Their emotions are on full display here, and the song is better for it. The song also adds in some organ along with the usual guitar/bass/drums combination, which adds a bit of levity to the song. As emotional as it is, Happy Little Clouds keep a sense of optimism throughout. 

Jac Mestel says of the band's latest single:

“The listener can really make this song their own. Each verse can be like someone grappling with a major life-shattering event as they go through a whole hero’s journey arc within the span of a 3-minute song. As the song progresses, they deal with their constantly changing feelings or stages of grief, or self acceptance and by the end, they work up the strength to believe in themselves and regain a sense of pride.”

You can listen to "Lungs" below. For more on Happy Little Clouds, check out the band's website.

Sassyhiya - "Kristen Stewart"

Sassyhiya are real life partners Kathy Wright and Helen Skinner, who met at a rollerderby game where Wright was skating for the Ultraviolent Femmes. Their latest single, "Kristen Stewart," was inspired by Skinner seeing the actress and queer icon filming a scene for Spencer at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. The resulting song is a joyous indie rock song that has the bounciness of punk but with the upbeat sound of indie rock and alt-pop. It's a wonderfully melodic track that still keeps the DIY spirit alive with its unique vibe. Plus, it has the bassline of your favorite post-punk tracks. 

Helen Skinner says of the band's latest single:

“I wanted to do a song about her because I think she’s ace and makes great choices when it comes to roles. She’s grown up in the public eye and has still managed to become the person we absolutely hoped she would - someone proud of her queerness plus she's really cool and fun.”

You can watch the video for "Kristen Stewart" below. Take You Somewhere is due out November 8 on Skep Wax. For more on Sassyhiya, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Doing Anything This Weekend?: July 26-28

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend:

Friday July 26

Rick Rude, Qvickdraw, and Tin Fish at The Dance Hall, Kittery, ME

Nice, a fest featuring Noble Dust, TIFFY, Jake McKelvie, Hannah Mohan, Mallcops, and more at Crystal Ballroom and The Rockwell, Somerville, MA

Eric Gaffney at Shelburne Springs, Shelburne Falls, MA

The Shirts and Shoes, The Ghouls, Dee Tension & The Secrets, and Melt at Thirsty First, Lowell, MA

Freak Pit, Eight Foot Manchild, and Mister Wonderful at The Boiler Room at Wes's Rib House, Providence, RI

One Fall, Super Beef, and Bad Idea USA at Chagall PAC, Salem, MA

Evolution: Rock Garden Records Showcase II featuring Hummingbird Syndicate, Crow Follow, Robin Lane, Adam Sherman, and Little Billy Lost at Warehouse XI, Somerville, MA

Saturday July 27

Nice, a fest featuring Palehound, Pile, Nurse Joy, Pink Slip, Burp., Hell Beach, JVK, and more at Davis Square, Somerville, MA

Honkeyball, White Dynomite, The Welch Boys, Hammered Saint, and Catching Hell at The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

Bird Friend, Wooll, and Highwater Haulers at Auspicious Brew, Dover, NH

Lenny Lashley's Gang of One, Already Dead, and The Graniteers at Thirsty First, Lowell, MA

The Dogmatics, The Grommets, and The Carnivals at The New World Tavern, Plymouth, MA

Summer of Love Block Party featuring O'Mega Red, The Jungle Brothers, Oompa, Kool DJ Red Alert, and Dawn Tallman at Nubian Square, Roxbury, MA

Connor Storms & His Bouquet, Captain Vampire, Wyn and the White Light, and Justin Arena at The Jungle, Somerville, MA

Evolution: Rock Garden Records Showcase II featuring Holy Smoke, Tiger Bomb, Jennifer Tefft & the Strange, Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones, and Mutual Admiration Society at Warehouse XI, Somerville, MA

Sunday July 28

Worcester Punk Rock Flea Market featuring BANGZZ, Dando Fever, and Jonee Earthquake Band at Hotel Vernon, Worcester, MA

Cisco NB Summer Vibes Festival featuring Bim Skala Bim, The NB Rude Boys, and The Rins, Cisco Brewers, New Bedford, MA

Cannibal Ramblers and Highwater Haulers at Askew, Providence, RI

Linnea's Garden, theWorst, Mattias, and CJ Honey at State Park, Cambridge, MA

Nice, a fest featuring Model/Actriz, House of Harm, Zip-Tie Handcuffs, Vivid Bloom, The Rupert Selection, and more at The Rockwell and Crystal Ballroom, Somerville, MA

Being Dead - "Van Goes"

Photo by Athen Smith

Being Dead is the musical project of Austin, TX based multi-instrumentalists Falcon Bitch and Shmoofy. Their latest single, "Van Goes," has this interesting mix of upbeat fun and darkness. It's a little bit post-punk and a little bit egg punk. There are some pop elements, but "Van Goes" is an odd little song. Imagine a mixture of DEVO and Beat Happening, and you might come close to what this sounds like. As weird and unusual as the song is, there are strong pop elements throughout. Being Dead certainly won't be for everyone, but if they work for you, welcome to your latest musical obsession!

The band says of their new video:

“Our goal is simple. When you die and your life flashes before your eyes we’d like this video to be included in the reel. (Or at least lay a blueprint for how yours might be). Fast and furious is one's life when betrayed. And in a flash, your whole life before you: everyone you've ever known, everything you've been brave enough to feel – extinguished in a twinkle of clarity."

You can watch the video for "Van Goes" below. EELS is due out September 27 on Bayonet Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Being Dead, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Sat. July 27 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
Tue. Aug. 13 - Austin, TX @ Sagebrush
Fri. Sept. 27 - Austin, TX @ Radio East
Sat. Oct. 12 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
Mon. Oct. 14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 Club
Tue. Oct. 15 - Richmond, VA @ The Camel
Wed. Oct. 16 - Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong
Fri. Oct. 18 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Made
Sat. Oct. 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA @ The Rockwell
Tue. Oct. 22 - Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
Wed. Oct. 23 - Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
Fri. Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Sun. Oct. 27 - Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
Tue. Oct. 29 - Louisville, KY @ The Whirling Tiger
Thu. Oct. 31 - Nashville, TN @ The Blue Room at Third Man Records
Sat. Nov. 2 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada

Fight Dice - "Magic Pact"

Photo by Lucca Bell

Members of The Promise Ring, Braid, Hey Mercedes, and Maritime coming together to make a Dungeons & Dragons themed stoner rock band? You have to at least check it out for the curiosity factor. Turns out the first single from Fight Dice is great enough to surpass the novelty. "Magic Pact" is much more metal-ish than I would have expected, and it lands smack dab right in the stoner rock category. That being said, it does have a surprising punk edge to it. It's a fun song that doubles as a "How To" when it comes to using magic weapons. If you want to hear a bunch of punk and emo musicians rock out about Dungeons & Dragons, Fight Dice are the band for you.

Bassist Todd Bell says of the project:

“During the pandemic, we were immersed in playing ‘D&D’ together online to ward off boredom and stay socially connected. When we could see each other more regularly and safely, as friends, we began practicing as a makeshift ‘band’ — another outlet to stay sane while all other remnants of being in our other bands were still on hold. We set about working on some musical parts we all had lying around, and the next thing you know we were all in a drop D tuning sludging along, having fun with our new project. Satisfied with what we were doing and with loads of ‘D&D’-inspired content for band direction and lyrics, we booked a show when it was okay to do so, settled on a name, and Fight Dice was officially born.”

You can watch the video for "Magic Pact" below. Total Party Kill is due out September 20 on Forge Again Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Fight Dice, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Lutalo - "The Bed" & "Broken Twin"

Photo by Patrick McCormack

Lutalo was born in Minnesota but now calls Vermont home. They just released a pair of singles that showcase the artist's wide range. "The Bed" is an upbeat sounding folk-rock song about war propaganda with a surprisingly funky beat. Lutalo has a slacker style vocal that goes against the music in the track, but still works perfectly. The other single, "Broken Twin," is more of an indie rock goes mainstream style single. It sounds a lot like early 00's British rock, kind of like Travis or Coldplay but with a much stronger edge to it. "Broken Twin" also has a stronger beat than you would typically hear in this style of music, which I'm starting to suspect is Lutalo's calling card. Both singles stand on their own, but together they are great examples of just how diverse of an artist Lutalo is.

Lutalo says that "The Bed" "... is about being educated about American propaganda and war mongering at a young age from my father. ’The Bed’ is referencing how as citizens of the country we have no choice but participate whether directly or indirectly with the dealings of our state, and to be indoctrinated into this mindset that supports its current standing."

You can listen to "The Bed" and "Broken Twin" below. The Academy is out September 20 on Winspear, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Lutalo, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the songs.

09/28/24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
09/30/24 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/01/24 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
10/02/24 - Boston, MA @ Royale
10/04/24 - Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe
10/05/24 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/06/24 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/07/24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/09/24 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East
10/10/24 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/11/24 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
10/13/24 - Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
10/15/24 - Denver, CO @ Meow Wolf
10/16/24 - Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room
10/18/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre
10/19/24 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
10/20/24 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
10/22/24 - San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
10/24/24 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda

Supporting Nilüfer Yanya

First Listen: New Releases for 19 July 2024

Artist: Goodnight, Texas
Album: Signals
Quick Thoughts: Goodnight, Texas has a strong record of quality alt-country efforts, but this one feels like it levels things up a bit. Equal parts rockin' roots and more traditional country, plus some interesting bonuses (like Kirk Hammett of Metallica) make this an excellent mid-summer listen. Don't miss out on this one.
Songs of Note: "Dry Heat," "RUNAWAYS," "Frankie, Where Are You Now?" "Among Tumbleweeds," "The Offer," "The Lightning and the Old Man Todd"

Artist: Salem Wolves
Album: The Psychotron Speaks
Quick Thoughts: We like Salem Wolves quite a bit here. This latest album, however, really hit perfectly for me. It's the sort of punk-adjacent indie I'm looking for in an act, and the songwriting here is so strong and so compelling that I am looking forward to getting back to this as soon as I can. Don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Low Card," "The Psychotron Speaks!" "November," "Stay Strange," "I Don't Think It's Funny"

Artist: Master Peace
Album: How to Make a Master Peace
Quick Thoughts: This is one we missed from earlier this year. In terms of punk-rap British hybrids, Master Peace gives a lot of Bob Vylan energy in their approach while dabbling in some of the UK Grime/Drill fields. The whole thing really worked for me, and I think it's one that deserves a lot more consideration.
Songs of Note: "Los Narcos," "Lodge," "I Might Be Fake," "Loo Song," "Happiness is Love," "I Might Be Fake-Arrr"

Artist: Kiely Connell
Album: My Own Company
Quick Thoughts: Wanted to shout out this pure roots effort from Kiely Connell, which has some gorgeous songwriting and hook-laden songs across this whole record. A great listen that's would be worth your time in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "Through to You," "Hobo's Dream," "Coming Up Empty," "Damn Hands," "On the Mend"

Of note:

* Dylan Patrick Ward - The Porch Collapses (Big early-oughts anti-folk energy.)
* AJ Lee and Blue Summit - City of Glass (Gorgeous bluegrass effort.)
* The Raveonettes - The Raveonettes Sing... (A covers album after a seven year absence.)
* Whose Hat is This? - Ponyboy
* Los Camposinos! - All Hell
* a Lesser Version - She Was Wounded, I Was Terrified!
* W O L F C L U B - Canyons
* Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and The New World
* Yullola - Zen Maiden
* Lava La Rue - STARFACE
* Eliza & The Delusionals - Make It Feel Like the Garden
* Dr. Dog - Dr. Dog
* Oneida - Expensive Air
* L'Orange - The Manipulation
* Photocomfort - Patron Saint
* Jessica Boudroux - The Faster I Run
* Beachwood Sparks - Across the River of Stars
* Molly Nilsson - Un-American Activities
* Orcas - How to Color a Thousand Mistakes
* Total Blue - Total Blue
* Zelienople - Everything is Simple
* Amy Summers - Identitieaze (Original Soundtrack)
* Kyo Itachi - Loop in My Hand

EPs:

* Los Bitchos - Kiki, You Complete Me
* Cathedral Bells - Another Lifetime
* jupiter flynn - villain to my story
* Metronomy - Posse EP Volume 2
* Codename: Rocky - Foundation
* Tank and The Bangas - The Heart
* S3RL - Remix EP 20
* Carson McHone - ODES
* Lame Drivers - This Pattern EP
* NEW YORK - Rapstar* - Side A

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Country Bear Musical Jamboreee (Original Soundtrack)