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

Deer Tick Cover Bruce Springsteen

Deer Tick are no strangers to cover songs. The Providence, RI band used to play Nirvana cover sets as Deervana, and have long sprinkled cover songs throughout their live shows. They just released a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark," and it's just one of those covers that make perfect sense. I can't think of a band more perfectly suited to taking on one of The Boss' most iconic songs. It's a very faithful, with Deer Tick's version including a little more fuzz and twang in the guitars. It's one of the best everyman anthems ever made, and Ian O'Neill nails it brilliantly.

Ian O'Neill says of "Dancing in the Dark":

"For me, 'Dancing in the Dark' isn't a song about romance, but instead a desperate plea to break out of some degraded, stagnant situation. The narrator is filled with angst, self doubt, and the only way out is to the sheer force of unwavering will power. Bruce really shows us who he is on this one and it looks an awful lot like the rest of us."

You can watch the visualizer for Deer Tick's version of "Dancing in the Dark" below, and is available for purchase and streaming through ATO Records here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website.

Deer Tick - "If I Try to Leave"

Photo by CJ Harvey

We can all name bands we loved, but then changed to a more mainstream sound and just lost us. It's not because we're giant music snobs (well... maybe a little) but that they changed everything about what we loved about them to try to become huge stars. While the singles from Deer Tick's upcoming album have definitely been more mainstream than they usually sound, they have not compromised a single thing to get there. The latest single, "If I Try to Leave," shows more of Deer Tick's natural progression than a complete left turn to try to get some arena rock money. Everything that has made us fans since War Elephant and Born on Flag Day through Negativity and Mayonnaise is there. If anything, "If I Try to Leave" incorporates all of Deer Tick's sounds into one cohesive, brilliant single. It has country, their huge alt-rock sound, traces of indie rock... everything Deer Tick has built towards is audible in "If I Try to Leave."

John McCauley (vocals/guitar) says if the new single:

“The overall theme of this song is family and how I’ve come to rely on it. I need my family as a grounding force in my life. My survival depends on it, and I like it that way.” 

You can watch the video for "If I Try to Leave" below. Emotional Contracts is due out June 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

8/03 - Baltimore, MD @ WTMD First Thursday Festival

8/04 - Fairfield, CT @ The Warehouse at FTC

8/05 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell

Margaret Glaspy - "Act Natural"

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

It's always a joy to find an artist that puts their own spin on the whole singer/songwriter thing, and Margaret Glaspy is one of those artists. Her latest single, "Act Natural," has a whole 90's alt-rock singer/songwriter thing with a touch of the loud/quiet/loud thing and guitars that alternate between jangly and crunchy. Plus, Glaspy injects a little something that reminds me of Tom Waits. I can't quite explain it, but it's definitely there. (At least to me it is...) "Act Natural" is a fun and creative rocker infused with some 90's alt-rock goodness. It's going to be pretty near impossible to resist.

Margaret Glaspy says of her new song:

“‘Act Natural’ is about trying to play it cool when you meet someone remarkable. I wrote it in the afternoon in the back of a tour bus and the riff came separately when I got home. It is one of my favorite songs on the record to play live." 

You can watch the video for "Act Natural" below. Echo the Diamond is due out October 18 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Margaret Glaspy, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

9/12 - Chalk - Brighton, UK *

9/13 - O2 Forum Kentish Town - London, UK *

9/14 - SWX - Bristol, UK *

9/16 - Albert Hall - Manchester, UK *

9/17 - SWG3 - Glasgow, UK *

9/18 - Brudenell Social Club - Leeds, UK *

9/20 - Omeara - London, UK 

9/28 - Union Stage - Washington, DC

9/29 - Underground Arts - Philadelphia, PA

9/30 - The Sinclair - Boston, MA

10/2 - Horseshoe - Toronto, ON

10/3 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH

10/4 - El Club - Detroit, MI

10/6 - Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN

10/7 - Sleeping Village - Chicago, IL

10/8 - The Back Room @ Colectivo - Milwaukee, WI

10/10 - Blue Room @ Third Man Records - Nashville, TN

10/11 - Center Stage - Vinyl - Atlanta, GA

10/12 - Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC

10/13 - Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC

10/14 - Richmond Music Hall - Richmond, VA

10/20 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

11/1 - Antone’s - Austin, TX

11/2 - Deep Ellum Art Co - Dallas, TX

11/4 - Ophelia's - Denver, CO

11/6 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

11/7 - The Olympic - Boise, ID

11/9 - Madame Lou's - Seattle, WA

11/10 - Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC

11/11 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR

11/13 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA

11/14 - Lodge Room - Los Angeles, CA

*opening for Half Moon Run

Deer Tick - "Once in a Lifetime"

Photo by CJ Harvey

This upcoming album from Deer Tick is shaping up to be one of their finest yet. While the legend of Deer Tick states that John McCauley came up with the sound while snowed in with a bottle of whiskey and albums from Nirvana and Hank Williams, that song is pretty much gone with "Once in a Lifetime." This new song has a sense of ease and joy throughout. It's a straightforward alt-rock song that is just begging to be heard during the summer, especially with the vocal harmonies that are straight out of the 1960's. The song feels like a New England working class version of a more California sound. It's the sound of a beach with cold water and less surfing. "Once in a Lifetime" is the soundtrack to drinking your Dell's frozen lemonade.

You can listen to "Once in a Lifetime" below. Emotional Contracts is due out June 16th on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out their website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

6/5 - Deerfield, MA @ Tree House Brewery (SOLD OUT)

6/7 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

6/8 - Canandaigua, NY @ Lincoln Hill Farms

6/9 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/10 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/12 - New York, NY @ Rough Trade (Limited Space)

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell

Deer Tick - "Forgiving Ties"

Photo by CJ Harvey

Deer Tick are one of those bands that are constantly evolving while still sounding like themselves. They're no longer the Hank Williams meets Nirvana band, or even the rootsy party rockers. On their latest single "Forgiving Ties," Deer Tick are sounding quite dance friendly. It's kind of a party song, in a way but it's a little too introspective to really rock a party. It's a little New Wave-ish, or at the very least some early 80's Tom Petty influence on this one. As always with Deer Tick, it's a fun song even if it's a little heavy. Also interesting is that "Forgiving Ties" features Ian O'Neil and John McCauley sharing vocal duties. (This one is definitely an O'Neil song with McCauley handling a few lines and backing vocals.) While it's not a complete departure, this one sees Deer Tick trying some new things while still being Deer Tick.

Ian O'Neil says of the new song:

“The song is essentially a metaphor for the fear that results from a sudden traumatic event, and how to move forward and take care of yourself and your loved ones."

You can watch the video for "Forgiving Ties" below. Emotional Contracts is de out June 16 on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Deer Tick, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

6/5 - Deerfield, MA @ Tree House Brewery

6/7 - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground

6/8 - Canandaigua, NY @ Lincoln Hill Farms

6/9 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/10 - Woodstock, NY @ Levon's Barn (SOLD OUT)

6/12 - New York, NY @ Rough Trade

6/14 - Portsmouth NH @ Cisco Brewers

6/15 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/16 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/17 - Matunuck, RI @ Ocean Mist (SOLD OUT)

6/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird

6/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

6/22 - Indianapolis, IN @ HI-FI Annex

6/23 - Milwaukee WI @ Summerfest

6/24 - Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow (SOLD OUT)

6/25 - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Showboat Saloon (SOLD OUT)

6/27 - Ft Collins @ Washington's

6/29 - Stanford, CA @ Frost Amphitheatre*

6/30 - Quincy, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival

7/1 - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater*

7/2/23 - Canby, OR @ Clackamas County Fairgrounds*

7/4 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amp*

7/5 - Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo*

7/6 - Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theatre*

7/8 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden*

7/9 - Dillon, CO @ Lake Dillon Amphitheatre*

7/11 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre*

7/12 - San Diego, CA @ Humphrey's*

7/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre*

7/15 - Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre*

7/16 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas*

10/12 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

10/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

10/15 - Nashville, TN @ Basement East

10/17 - Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre

10/19 - New Orleans, LA @ Chickie Wah Wah

10/20 - Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater

10/21 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

10/22 - Ft Worth, TX @ Tulips

11/8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

11/9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

11/10 - Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

11/11 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House

11/12 - Homer NY @ Homer Center for the Arts

11/14 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

11/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

11/18 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues

11/24 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

11/25 - Providence, RI @ Columbus Theatre

* Supporting Jason Isbell