If It's Too Loud...

We like to think we do a pretty good job of bringing you new music, but every so often we do drop the ball. After seeing Modern Nature play The Rockwell Tuesday night, I can safely say we massively missed out on their excellent 2025 album The Heat Warps. Coming all the way from Cambridge, UK, Modern Nature took the tiny stage of The Rockwell in front of a decent crowd and quite simply blew everyone in attendance away. Usually when we say that, we are speaking about volume, or aggression, or noise. Instead, Modern Nature play a fairly quiet and mellow blend of indie rock. It was along the lines of Sonic Youth or Slint... just much more chill. Of curse, chill and mellow don't have to mean boring or not intense. Modern Nature's songs are rather intense despite how laid back their playing is. If you've never heard their single "Pharoh," do yourself a favor and check it out. It's an absolute masterpiece. Modern Nature were at their best when Jack Cooper and Tara Cu...

We haven't heard any solo music from Jake McKelvie since 2016's Rhinestone Busboy , but luckily that drought is over with the release of a new single, "Pump Fake." The Massachusetts based musician's latest is this great mixture of indie rock and alt-country that reminds me of a blend of Tom Petty and Pavement. The song has a bit of a Bob Dylan ramblin' style as well, as it just kind of meanders along in its own directions. "Pump Fake" is the kind of song that borders the mainstream of Americana while still living squarely in the world of odd indie rock songs. If you've enjoyed any of McKelvie's previous releases, this is just more to love. If you're just discovering McKelvie, welcome aboard! Jake McKelvie says of his upcoming album and why it's a solo album: “The Countertops are known for energetic live shows and goofy stage behavior, whereas as a solo act I do more of the folk singer thing. This new record floats somewhere in between...

The Thing in the Spring has been a southwest New Hampshire staple for quite a while now, sporting some of the most eclectic line ups around. This is especially impressive since Keene, NH (and Peterborough before it) isn't exactly the hippest or most metropolitan of areas. They certainly know what they're doing, especially since the 2024 festival is four days of amazing music. The whole thing kicks off on Thursday night with an eight band bill that includes Modern Fools, Paper Castles, Jake McElvie, and Rick Rude. Friday is a rager that boasts The Messthetics & James Brandon Lewis, Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, and Prefuse 73. Saturday gets a little weird with Earth, J. Pavone String Ensemble, The Huntress & Holder of Hands, and Sunburned Hand of the Man. Sunday is my personal favorite and features Buck Meek, Jolie Holland, Mal Devisa, and Lily Seabird. Of course, there are many, many more artists playing that all deserve our attention. The Thing in the Spring will take ...

It's been a couple of years since we've brought you any new music from MA's own Jake McKelvie & the Countertops. To celebrate the New Year, the band have released a cover of Johnny Cash's classic "'Cause I Love You" as a free download. It's a completely faithful cover of the original, although it is a little more modern folk than classic country. It's a gorgeous, straightforward indie folk song that keeps the fun of a cover song alive while being reverent of the original. This has us really looking forward to what Jake McKelvie and the Countertops may have in store for 2020! You can listen to Jake McKelvie and the Countertops's take on "'Cause I Love You" below. It is available for free now via Bandcamp . For more on Jake McKelvie and the Countertops, check out their website . They're playing Sunday January 5 at O'Briens' Pub in Allston, MA. 'Cause I Love You by Jake McKelvie

I've been surprised by how few Glen Campbell tributes there have been since the country legend passed away earlier this week. Maybe it's because we've known he was sick for years and it wasn't exactly unexpected, but it just seems like it's already been forgotten. Luckily, Jake McKelvie & the Countertops are here with a cover of Campbell's "Gentle On My Mind." Originally recorded back in December during their Converse Rubber Tracks session, this is everything you want in a cover song. It's definitely Jake McKelvie & the Countertops doing their 90's alternative throwback thing, but there isn't even the slightest hint of irony here. It reminds me a lot of Pavement's more rambling songs where they just dip the tiniest bit into country. Considering that Jake McKelvie called his solo release  The Rhinestone Busboy EP , he's obviously a Glen Campbell fan. You can listen to Jake McKelvie & the Countertops' version of ...

Hailing from somewhere in Massachusetts, Jake McKelvie & The Countertops are releasing a brand new EP, The Rhinestone Busboy EP , and have made the EP's closer, also called "Rhinestone Busboy," available to listen. "Rhinestone Busboy," the song, is much quieter than some previous songs I've heard from the band. In fact, it's almost a folk ballad, losing a lot of Jake McKelvie & The Countertops normal almost pop-punk meets The Dismemberment Plan and Pavement sound. But, the wit and 90s indie vibe are still there, making this a must listen. You can listen to "Rhinestone Busboy" below. The Rhinestone Busboy EP  is out today. You can get your copy over at Jake McKelvie & The Countertops' Bandcamp . For more information on the band, check out their website and Facebook . They'll be playing December 23 at the Gardner Ale House in Gardner, MA, December 29 at The Shaskeen in Manchester, NH, and December 31 at Union Coffee Compa...