If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Nicole Busch Big Harp is the duo of Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin-Senseney. It's been a decade since their last album, but they're back with new music. "I Got an Itch" reminds me of that great folk revival from ten to fifteen years ago, when roots music was the new big thing and the Newport Folk Festival came back to prominence. It's a laid back folk track with Senseney taking lead vocals, and sounds like you're just hanging out with the duo while they show you a new song. "I Got an Itch" is a timeless folk song that sounds both old timey and modern at the same time. This one will remind you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place, and is going to have you pulling up some folk playlists for the rest of the day. Chris Senseney says of his band's new single: “It’s pretty much about what it seems like it’s about. One of our goals was to be as plainspoken as possible on this record, with any kind of lyrical tricks or wor...

Photo courtesy of Big Harp Big Harp, the duo of Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin-Senseney, are back with their first new music in ten years and their first on Saddle Creek since 2013's Chain Letters. Their new song is a cover of The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry." It's a stripped down, acoustic, almost folky version of the iconic track. While acoustic covers are pretty much a cliche at this point, Big Harp do it quite well. Even though it's an acoustic version of the post-punk/New Wave classic, it's recognizable from the first strummed chords. This is a great version of "Boys Don't Cry," and we're thrilled to welcome back Big Harp. Chris Senseney says of his band's new single: “Our daughter has gotten really into The Cure in the last couple years, so this song has kinda been floating around our heads. The original is perfect as it is, but it’s such a solid song that it can work in a lot of contexts. And like any really well put-togeth...

Photo by Tess Roby Montreal's Ada Lea, aka musician Alexandra Levy, has a new single out on Saddle Creek that's going to work for those of us who enjoy Saddle Creek releases. "midnight magic" is a surprisingly simple song that is mostly Ada Lea's vocals and keys, but it somehow feels more involved than that. I can't quite explain that since the production is also simple with the focus on vocals and piano. There's some double tracking vocals to create harmonies, but "midnight magic" is a mysteriously upbeat and impactful song that feels more complex than it is. Apologies for getting hacky with this comment, but that's the true magic of "midnight magic." Ada Lea says of her latest single: “I felt like I was taking a leap of faith with this surreal approach—and it felt good to trust that the song knew best. In an artist talk, Margaux Williamson said her new body of work took her 8 years to complete, and said ‘I am constantly needing to...

Photo by Tess Roby Ada Lea is the musical name of Montreal based artist Alexandra Levy. Her latest single, "something in the wind," is a wonderfully odd singer-songwriter track. It's one of those songs that could have been a mainstream track in another universe, but Ada Lea has the song going in such interesting and unexpected directions. The guitars are tuned just off, and you can't quite tell the mood of the song. It's a little haunting, a little upbeat, and a little melancholy. It's probably fitting that "something in the wind" is about love, as love involves all of those emotions, quite often at the same time. It's also both fast and slow, all of which creates this lovely dichotomy of a song. Ada Lea says of her latest single: "I had a dream about this song and remember nothing. There is a constant in everyone’s life, which is the dream. When we recorded the song, Luke, who produced it, suggested we slow it down so Tasy could improvise a...

Image by Lydia Slocum It feels like it's been a while since we last heard from feeble little horse. The Pittsburgh noise pop group is back with a new single, "This is Real." The new song starts off as a quiet little song that leans heavily into the world of pop. It's a cute little song, and we'd be thrilled to bring it to you even if were just that. And then one of the most whiplash inducing waves of noise comes crashing in harder than you could have imagined. It's at this point that you remember wildly changing the tone and overall sound of the song is kind of these folks' whole thing, and "This is Real" becomes an instant classic. The song swings around a few times, including a brief segment that dives headfirst into screamy metal. Yeah, feeble little horse have been missed. Lydia Slocum says of her band's new single: “ I think it's important that this song is released to turn the page, but also to enjoy the product of sitting with some...

Photo by Micah E. Wood "Pocket" is one of those songs that you'll never be able to predict what is coming next. The latest from feeble little horse starts out as this lovely little dream pop, maybe slowcore kind of song. And then it just keeps morphing into other songs throughout. Some of these transitions are wild, and some are gradual. Honestly, I don't even want to try to describe the genres the song cycles through, or even hint at what they could be. The song is so incredibly inventive and exciting to listen to that having an idea as to what is coming up next could ruin your listening experience. Please, check this one out and enjoy! Lydia Slocum says of her band's new song: “ For me ‘Pocket’ was a song about being single and not knowing what to do with myself.  I got in the habit of showing someone affection and I liked it but then that ended and I just had all these kisses and hugs burning a hole in my pocket! I felt locked out often and like I was just stuc...

Photo by Micah E. Wood Pittsburgh noise pop quintet Feeble Little Horse have released a song that's a perfect pop song for anyone that hates pop. "Steamroller" is much heavier on the noise portion of noise pop than you might expect. There's this fabulous droning feedback throughout virtually all of the song, and it has some of the most fantastically fuzzy guitars, but there is something still kind of pop about it. Back in the 90's this would have been decidedly a rock song, but in 2023 artists aren't afraid of the pop label. I think that's one of the most compelling aspects of "Steamroller." It's noisy, isn't really catchy or hooky, it focuses on guitar and feedback... but it's still somehow a pop song. Feeble Little Horse are one of those artists you're going to want to check out sooner than later. Lydia Slocum says of her band's new song: “ It's a shame song overall.  It's my most embarrassing song to sing. ” You can...

Photo by Morningstar Angeline Black Belt Eagle Scout's new album is due out next week, but we don't have to wait to hear a new single from Katherine Paul's musical project. "Spaces" is a gorgeous song that blends folk, dream pop, and Paul's Swinomish heritage. It's a very quiet song that still keeps all of the power you associate with Black Belt Eagle Scout's music. The focus is Paul's vocals, with electric guitar and violin masterfully assisting the lush, dreamlike quality of the song. It also features guest vocals from her parents, with her father's traditional chants mixing with Paul and her mother's melody. Even though all of Black Belt Eagle Scout's songs feel special, this one feels a little more so. Katherine Paul says of her new single: “I wrote ‘Spaces’ for an audience as a way to sing melodies of healing and care for them. Since starting Black Belt Eagle Scout, I have moved through many spaces, playing shows for crowds of peop...

Photo by Nate Lemuel of Darlisted Photography With only two singles out so far, the upcoming album from Black Belt Eagle Scout is already shaping up to be a strong album of the year contender. Katherine Paul's latest single, "Nobody," is this gorgeous swirl that combines the best of folk and singer/songwriter music with indie rock. It has all the beauty and the organic feeling of Americana, the swirling fuzz of shoegaze, a beat that makes you want to dance, and this hypnotic mixture to it all that is sure to suck you in. It's also both uplifting while conveying a sense of sadness, which is even more engaging. If you haven't been paying attention to Black Belt Eagle Scout until now, you're going to want to jump on board with this one. Katherine Paul says of her new single: “When I was growing up, I didn’t have very many Native role models to look to on TV or the radio. It was within my own community that I found inspiring role models through our elders and our ...

Photo by Nate Lemuel of Darklisted Photography "My Blood Runs Through This Land" continues Black Belt Eagle Scout's (aka Katherine Paul) move towards a more indie rock sound. This song is just absolutely an epic. It only lasts five and a half minutes, but the song feels bigger than that. It's filled with a giant guitar solo along the lines of something from J Mascis along with Paul's intense vocalizations. This one is more along the lines of classic early 90's indie rock and grunge than the "shoegaze meets folk" that we are used to from Black Belt Eagle Scout. "My Blood Runs Through This Land" just keeps building and building with some of the most killer guitar shredding around. If you have yet to jump on the Black Belt Eagle Scout bandwagon, now you're chance. Katherine Paul says of her upcoming album: “I created  The Land, The Water, The Sky  to record and reflect upon my journey back to my homelands and the challenges and the happine...

Photo by Nate Lemuel of Darklisted Photography It's been three years since we last heard from Black Belt Eagle Scout, the musical project of Katherine Paul. Previously I've described her music as a folk version of shoegaze, and that sound is all over her latest single. "Don't Give Up" has all the beauty and organic feel of folk with only having the bare elements of folk music. "Don't Give Up" is more of an indie rock song. It's noisy and dissonant, but it's oddly not abrasive in its noise. Instead, the noise is where the beauty of the song lies. There's an unexpected softness to the edge of Black Belt Eagle Scout's music that keeps it having such a unique feel that is going to suck a lot of people in. Katherine Paul says of her new single: “Spending time with the land and on the water are ways that strengthen my connection to my ancestors and to my culture. It helps heal my spirit and is the form of self-care that helps me the most. T...

Photo by Monse Muro The latest from Montreal's Ada Lea (the musical name of Alexandra Levy) is oddly unique. "damn" is mostly a relatively mainstream, kinda folkish singer/songwriter tune. But "damn" isn't really a mainstream sounding song. Despite the song sounding upbeat, there is a sense of melancholy that you just can't seem to shake. Plus, the instruments just sound... off? It's a pretty standard sound, just very slightly tweaked to feel and sound different. That also applies to Levy's vocals. Her voice is lovely and pleasant, except that she has this unique quality to it that makes it not exactly mainstream. This all makes "damn" one of the more almost mainstream but just slightly off to be intriguing sounds of the year. You can watch the video for "damn" below. one hand on the steering wheel the other sewing a garden is due out September 24 on Saddle Creek. You can pre-order/pre-save a copy of the album here . For more ...

Photo by Peggy Fioretti Hailing from Philadelphia, SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE have released a new-ish single that expands the genre of indie rock. "THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO" starts off more on the electro side of indie rock. There may be traditional rock instruments, but the song sounds more electronic/dance than rock. It stays in that sound for a while, adjusting a little bit. And it's a really great song that way. But then the noise kicks in. It sounds like a catastrophe is raining down on you (and I mean that in the best possible way). Every time you believe you've hit the depth of the noise, it just keeps digging itself deeper and deeper until it's almost like an electronic freak out of a Lightning Bolt song. Considering the song is about addiction, the sonic vibe of "THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO" is fitting. You can watch the video for "THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN'T DO" below. ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH  is due out April 9 on ...

Photo by Sarah Cass As if it was made to make us even more obsessed with Black Belt Eagle Scout, Katherine Paul's musical project has a new single that may be impossible not to like. "My Heart Dreams" is a dreamy, slightly trippy, almost like a folk version of shoegaze song. It's mostly a ballad, but has its bouncy moments to keep you drawn in and cheerful, despite the song's subject matter about wanting to find new love while being brokenhearted. "My Heart Dreams" has just the slightest amount of noise Black Belt Eagle Scout shows in their live shows, instead keeping this song mostly melodic. You can watch the video for "My Heart Dreams," which was filmed at the Portland Pride parade. Paul says of the video: “ The idea behind this video was to do something fun while showing the resilience of the Indigenous people, particularly women and girls, which is why I chose to have the Black Belt Eagle Scout band be portrayed by young Indigenous...

Photo by Sarah Cass Portland, OR's Black Belt Eagle Scout are back with a new single from her follow up to 2018's Mother of My Children. "At the Party" is much more quiet and introspective than the majority of the previous album. There is still plenty of swirling guitars and effects on the new song, so it's far from your typical singer/songwriter fare. You get this lovely and intense (despite it's quiet) song. Katherine Paul (aka Black Belt Eagle Scout) explains her song:  “ Within my conscious self, there is always a sense of questioning the legitimacy of the world when you grow up on an Indian reservation .  We are all at the party (the world), trying to navigate ourselves within a good or bad situation. I happen to be at the party with my brown friends- Indigenous, Black, POC who always have my back while we walk throughout this event called life .” You can listen to "At the Party" below. At the Party With My Brown Friends, the new album f...