Latest Posts

Retail Drugs – “Take It Back”

April 14, 2024

The latest project from Brooklyn based Jake Brooks is Retail Drugs, and “Take It Back” is their latest (and first). We’ve covered Brooks before with his other project, Laveda (here), and while the direction is a little different, the results are still bangin’. Whereas Laveda’s “Surprise” was an upbeat take on dealing with loneliness, “Take It Back” is a lightly fuzzed and distorted shoegaze romp with Brooks’ voice clashing wonderfully with the cacophony of sound. Fans of My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive would find a lot to enjoy with this track, especially with shoegaze going through somewhat of a resurgence. You can hear “Take It Back” on Spotify or down below from Soundcloud. Keep your eyes peeled for more singles, as the full album i love you so ! is out August 2.            

Laveda – “Surprise”

September 6, 2022

Last time we checked in with Laveda, we were psyched on their latest single, “bb,” which captivated us with it’s juxtaposition of wall-of-guitar shoegaze mixed with singer Ali Genevich’s illuminating vocals. They continue that streak with their latest offering, “Surprise,” albeit, a bit more in the dream-pop vein this time. Shimmering guitar leads and a driving bass line power this one along, creating an overall sunny atmosphere and carving it’s niche as the “bright and happy” song on the album, guitarist Jake Brooks further explains: “The lyrics are meant to juxtapose the happy sunshine feeling throughout the song. Surprise is about dealing with loneliness and loss in this modern age. The overall happy sound represents how bright and happy we represent ourselves on social media. In reality, everyone’s depressed and are stressed over the rapidly devolving state of society.” Check out the music video for “Surprise” below – you can[...]

Laveda – “bb”

March 14, 2022

With an illuminating voice, Ali Genevich from the Albany-based band Laveda leads listeners to the light. This statement is exceptionally evident when experiencing their latest shoegaze single, “bb.” Written in the middle of what seemed to be a socially apocalyptic world, lines like “In the basement and I’m never coming out, fucking wasted for what’s done while in the dark” brings out your inner darkness and doctors-it-up. “bb” was just put out on March 4th of 2022 and things are finally starting to look up in the global pandemic department… So let the words of Laveda usher in your own personal renaissance. You can also find our write up of another excellent Laveda song, “Rager,” via this link. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music bb by Laveda

Laveda – “Rager”

May 11, 2020

Albany-based Laveda have released a colorful new lyric video for their latest single, “Rager.” Inspired by a post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world scenario, “Rager” is an explosive blast of gauzy shoegaze energy squeezed into a tasteful, indie-pop shell. Fans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, or Pity Sex will find something to love here – we’re particularly enthralled by their quiet/loud approach and creative use of noisy energy to convey pretty pop melodies. Check it out below and be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist if you dig it.

Tonight: Laveda

January 9, 2020

Albany-based lo-fi dream pop outfit Laveda share an interesting bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. After forming in 2017, the group burst into the spotlight when their debut single “Dream. Sleep” was premiered in February 2019 by Pitchfork Radio at their Mid-Winter Festival in Chicago. Since then the group has released two more singles, most recently “If Only (You Said No)” this past November. With lush harmonies and shoegaze textures, their songs completely envelop you. Definitely a must-listen for fans of Beach House, Slowdive, and Tennis. Also on the bill are Fredonia synth-pop group superficial. and Buffalo alt-rockers Red Button Dilemma. superficial. is a deeply fun band, in the wheelhouse of groups such as The 1975 or Wallows, while Red Button Dilemma fuses new-wave aesthetic with a gritty alternative undertone. The lineup compliments each other quite well, and will definitely be a great night to discover some new favorites. Doors at 8pm,[...]

Tonight: Laveda

August 15, 2019

Tonight your dreams will become real when Allentown’s Nietzsche’s hosts a very fine bill of lo-fi indie featuring Albany’s Laveda, Coral Collapse, and Michael Heubusch. Straight out of the Capital Districts and directly into your subconscious, Laveda (Ali Genevich, Jake Brooks) is shoegazey fun with a bit of British New Wave and M83 and thus ideal for emotively swaying in place to the pulsing beats. Coral Collapse, who only look like substitute math teachers, will be opening the show with their evocative, angular, and soaring dream pop along with the debut performance of singer-songwriter and rabble rouser Michael Heubusch. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $5. Better Now by Laveda

Laveda – “Dream. Sleep.”

February 18, 2019

Albany-based dream pop act Laveda released their brand new single “Dream. Sleep,” over the weekend and it’s quite the earworm.  Formed in 2017, Laveda is the working name for the project Ali Genevich and Jake Brooks where the songwriters combine forces to pump out shoegaze boppers.  Their latest single “Dream. Sleep,” is all about a dream where one can just leave this reality and enter into an alternate dimension. Eventually, the dreamer realizes tat this alternate dimension is a reality and they are now stuck with this new world.  Laveda has plans to release their new album this spring, so keep on the lookout. in the meantime, check out “Dream. Sleep.” below. ‘