Latest Posts

Tonne – “Catalina”

March 4, 2020

Something about the indie rock jangle of “Catalina” by Tonne is captivating af… Maybe it’s the two-chord simplicity offset by the smart cacophony of the guitar leads; maybe its the constant and driven crunch-bass; or maybe its theatSmashing Pumpkins meets Built to Spill sensibility… But no matter what your reason, we think you’re gonna dig this one from the mysterious Tonne (pronounced “tawny”). He’s set to release his debut EP, Bridey Murphy, later this month. Stay tuned and tell all your friends you enjoyed this one first.

Zazen Tapes Enters the Scene

March 3, 2020

Sean Wild has completed another part of the music business portfolio. Known for his work behind the West Side punk act Pink Guitars, Wild decided to venture from behind the cuitar and create his own record label, Zazen Tapes. The label specializes in low quantity cassette tape releases. In November of 2019, Zazen Tapes released their inaugural release, II, from the band Glue, a punk and experimental rock band, which helped introduced the label as hardcore oriented. Soon after, Zazen Tapes released Wild’s own project Pink Guitars’ We Are Made of the Sun.  The label created twenty-five copies in existence are hand dubbed on a tape deck by Wild, as well as the design, cutting, and folding of the j-cards. As an avenue of releasing music, cassette tapes have been utilized by a wide range of genres, as production costs are cheaper than vinyl, but listening is more reverential than an[...]

SIS – “Heart of Mine”

March 3, 2020

Can’t help but love this little ditty from SIS – “Heart of Mine” is a sub-two-minute jam reminiscent of The Strokes. Full of straightforward guitar-powered indie rock with a lo-fi bedroom pop touch, this LA act comes and goes before you know it. This is a super mysterious duo – stay in touch with their low-key social media presence on IG or Twitter.

Deeper – “Lake Song”

March 2, 2020

Deeper is a Chicago trio whose “Lake Song” has us feeling contemplative. Full of swirling guitar, a driving bass, and tastefully simple drums, “Lake Song” explores feelings of stagnation and fixation; a reminder that repetition can be as maddening as it is comforting. Beyond that, the lo-fi post-punk-meets-bedroom-pop feels like Bloc Party and Mac Demarco had a beautiful baby – check it out below and keep an eye out for their album, due out March 27 on Fire Talk Records.

Dares – “Outta Town”

March 2, 2020

Mmmm, this one’s a grungy good time. NYC’s Dares take notable influence across the spectrum, from 70s punks all the way through the 90s indie underground. It’s extremely evident on latest single “Outta Town;” Jangly Jagstang guitar tone rattles nostalgically behind singer Alexis Rhode’s passionate but straightforward vocals. This one would be perfect for fans of Bully, Hole, Alvvays, or any of the grungy 90s greats. Check it out below and stay posted via Instagram. Between the Lines by Dares

Oats Holy Roller – Fear Memorial Park

March 2, 2020

Music will shed light on what human beings are able to understand, yet unable to articulate. It provides a freeze-frame of circumstances and emotions that fall beyond the English language, and it will present them in a cohesive structure. The genre that routinely delivers the plight of human life in specific time periods, folk has a modern artist in its midst. Oats Holy Roller, the project headed by Buffalo’s Joseph Murray Meyers, has a unique voice and ability to deliver the mixture of modern emotions that are tied in with the technological revolution as we all step bravely into the new world. Their latest effort, an album titled Fear Memorial Park, draws heavily from folk artists of the past, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Joni Mitchel, while their striped down aesthetic makes the beautiful arrangements all the more powerful. Oats Holy Roller’s first released single “In Such Times//Ahhhhhhh,” tells the story of[...]

The Original Juice Boys – “Weird Dress”

February 27, 2020

Anyone else nostalgic for the days of Angelfire? We’ve got the perfect band for you – The Original Juice Boys really know how to rip it like its 1999. Beyond the MS Paint graphics and the kitschy, antiquated URL, we think “Weird Dress” is a pretty cool song. This act def takes the lo-fi, bedroom-pop route, but with a darker twist… Instrumentals are reminiscent of Pinback or Say Hi. Check it out.

West Ferry Releases New s/t EP

February 26, 2020

Emo rockers West Ferry just dropped a concise self-titled EP last Friday. Clocking in at just over six minutes, it’s a quick yet impactful listen. Each of the songs has a distinct character; angst. While each had an anthemic quality, the standout was “Forever Home.” The group really seems to have settled on a sound, and the DIY energy is still present in their recording. If not already on your radar, a must listen especially for fans of Cursive, Tiny Moving Parts and early Brand New. Check out the EP below, you’ll have time. West Ferry by west ferry Written by John Smigielski

Strandels – “Breathe It In”

February 24, 2020

There’s just something about the Swedish siblings in Strandels. Their latest single “Breathe It In” is rubbing us in just the right ways. Maybe it’s the breathy harmonies, maybe it’s the lo-fi-and-chill hip-hop beats, or maybe it’s that spiraling acoustic guitar riff… But regardless of what sucks you in, we think this one is full of reasons to listen. Kick back and let this one wash over you – check it out below and give them a follow on their IG.

Palavas – “Giorgio Baroudeur”

February 23, 2020

Get ready to feel funky – we’re digging this new one from Palavas, a mysterious French duo whose latest instrumental offering, “Giorgio Baroudeur,” got our heads bobbing. It’s not often an instrumental jam gets you feeling some-type-of-way, but this one is full of perfectly retro drum machines and hypnotic techno rhythms. There’s not much left to do but click play on the widget below and groove for ~6 mins. Enjoy.

The Day – “Tenderfoot” (The Lemonheads/Smudge Cover)

February 18, 2020

Cover inception! We’re digging this take on “Tenderfoot” – a classic cover from The Lemonheads who put their own spin on Smudge’s original take. Dreamy, Netherlands dream-pop duo The Day made this one their own with an ethereal vocal track and a simple, but incredibly tasteful electric/acoustic guitar backbone. This one is beautifully jangly, just the right amount punky, with a tinge of emo greatness – amazing all around. Listen for yourself below.

Violet Lens – “I Don’t Care”

February 18, 2020

“I don’t care if you don’t care – no, I don’t care at all…” We certainly care, and we think more than just nihilists will enjoy this light-hearted, carefree jam from Taiwanese act Violet Lens. Pairing spindly guitar leads with bright, jangly power pop, “I Don’t Care” showcases the band’s English-lyric’d work (take a deeper dive and you’ll find a bunch of songs in Mandarin). This one is a good time – check it out below. I Don’t Care by Violet Lens

Rival Cavves – “Flower Bud”

February 18, 2020

Rival Cavves is more than just a bedroom-pop act – on any given night, you might catch them performing on the edge of a cliff, recreating a bedroom on stage, or handing out free swag to the audience. While they certainly put on an engaging show, we’ve definitely been jamming on their latest release, “Flower Bud.” Pairing haunting and moody indie-electro instrumentals with catchy “ay-ee-ay-ee-ay” refrains, this one would be the perfect soundtrack for a chill, evening drive. Check it out below and stay up to date with their Insta.

Tonight: Wild Once

February 14, 2020

Wild Once headlines a night of cathartic emo rock tonight at Mr. Goodbar. Fresh on the heels of their 2019 release Perennials, Wild Once have dropped a new track off their upcoming EP. Their new track “Trophy Girls,” the title track of their forthcoming EP, is an anthemic ode to digital addiction. As lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Mayer says: “On a broad scale… this song is sort of an acknowledgement of how often we catch each other staring at our phones these days. It’s to the point where we often don’t even feel rude whipping them out in the middle of a real life conversation. In both personal and professional situations. We use them to fill the fill the silence, that we get so bored and uncomfortable with so quickly. It makes us more lonely and yet we think it is the solution for loneliness. We weigh our options.[...]

Alphabats – “Leith”

February 13, 2020

Check out the music video for “Leith,” the latest offering from Swedish duo Alphabats. “Leith” is an interesting song that combines aspects of The National, Frightened Rabbit, and modern indie-electro-pop… There’s also a splash of 80s flavor in there for added aesthetic. This one is an effervescent and sunny breath of fresh air, full of throaty synths, spindly guitar leads, and frantic electronic drums. Check out the mysterious duo’s joyride in the music video below.