Search here...

    Of Limbo – Finish What Ya Started

    By
    Editorial Team
    -

    Of Limbo is sharing a fun new homage to Van Halen with their acoustic version of the classic “Finish What Ya Started”. It’s the 2nd release from the California band of their upcoming “Unplugged” album, which will be released this summer.

    Recorded at the band’s home studio in Long Beach, their self-produced rendition is a tongue-in-cheek remake that adheres to the original, while making it a bluesy, sexy, and hell-raising version that is the trademark sound that Of Limbo has become known for.

    The band’s Jake Davies says “Jason Klein (formerly of Butcher Babies), our “Unplugged” bassist, brought us this one and we knew we had to do it. Van Hagar at their best! It’s a true “hound-dog” masterpiece. We would never try to improve on their perfection. But we did take a couple of liberties with the song here and there!”

    The “Finish What Ya Started” video was directed by Brandon Vancour and filmed at OF LIMBO’s home studio in Long Beach. Jake explains “We just wanted to have fun and recreate the classic Van Halen video. We played around a little bit to make it the version our fans have come to expect. Other than that, we just followed their lead and hit up a couple of babes (Internet sensations Heather Leather and Lindsey Ferrari) to dress up like rocker cowgirls while we danced around and sang along. There might have been some tequila involved…”.

    Check out our other features with Of Limbo HERE.

    About Of Limbo

    Brothers Jake and Luke Davies now live in Long Beach, CA – but were raised in Melbourne, Australia. Growing up on Rock N’ Roll, they developed a passion for the music. Jake says “I first put a guitar in Luke’s hands when he was 10. I taught him the nylon string acoustic intro to ‘Unforgiven’ by Metallica, and from there he was hooked!” With the release of the new track & video ‘Joke’s On You,’ the band is forging ahead, albeit in a more toned-down, acoustic direction.

    The band’s Jake Davies says “Joke’s On You’ is about recognizing gaslighting techniques in a relationship. You see the person feigning tears and storming off expecting you to chase after them. Most of us are all too familiar with these kinds of manipulative tactics by now. But when you first start to recognize it, it’s a relief and kind of empowering. Because you realize it’s not you…It’s all them.” The band shot the video for “Joke’s On You” entirely on an iPhone 14 at a park next to their mom’s house in Australia, armed with nothing but a $20 LED from Amazon and a six-pack of tall boys. Jake explains “The red and blue color overlays are meant to be a representation of being two-faced.”

    The Davies brothers loved their native Australia but were drawn to the U.S. when Luke was accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Jake relocated to Long Beach, California, and started playing in bands on the local scene. After a couple of semesters @ Berklee in 2015, Jake invited Luke to come spend a school break with him in Southern California. Jake says “Every night turned into us partying and writing music. We couldn’t record it on our phones fast enough – It was just pouring out of us! We knew Luke needed to drop out of Berklee and move in with me permanently in Long Beach to do this together for the rest of our lives”.

    As far as the genesis of the band name, Jake continues “One night after heavy drinking at the bar, Luke was struggling. I asked him, ‘How you doing over there Luke’? He said ‘I don’t know man… I’m a little left Of Limbo’ and it jumped out at us as a band name. Of Limbo has a mystery to it… It’s a bit weird and we definitely have to say the name twice when people ask. But hey – what’s Pearl Jam? Eventually, the name just becomes the band identity of the band – not the definition of the words”. It matches their refreshingly unique hard-rock sound, which doesn’t just follow current trends. Davies says “We absolutely strive to not repeat ourselves and create as many different colors as possible. As far as influences. Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine are all at the top. As far as how diverse the sound is, Faith No More is a band who I really respect for their ability to do this too”.

    The band released “Estrada” in 2024. They saw their profile raised significantly with “California Demon” in 2023, which saw the song placed on all major DSP platforms on multiple Hard Rock & Metal playlists, and widespread press acclaim including Loudwire, HEAVY, BraveWords, The PRP, Substream, Medium, Ramzine, Rock N’ Load, and more. 2022’s “Let’s Go” also received adds on multiple playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora. The “Let’s Go” video made several Top 10 lists for Video Of The Year. Previously released songs include ‘Happened Again, ‘Nothing But Now’; ‘Nicotine’; and ‘Fight For Your Right’ (Beastie Boys cover).

    Of Limbo prides itself on making every show a party. They have toured with Wolfmother, Hinder, Candlebox, Buckcherry, Faster Pussycat, and Joyous Wolf, among others. Their high-energy performances create an electric atmosphere that is infectious, making it impossible not to have fun. “Performance-wise, for us, it’s always been about making a rock show a party again,” says Jake. “I can’t tell you how many shows I’ve been to where the people just stand there like zombies herded into a room to stare at the meat on stage and robotically clap when a song ends. You know the craziest thing about it? All it takes is two people at the front to start losing themselves, dancing, and having a good time to break people out of this weird self-conscious trance. It’s as if it sweeps across the rest of the crowd like an electrical current shocking them all back to life and everyone has so much more fun after that. “If you want a passive, one-sided entertainment experience, watch a movie.”

    Of Limbo will be rolling out more acoustic tracks throughout 2025, with a full album titled “Unplugged” to be released in the 4th quarter. Tour dates are currently being booked to support the new music.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    Featured image by Jerry Nichol.

    LINKS:
    https://www.oflimbo.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/oflimbo/
    https://www.facebook.com/oflimbo/
    https://x.com/oflimbo
    https://www.youtube.com/user/oflimbo
    https://www.tiktok.com/@oflimbo
    https://www.bandsintown.com/a/10995328-of-limbo

    hi•ku – S.O.U.L.

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    hi•ku has today premiered their new video for the track titled ‘S.O.U.L.’, dropping this Friday (April 4th). ‘S.O.U.L.’ combines pomp, percussion, and poetry in a quasi-dazzling mesh of music from a muse. With hints of electronica and bits of grandiosity, this is a song that sneaks up and kisses you on the cheek, like that long-lost over who never stopped loving you.

    While the song has those signature electronic elements, it also has a solid organic feeling about it. That feeling that it was meant to find you. That fateful moment when you have found the next song that will stay in your memory. Lavished with electric love and remembered with divine serenity, ‘S.O.U.L.’ calms the heart and soothes the mood and makes your day just a little bit brighter, and darker.

    About ‘S.O.U.L.’

    With S.O.U.L. hi•ku take a further step on visual and musical concepts starting with their first single “Hiding Place”. The track tells of a painful and suffered loss, an unavoidable goodbye that, despite everything, cannot be pronounced. “I want to remain myself, stay away from me, save yourself.” is the last will engraved on the road to a new life. The sound is cold, chilled, blue synthwave with 80’s influences (Depeche Mode), and a sad mood close to dream pop.

    About hi•ku

    hi•ku is a project born in Catania, Sicily, in 2022. The lineup features Gianluca Montagna (vocals), Federico Mancuso (synths and bass), and Marco Spalletta (synths and guitars).

    Their imaginary landscape is minimalistic and compelling, as are the Japanese short poems Haiku, a rainy night in Tokyo iridescent with neon lights. Their soundscape flirts with the dark soul of She Wants Revenge, Depeche Mode‘s synth-wave, Massive Attack‘s futurism, and the contemporary electro-pop of The Weeknd and Daft Punk.

    hi•ku have fixed their first 4 selected poems in sounds, which will be revealed, following a fil-rouge both graphically and visually, in 2025.

    “Hiding Place”, hi•ku first released in January 2025, was a song about scars that not even love can heal. The video, shot underwater in the Mediterranean Sea, is a visualizer for this concept of life as a fluid, un-directional, and primordial experience.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/hi.ku.band/
    https://www.facebook.com/hi.ku.band
    https://www.youtube.com/@hikumusic03

    The Haptics – Masquerade

    By
    Editorial Team
    -

    Vancouver-based rock outfit The Haptics transport listeners to a world where fantasy reigns and reality dissolves in their latest single, “Masquerade.” This hypnotic track captures the essence of a lavish masquerade ball, where strangers move together in perfect harmony, their identities obscured but their spirits intertwined.

    At its heart, Masquerade is more than just a tale of an extravagant gathering. It explores freedom, anonymity, and the unspoken connection between people. The song reveals the idea of slipping behind a mask, shedding inhibitions, and becoming part of something larger than oneself. It’s an anthem of individuality and acceptance, where labels and expectations disappear in the rhythm of the night.

    With its immersive storytelling and atmospheric energy, Masquerade invites listeners to surrender to the moment, because sometimes, the most authentic version of yourself is the one nobody sees.

    About The Haptics

    The Haptics formed in 2022, united by a love for post-punk. Based in Vancouver, their music blends dark post-punk beats with Alternative Rock and Grunge. Their name signifies a focus on sensory experiences. Influenced by Joy Division and The Cure, they modernized the genre. Their live shows captivate with high energy and introspective lyrics.

    The debut album from late 2022 received acclaim for emotion and instrumentals. The band is involved in visual arts, reflecting their aesthetic. Strong social media presence and collaborations have expanded their fanbase. The Haptics’ willingness to experiment keeps their sound fresh.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://thehaptics.ca
    https://www.facebook.com/Thehaptics/
    https://www.instagram.com/the.haptics
    https://www.youtube.com/@the.haptics
    https://www.tiktok.com/@thehaptics

    Sasha Dawe – Because We Forgot

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    Sasha Dawe has released his new video for the track titled ‘Because We Forgot’ from his latest EP ‘Here I Am’. A feeling of home with a slight tinge of Namibian music appeal, ‘Because We Forgot’ gives credence to sincerity. While the song itself is short and sweet, the hook is everlasting with a global reach and timeless essence.

    A lush video is the best way to do this simple song justice. Filmed in Sasha’s home country of Namibia, ‘Because We Forgot’ feels like a journey that most of us need to take. In life as well as land. And, while the music beckons the call of his native musical surroundings, the reach is forever and a day with a song that is less than three minutes.

    Check out our other features with Sasha Dawe HERE.

    About Sasha Dawe

    Following the success of his debut album ‘The Boat’, Dawe deepens his connection to his African heritage, weaving together poetic narratives, rich instrumentation, and a strikingly personal exploration of resilience, wisdom, and homecoming.

    With a sound that warmly embraces country folk, contemporary blues, and an unmistakable African twist, Dawe crafts a mesmerizing sonic landscape. His upbringing on a remote mine in Namibia shaped his artistic perspective, immersing him in the musical culture of his surroundings from a young age. The result is a refreshingly unique blend of old-school folk influences—reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, J.J. Cale, and Cat Stevens—while also exuding a youthful, post-punk African energy that redefines the genre.

    The EP’s lead single, ‘Because We Forgot’, perfectly encapsulates Dawe’s signature sound. A modernized take on folk storytelling, the song carries a buoyant yet reflective spirit, channeling the free-flowing melodies of Dawes and the intimate lyricism of John Martyn. Infused with percussive elements, fun-filled guitar lines, and playful backing vocals, ‘Because We Forgot’ captures the essence of coming home—an uplifting and adventurous ode to the lessons learned through life’s journey.

    Sasha Dawe - Because We Forgot
    Sasha Dawe - Because We Forgot
    Sasha Dawe - Because We Forgot

    Continuing his tradition of visually stunning music videos, Dawe brings ‘Because We Forgot’ to life with scenes filmed across the Namibian wilderness and his home studio. The video juxtaposes intimate storytelling with the vibrancy of his hometown’s nightlife, offering a compelling visual representation of the song’s carefree yet introspective essence.

    With Here I Am, Sasha Dawe further cements his reputation as a fearless folk innovator, creating deeply personal and universally resonant music. Fans of Jack Johnson, Cat Stevens, and Jeremy Taylor will be drawn into Dawe’s world, one where poetic lyricism meets the rich textures of African and Western folk traditions.

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/DavidStarsMusic
    https://www.instagram.com/sasha_dawe_/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/3tnBZhxy5Dd7tqb8njoxNL
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr1oO3cWJ7Ps_R0KN1dHsxQ

    Spark Of Life – Never Say Never (ft. Fred Armisen) + Tour Dates

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Spark Of Life - Never Say Never (ft. Fred Armisen) + Tour Dates
    Spark Of Life - Never Say Never (ft. Fred Armisen) + Tour Dates

    Southern California post-hardcore outliers Spark of Life are set to release their long-awaited sophomore album, Plagued By The Human Condition, on May 30 via New Age Records. The LP sees the band pushing their sonic boundaries while maintaining the raw energy and emotion that have defined their sound since day one.

    As part of the album’s rollout, Spark of Life has unveiled their latest single, a cover of “Never Say Never” by ’90s cult favorites That Dog. The track features a special collaboration with longtime friend and comedian/musician Fred Armisen (SNL, Portlandia), who played drums on the cover.

    Reflecting on the collaboration, Armisen shared his excitement:

    “I loved working with Spark of Life on Never Say Never. We are all That Dog fans, so there was a general feeling of wanting to honor the song as best as we could. I don’t think it took us that many takes. For me, it’s always fun to play drums with this band.”

    Spark of Life’s Steve Jennings also spoke about the project, emphasizing their shared admiration for That Dog:

    “Working on a That Dog cover with Fred was awesome! Fred is a true professional and a great friend of the band. We both had a mutual fondness for That Dog, so it just made sense when we decided to cover Never Say Never to have Fred come play on it. I love that we did this song because it is out of character for the band, and I think it is going to catch some people off guard.”

    The inspiration for covering “Never Say Never” dates back to the late ’90s when guitarist Nick Piscitello and Steve Jennings spent their late nights skateboarding and grabbing Taco Bell while blasting That Dog’s Retreat From The Sun. Their deep connection to the album made this cover an inevitable tribute, and when the opportunity arose to have Armisen join them in the studio, they jumped at the chance.

    Plagued By The Human Condition promises to be a bold evolution for Spark of Life, and their rendition of “Never Say Never” is just a taste of what’s to come.

    The album drops on May 30 on New Age Records. Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, check out “Never Say Never” wherever you stream music.

    About Spark Of Life

    They say you have your entire life to write your first record, and only months to complete your second. But for Spark Of Life, the malleable post-hardcore band that formed in the suburbs of Los Angeles almost 25 years ago, this life has been anything but predictable.

    In their original formation, the composed of various musicians over the years, but always centered around the songwriting nucleus of singer Steve Jennings and guitarist Nicholas Piscitello-found themselves an outlier in the pre-social media, pre-everything-at-your-fingertips world of punk rock in the early ’00s. It was here that Spark Of Life first honed a sound and a fanbase that leaned more melodic than the hardcore set, and proved far weightier than what was happening in the world of melodic pop-punk.

    By the early aughts, they had amassed a respectable following regionally and had befriended Russ Rankin, an intensely thoughtful singer who came from another band that knew a thing or two about walking the margins between hardcore and punk, Good Riddance. Their friendship resulted in Spark Of Life’s restless 2003 debut, Promises Made Promises Kept, which was both produced by Rankin and released on his Fat Wreck Chords-backed subsidiary Lorelei Records. And then, as is often the case with this band, life took a different turn. Over the next two decades, Spark Of Life all but disappeared. There was no acrimonious breakup and no public acknowledgment of their dissolution. They simply went on with their lives. For a spell, Jennings and Piscitello reunited with former Rise Against guitarist Chris Chasse and Ignite bassist Brett Rasmussen to play in a short-lived, melodic rock act called Last Of The Believers. But in truth, it wasn’t until 2018 that Jennings and Piscitello began to seriously think about kickstarting the band once again.

    That fall, Jennings had convinced his friends Rise Against to play a secret show at the same skatepark he worked at in high school. The show was to double as his birthday party and, for the occasion, he offered up reuniting Spark Of Life for one night to open up for Rise (something they did countless times in in the early ’00s, before the Chicago band became one of the most reliable hitmakers in modern rock history). Looking back, no one uses the somewhat ironic word “spark” to describe what was rediscovered that evening. But their brief reunion undoubtedly reignited the creative spirit between Jennings and Piscitello, who began writing off and on for the next few years. By early 2022, an idea was hatched to record a few of the songs that they had gotten to a point of near completion. They just needed a drummer to round out their new work.

    Ultimately, Jennings and Piscitelllo enlisted their friend, Fred Armisen, who had come up playing drums with the frenetic art-punks Trenchmouth. The result was the band’s first EP in nearly two decades, 2023’s Song Of Hope, which partially featured Armisen behind the drum kit and, in the title track, birthed one of the poppiest entries in their entire history – a jangling new wave-indebted blast that shimmers and shines like a vintage ’80s singalong from The Cure. Song Of Hope also served as the hard launch of Spark of Life 2.0, which in the coming years would be rounded out by second guitar player Steve Sain and bass player Chris Sprat-both seasoned hardcore vets, with Sain cutting his teeth in bands like Social Justice and Downset. And, ultimately, the band was made whole again, when Nick’s brother Anthony returned to the fold to once again take on drum duties – permanently.

    After 2023’s Song Of Hope a second EP, 2024’s I Am The Arsonist, followed, but all of this newfound activity ultimately just paved the way for Spark Of Life’s bloodletting new record, Plagued By The Human Condition, due out in early 2025. Both EP’s and the full length are released on seminal hardcore record label New Age Records. New Age Records has been responsible for some of the most influential hardcore bands in the scene over the last three decades including Outspoken, Lifetime, and Unbroken to name a few. Recorded at famed West Coast institution Cherokee Studios (where everyone from David Bowie to Slayer have cut albums), Plagued By… is a body of work rife with both musical and personal transformation. Lead single “No One Hates Me More Than Me” not only retains the band’s ongoing history of long and sardonic song titles, but it chugs along like a mid-’90s Bay Area post-hardcore anthem, all brawny guitars and melodic breakdowns.

    On Plagued By…, the members of Spark Of Life, particularly Piscitello, who always could turn a diverse array of influences into his own, push the band’s sonic boundaries even further—as evidenced by the searing “Note To Self,” which starts with a tender, twinkling guitar line before it explodes. Meanwhile, “In Pursuit Of” turns an instantly memorable heartland rock riff into a devastatingly sung admission of regret and loss. “Will I break you down,” Jennings asks over the song’s increasingly catchy intro, sincerity dripping from his voice, “or will I just break down?” The new full-length even features another song with Armisen once again behind the drums while Spark Of Life covers “Never Say Never” originally performed by 90’s cult favorite That Dog.

    In the end, it’s not how the songs on Plagued By… sound as much as the emotional weight that they carry that shows the real progression Spark Of Life has gone through since its humble beginnings a quarter century ago. The lens that Jennings’ lyrics are so often put through on the album—all adult pain and middle-aged reflection—displays just how much hardcore can hit later in one’s life. At the album’s absolute crest, Jennings exhales a series of revelations in the face of a devastating separation. “I lost it all,” he screams, not sounding like he is pointing a finger but wiping a tear from his eye. “But I won’t give up.”

    The songs from Plagued By… are raw, anthemic, and painful all in the same instance. They also miraculously sound like a band being reborn. This is certainly not the way that Jennings, Piscitello, and their bandmates imagined this particular group’s history—or hell, even their own lives would have turned out when they started playing in a suburban So Cal garage all those years ago. But these days, you will also find no one more grateful to see their creative spark rekindled than the five of them.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://sparkoflifemusic.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/sparkoflifeband/

    B-Movie – Hidden Treasures

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -
    B-Movie - Hidden Treasures
    B-Movie - Hidden Treasures
    1. Citizen Kane B-Movie 00:30
    2. Remembrance Day B-Movie 00:30
    3. Polar Opposites B-Movie 00:30
    4. Marilyn Dreams B-Movie 00:30
    5. Ice B-Movie 00:30
    6. La Lune Lunatique B-Movie 00:30
    7. All Fall Down B-Movie 00:30
    8. Nowhere Girl B-Movie 00:30
    9. Crowds B-Movie 00:30
    10. Beginning To Fade B-Movie 00:30
    11. Remembrance Day B-Movie 00:30
    12. Institution Walls (Remix) B-Movie 00:30
    13. Marilyn Dreams B-Movie 00:30
    14. Film Music B-Movie 00:30
    15. Nowhere Girl B-Movie 00:30
    16. Scare Some Life Into Me B-Movie 00:30
    17. Moles B-Movie 00:30

    B-Movie is set to release its new album, ‘Hidden Treasures’, on May 30th. They say what goes around comes around, and that applies to music as well as to everything else. But B-Movie does it in that timeless way that shows that some music was meant to last forever and stay relevant no matter what time we reside in.

    Each track on ‘Hidden Treasures’ is exactly what the title says. Secret diamonds, some in the rough and some glistening in their own right. Originally started as a part of history with ‘Marylin Dreams’, recorded at the same time as Soft Cells’ cover of the Gloria Jones track ‘Tainted Love’ (full story below), what was past is now prologue with nothing standing in the way and everything set for the next generation.

    What relates best with me, with this initial listen, is how current everything now sounds with ‘Hidden Treasures’. The sound is as new as it is signature. With what is already known versus what is just uncovered, together the music sounds like a complete and solid collective meant for the masses as a timeless muse.

    About B-Movie

    B-Movie 1981.
    B-Movie 1981.

    In May 1981 B-Movie and Soft Cell went into Advision Studios in London with the same producer, Mike Thorne (Wire, Bronski Beat, China Crisis, The Communards) to record singles for the label they were both signed to.

    Phonogram had wanted to sign B-Movie but had also committed to Soft Cell, having been coerced into it by Stev0, who managed both artists and wouldn’t let them have one without the other.

    B-Movie commenced recording the dark moody anti-fame anthem ‘Marilyn Dreams’, whilst Soft Cell got underway on a cover of an obscure Northern Soul classic. When both songs were released in July 1981, ‘Tainted Love’ became a worldwide hit and shot Soft Cell to international fame, making them the biggest artist of 1981. Unfortunately, for B-Movie, ‘Marilyn Dreams’, despite pleasing their fanbase, failed to make the charts and disappeared without a trace, pushing the band back into the shadows.

    B-Movie had formed in 1979, in Mansfield, a typical northern town in the middle of the Nottinghamshire coalfield. Originally a three-piece of vocals/bass, guitar, and drums, they expanded by adding a keyboard player to broaden their initial post-punk sound. Local Lincoln independent record label, Dead Good Records, first put them on the compilation LP ‘East’, followed by the 7-inch “Take 3” EP and the “Nowhere Girl” 12-inch EP. The latter had an A-side that played at 45RPM and a B-side at 33RPM, which led to production issues (only around 900 were pressed) making this release something of a rarity.

    B-Movie then came to the attention of Stev0, who was DJ’ing at the Chelsea Drugstore, playing the band’s songs at his night and featuring them in his Futurist Chart, which was published weekly in the ‘Sounds’ music paper. With the creation of Some Bizarre by Stev0, B-Movie was chosen to feature on the label’s legendary first release, the Some Bizarre compilation LP, – alongside the likes of Blancmange, Depeche Mode, Soft Cell and The The, amongst others – the album once described as the ‘dead sea scrolls’ of the new wave / post-punk scene.

    Live performances and the compilation appearance led to major label and press interest in B-Movie, from which the deal with Phonogram materialized. Phonogram quickly sent B-Movie into Scorpio Sound Studios in London with producer Mike Thorne in 1981 to re-record the track ‘Remembrance Day’, which had initially appeared on the Dead Good 12” and was a live favorite. The resulting single reached No 61 in the UK chart and, more importantly, was played by BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, appearing in his Festive 50 for two consecutive years.

    This really helped build a fanbase for B-Movie, with more sell-out shows and an anticipation of great things to come. Obviously following up with “Marilyn Dreams” and the spectacular rise of Soft Cell, temporarily derailed the B-Movie train.

    However, not to be deterred, the band went back into the studio with the late producer Steve Brown (The Cult, Manic Street Preachers) to re-record “Nowhere Girl” – the original version also featuring on that Dead Good 12” single. The resulting single was deemed to be a surefire bona fide smash hit, the perfect 80’s anthem, equal to anything or anyone out there. Released in March 1982, despite good reviews, radio airplay and a UK tour, it inexplicably stalled at No67 in the UK charts.

    This signaled the beginning of the end for the original B-Movie, as Soft Cell continued their domination of the charts, the Some Bizarre management roster burgeoned, not to mention the emergence of The The with their own trio of magnificent singles for CBS.

    With B-Movie temporarily ‘grounded’, any thoughts of a debut album were shelved, a couple of members left, and although the band regrouped and eventually signed to Sire Records, releasing a couple of further singles and the ‘Forever Running’ album in 1985, they finally disbanded in 1986.

    All of the recordings the band made during their Phonogram period were consigned to the Universal Music vault for several decades and after years of inquiries and negotiations, the band finally managed to have these returned in 2024. The various tapes were digitized and restored, resulting in the creation of that 1982 debut LP ‘That Never Was’, ten tracks including the three singles plus seven previously unreleased recordings. The CD version contains a further seven tracks including the 12” versions, single B-sides, and “Moles’” from the Some Bizarre compilation.

    So, finally, here we have the ‘debut’ album “Hidden Treasures” from B-Movie, four decades late but still able to sit seamlessly alongside contemporaries like The Chameleons and The Sound. The LP is a darker, brooding, and almost psychedelic-infused affair, probably more akin to the gothic elements of the Bunnymen or Joy Division, than the ‘pop sensations’ Phonogram wanted them to become. Hopefully, opening and closing this chapter of B-Movie will put them firmly on the same footing as their new wave and post-punk contemporaries, which is the least they deserve, as one of the great ‘lost’ bands of the early 1980s.

    “It’s nice to hear B-Movie are finally getting a chance to release their forgotten gems’” Matt Johnson (The The)

    LINKS:
    https://b-movie.org
    https://www.instagram.com/b_movieband/
    https://www.facebook.com/B.MovieMusic/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zUgfhtNGSNLMl2ydFse4S
    https://music.apple.com/us/artist/b-movie/79406776
    https://b-movie2.bandcamp.com/

    Atlas Rivers – Here Comes Morning

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Atlas Rivers - Here Comes Morning
    Atlas Rivers - Here Comes Morning

    In the summer of 2024, a series of long-distance, online collaborations between old friends exploded into life as the emotive, expansive, sound of Atlas Rivers. Steve Jackson Vocals, Guitar Glen Kissack Bass, Vocals Gavin Smith Drums

    The story began in North Cumbria- an intense formative period exploring diverse but common musical reference points including Pixies, Radiohead, and The Killers, until the trio were pulled towards life and work in all corners of the world. After years of absorbing influences ranging from indie rock, folk, and pop to contemporary classical and electronic music, Steve (guitar vocals), Glen (bass, vocals), and Gav (drums, vocals) are now based in Manchester, Carlisle, and Barcelona, somehow making it work. Launched in late 2024 with the band’s first live shows in Manchester and Stockport, three self-released singles have shown a strong build in momentum, with radio play including Sheffield Live, Gorgeous Radio, 6 Towns radio, and a featured artist slot on Tameside radio. The second single The Vanishing was described as an

    “anthemic masterpiece” by Cage Riot while energetic follow-up Revolutionary was praised by US journalist Landon Buford as “a spirit lifting song [conveying] empowerment and change”. Early reviewers are challenged to draw comparisons, citing a new and original direction in indie rock. Still drawing from diverse influences, the group themselves look to contemporaries such as Fontaines D.C, IDLES, and Picture Parlour while charting their own, unique course- instrumental flourishes around strong core melodies and driving guitars, with layers of samples and backing

    vocals building a heavy, alternative sound. Now working with the support of South City Studios in Stockport, the band will release three more singles before summer 2025, supported by live work including frontman Steve opening up for Frank Turner at Manchester Academy on 5th April.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560092128754
    https://x.com/AtlasRiversBand
    https://www.instagram.com/atlasriversband/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@atlasriversband

    Jeff ‘The Fish’ Lefroy – We Got To Work It Out (Everything’s Disconnected)

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Jeff ‘The Fish’ Lefroy- We Got To Work It Out (Everything’s Disconnected)
    Jeff ‘The Fish’ Lefroy- We Got To Work It Out (Everything’s Disconnected)

    Jeff ‘The Fish’ Lefroy returns with ‘We Got To Work It Out (Everything’s Disconnected)’. Well, in these difficult times, it’s hard not to worry about the world. Everybody is divided and everything seems to be turning into some kind of bad movie. The other night Jeff couldn’t sleep, so as he did he got up and listened to some music to clear his mind, and then he wrote this song…

    Jeff is an independent artist (no label etc.). He is Irish but now based in France and he would describe his sound as contemporary Blues, but with a lot of other influences ranging from Pop Rock, Northern Soul, Country, and Rhythm and Blues and he is inspired by a broad selection of artists such as Tony Joe White, JJ Cale, Jimi Hendrix, The Small Faces, Traffic, Fleetwood Mac, Doctor Feelgood, Sly and The Family Stone, Ian Dury and TheBlockheads, Luther Allison, Freddie King… the list goes on, it’s a broad sound all wrapped up in his unique style, an accessible mix of Blues, Rock, Soul, and Funk.

    He has been a Musician and songwriter for quite a long time, but until now always as part of a group. He played Guitar and Harmonica for numerous bands over the years (he was a member of the famous Mod Revival band Long Tall Shorty in their Rhythm and Blues period and produced their 2006 album “Women and Trouble”) but “Jeff ‘The Fish’ Lefroy & His Missadventures”, his album which came out in 2023 was his first solo project in which he played 80% of the parts himself. Now it’s time for new music and this time instead of an album he will be releasing a single every six weeks for the entirety of 2025 (so stand by!). He’s got some great musicians on board, Matt Cowley on Drums, Bennett Holland on keyboards, Isabelle Durel on backing vocals, and boy, they sound good. He’s excited and they are having a lot of fun.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/JeffTheFishLefroyMusic/
    https://www.facebook.com/JeffTheFishLefroy/
    https://www.facebook.com/jeff.thefish/
    https://www.youtube.com/@jeffthefish
    https://twitter.com/jeff_the_fish
    https://www.instagram.com/jeff.thefish/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@jeff.the.fish.lef

    ISTA – Aim for the Heart + Tour Dates

    By
    Editorial Team
    -

    ISTA has released their new video for the track titled ‘Aim for the Heart’. Spectacular, imaginative, and the ultimate musical-visual experience—ISTA’s Aim for the Heart radiates a ’70s/’80s disco vintage spirit infused with ’90s digital fun and futuristic energy. The Brooklyn-based band blends artistic indie pop-funk, alternative grooves, and light disco-punk energy, evoking everything from funk orchestras and big brass to psychedelic indie rock and vibrant ’90s imagery. Somewhat akin to a modern-day indie pop-punk-disco Talking Heads with a touch of psychedelic funk, ISTA crafts a sound that is both exhilarating and innovatively distinct.

    Their catchy, uplifting vocals and hook-driven songwriting immediately pull you in. Their latest EP, featuring Megawatt and Aim for the Heart, strikes a perfect balance between danceable joy and psychedelic rock ’n’ roll grit.

    The music video for Aim for the Heart is a visual playground, directed by frontman Rex Costello in collaboration with 3D animator James Horvath. During the video, you feel creativity pouring out—every frame bursts with artistic vision, directing, and editing mastery. At times, it almost feels like you’re witnessing the best parts of the Beastie Boys, Missy Elliott, Black Eyed Peas, and Eurythmics, but reimagined in an indie rock form.

    “Conceived as a seed idea in early 2020, we worked through various iterations of the tune over three years. Every time we intended to finalize it, I’d have to scour voice memos to remember certain sections, lyrics, and ideas,” says Costello. “Eventually, we brought it to work with Sam in Spring 2024, broke it down to its essential components, and let the song become something different—flipping it from an upbeat, sunny major-key rock tune into a moodier, transcendental-themed electro dance party. As for the video, James is an absolute genius 3D animator who consistently blew our minds. From the initial collaboration to the final product, he was a total joy to work with.”

    ISTA was originally formed in 2019 by West Coast transplants Rex Costello and Oliver Hart. After relocating to Brooklyn, NY, they joined forces in the studio with producer Sam Cohen (Aim for the Heart). The project quickly expanded into a seven-piece powerhouse, featuring Evan Eubanks, Diona West, Theadora Curtis, Chloe Golding, and Ryan Lee.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/istasounds
    https://www.istasound.com
    https://istasound.bandcamp.com/

    LAMIA – Cobra

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    LAMIA - Cobra
    LAMIA - Cobra

    Emerging from the cutting-edge electronic underground scenes of London and Berlin, artist-producer LAMIA is set to make waves with her latest single, “Cobra,”

    Known for her raw artistry and rebellious spirit, LAMIA has crafted a track that blends experimental electronic, deconstructed club, and industrial sounds with sharp, satirical lyricism.

    “Cobra” showcases LAMIA’s signature style, delivering fierce beats, haunting vocals, and clever commentary. Reflecting on the single, LAMIA says, “Cobra is punk without guitars. I created everything on this track, so all the production, lyrics, and arrangement are a raw and direct expression of my emotion in the sound. It makes fun of the idea that we are not enough, and I think people are fed up with being made to feel this.”

    This fiercely original track is the lead single from LAMIA’s upcoming self-produced album, due for release later in 2025. The album promises to push boundaries further, blending alt-hip-hop, phonk, and cinematic soundscapes to create a unique sonic universe.

    LAMIA’s music reflects her extraordinary artistic background. A graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London, she has also studied at Leeds Conservatoire and The BRIT School. Her work is informed by her rare form of synesthesia, which allows her to transform music into vivid mental imagery and dreamscapes.

    Her artistry extends beyond music into the visual arts, as seen in her co-directed music video for “Paradox (prod. LAMIA),” which has garnered international acclaim. The video was selected for screenings at prestigious film festivals such as the Berlin Music Video Awards and the Berlin Indie Film Festival, where it received accolades for its innovative approach.

    LAMIA has delivered standout performances at iconic venues, including Berghain in Berlin and BBC Introducing Live Sessions. Her live shows are described as magnetic and unforgettable, with BBC Introducing’s Alan Raw calling her “one of the best live performers we have ever had.” Her music has received consistent support from BBC Radio 1’s Jaguar, Reprezent Radio, and international platforms like Threads*Berlin and Refuge Worldwide.

    “Cobra” is a statement of intent by LAMIA. Combining biting wit with uncompromising sound design, it reflects the perspective of an estranged artist observing society with a dash of tongue-in-cheek U.K. humor.

    LAMIA’s unique voice, both musically and artistically, sets her apart as a true innovator. With “Cobra,” she invites listeners to step into her world—a bold, raw, and defiant soundscape that challenges convention and inspires rebellion.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://ffm.to/cobrabylamia
    https://www.lamiamusic.co.uk
    https://www.instagram.com/lamiamusicuk/
    https://x.com/lamiamusicuk
    https://www.facebook.com/lamiamusicuk/

    Courtney Govan – your opinion

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -
    Courtney Govan - your opinion
    Courtney Govan - your opinion

    Courtney Govan has today released her new single titled ‘your opinion’. With such a varied career most artists would kill or die for, Courtney shows that she has found her sound and continues to go full throttle on a musical journey that anyone would be proud of. With ‘your opinion’, she filters the truth through creative originality and leaves you empowered knowing you are not the only one who’s endured the hate and know your fate.

    Courtney takes her astonishing vocals and surrounds them with music that is awe-inspiring and accessible all within 3 minutes. Putting it bluntly, this is a gorgeous song from someone beautiful inside and out. And ‘your opinion’ shows that you are the same in your own way. Such a needed message in this age of keyboard commandos.

    About ‘your opinion’

    Written in 2023, “your opinion” is Courtney Govan’s ultimate unapologetic mantra, a track she unknowingly gatekept to let its message work on her first. The raw, introspective lyrics reflect her journey from seeking validation to finding inner peace, woven seamlessly with a poignant piano melody that amplifies the song’s emotional depth. “I got my first online hate comment when I was 12 years old, and I think that’s when I really started living my life to please other people,” Govan reveals. Now, she sees things differently. “Your self-love needs to outweigh the negative shit, or you’ll never truly love who you are.”

    At its core, “your opinion” is more than just a song, it’s a movement. Govan has spent years building a community that encourages self-acceptance not despite imperfections, but because of them. She recognizes that hate often stems from personal unhappiness, and rather than internalizing negativity, she turns it into something powerful. “People will always find something they don’t like about you, but it can’t touch you if you don’t give them power,” she affirms. “your opinion” is a rallying cry for anyone struggling with self-doubt, proving that confidence and resilience are the ultimate forms of defiance. The track was produced by Bret Paddock, mixed by Brandon Unis, and mastered by Gabi Grella, with background vocals and arrangement by Anthony Gargiula and Courtney Govan.

    Courtney Govan is a singer-songwriter dedicated to fostering self-worth, empowerment, and inclusivity through her music. As a plus-size, queer artist, she has made it her mission to focus on creating a safe space on her corner of the internet. Her raw songwriting creates a space where listeners feel seen, sexy, and powerful while navigating life’s ups and downs. Her singles have earned widespread recognition, with “Stay Still” featured on Pride.com’s “Songs You Should Listen To” playlist, “sofa” highlighted in Grimy Goods’ “Best of the Month” round-up, and Ones To Watch’s “Now Watching” playlist, and “out of the blue” landing on Spotify’s official PRIDE Out Now playlist. Govan also showcased her talents on Season 1 of Fox’s I Can See Your Voice, and Season 21 of American Idol, further deeming her as an artist to watch.

    About Courtney Govan

    Courtney Govan is an independent queer pop singer from San Diego, California, known for playing the “Auditor” on season 1 of “I Can See Your Voice” on FOX. Her original song Serotonin went viral on TikTok and landed Courtney on her first Spotify editorial playlist; Fresh Finds Pop: Best of 2021. Courtney has amassed over 2 million streams across all streaming platforms in just two years.

    On October 4, Courtney will release her new single, “sofa,” an uplifting and energetic bop that channels the buzz of a new crush and reminds listeners that sometimes the moment matters more than the ending.

    Her introspective approach to songwriting brings a refreshing twist to today’s pop music. With human empowerment in mind, Courtney uses her own life experiences to connect with her listeners and hopefully help them through the tough stuff that life throws their way.

    Courtney, on top of writing and releasing her music with various producers such as Pascal Pahl and the MoonTonez, has created quite the following on TikTok, where she shares her music career journey, participates in fun trends, and most importantly, speaks out about social issues about the LGBTQ+ & plus size community.

    LINKS:
    https://www.courtneygovan.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Courtney-Govan-142586342433846/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneygovan
    https://www.instagram.com/courtneygovan
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyXL8g9gGsprCSpAHorMSvA
    https://music.apple.com/us/artist/courtney-govan/1135860423

    Ambergrove – recessive

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -
    Ambergrove - recessive
    Ambergrove - recessive

    Ambergrove has today premiered their new single titled ‘recessive’, featuring Rusha, from the upcoming album ‘I Love You As A Bright Horizon’ dropping May 2nd.

    To see such a collaborative effort in a music project is refreshing to the ears for the simple fact that you never know what to expect. Not only does the project grow up, it grows out. The influences from each member contributes and takes it to new heights, all outside of that box of conformity.

    ‘recessive’ is a subtle and sweetly sublime listening experience that conveys emotions in motion and delves into feelings with meaning and a muse with no direction. Left much to the interpretation of the listener, the atmosphere created by the music ebbs and flows with an almost film score-like grandeur that ends as it begins: unfinished and incomplete. But, isn’t that the point?

    About Ambergrove

    Ambergrove is a global art project, formed in 2019, with many hands involved. Its core songwriters reside on the central and southern coast of California. The band is not defined by its members or the faces involved but by the music and the connections shared among each other. It is a collaborative project with one goal: to make something timeless that will stand out through the ages. It has many hands, many feet, and many faces. It is partnered with global artists from all walks of life and with different musical backgrounds. We believe that all genres of music are a gift and we are attempting to create what has yet been created.
    -FFO: Dijon, The 1975, Talking Heads, Bon Iver

    Our debut full-length album “I Love You As A Bright Horizon” (out May 2nd) was pretty much 3+ years of solving a Rubik’s cube, being that there were so many musical elements involved. It was like painting a collage of sound and then finding a brand new sound and then creating layer upon layer upon layer. Each song on this album started as a flimsy skeleton that was trapped in its digital ether. Once removed from its sound cage and sent to everyone, each musician added their unique touch, and anything that was recorded naturally remained on the album.

    The record features many talented artists, such as vocalist AJ Perdomo (The Dangerous Summer), Chris O’ Connor (Primitive Radio Gods), K-pop vocalist RUSHA, West African singer/songwriter Andereya Baguma, a children’s choir from Australia (One Voice Children’s Choir), a highly talented musician/podcaster known as Chris Lambert (Your Own Backyard Podcast), and many many more. The album’s sound as a whole is tricky to describe, as it should be up to the listener. We’re calling it Indie World Music, but I suppose to keep it as blanketed as possible, it’s a sweet and shimmery Pop record to accompany your Spring drives.

    With 9 singles previously released and 4 music videos already under our belt, we have developed a small but supportive group of listeners. We will be spending the entirety of 2025 promoting this record. We’re currently in the process of relocating to LA full-time and booking as many shows as possible. We also have a couple of secret surprises that will drop when the time is right. More details to come on that!

    LINKS:
    https://theambergrove.com
    https://instagram.com/theambergrove_
    https://www.youtube.com/@ambergrove/
    https://www.facebook.com/TheAmbergrove/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@theambergrove
    https://x.com/theambergrove
    https://www.threads.net/@theambergrove_
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/3kQKkPF715ZFIubJtoFT1V
    https://theambergrove.bandcamp.com/
    https://soundcloud.com/theambergrove

    Bedolina – We Are the Clock Ourselves Again

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    Bedolina has today released the video and track titled ‘We Are the Clock Ourselves Again’ from their upcoming album ‘Sun and Flamingos’. Morality with a muse trapped in lyrics that circumvent all hope and hype and show the true self in the mirror in all its glory and gander. Putting self-independence and self-importance at the forefront in a society that relies on groupthink is a hard task, but ‘We Are the Clock Ourselves Again’ shows that time is running out and the time is now to move forward.

    Brilliantly surrounded by a subtle anthemic score, ‘We Are the Clock Ourselves Again’ shows that Bedolina has found their sound and amplified a genre.

    Check out our other features with Bedolina HERE.

    About ‘We Are the Clock Ourselves Again’

    ‘We Are the Clock Ourselves Again’ is an indie rock hymn about perceiving life through your innate sense of right and wrong. Highlighting the importance of self-reliance, Bedolina encourages those listening to march to the beat of their own “clock”. Featuring keys and drums laid down by Robbie Bennett and Charlie Hall (both of The War On Drugs), the new track is the first offering from the upcoming LP ‘Sun and Flamingos’.

    About Bedolina

    Bedolina returns with its second LP, Sun and Flamingos, reassembling many of the players from its 2023 self-titled release. A new batch of songs from Ken Gould showcases further artistic evolution, resulting in enhanced immediacy and reflecting the volatility and flux of everyday concerns, from family and aging to the juxtaposition of looking forward versus looking backward. Once again in partnership with the Miner Street Recordings team of Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Sharon Van Etten) providing production and engineering and Joe Lambert (Thievery Corporation, The Black Crowes, Cracker) doing the mastering.

    The band draws its name from the Bedolina Map, a rock in the Italian Alps engraved with petroglyphs. The complex topographical map, which includes images of people and animals amidst villages and roads, was produced between 1000 and 200 B.C. Much like the music Bedolina creates, the purpose of the map is subjective but its beauty and complexity are clear. If art is communication across time, it is a commitment and a risk taken without assurance of being either heard or understood. Bedolina is drawing their map and Sun and Flamingos are one of the first compelling clues.

    LINKS:
    https://lnk.to/Bedolina
    https://www.instagram.com/bedolinamap/
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsYK0LOnVojpjZPvCRAAwxg
    https://bedolina.bandcamp.com/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/28yrn0UcmHR3RJiuYmMUAI

    Seun Kuti – Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version) ft. Pos from De La Soul + Tour Dates

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Seun Kuti - Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version) ft. Pos from De La Soul + Tour Dates
    Seun Kuti - Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version) ft. Pos from De La Soul + Tour Dates

    Afrobeat royalty Seun Kuti teams up with the legendary Pos of hip-hop icons De La Soul to share “Stand Well Well (Grand Stand Version),” released via Record Kicks. The track is taken from his critically acclaimed, Lenny Kravitz-produced, album Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head). Here, the song is reimagined with the distinctive lyrical prowess of Pos, who adds a fresh and vibrant dimension to one of the most captivating tunes from the album. This new version of “Stand Well Well” is part of the deluxe edition of Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), set for release on May 28 featuring additional reworks by Kamasi Washington, Alborosie, and Adi Oasis.

    “Seun is a powerful soul and it’s inspirational being around him whenever I have been,” Pos says about getting to collaborate on the track. He continues, “The song for me means to stand well rooted in agreeableness. Standing well-rooted against the whirlwind of misery dressed up as entertainment online, as well as its powerful elixir of self-doubting. Standing focused to not fall for the trap of redundancy that being on social media can present.”

    After wrapping a series of dates with Lenny Kravitz in Europe, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 will embark on a spring headlining US tour starting in April. Beginning with four nights at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City, the band will also perform at this year’s Coachella on April 11th and 18th before joining the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 24. Tickets can be purchased here.

    Each song on Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) is a testament to Seun Kuti’s unwavering commitment to using music for social change and empowerment. As an outspoken pan-African activist, he recently joined Santigold’s Noble Champions podcast to discuss his views on Nigeria’s political landscape, the challenges of rebuilding broken institutions, and the necessity of grassroots movements in reclaiming power.

    Kelvin “Pos” Mercer is one-third of the hip hop legendary group De La Soul. Hailing from Long Island, New York, they are pioneers of the conscious hip-hop movement and are known for their innovative blend of jazz, funk, and soul, along with their intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics. After delivering their seminal debut 3 Feet High and Rising in 1989 with the production genius of Prince Paul, the New York City-bred trio went on to further impact hip-hop culture with eight more groundbreaking albums. As influential figures in hip-hop, De La Soul have consistently pushed creative boundaries, earning a Grammy Award and critical acclaim for their unique lyrical style and socially conscious messaging. Pos’ contribution to “Stand Well Well” brings a fresh perspective and undeniable hip-hop energy, making this collaboration a true meeting of musical minds.

    Seun Kuti is the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father’s political and musical legacy as the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80. As a developing saxophonist and percussionist, he entered the formal ranks of the band before he was 12. In 1997 when Fela passed, in fulfillment of his father’s wishes, Seun assumed the mantle as head of Egypt 80 and he has run it ever since. During his career, Seun Kuti has released 5 albums with Egypt 80 and collaborated with many great artists such as MC extraordinaire Black Thought, Janelle Monae, Talib Kweli, MadLib, and Damian Marley. Critics have praised his latest album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head), as “his greatest and most powerful yet.”

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    Featured image by Kola Oshalusi.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/bigbirdkuti
    https://www.facebook.com/seunkutiofficial
    https://www.youtube.com/user/seunkuti
    https://seunkutiegypt80.bandcamp.com/

    Milkweed – The Pangs of Ulster + Tour Dates

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    Milkweed has today released their new video for the track titled ‘The Pangs of Ulster’ from their upcoming album ‘Remscéla’, due May 2nd via Broadside Hacks Recordings.

    More of an audio experience and experimentation in sound, this is a song that takes atmospheric feeling to a level most artists fear to tread. Essential Irish transitions into a global music scene, Milkweed immerses itself in heritage and homage with the vibe of true artists and the capacity of compatriot poets.

    Beautifully crafted and sincerely executed, ‘The Pangs of Ulster’ represents but one chapter of ‘Remscéla’ while giving a world-shaping and ear-opening glimpse of the possibilities of music.

    About ‘Remscéla’

    Following a Times-celebrated performance at SXSW earlier this month, a sold-out performance at Dalston’s legendary Cafe Oto with a full 10-piece band, and a live improvisation on BBC Radio 3’s The Late Junction in February, the forthcoming album anticipates a string of tour dates for 2025, and follows up widespread acclaim from The Quietus, The Guardian, Bandcamp Daily, Tradfolk, KLOF, Raven Sings The Blues, Rough Trade and So Young.

    The album itself takes direct inspiration from Thomas Kinsella’s translation of the Irish Epic of the Táin Bó Cúailnge. Tasking themselves with processing all 400 pages, but becoming humbled after it took a year to process 20, they only got as far as the Remscéla of their new record’s title – a collection of independently transmitted ‘pre-stories’ that provides the necessary context to what is to follow. Take The Pangs Of Ulster for example – a curse that incapacitated the men of Ulster with the same pain felt by women in labor, something that proves pivotal to the story of the Táin Bó Cúailnge but is unexplained in the text itself.

    About Milkweed

    For three years Milkweed has refined a formula, taking existing source material (a folklore journal, a book on Welsh myths, another on bronze age human remains), cutting up the words, and feeding them through a woodchipper of lo-fi production and experimental folk music.

    This time, however, they decided to push themselves further – to use all 400 pages of Thomas Kinsella’s masterful translation of the Táin Bó Cúailnge, rather than manipulated snippets. After it took an entire year just to process 20 pages, however, the band found themselves humbled. “It made us appreciate oral traditions in a completely different way, the intensity with which you had to engage with the work to feel like you could understand and transmit it.”

    With Milkweed having applied energy befitting a 400-page epic to just the fragments of the Remscéla, the record bristles with more lifeforce than anything the band has yet produced. The band has raised the bar when it comes to their production, the blend of manipulated vocals, eerie beats, and instrumental scraps twisting around each other like a cloud of thick, potent smoke. It makes for a crucial step forward in Milkweed’s exquisite discography, and yet to view Remscéla in such earthly terms is to do it a disservice. Rather, this is an album that places the band firmly in the lineage of storytellers through whom these epics have become immortal, channeled from one century to the next and for centuries hereafter. “What we came to appreciate is that our role is just to be a vessel. You sacrifice your inner life to do it, but you’ve fulfilled your function.”

    ‘Remscéla’ Tracklist

    'Remscéla' cover.
    ‘Remscéla’ cover.
    1. How the Táin Bó Cuailnge was Found Again
    2. How Conchobor was Begotten
    3. 3.Téte Brec, the Twinkling Hoard
    4. The Pangs of Ulster
    5. Drinking In The House of Fedlimid
    6. Imbas Foresnai, The Light of Foresight
    7. Whiter Than The Snow is the White Treasure of Her Teeth
    8. The Milk-Fed Calf
    9. Exile of the Sons of Uisliu
    10. Noisiu’s Voice a Wave Roar, a Sweet Sound to Hear Forever

    Featured image by Poppy Waring.

    LINKS:
    https://linktr.ee/mlkwd_
    https://www.instagram.com/mlkwd_/

    Pastiche – Calories

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Pastiche - Calories
    Pastiche - Calories

    Fresh off being named as RTE 2FM’s Rising Artist for 2025, Dublin-based alt-pop sensation Pastiche returns with the new single ‘Calories’.

    The solo project of Jade Roche, Pastiche has built a reputation as one of the most exciting new pop artists to come out of Ireland, the new single showcases exactly why she has been gaining acclaim across press, radio, and DSPs alike.

    Produced by Liam Geddes, ‘Calories’ marks the first taste of her upcoming EP, Femme Fatality, a project that brings fluorescent melodies, and danceable musicality while lyrically exploring themes of strength, vulnerability, and self-perception through a glossy pop lens. Originally conceived as a darker track exploring the artist’s struggles with body image, ‘Calories’ transformed into a high-energy, tongue-in-cheek anthem about confidence, sexuality, and pushing one’s limits.

    Pastiche explains: “At first I came to the studio with the title ‘Calories’ and expected to write a pretty dark song about my messed up relationship with food, something I think a lot of women can relate to. It just got a bit dark and we decided to flip the concept on its head. I wrote calories because we needed to write something stupid and fun that day. Taking a name that holds such negative connotations to so many people and making it positive while fully embracing sexuality in the most tongue-in-cheek way. A simple metaphor about pushing limits, both mentally and physically.”

    The upcoming EP Femme Fatality is described by Pastiche as “an unapologetic, dark, and honest reflection on the female experience”. Delving into introspective and intimate themes, including body image, sexuality, infertility, and self-worth, while celebrating resilience and transformation, the EP delivers thought-provoking commentary whilst still retaining a glistening commercial edge.

    Pastiche explains: “The EP talks about how I portray myself as a powerful Femme Fatal, but how more often than not I genuinely feel like a failure of a woman dealing with my inner demons; body image, sexuality, infertility, ageism, endometriosis, comparison and self-esteem. Each track is an expression of strength through vulnerability, padded out with in-your-face glossy pop production, exploring themes of love, hate and personal growth. Releasing Calories first captures the fierce, multifaceted nature of the modern woman, celebrating the highs and lows of every emotional journey.”

    Pastiche has quickly gained momentum and traction across Irish media, with previous releases landing on Spotify Editorial playlists (NMF, NPOPUK, EQUAL) and securing radio play across all major Irish stations and BBC NI as well as press support across the likes of The Irish Independent, Hot Press and Nialler9 to name just a few. With heavy support from the likes of Today FM and RTE, her breakout single ‘Forfeit Control’ peaked at No. 3 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart, charting for six weeks, and reaching No. 9 on All Radio (Irish Artists) and No. 39 on All Radio. Their 2024 singles amassed an impressive 12.5 million radio impact in Ireland.

    Also a seasoned live performer, Pastiche has played packed at shows across the likes of Primavera Pro, Iceland Airwaves, Rock Against Homelessness @ 3Olympia, Other Voices Wales, Indiependence, Sea Sessions, The Ruby Sessions, Dublin Pride, and Ireland Music Week. Opening for renowned artists including Alice Glass, Aiko, Casey Lowry, Robert Grace, Lyra, and Aimee, Pastiche also recently headlined iconic venues Whelan’s and The Grand Social.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/whoispastiche/
    https://www.facebook.com/whoispastiche/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@whoispastiche
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnRgvUxR3AUAY7Ktgn9JRBw

    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP ‘Something Out of Nothing (Side A)’ Out Today

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with Luke Marzec as the first part of his two-part debut album, ‘Something Out of Nothing (Side A)’, is released today.

    Luke is an artist who has the knowledge and skill sets to make great and varied music while keeping that spark of that rare form of imagination and drive to make music his way and on his terms. His amazingly unique voice feels like a ringleader for the music that is that glorious and memorable circus. Let this be a lesson to all musicians and songwriters that it’s much more adventurous and less conforming to live outside of the box.

    With the first side of his new album, ‘Something Out of Nothing (Side A)’ dropping today, Luke shows the artistry of someone well beyond his years and a weathered vocal style that feels like it’s lived the lyrics and means every word.

    With this interview, we delve into the background of what became ‘Something Out of Nothing (Side A)’ as well as a deep dive into the background of the musician and the person behind the music.

    Check out our other features with Luke Marzec HERE.

    About Luke Marzec

    Luke Marzec’s life has always been about music. He picked up the violin at age 7, the sax at 10, and the piano soon after. At just 11, his natural talent earned him a place at the prestigious Royal College of Music (RCM) Junior Department. Most of Luke’s childhood was spent either in the practice room or on stage. By the time he graduated high school, he had led countless classical and jazz bands, ensembles, and orchestras – professionally, at school, RCM, and the national level.

    However, the relentless demands left him tired and searching for more creativity; and less structure. He smoked weed, read Marx, went raving, fell in love, and enrolled in a Philosophy degree.

    He formed his first band at York University and spent most of his early 20s playing sax in various jazz, psychedelic, indie, and brass bands in the north. He gained a scholarship to Trinity Conservatoire’s Master’s course in 2016, but after a full term of shredding, decided to focus on his career as a solo artist. In 2018, he released his EP Chances which received critical acclaim for publications such as DIY and The Line Of Best Fit.

    Over the next couple of years, Luke released two more EPs and gained writing and production experience doing the rounds co-writing with artists in the UK such as Maverick Sabre, VC Pines, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, and Jazzanova. He featured on Johannes Brecht’s “Voicing Something” which was remixed by Adriatique. His Spotify page now has more than 15 million listens.

    Today, Luke is one-third of London’s experimental modular synth-jazz group Lazy H and the Loose Cables, in which he plays the tenor sax and synthesizer. The trio have gigged with London’s Kinkajous, Mark Cake, Alabaster DePlume, Plumm, and FlamingGods, and they released their first album Rotary Perception with Nottingham-based label Running Circles earlier this year. The avant-garde jazz album takes listeners through psychedelic and tender soundscapes, perfect for sci-fi film scores. He also hosts Headroom – one of the city’s most exciting jam sessions which showcases some of the capital’s best jazz and electronic instrumentalists and producers.

    COVID-19 instigated a new period for the artist when he moved into a 44-foot narrowboat. Living life as a water traveler, Luke spent a lot of time in the countryside in relative solitude, before moving to Devon and setting up a new studio. After months in lockdown, this frenetic new period led to a prolific stream of writing and recording.

    Despite Marzec’s writing and collaborating prowess, he is most at ease on stage where everything is simplest, where decision-making is easiest, and where he feels most alive. After the first note is played, the rest is as if he was watching himself perform; as if his spirit floats to another realm to observe his body. During his performances, the rugged growl of his voice in brilliant contrast to the soft notes he plays on the keys allows him to connect with his audience in moments of sheer bliss and unity.

    This is Luke Marzec. And he invites you along for the journey.

    Featured image by Natalia Bjerke.

    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    An Exclusive Interview with Luke Marzec + New EP 'Something Out of Nothing (Side A)' Out Today
    Luke Marzec Channels Amy Winehouse In Retro Yet Timeless New Single "I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind".

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/lukemarzecsworld/
    https://lukemarzec.bandcamp.com/
    https://www.youtube.com/@lukemarzecvevo1826
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/5X0GAEimapMzpG5Q7Sibmh

    Kala Farnham – Ancient Vessel + Q&A

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Kala Farnham - Ancient Vessel + Q&A
    Kala Farnham - Ancient Vessel + Q&A

    Kala Farnham is a Connecticut-based, multi-faceted troubadour; with poetic lyrics and ethereal strings like harps and acoustic guitars at her side, this artist is paving a career with effortless-sounding songwriting and seasoned-feeling verse. In her latest release, ‘Ancient Vessel’ she inspires us to take care of our bodies and souls…and reminds us that they are sacred.

    ‘Ancient Vessel’ features a synergistic combination of a steel slide, a piano, and a touch of acoustic guitar, which is doubled subtly. It swells into cinematic country-folk sound, with the 4-on-the-floor kick drum leading the charge.

    Inside Farnham’s single there is a plethora of musical space within which we can breathe. In between the verses, there are short, quaint instrumental breaks, which give us time to ponder what has been said deeply.

    But the most impressive facet of her song is her soulful vocal takes. The lead line has an earthen richness, and wisened… whereas her harmonies are light-as-air, and are as pure as that of Allison Kraus’.

    As we enter the second stage of the song a gentle shaker makes its cameo. The piano becomes more uplifting, as we reach a new summit, philosophical and elated.

    Then, the next stage is marked by the entrance of cinematic cellos.

    Throughout ‘Ancient Vessel’ Farnham continues to perform with stunning vocal diction and earnest poeticism. She knows her body and honors its every facet.

    As the journey comes to a close, we reach the final part of her. She calls to her spirit. Now, the instrumentation is stripped back to just one guitar. This pared-down section swells up once more as she repeats her lyrics…The more we hear them, the more this feels like a mantra. She calls to her spirit, elated, and awakened.

    Yet, the final resolution remains elusive. A single note lingers outside the tonic chord, suggesting an ongoing journey—there are more lessons to learn, and more life to honor and celebrate.

    Q&A

    If I may be so bold as to ask- What is your relationship with spirituality and religion, and how has it changed over time?

    Music and spirituality have always been deeply intertwined for me. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom playing guitar and singing during Sunday morning church services. My family has Irish roots, and I was raised with an appreciation for both the faith tradition of today and the ancient pagan spirituality of our ancestors.

    Over the years, my understanding of music as a spiritual practice has evolved, especially through my study of India’s ancient tradition of Nada Yoga (“union through sound”). Sound-based meditation deepened my appreciation of music as a bridge to something greater. The chant-like refrains and droning accompaniment of my song “Ancient Vessel” are inspired by mantra-based meditation practices, in which music is structured in a way that invites us to create a space for deeper awareness.

    Was there a specific life event that inspired ‘Ancient Vessel’?

    Absolutely. The song was born out of a powerful meditation practice I learned while on a weekend retreat, coupled with my study of India’s ancient tradition of Nada Yoga (“union through sound”). At the retreat, we were asked to envision a conversation with our wiser selves. The lyrics were scribbled down in one sitting, capturing the experience in words.

    Musically, the song’s structure—with its chant-like refrains and grounding drone—reflects the sound-based mantra practices of Nada Yoga. At its core, “Ancient Vessel” is a call to honor the wisdom that lives within us, a wisdom that begins with our ancestors and carries on through the generations. It’s an invitation to step into the resilience of our own body, mind, and spirit—so we might create a legacy that shapes a better future for generations to come.

    What was your first instrument?

    I was born to a husband-and-wife folk music duo who had instruments of all kinds strewn about our living room—music was just part of the landscape. The first instrument I gravitated towards was a miniature toy piano, on which my parents taught me to plunk out the theme song of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

    That moment sparked something in me, and I started formal piano lessons at age three. The piano became my foundation—it carried me through years of studying music, led to work as a theater accompanist, music director, session player, and bar pianist, and was the instrument that first supported my songwriting.

    How do you approach vocal practice in order to get this sort of effortless, soulful sound?

    First off, thank you! Finding my voice has been a journey of both technical training and deep inner work. Growing up I studied an array of vocal techniques, from classical to jazz to musical theater, and learned a lot about vocal anatomy and care. One experience that transformed my relationship with singing was working with an incredible holistic music consultant, Keri Estrin. She helped me move past creative roadblocks and embrace my art and my voice as a powerful, expressive instrument through which to connect with my audience—rather than chase that ever-elusive feeling of “perfection”.

    With her guidance, coupled with my study of Nada Yoga, I began to see singing as more than just a technical exercise— it became a deeper expression of our life energy, something to awaken to and release rather than control. Those experiences have helped me to wash away a perfectionistic mindset, and open the door to singing as an embodied expression of the heart.

    What artists or songs inspire you, and do you hear threads of your inspirations inside your newest single? If so, which ones?

    My influences have evolved over the years, spanning from my childhood foundations of classical piano and my parent’s folk record collection, to my years working in music theater. These days, I’m especially drawn to intimate, emotionally honest storytelling—Lori McKenna (“Humble and Kind”, “Girl Crush”) is a huge inspiration. When I was a teen, I used to waitress at a folk café where she performed, and I remember watching her announce that Faith Hill had just picked up her song “Fireflies.”

    Seeing that moment unfold in real time left a big impression on me, and I’ve followed her career ever since. Lori’s ability to tell deeply personal stories that resonate universally is something I strive for in my writing. “Ancient Vessel” comes from such an intimate place—a meditation experience—but at the same time, it speaks to something bigger.

    Another artist’s influence I see in this song is Snatam Kaur, a Kirtan singer whose work bridges traditional Sanskrit devotional music with Western influences. “Ancient Vessel” similarly blends the musical culture I grew up in with the Eastern music practices I’ve immersed myself in more recently.

    In your Live On Deck Sound Studio performance of this song, you seem genuinely happy. How does the stage make you feel in the moment?

    For me, music is a bridge—it connects us in ways nothing else can. My relationship with music started as a deeply personal, introspective practice, a way for me to make sense of the world. At first, I wasn’t drawn to performing, but when I was about 15, I had a moment that changed everything. I witnessed firsthand how music could bring people together, and how it could heal, and I realized that if my songs could make a difference to even one person, then sharing them was worth it. I deeply believe that art is meant to be shared, not kept in the dark. You never know what might resonate with another soul, or change someone’s life for the better.

    Now, when I step on stage, I don’t think of it as a performance—it’s more like an offering. I’m not there to impress anyone; I’m there to create a space where people can feel, connect, and be present. When I’m on stage, I focus on the people in front of me, inviting them to experience the messy, beautiful human experience with me, celebrating the joy of music in the community. And when I see that connection happening—when I see someone’s face light up, or tears well up in their eyes—when a song offers hope or helps someone feel a little less alone—that’s when I know this wild creative journey is worth it.

    About Kala Farnham

    Farnham’s musical journey began in a quaint countryside farmhouse, born to a husband-and-wife folk duo and raised amidst the records and songbooks of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. She began studying classical piano at the young age of three and was gracing stages playing Mozart concertos and Chopin nocturnes by second grade. It was a moment of kismet that cemented Farnham’s artistic purpose. One morning during her sophomore year of high school, she sat alone in the music room, playing and singing an original song written for a childhood friend facing hard times. Unbeknownst to her, the school’s choral director overheard and invited her to perform at the school cabaret. After the performance, a listener’s heartfelt gratitude inspired Farnham to transform her deeply personal healing practice into a craft that could uplift others.

    From that moment, she embraced the transformative power of music, deepening her understanding through the study of songwriting, and sound meditation, and earning a degree in Human Services and Mental Health, while also working as a Crisis Counselor and teacher. Her unique blend of narrative storytelling and therapeutic practice has since inspired audiences across the East Coast, reaching folk clubs, schools, community centers, recovery homes, assisted-living facilities, and at-risk youth.

    Farnham’s new single, ‘Ancient Vessel’, is her deepest exploration yet of the intersection between sound-based meditation and songwriting. Inspired by a transformative retreat and India’s ancient tradition of Nada Yoga, the track weaves mantra-like refrains with introspective lyricism, encouraging listeners to reflect on the resilience of body, mind, and spirit. Released for Women’s History Month, the song honors ancestral echoes and the generational wisdom that shapes us.

    The lyrics emerged in a single sitting following a visualization experience that invited dialogue with the inner divine, while the chant-like refrains draw from yogic mantra traditions. Recorded primarily in the quiet of Farnham’s countryside home studio, the track also features Stephen Peter Rodgers’ haunting pedal steel and strings (captured at Tiny Bunker Studio, Hamden, CT) and Jimmy Nutt’s primal, rhythmic drum (tracked at NuttHouse Recording Studio, Muscle Shoals, AL). Ultimately, Ancient Vessel is an invitation for us all to embrace our inner strength and create a legacy that paves the way for a brighter future.

    Kala Farnham’s accolades are as impressive as they are numerous. She has won the Rose Garden and RISA Performing Songwriter Contests, been named a Falcon Ridge Festival Emerging Artist, and twice reached the finals of the Great American Song Contest. An alumna of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, she has also shared the stage with legends such as Don McLean, Tower of Power, and Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Beyond her acclaimed songwriting and performances, Farnham’s influence extends through her role as Connecticut’s 18th State Troubadour.

    More than an honorary title, this position is a commitment to fostering cultural literacy, creative arts, and community wellness through music. As a musical ambassador and educator, Farnham has embraced a larger mission—one that blends music, education, and community engagement to foster vibrant artistic communities and creative empowerment.

    During her tenure, she has led songwriting and sound meditation workshops and gatherings, delivered public talks advocating for social justice in the arts, presented historical musical programs, founded her music education studio, and co-founded Bigger Beast Records—a grassroots label dedicated to supporting performing songwriters through community collaboration. Looking ahead, Farnham is drawing inspiration from her community work to embark on her most ambitious recording project in five years: an album that explores the resilience of the human spirit in uncertain times.

    Through themes of empowerment and compassion, stories of cultural trailblazers, and healing mantras set to song, the project offers a musical reflection on the perseverance and hope that carry us through times of transformation. In an ever-changing world, Kala Farnham’s music aims to provide a sense of grounding, unity, and renewal—offering an invitation for listeners to find solace and strength in our shared humanity.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/kalafarnham
    https://www.facebook.com/kalafarnhammusic
    https://youtube.com/kalafarnham
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0YUyfnVlACYjzPD2wDovQf
    https://www.kalafarnham.com/

    The Cocktail Slippers – Live at Blaker Festival Norway

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    The Cocktail Slippers - Live at Blaker Festival Norway
    The Cocktail Slippers - Live at Blaker Festival Norway

    Cocktail Slippers are kicking off 2025 with a special live release—two tracks recorded at the Blaker Festival in Norway. A treat for fans and everyone who’s been to a Cocktail Slippers show, these raw, high-energy performances capture the band at their best.

    Both songs are live staples: “You Do Run” from their 2009 album Saint Valentine’s Massacre, produced by Stevie Van Zandt, and “Gloria” (Them cover), a crowd-favorite.

    The band is currently in the studio, wrapping up new songs for their sixth studio album. Until then—enjoy these two live tracks!

    “It was pouring rain through our entire set, but the crowd didn’t care—they danced in the summer rain and brought incredible energy. We had an absolute blast! After the show, the sound engineer told us he had recorded the concert and asked if we wanted the tapes. We thought, hey—why not? So here you go—enjoy!”
    Cocktail Slippers

    In May 2025, Cocktail Slippers will bring their high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll to the Underground Garage Cruise in Miami, sharing the stage with Social Distortion, The Hellacopters, L7, Rocket From The Crypt, X, Supersuckers, and more.

    About Cocktail Slippers

    Their sound has earned them rave reviews, with Rolling Stone declaring: “In full hosanna, Cocktail Slippers sound a lot like the Go-Go’s but with gats instead of L.A. cheer and a mule kick in their high heels. It’s all retro action but written and detonated with the study and delight of modern rock & roll women in constant touch with their inner filly.”

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/cocktailslippers
    https://www.instagram.com/cocktailslippers

    An Exclusive Interview with Frank Meyer + New Album ‘Living Between The Lines’ Out Today

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    Frank Meyer has today released his new album titled ‘Living Between The Lines’ via Kitten Robot Records. We also have an exclusive interview via Zoom (above) with Frank about that new record of his as well as the cavalcade of good music that herein lies on it.

    All civility aside, this motherf*cker rocks. He kicks out all the jams and leaves just enough on the floor for your mom to make you clean it up while she tells you Frank should’ve been your father. No exaggeration here. Frank has long ago honed his skills and paid his dues in the local, regional, and national scenes of multiple genres of music with multiple genres of musicians (more below). And, with ‘Living Between The Lines’, there is a career-spanning culmination to those words and meaning to said career with a vindication of sorts.

    And, in this interview, we talk with Frank about those beginnings and what led to ‘Living Between The Lines’ as well as where all of this is headed. A must-listen for musicians and fans alike.

    Check out our other features with Frank Meyer HERE.

    About Frank Meyer & ‘Living Between The Lines’

    Instead of sticking to the formula that fueled his creativity in the past, he struck a different chord for his solo debut. “I wanted this record to sound different than my other projects and add a new layer to my songwriting,” he explains. “So these songs are overtly more bluesy and soulful, less punk, and a bit poppier. I guess this is my Tom Petty album. It’s about dang time!”

    The 11-song album adds touches of blues and soul to Meyer’s expected high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, revealing a more mature voice. Frank is joined for duets by longtime friend and collaborator Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays on the title track, Runaways icon Cherie Currie on “Piece of Me” and Eddie Spaghetti on “Partners In Crime.” He adds, “It meant a lot to have these particular vocalists join me on my solo debut. Lisa and I go way back to my earliest days on the music scene in L.A.. Eddie is also an old friend and touring buddy and was a big inspiration in making this album. Cherie saw the Streewalkin’ Cheetahs early on and helped us get signed. So all of them are dear to me and have been integral in my career.”

    With the release of ‘Living Between the Lines’, Frank will embark on U.S. and European solo tours, both solo acoustic and with an electric backing band. He will be performing songs off the new album alongside material he’s written throughout his career. “This will be my first time touring under my own name,” says Meyer. “I’ve always been a band guy, but with Living Between The Lines, I am finally stepping out on my own. I dig it.”


    LINKS:
    https://thefrankmeyer.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/thefrankmeyer/
    https://www.instagram.com/Thefrankmeyer
    https://frankmeyer.bandcamp.com/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0mEscs5pSUzjLT8rJrPSWY

    Blindness & Light – I Dreamt I Had Insomnia

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Blindness & Light - I Dreamt I Had Insomnia
    Blindness & Light - I Dreamt I Had Insomnia

    We are an informal collective from the UK stretching from Anglesey to North Yorkshire and many places in between. 10 musicians were involved in this album. Colin M Potter is a singer/songwriter/guitarist. Helen Reynolds provided backing vocals on 7 out of the 8 tracks on this album. Melodica was performed by post-punk legend Henry Priestman.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINK:
    https://linktr.ee/blindness_and_light

    SuckerTrap – Everything’s Broken

    By
    Ryan Martin
    -

    SuckerTrap has released their new video for the track titled ‘Everything’s Broken’. Rock as an anthem and music for a cause, SuckerTrap delves into the touchy and often shelved subject of violence and abuse of Indigenous women. SuckerTrap achieves this with an on-point track and vivid video that never lets up while letting you in.

    Musically, the song is immersive. It surrounds you with a solid blend of instrumentation and takes you by the hand as it schools you through poetic lyrics that place everything on the table for you to ingest. This is what music is for. To give a way to sound off a message in a way you can’t ignore and, hopefully, you get a little enlightenment amid the sonic goodness. Beautiful.

    About ‘Everything’s Broken’

    ‘Everything’s Broken’ is SuckerTrap’s haunting anthem shines a light on a crisis the world ignores throughout history, art has been one of the most powerful tools in fighting oppression. Music can give voice to those who have been silenced. This song is dedicated to missing Indigenous women in Canada.

    A topic that we feel needs way more attention than it is getting. With hundreds of unsolved cases and thousands of victims, violence against Indigenous women is estimated at least six times higher than other demographics. In this song, we try to give a voice to the victims of systemic violence and help break the silence on an ongoing crisis that requires way more resources and urgency in prevention and resolution. This was not an easy topic for us to tackle. It’s a sensitive and extremely serious issue that needs to be handled with care and respect with the sole intention of drawing attention to the crisis through our art, not the artist.

    Suckertrap has pledged to donate 100% of our earnings from this song to the organization Indigenous Women Rise Society.

    About SuckerTrap

    A dark celebration of heavy Rock and Roll music. It will sink its teeth into you and won’t let go! The latest project by Pinto Stiletto, formerly of Crystal Pistol, Bonitos, Wett Stilettos, and Randy Rampage band featuring Mr. Smyth on vocals. A mix of various influences from Iggy to Bauhaus, Sex Pistols to Sisters of Mercy Black Sabbath to Killing Joke, and Judas Priest. A dark celebration of heavy Rock and Roll music.

    Suckertrap was initially a studio project. After gaining interest from a few labels in Canada and the U.S., who were hoping to see an actual live band, we decided to put a band together. We were still in the process of rehearsals for our first show when we signed a deal with SODEH Records out of Montreal. SODEH has taken on our back catalog and is working hard. But the real work will happen with our new album. With a proper promotion campaign and videos, we are planning on great success for this band.

    Featured image by David Jacklin.

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/pintostiletto
    https://www.instagram.com/suckertrap/
    https://www.youtube.com/@suckertrapofficial

    Ghostsmoker – Inertia Cult

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Ghostsmoker - Inertia Cult
    Ghostsmoker - Inertia Cult

    Australian sludge/doom outfit Ghostsmoker is proud to announce the release of their debut album Inertia Cult, out now via Art as Catharsis.

    “We’ve grown a lot as a band since our first EP Grief in 2022, and that’s reflected in this album,” says vocalist Nathan Brunning. “Our confidence and understanding of who/what we are comes through on this release, and it sets a great foundation for what we do next.”

    “Apart from musical influences within the genre, there are plenty of nods to things outside that space that have found their way in,” continues Brunning. “Some of the atmospheric parts are influenced by horror and sci-fi soundtracks, and our video for Incarnate is a direct homage to the film Skinamarink. As kids of the 80’s and 90’s, that lo-fi aesthetic is deeply ingrained in us, so that found its way in here and there as well.”

    Opening with haunting howls chased with bone-crushing riffs, “Incarnate” is the first single from Inertia Cult. The song wages a careful balancing act between loud, hulking instrumentals and haunting ambient-inspired sections, each one underscored by slamming drums and wild lashes of fuzz from every string struck. The final product is both hypnotic and rhythmically punishing, a balancing act that, on the face, is hard to achieve.

    “‘Incarnate’ is about being stuck in a loop of despair and not being able to move forward through your grief and trauma,” says Brunning. “During the very early stages of writing for the album, my brother passed away suddenly which had a significant impact on the lyrical themes on the record. Our drummer Brayden’s father also passed away while we were in the studio recording the album, and the rest of us rallied together to finish the job in dedication to our friend who was going through such a painful time in life, and his father, who was his biggest supporter. The above, the hurdles of everyday life, relationships failing, new ones forming, etc. all ultimately fed into making this album what it is.”

    Featuring six tracks recorded and mixed by Jason Fuller (Brutal Truth, King Parrot) and mastered by John Ruberto, with gorgeous cover art by Adam Burke (Unto Others, Terminal Nation), Inertia Cult represents an evolution for the Melbourne doom quartet. The band’s newly refined, collaborative approach to recording has allowed the band to hammer out powerful riffs, tighter song structures, and further experimentation with mood and atmospherics.

    Ghostsmoker is scheduled to tour across Australia on a tour supporting Inertia Cult, hitting four cities across the Gold Coast beginning later this month.

    Inertia Cult is out now on multiple formats via the Australian boutique label Art As Catharsis.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://linktr.ee/Ghostsmoker
    https://Ghostsmokerau.bandcamp.com
    https://instagram.com/Ghostsmokerband
    https://acebook.com/Ghostsmokerband
    https://www.artascatharsis.com

    The Curse of K.K. Hammond – Walk With Me Through the Fire (ft. Ian Davidson & Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin)

    By
    Editorial Team
    -

    Celebrated for her unique spin on Delta Blues and evocative Southern Gothic storytelling, UK-based slide guitarist and singer-songwriter The Curse of K.K. Hammond is back to captivate audiences with her much-anticipated single, “Walk With Me Through the Fire.” The track is complemented by a visually striking music video that channels Spaghetti Western’s bold, cinematic spirit.

    “Walk With Me Through the Fire” is a foot-stomping, slow-burning ballad imbued with deep mood and intensity. The single showcases collaborations with renowned musicians including Ian Davidson on cello and Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin on slide guitar. Together, they fuse traditional Delta blues with elements of country, folk, and gothic Americana to create a modern, blues-rock masterpiece. The arrangement is further enriched by Lewis Taylor, who brings a mariachi-style trumpet flair that nods to the legendary soundtracks of Ennio Morricone and the classic vibe of the Western genre.

    The official music video—led by Hammond in collaboration with Rapkin and Davidson—is a dark Western dream. It perfectly marries Hammond’s haunting aesthetic with the raw allure of gun-slinging cinematic narratives, featuring gothic visuals set against a backdrop of deserted ghost towns, and weaving a compelling story of fire, destiny, and redemption.

    Fresh off the success of her debut album, Death Roll Blues—which soared to #1 on the UK and US iTunes Blues Charts and reached #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart—K.K. Hammond continues to win over global fans. Her work has received acclaim from major publications like Blues Blast Magazine, which praised her distinctive approach to American blues viewed through a European lens. Additionally, her innovative sound enjoys regular airplay on prominent blues programs including BBC Radio 2’s Blues Show with Cerys Matthews, Gary Grainger’s Blues Show, Steel Radio, and Nola County.

    “Walk With Me Through the Fire” stands as a testament to K.K. Hammond’s unapologetic and visionary artistry—bridging historical influences with modern grit, soulful expression, and an undeniable spectral beauty. It’s a fresh and invigorating take on the blues.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINK:
    https://thecurseofkkhammond.com/

    Sam Robbins – The Real Thing + Tour Dates

    By
    Editorial Team
    -
    Sam Robbins - The Real Thing
    Sam Robbins - The Real Thing

    Sam Robbins’ third album, So Much I Still Don’t See is a testament to a singer-songwriter’s journey through his 20’s, through his formative years of 45,000 miles per year touring, and the beginning of a troubadour’s career. Most of all, it is the culmination of firsthand experiences gathered through hard travel and big adventures.

    For the listener, these big adventures are heard through a soft, introspective soundscape, with sounds built sparingly around solo acoustic guitar and vocals, tracked live, just as they are performed live. Recorded in an old church in Springfield, MA, the sounds of So Much I Still Don’t See center around the humility that comes with traveling and experiencing a world much larger than yourself – looking inward and reveling in the quiet of the inner mind while facing an expansive landscape of life on the road. The storytelling in the songs is draped with touches of upright bass, keyboards, organ, and electric guitar, but the core of the album is one man and his worn-out Martin guitar, bought new just a few years ago a week after moving to Nashville.

    The sonic landscape of So Much I Still Don’t See was largely inspired by the recordings of James Taylor, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, and singer-songwriters of the like. Growing up in New Hampshire, Robbins would frequently drive up to the white mountains for weekend hiking trips with his father, accompanied in the old truck by a 70’s singer-songwriter CD box set. This music seeped into Robbins’ soul and coupled with experiencing the mountain landscape of his childhood, this “old soul singer-songwriter” was shaped by these recordings and the direct, soft, and exacting songwriting voices they exemplified. The storytelling in So Much I Still Don’t See is built through small moments.

    After a brief stint on NBC’s The Voice in 2018, Robbins graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2019 and quickly made his move down to Nashville. After a tumultuous five years in Music City, So Much I Still Don’t See is the first recording made after moving back to the Boston area in early 2024. After trying his hand at co-writing country songs five days a week, Robbins found his way to a home on the road, now performing over 200 shows per year in listening rooms and festivals across the country.

    This touring and subsequent songwriting growth has led to several awards and festival performances, making Robbins a 2021 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk contest winner, a 2022 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival “Most Wanted to Return” artist, and later a solo mainstage performer at each festival in 2023 and 2024. Robbins has expanded his touring to festivals nationwide, including the Wheatland Festival in Michigan, the Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival, and has earned a title as “One of the most promising new songwriters of his generation” — Mike Davies, Fateau Magazine, UK

    In early 2023, Robbins was gifted Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations”, a collection of the Roman Emperor’s diaries in the early 100’s AD. The ideas from this book, centered around the concepts of stoicism, seeped into the songs of So Much I Still Don’t See. Much of the album reflects on the inner peace found through stoic philosophy that was discovered in reading this book throughout the past year on the road.

    Another influence on the songwriting of So Much I Still Don’t See is Robbins’ work with the group Music Therapy Retreats. This is the first recording made after starting his work with the organization, which pairs songwriters with veterans to help write their often unheard and inspiring stories into songs. This life-changing and life-affirming experience has drawn out deeper emotions and deeper stories in Robbins’ own writing and music, inspired by the open hearts and stories of the veterans he is lucky to work with.

    The first single off the album, “What a Little Love Can Do” is a song that captured a moment. Sitting in Nashville after hearing the news of a shooting in the city, Robbins sat alone with his guitar and strummed. Living in the heart of a red state, far away from his New England home, the events of the day made the cracks appear clearer than he’d ever seen them. The first lyrics that appeared in that moment are the first lyrics in the song – “It’s gonna be a long road when we look at where we started, one nation broken-hearted, always running from ourselves”. The heaviness of the news of the day, and the news of every day since, has not subsided since this song was written in 2023.

    What led to that lyric was a flow-state writing process. A story of the learning and connections built from Robbins’ travels across the US on tour, driving over 100,000 miles in two years, playing hundreds of shows, and meeting thousands of people from very different backgrounds. From Birmingham to Detroit, New Orleans to Los Angeles, Boston to Denver, this song was unknowingly written as the culmination of the lessons learned from these adventures. The depth of connection found when we are physically with one another, when we can talk and laugh and truly see each other, is at the heart of “What a Little Love Can Do”, and the album as a whole.

    The second single and opening track from So Much I Still Don’t See, the sparkling and introspective “Piles of Sand”, was the first song written for the album. The song was written in Nashville and is, like much of the album, written from a place of simplicity and observation.

    He shares, “Walking down a riverside path in Nashville, next to the barbed wire of a prison, watching and feeling gravel being blasted for a high flying condo building across the street was a very inspiring moment. After walking further and seeing a huge pile of gravel soaring high across the street, the first chorus lyric was immediately written down as it appears in the song now: “I thought it was a mountain but it was just a pile of sand towering so high, a nine to five creation”. This line and rhythm was springboard for the rest of the song, steeped in Stoicism, written that afternoon.”

    As the opening track to the album, the sounds of “Piles of Sand” are built around the stark simplicity of a man and his guitar, the perfect sound to kick off the album. Inspired by the James Taylor live album One Man Band, only sparse piano moments are included throughout the song, setting the stage for an album that showcases Robbins’ stunning guitar work and fresh, clear songwriting voice.

    The third single from So Much I Still Don’t See, the Chet Atkins-inspired, upbeat “The Real Thing”, is the second track on the album and an example of the varied energy across the collection of ten songs. “The Real Thing” began with a lyrical groove – driving out of a certain American city on tour, thousands of miles from home, with a 12-hour drive ahead, the spark of inspiration hit. The groove of the first line, “I’m sailing smooth highway under soft suburb lights/ where an Applebee’s oversees every corner” led to the rest of “The Real Thing” being written all in one night at a hotel in the middle of nowhere, USA. The song is a lighter take on the existential questions present throughout the album. Diving into questions of environmentalism, man’s place in the world, and the writer’s place in the world, “The Real Thing” is the upbeat kickoff to the soft, cutting, inquisitive “So Much I Still Don’t See”.

    Sonically, “The Real Thing” is a tribute to one of Robbins’s main influences on guitar, the great fingerstyle player Chet Atkins. With Chet’s signature thumping thumb technique, Robbins built a sonic palette that utilized this classic sound but twisted it with his own modern take. The thumping, western-style groove emulates the vibe of the lyrics – the quintessentially American feeling of driving fast down a dusty highway, to get to anywhere but where you are.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://samrobbinsmusic.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/samrobbinsmusic
    https://www.facebook.com/SamRobbinsMusic

    1...222324...441Page 23 of 441
    © 2014-2025 Jammunity LLC