Indie folk-pop artist Callie Young, a Southwest Colorado native now based in Nashville, is excited to announce the release of her new single, “Training Wheels”. Known for blending folk and country roots with the experimental edge of indie pop, Callie’s sound captures raw vulnerability and emotion inspired by real-life experiences.
“Training Wheels” is an intimate reflection on growing up, framed as a metaphor for life’s challenges. Callie explains: “Growing up feels like being thrown on a two-wheel bike without training wheels. I wanted the bridge and instrumental section to feel like flying down a hill uncontrollably—like anything could happen.”
The single was written with a powerhouse team of collaborators: producer Jonathan Beard, and songwriters Callie, Jonathan Beard, Mason Crisp, and Skyler Mayes. Behind-the-scenes footage from the writing session captures the organic creation of the song. The music video, filmed in Franklin, TN, features Callie riding a pink bike with training wheels, perfectly encapsulating the song’s nostalgic and introspective themes.
Callie’s creative team includes collaborators Beard, and Mayes, who co-wrote and produced her previous release, “falling either way”. Together, they bring a dynamic energy that shines through in her music.
About Callie Young
Callie Young’s music draws comparisons to artists like Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, and Gracie Abrams, weaving heartfelt storytelling with atmospheric soundscapes. Her ability to evoke raw emotion makes her a compelling voice in the indie music landscape.
Lucie Sue has today released her new video for the track titled ‘Battlestation’. Hard core to the core with just enough hook to make your mind rabid and enough attitude to make you rethink your spotless criminal record. This is a total suckerpunch to that precious spot and a massive take on to the mainstream.
Filtered through angst and mastered by anarchy, ‘Battlestation’ lives up to the title in everyway by taking those guttural feelings and bringing them to the surface.
Every instrument is in it’s place and the vocals scream above in heated harmony by taking the lyrics and making them an in your face cavalcade of truth, justice, and destruction.
About Lucie Sue
A fierce new voice emerging from the intersection of punk and metal, French musician Lucie Sue and her eponymous band make their U.S. debut with the single “Battlestation.” The track arrives alongside a bold, high-energy video that captures Lucie’s rebellious spirit and unbridled charisma.
Joined by bandmates Mitch, Laura and Enzo, “Battlestation” is a perfect showcase for Lucie’s signature sound – dark, heavy riffs overlaid with Lucie’s vocals – part spoken word, part infection chorus. A powerful fusion of ’90s grunge and modern metal, “Battlestation” hits hard both sonically and lyrically, serving as a manifesto of female empowerment.
Rolling Stone France said of the track: “Direct and powerful, it mixes modern and vintage influences without forgetting the musician’s signature style…”
A child of the MTV generation, Lucie escaped to the sounds of L7, Metallica and PJ Harvey after her cello lessons at the Lyon National Conservatory. An accomplished visual artist, she pivoted to music during the COVID lockdowns; her stylish, DIY releases quickly gaining a devout following via social media.
Already booked for Hellfest 2025, a full-length album and tour dates will come later this year (more details to be announced soon).
With her distinctive style and boundless energy, Lucie Sue is poised to become one of the most exciting musical breakthroughs of 2025.
Welsh powerhouse Rockabye Reaper have decided to release a rock ballad written with bandmate Dan Clarke before his sudden and tragic passing in July, in honor of his memory.
Dan was a very talented pianist. He started out as a stagehand for his childhood musical idol Howard Jones. Howard noticed his musical talent and one day invited him to support him on his UK Tour. This further developed into an invitation to formally join Howard’s band on a full time basis. In the following years, Dan would travel the world with Howard playing to thousands. Later linking up with his old friend Keeley and after hearing early demo tapes of Rockabye Reaper tracks, Dan would become a full time member. Dan’s impact on Rockabye Reaper was profound as he came with an abundance of talent and contributed so much to the band.
The video contains actual footage of Dan performing the track at The Moon Club in Cardiff in April, which was part of a live performance video and was to be the last time performing live all together. The rest of the band decided to use the footage and create a video to honor him and the beautiful rock ballad he helped create. The second part of the video which was recorded in September, shows the band performing around an empty grand piano in an emotional tribute to their absent friend.
The song itself touches on grief and the longing for those that are no longer with us. It reflects on how you can have a bond so strong that even though you may not be able to see someone anymore, they never truly leave us. They simply walk through a door, awaiting us on the other side until we are ready to once again join them.
About Rockabye Reaper
Born from the notorious hotbed of musical talent that is South Wales, Rockabye Reaper are already cutting through the masses to make their mark on the world of heavy music.
Formed in 2022, Rockabye Reaper have already caught the attention of the local scene with their debut single and music video, ‘Betrayal’.
Rockabye Reaper have attracted considerable radio play, and received glowing reviews from the likes of BBC Radio Wales, named ‘Single of the Week’ on TotalRock Radio, praise from countless local Rock Radio Stations and even reaching Spanish Rock Radio!
Rockabye Reaper’s debut single has received a glowing reception straight out the gate with streams, views and engagement not to be sniffed at.
Rockabye Reaper are busy refining their craft with recent live performances including SOS Festival and support slots with Benji Webbe (Skindred) and Leader of Down (Late Wurzel of Motorhead).
Ciao Ciao Marigold has released his new album titled ‘satsuma’ via Twelve Tone Records. Lo-fi meets hi-class with a retro feel dive into that smoke filled room filled with ideas and a beautifully slacker vibe. Somewhat eclectic and era-spanning, ‘satsuma’ feels like a concept looking for a concept but finds a mind melded nirvana that takes the listener on a journey that they don’t want to stop.
Hints of jazz and colorful nuances throughout, ‘satsuma’ is one of those albums that needs a listen on vinyl to catch the full experience. Analog can really be superior to digital, if done right.
About Ciao Ciao Marigold
What do Khruangbin, Studio Ghibli, and THC gummies have in common? The answer lies in Ciao Ciao Marigold (CCM), the eclectic Lofi psychedelic music project born from the imagination of NYC-based producer Mike Brun. Blending catchy, instrumental beats with a dreamlike animated visual world, CCM has been quietly reshaping the Lofi music scene with what fans lovingly describe as “stoned virtuosity.” Think funky basslines, reverb-soaked synths, intricate guitar melodies, and vibey drum grooves—all wrapped in a warm, technicolour embrace.
Since its understated launch in December 2022, Ciao Ciao Marigold has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, boasting two million Spotify streams per month and an impressive 25,000+ social media followers. The project’s meteoric rise has come without a single live performance—until now. With the release of its highly anticipated album, satsuma, CCM is set to bring its kaleidoscopic soundscapes to life on stage with an album release concert on February 6th, 2024, at Nublu 151 in New York City.
Brun, an accomplished musician and producer, launched CCM in secret, writing, producing, and mixing the music entirely on his own. He played nearly every instrument himself, collaborating only with a select group of elite NYC musicians and visual artist Hannah van der Weide, who helped craft CCM’s vibrant animated world. Viral posts on TikTok and Instagram quickly followed, drawing fans with a singular blend of hand-crafted musicality and unabashedly funky grooves.
In a genre flooded with algorithm-driven blandness, CCM stands apart as a meticulously crafted labour of love. Its music is infused with cultural and aesthetic inspirations, offering listeners a richly textured experience that “saturates life with technicolour chillness.”
The new album, satsuma, is a playful nod to the global inspirations behind CCM’s sound. Each track is named after a different breed of orange, symbolizing the diverse cultural and musical flavours that shaped the project. Highlights include: “Byeonggyul”, a tribute to the ethereal influence of Korean artist Mid-Air Thief, and “Sumo”, a track whose thick, juicy lead guitar tone lives up to its heavyweight name. The single has made the facemelts top 20 songs of 2024.
The album unfolds like a sensory journey, revealing its subtle depths with every listen. It has already garnered critical acclaim, with singles featured on Spotify’s Editorial playlist “Alt Here” and several high-profile Facemelts playlists for 2024.
With, satsuma, already racking up hundreds of thousands of streams, CCM is poised for an even bigger breakout year. Brun’s transition from the studio to the stage promises to be a transformative moment for the project and its fans. The live debut at Nublu 151 will showcase the same care and virtuosity that has defined CCM’s rise—a night of lush, immersive music not to be missed.
Monteceneri is a band from Milan that formed in 2019. Their musical formula comes from a fusion of post-rock settings and electronic sounds. A mix in which they pour all the most related influences with the aim of not locking themselves in a comfort zone. After the 2021 release of the singles “Evo,” “Heimweh,” and “Plan O,” the group is back in 2025 with the EP Due, recorded and mixed by Ruggero Catania and mastered by Mauro Andreolli at das Ende der Dinge studio. Due will be released on January 24, 2025 by the Lady Lovely Label.
The band composed “Call of the Void” in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 lockdown, when all reference to what their lives and daily lives had been seemed (or perhaps were) permanently changed to be sucked into an elusive dystopian vortex. When they presented the track to Marec, their lifelong music video director, they gave him carte blanche just asking him to be inspired by the sounds giving free rein to his imagination.
“This is not the first time I have collaborated with the Monteceneri.” comments Marec. “Their songs, characterized by long and deep tempos, offer me the opportunity to explore and create small short films that turn into real musical journeys. With “Call of the Void”, we took the time to pay homage to the immense breath of their music, inspired by a scene from the book Oceano mare by Alessandro Baricco. In that story, there was a man painting the sea using the sea itself; here, however, we imagined a young boy drawing the lake with the lake.”
The Veer Union have launched into 2025 with the release of the their new album, “Welcome To Dystopia”. The 8 song, apocalyptic themed album by the Vancouver BC, Canada based group includes previously released hit singles “Empirical”; “Is This How It Ends”, and the title track, which included a guest appearance by rising rockers Silent Theory. The focus track for the LP is “No Excuse” which excoriates leaders around the world for leaving the poor, middle class and working class behind in an evolving world – in order to help the wealthy grow their net worth to obscene levels. An ominous spoken word intro explodes into driving guitars, buoyed by a hypnotic piano and synth melody line that are propelled forward by thunderous drums with a chugging, relentless rhythm.
The Veer Union says “No Excuse’ is a powerful rallying cry that exposes the deep-rooted betrayal of the working class by those in power. For decades, our leaders have decimated the middle class by outsourcing our manufacturing base, leaving communities to struggle while the wealthy elite thrive. At the same time, governments have colluded with big tech to suppress dissent, using cancel culture and censorship as tools to control the narrative.
They continue “Endless wars have claimed countless innocent lives, torn nations apart, and yet, the only ones to benefit are those at the top. We’ve endured lockdowns, had our freedoms stripped away, and watched our futures grow uncertain. The dream of prosperity has been ripped from us, leaving today’s youth with little more than a dim outlook for a better tomorrow. The rise of AI and robotics threatens to further control, weaponizing technology to erode autonomy. But in this age of information, people are waking up exponentially to the reality of our situation—and they’re demanding accountability from those who’ve betrayed us. All hope is not lost… Yet.”
About The Veer Union
The Veer Union is a Vancouver, BC, Canada Hard Rock/Metal band that released their 1st album independently in 2006. They landed a record deal with Universal Records USA in 2008 and garnered their 1st Top 10 Active Rock Radio Single with their critically acclaimed song “Seasons” in the US and Canada. Since then, The Veer Union has amassed 360,000+ social media followers and has collectively sold over 225,000 Albums and has over 190 million cumulative streams worldwide. They have achieved 12 Top 40 Singles on the Billboard Rock Radio Charts, and have 10+ million cumulative video views on Youtube.
Known for their dynamic live shows, TVU plays an average of 100 shows per year. They’ve toured with RED, Puddle Of Mudd, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Hinder, Saliva and Alesana, among others.
Alex Pester’s music was born out of contradictions. The desperate desire to connect through introspection; His songs are diary entries, yet the melodies are welcoming, evergreen. You are unlikely to find him shouting about his work, his performances are mysterious and hard to predict, and yet all 7 of his albums communicate his world, his loves and his fears in technicolor.
From the richly orchestrated baroque pop of “Devotion” (released when he was just 18 years old) to the ambitious genre experiments of “Boy” (2024), Pester’s music continues to reach into new emotional territory, instrumentation and styles. These 5 intensely prolific years have culminated in the singular focus of “Bedroom Songs”. The beating heart of the artist.
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with the entire band known as Denude, and on the day of the release of their new album titled ‘A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees’ via Expert Work/Dipterid Records (check it out below). Kicking off this new age of murmured capitalism is a record release show tonight (January 10th) at Sleeping Village in Chicago, Il (details HERE).
In this interview, we get to talk with the entire band, James David (Murder in the Red Barn, Fuiguirnet), Jesse Schomisch (Fuiguirnet), and Matthew Parrish (Piglet, Dr Manhattan), about the origins of this supergroup as well as the recording process and everything ‘A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees’ and the state of the music business and how the world influences the new music coming out.
A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees
‘A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees’ is that rare set of uncut gems that take the old school and make it fresh new cool with the originality and fervor of the golden era of independent music, when alternative was still the alternative, yet give it a fresh coat of iridescent paint and present it with all of the fervor and earnestness that only the best artists and truthful poets could ever do.
This is more of, or as much of, an experience as it is an album. Each song is it’s own world in a solar system of gritty influence and dirty charm. A sucker punch through the groin into the heart is the best way to deliver music like this. And it delivers. What I love the most is the similar diversity that the album, as a whole, gives the listener. Each track seems like it was created as a single, yet is different enough from each of the other tracks that it could stand on it’s own and still feel right. Hints of a concept and dashes of a story, ‘A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees’ if a fluttering of the independent heart.
About Denude
Denude, the Illinois-Wisconsin based math rock trio, is unveiling their debut LP, A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees. Formed by veterans of Chicago and Milwaukee’s underground scenes, Denude brought together James David (Murder in the Red Barn, Fuiguirnet), Jesse Schomisch (Fuiguirnet), and Matthew Parrish (Piglet, Dr Manhattan), musicians whose collective history spans decades and is steeped in the rusted vans and DIY spaces of the Midwest.
The roots of Denude run deep. Back in the early 2000s, Matthew Parrish, then the drummer for Piglet, attended a show at Chicago’s Fireside Bowl to see James David’s band, Murder in the Red Barn. “I was eager to form a connection with the band,” Parrish recalls. The two groups became fast friends, playing countless shows together in basements, skateparks, and DIY art spaces across Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Louis. Commenting on today’s release, third and the last single off their upcoming LP, Jesse Schomisch explains: “Phalanx’ is Denude at our most punk, at least so far. It’s noisy and dissonant, overtly political and irreverent, tense but with a satisfying release.”
Their debut album, A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees, was recorded with minimal production over three days at Howl Street Recording in Milwaukee. Engineered by long-time friend Shane Hochstetler (Child Bite, Call Me Lightning), the album captures the raw, immediate energy of the band’s live sound. With just 14 hours of live tracking and very few overdubs, the result is a tight, visceral eight-track LP that reflects the DIY ethos Denude embodies. While the lyrical aspect shows the full palette of different themes confronting the anxieties of contemporary life with its capitalism, environmental threats, wars, economics, and existentialism. “His delivery doesn’t pull any punches,” says Parrish. “At times, it feels like he’s shouting into the ears of listeners out of sheer frustration”.
Known for their no-frills performances and refusal to hide behind digital personas, Denude aims to connect directly with audiences, preferring to be on the floor with their fans rather than isolated in green rooms.
Clean Lines has today released their new EP titled ‘Nuisance’ via Spaghetty Town Records. Short, sweet, and to the point musically, ‘Nuisance’ is one of those sets of songs that feels good as you listen and preserves that rock spirit of bands past with just enough angst, anarchy, and bravado to please the inner rebel in us all and realize how cool it was to be the outsider in our youth.
I have to admit, only being four songs kind of pissed me off, but in a good way. I appreciated what was there more and came to know that there can be more coming. Anticipation can be a good thing.
About Clean Lines
Seattle’s Clean Lines, a rock supergroup? I wouldn’t call them that. They’re just a bunch of seasoned rock’n’rollers with a well rounded rock pedigree. You might recognize these bunch of oddballs who’ve been in The Briefs, Circle Jerks, Geraldine Fibbers, and Boss Martians if we are dropping names.
Regulars on the Seattle club circuit, Clean Lines have opened for bands like Mean Jeans, Tommy & The Commies, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes and The Kids. Fun fact, before joining Clean Lines, Steve E. Nix saw them perform and exclaimed “I really want to be in this band!”.
That brings us to Clean Lines “Nuisance” EP. Is it power pop, punk, 70s rock? Infamous Seattle producer Johnny Sangster (credits include Mudhoney, The Briefs, The Posies) described them as “brat rock”. Clean Lines just think of themselves as some of the finest contemporary 70s style RnR/Power Pop that you’ll hear this year.
The Clean Lines “Nuisance” EP is available on vinyl from Spaghetty Town Records (US), Ghost Highway Recordings (Spain) and Wanda Records (Germany). It is also available on all major streaming and download outlets starting January 10th.
Los Angeles alternative rock duo Plastic Rhino traveled to the world renown Real World Studios in Box, UK to record their latest single “I Rise”, a track about how a place so beautifully haunting during the day, can be full of death and deceit when the sun goes down.
About the single, the band says, “This song is about the beauty and tragedy of our history towards women, especially in the medieval times when women who showed power or healing were accused of witchcraft and murdered in the thousands all over the world. When we visited Edinburgh, during the day it was a walk through history and beauty, but at the night, the ghost stories, death, and murder of the city made it strangely beautiful in such a sinister way.”
Vocalist Atara Glazer adds, “Society through the ages always tries to keep women down, but we always rise back up (like zombies) and take our power back.”
The writing and recording process for “I Rise” put Plastic Rhino in charge of creating the entire song from start to finish in three intense days at Real World Studios famed Producer Camp, a highly regarded songwriting and production masterclass offered twice a year to musicians, artists, and producers from around the world wanting to raise their musical skills, and learn from the best of the best.
Plastic Rhino got to work with some of UK’s top musicians and producers, including Howie Gill on drums and electric drums, Adrian Utley (Portishead) on synths, and Jantine Heij (Skrillex) on backing vocals. Mixing and Mastering by Steve Evans (Robert Plant) and Tim Oliver (New Order).
The Defect has released their new single titled 'Into The Void' from their upcoming album 'Death X Destiny', dropping February 7th via FiXT Music.
The Defect has released their new single titled ‘Into The Void’ from their upcoming album ‘Death X Destiny’, dropping February 7th via FiXT Music. Featuring one of the best guitar fueled intros I have ever heard, the song only goes up from there with a brutal attack on the senses with electric and electronica on an operatic scale and world building fusion of solid rock groove and anarchistic noise.
That fine line between hell yeah and hell no collide and blur with filth and fervor only deliverable from the best musical artists one could conceive. Simply amazing. Enough said.
About ‘Death X Destiny’
‘Death X Destiny’ is a visceral journey through themes of pain, loss, and self-destruction, expertly woven into a soundscape of gritty guitars, haunting melodies, and electrifying synths. With ‘Death X Destiny’, The Defect brings their bold and emotive vision to the stage exploring a range of influences while pushing sonic boundaries. With an appearance from The Browning on the single “Immortal,” fans of hard rock, alternative metal, and industrial music will find themselves drawn to the unique dual-vocal dynamics between Jonny McBee and Moon, who seamlessly merge sultry melodies with brutal power.
With tracks like “Broken Minds,” a haunting reflection of emotional fragmentation, “Lost In The Shadows,” a darky and sultry duet balancing darkness and light, “Dreamwalker,” an electrifying anthem blending ethereal melodies and brutal breakdowns, and “Eternal (What Do You See?)”, shifting between serene to savage ‘Death X Destiny’ is a testament to The Defect’s innovative approach, combining gritty guitars, dynamic vocals, and atmospheric synths to create a uniquely powerful and emotionally resonant sound. With their irresistible energy and raw intensity The Defect continues to redefine the landscape of electronic-rock. And they are just getting started.
“Into The Void” delivers a visceral exploration of pain, loss, and self-destruction, set against a backdrop of haunting melodies and unrelenting intensity. This song captures the raw emotional journey of falling into darkness and the struggle to reclaim oneself. “Into The Void” showcases The Defect’s reputation for blending gripping lyricism with evocative soundscapes, making it a must-feature release for fans of dark and emotional alternative music.
Formed by brothers Evan and Quinn Seurkamp, southeastern Ohio band The Laughing Chimes calls on the bright jangle of multiple generations of college rock and indie pop for their sweetly melodic tunes. Echoes of the best of the Flying Nun roster met with R.E.M.-informed vocal harmonies on their 2021 album In This Town, and the band began working with Slumberland for the release of their 2022 EP Zoo Avenue. The band’s latest material sees them adopting darker post punk sounds to bloom a new vein of southern gothic infused dream pop.
On their spellbinding sophomore album, Whispers in the Speech Machine, the young Ohio siblings from The Laughing Chimes have fully embraced their Southern Gothic influences.
“We challenged ourselves to take on the new approach of a spooky jangle-pop sound,” explains guitarist/vocalist Evan Seurkamp. “I always describe it as R.E.M. playing in a graveyard or abandoned church. They’re from Athens, Georgia and we’re from Athens, Ohio, so we clearly have some kind of spiritual connection.”
While attending an afterschool music program at their local opera house, Evan and his brother Quinn began recording The Laughing Chimes’ debut album. Released in 2020 by Pretty Olivia Records, In This Town rapidly raised the duo’s profile, leading to their signing to Slumberland. A string of digital singles and cassette EP between LPs one and two followed, plus recent highlights such as opening for their heroes Guided By Voices. The eight assured songs of Whispers in the Speech Machine prove The Laughing Chimes deserve these accolades, while their approaches to songwriting and sonic aesthetics continue to evolve.
“I have a closet full of dark, brooding clothes, but I wouldn’t say I’ve always been a goth,” laughs Evan. “Adopting the image is a more recent thing to reflect our sound, but I’ve also been trying to find a balance because our music has other influences, too. A lot of modern goth music is very electronic, which is a shame. Why are people scared of guitars?”
Alongside the lingering lyrical influence of Robert Pollard, allowing listeners to derive their own meanings from his surrealist streams of consciousness, these songs draw upon the desolate environments of The Laughing Chimes’ home state. “Southeast Ohio is the foothills of Appalachia, so it has this indescribable mood and atmosphere to it,” Evan told The Big Takeover. “Sometimes there’s a haunting weight of decay you want to escape, but at the same time there is some sort of strange romanticism surrounding ghost towns. We’ve tried to channel those moods to add more regional flavor into our sound.”
References to classic ghost stories and folk tales are peppered throughout the album, with stops at several infamous Ohio locales. Synthy first single “High Beams” borrows its title from an entry in the book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, channeling a dangerous late night highway encounter into an impending romantic breakdown. With its heavier shoegaze sound, “He Never Finished A Thought” nods to the classic supernatural story Wait ‘Til Martin Comes.
“It’s about a man who breaks down on the side of the road and meets a group of talking cats who debate amongst themselves about what they will do to him,” Evan explains. “Theme-wise, it’s more of a spooky love song about waiting too long to tell someone about your feelings, and then it’s too late.”
“Mudhouse Mansion” closes the album on a moody note with bright, rambling riffs propelling evocative phrases such as “the room’s a blur on the Polaroid inside your dreams.” Evan didn’t have a chance to visit the song’s titular 1800s style farmhouse before it was torn down in 2015, but he’s known about its reputation for ghost hunting since he was a kid. “Around here, you have to create your own things to do as you grow up and find your own place in the world,” he says. “Retelling those kinds of ghost stories and creating myths is a lot of fun, even if you know they’re not true. It gives you a purpose to visit these haunted locations and figure things out for yourself.”
Party Nails has released her new album titled 'Pillow Talk' via Eye Knee Records.
Party Nails has today released her new album titled ‘Pillow Talk’ via Eye Knee Records. A sheer cross-blend of genres and styles colliding through the mind and soul of a songwriter, ‘Pillow Talk’ takes that mash and meld of what this decade has become and has it all make sense with a seamless set of songs that transition into one another while keeping their own individuality.
This is one of those rare times there is something for everyone laid out with these ten tracks that literally, at times, feel like they are from different artists. But, it all fits. How? No idea. But it does. Every song giving the love it deserves through the birthing process; welcomed to the world with this release. All for you.
About ‘Pillow Talk’
The ten track collection is a genre-bending timeless yet forward thinking album featuring an intoxicating mix of retro synthwave, futuristic electro-pop, and lush indie rock. Pillow Talk finds Party Nails in a honey colored party mood. Opening with “Same Old Song”, an indie rock ode sung into the rear view mirror, our hero seems to have chucked her bluer feelings into the backseat (with snacks) and let “fun” sit shotgun all the way to the slumber party. Carroll and her unhinged musical prowess deftly drive her gang of emotions through her particular brand of brash synth pop (“First Responder”, “Movie Scene”), as well as the grunge and punk-infused second half (“Someway Somehow”, “Do U Know How”). Detours abound as she careens through genre twists and turns, before pulling up to the blanket-fort for a heart to heart with your head on the pillow next to her (“Trigger Warning”, Dirty Water”).
Before she was Party Nails, Elana Carroll was a guitar-toting tween, playing any open mic near her hometown of Chatham, New York. At home she recorded herself with Garageband, instigating a love of music technology which continues to this day. Party Nails debuted in 2015 on Neon Gold’s famed blog with Break. Her first tour in 2017 (with PVRIS and Lights) ushered in a devoted fanbase, and her live performances continue to be a core facet of her artistry, being equal parts Madonna, Hayley Williams, and Sheryl Crow. In 2020 she wrote Rockin’ on the Rag, a song about period pride, for Loren Bouchard’s Apple animated series Central Park, wrote and produced the Le Tigre-infused Supernatural for feminist rock duo Deap Vally, and continued to lend her vocals to other musicians (LŪN, Urban Heat, Battle Tapes, MitiS, Getter, and others have featured her vocals on their releases).
Her music has been in movies and television (Glass, Girls, The L Word: Generation Q, Nancy Drew, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) featured in various media outlets (Billboard, PAPER, Noisey, Earmilk, Paste and more) and included on Spotify Editorial playlists such as Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Indie, and Undercurrents. She operates a recording studio, Top Coat, in Los Angeles, where she records, produces and mixes for other artists as well as her own projects.
About Party Nails
Before she was Party Nails, Elana Carroll was the tween-dream-open-mic-queen of Chatham, NY. Garageband, meanwhile, sparked a passion for technology, revealing an artist equal parts frontman and engineer, ham and bone. Elana’s love of the studio has only grown, while a growing audience continues to adore her onstage.
Party Nails debuted in 2015 on Neon Gold’s famed blog with Break, toured in 2017 (with PVRIS and Lights), produced and wrote with produced feminist rock duo Deap Vally and lent her vocal magic to LŪN, Urban Heat, Battle Tapes, MitiS, Getter, and more. Elana’s music has been in movies and television (Glass, Girls, The L Word: Generation Q, Nancy Drew, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) featured in Billboard, PAPER, Noisey, Earmilk, Paste, etc, and on Spotify playlists Fresh Finds, Undercurrents and more. She operates Top Coat recording studio in Los Angeles, where she records, produces and mixes for Party Nails and others. She’s also pretty funny (check “Rockin’ on the Rag,” her period pride canticle for Loren Bouchard’s Apple animated series Central Park).
Rainbows Are Free’s sonic pedigree appears on the rock n’ roll family tree at the point where proto-metal and heavy psychedelia shared a common apocryphal ancestor before branching off into their own distinct lineages. Their fourth studio record “Silver and Gold” is a dark-tinged, heavy offering that immediately conjures a sense of foreboding right out of the gates – a comforting dreariness that the band embraces to channel their sonic attack. They are at peace here, if not at home.
The sonic assault continues as the band pummels the listener with crunchy guitars erupting into explosive leads that ride upon a driving rhythm section, held together by a lattice of spacey synth and guitar atmospherics. Rainbows Are Free’s soundscape is further cemented by lead singer Brandon Kistler’s soaring, crooning, and at times snarling, vocal fury. In all, the heavy psych alchemy at work on the album is apparent in their multi-faceted sound that spins proggy riffs, sexy groove magick, garage surf-rock, and even a death metal inspired ripper into “Silver and Gold” as a varied, but cohesive listening experience.
About the new single “Sleep”, vocalist Brandon Kistler comments: “Lyrically, it’s pretty straight ahead, and I’m most proud of the chorus for its honesty about society today and how we perceive it. It’s very relatable to how I felt at the time. My favorite line is, “We can’t let it break, no it can’t be broke.” I’m referring to society as a whole, and I was thinking about my children and the future of that society when I ad-libbed that line… we have to make it work.”
About Rainbows Are Free
Rainbows Are Free formed in late 2007 as the conglomerate of several long-time heavy rock bands from Norman, OK. In February 2008, they self-released an eponymous demo EP featuring the track “Are You Dead”, which catapulted the band into the burgeoning heavy psych scene of the era. A year later they began work on a full- length album, Believers In Medicine, which was released in April 2010 on Guestroom Records Records (GRR). They followed up with their second album on GRR in 2014 with the release of Waves Ahead of the Ocean. In 2019 Rainbows saw an international release with their fourth studio offering, Head Pains, on Italian doom/stoner/sludge label Argonauta Records (Arenzano, GE), followed by a live retrospective album in 2023 with the release of Heavy Petal Music on California-based heavy psych/stoner/doom juggernauts, Ripple Music.
Often appearing in costumed stage dress, the band, fronted by the soaring and snarling nigh 7-foot cyclone of weirdness that is Brandon Kistler, continues to shock and amaze fans by introducing an element of good- humored theatrics to accompany their live sonic assault. This is achieved in no small part due to the guitar prowess and songwriting of Richie Tarver, joined by the ambient soundscapes of Joey Powell on rhythm guitar and Josh Elam on spacey synth, and rounded out by the thunderous low end of Jason Smith on bass and Bobby Onspaugh on drums.
Rainbows Are Free continue to bring their unique brand of psychedelic heaviness on tour as they support the release of their upcoming studio album, Silver and Gold, due out Spring of 2025 on Ripple Music.
Mild Minds has today released his new single titled 'I Need U' from his upcoming album 'Gemini' dropping on February 25th via Foreign Family Collective.
Mild Minds has today released his new single titled ‘I Need U’ from his upcoming album ‘Gemini’ dropping on February 25th via Foreign Family Collective.
The depth of meaning in art, any art, is subjective as much as it is universal in perspective truth. ‘I Need U’ captures that guttural of clarity and feeling with a beat set to motion and an orchestral electronic flair that appeals to masses of all ages.
While this is clearly a dance track, there sparks of life from many influences and traces of emotion that anyone normal should feel. This is that sense of longing deep down inside, found only in that place we fear to tread.
About ‘I Need U’
Driven by luminous chord progressions and captivating vocal elements, ‘I Need U’ embodies a profound sense of longing that perfectly captures the emotional depth of the upcoming album. The track serves as an ideal introduction to Mild Minds’ evolved sound, where contemporary club music elements interweave with deeply personal sentiment.
About ‘Gemini’
Where David’s 2020 debut album ‘MOOD’ represented a creative revelation and risk-taking departure from his behind-the-scenes work, ‘Gemini’ emerges as a testament to that artistic leap’s rewards. The album references turn-of-the-century underground club music, utilizing dynamic breaks, atmospheric textures, and chopped 2000’s R&B samples alongside early trance influences and ethereal vocals. This sonic foundation creates an unprecedented dialogue across the album between club-focused elements and melancholic emotions rarely explored in dance music.
On ‘Gemini’, human existence is contrasted with stark digital pads and re-sampled drum breaks, bringing on a sense of humanity in dystopia. This theme extends into the album’s visual identity, where rooms with transparent digital screens are filled with lush imagery of nature — a poignant juxtaposition between the digital and tangible universe. The visual campaign’s transparent devices and album name serve as a nod to the early 2000s while speaking to our current reality.
At the heart of David’s forthcoming album lies a poignant reflection on humanity in a digital age. Benjamin David explains, “The album brings together sounds you would normally hear only in club genres and recontextualizes them, paired with melancholic emotions that one wouldn’t usually hear transcribed by such sounds.”
The forthcoming album will stand as Mild Minds’ second full body of work released on Foreign Family Collective, following his critically lauded 2020 debut ‘MOOD.’ This new album promises to push the boundaries of David’s artistry, seamlessly blending his signature emotive electronica with unexplored sonic territories. Sonically, the album references turn of the century club music, utilizing breaks, airy pads, and chopped 2000’s R&B samples, a nod to early trance and ethereal bittersweet vocals. The album is poised to showcase Mild Minds’ development as a producer, delving deeper into the intersection of organic and electronic soundscapes that have become his hallmark.
About Mild Minds
Mild Minds, the brainchild of GRAMMY®-nominated producer Benjamin David, has always been a conduit for exploring the intersection of human emotion and technological progress. With his sophomore album ‘GEMINI’, set for release early 2025 via ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective, David pushes this exploration to new heights, crafting a sonic landscape that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. This highly anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed 2020 debut ‘MOOD’ marks a bold evolution in David’s artistic journey.
At the core of David’s artistic identity is a belief in electronic music’s power to express complex emotions. ‘GEMINI’ exemplifies this ethos, reimagining turn-of-the-century club sounds through a lens of introspection and melancholy. The album weaves breaks, airy pads, and chopped 2000’s R&B samples with nods to early trance and UK garage, leaving a sonic fingerprint that is at once nostalgic and startlingly contemporary.
At the heart of ‘GEMINI’ lies a poignant reflection on humanity in a digital age. Benjamin David explains, “The album brings together sounds you would normally hear only in club genres and recontextualizes them, paired with melancholic emotions that one wouldn’t usually hear transcribed by such sounds.” This unique approach is evident in tracks like “LAST CHANCE”, “EMPTY SPACE”, and “GEMINI”, where familiar club elements take on new emotional depth. David’s artistic vision extends beyond sound, encompassing a striking visual campaign that echoes the album’s themes. Stark rooms with transparent screens displaying faded nature scenes create a multi-sensory experience, challenging listeners to find warmth and connection in an increasingly digital reality.
Since Mild Minds’ emergence in 2018, David has consistently pushed boundaries and defied genre conventions. Drawing inspiration from human movement, patterns, and artificial intelligence, he crafts soundscapes that are as intellectually stimulating as they are emotionally evocative. His debut album ‘MOOD’ earned widespread acclaim, including a shortlist nomination for the Australian Music Prize, and has amassed over 200 million streams. The project has garnered remixes from visionary artists like Jacques Greene and DJ Boring, while a remix of “SWIM” by ford. earned Mild Minds a GRAMMY® nomination.
In the intervening years between ‘MOOD’ and ‘GEMINI’, David has expanded his artistic vision beyond Mild Minds. In 2024, he launched MOODS INTL., his own record label providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. This entrepreneurial spirit complements his continued relationship with Foreign Family Collective, allowing David to nurture new talent while pushing his own artistry to new heights.
As Mild Minds prepares to tour extensively in support of ‘GEMINI’, Benjamin David remains committed to his core artistic principles: emotional authenticity, sonic innovation, and a deep respect for electronic music’s transformative power. The album stands as a testament to his unique ability to blend underground club culture with contemporary production, creating a sound that’s both familiar and groundbreaking.
With each release, David invites listeners to join him on a journey of introspection and revelation. ‘GEMINI’ is no exception – it’s a powerful reminder of the profound human connection that can be forged through sound, even in our increasingly digital world.
Alternative electro-soul artist FEM du lit will release their new single, ‘Cold Cold World’. The single is the third single off FEM du lit’s upcoming debut album ‘Stigmata’ (due for release in February 2025). The soulful ballad is about the stigma of queerness–of homosexuality being perceived as an impurity–and ruptures in family relationships that ensue.
FEM du lit tells the story of homophobia rooting itself in Congolese culture as an infection, stating “Contamination’s gotten so tough. Distilled love cannot be the answer”. Vocals resembling Anita Baker, the single spotlights anti-religious themes from the album and showcases FEM du lit’s bilingual lyricism. The track ends with an intimate French poem spoken over a bolero melody, describing grief and pericardial effusion (or flooding of the heart)–a unique way of depicting patrilineal heartbreak. The afro-futuristic spin on production adds to the elemental feeling of drowning a broken heart.
About FEM du lit
Singer-producer Francesca Eluhu–artist name FEM du lit (a play on words meaning “woman of the bed”)–is a Seattle based artist of French and Congolese descent. Their music seamlessly pulls inspiration from both their Afro-diasporic heritage and an eclectic range of influences from Mereba to Salami-Rose Joe Louis.
Known for being the front-person to Seattle’s psychedelic neo-soul band, Day Soul Exquisite, Francesca ventures into an alternative/indie, electro-soul sound for their solo project, FEM du lit. Their third single features instrumentalists Josh Pehrson, Zora Seboulisa, and Lily M Tahar, and is to be released on Eluhu’s independent record label, La fem records.
FEM du lit’s 13-song album “‘Stigmata'”, comes out in February 2025.
Allure has today released his new track titled ‘Face To Face’. An atmospheric feel and a lucid beat filled with dancefloor emotions and subdued sonic emoticons, Allure adds electricity and eclectic feel to the European electronic sound with cinematic flair and organic scope.
A touch of funk and a dash of crunk with a house mentality and historical rave origins, ‘Face To Face’ comes face to face with that part of you that is still couped up from the lockdown and yearns to get down with those of us who’ve been set free.
About Allure
Son of the French Touch scene, Allure produces a classy electronic sound, combining soulful harmonies, funky grooves, housy energy, and a touch of romance.
Expert of musical theory, his music follows nevertheless a single formula : “Intense and Harmonious”.
The name Allure has an important double meaning for the young frenchy : it refers to a certain timeless elegance “à la française”, but also to an international dimension shown in the writing of the word itself.
Bottle-fed with MJ and Pharrell’s pop, Prince and Jamiroquai’s funk, Daft Punk’s filtered house, The Neptunes futuristic productions, or Satie and Sakamoto’s melancholy, he is part of this new generation of producers who have been able to free themselves from record companies and flourish in independence.
Alongside his numerous gigs in Paris, across France, and more recently in Asia and across the Atlantic, his discography rapidly expanded : 4 albums, 5 EPs and a significant bunch of remixes.
In nightclubs, his dj sets reflect the character of his music, subtle yet powerful, sophisticated yet catchy, as part of a new generation of funk and disco inspired house music.
Montreal punk quartet Taxi Girls latest single “Rainy” began as a true collaborative effort from the group with the original theme revolving around a narrative of taking pills but eventually evolved into a story about an abusive ex-friend who treated the group poorly…. someone that they’ve got dirt on and are saving that dirt for a rainy day!
The b-side of this fresh Taxi Girls 7-inch features “The Lion’s Share”, a track that also transformed from its early roots as a bittersweet song about missing someone who still crosses your mind from time to time – and that, you know, probably still thinks about you too until revealing the innate perspective that this individual is taking up more mental space that they deserved. Letting go of them brings a fresh sense of freedom and even as their memory lingers, the reality is that you’re better off now than you ever were before.
About Taxi Girls
Taxi Girls are a dynamic rock band born from the vibrant music scene of Montreal. Formed in 2022, this four-piece are known for their gritty, high-energy sound, catchy hooks, and raw yet clever lyrics, delivering a blend of punk attitude and rock ‘n’ roll spirit.
Diving into themes of resilience, revelations, feminism, body positivity , human rights, and the messy beauty of everyday life, Taxi Girls songs are delivered with infectious energy and a touch of Montreal grit.
This past year, Taxi Girls shared stages with such notable acts as NOBRO, NOFX (final tour), Lagwagon , The Hives, Pansy Division – just to name a few. Iggy Pop played a pair of Taxi Girls tracks on his BBC 6 radio show in the UK.
Whether on stage or in the studio, Taxi Girls are making waves, drawing in fans with performances that are both powerful and unapologetically authentic.
Taxi Girls are currently completing an LP to be released later this year with plans to tour and share their unique style of punk n roll with the whole world!
Rose Haze’s new single “The Möbius Oblivion” is a haunting blend of goth rock, post-punk, synth wave, and shoegaze, produced by Jeff Schroeder, formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins. It perfectly melds the boundless synth work of Kate Ramsey with the electrifying guitar work of late guitarist Ruben Gonzales, this single marks his second posthumous release of the year.
Ramsey found it challenging to complete the track due to Gonzales’ passing and wasn’t sure if she could even continue with the project, but after some months of deep meditation and remembering Gonzales’ always telling her to “keep going,” she pushed through the grief feeling like Gonzales’s spirit was with her more than ever during the entire process.
Collaborating with Schroeder (guitar master and technical genius) elevates the track to its fullest potential, allowing the music to honor Gonzales’ legacy while carrying forth the sonic direction Rose Haze has been taking for a few years now, moving away from psychedelic rock towards dreamy goth rock. “The Möbius Oblivion” is a dense dark void of synths and guitars offset to pleading, heavily reverberated vocals and an addictive pulsing bassline.
Lyrically, the song explores the emotional limbo of love—being stuck on a Möbius strip, where you’re endlessly walking both sides of the same issue, unsure whether to fight for a relationship or let go, despite the love that remains.
This concept of the Möbius strip also applies to the idea of wanting to leave the music industry and merely exist as a musician. Just like in a turbulent relationship, Ramsey often finds herself oscillating between feelings of passion and frustration, questioning whether to continue or give up. The cycle feels endless—on one side, there’s the pull of artistic expression, the love of the craft, but on the other, there’s the exhaustion of keeping up with non-musical efforts such as booking and promotion.
Every decision to quit feels like a false ending because the pull to return to music always brings her back, as if she’s bound to the same emotional loop. The Möbius strip symbolizes this paradox, where even in moments of wanting to walk away, the underlying love for the music keeps pulling her back, constantly finding new ways to balance the music and non-music to achieve artistic contentment.
About Roze Haze
Rose Haze is the musical project of Kate Ramsey devoted to limitless sonic exploration. Ramsey is a mercurial songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for experimental soundscapes. She emits an ethereal feminine prowess and powerful panache. Her unabashedly vulnerable lyrics explore the depths of the human experience.
Rarely executing the same set twice, Ramsey’s dynamic live performances embody moody, ethereal vocals and any combination of synths, guitar, bass, harp, or flute, always pushing to improvise within the sonic space.
Ramsey grew up in a small Ohio town, but was destined to run around from place to place performing music, experimenting with various artistic passions, and exploring inner and outer worlds. Best described as idiosyncratic, vulnerable, and unabashedly honest, she is a well-traveled artist who expresses the oddities, woes, and euphoria of life through her music.
Ramsey is now on a journey of sonic rediscovery and transformation after the loss of her best friend and guitarist Ruben Gonzales who made Rose Haze what it is today.
Renowned for their evocative blend of symphonic darkwave, Angelic Foe is thrilled to present the lyric video for “Avnas”. This enchanting track is the latest gem from their album “Amulets and Charms”, out via WormHoleDeath Records.
“Avnas” is a luminous showcase of Angelic Foe’s signature style, where rich orchestral textures merge with powerful melodies and cinematic storytelling. Annmari Thim Hermansson’s haunting vocals bring the track’s atmospheric depth to life, leading listeners into a world of mysticism, myth, and epic musical quests.
The newly released lyric video captures the essence of ‘Avnas,’ weaving imagery and sound into captivating landscapes that complement the song’s ethereal beauty.
“Amulets and Charms” continues to solidify Angelic Foe’s place in the neoclassical and darkwave genres. The album’s nine tracks are rich in emotional depth and cinematic quality, exploring themes of mysticism, mythology, and esotericism. The music is a blend of Annmari’s enchanting vocals and Fredrik Hermansson’s masterful orchestral arrangements, enriched with classical instrumentation and rock and metal elements.
It includes contributions from additional musicians: percussions by Mattias Borgh, viola by Björn Jönsson, and guitars by Jhonny Göransson, with mixing by Léo Margarit and mastering by Magnus Devo Andersson.
Thundermother has today released their new lyric video for the track titled ‘Bright Eyes’ from their upcoming album ‘Dirty & Divine’ dropping February 7th via AFM Records. Dropped like a welcomed soul bomb on my first day back into the review grind, Bright Eyes shows there’s grit and soul in the goal of creating something that pumps the fist and the heart in ways only true artforms can and do.
Soulful vocals float just above that rock guitar dirt and anthemic rhythm as a true fist to the face with an anarchist growl and sarcastic grin fit for the inner snark in all of us.
About Thundermother & ‘Dirty & Divine’
Two years on from the release of their much-acclaimed success album Black & Gold, the rock quartet is currently gearing up for their hotly-anticipated, forthcoming studio album, entitled Dirty & Divine. The band’s sixth studio offering will be released on February 7, 2025 via AFM Records, the album pre-sale is available HERE.
About their new single, “Bright Eyes”, the band comments: “This song is THE Thundermother sound and vibe that people relate to us, and we’re super proud of the recording and the outcome of the song that we really worked on hard in the studio!”
Thundermother have always been committed to the electrifying euphoria of real, organic rock ‘n’ roll. Over the course of 15 years and five widely acclaimed studio albums, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most vivacious and vital hard rock bands around, with a never-say-die spirit and collective charisma that underpin everything they do.
A blistering onslaught of loud, proud and groovy hard rock, their upcoming studio offering Dirty & Divine marks the start of a new era for Thundermother and the recorded debut of two new members: frontwoman Linnea Vikström Egg and drummer Joan Massing. Dirty & Divine also welcomes back bassist Majsan Lindberg to the fold. Bigger, bolder and more dynamic than ever before, the Swedes return as an upgraded and remotivated force! These women are rock ‘n’ roll diehards, and Dirty & Divine takes that ethos through to its logical conclusion. The sixth Thundermother album crackles and fizzles with gritty authenticity and unstoppable passion.
Dirty & Divine is the perfect, pugnacious showcase for a new, improved Thundermother. As the first single releases prove, every one of the album’s ten, sweat-soaked gems will turn out to become an instant anthem. Meanwhile, the decision to record the new material live in the studio has reaped its own rewards. Dirty & Divine is the sound of a kickass rock ‘n’ roll band doing it for real, and loving every raucous second.
“You’ve still got the same Thundermother feeling, with my guitar playing and all of that,” Filippa recently said. “It’s still got a ‘70s vibe, but the melodies are catchier and the vocals are obviously different. We never stand still. I think this is the best album we’ve made so far, and I’m very picky! [Laughs] We recorded it in Copenhagen, with Soren Andersen producing again, and we recorded eight songs in four days. So this was the quickest recording we’ve ever done, and the best outcome!“
Not just a triumphant return but a complete rock ‘n’ roll reset, Dirty & Divine is the exhilarating masterpiece that Thundermother have long threatened to make. It is an adrenalin-soaked salute to the magic of big riffs and razor-sharp melodies, performed by an electrifying, four-woman force with joy in their hearts and world domination still firmly on the agenda. In support of Dirty & Divine, Thundermother will also embark on an extensive European tour, kicking off in Hamburg, Germany in early 2025 (find all dates listed below!). Ready to rock? You fucking bet!
Another year rolls past. I’m a self-confessed music nerd. It’s probably unhealthy music meaning so much to me. In the last few weeks of a year one tradition I have is to search out all the Album of the Year lists. Last year those lists yielded limited fruit and this year provided even slimmer pickings. That’s why I’m proud to say that it strikes me that Doing Something doesn’t sound like anything else being released right now, which is either very worrying or exactly the fucking point! 🤣
Doing something is a meditation on fame, values, creating rather than consuming, the cultural moment, disatisfaction, hope, rushing to judgement and the dangers of disengagement with the real world. That might sound pessimistic – but in the end it’s an optimistic song. It’s about putting these challenges in the rear view mirror, waking up, shaking things up and making a new start. What better time of year to do it?
Musically the track went on quite a journey (more on that below) but finally in this version the dominant influences were John Frusciante’s guitar, the explosive drums of the Flaming Lips and that dirty bass sound that seems to glue everything together. It struck me that clean guitars and dirty bass are a surprisingly rare combo.
The artwork is a photo I took at the Whitechapel gallery “Archive of Disent” exhibition earlier this year. This wasn’t an actual artwork but a kind of blackboard wall in the gallery where people were invited to write and scribble their thoughts. As soon as I saw it I thought I like that and took the photo. And then somehow it seemed to link with the song quite nicely.
Well for those that are interested in that long journey… Some songs come quickly, some take an eternity. But this one probably has had the longest gestation of any I’ve recorded so far. Originally it was an acoustic folky number. Another version, almost croony! Regardless, from the start there was something about it I really liked – hence it stuck around for so long – but whenever I recorded it, it just sounded dull and didn’t work. After the nth time over a period of years I decided to try something very different. Upping the tempo significantly forced the change from folky strumming to a far more choppy and busy rhythm that reminded me of some of Fruscante’s RHCP work. And with that and some tweaking of the original far more laid back vocal this new and definitive version of Doing Something had arrived.
Check out our other features with Novelistme HERE.
Founded in 2018 in Montpellier by Denis Navarro (guitarist and composer), Deleo explores a universe blending post-punk, new wave, and pop. Early on, the band caught the attention of James Sanger (Keane, Oasis), leading to a fruitful collaboration. Despite the challenges of COVID and lineup changes, Deleo evolved with the addition of Philippe Uminski as producer and Émilie Domergue on vocals, whose softness and melancholy brought a fresh dynamic.
Joined by Félicien Bousquet (bass) and Benjamin Marmier (drums), Deleo crafts a sound that alternates between light and shadow. Their debut album, “The Best is Yet To Be”, was praised by the media (Oui FM, Radio France).
In 2024, Deleo will launch a series of bootlegs to keep the connection with their audience, ahead of a new EP in spring 2025, produced by Philippe Uminski, and an album set for release in late 2025.
Dima Midborn is an avant-rock project of a Belgrade-based musician who takes a minimalist approach to music: he recorded his first album using only three instruments – a bass, voice, and a drum machine. His concerts are based equally on songs and improvisation, whether a three-piece band or a solo performance with a bass and a drum machine. He successfully works with both pop musicians and avant artists.
Dima Midborn is an avant-rock project of a Belgrade-based musician who takes a minimalist approach to music: he recorded his first album using only three instruments – a bass, voice, and a drum machine. His concerts are based equally on songs and improvisation, whether a three-piece band or a solo performance with a bass and a drum machine. He successfully works with both pop musicians and avant artists.
Alt and hard rock band Visitor, out of Detroit, MI., has resurfaced with a new, hard-hitting and emotion-evoking single ‘Hollywood Kid’. It’s a song Visitor feels has helped them level-up and is the next evolution of the band.
Visitor is Randy Gray (vocals/rhythm guitar), Steve Dombroski (lead guitar), Dustin Buckley (bass) and Jason Dombroski (drums).
Steve says, “Earlier this year, I went through one of the most profound losses I’ve experienced in life, and experienced grief to a level I hadn’t known before. I went through it feeling lost, unsure if, or when, I would feel whole again, being angry at God, questioning my own mortality, drinking too much to push the pain away. On top of all of those feelings, the pull to “put on a face” or “muscle my way through” was very prevalent, and I started questioning that.” Steve continues, “When I brought this idea for the song to the band, we wanted to write something that was very honest about those feelings. We wanted something raw and powerful, something that when someone heard it, they could go, “Yeah, I know what that feels like, I can relate to that and I’m not alone in this”.
Visitor hopes those who experience, “Hollywood Kid”, might help give them the ability to feel that they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through, and that there is someone else who understands how deep cuts can go.
The writing process for, “Hollywood Kid”, was quite profound for the band, especially with their new drummer, Steve’s brother, Jason Dombroski. Steve says, “It was a pretty smooth process with ideas being bounced back and forth until we felt like we had a great story to tell. While the context of the song was challenging, I can’t thank all of the guys enough for going on this journey and being as locked in on this song as I was.”
Last year, the band had a lot of success opening for such acts as Alien Ant Farm, LA Guns and Like a Storm. You can catch Visitor with shows in Detroit and Chicago in February 2025, as well as others, to be determined.
Visitor will be shooting the video for, “Hollywood Kid”, at their Detroit show. They are also working on getting on some short tour stints with national acts in the Great Lakes for 2025. In the coming year, they also have many songs ready to be finalized and recorded.
“Hollywood Kid”, was produced by Super Producer and Engineer, Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Tantric) at Pearl Sound Studios (Asking Alexandria, Eminem, Filter) in Canton, MI.
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