Shady Cove Drop High Divide Single

Pressing play, Shady Cove will embrace you with simplicity, providing powerful vocals over a steadied little beat; it’s enough to capture your attention, putting the duo in like-minded territory with the Angel Olsens. What I loved is how the band slowly, almost slyly, let the song develop into something larger, something wholly more expressive. The guitar entrance is a prime example, sparkling with these little notes at just the right time, letting the song sort of unroll with more power right before your ears, only to return and settle back down while those notes fade into the far off distance. Definitely a solid start here for the new band, so let’s hope we hear more soon.

Neighbor Lady Announce New Album

Neighbor Lady is one of those rare bands who first hit me with a beast of a single (“Let it Bleed”) and I immediately became a huge fan. This was back in 2018, and the band has been busy ever since releasing the album Maybe Later in 2020 and also touring with a stop here in March during SXSW. This year the group has a follow up planned with a brand new LP entitled For the Birds coming on July 1st via Park the Van Records. Prior to the summer release date, the band has offered up this bright and poppy new tune called “Felt”, which still has that lovely twang in the vocals of Emily Braden but with a band filling out their sound with lush layers and textures.

For the Birds pre-orders are live now.

SXSW Interviews: Johnny Aries (of the Drums)

You know we love the Drums, so why not start off today’s interviews catching up with Johnny Aries, who will be releasing a solo record later this year via Park the Van. It’s short and sweet, just the right teaser to hopefully get you thinking that Johnny should be on your list of acts to catch while you’re in town…if you’re in town. Also, since its early, hats off to Beck. IYKYK.

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SXSW Interviews: Best Move

It’s Friday. And you’re looking at taking advantage of Bandcamp Friday deals. But, here, we’ve got more SXSW Interviews for you, as our eyes are on that prize…so to speak. We caught up with Best Move, as they prepare to head our way for the festival. As you’ll see, the band have a new album on the horizon with Park the Van, so there’s going to be tons of new stuff, so if you can’t make it to Texas, be sure to keep an ear out.

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SXSW Interview: Neighbor Lady

As we push through the final weeks before SXSW, we’ve got another interview; this one’s from Neighbor Lady, who will be working with Park the Van. In fact, they’ve got a brand new single to share with you today, so I wanted to make sure to include that new jam below. They’ve got a couple of showcases (Park the Van/Athens in Austin), and I reckon you can find them at some day gigs if you look hard enough. Read on and enjoy the new hit!

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Intimate Tune From Spencer Hoffman

Spencer Hoffman is a young, up and coming musician who has spent the last 10 years in the SoCal music scene, most notably in the group Honyock. Coming into 2022, he has stepped out on his own with a new solo EP entitled A Flower From Behind coming out on February 25th via Park the Van Records. Prior to his release date, Hoffman has dropped this lovey tune called “Like a Bird” which gives off a strong, early Neil Young vibe with it’s twangy guitar and high pitched vocals. I think you’ll find it fits in well with our overcast winter days.

Petite Amie Announce Self-Titled Debut LP

Here’s a new band to put on your radar: Petite Amie. The Mexican band is brandishing this late night explorative pop, bordering somewhere between sublimely chill and French dreaminess…both are good. This song’s got this subtle little dance floor groove, that little shoulder shimmy as you spin about the dance floor, and that alone sets you in the mood to let your body smile as you listen through. Aline Terrein has these pseudo-disco vocal notes, like some late night DJ serenading you deep into the morning hours as you tap your toes and bob your head. The band will be releasing their self-titled debut via Devil in the Woods/Park the Van on October 1st.

Drew Citron Shares Dead on Arrival Video

Two months ago to this day, Drew Citron dropped Free Now, her debut solo record. It was an album that celebrated her independence, from other projects and relationships, allowing her to sort of expand her own voice. It was chock full of good tunes, and one, “Dead on Arrival” gets the video treatment here; it features Citron riding around a cemetery, hair blowing in the wind. The song’s got sort of a Jenny Lewis circa early Rilo Kiley vibe to it; its poppy and confident, putting Drew in the driver’s seat all by her lonesome, clearly illustrating that she’s doing just fine now that’s she’ free. If you dig, please go check out the LP, available from Park the Van.

Real Banger From Drugs

Looking for a real banger to kick start your Monday the right way? Well then look no further than this new single called “Try Me” from Long Beach based artist Drugs. It is a short, powerful song that will pick you up off your tail, throw you around for a bit and then bring you back down before you even knew the song started. If you’ve got a spare two minutes, this song is definitely worth your time.

Drugs will release their debut album Episodic on August 7th via Park the Van Records.

Pop Jam from Tino Drima

The latest hit from Tino Drima is the perfect pop tune, rising up and down with melodies, spinning you in circles, and joining you to shout at the heavens. “Doctor” opens up on a playful piano backbone, twirling you about as the ivories are tickled and giving the song an emphatic stomp that’s joyous as can be. Suddenly, at the 1:40 mark, your offered up this operatic belting, like a haunting howl of harmony that seeps into your skin building towards the shouted coda that wraps up the song’s musical plot. Up and down, down and up, this track has it all, leading one to believe that Suitin’ Up, their new EP will have it all; it drops on October 11th via Park the Van.

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