This is fine.
It’s been at least a year since I’ve caught a touring act take the stage, so I was really excited to head over to 3ten ACL to hear Luna play the entirety of 1994’s Bewitched, with a couple of extra tracks tagged on to the end of the set. Plus, what better way to start dipping my toes into the pond then by seeing old friends Caroline Says take the stage to open!
I love stumbling into a band like The Figurants, something that takes you down a wormhole of their catalog, falling further and further in love. Their latest single “Benjo” has all these little nuanced moments that I can’t help but feel charmed to hear. I love the twists and turns of the guitars, slightly twangy, cascading into the horizon. The matter-of-fact vocal delivery is charming, and more so by the deep tonal quality of Matt McClure’s voice. They seem like a band that you kind of keep to yourself, only sharing with those closest to you, or those who you feel need a little extra charm in life. So here I am, sharing their new tune with you, my friends.
Christina Riley has certainly been keeping herself busy as of late, as a member of Boyracer…and I’m pretty sure she shot the video for the Kids on a Crime Spree video too…but this time, we’re talking about her new project Artsick. The project came about as Christina was relishing working on collaborating, so she grabbed Mario from the aforementioned Kids, and Donna from Lunchbox to create the most delicious bit of ramshackle pop you’ve heard in years. It’s noisy and boisterous, bouncing and joyous, yet tightly wound around a saccharine melody you’ll want to sing around your house all day long. The only bummer? Well, you’ll have to wait until January for Fingers Crossed to hit stores courtesy of Slumberland Records.
It’s always nice to hear from old friends, so here we are with the latest single from Why Bonnie, formerly a staple of Austin’s music scene. This new single is the first thing we’ve heard from the band since their last EP, and the promising vibe here will hopefully make its way onto a new LP. I love how the band hold some resolve in this recording; Blair’s voice rises and seems to sink out this sort of climactic explosion…and to be fair…it’s there, but held back just enough to not overstep the selling point, which is undoubtedly Howerton’s voice. Let’s hope this new single signals more tunes!
It’s been a hot minute since Kids On A Crime Spree dropped their debut We Love You So Bad EP, though they’ve managed to sprinkle in a 7″ here or there. Luckily, a wait for new music has paid off, with the band announcing today that they’ll be releasing a new LP, Fall In Love Not In Line, early next year. The band wastes no time opening up with this fast shredding guitar line and a furiously pounding rhythm section, both parts trying to see who can beat the other to the finish line. But, central to the band’s success is Mario Hernandez’ vocals, offering up this soft melodic underbelly to the track, though still seemingly tethered to a faint punk ethos that keeps the song’s edge. Feel like the thematic nod from the lyrics ties perfectly into all of our lives, and also into the band itself, with the refrain of “when can I see you again.” Pretty sure this song rules, and you’re going to want to grab the LP! Fall In Love Not In Line drops on January 22nd via Slumberland Records.
As soon as I clicked on the new single from The Hepburns (featuring Esteslla Rosa of Nah), I knew that it had to be the first track I’d post this morning. The horns light the song up almost immediately, sort of begging you to take in the sunshine as you sip on your morning coffee or tea. Crooning vocals, both male and female, offer up a smooth little lounge vibe; I feel like I’m being serenaded at some matinee show on a cruise ship for aged hipsters. I guess I’m just a suck for really lush orchestration, which this song has in abundance. Yet another reason to keep an eye out for the new LP, Architecture of the Ages, out via Elefant at the end of November.
Berlin by way of Mexico based upstarts Sei Still released a stunning debut LP last year but have no plans to slow down in 2021 with more new music on the way. The first taste of new music from the group comes in the form of this driving new single “Exilio” which is the crazy melding of German style electronic music with a new wave meets gothic influence. Sort of like Cold Cave if they leaned a bit heavier into a Joy Division vibe. I do hope you dig it.
This track will appear on new album El Refugio due out on November 26th via Fuzz Club Records.
My priorities for Levitation were simple. Take photos, vibe to Nation of Language, get melted by A Place to Bury Strangers, get in the middle of it for The Hives. I am happy to report that my mission was accomplished.
Ah yes, The Hives. White suits, energy overdose, hits, jams, cathartic chaos…
Along for the ride on the closing night of Levitation were Pussy Gillette and The Mystery Lights. I saw old friends, made new ones, overshot every band and loved every minute. Click on through for more thoughts on the night and all the photos. Yes, I got mic stand shenanigans, crowdsurfing guitarists and the iconic jumpshot.
Dave Hartley’s Nightlands project has undergone some recent changes, mostly due to a change in locale, with Dave moving from Philly to Asheville. In his new home, Hartley was able to really focus on his craft, touching up the details on the Moonshine EP, and writing enough songs to finish up a new full length (coming your way in 2022!). In announcing his new EP, Dave is sharing “Hymn to Me,” originally recorded by Brinsley Schwarz back in 1970. I love how he takes that sort of paisley folk sound from the classic rock era, and sort of coats in this more modern dreamscape, giving it this openness and breathing some of that fresh Asheville air into the song. The Moonshine EP drops on December 10 via Western Vinyl.
Feels like its been a minute since I’ve hit up the old Australian music scene, so I wanted to make sure that rectified that, and what better way than to jam with the latest single from Hearts and Rockets. The Melbourne act have a new EP on the way entirely based on their love/hate relationship with television, and here they seem to be battling with that addiction. The guitar chords have this old school sort of surfy-punk vibe to them, while the rhythm propels the song with this insatiable bounce. Kalindy’s vocals always remain central to the listener’s focus, offering up this vibe certain to draw similarities to the likes of Le Tigre. If you like what you hear, the TV is Boring EP will be out on November 26th.
