Month: February 2024

Meet the SXSW Band: The Ophelias

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We are here and in full force now with some SXSW band previews coming at you several times a week leading up to the festival. Today we are thrilled to share a preview with one of our favorite up and coming acts, Cincinnati based outfit The Ophelias. We get into some great discussions about new music along with a debate about who would be the best dual threat rhythm guitar player to have in your all time band. All that plus show details and a brand new song(!) after the jump.

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Non La Shares Take Care Video

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When DJ On put out the first Non La LP, it was filled with poppy guitar hooks and constant energy. But, as they prepare for the release of Like Before, it’s becoming clearer that DJ has really changed up the approach to songwriting. Upon pressing play, there’s nearly a minute of building, courtesy of DJ’s voice softly walking through your speakers. Then, drums tap and the song takes a march into a slow swing of light guitar pop; there’s something more pensive in the craft, perhaps owed to On’s reflective mood through the new LP. It’s changed my own perspective in the way I hear the music, but I’m looking forward to digesting the personal narrative and experiences the LP will offer; it drops via Mint Records on March 29th.

Rosie Tucker Drops Paperclip Maximizer

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When I first got into Rosie Tucker, there was something insanely catchy about the way they played with the vocal notes in their songwriting. A few years later, I feel like “Paper Maximizer” immediately puts that on display; there is a dynamism to each note, always falling between sharp and playful, which inevitably ties my joy to their work. That doesn’t even get me started on the wordplay and craft; I even learned about “paperclip maximizer,” which in short, discusses the possible dangers of AI and the end of humanity. Learning and catchy, and all of it leading me to think that you’ll be singing along to every track on Utopia Now…out March 22nd via Sentimental Records.

Mo Troper Shares The Billy Joel Fanclub Video

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I know he’s gotten lots of praise, and we’ve certainly lauded all his work, but listening to the latest single from his forthcoming LP, I want to make sure we don’t undervalue the work of Mo Troper. For starters, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a record from Mo where I think “yeah, this is exactly like the last LP.” Each time, he seems to channel different influences and recording techniques to really work on his craft. On this one, he alludes to late 60s era Paul McCartney work, but in my ears, and maybe I’m weird, I immediately felt like he was channeling a bit of the Zombies, at least when that first vocal bounces into the picture. Sure, his voice is distinctive, but he just keeps challenging himself, and we get to sit back and reap the rewards. Svengali is out May 3rd via Lame-O Records.

The Macks Share Nice Single

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Portland’s The Macks have been flexing their psychedelic garage rock for years, and with The Macks are a Knife coming down the pipeline real soon, it’s time we give a nod to their latest single. On this first single, it’s also a stomping mantra of sorts, with the guitar work ringing, rolling, then returning to the starting position to go at it again; they lock into that groove, allowing the vocals to really offer up the exuberant discord via shouts and emphatic vocal punches. The continuous build of tension is finally unleashed around 2:26ish in the tune, giving a nice little guitar ride that punches through your speakers before the song wraps up and calls it a day. The Macks are a Knife is out on May 17th via DevilDuck Records.

Yasu Cub Shares Elevator Video

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Those of us looking for sounds that would be traditionally described as slow-core might want to check out Japans Yasu Cub. They’ve just released their Elevator EP, and the title track gets the video treatment, featuring the falling snows of Tokyo. Aside from the pacing, there’s some really nuanced moments that really hit me smack in the face as I was listening through, like the crispness of the guitars that ring out carefully. I loved how the song seemed to also circle back on itself in spots, with layers lapping over one another ornately, allowing the song to feel like its bending and coiling up…held together by the heavy vocal notes in the center of the mix. If you’re digging, then be sure to check out the whole Elevator EP.

Meet the SXSW Band: Native Harrow

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It’s here! Well, almost here anyway. Yeah SXSW is right around the corner you nerds and of course we are ready and prepping for the most exciting and enjoyable week of the year. We had a ton of fun with our “Meet the band” pieces last year and thought it’d be a great idea to carry on with them in 2024. Hopefully you find them as an interesting and brief peek into band life and what it means to play SXSW. We are super excited to kick these interviews off this week with responses from Philadelphia based outfit Native Harrow. You’ll find their responses, schedule, and tunes after the jump.

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Eric Schroeder Shares Stayed the Same

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Nathan and I are prepping for another week of tunes you may or may not love. My week is kicking off with this acoustic pop number “Stayed the Same” from San Diego based crooner Eric Schroeder. He has this expert way in the song of at times having a playful tone but paired with reflective and personal lyrical content. Well done sire.

Schroeder will release a new album entitled Turn On the Stereo on April 26th via Enabler No. 6.

Cool Aussie Jams: Hooper Crescent + Sachet

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I bought a ticket to the mental struggle-bus last week, so didn’t have a solid albums of the week to run, though there were definitely some things I would have turned you onto, from my end. Both of the below Aussie outfits have already popped up on our end, but we wanted to make sure you got some stream info…with a moderate two cents…you know, to make up for my error.

Sydney’s Sachet dropped their excellent The Seeing Machine, which opens with “Crushing Whims,” which has been on a steady rotation throughout; I’d jam to the EP on this track alone. Personally, Lani Crooks vocals win on every single track; it feels like a new voice that’s begging to be your new best friend. It’s available now from Tenth Court.

Then you’ve got Brunswick’s Hooper Crescent who bring a bit of math-iness to post-punk, creating a sound that definitely bubbles with creativity. It’s a frantic bit of jittery rock n’ roll, with each track offering a different side of the rock n’ roll trends. Grab the Essential Tremors LP from Spoilsport Records.

Orchid Mantis Shares Another Life

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I wanted to spend some time this Monday morning hanging out somewhere rather quiet, somewhere to kind of let the silence of the world be appreciated, which is the perfect setting for this new Orchid Mantis tune. There’s this natural peacefulness to it, created by the general stroke of the guitar as it steadies in the front of the mix. For their part, the vocals hang back in the corner of the room, perhaps even drifting in from down the hallways, allowing the listener to kind of dwell in their own headspace. If this isn’t a Monday morning tune, I’m not sure what else is!

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