Tag: forged artifacts

Ahem Announce Avoider LP

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A day late, but important news that Ahem has readied another great LP of absolute rippers for your ears. Yesterday the good folks at Forged Artifacts announce the band’s return with this rad new tune, and it honestly reminds me a lot of early Superchunk. It’s got the same natural tenacity running through it, filled to the brim with an earnestness that feels fitting for the style. I want to feel the joy in the songwriting, and from the punch of the thundering drums to the vocal delivery, everything screams “joy” in this opening track from the forthcoming Avoider LP. If you love it (and you should), you can hear the whole LP on May 17th!

Friday Album Streams: Lower Plenty, Class, Open Hands + More

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It’s Friday, and while Austin is focused on ACL Weekend One, I’m here to turn your ears towards some great albums that you’ll benefit from if you’re into the whole streaming process. Several of these we’ve talked about quite a bit, so it’s good that now you can get your hands on them in their entirety. Going to start with what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite LPs of the year, then let you pick and choose what’s your flavor.

Lower Plenty – No Poets (Bedroom Suck Records)

Class – If You’ve Got Nothing (Feel It Records)

Open City – Hands in the Honey Jar (Get Better Records)

The Suncharms – Things Lost (Sunday Records)

Half Stack – Sitting Pretty (Forged Artifacts)

Half Stack Share Burnt Single

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While there’s a fogginess that’s swept over the Oakland scene, in a certain musical sense, Half Stack are bringing something a little bit different. They’ve got a little Southern boogie to their sound, and the vocals feel neighborly. I just imagine like a J Mascis figure inviting me over to a BBQ of some sort. Still, there’s definitely a slow burn of Cali sun shining through your speakers here, which is down to the way the riffs have this sort of understated fieriness to them…well, that and the way the male and female vocalists intertwine. Sitting Pretty is out October 6th via Forged Artifacts/Royal Oakie.

Greg Mendez Releases Two New Singles: Best Behavior + Hope You’re Doing Okay

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It seems like there are a lot of folks out there falling in love with Greg Mendez, and with these latest singles hitting today, I imagine there will be more folks digging through Mendez work. Honestly, as a blogger for the last 15 years or so, I’ve admittedly used the Elliott Smith comparison a lot, but in these two songs, the album’s final two tracks, I feel as if we’re as close as we might ever get to finding another voice so meaningful. There’s this fragility in Greg’s voice, something that just lets his words hang effortlessly in the air, waiting to find a person who needs the comfort his voice will offer. All of this is layered carefully atop a light strum, giving off that intimacy that makes you feel as if you’re in on the secret. Greg Mendez, the album, will be out on May 5th via Forged Artifacts/Devil Town Tapes.

Greg Mendez Shares Maria Single

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One record that should definitely be on your radar for the upcoming month or so is the brand new LP from Greg Mendez. I’ve been a fan of his work, and this new single has this really playful vocal delivery in the verses that almost seems too playful and charming for its own good. He spins that right into a more calmed chorus, almost whispering to the listener through the line “but then somebody said.” I don’t want to pigeonhole Greg by any means, but if you’re looking for vibes in the vein of Elliott Smith jamming in a studio session with Tony Molina’s solo work, well, then here you have it. And if you have the time, read the lyrics as you listen, as I’m still totally in love with the way he’s breaking up the syllables and the lines in the main verse section. His self-titled LP will be out on May 5th via Forged Artifacts and Devil Town Tapes.

Greg Mendez Announces Self-Titled Album

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Over the last few years, I’ve definitely enjoyed Greg Mendez‘s work, but the announcement of a new self-titled LP comes with what might be his work to date. The Philly songwriter feels like he’s taking notes from the old Elliott Smith school of songwriting, allowing the listener to imagine themselves right next to Greg as he serenades. It’s a level of intimacy that feels often imitated, but Mendez knocks it out of the park, even opting for a more low-key arrangement throughout, maintaining that DIY ethos we’re all seeking. Greg Mendez, the album, will be out via Forged Artifacts and Devil Town Tapes on May 5th.

First Rodeo Announce Debut Self-Titled LP

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Summertime in Texas means sitting around in warm nights, sweating a bit and drinking a few beers with friends. The soundtrack to that classic night might be best suited by the latest single from First Rodeo (despite the band not actually hailing from Texas). Subtle drum work sets the tone, as the twang sets in from the guitar work, even working its way down the line to eventually erupt in a smoldering solo apt for late night jams. In the vocals you get that Americana croon, the sort that sounds forlorn and friendly all at once, particularly as syllables get stretched into melodies. Combining the two is a sure fire way to our Texas hearts over here, so pencil us in for a good old listening party when First Rodeo drops on August 5th via Forged Artifacts.

Ryan Pollie Shares Don’t Lie Single

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Friday, you’ll be able to get your hands on Ryan Pollie‘s new LP, Stars, dropping courtesy of Forged Artifacts/Mapache; but, before you get there, why not tease you with one final single to lead you with a trail of joy. There’s this beautiful fragility to the tune, carried with a sense of uncertainty in the lyrical content. Every time I press play, I feel like this is the journey I’d be on if I’d grown up an emo kid with a penchant for covering Grateful Dead songs; there’s something about both sides of that coin that seem to reside in this single…and frankly, I think that’s stunning, so I can’t stop pressing play here. Don’t forget the LP drops Friday.

Graham Hunt Announces Painting Over Mold

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You might recognize Graham Hunt‘s name as a member of Midnight Reruns, but he’s no stranger to working the solo route; he’s preparing another LP for Forged Artifacts titled Painting Over Mold. At times, the portrayal of this song has a bit of Parquet Courts, at least in regards to the manner in which Hunt delivers his vocals; it has this sort of straightforward enunciation, except when it comes the chorus. In the chorus, you throw in some of that Americana flare and it almost sounds like there’s a bit of Old 97s country stomping pop feels hanging about. The new record hits the street on February 26th, with a limited run on red cassette.

Double Grave Share Lyric Video for Long Drive Home

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Slim pickings out there in indie rock land, so its a good thing that Minneapolis trio Double Grave just dropped this lyric video for their latest single “Long Drive Home.” I’ve been digging on it all day, as it kind of seems like my go to genres all mashed up into one; you get a touch of fuzzy gaze-ish guitar pop, textured with this sort of slow-core bravado, eventually moving into this erupting n-emo…that’s right, I just triple-pigeonholed ’em! Whatever your tastes, you get a melody disguised in atmospherics that allows plenty of space for your mind to wander out the door. You’ll get to hear the tune on August 7th when Goodbye, Nowhere drops via Forged Artifacts.

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