Bootblacks is a rather appropriate name for a band that plays electro-post-punk inspired to the early ’80s: a scene that was particularly attached to their black boots, preferably Dr. Martens ones – a paradoxical fixation, considering how anti-corporate the punk and post-punk movements have always been. The duo’s first single "8 Sub Rosa" (streaming) pairs an ultrafast, pulsating electronic rhythm section with clean, textural guitars. Traces of goth are evident – while listening to this track, echoes of Dead or Alive and early New Order keep haunting us, while Brooklyn Vegan, who premiered their song, hears a direct link to Clan of Xymox (we hear it too!) and Front Line Assembly (not so much). Hailing from Brooklyn, the three musicians will be self-releasing debut album "Veins" on March 11th and start a spring European tour with Berlin band Liste Noire (formerly Velvet Condom).

We’ve been waiting for some "proper" recordings from Brooklyn vintage pop quartet High Waisted since we booked them for our 40th NYC issue launch party back in 2014. The band only had these uber lo-fi recordings available online, until, finally, this week they announced the upcoming release of a full length album entitled "On Ludlow," unveiling this fun video for single "Party in the Back." A true and tried party band, High Waisted blends the classic NYC garage rock sound with pop melodies reminiscent of the early ’60s’ lightharted pop. Don’t miss their show on February 4 at Baby’s All Right celebrating the finale of their "Winter Whatever" Tour.

In a twist of events, Los Angeles’ occult punks Sextile were recently hand-picked to tour parts of the West Coast with self-actualized Oakland-turned-Venetian EBM project The Soft Moon, following the dropout of headliner Killing Joke due to health reasons. Taking financial difficulties into account, Sextile launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for touring expenses —  the band has reached almost $1000, nearly 120% of their goal, with 13 more days to go. The support does not come unwarranted, either — since the release of their debut album A Thousand Hands, Sextile have made a name for themselves performing across Los Angeles with darker dance partners like The Electric West, L.A. Drones, and Terminal A. With expanding coverage from shore to shore, their purgatory sounds evoke perfectly the spiritual unrest and emotional agitation that scrapes the back of our thoughts.  

In a recent interview with music blog Heathen Harvest, the band has announced that it will also perform at SXSW this year, and are currently writing new material for upcoming releases. Stream Sextile’s debut album A Thousand Hands on Bandcamp and catch them at The Casbah in San Diego tonight. – Ryan Mo

Providence-based singer/songwriter Steve Volkmann states that his songs are “inspired by everyday people and their stories” and, on tracks like “Slow Road” (streaming below), the mundane is imbued with meaning. As the poet C.K. Williams does with his quietly profound poems, Volkmann on his songs not only observes but sympathizes with lonely hearts. The guitar-ambled song “In the City” from this past November, for instance, has the speaker himself longing for a woman from afar, his pining redeemed by the ability to feel itself. Steve Volkmann plays at AS220 in Providence, Rhode Island on 2/2. – Zach Weg

Self-described "experimental pop" artist James Discovers puts some bizarre twists on "pop" conventions, while holding on to enough traditional pop structures to keep listeners engaged. Catchy hooks and bright guitars are frequently contrasted with wildy distorted, spastic guitar solos and effects-ladened vocals that feel as though the listener is at an undersea concert. If you’d rather stay above-water for a show, head to Arts at the Armory on January 28 and catch James’ set during The Loop Songwriter Showcase. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest James Discovers news via his Facebook page and, in the meantime, check out his song "Cannibal Eyes" (streaming below). -Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)