NYC’s Late Slip is best categorized as country-punk, though the band’s genre-bending makes for a unique, if not undefinable, listen. Their 2016 EP, Other Men, is a rollicking four-song romp that grapples with the theme of love lost, without descending into tones of bitterness or self-pity. The tempestuous content of frontwoman Chelsea Nenni’s lyrics is counterbalanced by uptempo, crunchy, roots-rock arrangements. Nenni’s vocals are remarkably strong and versatile, carrying each song along with impressive technique and range. Above all else, the songs are catchy and concise, with memorable melodies that’ll stick around one’s brain long after they’re over. Check out the eponymous "Other Men" below, and don’t miss Late Slip at Hank’s Saloon on April 12th, with Lovechild! – Ethan Ames

DJ Silky Smooth is an enigma: a serious musician, he loathes to take himself too seriously. From the beginning of "Loser," the opening track off his 2017 LP Smoothie, DJ Silky Smooth (real name Jacob Schwartz) fearlessly and refreshingly deflates any air of pretentiousness all too commonly felt among musicians. He intones over bright, jaunty synths and chorus-laden guitars: "Have you heard there’s this kid at our school who calls himself DJ Silky Smooth? What a fucking loser." The song is tight and intricate, complete with a catchy refrain: "And I know/This is not the way/That we’re supposed to feel." The end result of Schwartz’s abstruse musical identity is effective: by dispensing with self-importance and keeping the mood light, he lets the music speak for itself – and it speaks volumes. DJ Silky Smooth is playing at Trans-Pecos on March 22nd, alongside Blasteroid, Edgar Clinks ansd Dark Tones. Listen to "Loser" below! – Ethan Ames

The Brooklyn alt-rock trio Mustardmind makes for a compelling listen, particularly for fans of cerebral music. Echoes of Talking Heads, Brian Eno and even glimmers of Radiohead shine through their latest EP, 2016’s Peep. "Working For The Bad Guys," the last track on the EP, is a meaty and variegated piece of music, rife with a driving rhythm section, alternatingly crunchy and shimmering guitars, and unexpected yet effective melodies by lead vocalist Bobby Lewis. Mustardmind are playing at Trans-Pecos tonight at 8:00 p.m. Listen to "Working For The Bad Guys" below! – Ethan Ames

Toronto’s noise rock band FRIGS have been rocking our sonic world big time for the past few weeks. So much so that we decided to put them on the cover of our SXSW 2018 issue of our sister mag The Deli, linked to the recent Austin Stompbox Exhibit. You can read the cover feature here. To complete the circle, we thought that a Q&A with the band’s guitarist Duncan Hay Jennings about his guitar pedals was in order – you can find it on our sister blog Delicious Audio.

Check out also this brand new video of single ‘Solid State’ from the band very well received debut album "Basic Behaviour."

NYC’s alternative songsmiths Operator Music Band are an innovative bunch, blending krautrock-esque new wave with chorus-laden indie tones and textures. On their most recent EP, Coördination, released last December, Operator Music Band makes much use of relatively spare songwriting technique, managing to entice their listeners with tightly controlled instrumentation amid synthy droning dissonance, harmonies reminiscent of Portishead (with Dara Hirsch and Jared Hiller exchanging lead vocal duties), and unpredictable departures midway through a given song into an entirely new idea, as evidenced in "Communicator 4." In spite of obvious nods to their predecessors, Operator Music Band sounds fresh and interesting. Don’t miss them at Alphaville on March 30th in support of Trace Mountains, and have a listen to "Communicator 4" below! – Ethan Ames