Toronto

Shade – Sign to Sleepless Records, Release “Controller” Single

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Recently signed to Sleepless Records; Shade is a powerful Hamilton 5 piece that blend 90’s Britpop with pure fuzzed out grunge. They just dropped their first single “Controller”. This tune has a very catchy riff that gets better every time you hear it. The vocals weave through the song as if Liam Gallagher was possessed by the devil. The track actually sounds like an evil b-side from ‘Definitely Maybe’. They have more tunes in the can so we just have to wait patiently for more Shade! See em live at Hamilton’s Supercrawl during the weekend of September 13-16. – Kris Gies

NYC

Samuel Sandoval releases poetic ‘Tupper’ EP

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The most recent release by Samuel Sandoval, the singer-songwriter from Meriden, Connecticut, Tupper (streaming below) is meant to be read almost as much as it is meant to be listened to. Take for example the opening line of “Philly, City of Brotherly Love” (“I knew they were rich by the way they left their plates on the table”) which uses simplicity to snap a cultural criticism into place. Sandoval’s sharp wit, colored by his experimental folk-leaning arrangements, interrogates, but it also soothes. The whispers are just as important as the shouts, a balance that is curated earnestly by Sandoval’s hand. – Lilly Milman, photo by Zack Gomez

Nashville

Hank Compton’s EP ‘Kill What We Love’ will pull at your heartstrings

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 Male songwriters are having a moment right now- or at least, I’m hearing so many good ones these days that when a particularly fantastic one comes on shuffle, it takes me by surprise. Hank Compton is one of those surprises. Kill What We Love, the songwriter’s new EP, demonstrates an extraordinary depth of character and emotion in his calm yet intensely vivid vocal performances. Every song is accompanied by a delightful and unique neo-folk arrangement. It wouldn’t be a bold suggestion to place Compton in the same category as artists like New England’s Henry Jamison and the UK’s Lewis Watson. I’ll be waiting anxiously to hear more from my new favorite young male songwriter, but until then, you should do yourself a favor and out Kill What We Love on repeat. –Geena Kloeppel

 

Nashville

Carey Ott & The Hard Ways’ “Sittin’ On Top” is a summer kick-back in song-form

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Carey Ott & The Hard Ways’ "Sittin’ On Top" from the band’s new EP Scratcher is a song that evokes all kinds of pleasant imagery- an arm around a lover, the beginnings of a sunset, a smooth cup of black coffee… whatever makes you think of an easy-going Sunday. A group-vocal chorus and punchy rhythm section are some highlights in this song. "Sittin’ On Top" isn’t a tune you’ll want to listen to on the couch, rather, it’ll have you dancing in your living room. –Geena Kloeppel

 

 

L.A.

Indie rock band Harvey Trisdale share bittersweet new track “Baby”

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Harvey Trisdale have bloomed all the way from Ohio and planted their self-titled roots in LA. One thing the four-piece and I have in common is that we both hail from small towns, except they used their boredom and lack of activities to become talented musicians while I now write about them. Fast-forward through hours of jam sessions, writing blocks and multi-instrumental practicing, the band landed at Silver Lake Lounge on July 20 to celebrate all of their hard work. Before releasing their debut self-titled album, All Things Go, they leaked the single “Baby.” Packed with dreamy vocals, indie-pop vibes, and beautiful guitar strums to break your heart, Harvey Trisdale sings the soundtrack to my current love life. “Baby” is a short and bittersweet song with lyrics that will empty your tissue box, but the mesmerizing lyrics only last about 2 minutes before they serenade us with instrumentals that put the “Top 10” artists argument to rest.

Harvey Trisdale have no upcoming shows, but you can follow them on social media to stay up to date on new releases and future shows. – Kayla Hay

Chicago

Mending

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Mending is the ambient music is Katie Adams (Deer Theef) and Joshua Dumas (Weatherman, Quarter Miler Thunder, and Chicago Avenue Moon). Together they have created an epic and beautiful four hour, forty song cycle called We Gathered at Wakerobin Hollow. The first of Nine chapters, “It All Starts in Odena”, will be released this Friday, August 3rd.

You can stream the album’s lead track, “Alan at Emma’s Cradle” below. The atmosphere the duo creates seems to fit the start of this story perfectly.

The nine chapters of this journey will be released between August 3rd and December 2019, and if this first song is a good representation of the full project you will not want to miss a second.

NYC

Bell’s Roar’s debut album is a soulful experimentation

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Kaleidoscopic R&B songstress Bell’s Roar finally released her debut album We Carry Us back in January, and the 10-track composition is perfect for hazy July nights. “This is my debut full-length album and it’s the beginning of how I see myself functioning in the music industry,” Bell — real name Sean Desiree — said in a statement. “I want to use my music as a direct action to support other QTPOC (Queer Trans People of Color) artists… I want to use my concerts as a platform to rally to the community and create a new model for how we can sustain ourselves.” The project is vast in its experimentation, combining empowered lyrics with vibrant soundscapes. “Celebrate all you do, go beyond what comforts you,” Bell sings on the lush “Celebrate.” The album shifts between foggy electronic samples and soulful choruses. “We will not be silenced,” Bell coo’s in the background of “Defiance,” instruments swelling around her and inevitably swallowing her in the track’s final, glitchy moments. While Sean Desiree is certainly a leader and an activist, the singer seems to understand the gravity of the fight she’s consumed by, constantly pushing back against a loud, disorienting backdrop. “There’s reasons why I slowly built this wall, becoming clear,” Desiree sings. “It’s not for nowhere, it’s hard to hear, but this is worth the fight.” You can hear the full album below. – Mackenzie Cummings-Grady

Chicago

Problem People “Nobody Knows”

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Problem People released their sophomore LP, Nobody Knows, on July 20th via Tic Tac Totally. The album’s lead single, “Delete History”, was released back in March and is accompanied by the great video below.

Problem People is the indie rock sounds of Chris Clark, Aaron Turney, and Michael Petrucelly.

Philadelphia

New Mike Quinn EP Available for Streaming & Purchase

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Mike Quinn (Purples, And The Moneynotes) recently shared his self-titled EP, which is reinforced by Pappy Biondo (Cabinet), Pat Finnerty, Zach Miller (Dr. Dog), Joe Reno (En Fuego), Dave Ulrich (Needle Points) and Andrew Holmes. Picking up an infectious, folk-oriented groove, whilst rolling down the road with the inclusive injection of bittersweet harmonies and slightly off-the-beaten-path instrumental forays, the record feels like the byproduct of a tight-knit collective of good ole friends. It’s a refreshing rocker whose laidback layers sparkle in the open air. The five-song collection also includes a version of Terry Gylkyson’s "The Cry of the Wild Goose," which was originally performed by Frankie Laine; however, this one is based off the Michael Hurley version.

Chicago

Matthäus @ Sleeping Village (8/25)

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Matthäus released a new single last week called “Before You Said Goodbye”. This is the band’s first released since their 2017 debut EP, “Effigy”. The now 9-piece band, complete with French Horn and Lap Steel, was founded by and is fronted by Benjamin Montalbano. They create a Chamber Folk sound to support Montalbano personal and raw lyrics.

You can catch Matthäus at Sleeping Village on August 25th with Dan Durley and Kitchen-Sink.

Philadelphia

New Track: “Sunshine Ashes” – Nervous Hands

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“Sunshine Ashes,” the title track from Nervous Hands‘s debut release, perpetuates a soothing, psych-folk haze. Perplexing yet poetically personal imagery makes one step back to re-orient the lyrical connections and comparisons. Viewed through the slow-motion, burning sequences, a sneaky intensity that jars and spirals persists. It’s strangely contained yet feels on the verge of losing all sense of control.

Chicago

Kenny Dennis Returns with Dennis 6E

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Serengeti (aka David Cohn) is preparing to release the next installment in the Kenny Dennis saga, Dennis 6E, this Fall. Earlier this month he dropped a new single called “Winter Clothes”, and now he has released “Not Supposed”. The album was produced by Andrew Broder (Fog) and from the sound of these first two singles is very different for Serengeti.

This is Serengeti’s second release of 2018 follow-up March’s “To The Max” tape. He was also involved in the 2017 album "Butterflies" as a member of Jueles with Jade, Nedelle Torrisi, and Rob Kliener (Tub Ring).