An air of strange saturates in the new four-song demo from Inside Voices. Steered by the omnipresent push of percussion and the commander-control, dispensed vocals in a space-station setting, an over-arching intensity hangs in the atmosphere – one that lies dormant and then is realized in switch-flipping, musical reactions that tip the scales. It’s a gradual swell of heaviness that asserts its stake on a shoegazing headspace.
NYC
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Salt Cathedral’s “Rudeboy” is an undeniable earworm
The latest single from Salt Cathedral proves that the dancehall inspired pop that has taken root in the mainstream hasn’t scared away any alt-pop artists from dipping their toes in this distinct style of music. “Rudeboy” features mercurial production, shifting from Caribbean percussion to a chopped up vocal sample that acts as a synth on the hook. The soft, pulsating beat is a backdrop for a song about breaking through unsureness and finding something truly real in a relationship. –Tucker Pennington
Philadelphia
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New Busy Bee Project EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
A Stranger Is a Friend You Haven’t Met is the latest EP from Busy Bee Project, a.k.a. Deb Gilmore. It is out now via Good How Are You Records. A free-floating, folk dream commences as one listens to this five-song selection. Absorbed in the casual, upbeat instrumentation and the inviting, natural elegance of Gilmor’s vocals, one quickly feels at home in these new sonic surroundings. From the moment of introduction, a new affection is forged.
Chicago
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Ideal Copy “33301”
Ideal Copy is warped Synth Pop of Jimmy Avgerinös. He will be releasing his debut album, 33101, on August 19th.
You can currently stream three of the album’s 12 tracks including our favorite the ominous “Bad Behavior”. The tracks have a retro feel, and underlying warmth that is compelling.
Chicago
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Mike Maimone “Roll Big River”
Mike Maimone (Mutts) has released the first single, “Roll Big River”, from his forthcoming solo EP, “The High Hat Club”. The EP will be self-released on September 14th, but can be pre-ordered now.
You can catch Mike Maimone on September 16th at Ravenswood ArtWalk.
NYC
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From the Submissions: Funk/R&B band Valipala
Take a little bit of ’60s Motown funk, mix that with today’s R&B, add with some jazz overtones, and you have Valipala. Their debut EP Mango City, released last October, is a fun, twisting journey through genres. The opening track “Mongolian Afternoon” (streaming below) showcases the powerful vocals of Lauren Scales; it sounds like the soundtrack to a happy, sunny, summer walk through the city. The band does an excellent job of giving the spotlight to each instrument at one point or another and their cohesion as bandmates is also evident in the EP’s fourth track “Century Star.” Scales’ airy yet solid voice carries lightly over the instruments behind her, creating a harmonious blend of synths, drums, brass section, and voice. -Lily Crandall
This artist submitted music for coverage here.
Chicago
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Amir Tripp “Hardball “ Video
Amir Tripp released his latest album Pyro back in March, and it featured contributions from King Louie, Saba, and Trapo. One of the coolest aspects of this project is all of the original artwork by Makhai Foy, which has been complied into a a comic book.
Recently Tripp released a great video for the single “Hardball”.
Austin
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Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad Debut Music Video “Methmatics”
A relative quick ascendancy to the forefront of the Austin music scene, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad have brought a blue-collar work ethic to their psychedelic ‘surf-rock from hell’ aesthetic. Endeavored consciously or not, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad are carrying on a rich history of psych-rock in Austin. The proverbial doors of psych-rock perception were opened by bands like Roky Erikson and the 13th Floor Elevators, Conqueroo, and Shivas Headband in the 60’s, all the way up to the ‘Levitation King’ himself, Christian Bland, and the Black Angels. What makes BKBBB infatuating, is their lack of self-seriousness paired with lyrical landscapes of fantasy that are fortified by hypnotic drums, mind-melting riffs and dramatic choral swings.
On their first music video “Methmatics” lead singer, Will Reynolds, gives a comical stare through classic 60’s liquid oil projections, only to follow up with a wrecking ball of anti-establishment rhetoric and a sledgehammer of a chorus.
“My consciousness is fully plugged into the TV/ Where the mainstream media uses propaganda to fool me/ With fear as their weapon/ to try and fucking control me”
The formula has worked on other BKBBB tracks off of their Fever Dreamin’ EP, like “Night Terror” and “Werewolf of Love”. Reynolds is a premier frontman with perfectly graveled falsetto howl and engaging stage presence, but it is guitarist, Cam Wren, who sows the elements together with a deft axe of unmerciful riffs and solos. While their content can be playful, their sound is a gravitating sonic assault that beckons a visceral head-bang in lieu of a spaced-out daydream.
Philadelphia
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Krust Toons: “GTFO” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "GTFO" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
Chicago
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Interview with nnin
Last month we stumbled upon a new album on bandcamp by an artist we had never heard before (or at least we think we’ve never heard before) called nnin. On “[re:Cover]” she has reimagined a collection of very well-know songs ranging from “Wicked Games” by Chris Isaac to “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. On each song she takes a really unique approach and genuinely gives each song a new life.
We knew we had to write about the album, but in beginning that process we realized that we knew nothing about nnin. There were no links to social media or websites, no upcoming shows, no past releases, none of the information we typically share with our readers. However, there was the standard link to contact the artist that resides on all bandcamp pages. We clicked that link and here is the resulting interview with the mysterious nnin.
Chicago
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Window, Window
Window, Window recently released their latest EP, "Nothing Doesn’t Hurt", via Brace Cove Records. The five song EP is somewhere between sad piano pop and DIY garage rock.
The duo of Kevin and John have been recording together since 2012 and released their debut album, American Lonely, back in 2016.
Philadelphia
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New Track: “WTFK” – Yowler
Black Dog In My Path, the forthcoming album from Yowler, a.k.a. Maryn Jones (All Dogs, Saintseneca), is scheduled for release on October 12 via Double Double Whammy. Hypnotic vocals and the pull of kick and snare instantly draws you into the record’s lead single, "WTFK". There’s a solemn sincerity to Jones’s delivery, which gains power as the instrumentation opens up. Don’t miss Yowler at PhilaMOCA on Thursday, October 11!