DIY diva/producer Sir Babygirl is gearing up to release her hotly anticipated debut album, Crush On Me, in February via Father/Daughter records. She’s already released a few criminally catchy queer bangers, “Heels,” “Flirting With Her,” and “Haunted Mansion” plus some spooky accompanying visuals. Her songs inhabit an atmosphere that’s sparkly, maximalist, and histrionic. A former comedian and current meme-r, Hogue uses humor to confront issues of bi-sexuality, femininity, and gender on her instagram and in her music. Now, the Silicon Valley-born, New Hampshire-raised starlet is hitting the road on tour in support of her upcoming album with Philly’s Petal. Listen and watch "Haunted Mansion" below, and be sure to catch Sir Babygirl and Petal at Rough Trade NYC with Cave People on January 25th.
Fuss Ricket Gets Weird with “Feed Us Fun”
"Feed Us Fun" by local fringe electro trio, Fuss Ricket, is an earworm of the highest degree. The recently released single lobotomizes the apprehensive and unfun parts of your brain and lets lead singer, Tyler Cochran, exert his frenetic charisma all over your psyche. Frantically urgent vocals bounce over analog synths and robust funky bass lines that reverberate in perfect synchronicity. Eccentric and out for a good time, Fuss Ricket has dance-friendly beats but simultaneously ushers in a welcome overdose of weirdness that make them unique and captivating. Show Fuss Ricket some love at www.fussricket.com or check out their next show!
Briana Kapone “Pink Cocaine” Video
Briana Kapone has released a Ryder Visuals produced video for her single “Pink Cocaine”. The track is dark R&B with a message of drugs, power, and moderation.
Drive!Drive! releases pop-heavy single “Love To Hate You”
Alt-pop up-and-comers Drive!Drive! hit me deep in two ways: They have continued the time-honored tradition of using punctuation in their band name, and they have become the only band I know of with an aquatic street team. They’ve released their third single of 2018, titled "Love To Hate You", a pop banger in the lyrical and musical vein of Carly Rae Jepsen and Walk The Moon. Drive!Drive!’s inspiration for music comes from founder Alex Johnson’s desire to make music with other musicians who were in it for the fun and not the money; their collective passion comes through in "Love To Hate You". Their growing fan base has already fallen in love with the track; take a listen to it below for yourself. – Will Sisskind
Maũ brings avant hip-hop to Trans-Pecos 11/29
Kamau Wainaina—who performs under the moniker Maũ—is creating shape-shifting, avant music that’s as interdisciplinary as his artistic background. Maũ, a senior at NYU Tisch whose work spans film, photography, and music, put out his single “SUNDOWN” via Invertebrate back in September. The song enters a space free from the boundaries of conventional genre where a slinking electro beat meets stream-of-consciousness spoken word hip-hop:“I wish I could call it word vomit but that would understate it / syllables spilling god willing, I turn a phrase to payment.” Born in Nairobi, Wainaina’s work is largely focused on the ways one’s identity can adapt and shift in different environments. You can catch Maũ as well as Jae Luna, Octopus, and Pom Pom Squad at Trans-Pecos on 11/29 at 8 pm in a show put on by NYU Local. Sara Nuta
Debut C. Hundreds EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
C. Hundreds, a.k.a. Craig Hendrix (Japanese Breakfast, Auctioneer, Aderbat), recently shared a new EP, Nauset Tapes, under his latest moniker. A pulsating, desolate-folk sound creates an intriguing songwriting platform. With a solemn key/synth foundation, the album builds suspense, leading toward potential on “How Hard Did You Try,” while “Song Man’s Blues” captures a lonesome wisdom. C. Hundreds is slated on a billing tomorrow night at Ortlieb’s that also includes Birdie Busch and William H. Travis.
Leslie Marie “Sun”
Leslie Marie released her latest single, “Sun”, last month. The bright Flamenco inspired modern soul track features production from Banks The Genius & GØL, and the vocals of Shantina Lynet.
You can catch Leslie Marie opening for DRAMA on December 22nd at Lincoln Hall.
New Track: “I’m Not Like You” – Julia Rainer
“Feeling anger after an encounter in which the rights of trans and non-binary folks and women were belittled and disregarded,” Julia Rainer penned a new single, “I’m Not Like You”. Paced by the percussion, the languid ring of guitar and the expansive vocal echo creates a track that hits at the core as Rainer satirically dives into one of the many divides that currently separates our society. Rather than embracing differences and finding common ground via empathy, fear is currently being used as fuel to justify and enable cruelty; however, art will always be here to push back – much love.
Gazebo Effect
Sofar Sounds Chicago has released their video of Gazebo Effect performing a new track called “Peace Of Mind”. The group released two albums in 2017, their debut LP, Big Breakfast, and EP “Turtle Rock”, and it is great to hear new music from them.
You can catch Gazebo Effect on January 5th with Splor and Cpt Captain at Tonic Room.
Sunday State Debut Show
Kurt Foster and Michael Carothers are teaming up to form Sunday State, and they’re playing their debut show tomorrow, November 29th at The Fixin’ To. To get yourself ready for the show, check out their song “Slide". The song’s dark, jazzy undertones provide an excellent base for the warm and moody vocals. It feels like an alt-rock 90’s song that’s time-traveled to 2018. The time skip has done the song justice. It’s mature and well-seasoned. Dependable may not seem like the ideal descriptor for rock, but this song makes the argument that “dependable” is just what we need. The song hits all the right notes and beats, making it a smooth, easy listen. Foster and Carothers managed to create a song that is both new and creative, and an excellent classic rock song. It’s a difficult task, one they accomplished well.
The show starts at 8. Tickets are $7, and it’s 21+. Pacific Mean Time and The Curb & The Spurs will also be playing sets.
-By Nick Hartman
Kojo Easy Damptey – New Soul Album/Single “Giants”
Originally from Ghana; Kojo Easy Damptey combines soul, funk, hip hop and I hear some jazz influences in his latest track “Giants”. This is the title track from his upcoming album which to him “builds on the tradition of resistance and resilience that people of color around the world have shown in the fight to combat the ill effects of colonization.” “Giants” is available now on bandcamp! – Kris Gies