Somerville’s Magen Tracy isn’t shy about inviting listeners into her sonic playground; the singer-songwriter is wholeheartedly engaged in the music. Magen Tracy and the Missed Connections have released their latest record, Long Fuse Burning, a ten-track indie-folk carnival for the senses. The new album employs echoing guitars and fiery drum beats in tracks like "(Even the Good Guys) Fall," melancholy piano melodies in "Move a Crowd," and gorgeous harmonies in songs like "Sweetheart." Magen’s performance never dials down the charm; it merely presents it in the most appropriate form for the song’s mood. The band has a date at the Brighton Music Hall in Boston on September 8th. We are streaming the country-tinged "Dirty Little Secret" below for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar
Vakash “The Burning Will Come To You”
Vakash is the dark drone pop of Richard Winn, and earlier this month he released his third EP of 2019, “The Burning Will Come To You”.
This EP is just two track and 11 eleven minutes, but every minute is filled with a haunting tension that is both disturbing and enjoyable.
Sean Han Tani “Anodyne 2: Return to Dust”
Video Game Designer and music composer Sean Han Tani has not only released his latest video game, “Anodyne 2: Return to Dust”, but more importantly for us, he has released the games wonderfully Synth-laden soundtrack.
Sean, who teaches game design and scoring at SAIC, released the original “Andodyne" back in 2013, but has released several games and albums in the meantime. Prior to this new game, his most recent title was “All Our Ashes”.
Old Cob builds mystery on single “Wasted”
“Wasted,” the sole release by “secret music project” Old Cob, expands the mythos of the anonymous Brooklyn performer through eclectic instrumentation and impressionistic lyrics. Interspersed between a recurring Dixieland banjo loop, shuffling percussion, and warped synthetic hits, Old Cob croons non-sequiturs that evoke feelings of repetition and tropes Americana. “Once upon a time, I would stand in line for the magic show,” Old Cob declares, before the chorus begs the question: “what am I doing here? I should be somewhere else making a living.” Deeply esoteric and impossibly intriguing, your guess is as good as mine as to what Old Cob’s intentions are—my working theory is that they are an early 20th century time traveler who’s unexpectedly landed in present-day New York, but I’m open to suggestion. Until we have more answers, stream “Wasted” below. -Connor Beckett McInerney
Dark Trip – New Dark Punk Video “Sick”, Rippin’ at The Baby G 08.25
Brand new video here from Toronto’s dark punk band Dark Trip. They released a self-titled EP earlier this year featuring six quick n’ creepy songs. This single “Sick” was originally written a couple years ago following a string of mass shootings and although written a while ago is unfortunately still relevant today. The video has a very DIY feel to it but almost in a non-DIY way. It looks like it was shot with the same camera as Stone Temple Pilot’s Big Bang Baby. It’s got that straight ahead down stroke rhythm driving the song with some nice lead licks frolicking over top. Catch Dark Trip live at The Baby G on August 25th along with Cave Curse, Wave of Terror and Chilldozer. – Kris Gies
Fire-Toolz “Fire Whispers (Into The Crystal Palace)”
Fire-Toolz is preparing to release a new album called “Field Whispers (Into The Crystal Palace)” via Orange Milk Records on August 30th.
These are genre bending creations of Angel Marcloid who is credited with an array of instruments on this project including voice, drums, electric & acoustic guitar, fretless bass, virtual studio technology, field recordings, circuit-bent junk, composition, lyrics, recording, production, mixing, mastering.
You can catch Fire-Toolz at The Hideout on September 28th with Bbsitters Club, Giant Claw, and Seth Graham.
Kaycie Satterfield’s smart songwriting in “Women’s Fiction” EP
Guitarist, singer songwriter Kaycie Satterfield is a welcome voice to the growing scene of NYC storytellers. One of Brooklyn-bred indie rock’s best kept secrets, her voice croons confessional lyrics following rhythmic leads and melodic ideas that veer her natural folky approach towards indie-influenced sonic territories. With her powerful and smart songs inspired by jazzy singer-songwriters like Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Kaycie successfully transcends musical genres and hits emotional cords in ways that are never banal. For more news on Kaycie Satterfield, check out her website or label, Brooklyn based paper moon records. – Susan Moon
New Music Video: “E.C.C.B.” (Starring LUNCH) – American Trappist
American Trappist and LUNCH recently issued a split EP, aptly titled LUNCH with American Trappist. Directed by Ian Kelly, there’s new video from Joe Michelini and friends for the single “E.C.C.B.,” which also stars the gang of LUNCH. Set along the shoreline, the footage depicts a day at the beach & boardwalk, with the custom quirkiness/oddity of that mask-adorned sea creature. You can catch both bands this Thursday, August 22 at Bourbon & Branch, along with Minor Moon. (Photo by Kara Donnelly)
Collector “Post Rock Lately”
Improvised Jazz Trio Collector is preparing to release a new EP called “Post Rock Lately” on August 22nd via Matt Blair’s Scribbled Fang Records.
Collector is composed of Jakob Heinemann on bass (Chicago), Devin Drobka on drums (Milwaukee), and Matt Blair on Fender Rhodes and electronics (Minneapolis). The trio has been working together for seven years, but this is their first official recording.
You can help Collector celebrate the album release at Elastic Arts on August 22nd with the Kimmel/Piet Duo.
New Soft Idiot EP Available for Streaming & Download
Byrrie is the latest EP from Philly singer-songwriter Justin Roth, a.k.a. Soft Idiot. Intimately enchanting, nostalgic, bedroom-folk tales retain a sense of endearing beauty and warmth. However, the fractured fragility of a relationship hangs in the air. Soft Idiot is slated to perform at Ortlieb’s on Sunday, September 1, with Dead Neighbors and all boy/all girl.
EJ Carey debuts heartfelt single “Rising Tides, Crashing Skies”
The enthusiastic singing of Boston’s EJ Carey hooks you ten seconds into her new single "Rising Tides, Crashing Skies." As the charming acoustic guitar overture makes way for the song’s lush harmonies, Carey ramps up the vocal intensity to deliver a powerful message in the chorus: a declaration of emancipation from a toxic relationship. EJ puts a piece of her heart in every lyric, allowing the vibrant red passion of her words to carry the song beside dynamic drums and gushing electric guitar embellishments. The pop-rock genre that EJ embraces is tailored for today’s chart-topping-music scouts, and the tinge of country helps too. It is the artist’s honesty that shines through and engages the listener for an experience that is a textbook example of music’s absorbing power. EJ Carey recently completed several gigs throughout Massachusetts, the last of which was in Winthrop. A new album is in the works, and we are excited about that. Streaming below is the singer-songwriter’s new single, enjoy! – Rene Cobar
The Gunshy “Remember When You Used To Want To Die”
The Gunshy have released an ambitious 12 minute single called “Remember When You Used To Want To Die”.
This is the Anthemic Rock of Matt Arbogast, Ryan Ford, Andy Sivwright, and Colin Miller. The track is the first new music we have had from the band since 2018’s Undefeated Album.