It’s easy to find joy in the unbridled drive of My Son The Doctor, whose latest single “Blue Tank Tops” is an indie rock vamp tailor-made for our recollective summer. Between vignette one-liners about “East Side women talking blue chip stocks” and “local pool boys” triumphant garage rock shreds with a healthy mix of discord and polish. While such seasonal non-sequiturs seemingly endow the song with a nostalgic energy, there’s a forward-focused outlook present in Brian Hemmert’s lyrics, a quasi-implication that, with each summer to come and go,there will always idle pool party chit-chat and blue tank tops — and maybe that’s something worth looking forward to. Give the track a listen below, and keep an eye out for the band’s upcoming EP Dad Time, out later this year. Photo by Elizabeth Lopiccolo
Jamila Woods “ZORA (LIVE)”
Jamila Woods has released a fantastic live version of "ZORA" from her 2019 album LEGACY! LEGACY!. When performed live this track really comes alive and is filled big bluesy guitars and Jamila’s passion for the story she is telling.
Hollow Bastion “Doot Doot”
Seventeen year old Hollow Bastion has released her debut single, "Doot Doot". She is clearly influenced by artists like Snail Mail, but that is not to take anything away from her clear talent and songwriting ability.
Deeper “Secret Your Tape”
Deeper has released a collection of rarities, demos, and covers called "Secret Your Tape" that spans their work over the last three years. This closely follows the released of their latest album, Auto-Pain, back in March.
This is the work Shiraz Bhatti, Nic Gohl, and Drew McBride. The trio currently has a European tour scheduled to kick off in Denmark on November 6th.
Young Detectives “One More Time”
Young Detectives have released their debut single "One More Time", and are currently working on their first studio EP. We know little else about the band at this point, but are enjoy the Mid-2000’s throwback Rock sound on this first single.
A Deli Premiere: “A Step Back from the Wrong Direction” by Josh Knowles
Boston’s Josh Knowles gives sound to a time filled with tragedies, abysmal confusion, and above all else, profound hope for a better world. In his new record, A Step Back from the Wrong Direction, Josh uses his skills with an electric violin to craft evocative string music that stimulates the heart and mind with each swell and beautiful cadence. “A Step Back from the Wrong Direction: II” is a prime example of the ambiances the music immerses the listener in, cautious, almost as if stepping stealthily, the song creates a sense of peril that is both grave and familiarly comfortable. “A Step Back from the Wrong Direction: IV” seems more cheery, almost like the calm after a raging storm, back and forth the sounds rise like sea spume so majestic. Overall, Josh Knowles offers New England the kind of music that makes the most sense today: a type of music meant for contemplation, discovery, and healing. We are thrilled to premiere the record for you below; your weekend will be the better for it. – Rene Cobar
Satellite Mode softly examine the states on “Dream, American,” new lP out 7.17
Your guess is as good as the next person’s in terms of whether the American Dream is still a tenable prospect in 2020 — though NYC synthpop duo Satellite Mode’s new video “Dream, American” provides a hazy meditation on what America means, exactly. Home movie visuals and dreamlike arpeggios underscore uncomfortable axioms, how we’re “all longing [for] that good American green,” how antiquated conceptualizations of comfort like “milk money” seem odd by contemporary standards, and how it might be better to set aside old visions and just “let it burn.” During a time when ideas of national identity and success seem increasingly more outdated and convoluted,Satellite Mode’s evenhanded, electronic approach feels centering, a soft-spoken critique for our shitshow year. Watch it below, and stream their new EP Robots vs Party Girls, out today.
Multi-instrumentalist Junior Mesa shares new single “Losing My Grip”, plus video
At the beginning of the month, multi-instrumentalist Junior Mesa celebrated his 21st birthday with the release of two singles, "Losing My Grip" and "Creep". Junior broke out in the scene with his 2019 EP Peace, and was set to play SXSW and hit the road with fellow LA band Inner Wave this past spring. Though the performances never happened, the musical output remains steady; Junior’s two new singles show two different emotions that have bubbled up during the past few months. "Losing My Grip" gets into a groove that fights off the quarantine blues, and the video shows Junior and his housemates jamming out together to keep up their spirits. "Creep", on the other hand, locks into a melancholic beat and has Junior singing about lost love. We’ve featured the video for "Losing My Grip" below; take a look. – Will Sisskind
Brett Naucke “EMS Hallucinations”
Brett Naucke has released the single edit of "Hallucinations IV" from his forthcoming album EMS Hallucinations which is set to be released on September 11th via American Dreams.
The album is actually two side long ambient, pulsing, electronic drone creations made using Buchla 200 and Serge Modular Systems. This is synth music for synth heads, but still accessible for all music fans.
LURK “Pressure Points”
Punk band LURK has released and new double single, "Pressure Points b/w Trample (Acoustic)", and are planning to drop more new music at the end of the month. This is the first new music from the group since their 2019 EP "Electro-Shock". The song "Trample" is taken from the band’s 2018 EP "Hi-Fi" and the band is working on a couple more stripped takes on their catalog.
This is the work of vocalist Kevin Kiley, Bassist Dan Durley, Drummer Pedro Unzueta and Guitarists Alex Rackow and Kevin Maida.
Hali Palombo “Hell”
Hali Palombo recently participated in a new Germany-based podcast called "Weekly EP". The podcast challenges musicians from around the world to create a new album in just days and then premiere it on the podcast.
Hali’s album is called "Hell" and is an experimental, ambient project built upon field recordings and short wave radio interval signals.
Coach House Sounds Returns
Coach House Sounds is back with the purpose of raising funds for Chicago Independent Venue League. This is the former live music session site founded by Matt Baron that ran from 2008 to 2012. Baron has released twelve sessions from a wide range of Chicago musicians including Ryley Walker, Judson Clairborne, White Mystery, Kid Static, ONO, and more via bandcamp.
All proceeds from the sale of these sessions are being donated to Chicago Independent Venue League.