New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Varsity is planning to release their latest album, Fine Forever, via Run For Cover on May 29th. This week they released the album’s latest single, "Reason To Run", and it accompanying visuals below.
This is the band’s third album follow-up 2018’s acclaimed Parallel Person, and "Reason To Run" is the album second single following-up the album’s lead single and opening track "Runaway".
Putting a collection together of one’s work is no easy task, each piece is part of a greater story being told, and it must be told well. Boston’s Alan Scardapane does this brilliantly with his collection titled Winter House. Each track showcases Alan’s easy-going approach to music and serious melodic chops. Songs like “Camden Yards” drop you into a place of comfort: the music, with its lingering harmonies, and soft acoustic guitar plucks, flows like a cool river or a spring breeze you want to listen to, to breathe in, take in. “Without You” is folk-rock for the moodiest of days and the warmest summer evenings. Alan has collected his best tunes of 2014-16, and it shows; stream the edgy “Whiskey Girl” below for a proper weekend greeting. – Rene Cobar
Synth Rock group Ember Oceans has taken the time to look on the brighter side of things and have released a new single called "Cheap Flight (Hawaii)".
This is the work of Freddy Tyler Paul {Vocals, Keys} , Joe Cox {Guitar, Vocals} , Parker John Elmo {Drums}, and Sean Groebe {Bass}.
The group is currently putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length album. They have previously released two EP’s, their 2015 self-titled debut EP and 2019’s "Sleepwalk EP".
Gateway Drugs‘ new track "Slumber" stands at an intersection between U2, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, blending shoegaze and fuzzed-out arena rock into a song that could blow out your speakers. But instead of going big with the video, the band chose to film it themselves, using a Handycam to record a day in their lives at Josh Homme’s Pink Duck studios. The resulting video comes out more intimate and chaotic than anything a big budget could create; it also provides a look back to when you could just walk outside and fool around with your friends. "Slumber" appears on Gateway Drugs’ sophomore LP PSA, which drops on May 8th. Take a look at the video for "Slumber" below. – Will Sisskind
Indie Christian Pop singer Holly Halliwell has released her first two singles, "Before Me" and "Your Love", this month. Both tracks are filled with a much needed positivity and hopefulness that should transcend genre or classification.
She collaborated with her husband Walter Halliwell and producers Seth Mosley and X O’Connor of Full Circle Music for these tracks and seems poised for something big in the coming months.
Sonny Falls has released a new double single, "Lives Unlived" b/w "Hidden Coyotes". This is the first new music from the Ryan “Hoagie Wesley” Ensley fronted band since the release of 2018 their critically acclaimed 2018 album Some Kind of Spectre.
Ensley is currently working of the band’s third album, but wrote these two song just after the shelter-in-place order came down in Chicago.
Black Metal group Dismalimerence has released the lead single, "Negligence of the Forgotten", from their forthcoming debut album, Tome: 1, which is due out June 26th via Transcending Records.
This is the work of Elijah Cirricione (Guitar/Vocals), Matt Mifflin (Guitar), Craig Hamburger (Bass), and Joey Casillas (Drums).
You can catch Dismalimerence on June 6th at Bourbon on Division with Harakiri for the Sky, Numenorean, and Eneferens.
Back in October we shared the lead single and title track of the forthcoming album, Wanderverse, from the emcee Pseudo Slang and the producer Pawcut. The album is due out May 1st, but this month they have release two "C-Sides" from the project and the latest is called "WhatWeerDealinWit".
The first "C-Side", "Finesseful", dropped back in March and was accompanied by the visuals below.
Boston’s Danny Moffat (The Collect Pond) has been keeping busy alongside his acoustic guitar and soul-merging loops; his latest offering, “Traveling,” is an ode to that which we hope for most at the moment: peace and familiarity. With a combination of gentle strums and relaxed-captivating vocals, Danny slows down the heartbeat, sharpens focus, and suspends you into a better reality. His indie folk track takes on a fun, fast-paced rhythm toward the end that is fitting, so pop-punk of him, a la acoustic that is, of course. Steam Danny’s latest track below for a mid-week mood uplift. – Rene Cobar
Uma Bloo has released a new single called "Coming Home", her second single of 2020. This is a powerful new song that builds in intensity as the song and the singers emotion progresses.
You can hopefully catch Uma Bloo at Hungry Brain on May 23rd with Flora and Daymaker.
Despite the current situation, we are coming up on Song of the Summer territory, and Evan Myall has an early contender with his track "Forever Mine". The sunny single comes from his upcoming self-titled debut LP, which drops on May 8th. Inspired by Glen Campbell and George Harrison, the soft-rock-tinged feel-good song continues to power the modern psych-rock trend with chilled-out guitar solos and Myall’s breathy vocals spouting romantic verse. Should you manage to find some time for a sanity walk, find a nice open field to enjoy on your own and let the sunny vibes of "Forever Mine" wash over you. Take a look at the cinematic video for "Forever Mine" below. – Will Sisskind
None of Your Concern has released two singles this month, "Cinnamon" and "Lied". This is the mysteriously masked duo who report to come from two musical diverse backgrounds to create this dark electronic music. One half is a classically trained musician, performing arts teacher and former dancer, who uses the arts to promote social justice. The other fronts a local LGBTQ+ punk band and has worked for a decade to bring multiple genres of music to the queer community on the west side of Chicago.
You can catch None of Your Concern at Sleeping Village on October 9th with Wingtips, Panic Priest, and Greg Corner.
