New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Ex Okays have released a new EP called “Good/Old Days”. The group released a single called “Involvement” earlier this year, but this is the first album from the group since 2017’s “Friends” EP.
Ex Okays is the work of Aidan Cahill, Dominic Folino, Doñovan Thomas, Elias Snyder, and Johnny Cummings.
You can catch Ex Okays on July 27th to celebrate the release of their EP at Nude Beach (you need to DM the band for details) with French Police and Town Criers.
Boston’s Rogozo has a brand new double record out titled Nine Lives/Eight Lives and boy does it offer an escape from life’s asphyxiating routine. The ambiance in the opening track "Nine Lives" alone is enough to relax the brain’s neurons and secrete euphoria. The listener can be lost in the suppleness of the string instruments and keys that open the song and lead toward an intriguing marching drum build-up. The song then cascades the mind into a lake of majestic vocal chants, blinding drum fills, and flourishing guitars. The record continues its art-rock flexing to flash stylish guitar solos and Queen-like enthusiasm in its performance. "Animals" in particular is a cross between the most prominent rock forms of the ’70s: punk, glam, and psych merge for a riveting experience. "The Psychic" fast-forwards to the ’80s for an electro-tune that displays a furious pace, a smooth bassline, and charming vocal harmonies. "Red City" has a lush piano riff that contrasts with the song’s aggressive tone. Rogozo has crafted a sonic journey that is deserving of praise, in its execution as much as in its creativity. The Thunder Road Music Club will be hosting Rogozo on Aug 2nd for a performance sure to be a good time. With so many tracks to choose from, we have to go with the pop-punk tinged "Dream" streaming for you below. – Rene Cobar
Damned Rivers touch their music with flavors of Americana, indie rock, punk, and soul to create a blend of genres which evoke memories of Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. Fans of those classic rockers, as well as newer indie legends such as The Menzingers, will enjoy Damned Rivers’ debut album The Pugilist, which the band released earlier this month. The album tells the tale of a boxer near the end of his career, with each song diving deeper into the boxer’s understanding of his life-changing situation. Songwriter Ian Mauldin used inspiration from his own hardships during one of the most difficult years of his life to write the story of the boxer. The Pugilist is Damned Rivers’ first since their debut EP in 2015; go listen to the band perform tracks from the album at No Billiards in East Nashville on July 27th. Take a listen to "Prizefighter" below. – Will Sisskind
Vapor, the new EP from Buddy Leezle, recently entered the equation. Produced by Wiardon, these tracks ooze with a composed, dramatic intensity, complemented by the boom bap. It’s a reminder of an old school, timeless sound and style. Go on, and breathe it all in.
Violinist, Producer, and Vocalist Alex Blocker has released a new album called Moonlight Palace. The album blends elements of Hip Hop, Soul, Synth Pop, and Experimental Electronic music create a world and sound that for Alex’s vocals to explore.
The album opens with “Small Town Romance” and this week Alex released a themed lyric video the track.
Shriveling is the new tape from Philly sound sculptor QQQ. Synth-saturated, electro beats generate movement within a mysterious, mercurial setting. Sonics build creating darker corners to explore. You can experience it all live this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, where he’ll be supporting Mark Redito.
This Saturday, July 23rd at 10 PM, The Revolution series will return to National Sawdust with another set of NYC based artists: Vocateurs, Snack Cat, and DioMara. Vocateurs is a brand new Brooklyn-based (by way of Florida) band blending soul and indie rock elements – they are so new they don’t even have a demo out yet! Snack Cat is a collective of musicians combining elements of jazz, blues, soul, and funk; their sound bases its foundation on an intriguing trombone/keys/electric guitar interplay. DioMara, a Panamian-American R&B singer, bears a stage presence that matches her soulful tunes, and she’s also the founder of a women’s charity event series called WNDR WMN.
Coming from three very different backgrounds, these artists and their music are a testament to NYC’s cultural, ethnic and artistic diversity – don’t miss their performance this coming Saturday! Tickets are here. – Susan Moon
Instrumental Progressive Rock group Maurice has released the first single, “Hip Replacement”, from their forthcoming album Pear in the Finish.
Maurice is the work of Corey McCafferty, Kevin Meyer, David Grant, James Davis and Jonathon Kirk. This is the first new music we have had from the band since 2016’s LP Bouncy Things.
This single is fun, funky, bouncy, almost Jazz-like, but just off kilter enough to keep the listener guessing.
Brand new music from Toronto’s alt-grunge band Sedge. “Translation in Lost” EP will be released Friday July 26. The opening track “Call of the Void” kicks off with a classic grunge crunchy guitar tone. It’s a quick and rowdy tune that possesses catchy melodies along with the dirty rock sound. Sedge is throwing a “Translation in Lost” release party at Junction City Music Hall on Friday July 26th along with Baby Labour, TV Dinner and Cable Coated Nephew. – Kris Gies
Ganser has released the video for their latest single “Bad Form” which will officially be available on July 26th.
Ganser is the Noise Rock of Alicia Gaines (bass, vocals), Nadia Garofalo (keys, vocals), Brian Cundiff (drums), and Charlie Landsman (guitar).
You can catch Ganser at Riot Fest on September 15th.
Photo by Kirsten Miccoli Photography
Boston’s Almost Owen is a little risqué and a whole lot of playful: the singer-songwriter’s latest single “We Out Here” is the perfect anthem for midsummer festivities. The percussive song moves limbs and provides a solid foundation for Owen’s smooth flow and catchy pop hooks. The production of “We Out Here” impresses with its textured vocal harmonies and cheery chants that create the merry atmosphere Owen is known for. We dare say too that Owen has a swagger in his delivery that completes the summer package. If you need a track for your mischievous summer evenings, we are streaming it for you below. – Rene Cobar
