Night School just released their new music video and it’s not only a charming shoegazing dream, it’s a sweet homage to California landscape with a heavy hint of mystical witchiness. Love your shoes, Witch. Watch their music video with us, then come on out to The Chapel for their record release show. For those of your purities who can’t wait to get your hands on the record, order it here. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Chicago
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Rotten Mouth @ Cobra Lounge (4/5)
Rotten Mouth is preparing to release their debut full-length album, The Moonman, this Friday, April 5th. The album’s first single is called ”Steady Hand” and can be streamed below.
This is the groove rock of Josh Guelzow (Guitar/Vox), Ryan Wade (Guitar), Clay Mutert (Bass/Vox), and Chris Mutert (Drums).
You can help Rotten Mouth celebrate the release of the album on April 5th at Cobra Lounge with Revolt Coda, St. Marlboro, and Saltwater Tap.
Photo by Douglas Nilles
NYC
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Bobby Long’s new video “Nautical” is a comic thriller
You guys know the book Misery by Stephen King, right? The one where a novelist is captured by a crazed superfan and forced to write her a novel while chained up in Colorado? Well, New York multi-genre singer-songwriter Bobby Long clearly has a penchant for King’s work, with his newest music video “Nautical” a gallows humor interpretation of said story – except in this case, Long plays the lunatic, capturing and imprisoning his friend and producer Jack Dawson. While the video is an entire production unto itself, its bleakly hilarious visuals – where Long forces Dawson to play a concert to a sordid collection of mannequins and goats – repurpose the normally heartfelt lyricism of “Nautical” to comic effect; particularly, the tune’s chorus of “I’ll be alone with you” reads entirely differently in its new context. I won’t spoil its ending; watch the video below, and be sure to check out the rest of Long’s most recent studio effort, SULTANS, out now on Compass Records. -Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)
Chicago
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Squid. “Green River”
Squid. recently released the first single, “Green River”, from their forthcoming album Soda Pop. This will be the follow-up to the band’s 2017 debut album Watersports.
This is LoFi indie rock of Luke Robinson (Guitar), Keifer Douglas (Guitar, Vocals), Nick Bollinger (Bass), and Max Petot (Drums/Percussion).
Philadelphia
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Debut Low Dose LP Available for Streaming & Purchase
The self-titled debut from Low Dose is out now via Knife Hits Records/Brutal Panda Records. A battering ram of rhythm merges with distorted guitars and Itarya Rosenberg’s roaring, guttural vocals, creating an unstoppable, bruising melodic grunge-punk sound. Unabashedly open, aching lyrics are delivered through a hazardously heavy musical landscape; these songs adhere under your skin. You can celebrate its arrival with the band tomorrow night at Johnny Brenda’s, supported by Psychic Teens and Potion 200.
Chicago
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Glory Days “Signals”
Pop Punk group Glory Days recently released a new single called “Signals”. This is the band’s second single of 2019 follow-up “Standstill” from back in January.
This is the work of James Pickering (Vocals/Guitar), Vince Gannon (Vocals/Bass), CJ Jarmuth (Guitar), and Jared Tousey (Drums)
Photo by Chelsea Marrin
Philadelphia
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New Boothe Carlson EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Boothe Carlson is a musician and visual artist based in Philadelphia, whose album 8 or 9 Walled Room was recently released by local tape label Nino Tomorrow, which is run by Ada Babar and Palm‘s Kasra Kurt. Carlson’s videos feel reminiscent of artists like Cecelia Condit, crafting experiences out of mundane imagery that are profoundly emotive and subtly unnerving. Their aptitude for craftsmanship in the video realm translates strikingly well into music, in both instances their works seemingly make use of whatever items are at their disposal. On 8 or 9 Walled Room, they repurpose household objects into percussive tools, making arrangements that are sparse but aren’t lacking in charm and musicality. Vocals become just one of the sounds that pop up in short, staccato bursts – a sonic whack-a-mole of sorts. The songs are short, highly technical, and radiate a warmth that feels more modest than boastful. – Josh Kelly
L.A.
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Watch Signals’ peculiar new video for “In the Middle of the Night”
There’s something unsettling about Signals’ latest music video for "In the Middle of the Night." A stoic mannequin sings along to the towering, synth-laden electro-rock of Brendan Byrnes and Ian Vargo. The cut has a grainy film look that adds a certain menacing effect—as if we’re watching some futuristic art installation unfold—where a projected image attempts to personalize the duo’s heart-rending lyrical effusions. Perhaps it’s that contrast of melodic buoyancy and mechanical expression that makes it all the more confounding. It’s best to leave it to open interpretation, after all, though it does add another layer to a sonically textured song that is otherwise pouring with optimism (though behind the joyful intent it describes a romantic dissolution with chilling effect).
"In the Middle of the Night" is featured on Signals’ self-titled EP, out now via their official SoundCloud page and all streaming platforms. Juan Rodríguez
NYC
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Sharkmuffin share single “Serpentina,” play Alphaville on 4/5
Garage rockers Sharkmuffin will release their latest EP “Gamma Gardening” on April 5th via Exploding In Sound Records. The five track’s depict an outlandish sci-fi rock opera centered around a character named Serpentina who is pursued by The Atomic Gardening Society. EP opener “Receptionist” sets the sonic tone for the entire record with its loose, live-in-the-studio vibe. Overall, the songs are built around an angular bass-lines, a loose, busy hi-hat, chunky guitar chords and Tarra Thiessen’s trademark caterwauling vocal style. “Designer Baby” drops down into a more sinister, echo-heavy tone breaking off into multiple tempos and b-movie-stylke outerspace effects. Current single “Serpentina” (streaming below) chugs along via Jordyn Blakely’s syncopated percussion, pitch-bended guitar strokes and Natalie Kirch’s rubbery bassline. “Too Many Knobs” is an over six minute raveup that sounds like Fun House-era Stooges. Final track “Fate” (their first single) brings things back to earth with a strolling, guitar-heavy love-tinged theme. The band will play their EP release show at Alphaville on 4/5 with Haybaby, CATTY and Gustaf. –Dave Cromwell
Chicago
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Joybird @ Tonic Room (4/17)
Joybird is the graceful American of Jess McIntosh, and she released her latest album, Landing, last month. For this album she is joined by Bil Harris (percussion, drums), Aaron Smith (bass, banjo, guitar, vocals), Emily Nott (guitar, vocals), Sara Leginsky (banjo, vocals), Anna S. Jacobson (trumpet, French horn), Cass Pautler (clarinet), Dan Andree (fiddle), and Steve Doyle (dobro, electric guitar).
You can catch Joybird on April 17th at Tonic Room with Meadow Mountain.
photo by Rachel Winslow
Chicago
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Lord Snow “Shadowmarks”
Lord Snow released a new EP called “Shadowmarks” last week. This is the Post Punk/Screamo trio of Niko Zaglaras, Erik Anderson, and Steph Maldonado.
You can catch Lord Snow at Beat Kitchen on August 1st with Loma Prieta and Jeromes Dream.
Philadelphia
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New Caracara EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Will Yip’s Memory Music recently dropped Better, the new Caracara EP. The three-song collection is intimately brought to life through setting-shaping lyricism. Compact instrumentation builds and bursts putting a spectrum of emotions on full display. You can catch the band’s EP release show at Everybody Hits on Friday, May 3, brought to you by Home Outgrown Presents. (Photo by Emily Dubin)