L.A.

With “Change,” Thom Sawyr asks for empathy over gritty, fiery Americana

Posted on:

 On his new single, "Change," singer-songwriter Tasso Smith is mad as hell about the current state of affairs. More specifically: medical industry D.C. lobbyists and the dehumanization that humans are imposed upon due to greed and corporate interest. It’s a complex issue that Smith, who goes by the moniker Thom Sawyr, addresses with poignant simplicity over an alternative meets Americana-styled production. "We’ve been lost for so long/How much before we break and hurt someone," Smith questions, offering an anthemic plea that urges for just a little bit more compassion. 

"Change" follows Smith’s debut single "Wishing on the Wind," both of which he’ll feature on a still-unannounced EP.  For more information on touring dates, including a December date he’s yet to reveal, visit his official website. – Juan Rodríguez

NYC

Dog Petter’s “Sucktitude” video is a Tolkien-esque odyssey

Posted on:

New York indie rock duo Dog Petter bill their new video “Sucktitutde” as “what Lord of the Rings would look like if it cost $20 to make,” although one could argue it looks a bit like a poor man’s Skyrim. Soundtracked by noodling guitar lines and predominantly soft vocals, band members Emmitt and Brian embark on an epic voyage through Middle Earth (or the woods of New Jersey), leveling up their stats and befriending a God-like dog along the way. Humorous visuals aside, Dog Petter’s sound is somewhere between the muted repose of bands like Duster and The Antlers and the emotionally explosive elements of northeast emo outfits like Snowing, finding a happy medium between the quiet and cacophonous; watch the video below, and stream their most recent effort Asleep in the Heat here. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Toronto

Cherry Hooker – Glam Punks Rockin’ The Powder Box Release Party at Bovine 11.30

Posted on:

Fuzzed and Buzzed is releasing a new box set of 7” singles including Toronto glam-punks Cherry Hooker. They have a high energy sound with crunchy guitars and wild vocals. You can see their jaw dropping, dazzling performance at the Bovine Sex Club on Saturday November 30th when they release a brand new track “City Sidewalkin” at The Powder Box Release Party along with Head and Witchrot. Get a feel for their sound with a previously released single “Puddle Deep”. – Kris Gies

Toronto

Witchrot – Heavy Doom Single “Dug Your Grave”, Bovine 11.30

Posted on:

One of the heavier tunes I’ve heard in a while is from Toronto stoner rockers Witchrot. "Dug Your Grave" was recorded and produced by Tallies’ Dylan Frankland. We’re talking powerful vocals and heavy ass guitars. The bulk of the song trudges along at a doom metal pace before ending in full shred mode. The guitar work reminds me of Priestess but Witchrot brings it with a bad ass female singer. They will be playing The Powder Box Release Party at Bovine Sex Club on Saturday November 30th with Head and Cherry Hooker. – Kris Gies

Toronto

Joseph Mcdonald – Excellent New Roots Record “Human Dogs”

Posted on:

Joseph Mcdonald hails from rural Ontario and creates music that represents the countryside perfectly. He just released a new record “Human Dogs” which opens with the title track. It’s a pleasant sounding roots tune with a nice melody and acoustic guitar. The album features some excellent pedal steel work that’ll make you wanna cry. I recommend listening to Human Dogs and it will help you escape the busy city life. Mcdonald’s main inspirations are Willie Nelson, John Prine and Roger Miller and you can’t go wrong with any of those selections. “Human Dogs” available now! – Kris Gies

NYC

The Jay Vons smoothly groove on “The Word,” play Union Pool 12.1

Posted on:

Despite my aversion to driving, pollution, and traffic inherent to owning a car, New York rhythm-and-blues quartet the Jay Vons create music that makes me wish I had a set of wheels of my own. Their recently release LP The Word is immediately evocative of yesteryear’s Mo-Town sound, a grooving collection of songs that would perfectly soundtrack a Sunday drive on the BQE. From the record’s opening organ, to the horn-hits on misty-eyed love song “Changing Seasons,” to the spring box percussive churn of “Keep On Moving,” the Jay Vons bring the heat, laying down soulful call-and-response vocals and solid gold brass lines amidst warmly vintage guitar tones. And despite the band being beholden to the tropes of classic RnB, The Word never feels kitschy or forced, resonating instead as a contemporary take on an old-yet-still-kicking musical tradition, a record that excels with many of the instruments and sonic textures listeners are are already well acquainted with. Listen below, and catch the band at Union Pool on December 1st, alongside Holy Hive and Masino. —Connor Beckett McInerney

Chicago

Lulu Be. “Bombshelter”

Posted on:

Lulu Be. is preparing to release her sophomore EP, Bombshelter, this Friday, November 29th. The nine track EP features the 2018 single “Still Rude” along some explosive new tracks like “Fandango”, “Shelter”, and "Peoples Gas”.

Below is the Will Ross remix of “Still Rude” from over the summer and the crazy video for the single as well.

Chicago

Salvation “Year of the Fly”

Posted on:

Noise Pop trio Salvation has teamed up with Forge Again Records to release their third album, Year of The Fly. This is the work of Victor Riley (Bass), Santiago Guerrero (Drums), and Jason Sipe (Guitar/Vocals), and this is the first new music from the trio since 2017’s Sore Loser.

You can help Salvation celebrate the release of their album on tonight, November 27th, at Empty Bottle with Ganser, Luggage, and No Men.

L.A.

On “Heidsee,” Sunwarper crafts lush, spectral downtempo

Posted on:

Some artist names perfectly illustrate how the music sounds like. The fizzy synth textures and warm, sun-dappled production flourishes of Michael Jakucs, who goes by Sunwarper, provide a place of comfort and reflection. It’s a slight, yet significant departure for Jakucs, whose new single "Heidsee" puts a new emphasis on live instruments, sampling, and field recordings—a stylistic change from the atmospheric soundscapes of his former project, Selles. He does take a more beat-driven approach, but it’s no less ruminative, capturing floaty, yet involving, fluctuations that offer a sense of renewed life to his ever-evolving downtempo music.

"Heidsee" is the first single off his upcoming debut full-length Idolon, which is due on all streaming platforms on January 10, 2020. – Juan Rodríguez

NYC

Well Wisher make the sadness bearable on “This Is Fine,” play House of Independents 11.29

Posted on:

Northern New Jersey’s Well Wisher have essentially perfected the art of the asynchronous indie punk song, creating melodic, exciting tunes that are marked by deeply melancholic lyrics. Their most recent release This Is Fine contains ten, primarily upbeat jams, filled with tension-building guitars and dramatic major-minor chord resolutions, all set against by front woman Natalie Newbold’s bright vox and sad lyrics. It’s the ideal music for club catharsis, the type of music that induces immediate hype in a live setting while providing space to scream out the words (in a room full of strangers) as a space to bask in shared sorrow. Stream this fun duality below, and catch Well Wisher at the House of Independents on November 29th, supporting Beach Rats, Speedy Ortiz, Restorations, and American Trappist.

 

Toronto

Uncola – New Psych Single “Cactus Throat”, Monarch Tavern 12.13

Posted on:

Uncola are a new group in the ever growing Toronto psych scene. They have released their debut single “Cactus Throat”. This lo-fi track features excellent vocals with a perfect amount of echo and reverb. The vocals bring a nice contrast to the noisy garage sound of the instruments. The rhythm section drives this song while the guitar is free to make all kinds of sweet sustaining noises. Uncola will be playing The Monarch Tavern on Friday December 13th along with Wine Lips and BBQ Pope in support of The Effens LP Release Party. – Kris Gies