Luminous Kid on “Mountain Crystals,” His Favorite Narratives, and Phoebe Bridgers
It’s difficult to talk about Luminous Kid, the stage name of Swedish singer-songwriter Olof Grind, without talking about Phoebe Bridgers. The indie phenom has a way of catching the audience’s attention (see: the guitar smash on SNL and her subsequent beef with David Crosby), and in his other calling as a photographer Olof shot the […]
Shae Tull on “Bedsit”, Her Influences, and Advice
Picking up and moving on after a hurtful or traumatic experience is never an easy thing. And sometimes, the pain and the damage suffered can be so profound and lasting that reconciling with one’s frail and vulnerable state might feel like the only feasible option. In such instances, regret over past actions can often feel […]
Ari Herstand’s Like Home Is a Return to Roots and a Step Forward
Ari Herstand is a lot of things to a lot of people. He’s the leader of 70s funk project Brassroots District. He’s an actor with credits in shows like Mad Men. He’s the author of the best-selling book, How to Make It in the New Music Business (which I’ve read and can personally confirm as being […]
Joe Pope and Luna Keller on “Barricades,” Collaboration, and Their Futures
“Barricade,” a new song by the Georgia-based singer-songwriter Joe Pope, has a warm and welcoming sound, but it never feels too easy. Perhaps it’s Pope’s voice, which has enough grit to add some texture to the sound; perhaps it’s the song’s structure, which never quite goes where you expect it to go. Whatever the case, […]
Josh Fudge on “FEEL LIKE,” Inspiration, and His Future Ambitions
When we last checked in on Josh Fudge, a bright young bedroom pop singer-songwriter from Oklahoma City, it was when he released the tender folk ballad “Meet Me In Seattle.” But in the year since, he’s released some more upbeat, poppy material, and become a rising star in the process: his debut album has racked […]
Michael Droske on “V’Ger’s Dream,” the Beach Boys, and Kirk vs. Picard
“V’Ger’s Dream,” a lovely song by the psych-pop artist Michael Droske, doesn’t sound like it’s about Star Trek. The “V’Ger” of the title is the tragic antagonist of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, a sentient life form that evolved from a space probe that had been lost to the depths of the cosmos. (“V’Ger,” after […]
Joe Bartone (Brides of Jesus) on “Inside Me,” Time Signatures, and Tragedy
It’s not always easy to let someone in. Love forces us to be viciously vulnerable, to give others the opportunity to burrow into our skin. Brides of Jesus examines the terror and power of this emotional intimacy in their fresh release “Inside Me.” “Inside Me” boasts a rich, cinematic feel layered with haunting vocal strips. […]
Katie Haverly on “Get Ready” and Optimism in the Time of Corona
On March 8th, 2020, I was still clinging to a nervous sort of optimism. News of the virus had started to spread, and there were a number of grave warnings that had phrases like “not a matter of if but when” and “it will get worse before it gets better,” but I was still trying […]
Virginia Fudge on “Dragonfly,” Production, and Being a Teacher
There’s something to be said for a well-paced song. The popularity of TikTok has resulted in a lot of songs that play their hand in the first twenty seconds, content to coast for the rest of the runtime in hopes that they’ll strike gold and catch the ear of an influencer. (Can you tell me […]
Kerri Watt on Neptune’s Daughter and Her Powerful New Sound
Kerri Watt charts a new soundscape with her debut album Neptune’s Daughter, born from her Americana roots and an unlikely collaboration with heavy metal producer Machine that gives us something totally new. In a mix of grunge, rock, country, and pop, Neptune’s Daughter is an inspiring look into a new wave of rock and roll. Between […]
