poolblood on “Twinkie,” Influences, and Inspiration
When you write for an independent music blog, you hear a lot of different independent music. Duh. But you realize that after a while, the stuff that really gets big isn’t soulless or indifferent. Rather, it’s the stuff that makes you a bit emotional or even reminiscent in some way. I like to compare the […]
Kramies on “Hotel in LA,” Collaboration, and Old Letters
“Hotel in LA,” the spellbinding new song by Kramies, doesn’t sound much at all like the Los Angeles of our collective imagination. Even in the darkest and most cynical tales of the City of Angels, there’s always sunshine, if only to better light the terrible things that occur there. But there’s no sunshine in “Hotel […]
Why The 1975 is Still So Good: The Value of Making Music with Context
The 1975 is the only alternative-pop band that isn’t trying too hard to sound like The 1975. And of course that’s intentionally an overstatement, but I really do think it’s kind of true. And I think it can help us make better art. Here’s what I mean. I remember when their first full-length record came […]
Late July Has a “Remarkable” Flair for Music and Cinema
Nicole Simone uses her birth name for acting and performs music as Late July. Her resumé in both worlds is as impressive as her flaming red hair. Yet she’s very unassuming, not haughty, about her many talents. Maybe that’s because she grew up in Canada, where people seldom boast. Late July/Nicole now splits time between […]
“Nothing to See” by Miya Folick: Exploring Love’s Inexplicable Actions
Miya Folick’s career was gaining momentum just as Covid hit, so it’s wonderful to hear her fabulous voice again. Her new single “Nothing To See” is one of this year’s best, blending a lovely melody with a lyric that says a lot about inexplicable impulses and actions, both during and after a relationship. You told […]
How to Sell Band Merch Online
Merch fulfillment can be kind of awful. I think so, at least. A couple of years ago, Tom and I put out an EP to honor our grandparents, and as part of the project, we decided to print a (very) small run of CDs using Disc Makers. They came out great… ⬆️ I’ve had these […]
Henry Ryeder on “Love Ain’t No Open Door,” Lockdown Isolation, and Julian Casablancas
Henry Ryeder’s newest EP, Boy Image, has this very cool and glamorous energy. The music feels as though it’s something relaxed but refined, and a mirror of dance-glam’s aesthetics with different and interesting sounds. Off of Boy Image, “Love Ain’t No Open Door” keeps this energy with a track that maintains a multitude of moods […]
“So Much Love” by Calista Kazuko: Elegant Jazz-Pop About Love and Motherhood
“So much love, so much love.” That’s how Calista Kazuko’s song of the same name starts, and on paper it seems straightforward enough. But what really caught my ear was the two different ways she sings the word “love” in those two lines. The first “love” is an airy, dreamy, melodious high note, the kind […]
“7 of Cups” by Wombo: Striking, Trancelike Indie Rock
“7 of Cups” is the latest indie rock single from the Kentucky based trio Wombo in anticipation for their new album Fairy Rust coming out July 29th. However, Wombo doesn’t make the type of music you might expect to see from a Kentuckian group. Made up of vocalist Sydney Chadwick, guitarist Cameron Lowe, and drummer […]
“Fair is Foul is Fair” by Andrea Mazzariello: Thoughtful Political Songwriting
“Fair is Foul is Fair”, the latest single from composer, artist, and teacher Andrea Mazzariello’s upcoming album War Footing, is an experimental electroacoustic masterpiece. The album, set to release September 16th, not only features Mazzariello’s baritone voice, but his impeccable composing ability, as well. He started the songs by himself, but soon realized that collaboration […]
