Dave has pretty much worn all the creative hats there are to wear. Musician, promoter, (small) record label boss, festival co-organiser, journalist, reviewer, publicist and everything in between. He now divides his time between writing about music and any number of other subjects from travel to games to social issues. He runs his own new music website and contributes to a number of UK based printed music magazines and a few smaller websites. He has spent the last ten years writing music columns for his regional newspaper though has recently given this up to spend more time with his record collection.
The Scarlet Goodbye is the creative lovechild of long-time Minnesota musicians Daniel Murphy and Jeff Arundel. A chance meeting between Dan Murphy, pivotal in the formation and writing of both Soul Asylum and Golden Smog, and mellow singer-songwriter-producer Jeff Arundel, led to an attic studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the lads hunkered down and created the LP Hopes Eternal, a unique and original blend of both artists—part Rolling Stones, part Townes Van Zandt. Hopes Eternal went on to be one the best-reviewed records of 2023, released on The Label Group/ Universal, and supported by some great live shows across the Midwest.
Manchester’s Secret Night Gang returns with a smooth and soulful new single, “How To Love.” This captivating track blends classic and modern influences, showcasing the band’s unique take on love and connection in the modern age. “How To Love” is a sonic journey that seamlessly weaves together elements of R&B, soul, and jazz, drawing inspiration from icons like Bilal, Prince, and D’Angelo. The song’s lush soundscape is further elevated by the masterful touch of multi-Grammy award-winner Russell Elevado (D’Angelo, Erykah Badu) on mixing and Alex De Turk (D’Angelo, PJ Morton) on mastering.
Fringe Frontier’s tunes are fueled by Americana storytelling and gritty guitar hooks. Their music rolls through the back counties of the South up to New York City. Songs from the Wirehouse, their forthcoming LP, was mixed by 2x Grammy-winner and Midlake drummer McKenzie Smith, and mastered by Grammy-nominee Kim Rosen. Fringe Frontier’s new single “This City” hits with all the haunting electricity of New York City. Bit of jangle, a dose of overdrive, and enough searing melodies to make your mohawk pierce the skyline.
Midnight Psychic was formed by Connecticut-based musicians Jayson Munro and George Moore in early 2022. They describe their music as “goth rock inspired by abandoned shopping malls, clown paintings and window blinds.” The band consists of guitar/vocals (Munro), bass (Moore), and programmed keyboard and ‘80s-style drum machines. The band takes inspiration from both classic goth rock and more modern post-punk, darkwave, and shoegaze sounds. Midnight Psychic has performed extensively throughout the New England region, including at Dark Spring Boston 2024.
With “17,” Digital Tapestry shares a deeply personal narrative inspired by his father’s passing, culminating in a poignant farewell that reflects themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. The song not only serves as a tribute to his father but also showcases his growth as an artist, with a production quality that sets it apart from his previous works. Recorded at his home studio, this release exemplifies Digital Tapestry’s dedication to his craft and his ability to channel personal experiences into compelling musical storytelling.
Seven years since their debut, on 7 March 2025, CIRCU5 return with “CLOCKWORK TULPA,” their long-awaited second album and first as a full band, featuring founder Steve Tilling, Mark Kilminster (Tin Spirits frontman, bass & vocals) and Lee Moulding (drums & vocals).
High energy turbo-rock with an infamously chaotic live show. Furiously hard working and proudly DIY. Loud as hell, soaring vocals, riffs for days and a reputation as one of the greatest live bands in the UK. “Slow Down” marks the start of a new journey into the new, matured Mother Vulture.
Recorded in St Albans, Hertfordshire during the summer of 1994, The Sway’s EP was crafted using the same recording desk that legends like Pink Floyd and The Faces had utilized in the past. With the unique incorporation of a female backing vocalist, string quartets, and multi-layered vocals, this release stands out for its innovative approach to music production. As the band looks forward to new opportunities and feedback, they invite music enthusiasts to delve into the reissued Going Blind EP and witness a piece of music history reinvented for contemporary audiences.
Where old-school hip-hop vibes meet funky guitars and soothing soul vocals, plus an ethnic twist at around 3:31, this track will surprise you. Additionally, it was written in memory of the victims of the Tempi Train Crash, an issue which raises massive protests in Greece to this day. Please
Hendrick, a singer-songwriter from Vancouver Island, blends indie-folk with a speak-singing style, elevated by the intricate guitar work of accomplished classical guitarist Scott Cameron from Eastern Ontario. Their collaboration weaves elements of flamenco, reggae, and blues into songs that range from wistful reflections on love to brooding tales of obsession and lighthearted tributes to friendship.
Third Eye Temple, Tyler Kamen’s latest musical offering, delves into themes of inner exploration and inspiration, aiming to illuminate the darkness with its ethereal melodies. Standout tracks like “Skies Awaken” and “Charming King Snake” pay homage to influences like Phish and Santana, while longer compositions such as “Fata Morgana” highlight Kamen’s exceptional lead guitar skills. Moving away from his previous progressive rock style, this album marks a significant evolution in Kamen’s musical journey, captivating listeners with its clean and focused guitar work. As Tyler Kamen aptly puts it, “Remember the light that you forgot you had.”
Following her award-winning debut Csillag, the Music Moves Europe Award recipient, crafts an enchanting sonic journey guided by a mythical dragon at the edge of dreams and wakefulness. Avar masterfully blends atmospheric electronic production with Hungarian folk traditions, featuring original compositions and rare, traditional melodies. Highlights include collaborations with Fanni Zahár (flute), Fatima Gozlán (ney, derbuka), and Zoltán Lantos (violin), as well as co-productions with Zságer Balázs and BALADI.
Since the release of their debut album, Bittersweet Curse, in 2012— which earned airplay across independent radio stations nationwide—Handsome Midnight has continued to evolve, releasing six additional albums that explore elements of hard rock, pop punk, rock and roll, and acoustic storytelling. Their music often weaves pop culture themes and reflections on current events into lyrically rich, hook-driven songs, ensuring their sound remains both relevant and engaging.
Electric High from Bergen, Norway, plays a special blend of alternative rock and hard rock, kind of like if Rival Sons*and *Royal Blood had crashed the stage at an Aerosmith concert. Fronted by two lead singers, they hit you right in the face with a whole new level of electric energy. Get Electrified!
Melodic indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets presents ‘All Together On 3’, the cinematic first single from their album Tethered Together, slated for release later in 2025. A catchy introduction to their new long-player, it has a timeless quality, tinged with a touch of melancholic reflection, taking us on a sonic trip that is as stimulating as it is emotionally resonant.
Adam Ashten, the talented alternative rock artist from Nanaimo, BC, Canada, draws inspiration from icons like Tom Petty, Phil Collins, Silverchair, and Oasis. After a hiatus, he made a triumphant return, releasing monthly singles with visually captivating music videos. With impressive views on YouTube, radio play in Australia and the UK, and a growing fan base, Adam’s music is gaining momentum. His loyal supporters, affectionately called “It’s Only Us,” form a close-knit family, fostering a strong and supportive community around his music.
NYC-based singer-songwriter Olivia Reid has announced her beautiful new single, “All In Time,” out January 31st. A calming indie-folk and soft pop listen set to the pace of steady steps in the snow, “All in Time” describes the natural ebb and flow of life, reminding us that there are seasons where it’s okay to hibernate, move slowly, and rest
Sheykh Forever is a factory for infectious earworms from somewhere between yesteryear and the distant future. Last month came the seminal ‘Run for Cover’, a ceasefire anthem which Radio Brumas called “a singular voice in a world where originality is as rare as it is essential.” A spicy, rebellious ass-shaking romper of a funk song, brand new ‘Sleeping Dogs’ tells the story of one man finally overcoming the propaganda machine that wants to send him to die in a futile war.
Recorded in the Blue Box Studio located in his home in Lincoln, Bracebridge, The Rotor Delta’s single stands out with its indie-folk pop sound and alt-country undertones. The track’s unique arrangement features a mix of acoustic and electric instruments, including piano, drums, and layered harmonies, creating a captivating musical journey that builds in intensity. With a deep-rooted passion for music and a commitment to his craft, The Rotor Delta invites listeners into his world of raw emotion and genuine storytelling, making “Summer days are never the same” a release not to be missed.
“Marble Halls” is the third single from the upcoming album Dear Infrastructure. It’s a lush and vibrant indie-pop duet written in a 5/4-time signature, which is rare for pop. The song is about roaming through desolate and abandoned grand apartments and halls in a ghostly metropolis. About discovering majestic, though withering and crumbling, settings. Written and recorded in the Stockholm archipelago by Marble Raft and filled with layers of analog machines, 12-string guitars, glockenspiel, and more.
UK-based indie folk artist Man With A Corduroy Heart (MWACH) is back with his second full-length album, Weirdos, a whimsical mix of modern indie folk and 70s rock & roll influences. Known for finding beauty in the mundane, MWACH delivers a collection of quirky, relatable stories through his signature witty and heartfelt lyrics.
‘So Much Time’ is about figuring out what’s important to you. We’re all plagued by wanting to live in the moment but always having that niggling doubt in the back of our minds that we have responsibilities, chores, and work to do. Recorded in the band’s hometown of Leeds, this song is an uplifting tune that looks realistically at life’s daily struggles.
The Aluminum Boys have concocted a swirling, sprawling collection of songs that interrogate your soul and forecast a bountiful, celebratory future for American indie rock. It’s an album that dares you to feel big feelings with a sly, reassuring wink, understanding too well that life is a mess of contradictions, grief, and hyperliterate dad-joke double entendres.
Madeline Rosene is an indie pop-n-roll singer-songwriter known for her sharp wit, genre-blending sound, and fearless storytelling. Currently based in Los Angeles, Madeline originally hails from Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Madeline’s music captures the essence of modern life’s complexities with a mix of humor, heart, and edge. Her debut album, Raised on Porn, boldly explores themes of societal disconnect in a digital age, while her follow-up, “Everyday Existential Crisis”, dives deeper into the psyche with introspective, genre-defying tracks.
MothBreath’s upcoming single ‘Brand New,’ a chill anthem for 2025, is a dreamy, atmospheric track inspired by restorative connections with nature. With rich soulful vocals and echo-laden guitars, the duo’s music blends introspection with expansive, soundscapes. Praised by BBC Introducing and blogs like Cougar Microbes and Obscure Sound, their hypnotic tracks are perfect for fans of dreamy, chilled, shoegaze-inspired indie.
Veterans of the great noise rock wars of the 1990s, featuring members of The Mighty Skullhead, ZZ Top, Nine Pound Hammer, Supafuzz, Ted Bundy’s Volkswagon, Abusement Park and more. Making modern, noisey rock with just a hint of danceability and disgust.
MJoy is a Northern California8 based queer, female, high-frequency lo-fi indie-pop singer-songwriter who pulls from influences ranging from *Alanis Morisette, Gwen Stefani, and Billie Eilish. MJoy has keen lyrics, rhythmic delivery, and genius hooks. Confessional, honest, and justice-obsessed, MJoy is both a personal and universal storyteller.
In the heart of Tampa Bay’s music scene, three seasoned musicians—*Roger Hughes*, Steve Dicks, and Michael Starks*—found themselves in an unexpected collaboration. Initially trying to recruit each other for separate projects, the trio instead sparked the beginnings of what would become *Quaint Delusions.
“My Sanity” features the vocals of Randy McStine, best known for his work with progressive rock legends Porcupine Tree as well as his several solo projects. The song is produced by Mark Plati, who’s credits include: David Bowie, The Cure, Prince, Robbie Williams and many more. The song is a synth-driven rock anthem that explores the dark theme of gaslighting and the triumphant moment of breaking free from a toxic relationship. It is a raw and introspective exploration of reclaiming self-worth, leaving behind manipulation, and no longer being under the spell of someone who once held control.
Three Sixes unleashes their highly anticipated album Call Me the Devil on January 29, 2025. This relentless manifesto of rebellion and chaos cements their place as metal’s boldest force. With searing vocals, crushing riffs, and thunderous drums, the band’s unapologetic sound reaches new heights.
Leaning deeper into his ethereal sound and neo-gothic sensibilities, Mikhail Daken entwines textured acoustic instrumentation with sprawling electronic ambiance to create a haunting, introspective, alternative mood-piece.
Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like The Swans, Mazzy Star, and Nick Cave, Niels Rahder infuses his music with a blend of melancholic beauty and timeless allure. With a genre-defying sound characterized by its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, “Mounting Inner Flame” showcases Rahder’s unique artistic vision and his unparalleled vocal prowess.
Acclaimed musician and songwriter Stephen Kohler returns with Anthem, his highly anticipated second solo album. The album features an eclectic blend of rock, power-pop, and dance-inspiring melodies, continuing Kohler’s mission to create music that resonates with the listener’s journey toward finding their authentic self.
Aaron Koenig, a musician celebrated for his spiritual rock anthems, releases his latest single, “Bliss Without a Cause,” a powerful grunge-inspired track exploring the concept of happiness that transcends external circumstances. Blending gentle verses with intense, heavy choruses, “Bliss Without a Cause” reflects on Koenig’s personal journey during meditation retreats, where he discovered the secret to inner peace despite vastly different surroundings. “Conditions do not matter, it’s all in our mind,” he sings, delivering a message of resilience and self-discovery that resonates universally.
This first full-length album, from Diorama Mirage explores themes of modern disconnection and self-reflection. The songs carry intense and dynamic moods, ranging from raw, heavy rock to introspective moments. The album is influenced by bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, and Audioslave, as well as the more experimental styles of Radiohead, Muse, and Interpol.
FHMY is the first homegrown shoegaze project in Egypt and North Africa. This song, a collab with AQL, is a noise/shoegaze-inspired song with influences from Dostoevsky, Franz Kafka, and Albert Camus. It is an intense mix of sounds together with a sample from Neon genesis as an outro.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Pete Price is set to release his latest single, “This Time,” on January 24, 2025. The track, drawn from his second solo album, Pictures in Time, delivers a poignant message of reinvention, self-discovery, and personal growth.
This release is significant not only for its catchy melodies and clever wordplay but also for its poignant message. Drawing inspiration from real-world events, including President Donald Trump’s interest in purchasing Greenland, Maximillian Tee’s single stands out as a witty and thought-provoking commentary on today’s political landscape. Released just a few weeks ago on 08th Jan 2025, “Make America Danish” is a must-listen for those seeking a blend of music and satire that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Hollow Howl’s dark, heavy music has an intensity marrying the pathos of minor key folk music – flamenco, fingerstyle blues, eastern drones – with gritty, stormy rock n roll. In their new single “Horse Epic”, hints of desert ballads and Old World folk music weave together with dark post-punk energy to evoke distant landscapes. With female vocals, overdriven acoustic guitar, and adventurous drum and bass lines, they carve out a unique sound within heavy music.
A lyric-free ballad for waiting for dawn, incorporating ambient, post-rock, shoegaze, and electronic noise into pop music. “Dawn Threshold” strongly reflects the influence of Scandinavian guitar sounds and electronic sounds such as Sigur Ros and Mum.
Tidal Water is the brainchild of Martin Hovden, a passionate vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Oslo, Norway. Martin, the primary visionary and financial backer, infuses his deep societal concerns and personal experiences into Tidal Water’s music. His background in project management and event production enables him to bring a unique blend of powerful rock music to life, enhanced by the collaboration of talented friends from his musical journey.
For The Experiment, REPLACED BY ROBOTS teamed up with legendary producer Paul Q.Kolderie (Pixies, Dinosaur Jr, Radiohead) who instinctively pushed the Bass & Guitars to the max, giving this record an undeniably GLAM-era feel and a “Rhythmic Pulse” which drives songs like, “All The Lonely Nights.”
Brisbane-based cowpunk duo Wattmore, formed by brothers Aiden and Kai, debuts with their single “Circus Life”. Influenced by Oasis, Green Day, Frank Turner, and Waylon Jennings, the track blends alt-country, punk, and Americana. Co-written with renowned songwriter Allan Caswell and produced by Lindsay Waddington, the song highlights the brothers’ raw talent and fearless approach to music.
Catalan classic rock band GAZ return with “More That A Shooting Star”, a vibrant classic rock ballad about a love that burned bright but couldn’t last, capturing the beauty of fleeting connections that leave a lasting impact. Soulful vocals and gliding guitars meet bright piano, warm bass, and lush organ ripples for a timeless rock and country fusion.
“Night Dancers” is not just a song; it’s a visual masterpiece that celebrates the diversity of dancers from all walks of life. The track, recorded live in Salinas, California, stands out for its powerful imagery, making it a perfect candidate for a stunning music video. As Jesse Kinch plans future releases, the electrifying energy of “Night Dancers” continues to resonate with listeners, offering a unique and uplifting experience that is truly unforgettable.
Multi-talented singer, songwriter, and artist Kat Von D has released a single and music video for “I Am a Machine,” which features Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White Gluz, and is included on her just-released album My Side Of The Mountain. The music video was directed by Vincente Cordero (Jinger, Cradle of Filth, Suicide Silence etc.)
ruben dumars, is an American artist/producer based in Cincinnati, Ohio; formerly in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Logan, Utah. His kaleidoscopic tones and crunchy guitars, mixed with layered production, send listeners into the void with his fountain of melodies and illusive lyrics. With more than a little bit of regret to offset his bright countenance, ruben dumars’ sound will take you to the far reaches of your mind. For fans of Lo-fi, Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Indie Rock, Downtempo, Psychedelic Rock, and Hip Hop.