Portland’s iconic outfit Federale presents their latest single ‘The Worst Thing I Ever Did Was Ever Loving You’ feat. Jenny Don’t, a song cast in the mold of the storied duets of Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra. This superb duet is from Federale’s sixth studio album Reverb & Seduction, newly released via Jealous Butcher Records. Led by Collin Hegna, a long-standing member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, this record marks the band’s 20th anniversary.
Never an artist lacking ambition, trumpeter Marquis Hill came up with a cool idea for his latest album.
Jason Sinay is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who hails from Los Angeles. Across the decades, Sinay has performed and/or recorded with Keith Richards, Neil Young, Bob Weir, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackson Browne, Lucinda Williams, Jeff Lynne, Joe Bonamassa, Ivan Neville, and many more. However, Sinay is best known for his long tenure in the Dirty Knobs — the rock band led by the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell. Now, Sinay has embraced his solo career with a sterling new double album, The Mountain, produced by and often co-written with Martin Pradler.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Jeremy Dion is a licensed therapist by day who offers toe-tapping folk therapy by night. With soaring harmonies and technical riffs reminiscent of Noah Kahan or John Mayer, Jeremy has brought his musical optimism to stages ranging from the Boulder Theater to Edinburgh’s famed Fringe Festival. So whether you’re feeling up, down or just want a night on the town, Jeremy’s heart-opening words will leave you feeling connected, hopeful, and humming a tune — no couch required.
Revist the small town you once knew, only to discover you no longer fit. This catchy Americana song evokes a place and time taking the listener on a journey of their own as this old trope resonates universally. The song is upbeat and positive and you might even find yourself singing along.
The Mining Co. is the musical project of Ireland born, London based singer-songwriter Michael Gallagher who is gearing up to release his sixth album, Classic Monsters, on 9th August 2024 via the PinDrop label. Previous The Mining Co. albums include Gum Card (2023) Phenomenology (2021) and Frontier (2019).
Manchester indie rock / power pop outfit The Speed Of Sound present their new single ‘Underground’, the first stunning glimpse of the album ‘A Cornucopia: Victory’, the second disc in their three-album set ‘A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty’. This trilogy makes for the band’s second release via California’s Big Stir Records.
The critically acclaimed recording artist I Forget Myself releases the sensational seventh full-length album, Some Err, then Winter, in August 2024. Huge alternative rock soundscapes showcase a unique approach throughout these new songs, which feature session drummer talent Kyle Reece Williams and were mixed and mastered by accomplished studio Engineer Clint Watts. I Forget Myself noticeably continues to grow from strength to profound strength, setting aside self to create something of value for others through consistent professionalism and an unfaltering independent outlook.
Hailing from London N1, singer-songwriter Tom Minor feels inspired by indie rock, new wave and punk, power pop, psychedelic and garage rock, soul, R&B, reggae and ska. After several years in the shadows of showbiz and odd jobs as far as down in NZ, Tom Minor (né Miner) now splits his time mostly between London and Helsinki, writing and producing with various associates from across the orb. He is a member of the Islington R & B Appreciation Society.
Rusty Reid is a Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle singer-songwriter writing melodic, guitar-oriented pop-country-rock songs, including many with modern liberal philosophical, political, spiritual content.
La Need Machine are a fast-rising Seattle band with a fresh, genre-bending sound. La Need Machine combine the best of Indie Rock, Americana, Indie Pop and Punk-and-Roll for a sound that adds a new dimension to the “Seattle Sound.” Fans and music writers alike refer to La Need Machine songs as “ear-worms” that you want to listen to again and again. La Need Machine aim for music that rocks, inspires, and supports the community at-large.
‘Low’ is a powerful and provocative track that dives into forbidden desire and unapologetic pursuit. Embracing the perspective of someone driven by obsessive longing, it explores the thrill and moral ambiguity of wanting someone already in a relationship. With candid lyrics, powerful guitar riffs, driving basslines, and dynamic drumbeats, “Low” is a quintessential indie alternative rock record perfect for femme fatal and villainess-esque aesthetics that set the soundtrack for an alt girl summer.
J.J. Chamberlain, or John Chamberlain is a Singer, Guitarist and Songwriter. John is the main songwriter for the band Box Time and plays lead guitar for Love Barons and Mich Dulce and Her Midnight Callers. Based in York but frequently seen in London. John spent 2023 playing shows in York, London and Liverpool. Following the release of debut single, “Eyeballs”, J.J. Chamberlain has performed frequently on the York and London music scenes.
NYC post-punk duo Frenchy and the Punk presents their eighth album, Midnight Garden, via NYC indie imprint EA Recordings, arriving one year since their critically-acclaimed Zen Ghost album. This record bursts with dance grooves, guitar-driven upbeat melodies and soaring vocals. Written in France and the USA, this is a post-punk, new wave, dark alternative collection to kick off the summer season.
New Jersey’s Pete Yorn is back with LP number 11 of originals. With “The Hard Way”, he’s stripped things back across eight tracks to acoustic guitars with hushed symphonics delivered with a country-folk feel. There’s power to be found in this contemplative and lovely new record.
Born to loving and caring parents of Yemen ancestry, Doron Karavani*was raised during childhood years in Israel. As of pacifist nature, he made a decision not to join the I.D.F., left for *India at the early age of 17, and as a free bird, fell in love with traveling, exploring, associating, and making friends with people of all nations.
Wildlings is an indie/alternative project, with echoes of Iggy Pop and The Smiths. It’s mostly a one-man band but he will rope his mates in from time to time.
In a whirlwind of sonic serendipity, Portland psychedelic gaze-wave outfit Sun Atoms present their new 2-track single ‘Take This Love’ with B-side ‘And The Lion Saw The UFO’, released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7-inch vinyl. These songs offer a sonic odyssey to a realm of pure musical enchantment. The fun continues in the clever sci-fi video, created by Bradley Tuazon at Oregon’s world-famous Airplane Home.
C86 favorite, Close Lobsters, returns with a new 3-track EP and an LP in the works. Singer/lyricist Andrew Burnett brings me up to speed with ”Stepping Across” and where his headspace is these days.
Based in Nashville, Tai Shan is a talented songwriter whose music has gained recognition in major publications such as Billboard Magazine, American Songwriter, Americana UK, and NPR. When not busy writing and producing music, Tai Shan tours the country with her husband, who provides beatboxing accompaniment for their family band. They travel in a vintage 13ft trailer, along with their 3-year-old daughter. Tai has performed all over the United States, Mexico, and Canada, singing for Pope John Paul II, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. She’s also an award-winning private teacher, specializing in songwriting, voice, guitar, and ukulele.
Paula Boggs Band is set to drop its highly anticipated live album, Live at Sweetwater Music Hall, on August 23rd, and the music world is buzzing with excitement. Adobe & Teardrops said, “The Seattle-based Americana band brings some New Orleans groove to the proceedings, proving that Boggs and her band have what it takes to wow a crowd with their music.”
Afton Wolfe is a product of his home, Mississippi. It is the birthplace of at least 2 American art forms: country music and blues music. Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmy Rodgers, while the Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues, and the first rock n’ roll notes ever played, according to some music historians, came from Hattiesburg. Afton also draws much of his style from nearby New Orleans.
Based in Vancouver, Bill Leeb is the mastermind behind highly influential electro-industrial scene mainstays Front Line Assembly and ambient-pop duo Delerium, having gotten his start with Skinny Puppy. He is also a key member of other occasional recording projects, including Noise Unit, Intermix and Cyberaktif. Almost four decades on, his new album was recorded and produced in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles8 with assistance from Vancouver/Toronto-based production duo *Dream Bullet and long-term FLA/Delerium cohort Rhys Fulber, plus regular mixing engineer Greg Reely.
“Tierra”, the latest single by Michael Beck featuring Chandra Lacombe, is now available. This powerful track is part of Beck’s upcoming album _Surrender,”_set for release under the Nixi Music label
The Zangwills are Jake Vickers, Ed Dowling, Sam Davies & Adam Spence from Cheshire, Northwest UK. Each bring very different influences to the band & this, along with Jake’s unique voice, is reflected in their distinctive sound which is instantly recognisable. Described as being ‘Like nothing else out there, an immensely valuable quality when so many bands disappear into a slurry of sameness’ by Getintothis. A charismatic band with a reputation for their strong live sets, their dates tend to sell out in advance. ‘These are dead, dead, DEAD good!’ BBC Introducing
Raymond Watts a.k.a. PIG has released his new album Red Room on CD and digitally via Metropolis Records and on vinyl via Armalyte Industries, and will be bringing the album to life through the colossal ‘Heroin For The Damned’ tour with Curse Mackey and Unitcode : Machine. The 40-date itinerary follows a headlining set at Cold Waves XII in Chicago on September 28.
New York-based artist Joe Geni presents his new single ‘City Where The Sky Subsides’, an upbeat and high-energy track with captivating lyrics interwoven with cinematic orchestration. Cleverly architected with operatic majesty, stunning vocals soar through the song’s richly orchestrated foundation.
Forward-thinking Chicago flautist Nicole Mitchell and innovative Bamako (Mali) kora player Ballaké Sissoko have created something truly magnificent: a respectful, enthusiastic blend of artistic approaches.
The Sound of Mountains is the project of multi-instrumentalist, Christopher Morin. Originally from rural upstate NY, he had formed a 5-piece rock band based around Albany, NY where he was one of the primary songwriters and lead guitarist. However in late 2016, he relocated to Southern California. Eventually, The Sound of Mountains was born. He writes and plays almost all the instrumentation, focusing on guitar, with the exception of occasional contributions of others.
INTERCONTINEN7AL is the first rock band in history to record music across all 7 continents, and is comprised of over 30 musicians from 15 different countries. The band’s music spans a multitude of genres, including alternative & hard rock, folk, pop, blues, jazz, Latin, funk, metal, gospel, prog, classical, reggae, bluegrass, bossa nova and even showtunes. All proceeds from streams go towards various humanitarian causes and non-profit charities.
Much of Brother Valiant’s sound brings together mental snapshots of living life between a big city and the sprawling suburbs; Riding through coastal beach towns that pave way into bustling city streets. Inspired by folk legends past, yet infused with a modern sensibility all its own, Brother Valiant seamlessly interweaves catchy pop melodies with honest and visceral storytelling. Each song is a vignette, painted with heartfelt sounds that swell and recede like the ebb and flow of the Atlantic tide.
NYC indie rock outfit Crash Harmony presents ‘Velour Goddess’, the first taste of the band’s debut record No One Asked For This, to be released via Magic Door Record Label. Released after a 30+ year hiatus, the quartet are back with a full-length album of 10 songs, for which they worked with celebrated producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna) at Magic Door Recording in Montclair, NJ.
The popularity of jazz polymaths Snarky Puppy made it safe for fusion musicians to get funky again – a situation of which King Llama takes full advantage on their second album fata implexis.
Philadelphia reggae-hip hop collective Rockers Galore presents ‘Sweet Sensei’, a summer anthem that’s pure sunshine in sonic form and the latest taster of their debut record Vamos a la Playa. This collaborative track was inspired by the love of music and sinsemilla, nature’s elixir and bringer of verdant euphoria. Fusing musical talents and cultural influences, Rockers Galore takes us on a journey through sound and storytelling, celebrating the power of collaboration and the enduring allure of sinsemilla.
Goia Paranoia surely loves a balanced crowd, although, what they mean by that still remains a mystery. Through a doom-laden, psychedelic barrage of headbang-inducing noise, the cult of Goia’s doctrine is clear; to render a cataclysmic condemnation of the status quo. Innocent in their hustle, guilty by default – as always with unconditional adoration for the underdog.
Brooklyn-based alternative rock outfit The Giraffes present ‘The Shot’, a hypnotic rock-meets-psychedelic-surf earworm that shimmers between shadowy depths and sunlit crescendos. This is the first taste of their eighth album Cigarette, slated for release on September 27, in which the band promises “a score for our current age of decay and disappointment, fear and fury, idiocy and hope”.
New Jersey groovy rock-blues outfit BARD (a.k.a. The BARD Band) present their new single ‘Angels Got His Back’, bringing us a sublime dose of their soulful sound and groovy spirit. This is the first taste of their debut album Angels Got His Back, slated for release on October 4 with label backing thanks to their recently inked deal with Magic Door Records.
This is a solo project by Stesh who has played in all styles of bands from punk, rock, ska, hardcore, emo, post-hardcore etc for most of his life, but has always come back to the music he loves PUNK ROCK/POP PUNK and this is his heart and soul in one album.
Catch As Catch Can (also known as CACC), the infamous quartet from the center of Germany, celebrates their tenth anniversary with a new release, their Nude EP. Four brand new songs showing that rock music is fun and exciting.
Colby grew up in Fort Worth, TX, surrounded by live music and spent her time exploring creative passions like singing, writing, baking, painting, and performing. Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at age 8, she spent three years in intensive therapy to learn how to slow her brain down enough to try to read. Creative arts helped her cope, and she started singing and writing at a young age. At 14, she began co-writing with her producer and brother, RJ Johnson, a Berklee College of Music grad.
Black Rose Moves unveiled their highly anticipated second single, “Ghost Town,” on August 2nd. This dark, atmospheric track is a sonic journey into the heart of isolation and longing. Blending the haunting melodies of darkwave with the infectious energy of dance-floor beats, “Ghost Town” is a unique and captivating listening experience. Grant Leon’s raw vocals, paired with Mark Neat’s atmospheric production, create a mesmerizing soundscape that will leave listeners wanting more.
Fresh off the back of their BBC 6Music-supported single ‘fear the mourning’ and vibrant comeback offering ‘hand me downs’ last month, which recently landed on Spotify’s Fresh Finds UK & IE playlist, emerging artist HATS™ is back once again to deliver their compelling new release ‘forest floor’.
Imaginative and passionate, Zealous Angles is a great example of the kind of record that makes you think, “Daaaamn…I’d forgotten how good this person is.”
“Pick Me Up” marks the first single from their upcoming album Indulgence, promising fans a powerful glimpse into the band’s evolving sound and emotional depth. Known for their introspective lyrics and captivating melodies, The Search continues to push the boundaries of indie rock with this release.
Long time indie-rocker Eddie Cohn is evidence that there are still angels and untapped creative talent in Los Angeles. Sometimes, they just have to come from Cleveland.
“I Got Lost” is a dreamy, uplifting, and reflective anthem for anyone on a journey to self-discovery. It invites listeners to join in the quest for personal growth and transformation, reflecting Alex’s spiritual struggles and path to finding inner harmony and his true life’s direction.
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 Hope’s Eternal , a unique and original blend of both artists—part Rolling Stones, part Townes Van Zandt. Hope’s 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.
Hamish Hawk’s third and aptly named effort, ”A Firmer Hand”, may be his most cohesive, dynamic, and bold LP yet. The Scottish crooner’s characteristic deep voice flows on top of majestic melodies. Hawk’s skill as a lyricist, his band’s varied arrangements, and crisp production make this record a standout.
Honeyvolt is new big, fun, loud hard rock. The band’s debut single, “Red Moon Rising,” released July 26, 2024, is getting overwhelmingly positive reviews in the rock space and hit Spotify’s Release Radar in early August. Sonically, Honeyvolt is a high-voltage homage to the best of rock and roll, with influences from Led Zeppelin to the Foo Fighters. Honeyvolt is 100% independent—a testament to power of indie music in 2024. New releases are slated every 4-6 weeks. For lovers of big, loud, fun rock music, Honeyvolt is a must listen.
Dennis King AKA SONOFDOV, writes the kind of songs to “transport and pierce us”. His newest single, “Natural Disaster,” produced by Eric E. Sanderson, drops just in time for the warm weather and can be found on many anthemic ballad playlists.
Growing up in the shadow of NYC, King spent his formative years banging around the lower east side club scene (CBGB’s, Brownies)before settling into the alt-folk singer-songwriter of today. King releases music both independently along with his first LP, Towers on Mint 400 Records.
