Nik Havert

Grace Ives cuts “Loose” on her new single.

Brooklyn-based musician Grace Ives presents “Loose,” her debut release on her new label True Panther/Harvest. This is her first new piece of music and video since 2019’s 2nd, an immediate pop record that found critical acclaim (and won over the likes of Grimes and Khalid). Ives wrote and did initial production of “Loose” at her home in Brooklyn and then teamed up with co-producer Justin Raisen (Yves Tumor, Charli XCX). Despite the song’s somewhat self-effacing lyrics – “Oh what a loser sound // I let out when I hit the ground // I never squeal like that // I need some respite, please” – “Loose” oozes confidence. The song is grounded in familiar sonics, but “Loose” is an elevated Ives. “Living in a bed bug infested apartment, withdrawing from SSRIs, not sleeping,” says Ives about where she was mentally and physically when she wrote the song. “There’s nowhere to go but up.”
WATCH “LOOSE” VIDEO

Music has always followed Grace Ives – she was raised in New York City by creative parents (her dad is a cinematographer and her mother worked in music), and when she was younger, she was inspired by the sounds of Brittany Spears and Rihanna. A brief stint at MICA in Baltimore and a three year study at SUNY Purchase led to Grace starting to perform, slowly winning over a crowd that has only grown more insatiable. Most recently, Ives opened for Remi Wolf, bringing her infectious songs to a new audience. “Loose” is the first taste of much more to come.

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jacob at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Rewind Review: Failure – The Heart Is a Monster (2015)

Coming eighteen years after their (at the time) overlooked masterpiece, Fantastic Planet, Failure‘s The Heart Is a Monster picks up where Fantastic Planet (and the 1990s) ended. Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards, and Kellii Scott created an album in 2015 that linked to their past (and the past of their fans) and also showed what a stunning future could be had if we all came together and chose to pursue it.

Opening with the instrumental “Segue 4” (again, picking up after “Segue 3” on Fantastic Planet), The Heart Is a Monster jumps up in volume and beat with “Hot Traveler” – a song about begging for forgiveness after an accidental wrong (“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I had to make a snap move, but now I see your purpose.”). The powerful Failure guitars, soaring synths, and sharp drum chops are all here right away, assuring fans that Andrews, Edwards, and Scott hadn’t lost anything in over a decade – and in fact had only grown in power. “A.M. Amnesia” is a stand-out, which Scott pounding hard beats and drilling fills that make your jaw drop while Andrews and Edwards sing about a woman who exists in both darkness (“You were born on the bottom of the ocean.”) and in the the infinite light of space. Cosmic space is a common theme in Failure’s work, and it’s great to hear them continue to explore that theme on this record.

“Snow Angel” has a heavy, almost doom groove to it, which makes me wish Failure would make a doom metal record. The groaning, squealing guitar of “Atom City Queen” only reinforces that wish. “Counterfeit Sky,” a song about realizing most of your problems (if not all of them) are self-inflicted, has layers of Andrews’ and Edwards’ guitars constantly switching with Scott’s drums for the lead.

I can’t help but wonder if “Petting the Carpet” is a sequel to their classic song “The Nurse Who Loved Me,” which contains the lyrics, “Say hello to the rug’s topography. It holds quite a lot of interest with your face down on it.” “Petting the Carpet” starts with the lyrics, “Petting the carpet. Saliva flows strong.” Both songs blaze with sun-bright guitar chords and thick bass. “Mulholland Dr.” blends sci-fi themes of aliens and mutants with trippy “Sgt. Pepper’s”-era Beatles chords (courtesy of Troy Van Leeuwen – who was in Failure for a short time and went on to become a full-time member of Queens of the Stone Age).

“Fair Light Era,” with its lyrics of “What’s all this space junk? These gems behind my eyes?” might be a sly reference to the “one hundred stones that sparkle in darkness” on Fantastic Planet‘s “Sgt. Politeness.” “Come Crashing” hits with crashing cymbals and power chords before it drops, weightless, into “Segue 7,” and then “The Focus” kicks open the door with a killer bass line that isn’t screwing around. The guitars on “Otherwhere” sound like the calls of robotic birds of prey. “I Can See Houses” tells a haunting tale of a man, possibly Andrews, seeing the world fall away from him as the airplane he’s on rises into the sky and he realizes he has to let go of things binding him to earthly illusions. The album closes with “Segue 9” to leave us in a trippy headspace.

The Heart Is a Monster was a great return for Failure, who have since released three more albums, will begin another tour, and have a documentary film about the band coming soon. Go to space with them. You’ll come back changed.

Keep your mind open.

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October and the Eyes returns with “Spiral.”

Following the release of her debut EP Dogs and Gods in 2020, New Zealand-born, London-based singer & songwriter October and the Eyes is back with a new single “Spiral“, which is out now via KRO Records.

Speaking about the new single, October said “‘Spiral’ is about a problematic friendship where you never quite know where you stand at any given time – a constant pendulum between being pulled in and then spat out again, going round and round in circles until you’re left dizzied and jaded by the whole thing. The song is pretty scathing and somewhat of a waving fist.

I wanted the song to sound in constant flux, with reverberating percussion and vocals that feel like they could spiral out of control at any moment.”

Listen to “Spiral” here on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/octoberandtheeyes-music/spiral

Listen via other streaming services here:https://orcd.co/octoberspiral

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Frankie at Stereo Sanctity.]

The Black Angels announce western U.S. west tour for this June with Dion Lunadon and Primus.

The Black Angels have announced a cool tour through the western United States starting June 02nd in Denver and wrapping up twenty-three days later in Las Vegas. Bass fuzz maestro Dion Lunadon is opening for them, and eight of those shows (including the finale in Las Vegas) has The Black Angels and Mr. Lunadon opening for Primus, no less. Tickets are already on sale for these dates, so don’t miss out on them.

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to The Black Angels.]

Mosswood Meltdown announces a killer lineup for their July festival.

After two years of delays, Mosswood Meltdown is finally making its debut at Oakland’s Mosswood Park on Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd, 2022! Today, they announce their stacked lineup, featuring Bikini Kill, Kim Gordon, The Dirtbombs, Bleached, Hunx and His Punx, Shannon Shaw, The Linda Lindas, and more. Of course, you can’t have a Meltdown without our punktastic leader, John Waters, who will be hosting the festivities.

All tickets purchased for the 2020 concert will be honored at this year’s event. A full lineup can be found below and tickets for the festival are on sale now.

Attendees will need to be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test within 48 hours prior to the start date of the event (July 2, 2022). Proper Covid vaccination card or negative Covid test will be required upon entry for all attendees, including negative Covid tests for children. These policies are subject to change based on state and city guidelines this June and July, 2022.
WATCH LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT TEASER VIDEO
MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN 2022 LINEUP

Day 1
Kim Gordon
The Dirtbombs
Shannon Shaw
Bleached
Flipper
Twompsax
Carbonas
SNõõPER
Rubinoos

Day 2
Bikini Kill
Hunx and His Punx
Pansy Division
The Linda Lindas
The Fevers
Podium
Brontez Purnell
Fatty Cakes and the Puff Pastries

DJ’s
BABY DONUT – Allison Wolf (Bratmobile)
Jonathan Toubin – NY Nightrain
Omar Perez – Pop Scene
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Ticket Prices
Day 1 GA – $99
Day 2 GA – $99
GA Weekend Pass – $149
VIP Weekend Pass – $249
VIP Day 1 – $149
VIP Day 2 – $149

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jim at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Pitchfork 2022 Music Festival lineup is set and tickets are on sale now.

The beloved Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago’s Union Park this summer, Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17. Today, the Festival announces the full 2022 lineup, including headliners The National, Mitski, and The Roots.

The Festival kicks off on Friday with The National, who played Pitchfork Music Festival’s first year in 2006, Spiritualized, Parquet Courts, Tierra Whack, Amber Mark, Dawn Richard, Tkay Maidza, Indigo De Souza, SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, SPELLLING, Camp Cope, Wiki, Ethel Cain, and CupcakKe.

The festivities continue on Saturday with Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Low, Magdalena Bay, Dry Cleaning, Karate, Iceage, yeule, Arooj Aftab, The Armed, Chubby & the Gang, Hyd, and Jeff Parker & the New Breed.

The Festival closes on Sunday with The Roots, Toro y Moi, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, BADBADNOTGOOD, Cate Le Bon, Tirzah, Xenia Rubinos, Erika de Casier, Injury Reserve, KAINA, L’Rain, Sofia Kourtesis, and Pink Siifu.

“This year’s lineup is a celebration of the rising indie class, and those who continue to pave the way for innovation,” said Puja Patel, editor in chief of Pitchfork. “Our goal was to highlight a diverse group of artists who are taking their musical genres to new heights, and I’m proud of how it’s come together.”

Since 2006, the Pitchfork Music Festival has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming, accessible, and rewarding festivals around. Hosting 60,000 attendees of all ages from all 50 states and dozens of countries, the Pitchfork Music Festival showcases the best up-and-coming music from around the world, as well as special performances from touring stalwarts and legends alike. Featuring diverse vendors, including specialty record and craft fairs, the Festival works to support local businesses while promoting the Chicago arts and food communities as a whole.

Currently, three-day passes are $200 and single-day passes are $99. The Pitchfork PLUS upgrade, including a range of exclusive amenities, is $399 for a three-day pass and $199 for a single-day pass. Payment plans are available for all ticket types. More details are available here.

For more information, including lineups, event news, and the latest updates, please visit PitchforkMusicFestival.com, facebook.com/pitchforkmusicfestival and follow Pitchfork Music Festival on Instagram and Twitter.

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jessica at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Review: Pastor Champion – I Just Want to Be a Good Man

Pastor Champion, who left us for the Kingdom of Heaven just as his music was being discovered, was a man of many hats: Pastor, former gang member, touring guitarist, brother, and probably many others we’ll never learn about unless secret diaries or obscure notes are found.

We do know that he preached and played for the 37th Street Baptist Church in Oakland, California. We also know that his one and only album, I Just Want to Be a Good Man, was recorded with musicians who’d never played with him before then, and it was recorded in just two nights at his church. We also know that it’s a stunning record of gospel, blues, and soul that, if there’s any justice in this valley of tears, will win a Grammy for Best Gospel Album.

Champion pleads with people to come back to the church and Christ on “I Know That You’ve Been Wounded (Church Hurt)” – a song for those who have been disappointed, hurt (physically, mentally, and / or spiritually), or crushed by the church, religion, and families and friends practicing their faith in hurtful ways. “Keep on, God will make it work,” Champion sings over simple chords that almost sound like he’s playing a ukulele.

“He’ll Make a Way (Trust in the Lord)” further emphasizes the theme of relying on faith, and the power of Champion’s faith is evident from the first notes he sings in it. The nearly seven-minute “Talk to God” has Champion grooving with these church musicians he’s barely met, and all of them slide right into his groove with the ease that comes so naturally to accomplished gospel musicians.

“Only what you do for Christ will last,” Champion sings on “In the name of Jesus (Everytime)” – a reminder to put the Creator in the lead and trust His guidance. Hearing Champion teach his impromptu band how to play “To Be Used, by You (I Just Want to Be a Good Man)” is fun to hear, and the rest of the track is lovely (and a warm-up for the closing track).

“Who Do Men Say I Am?” has Champion singing a conversation between Christ and His disciples (from the sixteenth chapter of Matthew). “Storm of Life (Stand by Me)” has Champion crying out to God about troubles that plague him at work, at home, at church, and practically everywhere else – including his worry that he might not be ready for death. “In the Service of the Lord” has some of Champion’s most passionate vocals, and that’s saying something when you consider how much he professes his face throughout the record.

The album closes with the title track, expanding on the earlier version of it with, somehow, even more soul and longing. “Tell me, tell me, tell me, Jesus, what do you want me to do?” Champion sings.

He’s doing things we can’t even fathom now, but at least we have this record as a light in gloomy times.

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Sam at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Don’t “Boycott” Dälek’s new single, because it’s sharp.

Dälek, the groundbreaking alt-hip hop duo who recently announced the impending arrival of their eighth album, Precipice (April 29, Ipecac Recordings), have shared a second single, and accompanying video, from the set, releasing “Boycott” (https://youtu.be/g7kmJ1Igd40) this morning.

Will Brooks, aka MC Dälek, said of the track:

“BOYCOTT is the amalgamation of all of our elements.

Cooked like they supposed to be.

This song is my chest ripped open.

It is about the pain in our communities.

It is also about our strength and our inherent worth.

I been tried telling you…. Society’s been failing you.”

The band previously released the single and video for “Decimation (Dis Nation)” (https://youtu.be/a80PM1sphrQ), which was directed by founder Will Brooks, aka MC Dälek. Album pre-orders (https://dalek.lnk.to/Precipice) are available now, with the collection available on limited-edition 2LP gold vinyl, as well as a standard 2LP silver vinyl. The album’s cover was created by Paul Romano (Mastodon, Withered) with interior packaging featuring the art of Afrofuturist painter, Mikel Elam.

“Precipice was a completely different record pre-pandemic,” Brooks explains. “We had been working on the sketch of what the album was going to be at the end of 2019. I think me and (Mike) Manteca had narrowed it down to 17 joints out of the 46 or so that we had started with. Me and Joshua Booth had taken the 17 and really fleshed out the joints. The idea was to bounce them back to Mike and then arrange write lyrics. 2020 obviously had different plans for everybody. We basically put everything on hold. I ended up doing the MEDITATIONS series that year on my own. I think the catharsis of that projects, its rawness, the pandemic, all the death, the social upheaval, everything that went down… when I went back and listened to what we had down… it just wasn’t right anymore, it wasn’t strong enough, it wasn’t heavy enough, it wasn’t angry enough. It just didn’t say what I needed it to say.”

Dälek tour dates:

May 27 Nantes, France WNWH Festival/ Stereolux

May 28 Verona, Italy Colorificio Kroen

June 1 Tourcoing, France Le Grand Mix (Tickets)

June 2 Strasbourg, France La Grenze

June 3 Dijon, France Un Singe en Hiver

June 4 Brussels, Belgium Magasin 4

June 5 Ottensheim, Austria Alter Bauhof Ottensheim

June 6 Vienna, Austria Werk

June 7 Prague, Czech Republic Fuchs 2

June 9 Preston, UK The Ferret

June 10 London, UK Electrowerkz

June 11 Birmingham, UK Centrala

June 12 Manchester, UK White Hotel

June 13 Newcastle, UK Cluny

June 14 Bristol, UK The Lanes

June 16 Glasgow, UK Bloc+

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Monica at Speakeasy PR.]

Max Creeps warn us of modern technology with their new single “The Internet Killed Me.”

Max Creeps, the legendary punk forefathers who recently announced their break-up, reunion, and debut album, Nein (May 13, Velocity Records), have released a black and white performance video for “The Internet Killed Me” (https://www.revolvermag.com/music/max-creeps-hear-mysterious-punk-duos-new-rager-internet-killed-me), showcasing the duo’s pre-hardcore chops.

“’The Internet Killed Me’ is a euphemism for being killed – by the internet – literally and figuratively. You wouldn’t know it until it actually happens to you. I mean the internet LITERALLY killed me. AND the internet FIGURATIVELY killed me. It’s up to you to know the difference. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid,” said Max Blastic of the :58 second song that was written after P.C. Bullshit was erroneously reported dead via the r/punk Subreddit.

Bullshit and Blastic previously shared the “Burn It Down” video (https://youtu.be/EyDaVp3ReL0), which came on the heels of an outpouring of accolades and testimonials from fans and friends upon news of the influential band’s implosion. “I feel we’ve made the record we meant to have made back in the day. If the topics seem familiar, well, WE WROTE THEM FIRST,” Blastic said as the joyous reunion and album news arrived. “I don’t actually REMEMBER what the songs are about but I KNOW we were the first and the best. We were and are ALWAYS the first and best.”

Blastic is the featured guest on this week’s episode of The Punk News Podcast (listen here), discussing the infamous $262 gas bill that led to the untimely break-up, Nein, and the duo’s forthcoming tour.

Nein pre-orders are available now (https://linktr.ee/maxcreeps) with several, limited-edition vinyl variants available via U.S. and international retailers, Maxcreeps.com and Project M (Revolver, Brooklyn Vegan, The Hard Times).

The “Nobody Cares About You – Part One!” tour dates:

June 3 Pioneertown, CA

June 4 Chicago, IL

June 5 Las Vegas, NV

June 6 Albuquerque, NM

June 7 Tucson, AZ

June 8 Phoenix, AZ

June 9 Baltimore, MD

June 10 Norfolk, VA

June 11 Raleigh, NC

June 12 Athens, GA

June 13 Jacksonville, FL

June 14 St. Petersburg, FL

June 15 Orlando, FL

June 16 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

June 17 San Diego, CA

June 18 Anaheim, CA

June 19 Ventura, CA

June 20 San Luis Obispo, CA

June 21 Santa Cruz, CA

June 22 San Francisco, CA

June 23 Sacramento, CA

June 24 Reno, NV

June 25 Boise, ID

June 26 Bend, OR

June 27 Vancouver, BC

June 28 Seattle, WA

June 29 Portland, OR

June 30 Salt Lake City, UT

June 31 Denver, CO

July 1 Lawrence, KS

July 2 St. Louis, MO

July 3 Boston, MA

July 4 Washington, DC

July 5 San Antonio, TX

July 6 Houston, TX

July 7 Dallas, TX

Tickets for all dates are on-sale in May.

Keep your mind open.

[I promise that subscribing won’t kill you.]

[Thanks to Monica at Speakeasy PR.]

Flasher release title track from upcoming album, “Love Is Yours.”

Flasher – the duo of guitarist Taylor Mulitz and drummer Emma Baker – present the title track and accompanying video for their forthcoming album, Love Is Yours, out June 17th on Domino. “‘Love Is Yours’ is about the roller-coaster highs and lows of a long-term relationship—the kind where a conversation can feel like a tripwire, with subtextual clues that offer the promise of reward if correctly decoded,” the band explains. The accompanying video, directed by Camilla Smura (who also created the video for lead single “Sideways”), “is an homage to National Treasure, because much like a treasure room hidden beneath Trinity Church, love that endures is ‘the greatest adventure history has ever revealed.’”

WATCH FLASHER’S VIDEO FOR “LOVE IS YOURS”

Following their acclaimed 2018 debut, Constant Image, Love is Yours steps up the ambition and reaches for the horizon. It was recorded in Washington, D.C. with long-time friend Owen Wuerker, who also helped flesh out the instrumentation by contributing additional bass, percussion, synths, and guitar. Rather than binding the duo to its past – to geography, old habits, or trusted sounds – the familiar environment proved liberating. Baker and Mulitz shared vocal duties, tweaked tempos, structures, and dynamics accordingly. They toyed with genre, melody, and texture. The resulting record is ablaze with mood, melody, and carefully threaded hooks, finding the band foregrounding the pop sensibilities that had always been present in their previous releases. It retains the attitude that was fundamental to the band’s DIY roots, but cuts loose a touch of the angst. Though the songs process disillusionment and loss, the music evokes warmth and optimism. It is their best record and also their most generous. Kicking off in June, Flasher will bring their live show across North America. Tickets for all dates are on sale now and a full list can be found below.

WATCH THE “SIDEWAYS” VIDEO

PRE-ORDER LOVE IS YOURS

FLASHER TOUR DATES
Fri. June 17 – Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong
Sat. June 18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
Mon. June 20 – Richmond, VA @ The Camel
Tue. June 21 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle (Backroom)
Wed. June 22 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Thu. June 23 – Nashville, TN @ Third Man Records
Fri. June 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
Sat. June 25 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Mon. June 27 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag
Tue. June 28 – Toronto, ON @ The Baby G
Wed. June 29 – Montreal, QC @ L’Esco
Thu. June 30 – Providence, RI @ AS220
Fri. July 1 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jacob at Pitch Perfect PR.]