Top 20 singles of 2019: #’s 20 – 16

As always, there are a lot of good singles out there every year and picking just twenty to highlight is difficult, but here goes.

#20 – Andre Bratten – “HS”

Good heavens, the opening bass on this cut from Pax Americana is alone worth the purchase price. It’s one of the hottest house music singles I’ve heard in years.

#19 – BODEGA – “Shiny New Model”

“You will be replaced by a shiny new model” is the first lyric in this sharp single, and on the album of the same name, by these NYC post-punkers who remind us that not only are we replaceable, but we often encourage others to forget us and don’t even realize we’re doing it.

#18 – Durand Jones and the Indications – “Morning in America”

Speaking of songs that throw a heavy punch at modern times, this soul cut is beautiful and brutal. “It’s morning in America, but I can’t see the dawn” might be the hardest-hitting lyric of the year on the most soulful record of the year.

#17 – CHAI – “Fashionista”

It’s difficult to pick a favorite part of this post-punk jam from Japan. Is it the fun vocals? The fat bass? The sizzling high hat? The message to be yourself and not care what others think of you? It’s probably all of it.

#16 – L7 – “Stadium West”

This song was a triumphant return for L7, who blessed us all with their first new album in 20 years – Scatter the Rats. The track is a solid rocker that keeps their snark and shreds.

Who’s in the top 15? Come back later today to learn!

Keep your mind open.

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Review: BODEGA – Shiny New Model

With so much happening in the world right now (in terms of pop culture, existential ennui, outsider art, and politics, at least), NYC post-punks BODEGA have a wealth of material upon which to draw for inspiration. I’m surprised they don’t put out at least an EP every three months.

Their newest one, Shiny New Model, is another one with a stinging name (the first being their debut full-length Endless Scroll), stinging jams, and stinging lyrics. The title track opens the record, and the first line is, “You will be replaced by a shiny new model.” They’re right, of course. All of us are fated to be replaced by someone or something else in our relationships (“Swipe!” is repeated throughout the chorus.), jobs, discography, and lives. Lead singer Ben Hozie sings an ode to an old ATM in the back of a bodega that, like everything else, is being replaced by the newest technology. It’s an allegory for all of us, of course, our reliance / addiction to modern technology, and our willingness to dehumanize our lives.

“Treasures of the Ancient World” has Hozie looking for lost love while Heather Elle‘s bass groove behind him is downright wicked. “There’s no vanguard revival, and I bet there never was,” Hozie sings on “No Vanguard Revival.” – a fast, brutal truth of a track. “Knife on the Platter” has some of Madison Vandam‘s best guitar work on the record, ranging from post-punk stabs to Andy Summers-like explorations.

“Domesticated Animal” is a funny, sharp takedown of mansplaining and sexism sung by Nikki Belfiglio. “Realism” is a quick tale of a woman at the end of a bad relationship.

The end of the album is two different versions of “Truth Is Not Punishment” – a cut from Endless Scroll that has become one of the band’s favorites for improvising while onstage. The song is about how many us want the truth yet refuse to accept it when it is delivered. The “long version” has Hozie singing Chuck Berry‘s “No Particular Place to Go” in the middle of it. One of the most impressive parts of the long version is how new drummer Tai Lee keeps her beats perfect and sounding the same for over ten minutes. The whole “sound the same thing” isn’t a slam on her at all. Listen to the beat she puts down and then try to play it yourself for over ten minutes without error. Your arms will feel like they’re going to fall off within three. The short version of the song is snappy and no less hard-hitting in its lesson and sound than the long one.

It’s another excellent record from BODEGA…until the next one comes along and replaces this with the shiniest, newest model.

Keep your mind open.

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BODEGA leaves us a “Knife on the Platter” to go with their upcoming EP.

Photo by Kirsten Kay Thoen

Brooklyn-based BODEGA releases a new single, “Knife On The Platter,” from their forthcoming EP, Shiny New Model, out October 11th on What’s Your Rupture?. Following the “pirouetting guitar line and an intimate bass groove” (Paste) of the title track, “Knife on the Platter” charges forward with resounding bass and sharp, nearly-shouted vocals.

“‘Knife On the Platter’ is a narrative song. I was imagining a top notch Gena Rowlands-esque actress who is cast in a mediocre gothic who nonetheless elevates the script’s schlocky material through her absolute commitment to authentically live each moment of the play,” says Ben Hozie. “She performs as if the gods are watching – she ‘acts’ as if each gesture will be set in stone for the future to see. That’s a show business trick – when performing imagine your heroes are in the room. You will no longer mess around. Twice in the song Zeus responds via the lightning striking from Madison’s guitar. That’s the thing: even when you are totally alone and lost – someone is (or will always be) watching your actions. Choose wisely.”

Following Endless Scroll, their “debut full of danceable, pop-smooth punk” (The AV Club), the Shiny New Model EP marks a lush new sonic direction for the group – widescreen multi-tracked guitars and a giant sounding rhythm section complement sharp songwriting and yearning vocal melodies. With wild minimalism and laughing wit, they revitalize the rock and roll vocabulary under the influence of post punk, hip-hop, kraut rock, and folk-derived narrative songwriting.

BODEGA is comprised of Ben Hozie (conductor, vocals, guitar), Nikki Belfiglio (art director, vocals, samples, hi hat), Heather Elle (bass), Madison Velding Vandam (lead guitar, producer), and the new addition of Tai Lee (stand-up percussionist). The EP is the band’s first recording done with Tai Lee, its first session at a proper studio, and the first BODEGA release produced within the group (production was handled by Vandam).

The band will tour across North America, kicking off next week at O+ Festival in New York. All dates can be found below and tickets are on sale now.

Listen to “Knife on the Platter” – https://youtu.be/cR9AlXgvNSc

Watch the “Shiny New Model” video – https://youtu.be/h7_A8fqHNBQ

Pre-order Shiny New Model – https://bodegabk.bandcamp.com/

BODEGA Tour Dates: Fri. Oct. 11 – Kingston, NY @ O+ Festival Wed. Oct. 23 – Somerville, MA @ Once Ballroom * Thu. Oct. 24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg * Sat. Oct. 26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle * Sun. Oct. 27 – Washington, DC @ Pie Shop * Mon. Oct. 28 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe * Fri. Nov. 1 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5 * Sat. Nov. 2 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa * Tue. Nov. 5 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda * Fri. Nov. 8 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar * Sat. Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre * Mon. Dec. 2 – Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall & Tue. Dec. 3 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere & Thu. Dec. 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie & *= w/ Starcrawler &= w/ Yummy Fur

Keep your mind open.

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BODEGA bring us a “Shiny New Model” with their latest single.

Photo by Kirsten Kay Thoen

Brooklyn-based BODEGA announces their new EP, Shiny New Model, out October 11th on What’s Your Rupture. Today, they share the title track, a buzzy, art-punk song that is set in an actual bodega, and an accompanying video. The video was directed by Brian Ngai and stars the band themselves. Following Endless Scroll, their “debut full of danceable, pop-smooth punk” (The AV Club), the Shiny New Model EP marks a lush new sonic direction for the group – widescreen multi-tracked guitars and a giant sounding rhythm section complement sharp songwriting and yearning vocal melodies. With wild minimalism and laughing wit, they revitalize the rock and roll vocabulary under the influence of post punk, hip-hop, kraut rock, and folk-derived narrative songwriting.

Last winter, Ben Hozie (conductor, vocals, guitar), Nikki Belfiglio (art director, vocals, samples, hi hat), Heather Elle (bass), Madison Velding Vandam (lead guitar, producer), and the new addition of Tai Lee (stand-up percussionist) headed up to Power Station in Connecticut to record. The EP is the band’s first recording done with Tai Lee, its first session at a proper studio, and the first BODEGA release produced within the group (production was handled by Vandam).

The EP covers various thematic ground: history alive in the present, the sadness of modern consumption, and adultery via sexting. In addition to the EP’s breezy hook-filled songs, the LP’s B-side features an extended improvised version of the group’s staple track “Truth is not Punishment” (an abbreviated “radio edit” of this track will be available on streaming services). The band has been using this song as a vehicle for extended live improvisation for a year and decided to use a day of the EP’s session to experiment with it in the studio.

BODEGA will tour across Europe before returning to the states later this year. They’ll appear at the O+ Festival in New York, Toronto’s Adelaide Hall, Brooklyn’s Elsewhere, and Philadelphia’s Kung Fu Necktie. All dates can be found below.

Watch the “Shiny New Model” Video – https://youtu.be/h7_A8fqHNBQ

Pre-order Shiny New Model EP – http://hyperurl.co/t1eo8p

Shiny New Model EP Tracklist: 1. Shiny New Model 2. Treasures 3. No Vanguard Revival 4. Knife On The Platter 5. Domesticated Animal 6. Realism 7. Truth Is Not Punishment (Long) 8. Truth Is Not Punishment (Short)

BODEGA Tour Dates:  Fri. Aug. 23 – Charleville Mezières, FR @ Cabaret Vert Festival Sat. Aug. 24 – Gueret, FR @ Festival Check In Party Tue. Aug. 27 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde 2 Wed. Aug. 28 – Birmingham, UK @ Hare and Hounds Thu. Aug. 29 – Bedford, UK @ Esquires Fri. Aug. 30 – Salisbury, UK @ End of the Road Festival Sun. Sept. 1 – Stradbally, IE @ Electric Picnic Fri. Oct. 11 – Kingston, NY @ O+ Festival Wed. Oct. 23 – Boston, MA @ Once (w/ Starcrawler) Sat. Oct. 26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle (w/ Starcrawler) Sun. Oct. 27 – Washington, DC @ Pie Shop (w/ Starcrawler) Mon. Oct. 28 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe (w/ Starcrawler) Fri. Nov. 1 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5 (w/ Starcrawler) Sat. Nov. 2 @ New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa (w/ Starcrawler) Tue. Nov. 5 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda (Inside) (w/ Starcrawler) Fri. Nov. 8 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar (w/ Starcrawler) Sat. Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre (w/ Starcrawler) Mon. Dec. 2 – Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall Tue. Dec. 3 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere Thu. Dec. 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie

Keep your mind open.

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Review: BODEGA – Witness Scroll

Recorded in May of 2018 at two different venues in the United Kingdom, BODEGA’s first live album, Witness Scroll, is a great capture of their apparently wild shows…which I still haven’t seen, much to my dismay.

Opening with a quirky mix of samples and computer sounds, the bass-heavy “Name Escape,” kicks the album off to a funky start as the band complains and pokes fun at not being able to remember people you see at the same clubs and coffee shops every day.  The stabbing guitar chords of “Bookmarks,” (an all-too-true song about becoming a slave to modern technology) remind one of early B-52’s records.

The live version of “Can’t Knock the Hustle” is downright dangerous with it’s hard-hitting guitar chords and thudding beats.  Lead singer Ben Hozie describes the previously unreleased song “New Vanguard Revival” as “a genre exercise.”  I think he means an exercise in post-punk, because the jagged tempo of it is pure post-punk.  “Margot” leads into “Stain Glaze” – a Husker Du-loving tune from Ben Kozie and co-vocalist Nikki Belfiglio‘s first band, Bodega Bay.  Next up is the self-pleasure anthem “Gyrate,” which ramps up the guitar fuzz live compared to the album version on their excellent debut Endless Scroll from last year.

It’s no surprise that the album version of “Jack in Titanic” tore up the BBC radio airwaves after this tour because it and this live version are so damn catchy (and witty) you can’t ignore them.  The album ends with a nearly ten-minute version of “Truth Is Not Punishment” – a vicious track with some surf touches that slowly builds to a frantic pace and urgency. 

If this album doesn’t make you want to see BODEGA live, I’m not sure if anything will.  Something might be wrong with you.  You might be too deep in your Twitter or Instagram feeds and missing an amazing band.

Keep your mind open.

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Top 30 Albums of 2018: #’s 5 – 1

We’ve reached the top.  Here are my five favorite albums of 2018.

#5: CHAI – PinkThese Japanese ladies are not only challenging your concepts of attractiveness and what is or isn’t “cute” by being fiercely DIY, they’re also challenging anyone who dares to try rocking as hard as they.

#4: Miss Red – K.O. – This is a dangerous and sexy dancehall record featuring fast, stunning vocals by Miss Red and powerhouse beats by the Bug.  They’re the best tag team since the British Bulldogs.

#3: Here Lies Man – You Will Know Nothing – “What if Black Sabbath played Afrobeat?” is how this band was described by their label.  I can’t describe it better than that.  It’s full of dark beats, heavy bass, and African rhythms.  You can’t miss.

#2: BODEGA – Endless Scroll – Easily my favorite post-punk record of the year and one of the best records reflecting life in 2018.  It skewers hipsters, relationships, partying, and technology and is even heartbreaking a couple times.

#1: A Place to Bury Strangers – Pinned – Any record by APTBS is going to be among my top picks of the year, and I knew as soon as I heard the interesting direction they took with the addition of Lia Braswell on drums and vocals that anyone trying to dislodge this record from my #1 spot would have to bring its A-game (as APTBS does at every live show).  It’s dark, loud, creepy, and sinks deep into your brain when you hear it.

Thanks for all the views in 2018.  A lot of good records are already slated for 2019: The Night Beats, the Chemical Brothers, the KVB, and (let’s hope) the Chromatics just to name a few.

Keep your mind open.

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BODEGA releases “Name Escape” from their excellent debut album, “Endless Scroll”

BODEGA Shares “Name Escape” Video
https://youtu.be/-NeudVwxFsU

Ahead of their upcoming tour dates, BODEGA have shared the video for “Name Escape.” A typically stylish yet tongue-in-cheek visual complete with freeform dancers, the “Name Escape” video was directed by band members Nikki Belfiglio and Ben Hozie.On the video, Hozie says, “‘Name Escape’ details at-this-moment observations from a night out at the now-defunct (and missed) Bushwick venue Palisades. The Smiths blare out of the P.A. as I chat with people I’ve seen hundreds of times but will never really know. For the advertisement clip of the memory malfunction, Nikki directed us doing big rock hype in a big rock warehouse hyperlinked from early aughts ‘alternative’ vids. The strange thing about alienation is that it’s often beautiful and fun.”

“Name Escape” is the third BBC Radio 6 Music playlisted single taken from BODEGA’s debut album, Endless Scroll. The album was met with rave reviews in the UK from the likes of Observer, Guardian, Independent, Financial Times, The Times, DIY, Uncut and more. Recalling the rich history of New York’s musical heritage while keeping its sight on the future, Endless Scroll revitalizes the rock and roll vocabulary under the influence of post punk, contemporary pop, hip-hop, kraut rock, and folk-derived narrative songwriting. Endless Scroll was recorded and produced by Austin Brown (Parquet Courts) on the same Tascam 388 tape machine used for their album Light Up Gold.

Come February 2019, the band will return to Europe for a new run of dates – which includes their largest headline show to date at London’s Scala on Wednesday, February 20th. BODEGA will be joined by Beijing duo Gong Gong Gong as main support for the tour. Tickets for all dates are available now.

Watch BODEGA’s “Name Escape” Video:
https://youtu.be/-NeudVwxFsU Watch:
“Charlie” video – https://youtu.be/CAxRuZt3xYE
“Gyrate” video – https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
“Jack In Titanic” video – https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” video – https://youtu.be/sm5fWJDJicI
“How Did This Happen !?” video – https://youtu.be/TKAzK41-YHM

BODEGA Tour Dates:
Fri. Nov. 9 – Kowloon, Hong Kong @ Clockenflap Festival
Sat. Nov. 10 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @ Urbanscapes festival
Sun. Nov. 11 – Singapore City, Singapore @ Neon Lights Music & Arts Festival
Sat. Dec. 8 – Rennes, France @ Les Transmusicales
Tue. Feb. 5 – Munich, Germany @ Unter Deck (tickets)
Wed. Feb. 6 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Bogen F (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 7 – Düdingen, Switzerland @ Bad Bonn (tickets)
Fri. Feb. 8 – Besancron, France @ Festival Generiq
Sat. Feb. 9 – Belfort Cedex, France @ La Poudriere
Sun. Feb. 10 – Dijon, France @ Le Consortium
Mon. Feb. 11 – Mannheim, Germany @ Kulturbrücken Jungbusch (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 12 – Belgium, Brussels @ Botanique (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 14 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Fri. Feb. 15 – Glasgow, UK @ The Art School (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Sat. Feb. 16 – Dublin, Ireland @ Whelan’s (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Mon. Feb. 18 – Manchester, UK @ YES (The Pink Room) (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 19 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Wed. Feb. 20 – London, UK @ Scala (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Fri. Feb. 22 – St. Malo, France @ La Nouvelle Vague
Sat. Feb. 23 – Paris, France @ Le Point Ephemere
Mon. Feb. 25 – Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Rotown (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 26 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet (w/ Gong Gong Gong) (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 28 – Berlin, Germany @ Berghain Kantine (tickets)
Fri. Mar. 1 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade (tickets)
Sat. Mar. 2 – Hamburg, Germany @ Molotow MusikclubUK Praise for Endless Scroll:

“A revelation” – Uncut (9/10)

“This five-piece nail the absurdity of contemporary life with that surprisingly evergreen formula” – Observer (4/5)

“BODEGA’s attack on digital life comes wrapped in winning post-punk noise” – Sunday Times

“Streamlined and minimal but bursting with intelligence, humor and ideas, BODEGA are the real deal” – DIY (5/5)

“…a fantastic debut from one of the most exciting new bands around” – Independent (4/5)

“The music has a hypnotic drive, and clever lyrics are chanted or intoned in hard-boiled New York fashion” – Financial Times (4/5)

“…there is something of a New York Mark E Smith about the way Hozie uses mockery (and self-mockery) to ponder modern life’s absurdities and insanities” – Guardian

“‘Endless Scroll’ is a record filled with potential and a perfect snapshot of what’s still to come” – Dork (4/5)

“Snappy, spirited guitar explorations that tap into New York’s art-rock lineage” – Clash (8/10)

[Endless Scroll artwork]

Keep your mind open.
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Bodega – Endless Scroll

BODEGA‘s Endless Scroll is probably my favorite post-punk record of 2018 so far.  Consisting of Nikki Belfiglio (vocals), Heather Elle (bass), Ben Hozie (guitar and vocals), Montana Simone (drums), and Madison Velding-Vandam (guitar), the quintet offering a sharp commentary on hipsters, the digital age, sex, masculinity, femininity, and politics.

No track better sums up their thoughts on the world of 2018 than the opener – “How Did This Happen!?”  Aren’t we all asking that every day here in the U.S.?  “It’s the world now, don’t discriminate.  Everyone is equally a master and a slave,” Hozie sings.  Preach it, brother.  He name checks failing bookstores, people curating their playlists more than their relationships, and people angry for no damn reason.  “Bodega Birth” shows off more of Elle’s slick bass lines as Hozie and Belfiglio sing about how the internet, which should be the greatest educational tool of all time, is now a colossally boring shopping mall.

Elle’s bass takes the lead on “Name Escape” as Hozie sings about how he can’t remember names of people he sees all the time, even though he can notice things like someone wearing different pants than the last time he saw him.  Also, he doesn’t often care (“Have I heard the latest something ’bout so-and-so? / No, I have not, my son.  Now I don’t want to know.”).  Again, preach it, brother.  “Boxes for the Move” is a story of heartbreak following a break-up as Hozie leaves his lover’s place with “fifteen soggy boxes” of stuff and wishing he had the booze that used to be in the boxes he got from the liquor store.  “I Am Not a Cinephile” is a collective middle finger to movie snobs and other ultra-hipsters.

Hozie and Velding-Vandam’s squeaky guitars on “Can’t Knock the Hustle” sound like alarm klaxons or steel being hammered by a blacksmith.  Belfiglio invites us all to love ourselves (if you get the drift) on “Gyrate” – even if you want to do it “in the middle of a party, in the middle of the floor.”  “Jack in Titanic” is Hozie’s commentary about modern expectations of masculinity.  It’s wonderfully catchy, and is currently tearing up airwaves in England.  I’ve heard it on BBC 6 Music every time I listened to the station for the last three weeks.  “Margot” is a tale of internet lust (ending with a computerized voice saying, “I touch myself while staring at your chat text box.”).

Elle and Simone are in perfect synch on “Bookmarks” while Hozie and Belfiglio sing about how easy it is to get distracted from work when the endless internet is in front of you.  “Warhol” has the band proclaiming “Form against everything” and making fun of people thinking their fifteen minutes of fame is still in effect.  “Charlie” is their latest single and a touching tribute to a friend of Hozie’s who drowned on New Year’s Eve 2007.  “Williamsburg Bridge” sounds like a Velvet Underground track with Elle’s bass groove, Simone’s tribal drumming, and Hozie and Velding-Vandam’s guitars squawk in the background.  “Truth Is Not Punishment” has Hozie singing about worrying about his mother and trying to convince a friend that honesty is the best policy (even when he’s not sure he believes that).  The guitars in it build to near-manic levels, reflecting Hozie’s angst.

This is one of the best and catchiest albums of 2018 so far.  I’m glad that post-punk is having a great revival, and bands like BODEGA are leading the charge.

Keep your mind open.

[Jack in Titanic subscribed.  Why haven’t you?]

BODEGA release sexy new single – “Gyrate” – and announce more summer tour dates.

BODEGA Shares New Single “Gyrate”
Watch The Video

July/August North American Tour Announced

Endless Scroll Out July 6th On What’s Your Rupture?

BODEGA have unveiled another new single, “Gyrate,” from their forthcoming debut album, Endless Scroll, coming out July 6th on What’s Your Rupture?. Nikki Belfiglio from the band said of the song, “When I was a little girl I used to masturbate in public (once at a JC Penny perfume counter). My parents, not wishing to shame me told me I shouldn’t ‘gyrate’ in front of other people. My song uses the language of Top 40 pop to celebrate self-sustainability and female pleasure.” Note the lyrics, “In the middle of a party. In the middle of the floor. You can get it all out right now. Wiggle your ass around. Feel the vibes coming up through your toes. Let it all go. You must have to gyrate it,” sings Nikki who also directed the accompanying video.
Watch BODEGA”s “Gyrate” Video”
https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
Limited physical copies of Endless Scroll will be available at BODEGA’s Sunnyvale show in Brooklyn this Friday, June 1st, and throughout their June U.S. dates while supplies last. Following another European run in July, BODEGA will tour North America throughout July and August. This summer marks the first time BODEGA will play many of these cities. A full list of dates is below.
Watch:
“Gyrate” video – https://youtu.be/Pyr-gS3LCCA
“Jack In Titanic” video – https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” video – https://youtu.be/sm5fWJDJicI
“How Did This Happen ?!” video – https://youtu.be/TKAzK41-YHM
BODEGA Tour Dates (new dates in bold):
Fri. June 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Sunnyvale
Sat. June 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli
Sun. June 17 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Mon. June 18 – Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar
Tue. June 19 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Thu. June 21 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Fri. June 22 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
Sat. June 23 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
Sun. June 24 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Mon. June 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
TUe. June 26 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
Wed. June 27 – Columbus, OH @ Used Kids Records
Thu. June 28 – Athens, OH @ The Union
Fri. June 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. June 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits
Tue. July 10 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen (tickets)
Wed. July 11 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge (tickets)
Fri. July 13 – Beccles, UK @ Latitude Festival (tickets)
Mon. July 16 – Nijmegen, NL @ Valkhof Festival (tickets)
Thu. July 19 – Port Grimaud, FR @ Plage de Rock w/ Parquet Courts
Sat. July 21 – Benicassim, ES @ Benicassim Festival (tickets)
Sun. July 29 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Mon. July 30 – Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Tue. July 31 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Wed. Aug. 1 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
Fri. Aug. 3 – Fort Worth, TX @ MASS
Sat. Aug. 4 – Austin, TX @ Austin
Tue. Aug. 7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Wed. Aug. 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge
Fri. Aug. 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
Sun. Aug. 12 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
Mon. Aug. 13 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Tue. Aug. 14 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret

[Endless Scroll artwork]
Keep your mind open.
[Wiggle over to the subscription box and drop me your e-mail address.]

BODEGA releases new single / your new favorite earworm – “Jack in Titanic”

BODEGA Shares New Single “Jack In Titanic”
Watch The Video Here

U.S. Headline Tour Announced

Endless Scroll Out June 1st On What’s Your Rupture?

[Photo by Mert Gafuroglu]

Having recently announced their debut album, BODEGA are back with another new single, “Jack In Titanic.” Ben Hozie from the band explains, “’Jack in Titanic’ is about learned male behavior and the nostalgia for it. One day I realized that my unspoken internal values ‘of what it means to be a man’ were inherited from the dubious fantasy of the movies, particularly my childhood models: James Bond, Jackie Chan, and Jack (in Titanic). Jack, of course, is also an archetypal rock and roll hero: road warrior, poor yet able to maneuver class, loyal friend, incredible dancer, fantastic lover (in the back of cars), wonderful with graphic design (could do his own cover art), and weapon against the aristocracy (and all things bureaucratic and mannered).”

The “Jack In Titanic” video, directed by the band’s Nikki Belfiglio and Bodega-ally Corey Eisenberg, is set within the cover art for Endless Scroll (hence the square aspect ratio). The space is a virtual gallery of the endless scroll and Jack’s twenty-first century boyish id – hypersexual rock and pop performance mediated by the screen. The full band only performs together separated by monitors.

Watch BODEGA’s “Jack In Titanic” Video:
https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
Endless Scroll will be released June 1st on What’s Your Rupture?. Ahead of that, BODEGA heads to Europe for their first ever shows outside of North America. Upon their return, the band plays a record release show at Sunnyvale in Brooklyn on June 1st before embarking on a U.S. headline tour throughout June. A full list of dates is below with more to be announced soon.
Watch:
“Jack In Titanic” video – https://youtu.be/2PmC3y-ktBM
“Can’t Knock The Hustle” video – https://youtu.be/sm5fWJDJicI
“How Did This Happen ?!” video – https://youtu.be/TKAzK41-YHM
BODEGA Tour Dates:
Tue. May 15 – London, UK @ The Social
Wed. May 16 – London, UK @ Lock Tavern
Thu. May 17 – Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape (tickets)
Fri. May 18 – Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape (tickets)
Sat. May 19 – Leeds, UK @ Gold Sounds at Brudenell Social Club (tickets)
Sun. May 20 – Glasglow, UK @ The Poetry Club (tickets)
Tue. May 22 – London UK @ Electric Ballroom w/ Rolling Blackouts C.F. (tickets)
Wed. May 23 – London, UK @ The Lexington w/ Amyl and the Sniffers (SOLD OUT)
Fri. May 25 – Leffinge, BE @ De Zwerver (tickets)
Sat. May 26 – Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling at Paradiso (tickets)
Sun. May 27 – Brussels, BE @ AB Club w/ Moaning (tickets)
Mon. May 28 – Cologne, DE @ Sonic Ballroom
Tue. May 29 – Berlin, DE @ ACUD (tickets)
Fri. June 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Sunnyvale
Sat. June 16 – Toronto, ON @ The Rivoli
Sun. June 17 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
Mon. June 18 – Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar
Tue. June 19 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Thu. June 21 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Fri. June 22 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
Sat. June 23 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
Sun. June 24 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Mon. June 25 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
TUe. June 26 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Cactus Club
Wed. June 27 – Columbus, OH @ Used Kids Records
Thu. June 28 – Athens, OH @ The Union
Fri. June 29 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Sat. June 30 – Phladelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits
Tue. July 10 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen (tickets)
Wed. July 11 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge (tickets)
Fri. July 13 – Beccles, UK @ Latitude Festival (tickets)
Mon. July 16 – Nijmegen, NL @ Valkhof Festival (tickets)
Thu. July 19 – Port Grimaud, FR @ Plage de Rock w/ Parquet Courts
Sat. July 21 – Benicassim, ES @ Benicassim Festival (tickets)

[Endless Scroll artwork]

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