Dayton-based math rock/post-hardcore power trio Place Position, a band that includes members of Landfilth, Shadyside, The 1984 Draft, etc., released its Went Silent album on January 23. A foursome of DIY labels, including Sweet Cheetah Records, Poptek Records, Bunker Park Records, and Blind Rage Records, are offering up the album on vinyl.
According to Place Position, it is “a musical group from in and around Dayton, Ohio. We write as needed and play when necessary. What do they play? How fast? Will they be playing after 9pm? How effective are their socials? The answer is simple: Place Position is a musical group.”
Place Position adds, “Went Silent is an album. It comes complete with 10 songs. We recorded together in a Southwest Ohio basement in the Fall 2024 over the course of two days. After stitching together loose ends we handed off mixing duties to Derl Robbins formerly of Motel Beds of Dayton, Ohio.”
“Every now and then Andy from Poptek Records would ask; ‘How’s the record coming?’ The band was uncertain whether or not to have it released. After six months, Gwen of Blind Rage Records said, ‘You should get the album pressed and play this show.’ So, we give you the album Went Silent.
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Following the September 2025 release of her debut EP I Kill Spiders and the subsequent single, "To Her," Montreal singer-songwriter Libby Ember shares "Let Me Go," a melancholic, dreamy indie-folk single that sits in the uncomfortable space between holding on and letting go. Nostalgic and emotionally raw, the track captures the quiet contradictions of a relationship that lingers long after both people know it isn't right.
Inspired by a complicated relationship rooted in mutual fear, Libby reflects on the tension of staying when leaving feels just as painful. "I felt like someone was holding onto me because they were afraid of letting me go," she explains. "Even still, I knew that it was wrong to keep dragging the relationship on when we knew it was wrong for the both of us. It also touches on the fact that the opposite feels wrong. Both letting go and not letting go feel wrong."
What sets "Let Me Go" apart is its careful attention to detail in both instrumentation and texture. Delicate flute lines weave through the arrangement, while reversed sounds subtly fall into the landscape, creating a hazy, immersive atmosphere. "We were very particular about the instrumentation," Libby shares. "We also emphasized the detail in the imperfection as a means to drive the emotion forward. The voice isn't always polished, the sounds can be a bit random. It makes the song feel more raw."
As the song unfolds, its instrumental outro becomes a space for reflection, allowing the listener to linger in the emotion long after the vocals fade. "It makes me reminisce," Libby says. "It pushes me back to that time of strong emotions and gets me in my own head. Once my voice cuts out at the end, the instrumental has a way of making me tune out the world and just be in the music."
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Today, the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Maria Taylor announces her first new album in 7 years Story’s End will be released on April 3. Alongside the announcement, Taylor shared the official video for the album’s title track that was released also today. The 10-song collection marks her first release on Conor Oberst’s Million Stars Records and unfolds like a hazy, cinematic narrative—songs acting as chapters that trace love, loss, fracture, and the quiet search for solace in the aftermath of personal upheaval.
About the new single, Taylor explains: “For years, I would play this chord progression and melody; knowing it would be one of my favorite songs, but it took me 5 years to complete the lyrics. I had no sense of urgency… it was like I knew, somehow, the story was still unfolding and I just had to be patient.”
The album began slowly with Taylor building songs from demos in her home studio, yet it was the spark of conflict that gave her the resolve and focus to complete the project. “After spending years working on this record, an irrevocable fracture in both my marriage and a friendship gave me the urgency to finish it. I think I needed to make something beautiful as things fell apart around me,” she explains.
The project eventually moved to Mike Mogis’ ARC Studios in Omaha, Nebraska where Taylor played drums on much of the record (following her recent stint as a touring drummer with Bright Eyes), joined by Macey Taylor on bass and Mogis on guitar. The album was ultimately produced by Ben Brodin (First Aid Kit, Bright Eyes), who also recorded many of Taylor’s vocals and added much of the instrumentation. Longtime friend and collaborator Brad Armstrong (13 Ghosts, The Glass Hours) produced the pulsing single “Never Thought I’d Feel New” that sits at the very heart of the album.
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The Legendary Ten Seconds is the solo music project of Ian Churchward who is the former guitarist of The Morrisons, who were featured on John Peel's Radio One show in 1987. Ian has a deep passion for blending rich historical narratives with his distinctive sound. His musical project took on new life in 2013 when Lord Zarquon joined forces with Ian, bringing additional depth to the recordings. Since then, a talented roster of guest musicians and vocalists have stepped in to contribute to the studio projects, the most recent being Jay Brown, who co-composed and recorded the evocative time travel track called the Time Stream.
As The Legendary Ten Seconds Ian has made a name for himself in the folk-rock genre, notably for his historically inspired albums. He has received critical acclaim for the work chronicling the Wars of the Roses and the life of Richard III, focusing on England’s 15th century. The music is more than just entertainment; it's a dedication to keeping history alive through story-driven songs that resonate with modern listeners. In addition to crafting meticulously researched and artistically compelling albums, Ian has donated part of the proceeds from his music sales to a scoliosis charity.
In 2018 he took the historical work to new heights with the release of the Mer de Mort album, commissioned by the Mortimer History Society in honour of its tenth anniversary. This album is a historically accurate collection of songs that delve into the fascinating and impactful history of the Mortimer family, from their roots in Normandy before the Battle of Hastings to their role in the 15th century. The album features narrative interludes read by the late actor John Challis—known for his iconic role as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses—who was a proud patron of the Mortimer History Society.
Ian has released numerous albums and his latest endeavour called ‘Churchward Road’ is released this month (January 2026). He continues his exploration of storytelling through music.
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