Mountaintop Junkshop - Mercury’s Antennae - Lala Salama

Mountaintop Junkshop - Misadventureland (Album).

Leicester UK-based alternative folk unit Mountaintop Junkshop are thrilled to share their first full length album, Misadventureland. The record showcases the band’s signature blend of Americana, country, and indie folk, delivering heartfelt narratives that explore themes of resilience, longing, and human connection.

Hailing from Leicester UK, Mountaintop Junkshop could easily be mistaken for alt/country misfits from some lost California scene. The band make country-tinged minimal torch songs leaving space to hear pins drop and hearts breaking. Since forming they have shared stages with Jolie Holland, Herman Dune, Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance, Nina Nastasia and many more. File in your record collection somewhere between Low, Mazzy Star, Songs Ohia and next to an old, yellowing, red-wine-stained copy of Frank Stanford poems.

Mountaintop Junkshop consists of Jon Bennett (Vocals/Guitar), Amy Cooper (Vocals/Keys), Dave Fellows (Bass), Natasha Pattinson (Violin), Katie Shields (Drums). Misadventureland, the first full length album from Mountaintop Junkshop, is now available now across music platforms courtesy of Electric Blanket Records.

============================================================================

Mercury’s Antennae - Among the Black Trees (Album).

Seven years after the release of their celestial The Moon Viewing Garden EP (Sett Records, 2018), Mercury’s Antennae have re-emerged with their latest offering of sonic lullabies, Among the Black Trees. Nine existential tales inhabit a ghostly realm of reflection, rebirth and reconciliation, overlaying dense bass, swirling ghostly guitars, and atmospheric electronics, all melding with lustrous and soaring vocal melodies.

Currently based between Geneva, Switzerland and Portland, Oregon in the US, the trio comprises Dru Allen (This Ascension), Cindy Coulter (This Ascension, Faith and the Muse), and Erick r. Scheid (The Palace of Tears). Their sound incorporates influences from shoegaze pop, ethereal darkwave, and unadorned acoustic beauty, often compared to ‘90s-era Projekt artists, while also drawing inspiration from modern ambient electronica.

Through the iconic Projekt label, Mercury’s Antennae released their debut album, A Waking Ghost Inside (2014); followed by The Guides EP (2015); and sophomore album, Beneath the Serene (2016). Their debut for Sett Records was 2018’s The Moon Viewing Garden EP, followed by appearances at prestigious festivals Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany; and Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival in Whitby, England. It was also during this period (c.2018) that songs for Among the Black Trees were conceived, prior to a hiatus as members went on to explore other projects. Reflecting on the themes explored by the new album, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Erick r. Scheid says:

“Among the Black Trees is almost concept album in a way. Themes of love, death, rebirth, reconciliation and the imagined landscape of the unseen world are all intentionally, sonically and emotionally fed into the music. And Dru’s lyrical contribution truly adds a vastness of beauty and life to the music. Her lyrics on this album are my favorite; literally every song. Cindy was very receptive and active in writing this music alongside of me. While I had the demos, her ideas and creative insights held the music to be very truthful and not to be too overindulgent. Her openness to explore a deeper bass sound with tunings makes this album truly different from all our previous work. Both Dru and Cindy have had a huge impact on this work, and it’s the first album where we all three equally wrote the music together.”

============================================================================

Lala Salama - Miltähän me näytettäis yhdessä (Album).

Rising Helsinki-based indie band Lala Salama is set to release their highly anticipated debut album, Miltähän me näytettäis yhdessä, on March 21, 2025. The album will be available digitally as well as in limited-edition colored vinyl pressings (150 copies each of yellow & violet editions). Blending Nordic melancholy, dreamy shoegaze textures, post-punk energy, and raw storytelling, the album serves as a soundtrack for those navigating the space between youth and adulthood, longing for something just out of reach.

"The songs move from the euphoria of falling in love to the fear of commitment, from the highs of a party to the anxiety of the morning after. This album is for those searching for themselves, dreaming of summer love, and learning to let go." – Rosa Jules

Beyond their music, Lala Salama's members are engaging, dynamic, and compelling interview subjects. Rosa Jules – A fiercely independent frontwoman, singer, guitarist, violinist, and proudly Lahti-born engineer. A charismatic force on and off stage, she blends feminist energy with Jack White-like artistry. Rosa also plays in Swedish-Finnish superstar Markus Krunegård’s band, further cementing her role in the Nordic indie scene.

Aliisa Keränen – A powerhouse drummer, known for her work in Bad Sauna and Kaksipäinen Koira. Not just a force behind the kit, she’s also a national team athlete in Finland’s Roller Derby squad, bringing the same relentless energy to music as she does to the sport. Santeri Hytönen – A bassist and one of the most genuine and respected figures in the indie scene, also known from Bad Sauna. He’s a mix of Lemmy and your friendly next-door neighbor, fiercely standing up for the underdog and always ready to support those who need it.

============================================================================

Big Little Lions - Victoria Akua - The Shootouts - Taylor Rae - Esther Rose

Big Little Lions - Nothing Makes Sense Anymore.

Nothing Makes Sense Anymore examines the disturbing new political world in which we are living, trying to understand the madness. The song also pleads for us to keep connecting with each other, to help each other through the daily barrage of new absurdity.

Big Little Lions are an award winning duo who were born out of a collaboration that won them a JUNO Award in 2014. Since then they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs that are jam-packed with emotion and tight harmonies that sound like the product of two people working side-by-side instead of living in different countries.

They have released 6 albums to date, which have garnered them awards and nominations including the CFMA Ensemble of the Year, Independent Music Awards Americana Sing of the Year and John Lennon Songwriting Competition Song of the Year. Their critically acclaimed music has appeared on the CBC’s Top 20 and featured on shows like q and Vinyl Cafe. The duo consists of Paul Otten and Helen Austin, both hugely prolific songwriters - their music has been placed in hundreds of movie trailers, ads, network TV shows.

Their live show is quite the spectacle with Paul playing drums, bass and keyboard all while singing lead vocals. Helen, who is no slacker either, sings, plays guitar and foot percussion. They use every limb, and then some, to make two people sound like a full band. Their music has been dubbed by Mariposa Folk Festival as ‘a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop’, and is packed with emotion and tight harmonies.

============================================================================

Photo - Camilla Vodstrup Øverup

Victoria Akua - Surrender.

We are really pleased to feature Victoria Akua's new single released today for the simple reason that we think it's absolutely exquisite! Victoria Akua on her new single: "It is so easy to get caught up in fears and desires - and both is related to the past and the future, and as I see it, it takes us away from where life is happening - in this moment! “I want to let life surprise me, instead of trying to figure it all out”. This sentence has come to me many times, especially in situations where I’ve been trying to control the outcome — it helps me relax and trust more. Life just feels so much more joyful, creative and alive with that sense of openness to it."

Victoria's music is based on her own journey, which began at a young age, searching for more balance and a deeper peace and understanding within herself. In a hectic world where it is so easy to be pulled in many directions, she wants to find ways to stay centered with an open heart in the hope that her music can support others on their own paths. 

The intention of the music is to have a nourishing, calming and healing effect. Music that comes from the heart and that reflects and creates inner peace, trust and self-love - and connects us. Her music is inspired by the rhythms and cycles of nature, healthy and nurturing connections between people and creating spaces for expression, creativity and loving energy. Through the simplicity of the music, the listener is invited directly into a calm cocoon where breathing becomes deeper and the mind can rest.

============================================================================

The Shootouts - Trampoline (feat: Lindsay Lou).

Akron, Ohio’s Rustbelt Americana torchbearers, The Shootouts, have announced the May 30th release of their new album Switchback on Transoceanic Records. The forthcoming collection finds the band refining their sound by incorporating elements of roots rock and bluegrass while maintaining their traditional country sensibilities. Their infectious first single, “Trampoline,” featuring ethereal guest vocals from Lindsay Lou is an exciting taste of what's to follow, it's really that good!.

Recorded in Nashville, TN, The Shootouts brought in Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Lake Street Dive, Bahamas), to produce, mix, and co-engineer Switchback. The collaboration was exactly what the three band members (Ryan Humbert / lead vocals & rhythm guitar; Emily Bates / backing vocals & acoustic guitar; and Brian Poston / lead guitar) had hoped for: someone who shared their vision and brought fresh ideas to the group. The result is the natural progression of a seasoned band whose sound continues to evolve without losing its identity.

Switchback opens with “Trampoline,” followed by the high-energy rocker “The Other Side of My Life.” Lou, Sam Bush, and Mickey Raphael lend their talents to an original take on the 80s pop classic “Only You” by UK duo Yazoo (aka Yaz in North America).

Two country legends accompany Humbert on vocals, starting with Rodney Crowell on the country folk-infused “Half a World Away,” and Vince Gill on an electrifying rendition of “I’ll Be Damned,” a song he penned and recorded as a member of Pure Prairie League in 1980. “Only Good at Goodbye” features a guest vocal by singer/songwriter Logan Ledger, with the renowned Russ Pahl on pedal steel.

============================================================================

Photo - Barbara FG

Taylor Rae - Telluride (feat. Sierra Hull).

Austin-based singer/songwriter Taylor Rae unveiled today her new single “Telluride” featuring a guest appearance by Grammy-nominated artist Sierra Hull. The latest to release off her new album The Void (due out April 18th), the track arrives on the heels of her debut at SXSW, which prompted NPR Music to name her on their Best of SXSW 2025 list. With a bluegrass-tinge and steady groove, “Telluride” is a windows-down, road-wary anthem that calls to mind the likes of Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” or Zeppelin’s “Going to California.” It was featured on Relix who raved “‘Telluride’ is easy listening and an ideal track for a journey on the road or of the heart.”

"I should start by saying that I have never been to Telluride,” stated Rae. “I have, however, been to just about every other corner of that state, and have driven through the Southwest Region of the United States countless times. This song seed came while on a radio tour through Colorado, which ended right before the weekend of Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and I remember feeling so bummed that I wasn't attending. Feeling left out, behind in life, and alone, I drove myself back home to Austin and finished the bulk of the song in the driver's seat. Living life on the road allows much time for contemplation, processing, and accepting. It can be addicting because of this, referenced in the line 'time stands still on the road.' Who wouldn’t be addicted to time standing still? For that reason, it gets overwhelming coming off the road. Things seem to move at a lightning speed making it hard for someone like me, who has a hard time with transitions, to ride the wave.”

She continued, “When I met Sierra, I immediately dreamt of her contributing to this song. Before the song was even finished, before recording this album was even in my head, I knew I wanted her to be a part of it. She brought this song to life, and I thought with the bluegrass/Telluride reference, it would just make so much sense to have the mandolin queen herself grace our presence."

============================================================================

Photo - Char Klein

Esther Rose - Had To.

Esther Rose will release Want on May 2, 2025 via New West Records. The 11-track set was produced by Ross Farbe (of Video Age) and recorded live-to-tape at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN. Want is the anticipated follow up to 2023’s Safe to Run which was met with wide acclaim from The New York Times, Pitchfork, Stereogum, No Depression, and more. The album features appearances by the singer songwriter Dean Johnson as well as members of Video Age, The Deslondes, and Silver Synthetic.

Following the wide-open serenity of Safe to Run, Rose now leans toward confrontational arrangements full of distortion and full-band spontaneity, never sacrificing a classicist’s gift for melody that makes each song instantly memorable. “For me, these songs felt like revelations,” she explains, comparing the record to a memoir, alive with kinetic storytelling and personal insight. Ranging from stark solo performances to grungy blowouts, the album maintains a steady focus while never staying too long in one place. Vivid and bracing, she has made the most adventurous, hardest-hitting record of her career.

Yesterday, Rose shared the video for the album standout “Had To,” which was directed by Anthony Simpkins of GemsOnVHS. She says, “In ‘Had To,’ I examine my relationship with alcohol, and also my relationship with touring. A long time ago, I heard New Orleans legend Washboard Chaz say this: ‘People are always offering musicians exposure. But you can die from too much exposure!’ Since writing this song, I have stopped drinking, but I have not stopped touring.”

============================================================================

Speedial - Echo Valley - Lucette - Gelli Haha

Photo - Samuel George Franklin

Speedial - Tourist.

London four-piece Speedial blend melodic post-rock, shoegaze, math rock, jazz fusion and noise-rock into a captivating and distinctive sound, reminiscent of everything from Deerhoof and Big Thief to Radiohead, Faraquet and the atmospheric textures of David Bowie's Blackstar.

Dual vocalists Serena and Millie weave intricate harmonies over complex instrumental landscapes, with saxophonist Monarch and drummer Joe's technical ability adding a crucial layer of depth. Produced by Joseph Futak (Tapir!, lilo), new single 'Tourist' - released today - offers a taste of this interplay, with Serena noting the song's lyrics' depiction of "an exaggerated 'evil' version of myself."

Speaking more on new single 'Tourist', vocalist Serena said: "When I'm feeling guilty about something I tend to get quite dramatic and it's easy to spiral into thinking one bad decision makes people think the worst of you. It was cathartic in a way to write all of that negativity down and realise that that isn't really how I am. I wanted the lyrics to be quite bleak and matter of fact. I usually get caught up with flowery language and making my lyrics kind of opaque and hard to decipher but I didn’t want to hide behind that for this song."

A collective of musicians who grew up playing together, Speedial's shared history is evident in their tight-knit sound. Part of London's thriving alternative scene, the band are regulars at The Windmill, The George Tavern, and The Shacklewell Arms, recently sharing stages with acts like Picture Parlour, Camera Picture (black midi), Ugly (UK), Dog Race, The Orchestra (For Now), Deep Tan, Automotion, amongst others.

============================================================================

Echo Valley - Lies.

Echo Valley is back with a brand-new single from their highly anticipated album, Leave You Behind, set to release this spring. This latest track is a lively and energetic breakup song, blending the band’s signature Bluegrass, Americana, and Country influences with a playful musicality that contrasts its weighty lyrics.

Fiddle player Emily Anderson steps into the spotlight with dynamic lead vocals, bringing both charm and attitude to the song. The contrast between the song's upbeat instrumentation and its poignant lyrics makes for a compelling and unforgettable listening experience.

“I wrote this song while helping a friend going through a breakup.” Says songwriter Lizzy Anderson, guitar player and harmony vocals on the song. “I was helping my friend delete the pictures of her ex off of her phone when I came across a picture that made me laugh. It was a poorly photoshopped photo of a cartoon gravestone with the boyfriend's name. It said “Here lies Billy. He died alone”. I chuckled about it for the next few days till I finally put it down in song.”

Recorded in Nashville, Leave You Behind marks a new chapter for Echo Valley as they continue to push musical boundaries while staying true to their roots.

============================================================================

Photo - Sebestian Buzzalino

Lucette - Rodeo Clown.

Canadian singer-songwriter Lucette shares the slow-burn single "Rodeo Clown" ahead of her new EP Nice Girl From The Suburbs releasing this Friday. Co-written with producer Soren Hansen (New Politics, Elle King, Sam Palladio), "Rodeo Clown" finds Lucette on the wrong side of the joke as opportunities pass to the steady beat of anthemic dream pop synths.

Lucette will play a special hometown show at Edmonton's Double Dragon on April 24, followed by a performance in Calgary on May 2. "'Rodeo Clown' is about feeling like despite giving it your all, you won’t succeed," says Lucette. "Even if you have the same bruises and failures as the ones that have seen glory. It’s about feeling unseen while still admitting to your faults."

Continuing the musical inclinations Lucette (aka Lauren Gillis) first began exploring on her acclaimed 2019 release Deluxe Hotel Room, Nice Girl From the Suburbs is brimming with self-awareness and a sense of shared humanity. The six-song EP mixes self-pity with clever self-deprecation, as the wry observer in Lucette turns her sharply intuitive eye onto herself. She has previously shared three singles from the EP, including a pedal-steel-filled boot-stomper filtered through a slacker-pop lens called “Back in the Blue” (feat. Mariel Buckley), and “Heading for the End,” which finds her living in the complexity of being human while still resisting people-pleasing stereotypes. The latest single “Too Soon For Sorry” starts out as a yearning love song before building to a frenzy of fuzzed out guitar wails, and Atwood Magazine called it "the kind of cathartic confessional that sends shivers down the spine"

============================================================================

Photo - Sophie Prettyman Beauchamp

Gelli Haha - Bounce House.

A shapeshifter, a sonic acrobat, a performer with one foot in the cosmos and the other in arthouse theatrics, Gelli Haha (pronounced Jelly Haha) is a space for pure creative chaos.

For the opening trick, Gelli Haha presents her debut album, Switcheroo. Gelli’s music thrives on duality: playful but profound, tongue-in-cheek but sincere. Switcheroo is the soundtrack to the Gelliverse, a sensory adventure sphere created by Gelli.

Her debut art pop single “Bounce House” flashes back to youth-like innocence with high upbeat energy, turning the dance floor into a playground. The track’s accompanying music video rockets viewers straight into Gelliverse. This live revue is an invitation into a world of choreography, dolphin balloons, flutes, mini trampolines, and a stage bathed in the project’s primary color, red - bold and full of mischief. The  360 experience was shot all in one take by director David Gutel.

============================================================================

Fishing 4 Compliments - The Moonlandingz - City Cycles - Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band - Lavinia Blackwall

Fishing 4 Compliments - Hard To Please.

The female fronted indie-folk-pop Fishing 4 Compliments new single 'Hard To Please' is released today March 18th, and it is simply wonderful! Fishing 4 Compliments are a quirky Huddersfield-based female fronted indie-folk-pop band which emerged organically around lead singer Eileen’s emotive & enigmatic songs. 

The songs began to be steadfastly encouraged and brought to life initially by Ashley (rhythm guitarist) who gradually reeled in Jim (lead guitar & backing vocals) and Steve (bass guitar & backing vocals) with all three being part of a 60s band at the time. Jim initially played drums on the songs but made the game changing decision (which was to be pivotal to shaping the band’s unique sound) that he’d like to switch to playing lead guitar. Before joining the band officially Steve had long been in the background supporting the songs and had always been their dream bass player and was also to become the group’s guru of harmonies.

All four have long shared a passion for developing and creating a sound they like to call their own which has developed naturally through the eclectic mix of influences from which they draw which include; The Beatles, XTC, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, The Smiths, The Sundays and The Cranberries, to name but a few. 

Over the years the four core members of the band have much appreciated times shared with their initial drummer Ben and later David on drums and percussion and his daughter Fenella who has been a brilliant dep drummer/percussionist for the band on many occasions. Beckoning pastures new and changing life circumstances have dictated that for now the Fishing crew continue their journey as a four piece outfit with these three star contributors remaining close to their hearts. 

============================================================================

Photo - Rachel Lipsitz

The Moonlandingz - Roustabout.

The Moonlandingz that's Adrian Flanagan, Dean Honer and Lias Saoudi share a new single this week titled “Roustabout”, a third preview of their long-awaited second album No Rocket Required, out April 25 on Transgressive Records. “Roustabout”, with Nadine Shah, is a yearning, gothic duet, the Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue two-way for our times. The accompanying music video sees the band collaborate with “The Sign of A Man” director Jeanie Crystal again for another brilliant video.

On the track Johnny Rocket (aka Lias Saoudi) says, “It’s a fictional re-imagining of the complexities, stirrings and courage that appeared to dwell within an unnamed celibate moon faced indie icon from the 80’s!” Nadine adds, “I hope to see this song added to the list of the greatest karaoke duets. Up there with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rodgers ‘Islands in the Stream’”.

The Moonlandingz have returned, seven long years after their debut. When they first emerged from Valhalla Dale they were a semi-fictional band bringing us sticky squelchy pop songs to offer solace and punishment in the months following the Brexit vote and Trump’s first victory. The Moonlandingz conspired with Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon, Rebecca Taylor, Phil Oakey and the Cowboy from The Village People to make one of the great albums of 2017, and we needed it. Interplanetary Class Classics was a dose of unreality equal to the unhinged times we were stumbling into. The Moonlandingz have finally returned – not when we wanted them but now that we need them – galloping in on their four horses, bareback and howling.

============================================================================

City Cycles - Futurist.

Meet City Cycles, a fab six-piece of musical maestros, all talent! They've set up shop in always-buzzing London, adding their unique rhythm to its already pulsating music scene.

City Cycles continues to carve out their distinct place in the indie pop rock scene with their latest single, Futurist. Building on the foundation set with previous tracks, this new release marks a bold progression in their sound. Futurist is poppier, more epic, and undeniably catchier, showcasing a newfound energy and dynamism that pulls listeners in from the very first note.

Lyrically, the song delves into deep, thought-provoking themes, posing questions about our origins and the uncertain future we face in an increasingly digital world. The lyrics strike a perfect balance between introspection and a call for clarity, as the band explores the crossroads between where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. The evocative line, “Anunnaki of the digital age, Futurist, they write the page”, encapsulates this existential journey, suggesting both the mystique of our past and the unknown potential of our digital future.

With Futurist, City Cycles has crafted a track that not only captivates with its infectious hooks but also invites listeners to reflect on the rapid technological changes shaping our lives. It’s a song that challenges, questions, and ultimately calls for understanding in a world where the future seems both promising and uncertain.

TCBYML · City Cycles - Futurist

============================================================================

Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band - I Can't See You Cry.

Bastian Pen, lead singer of the band Tricklebolt, steps into new creative territory with a fresh project under the moniker Baba Pen. Collaborating with a group of talented friends, they form Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band, a collective destined to make waves. Their debut album, set for release on October 10, 2025, blends 60s-inspired psychedelic rock with hints of folk and cosmic country, all wrapped in the lush, intricate production style of Jonathan Wilson.

The first single, "I Can't See You Cry," introduces Baba Pen as the new spiritual leader from the East. This track unfolds like a medieval love story gone awry, with its unconventional chord progressions leading us through baroque-inspired garden passages. But as the chorus kicks in, the song takes a turn, signaling that things are unraveling within the love-stricken walls.

Featuring members from Grand East, Money and the Man, Tricklebolt, and Jimmy Diamond, is "I Can't See You Cry" a captivating taste of what’s to come, offering a glimpse into the diverse sonic landscape of Baba Pen & The Bim Bam Band. It's a brilliant first step into an album that promises to explore the many shades of Baba Pen's musical world.

============================================================================

Lavinia Blackwall - The Making.

Lavinia Blackwall, the celebrated voice behind Trembling Bells, is set to release her highly anticipated new album The Making on May 30th via The Barne Society, and has just shared what we can justifiably describe as an exceptional title-track accompanied with an intriguing video. A rich tapestry of folk, rock, and psych-power pop, the album showcases Blackwall’s unparalleled vocal prowess and evocative songwriting, further cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.

A classically trained soprano, Blackwall first gained recognition as the lead singer of Trembling Bells, a Glasgow-based psych-folk outfit known for their ambitious blending of folk traditions with rock and baroque influences. Over the course of seven albums with the band, she honed her signature vocal style - often compared to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny - and collaborated with legends such as Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band. Stepping out as a solo artist, Blackwall released her debut album Muggington Lane End in 2020, which was met with widespread acclaim for its lush arrangements and intricate songwriting.

Following the success of Muggington Lane End, The Making is a deeply personal collection of songs that have evolved over time, shaped by both hardship and joy. Written over a four-year period and recorded at The Barne Studio, the album reflects Blackwall’s journey through personal loss, artistic exploration, and renewed creative energy.

“The whole process took much longer than intended,” says Blackwall. “Life seemed to happen around it. There was a lot of darkness - my partner and collaborator Marco lost his mum in 2021 and very nearly his dad shortly after. I lost my dad in October 2023. But there was a lot of light too, a lot of time spent in Italy and up at our cabin at Carbeth, all of which leaked into the songs on the album,” she continues.

============================================================================

Chad Price Peace Coalition - Oslo Twins - Lunar Vacation

Photo - Lindsey Lu McGuire

Chad Price Peace Coalition - "A.M."

Chad Price Peace Coalition shares their new video for "A.M." from the forthcoming debut, A Perfect Pearl, due out on Double Helix and SofaBurn Records. An artist entering his staggering fourth decade writing and performing music that weaves in and out of seminal pop-punk, alt-country, metal, and a fascinating indie folk-prog hybrid, Chad Price has made the most of his time.

All those miles and artistic transformations have now led to the welcome arrival of a new project: Chad Price Peace Coalition and the album A Perfect Pearl. Price unpacks the group’s origin story: “A year or so ago I did a show singing with an ALL cover band. I really liked the guys and we bonded over our love of prog-rock. The idea of expanding the sound started influencing my writing.” Cory West (drums, lead guitar, and keys) and Anthony Medici (bass, lead guitar, and vocals) were the perfect partners in fleshing out Price’s latest ten songs. While A Perfect Pearl certainly delivers Price’s signature rough-hewn vulnerability, the limber trio format kicks up some sublime musical moments that feel distinctly inspired by prog giants like Jethro Tull and Yes.

Deep on side two, “A.M.” nudges up the tempo a bit, but instead of retreating into basic rock and roll, it coils into a menacing circular repeating pattern, threes over fours–or maybe vice versa.

============================================================================

Photo - Freya Davies

Oslo Twins - Tresor (E.P).

Bristol-formed, London-based outfit Oslo Twins just released their new EP 'Tresor' via Half-Normal Records. Produced by band members Eric C. Davies and Claudia Vulliamy in their east London studio, new EP 'Tresor' follows keen airplay from BBC 6 Music (Nick Grimshaw) and glowing press support from tastemakers including NME Magazine, The Line of Best Fit, DIY Magazine, Far Out Magazine, 1883 Magazine, Under The Radar Magazine and more.

The new EP highlights a rejuvenated sonic depth for Oslo Twins - drawing influence from Nation Of Language, Angel Olsen, This Mortal Coil, Everything But The Girl, Lamb, Chromatics, Grace Ives and Ladytron. Exploring new territories both in their recorded sound and live performances, new EP 'Tresor' introduces electronic drums and clean synths to the forefront, venturing into more expansive territory.

From the thudding and transportive 'I Wake Up Slowly', to the chilling synth-pop of 'Sally' and the towering electronics of 'I See Mountains', singer Claudia expands on the EP's lyrical themes: "I think there’s a running theme of subconscious places in this EP. I was inspired by things seen and felt in dreams and daydreams, images that come to mind for a moment and are just out of reach".

The previously unheard 'Be Free' is another song inspired by Claudia's literal dreams. "There's also inspiration drawn from a strangely romantic fantasy of having to drive off somewhere after committing a crime, leaving everything behind. To get a sense of this narrative I wanted a quiet sense of drama in the sound, with a slightly funereal tone that I think we managed to get with the timpani and synths."

OSLO TWINS · Tresor

============================================================================

Photo - Brandon McClain

Lunar Vacation - Lights Off.

Atlanta indie-rock powerhouse Lunar Vacation release a new single today "Lights Off."

The self-produced track follows their sophomore album Everything Matters, Everything's Fire, released in September, which was produced by Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, Toro Y Moi) and introduced by a music video directed by Finn Wolfhard (of Stranger Things).

Singer/guitarist Gep Repasky says, “This song feels like an open letter. Naturally, I have my own meaning tied into it but whether or not it's a letter of adoration or the final farewell, it's not for me to say. Whether it's about something physical or intangible, it's also not for me to say. It could be about both or neither. It is up to the listener to create their own meaning, take what resonates with them, and use it to be the kindling wood in the growing fire of feeling, creativity, thinking and understanding."

============================================================================

Will Morton - Ruth Lyon - Penny & The Pits - Caravan Palace

Photo - Justin Hammond

Will Morton - Good Ol' Boys Don't Cry.

Rising country artist Will Morton has released the official music video for his latest single, “Good Ol’ Boys Don’t Cry.” Directed and filmed by Justin Hammond, the visually striking video was shot in a Nashville hotel room at night, capturing the song’s emotional weight through its introspective aesthetic.

Morton explained the meaning behind the music video, saying “We shot inside a hotel room in front of the big picture glass overlooking Nashville because I am often gone for work and miss my family. This song is so true and close to me, being about growing up tough, being raised by a single mother, trying to always be strong for her, and knowing how it feels to keep all of that inside. With the birth of my son and raising him, seeing how much love and kindness is in his heart, I just want him to know it’s okay to have and share emotions.”

Set against the glowing city lights of Nashville, the music video features Morton in moments of quiet reflection, looking out over the city, walking along Broadway, and writing lyrics on a notepad. The raw authenticity of the video further amplifies the track’s powerful message, making for a visual experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

Produced by Mark McKee and written by McKee, Morton, and Chris Ayer, “Good Ol’ Boys Don’t Cry” serves as the lead single from Morton’s forthcoming full-length album The Long Way, set for release later this year.

============================================================================

Photo - Sel Maclean

Ruth Lyon - Books.

Newcastle indie-folk singer-songwriter Ruth Lyon has just announced her debut album 'Poems & Non-Fiction', out 13th June on Pink Lane Records. Out now is new single 'Books', the second taste of the album following the previously released single 'Wickerman'.

Weaving deeply evocative narratives and potent meditations, with an artistry that balances delicacy and strength, 'Poems & Non-Fiction' is a major waymark for Ruth Lyon. Forged by her experiences as a disabled woman and a life-long sense of otherness, she explores the beautiful mess of existence, challenges social norms and ignites a journey towards self-acceptance, empowerment and perhaps most importantly, hope. “I have surprised myself with the raw honesty in these songs and I hope these stories inspire healing and growth,” Ruth says.

Working with acclaimed producer John Parish (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding) and influenced by artists like Adrienne Lenker, Fiona Apple and Moondog, the songs are rich with poetic nuance and the unconventional insight of a young life lived to capacity—a mesmerising blend of analogue and angular indie-folk that gives as much attention to silence as sound, with understated yet muscular grooves. Shimmering between the abstract, the archetypal and the naked truth, meaning lingers just beneath the surface, daring listeners to both reach out and dig deep; to give emotion a solid, tangible shape.

New single 'Books' is released today alongside a video directed by Sel Maclean. Stop-start strings, plucked and bowed make holes in the texture like a typewriter on paper, weaving in and out of driving piano, bedded by lazy rhythm falling away and returning, all glued together with vocal calls to the echo of a page. Lyon turns a cosmic reckoning on herself “Weigh me today and weigh me in again tomorrow / rocks in my socks, balloons tied round my elbows” that perhaps can be heard as a plea to the fates, wedded with Lyon’s typical Dali-esque imagery.

============================================================================

Photo - Nicole Cecile Holland

Penny & The Pits - Montenegro On Ice.

You might be familiar with Penelope Stevens from her role as bass and keys shredder and sometime vocalist in Canadian avant-rock trio Motherhood (whose 5th LP Thunder Perfect Mind just came out recently and was described as "wildly entertaining" on Bandcamp Daily and "a welcome, alien presence in today’s musical landscape" on Post-Trash). Here, she is sharing a new single as Penny & The Pits, with Motherhood forming the backing band: "Montenegro On Ice"

Quote from Penelope Stevens: Montenegro on Ice explores memory and the ways in which the past can seep out of its box and drown your present and future. I was feeling the temptation to stew in past pain, choosing to really live in it, y’know? It’s so easy to stick your fingers in your own wounds. So I wanted to make a song that had a jaunty little limp, an endearing disfigurement, that could illustrate the way I was feeling at the time - wounded, absolutely, but sort of enjoying the ride.

The song is part of a larger mythology I’m working out in my songwriting - the allegory of the Liquid Compactor. Water has been an important force in my life, as an emotional cleanser and physical rehab. I’ve been imagining a sentient underwater machine to which I can feed my rage, my ethical malaise, my skewed memories, and allow it to compress these unsavoury bits into little building blocks.

============================================================================

Photo - Nicolas Patault

Caravan Palace - City Cook.

Before heading out on their North American tour, Caravan Palace (a 6-piece live band and a trio in the studio) are giving the standout track “City Cook” a fresh moment in the spotlight with a brand-new single release. Originally part of Gangbusters Melody Club (Le Plan Recordings), the song now comes in a tighter, punchier edit, perfect for those who like their tunes with a bit more bite. To top it off, the band has teamed up once again with directing duo Double Ninja - who previously brought “Lone Digger”, “Miracle”, “Moonshine” and “Wonderland” to life—for a music video that’s as delightfully offbeat as you’d expect.

About the “City Cook” music video, the band adds: “Once every seven days, a ritual takes place—a ceremony as old as the civilization itself, whether it be ancient or alien. They are bound to a single sense: sight. Their deity, by contrast, perceives all. And so, in fear of what they cannot match, they seal its eyes, stripping it of the only power they themselves possess. From the bowels of the earth, they extract their offering—flesh of beast, flesh of root—feeding a cycle neither questioned nor broken. And with each offering comes a spectacle to behold, a feast for sight alone—pleasure twisted into ritual, excess into sustenance.

What is this but the order of men, subjugating the feminine, binding its body to hunger, to control, to torment without end? Or is it humankind itself, ransacking the world for instant reward, for pleasure stripped of meaning, for wealth that devours all? The deity endures, plundered yet inexhaustible. The cycle turns once more. Meaning shifts in the eye of the beholder. The question remains.”

============================================================================

Lisa Crawley - Fake Dad - April March - Domi Hawken

Photo - Will Cook

Lisa Crawley - What You Can Do.

New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based indie-pop chanteuse Lisa Crawley has an empowering indie/pop single, “What You Can Do,” released today March 14, 2025. It is the first single from her forthcoming EP New Girl Syndrome available in April 2025.

For the single, Lisa worked with John Spiker to merge the retro and modern adding layers to the piano focused track. The song is about the constant questioning of identity outside of your career. As a musician, it can be a struggle to say ‘no’ to work or people that don’t serve you: “You can only do so much baby / You’ve got your work cut out for you / Take a breath, in fact go and take two / You are more than what you can do”

“I’ve been labeled a ‘workaholic,’ but saying no can be scary,” explains Lisa. “Creating space to explore other parts of myself is confronting but important.”

A New Zealand-native, Lisa Crawley has live/performed in her home country (lead of ‘Girl’ in the Tony Award Winning musical “Once” in Auckland), Melbourne (receiving acclaim for the EP Up In The Air) as well as London, Canada (Banff Centre songwriter residency) and landed in the U.S. in 2020 just in time for quarantine! Through numerous albums, EPs and singles, her refreshingly honest onstage presence and emotionally authentic pop songs enchant the hearts and minds of an ever-growing global audience.

============================================================================

Fake Dad - Odyssey 2 Venice / Little Fake (featuring Alice Ivy).

Andrea de Varona (she/her) and Josh Ford (he/him) aka Fake Dad are a Los Angeles based, NYC bred indie rock meets dream pop duo. Formed in 2020, the two met at a college party in the East Village and have been inseparable ever since. Melting their own unique artistic visions to build a shared sonic shorthand, Fake Dad create an intoxicating and colorful musical fusion complete with catchy pop-laden hooks, crunchy, 90s inspired guitars, grooving bass lines, and buoyant synths. With a distinctive production sound and a signature vocal delivery, the two write and record expansive musical moments from their apartment. Although Andrea and Josh come from different musical backgrounds, they share a common goal: to create music that understands you.

In the past year, Fake Dad have been fixated on posers. Specifically, rock music posers—there’s just something fascinating about music made by an artist who’s pretending to be someone they’re not. In the different subgenres of rock especially, “fake” can be a dirty word. But as Andrea and Josh dug into some of their favorite artists from before their time, it became clear that playing a character is pretty deeply entwined with the legacy of rock music.

In their superb new EP released today, Holly Wholesome and the Slut Machine, Fake Dad have created characters that live in their made up world of angry, burger-flipping clowns, star-crossed knights, and masked sleep paralysis demons. Throughout the process, Andrea and Josh realized that they were using the fiction to unpack very real aspects of their lived experiences—including their identities and sexualities as romantic partners in a straight-passing relationship.


============================================================================

April March - Surfing Castafiore.

American indie pop songstress April March, who earned fame with her take on French pop, drops a new surf rock single from her forthcoming full length, ‘Villerville’, produced by Norman Langolff and due this summer. As a student, April March first attended Parsons School of Design and then California Institute of the Arts. It was at CalArts where she met director and musician Steve Hanft. Hanft, known for having directed the original Bong Load video for Beck's multi-platinum hit “Loser”, is currently directing new Bong Load videos for March.

As an animator, March began her career as a Disney trained animator first hired by Paul Reubens for Pee-wee’s Playhouse. She then went on to animate everything from Ren & Stimpy, to Bugs Bunny, not to mention Frank Zappa and Madonna. As an illustrator March collaborated with Jack White for “We’re Going to be Friends”, his children’s book based on one of The White Stripes most enduring and loved songs.

As a musician, March has collaborated with artists including Brian Wilson, Yo La Tengo, Jack White, LL Cool J, Ronnie Spector, Jonathan Richman, Andy Paley, Tony Allen, Plastilina Mosh, Steve Hanft, Bertrand Burgalat, French duo Staplin, Aquaserge, and more.

============================================================================

Domi Hawken - The Moment I Need You The Most.

Fresh from the success of her debut EP Sociable Pariah, London's dark rock poet Domi Hawken returns with a haunting exploration of obsession in 'The Moment I Need You Most' the first insight into her sophomore EP Water and The Wine.

Unravelling like a psychological thriller, the track weaves between moments of desperate longing and frenzied obsession, all while showcasing her signature blend of punk swagger and folk storytelling. Drawing from a rich tapestry of influences ranging from from Leonard Cohen's poetic introspection to Led Zeppelin's raw energy, her latest offering showcases her ability to craft narratives that transcend simple heartbreak, instead exploring the darker corners of human psychology. "To me, the song is unhinged," Hawken reveals with characteristic frankness. "It isn't about pining over someone you're in a relationship with - the protagonist is desperate, maybe the person she's singing about barely knows her, their relationship being completely overblown in her mind."

The production mirrors this descent into fixation, building from deceptively calm verses to frantic crescendos, punctuated by moments of stark silence that feel like gasps for air. Accompanied by a self-directed music video shot on VHS, Hawken creates a deliberately jarring visual experience that amplifies the track's unsettling narrative. "I wanted the music and the video to reflect this: the idea of being unstable, dramatic, almost going crazy with this scenario she's created purely in her imagination," she explains.

============================================================================

Course - Amanda Ekery - Janita - Close to Monday - Junior Scaife

Course - Hue Mirror.

Chicago-based synth/pop group Course has announced their new album Hue Mirror will release on April 25th. Their third full-length offering, Hue Mirror marks their most raw, vulnerable, and poignant collection of songs to date, written by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jessica Robbins in the wake of a traumatic, life-altering diagnosis. Today they shared the lead single and title track “Hue Mirror,” a song that captures a moment of whirlwind confusion, fear, and shock.

Since their debut, Course has established themselves with a sound that mixes lushly layered melodies and electronic instrumentation into dreamy, atmospheric soundscapes across two acclaimed albums: 2021’s A Late Hour and 2023’s Tight Feathers. They earned praise from the likes of Consequence of Sound, Chicago Tribune, American Songwriter, Under The Radar, and Atwood Magazine who raved “Course has quickly established itself as a reliable source of exhilarating, radiant, and shimmering indie pop.” In recent years, however, Robbins found it increasingly difficult to ignore the pain that had been creeping up her spine ever since college, turning her everyday activities - walking, sleeping, holding her guitar, even breathing - into a struggle.

Hue Mirror began taking shape last year during several months of intense uncertainty, before Robbins received the medical news that would change her life forever: a diagnosis for an aggressive autoimmune disorder called Ankylosing Spondylitis. An incurable disease that targets the spine and joints causing long term damage, severe chronic pain and discomfort, the news left Robbins in shock as she began coming to terms with a future that is now shrouded in ambiguity. Dreaming of a life that didn't involve so much discomfort, she continued writing songs with renewed conviction and resilience, confronting her illness with bold, beautiful music that pulled no punches. As the inflammation in her body intensified, so did her decision to create the best album of her life, one that would turn the uncertainties of her future into something raw, real, and undeniably present.

“‘Hue Mirror’ is the first song I wrote after my AS diagnosis on April 11, 2024,” stated Robbins. “My head was spinning. I was in a haze when I wrote this. I wasn’t given much explanation about the disease, just that they were ordering a strong drug to suppress my immune system and lower the inflammation. I felt confused and scared, not understanding what was happening. I wrote this song during that time of uncertainty about my future. The song touches on the idea of how medicine for this disease comes at a cost, the pain I had been enduring for so long, and the unpredictability of not knowing when the next flare will hit. No matter how much you work out, take medicine, or eat healthy, this disease is here forever. It will never go away. I want to raise awareness for this disease, which affects so many but remains relatively unknown to the general population. It took me a decade to get a diagnosis, and nobody should have to go through that.”

============================================================================

Photo - Ross Wightman

Amanda Ekery - Stitching.

Amanda Ekery's forthcoming album Árabe is due in May and explores Syrian and Mexican shared history on the El Paso border through enchanting vocal jazz / pop and remarkable, personal essays, her first single, "Stitching" is something quite special and is released today.

The fourth full-length release by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Amanda Ekery,  Árabe invites audiences to explore Syrian and Mexican shared history and culture on the El Paso border - the story of Ekery’s life, lineage and identity. It features twelve original songs and accompanying essays with the stories and history behind each track covering everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes, to immigration law, biracial identity, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights.

Each track conjures a rich creative world informed by research and Ekery’s distinct personal style. Ekery spent over 5 years developing Árabe, conducting interviews with her family and the Syrian Ladies Club of El Paso, working with Yale SWANA scholar Dr. Mark Eggerman, researching Syrian and Mexican immigration and migration, and completing an artist residency at the Arab American National Museum located in Dearborn, MI which is home to the largest population of Arabs outside of the Arab world.

============================================================================

Janita - I Want You I Warn You.

"Being in lust or in love can be such a deliciously un-peaceful and volatile feeling. Inside you’re going absolutely batty, but outside you’re trying to keep it cool as a cucumber. The director of this video, Alice Teeple, is a dear friend of mine and also a free spirit––fearless with her artistry. 

Her mere presence egged me on to let loose and express the mania and mayhem that goes on in the mind. Truth be told, it’s not just love or lust that drives me bonkers these days. I think that this video works on a number of different levels, not the least of which is this: I’m a woman—passionate, opinionated, rebellious, in a world that would prefer me to be humble and docile. The video shows that this woman is not about to be held down by anything." —Janita

============================================================================

Close to Monday - Turtles.

Close to Monday, synth-pop’s next wave of innovators Ann and Alexander, release their highly anticipated "World Turtles" EP.  Anchored by the spellbinding lead single Turtles, the project weaves evocative narratives with intricate, driving production along with an urgent message about ocean conservation.  The  EP also features four of their most pivotal titles from their 2024 monthly single series. Altogether,  this five-track collection solidifies the duo’s reputation for blending emotional depth with transportive soundscapes.

Accompanying the release, the band unveil the visually arresting music video featuring captivating projections of vast oceans and giant sea turtles, complemented by an enchanting light show. The visuals are designed to mesmerize and raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of marine life, further amplifying the duo’s message of awe-inspiring wonder beneath the waves.

Timed perfectly to coincide with Earth Hour (March 22) and World Water Day, "World Turtles" is not only an artistic statement but also a powerful call for environmental action for ocean conservation.  To amplify the message, Close to Monday are collaborating with iSea, asking their fans to donate in supporting vital efforts to protect the world’s oceans. "Now more than ever, it is crucial for artists to seize the opportunity to promote environmental protection and inspire their audience to take action. After all, nature has always been a source of inspiration for art," Anastasia Charitou, Communication Officer, iSea.

At the heart of the EP, Turtles pulses with the kinetic energy of late-’70s Berlin discotheques, colliding with the sharp edge of ’80s synth nights and the vibrant spirit of ’90s club culture. The track's driving rhythms and cascading textures create an urgent yet hypnotic state. It’s the soundtrack to a late-night odyssey, where the adrenaline of the dance floor dissolves into the surreal calm of the ocean, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its restless currents.

============================================================================

Junior Scaife - Nobody Gets My Love.

Junior Scaife returns with two strikingly soulful sides produced and co-written by Penrose staunchman, Anthony Masino. As one of the most gifted vocalists on today's soul scene, Junior Scaife injects profound soulfulness into every syllable.

With its vibey groove and infectious background melody "Nobody Gets My Love" marries the visceral rawness of late sixties Detroit sides ala Hestor and Wylie with a relaxed West Coast je ne sais quoi.

On the flip is "Too Much Too Soon", a rugged ballad dripping with wah wah and class, sure to turn heads on the low-rider scene.

============================================================================