Saint Etienne - Crossword Smiles - KRAMON - Lost Friend - Sally Crosby

Photo - Rob Baker Ashton

Saint Etienne - Glad.

Saint Etienne have announced details of their 13th, and final LP, International. Co-produced with Tim Powell (formerly of Xenomania), the album will be released on Heavenly Recordings on Friday, September 5. They have also today released "Glad", the first single to be taken from the album. Co-written and produced with Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers, "Glad" is a sparkling piece of uplifting pop, and incredibly catchy. The song also features Jez Williams from Doves on guitar.

Talking about "Glad", Sarah & Pete from Saint Etienne said: "We asked Tom if he had any songs in progress that might suit Saint Etienne and he sent a backing track that he’d been working on with Jez from Doves. We fell in love with it straight away and the top line melody and words for ‘Glad' came easy" - Sarah Cracknell

"The song is about taking pleasure in everyday things like nature and the outdoors when life is otherwise getting you down" - Pete Wiggs

The group aren’t splitting up as such - they still remain the best of friends after 35 years recording together – but they don’t feel like they want to go on forever and wanted to go out with a bang. International follows hot on the heels of The Night - released last November – a nocturnal, ambient record that garnered some of the best reviews of the group’s career.

Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs have known each other since childhood and started the group in 1990 with their classic cover of Neil Young’s "Only Love Can Break Your Heart". Sarah Cracknell joined for their third single "Nothing Can Stop Us" and the Foxbase Alpha album in 1991. Since then they have branched out into films, books and curation, and became artists in residence at the Southbank Centre. The group simply feels it is now time to draw a line under new recordings.

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Crossword Smiles - Consequences & Detours (Album).

Big Stir Records is proud to announce the return of Detroit indie pop duo Crossword Smiles with their second album, Consequences & Detours, out on Vinyl, CD and Streaming worldwide today May 23, 2025. Already teased by the hit single “Falling All Over Myself” (with the equally compelling “Counting By Fives” to follow in the coming weeks), it's the followup to their surprise hit 2022 debut Pressed & Ironed, delivering on the promise of that record's hooks, inspired lyrics and timeless arrangements while pushing their unique sound in exciting new directions.

Consequences & Detours reunites the musical minds behind Crossword Smiles – power pop veterans Tom Curless and Chip Saam – to continue exploring new sonic textures and lyrical landscapes, and applying them to the kind of perfect pop-rock song structures and melodies at which they excel. It's a winning combination of inspiration and songcraft that expands on the foundation of the first album and delivers a set of instantly memorable, richly detailed melodic gems that sound like nothing else coming out of the Midwest in 2025.

When they emerged three years back, Crossword Smiles drew immediate notice for presenting a new sound even for the the deeply respected Michigan-based guitar-pop stalwarts at its core. The band had been quietly formed a few years earlier by Curless, formerly of Your Gracious Host and currently enjoying solo success, and SAAM, best known as the bassist for The Hangabouts and Curless's backing band The 46% and the host of the indispensable Indie Pop Takeout show on Neighborhood Weekly Radio. The impulse behind the new collaboration? A pure and simple wish from a pair of like-minded music fans to hear something different.

The resulting and instantly-appealing sound suggests a blend of Crowded House and The Replacements with a bent toward sharp character studies in the Ray Davies tradition, but there are countless other guiding lights here. Spotting them is half of the fun: Chip and Tom share an encyclopedic grasp of pop-rock history in all its many flavors, and the CROSSWORD SMILES ethos lets them go deep-diving for inspiration. You could hear their mutual love for the too-often-overlooked likes of Joe Jackson, The Go-Betweens, Freedy Johnston and The Blue Nile all over the debut album, and on Consequences, they lean into those influences and add still more from the their eclectic array of personal favorites. Tinges of Michael Penn and Del Amitri can be heard in Tom's tender but sly vocal delivery – check out the pitch-perfect melancholy of “Once Or Twice” – and the band cites diverse inspirations from Madness (“Night Train”) to Guided By Voices (on the lead single “Falling All Over Myself”) to The Left Banke (“Girls Club”) when discussing the new tunes.

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KRAMON - Crush (feat Meredith Adelaide).

Today singer-songwriter, renowned tv and film composer, and multi-instrumentalist KRAMON bursts onto the scene with new single “Crush”. Available on most streaming platforms today, the melancholic new single features the luscious vocals of Meredith Adelaide.

For a little over four minutes, allow yourself to be absolutely hypnotized by the new track from KRAMON, “Crush”. Meshing together Meredith Adelaide’s entrancing vocals with swelling string arrangements provided by Isaiah Gage, the end result is a mesmerizing dreamscape track that pulsates deep with emotion. Originally designed as a grungy, heavy-rock anthem, the track went through various phases of tweaking before it took its final form. It wasn’t until Meredith Adelaide’s intimate lyrics re-envisioned the song as a more delicate, dream pop track.

“Crush” is the first offering from the forthcoming album, Evolutions. Recorded over the course of three years between 2022 and 2025, the album was produced both in Josh Kramon’s home studio and at Shark Tank Studios in Atwater Village. With Kramon as the primary producer, various musicians leant their chops to the upcoming album, featuring a mirage of unique vocalists, emotional string arrangements, and gorgeous piano melodies laid down by Lee Pardini and Jordan Summers.

For all the hopeless romantics deeply into someone right now, “Crush” is bound to be your new anthem. What makes the upcoming album Evolutions unique is that it is entirely a collaborative effort between various musicians from different generations. Its main contributors are Hunter Hawkins and Meredith Adelaide, whose vocals and lyrical excellence spruce up each track, creating a refreshing vibe throughout. At the helm of the project is the incredibly talented Josh Kramon– who’s primarily known for composing the soundtracks behind some of television's most notable screenwriting (Veronica Mars, High Potential, iZombie, Lethal Weapon). Just recently on May 14th, Josh proudly accepted his second BMI Award for Film and Television, due to his aforementioned contributions.

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Lost Friend -  The Promises You Don't Keep (EP).

Ohio’s Lost Friend promise to carry the banner for moody indie pop forward in 2025 with The Promises You Don’t Keep EP, which sees release on May 23 via Poptek Records. The EP is packed with guilt, shame, and sensitivity, delivered by the enigmatic and sultry voice and mind of Christopher Palassis (who is also a guitarist in XL427, and formerly of Second Best and L’Albatros).

L'Albatros recorded then blew up before properly releasing anything. Then came Second Best, which was a great name but a duplicated name. Now to Lost Friend, the songs and voice of scientist and guitarist Christopher Palassis has been the core of each band. The new EP, "The Promises You Don't Keep", began years before last year's "Echo Lane" EP. But when Palassis' sister and bandmate, Irene Queen, began to lose her battle with cancer, it was necessary to get her beautiful voice out into the world.

After "Echo Lane", the duo of Palassis and XL427's Andy Ingram regrouped to finish the six songs of rock-n-roll melancholy, yearning, bitterness, and Greek shame that make up "The Promises You Don't Keep". As with most things Poptek, there are some amazing hooks and melodies.

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Sally Crosby - Shooting Star (EP).

This was written a long time ago but only just now been recorded. It’s a raw acoustic guitar and vocals track. It’s about having a crush when they don’t feel the same way back and realising that you need to move on. As for the EP, it’s a collection of very differing songs.

Sally Crosby is a British singer-songwriter who grew up in rural Mid Wales. A ukulele, piano and acoustic guitar-based singer-songwriter, her songs are honest and raw, impassioned and emotive. She started out in music at the tender age of five years old learning the piano, a few years later and she'd taken up the violin and the clarinet.

Going on to study music and creative writing at university she found herself spreading her time between playing the violin in orchestras and with folk-rock band The Rambling Pilgrims, touring across the North Wales coast and Anglesey. Fresh out of graduation saw a new lease of life for Sally, who turned to writing for herself, mostly for piano and for acoustic guitar, an instrument she learnt as a teenager.

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Lavinia Blackwall - The Kentucky Gentlemen - Anand Wilder - MF Tomlinson

Lavinia Blackwall - We All Get Lost.

New single We All Get Lost’ tackles emotional struggles with both introspection and hope. Of the new single, Lavinia says: "The single was written during a time when I was still a teacher and was finding the job particularly stressful. I was looking for a way out before I broke. We all get lost sometimes whilst trying to find our way in life and this was an important detour that taught me a lot."

With influences spanning from Jefferson Airplane to Weyes Blood, The Making is a testament to Blackwall’s ability to weave together diverse musical inspirations into a cohesive and compelling body of work with songwriting at its centre.

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. 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.

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Photo -  Peyton Dollar

The Kentucky Gentlemen - To The Moon.

Twin-brother country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen share "To The Moon," a soulful country ballad with background vocals from their friend Brittney Spencer. Accompanied by a music video with footage of all three vocalists recording in the studio, this is the final single released ahead of the pair's full-length debut album Rhinestone Revolution (out June 6 on River House Artists).

The Kentucky Gentlemen on their new song: "'To The Moon' reflects the bittersweet emotions you feel when nearing the end of your relationship. It's a farewell drenched in nostalgia, love, and reflection, but most importantly acceptance. Within those emotions you often get the desire to make that last night together feel like something extraordinary – one last time to relive the beautiful moments and show each other what could’ve been before the inevitable goodbye. This song carries both a sense of closure and the aching recognition that this love has reached its final chapter…and that’s okay.”

The Kentucky Gentlemen have been making their way in Nashville's country music scene as independent artists for the last decade while simultaneously embracing, defying, and expanding the constructs of genre. Recorded with producer David “Messy” Mescon (Megan Moroney, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, Reyna Roberts), Rhinestone Revolution encapsulates the infectious blend of authenticity, self-acceptance and joy that has led them to quickly become one of Nashville’s most exciting new acts. The album is already garnering early praise for its singles, including "Made for Movin' On," which Rolling Stone called "a catchy mid-tempo country-rocker that contains layers of depth," and "Country Hymn," which prompted MusicRow to declare "These guys always know how to bring the party." "To The Moon" follows their latest single, "Whiskey Does" a boot-scootin' drinkin' song that Wide Open Country called "fun, upbeat, and an overall banger."

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Photo - Jo Zasloff

Anand Wilder - Appointment in Samarra.

Yeasayer co-founder Anand Wilder releases new single “Appointment in Samarra” via Last Gang Records / MNRK Music Group, his first solo release since a 2023 ambient album and the follow up to his 2022 solo debut I Don’t Know My Words. Opening with the sounds of a harmonium and a flute, the track uses an inevitable confrontation with death as a metaphor for music industry dynamics – “hanging on for dear life” amidst the trials and tribulations of being an artist in today’s landscape. 

Anand Wilder on the new single: “This song started out as a harmonium and flute call and response jam with Walter Fancourt, and then I added Scotch tape and clinking glass sounds for the beat. Lyrics came from a series of text messages with my other producer, Jachary, who also laid down bass and Juno Synths. Kaleidoscopic delayed out baritone sax and ngoni by Walter on the double breakdown section. Title from ancient Mesopotamian tale recited by Boris Karloff as Byron Orlok in the Peter Bogdanovich film, Targets.”

On his 2022 solo debut I Don’t Know My Words, Wilder took the spiritual exercise of going solo seriously. Stripping his songcraft down to the studs, he recorded every note himself. The hard work paid off, earning praise from Stereogum, NPR Music, Consequence and many more. Since then, he released the 2023 ambient album Cannibalizing The Conductor and two tracks with Maia Friedman celebrating Last Gang Records 20th anniversary. He’s also kept busy touring throughout the US and performing DJ sets at the Crown Heights bar King Tai.

With “Samarra”, Wilder returns to the collaboration and the art rock experimentation he made his name with as a member of Yeasayer. He collaborated with Walter Fancourt, a guest saxophonist on Yeasayer’s Amen & Goodbye to help write and record, as well as lauded multi-instrumentalist Jachary to co-produce. The new track features a soundscape that’s reminiscent of the lush synthetic palettes of the 1980s. Similar to Yeasayer’s music, a mix of synths, strings and harmonies bring to mind the psychedelic worldbeat and electro-pop of the critically-acclaimed Brooklyn band.

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Photo - Andrea Zvadova

MF Tomlinson - I'm On The Border.

Today MF Tomlinson reveals new single 'I'm On The Border', the latest glimpse of new album 'Die To Wake Up From A Dream', out 11th July on PRAH Recordings. A reflection on Tomlinson’s real-life experience of facing potential deportation from the UK, 'I'm On The Border' transforms that anxiety into something poetic and transcendent. Built around piano, strings and synth bass, the arrangement unfolds with cinematic grace. We hear strings, waves recorded at Chesil Beach, electronic timpani and a Beach Boys-style drum track processed to sound like a battlefield; with the beauty and chaos evoking fragility and defiance at once.

What begins as a meditation on borders - political, emotional, existential - becomes something more: symbolic brushes with death, a mourning for those in far darker situations, a resolve of belief in human connection. “How could they tear us apart? / The answer is they can’t,” he sings, delivering the line with quiet conviction. The result is a song that’s both intimate and immensely powerful, drawing inspiration from artists like Yo La Tengo, Tindersticks, Nick Cave and Cat Power.

Speaking more on the song, Tomlinson shared: "I began writing this song in 2014 during one of the worst periods of my life, when I was fighting to earn the rights to continue to live in the UK. Lyrically, the song is purely about my personal experience, but as the recording progressed, I began to channel the incredible sadness I was feeling about the conflict that surrounds us into the arrangement.

The experiences I’m describing in this song shone a light on how hidden, often invisible, the injustice of how our borders are controlled really was to so many around me. My case is the best case example - the tip of the iceberg. I’m one of the lucky people who have been successful in gaining citizenship, for many it is impossible. I would love it if this could be a window into just how emotionally devastating these systems can be, to keep those who are in real peril closer in mind, to resist those who want to make our world smaller, and to remember just how lucky we are."

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The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project - Juliet Lloyd - Yogi G and The Family Tree

The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project - (EP).

The highly anticipated Douglas Ray Jaffe Project has officially released its debut EP, a striking fusion of literary artistry and evocative sound. This unique musical venture showcases three original tracks, each crafted from the poetic words of author, poet and modern-day philosopher Douglas Ray Jaffe. The EP captivates with its thought-provoking lyrics, powerful melodies and rich vocal performances, making it a standout at the intersection of contemporary music and poetry. The three tracks (“Gullibility,” “For Rachel” and “One More”) feature lyrics from the poetic musings of Jaffe, brought to musical life through the collaboration with various composers.

Produced by the talented and Emmy-nominated Brandwein (Center Sound Productions), the Douglas Ray Jaffe Project explores a diverse soundscape, seamlessly blending literary elegance with dynamic, genre-defying arrangements. With Brandwein’s masterful production at the helm, the EP delivers a transcendent experience, where Jaffe’s enigmatic words meet music in perfect harmony. Each of the three tracks features a distinct collaboration with a range of talented vocalists, ensuring that every song feels uniquely alive with its own voice. From delicate harmonies to passionate vocal performances, the EP elevates Jaffe's deeply introspective poetry to an entirely new dimension.

Douglas Ray Jaffe’s thought-provoking lyrics invite listeners into a world of reflection, introspection, and human connection. As a modern-day philosopher, Jaffe's words challenge the norms and inspire profound questions about life, love and the nature of existence. His poetry, set to Brandwein’s masterful production, resonates deeply, and offers an immersive and emotional journey through sound and verse. The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project EP represents a bold new direction in musical storytelling, one that invites listeners to both ponder and celebrate the poetry of our lives, all while embracing the transformative power of music.

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Juliet Lloyd - Wild Again.

Ahead of her first UK tour this summer, acclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd has dropped a brand new single ‘Wild Again’. Written with and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman), the track was born out of a NY Times podcast Juliet listened to about the real-life efforts to return the whale that played Willy in the iconic movie ‘Free Willy’ back into the wild.

“It’s an insane, heartbreaking story that asks all kinds of thorny questions about human responsibility and humility and what’s the “right” thing to do and is that the same as the “kind” thing to do. There was a line that one of the trainers said in the podcast, explaining that they were trying to “train him to be wild again.” The complete absurdity of that statement hit me in the moment, and I immediately started jotting down lyrical ideas”, Juliet says.

Shortly after releasing her sophomore album in 2007, US-based singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd walked away from music completely for more than 10 years, feeling burned out and unhappy with her career progression like so many other independent artists. After going through a divorce in 2019 and in the midst of a global pandemic, she found herself pulled back toward the siren call of songwriting and again making the leap to pursue it full time. Her latest album ‘Carnival’, released in 2024, is in many ways the culmination of those decisions, and the reintroduction of an artist who now has the wisdom of experience.

There’s an unmistakable urgency you can feel when a song is written and performed from a place of complete honesty. That feeling permeates ‘Carnival’. “I’ve always been envious of writers who say they write songs because they have to, because they had these things they just had to get out of themselves,” Juliet says. “I had never really felt that way until this album. I’ve become someone who writes because they have to.”

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Yogi G and The Family Tree - The Blind Man and The Monkey.

Yogi-G and The Family Tree are back with brand new single Blind Man and The Monkey ahead of the band’s eagerly awaited album Show Me The Truth out 23rd May. Led by Gaz Whelan—co-founder, Ivor Novello winning songwriter and drummer of the legendary Happy Mondays—this project blends his iconic Madchester groove with fresh, infectious energy, delivering music that’s both raw and transcendent, and also features the irrepressible vocals of Rowetta making the sounds of 1990 come alive again in glorious fashion.

Gaz’s influences mainly stem from John Lydon, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. A more cerebral character than bandmates Shaun, Bez and co. but still a major proponent of that larger-than-life Mancunian braggadocious swagger that have paved the way for a whole subculture of British indie pop bands like The Stone Roses, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Charlatans, Primal Scream, Badly Drawn Boy et al.

With a working title of ‘A Record Collection in One Album’, the newly titled and as yet unreleased album Show Me The Truth is a genre-free zone, a collision of moods and styles that dovetails Whelan’s ragged, dark lyrical musings with soulful vocals and African rhythms.

It’s the aural equivalent of lying in a warm bath in the middle of a snowstorm—where spaghetti western strings stretch from heaven, rubbing up against filthy electric guitars and punk gospel rhythm and rhyme. A hidden optimism weaves through its DNA, offering soul salvation for the cynical, a safe haven from an ever-insane world. As Gaz explains, “Yogi-G and The Family Tree are not hippies, we give a fuller human experience that is more devolved from the punk experience, where you never quite know if you’re going to get a hug or a headbutt. Life is filled with peace and love but equally excitement and pain.”

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LeVolume - Clint Wilson - Pam Ross - Chad Price Peace Coalition

LeVolume - LeVolume (Album).

LeVolume is a new project for its members Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright and Julian Brown. "That Was Then, This Is Now" is a harmony-filled mid-tempo tune with the catchy chorus singing "turn up the radio!" It's a summer-themed ode to the lost moments of youth.

Jenny Whiteley is a Canadian folk and roots singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling. She began her career performing with the bluegrass band Heartbreak Hill before launching her solo career in 2001. Her debut album, Jenny Whiteley, and its follow-up, Hopetown, both won Juno Awards for Best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. Whiteley has released several acclaimed albums, including Dear, Forgive or Forget, and The Original Jenny Whiteley. Her music blends folk, country, and bluegrass influences, earning praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. She has collaborated with artists like Sarah Harmer, Amy Millan, and Carolyn Mark.

The world first discovered Julian Brown for his work in Guh, a Toronto-based collective known for its genre-defying music. He has since been involved in multiple musical projects as a performer, composer and producer. He performed as a regular member of the art-rock hedonist band Apostle of Hustle. As a solo artist Julian is known for blending acoustic and folk influences with loop-based compositions. His music often carries a melancholic yet hopeful tone, shaped by lyrics that convey his personal experiences. Brown has released several singles and albums, including Whatever Comes Today (2018) and more recent tracks like Hold Me and A Single Lie. His work spans genres such as singer-songwriter, pop, and folk, showcasing his versatility as a musician.

Joey Wright is a Canadian musician known for his cinematic music that blends elements of bluegrass, jazz, blues, and world music, creating unique and immersive soundscapes. Joey has collaborated with several notable artists, including being a long-time of Sarah Harmer's band, and was a core founder of the historic Toronto bluegrass ensemble Crazy Strings. His last solo album Country, Music (2017) features contributions from musicians like Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, and Pat McGee.

LeVolume · Levolume

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Photo - Lauren Murphy photography

Clint Wilson - Melbourne In The Wintertime.

Melbourne singer-songwriter, Clint Wilson, unleashes the first single from his forthcoming new album. “Melbourne in the Wintertime” conjures nostalgic memories of the Victorian capital while telling a personal tale of sensing a relationship breaking down while trying not to let love fade into the loneliness.

Wrapped in Clint’s distinct suburban authenticity, he once again brings local context and real-world experiences to his music.

Produced by the renowned Kevin Bennett of The Flood who has perfectly captured the sentiment of the song - pairing it with an indie rock spin that is retro yet refreshingly modern. You can almost feel the bitter chill of Melbourne at this time of year while Clint stokes the emotive embers through his delivery. “Melbourne in the Wintertime” was co-written with Zach Jacobs and is a very welcome return of Clint Wilson.

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Pam Ross - Have a Good Time.

Independent country-Americana rocker Pam Ross returns with a radiant, feel-good anthem for the summer with her new single, “Have a Good Time.” Radiating with sun-drenched optimism and soulful swagger, “Have a Good Time” finds Ross at her most carefree and confident. With a breezy groove and lyrics that celebrate simplicity, gratitude, and living in the moment, the track is a musical reminder to pause, breathe deep, and soak up life’s blessings. In a world full of hustle and noise, Ross delivers a grounding message: “Just wanna have a good time… ‘cause I’m feeling fine.”

“The sun’s shining down on me today / That’s something that can’t be bought / Gonna put it all on cruise control / And appreciate what I’ve got,” she sings, in a voice rich with warmth and wisdom.

The song’s laid-back rhythm and genre-fusing sound echo Ross’ trademark blend of country, Americana, and rock, while its lyrics reflect her seasoned insight as a songwriter who’s lived and learned—and knows when to step back and simply enjoy the ride. With references to cosmic flow, sipping sunshine, and ditching life’s stressors, “Have a Good Time” is both a mantra and a soundtrack for soul-searching days and windows-down drives.

Pam Ross has been on a remarkable rise in the independent music world, earning accolades from the Josie Music Awards, Independent Music Network Awards, and the Who’s Hoo Awards. Her music, praised for its emotional grit and melodic authenticity, continues to resonate with a growing fanbase drawn to her honesty and genre-defying style. “Have a Good Time” is the latest in a string of standout releases from Ross, who has built a loyal following through her electrifying performances, compelling songwriting, and undeniable charm.

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Photo - Lindsey Lu McGuire

Chad Price Peace Coalition - Wake Me.

Chad Price Peace Coalition shares “Wake Me” from its debut, A Perfect Pearl (Double Helix Records | 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.

As a result of many miles and artistic transformations (ALL, Drag The River, A Vulture Wake) Price now welcomes the 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.

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The Wildmans - Mollie Elizabeth - Jazmine Mary - Mariel Buckley

Photograph by Magnolia Ellenburg

The Wildmans - Autumn 1941.

The Wildmans will release Longtime Friend on July 11, 2025 via New West Records. The 12-song set was produced by Nicholas Falk (Hiss Golden Messenger, Dori Freeman) and recorded by Chris Bittner at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, NY. Longtime Friend’s sound itself is at the sonic crossroads of Americana, Alt-Country, Bluegrass, and Folk with the brother-sister duo of Aila and Elisha Wildman being joined by Dori Freeman, Jeff Hill, Sam Leslie, Sam Fribush, Redd Volkaert, and Nicholas Falk as well.
 
Not far from the tiny town of Floyd, Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the childhood home The Wildmans. A veritable hotbed of bluegrass, old-time, and mountain music, Aila and Elisha Wildman have been immersed in the rich, vibrant music scenes surrounding them for as long as they can remember. As kids, Elisha picked up the guitar and mandolin, while Aila reached for the fiddle. They became enamored with their instruments, which parlayed itself into a presence at regional festivals and also winning numerous renowned competitions around Southern Appalachia. Both recent graduates of the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, The Wildmans’ Longtime Friend showcases both their musical virtuosity and the interlacing harmonies which are specifically unique to siblings. The sound itself takes the essence of their intricate musicality in the bluegrass and old-time realms and slides that into more contemporary tomes of Americana and indie-folk.

One of the albums highlight is “Autumn 1941.” The Wildmans said, “We first heard the song when co-writers Roger Brown, former Berklee College of Music President, and Mark Simos, Berklee songwriting professor, brought it to us. They thought we would connect to the story being from our region and this being a part of Appalachian history not often told. It immediately sparked interest. Different versions of this story of eugenics prove to be true across Appalachian regions and more largely other minorities throughout American early-mid 20th century history. Our good friend, Dori Freeman, who is singing the background vocals on this track, told us she had read a book about this same movement in Virginia and communities like Floyd, our hometown. We felt we could take this song and make it our own. Once we got into the studio with it, the song just flowed and out came a haunting authenticity we hadn’t yet discovered in our music.” 

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Photo - Sophia Schrank

Mollie Elizabeth - Until We Meet Again.

21-year-old Washington State-based artist Mollie Elizabeth reveals her third track “Until We Meet Again” via Neon Gold / Virgin Music. Mollie Elizabeth notes: “I think we all have people that we only truly get to visit in our dreams- whether it’s ones we’ve lost through life or love. I find it beautifully devastating to know that our minds will continue to hold them in our hearts and in our souls, even if only a silhouette.”

“Until We Meet Again” is produced by Dean Reid (Lana Del Rey, Marina) and co-written with Reid and GRAMMY-nominated Casey Smith (Olivia Rodrigo, Ashe, Benson Boone). The dusky amour of “Until We Meet Again” is Old Hollywood glamour through and through. Mollie perfumes her music with a rare kind of chic, one that comes with a winking self-assurance and a genuine sweetness.

In January, she first introduced herself with her first viral song, “Vegas Venetian”. Elizabeth adds: “To me, every melody is a tiny world that invites you in—an invitation to be both fierce and delicate, and to celebrate who you are, who you have been, and who you are becoming. My music isn’t just for listening—it’s for wandering, for imagining, and for finding a piece of yourself in a place you’d forgotten.”

Last month, she revealed her second track and a perfectly matching music video (dir. Maya Sassoon) for “Dinner For One”, produced by Dean Reid (Lana Del Rey, Marina) and co-written with Reid and GRAMMY-nominated Casey Smith (Olivia Rodrigo, Ashe, Benson Boone).

Mollie Elizabeth · Until We Meet Again

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Photo - Jim Tannock

Jazmine Mary - My Brilliance.

Flying Nun Records are very pleased to welcome noir folk artist Jazmine Mary to the whānau! Their album, 'I Want To Rock And Roll' is out digitally and on black vinyl LP on 13th June.

'I Want To Rock And Roll' is Jazmine Mary's third album, following on from the critically acclaimed, 'Dog' (2021) and the award-winning 'The Licking of a Tangerine' (2021). Recorded at Tāmaki Makaurau's Roundhead Studios by De Stevens, the upcoming self-produced album features musical contributions from some of Aotearoa's greats: Louisa Nicklin, Cass Basil (Tiny Ruins), Cello Forrester (Womb), Dave Khan (Marlon Williams) and Arahi.

Possessing one of the country's most esteemed and idiosyncratic folk voices, Jazmine Mary's new single 'My Brilliance' showcases their crystal clear vocal abilities that sit atop their signature rhythmic changes; a wonderfully bright, folk gem. Flying Nun Records couldn't be more stoked to have Jazmine aboard our train.

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Photo - Maggie Geis

Mariel Buckley - Vending Machines.

Unapologetically genuine, wry and soft-hearted, Mariel Buckley has planted her flag firmly as a songwriter who’s in it for the long haul. Never one for following the rules, she aims to find herself squarely on the fringes and exactly where she belongs: writing songs for the underdogs. Raised in the heart of Canada’s rodeo and country music scenes, she was destined to challenge the boundaries around her, both in life and in song. With a fearless spirit that’s consistently broken through both genre and personal barriers, Buckley’s unique blend of angst-driven alt-folk has made her a standout artist, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on modern Americana music.

Her latest single, “Vending Machines”, marks the beginning of a new sonic and individual chapter. While familiar, darker instrumentation and themes are sprinkled throughout. She shares: “I was itching to try something a little heavier than my previous stuff. I wanted to move away from synths and keys in general, citing references from indie rock, pop music, and alt-country.” An avid admirer of his work, Mariel connected with Nashville based alt-Americana producer, Jarrad K (Ruston Kelly, Lucie Silvas, Fancy Hagood, Goo Goo Dolls) for the new single.

Despite having grittier undertones, the writing is intentionally vulnerable and specific, resulting in something inviting and universal. “Vending Machines” explores themes of self-doubt, uncertainty, and questioning one's path. It beautifully captures the feeling of restlessness and being in a constant, seemingly cyclical state of transition, unsure of where things are headed, and trying to find a way forward. Buckley confides, “I was genuinely questioning my career, personal life as a result of that career, my distant-feeling relationships with family and friends, and how I could restart after yet another big change. It should feel looping, liminal and never ending, like an endless travel day.”

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