rooney, “time and time again”

rooney, “time and time again”

Rooney has released a new single “Time and Time Again”, and it is part of the soundtrack to Robert Schwartzman’s new film THE UNICORN. This soothing track has an almost alt-western feel to it. Though it was exclusively written for the film, it is easily enjoyed by anyone who has an ear for melodic music.  As stated previously, the song has a western vibe, but is ultimately an alternative song containing smooth vocals and a tapping snare.

Schwartzman had this to say about the record:

I wrote “Time And Time Again” for THE UNICORN, a feature film I had the pleasure directing and working alongside a talented cast and crew. When you write a song for a film, it changes the context, the foundation, and frames the writing process in a certain way that supports the film’s story. I like to write songs with a specific focus, purpose, and intention, otherwise it all feels a bit disjointed. I’m happy I got to contribute “Time And Time Again” to the film and it’s exciting to release a new Rooney single on the project’s 20 year anniversary.

You can check out “Time and Time Again” on streaming services and the feature film soundtrack for THE UNICORN. Keep up with Rooney here.

readership, “weather underground”

readership, “weather underground”

Philadelphia-based indie rock collective Readership – comprised of Matt Lee, Gregory Matthew, Gabe McCall, and Adrian Morse – releases their new track “Weather Underground” today, and we’ve got the premiere. In the beginning, the instrumentals slowly build in volume, until they expand and the vocals set in. With bits of punk stirred around in there with the way the vocals lean and the delivery of the guitar at times, this song is simply something that will keep you moving. We’re thinking it has a little bit of 90s inspiration in it, as we can definitely see it being played in the background of a montage scene in a movie. (Hey Hollywood, you hear us?)

Get pumped for an impending change in weather with “Weather Underground”.

Keep up with Readership here.

cooper & gatlin, “like you” [acoustic]

cooper & gatlin, “like you” [acoustic]

Hailing from Tennessee, pop duo Cooper & Gatlin – comprised of Cooper Green (Guitar/Vocals) and Gatlin Kate James (Vocals) – releases a catchy, lighthearted new acoustic version of their single”Like You” today along with its bright and fun new visual. Believe it or not, we’re lucky enough to be hosting the exclusive premiere. This version of the song is absolutely incredible, putting a crisp spin on something already mellifluous and wonderful. Although the song is bittersweet with more melancholic lyrical content, it’s an absolute earworm that will have you tapping your toes all day.

Admits the duo of the project: “The acoustic video was such a blast to make! We already had an amazing set to work with from the main video, so it was super fun to rearrange it, and make everything work in one take! Everyone had worked so hard shooting the videos for both versions of the song, so it was so awesome to have them all dancing with us at the end of the acoustic video.”

Keep up with Cooper & Gatlin here.

nick murphy, “sanity”

nick murphy, “sanity”

While Nick Murphy may have just announced his upcoming album, Run Fast Sleep Naked, his new single from that project – a track titled “Sanity” – has been unleashed unto the world, and we’re massively digging it. Not only is the piano absolutely intriguing from the beginning, but Murphy’s soulful vocals and the layered in soundscape make it impossible to not dance. The video itself is beautifully shot, a contemplative and quirky watch that we are going to go ahead and watch a few more times today. Enjoy!

Run Fast Sleep Naked is available for preorder now. Keep up with Nick Murphy here.

kin kanyon, “fauxtown”

kin kanyon, “fauxtown”

Vancouver’s own Kin Kanyon – comprised of Dan Rocque (Guitars, Organ, Vocals), Ed Budden (Bass, Vocals), Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals), and Chris Rowntree (Drums) – has released the official music video for their single “Fauxtown”, and we’re having a ball with it. Get sucked into the 70’s vibe with their psychedelic soundscape, and get pulled further into the entire experience with the vintage music video that will get you groovin’. 

You don’t have to trust us, but we are keen to know your thoughts.

Keep up with Kin Kanyon here.

soccer mommy @ recordbar

soccer mommy @ recordbar

On February 26th, Soccer Mommy made a phenomenal appearance at the recordBar in Kansas City, MO to a sold out crowd. Openers Mess and Hovvdy laid perfect groundwork for the rowdy group, who were all in for a night of emotional and heartbreaking music. The house was packed before Hovvdy even started playing. which would normally come as a surprise to Kansas City concert-goers, as our city isn’t known for showing up early for the opening act. But Mess has developed a reputation of incredibly vibrant vocals and highly relatable songs that bring their crowds out early with anticipation. This evening seemed to be no exception, and we’re overjoyed that we got to witness that spark Mess ignites with each performance once again.

When Hovvdy took the stage, their steady, slow, crooning energy took over. And that same energy continued into the night, Soccer Mommy propelling it forward with her own brand of east coast bedroom pop. Within the summertime sounds of “Last Girl”, woven into the edge of “Skin”, and found in her older catalog inclusions as well, this type of energy is almost indescribable. Quirky, young, inspired, fun.

It seemed – in a moment surrounded by this soundscape, this crowd – around the third song of Soccer Mommy’s performance, that perhaps it wasn’t just this crowd that had latched on to the debut album she released just last summer. No, it seemed as if the words from Clean had soaked into our very surroundings, and that recordBar was emitting this palpable energy that made said surroundings feel like home.

If you haven’t gotten to see Soccer Mommy live yet, there is no better time than now. Lots of tour dates are coming up, as well as a couple of appearances at Coachella. Catch her set. You have no excuse not to.

Keep up with Soccer Mommy here.

lost leaders, promises promises

lost leaders, promises promises

Hailing from New York state, musical duo Lost Leaders – comprised of Peter Cole (Guitar/Vocals) and Byron Issacs (Guitar, Bass/Vocals) – released their endearing new 9-track full-length, titled Promises Promises on Friday. Beginning with first track “Extra-Ordinary”, the band brings an organic feeling of warmth to each track through to the last whirring notes of “Falling”. Personal favorites from the collection are “People Like Us”, “Wake Me Up”, and the darkness of “Falling Stars”, though we would never suggest trying those out without the album in its entirety.

The way Lost Leaders has crafted the energy of this album from one song to the next is bar none, and we’re electrified at the prospect of listening all week!

Keep up with Lost Leaders here.

sugaray rayford, somebody save me

sugaray rayford, somebody save me

Today, blues/soul musician Sugaray Rayford releases his latest full-length, an album titled Somebody Save Me. Starting with first track “The Revelator”, he weaves his quintessential raspy, soulful vocals into the instrumentals like a seasoned pro. While “Time to Get Movin'” speeds the pace up a bit, it also brings a little more southern rock flare into the soundscape, which is less confusing when you remember this talent hails from the great state of Texas. “You and I” is a true love track, something you should convince your significant other to dance with you to.

“My Cards Are on the Table” follows suit in the romance department, though it slows things down even more than its predecessor. While “I’d Kill for You, Honey” has that southern twang to it, “Angels and Devils” takes more of what we would consider a ballad-like approach. “Sometimes You Get the Bear (And Sometimes the Bear Gets You)” feels nostalgic, a piece of “The Twist” haunting it while we sway our hips. The title track slows things way down – anyone else feel like they’re at a sock hop? – while ” Is It Just Me” goes all out in the horns section to introduce itself. “Dark Night of the Soul” rounds it all out with a slightly edgier tone than the rest of the album, though it is one of our absolute favorite tracks in this collection and leaves quite the imprint on your memory.

Keep up with Sugaray Rayford here.

fathers, high horses

fathers, high horses

Today, Kansas City-based collective Fathers – comprised of Kenneth Storz (Voice, Guitar, Keys), Brooke Honeycutt (Voice, Bells, Percussion), David Littlewood (Voice, Keys, Bells), Matt Guilliams (Bass, Percussion), Bryce VZ (Vibraphone, Voice, Percussion), Josh Seerden (Guitar, Keys, Bass, Percussion), and Celeste Tilley (Trombone, Voice, Percussion) – releases a compelling new EP titled High Horses. First track “Natural Facts” starts out with static, and then one voice becomes many as it layers into a beautiful, wordless harmony. It is only at 1:42 that lyrics are introduced to the track, melancholic and beautiful in their disposition. “PRTND” maintains that same low, thoughtful sound, as the influence of oughts punk is woven into their unique indie sound.

“Guinevere” is welcomed slowly, as gracefully as the name would indicate. The entirety of the track feels delicate compared to its brethren, as it is the only track void of vocals, save for a distorted overlay at the very end. Fathers round out the collection with the title track, a slow yet vibrant display of introspective lyrics and strings amidst a bevy of tranquil sounds. It is absolutely delightful.

Keep up with Fathers here.