by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 24, 2020 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
As a player and producer, Les Nuby is no stranger to the music world. The virtuoso began in Birmingham, Alabama as the drummer for indie-rock band Verbena but never settled, exploring as many opportunities as he could. Notable endeavours include touring with the esteemed Scottish band Idlewild, as well as playing guitar for Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls and the band Vulture Whale. A marvel behind the scenes as well, Nuby has produced releases for artists such as Will Stewart, Sarah Lee Langford, The Dirty Clergy, and Witch’s Wall. Alongside being the current guitarist and vocalist for Holiday Gunfire, he is finally adding a solo album to his repertoire. Clouded will be released on July 10th, 2020.
“Know What She Said” will be the first single, and it lets you in on the secret of what to expect from this long-anticipated album. The song is quite melodic and emanates exciting but controlled energy, meanwhile the surrounding music is made up of skilled instrument playing. A particularly bouncy bass part especially stands out and would be worth keeping an ear out for. In fact, you could listen to this song over and over again and rediscover it each time as you listen to the intricacies of each instrument. The vocals and overall atmosphere of the single is reminiscent of 80s era R.E.M., but the melody points more towards early 90s power pop, and the two blend together wonderfully.
The video is a captivating, artsy black and white live visual that allows you a brief glimpse into Les Nuby’s live performance. It’s enough to make you yearn for pre-Covid days.
You can look forward to these well-executed aspects in Clouded as well. In a culmination of his musical resume, Les Nuby produced, engineered, and played all the instruments on the album, and that care and experience is certainly heard in “Know What She Said.”
Be sure to check out Nuby’s earlier release “Never Falling Away” here.
by Leigha Stuiso | Jun 24, 2020 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
SUMif is releasing her new single, “Move Out”, on June 26. The electro-pop artist takes us through a rough patch of a whirlwind romance. With a catchy chorus and lyrics echoed throughout, she stands her ground in a relationship and pushes for her partner to move on from a past relationship. It sounds like there is a clock ticking in the background at one point, as if time is going to run out if changes aren’t made. SUMif shares a past experience in a relationship and gives listeners something to belt in the shower, similar to artists like Tove Lo and MØ.
Steph Wells, SUMif, reflects on the inspiration for this track specifically by admitting “When I wrote this song I wish that someone had given me this advice: If you start dating someone who lives with their most recent ex and is in no rush to move out, do yourself a favor and run.”
Following the singles “Collide” and “Want Me”, the San Francisco-based artist continues to release songs showing her bold emotionality. If this is what her debut album is going to look like, we can’t wait to see what else she has in store. Check out the new single “Move Out” and be sure to keep an eye out for SUMif’s debut album set to release later this year.
photo by kelly mason
by Meredith Schneider | May 21, 2020 | albums, premieres
Who else popped their head out of their hole long enough to realize that it’s already Memorial Day Weekend? Yup. It totally is. And we’re looking forward to “treading water” in a rainy, sloppy midwest indoors… but not without an ambiance. And who better to provide said ambiance than stunning indie-pop musical project, fakelife (Matt Couchois). With his new 5 track EP, Fall Behind, hitting airwaves and the collective consciousness TOMORROW, May 22nd, we are pleased to bring you your first listen to the work in its entirety below.
It’s difficult to understand the level of talent that is layered within this gem of a cut, as you can detect something even deeper than raw talent. As Couchois counts varying entertainers and artists as family members and predecessors, his legacy seems to have had an impact on his final product. Whether you’ve been in the mood to sit still and revel in the silence, you’ve been antsy to partake in social interaction, or you’ve been all over the place like an emotional rollercoaster (so, all of us), you will find reprieve in the sonic atmosphere that holds steady throughout each track. So let fakelife envelope you in his storytelling capabilities, and enjoy your holiday weekend with the extra bump of enthusiasm!
Keep up with fakelife here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 8, 2020 | premieres, singles
Upgrade your leisurely roll into 2020 with the perfect soundtrack. Los Angeles-based quartet NO WIN‘s new track “Same” seems like it could do the trick. With a glittering soundscape, quirky instrumentals, and the attitude that “nothing’s changed,” this track is perfect to both calm your nerves, and boost a bit of confidence moving forward. It’s soothing in a way, and we’re thrilled to have our ears on it.
Keep up with NO WIN here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 5, 2019 | premieres, singles
Ever the optimist, songstress MYOA releases her latest single “You’re My Christmas Wish” today, and we have the exclusive premiere. From her smooth-as-honey vocals to the crisp, clean production on this gorgeous new holiday track, you’ll find yourself warming up to the cozy time of year and looking forward to the feelings of love and camaraderie to come. Positive outlooks come to us wrapped up in a perfect pop track.
What do you think of “You’re My Christmas Wish”? And what’s your Christmas wish this year?
Keep up with MYOA here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 19, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
San Francisco-based indie rock outfit Bells Rang is ramping up to release their new single “Tone Poem” on November 22nd. But we’re jumping the gun (so to say) to bring you the exclusive premiere first! Smooth, assertive, bluesy. This is a soundscape we can get on board with, and we’re certain you’ll get lost in the whirring guitar and reverb the way we have. Check it out below, and let us know your thoughts on Facebook!
Upcoming Shows
- November 22nd // San Francisco, CA // Amnesia
- December 7th // Oakland, CA // Elbo Room
- January 17th // Santa Cruz, CA // Blue Lagoon
- February 7th // San Francisco, CA // Amado’s
Keep up with Bells Rang here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 11, 2019 | premieres, videos
Life has dark corners and crevices that aren’t always easy to navigate. But — with a sense of empathy and open-mindedness to the darkness and the people around you — it can be incredibly rewarding. Up-and-coming pop/R&B extraordinaire Bravo effortlessly displays this in the new music video for single “Skyfall”. The song itself is smooth and assuring, while the visual provides an interesting and relatable peek into Bravo’s own escape into music. The video is inspirational, sobering yet beautiful, and exactly what we need in as we venture into these cold, dark months.
After all, “we’ll be alright.”
Keep up with Bravo here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 29, 2019 | premieres, singles
For Denver-based garage rockers Danny (vocals, guitar), David (bass, vocals), Chris (drums), and Zach (keys, vocals), running a punk-tinged collective named …And The Black Feathers seems strangely easy. Their new song “Scandalous” brings the kind of high octane energy that this autumn so desperately craved, and the soulful, edgy guitar drives us right into a new troublemaker mindset.
Try to stop us.
Keep up with …And The Black Feathers here.
by Kira Cappello | Sep 5, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
With this freshest release, songwriter Jeremy Ferrara sounds as if he’s lived through his own life a few times before, only to come out wiser. Melancholy, observational, yet still bright; “This Trouble” weaves influences both sedentary and explorative, sketching a freewheeling character borne from folk-rock classics such as Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers, and Wilco. Twangy electric guitar leads stir Ferrara’s migration on to the next place he’ll call home, while sporadic trickles of piano fall like midmorning rain. “This Trouble” breathes of Ferrara’s desire to roam. He sings, “Like the weather in south California, some things they never change.” Though nature cycles without end, this letter to venturing peaks with a compelling guitar solo that is an essential, fulfilling catharsis.
Ferrara has a growing accruement of EPs and singles released, with 16 total tracks released over a two-year span.
Tour Dates
9/5 – The Liquor Store
9/26 – Kreuzberg California
9/29 – MadeWest Brewing Company
10/4 – Neck Of the Woods
10/5 – Shanty Shack Brewing
10/10 – Bunk Bar
Follow Jeremy Ferrara here.
