by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
New York-based multi-instrumentalist Jason Bemis Lawrence is preparing to release his full-length, Another Hotel Hallway, early next month. In the meantime, we have the second single off of that collection ready for your awaiting ears, a track called “Southern Midwest”. The reverb-filled track has an almost glassy feel to it, serene in its disposition. The instrumentals lend to the tranquil feel, allowing for a relaxing soundscape intro to an album we are all too excited for.
Keep up with Jason Bemis Lawrence here.
by Karina Marquez | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LA-based artist KODA released his latest single “Nazareth” and it is a dynamic, atmospheric track. He is brutally honest about his inner struggles and the complexity of them. This song reminds me of how current pop music has openly embraced mental health issues in a way that relates to the younger generations of today. There has been a shift from bubblegum pop to a darker, more real approach. In that way, KODA’s sound reflects the millennial pop/R&B vibes of Zayn or The Weeknd. The subtle beat paired with his emotional vocals create a deeply personal, emotional track that gets extremely candid about his anxiety. Getting this personal is always risky, always scary, but KODA has achieved it in a way that shows his truth and, as a result, created a beautiful piece.
Keep up with KODA here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Looks like Robert Schwartzman is keeping the promise he made us last year, when he stopped in Kansas City and said he wants to come out with a new EP every year, and tour based on each new release. So, essentially, he pledged to come back in 2018 a year ago. And we’re all for that, especially since he’s following up on that promise. Rooney is picking up steam again, and the new single is sweet summertime perfection, with a hint of 80’s nostalgia. Check it out below, then prep yourself for a tour date near you! (Seriously, it’s such a fun and incredible experience, and Robert is more than happy to spend time with all of his fans at each date!)
AUGUST
24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
25 – Denver, CO – Levitt Pavilion
26 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
28 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
29 – Las Vegas, NV – The Bunkhouse
30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent
SEPTEMBER
13 – Kansas City, MO – Recordbar
14 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
15 – Davenport, IA – Daytrottter
16 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
18 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
19 – Albany, NY – The Hollow
20 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
21 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
22 – Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
Keep up with Rooney here!
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
New York-based R&B artist Kash brings a certain badass attitude with her wherever she goes, and we are soaking it up as if it’s our last rays of summer sun. Today, she brings us the exclusive premiere of her gorgeous new track “Don’t Let Me Go”, which boasts her voluptuous vocals glossed over bluesy instrumentals. The song serves as a warning to a significant other that life doesn’t get better after her, and she’s far more convincing of that fact than we could ever begin to explain. So let yourself get lost in the soulful, intense soundscape of “Don’t Let Me Go” below!
Keep up with Kash here.
by Karina Marquez | Aug 22, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Acclaimed Texas-based artist Salim Nourallah has released his latest single “Sweet as a Weed,” which is set to appear on both his upcoming EP and full-length album. It’s quite stripped down, making for an intimate track. It has an interesting country-like feel to it, which may be attributed to the story of how the idea of this track came about. Nourallah recalls how the inspiration struck while on the road:
I was having pre-gig chips and salsa with a friend in Malden, Missouri … We were talking about my daughter when he proclaimed, ‘Well, she’s about as sweet as a weed! I nearly spit out a chip. ‘What? Is that actually a saying?’ It was baffling to me. Weeds aren’t sweet! He swore it was a legit Southern saying after I grilled him on it. I stuffed it away in my file of things to consider for songs.
The spirit of the South can definitely be heard in this song, with its distinct twang and tone. The mellowed-out guitar paired with Nourallah’s vocals creates an atmospheric, vaguely eerie vibe and a song for those days spent in the blistering summer heat in the country.
Nourallah’s EP South comes out on September 7th, and his next album Somewhere South of Sane comes out September 28th. Keep up with him here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 22, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Made up of Dalton Allison, Javi Reyes, Jake Hirshland, Wesley Toledo, Matt Williams, and Joe Keery, rock band Post Animal recently released their new video for their emerging song “Ralphie”. Joe Keery, both a member of Post Animal and an actor on popular television show Stranger Things was able to squeeze in the filming of “Ralphie” despite his busy schedule. This video grasps all of the concepts that the song itself proposes from an amusing thrill-seeking video, to a classic psych-rock vibe. The tempo of the song itself is very upbeat, and it makes it one of those songs that will remind you of summer days which is why the desert and beach settings are quite fitting for the video.
After watching this video multiple times, I could not think of any better way to do it. The video is amusing, captivating, and represents the song to the best of its ability, which is everything that a well thought out video should embody!
Keep up with Post Animal here.
by ImperfectFifth | Aug 21, 2018 | soundtrack
“BANDS with ONIONS” was created to showcase bands with members who have “layers” of talent.
The most obvious bands to include were Foo Fighters and Godsmack, featuring lead singers and primary songwriters who were known “only as drummers” in their previous bands. Similar to my experience in Code Red Riot, they also played all the instruments on their debut albums (drums, bass and guitar), only getting help from friends for lead guitar parts along the way.
I’ve included a number of bands with insanely talented visual artists, such as 10 Years, Nirvana, My Chemical Romance, Devour The Day, The Fever 333, Gemini Syndrome, Butcher Babies, OK Go, and Crobot.
Some other examples of “talent layers” on this list include:
– Beartooth – Caleb Shomo plays all the parts on their albums
– Devour The Day – Frontman Blake Allison was also a former drummer
– Phantom Planet – Drummer Jason Schwartzman starred in a number of acclaimed Hollywood pictures, including Rushmore, I Heart Huckabees, and more.
– Jellyfish – A critically acclaimed by musicians for decades, their drummer was also the lead singer
– The Bronx – Known originally as “only a punk band,” their other project Mariachi El Bronx is definitely worth checking out
– White Zombie / Five Finger Death Punch – Include movie producers Rob Zombie and Jason Hook
– Pearl Jam / Stone Temple Pilots – Both of these songs were written by the band’s drummers
– Every Time I Die – Keith Buckley is a published author
– Papa Roach – Jacoby Shaddix runs his own clothing line
Every band has a story… and there’s a million others I could have included on this list, but “BANDS with ONIONS” includes my personal list of favorites. Enjoy!
Download Mask here and keep up with Code Red Riot at their website.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 21, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Are you looking for an up and coming indie pop band to listen to this year? If so, you’ll want to check out band Mini Mansions who will be officially releasing their new EP Works Every Time on September 28th. The title track is both a calm and smooth track with an upbeat tempo so catchy that it will leave you wanting to play it on repeat. You may realize that Mini Mansions have many similar characteristics when compared to alternative/pop band WALK THE MOON, between both vocals and genre. If you enjoy music such as this, then you will want to keep an eye out not only for their EP coming out early fall, but you will also want to be prepared for their new album coming sometime in 2019! Instead of just listening to their music online, it would be even better to see them live on tour this upcoming fall! You will be able to catch Mini Mansions on tour alongside fellow alternative/rock band Arctic Monkeys.
The new visual for “Works Every Time” is dark, theatrical, and endearing. Escape your workday for a few minutes below!
In the meantime, keep up on all of their new music here, and make sure to stay tuned for their EP release on September 28th!
by Christie McMenamin | Aug 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
If you haven’t seen Lauren Ruth Ward yet – no matter what type of music you’re into – you’re 110% missing out. An incredible rock songstress with a slight twang, Lauren Ruth Ward’s music reaches far and wide in its influence. But her live performance is absolutely unheard of, which is why it was so easy for Christie McMenamin to dive in and get photos of this young talent during her recent show at Zone One in some breathtaking lowlight.
