Athens-based indie rock outfit Monsoon – expertly comprised of Sienna Chandler and Joey Kegel – has proven its propensity for balancing delicate harmonies with hard-hitting lines. The duo’s dynamic is energetic, edgy, and self-aware in a way that we haven’t exactly experienced before. And their new album Ghost Party is more evidence of all of that.
The first track “Walking Legs” seems to get you on your feet in just that way, starting out slow and careful and building into a cacophony of epic sound. “Third Voice” brings in more pop elements, an introspective track about change and hope at its core. The title track delves into the brokenness Chandler felt during a particularly dark time, ending with Haunted Mansion-esque energy. (If you can’t quite relate even now, having lived during an insufferable pandemic, then kudos.)
The meandering nature of “Don’t Move” is almost a palate cleanser sound-wise, though the lyrics seem to question preconceived notions in a less-than-subliminal way. “O Brother” continues with morbid metaphors, while the one-minute-long “Dark Colossus” discusses a unique love, laced with the same darkness as its predecessors.
The soundscape of “Submission” feels like it hopped right out of an indie film like 500 Days of Summer, while “Nightshop” has more of an underground, pop-punk sound to it. Ninth track “Red Blood” keeps that punk spirit alive, at times akin to the haunting chant of “red rum, red rum” from that quintessential horror flick we all know and love. The composition sounds more like a spell being cast, but that doesn’t vary much from many of the tracks on this release.
While “Pig Pen” is not about our favorite Peanuts character, it does introduce whirring guitar parts that make us want to headbang all day. The album rounds everything out perfectly with the eleventh track “Beetlebee,” which starts with a whisper and ends with an absolute bang. In fact, the song feels much like the progression of the album as a whole. We’re particularly fond of it, and can’t wait to see the live performance.
Walking Legs
Third Voice
Ghost Party
Don’t Move
O Brother
Dark Colossus
Submission
Nightshop
Red Blood
Pig Pen
Beetlebee
Get your first listen to Ghost Party on February 18th.
Polymathic artist extraordinaire Miles Francis released a new single and its accompanying music video, and we’re absolutely intoxicated by the light as a feather soundscape that carries it all. “Nature” – at its core – is a song of acknowledgment and acceptance. Seeing the darkness in ourselves and addressing it, but not necessarily trying to change it. Embracing inescapable flaws, and learning to make them into art.
LYRICS Wave up ahead, all that I see I go red and let it wash over me In just a moment, I submit I cannot own it, I cannot quit Ego inflated, intoxicated Loaded with pride, must be my
Nature Something in my nature Governs my behavior And I can’t see it through Until I’ve hurt you
Swimming with my father I feel the current bring me closer to him Something in the water Has turned these clean hands into phantom limbs Ego inflated, emasculated Loaded with pride, please forgive my
Nature Something in my nature Governs my behavior And I can’t see it through Until I’ve hurt you
Miles Francis dances in a field in an oversized suit, softened colors creating a dream sequence unlike any other. Take a gander for yourself!
The micro-dosing community isn’t the only group of people that are currently into the wonders of mushrooms. Los Angeles-based indie outfit GOON – expertly comprised of Any Polito, Dillon Peralta, Tamra Simons, and Kenny Becker – have been intricately evolving their sound for years. But mushrooms seem to have aided in the organic (pun intended) development of their new music. Expands Kenny:
The inspiration for this track came from a long walk I took on a rainy gray day in November 2021. During that time I would often walk along the path that follows a waterway which feeds into the LA river. Passing a patch of mushrooms gave me the idea to title the song “Fruiting Body.” The term refers to the spore-producing structure of fungi.
The song itself makes you feel as though you are safely nestled in a bed of trees, surrounded by infinite light. The video – directed and edited by Kenny – mimics this exact feeling. We’re just fans of watching each band member experience pure joy over the course of the video. It’s a snapshot of nature that wholeheartedly encourages play, with the creepy repetition of the line “blood red” dancing in the background.
Country artist Ashley Ray brings many core thoughts and memories from her youth in Kansas to her unique and beautiful music. “Just a House” was inspired by her father’s memory. Her family lost him 15 years ago, but grief is not linear. Allowing it to move through her music, Ray has developed a heartwrenching take on the world, a melancholic feel to her art that helps the listener empathize deeply.
The music video – which depicts a young boy trying to raise money to support his dying grandmother – is an absolute treasure of a short film. Stephen and Alexa Kinigopoulos heard the song, and chose to pull from their own feelings and memories of loss for the video’s concept. Explains Stephen:
When I first heard this song, it triggered me in the best way. I re-lived my family’s loss. It triggered me to think of the loss and the whole process in a montage sort of way… I could see and feel what Ashley’s mom was feeling. That dug up some skeletons for me.
The video may stir up some emotions, so be aware of the company you keep while you enjoy it. 😉
Consider yourself a bit of a culture buff? Into the sounds of the 60’s, the feeling of independence and celebration of people living on the fringe? The Bad Signs might just be your jam. A band comprised of powerhouse twin musicians Nat and Rob Rufus and alt-country extraordinaire Samantha Harlow, The Bad Signs are turning out to be the good sign 2022 needs.
Says Nat of the project, “I got the idea from this old black and white photograph. It was from ’67, just two teenagers on a motorcycle, but I wanted to start a band that sounded the way that photo looked, you know? Like vintage rebel youth.”
We’re thrilled she saw the photograph… and even more pleased with how the video turned out. Gorgeous black and white footage of the band performing gives you a unique look into their performance style… and what we may come to expect from this artful project.
We’re not sure what is behind the vintage-esque music videos and clips of footage that are making the rounds in the industry, but we’re big, big fans. Retro indie-pop artist Buster Baer’s entire newly-released EP, Mock Twang, and the accompanying music video for single “Get Deeper” are certainly no exception. A bit of beautiful nostalgia, the music video follows our protagonist musician and a dog… or, rather, a human in a dog costume. Beautiful views, brief violence, a baseball bat, and some marijuana are all seen under psychedelic magentas that will absolutely take you back in time.
