clearance, “had a fantastic”

clearance, “had a fantastic”

Chicago-based rock/lo-fi band Clearance recently released their brand new music video for new track “Had a Fantastic”, and we’re totally digging it. This is the first video released from their upcoming full-length release At Your Leisure. Visually pleasing – with a bit of that vintage feel to the muted colors -, the video displays the band playing in a largely empty room. Greenery appeals to the plant lady demographic of today, with the band singing matter of fact lyrics and drawing you into their esthetic little by little.

“Had a Fantastic” does not disappoint. So grab your disposable camera and let’s get going!

At Your Leisure is out July 27th and is available for preorder now.

akine, “pray for the prey”

akine, “pray for the prey”

At the young age thirteen, solo artist Akine wrote her notable single “Pray For The Prey”.  Four years later, she is sharing her song “Pray For The Prey” with the world.  “Pray For The Prey” incorporates a number of genres taking inspiration from tribal beats, syncopated electronic sounds, and alternative pop.  What is so impressive about this track is how mature and riveting the lyrics are for someone so young.  Unsure of the world and what is next for it, Akine uses powerful writing to express her feelings of exasperation.  “Tell him you love him, he’ll shield you from every thing,”  Akine sings on a higher power.  “And we pray and we pray into this foolish masquerade,” proclaims the chorus.  Continuing her cry, “You think you’re blessed and best because of God.”

“Pray For The Prey” is Akine’s battle cry for humanity, the foolish, and the ignorant.  Her message will strike a chord with many, whether it is a positive or negative one.  The message alone is telling, but Akine’s divergent and compelling voice really brings the song home.

Keep up with Akine on Facebook and Instagram.

jt roach, “lazy kisses”

jt roach, “lazy kisses”

Sounding special right now over on CloudKid is the first single release on the label from singer, songwriter and musician JT Roach. Originally from Madison, this talented artist has carved out “Lazy Kisses,” and it is ready to soak up and stream below.

With some huge commercial names having previously been written for by JT Roach, he now focuses his attention to his own material, and there is an album allegedly on the way. “Lazy Kisses” is everything we want to hear in our summer chill playlists: smooth, dreamy vocals, flickers of acoustic guitar and beautifully-rounded musicality.

Give it a play on the stream below.

Keep up with JT Roach here.

goon, “choke throat”

goon, “choke throat”

Founded in 2013, this up and coming L.A. alternative indie rock band Goon is celebrating their recent singing to Partisan Records. Success is coming quickly for these guys and the reason why is easy to grasp. Their latest single “Choke Throat” plays like a soundtrack to a suspended gaze to the skies. Vocalist Kenny Becker has said the song revolves around a surgery to correct a sinus condition and the after effects that followed. A feeling of throat closure led to what we get to hear as “Choke Throat”.

Starting out with an acoustic sway “Choke Throat” is joined by vocals that echo down a long hall and drone with melancholic subtleties. What has started as sad converts into eerie as sounds in reverse are inserted and a percussive sound picks up the pace and ads texture. The gentle abstract sway also features a touch of saxophone that progressively rises from the distance and takes center stage. If joined by an orchestra the song would have taken the direction of cinematic, the use of the saxophone takes the mood to a jazz induced eye opener. If I hadn’t told you what the song was about, the music alone would make it sound like a more introspective moment about the pondering of life. “Choke Throat” is one of those songs that can be interpreted in many different ways. A benefit of this is that it will affect many people as they will take what they need from it. When the chorus section becomes more full and robust the song doesn’t seem so sad. It feels like the light at the end of the tunnel.

Partisan will be re-printing Goons two self-released E.P.’s Dusk of Punk and Happy Omen, pre-orders are being taken now and are set to ship out July 13th. You can secure your copy, which will also feature “Choke Throat”, through the band’s Bandcamp page and more order details can be found on their website. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook. 

If you happen to reside in one the town Goon will be touring, defiantly grab some tickets as they are one of the few “must see” bands that are rising fast. This could be a rare opportunity to see them in a smaller environment before they end up arena giants.

July 13th – Brooklyn, NY
July 15th – Washington, DC
July 16th – Richmond, VA
Jul 21st – Dallas, TX

bad bad hats, “write it on your heart”

bad bad hats, “write it on your heart”

After their fresh and nuanced first album, the indie-rock trio Bad Bad Hats are back with “Write It On Your Heart,” the lead single from their sophomore album Lightning Round, which is set to be released on August 3. Frontwoman Kerry Alexander delivers a sucker punch of a song. She pairs her pure vocals with defiant, edgy lyrics about the end of a relationship:

“Love was growing teeth
You were spitting blood
Write it on your heart, dear
You were never mine.”

The lyrics hold a personal significance for Alexander. “I haven’t always stood up for myself in situations like this,” she shared. “So this song is an ode to the version of me that does.” The lyrics’ realistic grittiness paired with the song’s softer instrumental tones from Chris Hoge and Connor Davison embodies the band’s sound – a balance of hard and soft, of pop and rock, of simplicity and complexity. “Write It On Your Heart” is a single that showcases their sound as well as their personality in an honest way. This is surely something we will see in Lightning Round, resulting in a new album that is bound to inspire and surprise their listeners.

Be sure to check out on their website for updates, and catch them on their summer tour.

the flaming lips release greatest hits collection

the flaming lips release greatest hits collection

If you’re a fan of The Flaming Lips, then listen up! The classic rock band is giving a gift beyond your wildest dreams. As one of the most well known and influential rock band of their time, The Flaming Lips are pleased to announce the release of their first ever “hits” collection. The best news? The Greatest Hits Vol. 1 is officially out today via Warner Bros. Records. The collection will be available as a vinyl edition and as a deluxe edition (3-CD and digital).

The Flaming Lips offer so much in this collection, starting with debut hits such as “Transmissions From The Satellite Heart” (1993), “Clouds Taste Metallic” (1995), “The Soft Bulletin” (1999) and more recent tracks like “Yoshimi Battles”, “The Pink Robots” (2002), “At War With The Mystics” (2006), “Embryonic” (2009), and their current album “Oczy Mlody” (2017). If that weren’t enough, The Flaming Lips also include added specials such as studio outtakes, unreleased tracks, and international single B-sides on the deluxe edition. Other features include “Zero To A Million,” the unreleased demo track, “Spider-Man Vs Muhammed Ali” and “Silent Lord.” The collection is a great complication of the unique and creative sound that The Flaming Lips has spent so many years building. Here are the tracks for the two editions:

Tracklisting for Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (Vinyl edition)

Side One:
1. Do You Realize??
2. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1
3. Race For The Prize
4. Waitin’ For A Superman
5. When You Smile
6. She Don’t Use Jelly

Side Two:
1. Bad Days (Aurally Excited Version)
2. The W.A.N.D.
3. Silver Trembling Hands
4. The Castle
5. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song

Tracklisting for Greatest Hits Vol. 1 Deluxe Edition (3-CD & Digital)

Disc 1:
1. Talkin’ ‘Bout The Smiling Deathporn Immortality Blues (Everyone Wants
To Live Forever)

2. Hit Me Like You Did The First Time
3. Frogs
4. Felt Good To Burn
5. Turn It On
6. She Don’t Use Jelly
7. Chewin The Apple Of Your Eye
8. Slow Nerve Action
9. Psychiatric Explorations of The Fetus With Needles
10. Brainville
11. Lightning Strikes The Postman
12. When You Smile
13. Bad Days (Aurally Excited Version)
14. Riding To Work In The Year 2025
15. Race For The Prize (Sacrifice Of The New Scientists)
16. Waitin’ For A Superman (Is It Getting Heavy?)
17. The Spark That Bled
18. What Is the Light?

Disc 2:
1. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1
2. In The Morning Of The Magicians
3. All We Have Is Now
4. Do You Realize??
5. The W.A.N.D.
6. Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung
7. Vein Of Stars
8. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
9. Convinced Of The Hex
10. See The Leaves
11. Silver Trembling Hands
12. Is David Bowie Dying?
13. Try To Explain
14. Always There In Our Hearts
15. How??
16. There Should Be Unicorns
17. The Castle

Disc 3:
1. Zero to A Million (Demo)
2. Jets (Cupid’s Kiss Vs The Psyche Of Death) (2-Track Demo)
3. Thirty-Five Thousand Feet Of Despair
4. The Captain
5. 1000 Ft. Hands
6. Noodling Theme (Epic Sunset Mix #5)
7. Up Above The Daily Hum
8. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (In Anatropous Reflex)
9. We Can’t Predict The Future
10. Your Face Can Tell The Future
11. You Gotta Hold On
12. What Does It Mean?
13. Spider-man Vs Muhammed Ali
14. I Was Zapped By The Lucky Super Rainbow
15. Enthusiasm For Life Defeats Existential Fear Part 2
16. If I Only Had A Brain
17. Silent Night / Lord, Can You Hear Me

You can order the collection here. Keep up with them here.

wilderado @ sasquatch! music festival 2018

wilderado @ sasquatch! music festival 2018

We’ve been captivated by Wilderado‘s energy since we first saw them open for Judah & The Lion over a year ago. Last weekend, we experienced them in a different light – quite literally – during a day set during Sasquatch! Music Festival 2018 Day 2. Shortly after, we met up with them to take a few portraits on the lawn. And it got fun. So here are most of those photos.

Keep up with Wilderado here.