Alternative rock band Keep It a Secret returns with their new single “Middle with My Thumbs Up”, as catharsis for listeners. With its mix of soul-piercing screams and whisper-esque vocals over a bombastic guitar-laden instrumental, the band captures the feeling of an emotional roller coaster as they lament over heartbreak and loves that were never quite meant to be. Over a chorus of “Left for dead, it takes time to get away”, the band reluctantly accepts a withdrawal from romance to escape a self-destructive cycle that could claim their sanity and any hope of starting anew. The opening line “I’ve been watching you destroy me” is a sign of infatuation morphing into a ticking time bomb of dependence. The band describes:
‘Middle with my Thumbs Up’ is a dichotic look back on the melancholy of lost love. Although seemingly separate emotions, anger and sadness are often a self-destructive loop that many people experience from heartbreak in all its forms. This song incorporates both intimate, almost whispered vocals and cathartic gritty yells to illustrate these feelings.
The video shows a masked couple in separate colors attempting to embrace within a decrepit household, which captures the realization of disconnect and blindness clouding a relationship. It’s as if one’s own love can end up haunting them and living inside as an unwanted guest for some time.
Check out the video for “Middle with my Thumbs Up” and be on the lookout for Keep It a Secret’s next project.
Desert Liminal just released their video for their song “Watercolor” from their upcoming LP Glass Fate, which comes out November 19.
The transitions from the paintings to real life were one of my favorite features in this video. It definitely screamed, “life imitates art!” Creatively, it was a really smart decision to add that in because it really added something different into the video. It was really cool that the paintings being present in the video matched the lyrics as well, since they talk about a painter.
The song itself has a meditative and vibey composition to it, which is portrayed rather well in the music video. It has a very nature-esque feel to it as well, and most of the shots take place in nature. In just about every scene of the video, there was some sort of nature competent present. Whether that be the real life outdoors, flowers in a vase, or a tapestry of a field on the wall, it is easy to tell that nature was a big inspiration here in this video.
Make sure to check out Desert Liminal, as well as the music video for “Watercolor,” and be on the lookout for their LP Glass Fate on November 19!
Written and performed by Desert Liminal Produced by Robby Haynes and Ziyad Asrar at Strange Magic Recording Directed and Edited by Sarah Jane Quillin Paintings by Kerry Couch Featuring Mallory Linehan and Kerry Couch
The world very largely feels like it’s falling apart at this time. During moments of darkness, we search for the light. We crave creativity. We rely on authenticity. And – while it can often feel overwhelming to seek the good – artists are ready to provide us hope, beauty, and escape. This feels especially true with the captivating glam rock project Tony & The Kiki, which just released the lead single and music video for their upcoming EP. Fronted by the talented and charismatic Anthony Alfaro, Tony & The Kiki truly captures your attention with a vibrant individuality and keeps you going with a message of inclusivity.
“Extra Express” is an anthem for the ages. With an energy that can get anyone up on their feet, the track boasts fantastic, wide-ranging vocals, and enough edge to really breathe new life into your day. The video is entrancing, depicting Alfaro with a backdrop of bright, flashy colors and images as a call to authenticity oozes from every facet of production. We’re big fans of the fashion, big fans of the energy, and insanely fond of this video.
We were lucky enough to ask Alfaro a few questions during release week.
Do you think where you’re from has any bearing on how you create?
Oh absolutely! Queens, New York is unlike anywhere else in the world. A stone’s throw from my childhood home is the most diverse section of THE PLANET. The most varied collection of cultures, races, languages, ethnicities, and nationalities in one single area. I pride myself on being an eclectic artist. While yes, rock and roll is my mother tongue I draw inspiration from all genres, mediums, and cultures, and I’d like to think that comes through in the work. My mom is a real-life disco queen and salsera and my dad is an incredible DJ who would mix Grandmaster Flash with Zeppelin back before mashups like that were en vogue. This kind of variety and culture clash is in my blood, my voice, and therefore my artistry.
I’m so glad you’re bringing flare back to rock. Big look, big voice, big vibes. What has been your favorite part of the journey creating this EP?
Ay Gracias, mami! Yeah I think the second we abandoned the crippling responsibility of being “cool” things really started to crystalize and get exciting for all of us. We’re an honest to goddess pack of weirdos and mystics…and instead of trying to be trendy and sexy for the masses we’re leaning into our queer, diverse, funky energy. Frankly, that’s been deeply liberating and joyous. LONG LIVE THE FREAKS! And F*** BEING COOL! Cool is boring and sterile… the absolute antithesis of what rock n’ roll is. Ain’t nobody got time for that no more!
What was it like recording at the storied Dreamland? Did you draw inspiration from Woodstock at all, or were you pretty sure of the direction it was all going in beforehand?
Well …we were on a tight and ambitious schedule so we had to arrive ready to slay the house down boots, mamá. On the other hand, Woodstock and that good chill hippie energy has always been a source of inspiration for us… the peace & love & vibes of it all. So I’d say we had a clear plan of attack but left some room for the delicious brand of magic that is so abundant up at Dreamland. Using their varied, vintage instruments (toy piano, guiro, Moog Synth etc.) and their mystical acoustics as yummy layers to add into our cauldron. Once we got the crux of what we needed we definitely got to play around and experiment. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as an artist. A true playground. Or in our case …a witch’s potion lab (cackles in Spanglish)
The message in the song “Extra Express” is so important, and it is such an anthemic blessing right now. Was there a moment that triggered you into writing it specifically?
Thank you for saying that, mi amor, we think so too! A specific moment? No, mama. Our whole gay lives led up to the creation of this song. People like myself and my bandmates Max Vernon and Rodney Bush have been out here and queer for years and feel a great sense of responsibility for the legendary children that have and will come after us. They need something to listen to and be like “oh, yeah…that’s mine, that’s for me” This song is for them first and foremost.
The music video for “Extra Express” is like a kaleidoscope. Where did the vision come from?
The Extra Express has always been like a psychedelic, queer, rock n’ roll cousin of The Magic School Bus and in this case I’m Miss Frizzle (LOL) and the listeners are my class of students. We wanted to evoke the vibes of Dorothy landing in OZ or Alice plopping down into Wonderland. We set out to create a portal into the land of THE KIKI, with all of its vibrant queer magic and electric, colorful vibes. An invitation and a welcoming.
What a FANTASTIC reference, especially for millennials. (I am SO pleased!) What do you hope fans glean from your music, in general?
I want our fans to be invigorated and vibrationally lifted by our music. We want to provide an antidote to all the heaviness that can come with living life in the 2020s… a warm sparkling hug; a fabulous coven, welcome to anyone who needs a good Kiki. Er’body is welcome here, mi vida… we are raising the vibes and getting asses shaking! Come thru!
Do you have anything else to share with your new bevy of fans?
Yes! I’d like to say “Hola Mi Kiki, Welcome… we see you, we’re here for you, we honor you, and we love you… f*** the haters and do you bb! Life is meant to be LIVED! Fasten your seatbelt cause it’s time for lift off… the new age is now! Vamos!”
Also follow us on IG and TikTok @tonyandthekiki and subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more funky glam rock brujería heading your way. xo
Video Credits: Wardrobe by Max Vernon, David Quinn, Anthony Alfaro Makeup by Max Vernon Hair by Anthony Alfaro Choreography by Anthony Alfaro Song Credits: Track Produced by Max Vernon Track Mixed by Lloyd Kikoler Track Mastered by Ryan Smith of Sterling Sound
Louise Kahn is no stranger to the music world. Following the success of Terry Poison, the Israeli electropop trio she entered the industry with, she is now venturing out on her own. Her debut single “Water in Water” is a glittering, light-as-a-feather beauty, with a music video that mirrors that sentiment. The song itself is a tribute to Kahn’s current home of Santa Teresa in Costa Rica. Glitter, body paint, and torches light the way for the disco-tinted single. Check out the new sound – and mildly transcendental video – below!
When two talented producers join forces, you’d best bet there’s some insane music coming your way. For Laurel Canyon-based duo Munnycat (K808 and Khaledzou), this couldn’t be more true. The noise-pop project created some absolute magic during their down time during lockdown, and we’re insanely impressed by the outcome. They recently shared their new music video for earworm “so fresh,” a beautifully shot visual that gives us a glimpse of a bit of Los Angeles while the pair strut around in their 70s best. Honestly? Couldn’t think of anything more fresh. On point, my friends! Explains the duo of the track:
We had a ton of big plans for doing all these ambitious and amazing things during the ‘down time’ we had last year, but we severely underestimated how hard it’d be to accomplish them during the chaos of a global pandemic. We’d have a to-do list a mile long and then we’d be like, ‘Wait a minute. Have either of us even showered in 5 days? When’s the last time we ate a healthy meal?’ We were playin’ ourselves. But addressing that irony and producing a really fun, upbeat song helped us crawl out of that headspace, for sure.
If you’re looking for a psychedelic escape – visually and audibly – might I suggest getting lost in the music video for Venice Beach-based Little Galaxies’ “Waking Sea,” which debuted just today? Through a beautiful haze, the band performs the edgy, dynamic track. And while many music videos fall short of supporting such incredible artistry, this one only adds emphasis to the importance of its accompanying single. Frenetic, the video is filled with gorgeous landscapes, blank backgrounds highlighted with jewel tones, and confusion that gives way to surrender in a beautiful, artful way.
Explains lead singer Fournier: “The song is about finding peace in the wreckage. It was inspired by a car accident and my awakening in the years to follow as I healed from injuries and learned to accept my fate by surrendering to the pain to heal and transcend from it.”
Take a gander below, and consider bringing this track with you into your weekend festivities.
Directed & Filmed by Sara Alessandrini Edited by Jeanna Fournier, Amir Eshraghi, and Sara Alessandrini Produced by Amir Eshraghi and Jeanna Fournier Colorist: Polaris Castillo
“Waking Sea” is a single off Little Galaxies’ upcoming sophomore album, “One with the Waking Sea”, coming Summer 2021. Keep up with the band here.
Brazilian indie-pop artist Libra is making us appreciate that unique and beautiful summer night feeling with his new single of the same name, featuring the gorgeous vocals of Marnie Price. The video is shot to mirror Libra’s iconic vintage style, as he strums a beautiful mirrored guitar and meanders through the streets of Southern California. Vibrant cuts to preparing tasty summertime beverages add an appeal to the video that you can almost taste.
This is the perfect track to enjoy while your summer nights wane. The video is just as indulgent and beautiful.
DIRECTED BY ZEH MONSTRO IMAGES BY BORIS FRAT EDITED BY JULIAN DE LA CELLE
In the mood for a bit of soul mixed into your next favorite pop-driven track? Junior Mesa has done just that, setting a relaxing mood with his high-pitched vocals that counter the bitterness in the lyrics. The track itself speaks of putting up walls when a relationship cannot pan out the way you’d imagined and are highly relatable.
The video is highly entertaining. Basked in gorgeous colors, watch Junior dance through the pain with a masked stranger. The video itself seems to be trying to distract from the internal struggle of the protagonist, using humor and the arts to its advantage. Check it out below, and make sure to “like” it over on Youtube.
2021 has proved to be a productive year so far for Flight Club. Following the March release of their single “Come Back”,they are ready to launch their debut album Until the Sun Drowns on July 30th, from Open Your Ears Records. The perfect introduction to this album is the single “I’ve Been Kicked Out of Better Homes Than This”.
The quartet from Richmond, VA has created a song that is tailor-made for summer – pure rock and roll energy from beginning to end. “I’ve Been Kicked Out of Better Homes Than This” gives a slight nod to the spirit of bands from 1999, like Lit and Blink-182. Intensely played instruments and forceful vocals combine to make a tune that will definitely find a place on your summer playlist. The accompanying video for “I’ve Been Kicked Out of Better Home Than This” has the same sense of humor. It happens to be built around ice cream as well, so anything that stars ice cream is practically perfect.
If you would like to catch Flight Club live, they are scheduled to play the Blue Ridge Rockfest, September 9th – 12th in Danville, VA.
