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 Meredith Schneider | Aug 20, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Charlotte-based rock trio The Eyebrows – comprised of Jay Garrigan, Shawn Lynch, and Jon Lock – are hitting a trending topic with new track “Avocado”. The song hits with a vintage, Munsters-like intro, with quirky vocals and massive amounts of reverb lacing everything together. Whether singing directly to an avocado or singing of someone who reminds them of avocados, it is clear that these men either greatly love avocados or greatly enjoy making fun of people who do. Perhaps both. And that’s the magic of it all.
Keep up with The Eyebrows here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Musical duo Sleeping Lion, recently released their new single ‘How We Know (feat. Cass Miller)’ on August 17th. Members Nate Flaks and Noah Longworth McGuire have released numerous songs and remixes prior to their new single with each one getting better and better. In ‘How We Know’, you can expect to hear sounds of both commercial pop music, as well as electronic style dance music. Not only is this the style of music you would want to hear on the radio, but it is also the type that would fit in perfect at a music festival that would make you want to get up and dance! Make sure to keep an eye out for Sleeping Lion as they have toured with other great artists in the past and you should expect to see even more in the future!
If you have never heard of Sleeping Lion before, make sure you check out all of their music here!
by Gemma Harewood | Aug 20, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
If the stats behind Nick Talos and his music are correct, the Berlin based musician, producer and remixer has gotten himself some serious credentials over the last couple of years. Remixing huge major label acts and breaking all sorts of personal records with his streaming numbers on his own tracks, Talos returns to the limelight once again with his brand-new single offering “Straight To The Heart.”
Showcasing all the musical elements that helped propel his previous guitar-led tune “Hey Gorgeous” to such prestigious streaming heights on Spotify, it also has the wonderful vocals of David Spekter. He helps to give “Straight To The Heart” an unbridled vocal hug and a sprinkling of soul.
This one is out now, so check it out here.
Keep up with Nick here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 17, 2018 | albums, review
You may have already heard of the talented quartet My Brothers And I from their many features on popular TV shows such as ‘Pretty Little Liars’ which featured one of their well known songs ‘Nowhere To Run’. Their music has also been featured on commercials here and there, which helped the band get to the successful place they are at now. This quartet is made up of very talented artists including: Jordan Roach, David Wurgler, Scott Wurgler, and Erik Wurgler. These four have recently released their new EP Heartbeat today, August 17th! One of the reasons this quartet is so successful, is because they include aspects of many different genres. In their new EP Heartbeat, you can hear the likes of pop music with a blend of indie and alternative styles. Primarily in the songs ‘When You’re Ready’ and ‘My Heart’, you will hear many vocal similarities between My Brothers And I and fellow pop artist Troye Sivan. When comparing all of their other songs, ‘Temporary Love’ is one of the more darker tracks on the EP that includes more of an upbeat alternative style. With this EP, it is impossible to pick just one favorite song. Each track is completely different, but equally as great as the next. Just from the first listen, I can already that this EP will be on repeat everywhere around the world! In celebration of their new EP release, My Brothers And I will be going on a small EP release tour which you will not want to miss!
Keep up with My Brothers and I here.
by Karina Marquez | Aug 17, 2018 | albums, review
Pop punk is a genre that many of us identify as our first real musical love. It’s the music that blasted in our earphones as we tried to survive eighth grade . And for many of us, that love fades away as our own teenage angst forms into something new, something “mature.” Belmont’s new self-titled album reminds us of that first love and how that music has involved in itself, while still being as cool and emotional and punk.
This album is the epitome of what pop punk music is. Each song showcases the band’s youth and talent. Frontman Taz Johnson’s vocals are hypnotic, and combined with Brian Lada on drums, Sam Patt on guitar, and Alex Wieringa on bass, the end result is magical. The moment the opening track “Empty” bursts to life with an explosion of guitar and drums, I am flooded with nostalgia and the desire to head bang like crazy. As the album goes on, each song seems to give off that same vibe that only this music can give. There are also so many lyrics that stand out because of their depth and honesty. “Interlude” is a slowed-down song that, despite its cool beat, has you thinking instead of head banging:
Do you know what it’s like to be alone?
To live life feeling numb and cold,
It’s a ******* nightmare on its own
And it just gets worse as we grow old.
The second half of the album picks up speed once again, with powerful tracks like “Hollowed Out” and “Convalescence.” As the album comes to an end with “BMC,” Johnson asks the million dollar question: “Why do I pretend to keep caring?” Belmont’s talent is undeniable in both their music and their lyrics, showing the band’s inevitable rise as the next great act.
Keep up with the band here.
