Capturing the NYC indie music spirit on VHS
Bands Do BK Presents The Music Matters festival, held at Arlene's Grocery earlier this year, captured the spirit of the city's vibrant indie scene through performances by fourteen diverse bands. Curated by Marc Seligman, a fixture of New York's music world since the ‘70s, and Sam Sumpter of Bands Do BK, the event celebrated both emerging talent and the deep sense of community that defines the indie scene. Documented on VHS by the video crew I Know We Should, Bands Do BK Presents The Music Matters preserves a unique moment in time, capturing not just the music, but the unbreakable bond that connects artists and fans in the city's ever-evolving underground scene. Read our interview with Seligman.
Docile Bodies go with their gut
Dutch post-punk band Docile Bodies’ debut album, Light Will Come Our Way, is a powerful, emotionally-driven release that showcases their intuitive approach to songwriting. The album explores themes of art, nature, and family, while delving into hope and possibilities. We spoke with vocalist Sjoerd Aarden about the band moving in unison, turning gut feeling and indecisiveness into creativity, and their plans to experiment even further in the future.
Cosmopaark switches things up on ‘Backyard’
Bordeaux shoegaze band Cosmopaark has released their latest EP, Backyard, which features five tracks that blend classic shoegaze with modern noise pop. The EP was recorded in a studio, allowing the band to experiment with new production techniques. Backyard explores themes of resilience and introspection while showcasing their evolving sound. With a limited-edition release that quickly sold out, Cosmopaark's creative journey continues to captivate fans. Read our interview with vocalist Clément Pelofy.
Phantom Handshakes on instinct, mood and success
Phantom Handshakes explores themes of twilight and emotional depth in their latest album Sirens at Golden Hour. The dream pop duo is Matt Sklar and Federica Tassano. They perform live as a 5-piece alongside Meghan Seeberg, Matt Billington, and Brian Alvarez. Sonically, the release expands on their lo-fi soundscapes, while they touch on themes of hope, despair and the climate crisis. We connected with the pair to discuss instinctual songwriting, measuring success and more.
Pop Music Fever Dream gets serious
New York’s Pop Music Fever Dream is set to release its new EP, Songs For Emotion, tomorrow. The EP follows their debut, Songs for Promoters, and presents a shift to a more serious and intense tone. The new tracks delve into themes including personal struggle and technological obsession. In an interview with frontperson T. Seeberger, we discuss pay phones, vulnerability in songwriting, and tapping into their visceral energy.
Photo Credit: Sydney Tate
FOSS on the transformational act of a creative reset
In the Winter of 2020, Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Romain Collin traveled to Iceland for a creative reset. Due to COVID lockdowns, Collin spent six months in a remote cabin writing music. Upon his return, Collin and multi-Grammy award-winning producer Jeremy Loucas worked for a month. Together, as FOSS, they finished the album Shapeless. Read our Q&A with Collin, where we chat about audio & visual work, working in isolation, being inspired by nature and circumstances, and more.
Rontronik on ‘Zero Eight’
In July, New York producer/DJ/creative director Rontronik (Ron Croudy) released his latest album, Zero Eight. Recorded live, the 40-minute project reflects on the period following the COVID lockdown with its experimental, ambient, and noise-driven sound. Growing up in Flint, Michigan, Croudy was influenced by the Detroit techno and Chicago house scenes, as well as industrial and jazz music. Those sounds would shape his eclectic musical style. After experimenting with electronic music in college and co-founding the label Töshöklabs, Croudy began releasing his own work. Zero Eight, conceived during the transition out of quarantine and initially performed live via streaming, captures the uncertainty and anticipation of a world reopening. We spoke with Rontronik to discuss growing up in Flint, his influences, and more.
The Narcotix bends time and space on Dying
On their debut album Dying, Brooklyn art-rock band The Narcotix takes you on a journey exploring time, personal transformation, and life after death. Led by Esther Quansah and Becky Foinchas, their choral arrangements over psychedelic folk and West African polyrhythms, turn music into a sonic wonderland. From haunting to ebullient, Dying captures the band's deep bond as they tap into a visceral energy fueled by personal breakthroughs. In our interview with Quansah and Foinchas we talk vocal arrangements, songwriting, exorcisms in the studio, the birth of the album, and more.
With ‘GOOD TIME,’ DAIISTAR Bolts to the Top
Austin noise pop band DAIISTAR experienced a sudden rise with their debut album GOOD TIME. The album, conceptualized by vocalist/guitarist Alex Capistran, was released by London indie Fuzz Club Records. In our interview, Capistran highlights the collaborative process with the band and producer Alex Maas. We talk about process, performance, the band’s ambition, and more.
Photo Credit: Janelle Abad
The Seshen Finds Release on Nowhere
The Seshen, the six-piece electronic/R&B/indie rock band out of Oakland, has been around for over a decade. Their new album Nowhere, reflects the emotional journey of band members Lalin St. Juste and Akiyoshi Ehara. The two found solace in music when their marriage came to an end. The album explores the unwinding of the pair’s relationship through deeply personal and introspective lyrics. Despite their challenges, the album showcases the band's unbreakable bond. In our interview, we discuss turning to songwriting to find release, the album’s production, the definition of success, and more.
Photo Credit: Ginger Fierstein
On JUMBO, Juicebumps Explores New Ground
The music from California post-punk band Juicebumps could easily serve as a video game soundtrack. Their sound is a fusion of new wave, post- and dance-punk. Their remarkable lyrical skill, captivating melodies, and unpredictable rhythms make them a standout presence in Oakland’s music scene. On their new album JUMBO, the band incorporates new genres and instrumentation. Using Drum and Bass samples and strings, Juicebumps pushes into new sonic territory. In our interview, we discuss exactly how the changes in their song development modified their sound.
Photo Credit: Dan Schmatz
Holy Wave's Album Five of Cups Marks the Band’s Profound Reexamination
Austin psych rock outfit Holy Wave, comprised of Ryan Fuson, Kyle Hager, Joseph Cook, and Julian Ruiz, boasts a rich musical history. Rooted in surf-rock, lo-fi garage, and dream pop, their intricate compositions blend pop sensibilities with experimental sounds. Their latest album, Five of Cups stands as some of their best work. Tracks like "Five of Cups" and "Hypervigilance" showcase their ability to craft immersive sonic landscapes. The album's inspiration arose from a tarot reading, prompting the band to reassess their path forward after pandemic-induced uncertainty.
Photo Credit: James Oswald
Van Common Looks Inward on Sunstruck
Berlin-based songwriter/producer Van Common set strict parameters before recording his debut album Sunstruck. Instead, the album took shape organically, stretching outside of those restrictions. The result is a mostly electronic, indie-pop dance album on which Van Common looks inward and analyzes the impact of his actions. In our interview with the Dutch musician, we discuss discovering instrumental dance music, the challenges of learning to create music on a laptop, translating the album to a live setting, and more.
Photo Credit: Hannah Aletta
HEAVY SLEEPER stands out on CHIME
On their new EP CHIME, HEAVY SLEEPER demonstrates their growth in melodic hooks, songwriting, and production. Drawing influences from alt-rock, shoegaze, and post-punk, their sound results in their self-proclaimed genre of "space punk." We connected with the band on their start, songwriting process and more.
Photo Credit: Jack Ludwick
Austin’s Urban Heat on transforming post-punk
Austin’s Urban Heat is determined to make waves. Their songs merge sounds from a number of genres, thematically moving between despair and hope. Lead singer Jonathan Horstmann’s baritone vocals add a layer of urgency to the band’s lyrics. Read our interview with Horstmann, where we discuss making music for therapeutic purposes, touring and the band’s desire to reshape the sound of post-punk.
Photo Credit: Ima Leupp
Taleen Kali flourishes on their debut album Flower of Life
On their first album Flower of Life, Los Angeles band Taleen Kali delivers. The release is ten tracks of guitar-driven songs that pull from goth, punk, and brit rock. Lead singer / songwriter Taleen’s heavenly vocals over layers of distortion creates an exquisite harmony. The album is the perfect companion to a collapsing world. Read our interview with Taleen in which she discusses recording, DUM DUM Zine, and finding her tribe in LA.
Photo Credit: Kris Balocca
Been Stellar Shines In A Crowded City
Been Stellar, the 5-piece indie rock band from Brooklyn, is onto something. The band turns everyday observations into fascinating stories of city life. By resisting to emulate their influences, the band has tapped into a new sound. Vocalist Sam Slocum and guitarist Skyler St. Marx talk to us about authenticity in songwriting, playing shows in the US and NYC’s power to inspire and interfere with the band’s creative process.
Photo Credit: Nicole Osrin
Atlanta band Upchuck reinvigorates the sound of punk
Atlanta 5-piece Upchuck are without a doubt a punk band. Their debut album Sense Yourself fuses sounds from metal, psychedelic, hardcore and cumbia to create something distinct. Lead guitarist Mikey chats about Upchuck’s origin, community, touring and what lies ahead for the band.
Photo Credit: Marlon Garcia
Angel-Maker’s Chris Nelson on the evolution of the band
Indianapolis post-punk / coldwave project Angel-Maker have released their complete collection of seasons EP series. The band’s founder Chris Nelson talks to us about the band’s songwriting process, aesthetics, recreating their recorded sound on stage and more.
Photo Credit: Rachel Schwebach
The Bobby Lees’ Macky Bowman on growth, touring, and making Bellevue
The Bobby Lees’ Macky Bowman talks about the record, group dynamics and more.
Photo Credit: Cyrille Bellec