Roman Martinez 6/20/24 Roman Martinez 6/20/24

all under heaven makes magic on ‘What Lies Ahead Of Me’

all under heaven's debut album What Lies Ahead Of Me, highlights the band’s evolution. The New Jersey band is Nick DeFabritus, Michael Cucci, Aaron Brenner, and Jake Rubin. Their new album blends old and new tracks, showcasing themes of loneliness, growth, and introspection through emotive shoegaze music. With contributions from band members and collaborator Wyatt Oberholzer, the album introduces new elements like synths and electronic drums. The spontaneous creation of "Believing," influenced by "Just Like Heaven," adds an energetic touch. The shift towards a more collaborative recording process revitalized their approach, leading to a renewed creative spirit. Read our interview with Nick DeFabritus and Michael Cucci in which we discuss collaboration, X-files, and making magic in the studio.

Roman Martinez 6/6/24 Roman Martinez 6/6/24

Polevaulter’s ‘Hang Wave’ is a sonic doomsday

Polevaulter's debut album "Hang Wave" is a raw, intense fusion of jagged electronic synths and dance-punk influences. UK duo Jon Franz and Daniel Wearmouth, with producer Shaene Hunter, recorded the album live to capture its gritty authenticity. Tracks like "Mia Goth Made Me Do It" and "Pissed in the Baths" evoke sonic anxiety and turmoil, combining aggressive beats and noise. In our Q&A with Jon Franz, we discuss their creative process, political themes, and the struggles of independent artists in today's music industry.

Roman Martinez 5/23/24 Roman Martinez 5/23/24

Operator Music Band becomes one with house

Operator Music Band, known for its experimental approach and diverse soundscapes, has evolved from its krautrock roots to embrace house music. The trio, which features Dara Hirsch, Jared Hiller, and Daniel Siles, released their latest EP Four Singles, which showcases dance and acid-house tracks. This transition allows them to explore improvisation and spontaneity, in live performances and studio recordings. In our Q&A, Hirsch and Hiller discussed their creative processes, emphasizing a shift towards programming gear for live shows and collaborative songwriting.

Roman Martinez 4/30/24 Roman Martinez 4/30/24

Speedrun knights her inner hero

New York indie artist Speedrun, also known as Nina Lüders, found solace and expression in music during the COVID lockdown. Her debut EP "Love’s Latest News," influenced by early to mid-aughts indie rock, explores various facets of love and draws inspiration from French poet Jean-Michel Maulpoix. In our Q&A with Speedrun, we talk about her DIY journey, evolving the project into a multi-dimensional creative endeavor, balancing social media and mental health, and more.

Roman Martinez 4/18/24 Roman Martinez 4/18/24

Jade. reaches for familiarity on Autumn Electric

New York indie Jade. debuted their album Autumn Electric last year. The band, fronted by William States Langham, formed after Langham turned to music for solace. Drawing on influences like Tame Impala and The Smashing Pumpkins, the album melds crunchy distortion with introspective lyrics. Read our Q&A with Langham where we discuss new music, live shows and nostalgia.

Roman Martinez 3/26/24 Roman Martinez 3/26/24

daarling dives into the deep within

Chicago-based trio daarling has emerged onto the music scene with their debut album, "The Deep Within." Recorded in the basement of their old practice space with CJ Melton, the album showcases a mix of alt-rock and shoegaze, tinged with elements of noise and grunge. Tracks like "Metamorphosis" and "Out of Greed" offer introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, highlighting daarling's ability to craft emotive and compelling music. As they embark on a spring tour to promote their album, daarling promises to continue pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their evocative sound. Read our Q&A with the band.

Roman Martinez 3/19/24 Roman Martinez 3/19/24

NADEZHDA on hope in a time of despair

Salt Lake City band NADEZHDA released their debut EP Battery in January. The release explores the social ramifications of capitalism and the effects of the illusory “American Dream.” Through the darkness, the band remains optimistic. Described as "hardcore's Fleetwood Mac," they merge influences from punk, grunge, and alt-rock. In our Q&A with the 5-piece, we discuss the band’s origin story, their approach to recording, influences, and more.

Roman Martinez 3/5/24 Roman Martinez 3/5/24

Hot Mud searches for truth on Rehab Rock

Ottawa artist Hot Mud confronts addiction on his debut album Rehab Rock. The album is a raw and honest portrayal of addiction and recovery. Influenced by indie rock, stoner rock, art rock, and psych-pop, Hot Mud blends harsh truths with humor, addressing the emotional journey of healing. Hot Mud, who turned to creative pursuits during recovery, discusses art as therapy, mental toughness, and influences in our Q&A.

Roman Martinez 2/27/24 Roman Martinez 2/27/24

ILTON finds comfort on the dancefloor

Influenced by acts like Dirty Vegas, ATB, and Real Lies, New York electronic artist ILTON makes bangers. His latest EP ‘SAD BOY RAVE’ culminates house, dance-pop, and electronic beats. On the surface, these are dance songs, but dig deeper and you’ll find heartbreak. We connected with ILTON to discuss headlining Coachella, feeling connected to the SAD BOY RAVE brand, sampling as a form of artistic expression, and more

Photo Credit: Bo Apitz

Roman Martinez 2/13/24 Roman Martinez 2/13/24

ELI fits the pieces together on Full Form

London artist ELI released her debut EP Full Form late last year. The EP showcases her songwriting and production mastery across genres like soul, trip-hop, and electronic. The four-song project explores themes of frustration, doubt, and alienation, creating an elaborate sonic landscape that mirrors its lyrical content. ELI, influenced by diverse musical genres, discusses her musical journey, genre-bending aspirations, and the evolution of her sound in our Q&A.

Roman Martinez 1/31/24 Roman Martinez 1/31/24

Exploring love and loss in ‘The New Romantics’

The New Romantics, spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Brandon Biondo, has delved into a spectrum of genres. Since 2013, his solo project has unveiled numerous singles and EPs. However, it wasn't until Biondo experienced the profound loss of his mother that he turned to the album format as a form of solace and distraction. The New Romantics stands as a harmonious collection of sounds, reflecting Biondo's diverse set of influences. In our Q&A with the talented artist, we discuss loss, musical taste, the ability to disconnect from music, and more.

Roman Martinez 1/4/24 Roman Martinez 1/4/24

Dead Leaf Echo digs into The Mercy of Women

Dead Leaf Echo has been an integral part of New York’s shoegaze scene for over a decade. On their latest album ‘The Mercy of Women,’ Dead Leaf Echo experiments with song structure and genre further developing their craft. Delays stemming from the pandemic resulted in the album taking over six years from start to finish. We connected with the band’s vocalist LG Galleon to discuss the album’s evolution, concept, and more.

Roman Martinez 12/14/22 Roman Martinez 12/14/22

Puck revisits their past on the introspective Best Friend

Puck chats with us about their debut indie rock / alt pop album Best Friend, the influence of the Pacific Northwest, bringing down the patriarchy and the economics of touring.

Photo Credit: Joule Seventeen