| New Music USA - New Music Magazine - New Music Blog - New Music Promotion |
| New Music USA |
| New Music Magazine / Blog / Promotion |
| New Music: Indie |
| American Pinup |
American Pinup formed in 2010, emerging from the remnants of a once vibrant underground
music scene in Westchester County, New York. The indie/punk four-piece includes lead
singer/guitarist Lauren West, drummer Andy Porta, guitarist Rob Peralta, and bassist Tim
Robbins. In a short time, they have gained notoriety for their fresh sound, catchy
compositions, and energetic live performances, catching the attention of Altercation
Records, who released their debut LP Strange Creatures in February 2011, less than a year
after the band solidified their lineup.
American Pinup has been covered by AMP magazine, who pegged them as "the voice of the
new decade," and had their music videos featured on BlankTV, as well as appeared at the
SXSW and the Valley of the Vapors music festivals in 2011. Their music combines elements
of rockabilly, surf rock, punk, pop, folk, and ska to create a unique and fresh alternative
sound. Blending the DIY ethos of the punk scene with a reverence for the melody and
simplicity intrinsic to pop music, American Pinup has carved out their own niche in the world
of independent music.
American Pinup just released a split with New Jersey's Lost In Society on February 7th, 2012
on Altercation Records. They have plans for another national tour this March and will then
be embarking into the studio in April to record their second full-length release.
>>>For more info: www.americanpinupband.com
music scene in Westchester County, New York. The indie/punk four-piece includes lead
singer/guitarist Lauren West, drummer Andy Porta, guitarist Rob Peralta, and bassist Tim
Robbins. In a short time, they have gained notoriety for their fresh sound, catchy
compositions, and energetic live performances, catching the attention of Altercation
Records, who released their debut LP Strange Creatures in February 2011, less than a year
after the band solidified their lineup.
American Pinup has been covered by AMP magazine, who pegged them as "the voice of the
new decade," and had their music videos featured on BlankTV, as well as appeared at the
SXSW and the Valley of the Vapors music festivals in 2011. Their music combines elements
of rockabilly, surf rock, punk, pop, folk, and ska to create a unique and fresh alternative
sound. Blending the DIY ethos of the punk scene with a reverence for the melody and
simplicity intrinsic to pop music, American Pinup has carved out their own niche in the world
of independent music.
American Pinup just released a split with New Jersey's Lost In Society on February 7th, 2012
on Altercation Records. They have plans for another national tour this March and will then
be embarking into the studio in April to record their second full-length release.
>>>For more info: www.americanpinupband.com
| Big John Bates |
Big John Bates has managed to sell thousands of copies of each of their records without any major label support. They have
played over 1000 shows in 17 countries; headlined to 10,000 at Germany's Stemwede festival; a federal prison in Belgium and
topped the bill at the first Stag-o-lee Festival. They've performed at the oldest theatre in Germany, were banned by Mandalay Bay
in Las Vegas and awed festival crowds in Palermo, Sicily. They played the Raalte Festival in Holland with the and the Ink & Iron
Festival in Long Beach. They’ve even been featured on Battlestar Galactica (Season 3, Episode 14 – The Pleasure Planet).
Bates' version of "Tainted Love" from their Mystiki album (2003) was also selected for the soundtrack of the French film ""Un singe
sur le clos".
Big John Bates is based in Vancouver, Canada but is constantly touring Europe and North America. They have shared stages with
notable and varied performers such as Andre Williams, Wayne Hancock, the Fuzztones, Dex Romweber, Corb Lund, Big Bad
Voodoo Daddy, the Supersuckers, Solomon Burke, the Blasters, Eric Sardinas, Southern Culture on the Skids, Los Straitjackets,
Jay Munley, Koko Taylor; Jooles Holland, T-Model Ford, the Bellrays, US Bombs, New Bomb Turks.
All of Big John Bates recordings have been included in Library and Archives Canada "dedicated to providing the best possible
account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible."
>>>For more info: WWW.BIGJOHNBATES.COM
played over 1000 shows in 17 countries; headlined to 10,000 at Germany's Stemwede festival; a federal prison in Belgium and
topped the bill at the first Stag-o-lee Festival. They've performed at the oldest theatre in Germany, were banned by Mandalay Bay
in Las Vegas and awed festival crowds in Palermo, Sicily. They played the Raalte Festival in Holland with the and the Ink & Iron
Festival in Long Beach. They’ve even been featured on Battlestar Galactica (Season 3, Episode 14 – The Pleasure Planet).
Bates' version of "Tainted Love" from their Mystiki album (2003) was also selected for the soundtrack of the French film ""Un singe
sur le clos".
Big John Bates is based in Vancouver, Canada but is constantly touring Europe and North America. They have shared stages with
notable and varied performers such as Andre Williams, Wayne Hancock, the Fuzztones, Dex Romweber, Corb Lund, Big Bad
Voodoo Daddy, the Supersuckers, Solomon Burke, the Blasters, Eric Sardinas, Southern Culture on the Skids, Los Straitjackets,
Jay Munley, Koko Taylor; Jooles Holland, T-Model Ford, the Bellrays, US Bombs, New Bomb Turks.
All of Big John Bates recordings have been included in Library and Archives Canada "dedicated to providing the best possible
account of Canadian life through acquiring, preserving and making Canada's documentary heritage accessible."
>>>For more info: WWW.BIGJOHNBATES.COM
| BRONCHO |
Harkening back to punk rock’s glory days of the 70s, Oklahoma outfit
Broncho captures the aggression, DIY authenticity and youthful
exhilaration of a bygone era and then drags it by the hair into the Here
and Now, creating a fresh sound that’s unlike anything being played
today. With echoes of The Replacements, Iggy and the Stooges and The
Ramones, Broncho’s exuberant ten song debut Can’t Get Past the Lips is
a blisteringly cathartic 20 minute flash of gritty, crunching guitar work
supported by an assaultive rhythm section and made whole by songwriter
Ryan Lindsey’s aggressive, yelping vocal work.
Lindsey’s vocals and guitar are supported by Johnathon Ford (bass),
Ben King (guitar) and Nathan Price (drums). The project began as an off-
the-cuff recording session for Lindsey (who also plays keys for Starlight
Mints, in addition to performing as a solo artist). He quickly laid down
early versions “Pick a Fight” and “Losers” with the assistance of King
(Cheyenne) and Price (Native Lights), and then sent them to Ford
(Unwed Sailor), asking for feedback. Ford loved the songs so much that
he suggested they begin playing shows as a band.
“The next thing I knew, Johnathon had a show booked in Tulsa,” Lindsey
says.
That first show, a manic, ultra-lean showcase of six songs that clocked in
at less than 15 minutes, occurred in February of 2010, since then the
band has performed in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, St. Louis, Oklahoma City,
Tulsa, etc, and has released their debut album, Can’t Get Past The Lips
to international acclaim.
The collective talent and cumulative experience of all involved with
Broncho has resulted in an album that, for all its dirty-dishwater punk
roots, is a masterwork of garage/pop simplicity. Speaking of the band’s
reference points, Lindsey says “We all love the way those records sound
so we naturally went in that direction, as far as fidelity goes. But more
than anything, it’s the attitude of an era that I wasn’t around for, but feel
a connection with. We didn’t set out to recreate a record from that era,
we just took on that message and made it our own.”
Or, as Ford puts it: “It’s not nostalgia, it’s natural.”
>>>For more info: bronchoband.com
Broncho captures the aggression, DIY authenticity and youthful
exhilaration of a bygone era and then drags it by the hair into the Here
and Now, creating a fresh sound that’s unlike anything being played
today. With echoes of The Replacements, Iggy and the Stooges and The
Ramones, Broncho’s exuberant ten song debut Can’t Get Past the Lips is
a blisteringly cathartic 20 minute flash of gritty, crunching guitar work
supported by an assaultive rhythm section and made whole by songwriter
Ryan Lindsey’s aggressive, yelping vocal work.
Lindsey’s vocals and guitar are supported by Johnathon Ford (bass),
Ben King (guitar) and Nathan Price (drums). The project began as an off-
the-cuff recording session for Lindsey (who also plays keys for Starlight
Mints, in addition to performing as a solo artist). He quickly laid down
early versions “Pick a Fight” and “Losers” with the assistance of King
(Cheyenne) and Price (Native Lights), and then sent them to Ford
(Unwed Sailor), asking for feedback. Ford loved the songs so much that
he suggested they begin playing shows as a band.
“The next thing I knew, Johnathon had a show booked in Tulsa,” Lindsey
says.
That first show, a manic, ultra-lean showcase of six songs that clocked in
at less than 15 minutes, occurred in February of 2010, since then the
band has performed in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, St. Louis, Oklahoma City,
Tulsa, etc, and has released their debut album, Can’t Get Past The Lips
to international acclaim.
The collective talent and cumulative experience of all involved with
Broncho has resulted in an album that, for all its dirty-dishwater punk
roots, is a masterwork of garage/pop simplicity. Speaking of the band’s
reference points, Lindsey says “We all love the way those records sound
so we naturally went in that direction, as far as fidelity goes. But more
than anything, it’s the attitude of an era that I wasn’t around for, but feel
a connection with. We didn’t set out to recreate a record from that era,
we just took on that message and made it our own.”
Or, as Ford puts it: “It’s not nostalgia, it’s natural.”
>>>For more info: bronchoband.com
| Galaxy Express |
With their debut double album, ‘Noise on Fire’, the band s...natched nods
for Best Rock Single and Musician of the Year honors as well as swiped
the sash and tiara for Best Rock Album of the Year at the 2009 Korean
Music Awards. Known for their no-holds barred, knockout concert
performances, they somehow found themselves starring as themselves in
a rockumentary road movie called ‘Turn It Up to 11!’ which picked up the
Best Korean Indie Feature Film prize at the 2009 Pucheon International
Fantastic Film Festival and the Audience Award trophy at the 2009 Seoul
International Film Festival.
Admired as an adventurous act both on and offstage, Galaxy Express
rumbled into 2010 armed with DIY ethos and loaded with WTF credos to
produce one of the year’s most unconventional and unexpected album
releases -- ‘Wild Days’.
After leaving their record label on March 1st (Korea’s Independence
Day), the band boldly announced on April 1st (April Fool’s Day) that they
had a crazy concept to start from scratch and produce a brand new
album in just 30 days. Dubbed the ‘Wild 30’ Project, they tweeted and
blogged their entire creative process in real time which in turn, spurred
thousands of online fans to join them as interactive, inspirational
collaborators on each and every track. Thanks to the constant flow of
fans’ ideas and suggestions via social media networks, Galaxy Express
gallantly delivered their ambitious experimental album, ‘Wild Days’, on
May 1st (Korea’s Labor Day).
To promote the worldwide launch of ‘Wild Days’ on iTunes Music Stores,
Galaxy Express jumped the tracks over to Hong Kong to become the first
Korean artist to ever perform at the 2010 Music Matters Live festival
(May 27-29. 2010).
Thanks to a pileup of rave reviews and smashing live shows, the band
garnered Rock Album and Song of the Year nominations and took home
the highly coveted Musician of the Year trophy at the 2011 Korean Music
Awards. Too restless to rest on their industry accolades, they
accelerated into overseas overdrive in 2011 as a headliner on the 2K11
Seoulsonic North America Tour which scored them critical acclaim at
marquee international festivals such as CMW Canadian Music Week and
SXSW South by Southwest.
for Best Rock Single and Musician of the Year honors as well as swiped
the sash and tiara for Best Rock Album of the Year at the 2009 Korean
Music Awards. Known for their no-holds barred, knockout concert
performances, they somehow found themselves starring as themselves in
a rockumentary road movie called ‘Turn It Up to 11!’ which picked up the
Best Korean Indie Feature Film prize at the 2009 Pucheon International
Fantastic Film Festival and the Audience Award trophy at the 2009 Seoul
International Film Festival.
Admired as an adventurous act both on and offstage, Galaxy Express
rumbled into 2010 armed with DIY ethos and loaded with WTF credos to
produce one of the year’s most unconventional and unexpected album
releases -- ‘Wild Days’.
After leaving their record label on March 1st (Korea’s Independence
Day), the band boldly announced on April 1st (April Fool’s Day) that they
had a crazy concept to start from scratch and produce a brand new
album in just 30 days. Dubbed the ‘Wild 30’ Project, they tweeted and
blogged their entire creative process in real time which in turn, spurred
thousands of online fans to join them as interactive, inspirational
collaborators on each and every track. Thanks to the constant flow of
fans’ ideas and suggestions via social media networks, Galaxy Express
gallantly delivered their ambitious experimental album, ‘Wild Days’, on
May 1st (Korea’s Labor Day).
To promote the worldwide launch of ‘Wild Days’ on iTunes Music Stores,
Galaxy Express jumped the tracks over to Hong Kong to become the first
Korean artist to ever perform at the 2010 Music Matters Live festival
(May 27-29. 2010).
Thanks to a pileup of rave reviews and smashing live shows, the band
garnered Rock Album and Song of the Year nominations and took home
the highly coveted Musician of the Year trophy at the 2011 Korean Music
Awards. Too restless to rest on their industry accolades, they
accelerated into overseas overdrive in 2011 as a headliner on the 2K11
Seoulsonic North America Tour which scored them critical acclaim at
marquee international festivals such as CMW Canadian Music Week and
SXSW South by Southwest.
| Grandchildren |
Grandchildren's debut album, Everlasting, is like a sonic collage scored
by frayed electronics, fireside folk melodies, richly woven orchestral-pop
flourishes, and field recordings from Africa, Central America and the
Caribbean. The drums smack you in the face first, like a hailstorm with no
sign of letting up anytime soon. It's a jarring but joyous sensation, as if
someone just snapped you out of a fever dream.
The drums smack you in the face first, like a hailstorm with no sign of
letting up anytime soon. It’s a jarring but joyous sensation, as if someone
just snapped you out of a fever dream. And with that, memories of
simpler times sparkle and fade, the muddled memories of Grandchildren
creator Aleksander Martray. The son of a high-ranking military officer,
Martray was born on an Army base in Germany and raised on both sides
of the Atlantic.
Grandchildren’s debut album, Everlasting, is a culmination of all that
restlessness, starting with the track “Cold Warrior” and it’s sputtering
percussion. A six-gun salute of sorts, it’s a homage to Martray’s father, a
man who’s devoted his life to bringing our country, and his family, back to
the way things used to be. Grandchildren’s sonic collage feels like a safe
haven for multiple realities as scored by frayed electronics, fireside folk
melodies, richly woven orchestral-pop flourishes, and field recordings
from Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
by frayed electronics, fireside folk melodies, richly woven orchestral-pop
flourishes, and field recordings from Africa, Central America and the
Caribbean. The drums smack you in the face first, like a hailstorm with no
sign of letting up anytime soon. It's a jarring but joyous sensation, as if
someone just snapped you out of a fever dream.
The drums smack you in the face first, like a hailstorm with no sign of
letting up anytime soon. It’s a jarring but joyous sensation, as if someone
just snapped you out of a fever dream. And with that, memories of
simpler times sparkle and fade, the muddled memories of Grandchildren
creator Aleksander Martray. The son of a high-ranking military officer,
Martray was born on an Army base in Germany and raised on both sides
of the Atlantic.
Grandchildren’s debut album, Everlasting, is a culmination of all that
restlessness, starting with the track “Cold Warrior” and it’s sputtering
percussion. A six-gun salute of sorts, it’s a homage to Martray’s father, a
man who’s devoted his life to bringing our country, and his family, back to
the way things used to be. Grandchildren’s sonic collage feels like a safe
haven for multiple realities as scored by frayed electronics, fireside folk
melodies, richly woven orchestral-pop flourishes, and field recordings
from Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.
| Japanther |
Described as a “Performance Galaxy” by Vanity Fair and “Super hard, incredibly fast and overall inspiring” by Thrasher, Japanther has
always been a band apart, running the gamut from performance art to punk rock and back again. Pushing parties to the limit and only
stopping short of riots, Japanther returns in 2010 with new member Anita Sparrows (The Soviettes) and Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream (Menlo
Park Recordings, March 2). Says Ian Vanek, “We met Miss Sparrows on Christmas Eve in San Pedro and formed an instant bond. She is
family to us and making music with her is just a part of it.” With Sparrows on board, Vanek and Matt Reilly flew to Los Angeles to work with
producer Michael Blum, whose past projects with Michael Jackson, Madonna (Like a Prayer, Who’s That Girl), Pink Floyd and Suicidal
Tendencies seemed a daring fit for Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream, an album envisioned by Japanther as a dance party–– and all the kids are
invited. “Telephone mics? Really?” exclaimed Michael as the group began what was to become a near-perfect expression of an
underground sound. Continuing Japanther’s established habit of collaborating with inspiring icons from every scene,
legendary poet Eileen Myles (Cool For You, Chelsea Girls) appears on two astonishing tracks.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream was put together with the idea of album sides in mind, and will be available on vinyl and digitally. Nowadays, says
Vanek, “records often feel like exercises in hitting fast forward. With Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream, we wanted a burner from end to end, with the
possibility of listening to side two with your morning coffee.” The cover for the new album was created by artist Elisabeth Arkhipoff, known
for her collaborations with musicians and fashion designers such as M83, Sport Hit Paradise, Tahiti 80, Anna Sui, Eley Kishimoto and
Swarovski. Her work has been featured in Graffik, Tokion, Creative Review, ZOO, Vogue, +81, Self Service, Dazed & Confused, Studio
Voice and SHOWstudio.com.
The story behind Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream is an adventure tale of exploring harmonies, writing together, and a little bit of that West Coast
surf vibe whilst lurking a bit towards Japanther’s salad days in Brooklyn to draw on pop hooks and simple drum parts that make skating
seem easier and bikes move faster. Manifesting their usual elemental drive, Japanther spent 2009 performing nine months out of twelve
in a nomadic existence that took the band to Houston, Toronto, Oakland’s Hoodstock, LA’s Fuck Yeah Fest, SXSW, HardPop in Ciudad
Juárez, The Halifax Pop Explosion, multiple illegal shows on the Williamsburg Bridge... the list goes on.
Japanther is a time-based performance duo, formed in 2001 by Ian Vanek and Matt Reilly. Their music is intense, danceable and fun. In
Japanther’s near decade of baffling unsuspecting audiences and amassing new fans, the boys have toured Europe, Australia, Mexico,
Canada and the US constantly while working in museums on all types of "Art Projects." Synchronized swimmers, illegal shows, marionettes
and giant puppets have all been employed successfully again and again, all in an attempt to redefine what bands, groups and gangs can
do.
www.japanther.com
always been a band apart, running the gamut from performance art to punk rock and back again. Pushing parties to the limit and only
stopping short of riots, Japanther returns in 2010 with new member Anita Sparrows (The Soviettes) and Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream (Menlo
Park Recordings, March 2). Says Ian Vanek, “We met Miss Sparrows on Christmas Eve in San Pedro and formed an instant bond. She is
family to us and making music with her is just a part of it.” With Sparrows on board, Vanek and Matt Reilly flew to Los Angeles to work with
producer Michael Blum, whose past projects with Michael Jackson, Madonna (Like a Prayer, Who’s That Girl), Pink Floyd and Suicidal
Tendencies seemed a daring fit for Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream, an album envisioned by Japanther as a dance party–– and all the kids are
invited. “Telephone mics? Really?” exclaimed Michael as the group began what was to become a near-perfect expression of an
underground sound. Continuing Japanther’s established habit of collaborating with inspiring icons from every scene,
legendary poet Eileen Myles (Cool For You, Chelsea Girls) appears on two astonishing tracks.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream was put together with the idea of album sides in mind, and will be available on vinyl and digitally. Nowadays, says
Vanek, “records often feel like exercises in hitting fast forward. With Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream, we wanted a burner from end to end, with the
possibility of listening to side two with your morning coffee.” The cover for the new album was created by artist Elisabeth Arkhipoff, known
for her collaborations with musicians and fashion designers such as M83, Sport Hit Paradise, Tahiti 80, Anna Sui, Eley Kishimoto and
Swarovski. Her work has been featured in Graffik, Tokion, Creative Review, ZOO, Vogue, +81, Self Service, Dazed & Confused, Studio
Voice and SHOWstudio.com.
The story behind Rock ‘n’ Roll Ice Cream is an adventure tale of exploring harmonies, writing together, and a little bit of that West Coast
surf vibe whilst lurking a bit towards Japanther’s salad days in Brooklyn to draw on pop hooks and simple drum parts that make skating
seem easier and bikes move faster. Manifesting their usual elemental drive, Japanther spent 2009 performing nine months out of twelve
in a nomadic existence that took the band to Houston, Toronto, Oakland’s Hoodstock, LA’s Fuck Yeah Fest, SXSW, HardPop in Ciudad
Juárez, The Halifax Pop Explosion, multiple illegal shows on the Williamsburg Bridge... the list goes on.
Japanther is a time-based performance duo, formed in 2001 by Ian Vanek and Matt Reilly. Their music is intense, danceable and fun. In
Japanther’s near decade of baffling unsuspecting audiences and amassing new fans, the boys have toured Europe, Australia, Mexico,
Canada and the US constantly while working in museums on all types of "Art Projects." Synchronized swimmers, illegal shows, marionettes
and giant puppets have all been employed successfully again and again, all in an attempt to redefine what bands, groups and gangs can
do.
www.japanther.com
| Kentucky Knife Fight |
Kentucky Knife Fight’s music evokes images of smoky bars where wood paneling lines the walls, rooms and worlds covered in shadow
and stained with liquor. The St. Louis five piece create songs about desperate people doing desperate things in places they shouldn’t
be. But the worlds they sing about aren’t all dark. They have songs about living in the moment, teenage recklessness, that freedom you
feel at the wheel and of course… sex. All of this built by a thick framework of riffs and rhythms that are rough and raw around the edges.
There is a seductiveness to their music that draws you in while the driving bass and drums force you to move. If there is a jukebox at the
end of the universe you will find Kentucky Knife Fight between The Stooges and Tom Waits.
kentuckyknifefight.net
and stained with liquor. The St. Louis five piece create songs about desperate people doing desperate things in places they shouldn’t
be. But the worlds they sing about aren’t all dark. They have songs about living in the moment, teenage recklessness, that freedom you
feel at the wheel and of course… sex. All of this built by a thick framework of riffs and rhythms that are rough and raw around the edges.
There is a seductiveness to their music that draws you in while the driving bass and drums force you to move. If there is a jukebox at the
end of the universe you will find Kentucky Knife Fight between The Stooges and Tom Waits.
kentuckyknifefight.net
| Lost In Society |
Combining raspy punk-rock vocals, fresh, fun lyricism, and a stage presence that will give any veteran concert-goer the chills, Lost In
Society are undoubtedly the real deal. Based in the indie music hub of Asbury Park, NJ this alt/punk trio likes it loud and simple. Lost In
Society got their start in 2004 with their first big show at the PNC Bank Center in Holmdel, NJ. Shortly after they would record their first EP
Gone with Jon Leidersdorff of Lakehouse Music. In 2009 they hit the studio again with Leisersdorff, releasing their first full length album,
Eastern Empire. This album took the sizzling hot trio to new levels, gaining them massive attention in the local music scene. It didn't take
long for their catchy singles to gain a serious, die-hard fan base around the Jersey Shore. With a completely D.I.Y. dedication to
promoting and touring, LIS were quickly known for collecting fans the way old punks did: by word of mouth.
Big success came in 2011, as the trio took home the gold in Metromix's state-wide BreakThru band competition. Their dedication, raw
energy and fierce promotion took them to the top of New Jersey's music scene. In April 2011 LIS recorded an EP which was produced by
Pete Steinkopf of the Bouncing Souls. Just this past year they've been lucky enough to share the stage with The Souls, and other
legendary acts such as The Misfits, Strike Anywhere, Tim Barry and HR of Bad Brains. They also signed on with the fast growing indie
punk label Altercation Records and will be releasing a split album with NY indie rockers American Pinup in February 2012.
And in recent news, LIS finally took home the award for Top Punk Band in the Asbury Music Awards. After being nominated in various
categories the past 4 years, their fierce go-big-or-go-home ethos finally paid off. They're also currently nominated for Top Regional Punk
Band in the TriStateIndie.com Music Awards.
lostinsociety.com
Society are undoubtedly the real deal. Based in the indie music hub of Asbury Park, NJ this alt/punk trio likes it loud and simple. Lost In
Society got their start in 2004 with their first big show at the PNC Bank Center in Holmdel, NJ. Shortly after they would record their first EP
Gone with Jon Leidersdorff of Lakehouse Music. In 2009 they hit the studio again with Leisersdorff, releasing their first full length album,
Eastern Empire. This album took the sizzling hot trio to new levels, gaining them massive attention in the local music scene. It didn't take
long for their catchy singles to gain a serious, die-hard fan base around the Jersey Shore. With a completely D.I.Y. dedication to
promoting and touring, LIS were quickly known for collecting fans the way old punks did: by word of mouth.
Big success came in 2011, as the trio took home the gold in Metromix's state-wide BreakThru band competition. Their dedication, raw
energy and fierce promotion took them to the top of New Jersey's music scene. In April 2011 LIS recorded an EP which was produced by
Pete Steinkopf of the Bouncing Souls. Just this past year they've been lucky enough to share the stage with The Souls, and other
legendary acts such as The Misfits, Strike Anywhere, Tim Barry and HR of Bad Brains. They also signed on with the fast growing indie
punk label Altercation Records and will be releasing a split album with NY indie rockers American Pinup in February 2012.
And in recent news, LIS finally took home the award for Top Punk Band in the Asbury Music Awards. After being nominated in various
categories the past 4 years, their fierce go-big-or-go-home ethos finally paid off. They're also currently nominated for Top Regional Punk
Band in the TriStateIndie.com Music Awards.
lostinsociety.com
| Love of Everything |
Bobby Burg (Joan of Arc, Make Believe, Vacations) has certainly been active lately. Within the past couple years, he s self-released Love
of Everything s seventh full-length, Best In Tensions, and teamed up with Jeremy Bolen (Chin Up Chin Up) to put out a 13-song Vacations
7". As well, he s been a mainstay in Joan of Arc for the last nine years playing bass on the Chicago-based band's last two albums while
touring the U.S. and Europe multiple times in support of those records. On top of all this, Burg and his wife (ex-LOE drummer) recently got
divorced As a result, Sooner I Wish, the latest offering from Burg s solo project Love of Everything, features four of his most personal
songs to date. "A lot of it involves dealing with a divorce and not knowing how to start again with another person," says Burg. "The lyrics
are written from contradictory perspectives, switching line by line between the person who wants to end the relationship and the person
who wants to make things work." Recorded live with a loop pedal and no overdubs except on the vocals, these tracks feature new
drummer Matt Holland (Air Waves, Vacations) and were shaped in moments of down time during Vacations' practices. Although the record
clocks in just below nine minutes, Burg's catchy melodies stick in your head instantly upon first listen and are sure to linger there long
after the songs have ended.
www.joanfrc.com
of Everything s seventh full-length, Best In Tensions, and teamed up with Jeremy Bolen (Chin Up Chin Up) to put out a 13-song Vacations
7". As well, he s been a mainstay in Joan of Arc for the last nine years playing bass on the Chicago-based band's last two albums while
touring the U.S. and Europe multiple times in support of those records. On top of all this, Burg and his wife (ex-LOE drummer) recently got
divorced As a result, Sooner I Wish, the latest offering from Burg s solo project Love of Everything, features four of his most personal
songs to date. "A lot of it involves dealing with a divorce and not knowing how to start again with another person," says Burg. "The lyrics
are written from contradictory perspectives, switching line by line between the person who wants to end the relationship and the person
who wants to make things work." Recorded live with a loop pedal and no overdubs except on the vocals, these tracks feature new
drummer Matt Holland (Air Waves, Vacations) and were shaped in moments of down time during Vacations' practices. Although the record
clocks in just below nine minutes, Burg's catchy melodies stick in your head instantly upon first listen and are sure to linger there long
after the songs have ended.
www.joanfrc.com
| Psychic Ills |
Hypnotic, elusive New York experimental rock band Psychic Ills took shape in 2003, when they pressed their own 7" and started playing
shows. They’ve remained ambiguous and often hard to classify through the years as they’ve traversed a variety of musical terrain and
personnel changes. Recently, Tres Warren, Elizabeth Hart and co. have emerged with a seemingly more streamlined and accessible
approach to their original blend of music as displayed on their record Hazed Dream for new label Sacred Bones Records.
psychicills.com
shows. They’ve remained ambiguous and often hard to classify through the years as they’ve traversed a variety of musical terrain and
personnel changes. Recently, Tres Warren, Elizabeth Hart and co. have emerged with a seemingly more streamlined and accessible
approach to their original blend of music as displayed on their record Hazed Dream for new label Sacred Bones Records.
psychicills.com
| Royal Heist |
Two dudes, A Unicorn God, and a feisty chick. They are made up of Shirley Cruz (Vocals/Keys) Taylor Bowen (Guitar/Vocals), Xe Davis
(Bass), and Alex Capraro ( Drums) Ritz Riot started out as a duo with just Taylor and Shirley. The also do their artwork under this name
as well. They draw inspiration from punk,r-n-r, new wave, post-punk, shoegaze, triphop, 1960's pop, films and comedy.
ЯR!
(Bass), and Alex Capraro ( Drums) Ritz Riot started out as a duo with just Taylor and Shirley. The also do their artwork under this name
as well. They draw inspiration from punk,r-n-r, new wave, post-punk, shoegaze, triphop, 1960's pop, films and comedy.
ЯR!
| Ritz Riot |
| The Grayces |
The Grayces are an all original rock band from Nashville, TN. Fronted by band founder
Iz Stone, The Grayces bring us to a world of no bounds. For them, Music is all about
the moment, with the intensity of in your face honesty. Crossing genres for the sole
purpose of finding the perfect home for each song, the group taps into the raw
strength of musical expression touching the ear with an air of familiarity as well as a
jump start of new intrigue.
www.thegrayces.com
Iz Stone, The Grayces bring us to a world of no bounds. For them, Music is all about
the moment, with the intensity of in your face honesty. Crossing genres for the sole
purpose of finding the perfect home for each song, the group taps into the raw
strength of musical expression touching the ear with an air of familiarity as well as a
jump start of new intrigue.
www.thegrayces.com
| Cloud Nothings |
In 2009, Cleveland’s Dylan Baldi began writing and recording lo-fi power-pop songs in his parents’ basement, dubbing the project
Cloud Nothings. His music quickly started making the Internet rounds, and fans and critics alike took note of his pithy songcraft,
infectiously catchy melodies, and youthful enthusiasm. Baldi soon released a string of 7”s, a split cassette, and an EP before putting
out Turning On—a compilation spanning about a year’s worth of work—on Carpark in 2010. January 2011 saw the release Cloud
Nothings’ self-titled debut LP, which, put next to Turning On, found Baldi cleaning up his lo-fi aesthetic, pairing his tales of affinitive
confusion with a more pristine aural clarity. In the interval since the release of Cloud Nothings, Baldi has toured widely and put a great
deal of focus on his live show, a detail that heavily shapes the music of his follow-up album, Attack on Memory.
After playing the same sets nightly for months on end, Baldi saw the rigidity of his early work, and he wanted to create arrangements
that would allow for more improvisation and variability when played on the road. To accomplish this desired malleability, the entire band
decamped to Chicago—where the album was recorded with Steve Albini—and all lent a hand in the songwriting process. The product of
these sessions is a record boasting features that, even at a glance, mark a sea change in the band’s sound: higher fidelity, a track
clocking in at almost nine minutes, an instrumental, and an overall more plaintive air. The songs move along fluidly, and Baldi sounds
assured as he brings his vocals up in the mix, allowing himself to hold out long notes and put some grain into his voice. Minor key
melodies abound, drums emphatically contribute much more than mere timekeeping, and the guitar work is much more adventurous
than that of previous releases.
For all of early Cloud Nothings’ fun and fervor, Baldi admits that it never sounded like most of the music he listens to. With Attack on
Memory, he wanted to remedy this anomaly, and in setting out to do so, Baldi and co. have created an album that shows vast growth in
a still very young band.
Cloud Nothings. His music quickly started making the Internet rounds, and fans and critics alike took note of his pithy songcraft,
infectiously catchy melodies, and youthful enthusiasm. Baldi soon released a string of 7”s, a split cassette, and an EP before putting
out Turning On—a compilation spanning about a year’s worth of work—on Carpark in 2010. January 2011 saw the release Cloud
Nothings’ self-titled debut LP, which, put next to Turning On, found Baldi cleaning up his lo-fi aesthetic, pairing his tales of affinitive
confusion with a more pristine aural clarity. In the interval since the release of Cloud Nothings, Baldi has toured widely and put a great
deal of focus on his live show, a detail that heavily shapes the music of his follow-up album, Attack on Memory.
After playing the same sets nightly for months on end, Baldi saw the rigidity of his early work, and he wanted to create arrangements
that would allow for more improvisation and variability when played on the road. To accomplish this desired malleability, the entire band
decamped to Chicago—where the album was recorded with Steve Albini—and all lent a hand in the songwriting process. The product of
these sessions is a record boasting features that, even at a glance, mark a sea change in the band’s sound: higher fidelity, a track
clocking in at almost nine minutes, an instrumental, and an overall more plaintive air. The songs move along fluidly, and Baldi sounds
assured as he brings his vocals up in the mix, allowing himself to hold out long notes and put some grain into his voice. Minor key
melodies abound, drums emphatically contribute much more than mere timekeeping, and the guitar work is much more adventurous
than that of previous releases.
For all of early Cloud Nothings’ fun and fervor, Baldi admits that it never sounded like most of the music he listens to. With Attack on
Memory, he wanted to remedy this anomaly, and in setting out to do so, Baldi and co. have created an album that shows vast growth in
a still very young band.
The Jukebox Romantics are 4 certifiable and usually belligerent punk rockers from southern NY. Since releasing their debut album on
Altercation Records in 2009, the Jukebox Romantics have taken their talked-about live show from coast to coast including dates during
Austins SXSW 2010/2011 festivals and the Warped Tour and Gainesville’s The Fest 9 in late 2010. With a genre hopping approach to
their sound, the Jukebox Romantics channel their influences of bands like The Clash, Bouncing Souls, and One Man Army through
personal song writing and their ability and eagerness to be absorbed by their audiences. This past VOV marked their 3rd Time at VOV
and 4th time in Hot Springs since the bands inception in 2008!"
Altercation Records in 2009, the Jukebox Romantics have taken their talked-about live show from coast to coast including dates during
Austins SXSW 2010/2011 festivals and the Warped Tour and Gainesville’s The Fest 9 in late 2010. With a genre hopping approach to
their sound, the Jukebox Romantics channel their influences of bands like The Clash, Bouncing Souls, and One Man Army through
personal song writing and their ability and eagerness to be absorbed by their audiences. This past VOV marked their 3rd Time at VOV
and 4th time in Hot Springs since the bands inception in 2008!"
Jukebox Romantics
Svetlanas
| Valley of the Vapors 2012 Independent Music Festival |
| More Indie Music: Page 2 |
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