GA-20 – “Lonely Soul (Live)” [Video]

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GA-20 was formed by friends Pat Faherty and Matthew Stubbs in Boston, MA in 2018. The project was born out of their mutual love of heavy traditional Blues, R&B, and Rock & Roll of the late ’50s and early ’60s. Faherty and Stubbs bonded over legendary artists like Lazy Lester, J.B. Lenoir, Earl Hooker, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Junior Wells. Feeling a void in current music, the duo have set out to write, record and perform a modern version of this beloved art form. Live, GA-20 is a trio of 2 guitars, vocals and drums. Raw, passionate and honest performance – both on stage and in the studio – is the only goal.

Stubbs has spent the past 11 years as guitarist for Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. During that time he has also backed up and toured with such Blues giants as John Hammond, James Cotton, Junior Watson and James Harman. Stubbs also leads his own original instrumental psych-rock band, The Antiguas.

GA-20’s new album Lonely Soul will be available on October 18th via Karma Chief Records. Click HERE to pre-order.

GA-20 LIVE:
Sep 25 ONCE Ballroom, Somerville, MA
Oct 05 One Long Fellow Sq, Portland, ME (w/ Ward Hayden & The Outliers)
Oct 11 Starlite, Southbridge MA
Oct 25 Atwoods Tavern, Cambridge, MA (w/ Big Jon Short)
Oct 26 Nick A Nees, Providence, RI
Nov 01 The Press Room, Portsmouth, NH (w/ Jesse Dee)
Nov 07 The Hideout, Chicago, IL (w/ Jonah Tolchin)
Nov 6 Beachland Tavern, Cleveland, OH
Nov 9 Fretboard Brewing, Cincinnati, OH
Dec 19 Terra Blues, NYC
Dec 20 Ruthie’s BBQ, Montclair, NJ
[more dates to be announced soon]

Beach Slang: The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City (Half Beer/Half Bone Wax | 200 Copies)

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Beach Slang has announced a new album, The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, which is due out January 10 on Bridge Nine Records. While James has always invited a rotating gang of friends and players for recordings and shows, this record features a VERY special guest bassist: Tommy Stinson. “It was a real-life rock & … Read more

Belle And Sebastian: Days Of The Bagnold Summer [Album Review]

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Belle And Sebastian Days Of The Bagnold Summer Matador Records [2019] Album Review: Although it’s been four year since the last full-length album by the indie-pop/alternative band Belle and Sebastian, from Glasgow, Scotland, this new release might not qualify exactly as its latest release, as Days of the Bagnold Summer is a soundtrack album for … Read more

The Hecks – “Flash” [Video]

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Chicago trio The Hecks have been at it since 2012, starting out as the duo of guitarist Andy Mosiman & Zach Hebert. The band drafted guitarist Dave Vettraino into the fold, a recording engineer who was recording the band’s s/t debut (Trouble In Mind, 2016) & ended up joining the band In 2017. The band’s journey to the end result of My Star⁠—their second album⁠—has taken them three years.

After recording an initial version of the album in 2017, The Hecks started gigging with new fourth member & keyboardist Jeff Graupner, whose synthesized squiggles added some welcome heft & swagger to the band’s tunes. After reworking & rearranging much of the new material to accommodate Graupner, the band scrapped the recordings & rebuilt them from the ground up, incorporating Graupner’s skills at the keys.
The single “Flash” is off The Hecks new album My Star which is out today on Trouble In Mind! You can order up a copy HERE.

Bon Iver: I,I [Album Review]

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Bon Iver I,I Jagjaguwar [2019] Album Review: While “I,I”, the fourth album from Bon Iver, begins with “Yi” a 30 second smattering of electronic noise, voices, and an unsettling sense of dislocation, which would lead one to expect another album in the more experimental mode of 2016’s 22, A Million, soon something more focused and … Read more

Cherry Glazerr – “Call Me (feat. Portugal. The Man)” [Video]

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Cherry Glazerr – the Los Angeles based trio led by Clementine Creevy – have released the video for “Call Me,” the band’s new single featuring Grammy award-winning Portugal. The Man. Team work makes the dream work, y’all! The video for “Call Me” stars performance artist Jibz Cameron (“Dynasty Handbag”) working to realize her QVC hosting dreams. Watch it now!

Gong Gong Gong: Phantom Rhythm [Album Review]

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Gong Gong Gong Phantom Rhythm Wharf Cat Records [2019] Who: Guitar-and-bass duo Gong Gong Gong are from Beijing’s underground indie scene and Phantom Rhythm is their debut LP. Sound: Phantom Rhythm is a psychedelic blues jam that also has an energetic jazz and surf background that is sewn together by Cantonese lyrics. TFN Final Take: … Read more

The Black Keys w/ Modest Mouse: Let’s Rock Tour 2019 [Concert Review]

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The Black Keys w/ Modest Mouse; Let’s Rock Tour 2019; Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH – Wednesday, October 2, 2019 There are some bands who put so much distance between their latter day success and their modest early beginnings that its nearly impossible to imagine them learning their musical chops in a garage band from some … Read more

that dog. – “Just The Way” [Video]

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Los Angeles band that dog. — comprised of guitarist/vocalist Anna Waronker, drummer Tony Maxwell, and bassist/vocalist Rachel Haden — have released a new video for the song “Just The Way,” a standout track from their first new album in twenty-two years, entitled Old LP, which is out now via UMe. The Casey Storm-directed video is a Three’s Company fever dream, and guest stars the band’s longtime friends Jack Black and Maya Rudolph.

TOUR DATES:
11/16 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent
11/23 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

Temples: Hot Motion [Album Review]

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Temples Hot Motion ATO [2019] Fire Note Says: Neo-psychedelic British band, Temples is back with their third album, bringing more of their mix of pop song melodicism with just enough colorful progressive instrumental moves to keep everyone on their toes. Album Review: The advance materials for the Kettering, Northhampshire, England band Temples’ third album release … Read more

Michael Stipe – “Your Capricious Soul” [Video]

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Michael Stipe hasn’t released any music since his band R.E.M. broke up in 2011. That is an incredibly long time for such a career artist so the debut of “Your Capricious Soul” is special. The track actually surfaced several months ago when Stipe performed it and “Drive To The Ocean” opening for Patti Smith. The rumor is he has other tracks ready to go for a full solo album so let’s hope this is the launch party!

Currently “Your Capricious Soul” is available for a pay-what-you-want donation (or for free) on Stipe’s website HERE. The download comes with master-quality audio version of the song, its accompanying video by Sam Taylor-Johnson, a lyric sheet, a print-ready poster, a stencil, and an animated flip-book portrait. For the next 365 days, all proceeds from the song will go to Extinction Rebellion.

“I took a long break from music, and I wanted to jump back in,” Stipe says in a statement. “I love “Your Capricious Soul” — it’s my first solo work. I want to add my voice to this exciting shift in consciousness. Extinction Rebellion gave me the incentive to push the release and not wait. Our relationship to the environment has been a lifelong concern, and I now feel hopeful—optimistic, even. I believe we can bring the kind of change needed to improve our beautiful planet earth, our standing and our place on it.”

Bandcamp Artists Of The Week: Discover, Support, Share

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New music Friday! The weather has finally cooled off but TFN will warn you – these three artists will spike your temperature back up! Please check out below: the singer/songwriter from Berlin, a swagger heavy group from London and the intense rock out of Boston. Don’t forget – Discover, Support & Share! Saba Lou Berlin, … Read more

WIVES: So Removed [Album Review]

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WIVES So Removed City Slang [2019] Who: So Removed is the debut album from Queens, NY-based post-punks WIVES. Sound: WIVES have the New York swagger of The Strokes, channel the DC post-hardcore of Girls Against Boys, contain an edge of The Fall and bring out a similar Frank Black type Pixies vocal delivery. TFN Final … Read more

The Muffs – “Sad Tomorrow” [Video Classics]

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TFN was sad to hear about the passing of The Muffs lead singer Kim Shattuck last night. She had been battling ALS for the last two years. Kim was 56.

The Muffs put out several fantastic records over the years and Kim could absolutely wail! This video for “Sad Tomorrow” is one of TFN favorites so play it as loud as your player can go!

As with other artists, Kim’s music will live on and The Muffs actually have a new album coming out October 18 via Omnivore Recordings. No Holiday, is The Muffs’ first new album in five years, and represents a celebration of everything the band has always stood for, and continues to be. Bassist Ronnie Barnett says “I think this new album represents the depth of our band like none of our others. It could have easily been aptly called The Many Moods Of The Muffs. All of our strengths: melody, big rock, sweetness, nastiness… All on display and readily apparent. The three of us, after all these years, are a family. The love between us is well represented here. We laid it all out there on this one.”

Kim Shattuck (songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist) adds “I wrote the songs between 1991 and 2017. We decided to have a long album and use songs that had been in my arsenal but were weeded out for super concise albums. They were all great songs and we didn’t want them to go to waste. No way!”

No Holiday contains 18 tracks on CD, Digital, and a 2-LP set (with laser-etched fourth side). Drummer Roy McDonald: “I think No Holiday is the most unique album we’ve ever made. 18 songs that run the spectrum from full blown productions to intimate home recordings. This was a labor of love for us and I think that comes out in the record. We wanted to create something lasting and special. I, for one, couldn’t be happier with the results.”

You can pre-order a copy HERE. RIP Kim – we will miss you!

Kal Marks: Let The Shit House Burn Down [Album Review]

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Kal Marks Let The Shit House Burn Down Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston’s Kal Marks rip their way through a 5-track EP, laying everything to waste with their wonderfully grotesque sound. Sound: Kal Marks make beautiful, grungy noise. Off-putting to some, but it draws me in every time. TFN Final Take: Let The … Read more

The Lumineers: III [Album Review]

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The Lumineers III Dualtone/Decca [2019] Album Review: The Lumineers’ third outing, helpfully titled III, finds the songwriting duo of Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites attempting to take their folk-song storytelling up a notch. The band’s long-time member Neyla Pekarek, who played cello and sang backing vocals, left the band last year. Like novelists, “III” consists … Read more

Dry Cleaning – “Viking Hair” [Video]

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UK quartet Dry Cleaning have shared the second single off their forthcoming EP “Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks”(their second EP in just over 4 months), entitled “Viking Hair.” Trademark repetitive, melodic guitar motifs ring out over an energized rhythm section that builds to a gradual crescendo. Lyrically, “Viking Hair” is inspired by romantic ideas about someone you’re attracted to but don’t know well, and distracting things seen in the street.

The song is accompanied by a video shot and edited by the band and Pedro Pina. The band provides the following context: “Cactus Club is a weekly LGBT line dancing class and club where everyone is welcome. Based in Clapham, South London, it was established in 1993 and is run by Michael, Anne and Peter. Whilst recording ‘Viking Hair,’ we noticed the mood and rhythm of the song brought line dancing to mind. We found Cactus Club online and approached them to see if they would be interested in helping us to make a video. Dry Cleaning wish to thank the Cactus Club organizers and all the dancers who took part for sharing the fantastic atmosphere at their club with us, and for their enthusiasm and expertise.”

Both EP’s, July’s “Sweet Princess” and October’s “Boundary Road Snacks And Drinks,” will be compiled together for a 12″ vinyl release on October 25th and can be pre-ordered HERE. You can find the band’s tour dates supporting the release below.

DRY CLEANING TOUR DATES:
Oct. 17th – Dublin, IE @ Workman’s Club
Oct. 19th – Bristol @ Simple Things Festival
Oct. 20th – Cardiff, UK @ SWN Festival
Oct. 23rd – London, UK @ The Lexington
Nov. 23rd – Glasgow, UK @ Great Western Festival
Nov. 24th – Sheffield, UK @ Picture House Social
Wed. Feb. 12 – Manchester, UK @ Gulliver’s
Thu. Feb. 13 – Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete’s
Fri. Feb. 14 – Glasgow, UK @ The Hug and Pint
Sat. Feb. 15 – Leeds, UK @ Hyde Park Book Club
Thu. Feb. 20 – Cambridge, UK @ Portland Arms
Fri. Feb. 21 – Liverpool, UK @ The Shipping Forecast
Sat. Feb. 22 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge
Fri. Feb. 28 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store
Sat. Feb. 29 – Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana
Sun. March 1 – Southampton, UK @ Heartbreakers
Tue. March 3 – London, UK @ Village Underground

Liam Gallagher: Why Me? Why Not. [Album Review]

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Liam Gallagher Why Me? Why Not. Warner Records [2019] Who: The Oasis singer Liam Gallagher is back with his sophomore solo record. Sound: Liam embraces the sound of his former band Oasis while also channeling John Lennon. TFN Final Take: For the first time in some years, Liam Gallagher sounds hopeful on his sophomore solo … Read more

Kiwi Jr. – “Salary Man” [Video]

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Toronto’s Kiwi Jr. have announced a worldwide release of their debut album Football Money, via Persona Non Grata Records. Football Money will come out worldwide on January 17th, 2020, following the March 2019 Canadian release on Mint Records.

The band has shared the video for their single “Salary Man.” A virtual explosion of power-pop, the track, like the full LP, was engineered by Aaron Goldstein, and mixed by Holy Fuck’s Graham Walsh. Of the video Kiwi Jr note, “after the fall of civilized society, all that’s left is a future rife with radioactive dogs and the remains of parties that never really took off. Clad in suit and tie and unable to part with their old routine, our hero wanders aimlessly through debris and clean up crews, searching for the remnants of something compelling and desirable.” The clip was directed by Ben Rayner who says: “putting together a perspective for this video, I wanted it to be fast paced, low budget, tongue-in-cheek, and highly personable.

All natives of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Kiwi Jr. are now based in Toronto and much of their songwriting is informed by the city that surrounds them. They have spent the last 5 years honing their craft both in the studio and live, including opening spots with Wolf Parade, New Pornographers and Alvvays. We think you are going to like this band!

Track Premiere: Mike Ruby – “Is Anyone There”

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Today’s premiere is a slightly different pace for TFN as Mike Ruby has a scorching pop beat that will bust out of your speakers on his new track “Is Anyone There.” Based in Toronto, Canada, Mike Ruby already has had success with his first single entitled “Close” that landed on the Top 40 Radio across … Read more

Oso Oso: Basking In The Glow [Album Review]

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Oso Oso Basking In The Glow Triple Crown Records [2019] Who: Long Island band Oso Oso return with their third album Basking In The Glow. Sound: Basking In The Glow has a catchy indie power pop and if you like Jimmy Eat World, Young Guv and The Promise Ring. TFN Final Take: If done correct, … Read more

Gong Gong Gong – “Ride Your Horse 騎你的馬” [Video]

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Described by the band’s bassist Joshua Frank as “a complete statement about what Gong Gong Gong is as a band,” ‘Ride Your Horse’ travels on a mesmeric groove that evolves in unexpected ways across its sections, which were inspired, as guitarist/vocalist Tom Ng explains, by classical Chinese structures:

“Playing this song, I feel like I’m the last Cantonese cowboy in the galaxy,” says Ng. “The different sections of “Ride Your Horse” were inspired a bit by the structure of classical Chinese writing: 起承轉合, or “introduction, elucidation of the theme, transition to another viewpoint and conclusion.”

The track is accompanied by a video co-directed by Frank and shot in the Beijing neighborhoods where he and Ng live. A documentary filmmaker, Frank intends for the video to depict the “unrelenting” nature while capturing its humour and humanity.

“The video for ‘Ride Your Horse’ was shot in the Beijing neighborhoods where we live and hang out,” Frank explains. “It was directed by myself and Liu Yi, a good friend of Tom and I, who is an artist and filmmaker living here.

“I’ve been wanting to make a video that paired kung fu movements with our music, emphasizing the dance-like qualities of both. The shiny metal sword and wooden staff mirror the materials of our guitars, and I think the martial arts and music balance a sense of being brutal and graceful at the same time.

You can pick up a copy of Gong Gong Gong’s debut HERE.