The Beths: Expert In A Dying Field [Album Review]

The BethsExpert In A Dying FieldCarpark Records [2022] With the release of their third studio outing, Auckland, New Zealand, power-pop/indie rock quartet The Beths are three for three. In 2018, Future Me Hates Me found vocalist/songwriter Elizabeth Stokes delivering powerful melodies, big power-pop guitars, and delightful vocal harmonies from the boys in the band, a … Read more

The Beths – “Silence Is Golden” [Video]

The Beths announce their new album, Expert In A Dying Field, out September 16th on Carpark Records, and share the new single/video, “Silence Is Golden.” On Expert In A Dying Field, Elizabeth Stokes’ songwriting positions her somewhere between being a novelist and a documentarian. The songs collected here are autobiographical, but they’re also character sketches … Read more

The Beths: Auckland, New Zealand, 2020 [Album Review]

The BethsAuckland, New Zealand, 2020Carpark Records [2021] Power pop/rock band The Beths are easily the best thing to come out of New Zealand since Crowded House. With two strong studio albums under their belt – Future Me Hates Me in ’18, and Jump Rope Gazers in ’20 – the band took advantage of their nation’s … Read more

The Beths – “Future Me Hates Me” (Live at Auckland Town Hall) [Video]

Playing a home show still feels special for The Beths, who began playing shows in 2015 and quickly won over local audiences with a low-key approach that disguised their drive for excellence. The band announced its first live recording and film, Auckland, New Zealand, 2020, out September 17th on Carpark Records. The announcement comes on … Read more

Ducks Ltd. – “18 Cigarettes” [Video]

Toronto’s Ducks Ltd. (fka Ducks Unlimited) announced their debut album Modern Fiction, out October 1st on Carpark Records, and have shared lead single/video “18 Cigarettes.” Ducks Ltd. is a duo that operates with the dynamism of a full band, as Tom McGreevy (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards) and Evan Lewis (guitar, bass, drum programming) sharpen their … Read more

The Beths: Future Me Hates Me [Album Review]

The Beths Future Me Hates Me Carpark Records [2018] Who: New Zealand four-piece The Beths channel their longtime friendship into high-energy guitar indie pop on debut record. Sound: Big guitar riffs and infectious indie-rock hooks. This record has plenty of vocal harmonies and should appeal to fans of Velocity Girl, The Breeders, Rilo Kiley and … Read more

Cloud Nothings: Last Building Burning [Album Review]

Cloud Nothings Last Building Burning Carpark Records [2018] Who: Cleveland four-piece Cloud Nothings has returned with their fifth LP. Sound: Cloud Nothings has always offered a solid indie rock edge and Last Building Burning brings their earlier angst back to the forefront. It has a spirit of Drive Like Jehu, Pissed Jeans, Jesus Lizard, and … Read more

The Beths – “Happy Unhappy” [Video]

The Beths have shared a video for their single, “Happy Unhappy,” from Future Me Hates Me, their debut album coming out August 10th on Carpark Records. The video is directed by Callum Devlin.

All four members of The Beths studied jazz at university, resulting in a toolkit of deft instrumental chops and tricked-out arrangements that operate on a level rarely found in guitar-pop. The Beths’ guitarist and studio guru Jonathan Pearce (whose other acts as producer include recent Captured Tracks’ signing Wax Chattels) brings it all home with an approach that’s equal parts seasoned perfectionist and D.I.Y.

The Beths recently toured Europe and will begin a U.S. run next week at Alphaville in Brooklyn, NY. These early shows in support of Future Me Hates Me mark their first time ever playing outside of New Zealand and Australia. A full list of dates is below.

The Beths Tour Dates:
June 11th – Brooklyn, NY – Alphaville *
June 13th – Philadelphia, PA – Ortlieb’s
June 14th – Washington, DC – Loves Me Not
June 16th – Chicago, IL – Charm School
June 20th – San Francisco, CA – The Battery
June 22nd – Los Angeles, CA – Make Out Music

* w/ Peach Kelli Pop

Speedy Ortiz: Twerp Verse [Album Review]

Speedy Ortiz Twerp Verse Carpark Records [2018] Who: Twerp Verse, is Speedy Ortiz’s third album and first full-length in three years. The band has always been politically mindful but after the more recent political climate the band scrapped their early material after Foil Deer and created what they feel is a more relevant and important … Read more

Cloud Nothings: Life Without Sound [Album Review]

Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound Carpark Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Leaving some of the angst behind, Baldi and co. turn the music towards inspiration. Album Review: Ever since we reviewed their sophomore album, 2012‘s Attack On Memory, Cloud Nothings had made nothing but the strongest impression on me and The Fire Note. Their follow … Read more

Speedy Ortiz: Foil Deer [Album Review]

Speedy Ortiz Foil Deer Carpark Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Sometimes a band actually lives up to the hype. Album Review: Massachusetts quartet Speedy Ortiz began life as a solo project for poetry professor Sadie Dupuis and her decidedly nineties take on indie rock. Her lyrics came at you fast and furiously and she released … Read more

Toro y Moi: What For? [Album Review]

Toro y Moi What For? Carpark Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi refreshes his sound on What For? Album Review: Toro y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) has taken a leap forward on his new album, What For? Previously Bundick’s music has been much more relaxed and streamlined, heavy on the synthesizer. Bundick forsakes … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Speedy Ortiz – “Puffer”

Speedy Ortiz could easily produce songs that sound rote. But within their 90’s indie trappings a distinct personality develops with the help of angular guitars, barely-disguised pain, and poetically-delivered wit. They’ve delivered before, so it can only be assumed that this personality will transfer over to their new release Foil Deer. After the exciting release … Read more

Speedy Ortiz shares new track “The Graduates” – New album 4/21/15

Speedy Ortiz is back to share “The Graduates.” It is the second track released off their upcoming record, Foil Deer, which is out April 21st via Carpark Records. “The Graduates” is a true complex and catchy rock anthem. Looking forward to the full length and seeing them live – track and tour dates below. Tour … Read more

Greys: If Anything [Album Review]

Greys If Anything Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Greys’ debut LP bridges a gap between genres and offers a refreshing blend of heavy noise rock with pop sensibility. Album Review: Last years’ Greys 7” Drift was one of my favorite 7” releases for 2013. A really heavy noise rocker. I enjoyed it so much; … Read more

Popstrangers: Fortuna [Album Review]

Popstrangers Fortuna Carpark Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Follow-up to last year’s excellent debut does not disappoint. Album Review: In the run-up to Popstrangers’ sophomore album there has been a lot made of the band’s recent move from Aukland, New Zealand to the musical epicenter of the world – London. Subsequently, attempts have been made to … Read more

Cloud Nothings: Here And Nowhere Else [Album Review]

Cloud Nothings Here And Nowhere Else Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cloud Nothings reminds us all over again with Here And Nowhere Else Album Review: It‘s lucky for us that Dylan Baldi was convinced to drop out of college, take Cloud Nothings out of the basement, pursue music full time, and expand the project … Read more

Speedy Ortiz: Real Hair EP [Album Review]

Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more

Speedy Ortiz: Major Arcana [Album Review]

Speedy Ortiz Major Arcana Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Massachusetts band release an album of surprising depth despite their early nineties indie rock obsession. Album Review: Speedy Ortiz lead singer and songwriter Sadie Dupuis hails from Northampton, MA – a stone’s throw from Amherst, hometown of J. Mascis. The geographic proximity is bested, however, … Read more

Popstrangers Share Their Cover The Troggs’ “With A Girl Like You”

Check out a nice cover of the Troggs “With A Girl Like You” from New Zealand’s Popstrangers. The band had this to say about the song, “We had been listening to “With A Girl Like You” quite a bit late last year and naturally started to play the song at band practices. That led to … Read more

Popstrangers: Antipodes [Album Review]

Popstrangers Antipodes Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Popstrangers Antipodes is an unconventional album that gives back if you’re willing to put in the time. Album Review: Who knew that of all places, New Zealand could surprise and give us more talent? They’ve brought us Ruban Nielson, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s front man, and now they … Read more

Toro y Moi: Anything In Return [Album Review]

Toro y Moi Anything In Return Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi return for a pure pop album with Anything In Return. Album Review: Toro y Moi is Chaz Bundick, who returns for his third official full-length with Anything In Return. Bundick has crafted an inviting, accessible pop album that builds on … Read more

Beach House: Beach House [Album Review]

Beach HouseBeach HouseCarpark Records [2006] Baltimore’s Beach House is in a league of their own when it comes to current modern music. There are not many bands out there releasing this pleasant mix of slide guitars, remarkable melodies and enchanted haunting echoes like you will find on their self-titled debut. Victoria Legrand is a frontwoman … Read more