A. Savage, of the rock band Parquet Courts, has announced his second solo album, Several Songs About Fire, out October 6th on Rough Trade Records. He also has presented its lead single/video, “Elvis in the Army.” Produced by John Parish in Bristol, Several Songs About Fire is bolstered by the support of Jack Cooper (Modern … Read more
This is the newest track from Ireland’s Gilla Band (formally Girl Band) which see the release of their newest album, Most Normal, today on Rough Trade Records. The video for “Post Ryan” was directed by Michael Speed and follows earlier singles “Backwash” and “Eight Fivers”, which were accompanied by videos directed and animated by Mortis … Read more
black midiHellfireRough Trade Records [2022] Written in isolation in London after the release of last year’s Cavalcade, Hellfire (black midi’s third LP) continues to expand and build on the elements found in its predecessor, while also reaching back and tapping into the muscular strength on their debut, Schlagenheim (2019). This progression forward has created another … Read more
black midi – the UK-based trio of Geordie Greep (guitar, vocals), Cameron Picton (bass, vocals) and Morgan Simpson (drums) – announce their third album, Hellfire, out July 15th on Rough Trade, and a fall North American tour. In conjunction with the announcement, they share the album’s lead single/video, “Welcome To Hell.” Written in isolation in … Read more
The rapturous reception of 2020’s Flower of Devotion gave Dehd access to more resources — budgets, studios, producers. Rather than seek something new however, they invested in themselves, their process, and their deep belief in what they have always done. They booked the same studio where they recorded Flower of Devotion but tripled their stay, … Read more
Pinegrove11:11Rough Trade Records [2022] Pinegrove is back with their sixth album, 11:11, and it quickly proves that they are one of the most consistent indie groups on the current scene. The album brings a very familiar sound to your ears from the first track as Pinegrove continues to blend emo rock, folk and alt-country that … Read more
New Jersey-based group Pinegrove announced their new album 11:11 will release on January 28th through Rough Trade Records. Self-produced with mixing by Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists, Tegan & Sara), 11:11 is the band’s fifth studio album following 2020’s Marigold. They also shared their lead single “Alaska,” a gallop of dense, bracing … Read more
Parquet CourtsSympathy For LifeRough Trade Records [2021] For the past 10 years, Parquet Courts have been pushing the limits of indie rock. That is a big statement considering the band from the outside seems to stay below the radar with their overall slacker vibe rock style and almost spoken singing type vocals by A. Savage … Read more
Parquet Courts will release their new album, Sympathy For Life, this Friday on Rough Trade Records, and play a coinciding record release show at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Today, they present a new single/video, “Homo Sapien.” Additionally, tomorrow, the band will present. Feel Free: Sympathy for Life, Visualized. their NoonChorus livestream event, where fans can … Read more
Amyl & the Sniffers, the Melbourne, Australia rock band fronted by Amy Taylor, just released their sophomore album Comfort To Me this past Friday, via ATO Records/Rough Trade. Here is the latest single entitled “Hertz” from the Headphone Approved release. “‘Hertz’ is a daydream of wanting to go to the country/bush and see landscapes other … Read more
Parquet Courts have announced their new album, Sympathy For Life, out October 22nd on Rough Trade Records, and share the first single/video, “Walking at a Downtown Pace.” On Sympathy For Life, Parquet Courts’ thought-provoking rock is dancing to a new tune. The album finds the Brooklyn band at both their most instinctive and electronic, spinning … Read more
black midiCavalcadeRough Trade Records [2021] When taking a look at UK’s black midi, they earn the admiration of music fans. How do they do this? To break music rules like they do, you have to be a quick study. Geordie Greep (vocals, guitar), Cameron Picton (vocals, bass, synths, samples), Morgan Simpson (drums), Seth Evans (keyboard, … Read more
black midi present a new single/video, “Slow,” from their forthcoming album, Cavalcade, out May 28th on Rough Trade. In conjunction, they announce a fall North American tour, plus a new KEXP interview and performance. A full circle moment for black midi, their first KEXP performance (live from Iceland Airwaves in 2019) is how many first … Read more
black midi announce Cavalcade, their new album out May 28th on Rough Trade, and today offer its lead single/video, “John L.” Cavalcade is a dynamic, hellacious, and inventive follow-up to 2019’s widely-praised Schlagenheim, “a labyrinth with hairpin-turn episodes and lyrics full of dourly corrosive observations” (New York Times, Best Albums of 2019). It scales beautiful … Read more
Pinegrove have just shared the video to “Endless,” from their new album, Marigold. “In this video we wanted to explore tenacity & endurance of spirit.” Says singer Evan Stephens Hall. “In this moment of turbulence in our country, as many of us are banding together to fight racism, to stay healthy in a pandemic, & … Read more
Pinegrove Marigold Rough Trade Records [2020] TFN Album Review: Ever since Pinegrove’s Cardinal release in 2016, I thought the band would have an incredible musical arc that was going nowhere but up. Of course, life is unpredictable and the band went completely quiet in November of 2017 after Pinegrove bandleader Evan Stephens Hall explained some … Read more
black midi Schlagenheim Rough Trade Records [2019] Who: The young London quartet black midi basically came out of nowhere and built a super buzz leading up to this debut. Sound: Post punk for a new generation with some extraordinary drumming and the ability to move through multiple genres on the turn of a dime. TFN … Read more
Houndmouth Golden Age Rough Trade Records [2018] Who: Louisville trio going through a transition. Sound: High energy synth-pop. TFN Final Take: Giving Golden Age its first listen, you may wonder if you’ve got the right album. While Houndmouth’s trademark sound had been loose, guitar-driven, harmony-laden blues and folk, this LP is electric and crackling. That’s … Read more
This Is the Kit Moonshine Freeze Rough Trade Records [2017] Fire Note Says: This Is the Kit offers a varied and unique rhythmic with Kate Stables expression of alternative folk. Album Review: This Is the Kit (primarily a vehicle for singer/songwriter Kate Stables) lean most naturally toward a minimalist expression of alternative folk where a … Read more
Sleaford Mods English Tapas Rough Trade Records [2017] Who: Ghetto-tech beats fused with punk rock rant/rap from Nottingham, UK. Sound: Sleaford Mods 4th LP sees the UK duo belting out another albums worth of pissed off English banter layered with beats, bass and mixed results. TFN Final Take: English Tapas is very uneven. There is … Read more
Father John Misty Live At Rough Trade Rough Trade Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Back in February, Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, came out to promote the recent release of his excellent I Love You, Honeybear with just his voice and guitar. Rough Trade smartly recorded the event as FJM played eight stripped … Read more
We first told you about Dublin’s Girl Band when they were a Friday Fire track back in January of 2014 and then reminded you in June when they were featured in our June 14′ Bandcamp feature. So it is no surprise that we are excited for their debut album, Holding Hands with Jamie, out September … Read more
Happyness Weird Little Birthday Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ready for a non-disappointing British Sea Power? Album Review: Here’s something I don’t get to say every day: “That reminds me of Gay Dad!” Or possibly Sonic Youth’s “Antenna.” Or maybe Meat Puppets in their mid-90’s ZZ Top phase. Key word here is diverse. … Read more
Howler World Of Joy Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Former buzz band takes a solid step forward from their debut on World of Joy. Album Review: Howler was a bit of a buzz band a few years ago when their debut album America Give Up was released. It was a tasty slice of … Read more
Warpaint Warpaint Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Warpaint provide a technically and musically sound sophomore record. Album Review: It took some time with Warpaint’s debut record, The Fool (2010), to really absorb their sound but after repeat listens their smooth but somewhat cold delivery won you over. On the band’s self-titled sophomore return … Read more