New Music Releases: From Lysol and The Kings to Secrecies and Shane Smith & The Saints
New Music Releases is a column that keeps abreast of all the news from the music industry that often flies under the radar. Keep up-to-date with the underground and independent scene and find your next favorite band or singer-songwriter right here.
Lekan announces release date for new single '614'
Lekan, the first generation Nigerian-American R&B luminary recently named to Spotify's 2024 R&B Artists to Watch list, returns with the release of his new single '614' available on Friday, March 8 on all digital platforms via The Orchard.
Lekan’s debut TV performance on 'The Tamron Hall Show' with Vic Mensa and the continued success of his single 'Familiar', a collaboration with Grammy Award winner Bongo ByTheWay that has seen a remarkable 286 per cent recent surge, underscores his growing impact.
Seattle punk rockers Lysol to release new album 'Down the Street'
Feel It Records has annouced the upcoming EP from Lysol will be released on March 22. 'Down the Street' is the latest EP from the Seattle punks, following 2021's 'Soup for My Family'.
The four piece lineup of Anthony Gaviria, Xtine Lundberg, Chad Ringo Bucklew, and Noah Earl Fowler waste no time on this EP, with all four tracks clocking in at two minutes or less. Perfectly executed hardcore punk with a touch of Pacific Northwest guitar rock in the mix: Lysol have again kicked down a steamroller of a record that matches their power as a live band.
Why Bother? drops new single ahead of 5th album release
Why Bother? are back with a new single, 'Some Don't Dance', ahead of the release of their upcoming album, 'Serenading Unwanted Ballads', coming out on Feel It Records on March 22.
'Serenading Unwanted Ballads' is the fifth album from the Iowa band and a testament to the fact that they will never make the same record twice. Full of twists, their unique approach to Midwestern synth punk becomes their own sound of Gothadelic, weirdo madness. Several of these tracks make their first vinyl appearance after surfacing on previous EPs and singles, while a newer mix of 'Some Don't Dance' speaks to the unwavering creativity of the group.
'Testify', recorded by friend (and contributing song writer) Aaron, while serving his life sentence at Anamosa State Prison, adds a layer of originality and bleakness to these unwanted ballads.
Side Saddle announces 'Forever and a Little While' EP, out May 10
Side Saddle has announced the 'Forever and a Little While' EP, due out on May 10. Along with the EP release date announcement comes the latest single 'Moving Out West', a high energy call to personal betterment in the form of a windows down joyride of a song.
Now based in North Texas, Side Saddle’s Ian McGuinness and his bandmates went into the studio with an outside producer for the first time, recording 'Forever and a Little While' with the accomplished Peter Katis (The National, Hozier, Kurt Vile). The resulting EP is Side Saddle’s most impressive recorded material to date, with Katis’ elevated production making the perfect compliment to McGuinness’ infectious indie-folk melodies and introspective, “bare it all” storytelling.
The Kings new video for 'Nowhere to Go But Gone' is an ode to Spring Break
The Kings have dropped their new music video for 'Nowhere to Go But Gone' in support of Spring Break.
Lead singer/bassist Dave Diamond says, “There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom driving in your old set of wheels with a couple of your best buds on spring break. Maybe somewhere out there you’ll meet the one of your dreams that feels exactly like you do, maybe not. But things always have a happy ending. That’s what spring break is about. Party all the way."
'Nowhere to Go But Gone' picks up where their recent production, 'Always Off the Deep End' left off with bandmates Diamond, keyboardist Sonny Keyes, drummer Todd Reynolds, and guitarist Mister Zero in animated settings relevant to the songs’ stories.
Written by Diamond and Zero, 'Nowhere to Go' is, according to Zero, “about a road trip as a way to take a break from a relationship that is getting stale". It appears on the band’s new album, 'The Longest Story Ever Told'.
Irish artist Fears release new single 'Cliff' featuring Aga Ujma
Dublin-born and London-based artist Fears (Constance Keane) has released her new single 'Cliff' ft. Aga Ujma and its accompanying video which Colleen Lee filmed. The track is the final pre-release single from Fears' anticipated forthcoming album 'Affinity' out March 22 via Tulle.
On 'Cliff', Fears enlists Polish-born multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer Aga Ujma who offers her delicate harp playing to the ethereal song. Constance wrote in December of 2022 about, “leaving something before you know it’s going to completely implode. I think it’s quite rare to be able to pull it off and have it work out, and thankfully this time it did".
The accompanying video shot and directed by Colleen Lee is a further exploration of the relationship between Fears’ physical surroundings and the work she produces. You see reflections of Fears and Aga as they perform from a rooftop backdropped by London’s awe-inspiring skyline and features costumes designed and created by Fears’ herself.
Dallas band Secrecies sparks upcoming album anticipation with new single
Dallas-based dream-pop band Secrecies has announced their anticipated new album 'Perfect Bite' is out on May 17 on Idol Records. Secrecies is the project of songwriter, producer, musician, and band leader, Shawn Magill.
'Perfect Bite' features songs born amid the pandemic and new band members in an ever-rotating cast of talent. The new album is the sequel to Secrecies' self-titled debut in 2019, which earned them the Best New Artist accolade at the Dallas Observer Music Awards.
The band has dropped the single 'Cathedrals', the first single to be released from the forthcoming release along with its accompanying music video. The video and track is available now on digital platforms.
The Idoru's new album set for April as new single drops
Post-hardcore vets The Idoru will release their new LP 'Undertow' via Swedish label Black Star Foundation on April 26. The new single and video 'This Ship Will Sail' is the follow up to the album's lead single 'The King Is Naked' which debuted in February.
After a decade-long hiatus, The Idoru made a powerful comeback in 2020 with a new 3-song EP titled 'Old Songs'. Originating in 2003, the band boasts an extensive history, undertaking headlining tours across Europe and Japan. They've also shared the stage with notable acts like Ignite during their Japan tour and iconic punk band Misfits on select European tours. Over the years, The Idoru has released four albums and several EPs. Hailing from Budapest, Hungary, The Idoru emerged in 2003, founded by former members of the Hungarian hardcore band, Newborn.
SeeYouSpaceCowboy announces release date for album 'Coup De Grâce'
Post hardcore band SeeYouSpaceCowboy have announced their anticipated new album 'Coup De Grâce'. 'Coup De Grâce' is set to be released on April 19 via Pure Noise Records.
“This album was a chance for us to refine some of the melodic elements we had recently introduced to the band while also playing around with all things and bringing back reinvented version of past parts of our identity,” said frontwoman Connie Sgarbossa.
“The hope is that we made something that mixes the innate emotion of post hardcore with the cathartic essence of dancing and allure of cabaret/burlesque in a package reflecting the tale of a city on fire and it’s all to tragic individuals and their indulgence and woes.”
Upcoming Tour Dates
4/18 – Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Centre
4/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
4/20 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
4/22 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
4/23 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
4/24 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
4/29 – Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
4/30 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
5/2 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
5/3 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazón
5/4 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
5/6 – Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room
5/7 – Calgary, AB @ Dickens
5/9 – Winnipeg, MB @ Exchange Event Centre
5/10 – Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
5/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
5/12 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
5/14 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme
5/15 – Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
5/16 – London, ON @ London Music Hall
7/13-7/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Exposition Park (Sound and Fury Festival)
Shane Smith & The Saints set to release first album in 5 years
Shane Smith & The Saints has released their long-awaited new album, 'Norther', on Thirty Tigers/Geronimo West Records. 'Norther' is the Austin, TX band’s first album in five years and has proven to be well worth the wait.
The 13-song collection features great songwriting, passionate performances, thought-provoking narratives, and Smith’s arresting vocals backed by an exceptional band in the Saints, who effortlessly traverse rock, country, folk, and Americana.
Upcoming Shane Smith & The Saints Tour Dates
Mar. 8 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
Mar. 24 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns
Mar. 26 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Mar. 30 – Abilene, TX – Outlaws & Legends
Apr. 5 – New Orleans, LA – Hogs for the Cause
Apr. 7 – Eagle Pass, TX – 57 South Music Fest
Apr. 13 – Fort Worth, TX – Syndicate Smokedown
Apr. 14 – Gonzales, TX – Cattle Country Festival
Apr. 26 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach
May 2-4 – Stillwater, OK – Calf Fry
May 7 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
May 14 – Copenhagen, DK – DR Koncerthuset Studie 2
May 16 – Utrecht, NL – Cloud Nine
May 17 – London, UK – Highways 2024
May 18 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla
May 19 – Glasgow, SCT – Oran Mor
May 30 - June 2 – Panama City Beach, FL – Gulf Coast Jam
June 19 – Mack, CO – Country Jam
June 20 – Filer, ID – Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Festival
July 9 – Big Sky, MT – Big Sky Events Arena
July 19 – Eau Claire, WI – Country Jam 2024
July 20 – Brooklyn, MI – Faster Horses
Aug. 10 – Sikeston, MO – Bootheel Rodeo
Aug. 16-17 – Helix, OR – Wheatstock Music Festival
Sept. 1 – Dillon, MT – Montana’s Biggest Weekend
Sept. 19-22 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond Festival
Oct. 18-20 – Sacramento, CA – Goldensky 2024