New Music Releases: From Wild Powwers and DJ Esta to Mahogany and Swerve
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.
Wild Powwers announces new album 'Pop Hits & Total Bummers Vol. 5' and drops single
Seattle's Wild Powwers have announced a new album 'Pop Hits & Total Bummers Vol. 5' via Nadine Records out on July 5 and unveiled the first single 'Wild Reprise'.
Wild Powwers singer/guitarist Lara Hilgemann, bassist Jordan Gomes, and drummer/singer Lupe Flores (who owns renowned Seattle restaurant Lupe’s Situ Tacos) have been banging out heavy, infectious, shimmering rock music together for 10 years. On their fifth full length album, 'Pop Hits & Total Bummers Vol. 5', the band cultivates a collection of songs that lean in on both sides of the musical spectrum. Some are written to be catchy, and some are written to be massive bummers.
Lauren Ann releases latest single 'Bite' off upcoming concept EP
Belfast-based Lauren Ann's latest single 'Bite' is the second track from her upcoming concept EP. Each song is inspired by one of the deadly sins, with her previous single 'Need' symbolising greed and 'Bite' focusing on wrath.
The songwriter says, “In a way I’ve created a character or alter ego who experiences all of the sins in some way. Some of the songs are also about the different types of people I have met in my own life. I feel like everyone has encountered negative feelings of greed, wrath, pride etc. at some point in their life.” Sonically, 'Bite' is influenced by the likes of Deftones, The Smashing Pumpkins and Hole.
Esta announcs debut album 'Francis' and drops single 'Too Fast'
Los Angeles DJ and record producer Esta has announced his debut self-titled album 'Francis' is set to arrive on all digital streaming platforms on June 7 via The Orchard. On the 10-track LP, Esta enlists the talents of his friends and collaborators such as hitmakers Leon Thomas, Kenyon Dixon, Ambré, Joyce Wrice, Duckwrth, Jayla Darden, Tone Stith, Arin Ray, Phabo, Mack Keane, and Brandon Banks for a debut that pushes the boundaries of contemporary R&B.
In support of the announcement, Esta drops off the official music video for 'Francis' lead single 'Too Fast' featuring the song’s featured artists Joyce Wrice and Duckwrth. Directed by Chris Cadaver and Christian DK Long, the video is a VHS-inspired throwback with Wrice’s choreography and Duckwrth’s acting on full display. 'Too Fast' is a sonic playground where bouncy drums and funky basslines converge, setting the stage for Wrice's soulful vocals and Duckwrth's lyrical finesse.
The Soulection-affiliated DJ returns to the decks this June for headlining sets in San Francisco, CA at Audio (June 8); Brooklyn, NY at Silo (June 13); Los Angeles, CA at Lodge Room (June 27); and concluding in San Diego, CA at Bang Bang (June 29).
Mahogany drops music video for new single 'A Scaffold'
NYC-based band Mahogany has released the official music video for their new single 'A Scaffold'. Shot in Manhattan and directed by Julia Khoroshilov, 'A Scaffold' sees Mahogany’s singer-guitarist Jaclyn Slimm maneuvering intuitively, choreographing her reactions to a city forever in progress. “We sought to interpret the modes of self-empowerment in the lyric through traversing and penetrating a brutalist urban landscape,” says Slimm.
The release is a glimpse into the sonic landscape of Mahogany's upcoming EP, 'Cumulative Power', out this fall. Both tracks center on the sylph-like vocals of singer-guitarist Jaclyn Slimm, with bass, drums, electronics, and rhythmic, layered 12-string work architected by founder Andrew Prinz.
Mahogany just wrapped a short run of East Coast release show dates, and they’ll play next on June 28 at PhilaMOCA with revered ‘beautiful noise’ duo Lovesliescrushing and rising shoegazers Bleary Eyed.
Indie rock band Eliza & the Delusionals announce second studio album 'Make It Feel Like The Garden'
Australian indie rock band Eliza & the Delusionals have announced their highly-anticipated second studio album 'Make It Feel Like The Garden' will be out on Friday, July 19 via Cooking Vinyl.
In anticipation of the upcoming release, the trio also dropped their second single, 'Falling For You'. Written during a creative retreat in Napa, California, 'Falling For You' explores the disorienting nature of emotional entanglements. Amid the chaos of feelings, the track delves into the struggle of maintaining one's identity amidst the turmoil of love and longing.
Eliza Klatt (lead singer) says, “'Falling For You’ was a personal favorite from the get-go for me. There’s just something about the driving beat and the soaring melodies that I love. We knew we wanted to experiment with saxophone for this record, and this song felt like the perfect track for that. I think there is so much emotion to it, and it’s such a beautiful part of the song. To me, lyrically it’s about not wanting to fall down the rabbit hole of falling in love but you just can’t help it."
NYC's Loveletter announces new single 'Dead Weight'
NYC-based post-punk trio Loveletter has announced the release of their new single 'Dead Weight', the latest track from their debut EP, 'Testament', out on June 7.
“This is kind of the foundation of Loveletter: heavy sludge, throbbing basslines, fuzz guitar, and massive drums,” says Loveletter's Gabriella Zappia. “The contrast in the B part, where the bass takes over the melody, adds some light to shape the darkness. You’ve got to be economical with a three-piece.”
She further explains the recording process. “We wanted the recordings to sound as live as possible, so that’s how we tracked it— all together in the same room so everything feels a bit off the rails. I’d worked with Martin Bisi before and knew his style, and the cavernous space at his studio would make the sound as big as possible. Legendary dude, solid instincts—everyone loves Martin. We finally delivered it to Sarah Register, asking her to master it as loud as human ears would allow and then some. She graciously accepted the challenge and still made all the frequencies sound gorgeous and rich.”
Brian James has releases brand new single 'Summer Poppin'
Brian James has returned with his brand new single, 'Summer Poppin', released via Belle Chasse Records. This high-energy track marks James' first release under the label's new partnership with TLG/Virgin Music Group.
James, a country music enthusiast heavily influenced by legends like George Jones, Hank Williams, and Merle Haggard, has a rich musical tapestry woven from his diverse experiences. He initially carved his path as a skilled guitarist in the blues and rock realm, even landing a pivotal role as lead guitarist for Uncle Kracker after a fateful encounter with Kid Rock. 'Summer Poppin' is an anthem for shaking off the winter blues and embracing the carefree spirit of summer.
"It's been a while since I've released new music," says James. "'Summer Poppin' is all about celebrating life, good company, and the feeling of pure joy that comes with summer. I can't wait to get this song out there and have everyone sing along!"
R&B/soul singer Demae introduces herself with single 'Speechless'
North West London’s R&B/soul singer, Demae, makes her introduction with new single 'Speechless', a blend of lyricism and melody that underscores her evolution as "one of the UK's most exciting rising talents". 'Speechless' is available to stream and watch now on all major platforms via Jorja Smith's independent FAMM record label.
Speaking of the single, Demae says, “I've always loved adding my own light hearted humor to songwriting because I think it also reflects me as a person. I wanted 'Speechless' to encapsulate that sudden gut wrench feeling of butterflies you get when you realize your falling hard. I had the opportunity to work with Fatima on this and we had the most fun messing around with concepts in my room and free styling. I want the listener to go through the motions with me in this song all this tension building up only to have the final exhale of relief in the last few moments of the song. I really hope this could be someone’s soundtrack to them falling in love.”
Swerve channels The SStone Roses with cover of 'I Wanna Be Adored'
Los Angeles-based band Swerve has dropped their new single, a cover of The Stone Roses' iconic track 'I Wanna Be Adored'. The band's reworked version of the classic song is now available on all digital platforms for playlist shares.
Greg Mahdesian of Swerve shared his thoughts on the cover: “The Stone Roses made one of my favorite records [I’ve actually purposefully never listened to Second Coming] and ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ is their most iconic track. It’s also a genuinely weird song that has minimalist lyrics and psychedelic/rave/rock production, and I’ve never heard a cover of it before. We’ve done plenty of covers live, from the Replacements to Black Sabbath, but really wanted to record one and take it in a new direction. Brandon Duncan, who plays bass and mixes our records, was given free rein and turned in a really creative mix. This is already opening up our sound and approach for the next batch of songs we’re working on.”
'I Wanna Be Adored' is featured on Swerve’s upcoming EP 'The Darkroom', set to be released on June 21.
Clown Sounds announces new album 'Par For The Curse' and releases single 'Tuck Belly Up'
Recess Records has announced an upcoming new LP from Clown Sounds called 'Par For The Curse' and the band has released a single 'Tuck Belly Up'.
In 2010, Recess Records founder (and ex-pro skateboarder) Todd Congelliere released a solo album entitled 'Clown Sounds'. It comprised demos and songs that didn’t fit the vibe of his bands 'F.Y.P', 'Toys That Kill', 'URTC', etc. There were no plans to tour or even play live due to Todd’s disdain for playing “solo”. Somewhere in the middle of a 'Toys That Kill' 2017 European tour, Jimmy Felix (Drummer for TTK) suggested to Todd that they should play these songs when they get back to the states.
“Cool. And we’ll call the band Clown Sounds, of course,” TC replied. This blueprint quickly metamorphosed into what Todd calls “a real band” after enlisting local guitar player Jacob Gaxiola (Killer Dreamer), Isaac Thotz on bass (The Arrivals), and Trevor Rounesville as Jimmy’s extra drum buddy.
Tino Drima and legendary Michael McDonald team up on new single 'Life On The Patio'
Tino Drima, the alternative indie rock band led by Gregory DiMartino, has released a new single called 'Life On The Patio', which features vocals from legendary musician Michael McDonald, best known as a member of Doobie Bros and Steely Dan.
Recorded in LA’s Valley Village, 'Life On The Patio' features Tino Drima’s Greg DiMartino (piano, guitars, vocals), Sam Porcaro (bass), Jacob Ungerleider (synthesizers), and Christian Midthun (drums) and McDonald.
“The song is modeled after the soft rock of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s," says DiMartino. "I wanted it to sound like something Michael McDonald would have sung on, with Porcaros as his studio band. And then, due to unbelievably great fortune, that just came to be.”