I know I’ve been out of commission for a while. I apologize. Life and duty were calling, but I’m back. Get prepared to hear some sick new jams slingin’ through your Tumblr feed!
A guide to new upcoming albums, artists, and single jams of all genres.
You're welcome.
(c) Alex Witt 2014
“Dary” - Hot Mulligan
EP: Opportunities
Label: No Sleep Records
For those of you who aren’t fan-girling over this band like I am, Hot Mulligan is an emo pop-punk band from Lansing, Michigan, and they’re fucking tight. Their latest EP, Opportunities, was released in April of this year and for lack of a better term, it brings all the feels. The album is direct in its efforts to express sadness and desperation in lyrics that bring the emo and pop-punk melodies life. The 21-minute long EP isn’t running out the clock, but with seven songs of pure pain and heartache, would you want it to?
Hot Mulligan has a couple of tour dates coming up as well as merch available for purchase on their bandcamp. Check ‘em out: https://hotmulligan.bandcamp.com/
For fans of: Have Mercy, Mat Kerekes, Tigers Jaw, The Hotelier, Microwave Transit, Sorority Noise, Free Throw
I know I’ve been out of commission for a while. I apologize. Life and duty were calling, but I’m back. Get prepared to hear some sick new jams slingin’ through your Tumblr feed!
“California (Cast Iron Soul)” - Jamestown Revival
With the growing revolution of folk music, really great bands are coming out of the woodwork to showcase the acoustic beauty of playing instruments. One of them in particular is self-proclaimed “back-porch rock” duo Jamestown Revival consisting of Jonathan Clay and his childhood friend Zach Chance. Both artists previously pursued solo careers, and you might recognize Jonathan Clay’s name from features in popular TV shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Hills. However, in 2011, the two combined their musical talents to create Jamestown Revival, and I hope to see a bright future for these guys. Check them out in this year’s festival scene.
Tour? I thought you’d never ask.
http://www.jamestownrevival.com/tour/
For fans of: CCR, Willie Nelson, Shovels & Rope, The Avett Brothers, Guy Clark
“Demented” - Full Net
Album: Artificially Flavored (2014)
Label: Gatsby Records
There’s something to be said for the evolution of alternative music, but there’s a simple kind of appreciation for straight up punk rock. For music to evolve, we need to remember roots, that’s what Full Net brings to the table. The Atlanta, GA band brings a kind of 90’s garage band vibe to their tracks and make it relevant. With obvious influences such as Green Day and Alkaline Trio, their melodic sound is driving and magnetic. As the first studio album under Zebrahead’s Greg Bergdorf’s guidance at his record label, Gatsby Records, Artificially Flavored is an album with body and dynamic. In a world of music where artists are continually trying to find who they are, Full Net has a clear understanding of who they are and what they represent: punk rock.
Take a listen to the full album on their Band Camp page: http://fullnetband.bandcamp.com/album/artificially-flavored
For fans of: Green Day, Alkaline Trio, Blink 182, AFI
“The Only One” - Transit
Album: Joyride (2014)
Label: Rise Records
Transit released their new album, Joyride, earlier this month on October 17th, and it’s different. The album as a whole is a great album for the pop-punk scene; However, loyal Transit fans would probably agree that it’s a cross of genres from their original emo-punk roots. Starting as an emo band back in 2007 and 2008, this album has solidified their complete transformation into an indie pop-punk band. Regardless of their genre label, the band has always been consistent in creative production and great song writing. It can be debated that Transit might just be another band that has - dare I say it - started growing up, which resulted in the output of their music. It will be interesting to see where the end up going in the future.
Transit is on tour. See tour dates here: https://www.songkick.com/artists/233879-transit
For fans of: Man Overboard, Fireworks, The Wonder Years, Such Gold
(Source: Spotify)
“Knock Me Over” - Cheap Girls
Album: Famous Graves (2014)
Label: Xtra Mile Recordings
As Fest 13 approaches at the end of this month, the international punk music festival hosted on by No Idea Records in Gainesville, FL, I can’t help but appreciate the evolution of punk and rock music to create a countless number of sub-genres.Cheap Girls, a Fest alum and current Fest performer, is one of those bands who have fallen into the sub-category of post-punk and post-rock music. With the release of their fourth full-length studio album Famous Graves in May, Cheap Girls continues to build a loyal fan base and produce consistently great albums. Check out their most popular jam off the album located above, or check out the entire album with my personal favorite “Thought Senseless” on Spotify.
They are on tour NOW! Are they coming to your city? Check out the dates here: http://www.last.fm/music/Cheap+Girls/+events
Wanna get a ticket to Fest 13? Check out the Fest website at www.thefestfl.com.
For fans of: Lemuria, The Menzingers, Banner Pilot, Bomb The Music Industry!
“All Out” - Anna Lunoe
Album: All Out EP
Label: Ultra Records
It’s clear that everyone and their mom is trying to become a DJ these days. What started out as a trend has become a world-wide epidemic that has begun to break some pretty solid barriers in music. However, it takes more than just the skill of mixing songs and producing records to become successful. Anna Lunoe just might be on her way to super stardom with the release of her new EP, All Out. Like all the great DJs, Anna Lunoe doesn’t just stand behind the DJ booth - she puts on a great show and loves to entertain and interact with her audience, both on stage and on her numerous social media accounts. She’s collaborated among the likes of Flume, Touch Sensitive, and Wordlife to create some awesome remixes, and the release of her new EP proves that she can also stand on her own.
She’s currently on tour and she might be coming to your city: http://www.annalunoe.com/touring.php
For fans of: What So Not, Moonboots, Amtrac, The Magician
(Source: Spotify)
“Every Other Freckle” - Alt-J
Album: This Is All Yours (2014)
Label: Infectious
September has been a great month for music, but let’s be honest, the release of Alt-J’s second studio album, This Is All Yours, has made it a million times better. The English folk-step band wrote the majority of the songs on this album while touring their first studio album that released in 2012, An Awesome Wave, which should honestly be called An Awesome Album because that’s what it is. If there’s one thing that Alt-J has proven through their mere two albums is that they can provide an album that contains not just one or two great songs, but an album that contains all great songs. Easier said than done for most artists. Bravo, Alt-J. Bravo.
Not only can Alt-J provide a killer album, but their music translates off the record just as well. In my opinion, it’s even better. Check out their upcoming tour dates here: https://www.songkick.com/artists/4555533-altj
For fans of: Vampire Weekend, Local Natives, Tame Impala, The Black Keys
Blacc Hollywood - Wiz Khalifa
Label: Rostrum Records / Atlantic Records
Release Date: August 18, 2014
In honor of Wiz Khalifa’s 27th birthday, I hereby bid a celebration of his birth, and better yet, his new album Blacc Hollywood. After all, he dem boys, and well, he’s makin’ noise. Like his four previous studio albums, Wiz likes to offer something that mingles well with his not-so-secretive mistress, Mary Jane. Although the album has received mixed reviews, loyal fans of Wiz have stuck by it (for the most part). Take a listen and make your own decision.
1. Hope (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign) - 0:00
2. We Dem Boyz - 5:24
3. Promises - 9:09
4. Kk (Feat. Project Pat & Juicy J) - 12:42
5. House In The Hills (Feat. Curren$y) - 16:50
6. Ass Drop - 21:41
7. Raw - 24:29
8. Stayin Out All Night - 28:06
9. The Sleaze - 32:25
10. So High (Feat. Ghost Loft) - 36:48
11. Still Down (Feat. Chevy Woods & Ty Dolla $Ign) - 41:00
12. No Gain - 45:15
13. True Colors - 49:35
14.We Dem Boyz Remix (feat.Rick Ross, Schoolboy, Q Nas) - 53:50
15.You and Your Friends (feat. Snoop Dogg and Ty Dolla $ign) 59:10
Happy Birthday, Wiz!
For fans of: Snoop Dogg, Schoolboy Q, ASAP Rocky, CurrenSy
“Dearly Departed” - Shaky Graves feat. Esme Patterson
Single Release Date: 7/28/2014
Label: Dualtone Records
In late July, Shakey Graves put out his new single as a filler, or perhaps a preview, of his new upcoming album that’s about to drop October 7th. One word: bravo. This is a great preview of what’s in store to come for the one-man Americano band. Coming from someone who has seen Shakey Graves live before, I definitely recommend seeing this dude if you have the chance! Check out his tour dates here: http://www.shakeygraves.com/tour/
For Fans of: The Lone Bellow, Shovels and Rope, Trampled By Turtles, Middle Brother
(Source: Spotify)