Doom ‘An Blue are down but not out, Wa Wa Punx have got game, Gaspard Eden falls into a hole, Jessie Wagner is in the passin’ lane and more in your Monday Indie Roundup. There are worse ways to start off your week.
ON REPEAT
1 | Doom ‘An Blue | Ran Down
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal’s Doom ‘An Blue have a rocking new video single titled Ran Down. The hard-hitting song is a band favourite, and it really shows different shades of the band. Those who are discovering them for the first time are in for a hell of a ride. The video brings the imagination of the song to visual life; it isn’t overdone, cheap, tasteless, or fake. Authenticity speaks volumes and Ran Down blasts it on the bust. As the band explains: “She’s a ripper. A badass, roll-down-the-window, step-on-the-gas, turn-it-up son of a gun! Super fun to play, super fun to record, and super fun to film. It hits hard, it grooves, it sends you in orbit way out in space and slams you back into the Earth’s dirt again, it’s a fucking crash landing in an ‘87 Cutlass Supreme!”
2 | Wa Wa Punx | Danny Sucks At Video Games
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Wa Wa Punx are Dylan Rippon and Cory Jarnagin. The duo met when Dylan was touring the States with his band Bears From Labrador. Cory lives in Seattle and Dylan lives in London and Amsterdam. Danny Sucks at Video Games is a song for our times. We’re all Danny. We’re all locked in futile combat with our screen avatar, failing again and again to get into the Hall of Fame. It’s garage, it’s punk, it’s electro, it’s 8 bit graphics and it’s the best song of this hideous year.”
3 | Gaspard Eden | Baby Black Hole
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Gaspard Eden’s debut album Soft Power is set for release on Nov. 13. To coincide with that announcement, Eden shared his latest video Baby Black Hole, a tongue-in-cheek exploration of kitsch. Directors Eden, Dragos Chiriac and Xavier Bélanger-Dorval created a video both funny and seducing, mixing the aesthetics of Ballet Bauhaus and Japanese science-fiction. Filmed on 16mm film by DOP Chiriac, its handcrafted set and partly handmade costumes make for impressive organic visuals. Mixed with geeky allusions to photo and cinema classics, it results in a playful visual harmony of elegant dancing, jazzy aliens and jaded earthlings.”
4 | Jessie Wagner | Passin Me By
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Popular touring vocalist Jessie Wagner (Lenny Kravitz, Chic, Duran Duran, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul) and frontwoman for NYC rock/soul band Army of the Underdog has dropped a new video for Passin Me By, a song off of her new solo album Shoes Droppin. Says Wagner: “I wrote this a long time ago when I was feeling down. I wanted to cheer myself up. This song is basically a reminder that it won’t always be bad. I thought I needed this to balance the songs of despair with a song of hope.”
5 | Vanessa Carlton | Die, Dinosaur
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vanessa Carlton unveils the politically charged music video for passionate song Die, Dinosaur, off her latest album Love Is An Art, produced by Dave Fridmann. Written after the shooting in Parkland, Die, Dinosaur is inspired by the children who fill the world with love and grace while politicians fill their pockets. “This song is about young people patiently awaiting the death of the dinosaurs in power. It’s about seeing the ‘way of the world’ as fundamentally wrong, oppressive and therefore, completely irrelevant. Young people will not participate in the societal contracts that they clearly see as wrong. The song was inspired by young leaders who are unafraid to challenge the archaic, tone deaf, sexist, and white supremacist ideology in power. This song is for the brave voices who prophesize the inevitable crumbling, falling of the white man who cannot listen, cannot change.”
6 | Loose Fang | On and On
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The personal and musical backgrounds of Vancouver’s Loose Fang are as diverse as the land they call home — a modern Canadian band. They recorded their debut album Live Wires, Black Sheep with producer Howard Redekopp in a tight, loud, and raw burst. Putting down 11 songs live, Loose Fang captured the sound of four people playing in a room together, with a minimum of overdubs. On and On, the first single, is dynamic, loud, and bittersweet; tackling the passage of time and how that sometimes leaves us forgetting what happens if we sleep too long. The accompanying music video was edited from full-colour, found home videos of a family holidaying in San Diego in the 1940s.”
ALSO ON THE PLAYLIST
7 | Psychosomatic | Personality Agenda
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sacramento thrash veterans Psychosomatic just released the video for Personality Agenda, from the band’s seventh LP, The Invisible Prison, which came out in August. As they say: “Personality Agenda was written about online falsehoods and personas. A depth into the digital age of opinions without consequences. The raw aggression of style displayed on this video is to give our listeners a view of our stage performance.”
8 | Lyonen | Lyonen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lyonen, the solo project from Venezuela’s Luis Rivas, released their debut album This Is Lyonen in August. It is a solid 11-track effort packed with flouring power metal vocals, sweeping solos, and of course, a layer of thundering drums. Today, Rivas shares the video for Lyonen. He explains further: “I want to motivate the listeners through the lyrics while giving them a shot of classic heavy metal with melodic guitar lines and heavy vocals. Lyonen is important to me because this is the first time I can put what I am thinking into a song and I definitely want to do more.”
9 | Dayze | My Way
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dayze (aka Heriberto Delgado Jr.) is a Mexican American musician who grew up in a Calexico, a town on the US/Mexico border. Growing up, he commuted between the U.S.A. and Mexico on a daily basis. To him, his situation is not special. In fact, he’s sure others can relate to the struggles that come from living in two different worlds. Of his new single and its accompanying music video, Dayze explains, “My Way is a song that conveys the struggles of finding purpose and reason in life. Throughout the video we see the actress stuck/trapped and the ropes and cables symbolize the internal and external conflicts we face every day. This video is a reflection of my emotions when I was going through a very tough time and I hope that those who watch realize that no matter how hard it gets there is always a way out.”
10 | The Carolyn | Heavy Eyes
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Coffee has been a lifeline for perpetually sleep-deprived Atlanta indie-punk trio The Carolyn for as long as they can remember. Balancing blue-collar day jobs with the rigorous schedule involved in moving forward in a COVID world left the band hungry for more than the status quo. This led the group to remain focused on their passion: indie-punk music and a custom coffee brew. Said lead vocalist Andrew Patrick: “Heavy Eyes is the second single on our debut LP This Will Begin to Make Things Right, a song mainly about sleep deprivation. Oli and I rely on caffeine to get through our daily routine; therefore, it made sense to name this endeavor after a song which speaks to that.”
11 | Card Reader | Mental Scars
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Card Reader are a pop-punk band from Long Island. They are getting ready to launch their first EP Mental Scars on Nov. 10. Founder Tom Petito elaborates: “This EP is called Mental Scars because everybody has them. We all live with our past mistakes and failures. The difference is how we use them. We wanted to convey a message that inspires using your past as your greatest weapon. It’s not about anyone else but yourself. Create new motivation and hold yourself accountable for your dreams. Most importantly, never give up on who you are.”
12 | Transient | Nightmare
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “New Orleans heavy rock/metal band Transient just released their debut single Nightmare and its accompanying video. This new band led by Jody Linnell (Smile Empty Soul/12 Stones) burst out of the gates with a blistering track that delves into personal emotions, the darkness and pain inside. Says singer Trey J. Mollo: “This song is a story about being consumed. Consumed by fear and doubt. Consumed by painful, hurtful memories that are twisted around life-long embarrassments and ridicule that burn so much they scar the mind and soul. Through this music, through this song I am able to give these emotions a voice and host that separates the pain. I want you to feel it. I want you to fear my Nightmare.”
13 | Kids of Skids | Trapped
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sydney-based hardcore punk band Kids of Skids just released their second single and video Trapped. It’s about being in Iso during fu**ing Corona. Not being able to play gigs cause they’re all cancelled. Live Streaming is the new norm in a world that’s gone mad. This is a punk as it gets, folks.”
14 | Serena Ryder | Waterfall
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder has released her new song Waterfall. The emotive track is the second single from the six-time Juno winner’s upcoming album The Art of Falling Apart. The 10-track project chronicles Serena’s years of struggle with mental health, and her journey to wellness. Serena has described Waterfall as being about the importance of crying. She says, “I have so many feelings that I have swallowed, and they add up, coming out one way or another — often by bypassing the truth, getting angry, defensive, even masking with partying or bad relationships. I’ve found that tears are actually the best way to heal, because we actually release healing hormones when we cry. I’d love to normalize crying, and this is a song about the many times tears have healed me.”
15 | Strawberry Pills | The Voyeur
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Earlier this month, Strawberry Pills announced a debut full-length called Murder to a Beat, which comes out on Oct. 30. Today, they have shared a second single, The Voyeur, which also happens to be the album’s opening track. It comes attached to a music video that was directed by Aris Athanatos & Valisia Odell, and is an ode to Guy Bourdin’s voyeuristic photography. The gothy synth duo from Athens (consisting of Valisia Odell and Antonis Konstantaras) explore the full spectrum of the dark sound and create tracks inspired mainly by the ’80s minimal movement and post punk, with a few electric and goth elements added.”
16 | Regent | Today
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Southampton Brit-rock outfit Regent make a return with the new video for their single Today. A song about heartache and loss, Rooke’s impassioned vocal is complemented by the majestic guitar work of Chris Woolf. Frontman Ben Rooke says: “I wanted to sit and write a song about heartache and the pain of losing someone. Whether it be a lover, mother, father, sister or a brother … We all go through low times in our life, and in the middle of a pandemic, I wanted to create an anthemic track that everyone in pain can relate to.”
17 | Billy Reekie | She
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Billy Reekie is a Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist and musician whose new single She is out now. She showcases his continuing growth as a writer, as well as an experienced performer. The song is another emotive tale, this time of love and loss. He says: “After falling in love and experiencing heartbreak for the first time, She was the first song I’d ever written. Writing this song helped me through my heartbreak giving me a sense of closure and the ability to move on. I hope for anyone listening to She finds comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their heartbreak and finds strength in the words I’ve written.”
https://youtu.be/SG5Jtf61Z8E
18 | Angry Blackmen | Protocol!
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Angry Blackmen’s new album Headshots now has an official music video from it, for the song Protocol! Do you really need any convincing to check it out? Of course not! SO HERE IT IS!!!
19 | Rooks | Hometown Hero
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Calgary rock trio Rooks share their new single Hometown Hero, from their forthcoming debut album The High Road, due Nov. 6. “Hometown Hero is an homage to all of the musicians & hobby bands playing at their local watering holes on the weekend. Bringing life into the bars, and entertaining the local patrons,” say the band. “These acts, such as the band from Medicine Hat that inspired the song, continue to help keep these establishments alive by pouring their hearts out on the stage. When Monday rolls around they are back in the office reveling in the fun weekend and looking forward to the next.”
20 | Jupiter In Velvet | What Will Be Will Be
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Weaving a diverse and intricate tapestry of musical exploration that compliments modern musicianship with a thick, ’80s-pop influence, electro-rock musician Jupiter in Velvet has returned with a new single. What Will Be Will Be tugs on the strings of the well-known phrase in a way that is both relatable and potent. “Many a soul has found themselves after an arduous journey in life, not where they had hoped to be,” he says. “Faced with the choice to abandon a ship that appears so off course, or to forge ahead into unknown waters, where does one draw the strength, conviction and determination to push forward into the darkness?”
21 | Phantom Atlantic | No Way to Live
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The rush of cliff diving while blindfolded. Sleepless nights spent staring at the ceiling. The surreal, otherworldly tone of a David Lynch film. All of these moods collide in Toronto outfit Phantom Atlantic’s cinematic brand of alternative rock for seekers. The band’s new single No Way to Live is the band at its most energetic, fusing lead singer Kyle Brunet’s primal vocals to a backbone of driving rhythm and pounding steam-engine-guitar grit.”
22 | Bike Club | Frustrated Tonight
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto’s Bike Club dropped their debut EP Find Romance last Friday. Taking inspiration from late ’70s power pop and early ’90s east coast Canadian indie -ock, principal songwriter Eric Warner has crafted a record that wears its heart on its sleeve. Members of The Elwins offered up their collaboration to flesh out each song’s idea and structure to bring them to life. Frustrated Tonight is the EP’s latest single.”
23 | Jori Sjöroos | Leaving The Earth
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Label head and award-winning producer Jori Sjöroos has released Leaving The Earth, a single from his upcoming album Sjöroots, which will be out Nov. 27. Sjöroostells us, “I created the track as I was walking on our yard, playing with a music app. I wrote the lyrics very quickly, recorded the vocals, and wanted to pitch them down — as the mood insisted it. To me, the song became an anthem of transformation. To leave the old, embrace the new.”
