The Clockworks can’t get no satisfaction, Nick Campbell Destroys spaces out, Ingrina serve hard time, Tom Freund chills out on set and more in an eccentric and eclectic Monday Roundup. Today, a major label put me through a laborious two-stage identity-authentication process in order to acquire a single-use passcode so that I stream a high-profile album coming out this week — so I really didn’t have the heart to tell them that I already downloaded the entire thing in a lossless high-resolution format when it leaked last week. Way to close that barn door, kids.
1 | The Clockworks | Enough Is Never Enough
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Resilient and resurgent, The Clockworks bow out of 2020 with a visceral statement of intent: Enough Is Never Enough. The latest and last in a series of singles sees the Galway four-piece take aim at the injustices and prejudices rife in our society with an assault of straight-up punk rock. James of The Clockworks says: “This was the last song we wrote in Ireland. I’d been working on the lyrics for ages. I like to write about the social or emotional by writing about a specific character or scene. I think focusing on the particular and the specific is the best way to get to the general and abstract … Musically, this song was all about getting the feeling right. We wanted it to be forceful and relentless but also for there to be enough space for melody and emotion.”
2 | Nick Campbell Destroys | Goodbye Moonmen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “L.A. experimental jazz/R&B/soul artist Nick Campbell Destroys recently released a music video for Goodbye Moonmen, a track featured on his 2020 EP Lo-fi Bass Music for Quarantine. Nick Campbell says “The music video for Goodbye Moonmen, directed and shot by Ricky Chavez, is a loving, lo-fi homage to the source material. Like the EP it was also made in my home. Goodbye Moonmen also features stellar performances by Michael Mayo (Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier) on vocals and Danica Pinner (Haim, Moonchild, Deadmau5) on strings.”
3 | Ingrina | Jailers
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hot on the heels of their recent single Now, French post-metal thunderstorm Ingrina share a haunting live video for Jailers, the 10-minute opening track of their high-concept sophomore album Siste Lys, out Nov. 27. Here is the story behind this new song: “Jailers takes place after the storm, the one that scatters all landmarks, that spreads the jailers in the air, amongst the particles of light and between the synapses. Vaporous specters, translucent veils, the jailers drift, driven by the winds. We breathe them every day with no arm, until their deep purpose is revealed, while we still believe they’re dissolved forever in the dust of the sky. So they hastily turn into solid prisons with no horizon, feeding the illusion that they arose from nothing and nowhere.”
https://youtu.be/3HyONNu6s4w
4 | Tom Freund | Freezer Burn
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tom Freund, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known for his upright-bass-as-lead-instrument work, has kept active during the pandemic months. Today he unveils the video for Freezer Burn, a track from his most recent album East of Lincoln. Starring Freund and French-American actress Loan Chabanol, the video was directed by Wally Pfister, whose career as a cinematographer includes an Oscar for Inception and nominations for The Dark Knight, The Prestige and Batman Begins. According to Tom: “It just so happened that he was shooting a big Walmart commercial that was trying to recreate his Dark Knight Batman sets. He called me saying this set is perfect. So the next day, following the commercial, we zoomed in with a small trusty crew of Wally’s and made the video happen!”
5 | The Nursery | Demons
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Formed by singer-songwriter/video artist Alex Pulec, The Nursery is an alternative rock trio with songs commenting on the intense emotions of youth, contrasting themes of fear, rebellion, obsession, desire and alienation. 2020 sees The Nursery teaming up with Michael Fong (Electric Youth, Wintersleep) and Nick Boyd (Dizzy, Hollerado, Royal Mountain) to produce their forthcoming album Candy + Gloom. The single Demons was inspired by the idea of romanticizing the darker parts of humanity. Recorded in the studio The Nursery built, many echos, creaks and noise from the space lay throughout the track. You can barely hear them, but it’s there, and their energy is felt.”
6 | Real Numbers | Brighter Then
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Minneapolis’ Real Numbers have shared their stop-motion video for the new single Brighter Then. Eli Hansen of Real Numbers says: “It was late 2016 and we had finished recording Wordless Wonder and were having these very sporadic, unfocused practices, so I just started playing this riff over and over. The jam didn’t really go anywhere, but I knew this riff was special and deserved attention. Over the course of the following year I came up with an intro/outro and a vocal melody, culminating as a barely passable live version at a basement show in December 2017. After I finished the lyrics, Ian recorded a demo version of it in 2018 that sounded great, but also exposed some weak spots — like the key we’d been playing it in. We even made a couple changes to the bass and synth arrangements while recording this, the final version — and I tell ya, I think it’s perfect.”
7 | Michaela Bekenn | The Earth Has Music
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Michaela Bekenn is a Toronto singer-songwriter. She was steeped in the arts from a young age, and captivates listeners with her raw and honest sound. As a songwriter, Michaela’s intention is to share music that is both enlivening and grounding for the listener, which encourages self reflection and community connection. Michaela just shared her debut single The Earth Has Music, along with a visual accompaniment. The song’s message is an invitation to the listener to tune into their inner space as the place where all answers emerge and the moment as the ultimate teacher. The mood of the video is directly connected to the changing of the seasons.”
8 | Elthia | I Love You, But You Make Me Cry
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “L.A. singer-songwriter Elthia is unveiling her new single I Love You, But You Make Me Cry. The song was the beginning of her new venture towards indie-pop music with dance elements, showcasing delicate instrumentation, soft, dreamy vocals and glittery guitar harmonics. Elthia explains, “The message of the song is to tell the story of what it’s like to love something that hurts you every time you try to understand it. I wanted to show the duality of the two ideas that are constantly at war while existing inside of you, and showcase what the breaking point would actually be, if there is one at all.”
9 | Novarupta | No Constellation
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Named after one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, Novarupta are about to release Marine Snow, the second instalment in a series of four albums that focus on the elemental forces of fire, water, air and earth. Emerging from a passage of fire onto the ocean floor below, Marine Snow immerses listeners in a sea of blackened sludge, progressive metal and monochromatic psychedelia. No Constellation is the fourth visual instalment of Marine Snow.”
10+11 | Tōth | Habit Creature + Kimbra Remix
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tōth – the recording project of Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Alex Toth – is sharing a buoyant new music video for Habit Creature, which arrives alongside a breezy remix by Grammy-winning artist, producer, and frequent collaborator Kimbra. As Toth explains: “When we stop trying to distract ourselves from it, our pain or discomfort can be a great teacher for growth and healing. Sort of the way a vaccine contains some of the virus. Most of the violence and hatred in the world comes from not being OK with — and in touch with — ourselves. And when we don’t feel good we tend to blame and harm others.”
12 | Martin Wardley | Resurrecting The Show
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Cumbria singer-songwriter, poet, and performer Martin Wardley shares the video for his new single Resurrecting The Show. A prolific writer, Martin has previously released the albums Into The Abyss and Pedestrian Odyssey along with co-writing for and with other artists. Resurrecting The Show is an examination of the challenges of time, change and of losing one’s way. It explores how introspection and reflection can be the catalyst to enable a move forward, a way of starting again. The theme of the track runs through to the music; starting off sombre and stripped back, the song gradually builds to a more optimistic piano and orchestral arrangement that juxtaposes with Martin’s baritone voice, which conveys both a sense of poignancy and hopeful optimism.”
13 | Fúnebre | Old Dimensions
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Colombian post-black metal act Fúnebre have published a lyric video for the track Old Dimensions, taken from The Void EP released earlier this year. This is an introspective and reflective song driven by eclectic guitars and melancholic melodies. The video is a reflection on loneliness through nihilistic and misanthropic landscapes, closely following the concept of the EP.”
14 | Dendera | Reborn (ft. CJ McMahon)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “U.K. melodic metal band Dendera just released a lyric video for Reborn (ft. CJ McMahon), the first single from their EP Reborn into Darkness, due out on Dec. 4. The EP was mastered by Lasse Lammert and guests includes Tom Barber (Chelsea Grin), Tommy Johannson (Sabaton) and CJ McMahon (Thy Art Is Murder).”
15 | Vermilia | Suru On Kunniavieras
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Finnish pagan metal artist Vermilia premieres a new track called Suru On Kunniavieras (Grief is a Guest of Honour), a cover of a song by Finnish artist Jenni Vartiainen. Vermilia comments: “This song has always touched my heart and my soul. I think it perfectly sums up what grief is and how it should be encountered. I made my own version of this because the song has touched me with its beauty and sensitivity with skillfully written lyrics . It’s always easy to return to this song even in difficult moments.”
16 | The Bloodshots | No Way Out
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Bloodshots are a true rock ’n’ roll band from Winnipeg. Their never-say-die attitude fuels the engine under the hood pushes these denim-clad rockers further down the heart-worn highway of busted bottles and broken promises. Destination? Rock ’n’ roll damnation. Their new single No Way Out is a rock anthem that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go. Lyrically, frontman CJ Loane brings out his demons for the party and you’re all invited. Buckle up, world.”
17 | SickWalt | Demand The Stage
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After earning their reputation by setting legendary NYC stages on fire, SickWalt unleash a sound-defining effort with their latest single Demand The Stage, taken from their upcoming album Shove n’ Love. Demand The Stage is an addictive, head-bobbing, toe-tapping song with blazing crisp guitar riffs, thumping and pumping drums, and a robust bottom end that lays the foundation for SickWalt‘s unique vocal style. It also has that undeniable NYC sound!”
18 | Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio | Call Your Mom
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Seattle soul-jazz groove-machine Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio have announced that I Told You So, their sophomore studio album, comes out Jan. 29. They also shared the first single Call Your Mom. DLO3 conjure the smoky 1960s jazz stylings of Jimmy Smith and Baby Face Willette, and the snappy soul strut of Booker T. & The M.G.’s, The Meters, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Charles Earland. It’s an aesthetic that only these three could muster, as these are the sounds and vibes imprinted in the trio’s DNA.”
19 | Jon Pattie | History
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jon Pattie is rocketing forward with the second iteration of the Reflections series. With the third single History and a new song each month through January, Jon is building towards the release of Reflections: Vol. II in February 2021. “Reflections: Vol. II has been a dream to make. Each song comes from a story in my life and each one its own fingerprint. I got to work with some great producers and musicians who really helped breathe life into these tracks and make each track sound unique! I’m excited to be sharing this next stage of my life and my music with the world. I feel that there’s a song for everyone on this EP.”
20 | Sam Irving | Baby Baby Baby
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a Chicago-based electronic musician and producer. As a producer, I’m currently working with a number of emerging artists, including the avant-pop singer Franny London and independent rappers Brendan Bennett and Donte Thomas, among numerous others. Baby Baby Baby is my debut single as a solo artist.”
21 | Dinah Thorpe | For The Birds
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto artist Dinah Thorpe has released the title track off her newest album For The Birds, due out Nov. 27. For The Birds was written pre-Covid but actually works quite well with themes people have experienced during quarantining in their homes. Says Thorpe: “It’s about feeling trapped and suffocated inside the walls of your home, while also appreciating the people and other animals you live with.”
22 | Firing Squad | Police State of Mind
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Firing Squad are a thrash metal band from Woodstock, N.Y. Blending influences from Megadeth to Dead Kennedys while adding their own unique approach to the genre, Firing Squad unleash a sound that stands the test of time and has the potential to raise the eyebrows of enthusiasts around the world. Displaying a penchant for highly political lyrics, Firing Squad’s songs are as catchy as they are punishingly aggressive. Firing Squad add: “Police State of Mind was written at the height of the protests calling for systemic change in the justice system this year. This track is aimed at the willfully ignorant who somehow still believe that police have the the public’s best interest at heart.”
23 | L.A. Guns | All That You Are
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “L.A. Guns have released new single All That You Are, from their album Renegades, due out Nov. 13. All That You Are is yet another rock classic from a band at the peak of their game! If there was a band synonymous with the infamous Sunset Strip, it is L.A. Guns. Born into a scene that will never be replicated, L.A. Guns rode alongside Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Ratt, Poison, Quiet Riot and co. in one of the biggest movements in music history. L.A. Guns are without a doubt Hollywood rock royalty.”
