Slothrust - Rotten Pumpkin

I just want you to love me
But I'm not sure you've got it in ya
You're boring into my body
You're boring me with your stories
I'm not listenin', listenin', listenin'

Slothrust, a hard-rocking trio out of Brooklyn, are breathing some life into that tired old grungy sound of the early 90's with "Rotten Pumpkin." It's punchy, fast and catchy and reminded me of one of my favorite 90's bands, Hammerbox. Their latest album "Everyone Else" brings more of the same and a lot of other cuts that will evoke the best from the edges of the 90's while not really feeling like a throwback.

RIYL: Cayetana, Hammerbox, PJ Harvey, Pile, Sonic Youth, Waxahatchee

Upcoming Shows

Miniature Tigers - Dreaming

These lonely California nights
Staring out at nothing
Without you there's no paradise
I'll see you when I close my eyes
Close my eyes (x2)
And I'll be... Dreaming

New Miniature Tigers, just released Friday! The second single from their upcoming album, I Dreamt I Was a Cowboy, out October 28. While researching what to chat up about these guys, I checked out their twitter feed. Not to get overtly political on TMIS but, I love that they took such a clear stand (and have followed it up, too)...

🚫

A photo posted by Miniature Tigers (@miniaturetigers) on Oct 9, 2016 at 8:38pm PDT

Upcoming Shows

Wild Belle - Giving Up On You

Playing with fire, I don't wanna burn in flames
Quitting you is so hard, but I finally got away
You's bad boy, can't be tamed
You's bad boy and you never change
I'm not a criminal, but after all that you put me through
I wouldn't mind killing you

Wild Belle, a sister-brother duo with supporting band, got their big start in Austin at SXSW several years ago, and are back right now, at both weekends of ACL, as part of the tour for their second album. If you've heard their break-out hit "Keep You" or the recent "Throw Down Your Guns" then you can quickly recognize most of their songs: Stevie Nicks-esque vocals over the top of modern keys, brassy horns, and calypso beats. So I picked "Giving Up On You" because it is driven a little harder by the guitar (and perhaps a cowbell?) than their usual, while still being delightfully them.

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Young the Giant - Nothing's Over

It's all in frame
Familiar faces on my wall
This town is strange
Seasons never change
Time is up
The world doesn't stop for anyone
Until the sun dissolves

We all disappear
There's nothing to fear now, my love
How does it feel?

Young the Giant are back! When "Something to Believe In" came out earlier this year, I knew that the new album would not disappoint, but I've been thrilled to dig into Home of the Strange since it's release a couple weeks ago and discover an affinity for all the tracks. Made it tough to pick a most important single, but I kept coming back to the unique instrumental breaks of "Nothing's Over" so now you get to, too. Bonus, check out the hauntingly beautiful video for "Amerika" (another contender for TMIS, gah! so hard). Really, you should do yourself a favor and find your own favorite, if you can. I can't wait to see which I will prefer performed live, when they come to ACL in October!

Upcoming Shows

The 1975 - Somebody Else

So I heard you found somebody else
And at first I thought it was a lie
I took all my things that make sounds
The rest I can do without

I don't want your body
But I hate to think about you with somebody else
Our love has gone cold
You're intertwining your soul with somebody else

I really like The 1975, despite not being a teenager, and thought they were fantastic when I saw them live a couple years ago, though the show was held at the acoustically challenged Austin Music Hall. Of the singles released so far to support their oddly named sophomore album, Somebody Else is definitely my favorite - and I especially like this (not shortened for radio) version. Picked a 1975 song today to remind y'all that the second leg of their US tour (October-November) goes on sale tomorrow (Friday, July 29th), and they're playing tonight at Lollapalooza.

Upcoming Shows