KT Tunstall’s newly released album “WAX” was produced by Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy, has a rockin’ sound and and is a Great way to re-discover this passionate artist who delivers powerful tunes and kicks it out hard on her latest!

Speaking about her 6th studio album, KT Tunstall says of ‘WAX’ “I knew before I started writing that I wanted it to be an electric guitar record. It had to be visceral, about the physical, and the weight of that, and the obstacles of that. It’s a record about human-ness, which we so often just write off as ‘flaws’.”

The title a nod to the viscous pungency of one of the body’s natural substances. “Wax evokes colonies of bees, candlelight, the material that the first long-playing records were made of”, Tunstall explains, “but more than that, wax is produced inside your own head. You unconsciously create it, and then weirdly that same basic substance has been used for centuries to make the most lifelike replicas of human beings. It has a life glow to it. It sticks to you. We have these strange, ancient connections and relationships with wax. How odd is it that the body produces all these substances from all these holes!” laughs this stoutly down-to-earth singer, songwriter and guitarist.

Tunstall’s had big hit songs that evolved her earlier in her career, and those songs are powerful pieces and certainly a testament to her songwriting and performance strengths to be sure. Now is the time to see who and what she is TODAY–a rockin’ lady leading a musical and social charge who still commands a significant following here in the U.S. and a bigger one worldwide. We Love Her!

Listen: KT Tunstall – “Human Being”

KT Tunstall – “Human Being”

Mini Mansions new single “Midnight In Tokyo” comes from the newly released “Works Every Time” EP (out now!). The Gorillaz-inspired track is at the heart of the band’s new approach to songwriting. It captures the lifespan of a relationship, from falling in love to eventually breaking up.

“Inspired by true romances and real heartbreaks, this song came to life after an existential trip to Tokyo. This track is no deep cut, but it’s content sure does cut deep. This is the second installment in the new Mini Mansions wave to come.”—Mini Mansions

Mini Mansions are singer and guitarist Michael Shuman (bassist of Queens of The Stone Age), bassist Zach Dawes (The Last Shadow Puppets) and singer and keyboardist Tyler Parkford.
 
The recording of the “Works Every Time” EP at Hollywood’s Barefoot Recording Studios was co-produced by Mini Mansions and Cian Riordan, who worked with them on their 2015 album “The Great

Pretenders”, while Jon Theodore (Queens of the Stone Age) and Darren Weiss (Papa) tracked the drums.

Dash Hutton (HAIM) will be playing live with the band.
  
In support of the newly released EP, Mini Mansions will be on the road with Arctic Monkeys, including a stop off for a headline show second weekend of ACL.

Listen: Mini Mansions – “Midnight In Tokyo” (radio edit)

Mini Mansions – “Midnight In Tokyo” (radio edit)

Hailing from the idyllic suburbs of Vienna, HUNGER embodies their own sound, as visceral and evocative as their name suggests and continues to bring it to life with a slate of new material that bests their past efforts. The immediate sounding new single “Naked” is about the inner battle and struggle we all have sometimes.

“People tend to question themselves if they’re good enough, good looking or smart enough while being put into boxes from other people. Constant judgment in our society these day create a lot of pressure, especially on young people. ‘Naked’s’ message is that ‘it’s ok to be yourself’ ‘it’s ok to be weird’ ‘be who you are’ and don’t care too much what other people think about you.”– HUNGER’s Daniel Rumpel.

HUNGER first formed in early 2014. Childhood friends, Daniel Rumpel and Johannes Herbst approached long-term fellow vocalist Lucas Fendrich with the intention of creating a truly dark and cinematic sound. Once they’d developed a batch of demos, the three musicians headed to the outskirts of Vienna, built up a studio in a borrowed apartment and brought their sound to life.

When it came time to choose a name for their project, the trio landed on an emotionally evocative word with endless possibilities for interpretation. “‘Hunger’ is such a strong word that can be applied to so many things and really represents how we feel about music,” says Rumpel. “Nowadays everybody’s hungry for more, everybody’s searching for something new—so hunger is usually thought of as a negative,” says Fendrich. “We wanted to twist that and turn it into a good feeling. Because if you’re hungry for love, then that can actually be something very positive and beautiful.”

In just a short time, HUNGER have managed to build multiple successes Already via prior single “Amused” which raked up over 2.5 million streams on Spotify, a Mitsubishi commercial that has run for the entirety of 2018, a feature on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, as well as festival opportunities alongside the likes of Alt-J, Phoenix, Milky Chance, The Strumbellas and Feist.

Listen: Hunger – “Naked” (radio edit)

Hunger – “Naked” (radio edit)

Following up her fiery Top 3 SubModern charting Single “Self Control”, and hot on the heels of the Londoner’s self-titled EP release, LION’s latest single is the soaring, jagged rocker “Oh No”. It simultaneously conjures Flo & The Machine and The White Stripes via her signature ferocious and raspy howl and a soaring chorus.

The first time LION (aka Beth Lowen) sang in public, a woman she didn’t know approached her. “You sound like you’ve smoked 20 cigarettes,” she told her, “and drunk a bottle of whisky.” Given that Beth was 10-years-old and unsurprisingly had done nothing of the sort, she started to cry. “I thought that was a bad thing,” she recalls, laughing. “And my parents were like, ‘No, no! That’s good!”

Nowadays, Lowen embraces the ferocious, Janis Joplin-esque rasp of her voice. In fact, it’s one of the reasons she chose to adopt the name LION. “Someone said I sound like a lion,” she explains, “Also, everyone says I have lion hair, and ‘Löwen’ means lions in German.” Still, declaring herself deserving of such a fierce moniker wasn’t something that came easily. “I didn’t mention it to anybody for months,” she admits. “It’s a big statement, it’s pretty extreme. But I was looking at people like Lorde, and I was like, that’s f*cking cool. And then I was like, f*ck it. So now it’s “Lion.” The stage name never feels more apt than it does when LION performs live. Her husky but powerful voice, already so potent on record, is unleashed to its full, roaring potential, as she jitters a little behind the mic, bathed in red light.

Lowen doesn’t make music than can be easily compared or categorized. Each song differs from the next – though there’s one thing she hopes they all manage to achieve. “I hope people feel something,” she says, “like I do when I’m playing it. Take what you want from it, but feel. I want to make boys cry.”

+ Executive Produced by Linda Perry (Adele, Courtney Love, Pink)

+ Fiction Records partnered for Global Release (We Are Hear for North America)

+ BBC Radio 1 TRACK OF THE WEEK!

+ Strong supporting slots for Albert Hammond, Jr. The Vaccines and UK Festivals

Listen: Lion – “Oh No”

Lion – “Oh No”

November 9th will see J Mascis‘ “Elastic Days” upon us! A collection of songs brimming with epic hooks and subtle guitar textures that slide against each other like old lovers and snare you in surprisingly subtle ways.

Like its solo outing predecessors, “Elastic Days” was recorded at J‘s own Bisquiteen studio. Mascis does almost all his own stunts, although Ken Miauri (who also appeared on “Tied to a Star”) plays keyboards and there are a few guest vocal spots. These include old mates Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession), and Mark Mulcahy (Miracle Legion), as well as the newly added voice of Zoë Randell (Luluc)  among others. But the show is mostly J‘s and J‘s alone.

The biggest difference with this record might have to do with the drums says Mascis. “I’d just got a new drum set I was really excited about. I don’t have too many drum outlets at the moment, so I played a lot more drums than I’d originally planned. I just kept playing. [laughs] I’d play the acoustic guitar parts then head right to the drums.”

“a lovely, open-hearted song that punctuates Mascis’ rich, acoustic strums with some lightning-strike electric solos.”—Consequence Of Sound

“a warm, shaggy strummer that’s still a bit more visceral than most of Mascis’ recent solo stuff. He plays some triumphant, blazing electric solos in there, and his drums sound pretty great, too.”—Stereogum

“Elastic Days promises to have more than a good rhythm: We’re looking forward to unexpected hooks and guitar slides that straddle a broad range of genres.”—PASTE

Listen: J Mascis – “See You At The Movies”

J Mascis – “See You At The Movies”

Following up their Top 7 SubModern specialty show charting single “(Let’s Make) Compelling Content”, BIG MOTHER GIG are back with another track off their upcoming  “No More Questions” album (Out 10/12) and in the cathartic power-rocker “The Great Heist”!

“We are really affected by today’s political climate and by what appears to be a fleecing of the American people. We wanted to write about what future generations would think when they would look back at this.”—BMG singer/guitarist Richard Jankovich.

“….with a really aggressive, heart and soul Midwestern, Husker-Du kind of sound….”—The Current/Minneapolis (KCMP)

“sure to find its way into your head”—PASTE

“a blend of punk, indie and alternative”—Alternative Press

“Well-thought out, highly educated lyrics….have our ears begging for more.” —Impose

“Big Mother Gig take the established melodies and add to them with a cacophony of vocals that stick like an ear worm”—New Noise

BIG MOTHER GIG originally formed in 1992 in Milwaukee and played across the Midwest with The Magnolias, The Hunger, PunchDrunk (who later formed The Hold Steady) and more. At their final show in 1996, a label showcase, Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner praised the band but they soon broke up when singer Richard Jankovich moved to New York. Throughout the ‘00s, Jankovich achieved success with Burnside Project (who’s “Cue The Pulse To Begin” was the theme to “Queer As Folk” and went Top 30 in Japan) and Pocket (who’s remixes for Radiohead and Beck were praised by Pitchfork, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan and others).

Since reforming, BIG MOTHER GIG has played with LUNA, Soccer Mommy, Peelander-Z , Alvarez Kings, The Yawpers, and most recently Gin Blossoms, among others. New members include Mike Datz (Liz Phair), Albert Kurniawan (Graham Ulicny of The Faint) and Micah Lopez.

The forthcoming “No More Questions” (out 10/12), which will also feature guest appearances from Dicky Barrett (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and Britta Phillips (Luna, Dean + Britta).

Listen: Big Mother Gig – “Low Payout” (feat. Dicky Barrett)

Big Mother Gig – “Low Payout” (feat. Dicky Barrett)

After a recent world debut on BBC Radio 1’s ‘Midnight Drop’, and Newly signed to Wichita Recordings, Kent, England’s Indoor Pets share their first single for the label and Now greet us This side of the pond via the instant and addictive “Hi”!

Co-produced by the band’s guitarist, James Simpson and Kristofer Harris and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Weezer, Ash, Parquet Courts), “Hi”’s witty, self-depreciating lyrics on top of a hook laden blast is a perfect introduction to the band’s power-pop stylings, fuzzed-out riffs and infectious melodies.

“Indoor Pets pull out all the stops ensuring they pack in as many catchy hooks and jangly guitar riffs into the song as possible….a self-deprecating blast of refreshingly good fun on their exhilarating new offering”—The Line Of Best Fit

“Shining power pop melody and raucous indie punk”—Clash

“Sugar-doused noise worthy of conquering arenas.”—DIY

“A 10/10 solid gold winner”—Dork

Listen: Indoor Pets – “Hi”

Indoor Pets – “Hi”

The Bright Light Social Hour’s “Missing Something” EP is the Austin, TX band’s first collection of new music in three years and is out now. Produced by the band, mixed by Spoon’s Jim Eno and mastered by Dave Cooley (M83, Wolf Alice, Blood Orange), the EP is a deeply personal collection of songs heavily influenced by the death of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jack O’Brien’s brother Alex, TBLSH’s longtime manager who struggled with bipolar disorder.

“These songs capture a very confusing and uncanny turn in our lives, Alex’s descent into sudden and severe bipolar 1 disorder as well as the end of a global epoch,” O’Brien says. “To me, the music channels the schizoid joy of your world unraveling so quickly you’ve got no choice but to pull back and enjoy your beautiful, short-circuiting self, not even worrying about making sense of it all ‘cause that’s just not possible.”

Known for their incredible live shows, TBLSH has performed at major festivals in addition to their own national and international touring, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Festival. This fall, the band has already announced a handful of Texas dates, with more TBA.

“No matter how much research you put into figuring out who will be the hottest new artists of each year, another act comes into your vision with an output that absolutely blows you away. Today, that band is Austin, Texas’ The Bright Light Social Hour.”—Huffington Post

Listen: The Bright Light Social Hour – “Trip With Lola”

The Bright Light Social Hour – “Trip With Lola”

Bob Moses have just unveiled the brand new track “Heaven Only Knows”! The song is the first new music from the Grammy-winning duo since their acclaimed debut album “Days Gone By” featuring their worldwide hit and Top 15 Alternative single “Tearing Me Up”.

Bob Moses is the Vancouver-bred, LA-based duo of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance. Born from the Brooklyn underground scene in 2012, the band’s early single releases on taste-making electronic label Scissor & Thread and captivating live performances led to signing with Domino and the release of “Days Gone By”, which garnered them a pair of nominations at both the Junos and the Grammys (and a grammy win).

Meshing guitar licks, dance-floor ambience and classic songwriting, the duo created a sound that appeals equally to club goers And rock fans. Bob Moses will tour North America this fall swinging through all major markets (see our Tours page)!

Listen: Bob Moses – “Heaven Only Knows” (radio edit)

Bob Moses – “Heaven Only Knows” (radio edit)

It’s the Triumphant Return of Texas rockers Ume, back with their first new music in 4 years, with “Other Nature”!

Ume’s “Other Nature” was recorded with Grammy-winning producer/engineer Stuart Sikes (Modest Mouse, Cat Power, Loretta Lynn) over the course of 2 weeks in the band’s hometown of Austin, TX and it brings to life a deeply personal and transformative collection of songs written by powerhouse guitarist/vocalist Lauren Larson, while the world around her slept.

Playing through debilitating tendonitis, Lauren teamed with longtime Ume bassist Eric Larson and drummer Aaron Perez, as well as Don Cento on synth, to bring her home demos to life. Embracing spontaneity and a new adventurous energy, the band reformed in the studio to produce their most gorgeously dynamic record yet. The result is a massive and enchanting collection of 10 songs, showcasing the strength and fragility of Lauren’s voice, more confident and defiant songwriting, more dynamic and experimental guitars, textures of synths, and a smoldering, soulful rhythm section that takes the songs beyond where Ume has been on previous records.

This is the Ume’s first record since 2014’s “Monuments”. They previously released “Phantoms” on Modern Outsider in 2011 and self-released their EP “Sunshower” in 2009, but the story of Ume begins with Lauren falling in love with blasting subversive riffs as a 15-year-old self-taught guitarist in a politically charged noise punk band. Dedicated to performing like her life depended on it, Lauren’s music career took her from DIY youth run shows, like at the skatepark where she met bassist/husband Eric Larson — to performing with her guitar heroine Nancy Wilson of Heart and appearing on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations — to Ume playing major festivals like ACL and London’s Hyde Park with Black Sabbath.

“When it comes to art, psychedelia, and rock and roll, it doesn’t get much better.”—Village Voice

“A little like fuzzy shoegaze, raw garage rock and irresistible pop all rolled into one fiery package.”—NYLON

“has merged the sounds of heavy rock and ethereal indie pop with deft precision, finding new ground somewhere in between Warpaint, Metric and Mogwai.”—Relix

Listen: Ume – “Two Years Sleep”

Ume – “Two Years Sleep”