“Lightning-charged duo VOLK is a Molotov coctail of high-octane Rock & Roll and Honky-Tonking Country swagger” SoundCloud bio.
“The sonic union of guitarist Christopher Lowe and drummer Eleot Reich, Volk has a no-frills power-duo sound and setup that brings to mind early White Stripes, but with a lot more going on in the sonic margins.” NASHVILLE SCENE
Impresive credential, isn’t it? If you haven’t heard before about these guys you must be eager to listen to them, wait a little longer, When asked Chris about what would like to first listener know about them he replied “Let me think….volk is like Jack and Meg White tripped acid and believed they were Johnny Cash and June Carter. It’s all the raw power duo energy that aspires to zz/dc snarling riffs and thunderous drums but with the country swagger and charm of Dwight Yoakam and Dolly Parton. Volk is RocknRoll country-fried.”
But if you’re a longtime fan this is a whole other kind of cat guys, is going to blow your mind and left you wanting for more thunderous drums and those noisy riffs that for only two guys they sound massive… Chris let me know yesterday that they already were over 1.6 streams a personal best for the band, and is easy to understand with this new ferocious and contagious sound, here you have the phenomenal lead single released last Monday Welcome to Cashville out via Romanus Records
Their debut album titled Cashville is due out March 2021 but before thinking about it, they have been working on the video for this track, and from what I have seen in two teaser trailers they have a lot of fun doing it, is going to be ready for next week so stay tuned it’ll rock your faces off. I can’t hardly wait to see it. (Don’t have to wait no more) Here is the video released today
Remember that you can always find me here for all my social media and collabs
I hope not only you can enjoy this track but also support this swagger band streaming and sharing their work that obviously you can fin in the Playlist Fresh Singles, and Less Than 1,000 Followers (hopefully not for long
P.S. If you enjoy discovering new artist you can check out my recent post
Well for today I have something unsuall for me, if you read or follow my work already know that I’m not really into Hip Hop or Rap obviously I enjoy it as much as other genres if its good but I’m far from being an expert on it.
The thing is that last Satuardy I was talking with this Rapper raised in Boston and as always I take a good listen to her music and WOW I love it and have to let her know that this wasn’t normal for me but that I really enjoy her sound, lyrics, and the whole thing.
The first track that I listen to (following my work ethic was the newest) called Cooking
Blow my mind that being a rapper she was only with 2 listeners and 2 followers, you might think that is normal but I think is not she deserves better than that… on her Spotify bio she’s been comper with Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah that’s a big deal.
Asking about the story behind this track she replyed “Well, I’m actually a lil embarrssed now, on my influence for the track, it was 69 (6ix9ine) and seeing who he his now… but when Ifirst listen to Gummo I like it, but i htought he actually Jack Kodaks flow in the way he rhyme, the melody was very Kodak but he energy was crazy so i was like I can do something like this so that’s when I actyually searched for a 69 type of instrumental and I wrote cooking. The style is really Jamaican”
Well it’s obvious that this girl ain’t debutant only for Spotify but you can find a tone of tunes in her Soundcloud https://www.youtube.com/user/hazedus and here you have a couple
IN Love
With It
If you’re into Hip Hop or RAP or you want to support this talented artist you can go to her YouTube Channel and enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/user/hazedus
Last but not least important Hazedus also rap in French creole, she’s Haitian and later today she will be releasing Criminal her newest track in this lenguage so stay tune…
Remember that you can always find me here for all my social media and collabs
I hope not only you can enjoy this track but also support this inspiring artist streaming and sharing her work that obviously you can fin in the Playlist Fresh Singles, and Less Than 1,000 Followers (hopefully not for long)
December 14, 2020. This is the last post before going into the final Top10, this countdown is almost finish the next batch for this sick Playlist #100undergroundtracks2020, I really hope that you’re enjoying it as much as I do.
Last playlist update of the year woohoooo time for a vacation- oh wait what’s that? Oh word, nevermind time to go through every single song released this year and rank the 50 best in order nbd.
Here’s my top 50 tracks of 2019 post if you’re feeling nostalgic. You’ll only find 2019 on here because well, we weren’t around in 2018. However I have painstakingly included all of my top picks from the past decade here if you’re interested.
Anyways, let’s bang- I mean let’s listen to some bangers. Follow our Spotify Playlist for weekly updates:
‘Oblivion’ – Alaska Reid
Alaska Reid has been killing it this year, this being her second song on the playlist of the year. She’s from Montana and currently in LA, and I can’t get enough. Sunday Tuesday George reached out to say it’s great, and even though he’s an a-hole who likes RHCP B-sides, in this case he’s totally right.
‘Greener’ – Charlie Curtis-Beard, PattyBoomba
This song is amazing, and frankly all of Charlie Curtis-Beard’s releases are. Loving this.
P.S. is this enough description for y’all? There’s 17 songs we don’t need novels amirite
‘Feels Right’ – Biig Piig
Real upbeat vibes here, a groover.
‘Freebritney’ – BlondesnamedBritney
This one was a rec from my little brother Pete. Turns out these guys went to my high school (It’s a great day to be a wildkit IYKYK). These dudes show a lot of promise, would expect nothing less from two dudes raised off some chicken shack and Poochies/Mustards/Bills/Hubs/Dengeos probably.
‘i can get emotional too’
I was fortunate enough to have just done an interview with Rachel Brown AKA thanks for coming, which was dope, as they were the artist behind my undisputed quarantine song which I reviewed in detail here.
This Shygirl EP absolutely slaps. As you can tell from the cover art, it’s some extremely accessible radio pop in the vein of Dua Lipa/Lady Gaga that you can definitely play at your kid’s Bar/Batmitzvah without turning any heads.
‘Cocaine Catwalk’ – BbyMutha
Pour one out for BootyHole-Iesha, the protagonist of BbyMutha’s album Muthaland. This one wasn’t on Spotify for a while and just got uploaded. Of course rap aficionado and even sadder girl UnderCoverSadGirl spotted this one and put it on my radar, great call.
‘U+211E’ – CANDYGIRL
What is up with this trend of making absolute BANGERS that are less than one minute long? Last week we had DAZED AND ABUSED IN BEVERLY HILLS by Amaarae, which is how any waiter who has ever worked in Beverly Hills probably feels, and this week we have this Japanese banger from CANDYGIRL. As a fellow J man myself, love to hear the Japanese bangers with all of my heart.
‘New year, new me’ – SLØTFACE
Just wow, so absolutely gorgeous. This song has been on straight repeat and I just can’t stop. This one is probably sneaking onto my best tracks of the year list if I have anything to say about it (I do, I literally have everything to say about it, so yes, it will be). This song actually originally came out last year around the same time, but as a faster and more upbeat version. Sometimes it takes a song some time in the ether before it can be recreated the way it was supposed to be presented, and I feel that was the case in this instance. This is just an absolutely perfect version. People might not know this but Scarface is a remake of a 30s movie, and the reason you might not know that is, well, the newer version is just… it.
‘Scared’ – Das Body
Norwegian quartet whose entire album absolutely slaps.
‘Final Form’ – Pearly Drops
Found this one on Dopamine Stimulator, good playlist. This album is an instant contender for AOTY for me, everyone I send this to says this same thing- lofi Grimes. As a diehard Art Angel I am obviously all about this. A lot of potential here, excited to see where Pearly Drops go from here.
‘The Little Death’ – The mellows
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGE mellows fan. It’s been an active life project of mine to try via broken Japanese to get an interview with the mellows, and I feel like I might have some good news to share with you soon.
Anyways, the mellows released an EP earlier this year that has been on heavy repeat for me. It’s just a vibe.
‘Take It Back’ – Fordablok, SOPHIE
‘Deserving’ – dreamcastmoe
‘Out of Love’ – Busty and the Bass, Macy Gray, Anna Majidson
‘J’adore’ – jamesjamesjames
‘Animals & Gods’ – The Electric Cinema
This is one of those gorgeous songs that just sticks with you, a happy blend of some early 2000s comfort indie and some modern singer-songwriter. Big fan.
That’s it, don’t forget to follow the official Indie Pong playlist:
In September 2019 Apna a four-piece rock band from South Lanarkshire, Scotland debut with the single Who’s It Gonna Be? And one month later was released Black Star “favourite lyrics on the ep, it’s about something looking at earth and seeing it’s problems” after that only silences… until today.
We have now their debut EP with 3 new tracks that the band presents in their own words:
Hooked. “Planned to be a b-side, now one of our favourite tro play live and favourite to open with, its about someone keeping you on the hook.”
A Day At The Races. (IMHO their best track so far) “Written mentally while in work, its about making something of yourself”
Where Have The Good Times Gone. “About music and how its evolved to be more computer-generated in a lot of places”
Here the whole EP for our enjoyment.
Remember that you can always find me here for all my social media and collabs
I hope not only you can enjoy this track but also support this band streaming and sharing their work that obviously you can fin in the Playlist Less Than 1,000 Followers and Alterindie State Of Mind.
P.S. If you enjoy discovering new artist you can check out my recent post
Closer and closer to the end of the road we’re in the week No. 50 so we only have 3 more to go before this year runs out of time. Let’s go with the next 9 tracks in this countdown Playlist Top 100 Songs 2020, already locked a place here 81 songs…
December 09, 2020, Today we have an awesome debut band…
Let’s welcome Editrix
Debut Track Chelsea
Today’s Debut Track Of The Day is from Editrix a trio from Western Mass and their track Chelsea is a BANGER, the play the right kind of NOISE that I enjoy so much. And if this isn’t enough for you, I love the bands fronted by females and in this case is Wendy on vocals and guitars and their sound is infectious. The rest of the band is Steve Cameron and Josh Daniel.
“Chelsea” by Editrix from their album ‘Tell Me I’m Bad’ out February 5, 2021 on Exploding in Sound Records. Pre-order at: https://bit.ly/editrix
Remember that you can always find me here for all my social media and collabs
I hope not only you can enjoy this track but also support this artist streaming and sharing his work that obviously you can fin in the Playlist Debut Bands (Of The Radar), also Fresh Singles, and Less Than 1,000 Followers and Alterindie State Of Mind
P.S. If you enjoy discovering new artist you can check out my recent post
Alright, here we are for Tuesday Time Machine Week 17, featuring my monthly playlist from December of 2015.
For those of you who are checking in for the first time, these monthly playlists which I’m re-visiting came about as a result of an idea I had back in January of 2010: an idea that would see me create one 80 minute playlist a month.
The reason for doing this was two-fold: I wanted to create and re-enforce very specific lived experiences and memories tied to music, and I wanted a rather consistent set of songs to propel me each month as I created my art.
In creating these playlists, I tried to make things flow— I wanted songs to segue very effortlessly (or abrasively) creating a sense of narrative.
Going forward, once a week, I’m going to update the Spotify playlist that you can find below.
I’d recommend not shuffling the songs, as they were sequenced the way that they were for a reason. To get the full experience, listen to them in the way in which I’ve arranged things.
Included below is a short description of the tune I’ve included, and/or a description of the specifics memory associated with it. If you’re not trying to read all of that, just hit play on the link below!
December 2015
1. Frosty the Snowman- Cocteau Twins
I’ve been listening to this song since I was 7 years old, but I don’t think I really came to love it, till I was 28.
In any case, who better to sing a Christmas song than Liz Fraser?
No one, that’s who.
2. Ante Up- M.O.P.
One of my great unfulfilled fantasies in life is a scenario in which someone asks me what the rules are to something.
Naturally, my response, will be, “back ‘em down.”
Hopefully, a like-minded friend nearby will get the joke, and then pipe up with, “next thing?” to which I’ll respond with a more forceful, “BACK ‘EM DOWN,” thereby, thoroughly confusing whoever asked me the question, but hopefully, making everyone laugh.
The reality of the situation is, nobody probably knows this song well enough to think that’s funny, and this is why I can’t have nice things in life.
3. Devil in a new Dress- Kanye West featuring Rick Ross
But at the same time, is Kanye’s hypocrisy REALLY that surprising, if people have been paying attention?
From day 1, Kanye has wanted nothing more than to rap just like Ma$e, so the fact that he left his old music to follow God, is really no surprise because…
Well, that’s exactly what Ma$e did.
Ma$e is a better rapper than Kanye, but this is still a PRETTY good song. Apparently, Rick Ross sees this as one of his best verses ever, and I think that’s fair.
4. Coffee- Miguel
And here it is:
The PERFECT pop song of 2015.
This song has the power to make you move across the country to fall in love with some girl you haven’t seen in three years on the OFF-CHANCE that you get two get to share in the specifics of the, “vibrant hues,” spoken of here.
At least, I think so– didn’t end up pulling the trigger on that one.
Anyways, this is Miguel’s, “Purple Rain,”— he may well never record a more brilliant kaleidoscope of color, and that’s okay, because this song needs to stay in people’s hearts until the end of time.
5. Kicks- FKA Twigs
I feel like I’ll only be able to do so many posts about the outrageous, and all-encompassing power found within an FKA Twigs vocal performance.
This is her singing from a place that’s more restrained, all things considered, but it’s no less striking.
It kinda reminds me of a Homogenic-era Bjork track in its own weird way… Would love to see the two of them collaborate.
6. 25 Bucks- Danny Brown featuring Purity Ring
I went through a bit of a Danny Brown phase when I was in Minneapolis, due mostly to the jaw-dropper that is his song, “Fields.”
I remember being disappointed with, “Old,” as a whole, but I thought this song was a pretty impressive piece of work, and I still like it.
7. Crossing the Rubicon- The Human Abstract
One of my best friends I’ve made in the last 6 years, Mr. Jafet Malendez put me onto this song.
His taste in music is really particuar— loves reggae, EDM, and ska, but also has a soft spot for metal.
Big, big, fan of the Offspring and Kiss too.
In any case, I feel like I thought this was Dillinger Escape Plan the first time I heard it, due to the vocals, but it’s not.
Of note here is the particularly incredible melodic passage towards the end, that serves as the cherry on top of a piece of classic balls to the wall metal.
8. In the Bleak Mid-Winter- James Taylor
Goddammit, James Taylor.
Idk, maybe this song isn’t actually that great, but I really do believe that it is.
Listening to this, you feel like you’re in a small midwestern cottage, looking out the window at a frozen lake. You’re heated only by the dying embers in the fireplace in front of you, and the last bit of hot chocolate in your mug.
This song speaks to solitude for me, but it comes from a place of warmth too.
In any case, light a candle, get a drink, and let yourself melt into your couch as you watch the lights on your Christmas tree while listening to this.
It’ll probably be pretty good.
9. 10. 1777, Cheyenne- Russian Circles
Continuing with the moody winter theme, we have Russian Circles, doing a somewhat dialed back version of their signature death march.
There’s a lot of depth here, and I can’t help but imagine revolutionary war soldiers slogging through an extra epic winter snowstorm listening to this.
I suppose that’s not a pleasant thought, but there’s smoke on the horizon, coming from a friendly camp, and they’ll be able to warms themselves by the fire soon enough.
At least, I think so.
Mike Sullivan gets some great tones out of his guitar here in a couple of spots— almost makes them sound like a horn section, which is pretty neat.
11. strawberry swing- Frank Ocean
Some sunshine is needed after the gloomy slog of the previous few tracks, and this speaks to that, at least somewhat?
Mr. Ocean is singing about the end of the world, so maybe not.
I think gratitude overwhelms anything negative here though, so even though he’s talking about the apocalypse, you can’t help but feel thankful for the good things that have shown up in your life.
12. Losers- Weekend (featuring Labrinth)
This song is actually not really my cup of tea anymore, but I remember digging the horn bit at the time.
13. Chickenhead- Project Pat featuring LaChat, Juicy J, and DJ Paul
Shortly after college, there was a point at which Project Pat was probably my favorite rapper, and this is probably his most well-known song?
Idk, this is just a great song.
14. Kerosene- Baroness
The musical oasis of PURE NIRVANA that the band happens upon around the 3:39 mark may well have almost brought me to tears the first time I heard it.
Is there anything in the history of psych metal that sounds anymore more like LITERAL sunshine? There’s a mellotron creeping in the background there (I’m pretty sure) because Dave Friedman of Flaming Lips fame produced this, and that’s what we call a PRO MOVE.
In any case, even amongst the most bleak midwest December days, I think you’d be hard-pressed to not feel the warmth of the sun while listening to this, even if you can’t see it.
15. Hallway- Hank Shocklee
Yes, this is THAT Hank Shocklee— of The Bomb Squad fame.
This serves as the backdrop for a particularly tense scene towards the climax of, “American Gangster.” Though it’s just short of 2 minutes, it’s no less potent than anything twice its length.
16. Sunshine- Pusha T featuring Jill Scott
Arguably, the best song off of Pusha T’s, “Darkest Before Dawn,” album?
I appreciate him going out of box here, doing a political commentary, and Jill Scott’s vocals are both impassioned and beautiful.
17. Blood and Thunder- Mastodon
I know that this is Mastodon’s, “Enter Sandman,” and while it’s definitely a good song, I don’t know if it’s THAT good?
Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but I definitely have to be in the mood for it.
Of note here (as is the case with most every song on Mastodon’s first three albums) are Brann Dailor’s drum patterns, which… boy, oh, boy, masterful, masterful, masterful.
Decemb er 07, 2020. Hi, I’m really excited we’re already 81 tracks in this countdown and only one more post to get to the TOP10… but wait, one step at the time, first next batch for this sick Playlist #100undergroundtracks2020, time for these 9 bands with the track that I enjoy the most and already locked a place here#showlove
So, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, I saw that Mates put up an article in appreciation of the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s, “Stadium Arcadium,” album.
Clicking into the article, I was super excited to see his picks, because I love that album dearly.
When I actually saw his choices for the Top 5 songs though?
First off, families stick together, and I’m gonna have to agree with my brother Jack, in his assessment of, “Slow Cheetah”…
And… “Storm in a Teacup?”
I refuse to believe that Mates is out here intentionally co-signing weak sauce, so I think we need to have an intervention here.
Mind you, there’s hope for him, because my list is going to include, “Turn it Again,” too, but at the same time, we need to address his error in judgment ASAP and present our readers with the ACTUAL Top 5 songs from the album.
5. Animal Bar
So, the best thing about this album is that it’s JOHN FRUSCIANTE’S album.
Almost every song on this double LP has at least one guitar solo that SCREAMS something painterly, alternating equally (and effortlessly) between sorrow and joy, while also, perhaps, not-so-low-key whispering, “I do this for the BOW-LEGGED women.”
That last bit might be up for debate, but irregardless, John Frusciante closes this song out with his best Robert Fripp in ’75 homage, and it’s magnificent.
4. 21st Century
I feel like it’s safe to say that Flea got all of his hottest bass licks as a result of THOROUGHLY wearing out the grooves on his copy Stanley Clarke’s, “School Days,” but here, he’s coming with some work that even the Supreme Maestro of Slap might envy.
To boot, Mr. Frusciante TRIPLE TRACKS his guitar leads at the end of the song, and really, nobody does it better.
I MAY or may not have knicked his idea here for my lone guitar solo on the forthcoming Ligier Contach album— hard to say.
3. Turn it Again
This song is fully outrageous most of the way through, but special attention must once again be paid to Mr. Frusciante’s guitar playing.
Apparently, while recording this album, he was particularly interested in off-rhythm guitar soloing, a la Jimi Hendrix in his more impassioned moments, and he showcases that style of playing here with ample aplomb.
It works brilliantly, because Chad Smith and Flea have it LOCKED down behind him, allowing him the space to wrestle an especially raunchy string of notes from his Stratocaster for the better part of a minute. Listen closely for the Octavia action that comes in and out of focus too, shooting his already stratospheric notes choices even higher, putting them in a register not dissimilar to the mini-Moog.
2. Charlie
On one hand, it’s sad, because I don’t know if the Chili Peppers will ever make a song again that’s just this FUN.
You must groove to this.
There are no other options.
The power of Chad Smith’s beat displacement just behind the 4 in the verse, WILL MAKE YOUR SHOULDERS LEAN.
Very rarely do I sit down, and try to crib other guitar players licks, but I’ve studied what John Frusciante is doing here, because it’s just so good.
His opening solos are but a few notes, yet he gets EVERYTHING out of them.
You can whistle them, you can sing along to them, and there’s such joy in that.
All around, this is just a magnificent piece of music, but not as good as…
1. Wet Sand
Look, do people actually think, “Under the Bridge,” is the best Chili Peppers song, now that this is out there in the world?
As far as the ballad thing goes, they’ll never beat this.
It’s… It’s just perfect.
Sometimes, I’ll improvise a solo over songs that I like, and record my best take for posterity. I think there are THREE songs outside of, “Wet Sand,” where I’ve taken a crack at the same song twice.
When I go there, it’s out of love, and I love this song so very much.
