The Matinee ’18 March 22nd USA Edition features eight songs, three of which come from a special and an important compilation. The mini-playlist also includes a tune from one of indie rock’s greatest bands of the past decade and the debut single from an outfit hoping to join them one day.
Wharf Cat Records Singles from the ACLU Benefit Compilation
Dollar Band – “Too Sensitive” (Los Angeles, USA)
Alice Cohen – “Hourglass” (Brooklyn, USA)
Pop 1280 – “When No One Cares” (New York City, USA)
RIYL: indie rock, experimental synth-pop, post-trash punk
We often don’t post partial compilations, but Wharf Cat Records‘ latest initiative is one that must be shared. On April 20th, they will release a double album in support of the American Civil Liberties Union – or better known as ACLU. The compilation will feature 22 songs in total, including contributions from The Men, Merchandise, Cheerleader, Psychic Blood, and many more. The price is $32, and a minimum of $30 will go to the ACLU. Such a contribution is unheard of in this day.
To give a sneak peek of what is to come, the label has shared three songs to date. The first, “Too Sensitive”, is from Dollar Band, featuring Dylan Sharp (guitar/vocals) and Daniel Swire (drums) from Gun Outfit and Steve Urgo (bass), who plays drums on the Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band. It’s a lo-fi, country-folk number that feels like a slow trip through the Sonoran Desert.
The second comes from electronic and synth experimental artist Alice Cohen. With the stunning and lush qualities of Nite Jewel and Frankie Rose, “Hourglass”, is a late-night taxi ride through Manhattan. As the lights flash by, you find yourself thinking about what the people out on the street are doing and what you could be doing at that time.
The final one, “When No One Cares”, comes from NYC post-trash punk band Pop 1280. It’s a little spooky, quite suspenseful, and completely intoxicating. This is a track that would be perfect for someone who is walking alone in one of the abandoned warehouses on Brooklyn’s waterfront. Or maybe the band is speaking as the subconcious of the guy who occupies the White House.
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Exitmusic – “Iowa” (Brooklyn & Los Angeles, USA)
RIYL: School of Seven Bells, Rhye, Poliça
“Where is my heart?”, Aleksa Palladino gracefully asks while Devon Church’s stirring and emotive production flows in the background on Existmusic‘s new single, “Iowa”. We highlight these four words because after you get through this five-minute escapade of breathtaking brilliance, you’ll ponder this question. You’ll ask yourself where did the time go and how can you recapture the spark that brought you and your loved one together in the first place. Or maybe you’ll think about the one who got away and then contemplate driving the distance to express your undying love.
If everything is perfect for you, then bask in this dazzling track and allow the duo to take you to unforeseen places and heights. Let Palladino’s voice be your guide while the strings, beats, and bass be the soundtrack of this awe-inspiring journey. A journey that only Exitmusic can take us, as they have been doing for nearly 15 years.
The complete trip will occur on April 20th when their new album, Recognitions, is released on Felte.
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Gold Connections – “Bad Intentions” (Charlottesville, VA, USA)
RIYL: Car Seat Headrest, The Rolling Stones, Ron Gallo
Almost a year to the day, Will Marsh, better known as Gold Connections, released his self-titled debut EP, which was one of favorite extended players of 2017. As such, it seems apt that Marsh would announce his debut full-length on this milestone anniversary, and the first single from it is one he recorded a little while ago.
Whereas his EP featured songs that had the snarl of his good friend Will Toledo’s (of Car Seat Headrest) indie rock, “Bad Intentions” has its roots in late ’60s and early ’70s rock ‘n roll and folk rock. The tune, in particular, echoes a really young The Rolling Stones with Marsh’s vocals even possessing Mick Jagger twangy stutter. Yet the songwriting has the imagery of Bob Dylan and the honesty of Bruce Springsteen, as he recounts the trials and tribulations of growing up and the mistakes made. And as he sings at the end, “Don’t mind me writing on the wall”, the song hints at leaving a legacy, which many of us won’t have. For March, however, he’s just starting to build his.
Gold Connections’ debut album, Popular Fiction, is out May 11th via Egghunt Records. Pre-order it on Bandcamp.
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Harville – “Blood” (Brooklyn, USA)
RIYL: Algiers, TV On The Radio, Bloc Party
Plenty of new rock bands make a positive first impression, where you’re left saying, “That was pretty awesome.” Then there are the few who don’t want you to say anything. Instead, their purpose is to hit you hard with a one-two-three combination that starts with jab to the nose, a hook to the temple, and an uppercut to the jaw. A song that knocks you out after the final blow has landed. This is what newcomers Harville have achieved with their brilliant and hard-hitting debut single, “Blood”.
Similar to the works of the criminally underrated Algiers, the Brooklyn-based quartet deliver a political number that will test of time. The coarse bass, the searing guitars, the military-style drumming, and the fierce horns create the harsh atmosphere while front man Jonathan Singletary’s wavering and booming vocals inform us that the lives we once knew are gone. We are now slaves to the whims of a few, who tease us with the prospects of wealth and a hopeless dream. But at the end of the day, we’re left working right down to our bones.
Harville are Jonathan Singletary, Jay Troop, Dwayne Bush, and Sam Phelps. This is a band we’ll be watching for a long time.
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NASTY MAGIC – “Hide & Seek” (Claremont, CA, USA)
RIYL: MGMT, Talking Heads, “Weird Al” Jankovic
If you type NASTY MAGIC in the search field on Twitter, you wouldn’t find Californians Kai Klitgaard and Dylan Swirkal’s musical project. Instead, you’ll find a bunch of tweets by someone bearing quite a bit of cleavage. As you listen to their new single, “Hide & Seek”, you might have the same surprise expression on your face as I did on Twitter. Specifically, this isn’t something we expected at all.
Unlike the Twitter experience, this tune is really awesome. The duo describe “Hide & Seek” as “like a grunge song for an 80’s aerobic class”. However, it’s more like “Weird Al” Jankovic doing a parody of an Olivia Newton-John song. It is fun, entertaining, and full of laughs. Seriously, listen closely to the lyrics and sound effects, and you’ll chuckle (and you might find yourself sniffing your armpits to make sure you don’t stink). Afterwards, build up a sweat because the tune is indeed dance-worthy and workout-friendly. We hope the pair will create a VHS-style music video for this song. They should also consult Finnish band (and one of our favorites) Have You Ever Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? for ideas.
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Speedy Ortiz – “Lean In When I Suffer” (Boston, USA)
RIYL: Deerhoof, Vagabon, Hop Along
When Sadie Dupuis released her last Sad13 solo album, Slugger, she focused on the positive aspects of life instead of the constant negativity surrounding us. It appears their new album, Twerp Verse, will take on a different tact – not necessarily speaking about how terrible life is but rather directly addressing the troubles that consume us from the inside.
The first single, “Lucky 88”, which included a cool video of the band taking on the Blob, tackled anxiety and unhappiness. Their latest number, “Lean In When I Suffer”, similarly addresses mental illness, specifically panic attacks and the emotional baggage we place on ourselves. Through the prism of oft-kilter, ’90s pop-rock (like Pavement meets Deerhoof), Dupuis cites all the incidents in which she feels “off” and is unable to think clearly. While the song does include references to someone who left her, the song is much more than about a relationship. It’s a smart and important message about self-care (although the video takes the idea to amusing lengths).
Twerp Verse is out April 27th on Carpark Records. Pre-orders are available here. They’re on tour, and dates and information are available here. The quartet are Mike Falcone (drums), Sadie Dupuis (vocals/guitar), Darl Ferm (bass), and Andy Molholt (guitar).
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