NYC-band Baby Got Back Talk released their new single and music video “I’m Sorry I’m a Moron, But Also, Help.” The song precedes the release of their EP Wince, Repeat, due out July 21.
G’Ra, Baby Got Back Talk’s vocalist and bassist, told the story of the single’s title. The phrase resulted from a text G’Ra sent after mistakenly eating marijuana infused cookies.
“As a result I became painfully, unbearably high for the first time in my overwhelmingly straight-edge life,” G’Ra said. When I realized my mistake, I texted the band group chat I’m sorry I’m a moron, but also, help. We thought the immortal phrase was a fitting title for our new single, which is about hoping for compassion even when you know your problems are your fault.”
Additionally, G’Ra explained that they executed the music video for the song in a single shot.”The action takes place in one long, unbroken, choreographed shot that we rehearsed for a couple of hours the day of filming. Because of schedule constraints at the set we rented, we only had time to shoot 4 complete takes. Working with my bandmates and director Ross Louis Klein to nail one of those takes before the clock ran out was like a higher-stakes version of one of those recreational escape rooms: nerve-wracking and intense but also super fun.”
Hamilton’s FirstOntario Center became a haven for progressive metal enthusiasts. The mighty Dream Theater stormed the stage on their highly anticipated “Dreamsonic” tour on Wednesday, July 5. Sharing the spotlight were the incomparable Devin Townsend and the virtuosic Animals as Leaders. The evening promised a sonic journey unlike any other, and the bands delivered an unforgettable experience that left the crowd breathless.
The main support of the show was the one and only Devin Townsend, a visionary artist known for his eclectic and experimental soundscapes. With a mesmerizing stage presence, Townsend took the audience on a musical odyssey with his setlist. From the mind-bending complexity of “Truth” to the atmospheric beauty of “Kingdom,” Townsend showcased his ability to seamlessly transition between contrasting moods and styles. The crowd was captivated by his powerful vocal range and the intricate layers of instrumentation that formed the backbone of his performance.
Next up, Dream Theater took the stage with an explosive rendition of “Caught in a Web,” instantly igniting the crowd’s energy after they started the setlist with some newer songs. The band’s technical prowess was on full display as they flawlessly executed complex time signatures and intricate melodies. Songs like “About to Crash” and “Solitary Shell” showcased their ability to seamlessly blend heavy riffs with melodic passages, creating a dynamic and captivating sonic experience. Their guitarist John Petrucci is one of the few performers who have mastered this.
The concert reached its climax with the epic “The Count of Tuscany” a monumental piece that showcased Dream Theater’s musical virtuosity. The band’s chemistry was palpable as they flawlessly navigated through the song’s ever-shifting dynamics and intricate arrangements. The audience was spellbound by the precise synchrony between each band member, as they wove together a sonic tapestry of progressive metal mastery.
For the encore, Dream Theater invited the other band members from the prior bands to join them on stage for a stunning rendition of “Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On.” The collective energy and talent of all the musicians on stage created a transcendent moment, leaving the audience in awe.
Dream Theater’s setlist was a carefully curated journey through their illustrious discography. Classics like “Pull Me Under” ignited nostalgia in long-time fans, while newer tracks like “The Alien” showcased the band’s continued evolution and growth. Each song was performed with impeccable precision, showcasing the band’s unrivaled musicianship and dedication to their craft.
The Dreamsonic tour in Hamilton was a night that will forever be etched in the memory of progressive metal fans. Dream Theater, accompanied by support acts Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders, delivered a mesmerizing display of technical prowess, musical depth, and sheer sonic brilliance. With a setlist that spanned their extensive career, Dream Theater left no doubt that they are masters of their craft, captivating the audience and leaving them craving for more.
For those looking to dive deep into the darkness that is inherent in the Goth scene, “The Art Of Darkness: The History Of Goth” was released on May 16th (Manchester University Press). Author John Robb takes an in-depth look at all that makes up the Goth music scene – the music, the culture, and the history.
A book that took eight years to be published, “The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth” has received rave reviews across Europe, the nexus for Goth. The Irish Independent said of the tome, “Gloriously knowledgeable…stuffed with stories about the bands who changed your life as a teenager.”
John Robb is a veteran of the global alternative music scene, coining the term “Britpop” in the 1990s, was the first UK writer to interview Nirvana back in 1989, and has written on popular music for The Times, The Guardian, NME, and founded the UK music website, Louder Than War. John has previously written the best-selling books “Punk Rock: An Oral History” and “The North Will Rise Again: Manchester Music City 1976-1996”.
John Robb: Photo by John Middleham
This 546 page book takes the reader into a Goth club, before expanding to take a look at the wider culture and history of the times. Examining the subculture that rose in underground UK clubs, spread thrrough word of mouth at pubs or via posters and handbills, the early scene included hippies, scenesters, dominatrices, and gives a breakdown of what went down in the club scene.
Taking a look at the social conditions at the time that led to the rise of Goth in the post-punk period, Robb finds history influencing art, shifting gears as he looks upon the fall of Rome, folk tales from Europe, the occult, Gothic architecture and more to tie present-day Goth to these continental roots.
Examined is the Goth connection to the punk club scene and how it shifted from punk to goth over time, plus that which makes up various goth sub-groups: mall, traditional, romantic, vampire, etc… all the way to Glam Rock and how Goth arrives at present day, and even how certain genres of music (heavy metal, indie) correlate to the Goth culture.
The book is built mostly around the 80s post-punk Goth period and features interviews with Andrew Eldritch, Killing Joke, Bauhaus, The Cult, The Banshees, The Damned, Einstürzende Neubauten, Johnny Marr, Trent Reznor, Adam Ant, Laibach, The Cure, Nick Cave and many others.
An enjoyable read, one of the biggest takeaways, especially for the uninitiated, are the origins of Goth in the club scene of the 1960s, and the evolution of the beatnik/mod era through punk and post-punk, with goth borrowing as it arose during the time period.
Order a copy of the definitive deep-dive into Goth here!
Ed. note: Thanks to Lola for her insight into goth culture.
NYC-based death-rock band Scorpion Tea has just released “Scarlet Misquote,” the first single from the band’s upcoming self-titled album. Accompanying the new single is a music video, overall just giving an introductory glimpse into the band’s full-length debut anticipated to drop October 27th.
In the first half of the song, ODowd’s tight snare roll rushes the listener into Fern Puma’s poshly-distorted bass. Seconds later, Christian Cruz’s barbed guitar cuts in like a hot knife. Soon after, vocalist Anthony Diaz chimes in with his declamatory lyrics and it’s apparent that Scorpion Tea is a special blend of death rock intoxication. The song’s construction proves to be the perfect introduction to the new hot and upcoming band.
The band stated, “During our time in LA, recording the album, Edley introduced us to the whimsical, yet dead serious routines of the legendary choreographer Bob Fosse.” explains the video’s director, Scorpion Tea vocalist Anthony Diaz. The music video explores what happens when a single baleful missive causes one’s entire understanding to unravel.
Diaz continues, talking about the dark aesthetic of Fosse’s work that resonated with the band, “The dancers in the piece seemed mesmerized, their strings pulled by an unseen force. I wanted to incorporate this idea with the hypnotic quality and longing breathlessness of ‘Scarlet Misquote,’ while still drawing on Scorpion Tea’s style of brightside-facing hilarity.”
Loaded with new content regularly (most unavailable anywhere else), the band’s ‘Dig Your Own Grave’ pass is the ultimate limited edition collector’s item for the fortunate few.
Pre-order the limited ‘Dig Your Own Grave’ pass and get “Scarlet Misquote” now plus:
On Friday, June 23, Les Claypool performed with his Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, a talented band featuring Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keys, Paolo Baldi on drums, Skerik on saxophone, and Mike Dillon on percussion. They are playing a massive tour including the Peach Music Festival this coming weekend.
Neal Francis opened up the show with a funky set full of catchy riffs and exceptional vocal work. This proved to be much lighter to the heavier, bass rich riffs of Les Claypool. It fit well as an opening act but the music was truly different.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade opened up their set with “Thela Hun Ginjeet”, a King Crimson cover, followed by a couple Les Claypool songs including one about mushrooms, a very trippy “Amanitas”.
This led to the band performing Pink Floyd’s iconic album Animals, a psychedelic and heavy album; quintessential of the dark 1977 Pink Floyd sound. This proved to be an incredible performance, close to the studio version with really great solos and vocals by both Sean Lennon & Les Claypool.
Afterwards, the band played “Precipitation” & “Cosmic Highway” to close out their set, quickly returning for a lengthy encore featuring “One Better” & “Whamola”.
Different shenanigans included Les Claypool playing a stand up bass with a bow, wearing a pig mask, and ultimately a disco ball helmet. This along with Claypool’s relaxed stage presence and banter, and of course virtuoso level musicianship resulted in an intensely fun and laid back Fearless Flying Frog Brigadeshow.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade – The Capitol Theatre – June 23, 2023
Setlist: Thela Hun Ginjeet, Rumble of the Diesel, Amanitas, Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon, Pink Floyd’s Animals, Pigs on the Wing, Part 1, Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep, Pigs on the Wing, Part 2, Precipitation, David Makalaster, David Makalaster II, Cosmic Highway
Part neighborhood bar and part underground music venue, Tubby’s has established itself as a must-stop destination for music lovers across New York. Located in Kingston, the bar has become a premier venue in the Hudson Valley.
Tubby’s has earned a reputation for highlighting both underground and well-known artists just about every night. Positioned roughly 100 miles North of NYC, the venue has developed into the perfect haven for acts leaving or entering the city. Past performers include Black Midi, Steve Gunn, Jeff Parker, MIKE, Protomartyr, Katy Kirby, and more.
Black Midi performing in Webster Hall
Tubby’s commitment to high-quality music means that there is always a wide assortment of genres, sounds, and styles represented on a weekly basis. This commitment goes further than just picking great acts. Owned and operated mostly by musicians, Tubby’s is also dedicated to treating artists with the utmost respect.
This summer, the bar/venue will host well over 30 concerts. Some of the bands and artists performing are Joyce Manor, R.L. Boyce, Soul Glo, and Rose City Band.
Even when the warm weather starts to fizzle out the music doesn’t stop at Tubby’s. The venue, originally founded in 2018, plans to celebrate its five-year anniversary in late September with a festival. “Tubby’s 5 Year Anniversary Weekend” will go down across three days, September 29 through October 1.
The celebration includes a full roster of musicians from a wide variety of genres. Some of the artists who will perform as part of the festival include Armand Hammer, Bonnie Prince Billy, and billy woods. Click here for tickets and more details.
Tubby’s Kingston Summer Lineup
JUNE 24- GARCIA PEOPLES
JUNE 27- Follow Your Arrow: A Queer Singer/Songwriter Night:COLTON THORN + FRANCESCA HOFFMAN + AME
JULY 1- SEA MOSS + RONG + M. GEDDES GENGRAS + OPEN HEAD
JULY 2- JOYCE MANOR + TINY BLUE GHOST (SOLD OUT)
JULY 5- BONZIE + CARLOS TRULY + GREEM JELLYFISH
JULY 6- BASHER + THE WARBLERS
JULY 8- ART GRAY NOIZZQUINTET + SKULL PRACTITIONERS +LOVE LETTER
JULY 11- RL BOYCE (North Mississippi Hill Country Living Blues Legend)
JULY 12- MUTE DUO + GIFT HORSE
JULY 13- PYREX + RIDER/HORSE + BEECH CREEPS
JULY 14- SOUL GLO + MSPAINT
JULY 17/18- MERIDIAN BROTHERS (first night sold out)
JULY 19- HAYDEN PEDIGO
JULY 21- JOHANNA SAMUELS + STUART BOGIE
JULY 23- ROSE CITY BAND
JULY 25- CHEER-ACCIDENT
JULY 26- SWDYT? Joe Baiza/Damon Smith/Matt Crane; Alec Redfearn’s SWRM
JULY 27- MAGIC TUBER STRINGBAND + POST MOVES
JULY 29- BLUE RANGER + CAROL + BRENNAN WEDL
AUG 1- STOREY LITTLETON
AUG 2- SWDYT?: GREX + Allen Lowe & Lewis Porter Duo
AUG 8- ANNIE HART
AUG 9- TOMATO FLOWER
AUG 17- CINDY LEE + FREAK HEAT WAVES
AUG 24- MIKAELA DAVIS
AUG 25- JOHNNY DYNAMITE + BUMMER CAMP + SCAFFOLDING
AUG 26- WILLIAM TYLER & THE IMPOSSIBLE TRUTH + GARCIA PEOPLES
Ten years ago in 2013, Kendrick Lamar made his way to Randall’s Island for a late afternoon set on the smaller of the Governors Ball stages. It was only a few months after the release of good kid, m.A.A.d. city as Kendrick’s meteoric rise was just underway. Fast forward to 2023; Governors Ball finds itself in a new (and hopefully, permanent) home in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Kendrick Lamar is closing out the festival unopposed and under the fireworks. This past weekend, Governors Ball proved once again why it is New York City’s favorite music festival.
Kendrick Lamar at Governors Ball 2023. Photo by Lucas Kurzweil
After spending many years on Randall’s Island followed by a two year rental of the Citi Field Parking lot, Governors Ball finally made its long desired move to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The vast park in central Queens has been woefully underused by the city for decades; a trend that will hopefully be reversed after the success of this year’s festival. The park was designed and built with large-scale events in mind, hosting two World’s Fairs in 1939 and 1964. Flushing Meadows sits on the intersection of two major highways, is adjacent to a subway line with access to Manhattan, and has ample parking lots from the numerous stadiums in the vicinity.
Governors Ball organizers did an incredible job of laying out the festival to take advantage of all of these features, creating a wide open festival experience that never felt too crowded at any point during the weekend. Three stages occupied the larger fields while the vendors and centralized area of the festival was nestled under large trees providing ample shade and character to the grounds. The towering Unisphere greeted fans at the entrance while the main stage was set up right in front of the New York State Pavilion, giving an iconic backdrop to the festival.
The lineup for the 2023 edition of Governors Ball attempted to model the diversity of Queens, the World’s Borough, as well as the eclectic music tastes of New Yorkers. There was a heavy lean towards rap and hip-hop overall, but festival organizers did sprinkle in rock, pop, indie and EDM throughout the weekend. International artists graced the stages as well including Korean pop superstars Aespa, Puerto Rican rapper Eladio Carrión and Japanese singer/dancer Rina Sawayama. Indie and rock was represented by Girl in Red, Black Midi, KennyHoopla, and Haim while Odesza was the lone EDM act for the weekend.
Kendrick Lamar Trades The Production For a Microphone
Kendrick’s latest album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers was released a little over a year ago, but its relevance lived on with his Governors Ball performance. Although the stage production did not include the same amount of intricate detail that the “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers” tour held, the set had a simplistic yet empowering feel. The only additions to Kendrick on the GovBall NYC stage were some lights on either side, large Henry Taylor backdrops, a couple of flares, and a few dancers. Kendrick proved that he does not need the fancy add-ons to pump up a crowd. He had all of Flushing Meadows screaming the words to his songs like they were the national anthem at a playoff sporting event.
Kendrick did the majority of the set solo, running through tracks like “King Kunta” and “LOVE.” and even his iconic feature on Pusha T’s track “Nosetalgia” (sadly, no Pusha T appearance even though he performed on the adjacent stage before Kendrick). Near the end of his captivating performance, Kendrick brought out his cousin and protegé, Baby Keem, to perform their RIAA Platinum song “Family Ties.” Through his crowd control and high energy performance, Kendrick Lamar further established himself as the best of the best in the rap game.
Lizzo And Odesza Headline With All The Fanfare
Lizzo was the Friday night headliner and she did not disappoint. Her band and numerous dancers lined the stage as the lights went out, leading up to a grand entrance to “Cuz I Love You”, the opening track of her 2019 sophomore LP of the same name. Lizzo’s thunderous voice reverberated throughout the festival grounds, especially when she dropped into her mega hit song “Juice” which sent the crowd into a dance frenzy. The glamorous staging featured retro big band style decor and backdrops, with sultry visuals playing along on the giant LED screen on the stage. Lizzo ran through her setlist with a powerful grace, performing her signature flute solo leading into “Truth Hurts” along with a fan favorite cover of Chaka Khan’s legendary “I’m Every Woman”; a song and a sentiment that has become a mantra behind Lizzo’s approach to music writing and performance.
Odesza fulfilled headlining duties on Saturday, with their larger than life EDM show filled with lasers, flaming pyro, guest vocalists, and a fireworks finale fit for a music festival. The duo took to the stage and started their set off with a bang with “This Version of You” and “Behind The Sun”. There was no shortage of pyro, as large fireballs erupted behind the DJs throughout the show, sending waves of heat into the crowd. Lasers fanned out over the crowd to interact with the tall trees in the back of the field, with house beats driving the dance floor until curfew. Odesza sprinkled in a Pretty Lights cover in “One Day They’ll Know” as well as a “TENSE” and “KEEP MOVING” from their BRONSON collaborative project with Golden Features. They closed out their set with a huge fireworks display over the stage while 2022’s “The Last Goodbye” pulsed through the night.
Filling Out The Days
Lil Uzi Vert was the perfect addition to the rap-filled GoPuff stage. Their Friday night performance had fans in awe. They came down from the stage to rock out with the fans on the barricade, and made sure fans that fell over were able to get up and continue jamming. They brought out rappers Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely, and got the crowd going with songs like “Do What I Want” and “Money Longer.” They left fans with a feeling of anticipation for what is to come in the following weeks by announcing that they have a new album releasing this month.
While rock and indie were not as prevalent on the lineup this year, the biggest draw in the category was certainly Haim on the GovBall NYC stage. The three sisters burst onto the scene in 2013 with their debut record Days Are Gone featuring the utterly infectious song “The Wire”. Throughout the set, the three sisters alternate vocal roles and instruments while also engaging heavily with the fans. Their dynamic performance style creates a light and fun atmosphere that is perfect for the summer festival stages.
On Saturday, KennyHoopla and Snail Mail kept the rock vibes going on the GoPuff stage. KennyHoopla’s vigorous post-punk dominated the crowd first, bouncing all over the stage while delivering a rambunctious vocal performance over heavy guitars. Snail Mail came up next, keeping the punk rock going, featuring a set full of songs from their two excellent LPs: 2018’s Lush and 2021’s Valentine.
Governors Ball Artists March On
In the wake of Governors Ball, many of the artists who played use the opportunity to announce new projects and tours. Many of the artists are on their own headlining tours and mix in the festival appearances. Right before Governors Ball weekend began, Metro Boomin released his highly anticipated soundtrack to the movie Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse. Just after the weekend, Eladio Carrión announced a North American tour with a stop at The Theater at MSG in October. Philadelphia’s major music festival, Made in America, announced their lineup with Lizzo making another headlining appearance along with Ice Spice, and Metro Boomin. Joey Bada$$ is running through the festival circuit with a dozen appearances including Glastonbury, Rolling Loud, and Lollapalooza.
Kendrick Lamar, fresh off the epic Big Steppers World Tour, is also hitting the summer festivals, taking his minimal yet relentlessly in your face festival show to the biggest stages in the world including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Rokslide, Austin City Limits, and Summer Sonic in Japan. If any of those festivals are within reach, it is worth the opportunity to catch a generational talent at his very best.
The Future Of New York City’s Premier Music Festival
By all accounts, the first edition of Governors Ball in Flushing Meadows was a major success. The layout of the venue was nearly perfect, transit in and out of the festival went smoothly, and three days of music went on without skipping a beat. Governors Ball has been at it for many years and are no strangers to throwing such a large party in NYC, but expectations were sky high this year. One could have argued that the very future of the festival rested with this weekend going off without a hitch. The cost of putting on these events has never been higher, and fans have so many choices of shows these days that it was unclear if Governors Ball could even draw a large enough crowd. Last weekend in Queens put all of the chatter to bed. With the Canadian wildfire smoke clearing out just in the nick of time, a glorious weekend of sunshine and music ensued. There is no doubt Governors Ball will be back at it in 2024; now we can all start dreaming of our ideal lineup we would want to see grace the stages in Flushing Meadows.
Nine bands will be playing as a part of “Rock the Locks,” a rock and roll showcase with six shows near three Upstate NY cities: Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester. The shows will take place on July 7, July 8, Aug. 4, and Aug. 5.
Rock the Locks events are being presented by Rockin’ Rochester Productions, Hey Greasy! and Yace Booking. Each of the three cities has three bands playing, and each has two events. The three groups of bands switch between cities for the different dates, excluding the city that they are native to.
The name is a callback to the Erie Canal, which passes by all three cities. Locks 1 and 2 are near one end in Albany, locks 65 and 66 near Rochester, and locks 67-71 near Buffalo in Lockport. Locks were used to raise and lower boats traveling through the canal, and were a key part of the system’s infrastructure. Mules were often used to pull boats along, with mules and canal boats pictured in the Rock the Locks promotional material.
Albany
Taking place across the river in Troy at No Fun, the two concerts here will be on July 8 and Aug. 5, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m.. The first show will feature Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts, with the second show featuring Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons.
The tickets are $10 for advanced payment and $13 at the door. More information can be found on No Fun’s website.
Buffalo
At Nietzsche’s in Buffalo, the concerts will be on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, Aug. 5. For the Friday show, doors will open at 9:00 p.m., with the show starting at 10:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Aweful Kanawful, Low Spirits, and Jazz Goons. For the Saturday show, doors will open at 8:00 p.m., with the show starting at 9:00 p.m.. Bands on that day will include Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting.
For both dates, tickets are $10. More information can be found on Nietzsche’s website.
Rochester
The two concerts in Rochester will be held at Lux on July 7 and on Aug. 4, starting at 10:00 p.m.. For the first show, Flavour, Abysmals, and Safety Meeting will be featured. For the second show, Thee Isolators, The Evil Things, and The Burkharts will be featured.
Tickets are $5 for both dates. More information can be found on Lux’s website.
On Thursday June 8th, Hawthorne Heights started Albany’s Alive at 5 concert Series with tribute to their roots as Emo artists. The show was moved to Albany’s rain location under I-787, but the skies were as clear as could be for the show.
James Woodruff of Hawthorne Heights – Photo by Jarron Childs
Alive at 5 is a free summer concert series that the city of Albany has been throwing on annually for over 30 years. The series host artists from from the local area to national scene to bring the capital region some music from their favorite genre. Each week has a different theme; this one being Emo Pride Night.
The show’s opener was the band Bad Luck from New York City. They had just come off a spring tour to play a 45 min set. Bad Luck set the tone for what was to come for the headliner.
Hawthorne Heights formed in Dayton, Ohio a little over 20 years ago in 2001. They sent out their first song, “Silver Bullet,” to hundreds of record labels until one stuck with Confined Records. By 2006, they had two gold albums and were opening for Fall Out Boy during their Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour. The first stop on that tour, in fact, was in Albany, at what is now MVP Arena.
Hawthorne Heights is currently on a traveling festival around the US called the “Is For Lovers” festival. It has lineups of some of the best emo and pop-punk bands that could have ever been assembled, all in one place.
Hawthorne Heights played a long 90 minutes set to start Albany’s Alive at 5 for 2023. Lead singer, James Woodruff, said this was the longest set they have ever played. Though he proclaimed early on that they would rock out the whole night, there were a lot of speeches in between songs. Fans grew restless towards the end of the set as it could be felt that he was trying to fill up their time slot. Though the speeches did give their songs more meaning, and young fans got to understand emo better, it could be felt that fans just wanted to rock out the night.
Hawthorne Heights did come through with their promise as fans got to mosh to some of their favorite songs. At least two mosh pits that broke out on top of, crowd surfing and the audio engineer jumping into the crowd. The crowd screamed the lyrics to “Niki FM” and helped to close out the show with “Ohio is for lovers.”
Hawthorne Heights will continue their “Is for Lovers” festival on June 24th in Stateline, NV. There are currently no NY shows scheduled, but hopefully NY fans will get new music from them soon.
Don’t miss this week’s Alive at 5 with Mihali with special guest Side B opening. NYS Music will be on site so stop down and check out what the NYS Music team has in store!
Hawthorne Heights Setlist: Pens and Needles, Constant Dread, This is Who We Are, Lucerne Valley, The Transition, Crimson Sand, Saying Sorry, Rescue Me, Spray Paint it Black, Silver Bullet, Hard to Breathe, Blue Burns Orange, Stab Myself, We Are So Last Year, Niki FM, Dandelions, Ohio Is For Lovers
Brooklyn’s alternative rock band Superbloom returns to the stage with their newest rock single “Head First.” Along with this release, the band is getting ready for their upcoming release Life’s A Blur, out on June 8th with an EP release show at Brooklyn Made on June 10th.
Feverish and raw, and with an instantly memorable punch, Brooklyn’s latest rock phenomenon is a group of four guys making the songs that they want to hear. That means searing, overdriven guitars and thrashing drums; heavy, hearty riffs full of fire and flavor; and impassioned, driving vocal melodies that get stuck in your head for weeks on end.
Behind the out-of-world sound is Dave Hoon (vocals/guitars), Tim Choate (guitars), Brian DiMeglio (bass) and Matteo Dix (drums). Having played in bands for their whole lives while pursuing full-time careers, they decided to form the infectious Superbloom in 2018.
With no room for bluffs or half-hearted attempts, Superbloom introduced themselves with 2020’s “Level Head,” followed the next year by their 12-track debut album Pollen. This release represents Superbloom’s early era of self-discovery.
Superbloom’s newest upcoming EP Life’s a Blur is music you can feel in your gut. A conscious progression from Pollen, its songs have a harder edge and an undeniable, ever-present weight.
They reach greater depths of sound through dynamic, varied songs and interludes that range from ethereal to manic, all while retaining those signature hooks, dreamy tones, and infectious bouncy rhythms that made their debut so irresistible. These new songs showcase an expansion into new sonic dimensions and dynamics as is evident on the new single “Head First.”
As a hard-hitting band with an unapologetic sound, Superbloom is a success story to never give up on your dreams, and they have a lot more in store as they step into a bold new era. “I’d be lying if I said we planned to throw away the playbook for the EP, but I’m glad we did, because everything cool and unfamiliar mushroomed from there — on and off stage,” Dave Hoon says. “Pollen is in the rearview and I’m hungry for what’s next.”
Tickets for the album release show are available here.
