Brooklyn alternative band, The Giraffes, released their new single “The Shot” off their eighth studio album Cigarette coming out Sept. 27.
The psychedelic single starts out slow, with minimal instrumentation exposing frontman Aaron Lazar’s vocals and harmonies from the band. “The Shot,” a nearly six minute song, has a trippy 60’s meets jam-band sound.
According to Lazar, the song is about Generation X. “We have limited desires and, as a result, we tend to see limited returns. This is a song about millennialism I suppose, where we are doomed to fail, but forced to race nonetheless,” he said.
Formed in 1996, The Giraffes are known for curating their loud, punk alternative music. You can still hear the 90’s rock influence, even with their recent discography. Along with Lazar, the band is made up of Damien Paris on guitar, Andrew Totolos on drums and Hannah Moorhead on drums. On previous work, Lazar would write exclusively, but now Moorhead is joining in on writing and backup vocals.
Since 1998, they’ve released seven albums and toured nationally multiple times. In 2011 Lazar left the band and although that year was thought to be the ending of The Giraffes, Lazar returned in 2014 with sold out reunion concerts.
You can stream “The Shot” on Bandcamp and keep an eye out for Cigarette on Sept. 27.
Up and coming NYC R&B artist SOLA has released her funk disco single “What You Want,” which is about people pleasing.
SOLA, also known as Jessica Bisola Omokheyeke, was born and raised in Houston Texas and moved to NYC to expand her music career. Her hometown inspired her writing style. She began her musical journey in a church choir. “Houston holds a special place in my heart and has shaped who I am today,” Omokheyeke told NYS Music. The 22 year old songwriter released her first EP Everything in Between in November of 2022.
Omokheyeke opened for Doechii and Earl Sweatshirt at NYC’s Terminal 5 in February of 2023 gaining lots of attention in the NYC Music scene.
With her background in the church and growing up with R&B superstars like Beyoncé, SZA and Lauryn Hill, her musical influences have range. “From a young age, I created music not to fit into any genre but to represent my own experiences and the sounds I loved,” she said.
“What You Want” describes the insanity that striving for perfection leads to. At first, SOLA wanted to write a ballad about her frustration with imperfections, but then it became an upbeat funk song. “Writing this song was incredibly freeing. I feel like I learned more about myself with each line I wrote, uncovering the feelings I was burying under layers of guilt.”
SOLA is looking forward to sharing more music in the fall as well as a music video with the “What You Want” release day. You can listen to her music on any streaming service and keep up with her work through her Instagram @itssolaofficial.
NYC based artist Joe Geni released his single “City Where The Sky Subsides” on July 23 as a preview to his third album Cities Built Upon Cities.
The single is an electronic rock song with operatic vocals and an orchestral background. As inferred in the title, the song describes the story of a date being rained out and the disappointment that came with it. Geni is known for his speed and pitch manipulations. With a 3.5 octave range he has a unique talent.
Geni is originally from Illinois but moved to the NYC area for various jobs with the United Nations and eventually, his music career. Working between Manhattan and Long Island City, the ever-changing environment inspired his writing and upcoming album.
His career started in 2019 with his album After Wandering Empire and then Doggerland in 2021. Geni released another single, “City of Energy” earlier this year which will also appear on the Cities Built Upon Cities album coming out on Oct. 4.
Producer Charlie Nieland mixed his past and upcoming album giving it a new wave feel. Nieland previously worked with popular 80’s rock artists like Debbie Harry and Rufus Wainwright.
You can listen to Joe Geni’s music on any streaming service.
Singer-songwriter, Morley, from New York City, released her new song “Follow The Sound” on Friday, July 26. The song is the second single off her upcoming album of the same name, due Sept. 27.
While building up to the significance of her upcoming album, the song evidently explores the dynamic between witnessing hardships and processing them in one’s own way.
The new title track, “Follow The Sound” is full of Morley’s dedication to activism along with a soft mix of jazz and folk. The song comes after the artist witnessed some of the most devastating fundamental issues currently taking place, firsthand. Impacted by the devastation she saw, Morley channeled what she saw into a piece of work from the perspective of a child who is a victim of family border separation.
“Follow The Sound” is the work of Morley alongside her husband, producer, Chris Bruce, who also plays guitar on the record. Assisting the duo on the song and record are pianist pianist Jon Cowherd, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and drummer Jack DeBoe. The song is the second of four singles for the album including “It’s Hard To Stop” (June 21), “Follow The Sound” (July 26), “Here In Love” (August 9), and “Where Are We” (September 6).
‘Follow the Sound’ came to me while participating in an action at the US/Mexico Border responding to inhumane policies of family separation. The song speaks of a dream a child is having after being separated from their mother at the border, in the dream, the mother urges the child to follow the sound of her voice to find a safety beyond the physical realm. Follow the Sound is also a metaphor for following the sound of one’s own inner voice and the voice of the natural world, as one.
Morley
Morley uses her music to articulate her experiences with people of diverse backgrounds. After attending United Nations International School, and later the Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts, she’s accumulated knowledge about a variety of different cultures and the issues and discrimination people face. It was through those experiences, that she was able to form her views of the world, and therefore, her music.
Morley actively participates in multi-leveled activism such as fighting for human rights through releasing benefit albums. TED Women and TED X have also honored her as a featured performer and speaker. As a visionary through her music, she has brought artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Meryl Streep, and Rosanne Cash, among others together for powerful causes.
To stream”Follow The Sound” and learn more about Morley, visit www.morleymusic.org.
Barbie Barker of Troy’s Candy Ambulance, is embarking on a new solo project with debut single, “Unread” on July 19. The single comes ahead of an EP titled C. dropping July 26. As Barbie shifts her focus musically, she explores realms of vulnerability, emotions, and authenticity.
Barbie Barker stumbled upon this entirely new terrain when she started channeling immense genuity inspired by certain events in her life that deeply affected her. During the music-making process, it became apparent that the songs wouldn’t fit Candy Ambulance’s image. So instead, Barker, whose first name is Caitlin, choosing to take on the name Barbie after her grandmother, made the decision to undertake this era independently.
Her debut single off of C., “Unread” tells the story of becoming so passionate about something to the point where it becomes all-consuming and affects more than yourself. It’s about remembering how things used to be, the transitions that took place, and the choices that need to be made. The lyrics are intimate, admitting the feelings that Barker had such a hard time bringing to light.
Candy Ambulance is my first band and I put so much of my self worth into my role there. It was my salvation, the reason I go to therapy and work really hard to be a good person. I wrote about some really intense traumas I was working through and we toured the record where I bore my soul.
Barbie Barker on “Unread”
Against the backdrop of simple guitar and percussion, her voice guides the instruments along with the sentiment she’s expressing. The music starts slow and progressively picks up as more truths spill out. The words truly are the main attraction, combatting the feelings of pressure that Barker sings about, while the music submits to them. Put together by Barker and Tummy Rub Records, local musicians Joe Taurone (drums), Sam Walzyck (bass), and Dan Carr (guitar and production) understood and respected her vision.
The song is the result of pushing forward while still needing to heal from deep traumas as well as the defense mechanisms put in place to cope with that life. Through the words, Barker comes to terms with the fact that are all doing life for the first time, and trying to navigate it and mend ourselves as we go.
“Unread” is just one of five heartfelt indie-rock products of Barker’s writing journey. The upcoming EP C. is full of personal songs and anyone who listens can know they’re taking part in Barker’s healing. As a body of music, C. exemplifies the value of songwriting for artists and the solace that they can find. In Barker’s case, she uses it as an outlet that is less accessible when trying to appease everyone else.
This EP is a short and (bitter)sweet account of my vulnerability in songwriting as I move through my life. The songs didn’t fit my band and it was scary to branch out and do a project of my own. I worked with the incredibly talented folks at Tummy Rub Records and the experience was effortless. We even used my scratch guitar tracks because the vibe was so comfortable. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.
Barbie Barker on C.
Additionally, to celebrate the release of her new music, Barker and the folks at Tummy Rub are holding a release show on Friday, July 19 at The Hangar on the Hudson in Troy. She will be joined by her collaborators as well as special guests toriendofstory and Canella, who also contributed to the E.P. The two bands will open for Barker with their own original music on a night full of authenticity and creative expression.
Pre-save and listen to “Unread” and C. on your preferred streaming platform. Purchase tickets for the release show here.
Brooklyn-based alt-rock band Gooseberry released their brand new single, “Cherry Blossoms,” this Friday. “Cherry Blossom” is the third single from their upcoming full-length LP, All My Friends Are Cattle, which is set to release Sept. 6.
Photo Credit: Alex SK Brown
Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive and signature sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up hundreds of thousands of streams and garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Under the Radar, Ones to Watch, and more.
Now, bigger than ever and with the most to prove, Gooseberry is gearing up to release their debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. Announced back in April, the new project is, in the words of the band, “Gooseberry’s most ambitious project yet.” From the gritty alt-rock tune “Kikiyon” to the eerie and slow-building “Dying To Meet You,” the album’s singles released to date have indicated that listeners should expect the unexpected.
The band’s new single, “Cherry Blossoms,” leans into a more stripped-down sonic direction compared to their usual wailing guitars but thematically covers familiar ground, with Daniels singing about lost love and his desires to catch up to them, no matter how much time it takes. “I saw you underneath the cherry blossoms. I forgot to call your name,” Daniels tenderly sings over the song’s hook, then ends said hook with, “And I’ve forgotten so many things—keys and dates and wedding rings—but I could never forget your face.”
“I spent months during the pandemic scanning and cataloging photos of my family dating back to the 1800s. There’s something terrifying about how much of life slips through the cracks once lived, but also something beautiful about the staying power of the few moments that remain. My grandmother’s dementia has made that more tangible for me. So this song is essentially saying, ‘I’m gonna get it wrong a whole lot, and I won’t remember much of it in the end, but I’ll never forget the face of the ones I love.’”
Daniels on “Cherry Blossoms”
Gooseberry plans to release a fourth and final single, “Baby Do You?” in August.
In addition to All My Friends Are Cattle arriving this September, Gooseberry has also announced an upcoming tour with stops all around the country, including four in New York State. For the last show of the tour, Gooseberry will be sharing the stage with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band in New Lenox, IL.
See below for the full list of Gooseberry tour dates, visit here for tickets and information, and stream “Cherry Blossoms” on all streaming platforms.
Tour Dates
8/1 – Boston, MA – Aeronaut Brewing
8/2 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room
8/3 – Burlington, VT – Red Square
8/4 – Rochester, NY – Bug Jar
8/6 – Cleveland, OH – The Happy Dog
8/7 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
8/8 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
8/10 – Des Moines, IA – xBk
8/11 – St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
8/12 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
8/13 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge
8/14 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads Gospel Lounge
8/15 – Milwaukee, WI – Anodyne
8/17 – Madison, WI – The Bur Oak
8/18 – St. Louis, MO – The Golden Record
8/20 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
8/21 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
8/22 – Knoxville, TN – Barley’s Taproom
8/23 – Asheville, NC – New Belgium Brewing
8/24 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse
8/30 – Cooperstown, NY – Brewery Ommegang
9/1 – Rock Stream, NY – Seneca Lake Brewing Company
9/7 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom – ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
9/14 – New Lenox, IL – New Lenox Commons – Supporting Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band
Fresh off the streets of New York City, newcomer Troy Ramey released his latest single, “Pick Up Truck,” on June 28.
Known for his soulful voice and emotionally driven songs, Troy Ramey celebrates life’s simple pleasures; summer drives, and the joy of music.
Originally hailing from Vermont, Ramey grew up in a household of musicians, turning to music as a way to heal after the tragic loss of his father. Since then, his music has reflected his intense passion, producing authentic, emotionally driven songs and connecting deeply with his audience.
In 2017, Ramey competed on season 12 of NBC’s The Voice, garnering immense praise from audiences and celebrity judges Alicia Keys and Celine Dion alike. After his appearance, he moved to New York City and began to write and produce his own music, including his newest single, “Pick Up Truck.” At first, the song concept was a running joke between Troy and his longtime friend and co-writer Johnny Gates, mostly about the recurring themes within the country music genre. But after his landmark performance on The Voice, Troy continued to work with the concept, developing it into one of his favorite songs he’s recorded thus far.
“But as I messed around on the guitar, the lyrics ‘when you hear my song, turn it up, sounds better in a pickup truck’ came to mind,” Ramey says about the track. “The song immediately was no longer a joke. It really became a song about one of my favorite things to do.”
After the release of his first singles from his debut LP, All I Had, the excitement for the full album only began to grow. With the full album set to release in the fall of 2024, the anticipation only grows stronger with each day. The release of “Pick Up Truck” will certainly have to do in the meantime. If the artistry and creativity behind this one single is only a preview of the full album, there is certainly a bright future ahead of Troy Ramey.
Fans can listen to “Pick Up Truck” here, and in anticipation of Troy Ramey’s newest release, Ramey is set to play a few shows in the Northeast, starting with a stop in Patchogue, Long Island, at the 89 North.
July 19, Friday – 89 North – Patchogue, NY.
July 25, Thursday – The Maso Studio at The Huntington Theatre – Boston, MA.
July 26, Friday – Next Stage Arts – Putney, VTets.
July 27, Saturday – Newport Playhouse – Newport, RI.
Monobloc, a band emerging from New York City’s DIY scene, has released a new single, “Where is My Garden?”.
Led by vocalist Tommy Waldron and bassist Michael Silverglade, Monobloc effortlessly merges post-punk instrumentation and attitude with pop sensibilities. With Zack Pockrose on drums, and guitarists Ben Scofield and Nina Lüders, Monobloc creates a nostalgic sound reminiscent of Television and The Strokes.
Julia Tarantino
Chronicling the internal battle between materialism and gratitude, Monobloc describes conflict with vivid imagery and refreshing honesty.
Unpublished praised the single for its honesty and timelessness: “with intricate, overlapping rhythms balanced with the straightforward ‘tell it how it is’ type lyrics, Monobloc … [creates] a timeless track that will be accessible through generations.”
The black and white music video, self-directed by the band, compliments the wiry, insistent guitar work and rousing chorus. Tommy Waldron said of the instrumentation, “Attached to the main riff of the song was this chorus I really wanted to use but could never find a place where it made sense. … It was a great wide theme – a bit Springsteen and better yet, the closest I could legally get to saying “Where are your friends tonight?”
Monobloc shared their first single, “I’m Just Trying to Love You” in early 2024. As Monobloc continues to hone in on their electric live shows, DIY attitude and artistic capabilities, more music is to come.
A full list of Monobloc’s tour dates is available below, along with the official “Where is My Garden?” music video. Tickets are available here.
AUGUST
2 – Pete’s Candy Store – Brooklyn NY
21 – Sebright Arms – London, UK (debut UK performance)
23 – All Points East Festival – London, UK (w/ LCD Soundsystem)
25 – Rock En Seine Festival – Paris, FR (debut EU performance)
On July 10, Brooklyn-based art-pop duo Rubblebucket released their newest single, “Rattlesnake,” along with its corresponding music video. Filled with groovy basslines, punchy brass and saxophone riffs, and hard-hitting lyrics in a deceptively cool and catchy tone, “Rattlesnake” is the newest edition to a laundry list of funky tunes sure to make your hips move.
Based on lead singer Klamia Traver’s own struggles with mental health and anxiety, the lyrics to “Rattlesnake” present a situation that almost everyone can relate to. The band loosely adapted a poem Kalmia wrote called “Time For the Rattlesnake” from her poetry book Year of The Banana. The poem recalls an encounter Traver had with the animal, jokingly saying, “The beauty of it took my breath away. But I later ruminated about how even when I am faced with the most breathtaking of our planet’s offerings, it can still be very hard to be present, focused & relaxed because of the chronic anxiety from which I suffer.”
The song opens with, “I don’t want to analyze you / But it seems you’re stuck in a cage / Let the child inside drive you / You’ve got what it takes.” Rattlesnake, in this instance, acts as a metaphor for someone so coiled and wrapped up in their own worries, fears, and anxieties that they prevent themselves from chasing new opportunities and ideas, even if it is something their “inner child” so desperately craved. The bridge’s lyrics further implement this idea, this time bringing the perspectives of outsiders into it: “Sometimes you gotta kill your idols / Psychedelic cage / In the footsteps of our mothers / We make the same mistakes.”
With such an intense undertone, looking at the lyrics alone makes the tune sound morose and dark. But instead, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the song is almost deceptively catchy. The groovy bassline, provided by the band’s other half, Alex Toth, nearly makes you forget about the unsettling lyrics. Renata Zieguer’s strings certainly add another unique element to the instrumentation, bringing a classic ’70s-style disco charm. Kalmia Traver’s light, soothing vocals almost make you forget about the fears the song forces you to face. The band went full disco-funk with “Rattlesnake”, producing a track that sounds like Bee Gees and Michael Jackson meets Stereolab.
For Rubblebucket, therapy takes the form of a dance party. “Rattlesnake” is a refreshing, funky tune that certainly stands out with its creative sound, and even more creative music video, reminiscent of something we would’ve seen from Talking Heads. The message here is clear: uncoil yourself like a rattlesnake, but dance while you do it.
“Rattlesnake” is out now and available on all streaming platforms and be sure to catch Rubblebucket at their announced live shows for 2024, one in Washington and one in New Hampshire.
Spillway, a brother duo from Woodstock, made their musical debut on July 9, with their first release, “Are You Having Fun Yet?”
Twin brothers, Aaron and Wyatt Mones have been making music for years as singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. However, this time around, they’re making music under their new project, Spillway. Named after the street they grew up on in Woodstock, the project emphasizes the sentiment of their musical upbringing and collaborations as brothers, even when they live on opposite coasts.
Their new single “Are You Having Fun Yet?”, gives listeners a folky tune mixed with a more universal pop sound and hints of country western. Inspired by the music of artists like Blake Mills, Frank Ocean, and Sufjan Stevens, the song represents the artistic direction of each brother respectively, coming from different perspectives and environments. The song is successful in evoking nostalgia and reflection and truly has appealing features for vast tastes in music.
The new song is Spillway’s first release on Indiana-based independent label, Wally Opus Records. The brothers self-produced the record themselves, having to either work remotely from each other or commute across the country to do so. So far, the song is gaining traction quickly on streaming services for having been out just less than a week. If “Are You Having Fun Yet?” is any indication of what Spillway will produce in the future, fans of folk and indie are going to want to keep them on their radar.
Listen to “Are You Having Fun Yet?” on your preferred streaming platform here.
