Former NFL pro bowler and NY Giant tight end Darren Waller continues his post-retirement musical journey with a new single and music video featuring Westside Boogie. The inspiring track explores themes of personal introspection, blending vulnerability and memories of self-doubt to create a strong message of growth and self-discovery. Additionally, Shady Records artist, Westside Boogie, chimes in with his own moment of self-reflection to top off the emotional record. Similarly, the music video is therapeutic in its presentation, with Waller rhyming his verse as he solemnly raps his verse.
Getting Boogie for this record was really organic, thanks to a mutual connection from my high school basketball days. As an artist, he’s incredibly versatile and vulnerable, which made him a perfect fit for the record. We’ve both found success and joy in a lot of areas of our personal lives, but we’re still looking for the answers to our deepest questions.
– Darren Waller
All in all, Waller has been using his newfound career as a music artist as a form of therapy, The new song follows Waller’s Internal Warfare: This Too Shall Pass EP, which dropped last month. Inspired by a year of significant transformation, the EP takes an in-depth look at personal and professional highs and lows he experienced. Moreover, earlier this year, Waller also released On Notice: Bag Talk EP, showcasing his artistic versatility, and Mind Games: It’s All In Your Head EP, which touches on Waller’s decision to retire from the NFL.
Since calling it quits, the former NFL star has dropped a number of viral records including “Who Knew (Her Perspective)” dedicated to his ex-wife, Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces. After being drafted into the NFL in 2015, waller began exploring music, inspired by his great-grandfather, the iconic jazz pianist Fats Waller. While music initially took a back seat to football, Darren made his musical debut in 2021 with the project Delusions of Clarity. Following that release, Waller received a placement on the official Madden NFL soundtrack in 2023.
Math-rock trio Peaer has announced their return to music after five years with the release of single “Just Because.”
NYC-based math rock trio Peaer return with their new single, “Just Because.” It’s their first new offering since 2019’s A Healthy Earth, which earned raves from fans and media alike. A drop-tuned, four-on-the-floor thumper that crescendos with a moment of headbanging catharsis, the track is a perfect blend of Wish-era The Cure’s glittery rhythms and the melancholic post-rock emo of American Football.
The band will also be making its live return with their first show in nearly a year this Saturday, November 16, in Brooklyn at Baby’s All Right alongside Pet Fox. “Just Because” is the fruit of their focus — a soaring introduction to Peaer’s new era and a tantalizing promise of what else lies ahead.
Peaer began in earnest in 2014, when Katz sought to blend his love of windy math rock with contemplative slowcore. From this sprang 2014’s lo-fi, home-recorded album the eyes sink into the skull, released digitally via Bandcamp with Katz taking on all of the instrumentation himself. From there the idea of Peaer evolved, and while touring on 2016’s self-titled LP (Peaer), Katz joined forces with now long-term close-collaborators Jeremy Kinney (drums, engineering) and Thom Lombardi (bass, vocals).
The trio came together to write and produce 2019’s aforementioned, critically acclaimed A Healthy Earth, which they quickly followed up with The Hands and Feet Turn Blue (2019) — an Eyes companion album featuring reworked songs, demos, and remixes.
For more information on Peaer and to hear their new single “Just Because” click here.
Sam Kogon has released his latest single “America”. The track arrives as a timely commentary on the current political landscape, just as the 2024 election season begins to heat up.
“America” was born during the tumultuous period of COVID-19 lockdowns and widespread protests, capturing the zeitgeist of a nation grappling with its identity and future. The song’s lyrics touch on various hot-button issues, from voting rights and social justice to healthcare and reparations, all wrapped in Kogon’s signature blend of catchy melodies and thought-provoking wordplay. This single is a precursor to whatâs next for Kogon, who recently completed recording a full album’s worth of material with Agnello this past spring.
This new body of work promises to build on the success of his previous releases, including his self-titled EP from 2022, which garnered critical acclaim and expanded his fanbase. Kogon has collaborated with notable artists throughout his career, including Al Jardine of The Beach Boys and Grammy Award nominee Patty Smyth. He also fronted the revived baroque pop group The Left Banke, known for their classic hit “Walk Away Renee.” These experiences have enriched Kogon’s musical palette, allowing him to blend influences from various genres into his own unique sound.
The track was co-produced by Jeff Berrall of the band Caveman and Zach Brewer, with Sam Kogon himself also taking on production duties. It features Kogon’s own vocals, guitar, and organ, alongside Graeme Gengras on piano and the rhythm section of Caveman providing bass and drums. The song was mixed by industry veteran John Agnello, whose credits include Dinosaur Jr. and Kurt Vile, adding a polished sheen to Kogon’s raw, emotive style.
With its timely release and politically charged lyrics, “America” is poised to resonate with listeners as they navigate the complex landscape of the upcoming election year. The chorus encapsulates the frustration and hope that many Americans are feeling: “You bought it, you broke it / How come nothing gets done right around here? / You built it, now fix it / We can’t wait another 4 more years.”
For more information on Sam Kogon’s music and to listen to his latest single, click here.
Pat Tato has announced the first release with his band, Pat Tato & The Baked Potatoes, titled “Spaceship”.
Born out of the local SUNY Oneonta music scene in 2013, Pat Tato & the Baked Potatoes released their debut album ‘Loaded’ in 2016 after their graduation and were met with critical acclaim.
Following this release, however, the unit found themselves in a hiatus as the original members moved throughout the country to pursue their own paths. Titular member Pat continued to play music and shifted to solo releases over the years with a different, lyrical, and ambitious sound.
Cobbling together a new band, Pat Tato has emerged on festival circuits with a mixed set list of his newer works and older Baked Potato songs, evolving into the new sound has become uniquely ‘Pat Tato & the Baked Potatoes’.
In an exciting announcement for fans old and new, the upcoming single “Spaceship” marks Tato’s newest release since “Heady” earlier this summer, and even more excitingly acts as the Baked Potatoes’ triumphant return to music- the track being their first release since 2016.
Recorded in Syracuse Sound Studios in Brewerton paired with visuals by Danny of Guava God Creative, “Spaceship” indicates a bright, energetic new era for the group.
With vibrant horns from Dan O’Herien and Sigurjon Stefansson, adventurous keys from Alex Seubert, kicking percussion from Joey Wise, earworm bass licks from Shannon Zory, playful lyrics and vocals from Pat Tato himself, and more, “Spaceship” invites the listener on a journey of self-reflection, escapism, and the road to healing- that is, if the adventure also consisted of absolutely jamming out while rocketing through space.
“Spaceship” is set to be released on October 24- to receive a notification and become one of the first to hear the Baked Potatoes’ triumphant return to with this new track, be sure to follow Pat Tato on Spotify here.
To learn more about Pat Tato & The Baked Potatoes, keep up to date with their latest events, and follow their social media, please visit here.
Brooklyn-born country artist and songwriter Jessica Lynn has released the sixth and final pre-release single from her upcoming album All I Own, “Something ‘Bout You.”
Jessica Lynn’s connection to country and passion for combining music with philanthropy runs deep. With talents in piano, harmonica, drums, guitar, and vocals, she’s a musical force to be reckoned with. Brooklyn-born and community focused, Lynn regularly brought her musical performance to local children’s hospitals and nursing homes.
Eventually, her skills landed her at PBS where she performed concert specials for the network alongside an intense touring schedule where she shared the stage with the likes of Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn, ZZ Top, Richard Marx, and the list goes on.
In 2020, Lynn’s giving spirit was recognized through her employment by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as a consultant to their American Voices program and a member of American Music Abroad, a project that has brought her across the globe as a musical ambassador for the country. In addition to performing, Lynn teaches a course titled “Tips & Tricks for The Independent Musician” that helps to ensure young musicians have equal opportunity in the music industry regardless of their roots.
Following her 2022 album Lone Rider, Lynn found herself struggling with a bout of postoperative complications from a routine sinus surgery that would develop into muscle tension dysphonia, or MTD. For many musicians and vocalists, MTD can spell the beginning of the end for their careers and voices as a whole – and yet Lynn persevered.
Her latest project and upcoming album All I Own is a testament to Jessica’s determination and refusal to lose something as precious to her as music. Recorded in 10-minute bursts of vocal effort, she channeled the weight of her recovery journey into every second of the tracks. Exploring double meanings and invitations for reflection in the listeners while fighting through her vocal injury determinedly, each of the ten tracks contains an overflow of emotion and a resolve to be heard.
“I started singing as soon as I could talk and I started my first band when I was 13. Music is all I’ve ever known and the thought of potentially never being able to sing normally again was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words.”
– Jessica Lynn
All I Own has been officially announced for release on January 17, 2025, along with the publishing of the album’s final pre-release single “Something ‘Bout You.” Inspired by her experiences with her husband, Lynn’s newest single encapsulates the feeling of falling in love and experiencing incredible adventures alongside another person in the hopes of bringing listeners back to a special time of their own.
Complete with an insightful and personal tour diary style music video, the song’s warm and uplifting energy shines even brighter through on-stage shenanigans and adventures through Europe. While the kind of love Lynn writes about in “Something ‘Bout You” may have been romantic, the affection felt from fans around the world and the obvious adoration she holds for bringing her music to life on stage elevates the video even further.
The full ten tracks of All I Own are set to be released in January with “Something ‘Bout You” being the final single prior to the complete project- listen here.
Prior to the album’s release and coinciding with her annual A Very Merry Classic Christmas tour, Lynn will be releasing a four-song live EP of tracks from the show with all proceeds from the project going to support Toys for Tots, the same organization she partners with to spread her philosophy of equal opportunity for all young musicians and artists every year during the Christmas themed tour.
Complete with the talents of local musicians and dancers of each and every stop, tickets to Lynn’s A Very Merry Classic Christmas tour are on sale now. The full list of tour dates is below, including a total of four dates throughout New York State. For more information, ticket purchasing and keeping up on the latest on Jessica Lynn, visit her website here.
TOUR DATES
Weds, November 27: The Marilyn Performing Arts Center – Foxborough, MA
Fri, November 29: The Marilyn Performing Arts Center – Foxborough, MA
Sat, November 30: The Warner Theatre – Torrington, CT
Sun, December 1: The Newton Theatre – Newton, NJ
Weds, December 4: The Jefferson Center – Roanoke, VA
Fri, December 6: The Colonial Theatre – Phoenixville, PA
Sat, December 7: The Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
Sun, December 8: The State Theatre – Ithaca, NY
Tues, December 10: The Palace Theater – Syracuse, NY
Sat, December 14: The Paramount Theater Hudson Valley – Peekskill, NY
Sun, December 15: The Paramount Theater Hudson Valley – Peekskill, NY
Fri, December 20: The Acorn Center – Littleton, NC
Sat, December 21: The Acorn Center – Littleton, NC
Sun, December 22: The Acorn Center – Littleton, NC
Contemporary pop visionary and musician Stranger Cat has released the second pre-release single off of her upcoming sophomore album, “Hollow Heartbreak”.
With her hands on every step of the creative process, New York City based Stranger Cat is a vocalist, producer, composer, light artist, video maker, DJ, and dancer- creativity is her calling, and each contemporary pop release of hers encompasses Cat’s inner mind, bringing it into the physical for others to appreciate and connect to.
Cat’s self-made range of creative skills have earned her merits such as the New York Foundation of the Arts Women’s Grant in 2020 and the NYFA/NYC City Corps Grant in 2021, in addition to a performance spot at the iii Points festival in Miami in 2023 and installations of her self-programmed light sculptures at Art Basel Miami events from 2021-2023.
Stranger Cat’s skills have also made their way into collaborations with musical luminaries like Sufjan Stevens, Sharon Van Etten, Son Lux, Lucius, and the Shins on Saturday Night Live, among many others.
Following her debut album In the Wilderness, Cat’s sophomore album Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces gives the listener permission to feel and express every emotion, no matter how embarrassing or big- “the kind of dance you do alone when no one is looking.”
This album in particular encapsulates several experiences of high emotions, as the tracks were produced from bed while Cat recovered from a life-threatening accident that kept her completely immobilized for five months, doctors predicting that she would not be able to dance again. As Cat healed physically and emotionally, Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces was brought into fruition, piece by piece.
Despite predictions of the worst, Cat returned to dancing and left all of her pain, heartbreak, and hope in ten tracks that would become her upcoming album. Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces may have been largely a tool for healing and an emotional outlet for herself in a moment of great emotional stress, but it has become larger than just the singular- the project channels these emotions and connects with the listener, allowing them to reflect and heal as well.
“Hollow Heartbreak” allowed Cat to process the ache of loss, opening the track and the production process with the idea of angels weeping in mind. Throughout the iterations of vocals and audio mixing, the music became cleansing- it enabled emotional realization and reflection in a way other things simply couldn’t. “By the end of building the track I’d reached a total 180,” Cat admits- “through creating an 808s and synths dance party, letting it all go.”
A synth-heavy anthemic dance track, “Hollow Heartbreak” invites the listener along the journey to rediscovering the relief and joy at the end of the grieving process when coping with a breakup. A testament to Cat’s personal journey and desire to bring listeners the same emotional catharsis, “Hollow Heartbreak” bares emotions raw and dances without care.
Stranger Cat will be performing alongside Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds in New York City and Brooklyn for two nights at the end of October. Night one will be held at the Francis Kite Club as a part of the Artists For Ceasefire + Special Guests event on October 26, and night two will be held on October 27 at the Agrarian Loft in Brooklyn.
To learn more about Slow Jam Love Letters To My Body In Pieces, Stranger Cat’s other projects, and keep up with her latest releases, you can visit her website here.
Get ready, Jimkata fans! The Psychedelic super pop jam band is back with a fresh new single, “Off The Rails” that’s set to be the soundtrack of your fall.
Known for their electrifying blend of indie rock and synth-driven beats, Jimkata has been a staple of the indie music scene, and their latest track doesn’t disappoint. The single offers a glimpse into their upcoming album, Running In Place which is released Friday, October 4th and is packed with the band’s signature energy and fresh new vibes.
To celebrate the release, Jimkata is hosting an Album Release Party Friday at Asbury Hall aka Babeville in Buffalo, and you won’t want to miss it! This is your chance to catch them live, hear your favorites plus hits off the new album, and experience the magic that only Jimkata can deliver. Big Something is opening the show.
NYS Music spoke to Jimkata ahead of the show and album release.
NYSMusic: What kind of themes or stories are fans going to hear on this new album? Did anything unexpected inspire you guys this time around?
Jimkata: I think as musicians and individuals we’ve all been navigating our way through a lot of changes and challenges the last few years. We started working on this album as a three piece, sort of doing what we could here and there while touring and Packy and Aaron becoming new fathers, while also trying to fund the process entirely independently. It hasn’t always been easy the last few years but it feels like a “pressure makes diamonds” type of situation. In that time, we added Cooper into the band full time on bass/synths and have been discovering a new sound or really, just advancing it to a new level. It’s hard to sum it up musically or lyrically since I think it’s pretty diverse between songs but I know for sure I pushed myself into some new territory at times while writing and recording this one. There were plenty of unexpected “aha” moments.
NYSMusic: If you could describe the new album in three words, what would they be? What kind of wild ride can Jimkata fans expect?
Jimkata: Full Spectrum Jimkata. We chose to incorporate both studio and live tracks to try to encompass where we’re at right now. It felt natural to end the album with the live stuff since this process began with a lot of isolated sessions, often just one or two of us working on a demo at home or with a producer. Then after playing a bunch of shows on the fall tour, building some chemistry on stage between the four of us, we knew we needed to get all of us in a room to work on the remaining new songs as a band and capture the vibe. I think the emotion of our songs gets amplified at shows because of the energy in the room and we wanted to show what that currently sounds like literally but also channel that into the studio stuff too.
NYSMusic: How do you decide which older songs to include in the setlist alongside the new tracks? Are there any fan favorites you always keep in rotation?
Jimkata: Sometimes it’s by fan request. Someone messages us about wanting to hear a certain song one night and we say, yea lets do it. Sometimes it’s something one of us brings up in a rehearsal. Like, “Hey what about this song?”. Sometimes we feel like we need a certain tempo or vibe at a specific time in a set and there are a few that always seem to do the trick. Its kinda tough because we have so many to choose from now but we’ve been embracing the whole catalog a lot more these days. We definitely know which songs seem to be clicking with the crowd but are always testing out new ideas or further enhancing an old song.
NYSMusic: Any songs on the new album that ended up surprising you or going in a completely different direction than you thought?
Jimkata: Almost all of them but probably the song Running in Place was the big surprise. It came together after a frustrating day in the studio where we seemed to be losing creative steam on a different song. We thought about what kind of song we needed vibe wise to round out the album and it just wasn’t it. Jocko (producer) asked if I had any other demos laying around and I rifled through a bunch of song ideas for them and the immediate reaction to Running in Place (aka ‘Spirals’) from everybody was, “Yea this one!”. We were getting really close, if not already past the deadline we gave ourselves so I went home and finished writing the song over the weekend and sent it around to everybody. We went back in and tracked it in a day and overnight we had this brand new tune that didn’t exist a week ago. Lyrically we felt like this idea of Running in Place resonated with how we felt about life lately- working your ass off trying to keep up with everything and in some ways feeling like you’re moving forward but other times like you’re just running on a treadmill.
The middle section on “Off the Rails” was also an unexpected moment of inspiration. We stumbled into the breakdown section while playing it live in the studio. Then weeks later, I’m driving there to record vocals, listening to the song, and I come up with this vocal idea. It’s almost insane sounding and we wanted to lean into that unhinged character. I really enjoyed yelling like a crazy person in the vocal booth, something I’m not sure I’ve done before but clearly was exactly what I needed to do and is probably a more accurate portrayal of how stressful life has been at times in the last few years for me. “
NYSMusic: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to upcoming and inspiring indie artists trying to find their voice and grow their audience in today’s music scene?
Jimkata: We don’t really know what to tell anyone since it seems like today’s landscape is very different from the one we started with and even the “professionals” are always trying to figure out what the hell is going on. However, we’ve seen a lot of things come and go in a short amount of time and things change, but some things remain true. Obviously social media is important, but I’d say don’t forget to just get out there and play a show, a party, whatever. Get together with friends and jam, go to shows and meet other musicians, other bands. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, suck, mess up in front of people, write songs you might not like later. Just laugh and learn from it. With a world of talented people on a screen in our pockets it can be intimidating and feel like maybe you’ll never be “good enough” to put yourself out there. But music is art, expression. It’s not always about technical ability although that’s important too. It’s about expression and having fun and sharing an experience with others not just on a screen, but in person.”
Rochester-based new wave shoegaze band Bad Bloom has released their latest single, “onion.”
Described as having a goth, grunge gaze sound, Bad Bloom has been evolving traditional genre patterns since their initial release of the three-track Candle in November of 2019. Since their inception, the band has shared the stage with the likes of Ringo Deathstarr, SUUNS, Greet Death, and Pet Fox, with Kal Marks soon to be added to the list.
Known for pop hooks tucked underneath a distinct shoegaze distortion and riveting instrumentals, members Kate Rogers, Jay Trovato, Travis Johansson, and Jenn Wameling have dedicated themselves to constantly evolving as they experiment with noise through several pedal boards and a determination meld the conventions of the shoegaze genre to their liking.
Once more, Bad Bloom has delivered upon this promise with their latest release, “onion.” As the title suggests, the track itself and its significance offers listeners several layers to dissect. Rooted in hazy rock instrumentals and dreamy vocals, “onion” explores the feeling of having a dream so enjoyable it’s almost disappointing to find yourself back in the real world once you’ve awakened.
Rogers, lead vocalist and bassist, penned the track in the hopes of recreating the feelings of innocence, playfulness, and boundless delight that come with a wandering mind- the magic that happens when one is left to their own devices, bored out of their mind and following whatever weird path boredom leads their thoughts down.
“onion” is only the first track of many to come from Bad Bloom, being the initial pre-release leading up to their upcoming EP Pepper, to be released later this year. In addition, the band plans to release the official music video for “onion” in October.
Bad Bloom is currently on tour, performing at the Bug Jar in Rochester on October 11 and in Kingston on November 1. For more information on future shows, the upcoming Pepper EP, and all of Bad Bloom’s other happenings, visit their Linktree here.
Brooklyn-based indie artist Buffchick has released a new single titled, “Gone Awhile,” out on all streaming services now. The release comes ahead of her anticipated LP Showtime.
Erin Manion, known by her stage name Buffchick, brings strong female vocals to the forefront of modern indie music.
“Gone Awhile” begins with a rising and falling of energy that really grabs the listener and lets them know a climax is to be expected. The track has traditional indie tones and vocal styles, but Buffchick’s vocal strength is certainly unique. Her voice soars majestically and really pushes the backing instrumental forward.
Around two-thirds of the way into the song, it falls down to an intimate volume before rising back up sharply and stunningly. Buffchick really displays her vocal talents in this section of the song. In my opinion, this ending of the track was the most impressive part, and really shows the talent she possesses.
To check out Buffchick’s music, “Gone Awhile,” and to stay up to date on upcoming releases, visit her Spotify by clicking here.
Following the announcement of their next album, 51122, NYC-based punk rock band The FMs have released the album’s first single, a cover of Joy Division’s “A Means to an End”.
Formed by founding members Matte Namer and Frankie Rex in 2016, The FMs’ foundations and legacy thus far are unapologetically punk and unapologetically queer. Brought together by the shared experiences of coming out as transgender and shared adoration for synthesizers, the two realized their debut LP Machinacene Epoch, released in 2017. The band’s performances quickly took on the same counter-culture personality their sound contained- forming a tight knit community around their SVBVERT shows on a ferry boat in the industrial canals of Bushwick, where they would continue to perform and produce in the years following.
After the success of their commitment to a more traditional approach to music making with their first release and 2,000 hours in the studio, The FMs had created their next double-LP, PINK + BLACK. With its own personality, PINK + BLACK marked a softer and more personal point in the duo’s sound. Tragically, prior to the release of such a deeply personal labor of love, Rex passed away from a fentanyl overdose. This aching loss put a pause on the project, but two years later Namer decided to release the work posthumously- ultimately, not even death could stop Frankie Rex’s voice from being heard.
After the release of PINK + BLACK and recognition from names including the GLAAD foundation, Namer reformed the FMs in Ithaca, introducing trans musicians Bubba Crumrine on guitar, Basim Hussain on synth and keys, and Nick Scollard on drums. PINK + BLACK and the new line up made their debut at the first- ever Frankie Fest, a tribute to Frankie Rex and fundraiser for Chosen Family Law Center.
The FM’s upcoming release, 51122, is another tribute to Rex- the title corresponding with May 11, 2022, the day they passed. A nod to one of the founding duo’s favorite bands, as well as Rex’s favorite song of theirs, A Means to an End is the lead single of the album.
Composed of demos recorded years prior, the album’s producer David Werner simplified and elevated the track, doing both the original song and Rex’s voice justice. Containing likely some of the final recordings of their vocals that will be released, A Means To an End and the FM’s upcoming album is not a quiet goodbye to Rex- it is a bold reminder to the world that they will not be forgotten, immortalized both by their own voice and their band’s never-ending love.
It’s also a bit somber being the last music that I think will ever be released with Frankie’s incredible, powerful, unique voice. I think there’s something about that that makes me remember they are really gone, like an orchid blooming from a coffin nail. 51122 is the date Frankie passed away, but is also a type of symbol in a way, or perhaps a word. I’m not sure what that meaning is yet, perhaps the orchid needs to grow.”
– Matte Namer
Following the release of 51122 this November, The FMs will celebrate with a record release show in New York City. More details will be revealed shortly. To keep up to date, visit their website here.
To pre-order or pre-save 51122, please visit here.
