Today’s music scene can often be quite confusing for a number of factors, not the least of which is the sheer amount of new music is issued daily. Long gone are the days of record label gatekeepers and steady studio financiers, but the result is such a plethora that it becomes nearly impossible to weed through the steady flow of new releases. Fortunately, word of mouth still remains one of the best ways out there to both hear about those releases that really are worthy of your time, so it was our delight when we were asked to listen to and ultimately feature the music of Montclair, New Jersey-based art rock collective Elk City. Their latest musical output takes you on a ravishing sonic journey. To say this music is enamouring would be an understatement.

Today we present their latest single ‘Don’t You Wanna Try’ – an anti-anthem for anyone living outside of societal norms – there’s an awful lot of people who fit that very description. The band recently released their ‘Above The Water’ album, out now via Magic Door Record Label. This striking and engaging record is one you’ll want to leave on repeat and the diversity exhibited here is not only engaging, but also fascinating and grounded.

This latest offering comes on the trail of ‘Floating Above The Water’, which, like the current single, was filmed by H. Robert Escurel at Union Pool in Brooklyn.

Since forming in 2000, drummer-producer Ray Ketchem and vocalist-artist Renée LoBue have been opening new chapters in Elk City’s sound. With five albums and three EPs to their name before this album’s release, it’s clear that, with their ‘Above the Water’ LP, they’ve maximized the notable symbiosis among the group’s current lineup, which features guitarists Sean Eden (Luna), Chris Robertson (Psychedelic Furs side project Feed) and bassist Richard Baluyut (Versus).

“Putting music first was never a question for me, yet some around me questioned my choices. As years went on, the same people would tell me how I’ve inspired them for sticking to me creative guns. I’ve always known there is no blueprint for what a woman should want out of life. We are not all the same. The meat of the lyrics appear at the song’s end, “In another way I can be a light – for all those who doubt,” says Renée LoBue.

Ray Ketchem adds, “We were harnessing real anger and conversely finding strength. The song is about believing that you can be whatever you want in this world by discounting judgement of people who don’t understand you. The distorted sludge of the fuzz bass blossoms and reveals inner beauty as Renee exclaims “I can be a light for all those who doubt!”.

Earlier, the band released the Suzanne Vega-esque confessional single ‘Apology Song’, upbeat introspective lead track ‘That Someone’ and the laid-back and philosophical ‘Your Time Doesn’t Exist’.

A new chapter in the Montclair, NJ band’s evolution, the new album is vibrant, raw-edged and bold, showcasing a new guitar-rich lineup. Released via the newly-launched Magic Door Record Label, founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March with Ketchem and LoBue with a simple mission to release music created by the rich community of artists who surround them, this album reveals the band’s North Jersey roots and lineage with The Feelies, Yo La Tengo (with whom they share a former label, Bar/None) and Luna (with whom they share a guitarist).

‘Above the Water’ was recorded, mixed and mastered at Ketchem’s Magic Door Recording, opened in 2017 as an acoustically lush refuge for musical expression and experimentation. Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Luna and Gramercy Arms, partnered with legendary studio designer George Augspurger to transform a cavernous warehouse into a freeform studio where vintage microphones, modern studio gear, and bespoke sound tuning elevate and inspire.

The ‘Above The Water’ LP is out now, available across fine digital outlets, including Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as Bandcamp. On March 4, Elk City presents a night of female-fronted bands with friends Girls on Grass and Creek and Kills at the intimate Windjammer in Ridgewood, Queens (552 Grandview Ave, Queens, NY).

PERFORMANCE CREDITS
Renee LoBue – vocals
Chris Robertson – guitar
Richard Baluyut – bass, vocals
James Baluyut – guitar
Ray Ketchem – drums
Video recorded and filmed by H. Robert Escurel
‘Above The Water’ LP recorded, mixed & mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Written and performed by Elk City
© 2022 sound is crazy music (BMI)
Album artwork by Ray Ketchem & Renée LoBue

Keep up with Elk City
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Magic Door Record Label
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Photo by Gordon Backman

After a handful of singles and the recent release of their self-titled EP, dreampop duo The Yets are back to ring in spring with us, sharing their latest audio-visual offering. Titled ‘Fades To Gray’ (not to be confused with the Visage hit ‘Fade To Gray’) their latest slice of rich texture and delight, released via South Carolina indie imprint Royal Terns Records.

Highlighted by the gorgeous Cocteau Twins-inspired ‘Letter To A Boy’ and earlier singles ‘Remember’ and ‘Lesser Evil’, this six-track debut offering indie pop sensation and sonic temptation with a fresh, but seemingly familiar, adult alternative vibe.

And who are The Yets you may be asking. The duo is the creative union of Robin Wilson on vocals and guitarist-producer Craig Anderson Snook, who met when Robin returned to her home state after some years in Georgia.

“Our debut EP is basically a snapshot of life … ups, downs, ins, outs, happy, sad and everything in between. ‘Fades to Gray’ is simply about the beauty and frailty of life, metaphorically colored and fading.  It’s lyrically full of references; in color and motion.  Take for example the phrase “A picture painted thin”, which points to the delicate balance of life which erodes with time as paint from a canvas and ultimately fades to gray,” says Robin Wilson.

Craig Anderson Snook adds, “We hope the video adds depth and perspective to the message of the song. Life is precious, fragile, and short … the soul is universal, strong and eternal. We’re already working on the next album … can’t wait to see you there!”

Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, their music combines elements of ethereal pop and popular rock classics with a sound embracing Fleetwood Mac and Cocteau Twins in equal measure. Breeding and bearing a distinct Americana lining, this EP is an emotively cast and atmospherically delightful proposition.

‘The Yets’ EP is out now, streamable via Spotify and available to order, digitally or on CD, directly from the band via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
All songs written and performed by The Yets
Robin Wilson – vocals, keyboards & lyrics
Craig Anderson Snook – guitars & everything else
Recorded, mixed and produced by Craig Anderson Snook
at Royal Terns Records
Mastered by Craig (Royal Terns Records) and Jay Matheson (The Jam Room)
© 2022 Craig Anderson Snook/Robin Wilson Snook (BMI)
Video by Robin Wilson

Keep up with The Yets
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A Shoreline Dream

Black Nite Crash

Candy Coffins

Elk City

Ronan Conroy

Seal Party

Elliot Cole, Jenny Gillespie & Makaris

SICKY

Dmitry Wild

Frenchy and the Punk

The Speed of Sound

Dispel

Chris Connelly

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Having gained notable traction for their new album ‘Once Do It With Feeling’, acclaimed for their wistful sound and vocal likeness to The Cure’s Robert Smith, South Carolina’s post-punk dark pop outfit Candy Coffins are back with more thrills – this time it’s the astounding ‘Tangled Up In Teacups’, a superb single showcasing the third act crescendo of a relationship in a tailspin – the detachment, the anger, the self-absorption, the exhaustion. It is a waltz of protection via insulating flippancy and a voice that reveals one’s entire arc of emotions.

The accompanying video, which juxtaposes a pensive and inaccessible Jame Lathren with stunning ballet dancers Mira Lathren and Bella Leone in an urban landscape, was produced and directed by The Pierson Collective.

Heralded as their best work to date, ‘Once Do It With Feeling’ is fundamentally melancholy and, at times, high energy. Candy Coffins tastefully combines picturesque, heartfelt lyricism, haunting instrumentals, catchy guitar work and vocals that haunt. A force to be reckoned with, this record showcases solid songwriting, an approach and delivery that is confident and cohesive, as well as emotional and sonic saturation.

“The full album chronicles a relationship from the onset of the first crack to its complete crumbling dissolution. All the feelings and emotions of tumult are captured here, from both persons’ perspectives,” says frontman-songwriter Jame Lathren.

Earlier, the band released two singles – ‘Every Day A Fresh Atrocity’, exploring the dark corners and haunting suffocation of a broken relationship, and ‘Seaside Girls’, paying tribute to the playful abandon of youth with a healthy dose of indierock.

Vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Jame Lathren formed Candy Coffins in 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina. A cultural outcast, his resilience, sensitivity and hyper-awareness of his emotional state would ultimately permeate his own music, getting right to the heart of the emotions surrounding the human condition.

After disbanding his previous band Crown The Cake, he formed Candy Coffins with hometown guitar legend Tom Alewine (Bachelors of Art), followed by seasoned music scene veterans Alex Mabrey on bass and Justin Purdy on keys, and former Iron & Wine touring drummer Jonathan Bradley. With dynamic and textured approach, the band’s trademark lush sound bolsters Lathren’s emotive songwriting and delivery.

With tasteful nods to Joy Division, The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs, The Afghan Whigs and The Cult, as well as contemporaries like The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spiritualized, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Interpol, Candy Coffins’ sound is dark and emotionally restless, but with elements of hope and elation. Defiantly unique, their sound is a welcome respite from musical mediocrity.

The ‘Once Do It With Feeling’ LP is out now and is available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where it can be ordered directly from the artist.

CREDITS
Jame Lathren – vocals, guitars
Tom Alewine : guitars
Alex Mabrey – bass
Jonathan Bradley – drums, percussion
Justin Purdy – keys
Additional instrumentation by John Furr
Additional vocals by Margaret Rose Champagne
All songs by Jame Lathren (BMI) © 2022
Produced & Engineered by John Furr at Pow Pow Sound (Columbia, SC)
Mixed by David Barbe at Chase Park Transduction (Athens, GA)
Mastered by Dave Harris at Studio B Mastering (Charlotte, NC)
Album cover artwork by Phoenix Lathren and and Tom Alewine
Video produced and directed by The Pierson Collective
Dancers: Mira Lathren and Bella Leone
Assistant to Miss Lathren and Miss Leone: Monica Damon
Assistant to Jame Lathren: Lauren Ellis
Mr. Lathren’s Hair and Make-up by Kristin Rochester

The world of Candy Coffins
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Today we are pleased to introduce you to Rob Munk , whose music clearly indicates that he was a lover of early 90s college rock and hell ya, so were loads of us – it’s all a good thing. An indie rocker based in Montclair, New Jersey, today he released his new single ‘Youth’, a melodic and nostalgic sonic reminiscing of a period in life that a huge swath of the population still represents. Recommended listening and a kick-ass artist to watch.

a sonic love letter to misspent youth, a misty-eyed celebration of juvenile delinquency and bad decisions made in that magical time before consequences, regret and civic responsibility took their rightful place as guiding principles.

Not long ago, Munk released the album’s lead track ‘Amazon’, apparently inspired by fatherhood and the need for environmental accountability by us ‘old guys’ (well, several generations, truth be told). Both tracks are appetizers for the full card deck, which he lays out on his forthcoming ‘Phased Out’ LP.

Scheduled to release on November 18 via the Magic Door Label, this grassroots imprint was founded by Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March, together with producer Ray Ketchem and artist-vocalist Renée LoBue.

“When we’re young, mistakes and triumphs are often indistinguishable but at least it’s all exciting. We could probably all write this song, and extend it for a thousand verses,” says Rob Munk.

“I wanted to try something simple, where the verse and chorus had the same chord progression. I always liked songs that were able to pull that off. Producer Ray Ketchem referenced Love and Rockets when we tracked this, which felt perfect because Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven was one of my favorite records during peak adolescence.”

An ambitious modern rock album, this 12-track collection is, in Munk’s own words, “a little poppy, a little sloppy and entirely honest”. ‘Phased Out’ is a record that somehow comes out of nowhere from an artist that has been almost everywhere. This is modern rock that respects people’s emotional intelligence. With elements of 1990’s and 2000’s indie rock and traces of 1970’s AM pop, this is music that respects people’s emotional intelligence.

For Rob Munk, music was never the plan. An actor from the age of three, he and his brothers would commute into NYC from New Jersey for gigs to help support life with a single Mom. After several years of filming commercials (including Jello pudding with Bill Cosby), Rob was cast as young Woody Allen in ‘Stardust Memories’, his brother having played the same role in the Oscar-winning ‘Annie Hall’. He left acting at 14, enrolled in boarding school and formed a band, soon learning that music felt more natural and was far more fun than acting. He was hooked.

Upon moving to Boston, Rob’s new band Thudpucker became a staple on the Boston rock scene in the early 90’s as many local bands were starting to explode. Between several singles, local gigs and touring, they opened for everyone from Pavement and Hole to the Afghan Whigs and Juliana Hatfield. After relocating to Chapel Hill, NC, Rob formed the indie rock band Tinsel, having opened for Polvo, Guided By Voices, Pipe and Come, while also playing in cover bands with members of Firehose and Superchunk. After some touring and a few singles, they put out two records before imploding of natural rock and roll causes.

After stints in a few more NYC bands, Munk was once again doing commercials and TV shows, including scenes with Tina Fey, Tony Hale, John Goodman and Paul Giammatti. After moving to LA for a pilot season but getting no traction there, Rob launched the now-defunct blog ‘LoserActor’, creatively chronicling his daily humiliation. With his writing brought to the attention of the creative directors at famed ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, Rob returned to New York – only this time as a copywriter and creative director, writing huge campaigns for ESPN, Delta Airlines and AT&T.

20 years on, Rob has again returned to music with better and more personal songs that mean a great deal to him. During the pandemic, he reocrded this album with his good friend, actor-writer Daniel London (Old Joy, Minority Report, Manhattan) and Tinsel drummer and writer-director Joe Ventura. The first releases from this were the singles ‘Heavy Shoes (to kill the blues)’ and ‘Ghosts of San Francisco’.

Mixed by Oakland composer-producer Chuck Johnson at Cirrus Oxide, this album was produced, recorded, mastered and partially mixed at Magic Door Recording by Ray Ketchem, whose production credits include Guided By Voices, Gramercy Arms, Luna and Elk City.

As of November 2, ‘Youth’ is available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music and Spotify. The full ‘Phased Out’ album, which is out on November 18, can also be pre-ordered via Bandcamp.

‘PHASED OUT’ ALBUM CREDITS:
Written by Rob Munk
Rob Munk – vocals, guitar
Daniel London – lead guitar
Joe Ventura – drums
Scott Anthony – bass
Megan Reilly – vocals
Peter Gallagher – vocals
Maple Munk – vocals
George Munk – keyboards
Ray Ketchem – drums, keyboards, synths
Chuck Johnson – guitar, pedal steel, synths
Recorded and mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording
Mixed by Chuck Johnson at Cirrus Oxide in Oakland
Cover artwork by Ron Liberti

Keep up with Rob Munk
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Just ahead of Halloween, we will be presenting a series on music to get you in the mood for the dark season – after all, it’s not all about ghouls and ghosts, but also the changing of the seasons, the diminished sunlight and heavier moods. Perhaps capturing that dynamic mood the best is legendary alternative rock outfit A Shoreline Dream presents ‘Harlow Syndrome‘, the latest audio-visual offering from their new ‘Loveblind’ album, released via Latenight Weeknight Records. Their sixth full-length record dives into recollections and past desires while looking forward in a wash of soundwaves pointing towards a blinding future.

Filmed in Denver & Littleton, Colorado and starring Jessica Halpine and Allan Cutler, this video was filmed, direct and edited by Ryan Policky. with costumes by Tiffany Smyth and Jessica Halrpine.

“My first intention was to create a video for the moment I thought I was passing away, which goes along with that track. I personally feel it’s one of the best on the album after giving it some time to settle,” says ASD mastermind Ryan Policky.

“This ‘Loveblind’ album is an introspective view of things building all the way up, then crashing back down – like relationships that try to rekindle, only to find that the original reason for the failure has grown even stronger. The songs and driving energy behind each represents rare moments of true passion and also those of complete devastation. Even in perceived time of feeling, things couldn’t get any better, a finality lies waiting behind the next corner”.

Their first release since the Covid pandemic began, offering 40 minutes of goth-laced progressive soundscapes, the band had previewed thelead tracks ‘Alarms Stop Ringing’ and the album’s title track ‘Loveblind’. Produced by Ryan Policky and recorded over 10 months in the Barnum suburb of Denver, Colorado, this album features immense synth layers, the band’s signature guitar and symphonic vocals.

In 2020, A Shoreline Dream released their ‘Melting’ album (2020), the latest in a series of critically acclaimed releases. Formed in 2005, today ASD revolves around two original members – multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Ryan Policky and guitarist Erik Jeffries. Their legacy is further rounded out thanks to collaborations with legends such as Ulrich Schnauss, Mark Kramer and The Engineers (for whom they created a remix for progressive label gods K-Scope). Also of note is the fact that the band also opened for Chapterhouse for their very final appearance.

The pandemic has taken its toll on our mental well-being and the perception of money and power has blown previous years away. Dying to get back to the good times and moments of pure, unscathed lust, we long for new experiences to sweep us off our feet. ‘Loveblind’ reaches for that same energy, taking cues from previous A Shoreline Dream works, drawing from their progressive goth roots. Layers of moodiness, blissful explosions of rock and chugging tempo mix with the pain, love, hope and moments of near death experienced while creating the album itself.

The ‘Loveblind’ LP is out now, available everywhere online, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The band has also announced a vinyl pre-order for their seminal ‘Recollections of Memory’ LP (featuring Ulrich Schnauss) on vinyl, as well as their ‘Avoiding the Consequences’ LP.

ALBUM CREDITS
Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Ryan Policky
Written and performed by Ryan Policky, except ‘Driveaway’ and ‘Hazewash’ written and performed by Ryan Policky and Erik Jeffries
Cover artwork by Ryan Policky
Released via Latenight Weeknight Records, LLC
UPC: 196925236942. Catalogue # LAT026
Music Copyright 2022 Latenight Weeknight Records, LLC
Artist photos in black by Allan Cutler. Photos in white by Aaron Thackeray
‘Loveblind’ video filmed in Barnum, Denver, Colorado
Acting, costume design and dance by Tiffany Smyth
Filmed, directed and edited by Ryan Policky

Discover the fuzzy, gazey, reverb-laden world of A Shoreline Dream
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From the Big Apple, we introduce you to Dmitry Wild, whose new full-length album ‘Electric Souls’ will be released on October 14, hot on the trail of his latest Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired single ‘Sweetest Thing’. While that track may have been straight out of the playbook of Scotland’s much-revered Reid brothers, it is but one cog in the wheel that propels Wild through this commendable record.

On this new album, Dmitry Wild has managed to transform fertile bursts of energy into a raw and ‘real’ collection of tracks that embrace true DIY rock n’ roll spirit while, at the same time, avoiding the trap of releasing a sprawling, eclectic mega-album. Here, he flows naturally from song to song, managing to sustain a positive mood on the basis of these highly positive (and fun) musical gifts.

Showcasing his trademark blend of 70’s vintage rock, garage rock and punk ethos, this single follows the lead track ‘Liberation’ feat. Tryst with its accompanying video, featuring imagery that is symbolic of protest and hope, filmed in Ukraine, Spain, Czech Republic and various US locales, including Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee and San Francisco.

“‘Sweetest Thing’ is also about evolving and growing as a person and one day you let the fear go and swim in the ocean rain, but all that is done to punk shoegaze raunchy guitars that are reminiscent of Jesus and Mary Chain and perhaps about of New Order in the bridge to have it all explode in the guitar attack till the end,” says Dmitry Wild.

Very passionate about the craft of songwriting, Dmitry Wild used the downtime of the great pandemic to get some serious work done, completing the final writing for this solo album and gradually recording this material. Some material from earlier is also included, dating back to when he was living in California.

With music steeped in garage rock and rock n roll, this album also brings in the flair of 80’s epic synths, bluesy songs, gypsy-inspired compositions, and 70’s-inspired driving tunes.

On this album, Wild collaborated with Strange House Media, their main engineer, Byron Frayne, mixing most of the songs included here and mastering the full album. This collaboration also extended to the two songs released from this album to date – the videos for ‘Don’t Need Anybody’ and ‘Castle Walls’ were also created in collaboration with Strange House Media, Byron Frayne and Tryst as editor.

On the live music scene, Dmitry’s shows take on a more rocking sound. His band Dmitry Wild & The Spells currently involves drummer Tommy Love, bassist Robert Paley, keyboardist Garret Smelcer and David Varlow on rhythm guitar. When also sometimes joined by notable Rockabilly bassist Chops LaConte, things take on a more theatrical turn.

As of Friday, this outstanding album will be available widely across the world wide web, but folks are most likely to tap into this long-player on the most popular platforms – Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where the ‘Electric Souls’ LP is already available to order.

CREDITS
Written and produced by Dmitry Wild
Recorded by Dmitry Wild & Byron Frayne
Mixed & Mastered by Byron Frayne (Strange House Media)
Dmitry Wild – guitars, bass, vocals
Peter Breed – keyboards
Matt Liptak – drums
Album cover photography by Shannon Greer
Cover design by Dmitry Wild & Jennifer Claroscura

LIVE DATES
Oct 21st – CATSKILLS, NY – Steampunk Festival
Oct 27th – NEWARK, NJ – QXST (+ Painters / Little Miss Carriage)
Oct 29th – WOODSTOCK, NY – Pearl Moon (+ Glory Box)
Nov 4 – NEW YORK, NY – Pianos (album release party + Tryst)

The rockin’ online world of Dmitry Wild 
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify |  Dmitry Wild & The Spells Instagram  |  Press contact

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Woohoo – hold on to your hats and tune your earbuds to the fabulous sound of postpunk darlings Frenchy and the Punk because they are back with a new single called ‘Come In and Play’,

Soon enough they will also be releasing their ambitious ‘Zen Ghost’ album – their seventh to date, set for release on the EA Recordings label on October 28. While the most obvious association here is Siouxsie and the Banshees and their offshoot project The Creatures, other artists who come to mind are The Divinyls and Mephisto Walz. Yet, in regards to the vocal timbre itself, Grace Slick is worth mentioning and that is a seriously high compliment. Enveloping intrigue and haunt within a vibing danceable instrumental coating with rhythmic groove, this is one artist who knows how to peak one’s interest.

Frenchy and the Punk is vocalist, percussionist and lyricist Samantha Stephenson and guitarist-composer Scott Helland, who was co-founder and bassist of Outpatients and also Deep Wound (along with Dinosaur Jr. founders J Mascis and Lou Barlow). Influenced by The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde and The B52’s, the duo thrive in their trademark blend of post-punk and dark folk music.

About ‘Come In and Play’, Samantha Stephenson says, “I was named after the character in Bewitched. My mom was a fan of the show. It sparked a curiosity and enthusiasm for all things mystical and magical from an early age. I could be quite solitary and eventually dove into a meditation practice. That feeling of going inward and exploring the inner workings of the esoteric realm always felt very comforting.”

Earlier, the band released the lead track ‘Mon Souvenir’, an unapologetically new wave nugget, propelled by chugging acoustic chords, that reflects the album’s central theme of transcending ‘mind phantoms’ – the experiences from the past that linger within all of us.

Dark times make for dark songs. ‘Zen Ghost’ was written and recorded during the downtime of 2020-2021. Here, the duo’s shadowy sound takes an even darker turn. An inward spin, into the pair’s previously unexplored personal planes and interpretations of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous age. But despite its more pronounced moodiness, like the rest of the band’s oeuvre, ‘Zen Ghost’ offers plenty of opportunities to dance in the darkness.

Tapped as one of the Top 25 duos in the US by Yahoo! Music, the freewheeling pair has released numerous recordings, including the acclaimed albums ‘Happy Madness’ (2010), ‘Hey Hey Cabaret’ (2012), ‘Elephant Uproar’ (2013), ‘Cartwheels’ (2014), ‘Bonjour Batfrog’ (2014), and ‘Hooray Beret’ (2019).

French-born, but raised in the UK and USA, Stephenson’s study of piano and dance ignited her eventual rejection of corporate conformity and fueled a quest to lead a truly autonomous life through art and music. A son of jazz-loving teachers, Helland grew up in Western Massachusetts and was a vital player on the region’s fertile early hardcore punk scene.

Helland and Stephenson met in NYC in 1998, when Stephenson spontaneously jumped on stage to accompany Helland during his solo guitar performance. The artistic union was immediate, powerful and undeniable. The two began to tour with fevered zeal, turning heads with their striking aesthetic, steadily building fervent fans on the mystical-folk/steampunk festival, coffeehouse, convention, and club circuits with their boisterous, revival-like live shows.

Since then, they’ve performed live with Dead Can Dance’s Peter Ulrich and Dresden Dolls’ Brian Viglione, and opened for Thomas Dolby, Dinosaur Jr., The World Inferno Friendship Society, Rasputina, Cruxshadows, Hurray For The Riff Raff and The Young Dubliners. 

‘Come in and Play’ is now out everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, where ‘Mon Souvenir’ can also be found. The ‘Zen Ghost’ album will be released on October 28 and is available for pre-order digitally via Bandcamp and on CD directly from the band’s website at https://batfrogs.com/product/zen-ghost-cd

CREDITS
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland
Samantha Stephenson – lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboard
Scott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals
Jason Sarubbi – upright bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Braxton Bellew – additional electric bass on ‘Church of Sound’
Recorded and mixed by Jason Sarubbi at Split Rock Studios, New Paltz, NY
Mastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin Bowes
Album cover photo by Alice Teeple
Pen and ink drawings by Scott Helland
Album cover design by Scott Helland and Samantha Stephenson

TOUR DATES
Oct 08   Poughkeepsie, NY – Gallery 40
Oct 15/16  Shepherdstown, WV – Shepherdstown Fae Festival
Oct 22   Nyack, NY – Prohibition River Live
Oct 28   Baltimore, MD – FaerieCon
Dec 2  Camden/London – Black Heart (with Beyond Victoria & Flesh Tetris)
Dec 10  Exeter, UK – Yule Ball
Feb 4/5  Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk Festival
Feb 18/19  Gettsyburg, PA – MythiCon Festival
April 01   Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk Festival
April 8-9  Baltimore, MD – Between The Worlds
April 15/16  Chicago, IL – Chicago Steampunk Expo

Explore the fascinating sonic world of Frenchy and the Punk
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It’s been a few years since the last release from the collective known as The Pull of Autumn. As is the case with many artists, we assume it has something to do with the pandemic and related limitations. Today we are thrilled to announce that it was worth the wait as the band is back with a new single that involves several big-whig artists of notable prowess, including The Pop Group founder and overall music icon Mark Stewart and legendary music producer Adrian Sherwood.

‘Outlaw Empire’ (a very cool title, I must say) is a superb way to herald The Pull of Autumn’s new album ‘Beautiful Broken World’ – their fourth following their eponymous album in 2018, ‘Afterglow’ in 2019 and ‘Small Colors’ in 2020. What can we say? This first offering from the album is solid and innovative. Simultaneously upbeat and trippy, it has a very high feel-good vibe going for it. With such excellent sonic marksmanship, we are already looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.

A revolving-door collective in the same tradition of This Mortal Coil, Broken Social Scene or Michael Ciravolo’s current Beauty In Chaos project, The Pull of Autumn centers around Rhode Island artist Daniel Darrow from Johanna’s House of Glamour, but involves numerous emerging and notable musicians from all over the place (digital file sharing has definitely changed the way we make music).

Incorporating elements of granular glitch synthesis to the track, this innovative and alluring blend of electronica, jazz fusion, spoken word and dub calls to much such artists as Cabaret Voltaire, A Certain Ratio, Pop Will Eat itself and Renegade Soundwave, to name but a few artists. Of course, Stewart’s own The Pop Group can also be recalled.

Darrow was able to realize his lifelong dream of collaborating with Mark Stewart thanks to a mutual contact – Scott Crow, owner of Emergency Heart Records, through which both Darrow and Stewart have released music. Stewart accepted the invite and thus emerged the roots to this current composition. Great thing too – Mark Stewart left us wanting more after his 2020 collaboration with Jah Wobble and other Public Image Ltd. bandmates ‘A Very British Coup’.

Also featuring bassist Doug Wimbish (Living Colour, Tackhead and sessional musician for The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Depeche Mode, Sugarhill Gang and James Brown), this track was given the golden remix treatment by the legendary Adrian Sherwood, English record producer and owner of the famed On-U-Sound Records, the first label to experiment with early dub reggae music using echo, reverb and delay techniques. Mixing dub with other forms of electronic music, Sherwood has created remixes for Depeche Mode, Primal Scream, Skinny Puppy and Sinead O’ Connor.

‘Beautiful Broken World’ is an ambitious 15-track undertaking that began in early 2020 and involves a number of iconic artists. They include Philip Parfitt of The Perfect Disaster, Stuart Moxham of Rough Trade postpunk band Young Marble Giants, Luke Skyscraper James of I.R.S. recording artist FASHION and John Neff, who has contributed to multiple David Lynch films and is also a member of David Lynch’s Blubob.

As of October 5, ‘Outlaw Empire’ will be available across online stores and streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. The full “Beautiful Broken World’ album will be released on November 18 and is already available for pre-order (the lead single will be your instant-grat track for your immediate pleasure) at https://thepullofautumn.bandcamp.com/album/beautiful-broken-world.

CREDITS
‘Outlaw Empire’ written by Mark Stewart & Nungun (Teache & Ryan Mahan)
Remixed by Adrian Stewart
Mark Stewart – Vocals
Daniel Darrow – Synths
Doug Wimbish – Bass
Album produced by Daniel Darrow
Mastered by Bruce Macleod
Album cover art by Joyce Raskin White

Discover the world of The Pull of Autumn / RBM Records
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In the Divine Comedy, Dante tackles the big questions. It’s no wonder this literary work not only strongly influenced the Renaissance and the Reformation, but also helped define the modern world. The first portion ‘Inferno’ is about categorizing and understanding the forms of human evil in all its forms, from the banal to the depraved. Dante’s journey is actually a metaphor for the progress of the human soul – it is also a meditation on evil.

I’m not sure this complex and certainly deep subject has been addressed in modern music. If it has, I doubt that such an exploration would have been as comprehensive as that presented this year by dark electro-goth collective Dispel – in song, imagery, artwork and through their music videos. These are pretty thorough enthusiasts, I must admit. Their new offering ‘Flames of Greed’ is the third of three singles to be released in the lead-up to their sophomore record ‘Inferno’. This conceptual album is based on Dante’s literary masterpiece, the track list including a song for each of the layers of sin that exist in the infernal realm.

Here, Dispel follows Dante and his guide Virgil down each layer of the Nine Hells, dedicating a song to each level of mortal sin. But the band’s fantasy has gone even further, complementing this story with the introduction of a handful of diabolical personalities from ancient mythology and fantasy literature.

Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Dispel is made up of Ravensea, Sean Gallows and Scott Dispel, a founding member of the old-school hardcore band Face Value and former drummer for TEXTBEAK, who is also a studio engineer, producer and award winning nightclub DJ. Their new album took two years to complete and it seems pretty clear why – Covid lockdowns aside, it’s crystal clear that a tonne of effort has gone into this uber-detailed niche project.

Buoyed by soaring powerhouse vocals, this music manages to both balance the extremes and convey the chaos of it all. Combining the expression of gut-wrenching feeling and true despair with instrumentation, Dispel’s sound and style are undeniably their own.

The ‘Flames of Greed’ video, directed and edited by filmmaker Rafeeq Roberts, sees vocalist Ravensea play the part of the diabolic and tormenting empress of greed Fierna, her powerful voice serenading the fallen souls who succumbed to greed in the material world, delivering their eternal fate in Hell. This clip also features actress / model Robin O’Malley, Goth Jen Brunfel, Levie Mckenzie, Colt Mire, Aaron Brunfel and Scott Dispel as the Plague Dr.

Laced with dark melodies, vocal depth and spiritual quests, Dispel creates a unique musical narrative, channelled through the prism of historic lore, mythology and mysticism.

Earlier, Dispel released the shimmering gothic metal ‘Journey Into Limbo’ and ‘Glasya’s Heresy (Acoustic version)‘, a deep acoustic ballad with saga-laden video, filmed in South Africa. Kate Farquharson‘s rich piano prowess complements Ravensea’s haunting voice as she sings of the sorrows and temptations of this forbidden realm.

Produced by Dispel, ‘Inferno’ was mastered at The Cage Studios by Martin Bowes of Attrition, well known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, Psychic TV and Steven Severin (Siouxsie & the Banshees).

“Influenced by an equal mix of darkwave beats, Medieval literature, and conceptual rock albums, the music behind Dispel was born. But soon after the completion of our debut album ‘Lore’, the world went on lockdown! So we headed back into the studio to create another conceptual album, but we had to up the ante. A spiderweb-ridden bookshelf held the key – “Dante’s Inferno” in its timeless glory,” says Scott Dispel.

“Putting a literary masterpiece to music was no small task, we had to do it justice through attention to detail, utilizing actual texts and adding mythological personalities, herein combining rock music and world literature.”

Dispel has roots in the early 90’s hardcore punk scene, when a German underground goth-Industrial club inspired Scott Dispel to transition from performing with Face Value to pursuing electronica. Inspired by Sisters of Mercy, Clan of Xymox, Depeche Mode and VNV Nation, he formed Dispel after gaining a music degree and recording studio experience. Dispel took form upon meeting Ravensea, a Berklee vocal performance / music therapy major with a powerful voice and insight into music’s power to transcend language and cultural barriers.

‘Flames of Greed’ is out now, available across online music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. On October 12, the full ‘Inferno’ LP will be released on CD, vinyl (with full color insert) and digitally.

CREDITS
Ravensea – Vocals
Scott Dispel – Drums & Keyboards
Sean Gallows – Vocals & Bass
Leonard (Maldurin) Kemenani – Guitar
Jamie (Valkyrie X) Baisden – Bass
Kate Farquharson – Piano
Joe Cilento – Acoustic Guitar
Barry Gelderblom – Vocal Narrative
Keith Farquharson – Production
Recorded and mixed at Dispel Studios US  
Mastered by Martin ‘Attrition’ Bowes @ Cage Studios UK
‘Flames of Greed’ video directed & edited by Rafeeq Roberts
Ravensea – Fierna ‘Queen of Greed”
Levie Mckenzie – the Knight, Wardrobe, Fight choreography
Goth Jen Brunfel – Hair, Make-up, Wardrobe, Feirna’s consort
Colt Mire – Fiend in Red armor, Weapons
Robin O’Malley – Beatrice (Fierna’s captive)
Aaron Brunfel – Feirna’s consort
Scott Dispel – Plague Dr.

Enter the distinct and dark world of Dispel
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