Tag Archives: indie rock

LISTEN: You’ll Be ‘Better Off’ After That Breakup

It can be tough to see at first, but the truth is, a lot of breakups are for the best.

New Jersey-based alt-rockers The Break Plans deliver that message in empowering fashion on their latest single, “Better Off” (released May 10). The tune combines scorching guitar work with an anthemic pop sensibility, providing a lift to anyone struggling with what comes next after a relationship.

“Heartbreak is really hard and can be incredibly lonely,” shares vocalist Colton Braun. “I wanted to talk about those experiences so many of us have had. What I’ve learned is that there’s a great deal of freedom that comes from finally letting go. Writing these songs with my band was the most cathartic thing I’ve ever done. I hope our listeners can relate and find comfort in it.”

The single — the first from the band’s debut EP, Mistakes Are a Friend of Mine (due Fall 2024) — marks a watershed moment in the band’s creative process, with guitarist Mikey Strawz noting that the band feels free to create music they love.

 “This is our third cycle of releasing new music, and we’re allowing each other total freedom to write the songs that we want to make,” Strawz said. “It’s completely uninhibited and has helped the writing process immensely. After working with so many talented producers (Carl Bahner -The Wombats, Rob Chiarappa – Gray Scale/Jake Miller, Corey Mouch-Knox) and keeping a keen eye on modern pop music, we have a clear direction of what works for us.”

PHOTOS: Aaron Lee Tasjan at The Blue Room

Aaron Lee Tasjan at The Blue Room (Nashville, TN)

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a performer’s performer; one whose love of art and experimentation combines in tremendous fashion with a distinct reverence for the rock and roll traditions which came before him. With a knack for storytelling and a sharp wit to match, he invites each member of his audience to make a personal connection with his music.

That’s what we had a chance to experience last Thursday at The Blue Room, and we were more than happy to take the ride!

Tasjan’s performance was in celebration of his new album, Stellar Evolution. Released on April 12, the full-length offering explores and shatters sonic boundaries, while offering personal takes on sobriety (“The Drugs Did Me”), the queer adolescent experience (“Horror Of It All”), and the state of American political culture (“I Love America Better Than You”).

Set highlights — aside from the aforementioned fan favorites — included special guest appearances by renowned guitarist, songwriter, and producer Butch Walker; indie rock standout Molly Martin (who opened the evening), and interdisciplinary musician and producer Lafemmebear on an exciting rendition of Lucinda Williams’ “Drunken Angel.” Walker and Lafemmebear stayed onstage to add their respective flavors to Tasjan’s 2021 song, “Up All Night.”

Of the new tunes, “Pants” brought funky, feel-good vibes to accompany a message empowering the audience to feel comfortable within their own skin. The beachy, romantic “Ocean Drive” brought a sense of serenity into the room, as it captured the essence of feeling at home with the one you love.

Tasjan even gave us a preview of what is to come post-Stellar Evolution by performing two new songs. “The Real” felt like a love letter to those in attendance; one which gave Tasjan a chance to showcase his guitar chops, with an emotive solo reminiscent of Richie Sambora at his most soulful. Immediately thereafter, “Punk Rock Joy” was a high-energy banger which made a statement — no matter what the world, society, or a government takes away from us, it can’t have what’s inside our hearts.

Navigating Your Vision Through External Changes

In this Quinn Spinn Highlight, Adam Lawrence of The Mad Sugars discusses the importance of remaining true to your vision, even as circumstances outside of your control continue to change.

Stream ‘Personal Space,’ the new album, out now: https://open.spotify.com/album/1FXmc9xOr4RUuiCe6kHfWt?si=JX0Sizz2TJmA4In-GmNkqQ

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
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WATCH: Pillow Queens Embrace Intoxicating Love on ‘Heavy Pour’

We may still be a long way off from spooky season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t deliver something to haunt you.

In this case, it’s the hypnotic, churning alt-rock of Pillow Queens, who have released a video for their song, “Heavy Pour.” The video — released in advance of their forthcoming LP, Name Your Sorrow (out Friday, April 19) — was shot at the historic Glenmaroon House in Dublin, Ireland — a Tudor-style Edwardian mansion, dating back to the 1850s.

Directed by Kate Dolan, the video is inspired by classic silent films, including The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, Faust and Nosferatu.

“The song felt like a haunting and I felt the video needed to be something quite stylistic. I came up with the idea of the music video being a long lost silent film that has never been seen, a haunted piece of art buried in an attic somewhere. Then, as the band performs the cursed film is purged, burning up. The band are always up for having some fun, so the shoot was a lot of fun, and we played a lot on set.”

Sonically, “Heavy Pour” borrows influence from the guitar distortion of 1990s grunge, with moments of clarity breaking through in the bridge. The soundscape was crafted to fit the song’s theme of choosing to love courageously, even as the world’s judgment finds its way in.

“A lot of the lines in this song could convey the typical sweetness of a love song, but it has brief moments of outside perspectives that cast doubt over the conviction represented,” said lead vocalist, guitarist, and bassist Pamela Connelly. “The song tries to show the ‘heavy pour’ as a compulsion that while having moments of joy, ultimately heightens personal insecurities.”

Meanwhile in the chorus, the band tackles common gender miscorrelations with the line, “I want more, but I’m not man enough.”

“We wanted to delve into and dissect the idea that one’s gender expression is impacted by their perceived level of courage,” said guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Sarah Corcoran. “Spoiler: it’s not. All genders can be courageous and/or scared.”

LISTEN: Bobby Mahoney Offers a Sign of Summer with ‘Empty Passenger Seats’

Photo credit: Hannah Greve

Fun fact: Although UMC itself got its start in Pennsylvania as Lehigh Valley Underground, I’m actually a New Jersey native. And so, I’m greatly immersed in the Garden State’s storied rock and roll lineage — from Bruce Springsteen, to Bon Jovi, to The Gaslight Anthem and more.

Today, it seems that my original home state will be carrying its grand rock tradition into a new generation.

Responsible for carrying the torch is Bobby Mahoney, who released the high-powered summer anthem, “Empty Passenger Seats,” this past Friday. That timelessly youthful Jersey Shore sound is alive and well, with a punk edge breaking through by way of Mahoney’s rugged vocal.

“I initially wrote the first part of ‘Empty Passenger Seats’ while we were driving home overnight after playing Richmond, VA for the first time,” Mahoney said. “We were driving up the NJ Turnpike as the sun was rising. We had this feeling of accomplishment that we were doing exactly what we should be doing, and that imagery became the bridge of the song. I then spent time with our friend Dan Cohen (Creating Clementine) on the riff and the chorus in East Brunswick at my parents’ house. I remember also working on it with the band in a Motel 6 in Carlisle, PA, and listening to rough mixes in a parking lot in Georgia.”

He continues, “It is very much a road song, and a good representation of what we do as a band.”

I’ll definitely have this one blaring as I cruise down the Parkway on the way to Cape May later this summer. For now, enjoy it as a clear sign that summer is near!

LISTEN: Ren Richards Honors Her Grandmother on ‘Paper Moons’

“I’ll stay with you
Right here in the picture that your memory drew
Charcoal skies and glitter stars, and paper moons
I’ll stay with you”

-Ren Richards, “Paper Moons”

This one is for anybody who has ever struggled to let go.

This past Friday, Nashville-based songstress Ren Richards gave us “Paper Moons,” a melancholic indie rock offering written as “a poignant tribute to her grandmother’s fight with dementia.”

The track begins with the distant sound of children’s laughter, representative of the innocence lost as our memories fade from view. Nostalgic, 90s alternative-influenced guitar tones chime in gently atop a somber, steadfast acoustic progression, working together with Richards’ sad, yet soothing melody to illustrate the bittersweet divide between the opportunity to cherish the moments we’ve shared, and the anguish of longing for days gone by.

“Paper Moons” was produced by Blake Mohler (Happy Landing) and Wes Harllee (Ruthie Collins), and it’s right here for you.

Songs You Should Hear: The Return

It’s been a little while since we’ve done one of these, hasn’t it?

Yet, with excellence all around us, it’s clear that many of the submissions we’re receiving deserve a deeper dive. And so, today marks the triumphant return of Songs You Should Hear!

Get started with these, and be ready for more on the way, every Friday at UMC!

Artist: JT Loux
Song: look into my eyes
Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative
Why You Should Hear It: The course of true love never runs smooth — and it can be made even more complicated when you’re loving from a distance. Underneath this tune’s prevailing warmth is a clear and present longing, inspired by the reality of “loving someone, but they are 2,000 miles away.”

Artist: Rex & The Rhythm
Song: Umbrella
Genre: Hip Hop/Soul/Alternative
Why You Should Hear It: Who’s ready for some April showers? This tune’s breezy sonic landscape juxtaposes well with its lyrical content, artfully illustrating the conflicting emotions experienced after a breakup.

“‘Umbrella’ is about a relationship abruptly ending, even though the forecast appeared to show clear skies and warm weather,” Rex said.

Fun fact: Rex has had the opportunity to open for artists including Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Ashanti, and Lauryn Hill — and, after opening up this “Umbrella,” it’s easy to understand why!

Artist: Spence Brown
Song: By My Lonely
Genre: Hip Hop
Why You Should Hear It: If you’ve ever dealt with haters, this one is for you. Brown has proclaimed this fiery new track the “anti-hater anthem”; and with how hard this one goes, it might just provide the push you need to overcome doubt.

Brown says, “As an artist, it’s always hard to deal with haters, but if you can remind yourself that what you do is good at the end of the day, you can just laugh it off. Personally, I’ve always had a hard time dealing with haters, so I made this song to remind myself that it doesn’t matter what other people think. I can get this done without their opinions!”

Got something you think we should hear? What are you waiting for?! Shoot it our way, and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Songs You Should Hear!

UMC20: An Explosive Start to April (April 3, 2024)

Rock and roll is alive and well, as you’ll hear throughout the first half of this week’s UMC20.

This week’s compilation is frontloaded with a variety of electric guitar sounds and turbo-powered swagger. But, as always, there’s something for everyone this week. Americana lovers will want to pay close attention to the middle of the playlist, while pop, soul, and hip hop fans will particularly enjoy the latter portions.

And, as always, we’ve got some useful nuggets from that Official Podcast of ours waiting for you at the end. Check those out — especially if you fancy yourself an artistpreneur!

Track listing
Another Dead Rockstar – 1985 (Can You Help Me)
Gloom Girl MFG – Crimes
The Mad Sugars – Lost Among the Avenues
The Fever Haze – Last Night I Killed a Man
JT Loux – look into my eyes
Lurve – Run, Get Drunk, and Fall in Love Again
Lone Tree – Miss You
OPIATE – Lay
Black Suit Devil – Passage
Medium Build – Knowing U Exist
Old 97’s – Somebody
Travis Feutz – Utah
The Flying Raye – The Ballad of Leslie Cochran
Swamp Dogg ft. Jenny Lewis – Count The Days
Annie Scherer – You Like The Blues
Eliza Hardy Jones – Counterfeit
Rex & The Rhyhtm – Umbrella
Lindsey Lomis – Long Way Down
pher, – moon
Spence Brown – By My Lonely

LISTEN: Black Suit Devil Addresses Mental Health on ‘Passage’

Conversations about mental health came to the societal forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That period also proved prolific for songwriter Andy Du Rego who, under his Black Suit Devil project, is preparing to release the 8-song album, The Eternal Sleep, on June 28.

“I had a burst of creativity, due to everything going on in the world and my personal life,” Du Rego said. “The songs flowed out of me easily, as I had a lot inside that I wanted to say. After recording the bed tracks, I didn’t revisit the songs for quite some time, as I worked on my own mental and physical health.”

The album was recorded over several years, in three different locations — Brantford, Ontario; Hastings, Ontario; and San Pancho, Mexico — as life’s moments inspired Du Rego to move multiple times.

Through life’s changes, he always came back to the music with new inspiration.

“I record all of my own music in my home studio by myself, which allows me to record at my convenience, and when I feel inspired,” Du Rego said. “The recording process picked back up months later with a six-week drum session in Brantford, before moving to Hastings, where the bulk of the record was recorded, on and off, in a two-year period. After leaving Hastings, I headed to San Pancho with my recording gear for the winter, where I recorded all the vocals for the album.”

The first taste of the new record — “Passage” — is a raw ballad with a classic rock flair. Du Rego’s gravelly vocals illustrate the anguish of a man enveloped in his own mental health struggles, crafted in an effort to show solidarity among all those fighting similar battles.

“’Passage’ is a song about the struggles of depression, mental health issues, and addiction; a song bringing awareness to the increasing rate of suicide in our communities that does not get talked about often,” Du Rego said. “I wanted to let people know that you are not alone in this fight. That many people from all walks of life — myself included — experience mental health issues and struggle with these on a daily basis. I wanted to send a message to look after each other and really communicate with one another, to see how the people in your circles are doing.”

Along with the rest of the record, “Passage” was mixed by 2-time Juno Award winner Kevin Dietz (The Glorious Sons , JJ Wilde), and mastered by Noah Mintz (Broken Social Scene, Billy Talent). Listen below!

UMC20: The Best of March 2024

What a stacked month!

Between the 20 songs that comprise the UMC20 Best of March 2024, and the two latest, completely epic episodes of our Official Podcast, The Quinn Spinn, our end-of-month compilation contains nearly three-and-a-half hours of listening enjoyment!

Get it while it’s here. Next Wednesday, we’ll drop the first all-new UMC of April. Soak up the memories from the month that has been!

Track listing
Bootsy Collins ft. Snoop Dogg, Fantaazma, Wiz Khalifa, and Dave Stewart – The Influencers
Spence Brown – Scotch Thoughts
Miles Squiers – 24 Hours
Game Changer – Just Sayin’
Adam Paddock – Sweet Ohio Light
Izzy Rage – Wreck
TsukiMai – Selenophile
Cardiac Half – Gloom
YEARB4 – BABY I’M DYIN’
The Minimum Wage – Everyone Is
Pepperwood – Drowning
The Ghost Club – If I Fell (Don’t Wait Here For Me)
Crow and Gazelle – Take It Away
Max McNown – Dead Set
Dustin Kensrue – High Scalers
Kat & Zach – Winter Flower
Bronco Redahan – High on Lonesome
The Kentucky Gentlemen – Beg Your Parton
Mikayla Lewis – All is Well
Rome – Forever

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