One of our very favorite Texas-based troubadours has announced the release of his fifth solo album, New Shadows, out on September 21st. True porch music (Jerry literally wrote the album on his front porch,) he describes the album as “literary-goth and avant-Americana meditation, absurd and ruminative,” which sounds like true Jerry music and is exemplified extraordinarily in Manzanita Bay – a little broody, a little dance-y, and absolutely nails the goal of the album’s production modeling Jerry’s favorite early 80s albums (ZZ Top, Lindsey Buckingham, Lou Reed, Robert Palmer). “Manzanita Bay” features David Hidalgo from Los Lobos on electric guitar,…

Petal Motel is excited to premiere the song “Matters of Time” from Nightblooms, the nom de plume of artist Sam Logan. The Greenboro, NC dweller is releasing his debut album, The Slow Decline, in a series of three installments, the first being the EP Night Blooms in the Apocalypse, out 9/1/23 via Sleepy Cat Records. Instrumentally, the first single is perfected indie pop bliss, lyrically, it plumbs familiar depths. I’m quite taken with the first track and looking forward to hearing more from this baby band – if this is the apocalypse, it’s going to be a beautiful way out.…

Elated for news of more ethereal, moody, gorgeous sounds from Tan Cologne, my favorite pair of Taos-dwelling true artists. Lauren Helene Green and Marisa Macias recently returned from a residency in Puglia, Italy where they recorded a new EP to come soon, and today share this video straight out of my dreams. I was listening to their most recent LP just yesterday and marveling at how they’e cultivated such a consistent theme but bring something new and visionary with each song. “Visitation” was inspired by communications with otherworldly beings through envisioning crossing into unknown dimensions where other light beings teach…

My favorite living band, GospelbeacH, shares a duet of singles today. “I’ll Close My Eyes” is reflective and wistful, while “York Boulevard” is bouncing and boisterous, a companion piece to 2017’s “Kathleen” from Another Summer of Love, calling attention to that magnificent main drag in Highland Park. I'll Close My Eyes & York Blvd. by GospelbeacH While work continues on the follow-up to 2019’s Let It Burn, GospelbeacH is sharing two new songs from the untitled LP sessions. I’ll Close My Eyes & York Blvd find the band safe at home at Mono Deluxe Studios reflecting on the west coast…

One of my very, very favorite ambient artists, Chuck Soo-Hoo, aka Ki Oni, is announcing the release of a new record, A Leisurely Swim To Everlasting Life, out August 25th on AKP Recordings. I cannot wait to listen as Chuck’s music is always evocative, illustrative, and healing. A Leisurely Swim To Everlasting Life by Ki Oni A Leisurely Swim To Everlasting Life is the forthcoming album from ambient artist Chuck Soo-Hoo under his Ki Oni moniker. Building upon the aesthetics established on 2021’s Stay Indoors And Swim, and with a more intentional focus on listening, A Leisurely Swim To Everlasting Life serves as a mediation on…

Silk Robe, Garden Flowers by Joe Bourdet Sitting here in my silk (well, polyester but silky-feeling) robe, I couldn’t be more thrilled to share new music from Joe Bourdet. His 2021 solo debut Meadow Rock remains an all-time favorite. Where many have tried, few have succeeded as vociferously as Bourdet to capture the essence of early 70s canyon country rock- both in sound, vibes and technologically. “Silk Robe, Garden Flowers” continues that trajectory, a Topanga haze continuing Bourdet’s endless Californiana sonic journey. The song is co-written with Alana Amram, who also co-wrote “Lost Along the Way” from Meadow Rock. The…

Freeway Junkie Queen by Kareeta California country rock is back in a big way with the release of Kareeta’s second LP, Freeway Junkie Queen, out tomorrow, July 7th via North Shore. Produced by Greg Loiacono and recorded at Dave Schools’s Spacecamp studio, Schools joins the band on bass, with founding members Chuck Harris on vocals, Jon Siembieda, Aaron Barnes, and Loiacono on guitar, and Brian Lara on drums, along with Jerry Joseph, Brent Brandon, Jason Reed, and Hannah Radley. Freaks’ ears will perk up when hearing the opening lyrics of “Remember the Girl,” followed by the driving guitar work of the…

Thrilled to hear news of a new Luke Schneider album and just as thrilled to learn that the best psych label, Centripetal Force, is partnering with Third Man for its release. Luke’s otherworldly pedal steel meditations are revolutionary and I cannot wait to walk around and listen to It Is Solved By Walking and receive his revelations. It Is Solved By Walking by Luke Schneider Most folks likely associate the latin word ‘Gloria’ as a religious term of praise and adulation, bestowed upon deities and righteous or accomplished mortals. For me, it has always been an apt word to describe…

I knew this year for music was going to be exceptionally excellent before I even opened my inbox to my delight and screams at the news of a new Gunn-Truscinski now-Trio, featuring Bill Nace. It’s no dang secret how much I love the duo and I am beyond thrilled to find a new activity to repeatedly listen to this on (2020’s Soundkeeper saw me riding up and down the now-defunct East River Park and across the Williamsburg bridge on the daily.) Anyway, I am beyond thrilled in a way that it’s rare for me to be even with such a…