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Hella Halloween : A Petrifying Playlist
Happy Halloween weekend. Here’s a playlist I started in 2015 when I was heavily in a really weird phase of musical life where I was listening to *only* new wave music and Nancy & Lee (I… have no idea) which, the former, now, just makes me think of Halloween. Added more recently discovered scary songs, terrifying tunes, and monstrous melodies. Also including a short list of my favorite Halloweenish media:…
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Julie Doiron – “Darkness To Light”
Today Julie Doiron shares a gorgeous new single from her upcoming album I Thought Of You, out November 26th on You’ve Changed records. The song features just the right amount of twang, with Julie’s clear, wizened, gorgeous vocals and lyrics complimented by Daniel Romano’s ripping guitar line and our friend Michael Feuerstack adding soft and subtle pedal steel. I Thought Of You by Julie Doiron I started writing this song…
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Bewitching Documents : the Pelt interview
This Friday, Pelt releases their latest recording Reticence / Resistance as part of the Three Lobed Recording’s 20-year anniversary series. It’s also the first Pelt release since 2012, and the 18th record in their nearing-30-year run, never minding the numerous overlapping projects of each individual member and in other iterations and formations. The family tree of Pelt is immense and continues to stretch its branches, rooted in the Virginia soil…
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Trevor Beld Jimenez – “Blue Sky Morning”
Our friend TBJ is back with a new song, the “Blue Sky Morning.” Trevor’s music is warm, inviting and sunny, so a blue sky anthem is especially appropriate. Trevor’s dear friend Rick Swan created the lovely Zuma-inspired artwork to match. Blue Sky Morning by Trevor Beld Jimenez Blue Sky Morning was recorded, mixed and mastered by Joel Jerome (DIOS Malos, Joel Jerome) in Los Angeles, CA. I wrote the song…
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Scorpio Season : A Playlist
Scorpio Horoscope: As the leaves change and shadows drape themselves across the land before it’s even time to pour a cocktail, you may find yourself turning inward. Lean into it. Take this time to reflect, not to run away from your feelings. Although you may feel a bit moody and introspective, know that you’re not alone. Scorpios are renowned for their explosive creative energy. Although their greatest gift, sensitivity, can…
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Ryan Pollie – “On The Nose”
Ryan Pollie just announced a brand new album, STARS, out December 12th and shares the new single, “On The Nose” today, with a rollicking, rolling lead guitar line and twinkling keys that, despite the autumnal glow of the video, remind us that in Los Angeles, every day can feel like summer. Ryan says Inspired by summers seeing the Dead at outside theaters, pregaming in parking lots. Having fun in the…
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Norman Blake – Day by Day : Review by Cameron Knowler
Petal Motel is pleased to publish this piece by musician/author/artist Cameron Knowler. We’re aware of Norman Blake’s relevance in the world of guitar and banjo music mainly through getting to know Cameron, and who better to discuss Norman’s latest release on Smithsonian Folkways than his #1 admirer? Day by Day, a collection of both originals and trad tunes, is out 10/22. Day By Day by Norman Blake Day By Day…
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Buffalo Nichols: An Introduction, and a Farewell
Carl Nichols’s soul-baring self-titled debut is out October 15th on Fat Possum (he’s the first solo blues act the label’s signed in 20 years, and, as we discussed, with great power comes great responsibility). I loved Nichols’s work as half of critical folk duo Nickel & Rose, and his tremendous vocals, powerful narrative lyricism, and outstanding playing shine through brighter than ever on this new album. I had a great…
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Shamir – “Gay Agenda”
Fuck. Yes. Philadelphia-based multi-disciplinary artist just released a gorgeous new video directed by Jenny He for his incredibly powerful new song, “Gay Agenda.” Shamir’s unique, melodic voice cuts through the fuzzy noise and layers of synths to condemn socially constructed illusions of reality and proudly rejects heteronormativity and embraces queerness. A true anti-assimilationist anthem. Love it. “Gay Agenda” is a song about radical acceptance internally and externally. We are only…
