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Tan Cologne – “Topaz Wave”
Petal Motel faves Tan Cologne are back with a new song as incandescent as its name. Following their usual formal of ethereal effect pedals, meditative drums beating and hypnotic vocals, it’s so good to hear from the Taos-based duo. The song is about: A surface of water experiencing a light bloom, signaling transformation. Soft turning tidal phases and wave swells carry the motion with illuminated droplets. “Topaz Wave” is a…
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AC Sapphire – “Stick And Poke Tattoo”
Today the effervescent songwriter and musician AC Sapphire shares her latest single “Stick and Poke Tattoo”. Her 2020 release Omni Present, produced by Matt Adams of the Blank Tapes, was a Petal Motel favorite and a desert road trip staple. Sure to add to this same soundtrack is the upcoming Desert Car, out July 16th on American Standard Time Records. Desert Car Album by Ac Sapphire AC has a nomadic…
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Cass McCombs – “Belong to Heaven”
Today one of my very favorite transcendental musicians Cass McCombs releases a brand-new song, “Belong to Heaven,” which truly captures many stages in the grief process, from the devastation, to the ire, to the nostalgia, beautiful through and through. For “Belong To Heaven,” McCombs reunited with Grammy Award-winning producer Ariel Rechtshaid, with whom he worked on Catacombs, WIT’S END, and Humor Risk. McCombs, on vocals, guitars, piano and percussion, is joined by Danielle Haim on drums and vocals, The…
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Rose Haze – “Charge On”
Today San Francisco’s Kate Ramsey, AKA Rose Haze, shares the first single from her upcoming album Maximum Security Prism, to be self-released on May 6th. At one point along the mixing phase, I thought, ‘why am I so intense?’ Eventually the self-critic in me wandered off again and I fell back in love with it because of its intensity. It’s an anthem to never give up, to remind us that…
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BRIM – “California Gold”
Pedal steel, central valley sounds mixed with swirls of psychedelia. BRIM sounds like My Morning Jacket meets GP meets Sloan. The title track from their debut album California Gold reminds us why California tropes are just that – wisps of nostalgia, vestiges from a Huell Howser show (the album is dedicated to the California TV tour guide), and some far-off whiff of sea breeze, even inland. California Gold by Brim…
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GospelbeacH – “It’s Too Late”
Good news for us all – my favorite band, GospelbeacH, releases a new song today, building anticipation for their upcoming full-length. Luther Russell’s driving guitar line and Jonny Neimann’s piano anchor the reflective piece, a bit wistful but GospelbeacH can never discard their sunshine-infused optimism. Like the spirit of Brent Rademaker, head of GospelbeacH and Curation Records, who have both faced immense loss recently with the passing of the effervescent…
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Mary Lattimore & Paul Sukeena announce West Kensington; share single “Altar of Tammy”
West Kensington is the product of harpist Mary Lattimore and her neighbor, guitarist Paul Sukeena, recording in “strange times,” which I think we all know is a code phrase for. It’s a funny-business new-age sound, definitely an unearthly, beautiful listen but at times almost seems to take classic ambient concepts and turns them on their head; or as liner notes author Nicky Devine put it, “the chords of the harp…
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Diatom Deli shares “Disarray” from upcoming Time~Lapse Nature
Diatom Deli’s newest “Disarray” from upcoming album Time~Lapse Nature (love an album title with a tilde) is a more delicate, traditional turn from her previous more experimental recordings, but the result is absolutely gentle and lovely. Her voice is exquisite and the kaleidoscopic strums of acoustic guitar and distant chimes evoke relatable wistfulness. She reminds me of early Nelly Furtado (in the best way) – completely unique, bright, and pure.…
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V.C.R. – Blue
I have to highlight this gorgeous single from V.C.R.’s upcoming spring release on Leaving Records. This multi-faceted song is a sensory overload in the best way possible and I can’t wait to hear more. V.C.R.’s voice is enchanting and the retro vibe and resounding drums hypnotize the listener. One of those songs that makes you think, “wow, this is what music should sound like!” Blue by V.C.R V.C.R describes her…
