Tag: music 2024

Alternative, Indie, interviews, RockLeave a comment

rlyblonde is Some Kind of Prophet with “Dumb Blonde”

Sometimes, it’s not all that bad (life that is)… New York City artist, queer muse, and indie-alt darling Carina Allen sings under the moniker rlyblonde; her alter ego embodying the many faces of Allen’s creative journey. The rlyblonde character is only one aspect of Allen’s work, and under the bubble-gum haze, a track like “Dumb Blonde” was bound to happen sooner or later. Carina Allen aka rlyblonde is as fresh as anyone could hope for. The alt-angel came across my desk when my musical catalog felt like a desert, and I was begging for anything but a soulless pop track. Along … Continue reading rlyblonde is Some Kind of Prophet with “Dumb Blonde”

Alternative, Culture, Deathrock, Goth, PlaylistsLeave a comment

Halloween Playlist 2024: Editor’s Edition

Happy Halloween you soul suckers… Is your Halloween playlist super lame? You’ve come to the right place and if you’re tired of the “Monster Mash,” this playlist is for you. The editor (that’s me) ransacked their collection of vinyl, CDs, and personal playlists to deliver this hauntingly good set. You don’t have to be goth to appreciate it, but it certainly makes life easier.   As with all posts of this nature, this is a SUBJECTIVE playlist. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, go make your own playlist. Now: back to spooky business: Here is BTN!M’s 2024 Halloween playlist: The … Continue reading Halloween Playlist 2024: Editor’s Edition

interviews, Pop, R&BLeave a comment

Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

by Amaris Pollinger “I’d really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on…” I’ll start by saying that Maya Jenkins aka Maya J, is hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing at her wit and the comedic truth bombs she dropped with more bubbly finesse than the pop of a champagne bottle. By far my favorite quote by the Florida-born, LA- based actress/singer is probably:   “I would really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on.”  This is in reference to Maya J constantly being labeled nothing more than a “sweet, nice girl” who can … Continue reading Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

interviews, RockLeave a comment

Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

By Amaris Pollinger The world was on pause… Consisting of Matt James (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Wilson (drums) and Matt Christoforo (bass), the Connecticut trio, Phatt James (a college nickname given to a reluctant Matt James that he later decided to own) were set to play their debut show at the infamous Toad’s Place, but leave it to COVID-19 to crash a party. With the onset of quarantine, Phatt James headed into the studio to work on their debut album, Just Begun.  “It [the pandemic] definitely made us more connected as a band,” says James, “all the time spent in the … Continue reading Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

Alternative, Indie, NewsLeave a comment

Beachwood Sparks Announce Album, “Across The River of Stars”

After a twelve-year hiatus, Beachwood Sparks have released their much anticipated album, Across The River of Stars. The dream-Americana/indie-country band released their single, “Torn in Two” on April 2nd. Across The River of Stars is complete with soft, emotive vocals that lull the listener into a psychedelic-indie soundscape; further solidifying Beachwood Sparks as the pioneers of the indie country. Beachwood Sparks recently announced a set of live shows with more tour dates to be announced: Live Shows (more to be announced): July 20  Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA July 27  Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA Aug 1 Mercury Lounge … Continue reading Beachwood Sparks Announce Album, “Across The River of Stars”

Alternative, Review, RockLeave a comment

Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

by Amaris Pollinger (dark, spicy (picante), upbeat, serene and of course, humorous) it’s also exactly what you wouldn’t expect. The “thinking man’s garage rock band,” Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds have released their first full-length album since La Araña Es La Vida(2016). Out everywhere now, That Delicious Vice is—well—delicious (no, we didn’t eat it).  When they lost a member, frontman and LA punk/garage rock veteran Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, The Cramps, The Knoxville Girls) decided: “Why not try this as a three-piece?” This decision gave the Pink Monkey Birds space to stretch … Continue reading Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

Experimental, interviewsLeave a comment

It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

by Amaris Pollinger “I wanted to turn over and over again to a fresh new page…” The most important thing to know about The Telescopes’s fourteenth album, Experimental Health is that it is entirely transportive and all-encompassing. It’s so transportive that I went into a meditative state and decided to sketch a gift for my husband, and I hardly pick up a graphite pencil these days.  It really does take you somewhere else. Quite frankly, my time spent listening to Experimental Health has been some of the most relaxing moments I’ve had in March. There is something so peaceful, so serene … Continue reading It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

Pop, ReviewLeave a comment

JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

I’m so sorry to myself for justifying a narcissistic hell… JESSIA has a penchant for creating relatable, stinging tracks about heartache. Her newest single, “Care About Me,” is no different. The Canadian pop singer might have a sugar-rush sound, but her lyrics and vocals are all pain and soul.    “Care About Me” is all about the quick unraveling of a relationship: “Rip my heart from my chest/and I’ll still apologize for making a mess” is probably the mantra of every survivor of a toxic, narcissistic relationship ever known (actually, JESSIA throws a line in there about that too, “I’m so … Continue reading JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

ALt-Pop, AlternativeLeave a comment

Caroline Romano Tells the Truth About What it’s Like to Be “Used By You”

I wish I was above just following your crumbs/I know they lead to nowhere/Are we still having fun? Recently, Caroline Romano felt her emotions on the dramatic scale of an adolescent. Those feelings have since been sonically imprinted on her newest single, “Used By You,” a razors-edge song detailing the harsh, often unspoken realities of unrequited love.  “It’s not sad or angry or negative, really. It’s just a lot of everything,” says the Nashville based singer.  Romano first arrived in Nashville when she was 13, after begging her parents to drive from Mississippi so she could participate in open mic … Continue reading Caroline Romano Tells the Truth About What it’s Like to Be “Used By You”

ALt-Pop, News, PopLeave a comment

“Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!

“Care About Me,” the latest single by Canadian pop sensation JESSIA, is out now. A lyrical treat that will tug at your heart, this soul-stirring ballad captures the moments of a relationship that is quickly unraveling.    “I knew it was a special song as soon as I wrote it, but I didn’t know if anyone would relate,” says JESSIA.   The JUNO award-winning singer has seized the hearts of fans worldwide with her relatable, raw prose and heart-stirring tracks, resulting in over 375 million global streams. In 2023, JESSIA joined OneRepublic for a tour across Asia and supported Dean Lewis … Continue reading “Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!