Category: Pop Culture

October Bandcamp Friday Picks

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music, Pop CultureLeave a comment

It’s already Bandcamp Friday again! On Friday, October 4, 2024, Bandcamp waives their revenue share and pass the funds directly onto artists and labels. Here are some tunes I implore you to check out!

Attic Ocean – the heavy blue and then after dark New shoegazers from Düsseldorf, Germany enrapture with this EP from 2023 as well as on their brand new single “Young Again.”

Glare – “Mourning Phase” The Texan outfit has released this new single that harkens back to ‘90s dream pop and shoegaze. Catch them next year at the Something In the Way fest at Roadrunner in Boston on February 2.

Wishy – Triple Seven Brazilian illustrator (and my pal!) Luciano introduced me to Wishy based on our common love of Ash. He was right; they sounded excellent! Full of power-pop vim and vigor. And then I realized that I’d be seeing them in February at Something In the Way. Lucky me!

Gillian Welch – Woodland Studios Another brilliant album of timeless bluegrass/folk from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. See them on tour if you can. I was fortunate to work for their label’s distributor eons ago and every time I saw the duo was magical. I’m looking forward to seeing them in New Hampshire in December.

NewDad – Banshee EP Ireland’s NewDad released their debut album, MADRA, in January. This charming, indie pop EP is from 2022. Looking for something to celebrate casting your vote on Election Day? Go see them at the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, MA. Reminder: check to make sure you’re registered to vote at Vote.org.

Winter Gardens – “Moon Jockey” Britain’s Winter Gardens released this single last year. It sounds like Ladytron and Ladyhawke had a baby and I love it! They also have a smashing brand new single called “U/U.”

Ken Andrews – Secrets of the Lost Satellite The lush solo album from the man behind Failure is a must. It’s just been released as a high resolution download.

Year of the Rabbit – Year of the Rabbit Another Ken Andrews selection! This stellar album has also just been released as a high res download and it’s one of my all time favorite albums.

September Bandcamp Friday Picks

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music, Pop CultureLeave a comment

Today, September 6 is Bandcamp Friday. That means all the proceeds go directly to the artists! Here are some selections I recommend.

Health – Ashamed (featuring Lauren Mayberry) Health plus Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES? Yes, please. This single is a must for me.

Francis of Delirium – Lighthouse I’m obsessed with this debut album of bittersweet alternative rock from this Luxembourg act. Check out the featured track “Blue Tuesday.”

Lovina Falls – Ellery Way and Tragedy Two tasty new singles from the brainchild of Valerie Forgione (Mistle Thrush).

Glaring – DR666 Lovely and lux ambient darkwave from Germany.

Butcher Brown – Solar Music Hip funk from Virginia. Also necessary: their single “Down With the King.”

Ekko Astral – pink balloons High octane punk rock to get your blood flowing. Catch them opening for Deerhoof on tour now.

GIFT – Illuminator Harkening back to dream pop, Illuminator is a treat, reminiscent of The Primitives, Adorable, and Lightning Seeds with a healthy dose of shoegaze.

Emma Anderson – Spiralée: Pearlies Rearranged Just announced, this remix album of Anderson’s (Lush/Sing-Sing) brilliant solo debut is available for preorder.

March Bandcamp Friday Picks

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Music, Pop CultureLeave a comment

It’s another Bandcamp Friday on March 1! That means Bandcamp waives their revenue share and more money goes to musicians. Here are some picks.

Hinds – “Coffee” The Spanish garage rock band Hinds is back with a fantastic new single.

The Smile – Wall of Eyes The haunting and cinematic new album from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood along with drummer Tom Skinner.

Rykarda Parasol – Tuesday Morning Parasol’s fifth album is a delight. Imagine Siouxsie Sioux fronting a lounge act.

Ian Sweet – Sucker Ian Sweet is L.A.-based Jilian Medford who has created an album of glorious sad girl synth pop.

Elisapie – Inuktitut Canadian Inuk musician Elisapie’s Inuktitut is a unique and gorgeous album of covers. She’s translated songs by Pink Floyd, Blondie, Metallica, and others into the Inuktitut language. I can’t get enough of this one.

Ekko Astral – Quartz This EP by D.C. punkers Ekko Astral is a fun romp.

Bandcamp Friday Picks

On By Amy Lordan-TrippIn Pop CultureLeave a comment

Here are some picks for this Bandcamp Friday! Bandcamp is one of the better way to support artists online. On Bandcamp Fridays, even more of the money you spend goes to the musicians.

Gushing by Crayola Eyes
  • Crayola Eyes – Gushing (2023) Psychedelic shoe-gaze from Jakarta, Indonesia. Props to my friend, Phillip, for introducing them to me.
  • Hot Pink Sauce – “Feel” (2024) Emma Anderson of Lush/Sing-Sing brought this dreamy single to my attention. Looking forward to hearing more from this British duo.
  • Gladie – Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out (2022) Garage rock from Philadelphia.
  • Girl Ray – Prestige (2023) British band’s ode to the TV show Pose. Fun dance pop. Apple Music describes it as “disco escapism.” I get the ear worm bop “Everybody’s Saying That” stuck in my head constantly.
  • Black Cross Hotel – Hex (2022) Darkwave industrial from Chicago.
  • The Morelings – Same Century (2017) Ethereal pop. Recommended if you like Cocteau Twins or Siddal.
  • Lovina Falls – Calculating the Angle of Our Descent (2023) This debut ranked as one of my top albums of 2023. Glistening dream-pop from Boston’s Valerie Forgione (formerly of Mistle Thrush).
  • Sprints – Letter to Self (2024) I already know that this Irish band’s debut is gonna be one of my faves of 2024. It has the energy of a Sleater-Kinney album. Frenetic, guitar-driven, and a pinch of pop.