Our inbox is over flowing again so we are letting you good people know exactly what is new and available out there in the music world. This week we have a lot of folk for you to check out and it's mostly from the gentlemen, we did throw in the kick ass rock of Hot Breath as well and the instrumental brilliance of Free Whenever so check them all out. If you want to see your band on one of these lists, send us streaming music and as short bio.
Band Name: Tennis Courts
BMN Score: 9.2/10
What the band says: "This song is probably the most personal song we’ve ever put out. It’s about a lot of things, but I think it's mostly just about how I have felt over the last year. I’ve spent a lot of time coming to terms with myself, how I fit in the world, and how I fit into other people’s lives. I spend a lot of time examining my relationship with myself, family, friends, and partners. And at the end of the day, maybe I am just thinking too much."
What we say they sound like: The vibe is Elliott Smith hushed sounding vocals, a little bit of Nick Drake and introspective lyrics. There's something about personal songs on an acoustic guitar that I think A.I. is never going to be able to replicate. This builds really nicely with reverb soaked guitar lines filling the background space as delicate guitar and a simple vocal melody fill the song until at the 3 minute mark where drums kick in and build the song into more of a shoegaze tinged folk song. It's nice all around, I would definitely want to listen to more of this artist.
Song to add to your playlist: Am I Not Talking Enough
Band Name: Trever Keith
BMN Score: 8.1/10
What the band says: After three decades, Trever Keith still has plenty to say. It’s still as powerful as ever, it’s just quieter. In 2021, Keith moved back to Nashville, TN and did something he rarely does: he stayed home, he wrote songs alone on an acoustic guitar, and he found new ideas and new inspirations. “When I first heard Zach Bryan, I was immediately drawn to his storytelling; the honesty and rebellion in those songs draw from the same creative well that punk rock does," Keith said. Covering ‘Heading South’ (which Keith released late 2021 under his own name) felt as natural to me as covering a Descendents song."
What we say they sound like: I'm a little bit biased here. The first 7 inch record I ever bought with my own money at a record store was Face To Face “Disconnected”. If this was anyone else I'd say this is an ok song but I don't know how much I can champion all of these old punk guys doing this sound, seems like they all choose country tinged folk. However the alternative of having them doing the same thing over and over again for 40 years is also just as grim. This is pretty average for me, if I was a huge Face To Face fan still I'd probably love this as a continuation of the band. Nothing bad about this at all, I guess when you see the name of an artist you've known for 30 years you have preconceived notions of what their music should sound like. I'm gonna listen to some more of his music before I form a concrete opinion.
Song to add to your playlist: What Keeps Me Up Now
Band Name: Hot Breath
BMN Score: 8.5/10
What the band says: ”Keep On Calling is a song about trying to break free from forbidden duets – even though your body is as tense as a bow-string”.
What we say they sound like: Hot Breath isn't reinventing the wheel but boy are they a fun band. It's like seeing Heart mixed with The Runaways. It has a classic 70's/80's rock sound but with modern production and just enough originality to keep it interesting. I'd love to see this live, as it sounds like a vibrant, energetic band that writes catchy songs. It's got enough punk attitude to keep me intrigued but with skills from their players on par with Zepplin and not a direct carbon copy like Greta Van Fleet.
Song to add to your playlist: Keep On Calling
Band Name: Free Whenever
BMN Score: 9.8/10
What the band says: Since then the Brooklyn NY based duo's bond has been unbreakable and their mind-bending blend of stoner/psychedelic music has been leaving listeners breathless. Destiny indeed may be playing a role in their journey.
What we say they sound like: To me this is on par with a more chill version of The Budos Band. It's jazzy and light but with a good groove to it. For anyone who likes mellow jazz spacey jazz guitar this has nice warmness to the overall tone. The percussion gives it a very bossa nova feel at times but sprinkled with funk. This really has a lot of nice elements to it and at moments reminds me of Noori & His Dorpa Band because of the world music feel of it. Great stuff!
Song to add to your playlist: Camino
Band Name: Desert Mambas
BMN Score: 10/10
What the band says: “Buzz Cut Blues” is a tender ode to dealing with the absurdity of transphobia in public, a triumphant response to the jeers and comments of the clueless and the ignorant, the ones who cannot see their incidental affirmations when they cannot properly put gender into a little box. An affirming ballad sung with grace and tender care, careful movements over strings gently strummed. “Buzz Cut Blues” is a nod in name and spirit to the classic Leslie Feniberg book “Stone Butch Blues," a history felt deep in the bones of the song.
What we say they sound like: This has a very cool Elliott Smith meets Kimya Dawson feel to the vocals but more self deprecating. As a self deprecator I can get behind this. Lyrically is how this sets itself apart from other folk artists, the meek heartfelt lyrics immediately suck you in. In a way it reminds me a little in aesthetic as comparable to Nico's “These Days”. This is one of those artists that just gets it and writes a great song with no bells and whistles but understood the assignment. It's classic, timeless and something I could listen to a hundred times.
Song to add to your playlist: Buzz Cut Blues