Improvement Movement
Improvement Movement, the social betterment campaign/prog-rock quartet/non-denominational cult from Atlanta, GA, have made a new record just for you and your modern day malaise. It’s called Your Perfect Real Life, because, well, there’s a lot going right these days, right? Arriving August 21, 2026 via ATO Records, Your Perfect Real Life is prismatic, angular, jumpy, and eccentric. It’s sure to inundate your ears, corporeal form, and spiritual body with equal parts unadulterated bliss and realist catharsis, or, in other words, as much good as you can reasonably feel these days. Set in a world of chaos where the news seems to be perpetually recounting stories of planes falling out of the sky, urban wildfires, the uncanny nature of a southern snowfall, and schlepping ads that feel plucked from a sci-fi movie, Your Perfect Real Life makes an earnest case for embracing life’s relentless unpredictability. Animated by the band’s baroque take on the angular harmonies of grunge, the record’s eleven tracks sprawl and simmer, enlivened by the Improvement Movement’s novel employment of dynamics, sticky melodies, four-part harmony, and a treasure trove of experimental instruments. If you’ve ever found yourself enraptured by the lush harmonies of Fleet Foxes, the theatrics of early Genesis tracks, or the candid intimacy of Art Garfunkel, Improvement Movement may be for you. Improvement Movement is a democracy, and so they say, “things move slow.” That may be true for the internal machinations of the band, but their output has been quite regular. Each member of the band, who have largely been eschewing definition, are songwriters and instrumentalists who have spent the better part of a decade in the fertile DIY scene in Atlanta, GA. In that time they’ve been swirling, relatively undisrupted, in their own primordial ooze and rubbing elbows with folks from the no wave, punk, improv, and free jazz scenes. “Atlanta is about as DIY as it gets,” they say. “We’ve got some of the most killing musicians in the world all spread out on these kinds of islands of urbanization. There’s always something new.” That said, the band hasn’t been in Atlanta much lately; they were on the road relentlessly over the last two years, supporting Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Iron & Wine, Houndmouth, and Khurangbin. When it came to making a new record, the slog of touring had to be reckoned with. “It was a gauntlet, trying to live day by day. There was no room for anything with too much premeditation.” “We all have a disposition where we’d like to be positive,” they say, noting how their 2024 sophomore pursuit Slump focused in on the minutiae of personal friendships, relationships, and the noble pursuit of right relation. Your Perfect Real Life takes a wider view, reflecting on timely yet universal themes of mundanity, futility, fear, and acceptance. The band took a uniquely holistic approach to composing its songs, describing how they sought to write from their instruments in a way that could reflect the synergy they found playing live night after night. The collective effervescence of sharing and making art in community is one of the most life-affirming experiences we have. It makes sense that a band set on bridging our brutal realities and the catharsis of art-making is so plugged into that source. With Improvement Movement in our ears, we may as well keep pushing that rock up the hill, singing in unison. Don’t delay, join today!
Cheerleader Roadkill
Cheerleader Roadkill, a pop-punk band from the western Chicago suburbs, founded in 2022. Classmates Noel Kovac (guitar, vocals) and Jack Metz (bass), inspired by the sound of 90s pop punk bands like blink-182, Simple Plan, and Sum 41, they began writing songs in Kovac’s garage in July of 2022 and soon turned their attention to finding a drummer. After 6 months of rotating through a handful of drummers, fellow classmate Jesse Ortega (drums) was brought into the fold and solidified the current lineup.
Brother Ali
Brother Ali is a respected Hip Hop artist, speaker, and community leader. His two-decade resume includes ten critically-acclaimed albums, mentorships with iconic Hip Hop legends Chuck D and Rakim, and performances on late night shows with Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien. His provocative and uplifting brand of Hip Hop has earned him coveted press features like Rolling Stone’s 40th anniversary edition and Source Magazine’s “Hip Hop Quotables”, while his outspoken social justice message has landed him on government watch lists. He’s also lectured at universities from Princeton to Stanford and delivered the keynote address at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. When he’s not rocking the mic at Coachella or being arrested for civil disobedience in support of marginalized communities, Brother Ali travels the world learning and teaching Islamic Spirituality under some of today’s most renowned teachers. In addition to leading worship services and classes, he co-founded The Gemali Project, an organization that helps Muslim converts and spiritual seekers access the beauty of the Islamic tradition. Brother Ali recently launched The Travelers Podcast from his new home in Istanbul, exploring life’s journey with cultural, spiritual, and thought leaders from across the globe.
Hot Freaks
Hot Freaks formed in Minneapolis in the early 2010s, releasing their self-titled debut LP in 2013—a collection of bright, danceable indie-pop tracks with a glossy disco sheen and disarmingly vulnerable lyrics. Blending the emotional openness of of Montreal and Voxtrot with flashes of MGMT’s playful charisma, the record captured the band’s tight-knit chemistry and earned them a loyal following in the Minneapolis scene. Though they rarely toured beyond the Midwest, the group—made up of longtime friends whose relationships stretched back over a decade—became a beloved local staple before amicably disbanding in 2015 as members moved on to new chapters. Years later, the internet gave Hot Freaks a second life. During the pandemic, their 2013 single “PUPPY PRINCESS” unexpectedly went viral on TikTok, introducing the band’s heartfelt, humor-tinged indie pop to a new global audience. What began as nostalgia among friends quickly turned into a full reunion as fans discovered the band’s earnest songwriting and infectious energy. Now reconnecting with listeners around the world, Hot Freaks are stepping back onto the stage with renewed momentum—releasing rare material, debuting new visuals, and turning a handful of hometown reunion shows into the start of a much bigger return.
Steely Dane: The Ultimate Steely Dan Tribute
IN 2010, CO-FOUNDERS DAVID ADLER AND DAVID STOLER (THE STEELY DAVES) THOUGHT IT’D BE A GREAT IDEA TO PUT TOGETHER A TRIBUTE “SHOW” FOR STEELY DAN, FEATURING THE BEST MUSICIANS IN THE MADISON, WI MUSIC SCENE. MADISON IS LOCATED IN DANE COUNTY, WI, THUS THE NAME. THE FIRST STEELY DANE SHOW FEATURED OVER 30 OF MADISON’S BEST ROCK AND JAZZ MUSICIANS, AND IT SOLD OUT THE HIGH NOON SALOON. NOT ONES TO WASTE A HERCULEAN EFFORT OF ARRANGING A FULL NIGHT’S WORTH OF THE DAN’S BEST STUFF, THE CREW DECIDED TO DO IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN,…..AND OOPS, NOW IT’S NO LONGER A SHOW, IT’S A BAND. SINCE THEN, THE BAND HAS TRIMMED DOWN TO THE CURRENT 14-PIECE FAMILY THAT FEATURES A FOUR-PIECE HORN SECTION, TWO FEMALE BACKUP SINGERS, TWO GUITARS, TWO KEYBOARDS, VIBES, AND PERCUSSION…AALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS NECESSARY TO RECREATE THE AMAZING MIXES OF THE DAN’S ALBUMS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES. THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND HAVE WON COUNTLESS INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS, AND THERE’S EVEN A COUPLE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS IN THE GROUP. THE BAND HAS WON MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR BEST TRIBUTE BAND, THEY’VE SOLD OUT THEATERS FROM CHICAGO TO MINNEAPOLIS, AND PACKED SUMMER FESTIVALS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT AS WELL. THEIR SONGBOOK FEATURES OVER 50 SONGS FROM BOTH STEELY DAN AND DONALD FAGEN’S SOLO CAREER, ALLOWING THEM TO PLAY DIFFERENT SHOWS NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, EVEN INCLUDING COMPLETE ALBUM SHOWS FOR THE ROYAL SCAM, AJA, AND GAUCHO.
Steel Beans
Bayside
For the past 25 years, Queens-based Bayside has represented a lifestyle, a counterculture, and a deeply-held commitment to integrity and earnestness. At their core, Bayside is a band that has constantly proven that music is not about gimmicks and ephemeral trends, but a timeless reflection of our life and our times. It is through this authentic expression and creative spirit that the band has amassed a cult-following that lives and breathes everything the band creates. It’s a spirit that permeates an impressive and storied discography, including Sirens and Condolences (2004), Bayside (2005), The Walking Wounded (2007) and Shudder (2008). Covering the “Victory Records Years,” Bayside grew their reputation as road warriors with their impressive amount of touring. From basements to clubs to Warped Tour, the band led melodious sing-alongs everywhere they went, with fans flocking to Anthony Raneri’s personal, yet universal lyrics and story-telling. Fan favorites like “Devotion and Desire” and “Duality” continue to be staples in the bands’ live show. While the band held strong to their punk roots, what set them apart from their peers was their musicianship. Diverse in thought and background, but united in a shared desire for authentic expression and immense musical talent, Bayside continues to push the boundaries of what a Bayside song could be. In the second half of their legendary career, covering the “Wind-Up and Hopeless Records Years,” Bayside embraced the heavier and grittier side of themselves, while keeping the anthemic choruses of the earlier years. With Killing Time (2011), Cult (2014), Vacancy (2016), Interrobang (2019), and There Are Worse Things Than Being Alive (2024), the band focused on creating songs that are relevant to people who want substance, rather than being relegated to one genre. In 2023, the band even collaborated with Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills on their rock anthem, “How To Ruin Everything (Patience)” – their first song charting at Sirius XM Octane. Having toured the world multiple times over, sold thousands of albums, and amassed millions of streams, Bayside has achieved a lot in their storied career. And while many bands would coast on their past success, Bayside has always rejected that premise and continues to prove time and again that the best is yet to come.
guardin
Guardin is an alternative singer-songwriter from Western New York whose music has inspired countless others through his honest lyrics and creative endeavors. Guardin has toured around the country as a headliner and co-headliner and in support of OliverFrancis, Gnash,Wicca Phase, Guccihighwaters, Lund, and Sewerperson.
Deerhoof
The legendary Deerhoof brings their explosive blend of noise, punk energy, and avant-pop melodies back to the Central Time Zone. Deerhoof have aged like a fine wine, and continue to play with the same joy and fury they have since their mid-90s birth. They’ve influenced generations of experimental and indie musicians, while continuing to reinvent […]
Lombardy
Lombardy is a Nashville based Rock N Roll band formed in early 2021. The group consists of Mike Scott (Vocals / Lead Guitar), Jonathan Plevyak (Vocals / Rhythm Guitar), Seth Rentfrow (Bass), & Steve Mascarello (Drums). They were recently named one of the Top 5 bands in the world. The band’s sound is drawn from all different eras of Rock N Roll, including Classic Rock, Outlaw Country, Metal, Blues, and even Psychedelic. Lombardy has captured an old school feel, having recorded their records live in one take, with intense energy, sprinkled with modern production influences. This has created a sound that feels familiar and eclectic, entirely modern, refreshing, and unique on its own.