Real Estate
A band for 15 years now, with a half-dozen records to its canny name, Real Estate knows how the press cycle inevitably goes: Someone somewhere at last had a realization about what their songs needed to say and how they should sound, so (at least according to brief biographies like this one) they finally made the best album of their career. But here’s the thing: Real Estate has been so consistently compelling for those 15 years, with their coruscant indie rock shuffles perfectly reflecting the spellbinding glow of suburban ennui, that they know when they have done it. That is, they know when they have written songs that shimmer and fetch and radiate despite or because of the gloom lurking in their grooves. It is the gift and curse of self- awareness, of sticking together since childhood. So Real Estate, in turn, needs you to know that Daniel—their sixth full-length album, recorded in an ebullient nine-day spree in RCA Studio A, in Nashville with celebrated producer and songwriter Daniel Tashian—is quite possibly their best album. In 11 compulsively tuneful songs, they connect the uninhibited wonder of their earliest work with the earned perspective of adulthood. What more could you need from Real Estate at 15? — Heaven Schmitt, the front person of Grumpy, keeps their friends close and their exes closer. The keyboardist and bassist are Heaven’s ex girlfriends, the drummer is their ex-husband (the guitar player and Heaven never dated but there was one night when Heaven thought they might kiss but they didn’t). Originally based in Nashville, where Schmitt studied songwriting at Belmont University, before relocating to Chicago, Schmitt released a debut LP called Loser under the Grumpy name in 2020. Although it garnered a cult audience, Schmitt felt that due to a lack of confidence during the recording process the album never truly represented what they thought their band should be. It all fell into place when Schmitt moved to New York in 2022. On the East Coast Grumpy has transformed, leveling up adjacent to a buzzy corner of the Brooklyn scene. The current Grumpy backing band includes Austin Arnold on drums, Lane Rodges on keys, Anya Good on bass, and Diego Clare on guitar. Being in an act with numerous exes isn’t always easy. However, Schmitt feels that it leads to an honest, nurturing dynamic. “I’m really drawn to people who — no matter what they’re going through, or what we’re going through — have a clear baseline of respect and care and love,” Schmitt says of their bandmates.
Kxllswxtch & SXMPRA
Known for his range of style and skilled songwriting, Kxllswxtch has become a household name in the underground community, and has become even more well-known in recent years with his debut album “KILL!”, followed by his 2021 album “DISORDER”. Since the release of these projects, Kxllswxtch has gather over 25m streams and performed a 32-city tour alongside his close friends Pouya, Jasiah, and Lu Baby. Whether it be emotional alternative rock or heavy-metal raps, Kxllswxtch is able to adapt to any style and create a world of his own. While his identity has been shrouded in mystery since emerging in 2018, cult-favourite phonk rapper SXMPRA is an enigmatic force in the underground rap world letting his music speak for him. Raised on rock and metal before finding underground rap in his teens, when he started making his own DIY music alongside self-made artwork and visuals, he then worked his way backwards to pivotal 90’s acts like Three Six Mafia, who helped pioneer the new generation phonk subgenre that SXMPRA continues to trailblaze today with his gritty and sinister sound. After releasing a consistent series of singles since 2018, in 2021 SXMPRA unleashed his biggest track to date, ‘COWBELL WARRIOR!’ which today has garnered over 201 million Spotify streams alone and a remix with Ski Mask The Slump God – who is just one of a long list of collaborators that also includes Juicy J, Lil Darkie, Pouya, Shakewell, HAARPER, 1nonly, and more. In 2023, SXMPRA embarked on his first headline tours in the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, taking his dark underground sound to the world stage.
MIKE
MIKE is a quintessential old soul. The 24-year-old artist’s wisdom is evident in both his calm delivery and measured questioning, even if he doesn’t always understand the depth of his words until they’re written. “All of these random ideas come to my head, but always end up making sense after it’s done,” the NY-based rapper-producer says about his method. Known for introspective, subtly profound rhymes that explore grief, family, and identity, and melt over muffled, soul-seasoned samples, on his expansive new record Burning Desire MIKE reaches new heights far above the sonic foundation he laid with his previous project.
Cable Network
Cable Network is a rock ’n roll band from Omaha, Nebraska. Their debut, self-titled EP was released in December 2020. Their second record, Cable Network II, was released in January 2022. The band is currently working on their third album. Cable Network is composed of Charlie Ames (vocals, keys), Braden Larsen (guitar), Ben Rickers (bass), Charlie Encell (vocals, guitar), Jordan Opere (vocals, percussion), and Pat Stutzman (drums.) — A product of high school and college friendships, Bad Self Portraits write indie-rock songs that tackle the uncertainties of growing up and finding stability. The band was formed in 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska, and released their latest EP, “Amsterdam”, in December 2023. Bad Self Portraits is: Ingrid Howell (vocals/bass), Cole Kempcke (guitar), Connor Paintin (guitar/keys), and Jesse White (drums/vocals).
Aborted
Since their unholy inception in 1995, death metal miscreants ABORTED have been one of the pioneers of the genre and have annihilated friend and foe with relentless intensity and an uncompromising mix of flawless technicality and raw emotion. Having carved a niche for themselves in the extreme metal realm, the multi-national combo around Svende Caluwé initially gained notoriety by offering up ruthlessly fast death-grind with groovy breakdowns on their early works (‘The Purity of Perversion’, ‘Goremageddon: The Saw And The Carnage Done’). By meticulously crafting and introducing more technical elements on more recent releases such as “TerrorVision”, “Retrogore” and “Mania Cult”, ABORTED has consistently sharpened their lethal blend of furious death metal. Thereby firmly cementing their status as one of the most menacing and envelope-pushing metal acts of the 21st century.
Bad Bad Hats
Bad Bad Hats is an indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge met in college and formed the band in 2012. In the 10 years of BBH, they have toured the country many times in their trusty minivan, sampling the best local cuisine along the way. BBH has toured with The […]
Return to Dust
Every ending sparks a new beginning. Return To Dust embodies the sound of shedding the weight of the past while embracing the promise of tomorrow. The Los Angeles-based quartet—Matty Bielawski [guitar, vocals], Graham Stanush [bass, vocals], Sebastian Gonzalez [guitar], and London Hudson [drums]— brings a fresh perspective to alternative rock. Their music fuses powerful harmonies, fuzz-laden riffs, and seismic grooves, fueled by the raw energy of four Gen Z friends jamming in a garage. What may seem like a traditional approach on paper feels like an act of rebellion today, heralding the rise of the next generation of rock music. “Our name rings true to the sound, lyrics, and heavy imagery,” Matty observes. “You started out as dust and, one day, you will become dust again. So, you’re attempting to find meaning in the chaos of life and death, which is what we try to do through music.”
Benjamin Booker
The last place you’ll find Benjamin Booker is where he was yesterday. The artist grew up in a woodsy trailer park on the outskirts of Tampa overlooking a sewage plant, surrounded by rebel flags and religious fanaticism. “The neighbors burned a cross in my yard when I was 6. We didn’t really socialize with a lot of people around us after that. I spent all of my time in my head.” Eventually, he found his way to the local DIY punk scene, a welcomed escape, and never looked back. After, releasing his Waiting Ones EP, he was picked up by blogs and signed to a label shortly after news spread. His 2014 self-titled debut album dabbled in fuzzy americana-inspired garage rock. The raw, stripped back, analogue recordings hinted at the past, but underneath the surface were contemporary songs about gay marriage, growing up in a post-9/11 world and erotic asphyxiation. Then, after nearly losing his life in a shooting in New Orleans, he retreated to Mexico City and wrote his second album Witness (2017)—a darker album that ran lush string arrangements, 60s balladry, boom bap, and 70s glam rock through Shawn Everett’s futuristic mixing filter. Both albums were met with critical acclaim and led to world tours, a spot on just about every festival you can think of and opening slots for Tame Impala, Jack White and Neil Young. But then, he disappeared. “I wanted to get to this sound, but I didn’t know how. At some point I decided I’m going to find it or die trying.” He spent years tinkering in a loft near Skid Row in Los Angeles before ending up across the globe in Perth, Australia. Trading stems via email, Booker crafted his third album with LA underground hip-hop mastermind Kenny Segal. The new album, LOWER, mixes experimental hip hop, dream and noise pop, and singer-songwriter music into something that is entirely his own. Through the changes, Booker’s lyrical exploration of pain and longing have been persistent. “Kenny was the missing piece I needed–he fills in all of my gaps. I don’t know what I’ll do next, but if I can imagine it, I can do it now.”
Lady Lamb
celebrates 10 years of Ripely Pine with an intimate performance of songs from the record and the recently-released commemorative boxset ‘In The Mammoth Nothing of The Night’ From her early days, staying late after-hours at her video rental store job in Maine to record songs, to co-producing and arranging her four studio records, Aly Spaltro has remained focused on music that connects, empowers and builds community. She built her fanship the old-fashioned way, getting in front of audiences and projecting her poetic confessionals, silencing rowdy crowds with an a cappella opening song in the center of a dark stage. Spaltro was quick to develop a reputation as a breakout star in New England, and then expanded slowly outwards, moving to New York at twenty to continue work on the songs that would become Ripely Pine. Her voice has never wavered, has grown more honest and open with time, and anyone witnessing the long lines of fans seeking signatures after her performances can see how her work has impacted fans. Her live shows are revelations, a further deep dive into what makes Ripely Pine such a mainstay.
Bingo Loco
