Hello and welcome to FTA’s list of what we are excited for this Bandcamp Friday, aka every music nerds favorite day! A bunch of us weighed in on what we’ve been into lately and we’ve got plenty of goodies old and new for you to dig into over a wide range of genres. But don’t take our word for it, dive into these tracks/albums and judge for yourself. Feel free to let us know what you think and tell us your suggestions.
Check out our past lists from April, May, June and September 2022.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
IZAGUF– Not So Sweet and Still Low. A very interesting collection of slowed down and sludged out Fugazi covers which is described as “Nine Fugazi tracks performed at exactly half-pace and dragged through a thick, moldy swamp via producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Aaron D.C. Edge of Hellvetika. This comes complete with instrumental “musac for metalheads” versions,” and anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that this ticks a lot of boxes for me—interesting covers that make the song their own, some of my favorite Fugazi songs, and the inclusion of the instrumental versions to really put the cherry on top. It even got an endorsement from Guy Picciotto who said “Hey Aaron – just wanted to send props for these Izaguf covers. They’re fucking crushing! thx for engaging with the songs.”
Lung– Let It Be Gone. The latest from this bombastic cello and drums due from Cincinnati who also happen to be one of the hardest working DIY bands going and one of my all time favorites. They keep getting better and better with every release and this one is no different. And in fact this newest collection of songs showcases a new refined poise and a slightly more subdued sound from their previous highly intense offerings, though the songs are no less emotional and cathartic despite the dialed back approach; it’s a direction I’m very happy to hear and embrace. They are currently on tour with Mac Sabbath and will make their first stop in NYC since before the pandemic on 10/21 at Brooklyn Bowl.
Good Music to Ensure Safe Abortion Access to All– Act fast on this one because it’s only available for one day. Per the Bandcamp page, this “is a compilation made up entirely of previously unreleased recordings from some of the most important names in music today. The album features never-before-heard new songs, covers, remixes, live versions, and unreleased demos from incredible artists across many genres. The collection is available exclusively for 24 hours only via Bandcamp TODAY Friday, October 7”
For $19.73 minimum donation you get 49 songs from prominent artists like Bully, Death Cab, Fleet Foxes, King Gizzard, Maya Hawke, Sunflower Bean and many more. There’s also limited edition shirts for pre-order that were designed by Kim Gordon. Proceeds go to benefit Brigid Alliance, Abortion Care Network and Noise For Now. Brigid Alliance is a referral-based service that provides travel, food, lodging, child care and other logistical support for people seeking abortions. Noise For Now is a national initiative that enables artists and entertainers to connect with and financially support grassroots organizations that work in the field of Reproductive Justice, including abortion access and is working with Abortion Care Network to support independent abortion clinics.
Panic Shack– Baby Shack. Up until my recent trip to the UK, I’d only heard one song by this band and didn’t know much else about them, but if the line to get in to see them was any indication, they are pretty popular. I was waiting for Los Bitchos to play at a venue down the street when I found myself with a little extra time and thus stuffed against the back wall of a very crowded Rough Trade in Bristol watching this Cardiff based band, loving what I was hearing. While I wasn’t able to to stay for their whole set, I have enjoyed listening to the EP they released this past April, Baby Shack, several times since the night of that show. Snarky and zippy grunge punk tunes that are right in my musical wheelhouse, I definitely will be keeping my eyes on this band and watching for when they (hopefully) come to the States.
Petrol Girls– Baby. One of the most crucial political bands currently going, their latest album, Baby, is unflinchingly feminist and sharply critical of the interlocking systems of oppression that seek to crush all who are not rich, white, cis, straight and male. And it’s also their most ambitious offering yet musically, an incredibly nuanced and complex record with clever compositions and arrangements, far from the usual “crash and bash” sound the words “political hardcore band” tends to bring to mind with rich layers to uncover as you listen again and again. I just saw the band play in Cardiff and asked them when they think they’ll make it to the States (a 2020 tour was scrapped due to visa issues right as Covid loomed on the horizon) and they said that while no plans are concrete yet, they are hoping to come over in the latter half of 2023. Fingers crossed that this comes to pass because you know I’ll be there front and center.
Chantal- Contributing Writer
Kam Claudel– Romantic Atrocities. Cassette and zine that tells the story, in poignant, poetic singer-songwriter style, of two boys on a road trip in 1997. B-side is a tribute to a beloved 70’s manga. If you know, you know.
Karl Hohn– dirby dreams. A fun EP of surf-rocky tunes that act as a concept for a videogame soundtrack. Come for the guitar work, stay for the groovy Casiotone MT-45.
Nick Vivid– No More Secrets. Funky danceable tunes that will please fans of Midnite Vultures and Skeletal Lamping. I caught him live a few months ago and I definitely recommend that!
Oddysseys– Softcore. Another band I first heard live, Oddysseys (note the spelling) have a dark punk sound and a DIY spirit (and zines at the merch table <3).
Jenifun- Webmistress
John Times Two– Nocturnal Manoeuveres.
Rash Decision– Year of The Silence.
Tin Vulva– Notes From TV Underground.
Juliette Boulay- Contributing Photographer
amelia cry til I die– high on my own supply. Amelia Swain (drums in Sadurn and bass in Ther) has an amazing solo project I didn’t know about until last week. Her songs are genuine, angsty, and healing as a warm bowl of soup. They’re actually so good I made a fun day trip out of going to see her play in Philly last week. I highly recommend this album to anyone who’s ever felt different or misunderstood.
MOP– Bloodlust. This new album by MOP is another shoegaze banger by Oakland duo Moira Brown
and Samuelito Cruz. I found this band by looking through the bands covered by TAGABOW’s label, Smoking Room. It looks like MOP doesn’t tour or have any social media accounts so they’re truly a diamond in the rough in my opinion. Both this album and their prior EP are amazing. Check ’em out!
Mx Lonely– Cadonia. As FTA’s resident shoegaze lover, I wanted to share one of my favorite new albums by Mx Lonely, a cerebral shoegaze band from BK. My favorite track is “Paper Cranes” with the opening track being a close second. The album is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever battled with addiction or just loves hard-hitting slow rock.
Thus Love– Memorial. I’ve been waiting a while for this EP to come out, so I’ll be listening along with anyone who picks up this record. Thus Love’s music is a great listen for anyone who loves Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, or any melancholic post-punk really.
Kate Bell- Contributing Writer
Bacchae– Left of the Dial Live. I recently caught Bacchae opening up for The Linda Lindas at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and they blew me away. Frantic fun from Washington DC!
Elk City– Above the Water. WFMU has been giving a lot of love to this great group from Montclair, New Jersey, and as always, I’m grateful to the best radio station in the world for introducing me to yet another fantastic-sounding band. This doesn’t officially release until 10/22, but you can pre-order now, and they are playing live to celebrate their release on 10/27 at Mama Tried and on 10/30 in Montclair at a house/yard party. I hope to catch one or both of those shows; haven’t seen them live yet.
Johanna Warren– Lessons of Mutants. One of my absolute favorite artists that I discovered during the pandemic, this is Johanna Warren’s first full-length release since 2020’s Chaotic Good, and I could not be more excited. Musical magic from Wales, this album is released on Friday 10/7 aka today!
Leopardo– Malcantone. These lovely folx were on a bill with my band at Our Wicked Lady in September, and they got me dancing. They were on tour all the way from Switzerland.
Mike Borchardt- Contributing Writer
Ray Rusinak- Contributing Photographer
Closure- Innocence. This is almost a perfect storm kind of Bandcamp Friday kind of release because to the best of my knowledge bandcamp is the ONLY way to hear or procure this. Making this as short and simple as possible, Closure is a post punk quintet out of Indonesia that harkens back to the days of early The Cure, The Chameleons (UK) and especially Sisters of Mercy, this album will immediately make you want to load up on that black eyeliner.
Drew Beskin & The Sunshine- Somewhere Sideways Same As You. Beskin just might be the most talented and prolific songwriter absolutely no one (outside of Athens, GA) knows of. He’s been churning out masterful albums for over 10 years now with bands like The District Attorneys, Party Dolls, Purses, as well as under his own name. Somewhere Same As You follows in his tried and true formula of intelligent lyrics backed by soulful pop with a southern sensibility.
Nick Cory Young- Crow Got Drunk. If you, like me, are a fan of mid 90’s alternative rock that wore its allegiance to Neil Young right on its sleeve for all to see and more importantly hear, then Crow Got Drunk is the album for you. I’m talking about bands like The Lemonheads, Soul Asylum, early Wilco and The Old 97s to name just a few. You’ll hear traces of all of these and then some throughout Crow Got Drunk.
Remember Sports- Leap Day EP. Remember Sports is yet another Philly indie band that has captured my attention over the past couple of years. With a vocal style which reminds me of Katie Crutchfeld of Waxahatchee, vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter, Carmen Perry sounds as good as ever on this one. Interestingly, while listening to Leap Day, I did think to myself that this one definitely had a little bit more of a synthy/dance kind of feel to it compared to past efforts. Then I saw that the band recorded this EP without a human drummer and I can’t help but feel that the drum machines and the rhythms produced had a direct cause and effect on this sound…one which I quite liked, I might add.
Timeshares- Limb. Timeshares have been making the rounds on the pop punk touring circuite (especially here in the Northeast (they currently call Philadelphia home but are originally from Long Island) and have really hit their stride with Limb, their fourth full length. Playing a version of pop punk which incorporates both the punk rawness (and sometimes sloppiness) of The Replacements mixed with the alt-country sensibilities of a band like Slobberbone, Limb just might be their most accomplished album thus far.