by FTA Staff | May 5, 2023
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 some of our past lists here: April 2022, May 2022, June 2022, September 2022, October 2022, November 2022, December 2022, February 2023, March 2023 and April 2023.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
Goblin Daycare– Q: EP? A: EP!! If you follow me on social media, you’ll likely know my nickname at work (and increasingly otherwise) is “the Goblin,” so you can imagine my reaction when I first saw the name of this band and that I thought it was very funny; of cooooourse I had to listen! The project of “Mama Goblin” (I’m okay sharing names here, ha!) it’s billed as “lo-fi punk for low-life punks/bedroom punk,” and sounds like it was recorded in said bedroom’s closet beneath a layer of cozy blankets. It’s fast and freaky and indeed very lo-fi—in all the best ways—with standout songs about killing landlords, “Landlordocide!” and hating cops “Officer Down!:)” so right in line with my world view too. This is a really fun way to spend eight minutes and thirteen seconds.
Necking– Cut Your Teeth. In the last year or so, it seems like I keep hearing a ton of great stuff coming out of Canada (Bad Waitress, The Dog Indiana, Hot Garbage and Gloin to name a few), and when I recently watched an episode of a popular TV show on Showtime (aka Yellowjackets) I discovered yet another addition to my list. Necking performs their song “Big Mouth” in a scene on the show and while watching I thought “this is pretty good I should look it up,” which I did after the episode. Turns out the full album, Cut Your Teeth, is in fact really good and right in the wheelhouse of bands I already like anyway. The song in the show, “Big Mouth,” is definitely a standout, but my favorites from the album are “Still Exist” and “No Playtime.”
As an unabashed champion of all things DIY and local bands forever, I tip my hat to the music supervisor from Yellowjackets for picking a Vancouver local to get the nod to be on the show instead of bringing in a bigger more well known act. Here’s hoping a new album and perhaps a visit to NYC will not be too far off in the future for this “febreze punk” foursome.
Promyki– jeb jeb jeb. It’s noisy and raw, a bit lo-fi and also a little bit weird, almost like a riot grrrl band from 1992 and a noise rock band (from a nebulous time period) jammed in a blender. And I fucking love it. I was recently introduced to this Polish band via a music sharing “club” aka group on Facebook (one of the last remaining reasons I remain on that trash heap of a platform truth be told) and loved this, their brand new EP just released in March. They have a solid album, Plastik, which came out in 2022 that I also recommend. How do we get this band across the ocean and into a dive bar in Brooklyn? Asking for a friend.
Jenifun- Webmistress
The Anchoress– Versions EP 3. There’s just so much good stuff coming out of Wales right now. The Anchoress being one of them and so absolutely sublime.
Maid of Ace– Maid of Ace. Great stuff from England’s south coast.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs– Land of Sleeper. So loud, so good, such decent blokes too! I say this album, and especially the first track “Ultimate Hammer” on repeat! Check out our coverage from their recent NYC debut.
Kate Bell-Contributing Writer
Constant Smiles– Kenneth Anger.
Display Homes– What If You’re Right & They’re Wrong?
Dorthia Cottrell– Death Folk Country.
Hard Nips– Master Cat.
Scam Likely– Getting Worse.
Telehealth– Content Oscillator.
Worriers– Warm Blanket.
Kyle Ostrander- Contributing Photographer
REZN– Solace. REZN released this album in March, and it’s six tracks of sludge metal goodness filled with heavy guitars, psychedelic vocals, and even the occasional saxophone. The whole album is great, but the standout track for me is the title-track, Solace. Recommended if you like Sleep, Monolord, or Dozer.
Mike Borchardt- NYC Scene Editor
Catty– Scratch.
Gorgeous– Egg.
Red Tank!– Dreams & Monsters.
Ray Rusinak-Contributing Photographer
Lachlan Denton– Furnishings. Lachlan Denton hails from Melbs (as the Ausies call it). Sort of a follow up to his 2019 release, A Brother, which dealt with the grief of losing his brother the previous year, Furnishings continues with this grieving process. This time its four years down the road and we find Lachlan in the acceptance stage of the process. Furnishings provides the listener with a beautiful lo-fi set of songs which still has the sadness of loss looming over it but with a feeling of hopefulness and optimism creeping through the edges.
LoOn, The Jansen, & The Caroline’s– Flowery Melancholia. This six-song, three-way split-EP released on Indonesia’s Paska Records offers up a nice mix and indicative representation of what each of these three bands have to offer. (Side note: I was drawn to this EP solely based on the name off of the record label. Paska is also the name for Slovakian Easter bread and it brings fond memories to my brain). With Flowery Melancholia you get the fluffy feel good power pop of LoOn (think late Veronica Falls) and The Caroline’s (RIYL Allo Darlin‘) juxtaposed with the somewhat heavier and rockier feel of The Jansen (imagine The Ramones singing in Indonesian).
The Sprouts– Eat Your Greens. This Melbourne quartet makes jangly bedroom powerpop for the sad and lonely crowd. Simple melodies accompanied by just as simple instrumentation make this album sound like it was in fact recorded in a bedroom using Garageband. But in the case of Eat Your Greens, less is very much more and better; the lack of sonic clutter suits the material just perfectly. If you’re already a fan of the so-called Melbourne sound, Eat Your Greens ought to be an album that’ll tickle your fancy. And if you’re not, but still love some good old understated jangly power pop, use this one to start your journey down that Aussie rabbit hole.
by FTA Staff | Apr 7, 2023
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 some of our past lists here: April 2022, May 2022, June 2022, September 2022, October 2022, November 2022, December 2022, February 2023 and March 2023.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
Bad Waitress– No Taste. I went to see my friends Gustaf in the UK around a year ago and they were on tour with the Toronto based band Bad Waitress, who I had not previously been familiar with but who turned out to be the 90s throwback alt rock band of my dreams. Very much looking forward to seeing them in NYC.
The Dog Indiana– Burnt Ends. I’ve really been into heavy, noisy shit lately and this Vancouver, BC trio scratched that itch big time for me. Their new album Burnt Ends was released right in the middle of a really thorny and difficult time of loss and confusion for me; the sludgy riffs, mondo screams and bulldozing drums gave immediate sonic identity to how I was feeling, a rageful salve to help process some difficult and confronting emotions. Another Canadian band I need to head directly to NYC ASAP.
Happy Death Men– Famous Plane Crashes. I discovered this band very recently and once I heard the frayed riffs of “Kyle,” with its high distorted bass clamoring out on top while the vocals scream What do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? What do you mean? What the fuck do you mean? before the song skidded roughly to a stop, I was instantly hooked. This is their debut EP and while it just came out, my greedy ass is already ready for a full length. Let’s make it three for three and get this crew to NYC too.
Chantal- Contributing Writer
Chime School– Chime School. Hooky, jangly pop out of San Francisco.
Daktyloi– Stucco Beach (Facade B). This new experimental piece is out on Endogenic Records.
Ossifer– Suppressed Mirth. Alt rock from “a trio of old school Tallahassee weirdos.”
Jenifun -Webmistress
In honour of Adwaith and Panic Shack recently playing SXSW/US dates (see our coverage from New Colossus Fest and SXSW), I have decided to prepare a Welsh list. | Er anrhydedd i Adwaith a Panic Shack oedd yn chwarae yn yr Unol Dalethiau dw i wedi dewis i baratoi rhestr o fandiau Cymreig.
Adwaith– Bato Mato.
Boxcat– Something.
The Bug Club– Green Dream in F#.
Gwenno– Y Dydd Olaf.
Neon Neon– Praxis Makes Perfect.
Obey Cobra – Oblong.
Panic Shack– Baby Shack.
9bach– Tincian.
Kate Bell-Contributing Writer
Eyelids– A Colossal Waste of Light.
Fever Ray– Radical Romantics.
Kilynn Lunsford– Custodians of Human Succession.
Sex Tide– Ohio.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs– Cool It Down.
Kyle Ostrander- Contributing Photographer.
Bongripper– Hate Ashbury. An instrumental album that’s been on HEAVY rotation for me lately. This one is in the doom metal genre.
If These Trees Could Talk– Red Forest. I love instrumental post-rock, and over the past few weeks I’ve listened to this album on an almost daily basis.
True Widow– AVVOLGERE. I’d classify them as “heavy slowcore,” and I always find myself coming back to their music.
Mike Borchardt- NYC Scene Editor
Desert Sharks– The Tower.
Leathered– A Reckoning.
Nara’s Room– Gnaw (Live Sessions).
Pseudo– Renovations.
Ray Rusinak-Contributing Photographer
Ellie Turner– When the Trouble’s All Done. I knew next to nothing when I stumbled upon Nashville artist, Ellie Turner’s most recent effort, When The Trouble’s All Done. Honestly, I still don’t know much about her besides the fact that she has put out an album that reminds me of sitting on the front porch with a couple of old friends, strumming guitars and singing songs on a warm summer’s night. Those times when you play through the mistakes, ignore the gaffs and just play for the sake of playing. That’s the kind of folk album that Trouble’s is. Recorded live in the studio, Turner says that her and producer Jack Schneider recorded the album direct to tape, playing each song until they felt they got the right take. In this case the right take might not have been the perfect case but in true unadulterated folk music, perfection is rarely a prerequisite but sometimes it just happens. Turner has succeeded with this collection in offering up a perfectly imperfect set of heartfelt, inspiring and moving folk songs.
Purling Hiss– Drag On Girard. I remember seeing Purling Hiss at the original Brooklyn Bazaar back in the day and being bowled over by Mike Polizzi’s ferocious attack on rock and roll. I’d go as far to say that back in 2013/2014 I freaking LOVED this band. And then pooof! They kind of fell off my radar to the point that I’d kind of forgotten them. Then low and behold out pops Drag On Girard and all those former feelings towards the band are back like they’d never been gone in the first place. There’s no new ground broken with this one but that’s just fine. Girard is the kind of album that sounds and feels like it was recorded literally in somebody’s garage. And that’s by no means a slight on what I hear. Quite the contrary, it’s a compliment to Polizzi and crew that they can still make in your face, tried and true garage punk rock with no pretentious posturing. Rock and roll the way it was originally meant to be, loud, rambunctious and rebellious. I can almost hear somebody’s father somewhere yelling from his recliner in the living room to “turn that noise down!” Fuck that, TURN IT UP!
The Reds, Pinks and Purples– The Town That Cursed Your Name. The Reds, Pinks and Purples is the latest incarnation of San Francisco musician/artist, Glenn Donaldson who has been putting music out in various guises for some 30 years now. He started releasing music under the RP&P moniker in 2019 and has released six full length LPs since then. This latest effort picks up right where last year’s Mountain Lake Park left off. Donaldson’s output with RP&P is always very cinematic in nature and this one is no exception. It’s melancholy and sweet and flows like a rose petal down a babbling brook in the springtime. It’s lush and ephemeral and at points just plain beautiful. As I’ve already mentioned with Donaldson’s prolific output and the cinematic atmospheric feel of each recording, I’m at the point where I like to think of the Reds, Pinks & Purples as the aural equivalent of a long running binge worthy streaming television series. With each LP building off of the last, taking you to places you’d not thought of before. This latest one proves that Donaldson has plenty more to say and do with this project and we are lucky that this is the case.
The Whiffs– Scratch ‘N’ Sniff. The Whiffs’ second LP proves that a band doesn’t have to be from one of the coasts to be making really good punk/indie music. Hailing from that hot bed of rock and roll, Kansas City, MO, The Whiffs’ new one is a straight up, in your face, hard edged punk power pop collection. They self describe themselves as “RIYL to The Rubs and The Replacements,” which I can’t argue with but to my ears, the sound the first sound I hear is that of former Brooklyn band Nude Beach, and that quite honestly is one heap of praise.
by FTA Staff | Mar 3, 2023
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 some of our past lists here: April 2022, May 2022, June 2022, September 2022, October 2022, November 2022, December 2022, and February 2023.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
Double Dagger– Sophisticated Urban Living (Contemporary Conveniences Edition). I love the versions of the songs on this collection, captured as demos and raw works in progress in 2008, many of them going on to appear in more polished form on the album MORE and the Masks EP. I’ve always been a fan of gritty lo-fi recordings, as they seem to capture bands in a more primal way that a formal studio recording can, so it was a real treat to listen to these songs as they existed in a more primitive state. The BC description goes into more details so I recommend giving that a read.
Fashion Tips– Fucking Hell. Billing themselves as “dance music for anxious people” this London crew makes grimey, noisy post punk no wave and vocalist Esmé Louise Newman is a dead ringer for Tobi Vail’s vocal delivery, particularly on the opening track “Lunched Out.” This is the band’s debut EP and I’m already jonesing for a full length.
Mathew Hattie Hein– In Search of Lost Hein. Many years ago, I acquired a split 7inch with Mathew Hattie Hein and Sarah Dougher, and I had no idea who he was at the time since I bought it for the SD tracks. I loved his songs and as it turns out, he was the lead singer of Portland indie band, New Bad Things who I’d heard of in passing at that point. This 18 song collection compiles tracks “from 7” records, cassette tapes, compilations, and the proverbial vault: twenty years of bedroom, basement, public park, and studio compositions… eighteen songs from Old Portland, including the entire cult-status Last Chance EP” and was a nice blast from the past.
Brianna DiGioia- Contributing Photographer
Fixtures– Hollywood Dog. I loved this one from BK mainstays Fixtures. Read my full review here.
Edwina Hay- Contributing Photographer
Algiers– Shook. (read FTA’s review)
King Vision Ultra– Shook World. (companion to previous release)
Quasi– Breaking The Balls of History. (read FTA’s full review)
Sleaford Mods– UK Grim.
Young Fathers– Heavy Heavy.
Jenifun- Webmistress
Clowns– Nature/Nurture.
Deux Furieuses– My War is Your War.
Los Campesinos!– Hold On Now, Youngster.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs– Land of Sleeper.
Kate Bell- Contributing Writer
Death Valley Girls– Islands in the Sky. (read my full review)
Gina Birch– I Play My Bass Loud. (read FTA’s full review)
Ibex Clone– All Channels Clear.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs– Land of Sleeper. (read my full review)
Silica Gel– Wooden Shoe.
Steady Holiday– Newfound Oxygen.
Mike Borchardt- NYC Scene Editor
DATAPOOL– self-titled.
FonFon Ru– Collapse of the Silver Bridge.
Rebelmatic– Eat The Monster.
Shybaby– A Real Cowboy Hat Never Falls Off.
by FTA Staff | Dec 2, 2022
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.
It’s the last BC Friday of the year and we’ve had a bunch of great lists over the last several months which you can check out for plenty of inspiration on variety of tunes for you to explore. Check them out here: April, May, June, September, October and November.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
Feces– Black Mold. Need a little sludge in your life? Then Feces has you covered with Black Mold, their 2019 EP that perfectly blends noise, sludge and grunge. Gross bodily secretions and hazards to breathing aside, this is some Bleach era shit and I can most definitely get behind that. (One of Kurt Cobain’s early pre-Nirvana bands was called Fecal Matter, so it tracks influence wise.) My favorite track is the closer, “Brown Cloud,” it’ll dig right inside your brain with its mesmerizing Sting Ray bass line and gang vocals. It may or may not also be about shit (but true to form, the lyrics are muddy and my old battered ear drums can’t quite make them out).
Rotten Blossom– Let’s Hang Out. I hate you! You’re so mean! Piece of shit! You’re so mean! We are heading into the winter months and I live in NYC so those two things right there are making me extra cranky lately. But all you really need to make you feel better when you’re cold and packed in like sardines in a subway car is some bratty fucking punk rock. This now defunct band (I think anyway) from Honolulu has that in spades, blending riot grrrl attitude with zippy hardcore shreds and I’m here for it.
Teen Mortgage– Life/Death. The riffs are heavy and hypnotic, and pack more than a healthy dose of grungey surfy psych which for me, has been a huge theme for my 2022. This 5 song EP was released in 2019 and the band recently released a new single so hopefully more new tuneage is on the horizon for them soon.
Billy Faith- Contributing Writer
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties– We Don’t Have Each Other. Wonder Years vocalist Dan Campbell’s side project, a concept band. This first album begins the fictional story of lead singer West, with lyrics as detailed and potent as a novel and emo folk music that sounds like it’s coming out of a small, bare apartment across from the Neutral Milk Hotel.
Annalibera– Nevermind I Love You. In this dark debut from the Des Moines band, Anna Gebhardt and company combine influences ranging from shoegaze to 90s electro pop, and Americana church music to Enya, creating a midwest indie rock appropriate for sitting in the pitch black fields of Iowa at night, seeing the blinking lights of the windmills in unison that look like an alien invasion.
Kero Kero Bonito– Bonito Graduation. On the second album by the pop trio, they streamline their J-Pop and hyper pop influences to create a one of the most stunning, well produced, and re-listenable pop albums in recent memory, all while providing subtle tongue and cheek criticism of collegiate and post-grad society. Add in the lyrics in both English and Japanese and you have an album that is truly unlike anything else.
Scratchy Blanket– Something For Everyone. Shannon Keating fronts the Pittsburgh band whose infectious emo indie guitar pop perfectly invokes the feeling of being in the room depicted on the album cover, complete with sleeping cat and all.
Brianna DiGioia- Contributing Photographer
British Soccer– Cool Horse.
Desert Sharks– Baby’s Gold Death Stadium.
Love As Laugher– Laughter’s Fifth.
Midwife– Like Author, Like Daughter.
Suuns– Zeroes QC.
Chantal- Contributing Writer
Diskette Park– Hypomnesia. 80’s influenced synthwave, perfect for neon lights and night driving. Get it on cassette!
Lil Sluggers– Bells Below. Billing themselves as “theatrical art rock” this album has more than a little alt-country flair, and is a rollicking good time.
Psyche– All Things Pass Into The Night. This 10th anniversary edition of the original EP from the legendary band includes new tracks and remixes and will have all the goths dancing in the club.
Kate Bell- Contributing Writer
Big Joanie–
Back Home. If you don’t know about the Black feminist punk band Big Joanie, it’s time to get acquainted. Released last month on
Kill Rock Stars,
Back Home is their first full-length release since 2018’s
Sistahs (which is also fantastic). This superstar trio has been rocking the London DIY scene since 2013, and they will be on tour in the United States this spring. I got my tickets already for
their show at Union Pool, and I suggest you do the same.
Smiling Beth–
A Piano Walks Home Alone at Night. My band had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Smiling Beth a couple of weeks ago, and she was so original and refreshing. Beautiful voice, rippling keys and electronic looping, and Bjork-esque experimental energy. Jean Delkaste (aka Smiling Beth) recently moved to NYC from LA, and right now is playing solo (she formerly had a full band back in California). This avant-goth gay piano demon is truly unique.
Savak–
Human Error/Human Delight. The same night I discovered Smiling Beth, I also finally got to see Savak live! These indie rock heavy hitters released a new album,
Human Error/Human Delight, in April of this year, and later this month will release
Error/Delight which features remixes of the album created by other musicians (such as Mogwai and Dan Friel).
Weeping Icon–
Ocelli. I was among the fortunate to be at the EP release show that Weeping Icon played at Alphaville a couple of weeks ago (see my review)
Ocelli builds on the band’s exciting first self-titled release from 2019, and brings more of their pleasing political noise punk. You can check out Mike Borchardt’s FTA review of
Ocelli here.
Kevin McGann- Contributing Photographer
Disq– Desperately Imagining Someplace Quiet. Recently covered by FTA at their Baby’s All Right gig (see pics), this Wisconsin based band expands on their 2020 debut album. Whether its strumming along to a 60’s sounding pop jam, or rocking out to a 90’s indie vibe, or throwing some electronics/sound effects into the mix, Desperately Imagining finds Disq pushing themselves further and the album is all the better for it.
Jockstrap– I Love You Jennifer B. Fun, eclectic, dizzying (in the best way) debut by UK duo Jockstrap. Fellow music/theater graduates, Georgia Ellery and Taylor Skye, bring the drama on a diverse set of tracks that at times recall Bjork’s body of work which can waiver between accessible and inaccessible and sometimes within the same track.
Sorry – Anywhere But Here. North London’s Sorry released their sophomore album last month. “Tell Me” is a standout— it’s a stark look at post-breakups and builds from its quiet intro to a densely layered conclusion between guitar, synth, and vocal trade-off between Asha Lorenz and Louis O’Bryen. Where Human League was exuberantly asking “Don’t you want me, baby?” nearly 40 years ago, Sorry’s response is a more despondent, “Tell me where the sun will go down, I’ve been standing here on my own.”
Mike Borchardt- Contributing Writer
Dead Stars– Their entire catalog. The band is back. Maybe? We think. The fuzz rockers just played a show at the new Main Drag (see our coverage) which was their first time together on stage since before the pandemic. We hope this means there’s new stuff down the pike, but for now binge on their entire back catalog which is bursting catchy grunge-pop goodies.
Dead Tooth– Sporty Boy. Trash Casual heroes’ frantic ripper of a track to follow up their “Pig Pile” masterpiece from earlier this year. Read my full review here.
LaPeche– Blood in the Water. We recently covered their new single “Slight” (read here) but their 2021 LP Blood in the Water from New Granada Records is a nearly perfect record and spends a lot of time on our turntable at home.
Nevva– Fer Sher. One of our favorite records by one of our favorite bands. This punk rock trio slaps. Slaps hard. Nevva 4 eva!!
sock jock– anothernovember. The latest release from Totally Real Records is an indie rock gem and a beautiful piece of music. Read my full review here.
NickAD- Contributing Writer
Dezron Doulgas– ATALAYA.
The Dracu-Las– Fever Dream.
Homeboy Sandman– Still Champion.
Randy Gloss– …The Ayes Have It.
Ray Rusinak- Contributing Photographer
Fritz– Pastel. I recall when I first heard Pastel back in February 2021, thinking that I had discovered my first top ten album of the year (2021). A coming of age album by a 20 year old female from Newcastle, the lyric content theoretically shouldn’t have resonated with this old New York dude at all, but sonically, from the opening reverb heavy guitar strumming and the pounding thumping of the drums on “Sweetie,” I was immediately hooked.
The album is shoegazey but not quite shoegaze. It’s also dream poppy but likewise, not quite. I’m not sure if it was done on purpose but Tilly Murphy’s (FRITZ is pretty much her project) vocals are presented way low in the mix which I kind of like about the album, being as I said earlier, its the music and instrumentation which I truly love about this album anyway.
Unfortunately we haven’t gotten any new material from FRITZ in 2022, nor have we been blessed with them visiting our shores. But with that being said, Pastel has crushed the test of time and still more than stands up after almost 2 years of enjoyment.
Ghum– Bitter. GHUM hails from London and Bitter is their debut full length. Having released a pair of EP’s, The Coldest Fire and GHUM prior to pandemic, the subsequent lockdown didn’t do these women any favors in terms of getting their name out there. What it did was allow them to seriously hone their craft and sound. Bitter is, to say the least, a massive album. Massive in sonic terms not necessarily size, clocking in at just under 40 minutes. Lead vocalist, Laura Guerrero reminds me of PJ Harvey from the early 90’s. Originally from Spain she alternates singing in both English and Spanish. She also, stylistically, brings to mind a little bit of Jehnny Beth from the first Savages album. And as long as I’m bringing up Savages, this band reminds me a lot of that Savages feel. Upon first listen, the dark, subversive grit which I originally felt with Silence Yourself is exactly what I felt while listening to a song like “Shallow” from this LP. With its swirling guitar lines cascading into a whirlwind of angst, guitarist JoJo Khor emits a direct throwback to the understated yet mesmerizing melodic noodling which we came to love from Gemma Thompson.
One other thing, as I was listening to Bitter, I found myself turning up the volume on every song to the point that I was maxed out by the time it was over. It’s one of those albums which you wish you had an 11 on your volume control for.
by FTA Staff | Sep 2, 2022
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 LOTS 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, and June 2022.
Kate Hoos- Editor In Chief
Goolagoon– Life of Crime. “Patrickviolence” aka Deep sea queer powerviolence with a SpongeBob motif (though just artwork wise, not lyrically like other “theme” bands such as the X Files themed F. Emasculata or Ned Flanders themed Okilly Dokilly) I recently thought about this band and pulled them off the shelf again after a while. I don’t tend to be big into powerviolence in general, but there is something about this band that I’ve always loved. I’m not sure if they are still active and their most recent post on Instagram from earlier this summer reads: “GOOLAGOON has been committed—we have been unable to print more merch and play shows due to all of us being absolutely insane” but these songs still slay and stand tall. The title track which calls out abusive men is the real standout here and my favorite. Hope to see more from this band in the future, you know when they get back on the outside.
Julien Baker– B-Sides. Extra tracks from the Little Oblivions sessions that didn’t make the album, I find these three tracks excellent slices that show the past, present, and a nod to perhaps the future of Baker’s exceptional body of work. Read my full review.
Middle-Aged Queers– Too Fag For Love. I discovered this band right before I sat down to write out my entries for this list when I saw a show flyer for another band I know (the way I still discover a lot of music truth be told), and never has a band name felt closer to who I am. Proving us punx over 40 are still fun and dare I say flirty, this group hails from the Bay Area and has all the hallmarks of the classic Lookout! pop punk sound that I was obsessed with in the mid 90s (complete with a Green Day Kerplunk flower spoof t-shirt). It was love at first listen to their debut, Too Fag For Love, and I knew right away I had to include them on my list for this month. I also found myself forking over my gay ass money pretty much immediately for a copy of their 10inch record AND the accompanying “go fuck yourself” Golden Girls t-shirt. With merch like that and lyrics in their theme song like “We are the queers. The Middle-Aged Queers. We’re the fucking queers. Go fuck yourself” I think you all already know this band speaks to me on a deep level.
Surfyer– Surf In Blood. I’m not sure who is ready for this collection of ten Slayer shreds reworked to reverb soaked surf jams, but I sure as hell was when I learned of its existence. I’ve already established in this blog that I love off kilter covers (read our listicle of favorite covers) and this? Wow was this ever an example of that! So far these ten songs seem to be all the band ever did but here is holding out hope that they hit more thrash classics and drench them in reverb. SURF IS METAL METAL IS SURF \m/
Unsanitary Napkin– All Billionaires Are Bastards. Blistering anarcho-punk from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa, (Māori for Wellington, New Zealand). A deeply political band with razor sharp wit, absolutely ZERO words are minced on these 12 fucking rippers and I often find myself hitting play on track one again immediately after the last song is finished (that last song being a cover of the 1978 Crass classic “Do They Owe Us a Living?”). The stand out for me is “Dildo Baggins,” a minute and a half of pure rage with a beautifully nasty bass line and rapid fire drumming. Also quite possibly the only political song I’ve ever heard that combines mention of chucking sex toys at politicians (based on a 100% true story) with references to The Hobbit and Lucy Lawless—which you know is ticking a whole hell of a lot of boxes for me in one fell swoop.
Chantal- Contributing Writer
Bev Rage & The Drinks– Exes & Hexes. Fronted by drag queen Bev Rage, this Chicago-based group puts out fun poppy queer punk that will have you bouncing.
Folklore– Constellations Form And Fall Apart: Dadurday Light Soundtrack, Vol.1. Folklore is a band that put out a few albums of lush, story-based songwriting over a decade ago that I thoroughly enjoyed. They’ve resurfaced and are releasing music again, including this, a soundtrack to a series of video shorts which are easily enjoyed on their own.
The History of Heavy Metal Vol. 3– THE GOLDEN AGE OF THRASH: Thrash and Crossover 1983-1991.
The newest issue of the zine The History of Heavy Metal is finally here! Look for a forthcoming review on this blog; in the meantime, you can snag a copy right now.
Edwina Hay- Contributing Photographer
Big Joanie– Back Home. London’s Big Joanie will release their sophomore record on Kill Rock Stars in the US in November and I can’t wait to hear the full record when it is released then.
Katie Alice Greer– Barbarism. The former frontperson for the Washington, DC punk band Priests released a solo album in June.
The Koreatown Oddity– ISTHISFORREAL? I loved Little Dominique’s Nosebleed that was released in June 2020 and have been digging their newest album too.
Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire– This is a single originally released a decade ago that finally hit Bandcamp digitally in June but will be released on a 7″ in a couple of months. Features a b-side with Danny Brown and fellow NY rappers Despot, El-P, and Das Racist (RIP).
Wrecking Crew– Sedale Threat. Wrecking Crew (rappers Zilla Rocca, Curly Castro, and PremRock) released an album that takes its name after a basketball player that played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics and the L.A. Lakers.
Jenifun- Webmistress
Adwaith – Lipstick Coch. Every song on the album ‘Melyn’ is a banger, particularly this one.
Bad Waitress – Strawberry Milkshake. Can’t stop listening to this—so I’ve added it to three of my playlists and I don’t care.
Bis – This Is Fake D.I.Y. Blew me away when I was very young, and still does to this very day.
JOHN (TIMES TWO) – Future Thinker. Two piece punk with a gruff voiced lead singing drummer, enough said!
Petrol Girls – Fight For Our Lives Ft Janey Starling. Money from this Bandcamp-only release goes to LevelUp who help people access healthcare. It’s a common misnomer that abortion is legal in England, Scotland, and Wales, but it isn’t and there are actually significant barriers in place to prevent those seeking abortion care from receiving it. (Read more detailed info at the LevelUp link.)
Juliette Boulay- Contributing Photographer
Field Medic– uuu.
FREE THE BIRDS– s/t.
High– Dead.
Ovlov– am.
Sadurn– Radiator.
Space Camp– Inevitable Demise.
They Are Gutting a Body of Water– Destiny XL.
Venus Twins– Eat Your Dogs.
Kate Bell- Contributing Writer
Angel Olsen– Big Time.
Aviva Jaye– So Close.
The Crystal Furs– California Misses You.
Jane Doe Ensemble– The Corruption of What Cheer?
Kill Alters– Time Warp.
RaFia– Leave Me Alone.
The Shebangs– Now! Is When.
Underground System– Into The Fire.
Kevin McGann- Contributing Photographer
King Hannah– I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me. Liverpool duo Craig Whittle and Hannah Merrick recently released their gorgeous debut I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me. Low-key, moody, atmospheric sounds for fans of Mazzy Starr, PJ Harvey, and Portishead. Check out the subdued enthusiasm of ‘Go-Kart Kid (Hell No!).
Trash Moth– s/t. Recently featured in an FTA piece for the album release, Brooklyn’s Amelia Hazen unleashed her album Trash Moth on August 19th. See the article for more details on this labor of love.
TV Priest– My Other People. London post-punk band released their 2nd album My Other People in June as the follow up to their excellent debut Uppers. Finally able to tour after not hitting the road for their debut album in 2021, TV Priest has been tearing up stages including NYC’s own Baby’s All Right earlier this summer.
Mike Borchardt- Contributing Writer
Baby Delgado– Don’t Cry. Some industrial heavy synthy goth goodness perfect for dancing while out roaming and embracing the night.
Bummer Camp– s/t. The long awaited release from the self-proclaimed goth pop rocker dropped last week. Dive face-first into layers upon layers of sound that evoke melancholic Summer evenings, shed some tears as you peel away the onion and discover Eli Frank.
Dad– Human Garbage. The original Dad is back and their 2022 release Human Garbage will knock you down and rip your face off. Still heavy as fuck, get ready to party with your Dad like it’s 2017 all over again.
The Royal They– Foreign Being. Completely sold out of every copy. Ages ago. But the band is back after a three year complete silence and are working on new material, so in the meantime, why not revisit this 2018 masterpiece? And if you message the band, maybe they can find you a spare cassette tape that fell thru the cracks, but probably not.
A Very Special Episode– Fix Your Hearts or Die. Do you like noisy guitars, thunderous drums, and killer vocals? You (along with everyone else) probably already scooped this David Lynch inspired red vinyl soundscape, but if for some reason you haven’t, the band has a few remaining copies in stock.
Nick AD- Contributing Writer
Harvest of Ash– Ache and Impulse. Pulverizing, yet melodic doom/sludge out of Salt Lake City.
Heavy Looks– Apathy. Power pop from Madison, Wisconsin. First record in 7 years!
KMES.– King Mike Entertainment System. Fun and infectious garage rock from Screaming Females bassist, King Mike! Also featuring Jenna Fairey of Spowder on drums.
TEEEL– We Live Here Now. Meticulously crafted and executed synthpop, maybe the best of TEEEL’s long career. “Airport Rosé” is a Song of the Year contender.
Ray Rusinak- Contributing Photographer
Lee Baines & The Glory Fires– Old-Time Folks. Alabama native, Lee Bains III and his band, The Gloryfires, released what just might be my favorite 2022 album. Baines, who has a NY connection in that he went to NYU, throughout his career has struggled with his rural southern roots and what it means to be a progressive southerner in today’s society. This dichotomy has played a heavy hand throughout his previous recorded output, from There Is A Bomb In Gilead (not available on Bandcamp) through Deconstructed through Youth Detention as it still does on this new one. The difference this time is, Baines decided to purposely tone down the loud scorching distortion filled guitars and with the help of Athens, GA’s David Barbe (producer). Baines’ poignant and thought provoking words truly shine on this one. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.
