Concert Throwback: Declan McKenna

Since I just reviewed Declan McKenna’s newest musical release, Zeroes, I figured I’d throw it back to the time I got to see him live! And at an incredibly tiny, local venue for that matter! Bliss. This guy is a true talent for his youth and I enjoyed every second of the performance. Even my friend who I dragged along with me had a great time! Once we’re out of this quarantine hell, go catch him in concert!

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Concert Throwback: Cute is What We Aim For

It’s a mouthful of a band name, but my middle school emo self loved Cute is What We Aim For so very much. Sadly, the first time I had the chance to see them in concert was about 13 years after I started listening to them. But it was such a great show, and lead singer Shaant Hacikyan was so genuinely happy to meet the fans! When he found out how long I’d been listening to them he squeezed me in a hug so tight that I thought my smile was going to split my face in two. Then approximately five years later I got to see them again! He was just as kind this time around. It wouldn’t be a Cute is What We Aim For show if they didn’t play hits like “There’s a Class for This” and “Moan,” but they also manage to mix it up and play some acoustically, which really adds a special elements to the shows. The band has undergone several lineup changes and they’ve released new music occasionally, but I really hope I get the chance to see them again sooner rather than later. Either way, a real talent, and so impressive live!

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New Music Review: Joywave

There’s always a part of me that likes to just go and listen to the same old stuff that I’ve been listening to for the past fifteen years, but then there’s a part of me that wants to find new music. While Joywave is not a band that has just entered my life, I have waited a few weeks too many to listen to their latest outing, Possession. Let me tell you, this record rules! Unlike a few of the last albums I’ve listened to, this one slapped all the way through, and that is quite the accomplishment!

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Album Review: AWOLNATION, Angel Miners & the Lightening Riders

Don’t you just love new music? I sure do. And I was beyond pumped to finally have AWOLNATION’s latest record grace my ears this weekend. It’s been a surprisingly quick two years since their last effort, so back when they released their first single, “The Best,” I became increasingly excited for the full-length.

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Album Review: Bear Hands, Fake Tunes

One of my favorite alternative bands, Bear Hands, finally released their latest full-length album, Fake Tunes, nearly three years after one of my favorite records ever, You’ll Pay for This was ironically (or not) released on tax day. This album was a strong follow-up and I’ll certainly be listening to this in the pool all summer long!

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