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Sleep Theory: Massive Tour Announcements + “Fallout” Music Video

17Nov

By CJNo Comments

Events, Features, Music

Sleep Theory: Massive Tour Announcements + “Fallout” Music Video

Earlier this year, we wrote about an up-and-coming band that you're about to see everywhere... almost literally. In this case, I'm referring to hard rock quartet, Sleep Theory, whose excellent Paper Hearts EP dropped back in September on Epitaph Records, and who is about to hit the road for nearly six months after supporting artists like Shinedown, Set it Off, I Prevail, and Badflower all year. Yeah. You read that right: there are opportunities to catch Sleep Theory live in concert every month through May 2024. As far as current events go, the band also shared a new, apocalyptic music video for "Fallout", the opening track from their debut EP, via Knotfest. This new video continues the motifs found throughout the video for "Numb", which was also heavy on the end-of-the-world ty...

Visually Stunning ‘Suzume’ is Streaming Now on Crunchyroll (Review)

17Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Visually Stunning ‘Suzume’ is Streaming Now on Crunchyroll (Review)

'Suzume' is the latest feature film from acclaimed writer-director Makoto Shinkai. Upon its release in Japan last fall, it became a massive hit. It's currently the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. In America, it grossed nearly $11 million, which is no small feat for an international animated movie. I am hardly an expert on anime, but I thoroughly enjoyed Shinkai's previous films, 'Your Name' (streaming on Crunchyroll ) and 'Weathering With You' (streaming on Max). Those had me very interested in what he would do next, so I was excited to watch this. The storyline pays tribute to those impacted by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan, often referred to as 3.11. This tragedy caused the meltdown of the reactors at a nuclear plant in Fukushima. While '...

Birthmark: Nate Kinsella To Drop First Album in 8 Years

16Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Birthmark: Nate Kinsella To Drop First Album in 8 Years

Cover Art Photo by Shervin Lainez In a thrilling comeback, Nate Kinsella, the mastermind behind Birthmark, has announced the release of the project's first album in eight years. Titled Birth of Omni the album is set to drop on January 19th, 2024 courtesy of Polyvinyl Records. Kinsella, a seasoned multi-instrumentalist known for his contributions to indie favorites like Joan of Arc, American Football, and Make Believe. The new material promises a unique sonic experience, marking a departure from his previous works. The lead single, "Rodney" is accompanied by a visually striking music video directed by Ben Wietmarschen. The song delves into Kinsella's personal journey of self-discovery, grappling with his sexuality and the societal expectations of masculinity. Featuring guest vocals f...

New Year, New Album: Laura Jane Grace’s ‘Hole In My Head’

13Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

New Year, New Album: Laura Jane Grace’s ‘Hole In My Head’

Polyvinyl Record Co. and Laura Jane Grace have joined forces to announce the upcoming release of Hole In My Head. The release marks the Emmy-nominated artist's first album since 2021's At War With The Silverfish. Recorded at Native Sound in St. Louis, MO, with David Beeman and mixed by Matt Allison, the album features warm '50s rock-influenced guitar riffs, introspective lyrics, and reflections on a punk life well-lived. Laura Jane Grace's commanding vocals take center stage, accompanied primarily by her performances on guitar and drums. Drive-By Truckers bassist Matt Patton contributes to over half the album, enriching the sound with a full-band experience. New Music Already having revealed the acclaimed fan favorite "Dysphoria Hoodie," Grace has introduced the title track, ...

Album Review: Green Lung – ‘This Heathen Land’

10Nov

By Martin CroftNo Comments

Features, Music, Reviews

Album Review: Green Lung – ‘This Heathen Land’

Since their inception in 2017, London-based heavy metal quintet Green Lung have grown from a tiny underground band to a cult favorite and recent signee with one of the genre's most beloved labels, Nuclear Blast Records. Through their journey, they have gained some serious love from the heavy metal community, and that trend looks to continue with their third full-length release, This Heathen Land. Green Lung is likely to land on a lot of black t-shirt wearers' "Best of 2023" lists with their winning formula of tight, massive composition, excellent production, and their unique take on heavy metal's lyrical conventions. Occult Following A metal band using pagan religious imagery in their lyrics is not new, but it's the specific themes Green Lung draws inspiration from that make their w...

Sofia Coppola Explores Love and Loss with ‘Priscilla’ (Review)

10Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Sofia Coppola Explores Love and Loss with ‘Priscilla’ (Review)

Priscilla Presley was little more than a footnote in Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' last year, despite being his only wife. For her eighth feature film, Sofia Coppola turns the tables and puts the focus on Priscilla's formative years. Based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll, we are introduced to Priscilla when she is just 14. An American teenager living in Germany while her Air Force officer father was stationed there, she is lonely and homesick. Then, she meets Elvis. Already a worldwide star, Elvis was drafted into the Army and served from 1958 to 1960. He took a shine to Priscilla, but because of her age, he was cautious about going too far in their relationship. Or so we're led to believe. As they fel...

Judah & the Lion Featuring K.Flay: A Collaborative Triumph On “Son of a Gun”

9Nov

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

Judah & the Lion Featuring K.Flay: A Collaborative Triumph On “Son of a Gun”

Photo credit: Robby Klein Indie folk sensation Judah & The Lion is making waves with their latest release, "Son of a Gun (feat. K.Flay)." The band, consisting of Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald, continues to redefine genre boundaries with their unique blend of Americana, folk, hip-hop, pop, and alternative influences. "Son of a Gun," featuring the talented K.Flay, is a dynamic track that combines catchy melodies with irreverent lyricism. The song delves into the struggle of sustaining hope amidst overwhelming anger, providing a bouncing rhythm that conceals a substantial undercurrent of emotion. Judah Akers explains that the song, written during the onset of the pandemic, captures the swirling emotions of the time, with a special nod to his collaborator, Kristine, whom he hails ...

Shadow Work: Dark, Dreamy Art Rock Worth Hearing

8Nov

By Martin CroftNo Comments

Features, Music

Shadow Work: Dark, Dreamy Art Rock Worth Hearing

Denver's music scene gets associated primarily with folk music--and for good reason. When one of the most beloved folk singers in history names himself after a city, it sets a precedent of sorts. But the Mile High City contains multitudes, and many talented artists in all manner of genres await discovery. Case in point: Alt-pop breakouts N3ptune and Rusty Steve, who we previously covered, and dynamic rock trio, Shadow Work. Shadow Work melds gloom-soaked psychedelic soundscapes with jazzy rhythms and off-kilter time signatures to create an ambient and arresting atmosphere punctuated by washed-out waves of distortion. Listening to them evokes the feeling of standing on a beach in deep space, staring out at an ocean of stars, or of lying on your bed at night, staring at your ceiling and ...

5Nov

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Music

Enter the Creative World of Cybrfly

The act of DJing is nothing short of an art form. Being able to create a cohesive collage (of sorts) out of other artists' tunes is not an easy feat. Sure, anyone can build a decent playlist, but it takes a special sort of talent to mix the music together--to create an experience, one that's both engaging and organic all the way through. If you need proof of this fact, please turn your attention to Cybrfly, a SoCal-based DJ and music producer hailing from the wave scene, and her latest cinematic mix, 'The Monarch: Vol 3." Over the years, Cybrfly has curated a couple series of mixes for fans to enjoy. Through these mixes, Cybrfly shows off her great ear for music--and her skill at weaving sounds together into electronic journeys unlike any other. If you were lucky enough to catch C...

What to Watch: November 2023 Streaming Preview

3Nov

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

What to Watch: November 2023 Streaming Preview

If you’re looking for something new on streaming in November we’ve got you covered. Check out some of our picks for what you should add to your November streaming watchlist! What are you most excited to see? Newly Available on VOD this November The Kill Room (available now) Dumb Money (Digital purchase only, November 7, rental on November 21) Scrapper (November 7) Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (November 7) Dicks: The Musical (PVOD, November 10) The Other Zoey (November 10) The Creator (PVOD, November 17) Oppenheimer (November 21 - get ready for 'Barbenheimer' at home!) Five Nights at Freddy's (November 28, available now on Peacock) https://youtu.be/bmr8YmwnZ3w?si=qgn3kqGkKJDDZ9rl *PVOD titles are fresh from theatrical release and generally rent...