News

Sheeple! Let go and dance yourself unsick with a pogoing slice of prime ur-punk. Unlike many of the bands that defined their era, No Trend wore their name like a prophecy, and are among the 80s most enduring sounds as a result. With a rolling bassline that would make Public Image Ltd. jealous and nauseous waves of Frank Price's guitar noise, "Cancer" bounces with a perverse energy as Jeff Mentges' vocals sear through the din. As with much of No Trend's catalog, cynical lyrics testify to the knowability of truth beyond the endless corruption of men... (read more)

To help take even the tiniest edge off during these isolated times, we've asked our amazing arists if there's anything they wanna share, shout about, rave up, or simply give fans while we're all holed up in our bunkers. Today we have a succinct, touching missive from Haley Fohr of Jackie Lynn, who wrote to us overnight from an undisclosed hideout spot in Chicago. She's also whipped up a Spotify playlist for us to kick it back and groove with, Quartz n tea. Read on and... (read more)

Enlightenment! Everybody wants some. Friends, the path through new musical discoveries leads through phases of darkness and light - at least in Masaki Batoh's world, a difficult place whether or not the gods come to save us, but one with a happy ending for us if we accept the terms and climb the mountain of inspiration through many travails and make it so. Throughout his forthcoming album Smile, Jesus Loves You, Batoh takes us over these great distances and allows us to hear and feel the... (read more)

During this current period of isolation, the What News trio of Alasdair Roberts, David MacGuiness and Amble Skuse have emerged with two new songs, right in time for Easter! The A-side is the trio's take on "Easter Parade" and "Maria Muoter" contains a gorgeous rendering of a 'flagellant song' from the days of The Black Death thus creating a release of semi-disembodied music made of vocals, piano and electronic manipulation of ancient music to apply to recurrent aches today.
 

A note from Meg Baird about "Cross Bay":

"The mix dates for my upcoming solo record were among the many, too many cancellations of this unimaginable spring we're sharing. But I wanted to go ahead and release one of the songs in progress-just case it could help to raise some funds for meals, shelter and support for some of my most vulnerable neighbors.

This song is a mash of abstractions. But one verse was written... (read more)

How many days has it been? If you're like us, looking for something meaningful and enjoyable during this mess, well you've come to the right place. And, for those who find the passage of time a one-way process of attrition, here's good news for you. In the eight years since AZITA's last long-player, her fevered brain has barely rested, and the proof is a new song of unbounded activity, entitled "Shooting Birds Out Of The Sky"!

"Shooting Birds Out Of The Sky" is a... (read more)

A way station for a lot of young talents-in-waiting, Box of Chocolates hailed from the still-forbidding borough of Brooklyn at the end of the 1980s, with their one album released at the dawn of the 90's. A collective rooted in filmmaking, they nonetheless were drawn to guitars and drums and anything else they could find for music making purposes. Contributors include a future ethnomusicologist, a 2019 Tony Award Winner, an important member of early Phish Mythology, a Honduran immigrant and the 'Prince' of Palace Music,... (read more)

Not two men – a wolf! Not just any wolf – a Superwolf. Spawned by Matt Sweeney and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, this mythical creature has roamed the wildernet (and most reality-based elsewheres) in LP/CD/CS/DL/DS/live concert and of course, promotional poster forms since 2005. Still, its plus-sized ambitions have always suggested MORE – but what? A film? Cartoon series? Children’s vitamin? Farmer’s friend? Intimate inanimate? Presidential anti-candidate? Every year, the list of potential nu-manifestations expands. So, with a swelling, itching braintrust, we returned to... (read more)

We here at Drag City love to give our artists a platform from which their voice can be heard (it's actually our literal job!), so for these isolated times, we've asked them if there's anything they wanna share, shout about, rave up, or simply give while we're all holed up in our bunkers. One of the very first responders was none other than premier voice of the people, Laetitia Sadier! Today she shares an essay ruminating on healthcare, government leadership, and humanity (oh my!),... (read more)

With Both, terminal collaborator Bill Nace (Body/Head, Thurston Moore) has found a stimulating, chiaroscuro-stubbled path back to the electric guitar's anarchic promise, drawn through eight colorful pieces that are equal parts sound, noise and music. It's free guitar for the new age: improv with intention, construction and destruction, all with the grain and air of performance captured and telescoped in a sonic particle collider. Makes sense, and not just because of the chaotic times!
 

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