Philadelphia’s Franklin Music Hall recently got an incredible visit from the one and only Arlo Parks and the Collapsed in Sunbeams tour. This beautiful and dynamic album explores different stories of conflict, love, and pain, each with a unique tone. It has been tremendously well received, and won the prestigious Mercury Prize. The album has been a WRSU staple since its release in 2021, and I am so happy I got to see it performed live.
Many Arlo Parks fans are especially fond of her vulnerability and poetic writing. There are countless mentions of the music inspiring her fans and helping them confront their emotions. Arlo Parks is known for releasing imaginative music that touches on very personal experiences, and her authenticity shines through the entirety of the album. Deeply inspired by poetry, many of the songs’ lyrics are expressive and vivid.
Sea Hear Now 2022 was an absolute blast, and with one look at the lineup and location it’s not hard to see why. Beachfront since 2018, this was my personal first year going and the first WRSU has gone as well and I cannot say it enough, boy was it ever so impressive. This was a festival of firsts, my first time seeing a lot of the bands on this lineup despite listening to most of them for years, the first time as I mentioned the station has attended the event, and the first time I attended the event, and the first festival I’ve covered personally too. What a way to start, the weather was beautiful, it wasn’t too cold or hot, it was nice and breezy, and this paired with the literal coolest lineup, how could you lose?
In Asbury Park this past Wednesday, August 17th, Snail Mail brought her tour with Hotline TNT and new college radio favorites, Momma to The Stone Pony for a sold out show, my personal first show on the inside of the Stone Pony in a while, and only my second time taking pictures of one. The three bands brought an unbelievably confident, unforgettable energy to their performances and proved to be one of the most exciting shows I’ve been to in a while. I am so happy I got to go to this show, my second outing taking concert photos was incredible and I have these bands to thank for that. The show was fun from start to finish, without a single second of boredom in any of the sets.
“Roman Candles”, the new single by Indie-rock legends Death Cab for Cutie, signifies a rebirth in their sound to fit current musical trends. Featuring high-fidelity reverberation and distortion-guitar effects over their signature soft vocal melodies, DCFC produces a sound incomparable to anything they did on previous releases. The song is not a relaxing listen like the lo-fi-esque releases they are known for, as the heavy guitar/synth sounds are discordant to the vocals, producing an anxious and foreboding feeling. Though, despite its unusual sound, it feels resolute and complete overall, leaving the listener with a feeling of satisfaction by the end.
The song begins with a deep-punching rhythm of drums and bass before introducing vocals. The lyricist and primary songwriter, Ben Gibbard takes a different approach to lyrics on this release. Rather than writing this song to someone else or a group of people, the song is mainly introspective. The focus is on the everyday, such as getting a cup of coffee and waking up. The relatable nature of the song is extended to the line “everyone moving while i’m standing still”. This is definitely a feeling which we all felt over the past two years, as everyone was socially disconnected from each other and had no idea how others were handling the situation. Over blaring synthesizer leads, Ben Gibbard’s vocals are conversely relaxed and steady to create something pleasant in the presence of what seems like a disordered song. While the lyrics indicate a disconnection from others, there is also a bit of relief, as there is the realization of what one can let go of from their past. During the global quarantine, we all felt the sorrow of not being able to see others, but also the relief of learning more about ourselves and our personal needs apart from others. Coming out of quarantine, the difficulty which the lyrics describe is the letting go of that which you do not want to bring back into your life post-quarantine. The overarching relation to Roman Candles, a firework which one sets off from their own arm, is that this is an astonishing and brave act of an individual. There is pain in letting go, but also importance and personal amazement that comes with it. Ben Gibbard is notable for creating lyrics which turn a grave situation into something understandable, yet comfortable in its understandable nature. Rather than focus on the negative aspects of life, he creates a narrative of the world which is realistically harmonious and succinct to provoke feelings of joy and personal connection even in the worst of situations.
It is no surprise to fans that this single is so different from previous releases, as since their formation in 1997, DCFC have remained consistently inventive and undefinable. There are few artists which release albums that are each enjoyed by separate groups of fans. It is as if each album exists on its own. Many original fans may know them for their first trio of lo-fi-rock albums released between 1998 and 2001. Meanwhile, some more contemporary listeners may know them for You Can Play These Songs With Chords, Transatlanticism, Plans, and Narrow Stairs. And listeners of recent may know them for Codes and Keys, Kintsugi, and Thank You For Today, which have had many singles featured on college radio stations in the past few years. Though, each album remains enjoyable to loyal fans, as the themes and song elements are familiar, despite their differences. Asphalt Meadows, which comes out September 16th, is a complete mystery to fans, as no one is certain what direction the band will go in with their sound. Though based on past releases, there is faith amongst fans that this release will not disappoint.
Celebrating the release of their new record, Emotional Creature, fan favorite pop-rock group Beach Bunny took the stage at Brooklyn Steel this past August 6th to showcase songs off the new release as well as additional hits off 2021’sBlame Game EP, and 2020’s full-length Honeymoon.
Beach Bunny is one of the rare bands that has been in my rotation for a while and I absolutely refuse to get tired of, and the new record didn’t disappoint even for a second. Songs like “Entropy”, and “Oxygen” were immaculate as well as captivating. The record came out as a sonically inventive, and thematically purposeful work of art. From the carefully written lyrics to the tight pop-rock instrumentals you can’t help but move a little but whenever you’re listening. The same held true for Honeymoon, from start to finish the album held not a single skip. I’m so happy I got to see the two albums and even songs from the Blame Game EP played out in a live setting. Beach Bunny impressed, and then some.
Photo Credit: Matt Keenan
Beach Bunny’s performance in a live setting was another highlight, the group consistently engaged the crowd and you could feel the love in the room as the audience knew every single word to every single song. Very rarely do you ever feel the love in a big venue like Brooklyn Steel, love so powerful it makes the big venue feel so small, but Beach Bunny’s one of a kind connection to the audience through their project after project proof that they are one of a kind did just that.
Beach Bunny is a band I honestly am so passionate about, and am so happy I had the opportunity to come out and cover for my first ever show coverage. It was a privilege to share this memory with a band so important to me. Taking photos at Brooklyn Steel of the band was such a cool experience if you haven’t already, go stream their music or make it out to a show I couldn’t possibly recommend it any more.
You can stream Emotional Creature, and the rest of Beach Bunny’s catalog on all major streaming platforms, and tune in to hear them on WRSU New Brunswick this Fall and beyond.
The new album from Australian post-punk band WAAX has just arrived August 12th, after the release of singles like “No Doz,” “Most Hated Girl,” the Linda Perry co-written “Dangerous” and “Read Receipts.” The album, At Least I’m Free has been released via Australian label, Dew Process. The album also comes with a video for the single “No Doz”, which you can stream here.
To introduce you to the band, WAAX was formed in 2013 and through rigorous touring and living in the Australian music industry, the band found their first form of stability in their 2019 debut Big Grief, which would see them place in the Hottest 100, tour the States and play SXSW, and play triumphant sets at UNIFY and Splendour In The Grass. The group is known for this unmistakable raw energy which they time and time again reconstruct in their live performances and releases.
The new album has these piercing layers of guitars, energetic vocals, supported by a solid, punchy rhythm section to provide for an energy you can feel from through your phone. To me, the guitars on “Most Hated Girl” are reminiscent of the intro to “Art School” by Remo Drive, with that cutting energetic feeling that WAAX executes so beautifully. The record combines familiarity with something fresh for me which makes it so inviting, it’s that punk sound you’ve heard before but WAAX has a way of making it come off so individual and bringing a fresh sound to a genre I thought I knew.
All things considered, every track feels like it is meant to be there and the combination of familiarity and individuality rolled up into this one fun record provides for a fun listen. You can stream the new album, “At Least I’m Free” now on all major streaming platforms.
There’s nothing more quintessentially Queens than a free Action Bronson concert in the iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park featuring some of Bronson’s favorite collaborators.
Fresh out of his intense outdoor workout, Bronson was ready to bring that same determined energy to the sea of anticipating fans. In a bright neon green muscle tee, and with his sweat bands still on his arms, Action Bronson graced SummerStage with a roaring confidence. Bronson—completely wordless—waited as fans cheered and hollered, yelling out “Mr. Baklava!”
The crowd’s excitement only intensified as the Parisian-and-Italian-1970s-style classical music blasts through the speakers and Bronson begins to rap “Knock, knock, knock it out the box, Bronson” off his hit track “DMTri” with The Alchemist. For much of the concert, this is how it goes down: one of the most beautiful beats you’ve ever heard plays; followed by a series of unforgettable, classic Bronsonliño lines with nonstop audience participation; and perhaps, an extra instrumental solo by Yung Mehico.
Recently releasing another unskippable LP, Cocodrillo Turbo, this spring, Bronson made sure to play all the fan favorites off the record. Songs like “Subzero,” “Jaguar,” and “Tongpo” had quite a crowd reception, but it wasn’t until “Estaciones” started playing, when things got really fun. One of my personal favorites off the album, because of the song’s dramatic and intense piano chords accompanied by some of the most outlandish lyrical shit-talking, “Estaciones” gets the rapper riled up. Dumbfounded, he raps, “Bitch, get the fuck up off me, don’t try to kiss me with your lips all chalky,” and fan laughter quickly followed. He brings the song’s collaborator, Hologram, on stage to go bar for bar with Bronson and deliver the most iconic verse off the album.
But what’s better than one special guest? Two. The legendary producer, The Alchemist, pulled up to pump up the crowd with the classics, “Terry” and a very sentimental tribute to Mac Miller with “Red Dot Music.”
To end the show, Action brought out his son to say a last few words (which included a very long “goodbyeeeeeee”) and in true Bronson fashion, he told us to meet him at the Colombian Festival inside the park.
It was around this time three years ago that I heard Prince Daddy & The Hyena for the first time. I was cruising around my hometown with my best friends and blasting music with the windows down without a care in the world. Nothing was more exhilarating for a bunch of 17 year old suburbanites who just got their licenses. Toward the end of the night, someone decided to play “I Lost My Life”, the opening track to Prince Daddy & The Hyena’s second LP Cosmic Thrill Seekers. What I didn’t know at that moment was that I was about to listen to my favorite band for the first time. Hearing lead singer Kory Gregory’s signature blood curdling screams over an acoustic guitar was equal parts jarring and fascinating. Once the acoustic instrumental gave way to crashing electric guitars and drums that matched the intensity of the vocals, I had fallen in love. Prince Daddy’s punk party anthems about weed and feeling inadequate were right up my alley in terms of music taste and relatability. I would have been just fine with them releasing the same type of music for the rest of their careers, but Prince Daddy is a band with greater aspirations than sticking to a formula. With the recent release of their self-titled third LP via Pure Noise Records, Prince Daddy & The Hyena have shown that they are maturing into the band they were always meant to become.
Prince Daddy & The Hyena is a journey that began in November 2018. The band was driving home at the end of a tour during a blizzard when their van slid off the highway and crashed into a snow plow. Thankfully, everyone was okay, but Kory Gregory came away from that crash with a haunting thought: the undeniable truth that life is impermanent and that we do not know what comes next. Also known as thanatophobia, death anxiety had plagued Gregory’s mind, and it was in this state that Prince Daddy & The Hyena was written. The result: a concept album about the fear of death.
The opening track “Adore The Sun” lures in the listener with its ethereal sound complete with uncharacteristically clean vocals. In this track he is struggling to appreciate the beauty in life because of the dark thoughts that sprout from his obsession with death. As it comes to a close, the track seamlessly transitions into the punk rager “A Random Exercise in Impermanence (The Collector)”, indicating that Gregory’s fear of death has won over and the true journey of this record has begun. It sounds like a car crash as he belches “the passenger almost died today”, which alludes to the accident that started it all, but also to a character from Cosmic Thrill Seekers called the passenger which is an extension of Gregory himself. In addition to the passenger, this track introduces a recurring character called the collector, representing death and/or depression in corporal form. Throughout the album, a lot of the previously mentioned “dark thoughts” are portrayed through this new character.
The run of tracks that follow only continue to perpetuate the idea of a car crash as you are whipped back and forth between slow, fast, heavy, and light sounds. Regardless of the style that Prince Daddy goes for, the lyrics are sure to be dark. Weezer-esque “Jesus F*****g Christ” gets bitter about religion, and “Something Special” sounds like a fun campfire sing-along but lyrically describes being followed and harassed by (what I assume to be) the collector. Gregory sings, “As if a puppeteer, he whispers in my ear / ‘You goddamn kids, I’m the son of a bitch who makes it hard to sleep / I’m never gonna leave’ / Dear God, just leave”. Both these tracks explore the obsessive nature of Gregory’s mind; no matter how hard he tries to avoid his thoughts about death, they always come back. For a moment, however, a glimpse of optimism is expressed in the emotionally intelligent “El Dorado”. This track opens with a synth-led verse that references “Adore The Sun” to reiterate that Gregory struggles to appreciate the beauty in life. This time around, he attempts to break free from the shackles of his mental health. Ripping electric guitars cut through the synths as he sings “Let’s give it a fresh start tomorrow / let’s try to shine like el dorado / symmetry don’t come easily”. The chorus sounds like it could be from an entirely different song, but Prince Daddy finds a way to make these different sounds mesh perfectly. “El Dorado” is the first of many highlights in this chaotic LP.
“Hollow, As You Figured” eliminates any hint of optimism from the previous track as Gregory admits, “Well I found my god and he’s hollow as you figured / He’s just one big black rodent that chews apart my liver and spreads black mold”. I interpreted this god as another instance of the collector, this time influencing Gregory to turn to alcohol as a form of escapism relating to his death anxiety. With the collector now as his god, he continues to explain, “If he tells me to hurt myself / Damn it, I’ll give it hell / Who am I to disobеy?” This track is heavy, theatrical, and creates an unsettling atmosphere; put that all together and you have a song that feels like a horror movie. This fervent track features a fiery guitar solo at the end that is likely to spawn the most intense mosh pits at their shows.
Following “Hollow” comes “Curly Q”, an affectionate and melodic track that is in the running for one of my favorite songs of all time. Gregory wrote this one as a warning to his nephew about the world he is being brought into. Between anxiety about the changing climate and his personal experiences with mental health, Gregory fears for his nephew’s future and wants him to understand that he can find ways to get by in the midst of all the ugly he will inevitably endure. The weight of the emotions behind this track are translated perfectly by the music, as it is instrumentally gentle and lyrically personal. “Curly Q” finishes with a sentimental guitar solo that contrasts the intensity of that from the previous track. This trend of epic end-of-song guitar solos continues for the next three tracks and makes for some of the best moments of this 42 minute LP, especially in “Keep Up That Talk”. The true highlight of Prince Daddy & The Hyena is the slow burn 9 minute track “Black Mold”. Written about a time when Gregory’s depression nearly cost him his life, this track utilizes the collector as a way to confront his darkest thoughts. It is a heartbreaking yet genius piece of writing that is perfectly in line with everything that this record is about. It opens with a haunting voicemail from an old friend of Gregory’s played over an eerie drawn out synth and a guitar riff reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Creep”. The vocal performance is what really steals the show here. Each line is delivered in a way that perfectly conveys the emotions behind the words, making for a hard-hitting final product. Despite this feeling like a conclusion to the album, there is still one more track to discuss. After the emotionally dense “Black Mold”, “Baby Blue” flips the switch and leaves the listener with the sentiment that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It feels like a glimpse into the future where all the darkness explored in this record has been worked through and life feels normal again. For being the final track in an album that focuses on death and depression, “Baby Blue” fits surprisingly well, and implores the listener to ponder the message that Prince Daddy & The Hyena is trying to send.
Overall, Prince Daddy & The Hyena is a phenomenal album. Prince Daddy successfully explored a myriad of ways that Gregory’s thanatophobia impacted his life, making for a coherent concept album. They also took every opportunity to experiment with their sound throughout the 13 tracks, and nailed it each time. This caused the album to be so diverse that the next step in their evolution is impossible to predict. Thankfully, this is not a threat to Prince Daddy & The Hyena’s future as this album serves as proof that they thrive on unpredictability.
Favorite Tracks: “Black Mold”, “Curly Q”, “Shoelaces”, “Keep Up That Talk”, “Hollow, As You Figured”, “El Dorado”
Rating: 9/10
For more Prince Daddy and the Hyena, visit the links below:
PTR performing at Boston Calling 2022, photo by Deven Sukhdeo
The Peach Tree Rascals (PTR) are a music collective from California best known for their wholesome sound and viral song “Mariposa”. I recently had the chance to interview the very lovable group at Boston Calling 2022, a music festival that they performed at this summer.
The group considers themselves a family and each of the members have a fun and dynamic personality. Despite all of the fun they have, they also are very hardworking and talented.
Here is a brief introduction to each of the members-
Tarrek is a singer and songwriter for the group. He claims that, “It don’t matter the time or place. If you tell me to shake it, I will shake it.” He later says that, “I would survive the titanic…I’m built different.”
Jorge describes himself as, “The creative director… I have asthma, and I am allergic to peaches (ironically).”
Joseph is a singer songwriter with a ketchup phobia. Other members of PTR mention, “We thought he was lying at first.”
Dom plays piano and helps to produce PTR’s music. He introduced himself by saying, “I like to dance.” The others mention that, “We don’t let Dom decide where we eat. He has the taste buds of a 4-year old.”
Jasper plays guitar during live shows and also helps with producing and songwriting. He ensures that, “At any moment I can strip down.”
Isac introduces himself as, “A rapper, philosopher, and philanthropist. I’m working on my phd in bio-genetics…I’ve worked almost everyone here on the basketball court.”
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We had a wild conversation about everything from MythBusters to cooking adobo chicken. But, despite all the goofiness, there were also a lot of moments where the boys were candid about their background and success.
They are a very diverse group – Joseph is Filipino and Tarrek is Palistinian. Jorge, Issac, Jasper, and Dom are all Mexican. We talked about how that diversity manifested itself in positive ways for the group.
Issac said, “Most of us have immigrant parents. We take their work ethic and we bring that into the studio. Growing up around that, it’s easy for us to work hard and put our heads down until success comes.”
They also mentioned that the success has been more than just superficial for them.
“There are perks that come with the success; we were able to help our families.”
The Peach Tree Rascals are at a pivotal point in their career, where they are gaining lots of positive attention from critics and fans alike. This is where celebrities often begin to focus on fame and status and lose touch with who they are. But despite having over three hundred million monthly Spotify listeners, they love each and every fan, and their positivity and personality shines through all of their work.
Boston Calling is Boston’s premier annual music festival that takes Boston by storm every Memorial Day weekend. Taking place in Harvard’s Athletic Complex, over 40,000 fans gathered here for three days to see some of the world’s best musicians. The festival was first founded in 2012, and it has since become one of the most popular music festivals in the United States. This year’s lineup was headlined by powerhouse acts from Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. There was something for everyone, from Hip Hop and Rap with EARTHGANG to 2010’s classics from Avril Lavigne. Some fan favorite acts include Charlotte Sands, Peach Tree Rascals, and Pom Pom Squad.
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