Wrené & Caijo Serve Up Industrial Fusion with “Cannibal (The Lost Souls)”

by BTN!M Staff If you’re reeling about the state of the world (you know, social politics, the economy, consumer culture…politics), Canadian artists Wrené and Caijo teamed up to serve a delectable industrial fusion single, “Cannibal (The Lost Souls).” With its beautifully grotesque lyrics and visuals in the accompanying music video, “Cannibal” is a gruesome, perfectly timed treat for the state of the first world. Wrené is an experimental musician, songwriter, music producer, and model. A mix of Sina, Danielle Dax, and Tina Root, Wrené collaborated with indie artist Caijo to create this enmeshment of experimental hip-hop to explore the twisted … Continue reading Wrené & Caijo Serve Up Industrial Fusion with “Cannibal (The Lost Souls)”

Halloween Playlist 2024: Editor’s Edition

Happy Halloween you soul suckers… Is your Halloween playlist super lame? You’ve come to the right place and if you’re tired of the “Monster Mash,” this playlist is for you. The editor (that’s me) ransacked their collection of vinyl, CDs, and personal playlists to deliver this hauntingly good set. You don’t have to be goth to appreciate it, but it certainly makes life easier.   As with all posts of this nature, this is a SUBJECTIVE playlist. If you don’t like it, that’s fine, go make your own playlist. Now: back to spooky business: Here is BTN!M’s 2024 Halloween playlist: The … Continue reading Halloween Playlist 2024: Editor’s Edition

Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

by Amaris Pollinger “I’d really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on…” I’ll start by saying that Maya Jenkins aka Maya J, is hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing at her wit and the comedic truth bombs she dropped with more bubbly finesse than the pop of a champagne bottle. By far my favorite quote by the Florida-born, LA- based actress/singer is probably:   “I would really love it if people wouldn’t make me put my Slytherin scarf on.”  This is in reference to Maya J constantly being labeled nothing more than a “sweet, nice girl” who can … Continue reading Don’t Mess with the Princess: Maya J Fires Back

Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

By Amaris Pollinger The world was on pause… Consisting of Matt James (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Wilson (drums) and Matt Christoforo (bass), the Connecticut trio, Phatt James (a college nickname given to a reluctant Matt James that he later decided to own) were set to play their debut show at the infamous Toad’s Place, but leave it to COVID-19 to crash a party. With the onset of quarantine, Phatt James headed into the studio to work on their debut album, Just Begun.  “It [the pandemic] definitely made us more connected as a band,” says James, “all the time spent in the … Continue reading Pandemic Please—Phatt James Has Just Begun

Beachwood Sparks Announce Album, “Across The River of Stars”

After a twelve-year hiatus, Beachwood Sparks have released their much anticipated album, Across The River of Stars. The dream-Americana/indie-country band released their single, “Torn in Two” on April 2nd. Across The River of Stars is complete with soft, emotive vocals that lull the listener into a psychedelic-indie soundscape; further solidifying Beachwood Sparks as the pioneers of the indie country. Beachwood Sparks recently announced a set of live shows with more tour dates to be announced: Live Shows (more to be announced): July 20  Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA July 27  Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA Aug 1 Mercury Lounge … Continue reading Beachwood Sparks Announce Album, “Across The River of Stars”

Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

by Amaris Pollinger (dark, spicy (picante), upbeat, serene and of course, humorous) it’s also exactly what you wouldn’t expect. The “thinking man’s garage rock band,” Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds have released their first full-length album since La Araña Es La Vida(2016). Out everywhere now, That Delicious Vice is—well—delicious (no, we didn’t eat it).  When they lost a member, frontman and LA punk/garage rock veteran Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, Nick Cave and the Badseeds, The Cramps, The Knoxville Girls) decided: “Why not try this as a three-piece?” This decision gave the Pink Monkey Birds space to stretch … Continue reading Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds: ‘That Delicious Vice’ Review 

It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

by Amaris Pollinger “I wanted to turn over and over again to a fresh new page…” The most important thing to know about The Telescopes’s fourteenth album, Experimental Health is that it is entirely transportive and all-encompassing. It’s so transportive that I went into a meditative state and decided to sketch a gift for my husband, and I hardly pick up a graphite pencil these days.  It really does take you somewhere else. Quite frankly, my time spent listening to Experimental Health has been some of the most relaxing moments I’ve had in March. There is something so peaceful, so serene … Continue reading It’s Time for the Turns: Stephen Lawrie of The Telescopes on ‘Experimental Health’

JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

I’m so sorry to myself for justifying a narcissistic hell… JESSIA has a penchant for creating relatable, stinging tracks about heartache. Her newest single, “Care About Me,” is no different. The Canadian pop singer might have a sugar-rush sound, but her lyrics and vocals are all pain and soul.    “Care About Me” is all about the quick unraveling of a relationship: “Rip my heart from my chest/and I’ll still apologize for making a mess” is probably the mantra of every survivor of a toxic, narcissistic relationship ever known (actually, JESSIA throws a line in there about that too, “I’m so … Continue reading JESSIA Puts Toxic Relationships in Review

“Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!

“Care About Me,” the latest single by Canadian pop sensation JESSIA, is out now. A lyrical treat that will tug at your heart, this soul-stirring ballad captures the moments of a relationship that is quickly unraveling.    “I knew it was a special song as soon as I wrote it, but I didn’t know if anyone would relate,” says JESSIA.   The JUNO award-winning singer has seized the hearts of fans worldwide with her relatable, raw prose and heart-stirring tracks, resulting in over 375 million global streams. In 2023, JESSIA joined OneRepublic for a tour across Asia and supported Dean Lewis … Continue reading “Care About Me” by JESSIA Out Now!

‘I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN’ by Marcellus Hall, Out Now

Marcellus Hall (Railroad Jerk, White Hassle) has released his third solo album, I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. It is Hall’s first solo album in ten years, following The First Line in 2011 and his self-released Afterglow (2013). The album is complete with catchy, “infectious power-pop gems” that reverberate with a familiarity found in musicians like Bob Dylan and Lord Huron. Marcellus Hall says of the accompanying track for the title track, “The sentiment for the song arose from a genuine, desperate, romantic feeling that I was experiencing several years ago. I decided to make a song of it. Damon, … Continue reading ‘I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN’ by Marcellus Hall, Out Now