Happy Release Day to Audience Of Rain! Their new single “Hell Or High Time” is out now on Affiant Records! Check the song on out Spotify below.
You can also check them out on our The Weekly Riot playlist, a roundup of all of our favorite underground music this week!
Vital Stats:
Artist: Sakoya
Release: Reset Restart (Single)
Release Date: 7/29/22
Genre: Active Rock/Hard Rock/Metalcore
Suggested For Fans Of: Fire From The Gods, Asking Alexandria, I Prevail
Indianapolis, Indiana hard rock act Sakoya has released their newest single, the melodic metalcore rocker “Reset Restart ”. The track is a perfect showcase for vocalist Alex Nauth’s full-bodied melodies and the band’s riff-heavy, radio-ready brand of polished heavy rock.
Thematically, “Reset Restart” is a song for anyone who has been through hardships and needs to reset themselves and restart who they are as a person. “It’s about making peace with your darkest thoughts and realizing the life you had made was not all that you made it out to be,” says Nauth. “Realizing what the things you’ve done to yourself have truly done to you is a really hard thing for people, myself included, and this is a serious self-reflection song for me in particular. I have had a lot of things in life where I thought I had it all figured out, and thought I was happy, only to realize it was all built on lies and nothing real. I realized I wasn’t even someone I wanted to be in a place I didn’t want to be anymore and had to completely start my life as I knew it.”
For Sakoya, “Reset Restart” is all about discovering who they are as a band. The band had a few unsuccessfully sessions with writers and producers and was eager to rediscover themselves. “We were trying to work with as many producers and writers as possible and were super excited to go to Nashville and work with Andrew Baylis,” explains the band. “We knew going into it we only had one day to write and record a song with him and “Reset, Restart” is what we came out with. We loved his influence on the song a ton and felt he really captured what we were trying to do and say.”
Produced by Andrew Baylis (Sleep with Sirens) and mixed and mastered by Jeff Dune (Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris), “Reset Restart” is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Reset, Restart” on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below.
Busting out of Indiana in the heartland of America comes Sakoya, an outfit ready to take the scene by storm. This American hard rock band sports a polished, refreshing sound bound to get stuck in heads. Vocalist Alex Nauth fronts Sakoya with the backbeat of Josh Randolph and Mike Dobbs both of which are military veterans. Sakoya provides elements of 2000’s rock/metal with a modern spin, giving a potent, aggressive delivery with meaning behind the tunes. With captivating choruses and memorable melodies, Sakoya’s anthemic brand is quickly on the rise.
Sakoya burst onto the scene in 2020 with their debut single “Lost and Reckless”, which immediately started to turn heads. Within the year, “Lost and Reckless” amassed 250,000 streams on Spotify thanks to ripe replayability and a strong message within the lyricism. February came with the infectious second single “Wasted Soul”, and April brought about the “Fallout”. The band kept busy and presented “Scarred” in November, earning a spot on the acclaimed Spotify playlist “Got Djent?”
Sakoya’s latest single “Am I Blind” reached over 10,000 FM radio spins topping out at #6 on The Foundations charts and #22 on the Billboard (BDS) Mainstream Rock Indicator chart. With the triumphant return of live shows in 2021, Sakoya has been plugging away and grinding to emerge bigger and better than before. The group has a wealth of new music that they’re fervently waiting to unleash in the near future.
Music videos, tours, and much more are primed and soon to be announced for the band. Add Sakoya to your radar on their road to surefire stardom.
Sakoya Is:
Alex Nauth – Vocals
Josh Randolph – Drums
Mike Dobbs – Guitar
Connect With Sakoya:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / YOUTUBE / LINKTR.EE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Vital Stats:
Artist: Zizzer
Release: Purge (Single)
Genre: Nu Punk, Rap Rock, New Alt
Suggested For Fans Of: Mod Sun, Machine Gun Kelly, Grandson
Tuscaloosa artist Zizzer is back with his latest single, the hard-hitting rap/rock hybrid “Purge”. The single features both Zizzer’s innate knack for intricate hip-hop-infused pop rock production and his clever lyrics, matched with his machine gun fire intense delivery.
For Zizzer, “Purge” is all about the fantasy of tapping into your primal instinct in survival situations. “I’ve been in a lot of situations, but my country has never been invaded in my lifetime,” he explains. “I can only imagine what it would really be like and that’s probably a far cry from reality, but I feel like my primal instincts would kick in and I would become this dark, hyper-focused assassin that would be ready to destroy anyone that puts me or my family or country in harm’s way. I know this is my fantasy world but we want to kick ass and take names don’t we? We’ve got to stay pumped and encouraged. That’s what this song is about. It’s about giving strength to the underdog. Purge Baby!”
Ryan Jones became “Zizzer” once he started recording with a cheap microphone and an out-of-date computer while living in a trailer by the loud railroad tracks down in the dirty south. Sometimes things could get a little intense with all the drugs, girls, and rivalry gangs coming to the same place to record but luckily, they all made it out alive with a lot of good stories to sing and rap about. Zizzer’s music has meshed with inspiration from alternative rock, hip-hop, punk, emo, pop, and dubstep. From the country to the ghetto, from Arizona to Alabama, and all the places in between, Zizzer is just a Picasso of many cultures and lifestyles all meshed together and his music reflects that like the dynamics of his past and present to bring you the sound of the future.
“Purge” is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Purge” on Spotify or watch the lyric video on YouTube below.
Zizzer has planted his career roots and is now on the rise as an upcoming artist. From living a carefree lifestyle to the fullest, getting into trouble by the law, going crazy with drug-induced psychosis, to becoming a hard-working, multi-business owner that has grown to be a loving husband and father, there is a rich history and plenty of stories left for Zizzer yet to share!
As for right now? Zizzer is making preparations to take his show on the road. “I’m currently working on putting my songs together to perform live, I’ve even been ordering stage equipment,” he explains. “My plans are to start local and just build from that and take the bigger opportunities as they come!”
Connect With Zizzer:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE / YOUTUBE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Vital Stats:
Artist: Between The Echoes
Release: Phantom Limb (Feat. Stephen Christian of Anberlin)
Release Date: 7-26-22
Genre: Emo/ Alternative
Suggested For Fans Of: Anberlin, Saosin, Jimmy Eat World
Alternative emo outfit Between the Echoes has returned with their latest single ‘Phantom Limb‘. The track, which is the second of the band’s album rollout, features the captivating vocals of Stephen Christian (Anberlin, Anchor & Braille). Comprised of layered visuals and a dark figure haunting the protagonist of the narrative, “Phantom Limb” conceptualizes the need to gain power over one’s self and not fall victim to what the band describes as a “dark passenger.”
The band has also carefully crafted single and album artwork that visually represents the shadowy dance happening between the listener and the siren. On one side, she is beautiful and alluring, and on the other side her darkness is shining through, reminding us that just because it may feel good, doesn’t mean it’s good for us. The question is, can we break free from her grips (our vices)?
“Phantom Limb” is the first of four tracks to be featured in a series of conceptual videos that give visuals to the journey this album will take you on. The video was directed by Jake Bonham and features an individual strung along by whispers, pulling him further and further into the darkness of his subconscious as he struggles to maintain composure and control of his own life and mind.
“We personified this darkness into a Siren,” the band shares, “In the video, the viewer will see the haunting battle occurring within the main character’s head created by the Siren’s whispers and pulls toward the darkness. He begins to question his own reality. Will he succumb to her manipulation or set himself free? The same can be posed to the listener, will you step into the shadows dancing with your own darkness or wind up free?”
The feature was recorded by Christian McAlhaney (Anberlin, Acceptance, Loose Talk) and is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Phantom Limb” on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below.
Between the Echoes is a three-piece passion project created by Chad William, Katie Jean, and Marvin Albert. The band formed through their shared love of similar alt-rock bands (Saosin, Thrice, Jimmy Eat World) and quickly realized they had created a distinctive musical chemistry. Together, the band aligned to create a full-length conceptual album that takes the listener deep on a journey within one’s consciousness. The band creates this experience by musically blending the light and dark, through melodic and catchy vocal melodies mixed with guitar-driven music and a lyrical story that personifies the darkness into a siren that hauntingly calls to the listener in the background of many of the songs.
Two more singles will be released in August and September of this year. The band’s full-length album, Awake While Dreaming, which was recorded and mixed by Jeremy Steckel (ex-Wolves at the Gate) at Revelator Sound, and mastered by Troy Glessner at Spectre Studios (Underoath, Silverstein, Death Cab for Cutie), will be released with a final single in October of 2022.
Between The Echoes Is:
Chad William – Music
Katie Jean – Backing Vocals, Lyrics
Marvin Albert – Vocals
Connect With Between The Echoes:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / LINKTR.EE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Vital Stats:
Artist: (the) UnSlept
Release: Bad Chapters (Album)
Release Date: 7-29-22
Genre: Rock, Stoner Rock, Grunge
Toledo, Ohio grunge rock outfit (the) UnSlept has just dropped their debut offering, the 10-track album Bad Chapters. The band has spent the last year perfecting the album at Mohawk studio with Shawn Patrick Thomas Daley at the helm. For (the) UnSlept, the emotional, thematical density of the debut is the result of years of living, loving, losing, and learning how to navigate the entanglement of the human condition. Bad Chapters is truly a rattling junket that rudders through the abyss of rock and roll. “Bad Chapters represents those learning moments of life which are unavoidable,” says the band. “It’s the moments that give you an appreciation for the good things in life. We carefully composed this album to light the way and become a spirit guide to those going through those very bad chapters right now.”
The album was preceded in rollout by the lead single “Soul 4 Sale”, featuring lead vocalist Dan Cain’s world-weary rasp, a flanged-out bass riff, and some overall great musicianship, all wrapped up in a true radio-ready stoner rock stomper. Lyrically, the track is about the balance between doing what’s right and doing what feels good in the moment. “Soul 4 Sale is about that situation we all seem to find ourselves in at one point or another when you just know that you shouldn’t be there,” explains the band. “It’s like you’re always three steps towards the door but there’s just something that keeps you from crossing the threshold. So against your own better judgment and self-preservation, you do the thing that is the worst for you in the pursuit of happiness.”
Originating from Toledo, Ohio, (the) UnSlept has carved out a special sound all their own full of rock & roll soul, elements of grunge, and dirty folk, with hints of angry southern heavily layered with dynamic tones. This three-piece has constructed a sound that rings full and deep allowing them to each express their inner workings. Dan Cain delivers carefully crafted lyrics with a gritty, powerful vocal wail while double-dealing rhythms and leads on guitar. J Dale Bailey brings the thunder with his mysterious resonant bass tones and rumbling swagger. Measure by measure (the) UnSlept’s uniform, yet magnetic cadency is fueled by Matt Austin’s booming drum technique.
Most recently (the) UnSlept has continued grinding away writing new material that continues to flow out of the group. They remain committed to hitting the stage at every opportunity to share their perspective with new fans. They plan to hit the podcast and radio circuit to share their story and broadcast the infectious fervor which is the music they have created. “We didn’t make this album just for the sake of creating music, it is crammed full of experience, heartache, and lessons and we try our best to make sure that the emotion is the part of the song that you hear first and foremost.”
(the) UnSlept has an album release show at Howards Club H in Bowling Green, Ohio on July 30th. Bad Chapters is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Soul 4 Sale” on SPOTIFY or watch the video on YouTube below.
(the) UnSlept Is:
Dan Cain- Guitar/Lead Vocals
Matt Austin- Drums/Back up Vocals
Justin Bailey- Bass/Back up Vocals
Connect With (the) UnSlept :
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / TIKTOK / WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Florida metal guitarist Marko Bojkovic is back with his latest single, ‘My Strength Returning’. “When Covid hit back in 2020, I stopped going to the gym,” explains Marko. “This lead to me losing a significant amount of strength. I returned to working out in January 2021, but I couldn’t lift as heavy as I did before Covid. I don’t like to give up, so I kept training and training for several months, and eventually, I was able to lift heavier than I ever did before Covid! I almost ran out of ideas to write one more song for this album, but this story immediately came to mind, and to emphasize my strength/power coming back, I added power metal elements to it! This song also has my absolute favorite guitar solo that I ever wrote in it, and I would love to make a tutorial on how to play it, especially given how it’s very intricate!” Marko has vowed to create a playthrough tutorial video on YouTube when the song reaches 100 plays on Spotify.
The single is the second release for the rollout of Marko’s latest album Venom, due out on July 29th. Marko’s music is a mixture of progressive metal, death metal, power metal, and thrash metal, with a hint of influence from anime and video game OSTs. Outside of his personal music, Marko plays guitar in Spiritual Chaos.
“I’d like to give a huge thank you to my friends Brandon Delpino of Kiss of Betrayal and the Mourning for writing lyrics, Chris Savipoulos of DeathtrucK for his killer vocal work, and my bandmate/brother in shred from Spiritual Chaos, Anthony DiFiglio, for his sick solo at the end of his song and telling me about Chris,” says Marko. “Please check these guys and their bands out! One more thing, my album Venom will be launching next week, so I believe that releasing this song will surely add to the hype!”
Marko’s music is perfect for fans of Trivium, Meshuggah, Allegeaon, Obscura, Dream Theater, Firewind, Sabaton, Powerwolf, Iron Maiden, Kiko Loureiro/Angra, and Leprous. The single is currently playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to it now on Spotify, or on YouTube below.
Connect with Marko:
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / Apple Music
Vital Stats:
Artist: Blessid Ghost Release: The Ghostro Intro (Single)
Release Date: 7-15-22 Genre: Classic Hip Hop
Suggested For Fans Of: 2pac/ Nas/ UGK
Phonex-based rapper Blessid Ghost has dropped his newest EP, The Ghostro Intro, along with the title track single “The Ghostro Intro“. The track is a true throwback to a grittier era of hip hop, reminiscent of acts like 2Pac and UGK.
The EP was recorded by Skeeter Rock, of Swisherbeats Records at The Saltmine Studio Oasis in Mesa Arizona, famous for putting out records by Lil Wayne, DMX, Jeezy, Lil Yachty, Gunna, Wakaflocka, ICE T, Yo Gotti, Young Greatness, Lil Peep, Riff Raff, and 21 Savage. “So I was actually in Hutchinson, Kansas when I recorded this single,” explains Blessid Ghost. “My ex-wife really didn’t want me to pursue a music career, but I chose not to listen to her and sought out a producer by the name of Skeeter Roc, who is the founder and owner of his record label Swisherbeats Records in Hutchinson, Kansas. So I originally wanted to name the track Blessid Ghost Introduced, but Skeeter Roc suggested that I name the track The Ghostro Intro so that’s how I came up with the name for the track.“
Blessid Ghost is currently working with Roxwell Z Entertainment on the release of the single. Along with the single, Blessid Ghost has released a video for “The Ghostro Intro“. “The self-made music video was made by me on FL Studio and it was designed to grab the viewers’ attention with the graphics.” says the rapper.
“The Ghostro Intro” is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to it on SPOTIFY or watch the video on YouTube below.
Blessid Ghost is an Atlanta, Georgia-based Hip-Hop artist who taps into the most primal instincts of music – creating tracks that not only entertain audiences, but also keeps them wanting to come back again and again. For Blessid Ghost, music is his chosen vessel to be able to communicate his history, while promoting unity and peace to listeners across the globe.
Blessid Ghost’s upbringing was largely based in the rural areas of Atlanta, Georgia. During his younger years, he was fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of music, and this has inevitably gone on to shape the diverse sound that he sports today. He also cites rappers like Rakim and Big Daddy as having a profound impact on his current Hip-Hop sound.
Blessid Ghost has been making music for two years and became involved in it through his twin brother. What began as a hobby to pass time, is now growing into a full musical career for the Atlanta-based musician who has always had melodies in his head. Today, he has his sights set on having his presence known in the music industry as a distinguished and definitive rapper of our generation.
Connect With Blessid Ghost:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / SOUNDCLOUD
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Gavin Fox has been quietly building up a following as one of the songwriters to watch in 2022. ‘Awakened’ is the name of his debut album – named after his experience of ‘waking up to himself’, as he describes it. Hearing his work makes it hard to believe, but Gavin Fox in fact only began writing music two years ago.
This album represents a life changing experience. Fox embarked upon a liberating process of self-discovery at the age of forty. And, in so doing, he awakened a creativity for music and song he never knew existed. He picked up a guitar for the very first time and shortly after started writing some of the most honest and compelling songs you are likely to hear.
“I realised I had created an image that I portrayed to the outside world, it wasn’t the real me – I was constantly comparing myself to others, trying to live up to this persona. It was exhausting.”
“Sometimes the most painful thing you can do is look deep within yourself. If it’s dark, you don’t want to go there again. But it was the best thing I ever did. I now know it is truly amazing what you can find when you awaken your soul.”
This album took 40 years to write. It is a collection of stories. Some are personal. Some inspired by the stories of others. The music style spans alternative folk, Americana and rock, with acoustic guitar at its heart. And, for those looking for more depth, there is meaning in every lyric.
Seen in this way, it becomes small wonder the songs are having the international appeal they have been having. Fox’s songs have an unassuming wisdom woven into their profound simplicity.
“I’m proud of this album, and I want to share it, but it’s not about me trying to be a superstar. It’s about me sharing my story and perhaps inspiring somebody else to awaken their soul, to connect with their true self and unlock undiscovered creativity they might have inside themselves.”
Vital Stats:
Artist: Quali Release: When The Dark Presses (Album)
Release Date: 7.22 Single: Eraser
Genre: Alternative / Noise pop / Shoegaze
Suggested For Fans Of: Diiv / Sonic Youth / My Bloody Valentine
Single Download Link: Here
Alternative shoegaze band Quali has released their new album, When The Dark Presses, on California indie label It’s Okay I’m Crying. The album has a thematic through-line of experiences with episodes of sleep paralysis. “I tried to write about the feelings that I had during these experiences, and tried to make sense of why they were happening,” explains vocalist Isaiah Nery. “There’s definitely a stream of consciousness approach to the lyrics that doesn’t always make sense, even to me. But at the same time, I felt that that’s what needed to come out and there’s comfort in that for me. I tried to structure the instrumental part of the songs in the same way, where I looked for the feeling in texture, timing, and placement.”
This style of approach is evident on the album’s lead single, “Eraser“, a grungy alt-pop track that embraces the 90s aesthetics of acts like Sonic Youth or more modern revivalists Diiv. “Eraser is about a sleep paralysis entity that I believe lives in my closet,” says Nery. “Weirdly enough, I recorded all the vocals for this album in that closet.“
Indeed, the band recorded the eight-track noise pop album at home, but that wasn’t always the plan. “This album was recorded by us, on our own, during the height of the pandemic out of passion and necessity,” explains Nery. “We originally scheduled to record this album with a friend and engineer, in his studio in April of 2020 but the world stopped and so did that plan didn’t work out. We bought some gear, that we would later return after using, to record the drums, bass, and guitar in our practice space. And then I recorded the vocals in my walk-in closet.“
When The Dark Presses is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Eraser” on Spotify or watch a live version the band performed as part of the Half Way Home Sessions on YouTube below.
Quali was started in 2013 by Isaiah Nery in Los Angeles. He spent the next 2 years writing and recording all of the instruments for their debut release, The Familiar and the Other (2015). After moving to San Diego, Nery recruited friends to help with live performances. In 2017, the band released their second album, Awaken The Quietus.
Since then, Quali has played with bands like Duster, A Place to Bury Strangers, Horse Jumper of Love, Wild Honey, Mint Field, Memory Leak, and many more. With a loud, fuzzed-out wall of sound guitars, ethereal, ambient, and spaced-out dynamics held together with laggy pocket grooves, Quali creates a sound familiar, inspired by the pioneers of shoegaze and post-rock, but is uniquely its own.
Quali is celebrating the album release with a release show tonight at The Whistlestop in San Diego.
Quali Is:
Isaiah Nery, Glendon Romett, Sean Maristela, Josue Galarza
Connect With Quali:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / SOUNDCLOUD / BANDCAMP / FACEBOOK
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Vital Stats:
Artist: Ben Tennyson
Release: Gypsy Soul (Single)
Release Date: 7/26/22
Genre: Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Cage The Elephant, Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys
Ben Tennyson is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Akron OH who uses a mix of live instruments and MIDI to create a rock-like sound authentic to him. His latest release, “Gypsy Soul” is a perfect example of this sound. With almost every song being unique from the last Ben Tennyson is constantly trying to change the game and his style to create something new that stands out above other artists. “I use to struggle to write upbeat/ happy style stuff and I see this song as a big progression in my ability to write,” says Tennyson. “When I perform with just my acoustic, this song really stands out with the loud power it brings, although it does really stand out in a chill coffee shop haha.“
“Gypsy Soul” has been a work in progress for quite some time. “This song had a long process of getting made because I wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible,” explains Tennyson. “It’s my favorite song I ever wrote. I wrote it years ago and it is how I open up every show. We spent at least a year in the studio slowly putting this together and perfecting it.”
For the track, Tennyson again tapped producer Mike Villegas to help form the song. “Without his help, this song wouldn’t sound as great as it does.” The single is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Gypsy Soul” on SPOTIFY (hyperlink) or watch the video on YouTube below.
Tennyson plans to release new singles monthly for the rest of the year. “Anyone who enjoys Gypsy Soul should stay tuned because there is more to come that will be a mix of upbeat energy-filled songs similar to Gypsy Soul and many other styles and sounds. The goal is to always deliver something unique from one another while creating something I hope people find engaging.”
Connect With Ben Tennyson:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / TIKTOK / LANDING PAGE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
East coast MC Dizasterpiece has had a crazy couple of years. His independent release, Regression Towards The Mean dropped, racking up over 100k plays on Spotify and leading to a series of tours and notable shows with Immortal Technique, Joey Valence, Cappadona, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, R.A. The Rugged Man, Cage, Chris Rivers, Danny Diablo, and Dropout Kings, all in the last three years.
Because of the hype, labels came calling. Dizasterpiece decided to sign with management and booking, to make sure he had a team in place before signing a label deal. “I wound up signing with two separate management companies and booking agencies and have now exited those contracts early,” explains Diz. “We got a few labels’ attention and it was all aligning nicely. I got some flattering offers, but they just weren’t the right options at the time and my gut said to stay independent and wait a year, as I get my reach and numbers up.“
Regression Toward The Mean marked a transition in Dizasterpiece’s style, with more guitar-driven, hardcore, and metal elements throughout. “Regression Toward The Mean is probably my best work so far, lyrically and production-wise. This album was in the making for a long time and I am very pleased with the way it came out and the reactions I’ve gotten.” Diz used the critical and fan response to the album as a barometer for his future direction. “What I was doing with that stuff was testing the waters to see how people react to it,” explains Diz. “Turns out… People really loved that stuff so now I can full-blown do what I wanted to do for the next record without any doubts or discouragement!”
Using what he’s learned from the past few years, and allowing his previous album to set the tone moving forward, Dizasterpiece has entered the studio to begin working on his next album. “The next record is going to be more of a 50/50 Rap Metal structure in the writing like I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but will still keep everything in the sound that people already dig,” he explains. “Still phat, gritty East Coast hip-hop beats, and aggressive and intricate rhyme schemes. But just more heavy guitar, real drums, singing and screaming blended into the mix.”
DIZASTERPIECE is a passionate, creative, realism-driven lyricist and hip-hop emcee from New Jersey, with strong roots in the punk and hardcore community. Unlike traditional hip-hop artists, who usually take the path of creating endless mixtapes, Dizasterpiece took the unconventional route, treating this project like every other punk/metal band he was in growing up. He recorded a record, began booking shows, and touring independently, playing rap shows, metal/ hardcore, and indie rock shows, while gaining momentum on his own which led to landing gigs with notable artists such as He is known for his high-energy live performances and his unique stage presence.
Dizasterpiece is performing a one-off show on July 29th with viral sensation Joey Valence at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center in Harrisburg PA.
Connect With Dizasterpiece:
INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE / YOUTUBE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
The amazingly named London-based pop rock band The Others Are Dead, Steve has released the video for their new single “Cats Can Fly”. The video features the band being hunted by a cat flying a drone, because of course it does! The single is catchy as hell, the video is clever and endearing, and the guitar solo is bitchin’. Check it out now!
Thanks to Dakota Lee of DI Records for the heads up!
Check out The Others Are Dead, Steve on Facebook and Instagram.
Vital Stats:
Artist: Cotter Release: Never Look Back (Single)
Release Date: 7-15-22 Genre: Emo, Pop-Punk
Suggested For Fans Of: Mayday Parade, My Chemical Romance, Youth Fountain
Single Download Link: Here
Ohio emo pop-punk act Cotter has released just released their latest single, the description “Never Look Back“. The track opens with a brief foray into pop production, complete with 808 drums, ticking high hats, and claps, before bursting into a full band anthem. “Never Look Back” shows serious songwriting growth for Cotter, and also serves as the first track to feature Tim Waters on bass, backing vocals, and screams.
Lyrically, the track is all about reminiscing about someone that is no longer in your life. “It’s about someone who turned their back on you and falling into your own head throughout that process,” explains the band. “It’s about how denial, and self-hatred can be born of the situation.”
Columbus-based Cotter showcases sincere sentimentality through a veil of shreddy, pop-punk anthemicism. Named in memory of a late friend who had tragically succumbed to a battle with depression, the band sets their foundations in relatable themes that cover a wide spectrum of emotionality and lived experience.
Formed mid-2019 as an acoustic act by long-time musical collaborators Howard Mesharer (vocals) and Zachary Lukkarila (guitar/vocals), the full band lineup evolved with the addition of Kyle Spears (guitar), Tim Waters (bass), and Andrew Brzeczkowski (drums). The complete collective took the stage for their first live performance that December, securing the experience just ahead of 2020’s crowdless era.
Cotter officially debuted within the broader alternative music scene the following September, dropping the single, “Clumsy,” weeks ahead of their five-track EP, On Sunset. Drawing on balladic melodies, post-hardcore aggression, and everything in-between, the tracklist serves as an eclectic display of 2000s emo-reminiscent sonic stylings—but not without a fresh breath of modernity.
The single exclusively premieres with Breaking Music Magazine and is now available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to “Never Look Back” on SPOTIFY or watch the video on YouTube below.
Cotter Is:
Howard Mesharer – Vocals
Zachary Lukkarila – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals
Kyle Spears – Rhythm Guitar/Backup Vocals
Tim Waters – Bass/Backup Vocals
Andrew Brzeczkowski – Drums
Connect With Cotter:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / YOUTUBE / TWITTER / TIKTOK / WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Vital Stats:
Artist: Project Vela Release: ‘You Can’t Fix Me’ (Single)
Release Date: 7.22.22 Genre: Hard Rock/Metal
Suggested For Fans Of: Falling in Reverse, I Prevail, Starset
Single Download Link: Listen And Download The Single Here
Photo Credit: Dave Gaslin
Denver, Colorado hard rock band Project Vela has just released their latest single, ‘You Can’t Fix Me’. The radio-ready single opens with atmospheric, pulsing synths before exploding into a full-frontal rock assault, showcasing Project Vela’s knack for modern rock production and songwriting prowess. The melodic duo bridges electronic, pop, and alternative elements to create a fresh, explosive sound that British metal magazine Fireworks hailed as “exciting and creative”.
Lyrically, the track is about mental health struggles. “No matter how well-intentioned you and the people around you are, there’s nothing that can be done to help unless you can see and acknowledge the root of the problem,” says the band. “No matter how much you try to cultivate happiness, there’s always that “landmine” of unresolved issues, lurking underneath, just waiting to destroy you when you least expect it.”
‘You Can’t Fix Me’ is the lead single and start of the album release cycle for the upcoming EP titled Elsewhere (Fall 2022). Which promises to further focus on mental health. “The whole EP is really just a journey through different thoughts while dealing with intense depressive episodes.” explains the band.
Along with the single, the band has also released a music video, created by cinematographer Kyle Lamar of Digital Myle. “The idea behind this video is kind of a last-man-on-earth-in-a-desolate-landscape scenario,” says the band. “He has some seeds that he’s trying to plant, and cultivate new growth to bring a glimmer of hope through the desolation. In the beginning, we see him inadvertently cover a landmine with dirt as he’s planting. Throughout the song, we see him go through the emotional struggle of trying so hard to make something grow, and being so careful, and thoughtful, and methodical about his process, but ultimately only finding disappointment. In the final moments of the video, we see that something has finally grown, green and vibrant, and in his celebration and relief, he steps on the landmine and is blown into oblivion. It’s meant to be a pretty on-the-nose metaphor for the song.”
The single is currently available across all major streaming platforms. Listen to ‘You Can’t Fix Me’ on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below.
Project Vela is making big waves in the modern rock arena, without ever playing a live show. The entirely DIY project, from the musical minds of lead vocalist Scott Spriggs and multi-instrumentalist co-producer Travis Owen, draws comparisons to their own idols, including Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Starset, and I Prevail. Since their 2017 debut, Project Vela has been steadily growing a devoted fan base of over 75,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, while racking up millions of streams on YouTube.
“It just started as kind of like an internet project,” Scott says of the remote collaboration, which only brings them together a few times a year for studio sessions. “It was just for fun, and it just kind of latched on to people and started taking off.”
Project Vela Is:
Scott Spriggs – Vocals, Drums, Bass, Synth, Mix
Travis Owen – Guitar, Synth, Programming
Connect With Project Vela:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Vital Stats:
Artist: Lives Lost
Release: Letting Go Of Ghosts (Single)
Release Date: 7/8/22
Genre: Rock, Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Alexisonfire, Chevelle, Silverstein
Hershey, PA alternative post-hardcore act Lives Lost has released their latest single, ‘Letting Go Of Ghosts’. The hard-rocking, radio-ready single is a personal one for frontman Tanis Pellegrini. “This song is very simply put us letting go of the ghosts of our past,” explains Pellegrini. “Toxic relationships both familial and romantic tend to weigh people down for years and they struggle to let go of the past. This is a call to action to lose that toxic sludge and let go of the past with us.”
The track wastes no time jumping into the action, with the first verse quickly giving way to a soaring chorus, blending clean and scream vocals over a bed of crunchy riffs and top-notch production.
‘Letting Go Of Ghosts’ was produced by Jeff McKinnon and Evan Seeberger. Along with the track, Lives Lost has also released a music video for the single, shot on location at Forteca Estates and directed by Robert McCoy. “We had the perfect concept for the song, and between a perfect location thanks to Forteca Estates, and a perfect look thanks to Robert Mccoy, everything ended up perfect!” says the band. “And honestly between Robert bringing our work to life, my lovely wife Harley Pellegrini being not only my biggest supporter, but my muse and our ghost for the video, and the band shelling out perfect performances, we really couldn’t ask for a better shoot and we hope you all love it!
The single release precedes a planned EP, due out in early 2023. The EP, A Portrait Of Loss, is being conceived as a concept album by the band. “It’s about the stages of grieving as faced by one man who unknowingly collides and bounds into other people’s lives during the process and changes the whole timeline in the process.”
‘Letting Go Of Ghosts’ is now playing on all major digital streaming platforms. Listen to the single now on Spotify, or watch the video on YouTube below.
Lives Lost was formed in secret in the summer of 2019 by Frontman/Principle songwriter Tanis Pellegrini (formerly of regional metalcore standouts Lasciaté), with the sole purpose of writing music that combined his favorite things about his favorite bands into something he wanted to listen to. Tanis scoured for local musicians that he felt strongly embodied his vision. Friend and fellow musician Alan Thompson and guitarist Aaron Perry joined Lives Lost and were soon joined by bassist Josh Krizan (Vegas Under Lights, The Perfect Victim). Feeling they were missing something, they began a search for a co-lead vocalist, finding Dylan Kasprzyk (Candlelit Vigil) to fill the role.
With a fully formed lineup and an EP written, Lives Lost continues on to change the world through art. Billed as a high-energy, unique rock band. Lives Lost brings a genre-bending sound to the stage making each performance unique. Throughout their tenure as a band, they have shared the stage with artists such as Alesana, Defiant, Eternal Frequency, Hinder, If Not For Me, Ignite, Jimmies Chicken Shack, Lyndhurst, Palisades, Small Town Titans, Softspoken, Vampires Everywhere, and VRSTY, and more!
Of their sound, Pellegrini opines, “I’d say we have the catchiness of Silverstein, the aggressiveness of Beartooth, the radio feel of some of the heavy-hitting octane bands such as Nothing More, and the prog/technical ambition of Coheed & Cambria!” The band is celebrating the release of ‘Letting Go Of Ghosts’ with a show on 8/28 with Alesana, Palisades, and Vampires Everywhere at HMAC in Harrisburg, PA.
Lives Lost is:
Tanis Pellegrini – Lead Vocals & Song Writing
Alan Thompson – Drums/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Josh Krizan – Bass/Backing Vocals
Dylan Kasprzyk – Co-Lead Vocals, Guitars, Programming
Aaron Perry – Guitars
Connect with Lives Lost:
Lives Lost LinkTree
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Congratulations to CLEARFIGHT on a successful campaign for their single!
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Congratulations to BLVDES on a successful campaign for their single!
The Heart Riot Agency is currently accepting new clients!
Email theheartriotagency@gmail.com or visit our SERVICES page for more details!
Congratulations to Call In Dead on a successful campaign for their single!
The Heart Riot Agency is currently accepting new clients! Email us at theheartriotagency@gmail.com or visit our SERVICES page for more details!
Florida metal guitarist Marko Bojkovic has released his latest single, ‘Venom’. The three-and-a-half-minute instrumental track is a wild ride of riffs, blast beats, and of course, what any great metal instrumental should have, sick-ass guitar solos.
The single is the title track for his upcoming album, due out July 29th. “Venom is one of my favorite villains from Spider-Man, so I actually wanted to make a Venom-themed album when I bought my 8-string back in 2016,” explains Bojkovic. “Over time, I ended up making it the first song I ever wrote in an open tuning, and I think it suited Venom a lot better and made this song even more special to me!”
Marko’s music is a mixture of progressive metal, death metal, power metal, and thrash metal, with a hint of influence from anime and video game OSTs. Outside of his personal music, Marko plays guitar in Spiritual Chaos. “It’s a brand new band, so we’re working on material to be released soon.” says Bojkovic
‘Venom’ was produced and mixed by James Lewis, who also provided the drum programming. The single is currently playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to it now on Spotify, or on YouTube below.
We’ve also added ‘Venom’ in the top spot of our The Weekly Riot playlist on Spotify!
Fans of Trivium, Meshuggah, Allegaeon, and Dream Theater will love the fresh metal riffs of Marko Bojkovic!
Vital Stats:
Artist: Brian Baker Release: Open Up Your Heart EP
Release Date: 6/24/22 Genre: Indie Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Paul MacCartney, Tom Petty, Tame Impala
Assets Download Link: Here
New Zealand singer-songwriter BRIAN BAKER today celebrates the release of his latest 5-track EP OPEN UP YOUR HEART, a collection of new and reimagined tunes, recorded at his Kaipara-based studio facility.
A new arrangement on a song he originally wrote back in 2018, ‘Open Up Your Heart’ is a cruisy, care-free, electro-dub ear-worm with an ageless and universal message which Baker says is simply an appeal to lift up our hearts and embrace love. As far as writing and producing the track, it was a true labor of love. “I really took an experimental path with this particular song. It had been recorded previously but I wasn’t happy with it. I took it apart and built it up again, new chords, new lyrics, a more interesting and challenging arrangement. Did I mention that I love singing those acapella vocals in the mid-section? It’s a thing…..”
The EP also includes another earlier song Baker had co-written with former Split Enz musical maestro Eddie Rayner when they had the band The Makers, the revitalized foot-stomping track ‘New Kind Of Blue’. With ‘Fool’, the big groove and guitar riff with its catchy chorus make this an instantly radio-friendly tune, followed by a dreamy instrumental Baker composed titled ‘Blue Water Meditation’, which showcases his guitar skills.
To round off the EP, Baker surprises even himself by including a slightly tongue-in-cheek cover version – a charged-up arrangement of the Tori Amos song ‘Cornflake Girl’. “We were doing a live TV show as The Makers in Sydney back in the early 1990s”, says Brian. “And the other musical guest on the show was Tori Amos doing a piano-vocal performance of ‘Cornflake Girl’. We were blown away by her immense talent and this particular song. I’ve always wanted to do my own rock guitar treatment on it, and here it is.”
The EP is currently streaming across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to ‘Open Up Your Heart’ on Spotify now, or watch on YouTube below.
The consummate journeyman musician is also a laid-back bohemian life-styler, living off-the-grid on his permaculture farm in the picturesque heart of the Kaipara. It’s a busy combination, as Baker balances life between running the farm and all that entails, using his considerable musical talents to record and produce artists in his production studio, ‘The Bakery’. “Frank (old blue eyes Sinatra) is our boss goose/gander and he wrangles me each morning before I can get to coffee, with loud demands to feed him and the girls! Only when they’re satisfied can I head up to the studio and start my guitar practice. I feel very fortunate to be able to live life in this beautiful place and make music with the wonderfully talented artists here in Northland. True joy.”
A naturally gifted musician, Baker can lay claim to a catalog of songs sure to warm the musical soul of any audience member. Now, with the release of Open Up Your Heart, Baker is keen to change gears and make a return to performing live in support of it. He’s created a fantastic live show highlighting his uplifting vocals and amazing guitar skills, so keep a lookout for his tour dates and make sure you check out this talented guitarist/singer-songwriter.
Brian is launching the EP with a gig at The Ledge in Whangarei near where he lives on the North Island of NZ. Brian is also appearing at the Bay Of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival in August.
You can hear the entire EP on Spotify now.
Brian Baker is a singer/songwriter/producer with a passion for the environment, a theme evident in his songs, music, and videos. He plays guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, drums, and percussion, sings, and relishes his production duties, on his own songs and other artists’ works.
Brian is passionate about songwriting and is a student and big fan of Pat Pattison. (A professor at Berklee College of Music, teaching lyric writing and poetry. Songwriting instructor to John Mayer and Gillian Welch among others…) After moving to Australia from New Zealand in 1980, Brian performed with many Australian bands, securing a Sony recording deal with “The Ones”. Around this time he scored his first song placement on the second UnCanny X-Men album, (Australian rock act) with the song “Colour Your Answer Blue”. After writing and recording the top 20 single “Heart” with The Ones (released on Sony) he went on to co-write the score for the movie “Rikki and Pete” with Eddie Rayner from Split Enz/Crowded House. Eddie and Brian continued to work together as “The Makers”, releasing 2 CDs through Warner’s East West label, including the hit single “Big Picture”. Together with drummer Michael Barker, they toured Australia and New Zealand with the B52’s and appeared on TV shows like MTV, Countdown, Hey Hey It’s Saturday, Tonight Live, and The Midday Show. Eddie and Brian still work together from time to time, with Eddie contributing mixing tips and critique on his releases, plus various bits of keyboards on Brian’s other work. They performed together at the Waiheke Island International Jazz Festival in 2012 to delighted crowds and recently released an album of outtakes and live recordings from The Makers.
“So there I am, standing up on stage in front of 25,000 people in Brisbane, Australia, playing with Eddie freakin Rayner, my childhood hero from the amazing Split Enz! Suddenly, power to Eddie’s keyboards drops out and he is limited to plonking out some bass lines on his backup synth. Our drummer – (the incredible) Michael Barker looks over at me and yells out – “take some solos Brian, until Eddie’s rig comes back on line!” So OK, step up – on with the show but I get told later – “That’s when the show came alive, people love your guitar playing…” Up until then, I’d always seen the guitar as more of a tool to get the song out there but with Eddie’s patient coaching and Michael’s encouragement I began to see it as a possibility to contribute more. This EP marks a stage in that journey, where long hours of practice and obsession with the great exponents of the art of guitar, (from Django to Jimi and SRV special mention to Jeff Beck), see the guitar being my increasingly preferred form of expression.”
In 2003 Brian signed with Fable Music/The Image Label to produce library music which continues to be used worldwide. He’s written and recorded radio and TV jingles, short films, and documentary scores. He has performed at countless shows and is writing and recording songs and music at the highest level of his profession. Brian is proud to be currently signed to Origin Music Publishing, which works with him to develop the music and songs he is frequently releasing and promote it worldwide.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
24 JUNE THE LEDGE WHANGAREI
12-14 AUGUST BAY OF ISLANDS JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL PAIHIA
Open Up Your Heart EP Launch Tour July/August around New Zealand
CONNECT WITH BRIAN BAKER:
Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple | Youtube | Website
Vital Stats:
Artist: Less Than None
Release: Identity Fading (EP)
Release Date: 06/23/22
Genre: Metalcore
Suggested For Fans Of: The Amity Affliction, Atreyu, A Day To Remember
Bronx metal-core mainstay Less Than None has just released their new EP Identity Fading. The 5-track EP is being released by Sonic Decoy Records and documents a period of growth for the band.“If our HANDS ON FIRE EP was our caterpillar phase, then this EP is our cocoon phase,” explains vocalist Carlos.
Thematically, Identity Fading is about looking inward. “It’s about shedding who you used to be and the pain it takes to grow into someone else,” says Carlos. “This E.P is a hodgepodge of songs about grief, loss, self-awareness, reflection, nostalgia, and letting go, all in the theme of coming into the next best version of who you will be. I’m hoping these songs resonate with people who are on their own unique path of self-discovery and healing.”
Musically Identity Fading EP balances the brutal and the beautiful, blending chaotic metalcore with soaring vocals and huge hooks. The EP features the singles “Aware”, which was rolled out earlier this year at the beginning of the album release cycle, and the title track “Identity Fading”, which released with the EP.
“ ‘Aware’ was a very challenging song to write for me. I would argue it is my most spiritual song,” Carlos says. ” ‘Aware’ is about connecting with your high self through self-awareness. It’s about the differences between ego and the self. You are not our thoughts, you are just the observer of them.“ Stream “Aware” on Spotify now or watch on YouTube below:
Since the band’s inception in 2011, Less Than None has had a tremendous impact on the underground music scene of NYC. Less Than None has been featured on media outlets such as Bullspike Radio & Greece’s Metal Therapy Radio as well as performed at the famous Webster Hall and headlined the Gramercy Theatre. The band has performed and worked with a number of artists including Angel Vivaldi, Ghost Ship Octavius, The Bloodline, and A Killer’s Confession among others.
Less Than None has no intention of slowing down post-release. “We’re in the midst of re-discovering ourselves musically and thematically post-COVID times. Shedding who we once were, and preparing for something greater,” says the band. “Our mission is to continue releasing new and exciting music that impacts everyone, from our closest friends to strangers around the world. Join us as we create a musical escape for audiences to enjoy!“
Identity Fading was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios (Dillenger Escape Plan). It was released by Sonic Decoy Records and is currently playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to the album on Spotify below.
Less Than None is celebrating the release of the EP with a live show on Friday, July 29th at 89 North in Patchogue NY, performing alongside A Farewell Fire.
Less Than None Is:
Carlos – Vocals
Alex – Drums
Chris – Guitars
Mike – Guitars
Arturo – Bass
Connect With Less Than None:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / SONIC DECOY WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Vital Stats:
Artist: Stay Loud
Release: Sophomore Slump (Album)
Release Date: 6.17.24
Genres: Punk, Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Green Day, Sum 41, Breaking Benjamin
Wilkes-Barre, PA punk rock band Stay Loud has just released their latest album, Sophomore Slump. The 15-track album features the lead single “Wow! That’s A Low Price” as well as follow-up singles “Justene is an Ugly Name” and the self-titled single “Sophomore Slump”.
The album was recorded at Novro Studios and mixed/mastered by Eric Novroski. “We really hope everyone has something they can relate to with this album,” explains the band. “It’s all about love and friends having fun! We recorded this record during the pandemic because we didn’t know when we would play a show again. We just wanted to have some fun!”
The album is being released by DI Records. “DI Records has been family to us,” the band explains. “They let us in with open arms! Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are right now. Their patience and guidance are everything we could’ve asked for. We love them.” And from the looks of it, the sentiment is mutual. “Since Stay Loud joined DI, they have shown nothing but their commitment to excellence,” says DI Records. “Matched with their manager Alonna Weaver, they have proceeded to meet every challenge with gusto. Sophomore Slump is a combination of their talent and hard work. If this album is a marker for the future then Stay Loud will be blowing us away for years to come.”
Stay Loud’s new single “Sophomore Slump” is a song for those that haven’t yet found their purpose in the world. “It’s about those that are pressured every day to begin careers and make decisions for their lives solely influenced by other people,” explains the band. “On the outside, it looks like someone is lazy or just completely idle, but on the inside, they are thinking daily about what they can do better and their purpose. This is a message of hope to those people.“
“Sophomore Slump” is a driving mid-tempo, rocking punk track with a huge hook, sure to keep your head bobbing. The single is now playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to “Sophmore Slump” now on Spotify or on YouTube below:
The band’s follow-up single “Justene is an Ugly Name” upens with a clean guitar riff before launching into a fast paced punk track. This gives way to chill, ska influenced verse until blasting into a catchy chorus. All of this is thrown out the window as the band brings us a breakdown, complete with gutural vocals, making the track quite the musical journey.
Lyrically, the single is a song about second-guessing the decisions in life that we make to make others happy. “This song takes the perspective of someone trapped in their own thoughts trying to make their own choices in life while balancing the opinions of others,” says the band. “For those that are afraid to pursue their lives to their own enjoyment, we hope this is a message of hope.”
The track is currently streaming on all digital streaming platforms. You can listen to it now on Spotify, or on YouTube below.
Stay Loud started off the album release cycle by releasing a video for the lead single “Wow! That’s A Low Price”, which you can watch on YouTube below.
Stay Loud has played over a hundred shows including The Vans Warped Tour and shows with The Veer Union and Boys Of Fall. They are embarking on an album release tour called the “Stay Loud’s Slump Summer Tour” starting June 27th. Check out the dates below and make a plan to catch the band when they play near you!
Tour Dates:
June 27th The Litterbox, Elizabeth NJ
June 28th: Cult Classic Brewery, Stevensville MD
June 29th: Atlas Brewery, Washington DC
July 1st: HMAC, Harrisburg PA
July 9th: Karl Hall, Wilkes-Barre PA
Stay Loud Is:
Chris Cashmere -Lead Singer/ Rhythm Guitarist
Gerry Tulao – Lead Guitarist
CJ Davenport- Bass
Jonathon Kamor- Drums/backup Vocals/ Keyboards
Connect with Stay Loud:
SPOTIFY / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Cheer Up Dusty have returned with a new acoustic track, “Shirtless and Afraid”. It is now playing across all digital streaming services. Check it out now on Spotify.
Vital Stats:
Artist: Circadia Single: A Lasting Impression
Release Date: June 10th, 2022 Genre: Indie Pop Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Owl City, For King And Country
Hailing from Ravenna Ohio, Circadia is an electronic pop-rock duo consisting of Nathan and Alyssa James. The band has just released their newest single, “A Lasting Impression“, a song all about the importance of love. “This song has what I think is a very important message that the world needs to hear,” explains Nathan. “The message is basically, don’t sugar coat the truth that Love is ultimately the most important aspect in life. I don’t just mean true love with a wife or significant other, but loving others unconditionally no matter where they are in life. In order for us as human beings to make a lasting impression in this world, being exudant of Love is paramount!“
Musically, “A Lasting Impression” is a nice slice of electronic pop-rock, combining a driving pop beat with oversaturated guitars. Layers of keys fill the song out while a moving bass line and metal-tinged double kick beats provide a solid backbeat for the single. The track exemplifies the positive and energetic nature of Circadia, whos mission statement is “to live in this dark world with a B.U.I.L.T mentality. B.U.I.L.T stands for: Be kind, Use your gifts, Inspire others, Love unconditionally, and try your best.“
“A Lasting Impression” is part of the release cycle for Circadia’s upcoming Sophmore album, Built From Heartache, due out in early 2023. “Built from Heartache is all about basically dusting yourself off and keeping going,” says the band. “Not giving up when things get super hard in life.” “A Lasting Impression” is currently playing across all digital streaming providers. Listen to it now on Spotify, or on YouTube below.
Circadia has amassed over 400k total streams and counting on Spotify and Tidal, with their most recent single passing the 70k total streams mark. Their interview with the popular podcast From The Stache was the # 1 most listened to podcast on Amazon music for 2 straight weeks.
Circadia Is:
Nathan James – Founder / Creator and Front Man
Alyssa James – Synth / Keys and Programing
Connect With Circadia:
https://linktr.ee/CircadiaMusicOH
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Vital Stats:
Artist: Stars In Toledo Single: Ascendance
Release Date: 6-24-22 Genre: Rock/Prog/Indie
Suggested For Fans Of: Greta Van Fleet, Blacktop Mojo, Foo Fighters
Single Download Link: Listen To Ascendance Here
Burlington, Iowa-based rock band Stars In Toledo has announced their upcoming Sophmore album Ascendance and released the title track lead single. A group of experienced and accomplished studio and touring musicians, Stars In Toldeo plays what many have termed “New Classic Rock” with the heart of an American rock band featuring an eclectic mix of members from England, Argentina, and the United States. With diverse backgrounds and influences, it’s hard to pinpoint one specific genre for the band, but rock is their one true love.
What is undeniable is the pure love of playing music Stars in Toledo brings to the table. The album will feature 12 tracks spanning the genres of rock, indie, and prog. The album will include 10 originals, as well as covers of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledge Hammer” and “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera.
The first single, “Ascendance”, is a straight-ahead rocker that kicks off with an ever-building drum, bass, and guitar groove. The song quickly makes its way to its sing-along chorus, reminiscent of the hard blues-rock of Greta Van Fleet and Blacktop Mojo.
Along with the single, Stars in Toledo has released a video for “Ascendance”. The video was shot on Burlington Memorial Auditorium live. “Ascendance” is now playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to it now on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube below:
For the album, Stars In Toledo tapped Nashville producer Luke De Jaynes. “We are lucky to have had Luke De Jaynes be part of our team,” says the band. “Luke took his Nashville studio completely apart, put it in a van, and he and his engineer drove 9 hours to western Illinois to track the album in four days. Then, he did it again just a few weeks later to track vocals!” The album was co-produced by Nick Knedler and Carlos Capdevila.
Catch Stars In Toledo at Wildwoods in Iowa City, IA on 7/24/22 and at RiverFest in Quincy, IL on 8/4/27.
Stars In Toledo Is:
Carlos Capdevila – Drummer (Tucuman, Argentina)
Johnny Gram – Guitars and Vocals (Birmingham, England)
Nick Knedler – Guitars and Vocals
Daryl Bond – Bass and Vocals
Joe Russell – Lead Vocalist
Connect With Stars In Toledo:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency – Publicist: Lance Waste
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Vital Stats:
Artist: Libricide Album: Consilience Genre: Rock/Hard Rock
Suggested For Fans Of: Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Velvet Revolver
Libricide is a multi-faceted modern rock band based out of New York, USA, fusing styles and taking stages to create an original sonic experience that broadens your mind and gets stuck in your head. Holding down multiple roles at the forefront of Libricide is producer, songwriter, and frontman Harun Gadol, who originally formed the band as a solo project, releasing the first EP Barriers To Entry. Lead Guitarist Dylan Stark joined shortly after, leading the group to Libricide’s self-titled, full-length debut album in 2015. The band was soon on the rise amidst their local tri-state area live circuit, finding a wide array of bills and venues that welcomed their adaptive sound.
The band has just released their latest full-length album, Consilience. The 11-track album was a true labor of love for the band over the past year and more. “We spent many months during the pandemic painstakingly recording this album to perfection,” explains Gadol, “The majority of it was done at Portrait Recording Studios in Pompton Plains, NJ, while I handled the vocal tracking and guitar solos at my home studio in Walden, NY. “ Attempting to navigate the album during the pandemic was a trying experience for the band. “Writing & recording this album was a roller coaster ride for all of us,” says Stark. “We were in the writing phase when the world came to an abrupt halt in March of 2020. Like out of some post-apocalyptic horror film, everything all around us stopped & we were not sure how or if we would ever get back to doing music on a big scale again.“
True to their name, Libricide burns the book of rules and expectations of musical trends, creating a unity of genre that aligns with the message of Consilience. Meaning “unity of knowledge”, Consilience represents the alliance formed in the making of the record, as the band’s internal team of songwriting and arrangement aligns with external collaboration alongside such artisans of production as Ted Jensen (The Eagles, Green Day, Norah Jones) and John Ferrara (Cro-Mags, Trophy Scars, Young Thieves). If the first album endeavored to captivate the local scene, Consilience represents the band’s new emergence to cross the threshold into reaching audiences across the nation and the world.
The album features the singles “Them Without You“, a beautiful, genuinely heartfelt ballad about outgrowing people around you who no longer support your vision, and “Last Time“, a straight-ahead rocker that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. “I do believe the level of uncertainty we faced helped to push us to our limits so that we could carry on & finish the record as if it were our last one,” explains Stark. “Each one of us played to our strengths while we also stepped out of our comfort zones & experimented with new ideas. I stepped up not only as a songwriter but as a lyricist as well.“
Various artists and musical aesthetics inform the sound of Libricide, as the band nods to classic rock inspiration while broadening their horizons to encompass a wide sphere of influence. Libricide’s collective influences range from the core classics of the rock world to 90’s/2000’s alternative and grunge, funk, metal, and hip-hop. Their diverse musical tastes are well-applied in their songwriting, representing a wide breadth of styles while still providing memorable, catchy, and radio-ready tracks. “There’s something for everyone on this record,” says Gadol, “We really tried to write it in a way that even if there are genre influences you might not be immediately familiar with, we present them in a way that can vibe with anyone.“
Consilience is currently streaming across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to it now on Spotify.
As they reside in their unity of genre, Libricide also expands into the unity of sound and visuals, with cinematic animated and live videos accompanying their latest full-length work, as the band continues to grow and enrich their musical explorations now and into the future. Libricide is celebrating the release of Consilience with a set at Orange Loop Rock Festival in Atlantic City, NJ on Sunday, June 12th, playing alongside Stone Temple Pilots, Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd, John 5, Naughty By Nature, and more!
We’re playing Orange Loop Rock Festival in Atlantic City, NJ on Sunday June 12th – with Stone Temple Pilots, Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd, John 5, Naughty By Nature, and more!
Libricide Is:
Harun Gadol – Vocals/Guitar
Dylan Stark – Lead Guitar
Paul Paldino – Bass
James Knoerl – Drums
Connect With Libricide:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / PATREON / BANDCAMP / TIKTOK / WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Heart Riot Agency
Lance Waste – Publicist
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
Vital Stats:
Artist: STFLR Single: Harborless Release Date: 6/10/22 Genre: Pop-Punk
Suggested For Fans Of: Comeback kid, The Wonder Years, Spanish Love Song
Long Island, NY pop-punk band STFLR just dropped their latest single, “Harborless”. The track kicks off with some overly saturated riffs and double-time drums, reminiscent of 90s skate punk before giving way to a more full-time feel. The single balances a line somewhere between melodic punk and the more hard-edged approach of hardcore, including a pretty gnarly breakdown section that transitions effortlessly into a beautiful, instrumental outro.
Lyrically, the song discusses themes of depression and despair. “The song deals with about how insignificant you can feel,” explains the band. “How you don’t care about anything when you’re at your darkest moments and you just feel like leaving everything behind. It is also about regret and how missed opportunities can haunt you.“
Forming in 2019, STFLR started as a hobby between high school friends that quickly turned into something more. Members of the band had been playing in various bands for over a decade, but STFLR felt special. “When we started the writing process for STFLR, and ideas started forming, we decided to take the band seriously,” says the band, whose music ranges from traditional pop-punk into different subgenres of the scene, “We have the policy where we write what sounds good. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pop-punk riff, a hardcore riff, or a beatdown riff. If it sounds good we will find a way to make it work.“
Finding a way to make it work hasn’t always come easy for the band. Each of the members holds down a full-time job, wives, and most have children. With that in mind, STFLR makes the most out of the time they have together. “We really can only work out songs one or twice a month for 2 hours at a time,” explains the band. “So when we do write and record we bust our ass because our time is so precious.“
So far, the formula has worked, culminating in 2021’s A Collection Of Bad Ideas EP, which saw the band headlining an EP release show at Amityville Music Hall. “It was our first time headlining a show at Amityville Music Hall, and all our friends came out to make it a truly special show.“
“Harborless” is the first single of STFLR’s new release cycle. The song was recorded at Westfall Studios by Anthony Lopardo and Ray Marte (Moon Tooth) in Farmingdale, New York. STFLR is currently working on a batch of new songs set for release later in the year. With a newfound focus, drive, and passion, STFLR still has something left to say.
“Harborless” is currently streaming across all Digital Streaming Platforms. Listen to the single now on Spotify or on YouTube below.
STFLR Is:
Nick, Yianni, Angelo, Mike
Connect With STFLR:
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Press Contact:
Lance Waste – Publicist, Heart Riot Agency
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY / FACEBOOK / TIKTOK / TWITCH
Chicago musician and songwriter Caitlin Edwards has just released two new singles, “Problem Boy” and “No Kids”. The singles are the first off of her upcoming debut solo album, Pluto Party due out this summer.
According to Caitlin, both tracks capture the energy and honesty of what’s to come on the album. “‘No Kids’ is a song about normalizing people who choose not to have children and the annoyance of parents who choose to have children, but complain about it,” says Edwards. “There’s a certain accountability that needs to be taken. How can you complain about something you wanted so badly? When it comes to kids, people should know what they’re getting into.”
“No Kids” features jangly guitars on top of a light, pop-rock music bed with some really great musical moments scattered throughout. Listen to “No Kids” on Spotify now.
The other single, “Problem Boy”, is a straight-ahead rocker with that really shows off Katilin’s knack for timeless hook and melody writing.
“‘Problem Boy” is a song about someone who was cruel to me and how others are finally seeing that person for who they really are,” explains Edwards. “I got to see karma fall on this person who deserved it. You know, that type of person that needs a wake-up call, but would never change anyway? Yep, that’s the guy. He fooled a lot of people, but he was finally seen for the problem he was.”
Listen to “Problem Boy” on Spotify now.
Caitlin tracked guitar, bass, and vocals for both of the songs, with drums tracked by John Perrin. The tracks were recorded by Charlie Dresser at Sound Summit and mixed by Dan Precision at The Bombshelter. “These songs are straight up rock and alternative with a touch of punk,” Edwards says. “Can’t wait for everyone to hear the entire album.”
Caitlin Edwards is a songwriter and musician from Chicago, IL. She has been playing in punk and ska bands around Chicago for the last fifteen years. In 2017, Caitlin decided to begin her solo project that branches off into the alternative and rock n’ roll genre. Still bringing her classic style of punk and pop-rock as well. With honest lyrics, high energy, and catchy riffs, Caitlin brings a sound all her own. For fans of The Muffs, Ida Maria, Best Coast, and Weezer.
Connect with Caitlin Edwards:
Spotify / Bandcamp / Instagram / Facebook
Rock band Envied By Angels has just released their latest single “Suffocate”. The single is an Emo/ Post-Hardcore track, perfect for fans of Saosin, Painting Promises, and Osatia.
“Suffocate” is released by Affiant Records and was Mastered by Mike Kalajian at Rogue Planet Mastering.
The track is now playing across all digital streaming platforms. You can listen to it now on Spotify.
Keep in touch with Envied By Angels on Facebook and Instagram.
Vital Stats:
Artist: Half Heard Voices
Release: Sounds Of Panic (Single)
Release Date: May 26th, 2022
Genre: Progressive Metal / Death Metal
Suggested For Fans Of: Periphery, Between The Buried And Me, Killswitch Engage
Single Download Link: Listen and Download Here
Half Heard Voices is an American progressive metal band founded in Frederick, Maryland. The group’s sonics treat the user to a myriad of ambient guitar harmonies and clean vocals, then quickly transition into a barrage of riff-driven discord. Their latest single, “Sounds of Panic”, has just dropped, and it’s a banger. ” ‘Sounds of Panic’ was the first song we tracked for our sophomore EP,” says the band. “We’ve always thought of it as our hardest-hitting song live and love closing with it. That being said, we loved the idea of a live video compiled of clips from various shows to showcase the raw energy of this track.”
Half Heard Voices teamed up with DEDPIXEL MEDIA for the video. “Half Heard Voices in full effect!” exclaims Travis ‘Skip’ McGregor of DEDPIXEL.“That was the goal in making this video for “Sounds of Panic”. With an ending so visceral, this was the perfect track for which to capture live footage. Shot from both my perspective as videographer and from the perspective of the crowd with some guerilla cellphone footage. If you want to know what kind of energy these guys bring to the stage, this is the showcase.”
Originated in 2019, the group comprises of new singer Alex Conner, guitarists Dillon Baird and Jeremy Sabine, bassist Stefan Sandman, and drummer Patrick Firestein. The track is from their forthcoming EP, titled Twelve Way War, due out on July 8th. The EP is the first body of work showcasing Half Heard Voices with their current singer. explains the band. “Naturally, a new voice changed how we approached songwriting, arranging, and even tuning,” explains the band. “Due to this, we expanded outward into both heavier and lighter sounds on these tracks. The listener might hear more ethereal sections, along with low tuned open A-string moments, than our previous release. We’re forever proud of these tracks and the time we invested into them.”
Half Heard Voices is following up the release of the single with their first festival performance at Rock Fest 2022. “Sounds Of Panic” is now playing across all digital streaming platforms. Listen to the single now on Spotify or watch the video on YouTube.
Half Heard Voices Is:
Alex Conner – Vocal
Dillon Baird – Guitar
Patrick Firestein – Drums
Jeremy Sabine – Guitar
Stefan Sandman – Bass
Connect With Half Heard Voices:
SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE / WEBSITE
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Press Contact:
Lance Waste – Publicist
Heart Riot Agency
Email: theheartriotagency@gmail.com
GET HYED 