Christopher Anthony

Track Premiere: King Serpent – “Ohio Honey”

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Today’s premiere track is from the Columbus, Ohio indie rock group King Serpent. The duo consists of guitarist Elizabeth Rasmussen and bassist Mathew Franklin, which both have been playing music live for 15+ years. King Serpent was formed in 2017 with the idea of creating something unique to both members experience which is why you will hear a drum backing track on “Ohio Honey.”

This debut single and band is best summed up by the group themselves: “We’re really excited to finally share a project we’ve been working on for almost two years now; it pays tribute to our rock ‘n roll roots while simultaneously shining a light on our unabashed love for the perfect pop song.” TFN could not have said it better!


Of course, when you spin todays premiere track, “Ohio Honey,” your focus will not be on the backing drums or newness of the group but on the fierce vocals of Rasmussen. Her vocal power is relentless as it cuts through King Serpent’s power riffs which just pulse. “Ohio Honey” is heavy rocker that will kick your weekend off right. Enjoy your Friday!

If you like what you hear today make sure to pick up the single and then keep a lookout for more new music from King Serpent soon. You can also catch them live if you are around the Columbus, Ohio area on October 20th when they play their debut show at Rumba Cafe.

King Serpent Website
King Serpent Facebook
Buy “Ohio Honey” Single

The Friday Fire Track: Robert Pollard – “Subspace Biographies”

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Trying something a bit different today as the Friday Fire Track goes back to 1998 and features a song from Robert Pollard’s sophomore solo record Waved Out. “Subspace Biographies” is easily one of my favorite Robert Pollard solo songs with its gentle opening before its foot tapping charge keeps the high kicks going.

The song just keeps moving and churning as it almost drowns out Pollard’s lyrics near its conclusion to an amplified perfection. When Pollard asks, “Captain, are you sure they’re coming in?” the track just nails it. “Subspace Biographies” is another solid pop rock song in Pollard’s massive collection that has a timeless vibe as it sounds as fresh in 2018 as it did in 1998.

The good news is that Rockathon Records has just released a remastered reissue on a nice looking Blue vinyl TODAY! It also includes a promo press photo from the era. You can see both below. Don’t just take our word for it – Waved Out should be in your collection and this Blue LP variant should be a must add to any collector. Enjoy your Friday and pick this up at the Rockathon link below!

Robert Pollard Website
Robert Pollard Facebook
Rockathon Records

The Shifters – “Straight Lines” [Video]

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After two 7-inch singles and a demo cassette (recently pressed to wax), Melbourne quintet The Shifters finally unveil their first, proper full-length album Have a Cunning Plan. The album showcases ten new tracks by the band at their best; scrappy, self-destructive, stumbling and brilliant pop music that seems tossed off or nonchalant on the surface but is rife with rewards upon further listening.

Check out the video for “Straight Lines” and you can find the album for pre-order at Trouble In Mind Records HERE.

Charles Bradley – “I Feel A Change” [VIDEO]

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November 5, 2018 would have been Charles Bradley’s 70th birthday. In celebration of his extraordinary life, Daptone imprint Dunham Records will release his fourth and final album on November 9th. Black Velvet will feature ten studio recordings never before included on any album including lead single “I Feel A Change.” The video for the track, was directed by Living On Soul’s Jeff Broadway & Cory Bailey.

Black Velvet is a celebration of Charles Bradley, lovingly assembled by his friends and family at Dunham/Daptone Records. Though chronologically the material spans Charles’ entire career, this is no anthology, greatest hits or other shallow rehashing of the songs that already made him famous. Rather, this album is a profound exploration through the less-travelled corners of the soulful universe that Charles and his longtime producer, co-writer and friend Tommy “TNT” Brenneck created in the studio together over their decade-long partnership.

The album features new songs recorded during the sessions from each of his three albums, heard here for the very first time in all their scorching glory: “Can’t Fight the Feeling,” “Fly Little Girl” and the heart-wrenching single “I Feel a Change”; hard core rarities like his funk-bomb duet with LaRose Jackson, “Luv Jones,” the psychedelic groover, “(I Hope You Find) The Good Life” and the ever-illusive alternate full band electric version of “Victim of Love”; sought-after covers of Nirvana’s “Stay Away,” Neal Young’s “Heart of Gold” and Rodriguez’s “Slip Away”; and the title track “Black Velvet,” a stirring Menahan Street Band instrumental to which Charles was never able to cut a vocal.

‘BLACK VELVET’ TRACK LISTING
01 – Can’t Fight The Feeling
02 – Luv Jones
03 – I Feel A Change
04 – Slip Away
05 – Black Velvet
06 – Stay Away
07 – Heart Of Gold
08 – (I Hope You Find) The Good Life
09 – Fly Little Girl
10 – Victim Of Love (Electric Version)

Video Premiere: Xuan – “We Were Just Talking”

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Xuan (pronounced “Swan”) Nguyen is a singer/songwriter from Dallas, Texas. She grew up in the burbs of Big D but being the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants helped influence an exploring life move to Viet Nam where she hosted a TV show. She then traveled around Southeast Asia and Australia before making another move – this time to Ireland!

She started writing songs in Ireland but it was after she moved back home and connected with Salim Nourallah (producer Old 97s, The Damnwells, Rhett Miller) at an open mic that got things rolling. He invited her to record at his studio which turned out to be her debut, Have Some Fun.

Have Some Fun is not out till November 16th via Palo Santo Records but TFN is giving you a premiere look (and listen) with her new video for album track “We Were Just Talking.” The video follows Xuan in the development of a new relationship and shows how it is not always easy. I don’t want to ruin it but it does have a happy ending!

Beyond the fun video, Xuan’s infectious indie pop voice makes this upbeat song stick in your head with her Jay Som meets Juliana Hatfield type of delivery. Everything about this video and track will have you wanting to hear more so make sure you check out Xuan’s social media and pick up the record on November 16th!

Xuan Website
Xuan Facebook
Palo Santo Records

Lung: Butcher [Video]

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Lung is a propulsive electric cello and drum duo from Cincinnati, OH. Classically trained cellist and vocalist Kate Wakefield has a voice that works seamlessly with the beats of drummer Daisy Caplan (ex-Foxy Shazam) and you may remember TFN review of their debut HERE.

The band’s sophomore album, All the King’s Horses is due out on SofaBurn Records on September 7, 2018 (CD) and October 26, 2018 (Vinyl). You can pre-order a copy HERE. You can check Lung out on tour at the dates below.

7/31 Bremerton, WA The Charleston
8/1 Bellingham, WA The Shakedown
8/2 Olympia, WA Home Throne Studio
8/3 Tacoma, WA The Safe House
8/4 Seattle, WA Kame House
8/6 Moscow, ID The Bayou
8/7 Spokane, WA The Pin
8/8 Missoula, MT Roxy Theater
8/9 Bozeman, MT Taco Monte
8/10 Billings, MT Julia Louis Drey-fest
8/11 Great Falls, MT The Back Alley Pub
8/12 Calgary, AB Ironwood Stage & Grill
8/14 Edmonton, AB Bohemia
8/15 Saskatoon, SK Witch Mansion
8/16 Regina, SK T+A Vinyl and Fashion
8/17 Minot, ND Why Not Fest
8/18 Pierre, SD The Exchange Coffee Shop
8/19 Rapid City, SD The Cave
8/20 Vermillion, SD R-Pizza
8/21 Sioux Falls, SD Cat Island
8/22 Grand Rapids, ND Ojata Records
8/23 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
8/24 Duluth, MN Blush
8/25 Minneapolis, MN Dead Media 6 PM
8/25 Minneapolis, MN 331 10PM

Moby – “The Sorrow Tree (The EastWest Sessions)” [Video]

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Moby has released Everything Was Beautiful, And Nothing Hurt (The EastWest Sessions), a live re-recording of tracks from his critically praised studio album by the same name which was released earlier this year.

In conjunction with the album release, Moby has also shared a new video for “The Sorrow Tree” which features the live version of the Everything Was Beautiful… track. The video was directed by Rob Bralver, the same director who helmed videos for “This Wild Darkness,” “Mere Anarchy” and “Like A Motherless Child.”

The Friday Fire Track: Active Bird Community – “Unwind With Me”

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Brooklyn, NY’s Active Bird Community instantly will get you excited to bring out the rock. The band have a new album coming out on September 14th via Barsuk Records and today’s Friday Fire Track is the perfect introduction.

“Unwind With Me” starts off innocent enough with the slow burning guitar strum and the band’s woo hoo harmony vocals. Singer Tom D’Agustino then calmly sings “and now you’re really over there, and I am thousand pounds of scared – I’ll fuck this up.” That is when the band’s muscular guitar comes out and injects this song a solid backbone that is unforgettable. Enjoy your Friday!

Active Bird Community Website
Active Bird Community Facebook
Barsuk Records

Paul Orwell – “Speak Of The Devil” [Video]

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UK’s rock n roll revivalist Paul Orwell has returned and this video is the reason you should be excited. It has attitude, leather and chains. Enough said! “Speak Of The Devil” is the new single off Orwell’s upcoming full length SMUT that is due for release later this year.

Currently you can find the single available on 7″ at the link provided HERE.

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