Features

The Friday Fire Track: FEELS – “Car”

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“My friends – come with me to Candyland” is the first line you will hear from the rocking new tune and Friday Fire Track from Los Angeles punk quartet FEELS. “Car” is from the band’s second LP, Post Earth, that will be released on February 22, 2019 via Witchita Recordings.

After recording their 2016 eponymous debut with Ty Segall in one marathon daylong session, FEELS went to Northern California in August 2017 for a comparatively luxurious eight days with Tim Green. The former guitarist of punk iconoclasts Nation of Ulysses, Green has worked with Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Joanna Newsom and Jawbreaker among others.

His experience combined with FEELS growth as a band has not only turned out a killer tune in “Car” but Post Earth will be album to hear and look forward to as the new year kicks off. Enjoy your Friday!

FEELS Website
FEELS Facebook
Wichita Recordings

The Friday Fire Track: Deerhunter – “Death In Midsummer”

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Deerhunter returns with an album out of time. It is concerned with the disappearance of culture, of humanity, of nature, of logic and emotion.

Deerhunter’s eighth LP, Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?, is out January 19 via 4AD. Like with previous Deerhunter albums- this new one comes with high expectations and from this first single and today’s Friday Fire Track, “Death in Midsummer,” the record could already be considered for a best of in 2019.

From the opening harpsichord and piano figures of “Death in Midsummer”, it is impossible to tell where the record came from. It is already a timeless composition that demands repeat listens. The sound is vintage but the progression in the song is tomorrow.

Deerhunter is already out on tour in a few days so check the list below and enjoy your Friday!

Deerhunter Website
Deerhunter Facebook
4AD

Deerhunter / Tour Dates

SUN 11/04 SAO PAOLO, Balaclava Festival
THU 11/08 SANTIAGO, Blondie
SAT 11/10 SANTIAGO, Fauna Primavera
SUN 11/11 BUENOS AIRES, Personal Fest
TUE 11/13 QUITO, La Ideal
WED 11/14 LIMA, Sala Raimondi
THU 1/17 LOS ANGELES, CA Lodge Room (with Confusing Mix of Nations)
MON 1/21 OSAKA, Bigcat (with Gang Gang Dance)
TUE 1/22 NAGOYA, Electric Ladyland
WED 1/23 TOKYO, O-East
FRI 2/15 NASHVILLE, TN Cannery Ballroom (with Faye Webster)
MON 2/18 CLEVELAND, OH Mahall’s 20 Lanes (with Mary Lattimore)
TUE 2/19 DETROIT, MI El Club (with Mary Lattimore)
THU 2/21 TORONTO, ON Danforth Music Hall (with Mary Lattimore)
FRI 2/22 MONTREAL, QC Le National (with Mary Lattimore)
SAT 2/23 NEW HAVEN, CT College Street Music Hall (with Mary Lattimore)
SUN 2/24 BOSTON, MA Royale (with Mary Lattimore)
WED 2/27 BROOKLYN, NY Brooklyn Steel (with Mary Lattimore, L’Rain)
FRI 3/01 PHILADELPHIA, PA Union Transfer (with L’Rain)
SAT 3/02 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 Club (with L’Rain)
SUN 3/03 BALTIMORE, MD Ottobar
TUE 3/05 PITTSBURGH, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre (with L’Rain)
WED 3/06 LOUISVILLE, KY Headliner’s Music Hall (with L’Rain)
FRI 3/08 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Stopover Music Festival

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 Friday Fire Track: Ron Gallo – “Always Elsewhere”

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Stardust Birthday Party is the follow up to Ron Gallo’s debut album, Heavy Meta, which was a fantastic garage rock album that we missed out on in 2017. Well, we are not missing this one as Gallo storms back with today’s Friday Fire Track, “Always Elsewhere.” The track is from Stardust Birthday Party which is out October 5, 2018 via New West Records.

Gallo’s energy sounds like a modern Talking Heads as the track has a very pop backbone under its excited guitar playing and call out type vocal delivery. The song just has all the components to make your Friday better!

Ron Gallo Website
Ron Gallo Facebook
New West Records

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

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

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