Tag Archives: alt-rock

LISTEN: Hot4Robot Tackles the Euphoria of Addiction on ‘Your Chemical’

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It’s amazing how a creative spark from many moons ago can come back around, years later, and give way to something new.

That is the origin story of Hot4Robot’s tune, “Your Chemical.” The band just released an acoustic rendition on September 13, in advance of the band’s forthcoming unplugged album, recorded live at the legendary Godfrey Daniels listening room in Bethlehem, PA.

“The main groove of ‘Your Chemical’ was originally featured in a tune performed by The Foolz, a Lehigh Valley jam-band staple of the mid-aughts, whose lineup included 50 percent of Hot4Robot,” said frontman Alex Radus, who crafted the song’s prototype alongside guitarist Dave Cahill. “That tune is lost to the sands of time, but the groove was infectious enough to make its way into Hot4Robot’s songwriting toolkit. It was eventually refashioned into ‘Your Chemical’ – matched with completely different lyrics, melody and B-section.”

“Your Chemical” originally debuted on the band’s 2021 full-length, self-titled release. The pensive — some might say ominous — tune “chronicles the toxic and disorienting euphoria of addiction, especially to dopamine hits and external validation.”

Radus believes that this updated rendition gives the song’s message room to breathe, while keeping the structure and intricacies of the original intact.

“What was fascinating about reimagining this song unplugged, is that the acoustic format gave the tune an intimacy and vulnerability that conveyed the message just as well — or perhaps better? “Radus said. “It’s also pretty amazing how Dave recreates his intense and spectacular lead with no pedals or effects.”

Feel the intensity — check out “Your Chemical – Unplugged” below!

After Beating Cancer, Emma Driver Triumphantly Returns with ‘Try Hard’

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There are times when a song is more than just a song; when it is a statement of arrival, and a significant step on one’s healing journey.

“Try Hard” — the new single from Nashville-based songwriter Emma Driver — is one of those moments. The first single from her forthcoming EP, Ashamed to Admit This (coming spring 2025), the tune unveils a new sound from the former Fresh Lady. Combining anthemic pop sensibility with a robust pop punk edge, Driver sings about confronting one’s insecurities and using them to serve others facing similar struggles.

“Try Hard” also marks a significant life milestone for Driver, who faced mortality in the form of a lymphoma diagnosis at age 27. Lyrics like “what a nightmare to be perceived” — written before her diagnosis — took on an entirely new meaning, as she lost her hair to chemotherapy and became unrecognizable even to herself.

In the end, music ultimately helped her transform her fear and shame into art — while still allowing her the room to be vulnerable and accepting of her own humanity.

“I used to think that I would get to a point when I just didn’t care; like a switch would flip, and I’d just know who I was and be good. But now in remission, I still catch myself,” Driver said. “I fully beat cancer and am over here worried about if a random person thinks I’m cringe. I’ll always care, because it’s human to want to be liked, understood, and validated. Finally putting this song out feels like owning this part of myself I used to feel shame about, and that’s so freeing.”

Free yourself from your own fears of judgment when you play this one at max volume!

Believe the ‘Hype’: Lips Speak Louder are Here to Rock!

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In case you’ve been under a rock for the past few years, turn-of-the-millennium rock influences are everywhere these days. It’s never long before we hear about another reunion tour — or entire festival — meant to appeal to our Gen X and Millennial tastes.

Of course, the late 90s and early 2000s are showing up in plenty of new music as well. Take Nashville-based duo Lips Speak Louder for example; their new single, “Hype,” draws its instrumentation and swagger from some of your favorite high-powered grunge tunes, while frontwoman Rachel Brandsness’ vocals remind us of Gwen Stefani — with just a wee bit more of a sullen edge.

“‘Hype’ unapologetically calls out and confronts the inauthenticity of those who sell themselves for their own gain, whether it’s social, financial or political,” Brandsness said.

If you want to hear more after listening to this — and we’re sure you will — Lips Speak Louder is about to embark on a fall tour across much of the US, both in support of their own project and as the backing band for Emily Wolfe, who produced “Hype” alongside the band’s forthcoming album. That tour includes an Oct. 19 date at Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge, beginning at 7 p.m.

For now, believe the “Hype” on this one — because it’s here, and it’s real!

LISTEN: Lonely Little Kitsch Explores Our ‘Vices’

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We’re heading to Canada for the first time ever this month! To celebrate, let’s check in with a band keeping the nation’s storied alt-rock tradition alive!

Lonely Little Kitsch released their latest single, “Vices,” on August 21. A tense introduction — hallmarked by low-end guitars and a thunderous bass drum pattern — sets an ominous tone, as frontwoman Kristen Goetz lists some of the ways our humanity gets the better of us.

However, upon a closer listen, one realizes that “Vices” serves a deeper purpose — to celebrate the beautiful imperfections that make each of us human!

“The song is about bad habits, and how we all have them,” Goetz said. “Some can be serious, and some are innocent and fairly innocuous –- and, in some cases, our vices are other people. But, no one is vice-less. ‘Vices’ is about recognizing that, and coming together and being open about it. Perfection is a farce. Let your freak flag fly!”

Described by the band as “Veruca Salt meets Jack White, with a little (a lot) of Cobain in the bridge,” “Vices” takes the best of 90s grunge and applies a modern filter — complete with a melody sure to leave a lasting impression.

“I had been playing around on a keyboard and came up with something that felt catchy. Nolan immediately created a killer guitar riff based on that, I sang a melody with it, and that was that,” Goetz said. “The bones and structure of the song came together extremely quickly.”

NASHVILLE: June 12 Battle of the Bands Contestants Announced

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Last month, you learned that ARREIS is teaming with Chicago-bred festival organizers Local Nation on presenting a Battle of the Bands competition this summer and fall throughout Nashville.

The first event will take place Wednesday, June 12 at The End (2219 Elliston Pl.), and we have your lineup right here…

Judges for the June 12 event include:

Want to perform at a future Battle of the Bands? Applications are still open through May 24. Submit for consideration!

LISTEN: You’ll Be ‘Better Off’ After That Breakup

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It can be tough to see at first, but the truth is, a lot of breakups are for the best.

New Jersey-based alt-rockers The Break Plans deliver that message in empowering fashion on their latest single, “Better Off” (released May 10). The tune combines scorching guitar work with an anthemic pop sensibility, providing a lift to anyone struggling with what comes next after a relationship.

“Heartbreak is really hard and can be incredibly lonely,” shares vocalist Colton Braun. “I wanted to talk about those experiences so many of us have had. What I’ve learned is that there’s a great deal of freedom that comes from finally letting go. Writing these songs with my band was the most cathartic thing I’ve ever done. I hope our listeners can relate and find comfort in it.”

The single — the first from the band’s debut EP, Mistakes Are a Friend of Mine (due Fall 2024) — marks a watershed moment in the band’s creative process, with guitarist Mikey Strawz noting that the band feels free to create music they love.

 “This is our third cycle of releasing new music, and we’re allowing each other total freedom to write the songs that we want to make,” Strawz said. “It’s completely uninhibited and has helped the writing process immensely. After working with so many talented producers (Carl Bahner -The Wombats, Rob Chiarappa – Gray Scale/Jake Miller, Corey Mouch-Knox) and keeping a keen eye on modern pop music, we have a clear direction of what works for us.”

All Poets & Heroes Want You to Make Something of Your Life

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A good friend can be the guiding force which leads us toward self-improvement.

All Poets & Heroes explore an unconventional version of this dynamic on their new tune, “Singlehanded.” Influenced by the slacker rock of the 90s and early 2000s, the band tells the story of a person with untapped potential, and the loyal stoner friend who witnesses him wasting away into oblivion.

“Centered around a bad day — and seemingly a wasted life — a person who was told they were ‘good as gold’ is finding that life isn’t turning out the way they had hoped,” said lead vocalist Rob McCall. “He visits his stoner friend and pisses away another day. However, it’s the stoner friend, who narrates the story, that sees this person clearly and is attempting to snap them out of there woes, urging them to claim their dignity by accepting that life is hard, and trying to get them to work at bettering themselves.”

“And for fun, there’s a reference to masturbation.”

Want even more reason for excitement? All Poets & Heroes will be a part of ARREIS’ and Local Nation’s Battle of the Bands, taking place June 12 at The End. Learn more about that here!

PHOTOS: Aaron Lee Tasjan at The Blue Room

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Aaron Lee Tasjan at The Blue Room (Nashville, TN)

Aaron Lee Tasjan is a performer’s performer; one whose love of art and experimentation combines in tremendous fashion with a distinct reverence for the rock and roll traditions which came before him. With a knack for storytelling and a sharp wit to match, he invites each member of his audience to make a personal connection with his music.

That’s what we had a chance to experience last Thursday at The Blue Room, and we were more than happy to take the ride!

Tasjan’s performance was in celebration of his new album, Stellar Evolution. Released on April 12, the full-length offering explores and shatters sonic boundaries, while offering personal takes on sobriety (“The Drugs Did Me”), the queer adolescent experience (“Horror Of It All”), and the state of American political culture (“I Love America Better Than You”).

Set highlights — aside from the aforementioned fan favorites — included special guest appearances by renowned guitarist, songwriter, and producer Butch Walker; indie rock standout Molly Martin (who opened the evening), and interdisciplinary musician and producer Lafemmebear on an exciting rendition of Lucinda Williams’ “Drunken Angel.” Walker and Lafemmebear stayed onstage to add their respective flavors to Tasjan’s 2021 song, “Up All Night.”

Of the new tunes, “Pants” brought funky, feel-good vibes to accompany a message empowering the audience to feel comfortable within their own skin. The beachy, romantic “Ocean Drive” brought a sense of serenity into the room, as it captured the essence of feeling at home with the one you love.

Tasjan even gave us a preview of what is to come post-Stellar Evolution by performing two new songs. “The Real” felt like a love letter to those in attendance; one which gave Tasjan a chance to showcase his guitar chops, with an emotive solo reminiscent of Richie Sambora at his most soulful. Immediately thereafter, “Punk Rock Joy” was a high-energy banger which made a statement — no matter what the world, society, or a government takes away from us, it can’t have what’s inside our hearts.

WATCH: Pillow Queens Embrace Intoxicating Love on ‘Heavy Pour’

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We may still be a long way off from spooky season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t deliver something to haunt you.

In this case, it’s the hypnotic, churning alt-rock of Pillow Queens, who have released a video for their song, “Heavy Pour.” The video — released in advance of their forthcoming LP, Name Your Sorrow (out Friday, April 19) — was shot at the historic Glenmaroon House in Dublin, Ireland — a Tudor-style Edwardian mansion, dating back to the 1850s.

Directed by Kate Dolan, the video is inspired by classic silent films, including The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, Faust and Nosferatu.

“The song felt like a haunting and I felt the video needed to be something quite stylistic. I came up with the idea of the music video being a long lost silent film that has never been seen, a haunted piece of art buried in an attic somewhere. Then, as the band performs the cursed film is purged, burning up. The band are always up for having some fun, so the shoot was a lot of fun, and we played a lot on set.”

Sonically, “Heavy Pour” borrows influence from the guitar distortion of 1990s grunge, with moments of clarity breaking through in the bridge. The soundscape was crafted to fit the song’s theme of choosing to love courageously, even as the world’s judgment finds its way in.

“A lot of the lines in this song could convey the typical sweetness of a love song, but it has brief moments of outside perspectives that cast doubt over the conviction represented,” said lead vocalist, guitarist, and bassist Pamela Connelly. “The song tries to show the ‘heavy pour’ as a compulsion that while having moments of joy, ultimately heightens personal insecurities.”

Meanwhile in the chorus, the band tackles common gender miscorrelations with the line, “I want more, but I’m not man enough.”

“We wanted to delve into and dissect the idea that one’s gender expression is impacted by their perceived level of courage,” said guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Sarah Corcoran. “Spoiler: it’s not. All genders can be courageous and/or scared.”

LISTEN: Bobby Mahoney Offers a Sign of Summer with ‘Empty Passenger Seats’

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Photo credit: Hannah Greve

Fun fact: Although UMC itself got its start in Pennsylvania as Lehigh Valley Underground, I’m actually a New Jersey native. And so, I’m greatly immersed in the Garden State’s storied rock and roll lineage — from Bruce Springsteen, to Bon Jovi, to The Gaslight Anthem and more.

Today, it seems that my original home state will be carrying its grand rock tradition into a new generation.

Responsible for carrying the torch is Bobby Mahoney, who released the high-powered summer anthem, “Empty Passenger Seats,” this past Friday. That timelessly youthful Jersey Shore sound is alive and well, with a punk edge breaking through by way of Mahoney’s rugged vocal.

“I initially wrote the first part of ‘Empty Passenger Seats’ while we were driving home overnight after playing Richmond, VA for the first time,” Mahoney said. “We were driving up the NJ Turnpike as the sun was rising. We had this feeling of accomplishment that we were doing exactly what we should be doing, and that imagery became the bridge of the song. I then spent time with our friend Dan Cohen (Creating Clementine) on the riff and the chorus in East Brunswick at my parents’ house. I remember also working on it with the band in a Motel 6 in Carlisle, PA, and listening to rough mixes in a parking lot in Georgia.”

He continues, “It is very much a road song, and a good representation of what we do as a band.”

I’ll definitely have this one blaring as I cruise down the Parkway on the way to Cape May later this summer. For now, enjoy it as a clear sign that summer is near!

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