Tag Archives: indie rock

LISTEN: Mobley is Haunted by ‘Y’r Ghost’

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Acclaimed songwriter Mobley just dropped his first new release since 2022 — and he’s wasting no time taking us on an emotional thrill ride.

“Y’r Ghost” is bubbling over with abrupt twists and turns — both in its sonic landscape, and the mood it serves to create. What begins with a sweet, soulful simmer transforms on a dime into a frantic, up-tempo dash, as our protagonist searches for answers after losing a partner whom he loved intensely.

“‘Y’r Ghost’ marks the return of Jacob Creedmoor, the protagonist from my last record, Cry Havoc!,” Mobley said. “It finds him reminiscing about the night he met the love of his life and mourning her loss, and the fact that she’s fading in his memory. The song’s shifts in mood and energy mirror the turmoil of our lovelorn hero, while the lyrics hint at a larger story still waiting to be told.”

That larger story — a continuation of the themes explored on 7-track Cry Havoc! EP — is coming soon in the form of a science-fiction epic. While we await more details, immerse yourself in the latest chapter!

LISTEN: The Trampoline Delay’s Wake-Up Call

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We’ve all had that loved one whose destructive decisions are becoming worrisome. The Trampoline Delay is here to help us sound the alarm.

The band’s new single, “Little Lucy,” comes in with a thunderous urgency. The fast-paced alt-rock offering — which clocks in at just under two minutes — is written from the perspective of a friend who sees the crash coming, but feels powerless to stop it.

“‘Little Lucy’ is about watching someone self-destruct and trying to snap them out of it. Lucy’s caught up with the wrong crowd, doing things that drag her down—whether it’s drinking, drugs, whatever,” said frontman Pete Marino. “It’s that downward spiral you can’t always pull people out of. The first chorus is a wake-up call, like, ‘Get it together,’ but by the end, it’s more desperate, like, ‘Please wake up,’ after it’s too late.”

The scorching new tune was created out of a fun creative competition between Marino and other musician friends, where they pick a theme, select an existing song, and make it their own. “Little Lucy” started as an indie rock makeover of the Everly Brothers classic, “Wake Up Little Susie.”

From there, it found new life.

“I think it took about 30 minutes to program drums, record the guitars, bass, vocal. In this case, I loved the version I made so much, and it was completely different than the original, I didn’t want it to go to waste,” Marino recalled. “So, I wrote new lyrics, while still keeping that iconic chorus line of “wake up little…” but definitely took the song in a darker direction. Then, I went back to it, and added real drums and new vocals.”

LISTEN: Leah Burns Wants You to Go Out and Live Life

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Photo credit: Kyrie Dial

Our time is finite. Best to live it up while we still can.

That’s the empowering message behind Leah Burns’ latest release, “WUT R U WAITING 4.” Influenced by the power pop anthems of our Millennial youth, the rocking new single is driven forward by blistering guitars and Burns’ distinct powerhouse vocals, which are used to deliver clear instructions: drop your baggage at the door, go out, and experience life.

“I wrote it one day after therapy. We were talking about how I just wanted to feel alive again and happy. I didn’t want to be the sad version of myself or was just floating through life,” Burns said. “So, the song is about not staying stuck in place. It’s about going out and living your life to the fullest, and not waiting for it. It’s about abandoning all the patterns you’ve been stuck in and changing them, and going out and doing everything you want. (It’s about) not holding back anymore.”

It’s fitting that we’re writing this review on a Friday, because it makes this the perfect moment to take action on Burns’ message…

“I hope everyone who listens to it is inspired to grab their friends, go out, and just live,” Burns said.

Better get to it — after you give “WUT R U WAITING 4” a listen, of course!

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!

A One-of-a-Kind Homecoming (ft. Bren)

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The hype train leading to Sounds of the Underground keeps rolling, as we welcome Bren to the show. The Philadelphia-based indie rock songwriter originally hails from the Lehigh Valley, and we chat about the significance of bringing our home community together at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on June 21.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve (H.O.M.E.), Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Bren: ⁠⁠https://whatthebren.com⁠⁠

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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!

Rebel Against the System with Black Suit Devil

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If you’re looking for proof that rock is alive and well, look no further.

Black Suit Devil — the songwriting vehicle of Andy Du Rego, who previously graced our pages with this single from his upcoming album, The Eternal Sleep — has unveiled the album’s lead track. “Buried in You” is a high-powered, sprawling anthem; one which clocks in at 7-and-a-half-minutes, and blends the worlds of prog-metal and post-grunge.

“(Buried in You)” is the heaviest song I have ever written for Black Suit Devil,” Du Rego noted. “Prior to BSD, I had been performing over the years in various heavy metal and rock bands. So, it’s a great feeling for me personally, to bring that into Black Suit Devil.”

Hallmarked by scorching guitars, relentless drums, and powerful, gritty vocals, “Buried in You” provides a commentary on the ways modern society is constructed to control — and oftentimes, work actively against — the common man. Du Rego pulls no punches about the societal constructs which lord over every aspect of our lives — from our finances and the food we eat, to what we think and feel.

“I wanted to take the listener down a rabbit hole adventure, and make them think about the world around them,” Du Rego said.

“Buried in You” features the talents of Vic Freitas on drums and John Brand on bass. The song was self-recorded, mixed by mixed by 2x Juno Award winner Kevin Dietz, and mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering. Dive in!

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.”

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.

Navigating Your Vision Through External Changes

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In this Quinn Spinn Highlight, Adam Lawrence of The Mad Sugars discusses the importance of remaining true to your vision, even as circumstances outside of your control continue to change.

Stream ‘Personal Space,’ the new album, out now: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/album/1FXmc9xOr4RUuiCe6kHfWt?si=JX0Sizz2TJmA4In-GmNkqQ⁠

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
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