It’s been quite a long time since we’ve gotten a new Carissa’s Wierd cut. They last dropped a 7″ in 2011 and faded away as emo bands do. But, since everything that’s truly good comes back again, Jen Champion and Mat Brooke are back together with an absolutely stunning single, “No One Lives Here Anymore.” Their harmonies are as strong as ever, as are their adventurous arrangements. This song is a stunner.
Next year gives us the first full length Carissa’s Wierd record in 25 YEARS! (Which makes me feel, like, painfully old saying). Somewhere Further Than Far Away comes out January 8th, 2007, making it your first record preorder of next year!
Stones Throw Records really doesn’t get the credit it deserves. They started out as a hip-hop/funk label, but lately have been pumping out some of the best “under the radar” bangers that seem to defy genre in almost every way. The latest is “Feelin’ Wee” by Japan’s Kiko Mizuhara. This spacey psychedelic pop jam harkens back to the days of Grand Royal Records, and it shares a spiritual home with the likes of Cibo Matto, Bran Van 3000, Luscious Jackson, and, yes, even The Beastie Boys at their most lounge.
“Feelin’ Wee” is Kiko’s first EVER single. It’s one hell of a debut, and I can’t wait to hear what else is coming from her. Follow her on Instagram and Bandcamp!
HOLY MATRIARCHAL TRINITY, BATMAN! Labor Day week is bringing us to the Bay Area, the ultimate week of Riot Grrl legends coming to town. Arguably, the three most significant bands of the classic PNW / Olympia, WA scene are all playing in the same week.
First, on Tuesday, September 8th, we have Bikini Kill at The Warfield playing with what is being touted as the last EVER Bay Area appearance by THE ALICE BAG BAND. Yes, that’s Bikini Kill and Alice Bag on at the historic Warfield in downtown SF. Tickets are available here.
The next night at the gorgeous Greek Theater in Berkeley, we have Sleater-Kinney. Arguably the greatest American live band, under the stars on a lovely early Fall evening. I’m so unbelievably excited about this show. To make matters all the more enticing, indie rock legend Liz Phair and soon-to-be legendary Soccer Mommy are both on the bill, too! Tickets here.
Closing out the week will be two nights at Bottom Of The Hill with the great Bratmobile! These are their first proper headlining gigs since reforming, and, sadly, both are sold out. So you’ve gotta hope for a miracle to land tix to these shows on Friday, September 11th, and Saturday, September 12th.
And, if that’s still not enough for you, just over a month later, Heavens To Betsy are playing their first SF shows in like 30-some odd years on October 17th and 18th, but sadly, they are also sold out. There are still a few more tickets left for Team Dresch’s pair of November shows! Tickets for Wednesday, November 4th are here. And Thursday, November 5th are here.
“Cahokia” is a brilliant track that hearkens back to the classic era of 90’s britpop… Greg Freeman has definitely studied Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, and the greatest britpop band to come from Portland, OR, The Dandy Warhols. Great melodies and hooks, psychedelic flourishes, all compressed into a brilliant 4 1/2 minute pop song.
“Cahokia” is the latest single off his upcoming full length, All Set The Bone, coming your way October 2nd! Tour dates below!
Tour Dates:
08/27 – Paris, FR @ Supersonic
08/28 – Eindhoven, NL @ Hit the City Festival
08/29 – Vlieland, NL @ Into The Great Wide Open
10/20 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair *
10/22 – Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club *
10/23 – Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s *
10/24 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
10/25 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon *
10/27 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall `
10/28 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge `
10/30 – Denver, CO @ Marquis $
10/31 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court $
11/02 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern $
11/03 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater $
11/05 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent $
11/06 – South Pasadena, CA @ Sid The Cat Auditorium $
11/07 – San Diego, CA @ Voodoo Room at House of Blues San Diego $
11/10 – Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub #
11/11 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada #
11/13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade – Purgatory Stage #
11/14 – Asheville, NC @ Eulogy ^
11/15 – Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall ^
11/16 – Washington, DC @ The Atlantis ^
11/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church ^
11/20 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall ^
11/21 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom ^
Liz Nistico, AKA Revenge Wife, released one of the most captivating collections of songs and accompanying music videos back in 2020 called Background Songs For Your Boring Life, Vol 1. Apropos, since 2020 and 2021 were both the most stressful and boring years in human history. Six years later, and she’s still adding to the story of those videos with a pop-punk banger of a track called “What If It *Is* Me?!” This is the first single off her upcoming debut full-length, Alien Witch, out September 30th. Sign up for her mailing list here to keep up with preorder details, and follow her on Instagram here.
WOO HOO!!! The biggest surprise of 2026 is the groundbreaking riot grrl duo Heavens To Betsy getting back together and playing shows again. I did not expect to also get a new album. And by a new album, actually an album of demos recorded by Bratmobile legend Molly Neuman back in 1992.
baby’s gone is coming to you from legendary punk label Kill Rock Stars on October 16th. Preorders, along with new merch, are available starting now! And, of course, don’t forget the tour! So many shows are already sold out, so don’t delay in locking in. I have waited my entire teenage AND adult life for this to happen.
Sometimes you just need some loud guitars that start out anxious and then explode. And by sometimes, I mean all the time. It helps you stay sane. Girl Tones are the right kinda driving rock n roll that I need to keep going, and “Pretty Face” is big enough to really do it.
“Pretty Face” is the first single off Precious, their debut album out November 6th.
I’ve been to 16 of the last 18 Outside Lands. Some years have been more fun than others, of course. (I missed 2010 due to work and 2021 due to COVID anxiety) But I will always come back. This party in Golden Gate Park is always a good time — the music, the vibes, the food. I’ve never had a bad time. But this year, 2026, was the absolute BEST Outside Lands I’ve ever been to. It’s been a few days, and I’m still beaming over my OSL experience, and I can’t wait until next year. Which, I might add, Eager Beaver tickets go on sale 8/19 at 10am. Register here for the presale!
Thao Nguyen is back. And this track is a banger. It’s been six long years, and in that time she’s dissolved her long-time band, The Get Down Stay Down, and is simply going by THAO. And with that change, she’s giving us a fierce little number that’s both dancefloor and mosh pit ready. The grooves of Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards’ leader and producer of this track) and the ferocity of The Linda Lindas are both key players here, but the classic THAO energy is still there, too. GOD, I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!
“Sick Of The Times” comes from THAO’s upcoming record, Show Me, coming your way October 30th from the legendary Kill Rock Stars label. A short Fall Tour is on sale TODAY at 10 am!
