Category: Single Of The Week

Single Of The Week: “It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” by Carly Rae Jepsen

I generally hate Christmas music. And 2020 has been an extra terrible year for Christmas music… All of the new songs of the season that have been coming out have been EXTRA 2020! So much about missing your loved ones and not being able to celebrate and whatnot. With all of the darkness this year has given us, I’m just sort of over get reminded how miserable everything and everyone is. 

Which is why I say “Thank God for Carly Rae Jepsen!” I actually say that almost daily, but seriously, she is shaking up Christmas 2020 in all the right ways. “It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” is a legitimately funny and timeless song. It’s the spiritual sister to The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping”- a song that pokes fun of the holiday and its traditions, while still giving warm regard to it. This song will make you feel good, and maybe help remind you that telling your mother that Christmas might have to be celebrated via Zoom this year might not be so hard. (Also, celebrating via Zoom this year is the only way to guarantee you can celebrate with hugs next year)

“It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” can be found in all the usual places. May it bring you all the joy that it’s brought me!

Single Of The Week: “i never wanna die” by Bea Miller

I don’t know why I’ve slept on Bea Miller… The name has been getting tossed around for a bit now, but it wasn’t until the NIVA Save Our Stages Fest Livestream that I really took notice. Her set, which is still up here, was amazing. “i never wanna die” is the latest single from her EP, elated!, which came out in late October, is a dark little rock number that gets stuck on your head for ages. I’m glad it’s a single, so I can finally give it the “Single Of The Week” honors!

elated! doesn’t have a physical release date as of yet, but you can enjoy it in all of the places you would normally listen to music in the virtual world.

Single Of The Week: “Water Baby” by Megan Diana

Funny. I opened up a press release while doing something else, and ended up clicking on the wrong link in the press release. So, Megan Diana released a new single this week called “Cabin Fever.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a really great song, full of soulful vocals and gorgeous french horn. BUT! I found that out late because I clicked on the link to ANOTHER song by her called “Water Baby.” And HOLY SHITBALLS!! Diana is playing a mighty Wurlitzer organ alongside bass playing by the legendary Esperanza Spalding, and this song is just plain buttery magic. It’s always important to read the fine print, I guess? I’ve listened to this track 10 times today, and I’ll probably listen to it 10 more. 

“Water Baby” can be streamed on Spotify & purchased on Bandcamp. While you are at it, “Cabin Fever” can be, too. Expect a full-length record to drop sometime in 2021. 

Single Of The Week: “Shake” by Hot Laundry

It’s getting really cold outside. Life since the double shot of optimism last weekend with Biden getting declared President-Elect and news of a highly effective vaccine has since been shot down by a massive resurgence of the virus nationwide and the current President trying to do all he can to prevent his democratically elected successor from taking office. What is the best way to deal with both physical and psychological coldness? Well, I like to take a cue from my chihuahua and dive into  a pile of hot laundry, fresh out of the dryer. Of course, sometimes real hot laundry isn’t at your disposal. Then, of course, you should play “Shake” by Hot Laundry super loud and dance around to get your serotonin flowing. It’s a sexy soul punk anthem that will surely help you “shake” off the negativity in this world, at least for a little while. 

“Shake” can be streamed/purchased in all the usual places, and it’s the lead single off their upcoming full length, due out this Spring!  The band also just created a YouTube page for you to subscribe to, so you can see their lovely faces while you are dancing. And if you need to get your live music fix that we all desperately need, lead singer Janette Lopez has been hosting regular live streams from The Complex SF, and you can catch all of that on Twitch, including live sets from The Black Angels, Whateverglades, and many more!

Single of the Week: “The Universe is Watching Us – What Happens Next…” by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder has recently started pumping out a slew of singles, including the classic Wonder of “Where Is Our Love Song?” with Gary Clark Jr and the political hip-hop track “Can’t Put Your Hands In Fate” featuring Busta Rhymes, Rapsody, Cordae, and Chika. However, this week’s “Single of the Week” isn’t one of those tracks. It’s not even a piece of music. It’s a passionate plea to humanity that was sent to the world on Election Day. As of publish date, the US Presidential Election still hasn’t been called, but all signs point to Biden/Harris winning. (God I hope so! If Trump/Pence really wins this thing, I can’t imagine it being safe to hold large events anytime in the next few years) 

So, while we frantically refresh and await the networks to call this thing, maybe listen to a national treasure give some wisdom from his long time on this Earth. Songs In The Key Of Life has been my go-to record for dealing with the fright and stress of this pandemic and administration, and he continues to help remind me when to stay calm and when to fight. 

Single Of The Week: “Mr Monster” by Miranda and The Beat

This might be the scariest Halloween ever… COVID means we can’t get together and party. We really REALLY can’t do an apple bob. (Seriously folks, DO NOT BOB FOR APPLES! I mean, ever. It’s gross. But it’s pretty much a death warrant this year) Also, we are only a handful of days away from an election where, no matter what the results, there will be a contingent of people that believe the results mean that America will cease to exist as we know it. So, in lieu of a series song, our single of the week is a campy, garage-soul rave up from Miranda and The Beat called “Mr Monster.” We’ve got soulful vocals, campy horror-movie imagery, and a driving farfisa that will make your solo Halloween dance party still kick nicely. 

“Mr Monster” can be streamed in all the usual places, and you can dig deeper into their catalog on Bandcamp. Also, DON’T FORGOT TO VOTE!!!!!!!!

Single Of The Week: “January 21st” by Oceanator

Oceanator is a band of one. That specific one is a woman by the name of Elise Okusami. Our single of the week comes from Oceanator, and it’s a song called “January 21st.” Okusami played many of the instruments when constructing this loud and intense reflection on anxiety. It’s interesting that it’s the day after the Inauguration, so I’m hoping we may get some relief of our collective anxiety that day. (NOTE: DON’T FORGET TO MAKE A VOTING PLAN!)

“January 21st” comes off Oceanator’s debut record, Things I Said. Things I Said is available digitally and on streaming services NOW, and will be coming out on orange swirl vinyl, yellow tinted cassette, and old-school CD on January 6th. Preorders are happening NOW! 

Single Of The Week: “L’Internationale” by Downtown Boys

Did you know there is a big film coming out about Karl Marx’ daughter, Eleanor called Miss Marx? And the New England punk band Downtown Boys is doing the music for it? Neither did I. But with the Republican ticket calling two unabashedly pro capitalism presidential candidate “Socialists,” it might be nice to see what a socialist ACTUALLY is. The lead single is a cover of the classic left wing anthem “L’Internationale,” written by Eugene Pottier. 

This track can be found in all the usual places, and, also DON’T FORGET TO VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!  Make a plan.  Email me if you need help making a plan. Let’s get that monster out of office ASAP. 

Single Of The Week: “Stupid Boys” by Bleached

Last night, Bleached played their first show of 2020. It was a livestream, sponsored by our friends at General Election LA. It was fantastic. Sorry you missed it. Instead, here’s a brand new single from LA’s finest! It’s a fun song, that fuses together the disco energy of last year’s Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough? with the classic, brash Ramonsean punk they were doing when we first fell in love with this band. This is an ear worm that will have you dancing all the way to the polls… Which reminds me to MAKE SURE YOU DEVELOP A VOTING PLAN!! Don’t leave it up to chance… I made some short videos a few years ago to help with electoral anxiety, especially if you haven’t been a regular participant in the electoral process. 

“Stupid Boys” can be found in all the usual places, and the livestream of last night’s show will remain live here until 7pm PST, so take a long lunch and enjoy!

Single of the Week: Can You Dance To A Feeling? by The Shutups

Oakland’s own The Shutups are bringing us this week’s Single Of The Week. “Can You Dance To A Feeling?” is a power pop burner, great for getting ready to go out. Yes, I know you can’t go out until sometime next year, but it still feels good to listen to the music that helps you feel that way. The music video also takes place largely outside of the Loard’s Ice Cream shop by my gym, which I miss going to, and can’t wait to see that reopen sometime next year. 

You know what you don’t have to wait until next year for? The EP that this week’s single comes off of! 5 by The Shutups is out TODAY and since it’s Bandcamp day, you can buy it right now and 100% of the money you drop on it will go straight to the band so they can, um, buy more ice cream? Also, tonight at 8pm, the band is playing (an empty) Ivy Room, with the whole thing getting streamed on Kill Rock Stars YouTube Channel!