Category: Single Of The Week

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!

Single of the Week: nowhere, man by tUnE-yArDs

Merrill Garbus has kept herself incredibly busy since 2018’s I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life. She’s been producing other people’s music, as well as scoring Boots Riley’s epic film Sorry To Bother You, as well as his yet to be named TV show project. I was actually thinking that she was about ready to let tUnE-yArDs go, and then this  chaotic piece of music landed on my headphones today, and, well, WOW! This is the biggest, noisiest thing that we’ve every gotten from Garbus & company, and I’m all in. She manages to keep her groove while attacking you with piano and electric guitar and feedback. So many emotions. So much happening, and it just feels like my brain right now. 

“nowhere, man” can be found in all of the usual places. No word yet on whether this is from an upcoming full length, or it’s just a one off track, but it’s a good one, so enjoy!

Single Of The Week: tonight by Alaina Castillo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki2QhRMlNAc&feature=youtu.be

Do you remember a time when you would actually cancel on plans to go out because you wanted to stay home, alone? It’s hard to think about that, but there definitely was a time this was true. I’m sure when this is all over, and we get back out into the world, within about six months many of us will be back there. The joy of Alaina Castillo’s latest single, “tonight,” is it helps take you back to, um February, when we weren’t trapped in doors, and were able to do things like hug and share a straw and whatnot. The accompanying video is great, too! It’s clearly shot with socially distancing measures taken, without feeling like it was shot like that. 

You can purchase / stream “tonight” in all the usual places. One of the options is Tik Tok, so you can really make the president angry by listening on his least favorite platform! 

Single Of The Week: At It Again by Slow Pulp

Admittedly, when I saw this press release come to my inbox, I got my hopes up, thinking we had a new Pulp single. I looked at it again, and realized the name of the band is “Slow Pulp.” I was mad and refused to listen to it. Then, when trying to decide on my single of the week, I gave it a whirl. And, much to my delight, this balance of fuzzy and dreamy is right out of early 90’s / 4AD Records heaven! Coming in somewhere between Belly and Curve, “At It Again” is a fantastic song that deserves repeated plays, and will force you to forgive them for the name. 

Their debut album, Moveys, is coming out October 9th, and can be preordered / presaved from a a slew of places that you can find here!

Single Of The Week: Our Deal (Live In Studio 2020) by Best Coast

This week’s Single Of The Week is a bit of a cheat. It’s a great song, but it’s also 10 years old. HOWEVER there is a compilation coming out TODAY- That’s Friday, September 4th. And it’s ONLY AVAILABLE TODAY. It’s called Good Music To Avert The Collapse Of American Democracy, and is only available at Bandcamp. It’s the brainchild of Dave Eggers (of 826 Valencia) and funds raised will be donated to Fair Fight, and organization that is fighting for free and fair elections. Which we really, really need right now. 

So, please, buy the compilation. And, while you are floating around Bandcamp, remember that today is the day that Bandcamp doesn’t take any commissions from sales, so buy some records / merch from bands that can’t tour this year! 

Full Track Listing is after the jump Continue reading “Single Of The Week: Our Deal (Live In Studio 2020) by Best Coast”