Single of the Week: “Watermelon Manicure” by Sad13

I love a short song. The shorter and more chaotic, the better. So, when Sadie Dupuis (of Speedy Ortiz) decided to release a full album of 1 minutish songs, I was more than excited. The first single off that release is an uncomfortable, noisy affair called “Watermelon Manicure.” It’s amazing, and I’ve listened to it almost 15 times now, and I’ve found more layers to this than your average 15-minute prog opus. 

1331 is out July 10th! Preorder here! And our New England friends get the first chance to hear this brilliant record live: 

7/9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ New Idea Society, Russian Baths

7/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s w/ Hurry, Dina Hashem

7/11 – Malden, MA @ FACES w/ New Idea Society, Real Beaut

7/17 – virtual @ Blue Stoop – Verse Chorus Voice, a lyrics & songwriting masterclass

7/24 – Somerville, MA @ NICE, a fest w/ Krill, Downtown Boys, Dari Bay, Mal Devisa

Single Of The Week: “Too Many Things” by The Linda Lindas

The Linda Lindas are too good for how young they are. We have been trumpeting the brilliance of this formerly tween, now mostly teen rock band since 2019. Their debut record, 2022’s Growing Up, is possibly the most exciting and diverse debut of the pop-punk canon. However, my first listen to “Too Many Things” still surprised me. The pulsating, anxious bassline. The lyrics? A deep, introspective look at the feeling of being overwhelmed that wouldn’t have been out of place on a Sleater-Kinney or Go-Go’s record. (The two bands that, IMHO, have best conveyed “anxiety” on record) 

“Too Many Things” is out now in all the usual places. They are spending the Summer opening for Paramore everywhere (except the SF SHOW!!!!), and the press release teases that more is to come this year from The Linda Lindas, so keep an eye out! 

I will also note that this has been the hardest week for Single of the Week, and there are a TON of great new releases this week to give your ears a nice little treat! Veruca Salt’s Louise Post graces us with her debut solo single, “Guilty.” The triumphant return of Speedy Ortiz, “Scabs.” NYC’s soul group 79.5 has a genuine Summer anthem ready for you with “B.D.F.Q.” Pinkshift returns with a burner of a track, “to me.” And if you are looking for evidence of how blessed and lucky you are, the first Natalie Merchant album in nearly 10 years, Keep Your Courage, is out today! 

Show Review: Liz Phair, Speedy Ortiz at The Fillmore, 9/20/18

The year is 1995. I’m a 15 year-old that was just starting to figure out my musical tastes. I learned that MTV had a two hour-long program at midnight early Monday mornings, that aired “underground” music videos. (Underground is in quotes because, as a grown up, I’m aware that you couldn’t be that far underground to be shown on corporate television). Due to school getting in the way, I would set the VCR to record these videos to watch later. The music from these programs became the primary thing that encoded my tastes for the rest of my life. Two videos that I would rewind and re-watch incessantly, were Liz Phair’s “Never Said” and “Supernova.” 23 years later, I am finally fulfilling that dream of getting to experience this musician, who’s had such an intense effect on my development, perform a full-length concert. Continue reading “Show Review: Liz Phair, Speedy Ortiz at The Fillmore, 9/20/18”