Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 133
March 19, 2025
Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova "PUNK'S NOT DEAD Pt. 2" at Honor Fraser April 25 - May 31 + MOCA Acquires Putin's Ashes
HONOR FRASER PRESENTS:
NADYA TOLOKONNIKOVA (PUSSY RIOT)
PUNK'S NOT DEAD (Pt. 2)
OPENING APRIL 25 - MAY 31
TOLOKONNIKOVA’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH SOLO GALLERY EXHIBIT IN LOS ANGELES
PLUS: MOCA LOS ANGELES ACQUIRES
TOLOKONNIKOVA’S PUTIN’S ASHES
Today, Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova and Honor Fraser Gallery announce the exhibition PUNK’S NOT DEAD (Pt. 2) to open on April 25 and runs till May 31st.
Along with this, we’re excited to share that Tolokonnikova's Putin's Ashes was acquired by The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles.
About the PUNK'S NOT DEAD (Pt. 2):
Since her early days in the art-activist performance group Voina (2007–2011), through founding Pussy Riot in 2012, and finding new paths to create art under the watchful eye of the Russian government after her release from jail in 2014, Tolokonnikova has been working to create languages of defiance and protest. Following the traditions of the Russian avant-garde, she seeks modes of artistic production that do not merely describe the world but aim to change it. Her work, even in its darkest moments, carries an underlying utopia-building impulse — holding space for the promise of a better future, a never-ending Möbius strip of being, at times, naive and childlike, and at other times, harsh and excruciating.
In her series “ICONS”, Tolokonnikova morphs religious iconography with modern-day slogans and intimate poetry, combining the sacred and the profane — exactly what she was put in jail for by Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church in 2012. Boris Groys, philosopher, art critic, writes: “Tolokonnikova uses traditional Russian Orthodox imagery as a way to break with the established conventions of contemporary art. She has a precursor in Malevich, who used the tradition of icon painting in the same way (...) The artistic avant-garde—at least the early one—was this kind of gesture seeking to reawaken chaos. In our time, few artists situate themselves in this tradition. But Tolokonnikova does precisely this. She searches for the miraculous, in the middle of the rationally, strategically operating art world.”
The “SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN” series, reflecting on the role of Big Pharma in modern biopolitics and ideology, features the most popular drugs in the U.S. — Ozempic, Viagra, Adderall, and Botox.
Works from the “DARK MATTER” series feature a number of Pussy Riot’s actions — the images are engraved on birch wood and covered with black ink.
The exhibit features “RIOT SHIELDS”, relics from PUNK’S NOT DEAD (Pt. 1), a show that took place at Honor Fraser in January 2024: the artist used riot shields as musical instruments, carving them with brass knuckles while having a contact microphone attached to the shield.
About Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova:
Conceptual performance artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova is the creator of Pussy Riot, a global feminist art movement. She was sentenced in 2012 to 2 years' imprisonment following an anti-Putin performance Punk Prayer, which was named by The Guardian among the best art pieces of the 21st century.
Tolokonnikova's Putin’s Ashes art installation at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in January 2023 propelled her into a new criminal case and put on Russia’s most wanted criminal list, and on the international wanted list, too. In 2024 her debut museum exhibition RAGE, opened at OK Linz, Linz, Austria, and the eponymous performance piece performed at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Rhode Island School of Art and Design (RISD), and received The Hannah Arendt Prize for Political thought. Her visual artworks have been exhibited or collected by The Brooklyn Museum, MOCA, Serpentine Galleries, Wende Museum, Dallas Museum of Art, OK Linz Museum in Austria, American Folk Art Museum, The New Museum, Zimmerli Museum, Ackland Museum of Art, The Museum of Art and Design in New York.
Born: Norilsk, Siberia
Lives: Geographically anonymous
Art images below: RIOT SHIELD (left) and BARBED WIRE, acrylic on canvas, silver leaf (right) / 2025
http://www.instagram.com/nadyahttps://www.instagram.com/pussyriot
https://twitter.com/nadyariot
https://twitter.com/pussyrrriot
https://zona.media/
Smerz announce new album ‘Big city life’ | Watch a video for “You got time and I got money”
SMERZ ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
OUT MAY 23 ON ESCHO
New Single and Music Video for “You got time and I got money”
Smerz by Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø
Big city life
“You got time and I got money”
(Wednesday 19th March) - Beloved Norwegian duo Smerz announce their sophomore album Big city life, out May 23rd on Escho (Astrid Sonne, Molina, Fine, Elias Rønnenfelt). Written, performed, recorded and mixed by Smerz, Big city life is a collection of moments and feelings gathered by Henriette and Catharina over the past four years. There are stories - both lived and imagined - of apathy, loneliness, talking to yourself, love and full-blown, almost manic freedom. Together, they form a sonic rite of passage, documenting transition in many forms, through both song and production.
“Some of the songs are pieces of advice to ourselves. Some are doorways into dreams. Some songs are secret wishes. Some are written for someone who is not here. And some are predictions,” explains Smerz.
The introduction to Big city life comes through the singles “A thousand lies” and, today’s release, “You got time and I got money.” The latter adds a new layer to the group’s distinctive palette, with a soul-sample-style beat and emotional string arrangements that conjure a sense of something classic - a sound you somehow remember. Framed by Smerz’ signature voices and the bold minimalism that defines them, “You got time and I got money” is a love song, drawn from experience. “I wrote the lyrics when I got my first real grown-up job and was in love at the same time,“ says Catharina.
Channeling the ecstasy of love, the accompanying video for “You got time and I got money” was made with Smerz longtime collaborators Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø. The video features a collage of fireworks, big waves, fountains, and Smerz performing in a make believe TV appearance.
Smerz’ critically acclaimed debut album Believer (2021) had The FACE saying “Smerz have created a lane all their own.” Always evolving, they continue shaping both underground and mainstream soundscapes—from the conceptual pop of ALLINA (2024) to their production work on NewJeans’ Get Up EP (2023). Their longtime NTS residency has served as a playground for their expansive influences, showcasing friends and music they admire while seamlessly blending everything from Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin to footwork pioneer RP Boo.
Occasionally stepping into theater, film, and museums, from their choir piece at the MUNCH Museum to fashion runway soundtracks, throughout their work, Smerz have been known for their ability to seamlessly navigate and create boundless sonic worlds. Big city life unfolds in the real world.
Smerz
Big city life
Escho
23 May 2025
Pre-Order:
Tracklist:
Big city life
But I do
Roll the dice
What
Feisty
A thousand lies
Close
You got time and I got money
Big dreams
Street style
Imagine this
Dreams
Easy
Smerz:
OHHara "L" single & video starring Ron Perlman out now; debut album 'Ode' coming June 11th
OHHARA ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM ODE SLATED FOR RELEASE JUNE 11TH
RELEASE NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO “L” STARRING LEGENDARY ACTOR RON PERLMAN
LISTEN TO THE NEW SINGLE HERE
WATCH THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO HERE
Art pop duo OHHara have officially announced their debut album, Ode, is slated for release on June 11. Along with this exciting announcement, the enigmatic art-pop duo have also released their latest single, “L,” accompanied by a music video starring Golden Globe Awards-winning actor Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Beauty and the Beast, Sons of Anarchy, Fallout and more) and directed by Chessa Subbiondo (Charlie XCX, Addison Rae, Nate Sib, 2Hollis). The new orchestral electro-pop banger marks the third release from Ode, following their singles “E” and “O,” adding another chapter to the heroic tale the duo has crafted through their signature avant pop production and epic lyricism, which draws as equally from Homer as Yung Lean.
The “L” music video features Perlman as Zeus the conductor, surrounded by a cast of moshing Gen Z choirboys in an electrifying story of rebirth orchestrated by OHHara. Known for his legendary portrayals of monsters on screen, Perlman flips his usual villainous roles to reveal a more vulnerable side, showcasing emotional depth and unconventional beauty. The stunning visual which reimagines elements of Greek Tragic Theater, is part of OHHara’s performance concept “x11z,” which is based on the futuristic mythology of Ode, in which the heroes avoid the traps of destiny and transcend. The project also features some of today’s most forward-thinking designers, including Greg Ross and Shayne Oliver, as well as original creations by Daemonte Phillips.
OHHara are an art pop duo who met while attending theater school in Paris. Laurence, a French music protégé of Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Denma, a former apprentice of free jazz pioneer Jerry Granelli, bring a singular approach to their forward thinking pop music and their collaborations with some of the most innovative contemporary artists and fashion designers.
Listen to OHHara’s new single “L” here.
Watch the new music video for “L” here.
Watch the music video for “E” here.
Watch the music video for “O” here
FOLLOW OHHara
Domino Kirke Releases Video For New Single "Stepchild"
FEATURING REAL LIFE BLENDED FAMILIES TALKING ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES
LISTEN
+
WATCH
‘STEPCHILD'
PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE
' THE MOST FAMILIAR STAR' (ALBUM)
Mercy
The Most Familiar Star
Oldest Missing
City
It’s Not There feat. Angel Olsen
Secret Growing
Stepchild
Teething
Domino Kirke is back with a provocative video for her brand new single ‘Stepchild’ from her forthcoming album ‘The Most Familiar Star’. Like her previous single ‘It’s Not There’, ‘Stepchild’ explores family dynamics and parenthood, all important themes to Domino who in addition to being a musician, is also a doula. ‘Stepchild’ is a self portrait of sorts, inspired by the relationship dynamic shift that occurred when Domino expanded her own family, singing about the beauty of blending and growing it. The video features portraits and interviews with real blended families.
“I wrote “Stepchild” about my time in the “hallway” as a parent. I wasn’t a single Mum anymore because I was in a relationship, but I wasn’t married yet. I wrote this as sort of goodbye letter to my former partner, and also as a welcome letter to my new partner. Kinda like, “this is how to love us, but also “man, I really hope I don’t have to put my kid through anymore major life changes.” I like to write very openly about family systems and dynamics in my songs. Step families can have a lot of stigma attached to them. My brother had a stepdad (my father) and it was always a really fascinating and confused me growing up. Intellectually I knew we had “different dads” but emotionally I never felt a separation. I explore people’s experiences of blended families on both of my albums. It mirrors the inner work over been doing in my life since I became a parent sixteen years ago. Work I know we’re all doing on some level.”
Domino recently announced her sophomore full length LP, The Most Familiar Star due to release on April 18th. With the announcement came with what Rolling Stone calls “a powerful and haunting video” for ‘It’s Not There’, a collaboration with Angel Olsen about questioning the family you chose, with hypnotic vocals revolving around a Sharon Van Etten sample.
Kirke wrote and recorded The Most Familiar Star with Elliot Krimsky and Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, all parents to young children. “This whole album is about coming back to yourself and meeting you where you are,” Kirke notes. “Pretty much every song addresses loss of self and later renewal. The core themes are grieving who you used to be pre-family, pre-marriage, and pre-parenthood and then reuniting with parts of yourself that you’d perhaps lost while trying to understand how the landscape of your life looks post-change.” The result is an artfully shaped living and breathing soundscape anchored by rich instrumentation suited to Domino’s range and lyrics.
Domino initially captivated listeners at the helm of the band Domino, touring with everyone from Lily Allen to Gang Of Four. She evolved across solo releases such as Everyone Else Is Boring EP [2006], The Guard EP [2012], and the unanimously applauded Beyond Waves [2017]. Her journey into motherhood paralleled this musical trajectory. She first became a mom in 2009 and welcomed her second son during 2020. In the meantime, she concurrently founded and led in-demand Brooklyn-based doula collective Carriage House Birth and co-authored the 2021 book Life After Birth: Portraits of Love and the Beauty of Parenthood.
Along the way, Domino carefully assembled The Most Familiar Star with Krimsky and Taylor. “We’re all deeply creative, but we’re also really invested in being attentive parents. We wonder, ‘Can we do it all?’ A lot of the songs are about this central question. Most people attempt to become parents in silos and corners of themselves without art, creativity, or community. That’s impossible. I believe parents need to be witnessed by each other, communities, and themselves.”
“When people listen to this, I really want them to listen to the words carefully,” Kirke adds. “Fans will often tell me, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I needed to hear you say that.’ I hope these songs are a balm for your soul, but also force you to maybe go to therapy,” she laughs.INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
Lost 80’s Live: North America’s Longest-Running Retro Music Tour Celebrates 23 Years With A Flock Of Seagulls, General Public, The Vapors, China Crisis & More; Tickets On Sale Now
LOST 80’S LIVENORTH AMERICA’S LONGEST-RUNNING RETRO MUSIC TOURCELEBRATES 23 YEARS WITH 2025 TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT FEATURING A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS, GENERAL PUBLIC,THE VAPORS, CHINA CRISIS & MORE! TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT LOST80SLIVE.COM Dust off your neon outfits, tease your hair, and crank up the synthesizers because Lost 80’s Live, the ultimate retro music experience, is returning for its highly anticipated 23rd Anniversary Tour in 2025! Hosted by legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame DJ Richard Blade, this electrifying celebration of 80s music features an incredible lineup of the decade’s most iconic artists and hitmakers. As the longest-running retro music tour, Lost 80’s Live has become a beloved tradition for fans nationwide, offering an unforgettable evening of nostalgia, music, and memories. This year’s star-studded lineup includes performances by: A Flock Of Seagulls (“I Ran (So Far Away),” “Space Age Love Song”)General Public (“Tenderness,” “Never You Done That”)Big Country (“In a Big Country,” “Fields of Fire”)The Vapors (“Turning Japanese,” “Jimmy Jones”)The Icicle Works (“Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)”)China Crisis (“Working With Fire and Steel,” “Arizona Sky”)Josie Cotton (“Johnny Are You Queer,” “He Could Be the One”)Belouis Some (“Some People,” “Imagination”)The Polecats (“Make a Circuit With Me”)Peter Godwin (“Images of Heaven,” “Baby’s in the Mountains”) This year, Rob Juarez, the creator and producer of Lost 80’s Live, has brought together a powerhouse coalition of promoters—Nederlander, Live Nation, Mammoth, Goldenvoice, AEG, and WorldOne Presents—to expand on the tour’s continued success. “Lost 80’s Live is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of an era,” says Juarez. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating 23 years of sharing the magic of the 80s, and this year’s tour promises to be our biggest and best yet!” Described by
Rolling Stone
as an “all-in-one mega-show” and recognized by
Consequence
for its “stacked lineups” and unforgettable performances, Lost 80’s Live has become a must-see event for 80s music lovers nationwide. A list of confirmed dates can be found below. Subject to change. 07.31 - New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl08.01 - Boston, MA - Wang Theatre at the Boch Center08.02 - New York City, NY - The Rooftop at Pier 1708.03 - Cary, NC - Koka Booth Amphitheater08.06 - Northfield, OH - MGM Northfield Park08.08 - Niagara Falls, ON - OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino Resort08.09 - Roanoke, VA - Elmwood Park Amphitheater08.10 - Macon, GA - Atrium Health Amphitheater08.12 - St. Petersburg, FL - Duke Energy Center Mahaffey Theater08.14 - New Orleans, LA - Saenger Theatre08.15 - Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre08.16 - San Antonio, TX - The Espee08.17 - Irving, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory08.20 - Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Financial Theatre08.21 - San Diego, CA - Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre08.24 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek Theatre08.28 - Ontario, CA - Toyota Arena08.29 - Paso Robles, CA - Vina Robles Amphitheater08.30 - Saratoga, CA - Mountain Winery08.31 - Lincoln, CA - The Venue at Thunder Valley For the latest updates, a complete list of tour dates, and full artist lineups, visit lost80slive.com. Tickets are on sale now—don’t miss your chance to get lost in the 80s! ABOUT LOST 80’S LIVE:Created in 2002 by Rob Juarez of The Boss Booking Agency, Lost 80’s Live has grown to become the longest-running retro music tour, bringing together the most iconic acts of the 1980s. With its incredible lineup of artists and high-energy performances, the tour has entertained hundreds of thousands of fans across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit lost80slive.com. LOST 80’S LIVE ONLINE:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lost80slive/... https://x.com/lost80sliveInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lost80slive... https://www.tiktok.com/@lost80slive
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Artemas releases double pack of singles "Southbound" and "Test Drive," Coachella, Gov Ball, Lollapalooza and more
BRIT AWARD-NOMINATED ARTEMAS RELEASES DOUBLE PACK OF SINGLES “SOUTHBOUND” + “TEST DRIVE”
MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF “I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME”
STRETCH OF LIVE DATES KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND - INCLUDES DEBUT US FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES AT COACHELLA, GOVERNORS BALL AND LOLLAPALOOZA
(March 19, 2025) - BRIT Award-nominated UK-based singer/songwriter/producer and alt-grunge artist Artemas releases two new singles “southbound” and “test drive.” Get them HERE.
The release not only teases more new music to come, but arrives exactly one year after the release of his RIAA-platinum certified breakout single, “i like the way you kiss me” - which has since surpassed over 1.7B global streams, 150M video views, reached #1 on the Billboard Global 200, #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the UK Official Singles Chart, and received a BRIT Award nomination for “Song of the Year.”
Following an announcement at his first ever Lollapalooza US this summer, the buzzing artist kicks off a stretch of 25 live dates this weekend that starts in South America and Mexico before coming to the states, with additional festival debuts at Coachella, Governors Ball, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend and Lollapalooza Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Get tickets HERE.
Wrapping up the year with a double-pack of singles fancy and xvideos, Artemas continues to work on new music after the arrival of his yustyna mixtape, which debuted at #4 on the Global Spotify Chart and has amassed over 1.9 billion streams worldwide, receiving attention from the likes of Clash, Dork, Variety and EUPHORIA. The mixtape continues to highlight the rising star’s captivating exploration of darkwave alt-pop that is reminiscent of the likes of The Weeknd, EKKSTACY, and The Neighbourhood.
In 2024, Artemas set out on not one, but two fully sold-out headline tours that sold over 50k tickets and featured over 75 dates with stops in Europe, Australia and the United States, including two nights in both New York and Los Angeles.
After a huge breakout year, the rising star is here to stay… with more new music on the way.
TOUR DATES
3/22 – Lollapalooza Argentina – Buenos Aires, Argentina
3/23 – Lollapalooza Chile – Santiago, Chile
3/27 – Festival Estereo Picnic – Bogotá, Colombia
3/29 – Lollapalooza Brazil – São Paulo, Brazil
4/4 – Tecate Pal Norte Festival – Monterrey, Mexico
4/5 – Ceremonia Festival – Mexico City, Mexico
4/11 – Coachella Music & Arts Festival – Indio, CA, USA
4/16 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ, USA
4/18 – Coachella Music & Arts Festival – Indio, CA, USA
4/19 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV, USA
4/22 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT, USA
4/24 – Summit – Denver, CO, USA
4/27 – Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK, USA
4/29 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX, USA
4/30 – House of Blues – Houston, TX, USA
5/24 – BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend – Liverpool, UK
6/7 – Governors Ball – Queens, NY, USA
6/9 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA, USA
6/10 – Roxian Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA, USA
6/12 – The Bluestone – Columbus, OH, USA
6/14 – Bogart's – Cincinnati, OH, USA
6/17 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO, USA
6/18 – The Truman – Kansas City, MO, USA
6/20 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN, USA
7/31 – 8/3 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL, USA
ABOUT ARTEMAS:
At 25-years-old, UK-based singer, songwriter and producer, Artemas, believes rules are made to be broken. Inspired by the likes of Kurt Cobain and Anthony Kiedis, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist released his first music in late 2020, learning how to hone much of his craft in the confines of his bedroom. By late 2023, his eerie dark r&b sound fully connected, drawing comparisons to The Weeknd, as his single “if you think i’m pretty” has amassed nearly 500M streams leading into the release of his pretty mixtape. The project captured global attention, landing the rising star on “Artist to Watch” lists by the likes of Hypebeast and Ones to Watch, and debuting on Zane Lowe’s “24 for ‘24” roster. Continuing the momentum, he released yustyna mixtape featuring “i like the way you kiss me,” which zoomed up the charts globally reaching #1 on the Billboard Global 200, #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #3 on the UK Official Singles Chart, as well as a 2025 BRIT Award nomination, all while selling out two debut headline tours. Now, Artemas proves his staying power with new music and debut performances at Coachella, Governors Ball, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend + more.
FOLLOW ARTEMAS
Philly band Fib share shifty new single "PS" via Julia's War
PHILADELPHIA BAND FIB SHARE SHIFTY AND REFLECTIVE
NEW SINGLE “PS” - LISTEN
“PS” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FEATURES TRIPPY ANIMATIONS
OVER LO-FI PHILLY CITYSCAPES - WATCH
DEBUT ALBUM HEAVY LIFTING ARRIVES APRIL 25, 2025
VIA JULIA’S WAR RECORDINGS - PRE-ORDER
Photo credit: Pax Martyn
“Skronky, off-kilter”
- STEREOGUM
“Frenetic fretwork and acerbic time sig shifts dialed through avant-pop melodies”
- +RCMNDEDLISTEN
Philadelphia indie rock group Fib are excited to share “PS,” the second single from Heavy Lifting, their debut album arriving April 25, 2025 via Philadelphia-based tastemaker label Julia’s War Recordings. On “PS,” Fib slow things down for about ninety seconds to expose brightly toned guitars, a fractured relationship and pleas for improvement before building into layers of post-punk chord progressions with vocalist Gage Nelson musing, “Need some help getting well / but I can‘t see it getting better on its’ own.” “PS” arrives with a trippy, lo-fi official music video, filmed and edited by Cooper Beaupre and complete with animations from Sebastian Nicholson and Fib’s Logan Adam and Gage Nelson.
“P.S.” is us channeling our shared love for pop and rock and roll - riffs, melodies, hooks and all that,” Fib explain. “It is yet another breakaway from our usual dark and esoteric approach to songwriting. We wanted something simple and fun, and this just came out of us in about 30 minutes in our old basement.”
LISTEN TO “PS”
WATCH THE “PS” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
PRE-ORDER HEAVY LIFTING
Last month, Fib shared “Mutuals,” a textured and rhythmic track with jubilant and incessant riffs. Lyrically, vocalist Gage Nelson explores unrequited feelings, grief-infused regrets and hidden emotions. “‘Mutuals’ signifies the turning point of our songwriting,” say Fib. “In writing this track, we were trying to put the past to shame and take a step forward in our creativity as a band. ‘Mutuals’ sets the tone of the record with high-arching melodies, fast transitions, and intricate guitars. It truly encapsulates our goal as a band; to write songs that are beautiful, catchy, and complex.” Their first release since their self-titled 2021 tape, the release heralded the announcement of their imminent debut record.
Upon the announcement of Heavy Lifting, the founder of Julia’s War Recordings and bandleader of They Are Gutting A Body of Water Douglas Dulgarian said the following about Fib via Instagram: "Fib is free jazz in an era where everything else is getting more cookie cutter and snapped to the grid. And that’s what I love most about them. I never know what to expect. It’s completely unique and individual, and although you can certainly hear the influences, I am always completely knocked off-center when I hear or see what they’re creating. If you have ever seen Fib live, you can attest to the fact that it’s one of the most insane experiences possible. I can’t quite explain it and that feels good to know that I can’t."
LISTEN TO “MUTUALS”
Fib debuted in 2021 with a tape of their debut songs, featuring the fan-favorite track, “Bedside.” Heavy Lifting sees the band take their sound to the next level, trading lo-fi recordings for refined riffs while synthesizing post-punk sounds into poppy hooks. Fib is vocalist and guitarist Gage Nelson, guitarist Damien Nicholson, bassist Logan Adam and drummer Charlie Libby Watt, who wrote, recorded and produced Heavy Lifting together.
FIB
HEAVY LIFTING
JULIA’S WAR RECORDINGS
Release Date: April 25, 2025
1. Mutuals
2. Say
3. Dotted Line
4. You Ruined Everything
5. Right out the Window
6. PS
7. Pictures
8. Real Heat
9. Outro
ABOUT FIB:
Since 2020, and from coast to coast, indie-rockers Fib have been rewiring brains with their singular, jangly sound and furiously tight live performances. Gage Nelson, Damien Nicholson, Logan Adam and Charlie Libby Watt connected in Portland through their love of punk, friendship, and their shared exceptional musical abilities. After releasing their debut self-titled tape in 2021 and touring the US, the band picked up and moved across the country after falling in love with Philadelphia. The city quickly warmed to Fib’s controlled mania- the band putting on the tightest show imaginable, and then, at the end of the set, destroying their instruments in total chaos mode. They matched Philadelphia’s freak- fitting like a fingerless glove. Now, connecting with Philly label Julia’s War, the group is releasing their debut full-length record Heavy Lifting; a musical odyssey exploring arty pop, punk and progressive rock- while simultaneously breaking free from genre and giving the listener a vividly surreal auditory experience.
With Heavy Lifting, Fib shed their early, scrappy, lofi limitations, and embraced a new, expansive and warm recording capture. This bigger sound allows the group to put their technical skill, harmonious vocals, and hyper-infectious songwriting on full display. Songs like “Mutuals” and “Say” are frenetic and bouncy- shifting through virtuosic arrangements held together with intermittent, powerful hooks. With tunes like “Dotted Line” and “PS”, the band settles deeper into the grooves and songwriting allowing the listener to zone in and bob their head a bit more. While the nine tracks that comprise Heavy Lifting are equally unique and invigorating showcasing the members’ intricate guitar tangles and polyrhythms, the album is holistically composed- a greater sum than its parts. The release would easily sit well for fans of new bands like Palm, TAGABOW, and Water From Your Eyes, but would just as easily be a welcome addition for record heads who love bands like This Heat, Television, and Psychic TV. While this might all be hard to believe, and their name is Fib- it’s no lie. Fib’s Heavy Lifting is a vibrant, moving and endless sonic rainbow. Pick it up and step into their wild and ecstatic void.
ABOUT JULIA’S WAR RECORDINGS:
Julia’s War Recordings is a community-based record label out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, but serving the greater world as a whole. Founded by Douglas Dulgarian of They Are Gutting A Body of Water in 2021, we aim to provide physical media for bands that rock, for people pushing the boundaries of music and creation in the modern-day.
CONNECT WITH FIB:
CONNECT WITH JULIA’S WAR RECORDINGS:
Yann Tiersen Shares New Track "Caledonian Canal" || New Album 'Rathlin from a Distance |The Liquid Hour' Out 4/4 On Mute
YANN TIERSEN SHARES NEW TRACK “CALEDONIAN CANAL”
NEW ALBUM RATHLIN FROM A DISTANCE | THE LIQUID HOUR OUT 4/4 ON MUTE
credit: Aurélie Scouarnec
Today Yann Tiersen has shared “Caledonian Canal”, the latest track from his highly-anticipated new album, Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour, out on vinyl, CD and digitally on April 4, 2025 via Mute. An album divided into two distinct, interconnected parts, each with its own unique sonic characteristics, Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour is available for pre-order/pre-save HERE.
The closing piece of Rathlin from a Distance’s eight introspective instrumental piano tracks, “Caledonian Canal” is a masterclass of stripped back tenderness.
Tiersen explains, “‘Caledonian Canal’ is the last station in our quest for identity. Here, we find our true selves, harness the energy we need, and finally prepare to face the world. This song represents the final phase before the Liquid Hour part of the album, where we find the courage to go out and fight. The calm before the storm."
“Caledonian Canal” follows the release of “Rathlin from a Distance”, a meditation on identity that highlights Tiersen’s exceptional piano playing, and “Ninnog at Sea”, an electronic anthem blending Tiersen’s seafaring reflections into a dynamic track that pulses with rage, hope, and the call to dismantle and rebuild for a radiant collective future. Yann’s most recent release, “Arne”, is an expansive and hypnotic soundscape interwoven with QUINQUIS’ ethereal vocals.
Listen to “Caledonian Canal” HERE.
Watch a live studio version of ‘Caledonian Canal’ HERE.
YANN TIERSEN LIVE DATES:
4/17/2025 – Bristol, UK - Rough Trade
4/19/2025 – London, UK - Barbican
4/21/2025 – Liverpool,UK - Rough Trade
Rathlin from a Distance features eight instrumental piano pieces, each named after a location Tiersen visited during his 2023 sailing tour. From the Atlantic’s Fastnet Lighthouse to the Faroe Islands, Shetland, and the tranquil waters of the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, these tracks reflect a journey of self-discovery and self. Tiersen’s piano work creates an almost hypnotic atmosphere, each stop on the journey marking a deeper level of consciousness. The music evokes a sense of space, introspection, and quiet contemplation.
While Rathlin from a Distance is meditative, The Liquid Hour, which Tiersen was working on when he decided things needed to be torn down, is a bold and urgent musical statement, which opens with an epic, sweeping track that channels Tiersen’s desire for social and political change. The inspiration for this section of the album was rooted in Tiersen’s experiences at sea, particularly a moment when he gazed upon the lights of Belfast, alone at the helm of his sailboat in the middle of the night, after nearly two months at sea. This moment of serenity led to deep reflections on the city’s troubled history and its connection to broader political struggles. The expansive sonic palette of The Liquid Hour blends atmospheric ambient music, hypnotic grooves, and striking electronic instrumentation, with the haunting vocals of Émilie Quinquis adding a powerful dimension to the album’s message.
Tiersen’s innovative use of vintage and electronic instruments, including the Ondioline, a rare 1930s electronic instrument loaned to him by Gotye’s Forgotten Futures organization, adds a rich texture to the recordings. He also employed four different drum machines to create tribal rhythms and pulsing beats that push the boundaries of electronic music. The Liquid Hour is an exploration of both personal and collective power, a call to action set against the backdrop of global crises.
Tiersen has long embraced sustainability in his touring practices, opting to travel by sailboat and campervan in order to embrace slow touring and minimise his environmental impact, re-writing the script for what it means to be a touring musician in the modern age. This approach embodies the album’s broader themes of reflection, environmental awareness, and the search for deeper meaning in a world defined by crisis and change. “At sea, you get to see the world as it is,” says Tiersen. “The sea is the ultimate reality. There are no borders, and you can go everywhere. It really hits home the bullshit of borders.”
The Liquid Hour culminates with a powerful closing track named after Dolores Ibárruri, the Spanish anti-fascist, known for her legendary "¡No Pasarán!" speech, a defiant call for action against capitalism, post-colonialism, and the ongoing ecocide. As Tiersen puts it, “It’s not about anger. It’s about finding a way to change.”
Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour is an album that spans the full spectrum of human emotion, from introspective reflection to powerful calls for change. With a unique blend of acoustic and electronic elements, it marks a bold new chapter in Yann Tiersen’s musical evolution.
Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour will be available on vinyl, CD and digitally on April, 4 via Mute. Pre-order HERE.The sheet music for the album is available now, published by Hal Leonard.
Track listing:
Rathlin from a Distance: 1. Ninnog2. Fastnet
3. Rathlin from a Distance
4. Tórshavn
5. Norðragøta
6. Papa Stour
7. Bigton
8. Caledonian Canal
The Liquid Hour:
1. Stourm
2. Ninnog at Sea
3. Arne
4. The Liquid Hour
5. Dolores
Rathlin from a Distance was produced by Yann Tiersen, and was recorded on tape at the Eskal studio by Matias Duarte.
The Liquid Hour was produced by Yann Tiersen, mixed by Randall Dunn at Circular Ruin, Brooklyn and was recorded both digitally and on tape by Yann Tiersen, Matias Duarte and Thomas Lefebvre at the Eskal studio.
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Dream, Ivory share new single & video "At Zero"
DREAM, IVORY
SHARE NEW SINGLE “AT ZERO”
Dream, Ivory Press Photo by Jessie Morgan
Los Angeles-based duo Dream, Ivory share “At Zero,” their second single of 2025. The blistering and catchy track follows a run of sold out shows in LA, London, and Paris. In an exclusive feature, Alt Press wrote that “brothers Christian and Louie Baello have existed in multiple realms.. their current form as Dream, Ivory, their strongest and most alluring, traces the roots of shoegaze, wobbly alt-rock, and the murk of SoundCloud uploads.”
On the single, Louie Baello shares “Sometimes being in your feelings feels good even though it’s annoying to others around you. It’s fun to bitch about the world. When I wrote “At Zero” with Chris, that’s the mindset that I was in. Lyrically, it’s a typical sad song but we feel like it’s self aware enough to realize how melodramatic it’s being at the same time. Being at zero is a feeling experienced often but not constantly.”
Formed by brothers Christian and Louie Baello in 2016, Dream, Ivory started almost as an accident. “We were [originally] making rap songs,” Louie shares, “Christian started making beats because I wanted to be a rapper.” Part of that dynamic remains: Louie handles vocal duties while Christian produces, a skill that’s seen him collaborate with artists like Rico Nasty, and even Dennis Rodman. Though their project has remained true to its DIY roots (originally the two released cover songs straight to YouTube), they’ve organically developed a passionate fanbase, accumulating upwards of 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and receiving an RIAA Gold certification for their song “welcome and goodbye.”
Since the release of their 2022 album About A Boy, they’ve shared a stripped down version of the record entitled About A Boy (Naked), and a steady collection of singles, including the Jay Som collaboration “Milk,” which was praised by Stereogum, Consequence, Paste, Nylon and more. Listen to the new single and watch the DIY visual below.
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “AT ZERO”
Released last month, “Lost Angeles” marked the duo’s first release of the year. “2024 was a turbulent year for us as brothers and as a band,” Christian shared, “We had to deal with a lot of change personally - and as a recovering alcoholic, the first part of the year was dealt with sinking lower into rock bottom while the second part of the year was escaping that low point.”
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR PREVIOUS SINGLE “LOST ANGELES”
Both of the recent singles are taken from sessions during a turbulent period in the brothers’ lives defined by dislocation and addiction. When their parents decided to move back to the Philippines, Louie moved to Los Angeles to live with Christian and his girlfriend, Lilia Shibuya, who contributed writing to the new singles. Though the brothers have been prolific since their teenage years, they stagnated as cohabitants. “We just didn’t really give a fuck about creating in that moment, there was just no inspiration in our lives,” Christian says. “Instead of writing, we’d get shitfaced drunk. It was bad. We’d record a riff, then take a shot.”
The brothers attribute that lack of inspiration to their early achievements. At 19, raking in tens of thousands of listeners on a single track felt like a major accomplishment, but the more Dream, Ivory grew, the benchmark for success leveled up. “There’s so much riding on our old shit, coming up with something new felt like going to the fucking moon,” Christian says. The moon being far, Christian spiraled. “I was drinking so much and getting caught by my brother, my girlfriend,” he says. “I was kicked out of our place.” But bottoming out eventually renewed his sense of purpose. Christian got sober, moved back in with his loved ones, and with Louie wrote “Lost Angeles.” The new singles are a return to form for the duo, and a promising start to their 2025.
March 18, 2025
SHUDDER TO THINK Reunite For First Shows In Over A Decade
SHUDDER TO THINK
REUNITE FOR TWO SURPRISE SHOWS IN LOS ANGELES:
FIRST SHOWS IN OVER A DECADE
“We are Shudder to Think and we intend to do this more!”
L to R: Nathan Larson, Craig Wedren, Adam Wade, Jherek Bischoff, Clint Walsh
Photo credit: screenshot from Joel Arquillos
Shudder to Think returns! The post-harcore art rock band formed in the DC-area in the ‘80s before disbanding in 1998. While they’ve since regrouped occasionally over the years, their two shows this Saturday, March 15th at Los Angeles’ Permanent Records Roadhouse marked their first since 2013. The lineup featured Pony Express Record-era bandmates Craig Wedren on lead vocals, Nathan Larson on guitar, and Adam Wade on drums who were joined by Clint Walsh on guitar and Jherek Bischoff on bass.
The band delivered a set featuring many of their classic hits and they closed out the show with a new track, “Playback.” As Wedren noted to the exuberant audiences – which featured the likes of musicians Dave Grohl, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Steven McDonald (Redd Kross), Anna Waronker (that dog.) and Josh Klinghoffer (RHCP, Pearl Jam); comedians and filmmakers Ken Marino, David Wain, Jonah Ray, the Sklar Brothers, Jesse Peretz (director), Lisa Cholodenko (director), Brad Simpson (producer); and many more – “We are Shudder to Think and we intend to do this more!”
See the set list below and watch their performance of Pony Express Record’s “Hit Liquor” from the opening show here: https://youtu.be/bU5yTovURAI.
Last year, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking 1994 album Pony Express Record – their first album on Epic Records, following several releases on Dischord Records. Pitchfork called the album “a nugget of operatic, sinister, and gleefully self-aware art punk” and “an album that pushed the boundaries of mid-1990s indie rock in new and exhilarating directions,” and Stereogum noted it as “a masterwork of alternate dimension progressive pop.”
By the late-90’s, Shudder to Think dove into the world of scoring films and creating music for soundtracks with the 1998 releases of Jesse Peretz’s First Love, Last Rites; Lisa Cholodenko’s High Art and the Todd Haynes epic, Velvet Goldmine. Wedren and Larson have gone on to be prolific film and television composers with Wedren working on YELLOWJACKETS, Wet Hot American Summer, The School Of Rock, Laurel Canyon and more; and Larson working on Our Idiot Brother, The Skeleton Twins, Juliet, Naked and High Fidelity (TV series), among others.
Washington Post recently noted that Shudder to Think is “a band forever rearranging the uncomplicated urgency of hardcore punk so that it could better accommodate the rococo wowee of its singer, Craig Wedren.”
SET LIST
“Hit Liquor”
“Gang Of $”
“Red House”
“Love Catastrophe”
“9 Fingers On You”
“Kissi Penny”
“Lies About The Sky”
“So Into You”
“Earthquakes Come Home”
“Pebbles”
“X-French Tee Shirt”
“Day Ditty”
“Playback”
Nathan Larson & Craig Wedren / Photo credit: IG via @davidbrianlee
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