“Your Light”, The Big Moon

This way: Your Light

The Big Moon are an English indie rock band, formed in 2014 in London by frontwoman Juliette Jackson. Their debut album, Love in the 4th Dimension, was released on 6 April 2017, containing a number of singles previously released on their EP, The Road. The album was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2017. They are signed to Fiction Records and have toured internationally. They supported the Pixies on their 2019 UK tour. 

[Spotify] Your Light

“Oh My God ”, Lula Wiles

This way: Oh My God

Lula Wiles, comprised of Isa Burke, Eleanor Buckland, and Mali Obomsawin, came of age in Boston in the practice rooms of Berklee College of Music and the city’s lively roots music scene. In 2016, the band self-released Lula Wiles, a sensitive, twang-tinged collection of originals. Since then, they have toured internationally, winning fans at the Newport Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival, and sharing stages with Aoife O’Donovan, the Wood Brothers, and Tim O’Brien. 

[Spotify] Oh My God

“Self Portrait”, Surf Curse

This way: Self Portrait

Surf Curse is an American surf rock band formed in 2013 in Reno, Nevada, and now based out of Los Angeles. Created by Nick Rattigan (lead vocals and drums) and Jacob Rubeck (guitars), the band now also includes Henry Dillon and Noah Kholl. The band achieved mainstream success after their song "Freaks", written in 2011 and first released in 2013, became popular on the short-form video platform TikTok in 2020. Surf Curse was formed in 2013 by Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck in Reno, Nevada, initially under several other names including "Buffalo 66" in reference to the film of the same name. The band soon moved to Los Angeles, where they played at The Smell, a club that welcomed bands with similar sounds to that of Surf Curse's punk-surf rock. There, they became a part of the local all-ages punk scene. Simultaneously, Rattigan continued working on his solo project, performing as Current Joys. Also in 2013, the band independently released both the EP Sad Boys and their debut album Buds. The latter featured the song "Freaks", written in 2011 when Rattigan and Rubeck were both aged 18. 

[Spotify] Self Portrait

“Life in the Void”, The Reds, Pinks and Purples

This way: Life in the Void

Glenn Donaldson is an American musician most notable for his band The Reds, Pinks and Purples. The band's fourth release, Summer at Land's End, was Bandcamp's album of the day on January 28, 2022. Donaldson is also associated with the musical collective Jewelled Antler. He also collaborated with Loren Chasse, Steven R. Smith, and others in such projects as Thuja, The Skygreen Leopards, The Blithe Sons, and Flying Canyon as well as his solo projects. Donaldson is a prolific collage artist and photographer. This LP just released.

[Spotify] Life in the Void

“Promises”, Buzzcocks-Singles Going Steady—NPA

This way: Promises

Near Perfect Album

Singles Going Steady is a compilation album by English punk rock band Buzzcocks, first released on I.R.S. Records in the United States on 25 September 1979.

Singles Going Steady was the first Buzzcocks album to be released in North America and intended as an introduction to the band for the American public, coinciding with a tour of the US. Side one of the original release of the album featured their eight UK single releases on United Artists Records from 1977 up to the time of Singles Going Steady's release in 1979 in chronological order, while side two featured their corresponding B-sides, also in chronological order.

The album has had a lot of editions over the years for re-releases, here is the original release song list (side one, side two):

1. "Orgasm Addict" 2. "What Do I Get?" 3. "I Don't Mind" 4. "Love You More" 5. "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" 6. "Promises" 7. "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" 8. "Harmony in My Head" 1. "What Ever Happened To?" 2. "Oh Shit!" 3. "Autonomy" 4. "Noise Annoys" 5. "Just Lust" 6. "Lipstick" 7. "Why Can't I Touch It?" 8. "Something's Gone Wrong Again"

[Spotify] Promises

[Spotify, album] Singles Going Steady

“Fuel to Fire”, Agnes Obel

This way: Fuel to Fire

Agnes Obel (born 28 October 1980)[1] is a Danish singer, songwriter, and musician based in Berlin.

Her debut album, Philharmonics (2010), was released by PIAS Recordings, and was certified gold in June 2011 by the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA) after selling 10,000 units. At the Danish Music Awards in November 2011, Obel won five prizes, including Best Album and Best Debut Artist. Her second album Aventine (2013) received positive reviews and charted inside the top 40 of the charts in nine countries.

Obel's third album Citizen of Glass (2016) received acclaim from music critics and the IMPALA Album of the Year Award 2016. In 2018, she curated and performed a compilation album for Late Night Tales series titled Late Night Tales: Agnes Obel. It features artists such as Nina Simone, Henry Mancini, Ray Davies, Michelle Gurevich, Can, and Yello. Her fourth album, Myopia was released in February 2020. 

[Spotify] Fuel to Fire

“Beautiful Song ”, Horsegirl

This way: Beautiful Song

Horsegirl is an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band members are Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece. The group is currently signed to Matador Records. The group originated in 2019 and they self-released their first song, "Forecast", that year. The group released their first EP, Horsegirl: Ballroom Dance Scene et cetera, through Sonic Cathedral Recordings[2] in 2020. Paste named the EP one of the 25 best EP's of 2020.

In November 2021, the group released another song, "Billy", their first on Matador Records. The song was named one of Rolling Stone's "Songs You Need to Know". Alongside the song, the group released a cover of Minutemen's song "History Lesson – Part II". On June 3, 2022 the band released their debut album, Versions of Modern Performance, via Matador. 

[Spotify] Beautiful Song

“Naked Patients”, Happyness

This way: Naked Patients

Happyness' debut album - Weird Little Birthday, expanded to include 4 new bonus tracks the album follows a whirlwind 2014, which ultimately saw the South London trio make NME’s Best Newcomers list, as well as The Sunday Times Best Albums of The Year. 

Weird Little Birthday is not quite a concept album about a boy who shares his birthday with Jesus Christ and eventually is driven insane with jealousy. It was largely recorded in the band’s own Jelly Boy Studios, and was mixed by Adam Lasus (Yo La Tengo, Daniel Johnston). It also features Ed Harcourt with vocals on Pumpkin Noir. The album showcases the band’s more melancholic, introspective nature alongside their youthful exuberance, dealing with the morning after the night before, and how, alas, not everything can invoke a dream house party soundtracked by Pavement.  

[Spotify] Naked Patients

“Pain without a Touch”, Sweeping Promises

This way: Pain without a Touch

Thirteen years ago, Caufield and Lira began making music in a small town in Arkansas. Over the subsequent decade, having relocated to Boston in 2012, the duo became serial band-starters on the East Coast underground. Their many DIY projects and releases established their thrifty and disciplined songwriting practice, known by few. 

[Spotify] Pain without a Touch

“Souvenir”, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

This way: Souvenir

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) are an English electronic band formed in Wirral, Merseyside, in 1978. The group consists of co-founders Andy McCluskey (vocals, bass guitar) and Paul Humphreys (keyboards, vocals), along with Martin Cooper (keyboards, saxophone) and Stuart Kershaw (drums); McCluskey has been the only constant member. Regarded as pioneers of electronic music, OMD combined an experimental, minimalist ethos with pop sensibilities, becoming key figures in the late-1970s/early-1980s emergence of synth-pop. The band were also one of the original acts involved in the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US. 

McCluskey and Humphreys led precursor group the Id from 1977–1978, and re-recorded their track "Electricity" as OMD's debut single in 1979. Weathering an "uncool" image and a degree of hostility from music critics, the band achieved popularity throughout Europe with the 1980 anti-war song "Enola Gay", and gained further recognition via Architecture & Morality (1981) and its three hit singles. Although later reappraised, Dazzle Ships (1983) was seen as overly experimental, and eroded European support. The group embraced a more radio-friendly sound on Junk Culture (1984); this change in direction led to greater success in the United States, and spawned hits including "If You Leave" (from the 1986 film Pretty in Pink).

In 1989, creative differences saw Humphreys and other members form the spin-off band the Listening Pool, leaving McCluskey the only remaining member of OMD. The group returned with a new line-up and explored the dance-pop genre: Sugar Tax (1991) and its initial singles were hits in Europe. OMD then began to flounder amid the guitar-oriented grunge and Britpop movements, eventually disbanding in 1996. McCluskey later conceived girl group Atomic Kitten, for whom he served as a principal songwriter and producer, while Humphreys formed the duo Onetwo alongside lead vocalist Claudia Brücken of Propaganda.

[Spotify] Souvenir

“All Tomorrows Parties”, Velvet Underground—NPA

This way: All Tomorrows Parties

Near Perfect Album

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. The original line-up consisted of singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise. MacLise was replaced by Moe Tucker in 1965, who played on most of the band's recordings. Their integration of rock and the avant-garde achieved little commercial success during the group's existence, but they are now recognized as one of the most influential bands in rock, underground, experimental, and alternative music. The group's provocative subject matter, musical experiments, and often nihilistic attitudes also proved influential in the development of punk rock and new wave music.

[Spotify] All Tomorrows Parties

[Spotify, album] The Velvet Undergound

“Judy in Disguise”, Silicon Teens

This way: Judy in Disguise

Silicon Teens were a British new wave virtual band. The project was the creation of Mute Records founder Daniel Miller. Frank Tovey was the band's fictional frontman.

The "group" were publicized as a quartet with members named Darryl, Jacki, Paul and Diane, but in reality these individuals did not exist and for media interviews their parts were played by actors, with the band's lead singer Darryl portrayed by musician Frank Tovey. Tovey did not perform on any Silicon Teens recordings; all vocals and instrumentation were actually provided by Daniel Miller. Miller also produced the recordings under the pseudonym "Larry Least", a play on the name of 1960s pop producer Mickie Most. 

The project was launched in 1979 with the single "Memphis Tennessee", a cover of the Chuck Berry song. Two other singles followed; these were, along with other tracks, assembled into the 1980 album Music for Parties, a collection mostly comprising rock and roll standards from the 1950s and 1960s, played in an upbeat synthpop style. "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" is a song that was a hit for the Louisiana-based John Fred & His Playboy Band in late 1967. It was jointly composed by Fred and bandmate Andrew Bernard.

[Spotify] Judy in Disguise

“Do the Strand”, Roxy Music

This way: Do the Strand

"Do the Strand" is the first song from English rock band Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. In contrast to the songs from Roxy Music's eponymous debut album, this song starts suddenly without any instrumental fanfare.

Like the rest of the album, the song was recorded at AIR Studios, Oxford Street, London.

Do the Strand was written by Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry. Ferry said of the song's origins, "I had long been a fan of Cole Porter and other songwriters from his era. Do the Strand was an attempt to emulate that style of writing, with a lot of cultural references that I found interesting." 

This song from 1973.

[Spotify] Do the Strand

[Top of the Pops] Do the Strand

“I'm Not Always so Stupid”, The Wedding Present

This way: I'm Not Always so Stupid

The Wedding Present are an English indie rock group formed in 1985 in Leeds, England, by members of The Lost Pandas. The band has been led by vocalist and guitarist David Gedge, the band's only constant member.

Closely linked to the C86 scene, the band has charted a total of eighteen singles in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, including a historic run of twelve singles – one for each month – in 1992, which tied Elvis Presley's record for most top 40 hits in a single year. 

[Spotify] I'm Not Always so Stupid

“Easy Afternoon”, The Younger Lovers

This way: Easy Afternoon

Listen to this twice cuz it's short. Bay area garage band to the highest degree. Brontez Purnell is the main guy behind all this.

From 2013. 

[Spotify] Easy Afternoon!

“Tell Me a Story”, Iggy Pop

This way: Tell Me a Story

One of my favorite LPs. New Values is the third studio album by American musician Iggy Pop. It was released in July 1979 by record label Arista. New Values was Pop's first record for Arista and the first collaboration by Pop and James Williamson since Kill City. The album also reunited Pop and Williamson with multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston, who had played live piano for The Stooges on Metallic K.O. and Kill City. Although guitar was played by Williamson on "Don't Look Down", Scott Thurston played guitar on all other tracks, with Williamson concentrating on production. Likewise, although one of the songs was written by Pop and Williamson, five tracks were collaborations between Pop and Thurston. 

New Values was released in July 1979 by record label Arista. 

[Spotify] Tell Me a Story

“52 Girls”, The B-52's—NPA

This way: 52 Girls

Near Perfect Album

I've been doing this exploration of near perfect albums for the underground explosion of Punk Rock. The criteria is no dog-ass songs, none, not even one. All songs on the LP must be stellar. Some of my favorite bands of all time fall short in this category (hello Husker Du). This first record by the Undertones really is a work of art. It is only slightly sullied by extra songs being added after the first release, the Teenage Kicks was not on the first release. But that song is only going to strengthen the cause. 

[Spotify] 52 Girls

[Spotify, album] The B-52's

“Homosapien”, Pete Shelley

This way: Homosapien

Love this album, fantastic from beginning to end from Pete of the Buzzcocks. Pete Shelley (1955 – 2018) was an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He formed early punk band Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto in 1976, and became the lead singer and guitarist in 1977 when Devoto left. The group released their biggest hit "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" in 1978. The band broke up in 1981 and reformed at the end of the decade. Shelley also had a solo career; his song "Homosapien" charted in the US in 1981. Homosapien is the second solo album by British musician Pete Shelley, released in 1981. The album follows his experimental instrumental album Sky Yen (recorded in 1974 but released in 1980) and his work with the group Buzzcocks, who initially disbanded in 1981. Homosapien saw a marked departure from the punk stylings of Buzzcocks' records, being heavily influenced by the programmed synthesizer sounds and drum machines of synthpop, with the addition of Shelley on acoustic guitar. The title track was released as a UK single and was banned by the BBC due to explicit homosexual references, but was nevertheless a hit in several other countries. 

[Spotify] Homosapien

“Do You Dream in Colour”, Bill Nelson

This way: Do You Dream in Colour

One of my all-time favorite artists. Bill Nelson (born 18 December 1948) is an English singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, painter, video artist, writer and experimental musician. He rose to prominence as the chief songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of the rock group Be-Bop Deluxe, which he formed in 1972. Nelson has been described as "one of the most underrated guitarists of the seventies art rock movement". In 2015, he was recognised with the Visionary award at the Progressive Music Awards. Nelson's manager Mark Rye negotiated with Harvest to buy back some of the unreleased songs for Nelson to release under his own name on his own label, Cocteau Records, which Nelson and Rye had set up. Consequently, in July 1980, Nelson was able to release the single "Do You Dream in Colour?", which after airplay on BBC Radio 1 reached No. 52 in the UK Singles Chart. This debut release on the label persuaded Phonogram to acquire the remaining tracks for Cocteau in order to release Quit Dreaming And Get on the Beam as a Bill Nelson album on their subsidiary label Mercury Records in 1981. The release contained bonus disc Sounding The Ritual Echo (Atmospheres for Dreaming) featuring experimental, ambient instrumentals which Nelson had recorded privately at his home. Subsequent Mercury releases included The Love That Whirls, which included a bonus disc of Nelson's soundtrack for The Yorkshire Actors' stage production of Jean Cocteau's 1946 film La Belle et la Bête/Beauty and the Beast. Nelson had already contributed music (and released it under the title Das Kabinet on Cocteau) to the same company's similar adaptation of Robert Wiene's 1920 silent film classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. 

[Spotify] Do You Dream in Colour

“Eye of a Hurricane”, Kyle Craft

This way: Eye of a Hurricane

Kyle Craft (born January 9, 1989), is an American singer-songwriter and musician based in Portland, Oregon. He released his debut album, Dolls of Highland from Sub Pop records in 2016. Craft was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. First drawn to music through the Baptist church choir in his early childhood, Craft was introduced to rock music through a David Bowie compilation that he found in Kmart. At the age of 15, he started playing the acoustic guitar his grandmother gave him for Christmas. He began to record songs on a laptop that he bought in 2007.

Craft relocated first in Austin, Texas where he formed the band Gashcat releasing the album, Reunion! in 2011 followed by the Devil Kid Demos EP. The band broke up in 2013 due in part to the persistent negative comparison to Neutral Milk Hotel. Craft moved to Portland, where he started writing his solo debut album.

[Spotify] Eye of a Hurricane

SPOT, RIP

SPOT getting a kiss from D Boon.

Who the hell was SPOT? Spot was just one name you saw on almost all the records you bought for a certain moment in Time. Early 80's punk rock that flew at the highest of altitudes. So many bands I loved and records that to this day spark magic in thyne ears. He was the house producer at SST records for many years. Look at this list of master works.

Black Flag - Jealous Again EP (August 1980)
Descendents - Fat EP (1981)
Black Flag - Six Pack EP (June 1981)
Minutemen - The Punch Line EP (Nov 1981)
Black Flag - Damaged (December 1981)
Saccharine Trust - Paganicons (Dec 1981)
Big Boys - Fun, Fun, Fun (July 1982)
Descendents - Milo Goes to College (September 1982)
Meat Puppets - Meat Puppets (1982)
Hüsker Dü - Everything Falls Apart (January 1983)
Minutemen - What Makes a Man Start Fires? (January 1983)
Big Boys - Lullabies Help The Brain Grow (July 1983)
Hüsker Dü - Metal Circus (October 1983)
Minutemen - Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat EP (Nov 1983)
Misfits - Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood (December 1983)
Black Flag - My War (March 1984)
Meat Puppets - Meat Puppets II (April 1984)
Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade (July 1984)
Black Flag - Family Man (September 1984)
Black Flag - Slip It In (December 1984)
Hüsker Dü - New Day Rising (January 1985)

“People have always asked, ‘When you’re recording a band, how do you make that moment happen?’ No, you don’t make that moment happen. You just set things in motion that will allow the thing to happen. It’s like theater I guess: Something is going to happen on that stage, but you’ve gotta make that stage invite the moment. And when it happens, you’ve got to recognize it.”

Here is one of my all-time favs from Zen Arcade:

[This way] Whatever

[Spotify] Whatever

“Man O’ War”, Eric Bachmann

This way: Man O’ War

Eric Bachmann is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. He rose to prominence as the frontman of Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers. Originally a saxophone major at Appalachian State University, Bachmann’s music is distinctive for its creative and innovative arrangements. In addition to the guitar, he plays the piano and banjo regularly on tour. He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and grew up throughout the Southern United States. He currently lives in Athens, Georgia. 

In between Archers records, Bachmann pursued expansive instrumental experiments that defied the indie rock genre. He made two albums under the moniker Barry Black, 1995’s self-titled and 1997’s Tragic Animal Stories. Featuring collaborators such as Caleb Southern and Ben Folds, the Barry Black releases challenged any notion of pigeonholing him as solely a rock musician. 

His first solo effort under his own name, the instrumental and atmospheric Short Careers, was recorded as a score for the film Ball of Wax and released in 2002.

Saddle Creek Records released his second, To the Races (2006). Self-recorded over five days while at the Outer Banks, the record is primarily Bachmann completely solo but features contributions from Miranda Brown (backing vocals) and DeVotchKa's Tom Hagerman (violin).

This from 2006.

[Spotify] Man O’ War

“Sowing Seeds”, The Jesus and Mary Chain—NPA

This way: Sowing Seeds

Near Perfect Album

Psycho Candy is the debut studio album by Scottish rock band the Jesus and Mary Chain. It was released in November 1985 on Blanco y Negro Records. The album is considered a landmark recording: its combination of guitar feedback and noise with traditional pop melody and structure proved influential on the forthcoming shoegazing genre and alternative rock in general. The band moved from its abrasive sound with the release of their second album, 1987's Darklands. I recall my friend Ruta after listening to this record asked 'who was on vacuum cleaner'.

[Spotify] Sowing Seeds

[Spotify, album] Psycho Candy

“Gold Soundz”, Pavement

This way: Gold Soundz

"Gold Soundz" is the second single released from Pavement's 1994 album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. The song did not perform particularly well as a single, failing to chart on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, where their previous single, "Cut Your Hair", peaked at number 10. All the B-sides from both versions of the single are included on the reissue Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: LA's Desert Origins. 

[Spotify] Gold Soundz

“Can't Seem to Make You Mine”, The Seeds

This way: Can't Seem to Make You Mine

This band is special, but they may have believed the hype. The Seeds were an American psychedelic garage rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965, best known for their highest charting single "Pushin' Too Hard". The band's classic line-up featured frontman Sky Saxon, guitarist Jan Savage (born Buck Jan Reeder), keyboardist Daryl Hooper and drummer Rick Andridge. In 1968, the band changed their name to Sky Saxon and the Seeds, with Savage and Andridge departing the band. They went on to release a handful of additional singles, with Hooper also departing at some point before splitting up in circa 1972.

In 2003, Saxon reformed the Seeds with original guitarist Jan Savage (who departed part way through a European tour the same year due to ill health). Releasing 2 further studio albums, the band continued to tour the US, UK and Europe up to Saxon's death in 2009. 

[Spotify] Can't Seem to Make You Mine

“There's a Rhythm”, Ron Sexsmith

This way: There's a Rhythm

Ron Sexsmith (born January 8, 1964) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario. He was the songwriter of the year at the 2005 Juno Awards. He began releasing recordings of his own material in 1985 at age 21, and has since recorded seventeen albums. He was the subject of a 2010 documentary called Love Shines. 

Sexsmith grew up in St. Catharines and started his own band when he was 14 years old. This track from 1995.

[Spotify] There's a Rhythm

“Neon Signs”, Suki Waterhouse

This way: Neon Signs

Alice Suki Waterhouse (born 5 January 1992)[5] is an English model, actress and singer.[6][7][8] She began a career in modelling at the age of 16, and she would go on to model for several major fashion labels. Her first feature film as an actress was a minor role in Pusher in 2012, and she has since appeared in films such as The Divergent Series: Insurgent, The Bad Batch, and Assassination Nation. In 2016, she co-founded the accessories brand Pop & Suki with Poppy Jamie and Leo Seigal. 

[Spotify] Neon Signs