Tag: singer-songwriter

EP Highlight: Boyfriend Material – Self-Titled EP

Cross posted at Interstellar Radio Shower…

Now this is catchy. Boyfriend Material has a new EP out on Community Records.

This first song “Small Talk” is absolutely promising. It’s a sort of indie pop/singer songwriter without being too poppy. “Two Steps Back” starts out like a Rainer Maria tune. In fact, this song could be a Rainer Maria song both lyrically and instrumentally. It’s really quite enjoyable.

“Good Graces” tones things down a bit. It’s pretty in a navel-gazing kind of way. Navelgaze should be a recognized genre. Whereas emo has become a certain brand of pop punk which sometimes is great, sometimes really sucks, navelgaze would focus on a certain brand of songwriters like Shauna Healey and Lou Barlow.

Anyhow, the last track is “Absentminded” which features the ukUlele. This calls back more to her earlier stuff (see below). This EP is a very worthwhile listen. The EP in it’s entirety was released on Friday. Here is another review worth checking out.

This is more of a full band sound. The core of Boyfriend Material is singer-songwriter Shauna Healey. On her first LP “Far From Home”, also on Community Records, her music is very stripped down. It’s that bare acoustic ukulele combined with raw honest vocals that is popular in certain circles these days. I just love this stripped down sound. In any case, there is much to love here.

Emily Rodgers – Walk Don’t Run

First, good news. Back on the radio as of tonight. Isotria blaring radio show. Every Monday this summer from 10pm to midnight. 88.3 FM WRCT Pittsburgh. You can stream it here. Also, tune in early. At 9pm we have Advanced Calculus – local bands live from the WRCT studio.

Emily Rodgers was one of the first live shows that I saw in Pittsburgh. At Quiet Storm with some friends. I liked her music enough to buy a CD and it’s grown on me ever more since then. She has a new CD out titled “Two Years” and this new video for the track “Walk Don’t Run.” As per usual, her music is beautifully haunting and somber.

You can pick up “Two Years” via Misra Records.

Mitski – Happy / Your Best American Girl

Today is a big day in our neck of the woods with Jen’s son getting married. And what better way to bring in the day than to post some new music from Mitski’s new album Puberty 2. And getting married is sort of like puberty 2 right? In any case, congrats to Tyler and Jen! In your honor, Mitski…

Just the thought of new music from Mitski makes me happy. But wow, this is really good in a totally new way.

Mitski is the product of Mitski Miyawaki and friends (in this case largely Patrick Hyland). I loved her last album, Bury my Heart at Makeout Creek, and so far i’m loving the new content from Puberty 2. And yes her album titles seem to naturally flow from one to the next. Regardless we should be thankful for her incredible inspiring music.

And while we are at it, here is the official video for her other new single “Your Best American Girl”. Puberty 2 is due out on June 17th on Dead Oceans.