Today, Arkells release their new studio album Laundry Pile via Universal Music Canada, alongside the music video for the new single Quiet Love.
"Anyone who keeps a journal will tell you that writing is one of the best ways to work through the chapters of your life," says frontman, Max Kerman. "Our new album Laundry Pile is a chapter that documents some of the messy parts that end up teaching you a lot: love, regret, desire, shame, and the longing to get it right. The title track is out first, and it's a memory honouring the little moments that represent a true partnership."

A brand-new album was not in the works for Arkells. Having been steadily releasing new music over the last few years, the band wasn't actively planning the next record to come this quickly. What became Laundry Pile caught the band by surprise and began to take shape. 

At the top of the year, Arkells got together with a goal to work on acoustic renditions of recent material, jam and hang out, but very quickly started ruminating on other little ideas. "I brought in some demos I had been working on - they were little conversations with myself," continues Kerman. "I had no expectations to do anything with the material, but then the band came to the rescue. It was very all-hands-on-deck. The more we meditated on the music, the more connected we became to the songs and to each other." 

Much of Arkells' most recognizable material aims to be spirited and anthemic, but this collection of songs are more personal, pensive, and reserved. It's the kind of album that is one cohesive listening experience - in keeping with the spirit of the classic singer-songwriter tradition. 

"After a few weeks, we took a look at the white board with the growing number of songs scribbled on it and became excited to share these songs immediately," Kerman adds. "It was one of the most deeply creative experiences we've had as a band so far. It's important to simply honour the moment you're in, and that's what we did."

Laundry Pile is available now for streaming or download.

Long Beach, CA based Rockers OF LIMBO have released their provocative new single California Demon. The heavy and sinister groove-laden track explores the concept of making a Mephistophelian bargain for diabolical favors to achieve your Hollywood dreams.

The song was recorded at Fab Factory Studios and produced by Mike Pepe (Taking Back Sunday, Plain White T's), with mixing and mastering done by Grammy Winner Jett Galindo.

The song features wicked & sinewy dark guitar riffs, thunderous drums, a throbbing bass line, and a chorus as addictive as it is memorable. The band's influences from 90's stalwarts like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden shine through on the track.

The band's Luke Davies says "The song explores the concept of "selling your soul for fame and fortune" but in a literal sense. As if the devil was real and young, innocent and corruptible people are actually coming to Hollywood and selling their soul to become a star. There's a large section of the population, like our conspiracy theory loving uncle, who believes this to be 100% fact/reality. He sends us videos of stars in interviews implying they sold their souls, or the latest Grammy performances, etc. from Sam Smith or mumble rappers dressed up as Satan. He doesn't believe this is just pageantry. He thinks it's all some kind of televised satanic ritual. It's a concept we always felt was perfect for a rock song. Innocent girl comes to Hollywood with wide eyes and high hopes, only to find she has to sacrifice a lot more than she bargained for… HER SOUL!"

The video for California Demon was directed by Tony Vercelli and filmed at Baur Films in Long Beach and Nuvisions Studios in Santa Ana. It was produced by Todd Grilli of 4th Street Productions. The band's Jake Davies says "Yes, we DID actually set Luke's guitar on fire while he played it at the end. We had to douse Luke in flame retardant spray and pray to sweet baby Jesus that he didn't get 3rd degree burns. It was definitely super sketchy at times!  On a few takes I had to run in with a wet blanket to extinguish the flames." Watch the video now clicking on the image.

The band will be announcing new tour dates in September. The band will be playing live throughout the fall, with plans to release more new music and tour throughout 2024.

Silent Skies, the cinematic project of Evergrey's Tom S. Englund and acclaimed US-based pianist/composer Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Lux Terminus), have just released the first official video, Construct, cut from their dream-like third studio album, Dormant, out September 1, 2023 via Napalm Records.

The album's shimmering opening track Construct calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, characterized by expansive atmospheres, iridescent textures, and contemplative lyrical introspection. From the very first note, listeners will get caught by the distinctive voice of Tom S. Englund, glimmering in yearning nuances and emotions spanning the gamut from despair to hope. Bonded with the instrumental majesty of Vikram Shankar, this is a maelstrom in which one will relish getting lost. Silent Skies present Construct together with an artistic and stately film, directed by American director Paul Moore and filmed by Moore and Patric Ullaeus, that beautifully and sincerely portrays that which really matters - just as Silent Skies does with their music.

Silent Skies add: "Construct is an encapsulation of the ethos that informed the creative process for this new record. Musically it explores textures and soundscapes that are new additions to our sonic universe, but the reflective melancholy that defines what we do is still very much present. The conceptual theme for Dormant has been ‘conversations with life, about life,' and in Construct, you will hear the first part of this conversation. We hope it provokes conversations within yourselves in turn."

Watch the official video for Construct now, clicking on the image.

Seasoned singer-songwriter Eric Sleeper has released his newest single, K is for Karma. With honest, cutting lyrics and a stripped-down acoustic guitar, Sleeper explores the nuanced concept of karma. Upon discussing his inspiration for K is for Karma, Sleeper says, "This song is about understanding when you are getting taken advantage of or used and the toll it can take on you."

K is for Karma is now available for streaming or download worldwide.

Introspective and charged with a captivating rhythm, K is for Karma immediately draws listeners in with its poignant exploration of working through the experience of being wronged. By incorporating elements of indie, folk, and acoustic rock, Sleeper possesses a unique sound that enthralls listeners. "The song plays on the idea of karma, questioning if it exists for those who spend their energy putting you and others down," explains Sleeper. He expresses this in his lyric, "So what's it cost you to get under my skin, because I lost it all." While revealing the all-too-human desire for a person to receive karmic consequences for their hurtful actions, he also relays that "sometimes you need to take a step back, acknowledge it, and walk away from that person." Sleeper's innate ability to articulate his own life experiences in a way that resonates with his audience is evident in K is for Karma, making the song particularly impactful. For a gratifying conclusion to the narrative, the track ends with a final chorus that boasts the inclusion of drums and an electric guitar-driven melody. K is for Karma leaves its listeners with a feeling of empowerment and understanding, motivating them to take charge of their own stories in moments of vulnerability and ill-treatment.

A native of New York and currently living the bridge and tunnel life in New Jersey, Eric Sleeper embarked on his musical journey at the age of 14. Starting with the guitar, he soon delved into songwriting and discovered his innate talent for conveying his thoughts and emotions through the power of lyrics. Drawing inspiration from renowned artists such as Bob Dylan, Elliot Smith, and Nirvana, Sleeper developed his minimalist approach to songwriting. Upon learning to play the MIDI keyboard, he became remarkably in tune with his creativity and self-expression within his music. By broadening his music knowledge, Eric Sleeper could explore and experiment with his sound, both vocally and instrumentally. Ultimately, with his proficiency in multiple musical disciplines, Sleeper has proven himself to be a well-rounded and accomplished musician. K is for Karma is the follow-up to his singles Son of a Gun and Dragons, which earned esteemed praise from New Scene Magazine, Jammerzine, V13, Vents Magazine, and more. Fans can anticipate exciting things to come from Eric Sleeper, as he is currently working on his debut album.

Alt.Pop artist Little Hurt (Colin Dieden, former lead singer of The Mowglis) has released his new album Lovely Hours, out now on Century Family.

Today, he is sharing the high energy, bursting with color video for I Can Do Better Than You. The zesty & spirited clip features Dieden and his band cutting loose, jumping around, having fun, and letting themselves be taken away by the song.
The empowering track, which is a defiant take on ending a bad relationship and moving on to something better – features an addicting snyth line throughout, which pop-punk guitars and crisp drums.

Dieden says "Sometimes writing songs feels like a regular job, but the upbeat energy of I Can Do Better Than You flowed from the start. There is something truly cathartic about just putting yourself into a song and letting it fly."

He continues "When we were talking about this video we went through a few different concepts but ultimately we landed on the idea that we wanted it to just be pure energy. We wanted people to have fun watching it, and feel good. Not have to overthink it, just be in the moment."

The video was directed by Kyle Vorbach, who has worked with the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, and Jagwar Twin. In talking about the concept of the video, Vorbach says "Colin called me in the middle of the night and said he had the idea for I Can Do Better Than You figured out. He said 'color and energy.' So, we did just that - we shot in a location in LA where the ceiling is entirely comprised of colored LED panels, and in post-production we saturated every shot as much as is physically possible. The end result is some visuals that are as arresting as the song is."

The Lovely Hours album has been 2 years in the making and includes the singles Buttercup (Featuring The Ready Set), Cooler If U Did, Get Out Of My Life, Pineapple Pizza  and See You Again.

Summer tour dates are currently in the works to support the Lovely Hours LP.

Hailing from Cullman, AL, Shallow Side, comprised of Eric Boatright, Heath Fields, Sam Bower & Codey Red, are pleased to announce the release of their new single You're The Reason through Thermal Entertainment. 

"The saying goes 'it be your own people'. Self progress should only ever be measured by the previous steps it took to achieve reality. During the writing process of this song I discovered a lot of my self worth was placed in the improper hands, which sold all my previous hard earned steps down the river. I never thought I could stop believing and they were the reason for it the whole time." - Eric Boatright of Shallow Side

You're The Reason is a piece that showcases Shallow Side's darker tones as a band, with as much melody as possible. The song contrasts rhythmically dissonant guitar riffs with a pure and rich melodic chorus.  Lyrically, the song focuses on an individual who has been manipulated by someone to the point where they no longer recognize themselves.

The song was co-written with Chris Dawson and James Beattie and was produced, recorded and mixed by Chris at Aphotic Studios.

The new song has been added to official playlists on major streaming sites, most notable featured song on Pandora's NEW ROCK NOW playlist along with the playlist Cover Artist. Also being added to Pandora's DECIBEL! Today's Hard Rock, NEW ROCK and NEW MUSIC NOW playlists, along with Spotify's ALL NEW METAL playlist as well as Apple Music's BREAKING HARD ROCK and FRESH BLOOD.

You're The Reason is the 2nd single to released from their forthcoming yet untitled album due later this year.

It's the follow up to The Worst Kind released in late 2022 which brought Shallow Side back to the charts at Active Rock Mediabase, peaking at #36 leading the way with 300+ spins at Sirius Octane and Music Choice. The song was on the charts for 8 consecutive weeks.The song can be heard here.

Since coming into the rock scene, Shallow Side has released a little of everything - including several EPs, a full-length album, plus a number of assorted cover songs and singles. 

Their EP ONE purred three radio singles: Rebel, Renegade (a powerful Styx cover) and Can You Hear Me that began to get them noticed and earned them the title of Loudwire's 'Best New Artist of the Year'. In 2019, the band released their first full-length album Saints & Sinners which contained their most streamed-song to date, Sound The Alarm.

Their extensive music catalog has now surpassed more than 40 million streams globally, and their music videos have eclipsed 14.5 million views on their YouTube channel.

Alternative rockers The Dirty Shirts have returned with the release of their explosive new single Heart Attack. The glam-rock infused track perfectly combines an electrifying pop sound with hook-heavy melodies and an infectious chorus. "My lyrical themes often express the duality of feeling two different things from one emotional situation and how to deal with it," confesses lead singer, Nick Santa Maria. With Heart Attack, it's the feeling of not wanting to let go of a relationship, while also wanting to run away as fast as possible. Heart Attack is now available to stream and download on all platforms worldwide.

Heart Attack immediately grabs the attention of listeners with manic and falsetto vocals set against a chiming backdrop of celestial bells before The Dirty Shirts come clean with their propulsive brand of "dance floor rock and roll." The song is about a toxic relationship that the narrator knows is failing, but can't stop. Santa Maria, dug deep into the meaning of Heart Attack and what he wants listeners to get out of the song. "We put a lot of intention in creating a sound in the studio that supported and enhanced the story being told in the song, that helps people grab onto it more," explains Santa Maria. "Ultimately, we just want people to turn this up as loud as they can stand it and dance." The track was produced by Jeff Saenz (Leon Bridges, Reverend Horton Heat, Nikki Lane), engineered by Joel Raif, and recorded at Modern Electric Sound Recorders in Dallas, Texas.

Making their debut in 2021, The Dirty Shirts is a pop, alternative, and glam rock band from Dallas, Texas. In the last two years, they have released numerous singles and stylized videos, and have toured across North America. Before The Dirty Shirts debuted, band member Nick Santa Maria was touring as a sideman for country artists until the pandemic shut down the entire world. During this time, he re-envisioned his music career and decided to create a band that encompassed his love of rock music. This was when The Dirty Shirts were born. Incorporating their musical influences, including the Rolling Stones, Oasis, and The Strokes, they released their debut album, In The Get Up From The Get Go, and toured across the country in 2022. Performing in support of their hit singles, including Detonator and Please Me, the band hit the ground running, creating more music as they became more known across the U.S. As The Dirty Shirts release new songs, Santa Maria notes how they wish for their listeners to continue to turn to their music for comfort, especially during challenging moments in life. With their black leather cool and sequined swagger, combined with their charisma and empathy, and strong vocals, The Dirty Shirts have cemented their place in the indie rock canon.

Rising up from the Arizona desert with influences that range from Nine Inch Nails to Dolly Parton, and a touch of Lana Del Rey thrown in for good measure – genre bending artist DEVORA has released a new EP God Is Dead via Tiger Tone Records / [PIAS].

The EP contains four songs, with previously unreleased track Bonesaw leading the way (watch the video clicking on the image).

DEVORA says of the ominously enchanting track: "Bonesaw is about a night in a motel room gone wrong, in a dark direction. It’s a voyeuristic impression of the lines between romance and impulse being heavily blurred. The song opens with seemingly illusive pretty snapshots of an all-American day dream, but progressively turns morose and ends with a bonesaw left in the motel room sink. I used to read a lot of medical textbooks as a hobby and one of the surgical tools from the civil war era, the bonesaw, always intrigued me. I have a couple of vintage ones at home". The music video was directed by Felicity Jayn Heath.

She continues: "A lot of my songs take place in motel rooms. There's something really macabre and eerily temporary about a motel room where, for essentially 24 hours, you can be whoever you want to be in that room sealed and removed from the outside world... It's like your own revolving set. What happens in that room stays in that room. A lot of serial killers have set up shop in motel rooms and I know I've definitely walked into some gnarly motel rooms where I’ve gotten hit with this feeling - like getting punched in the gut, where I've started to put the pieces together that something really messed up must have happened in this room… Bonesaw is all of the above".         

The EP, produced by Alex Aldi (Passion Pit, Holy Ghost!) and Cass Dillon (Goo Goo Dolls, Grey Daze) and mixed by Tony Hoffer (M83, Beck), is a collection of stories inspired by true events that paint a picture of a modern Wild West culture. The songs are a haunting ode to the dark side of the American Dream.

Gone are the days of the white-picket fences and beauty pageant queens; they've left long ago and made way for a new form of cultural anarchy, non-conformist beliefs and a generation of outlaws like DEVORA.

God Is Dead is available now for streaming or download.