By Keith Walsh
There’s a bountiful bloom of cool summer tunes here, from artful indie pop, to proggy jazz, surf rock, punk, shoegaze, , and more — all from the finest group of artists ever assembled this side of summer.
I Am A Rocketship “Gravity”
Our sizzling summer set starts with the delightfully buoyant second single from the upcoming album by I Am A Rocketship. The track is “Gravity,” from the album La Cruella, due August 4. The lovely vocals of L E Kippner hover around the atmospheric tracks of multi-instrumentalist Eric Weissinger, with pristine production featuring lots of sonic space for the artfully timed melodies and rhythms to shine. “Gravity” is the second single from La Cruella, following the edgy “Do You Feel Good” which employs drummer Kelli Scott (Veruca Salt, Dr. Dre, Pink, Failure). I Am A Rocketship are from Atlanta, Georgia.
I Am A Rocketship dot com
I Am A Rocketship on Facebook
Al’s Peace “Esperanza”
This lovely tune hits gently, like the summer breeze we so desperately need in California right now. Led by Al Keith, the Los Angeles based Al’s Peace features a band of talented gentlemen who have traveled the world in a variety of projects bringing awesome sounds. Eric Endo, Mark London Sims, Mark Tyson and Perry Ostrin, together with Keith on vocals and percussion deliver the sweet mix, recorded at Highland’s Jam in a three-song set engineered by Lucas Fehring.
Al Keith Q and A on Popular Culture Beat
Al’s Peace You Tube
Al’s Peace On Spotify
Highlands Jam Dot Com
Highlands Jam You Tube
Evidence Of A Struggle “Sal E”
Reverend Billy Simmons is a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist. Much badassery is on display on his debut album Evidence Of A Struggle, an LP by the project of the same name. The 13-track set’s opener, “Sal E” tells the tale, instrumentally, of a prize fighter battling paradoxes. Simmon’s mix of drum n bass beats, smooth synths and insinuating guitar hit deliver a knockout punch to the eardrums.
Evidence Of A Struggle On Bandcamp
King Size “It’s A Game Over”
Located in Europe but drawing on classic rock and roll from the U.S., the four gents of Italy’s King Size present driving punk with catchy, melodic vocals. Filmed live at The Gunner’s Club in London, “It’s A Game Over” reminds one of the awesomeness of great power pop with more than a touch of grunge grittiness as well, and theme that reminds us with rock and roll, it’s never over.
King Size LinkTree
King Size On Bandcamp
King Size On Facebook
King Size On Instagram
Sarah J. Lewis On YouTube
Q and A With King Size On Punk Rock Beat dot com
Matthew Lowry “All My Friends Are Selling Out”
Lamenting the transitioning of his musical comrades to corporate careers, Matthew Lowry does what he does best: sings about it. The tune “All My Friends Are Selling Out” is from Flamingo Country, the forthcoming debut album by Lowry’s eponymously named band. The tune itself is catchy as hell, using humor to deflect the losses, which were the result of Florida’s music scene stagnating during the club shutdowns of the COVID epidemic.
Matthew Lowry on Facebook
Matthew Lowry Linktree
Mustard Service “(Your Cat) Don’t Stand A Chance”
Warm and cuddly vibes abound in this jazzy, fun tune by Miami’s zest pop originators, Mustard Service. Rumor has it there’s no metaphor here, it’s literally about the black cat, Smokey, the mascot of these five clever and naughty musical artists. “(Your Cat) Don’t Stand A Chance” is from the upcoming LP, Variety Pack, to be released August 3 on ONErpm Records.
Mustard Service Facebook
Mustard Service on Bandcamp
ONErpm Records dot com
Viana Valentine “Hella Depressed”
When her previous band Royal Street fell apart, Viana Valentine emerged as a solo artist, bringing stellar instrumentals, vocals and songwriting to the mix. Valentine’s debut album Fever Dream offers smartly crafted songs in the classic singer/songwriter tradition with top notch performances, including her smooth vocals. “Hella Depressed” captures a fight against the blues in a sensibly upbeat way.
Viana Valentine “Hella Depressed” Links
“Fever Dream” on Bandcamp
Berkley “Pueblo Nights”
Smooth indie rock vibes and classic pop structures dominate in this bittersweet ballad by Berkley, the project of Andrew Jones, out of Pueblo, Colorado. Jones is a noted recording engineer in his own right, but as he bursts out of that role into singer/songwriter mode, the results are lovely. His debut album Pueblo is due on Sept. 1.
Berkley dot com
Berkley on Bandcamp
Berkely on Instagram
Big Secret Records
Guitarmy Of One “Top Secret Agent Man On A Wire Tapped Phone At Sea”
Scott Helland amuses and entertains in this surf-a-billy tune styled as a spy thriller with James Bond and Madness vibes. The would be special agent of the video reminds us that privacy is thing of the past. Guitarmy of One is built on performances by Helland, who will release The Wave Files album on August 18, with tons of classic guitar tones a surf rock and rockabilly styles. Helland is also half of the duo Frenchy And Punk and founder of the defunct Deep Wound, also featuring J. Mascis and Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr.
Scott Helland dot com
Guitarmy Of One on Facebook
Guitarmy Of One on Bandcamp
Frenchy And The Punk dot com
Black Market Karma & The Underground Youth “Wonky”
This collaboration between Black Market Karma out of London, and Pete Dyer from The Underground Youth out of Manchester channels brilliant Velvet Underground vibes, and with warm dense guitars and sincerely romantic vocals. “Wonky” is a shimmering gem of shoegaze warmth wrapped in a distorted effervescent haze. It’s from the Friends In Noise LP out now on Flower Power Records.
Black Market Karma on Facebook
Black Market Karma on Instagram
The Underground Youth on Facebook
The Underground Youth on Instagram
Flower Power Records dot com
finis
(Lady with watermelon on stick image licensed from Adobe Stock, photographer ‘rohappy.’)