Song We Like: Honest Loving Heart by Momma Molasses

Song We Like: Honest Loving Heart by Momma Molasses

It’s a really pretty song, and she probably wrote it, but she is the kind of artist who could sing a furniture-store jingle and make you fall in love with her. Really, you should listen.

Song We Like: Started a Band by Don Babylon

Song We Like: Started a Band by Don Babylon

A song designed to break your heart. Check out how they change all the music 2/3 of they way through. They’re the coolest kids in school

Song We Like: Cupid by DANA

Song We Like: Cupid by DANA

Weird, rhythmic and vaguely upsetting: it’s what the future (and parts of the past, like the Thrill Kill Cult) sounds like 👍

Podcast 47: Don Babylon, Momma Molasses, DANA, Secret Bleeders, Black Belt Eagle Scout

Podcast 47: Don Babylon, Momma Molasses, DANA, Secret Bleeders, Black Belt Eagle Scout

Johnwood, fartwall, and blood popsicle: three gross ideas that you will only hear explained here. Also, a rock history lesson from John, and an inconclusive speech about Patreon. Plus lots of great music! (Follow us on Facebook! Instagram! Twitter! And lots of stuff about these and other bands, including artist interviews, is at www.hlycrp.com.)

Song We Like: Nutthin’s Fair by Illiterate Light

Song We Like: Nutthin’s Fair by Illiterate Light

The new marriage of rock and pop is not just about synths and squeaky girls (we like those too). It’s about rock musicians who are tuning their music to a new level of catchiness without sacrificing integrity. Let’s all go see Illiterate Light at Lalapalooza in August.

Gabriel Bernini on Northampton, MA, and who stole his cowbell

Gabriel Bernini on Northampton, MA, and who stole his cowbell

Gabriel Bernini just released his favorite record yet called “Record For Bailey,” for which he made all of the songs on his own in his basement on Lovefield St. in Easthampton MA. He has another record in the works at the moment called “Sweeties” that should be out later this year. We featured his song “My Girl (Pass the Mic)” on our #41 podcast.

My favorite thing to wear onstage:

Makeup. It feels like putting on a mask of some kind, so I can really be an onstage character rather than trying to be myself.

My favorite musical instrument or item that I purchased recently is:

MXR Phase 90. It fits guitars into the mix really easily and makes the whole track nice and squishy.

Responsible for Van Halen’s “Tone in a Box” sound

The musical instrument or item that I really really want is:

Cowbell. Someone took mine and it’s been a real bummer when I want some cowbell on a track.

The artist who has influenced me most is:

Bob Dylan. He so tapped in. We all strive to tap in as much as Dylan.

Something I wish I’d known before joining a band:

Protect your ears!

I live in this city:

Northampton, Western MA. I grew up here and went to college here.

The general vibe of this city is:

College town. Great music scene, lots of artists, lots of food.

Editor’s note: That is the Northampton flag. Bet you didn’t know they had a flag.

The best place to play music here is:

The Parlor Room. They’re nice people.

The best place to SEE music here is:

Any basement show. It’s a real scene.

My favorite local band (aside from my own):

Sun Parade, Carinae, Kind Radio

I collect:

Vinyl Records. I love buying, listening and looking at vinyl records. It’s a great hobby. It’s such a thrill to find a record you’ve been looking for at the right price. It’s a real high.

When people look back on our culture in a hundred years, they’ll say:

It’s crazy compartmentalized. There’s so much going on. Everyone’s into cool different stuff and it’s all available on the internet.  

My favorite thing to watch on tv is:

Joe Pera Talks With You. Feels new and exciting!

A winter indulgence that I would never forgo is:

I don’t know, I usually indulge in the summer I guess

The last music I downloaded was:

Nina Rota soundtracks. A fun listen

In my heart I wish I was:

A smoker. Because I would have a raspier voice

Editor’s note: IKR!! Also, smokers get breaks. Nonsmokers get no breaks!!

A beauty staple that I’m never without is:

My trusty beauty staple

why

I trust my staple

My personal analysis of the current state of the music industry is:

Probably for the best!

When people come to visit me, particularly if those people are cooler than I am, I take them to:

Our tallest bridge

Why

To push them off for being cooler than me.

Favorite seasonal beverage:

Hot chocolate

Why

Chocolate but hot.