Tag Archive for: underground music

Song We Like: Runnin’ by Ancient Ethel

Song We Like: Runnin’ by Ancient Ethel

I went to the Ancient Ethel album release party on Saturday night.  This song “Runnin” is such a garage rock, blues, bad ass anthem. This is like when P.J. Harvey transformed herself from English punk kid to blues queen. During Ancient Ethel’s live set I was looking around – seeing if everyone was witnessing this band. It was like they’d brought an entire hurricane in a small underground punk club. Featured on our #73 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.

Song We Like: City of Rain by Hex Girls

Song We Like: City of Rain by Hex Girls

You can’t claim that the underground music scene isn’t funky, doesn’t have a nice little cool groove, after listening to “City of Rain” by the Hex Girls. The production on this song is wonderful; it’s all about restraint. The beats, the vocals, the back-up vocals all build up into this storm lashing the City of Rain in your heart. Featured on our #73 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.

Band Management: Blog 44: Godless America Records Vol.6

Band Management: Blog 44: Godless America Records Vol.6

I am managing “Band A” for one year – and also somehow promoting “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles. Before we get to the next page of this misadventure – I want to talk about mental health. If you’re really trying to do something as an artist you have these ups and downs. I know. Even as the boring band/label manager. Last Monday “Band A” was on WNCW and then played a killer fun show at Static Age-Records – I rode that wave of euphoria for 24 hours and then I could feel myself coming down. These ups-and-downs were so bad in my 20s that I spent my 30s closely monitoring my moods – if I was too down I’d work to pick myself up and if I was too excited I’d slow myself and keep life moving forward on a very even straight road. But I’m not sure this is the answer either – always working to stay steady. Maybe being a older I just watch it and understand it a little better. I’m only writing about this because I know some of my favorite artists/musicians in the underground music scene have this – and it is real and true and I don’t have any answers.
An artist just wants someone to like their art. That’s enough, most days. So, in this context, it was really so nice to get a message on September 30th from Jordan Duttinger from Godless America Records that “Band A” has a song chosen for their mixtape vol.6. (I know Jordan and his label and interviewed them for Holy Crap Records Podcast – but I used a different email so Jordan didn’t know it was me when I submitted “Band A.” Probably. Maybe.) Jordan and Godless America Records are the coolest. I was introduced to them because Tongues of Fire were selected for a mixtape release and then Godless America Records has distributed cassettes for the TOF’s “Everyone Hates Us.” I was totally intimidated by the utter coolness of TOF and Godless America Records, but now “Band A” is on mixtape vol. 6.
Also, here’s a photo of “Band A” from their Static Age Records show – thanks to the amazing photographer Scott Sturdy…

Band Management: Blog 43: Album Release Party!

Band Management: Blog 43: Album Release Party!

Holy Crap Records has become a label – and we have released two singles. One from the notorious “Band A” and the other is “Pipe” from The Styrofoam Turtles. (You can check us out over at bandcamp.com at the Holy Crap Records Label page.) And on Thursday night The Styrofoam Turtles had an album release party at The Mothlight with Tongues of Fire and Sane Voids. Gawd – I LOVE the TOF live show. Quality beer drinking, stage diving, and overall rock star moves. Just a great show. A ton of people showed up. Tristen Colby made fun of Holy Crap Records and the fact that he tricked us into being a label – which is perfect. And the single “Pipe” sounded so good – totally catchy and true from the stage.
So what now? What does a label do with some high quality music? And a total grifter who runs the label? Well, on Thursday, I sent off the song to 31 college and indie radio stations – which is where I had surprising success for “Band A.” Belter Radio got back in touch and asked me to upload a mp3, but then they sent a follow up email that said – resend after October 15th – because they were on some kind of hiatus as they move from internet radio to real radio.
And then I decided to research what Asheville bands were having success in terms of publicity? Secret Shame has had great success with their publicist. Crooked Ghost works with Shameless Promotion PR – and so I wrote down all the publications and podcasts and radio stations that Crooked Ghost has been promoted and played. And Melted Magazine did a great Q&A with Kitty Tsunami – and then followed up with a great piece of photo journalism with Eli Raymer. I think Eli is an amazing musician – playing with a ton of great bands, touring all the time, making his own great music as Good Trauma.
Anyway, I’ve made that list of platforms and publications and I will send them “Band A” and The Styrofoam Turtles. Let’s see what happens…

Ep 73 – Totally shouting! Featuring: Hex Girls, Ancient Ethel, Francie Moon, The Burning Peppermints, Turnstiles

Ep 73 – Totally shouting! Featuring: Hex Girls, Ancient Ethel, Francie Moon, The Burning Peppermints, Turnstiles

Best of the underground, week of Oct 1, 2019: Truly amazing music this week!! Plus lots of talk about Merch. And we speculate about which drinks these bands have been bathing in. (All podcasts are on itunes and spotify. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and, reluctantly and occasionally, Twitter.) We love you artists 💚

Muscle Memory by Motel Glory

Muscle Memory by Motel Glory

I feel like shit – now that’s a good opening line for a song. I’m in full of appreciation for scuzzing up some great classic American rock-n-roll. Motel Glory has delivered\straight up basement bad-ass badness. Featured on our #72 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.

Song We Like: Run Free by Fertile Hump

Song We Like: Run Free by Fertile Hump

Sometime a song just knocks you over. This is it. Maybe the best song I’ve heard all year. Just a killer female vocal, organ, hand claps, rocking and dancing. Fuck – I don’t know who the fuck you are – but you deserve a statue in the underground music hall of fame. That dank subterranean hall – with those large multi-legged insects, dead bodies, and the barrels of centuries old poison liquor. Come over to America. Featured on our #72 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.

Song We Like: Hammer of Thor by French Ketamine

Song We Like: Hammer of Thor by French Ketamine

Not from France, but from the Galway underground – this is great Velvet Underground inspired garage rock. This is the kinda stuff Sister Ray would groove on. Riff and choppy guitars are the sounds that my soul craves. Rolling up to a pop chorus. I don’t mind and I don’t really care. Well we all don’t care, but few can write a song as catchy as this. Featured on our #72 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.

Song We Like: Black Rainbow by Crooked Ghost

Song We Like: Black Rainbow by Crooked Ghost

We have totally fallen in love with Crooked Ghost. They have this amazingly rich atmospheric sound, that is both reminiscent of the 80s and better than the 80s. Plus the singing is drop-dead gorgeous. And another plus – they have my favorite bass player. Featured on our #72 podcast at www.hlycrp.com.