We recently had the epic opportunity to check out Rising pop artist MARIS, and her otherworldly new single, “Missing You” . You can listen to “Missing You” Here
The upbeat pop anthem captures the vulnerability of longing for someone—and wondering if they feel the same. “Missing Me” was co-written and produced by Grammy Award-winner Jeremy Hatcher (Harry Styles).MARIS recently delivered a Vevo DSCVR performance of the track, with an official music video—directed by Grace Stromatt (IndieX Film Fest Award nominee)—set to arrive next week. In support of the release, MARIS will embark on her “MARIS Goes To College” Tour, a 17-date run kicking off April 8 in Athens, GA, and wrapping May 3 in Bloomington, IN. Tickets are available now at www.marisofficial.com/tour.
The day we discovered the incredible music of MARIS, was the day that our music taste received a major upgrade….. And her latest single, “Missing You” may be her greatest musical achievement to date.
In our opinion MARIS , may be one of the brightest musical talents currently shining in the universe. She is not only a talented musician but her live performances are quickly becoming legendary.
If someone wants to know what they should be listening to ….. Tell them they need to check out MARIS and “Missing You” immediately.
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We don’t know what we did to be so lucky, but we recently had the amazingly awesome opportunity to check out the shiny new single, “Big Ass American Car “ from the extraordinary musical experience, that is Smitt E. Smith & The Fezztones…. “Big Ass American Car “ is, Smitt E. Smith & The Fezztones, running on all cylinders. You can listen to “BigAss American Car” on Spotify Here
“Big Ass American Car, originally done a while back by late Boston musician Trick Wallace, hits all major streaming platforms on the holiday, ( April Fool’s Day) and arrives with an official music video produced by Smitty himself.
Muscular in sound and stature, with a gritty low-end bounce and a slick, confident seduction in its high-octane delivery, The Fezztones’ rendition has enough gas to rival whatever rock band’s playing arenas these days. “Big Ass American Car” also marks the inaugural release from Smitty’s brand new FezzKoKo Records, which will also issue new music from Little Billy Lost next month.
“‘Big Ass American Car’ has Smitt E. Smitty& The Fezztones written all over it,” says Smitty with a laugh. “It truly sounds like us. Live and recorded. Once Johnny Sestito [drums] and Andrew Padua [bass] laid down that hardcore Motor City groove, everything just fell into place. Like buttah. The entire band brought their ‘A’ game and made this song come alive.”
Big Ass American Car” pulls up on life’s highway just as a swell of summer activity starts to illuminate Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones’ busy year ahead. The animated and high-energy glam and art-rock brigade play The Midway Café in Jamaica Plain on July 11; head down to New York City for a gig at Parkside Lounge on July 24; and return to Smitty’s hometown for the The Detroit All-Star Garage Rock Punk Revue V at Small’s in Hamtramck on August 29.
It’s also the first new music from The Fezztones since last year’s Radio Indie Alliance chart-topping Number 1 hit “#1 Most Likely,” and comes fresh off 2022 anthem “Buzzkill Baby” getting some recent spins on The Coolest Songs in the World channel on SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage. That’s not to mention the release last fall of new music from Smitty’s groundbreaking Boston and Detroit post-punk and synth-pop band Figures on a Beach, their first in more than three decades.
“Big Ass American Car” also marks the inaugural release from Smitty’s new indie record label, FezzKoKo Records, which will issue this song as well as Little Billy Lost’s forthcoming April single “Under The Gun,” giving a label home to the bands that keep the tireless musician and advocate for Boston music’s motor running.
“Full disclosure, I never wanted to have a record label,”Smitty admits. “I am too busy playing in two bands, writing songs, doing art and music videos for both bands, and promoting them to the best of my abilities. But I also knew the two brand new songs The Fezztones and Little Billy Lost were going to put out were going to be the best of the best. Real game changers. These songs needed a genuine home. And hey, no more waiting on others. If I believe in it, do it.”
Fast, and a whole lot of freaking fun, “BigAmerican Car” is one hell of a musical ride.
If You Enjoy Reading The Whole Kameese Please Consider Making A One Time Donation So We Can Continue Our Mission Of Bringing You The Best Independent Music On The Planet . ( Link At Top Of Main Homepage) Thank You
There are debut records… Then there are debut records that feel like a musical experience of a lifetime. Boston based heavy pop extraordinaries , JVK, deliver Mt. Everest greatness with “Pop CultureAffair “
Pop Culture Affair goes into the depths of interpersonal relationships and their nuances all while living in a tumultuous, digital age. This album also explores dichotomy in going back and forth while mixing heavy rock music, club-like synths, and pop hooks.
Bursting vibrantly out of the Boston DIY scene, JVK have built a reputation for chaotic, high-voltage live shows and empowering lyricism layered over intricate, genre-blurring arrangements. Frontwoman Jo Krieger founded the project in 2022 as a hard rock act playing basements, dive bars, and nightclubs across New England. Now backed by Atticus Crowley, Kay Kwiatek, Liv Barcohana, and Zach Feinstein, the band has evolved into a fully realized retro-glam-synth rock force. In just a few years, JVK have played Louder Than Life (2023) and Boston Calling (2024), made multiple radio and TV appearances, completed four nationwide tours, and earned six cumulative nominations across the Boston and New England Music Awards. With two EPs already released, Pop Culture Affair marks their first full-length statement — a defining moment that solidifies their sound and sharpens their cultural edge. As their momentum continues to build, JVK invite listeners to step inside the chaos and join them for the next chapter.
As soon as we heard the opening to , the title track, “Pop Culture Affair “ we knew we have found absolute musical magic. “Pop Culture Affair “ feels familiar and a view into the future of music all at the same time.
Every song on “Pop Culture Affair “ feels like we could be listening to the song / record of the year . We love the big arena sound of “When I Think About Love” , We fell instantly for “ I Wish “ the vocals are absolutely flawless and could stop traffic on The Tobin Bridge .
If we had to pick a favorite…. ( Which is almost impossible) We would go with the magnificent, “Some Give It Away”
“Pop Culture Affair “ from JVK , is an album you need in your life immediately.
If You Enjoy Reading The Whole Kameese Please Consider Making A One Time Donation So We Can Continue Our Mission Of Bringing You The Best Independent Music On The Planet . ( Link At Top Of Main Homepage) Thank You
Debut album ‘Nothing To The Branches’ set for May 15 release
We recently had the distinct honor to check out the new single “Sweet Nothing”, from Boston indie folk band, Jesus The Dinosaur. You can listen to epically awesome new single, “Sweet Nothing” Here
We were instantly drawn to the mesmerizing energy of “Sweet Nothing “ from Jesus The Dinosaur. Some songs effortlessly find their way into your heart and soul, “Sweet Nothing” is definitely one of those songs.
“Sweet Nothing” is the indie folk band’s first new music since 2022. It’s also the first with a fully-formed five-piece lineup, setting a personal and invitational tone for the group’s forthcoming debut album, Nothing To The Branches, arriving on May 15.
Photo Credit: Miryam Weiss and J Kimball
For me personally, I’m describing what it feels like to be in a social setting while being maxed out on my social meter,”Ng admits. “I have a big people-pleasing problem (working on it), so I’ll keep pushing through social interactions even when I have nothing left to give, so what comes out of my mouth at that point is usually just that: filler, forced smiles, canned responses, bullshit. Just enough to pass as pleasing and agreeable to everyone. It all kind of makes me sick and I need a lot of alone time afterward. But that takes its toll, too.”
Perhaps somewhat ironically, a song inspired by not having the right words to say in a social setting was penned with its lyrics arriving first. Ng, a veteran Boston songwriter who also performs with Chadwick Stokes’ band, is often at ease in relaying emotions through music, conveying a confessional and lived-in tone that tumble and turn like revealed entries from a personal diary.
“I usually write lyrics and music at the same time or music first, but I was experimenting with writing music to words for this song,” they add. “Same as a lot of the songs on this record, I sent over a verse and chorus to the band from my phone and let it evolve from there in the practice space together.”
Soon after, “Sweet Nothing” bloomed into the track it is today, with the new incarnation of Jesus The Dinosaur elevating it to a swirling fit of propulsive energy that makes the listener feel like they’re sitting in with the band. That’s perhaps the direct result of the quintet operating as a cohesive unit for Nothing To The Branches, with Tommy Ng (vocals, acoustic guitar) rounded out by Hannah Foxman (electric guitar, vocals),J Kimball (electric guitar), Bradley Robertson (bass, and Jamie Rowe (drums, percussion).
“Sweet Nothing” was produced, engineered, mixed by Rowe at Rare Signals in Cambridge and The Record Co. in Boston, with additional engineering by Brian Charles at Rare Signals. It was mastered by Ian Farmer and his cat, Onion, at The Metal Shop in Philadelphia
“Sweet Nothing”, from Jesus The Dinosaur, is a powerful musical energy that you simply can’t ignore. We were absolutely smitten from the first chord.
New Album , “Salt”, will be released September , 26th
We recently had the amazing opportunity to check out the new single, “Bones”, from Santa Cruz, California, beach rock project, Trestles. You can listen to “Bones” Here
“Bones “ is the second single that Trestles have released off their new album SALT. We absolutely love the sound and vibe on the new single, “Bones” . We found ourselves, positively mesmerized by the haunting melodies and flawless vocals.
Formed in 2021, the new band made a name for themselves playing in the college rock circuit during the major post-pandemic scene resurgence. While Trestles definitely allows the beach town aesthetic of Santa Cruz to seep into their music, the band is more interested in creating a sound that equally criticizes and celebrates west coast garage rock tradition.
By finding a balance between the nostalgia of 1960’s musicianship and the accessibility of modern garage rock textures and pop sensibility, the band’s sound aims to be relentlessly rooted in the present. This attitude is delivered through sarcastic, yet aware lyrics that aim to make living in the moment feel like a study in social politics. Trestles‘ music is plainly meant for whoever who wants to hear it
After becoming a quintessential new band to look out for, Trestles released their first LP Halfway Up The Hill in 2022. Propelled by the success of local indie anthems Dwell & Rip Curl Sweatshirt the band embarked on a couple of west coast runs, playing numerous sold out shows in college towns. In 2024, Trestles was recognized as Santa Cruz’s “ for their explosive live shows, solidifying them as one to watch. Equipped with an expansive arsenal of road-tested songs, Trestles will be making unavoidable noise.
We highly encourage that you allow your music loving heart to embrace “Bones”, from Trestles.
We recently had the opportunity to check out the new EP, “Part Time Jobs Near Me “, from singer-songwriter/ producer, Ivory Layne who is thrilled to release her new EP Part Time Jobs Near Me” You can listen to “Part Time Jobs Near Me” Here
Ivory Layne, has created an absolute musical triumph of epic proportions, with “Part Time Jobs Near Me”
A natural-born songwriter from age six, Layne taught herself music production in her teens, moving to Nashville to craft a qunique voice entirely her own. After over a decade of making music in Nashville, Layne moved back home to North Carolina at the end of 2024 to immerse herself in her independent artistry. Fleshing out demos she had started in Music City, Layne worked from her makeshift studio, once her dad’s office, to create an EP from the tightwire walk of chasing a dream and facing reality. From the disillusionment of the music industry in MEHTROPOLIS to the isolation of MISS GRAVITY, Layne paints a vivid portrait of what happens when ambitions don’t yet mirror reality. She playfully touches on healthy boundaries in SPACE!, then quickly turns round to her vulnerable lack thereof in LIKE ALICE. OPALRING offers a chill moment of narrative imagery, a Taylor Swift-esque fan favorite from her Track Tuesday Instagram series. And of course, the paramount work of the EP, ASMR, is Layne’s anthem for indie artists like her who have surrendered their life’s work for pennies in return. Layne has made a name for herself in Music City and London across multiple genres, collaborating with legendary writers and producers such as Jimmy Robbins, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Liam Howe, Eg White, Cam Blackwood, Ash Howes, Paul Mabury and Ian Archer. She’s performed with Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, Needtobreathe, Andy Grammer, Ben Rector, and The Script as well as having written for artists such as Tom Grennan, Something Corporate, Harper Grace, and others. As an independent artist, she’s had four consecutive singles played on BBC Radio 2 and is currently releasing new music on all streaming platforms, all written and produced on her own. Layne is passionate about creating safe spaces on and offline for fellow creatives to be authentic and inspired
Ivory Layne, has an authentic sound and vibe that is breath of fresh air in today’s world. Part Time Jobs Near Me “, is an EP, that you owe it to your music loving heart to listen to pop
We recently had the distinct honor to check out the new single, “Daddy’s Empire “, from rising singer-songwriter Ana Luna. You can listen to “Daddy’s Empire “ Here
“Daddy’s Empire “, from Ana Luna, completely took our breath away. This track is rich with vintage-toned guitars, a melancholic piano arrangement, live drums, and a subtle undercurrent of trip-hop, “Daddy’s Empire” is one of the most instrumentally rich tracks on her forthcoming album. Ana’s signature haunting vocals and unflinching lyricism give the track its emotional weight as she explores the heartbreak of watching someone you love get in their own way.
“Daddy’s Empire” captures the ache of recognizing someone’s potential and the disappointment of realizing they’re not ready to rise to it. It’s not a song about resentment, but about the kind of burnout that comes from loving a “man child”—someone whose energy and emotional immaturity begin to quietly take a toll. Sometimes the red flags aren’t obvious, but the imbalance is there, and over time, it begins to erode the relationship.
Reflecting on the relationship that inspired the song, Ana shares: “There was no lack of love between us—but I saw patterns in him that came from immaturity. Not in the way he treated me, but in how he lived: he’d talk about big dreams but never pursue them, complain about toxic friends but stay stuck in the same dynamics, shut down instead of speaking up. I wanted so badly for him to be happy, to grow into who he could be. But he couldn’t see what needed to change, and I couldn’t make him see it. That’s where the heartbreak really lived. This song holds space for that frustration, but also for the truth that we were both still growing. There’s no villain here.”
Born in Ukraine, raised in Paris, and now based in Los Angeles, Ana Luna is a natural-born storyteller whose music feels both cinematic and emotionally unfiltered. After years of keeping her songwriting private while pursuing acting, she fully embraced music in college, developing a sound that fuses dream pop, alt-rock, and moody ballads into something sultry, celestial, and deeply personal. Through her songs, Ana processes emotional wounds, explores human behavior, and invites healing.
Ana Luna has a unique and otherworldly vibe and sound that is needed in today’s somewhat mundane musical landscape. “Daddy’s Empire”, from Ana Luna, feels like we are witnessing an artist who is one the verge of something very special.
Both “Daddy’s Empire” and her recent single “Dance in a Trance” will appear on her forthcoming debut album.
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