Tough Age are a power pop trio on Mint Records spending most of their time in Toronto. They have a rather lengthy discography available on their bandcamp page which includes their latest release “Shame”. Earlier this year they released a video for the single “Me in Glue”. This tune is a catchy lo-fi rocker accompanied by a music video which shows the singer of the group having just a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The guitar licks sound happy though! Tough Age will be playing a huge show at Junction City Music Hall on Saturday October 19^th with the legendary BA Johnston and pop punk extraordinaire’s First Base. – Kris Gies

Lavisher has released a new single, “Garment”, from their forthcoming debut album, Drastic Shadows, which will be released on October 18th via Nefarious Industries.

Lavisher is lead by the vocals and guitar of Gavin Cushman III, and this album follow’s their 2017 self-titled debut EP.

We cannot think of a better way to ignite your weekend than by presenting you to a group that blends the best of the '90s and '00s at the highest speed possible. Sneeze is pop-punk meets grunge vehemently and in ever-pleasing fashion: the group's brand new record Fin is filled with fuzzed-out riffs and heavy-handed drum fills that progress quickly toward mosh-inducing power-pop breakdowns. Take tracks like "Not in Service" as prime examples of the group’s ability to switch from rapid punk rhythms into intricate-swelling atmospheric segments that set up more instrumental madness. Just as you think you are catching your breath, the band has another progression too good not to bang your head to a la 2003. Tracks like "A Winter in Barcelona" flirt with nu-metal and showcase the group's instrumental proficiency and lust for noise. The Boston-based band is revving its engine for November dates throughout the West Coast, which are sure to be a good time. We are streaming the delightfully sinister track "Dark Earth" from the new record below. - Rene Cobar

It was the perfect Saturday at Mohawk for any seeking heart; the first breeze of Fall blessed Austin as Kishi Bashi and his band enchanted the audience with their orchestra ensemble, playing a mix of hits and songs off his new album Omoiyari – Japanese for Compassion. 

Kishi Bashi stood center on violin, playing with fervor, fun, and grace. Pip the Pansy stood to his left, with a black hat like a 70s lampshade and a flute in a quiver on her back. Creativity and sensitivity oozed from the stage and was met with the same from the audience. 

The sounds and lyrics of Omoiyari are whimsical and steeped in love, but the album’s narrative grounds itself in the historical and cultural context of the Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Kishi Bashi delves into a sociopolitical study of history in his songfilm, Omoiyari, and the lessons of empathy we can learn from a not distant past. Given the detention camps at our border and the festering schism in our country, Kishi Bashi’s album and artistry provides us with hope and a compass. The film is scheduled for release in early 2020. Let’s all go see it and then hang out with Kishi Bashi! 

Kishibashi introduced “Penny Rabbit and Summer Bear” as, “a song about love...that thing all we humans are looking for,” but many songs on the album are reminiscent of love. See “Marigolds;” he sings “I was the only one this century/ to remind you all is fine” and, “I wish I met you when your heart was safe to hold.” Or even, “Song for You,” that sings just like it sounds, “a song for you...it’s all for you.” 

The encore featured an audience favorite The Ballad for Mr.Steak with Mr. Steak himself, a walking steak! Once the steak exited the stage, an elegant white crane appeared behind Kishi Bashi. He closed the night with Summer of ‘42, penetrating my soul and bringing literal tears to my eyes, and there’s no way I was the only one. Every song, every note, everything about the performance felt genuine and carried out with the express interest to promote COMPASSION. Thank you, Kishi. Your art and compassion change the world! 

Melissa Green

Tiny Kingdoms are preparing to release a new single called “Tides”. This will be the band’s second single of 2019 and follow-up to “Space Camp” b/w “Cadets”.

This is Alt Rock of Jake Newling (Drums), Nico Miura (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Collis (Bass), and Ryan Mitchell (Guitar).

You can catch Tiny Kingdoms at Beat Kitchen on October 13th with Capstan, Rarity, and Neverkept.