The songs Mike Kinsella writes as Owen have always had rock solid lyrical foundations. And on new album, L’Ami du Peuple, the same can be said for the music. Emphasis on the rock.

Anyone vaguely familiar with Kinsella’s musical lineage (Cap’n Jazz, American Football, Owls) knows he’s far from a one-note musician. And now, he expands his repertoire as a solo songwriter to include a touch of female vocals, pounding drums, and even dueling electric guitar lines that are the closest thing he’s done in tribute to his 80s hair metal obsession.

The variety of sounds featured on L’Ami du Peuplecan largely be attributed to a new approach Kinsella took to the writing and recording process. Rather than locking himself in a room with mostly finished song ideas for a couple of weeks before emerging with a finished album, this time Kinsella involved producer Neil Strauch (Iron & Wine, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Andrew Bird) from the very beginning and spaced out recording over a few month period.

This enabled him to naturally bring a different mood or vibe to the material he was working on every time he entered the studio — re-evaluating what had been recorded during the previous session and collaborating with Strauch on the direction new songs should take.

As a result, L’Ami du Peuple sounds markedly different than any album Kinsella has released under the Owen moniker.

From the electronic blips and hand claps that punctuate “I Got High,” to the ragtime piano melody running through “Where Do I Begin?” each track possesses a unique and surprising identity.

“In the past I’ve stifled a bunch of my influences and leaned on a couple consistently, but this time I just let each song happen as I heard them and had a lot of fun trying some new things,” Kinsella reveals.

The benefits of this “anything goes” mindset are plainly apparent on album centerpiece “Bad Blood” — a track propelled by a quasi-country stomp that explodes halfway through with an electric guitar solo before dovetailing into a closing crescendo.

“Bad Blood” also affirms that lyrically Kinsella remains as raw and personal as ever. As the title suggests, the song finds Kinsella lamenting his pedigree: “Bad blood / Hereditary law you can’t run away from / (Trust me, I’ve tried).”

This focus on familial relationships occurs often, but with the addition of a new angle on top of those Kinsella has adopted previously  Now the parent of two children, Kinsella finds his perspective on life inevitably shifting from being a “son” to being a “father.”

This role reversal adds a new dimension to Kinsella’s self-examination of his thoughts and fears. As he explains, “Instead of being a son whose father passed away, I’ve moved on to being the father afraid of passing.”

His anxiety at life passing by too quickly is evident on closing track “Vivid Dreams”: “How long have I been sleeping? / I’m a dad and my dad’s dead.”

The question he poses doesn’t come with an easy answer, but for an artist like Kinsella who is constantly evolving and reinventing himself, death is just an opportunity for rebirth.

Tracklisting:

01. I Got High
02. Blues to Black
03. Love Is Not Enough
04. Coffin Companions
05. The Burial
06. Bad Blood
07. Who Cares?
08. A Fever
09. Where Do I Begin?
10. Vivid Dreams

Shane Henderson and the Future Perfect has been added to the Spitalfield “Remember Right Now” 10 Year Anniversary Tour, which kicks off June 7 in Chicago. The band will also be playing the Glamour Kills Clothing and The Wonder Years Pop Up Show on May 14th in Philadelphia, PA.

Those who have been fortunate enough to witness Shane Henderson and his various projects through the years, know there is one underlying factor which keeps him moving; his undeniable passion. Now with his new band The Future Perfect, Shane plans to re-light that fire he has worked so hard for over the better part of the last decade. “This project for me was all about being creative and not having any barriers holding me back. Whatever comes out musically is what it will be.” For Shane Henderson and The Future Perfect, this project was about having control of their sound and creating an atmosphere which represented them best, “The studio is a safe place for me, it is really one of the only locations I feel comfortable.”

Fans are familiar with Henderson’s heart wrenching lyrics, now together with an all-star line up consisting of Will Noon and Trevor Leonard; fans can expect the trio to reach heights they never have before. Henderson says,” I have always been one to write about life experiences, and that isn’t going to change.”

The group entered the studio DIY, with no label supporting to ensure total creativity. Henderson explains, “When I have the opportunity to create music that is 100 percent what I would do, I really thrive off of the creative freedom.” From this the band came up with their debut EP appropriately titled “Control.” You can feel that strong passion and determination through the EP and that’s just a short taste of what is to come.

Expect some new styles to be incorporated that fans may not be familiar hearing Henderson explore, however as always you can expect the project to be vocally driven. “I want to take this project to the next level, and get it into the hands of as many people I can,” saysHenderson. “it’s time to get back to work and show the world that I was meant to have a life in music, and nothing is going to stop me from continuing to grow as a musician.”

Control:

Produced by Will Yip, and Shane Henderson at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA 
Assistant engineering by Vince Ratti, Shane Henderson
Mixed by Phil Niccolo, Vince Ratti @Skylight Studios, and Will Yip
Mastered by Bill Henderson

Track Listing:

With only two days left in their Kickstarter campaign, newly formed rock fivesome Get Involved!, which features members from influential bands Thursday, From Autumn To Ashes, Glassjaw and Judge, has released a demo called “Scars Make The Man” today in effort to raise the final 1/3 of their Kickstarter goal to help fund their debut EP that will be recorded later this month with Ross Robinson (At the Drive In, The Cure).

Stream and Pledge below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/261139367/get-involved-with-get-involved.

Savannah’s enigmatic rock band, CUSSES, are kicking off a U.S. headlining tour next week in support of their debut, self-titled release from HA! Records. The tour will start on April 8th in Los Angeles at Los Globos and wrap on May 4th in Knoxville at the Preservation Pub.

The trio – Angel Bond (vocals), Brian Lackey (drums) and Bryan Harder (guitar) – has been riding a wave of momentum since the release of their eccentric rock debut. Armed with a hit video for their single “Don’t Give In” receiving regular rotation at MTVU, MTV Australia, MTV UK and The Wedge and mass acclaim from fans and critics, Cusses is poised for global domination with a massive, rip-roaring album that bleeds rock ‘n’ roll.

Produced by Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra), Cusses snaps listeners to attention with its ferocity and engages them with its sonic intensity, which is fueled by explosive, crushing riffs and powerful, fiery vocals that the band delivers with riotous attitude and unmitigated force.

“It’s a big, bold sound that CUSSES unleash, and it’s not for the timid, either” – Blurt Magazine

On the heels of wrapping up the first leg of their 2013 tour, Cusses waste no time in returning to the stage for another jaunt across the U.S. to do what they do best; rocking the faces off of fans one show at a time. Exploding from the stage with frantic energy, Cusses live are a juggernaut of high-energy whose wild sweat drenched, punk infused, down and dirty rock ‘n’ roll radiates through the crowd creating a chilling, awe-inspiring effect that leaves fans salivating for more…

Don’t miss rock’s hottest new trio in a city near you and pick up a copy of Cusses’ new album on iTunes or at a local indie retailer today!

Pittsburgh, PA’s RUN FOREVER recently announced a pair of week-long tours for April and May in support of its newest full-length, SETTLING, which was released by Tiny Engines (Tigers Jaw, Dikembe, Restorations, State Faults, Signals Midwest) earlier this year.

The first tour begins this Sunday (April 7) and will find the trio playing shows alongside Dads(Flannel Gurl Records) as both bands make their way to Stay Sweet Fest in Richmond, VA next weekend.

Next month’s trek (May 14 – 21) will unite Run Forever with Michigan’s Pity Sex (Run For Cover Records) and includes an appearance at Montreal’s Pouzza Fest. Specifics for both tours are below. As always, if you’d like to attend a show or speak with the band, drop me a line here.

On a related note, watch this brand new video for the song “Sun Bruised.” Filmed by Tyler Long of Press and Release Media Co., it features footage from Run Forever’s recent U.S. tour with label mates State Lines.

Recorded by ex-Pissed Jeans bassist Dave Rosenstraus at the Braddock Hit Factory Studio,Settling is the outfit’s sophomore long-player and follow-up to The Devil, And Death, And Me. The album is now available on 12-inch LP and digital formats from Tiny Engines. Run Forever also pressed a CD version on bassist Cassie Staub’s fledgling label, Out Of This Records.

To stream Settling in its entirety, go here.

Stay tuned for future Run Forever updates, including an exciting new release. Also, be sure to follow Tiny Engines’ Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter pages for all the latest news on the label and its bands.

Tour Dates:

With Dads:

APR 07 – Shippensburg, PA @ Thought Lot
APR 08 – Pittsburgh, PA @ 222 Ormsby
APR 09 – Columbus, OH @ Kobo
APR 10 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome
APR 11 – Nashville, TN @ Owl Farm
APR 12 – Boone, NC @ Wood Circle House
APR 13 – 14 – Richmond, VA @ Stay Sweet Fest

With Pity Sex:

MAY 14 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
MAY 15 – Rochester, NY @ Dubland
MAY 16 – Toronto, ON @ Sneaky Dee’s
MAY 17 – Montreal, QC @ Pouzza Fest
MAY 18 – Cambridge, MA @ Elks Lodge
MAY 19 – New Haven, CT @ Taco Hug
MAY 20 – Copiague, NY @ Zebra Club
MAY 21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ 222 Ormsby

After three full lengths, many EPs and splits, we have grown to love Boston pop-punk outlet Transit. That love is supported with a minimalistic approach to their newest album, Young New England. The album has a rougher production sound than their 2011 release Listen and Forgive. For all of you looking for that amount of production, you’re looking in the wrong place.

For someone looking for a breath of fresh air and a very honest album about growing up and going on, look no further than Transit’s Young New England.  Transit’s last album left us expecting something incredible, and the fourth album from the Boston group does not disappoint.

The band decided to take a more raw approach to the recording of their newest release that may turn away die hard Listen and Forgive fans. This album has not turned me off to Transit or their work. On the contrary, the laid back approach to this album is welcoming and a great reprieve from current releases.

The opening track “Nothing Lasts Forever” swallows us whole with warm, catchy lyrics, and before it’s over, singing along is the only option. This feeling continues until the album’s title track, “Young New England.”

It is easy to get engulfed by Transit’s surrounding drums, guitar, and a taste of belonging within the gang vocals. Then the title track on the album slows the pace down with vibrant guitar riffs. Once you reach “Weathered Souls,” though, the album is in full force. It will have you singing along and relating to it’s “grow up, go on” theme and accepting fate.

The hollowness of “Hang It Up” gives an empty feeling that more could have been done with it. The track causes a rift in the middle of the album, lulling the listener with unnecessary background vocals. The following track “Don’t Go, Don’t Stray” picks up the pace but still leaves something to be desired.

The feeling of comfort and familiarity comes back in “Thanks For Nothing,” with its happily subdued beats and reassuring vocals.  An inviting tone is heard in this track wanting everyone to sing along with some of the strongest lyrics on the record: “When as you age you learn that love is moving at somebody else’s speed.” The track finishes with a bittersweet tune just to remind us life is about not getting what we want.

Young New England then invites us to follow the path of summer flashbacks with a chipper guitar singing aloud and a bubbly bass line accompanying it, reminding us to just accept age and to keep dreams alive. The next song, “Hazy,” blurs the message of hope the rest of the album seemed to be sticking with.

The album leaves a gentle reminder to older bands with this slower punk rock feel such as; Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and Something Corporate.

With this album Transit is taking steps into new territories in music and in their own lives. Young New England is a solid album even without the gloss Listen and Forgive had. This may be unwelcoming to some older Transit fans. However, if you can embrace the raw, honest message that Transit delivers this album is definitely for you. The album is a great way to look into the lives of Transit and even give perspective on all that listen to their songs.

Tracklisting:

Tour Dates:

You can buy the album here and you can listen to the first track off of Young New England below:

Scranton raised, Philadelphia based punk rock outfit The Menzingers have announced plans to take their rousing live show on the road for a series of headlining dates with four-piece American rock band Fake Problems, fellow Philadelphia outfit Restorations, and Captain, We’re Sinking. The headlining tour is set to begin Friday, May 24 in Philadelphia, PA and wrap Thursday, June 12 in Asbury Park, NJ.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at http://menzingers.soundrink.com/. Fans can purchase premium ticket bundles, which include; a limited edition screen-printed 18 x 24 poster, an exclusive digital EP, a coupon for 15% off for The Menzingers’ merch store, and a koozie. Tour art can be found here: http://bit.ly/YQvCIq On The Impossible Past was recorded at Atlas Studios with longtime collaborators Matt Allison (Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms) and Justin Yates. On The Impossible Past was named 2012’s album of the year by Punknews, Rock Sound, Absolute Punk, and Property of Zack. The record retains all the raw vital energy of the band’s earlier output, while adding some powerful new twists to the group’s sonic arsenal. The Menzingers continue to attract fans and attention with their high energy inspirational sound featuring powerful melodic guitars, rock steady drumming behind heartfelt anthemic choruses and impassioned poetry of the street lyrics.

Tour Dates:

Baltimore, MD’s Have Mercy have revealed details for their upcoming Topshelf Records LP, The Earth Pushed Back, out May 21. Recorded at The Magpie Cage in their hometown with indie icon J. Robbins producing, the 10 track album finds the band expanding on the powerful, yet melodic sounds they cultivated on 2012’s My Oldest Friend EP.

Track Listing:

Have Mercy is:

The time has finally come. Greeley Estates fans have waited with bated breath for the arrival of Devil Son, the epic second half EP hot on the heels of the band’s critically acclaimed 2012 release The Narrow Road. Fans will finally have the chance to take in the full Greeley Estates experience on April 9th when Devil Son drops. Featuring seven new tracks, with a vibe never before seen in the Greeley Estates catalogue, Devil Son may very well be the defining album for the Arizona outfit. Though the record is still a few weeks away, Greeley Estates invites you to enjoy the teaser video below:

Check out The Narrow Road on iTunes

Watch for Devil Son coming April 9th.

Koji has announced his debut full-length LP ‘Crooked In My Mind’, due out April 30 via Run For Cover Records. The record was engineered and produced by Will Yip at Studio 4 in 2012.  Musicians from La Dispute, Balance and Composure, Title Fight, Gypsy and Lauryn’s Hill’s band provided performances across the album.  

Check out a short video with in-studio footage of the recording process here: 

Stay tuned for new music, pre-order information coming soon.

Tour Dates: