as usual with us and our synced minds, I've already recommended most of these more than once 😉 specifically liquid Mike, oceanator, no joy (just gave tickets away to her Philly gig earlier this month!)
Fellow Philadelphian writing about music here! I wanna toss in Nympho for consideration for Known Unknowns #8. Philly-based punk band that makes short, quick, aggressive anthems and slays live; I saw them open for Hunx and His Punx last weekend. Hope you enjoy!
A few recos, all with 2025 releases so you don't get distracted as your end-of-year anxiety rises:
- Lower Slaughter (new album! Take a Seat is probably the catchiest track)
- snake eyes (only ever seem to release EPs, but all three are good)
- Nick Jaina has never gotten enough love, and also has a new album! It's his first proper one in a while, so most of his don't fit the 2020 cutoff, but some of his old songs are so good. Like "Maryanne", recorded on Elliott Smith's old piano right before it was carted off to storage, "Days in My Room", "Ponchatula", "Sleep Child", etc.)
- Laveda - some angry 90s energy on her new one.
- Mamaleek - the strangest "metal" band I've ever heard.
oh man. i somehow have NOT seen them live but back when i was doing a podcast with my fellow no ripcord writers, i submitted them as my very first entry/recommendation of a new band for older audiences. i should do some more features of bands that aren't super shiny new so i can get them back on people's radar, because i keep focusing on super fresh releases.
They're so immersive and otherworldly live. There was a stretch when it seemed like they weren't playing out but I've seen some Philly dates recently and I date to hope that they'll make it down to DC soon. Not that I don't go to Philly for shows once in a while
But also, I like Slomo Sapiens. Saw them in DC with Acid Dad and Psychedelic Porn Cumpets. They have a rabbit hole song so that earns them extra esteem and spins.
I was in the middle of listening to a Chinese compilation called Kind of Shoegaze Vols 1 & 2, so I'm going every other song with the Known Unknowns playlist. Surprise! It's working really well.
i spend a lot of time talking about how some really fantastic bands that imo should be HUGE just don't seem to get the listeners. apart from the ones i've just mentioend there, i'm thinking BODEGA (under 70K listeners on spotify) and the bug club (131K). ofc there are lots more. why is this? i don't get it.
I am currently addicted to the Miynt song Blu-Ray Land. Hey Gabbie, the album title is Rain Money Dogs. Haven't figured out what the connection is. Rest of the album is pleasant enough but nothing has hooked me like that track.
I've been a big fan for a few years now of a cello-driven punk band out of Brooklyn called Early Riser. It was originally all female musicians, but I think they added a male member somewhat recently. A couple friends have compared their first album to the Cranberries. I think it's maybe like if the Cranberries were singing about mental health and adulting. I think most people would probably like their second or third albums better, but I still listen to their (2017?) first album at least once a month.
I just listened to the 2nd single for P.E.'s upcoming third (and final??? per Spotify blurb) album. Love! Also the lead single had Fiery Furnace's Eleanor Friedberger featured. Off to a great start/end.
I’ve been listening to Rosa Anschutz’s new record, Sabbatical, non stop. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful and I just love her lyrics.
I’m going to a local dark wave/synth pop/goth/post punk fest this week so I’ve also been listening to a lot of the artists who are going to be there - Soft Vein, Cathedral Bells, Sleek Teeth, Alice, LUST and Sculpture Club to name a few!
Oh and also Wesley Eisold from Cold Cave released a new hardcore solo project called Statue of Heaven which I have also been listening to a lot because yeah, I’m kinda pissed off at the world right now 🥴🤷🏻♀️.
A few that fit the bill.
● Splitsville - power pop goodness.
● Liquid Mike - even better power pop goodness, on the heavier side.
● Oceanator - ok, more heavy power pop, but so good! Great harmonies.
● Jobber - they call themselves sludge-pop.
● Soot Sprite - indie/alt/grungy thing with lovely vocals and great melodies.
● No Joy - a little jazzy, kind of like the Weather Station goes grungy
Also saw you have Dancer on there, that new album is real good!
as usual with us and our synced minds, I've already recommended most of these more than once 😉 specifically liquid Mike, oceanator, no joy (just gave tickets away to her Philly gig earlier this month!)
I love Oceanator - Elise is such an absolute boss on stage. She came into the studio last time she was in town and played a few songs (on my guitar!) You can hear it here if you like: https://www.mixcloud.com/rockrabbithole/rock-roll-rabbit-hole-may-13-2025/
Oh and she took one of our t-shirts. I haven't seen her wear it in any of her social media as yet, but oh man have I looked!
this is amazing
Hachikuuuuu <3 And gosh, Gabbie, thanks so much for including me in this amazing playlist!
Fellow Philadelphian writing about music here! I wanna toss in Nympho for consideration for Known Unknowns #8. Philly-based punk band that makes short, quick, aggressive anthems and slays live; I saw them open for Hunx and His Punx last weekend. Hope you enjoy!
oh hey i didn't know you were also in philly! thanks for the rec; i like hunx and his punx a lot, too!
Love Slomo! Looking forward to hearing the rest.
A few recos, all with 2025 releases so you don't get distracted as your end-of-year anxiety rises:
- Lower Slaughter (new album! Take a Seat is probably the catchiest track)
- snake eyes (only ever seem to release EPs, but all three are good)
- Nick Jaina has never gotten enough love, and also has a new album! It's his first proper one in a while, so most of his don't fit the 2020 cutoff, but some of his old songs are so good. Like "Maryanne", recorded on Elliott Smith's old piano right before it was carted off to storage, "Days in My Room", "Ponchatula", "Sleep Child", etc.)
- Laveda - some angry 90s energy on her new one.
- Mamaleek - the strangest "metal" band I've ever heard.
i appreciate your kindness at keeping it to 2025 releases at this time ❤️
Ok so Philly. Talk to me about Empath. They were so so great the two times I've seen them. (I'm new here so pardon me if this has been covered)
oh man. i somehow have NOT seen them live but back when i was doing a podcast with my fellow no ripcord writers, i submitted them as my very first entry/recommendation of a new band for older audiences. i should do some more features of bands that aren't super shiny new so i can get them back on people's radar, because i keep focusing on super fresh releases.
They're so immersive and otherworldly live. There was a stretch when it seemed like they weren't playing out but I've seen some Philly dates recently and I date to hope that they'll make it down to DC soon. Not that I don't go to Philly for shows once in a while
*dare to hope
But also, I like Slomo Sapiens. Saw them in DC with Acid Dad and Psychedelic Porn Cumpets. They have a rabbit hole song so that earns them extra esteem and spins.
I was in the middle of listening to a Chinese compilation called Kind of Shoegaze Vols 1 & 2, so I'm going every other song with the Known Unknowns playlist. Surprise! It's working really well.
heck yeah
Delivery
Gut health
Girl and girl
The pill
Dust
delivery and gut health both A+
i spend a lot of time talking about how some really fantastic bands that imo should be HUGE just don't seem to get the listeners. apart from the ones i've just mentioend there, i'm thinking BODEGA (under 70K listeners on spotify) and the bug club (131K). ofc there are lots more. why is this? i don't get it.
i mean i do this all the time, right? i’ve been hyping both bodega and bug club for ages! i feel like all the bands i hype should be huge!
LOVE Girl and Girl!
I am currently addicted to the Miynt song Blu-Ray Land. Hey Gabbie, the album title is Rain Money Dogs. Haven't figured out what the connection is. Rest of the album is pleasant enough but nothing has hooked me like that track.
yessss we have been talking about that one in the discord! it's so good, I absolutely love
dammit do I have to join another platform? do I need another distraction?
I'm gonna say yes but I'm biased
I’ll Show You Magic, Forty Winks, Slow Fiction, Daiistar, Kassie Krut, retail drugs, purr, robber robber
love slow fiction and robber robber!
Obsessed with brother
I've been a big fan for a few years now of a cello-driven punk band out of Brooklyn called Early Riser. It was originally all female musicians, but I think they added a male member somewhat recently. A couple friends have compared their first album to the Cranberries. I think it's maybe like if the Cranberries were singing about mental health and adulting. I think most people would probably like their second or third albums better, but I still listen to their (2017?) first album at least once a month.
The Surplastics - If we are serious about underrated artists, that’s the name for us all
I just listened to the 2nd single for P.E.'s upcoming third (and final??? per Spotify blurb) album. Love! Also the lead single had Fiery Furnace's Eleanor Friedberger featured. Off to a great start/end.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1uzklhj5kohqVxbQHitP37?si=SJVkUkNITl2qwpzDXgWwAw
I’ve been listening to Rosa Anschutz’s new record, Sabbatical, non stop. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful and I just love her lyrics.
I’m going to a local dark wave/synth pop/goth/post punk fest this week so I’ve also been listening to a lot of the artists who are going to be there - Soft Vein, Cathedral Bells, Sleek Teeth, Alice, LUST and Sculpture Club to name a few!
Oh and also Wesley Eisold from Cold Cave released a new hardcore solo project called Statue of Heaven which I have also been listening to a lot because yeah, I’m kinda pissed off at the world right now 🥴🤷🏻♀️.
Beeson 🌠. Very indie pop and just whimsical— love her Ritual EP
Girl Tones - love their latest song and their cover of High and Dry is lovely.
Thank you Gabbie - a brilliant Known Unknown - all going on heavy rotation.