Kula Shaker — the Britpop anomaly, as they’ve called themselves — came up in the mid-nineties alongside bands like The Verve, Oasis, Blur, but they never quite fit into the media pigeonhole of that catchy label, and for good reason. Today, nearly eight studio albums into their career, they’re older, wiser and maybe a little more mature, but their philosophy remains the same as it’s always been: to create a much-needed escape, for one — and for the rest, you'll just have to listen.
Kula Shaker released their latest single, “Be Merciful,” on Wednesday, and their next album, “Wormslayer,” comes out January 30th. And I recently had the privilege of speaking with frontman Crispian Mills, longtime keyboardist Jay Darlington and bassist Alonza Bevan when the band came to town last month.
In their thirty years together as a band, The Dandy Warhols have lived an incredibly storied career, cultivating a distinct sonic identity and making friends along the way with the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pixies, David Bowie and just about anyone else they’ve come across — because you don’t stay a band that long without doing something right. Their 12th studio album, “Rockmaker,” came out just last year, and the next release is already in the works.
More recently, the band wrapped up a US tour with Kula Shaker, and on Nov. 13, they will perform in their hometown of Portland, Oregon, alongside the Oregon Symphony.
I was lucky to see them on their recent tour, and on the day of the show, founding member and guitarist Pete Holmstrom was kind enough to sit down with me and answer some questions about the current state of this legendary, enduring band.
You might have heard the expression “band of brothers” — and that’s exactly what Joyer is, although I don’t think that’s what Shakespeare had in mind when he coined the phrase. Today however, it’s often used to refer to any group of people who share a deep bond after enduring together through some hardship. And that also happens to be the story behind the latest album from brothers Nick and Shane Sullivan, who started the band some six years ago and lived apart for most of the time since.
That album is called “On the Other End of the Line…,” it comes out Oct. 24, and they just embarked on a U.S. tour through mid-December, supporting bands like Rocket and Teethe — and I was fortunate enough to speak with this “band of brothers” about it all.
The Chameleons are widely regarded as unsung pioneers of the post punk variety, having influenced countless bands who are wildly successful to this day. But like many accomplished musicians who’ve been around the block more than a few times and continue to prove their instinctive need to create, lead singer and main songwriter Vox is fervently humble, and his processes have remained largely the same as they were some 40 years ago.
On September 12, the band will release “Arctic Moon,” their first album in 24 years. Even after a full career in music, Vox was happy to entertain this interview.
Dissatisfied with what their home country had to offer, Radio Free Alice packed up and moved to the northern hemisphere. But leaving their home country wasn’t a choice for them — it was simply the necessary next step in becoming a global force. If you dig, you’ll find countless phenomenal Australian bands. But you have to dig. Radio Free Alice is taking your shovel away from you and saving you the work.
Their third EP, “Empty Words,” came out Wednesday, and their debut album is already on the way. They’re also touring through Europe and North America through mid-October, but vocalist Noah Learmonth and guitarist Jules Paradiso managed to find some time before all that to have a chat with me first.
About a month ago, I sat down with Earth to Josh, a young artist from Lismore who just self-produced his debut album — but don’t confuse “young” with “new.” Josh has been making music for years, honing his craft and quietly building up a repertoire for the ages. His album, inventively titled “Josh To Earth,” is the product of this long stretch of creative exploration and is just as experimental as it is thematically secure. Equal parts succinct and meaningful, his debut stands as a decisive response to the world’s cryptic call.
To Hinds, challenge and opportunity are synonymous. In the face of adversity, the duo never even stopped to wonder if they would continue — the question was how. And last month, we found our answer in VIVA HINDS.
Hinds is currently touring North America through the end of October. Then, they return to their home country of Spain, where they’ll pick things back up early next year before heading off to the UK and other parts of Europe for more and more shows. Stay tuned for more Hinds!
Many thanks to Tim Hampson of Youth Artists, tour manager Lisa for making it all happen, and of course, Ana and Carlotta of Hinds.
Hinds logo and font by Alberto de Santos
Songs used:
“Boom Boom Back” — Hinds
“Superstar” — Hinds
The first three dates of their North American tour supporting Fontaines D.C. were cancelled due to illness. But at a time when most other bands might have cut their losses, Been Stellar got to work and made their own shows, playing songs from their debut album for anyone who cared to listen. I saw them a few stops after the official start of the tour, and their drive is unmistakable. When Fontaines took the stage, they dedicated “Big” — an anthem of unbridled ambition and the opening track on their own first album — to the members of Been Stellar. And that says more than I ever could.
MAJOR thanks to Sam Slocum for the chat and Lauren Khalfayan for setting it up.
Songs used:
“Passing Judgement" - Been Stellar
“Pumpkin” - Been Stellar
The Leap is the latest installment in Rod Coote’s constant repertoire, and it carries no less meaning than its predecessors. This EP is deeply personal for the Melbourne artist, who has just wrapped up his first European headline tour and is already plotting the next big thing.
Songs used:
"Blue Lake" - Rod Coote
"The Leap" - Rod Coote
Hot on the heels of their sophomore album, Wunderhorse visited America to play two small shows before returning home to prepare for their heavily anticipated UK headline tour. And I was fortunate enough to talk with them about it all. Read my accompanying review of their NY show on youngsteryear.com!
Year by year, AKA Lui has been quietly turning out singles, evolving and developing his signature sound with every release. Each has felt like a major affair, but none have come close to the gravity of his latest undertaking. With Sapphire Blue, AKA Lui hasn’t so much closed the book on his past as he has begun a new chapter for music production, exploration and drive for what is soon to follow.
Sapphire Blue, the debut EP from Byron Bay solo artist AKA Lui is out everywhere Friday, June 21st.
Kate "Babyshakes" Dillon is all in on Full Flower Moon Band — and has been since the project's humble beginnings nearly ten years ago. With a full lineup and an ever evolving catalog of albums battling one another to the death, Full Flower is a machine of unstoppable force. And there's so much more to what makes this machine go...
The new single from Full Flower Moon Band, "Illegal Things," is out April 4th, soon to be followed by a brand new album.
Over the many talks I have been fortunate to enjoy with the boys of Le Shiv, one theme continues to weave its way through every discussion: this band is something else entirely. With friends all around the world, they’ve proven not to be contained by mere political borders. Le Shiv has traveled the globe, leaving new lifelong fans in their wake everywhere they go.
With the COVID snag and a second trans-hemispheric move long behind them, Le Shiv have hit a new stride with their writing and recording practices. They attacked the new year with the unveiling of their debut EP, New World Colour, and are already gearing up for their next release — the EP was only the beginning for this indelible, enduring band.
Le Shiv are touring their home country NOW through the end of March. Get out and see them if you’re local!
Somewhere at the intersection of country, grunge, shoegaze and indie rock (an infrastructural enigma of cross streets that will leave city planners scratching their balding heads), lies Wednesday -- the band that burgeoned onto the scene from the seed of a solo project some five or six years ago. They have since risen to a storied status among contemporary indie bands, solidifying their place with the release of their 2023 album, "Rat Saw God."
After months of touring the album, they're back, this time in the North and Southeast for a round of intimate shows before going international once again. And there is still more to come from this enduring group of musicians -- try to keep up!
It's time for another year-end countdown! On (approximately) the first anniversary of Youngster Year's most streamed episode, we continue the tradition with Youngster Yearly Volume Two.
Enjoy this extra long, extra special bonus episode as we count down and play selections from five of my favorite albums of 2023, review the podcast's impressive analytics from this past year, discuss four highly anticipated releases coming up very soon, right some wrongs, reminisce about past interviews and oh, so much more.
Join me, and celebrate a year of great music and great independent journalism. Here's to many more!
Listeners and critics alike have revered The Dwarves as some of the last true purveyors of punk -- and then, some have not. But there is one thing that everyone can agree on: having churned out an endless flow of unapologetic punk rock since the 1980s, The Dwarves have undoubtedly solidified themselves as a longstanding force to be reckoned with.
The Dwarves have just released their latest record, entitled "Concept Album," and frontman Blag Dahlia could not be happier to have created this new body of work surrounded by friends, some old, some new (but mostly old). They're touring it now, so make sure to get out and see them when you can!
Talk about "Holding Out On a Dream" -- Pensacola's Glazed Eyes have been nurturing their debut album of the same name since 2019. Finally, this Friday, it will be released to the world. Listen to this interview to get a better idea of what to expect from them, and to educate yourself on the history of this enduring local band.
Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if Turnover and Gin Blossoms had a beautiful, multitalented lovechild? I'd be really surprised if you had managed to dream that one up, because I certainly hadn't -- but now there is no need to wonder. Enter: Glazed Eyes.
Support Glazed Eyes by listening to "Holding Out On a Dream," out Friday via Sunday Drive Records, and see them live at their release show on December 22nd at The Handlebar!
Indie legends Built to Spill rode into town the weekend before last -- their first couple of shows back from an Australian run were spent with the fine people of Pensacola, Florida. I was fortunate to speak with singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Martsch just after soundcheck for a brief crash course on all things Built to Spill, and the man did not disappoint. He is incredibly humble and kind, and his wisdom is unquestionable. Give it a listen and see what I mean!
Super special thank you to Night Moves Fest for helping set this one up -- it wouldn't have happened without them!
Lunar Vacation have been making music together since high school, and although that wasn't really that long ago, they are wise beyond their years. With an imminent sophomore album, the band has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
See them at the Night Moves Festival in Pensacola November 4th, and stay tuned for that release! Out soon on Keeled Scales.
Since the deepest, darkest, early days of Chicago's Deeper, the group has been curating a distinct brand that is unmistakably theirs. The faintest hint at one of their songs from any release (be that on your home stereo, coffee shop ambience, or at a festival from some distant stage) conjures immediate recognition: this is Deeper.
The spellbinding third album, Careful!, comes out September 8th on Sub Pop Records, after which Deeper is set to tour the US and EU through the fall. Check them out and show them some love! They have their own hotdog for crying out loud.