Lexington-based Movie Jail to release its kinetic, jittery, groovy debut EP mixed by John McEntire of Tortoise

NEWS

“Movie Jail” is a phrase refering to unspoken sanctions imposed on a director after a career failure or refusal to join a lucrative project. One might assume a band bearing this name has rejected entertainment for its own sake, but the truth is a bit more complicated. Despite a noisy veneer, Movie Jail finds its center in an unabashed love of hooks, melodies, and solid grooves.

From the weird musical hinterlands that gave the world Slint, Hair Police, and Cage The Elephant, the Lexington, Kentucky-based Movie Jail offers further proof that college towns can provide fertile creative ground.

The five-piece group will release its self-titled debut EP on March 3, 2023 via Desperate Spirits Records.

The Big Takeover includes I Was A King on its "Best Albums of 2022" list

FEATURE

I love seeing 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 by I Was A King (beautiful jangle pop from Norway) on Big Takeover Magazine editor Jack Rabid's "200 Best Albums of 2022" at #9!

“The previous two records were very band-oriented,” the band’s Frode Strømstad says. “We felt that doing it as a two-piece this time would be a fresh approach, playing instruments we normally don’t play just to get some different ideas and textures and keeping it as simple and organic as possible.”

Listen here!

Queen City Sounds and Art shares the video for Pacifico's "tenderly psychedelic" single "Afterglow"

VIDEO FEATURE

Here we go 2023!

Queen City Sounds and Art describes "Afterglow" by Pacifico as a "tenderly psychedelic chamber pop song" with "beautiful acoustic guitar work and quietly luminous vocals and string arrangements that sound both melancholic and at peace."

A lovely thought to start the week, eh?!

Click the image to read more and to check out the stop-motion collage video.

𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 - the first Pacifico album in five years - is out February 10 (day before my birthday, fam!) with a record release show to follow (first full band show in a decade!) at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta on February 18.

Glide shares the video for the "cathartic" new single from Pacifico

VIDEO PREMIERE

Hi! The third single from the upcoming 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 by Pacifico (February 10, Pacifirecords) comes out this Friday and Glide Magazine has the video for "Comatose" today!

The site explains that Matthew Schwartz "conveys a sense of wisdom in the lyrics, which he sings in a way that is both jaded and exuberant to capture the mood. With its bouncy bass line and plenty of explosive guitar flourishes, the song ultimately feels like a cathartic rocker."

I'll add that if you dig a stadium-sized chorus, you will find one here!

Alex Lilly is named by mxdwn as the Best New Artist of 2022

FEATURE

Let's start out 2023 with another quick look at 2022, as Alex Lilly has been named the Best New Artist of 2022 by mxdwn!

Check out some incredible and fun photos of Alex by Piper Ferguson and an in-depth interview by Eve Pierpont.

"Her latest record... goes beyond hitting the mark. 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘯 is a beautiful and emotionally honest album that is more than worth praise."

Facts.

𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘯 is out now on Release Me Records!

Adam Bernard praises Alex Lilly's "must hear" new LP

REVIEW

Writer Adam Bernard has kind words today, listing Alex Lilly’s 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘯 among his “must-hear albums of 2022” and calling it “one of the most wonderfully quirky indie pop albums I’ve heard in years."

Out now on Inara George’s Release Me Records label, this album has not a single track that doesn't make me laugh, cry, or laugh-cry.

Alex has got it like that. Click for your life, and if you’re in LA go see Alex tomorrow (Saturday, December 17) at the Permanent Records Roadhouse.

MAGNET includes Caitlin Cobb-Vialet on its year-end list

NEWS

It’s always cool to start the week with a "best" anything, but it is especially sweet when one of your fave records of the year is "best!"

Loving Caitlin Cobb-Vialet on the MAGNET Magazine list of Best Singer/Songwriter Releases of 2022 for her debut album 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘝𝘰𝘪𝘥.

This album continues to deliver delights as the year closes and will do so for years to come. Listen here, it's extraordinary.

Click for your life!

In a new review, mxdwn compares Alex Lilly to Kate Bush and XTC

REVIEW

Gracious words about the new Alex Lilly album 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘯 from Caroline Birmingham at mxdwn today!

"Inspired by predecessors Kate Bush and XTC... Alex Lilly is not afraid to go against the grain.

"An ever-evolving, psychedelic texture that supports clever, snappy lyrics and doesn’t sacrifice popular appeal. Lilly has made a beautiful home among the unconventional."

Click for more, and listen to 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘴 𝘈 𝘚𝘪𝘯 (out now on Release Me Records) here.

Alex plays Permanent Records in Los Angeles on Dec. 17!

The Austin Chronicle is listening to Jenny Parrott's "Pregnancy Choir," which reveals "a beautiful glimpse into motherhood"

FEATURE

"An all-vocal album... Pregnancy Choir digs in – clawing back layers to reveal a beautiful glimpse into motherhood. Joyful, somber, chaotic, and dissonant all at once… an internal chorus grapples with the realities of pregnancy, from the thrill of life to the policing of women's bodies."

Lovely words today from the Austin Chronicle about Jenny Parrott!

Read more, and and listen to Pregnancy Choir in full here.

Flagpole premieres Sloan Simpson's imaginary Springsteen Christmas b-side, "Ain't Goin' Home This Christmastime"

TRACK PREMIERE

"Envisioned as an imaginary B-side to Bruce Springsteen’s cover of 'Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,' the song is an upbeat rocker that carries a bittersweet sadness."

Hey! While you're out there contributing to the economy today, take a moment for this soon-to-be-classic holiday number by Sloan Brothers.

"Ain’t Goin’ Home This Christmastime" is streaming exclusively today at Flagpole Magazine and will land at all streamers on Tuesday. Click for your life!

York Calling shares "Sweet Things" by I Was A King, highlighting the "haunting" chords and "perfect" harmonies

TRACK FEATURE

Hello! More love today for the lovely "Sweet Things" by I Was A King.

York Calling says the tune reminds of "the sort of folk-rock music that became popular in the 60s and 70s."

Remember the old Elektra Records logo with the butterfly from that era? That's my jam. I am personally reminded of that by this song.

Listen. It's a beauty.

Impose reviews Ivory Fields' gift of a debut LP, which is "pure unusual musical candy."

ALBUM REVIEW

"Ivory Fields, made up of musicians Ale Cohen and Mahadev, gift a universe into the listener’s inviting ears at the perfect time. Powered by synth-driven glory, it is pure unusual musical candy.

"One feels comfortably out of place with their sound, but relishes the change of pace. With the release of their debut self-titled album, these musicians are ready to grab a hold of the wave."

Thanks to Myles Hunt at Impose for the kind words!

Debut album out now: https://fanatic.lnk.to/IvoryFields

See Pacifico's new motion collage video - from Self Care, coming in February - via Big Takeover

VIDEO PREMIERE

New Pacifico single coming this Friday!

Check out the John K. D. Graham-directed video for "Afterglow" now over at Big Takeover! Click for your life.

Graham explains, “It’s a bit of motion collage that makes use of cut paper and video footage. I am a fan of Terry Gilliam, and his style was what I wanted to attempt.”

According to the band’s Matthew Schwartz, "The song is about someone losing their sight later in life, coming to terms with that change, and realizing that they have everything they need.

"We were lucky to have Peter Randall — bassist with The Kooks, Seal, and Adele — join us on this one.”

All-new Pacifico album 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 arrives February 10 on Pacifirecords. Limited vinyl bundles: are available at https://pacifico.bandcamp.com/album/self-care.