Did you miss me? Sorry for missing May I had many favorites but life and health obviously come before blogging. In the past two months I’ve attended many shows that really remind me why I love live music and I am so excited to share some of them them with you! I even did what I thought was impossible for me now which is going to 10 shows in 9 days. Definitely thought I would bail on at least one but I made it through. Year is halfway over and I think I may share my favorite albums of 2024 so far we’ll see. Life in general has been good and I have so much content coming out very soon. It is all about editing it. There may even be some clues in my picks below. Let me know what y’all have been listening to comment below, DM me , or send me an email. I am chronically online so I promise I will see it.
No One by Kacy Hill - I haven’t really listened to Kacy Hill since the Porsche era but something told me to listen to her new album and I was not disappointed. It is filled with great songs but I was really drawn to this one very dream-like.
Baby Bangs by Snarls - Cheating but saw Marbles live in June and absolutely love this song even better live. Their new album With Love, has been a favorite of mine really built upon their last album.
Keira Knightley by Quiet Light - There’s been a new wave of artists that have been mixing experimental electronic music with simple guitar chords which we defined as folktronica in my podcast episode with Chris Emond. I think Riya is at the forefront of that and came out with an incredible EP. Love the layered vocals in this especially at the end of the song where they are almost yelling over top of one another.
Defamator by Chloe Gallardo - Can’t remember how I came across this album but Defamator is a haunting song about love and betrayal.
Migrogravity Tank by Draag - Saw them open for Cryogeyser over a year ago and have been a fan ever since just dropped a new EP.
BOA by Megan Thee Stallion - Love Megan Thee Stallion, love the Gwen Stefani sample reminds me of the third bring it on movie with Hayden Panitiere and Solange. Which is the only bring it on movie worth watching besides the original.
Hurting by h.pruz - Love the guitar in this and Hannah has such a beautiful voice that I’m incredibly obsessed with. Saw them open for villagerrr and was not disappointed.
Coffee by Sylvan Esso - 10 years of this song. Remember listening to this in high school very nostalgic feeling.
Windows by Samba Jean-Baptiste - I’ve been meaning to this album for a while and finally got the time this month. Really beautiful album from them excited to see what they do next.
People Always Change by Tiny Habits - Was excited for this album ever since the single Wishes came out and I was not disappointed. I love how their voices blend together on this album.
Monday by Slow Fiction - Been hearing this song live for a while and my favorite off the EP that came out this month. It’s been out since March but happy I get to listen to it through my headphones. This song id for jumping around in your room.
Back Outside by Anycia - Song of the summer for me currently.
Don’t by Honeyglaze - Instant favorite as soon as I heard this. Guitar intro is so sexy. Just signed to Fat Possum album out in September patiently awaiting because this single is so good.
Gigs
Folly Group @ Union Pool 5/8 - One of my favorite things is when a drummer also sings because it baffles me. The breath control required for that is insane. Folly Group’s first time in NY put on an amazing show. Released a really cool album this year and had great remixes of songs off the album by Mandy, Indiana and Model / Actriz.
Abby Sage @ Baby’s All Right 5/12 - Pop Star in the making! Loved their EP The Florist that they released in 2022 and the came back even stronger with their debut album The Rot. If they aren’t on your radar now they should be!
Empress Of @ Elsewhere 5/22 - Empress Of played 3 nights at Elsewhere in Zone One which definitely helped create an intimate experience. By far one of my favorite shows this month! The energy of the crowd was definitely electric and she definitely had the crowd hypnotized with all eyes on her. I feel like she could of asked the crowd to jump and everyone would have replied how high.
June
Guess by Charli XCX - Been obsessed with BRAT since it came out and now that the deluxe edition came out we now have a new track produced by The Dare that I can’t stop listening to. Yeah
MORE by Liily - Really love the new direction Liily has taken in their new self titled EP is filled good hits but MORE is my favorite.
Headliner by Pretty Sick - New EP, Streetwise, from Pretty Sick came out this month but Headliner has been out for a while it was their 2nd single before the release. Has really mellow vocals but is incredibly catchy.
Hot One by Denzel Curry - I love TiaCorine her verse on this is so infectious every time I listen to this song I have to go to her part and listen to it like 5 times in a row.
TGIF by Glorilla - Another song I will be listening to this summer. Loved the viral snippet on TikTok and I still obsessed even after the release.
Cockpit by Sex Week - Another one from Sex Week they keep coming out with amazing singles.
Otaku Hot Girl by Megan Thee Stallion - I love a song where I understand all the references.
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter - Not gonna lie Espresso did not do it for me but this one specifically is addicting and I am now on the Sabrina Carpenter train. Love how she cemented her current boyfriend in her music video something I could never do but I like it its like part of her history no matter how the relationship turns out.
Aggy by Coco & Clair Clair - New album coming from Coco & Clair Clair and I’m excited. First single before its release August 30th.
Big Dogs by Sour Widows - June is filled with debut albums from artists and Revival of a Friend is another one you should add to your list to listen to.
Start Again by Been Stellar - Been Stellar has been in a couple of monthly visits favorites if you’ve been paying attention. So you know I’ve been anticipating this album for a while. Start Again is the opener of their debut album Screams from New York, NY.
Transpose by Bad Suns - 10 years of Language and Perspective! Some Tope lore for you Bad Suns is the band that got me into live music funnily enough. Saw them for the first time when I was 16 opening for the band New Politics. They had just released this album and I was instantly obsessed I came for New politics but was drawn in by Bad Suns. That night I caught Miles’ drumstick and became a fangirl. I love every song on this album and it is an incredible debut. I was between this song and Dancing on Quicksand but ultimately Transpose won out in the end.
Gigs
Haley Henderickx @ Baby’s 6/16 - Very intimate night at Baby’s! I’ve never seen Haley live before but they’ve been a favorite of mine for years and I am very glad that they are now getting their flowers. She had a full band with her which consisted of an upright bass, trombone, drums, and guitar. They played 3 old songs and opened with Bug Collector which has been having a viral moment. Then the rest of the set was all brand new songs. I’m really excited to see when these songs get released each one sounded very unique and special. Haley has a way with words that create a very vivid image to the audience. We even created an improvised song together consisting of the words fairy, billowing, and jettison and this really showed off her creative abilities. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for her!
Cryogeyser @ Elsewhere 6/17 - I’m a long time Cryogeyser fan and love seeing them everytime. This one was on the roof and srill just as special as the last time I saw them . They played some new stuff and we should be looking out for a single sometime in July.
Bad Suns @ Bowery Ballroom 6/18 -We already know I got into these guys when I was 16 but I haven’t seen them live since 2019. It’s been 5 years and honestly was one of my favorite shows of June strictly because of the nostalgic factor. I used to follow them across the east coast and wait insanely early before the shows just so I could be in the front. I also met so many amazing people through them. Truly felt like I was 16 again singing along and knowing all the words. Bonus Baby Tope and Bad suns through the years.
Been Stellar @ Baby’s 6/21
ML Buch @ Elsewhere 6/22 - I’ve been excited for this one ever since it announced. ML Buch’s first time in North America. Chanel Beads opened and are great everytime I see them. Then it transferred over to ML Buch and they were so ethereal on stage. Suntub was one of my favorite albums last year and I’m glad I got to hear it live.
Dari Bay / Fantasy of a Broken Heart / Joyer @ Elsewhere 6/23
The Army, The Navy @ Baby’s 6/24