Benjamin Ricci

Bartees Strange on Making Music He Wants to Hear (and Letting Go of the Rest)

Bartees Strange is having quite a year. Heaps of critical praise, commercial attention, and vocal fandom have been directed at Bartees and his two 2020 releases: Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, a deft reinterpretation of ten songs by The National, and Live Forever, a...

Record Review: Wowser Bowser

Wowser Bowser Wowser Bowser Atlanta, GA “Spunky and vibrant indie pop with instrumental experimentations” Atlanta natives Wowser Bowser have just released their debut full-length, self-titled album....

Record Review: Simon Spire

Simon Spire No Solid Ground EPNew York, NY “A young singer-songwriter being true to himself through the gift of song” Simon Spire is going to be a star, and his first U.S. release, No Solid Ground,...

Record Review: Sharon Van Etten

Sharon Van Etten Tramp Brooklyn, NY “Swirling, heart-wrenching, hauntingly sweet vocals” Recently, Sharon Van Etten was quoted as saying (to Performer) that her new album, Tramp, is just as personal...

Record Review: Purple Melon

Purple Melon Henry’s Rocket Los Angeles, CA “Golden harmonies, vintage tones, British rock” “Kings of the World” opens up with glistening harmonies that define the magic of Purple Melon’s artistry....

Record Review: Now, Now

Now, Now Threads Minneapolis, MN “A nostalgic look at young love set to synths” Straight from the Twin Cities comes Threads, the second full-length release from the indie rock band Now, Now. This...

Record Review: Northwestern

NorthwesternCan’t Get Into ItAkron, OH“Heavy hearts pulled by catchy chords”The latest release from Akron quartet, Northwestern, Can’t Get Into It is a coordinated package of hook-oriented rock...