Tag: music

Donella Drive Unleashes ‘Death Animation’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album Axon

Donella Drive shares new single from new album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎤Donella Drive Drops New Single “Death Animation” Ahead of Axon Release

San Antonio, TX — San Antonio’s own Donella Drive recently released a brand new single, “Death Animation,” from their highly anticipated forthcoming album Axon, set to drop on August 22, 2025. (US/THEM Group, 2025)

🎧 Listen to “Death Animation” now
🎸 Premiere via Punk News

The latest track follows the band’s lead single, “Mindless Embryonic,” which debuted via Decibel Magazine earlier this year.

🎧 Listen to “Mindless Embryonic”
📢 Decibel Magazine premiere

Donella Drive: Breaking Boundaries Since 2012

Blending elements of alternative metal, post-hardcore, and progressive rock, Donella Drive continues to defy genre labels with their ambitious sound. The core duo — Aidan Escalante (lead vocals/guitar) and Andrew Salazar (bass/backing vocals) — founded the band in 2012 with a vision of pushing rock music into unexplored territory.

Their 2015 debut album, Anomalous, led to national tours supporting legendary acts like Megadeth, Deftones, and Scorpions, as well as modern favorites like Protest The Hero, Dead Poet Society, and Hail the Sun. A pivotal moment came when Escalante took over lead vocals, culminating in the 2020 release of Bloomer.

Now, with their EP Ozell out and their full-length Axon on the horizon, Donella Drive shows no signs of slowing down.

Charting Success and Major Milestones

  • “Keep You Waiting” peaked at #24 on the Billboard Rock Indicator chart
  • Reached #10 on The Foundations Chart
  • Finalist for The Battle For Wacken Festival
  • Performed live at The Viper Room, West Hollywood (2022)

Upcoming Album: Axon

🗓️ Release Date: August 22, 2025
🛒 Pre-order Now

Donella Drive Live: 2025 Tour Dates

  • 08/15 — San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box
  • 08/16 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

Stay connected with Donella Drive as they continue to redefine the boundaries of modern rock.

Axon tracklist:

01. My Name is Axon

02. Simian Transmission

03. Mindless Embryonic

04. Terlingua

05. Stir the Echoes

06. External Gazer

07. Past Inside The Present

08. Polychromatic Dream

09. Death Animation

10. Information Superhighway

Senses Awakened: Experience the Art of Botello, Menchelli & Willome

Nadia Botello, What the River Says. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Experience Three Immersive Solo Exhibitions at Contemporary at Blue Star

📍 San Antonio, TX – Contemporary at Blue Star invites the community to experience three new solo exhibitions opening on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. Featuring artists Nadia Botello, Fabiola Menchelli, and Jason Willome, each exhibition offers a unique, sensory-driven experience where the audience is invited to interact with the art through touch, movement, and presence. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2025)

🎉 Opening Events

  • Taco Talk with the Curator
    🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Register Here
  • Public Opening Reception
    🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 6:00–9:00 p.m.

🖼 On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025

✨ Featured Exhibitions

Nadia Botello

Theophany

Sound artist and composer Nadia Botello explores the San Antonio River as a living entity—a shaping force with a voice of its own. A native Texan and fourth-generation San Antonian, Botello presents multimedia works in sound, sculpture, and film that ask: What might the river be saying for itself?

Her 16mm film series What the River Says reveals images formed solely by submerging film into the river—no human intervention, only the language of water.

Fabiola Menchelli

ombré

Blending photography with painterly process, Fabiola Menchelli introduces a new body of work from her Parallelograms series. Created in total darkness, her photograms are both intentional and accidental—revealing the mystery of creation when sight is removed.

In a fast-paced world of constant imagery, Menchelli’s slow, sensory process challenges viewers to pause and reflect.

Jason Willome

When a Mind Wanders

Jason Willome delves into memory, transformation, and the unknown through his deeply personal drawings. Sparked by the final moments leaving his father’s home and witnessing his father’s decline from Parkinson’s disease, Willome uses gouache, charcoal, and cattle markers to render consciousness in flux.

These abstract, layered drawings mirror the haze of memory and perception—reflecting both confusion and care.

This body of work was developed during Willome’s residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin through the Contemporary’s international residency program.

🏛 About Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star showcases artists from San Antonio and across the globe, presenting innovative exhibitions that spark empathy, action, and understanding. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, the Contemporary fosters fresh perspectives and cultural dialogue.

🎟 Admission is always free.
📍 116 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204
📞 (210) 227-6960
🌐 Contemporary at Blue Star

🕒 Public Hours

DayHours
Mon–TuesClosed
Wed12 pm – 5 pm
Thu–Fri12 pm – 8 pm
Sat–Sun10 am – 6 pm
Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

Slow Crush Announces Thirst: A Haunting New Chapter in Shoegaze

Slow Crush reveals ‘While You Dream Vividly’ from their new album Thirst. Photo: Stefaan Temmerman, used with permission.

🎤Slow Crush Announce New Album Thirst, Out August 29 via Pure Noise Records

Slow Crush is back—and more immersive than ever. The Belgian four-piece has announced their upcoming album, Thirst, due out August 29 via their new label, Pure Noise Records. Known for their powerful fusion of rock and shoegaze, Slow Crush further solidifies their place at the forefront of the genre with this emotionally rich and sonically textured release. (another side, 2025)

A Dreamscape of Sound: New Single “While You Dream Vividly”

Last month, the band gave listeners a taste of what’s to come with their latest single, “While You Dream Vividly.” Ethereal and haunting, the track unfolds as a layered journey through longing and surrender.

“We wanted to capture the sensation of being tethered to someone yet drifting weightlessly, lost in the surreal beauty of the moment,” the band shares.

Set to a hypnotic rhythm and draped in melancholic tones, the song draws you into a hazy dreamscape where time fades and only connection remains. Frontwoman Isa Holliday’s evocative lyrics—what she calls “true blue”—echo like a timeless promise, leaving you floating, falling, and forever yearning.

A Gritty Evolution

On Thirst, Slow Crush’s signature gauzy riffs and propulsive rhythms return with even more grit and depth. The band used the downtime between tours to dive deep into their creative process following the success of their acclaimed albums Aurora (2018) and Hush (2021), which collectively sold tens of thousands of physical copies worldwide.

This time, they decamped to The Ranch in Southampton, U.K., teaming up with producer Lewis Johns. With no expectations except transformation, vocalist/bassist Isa Holliday, drummer Frederik Meeuwis, and guitarists Jelle Ronsmans and Nic Placlé pushed their sound into new territory.

Emotional Depth and Vulnerability

Across Thirst’s ten tracks, Slow Crush explores themes of renewal, connection, and emotional intensity. The album is heavier and more vulnerable than ever. Isa reached new emotional depths in the recording booth—some tracks brought her to tears, marking the band’s rawest and most personal work yet. Pre-Order / Pre-Save Thirst.

At its heart, Thirst revolves around what Isa calls:

“The romance of being with a loved one.”

Whether navigating the ache of distance or savoring the fleeting perfection of reunion, Thirst captures that delicate tension—of being tethered to someone while drifting together through something dreamlike and beautiful.

Upcoming Fall Tour

To celebrate the release of Thirst, Slow Crush will embark on a headlining Fall tour beginning in early September. The run kicks off on the East Coast and includes stops across both coasts, the Midwest, and more.

🎟️Tickets are on sale now.

Thirst tracklist: 

1 – Thirst
2 – Covet
3 – Cherry
4 – Leap
5 – Hollow
6 – Haven
7 – While You Dream Vividly
8 – Bloodmoon
9 – Ógilt
10 – Hlýtt

Stay tuned for more from Slow Crush as Thirst approaches. This one promises to be their most transcendent chapter yet.

‘RED’ by Jet Jurgensmeyer: A Country Anthem That Bleeds Unity

‘RED’ cover art. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎶Jet Jurgensmeyer Releases Powerful New Music Video for “RED”

Nashville, TN – Rising country artist Jet Jurgensmeyer has officially dropped the music video for his latest single, “RED,” now available on all major streaming platforms. (Aristo PR, 2025)

🎥A Visual Tribute to Heart, Hard Work, and Heritage

Filmed at the scenic Galloway Farms in Franklin, Tennessee, the video showcases Jurgensmeyer immersed in rural Americana—waving the American flag, working the land, and reflecting on shared values. Directed by the Riker Brothers, the film pairs sweeping drone shots and raw, grounded imagery with the song’s soul-stirring message: “At the end of the day, we all bleed red.”

“Filming this music video was an absolute blast,” says Jurgensmeyer. “I felt right at home working on the farm, and I think this video really captures the heart of what we wrote the song about. It’s a freedom anthem for everyone.”

The Story Behind “RED”

Written by Jurgensmeyer, Ericca Latza, and Kayleigh Clark, the idea for “RED” was sparked during Jet’s drive to their first-ever writing session together. He pitched a concept centered around the color red—a symbol of both unity and struggle.

The song evolved into a powerful anthem celebrating the shared human experience, touching on themes of hard work, love, pride, and identity. From red dirt on blue-collar boots to the stripes on the American flag, “RED” reminds us that, despite our differences, we all bleed the same.

Produced by Jurgensmeyer and Dan Frizsell at Farmland (Berry Hill) in Nashville, the track is a bold statement wrapped in an authentic country sound.

Building Momentum with “Going Next”

“RED” follows the release of Jet’s emotionally charged single “Going Next”—a heartfelt reflection on relationships and perseverance, co-written with Andrew Rizzuto. The acoustic-driven ballad paints a tender portrait of love through uncertainty, vulnerability, and the promise of what’s to come.

From THE RIDE: phase 2

Both singles are featured on Jurgensmeyer’s 2024 album, THE RIDE: phase 2, released in July. The 11-track collection blends country, rock, and pop, delivering fan favorites like “Good Days,” “Coffee Bar,” and “Falling Too.” Each song showcases Jet’s evolving songwriting, diving into themes of love, growth, and emotional resilience.

Available now on all streaming platforms, THE RIDE: phase 2 cements Jurgensmeyer as one of country music’s most promising new voices.

More Than Music: A Career in Entertainment

Beyond his musical talents, Jet Jurgensmeyer is a seasoned actor and voice artist, with standout roles in hit series like Last Man Standing, Adventures in Babysitting, and TOTS (as the voice of Pip the Penguin). He’s also appeared in acclaimed projects such as Ozark, American Sniper, Grey’s Anatomy, and CSI.

His voice work spans beloved shows like Bubble Guppies, Shimmer and Shine, and Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie. In every project, Jurgensmeyer brings heartfelt authenticity and vibrant energy.

Giving Back

Outside of the spotlight, Jurgensmeyer is also known for his philanthropic work, including his involvement with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, showing a commitment to making a positive impact both on and off the stage.

Stream “RED” and watch the official video today – a heartfelt anthem from an artist who’s just getting started.

Mixtape Memories: Jacob Duarte’s Deluxe Edition Hits Hard and Haunting

Nihilistic Easyrider (Jacob Duarte of Narrow Head) announces debut album via Run For Cover. Photo: Derek Rathburn, used with permission.

🎤Nihilistic Easyrider’s DELUXE EDITION: A Mixtape of Memories, Melodies, and Melancholy

Nihilistic Easyrider is the brainchild of Narrow Head frontman Jacob Duarte—but make no mistake, this isn’t a solo endeavor in disguise. DELUXE EDITION is a genre-blurring mixtape: a collection of songs written across various phases of Duarte’s career. The album pulls from a colorful palette of styles—Y2K-era emo, pop punk anthems, Soviet fuzz-drenched alt rock, and shimmering pop reminiscent of Evan Dando. (another side, 2025)

The debut is brought to life by an ensemble that includes Narrow Head drummer Carson Wilcox, producer and former tour-mate Graham Hunt, and features from Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Ella Friedman. Even with its eclectic range, DELUXE EDITION remains rooted in Duarte’s signature approach to songwriting—melodic, moody, and full of hooks.

An Emotional Companion to Narrow Head’s Depth

In both lyric and sound, DELUXE EDITION shares Narrow Head’s penchant for navigating the emotional wreckage of modern life. The themes—romantic failures, mental unraveling, and existential burnout—are now filtered through the lens of mundane reality. Hunt’s textured production brings Duarte’s inner world to life with buzzing synths, barroom piano bursts, rattling acoustics, and early-aughts-styled sonic quirks.

The Lead Single: “Getaway Plan”

Written during a 2021 stay in Florida, the album’s opener, “Getaway Plan,” launches straight into jubilant pop-rock territory. Duarte strings together irresistible hooks before unleashing a Smashing Pumpkins-style climax of arena-ready guitar theatrics. The song’s lyrics tell a tale of failed midnight meetups and the naïve hope of suburban escape—summed up with the bittersweet charm of a red Solo Cup on a front lawn.

The track arrives with a playful video directed by Nate Kahn, starring Matt Berry (The Berries), who “signs” Duarte to Run For Cover Records for a fictional one quadrillion dollars.

From the Road to the Studio

Fresh off a relentless touring cycle behind Narrow Head’s 2023 album Moments of Clarity—featuring dates with Interpol, Snail Mail, Senses Fail, and others—DELUXE EDITION feels like a welcome retreat. It captures a rawer, more off-the-cuff studio vibe while also looping in some of Duarte’s tour comrades for cameos.

“Narrow Head and this project are equally big parts of me, and I need to do them both,” Duarte explains. “But I always know if a riff is going to become a Narrow Head song or a Nihilistic Easyrider song the moment I first write it. In a funny way, these Nihilistic Easyrider songs are closer to the music I always wanted to make growing up — they’ve got that real ’90s and 2000s emo feel that I grew up loving and wanting to channel.”

🎶On Tour This Fall

Nihilistic Easyrider hits the road this fall for a North American headlining tour kicking off in Houston and Austin, with stops in Chicago, Toronto, New York City, Washington D.C., and more. Support comes from On Being an Angel.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — don’t miss it.

Check below for full dates and locations.

Nihilistic Easyrider Live Dates:
Tickets Here | Hi Re Poster Here
Sep 12: Houston, TX – Secret Group
Sep 13: Austin, TX – Mohawk (Inside)
Sep 16: Chicago, IL – Subterranean
Sep 17: Bloomington, IN – The Bishop
Sep 18: Detroit, MI – Parts & Labor
Sep 19: Toronto, ON – Sneaky Dee’s
Sep 20: Buffalo, NY – Rec Room
Sep 22: Ridgewood, NY – TV Eye
Sep 23: New York, NY – Night Club 101
Sep 24: Philadelphia, PA – PhilaMOCA
Sep 25: Washington, DC – DC9
Sep 26: Raleigh, NC – Kings
Sep 27: Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5

DELUXE EDITION Tracklist:
1 – Getaway Plan
2 – Weekend Forever
3 – Facedown
4 – Drive All Night
5 – Don’t Get Scared Now
6 – Well Kept Secret
7 – Sanitorium
8 – Smiles and Cries
9 – Everything Is So F*cked Up
10 – Howie On The Brain
11 – Waiting On Someone
12 – The Way It Crumbles

Welcome to the Gelliverse: Gelli Haha’s ‘Normalize’ Sets the Stage for Switcheroo

Gelli Haha releases new single ‘Normalize.’ Photo: Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp, used with permission.

Gelli Haha Unleashes “Normalize” — The Final Single Before Debut Album Switcheroo

Gelli Haha has officially announced her newest single and video, “Normalize,” the final release ahead of her highly anticipated debut album Switcheroo, due out June 27, 2025. Drawing from the rich textures of 80s Nigerian soul boogie, the track delivers a smooth, mid-tempo synth-funk groove beneath Gelli’s raw yet velvety vocals. In the chorus, she aches for escape: “I want to fly away.” (another side, 2025)

The video for “Normalize” is a surreal extension of her live performances, directed by David Gutel. It continues the psycho-science experiment narrative introduced in her previous single “Spit,” revealing Gelli’s transformation into a parachute monster. Watch the video below.

Introducing the Gelliverse

Gelli Haha (pronounced Jelly-Haha) is more than a musician — she’s a shapeshifter, a sonic acrobat, and a visionary performer blurring the line between Studio 54 glam and Area 51 mystery. Her music dances in the tension between playful and profound, absurd and sincere.

Her debut album Switcheroo, via Innovative Leisure, serves as the official soundtrack to the Gelliverse — a vibrant, chaotic, and genre-bending world of her own design.

Switcheroo: A High-Voltage Creative Experiment

Created in collaboration with Sean Guerin of De Lux, Switcheroo is the product of spontaneous experimentation and a shared love for off-kilter pop and vintage gear. The duo leaned into analog oddities — Eventide Harmonizers, MXR Pitch Transposers, Electrix units — crafting textures that are intentionally flawed and brilliantly bizarre.

Every track is an invitation to let go, laugh, dance, and dive headfirst into the spectacle. Switcheroo is an inside joke turned theatrical masterpiece.

Don’t Miss Gelli Haha Live in LA

Gelli Haha’s wild, prop-filled, fully choreographed live performances have made her one of the most buzzed-about acts in the LA underground. She returns Friday, August 8, headlining at Resident in Downtown Los Angeles, with support from dance arts center and a DJ set by KCRW’s Travis Holcombe.

Presented by Minty Boi and Gelli Kompany. Tickets available here.

Let yourself get weird. Gelli Haha’s Switcheroo is coming.

Switcheroo tracklist:
1 – Funny Music
2 – Spit
3 – Normalize
4 – Bounce House
5 – Piss Artist
6 – Tiramisu
7 – Gelliverse
8 – Dynamite
9 – Johnny
10 – Pluto is not a planet it’s a restaurant

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

1751025579

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Switcheroo release date

From Viral Covers to Emotional Club Anthems: Mareux Evolves with ‘Ébèné Fumé’

Mareux shares shares Ébèné Fumé video/single feat Riki. Photo: Jason Renaud, used with permission.

Mareux Teams Up with Riki for New Single “Ébèné Fumé” Ahead of Nonstop Romance🎶

Los Angeles, CA – Revered pop/darkwave musician and producer Mareux (Aryan Ashtiani) joins forces with multifaceted artist and singer Riki on his nostalgic new single “Ébèné Fumé,” out now via Revolution/Warner Records. (another side, 2025)

Riki’s charismatic, confessional vocal performance blends seamlessly with Mareux’s intricately crafted electronics, creating a compelling dance-pop track that’s as moody as it is magnetic. Her standout presence shines throughout the song’s striking music video, created by Muted Widows (Michael E Linn, Nedda Afsari, and Michael R. Zumaya), which visually channels the same fusion of elegance and edge.

Where most artists might double down on the slick darkwave and goth-pop that brought them initial fame, Mareux pivots with his upcoming sophomore album, Nonstop Romance, due out June 27. The new project is messy in all the right ways—drunk in love, feverish with emotion, and unafraid to stumble. Picture a frilly valentine dragged through city grit: gushing, fractured, but completely transparent in its longing.

Throughout Nonstop Romance, Mareux sets his songs like Venus fly traps—irresistibly romantic and danceable, but tinged with a sinister red glow. It’s a record that revels in pleasure while hinting at danger, a balance central to its ethos.

“I’m trying to make something that’s reflective of me getting older,” Mareux shares. But rather than quiet introspection, his version of maturity centers on joy: “Could you put it on in your house with people around and not bring the mood down?” That guiding question helped shape the sound and energy of the album.

Written and recorded in Mareux’s Lincoln Heights bedroom throughout 2024, Nonstop Romance draws cinematic inspiration from a muted old CRT TV playing everything from Tarkovsky and Jodorowsky to Hype Williams’ Belly. The result? Smudged tape-residue synths woven into readymade club anthems.

Though Mareux favors vibe over precision, longtime fans won’t feel lost. Whether you discovered him through his viral platinum-certified cover of The Cure’s “The Perfect Girl” or the noir heartache of 2023’s Lovers from the Past, there’s plenty to swoon over. Nonstop Romance is exactly what it promises: emotionally raw, sonically rich, and obsessed with love.

“I only care about one thing,” Mareux says. “And that’s being in love.”

📀 Pre-Order / Save Nonstop Romance

🎤 Upcoming Performances

  • Friday, December 12 – Fox Theater, Pomona
  • Saturday, December 13 – The Novo, Los Angeles

Tickets are on sale now. Stay tuned for more tour announcements!

Nonstop Romance tracklist:
1 – Blackmail
2 – Radio Club
3 – Nonstop Romance
4 – Wild at Heart
5 – Ébène Fumé Ft. Riki
6 – Prodigy
7 – Blue
8 – Laugh Now Cry Later
9 – Snake Eyes

Photo: Cameron McCool, used with permission.

1751022089

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Nonstop Romance release date

Arcades, Lawsuits & Love Songs: Walter Day’s Legacy Hits a New Note

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day is the follow up film to the iconic indie The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎮🎶 Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day — Release News, Review & Director’s Insight

The highly anticipated follow-up to The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is finally here. Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day will be available globally on TVOD and digital platforms beginning June 9, 2025. (Cinematic Red PR, 2025)

🎬 About the Film

Directed by Ed Cunningham (Undefeated, The King of Kong), this musical documentary is his feature film directorial debut. Arcade & Love Songs revisits beloved characters from The King of Kong, reconnecting with the real-life gamers who captivated audiences since their Slamdance debut.

The film follows 74-year-old Walter Day, the father of esports and iconic star of The King of Kong, as he navigates a lawsuit that threatens his legacy. At the same time, he embarks on a deeply personal journey: finally recording and performing the rock-opera love songs he’s carried in his heart since a devastating 1980s heartbreak—right at the height of the arcade boom.

The film premiered in U.S. theaters earlier this year through Monkey Wrench Films, capturing the same nostalgic magic that made The King of Kong one of Slamdance’s most celebrated documentaries.

Run time: 1 hr. 31 mins.

🎥 Credits

  • Director: Ed Cunningham
  • Producers: Jonathan Perkins, Seth Gordon (Baywatch, The King of Kong), Mike J. Nichols (Zappa)
  • Writers: Ed Cunningham, Mike J. Nichols, Paul Leach (The Woodsman)
  • Executive Producers: Ed Cunningham, Byron Ashley, Scott Jackson, Harrison Kordestani Kerry, Cathy Loveland, Paul Campoamor
  • Editor: Mike J. Nichols

👨‍🎤 Director’s Statement

The King of Kong premiered at Slamdance 2007 to a packed house of just the right type of audience. As the filmmakers, we could not have selected a better group of people to be the first to see something we had lived with for three years. The gamers, tech-types and doc lovers were all into it from frame one….The whispers, laughs and touching moments were all hitting…We knew the film could be seen as mocking people we had grown to love, doubt and admire and had worked tirelessly to present them truthfully and empathetically. And this audience got it. From that night forward, the original documentary has changed many people’s lives – for better and worse – so when Billy Mitchell called to tell me Walter Day was being sued based on things that happened in our movie, I began helping make sure he was properly defended…I felt a responsibility to document the conclusion to Walter’s journey and it was also a great opportunity because I love his music and want to help get out in the world.

– Ed Cunningham

⭐ Movie Review: Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day

Arcade & Love Songs is a tender, quirky, and unexpectedly profound documentary that shines a spotlight on a cultural pioneer. Walter Day, once the steady-handed referee of The King of Kong, becomes the heart and soul of this new film—revealing the music, memories, and emotions that shaped his life.

Ed Cunningham blends archival footage, heartfelt interviews, and theatrical musical sequences to create a vibrant portrait of resilience. Walter’s songs—strange, sincere, and oddly beautiful—are as much about heartbreak as they are about healing. Especially moving are the testimonials from younger gamers, who speak to how Day and the esports community shaped their sense of belonging.

This is more than a film about retro games—it’s about chasing your passions, no matter your age. Arcade & Love Songs is a love letter to the 8-bit generation, to late-blooming artists, and to anyone still holding onto the dream of finishing their song.

📅 Watch It

🗓 Release Date: June 9, 2025
🎟 Pre-order Now: Apple TV & Vimeo-on-Demand
📺 Available On: Apple, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Fandango, Vimeo-on-Demand

Let your heart hit “Start.” Walter Day’s ballad is one worth listening to.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for a review of this film and received a screening link. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

‘The Isolate’ Explores Inner Turmoil in Demons My Friends’ Latest Heavy Release

Demons My Friends share new single and video for The Isolate. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Demons My Friends Drop New Single “The Isolate” Ahead of Sophomore Album

Last month, Demons My Friends, the heavy-hitting trio from Mexico City and Austin, unveiled their latest single, “The Isolate,” marking their debut release with acclaimed heavy music label Ripple Music. (US/THEM Group, 2025)

A Sonic Reflection on Teenage Anxiety

“The Isolate” is a deeply personal track, capturing the intense anxiety the band members experienced during their socially awkward teenage years. The song lays the thematic groundwork for their upcoming sophomore album, soon to be officially announced.

“Demons My Friends continues to be a therapeutic effort for all of us,” says guitarist/vocalist Pablo Anton. “With this new song we wanted to shine a light on our teen years… so much of the drama in our lives is invented by our own minds, by our own demons.”

Behind the Music

  • Music by: Demons My Friends
  • Lyrics by: Pablo Anton and Luis Salinas
  • Recorded at: One Pot Mexico (Querétaro, Mexico) and Red Nova Ranch (Austin, TX)
  • Produced & Mixed by: Jeff Henson (Red Nova Ranch)
  • Mastered by: Alberto de Icaza

Band Members:

  • Pablo Anton – Guitars and vocals
  • Lu Salinas – Bass and vocals
  • Tarro Martinez – Drums

From SXSW to Sonic Catharsis

Formed during an impromptu session at SXSW 2022, Demons My Friends brings together members of Fellowcraft (Washington, DC) and Mexican rock veterans QBO. What began as a spontaneous collaboration quickly evolved into a fully-formed musical identity.

Their concept is clear: confront inner demons—anxiety, depression, rage—and transform them into creative fuel.

Debut Album Demons Seem To Gather (Out Now)

Their 2023 debut Demons Seem To Gather (via Gravitoyd Heavy Music) showcases a powerful blend of drop-tuned grunge riffs, doom-laden structures, psychedelic harmonies, and groove-heavy rhythms. Fans of Monolord, King Buffalo, All Them Witches, Soundgarden, and Baroness will feel right at home.

“The Austin/Mexico City groove unit applies their sonic dominance toward deftly-written, clever songs… climactic hooks shake up their luxuriously groovy pacing.” — Invisible Oranges

Available now on LP, CD, and streaming platforms.

Demons Seem To Gather tracklist
1.The Tower Falls
2.Bring The Night
3.Inner Slay
4.Ghosts Of You
5.Make Them Pay
6.Fire Mountain
7.Your Bones
8.We Are The Resistance

Stay tuned for more from Demons My Friends as they gear up for their next chapter—haunting melodies, introspective themes, and thunderous grooves included.

Grayson Jenkins Finds His Voice on ‘Hard Heart to Hold’ and Forthcoming Album Country Parables

Grayson Jenkins leans into the rock side of country with new song and video. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Grayson Jenkins Unveils New Single “Hard Heart to Hold” Ahead of Forthcoming Album Country Parables

Kentucky-born country artist and songwriter Grayson Jenkins has released his new single “Hard Heart to Hold,” an anthemic country-rock track from his upcoming album Country Parables, set to release everywhere on July 25. (Covered Bridge Creative Co-op, 2025)

The single is paired with a live performance music video, filmed at Jenkins’ 2025 headlining show at The Burl in Lexington, KY—the very venue that inspired the song’s creation.

A Rising Voice in the Appalachian Country Scene

“Hard Heart to Hold” follows a string of successful releases, including:

  • “Nobody’s Stopping You Anyhow” (feat. Brit Taylor), featured on Spotify’s All New Country playlist
  • “Taxes & Time”
  • “Good Times Go” (feat. Pony Bradshaw), highlighted by The Bluegrass Situation and Whiskey Riff

Fans can watch the video, stream the new single, and pre-order vinyl and merch online.

A “Hillbilly Springsteen” Sound

Jenkins’ bandmates jokingly describe “Hard Heart to Hold” as sounding like a “hillbilly Springsteen”—a track driven by pulsing drums and heavy guitars, elevating Jenkins’ vocals and vivid storytelling.

Jenkins views the song as a reflection of both his influences and his ongoing sonic evolution.

Telling Stories from the Heart of Kentucky

Lyrically, the track tells the story of a young woman navigating early adulthood and finding comfort in the Lexington music scene—a nod to the thriving musical culture of Kentucky and the greater Appalachian region.

Nearly a Decade on the Road

Grayson Jenkins is no newcomer. With nearly ten years in the music industry, his career has weathered:

  • The ups and downs of indie artistry
  • A global pandemic
  • Over 250,000 miles touring across the US, Canada, and Europe

Raised on a small farm in Muhlenberg County, KY—yes, that Muhlenberg County from John Prine’s “Paradise”—Jenkins carries with him a strong work ethic and resourcefulness that continues to shape his music and career.

Country Parables: Jenkins’ Most Ambitious Work Yet

Now in his 30s, Jenkins returns with Country Parables—a ten-track LP that marks his most comprehensive and mature work to date. The album combines the lyrical depth fans have come to expect with a fully realized sonic palette that Jenkins has long been chasing.

Crafted by a Powerhouse Team

To bring this album to life, Jenkins teamed up with frequent collaborator and touring partner Pony Bradshaw to co-produce the record. The album was recorded at Fellowship Hall Sound in Little Rock, AR, with a team of acclaimed musicians, including:

  • Paddy Ryan (Parker Millsap, John Fullbright)
  • Jesse Aycock (JR Carroll, John Moreland)
  • Aaron Boehler (Wilderado)
  • Fats Kaplin (Jack White, John Prine)

Collaborations on the album include Brit Taylor, Madelyn Baier, and Pony Bradshaw, with two tracks co-written by Nashville veteran Pat McLaughlin (John Prine, Bahamas).

With Country Parables, Grayson Jenkins offers a heartfelt, roots-driven collection that further cements his place in the next wave of Americana storytellers.

Country Parables tracklist:

1.Old Trails
2.Hard Heart to Hold
3.Nobody’s Stopping You Anyhow (feat. Brit Taylor)
4.Grand Slam
5.Scarecrow
6.Taxes & Time
7.Good Times Go (feat. Pony Bradshaw)
8.From Now On
9.Calling Out Your Name (feat. Madelyn Baier)
10.Country Parables

“But beyond the smoky bars and days out on the farm, Jenkins embodies one of Country’s more abstract, yet most important qualities: its philosophical soul.”

— American Songwriter

“In case you aren’t familiar with Grayson Jenkins’ prior work, the Muhlenburg County, KY native aptly follows in the footsteps of John Prine and all of the other folk and country troubadours before him who forged their career on the strength of clever lyricism and truthfully authentic storytelling.”

— Whiskey Riff

1753439483

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Country Parables release date