Gran Moreno is Ricardo (guitarist and vocals) and Christian (drums). Photo: Tico Mendoza, used with permission.
Gran Moreno Unleashes New Single “Temple of Fire” Ahead of Debut Album El Sol
This week, Austin duo Gran Moreno released their newest single, “Temple of Fire,” now available on all major streaming platforms. The track originally premiered via The Obelisk, offering an early glimpse into the band’s evolving sonic universe. (US/THEM Group, 2025)
A New Force in Psychedelic Rock
Gran Moreno is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling voices in the new wave of psychedelic rock. Their sound, rooted in analog warmth, expansive textures, and hypnotic grooves, creates an immersive experience that blurs the line between distortion and introspection. With heavy rhythms, emotionally charged melodies, and atmospheric layers, their music feels like a sonic mirage: shifting, evocative, and deeply felt.
A Conceptual Debut: El Sol and La Luna
At the heart of Gran Moreno’s artistry is a dedication to storytelling through sound. Their upcoming debut album is a conceptual, two-part experience:
Side A: El Sol — urgency, energy, and clarity
Side B: La Luna — shadow, mystery, and reflection
The first release, El Sol, captures the band at full intensity, offering a vivid and unfiltered introduction to their creative identity.
A Live Experience That Transcends the Stage
Gran Moreno’s live performances elevate their music into a full-body encounter. Blending sonic power with rich visual elements, their shows draw audiences into a shared trance, one that feels both deeply personal and profoundly communal. Their fierce independence and bold creativity continue to shape a musical world entirely their own.
Release Info
El Sol will be available on LP and digital download on January 17, 2026. Pre-orders are available HERE.
Paz Lenchantin’s solo album Triste is set for an October 17 release. Photo: David Alvarado, used with permission.
Paz Lenchantin Steps Into the Spotlight with Debut Solo Album Triste
Paz Lenchantin, the Argentine-American musician best known for her nearly three-decade career as bassist, vocalist, and co-writer for iconic bands like Pixies (2014–2024), A Perfect Circle, Zwan, and The Entrance Band, is now stepping forward on her own. Her debut solo album, Triste, arrives October 17 via her own label, Hideous Human Records.(another side, 2025)
A First Glimpse: “Novela”
Lenchantin recently released Triste’s opening track and recent single, “Novela.”
“The track is a melodramatic story that resolves with accepting that you are the way you are—‘Sos como sos’,” explains Paz.
Drawing from the emotional tradition of Spanish balladry, “Novela” sets the tone for the album with raw, restless compositions. The accompanying video, directed by longtime friend and filmmaker Maximilla Lukacs, is available to watch now.
A Fusion of Roots and Reinvention
The 12-track Triste blends Latin folk textures with American rock structures, placing Paz at the piano and weaving her signature string arrangements around the rock foundations she helped shape in past projects. She performed all instruments before inviting collaborators, including former A Perfect Circle bandmates Josh Freese (drums) and Troy Van Leeuwen (guitar), to add depth to the record’s sonic landscape.
Each song unfolds with both editorial precision and mystical intuition, creating music that feels timeless while firmly rooted in the present.
Written in Mexico, Mixed with Vision
The seeds of Triste were planted in Petatlán, Mexico, where Paz spent much of 2024 writing about faith, doubt, and self-discovery in the wake of her departure from Pixies. The album was later mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), giving the project a lush yet intimate finish.
A Statement of Independence
For Paz, Triste is more than an album—it’s a declaration of self.
“I had to make this record on my own—not to prove anything, but just to have faith that music can nurture me back. And it did.”
With Triste, Paz Lenchantin opens the first chapter of her solo career: deeply personal, sonically adventurous, and undeniably her own.
✨ Listen to “Novela” now and watch the video, then mark your calendar for the release ofTristeon October 17, available for pre-order/pre-save.
Triste tracklist:
01 – Novela 02 – Lows & Highs 03 – Woman Of Nazareth 04 – Hang Tough 05 – Wish I Was There 06 – Si No! 07 – In The Garden With The Devil 08 – Adam 09 – Lucia 10 – Sin Dios 11 – Save It For Hell 12 – Triste
The country music icons teamed up for a powerful take of the 1998 classic. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
✨ Country music fans are in for a treat — Ty Herndon has teamed up with Ashley McBryde to reimagine one of his most beloved hits, “A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go).” The powerful duet bridges past and present, honoring Herndon’s legacy while showcasing McBryde’s fearless edge.
Ty Herndon and Ashley McBryde Reimagine Classic Hit “A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go)”
NASHVILLE, TN — GRAMMY®-nominated country music icon Ty Herndonhas joined forces with Ashley McBryde, Grand Ole Opry member and GRAMMY® Award-winning powerhouse, to reimagine his 1998 hit “A Man Holdin’ On (To a Woman Lettin’ Go).” (Aristo PR, 2025)
The haunting ballad of love, loss, and heartbreak is the second single from Herndon’s upcoming double album, THIRTY—a landmark project celebrating his three decades in country music. The album will be released in two volumes, with Volume One arriving this fall and featuring reimagined versions of Herndon’s greatest hits, each performed as collaborations with some of the genre’s most dynamic voices.
A Classic Reborn
Originally penned by Gene Dobbins, John Ramey, and Bobby Taylor, “A Man Holdin’ On” became one of Herndon’s signature songs in the late ’90s. With McBryde’s raw vocal edge paired with Herndon’s heartfelt delivery, the new rendition digs even deeper into the song’s emotional core—capturing the pain, poetry, and power of letting go.
“This song has always been one of the most emotional songs in my catalog,” said Herndon. “To revisit it with someone as fearless and gifted as Ashley was both humbling and electric. We didn’t just sing the song — we lived it.”
A New Chapter with Club44 Records
Released through Club44 Records, the track also marks Herndon’s next step in an exciting partnership with the Nashville-based label, known for championing bold vocalists and genre-defying artistry. The release is part of a newly announced three-album deal.
More than just an anniversary record, THIRTY is a declaration of endurance, artistry, and authenticity from one of country music’s most enduring voices.
About Ty Herndon
In 2025, Herndon will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his breakout single “What Mattered Most.” Between 1995 and 2002, he charted 17 singles, including three No. 1 hits, with fan favorites such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” and “A Man Holdin’ On.”
Herndon has also broken barriers in country music. In 2015, he made history as the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay. His artistry continued to evolve with albums like Journey On and Right About Now. His 2022 album JACOB produced the No. 1 independent country hit “Dents on a Chevy” with Terri Clark, which spent seven weeks at the top of the charts.
About Ashley McBryde
Ashley McBryde is a GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM award-winning artist celebrated for her unapologetic, raw country sound. Her 2018 debut album Girl Going Nowhere earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, while her collaboration with Carly Pearce on “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” won a GRAMMY and CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year.
Currently, McBryde is on tour supporting her latest album The Devil I Know, with sold-out shows across the UK and North America.
The Division Men is the husband-and-wife duo of J. Spencer Portillo and Caroline Rippy Portillo. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Division Men Announces New Album Hymns and Fiery Dances, Shares Single “San Saba”
El Paso, TX by way of Berlin acoustic duo The Division Menhas shared a haunting new single and video titled “San Saba”, taken from the forthcoming album Hymns and Fiery Dances, due out August 22, 2025, via Motor Music. (US/THEM Group, 2025)
The track debuted in the U.S. via New Noise Magazine and in the EU via Side-Line Magazine, and is now available on all major streaming platforms. 🎧 Listen to “San Saba” HERE 📺 Watch the visualizer on YouTube 👇
About Hymns and Fiery Dances
The new album features an impressive roster of collaborators including:
Rafael Gayol (Leonard Cohen)
Rick G Nelson (Afghan Whigs, St. Vincent)
Jay Reynolds (Asleep at the Wheel)
Fredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys, Los Lobos)
Leah Shapiro (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
Dana Colley (Morphine)
Asya Sorshneva (CocoRosie)
Beto Martinez (Grupo Fantasma)
Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey) …and many more.
Available in LP, CD, and digital formats, Hymns and Fiery Dances can be pre-ordered now. 🛒 Pre-order HERE
Who Is The Division Men?
Founded in Berlin, Germany in 2008 and now based in El Paso, Texas, The Division Men is the husband-and-wife duo of J. Spencer Portillo (vocals/acoustic guitar) and Caroline Rippy Portillo (vocals/bass guitar).
The band’s name reflects the original mission: to collaborate with artists worldwide regardless of borders—a philosophy that has remained central to their identity.
Caroline, born in San Antonio, previously played bass for Tito & Tarantula from 2007 to 2012. Spencer, born in Los Angeles and raised in Texas, channels the spirit of border towns into evocative lyrics about love, loss, and life.
Their sound is often described as dark, romantic, ethereal, and haunting. Their previous album, Niños Del Sol, featured Rafael Gayol, Steven Hufsteter, Jay Reynolds, Mitch Hertz, Raiye Rippy, and Jake Garcia (The Black Angels).
Upcoming Live Dates
Catch The Division Men live in support of Hymns and Fiery Dances:
📍 08/15/2025 – Austin, TX – Vinyl Beauty Bar 📍 08/17/2025 – San Antonio, TX – Faust Tavern 📍 08/22/2025 – El Paso, TX – Love Buzz
For more news and updates, follow The Division Men on all official channels.
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.”
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
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 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 merchonline.
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.”
Steve Von Till releases new single/video from Alone in a World of Wounds. Photo: Bobby Cochran, used with permission.
Steve Von Till’s Alone in a World of Wounds: A Haunting Tapestry of Loss, Nature, and Reflection
Ploughing a different furrow from his work with post-metal pioneers Neurosis, Steve Von Till’s latest solo album, Alone in a World of Wounds, is a sweeping, gothic-tinged collection of Americana infused with ambient textures and world-weary vocal melodies. It’s a deeply introspective journey—both sonically and thematically. It will be released on May 16 via Neurot Recordings. (another/side, 2025)
A Cinematic Opening
The album opens with “The Corpse Road,” a track that unfolds in a haze of mauve-toned drone textures, immediately immersing listeners in a creaking, dust-laden wilderness. Von Till sings of being placed in the “solitude of our inner spaces,” his voice framed by the mournful resonance of French horn and beautifully subtle cello arrangements by Brent Arnold. The track is accompanied by a haunting visual, directed by Josh Graham.
Rooted in Atmosphere and Intuition
Initially inspired by the harmonic resonance of piano and synths, Alone in a World of Wounds follows the reflective ambience of 2021’s No Wilderness Deep Enough. This new album sees Von Till opening up his voice like never before, with songs that emerged from intuitive improvisations—raw, emotional, and unguarded.
Music, Poetry, and Purpose
Outside of music, Von Till is also a published poet. His 2021 collection, “Harvestman,” draws from a deep well of personal and philosophical writing. His lyrics and prose often reflect on humanity’s place in the cosmos, touching on themes of longing, loss, and the vastness of existence. In this album, a profound connection to—and disconnection from—nature serves as the thematic core.
The title Alone in a World of Wounds is inspired by a quote from environmental philosopher Aldo Leopold’s 1949 book A Sand County Almanac:
“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.”
Life Beyond the Music
Von Till’s commitment to the natural world goes beyond his art. He has been an elementary school teacher for over two decades and serves on the board of directors for the Firekeeper Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to reducing youth suicides among the Blackfeet Nation in Montana.
A Sonic and Visual Aesthetic
While Alone in a World of Wounds may seem far removed from the aggressive tones of Neurosis, the raw spirit of punk and DIY ethos remain essential to Von Till’s process. His search for deeper connection, his willingness to live with sorrow, and his instinctive approach to creativity all ground this project in authenticity.
Recorded largely at his barn studio in Idaho and mixed by Randall Dunn at Circular Ruin in Brooklyn, the album also features artwork by Spokane-based alternative process photographer Brian Deemy. Working in colloidal wet plate tintype, Deemy’s visuals perfectly complement Von Till’s ancient-yet-modern aesthetic—a haunting tribute to our bond with the more-than-human world.
Steve Von Till Live Dates:
May 30 – June 1: Prepare the Ground Festival – Toronto, CAN July 25 – 27: Fire in the Mountains Festival – Blackfeet Nation, MT
Alone in a World of Wounds tracklist: 1 – The Corpse Road 2 – Watch Them Fade 3 – Horizons Undone 4 – Distance 5 – Calling Down the Darkness 6 – The Dawning of the Day (Insomnia) 7 – Old Bent Pine 8 – River of No Return
Slumbering Sun shares Midsommar Night’s Dream single from forthcoming sophomore album Starmony. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Slumbering Sun is set to rise once more with their much-anticipated new album, Starmony—a sonic voyage that promises to blend celestial ambiance with earth-shaking heaviness. As the band teases fragments of what’s to come, early listeners are already whispering about a bold evolution in their sound. Here’s what I know so far:
Austin band Slumbering Sun shares “Midsommar Night’s Dream,” a new single from their forthcoming sophomore album Starmony. Starmony will be available on limited edition LP and digital on May 6, 2025. Fans can pre-order HERE. (US/THEM Group, 2025)
Slumbering Sun is a powerful new melodic doom entity formed by members of underground mainstays Temptress, Destroyer of Light, and Monte Luna. The resulting sound explores broader melodies and sonics than their other bands, inspired as much by Celtic folk standards as by doom, grunge and shoegaze.
Slumbering Sun makes music for crazy romantics. Keegan Kjeldsen, James Clarke, Kelsey Wilson, Garth Condit, and Kelly “Penny” Turner joined forces in 2022 in order to weave a dreamy kind of doom that would incorporate shoegaze, grunge, and prog. All were friends in the Texas metal scene, assembled from bands in Austin and Dallas, who sought to elevate the love and camaraderie they’d found over the years into an artistic vision.
After releasing their debut, The Ever-Living Fire (2023, #20 debut on Doom Charts), Slumbering Sun played their first show at Stoner Jam during SXSW, embarked on a series of regional tours, and capped off the year with an appearance at Ripple Fest. The band spent all of 2024 making their second effort, Starmony, in between touring the Midwest, and releasing their single “Out of the Blue & Into the Void” — a brilliant mashup of Neil Young’s and Black Sabbath’s classic tracks. With no plans to slow down, the band intends to make more metalheads than ever pound their fists and cry about their exes.
Band members: James Clarke (Vocals) – of Monte Luna Keegan Kjeldsen (Guitar) – of Destroyer of Light Kelsey Wilson (Guitar) – of Temptress Garth Condit (Bass) – of Monte Luna, Scorpion Child Penny Turner (Drums) – of Destroyer of Light
SLUMBERING SUN LIVE 2025: 05/02 Austin, TX – Valhalla (album release show) 06/04 El Paso, TX – Rosewood 06/06 Tempe, AZ – Yucca Tap Room 06/07 Las Vegas, NV – Dive Bar 06/08 Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing 06/10 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of The Hill 06/12 Eugene, OR – Sparrow & Serpent 06/13 Portland, OR – High Water Mark – Soundcastle Festival 06/14 Olympia, WA – McCoy’s 06/15 Bellingham, WA – Shakedown 06/17 Moscow, ID – Mikey’s 06/18 Boise, ID – Neurolux 06/19 Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High 06/20 Denver, CO – Squire 06/21 Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Records 06/22 Wichita, KS – Kirby’s Beer Store 07/11 Asheville, NC – Doomed and Stoned Festival
Starmony tracklist:
01. Together Forever
02. Keep it Secret
03. Midsommar Night’s Dream
04. The Solar Bear
05. Danse Macabre
06. The Tower
07. Wanderlust
1746525343
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Starmony release date
Trippy, melodic doom metal. From the moment you hit play, ‘Liminal Bridges’ feels like a transitional track meant to guide you along a wispy, winding trail in a slightly foggy forest while on a quest.” — Metal Sucks
“An ice-cold blend of 90s alternative, doom, and prog that will quench your thirst for captivating melodies, thundering percussion, and grungy riffs! They’ve created an epic mash-up of classic doom and added the soaring vocals and towering instrumentation that took us on the sonic journey from Sabbath to Maiden to Soundgarden.” — CvltNation
“Nothing short of fantastic, and should be blasted at full volume.” — Metal Injection
“Possibly the best doom album I’ve heard this year… Front to back it’s an insanely well done work, with remarkably clear vision.” — Invisible Oranges
The new release sets the tone for a massive North American tour this fall. Photo: Joe Eley, used with permission.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre announces a new single, ‘Makes Me Great / Out Of Body,’ on red transparent 10” vinyl, due to be released on April 25th via Anton Newcombe’s record label A Recordings. Fans can pre-save it here. (Magnum PR, 2025)
Following a hugely successful UK and Europe tour earlier this year, the band will return to North America this fall for an extensive run of live shows, including two dates with special guests, Cast, making their first US appearance in nearly 30 years. Tickets on sale now.
It’s been over 30 years since Anton Newcombe – frontman, songwriter, composer, studio owner, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, father, force of nature – and his band The Brian Jonestown Massacre released their first singleShe Made Me / Evergreen. Released in 1992, as the British music press descended on the US to anoint the next US guitar band as flavor of the month and major labels were on the hunt for the compliant hopefuls to be their latest quick fix, Anton Newcombe had an idea: say no.
As leader of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Newcombe had already established himself as a visionary songwriter, a man to whom making music wasn’t a lifestyle choice or a hipster haircut but the very fabric of existence itself, and he had observed in silent horror as his peers meekly consented to everything – yes to contracts, yes to management, yes to suggestions, yes to this, yes to that, yes, yes, yes. But he was different. Anton Newcombe was going to say no to everything. “I just knew I would be more successful in a certain way by saying no, just being contrary because I figured that if people liked me they were gonna like me anyway,” he says. “Or dislike me. It doesn’t matter.”
Much of this was documented on the controversial documentary ‘Dig!,’ which is still hailed as one of the best rock documentaries ever made, and celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year with the remastered, expanded version “Dig! XX.”
Brian Jonestown Massacre’s shoegazing-tinged debut album Methodrone was released in 1995 and since then numerous band members have joined Newcombe on his sonic escapades, but he has remained the sole constant, the creative mastermind at the centre of one of music’s most fascinating bands. There have been a further 20 albums under the Brian Jonestown Massacre moniker since then, each embarking on their own mind-expanding adventure and exploring the outer realms of rock’n’roll; psychedelic rock, country-blues, snarling rock’n’roll, blissed-out noise-pop and more.
Along the way, Newcombe has established himself as a once-in-a-lifetime talent who saw the direction in which mainstream indie-rock was heading and opted to take the long way round. He’s emerged as a revolutionary force in modern music, an underground hero. There was no other way, this was how it had to be. “My only option with everything in life has always been that you just jump into the fire,” he declared. “It doesn’t matter what it is.”
It’s with that spirit that he’s hopped around the globe, from the West Coast to New York, from Manhattan to Iceland, and then to Berlin, where he’s lived for 15 years and has two flats, one to live in and one that’s been converted into his studio.
Brian Jonestown Massacre released their 20th full-length studio album The Future Is Your Past, in February 2023 on Anton’s record label, A Recordings. In 2022 / 2023, they completed a massive world tour that saw them play 34 dates in North America, 25 dates across Europe and 16 dates in the UK. Towards the end of 2024, they released ‘Don’t Look At Me’ ft. Aimee Nash. It is a delicious slice of hypnotic shoegaze with Nash lyrically casting a spell with the mantra “Do No Harm.”
There is no such thing as a defining statement in Anton Newcombe’s world anymore, just more chapters that contribute to the tale. “Nobody can stop me, I’m not asking somebody, I’m not making the rounds at Warners, saying ‘please put out my record!’It’s just for me,” he says. He hopes he can be an inspiration to others. “I would love to see more groups, people playing music in the UK and everywhere else because I really enjoy it. That’s the only reason I need. It’s the only reason to do stuff.” That hits to the core of what makes Anton Newcombe and Brian Jonestown Massacre tick. He’ll keep jumping in that fire. That’s how he rolls. Savor it.
PRESS FROM THE BJM’S JAN / FEB UK TOUR
“Brian Jonestown Massacre have a cult following big enough to warrant the publication of an acclaimed memoir by percussionist Joel Gion and big enough that this large UK tour includes a date at Brixton Academy… Newcombe is really adept at coming up with melodies and guitar figures that sound immediately familiar, as if you know them already from a song you can’t quite place – a genuine skill.” – Guardian
“The Brian Jonestown’s ability to create an immersive live experience remains unparalleled and this Brixton gig was a masterclass in psychedelia, intensity, and raw musical craftsmanship.”– Music News
“A night of hypnotic grooves, kaleidoscopic guitars, and the kind of immersive psychedelia that only they can provide… The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s live show is not just a performance – it’s an experience. At the O2 Institute Birmingham, they proved once again why they remain one of the most compelling acts in modern psychedelic rock. Newcombe’s vision, combined with the band’s tight musicianship, created a night of sonic transcendence that few in attendance will soon forget.” – RockShot
SA Examiner 