Well, well, well… THIS is what I was most excited about working on when I started the bloggy…

Because, hell f*ck’n YEAH! New music being created is always exciting, but when it’s people you have had the chance to get close with and see grow this past year? It truly brings a tear to my eye, friends. And it’s no mystery that all these creations are also just really freakin’ good!

While the Houston music scene is anything but new, these releases are a first for a lot of these bands. Whether it be singles, EP/LPs, music videos, etc. these projects are some of the first looks into these bands outside of the numerous kick ass live shows they’ve been putting on this past year.

Upon hearing some of the backstories these artists had about their projects, it truly inspired me so much. Not once was someone like, “$$$Yo we are just trying to make it big and make some f*ck you money, blah blah blah$$$,” (Except for Josh from DWNKILL). Instead, these releases were widely personal for each and every artist I spoke with, which yeah… is pretty damn awesome.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out all these artists, give them a follow, and go check ’em out live and in action. Trust me when I say that this is just the beginning of big things for all these talented humans.

With that being said… Let’s get into it.

Dante’s Room: Jazmin

Single – 3/31/23. Prod: Corin Gatwood / Living Room Recordings HTX

Ladies and gents, hot of the press: we got Dante’s Room new single, Jazmin!!

Not only is this a new single for the homies…

BUT IT’S THEIR FIRST RELEASE EVER!!!

Emerging as arguably one of the most poppin’ bands on the scene right now, this band… they’re the f*ckin’ shit man. Do I need to say more?

Yes, I do… Because this is just a beautiful recording.

I have had the pleasure of hanging out and watching these katz perform on numerous occasions, and it’s been total bliss. They’ve always swung for the fences without miss and hearing their song as I write this brings a huge smile to my face… and I am sure it will do the same to you.

“Not only is this our first release, but this is actually the first song written in the namesake room of Dante. It was written and structured before we even had a drummer,” infamous bass extraordinaire Jack Hamilton explains, “…from a musical perspective, it’s my favorite bassline I have ever written.”

Singer, guitarist, and muscle of the band, Maya Singh, explained how this song unlocked something from within that she thought wasn’t possible. “This song means so much to me because it made me the musician I am today. When writing the song, I would literally pray that I would never have to perform it in front of people… I refused to even play in front of my family. With the support of Jack and Cris, I was able to break out of my comfort zone. This song instilled more confidence in me than therapy ever could.”

If you seen the band live, you KNOW how much Maya shreds the f*ck out of the six string electric guitar. “At first, I didn’t even know how to use a pick, let alone write a solo… I spent two years focusing on using a pick, learning how to solo, and how to even cut through the mix. Whenever we finally made our first plans to practice with a drummer, I was still so incredibly anxious because I still felt like I couldn’t improvise in front of others. So the night before that practice, I ended up getting super drunk and wrote/recorded the first solo I could think of. I wanted to have SOMETHING so I didn’t look like an idiot! That solo is the solo you hear on the track today.”

Again, I would’ve had no clue about this given the confidence displayed by her and the rest of the band at every single show I have seen them perform at. “Not only is this our first song we have written and released together, but it’s a record of what lead to one of the greatest and most important friendships in my life.”

I know I am not the only one who’s super excited to see what’s next for the band… I can’t freakin’ wait. 🤘

Make sure to get up, crank your speakers to 11, and jam out to Jazmin. Available now on all streaming platforms.

I need to word this in a way that doesn’t make the band OR myself seem old… But them Cam Boys are certified legends at this point. I’ve been following them for a few years now, and they have always brought the goods. Are they dance? Are they funk? Do they rock?

The answer is: Yes.

I was incredibly stoked to see this golden nugget drop of an EP and to see the band playing some shows around town. Mad Sad showcases the band doing what they do best: blending pop-punk dance instrumentals that will definitely have you dancing around your room, fused with lyrics that carry interpersonal reflections of relationships, societal views on depression, and how tiring our economical system can be. It’s deep, it’s groovy, and it f*cking slaps in the Miata with the top down… which is a homerun in my book.

Again, I am stoked to see these dudes still in full fledged action. “Besides playing shows to promote the record we’re trying to get a vinyl release in the works before the end of the year, so stay tuned.”

Make sure to go follow the band and listen to their new EP, Mad Sad, now available through all them music platforms!

Is there such an alternative out there that elevates you even higher than caffeine ever could? I would say Blossom Aloe’s new single, Getaway, is just that. I mean, wow! Talk about a song that picks you up and forgets to put you down. There’s many ways I could describe this song, but remember that scene in Stranger Things when Max is listening to that Kate Bush song and basically shuts Vecna’s b*tch ass up? This would be my song of choice.

Getaway is the band’s first single for their upcoming album (name and release date TBD), and if this is a taste of what to come? Well then hot damn I am stoked. I’ve had to opportunity to catch the band play live a few times, and it’s always an epic occasion. A few months ago they opened up for the popular rock band, Gin Blossoms, and they totally held their own and some… Infectious energy, sweet melodies, and kick ass sounds. Blossom Aloe has been a must see with every show and this single just backs that up.

Looking forward to what’s to come! ❤️ Go brighten your day and jam Getaway now on all your favorite streaming platforms!

DWNKILL: VOLIA

Single – 3/21/23. Prod: Travis Street / Street Noise Productions

This one is real special to me. Mostly because I was stoked to introduce the boys over at Dwnkill to Travis Street of Street Noise Productions a few months back. Travis has been a real good friend of mine for a few years now after meeting him outside of Frank’s Pizza at like 2 in the morning. He was playing Beatles covers and I thought him and his buds were homeless, at least until I saw they were playing really nice instruments. I ended up striking up a conversation with him and he told me how he did this every weekend, hence the name of his studio. It’s been incredible seeing him grow into the producer he is now and the things he has done!

So after seeing Dwnkill numerous amounts of times over the summer, I HAD to introduce them to my boy Travis. The rest was history. They jumped in the studio back in October to record two singles: Dark Times and Volia. The former had a huge release back in January that left the people hungry for more… and rightfully so! I mean, c’mon… that Dark Times music video was F*CKING SICK!!!

Thankfully, their second single Volia was just as much of a banger. “Volia was actually our first song we wrote that will be recorded and released… We wrote this when we were still experimenting on how to sound like an actual band,” lead screamer, Jesse, explains. “It’s a song about being eager for death, which can seem negative… but it’s actually expressing the opposite. You know it’s going to happen someday, and I like to deal with my anxiety by overindulging into the opposite feeling… Why be scared? I actually can’t wait for it.”

Accompanying this lyrical theme is that special Dwnkill sauce (get yer head outta the gutter perv): heavy-melodic chugs and grooves that’ll have your brain switch into mosh mode right away.

“This a good intro into what Dwnkill is, but our next releases will be more diverse and interesting for sure… If you have seen us live, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

You heard it from them yourselves, folks… Stay tuned for more and go crank Volia now on all your favorite platforms.

RINAS: Diana – House Demo

Single – 3/18/23. Prod: Rinas

There are only a few things that will truly lift a great song to a whole new level… and Rinas has accomplished that perfectly with this release.

I have been familiar with Rinas for quite awhile now. Back when I was involved with Coog Radio at the University of Houston, we had an event every month or so dubbed the Coog Radio Concert Series (shout out to my boy, Josh Vergara). It was a total DIY program where we would have local bands come through to record an interview and a performance. At times we had no clue what we were doing, but it was always such a damn good time. One of our first performers we had on was Rinas. I had heard about them here and there, but I was truly blown away by them… Specifically the song Familiar, which was sang through an actual telephone that lead singer, Marina, brought in. I LITERALLY STARTED CRYING HEARING THE SONG THROUGH THE MIXER (because emotions are hip). I was hooked.

I’ve made it a mission to go check them out anytime I can. Though they have been through a few different iterations, Marina’s songwriting shines wonderfully through each and every time. The song Diana in particular. While the song itself is musically wonderful, it’s the story behind it that makes it the amazing song that it is. The song was written about Marina’s best friend, Diana, who has been battling cancer for the past few years. Every single person I know reading this can understand how much cancer fucking sucks… Whether it’s affecting our family, friends, ourselves, or ANYONE: it’s just the fucking worse. “This song is truly a growing process for me… sometimes it’s hard for me to sing it knowing that my best friend isn’t in the best place physically, and that can be numbing. But it’s also a joy to sing, because I get to honor my best friend… I wanted her to know that she’s never alone.”

To further honor Diana, all the money made from streams will be directly donated to her for her treatment. “I didn’t have any money to give her at the time and I couldn’t see her because of the COVID pandemic. I would pray, but I wanted to do something tangible to show how love and supported she was… so I got together with my friends in a house and we recorded this song to help with her treatment costs!”

I don’t even know where to begin with explaining how amazing that is. Literally every stream is going to an important cause, and that’s pretty darn beautiful.

Go listen and support the band and their new single, Diana, now on all streaming platforms. 😊

I miss the Backroom Rumors… Do you miss the Backroom Rumors too?? WHERE ARE THE BACKROOM RUMORS!?!?

*Rubber Band starts playing on my Spotify for the 109237173817th time*

Phew! I feel safe now. 😩

For real though, I miss those lil rascals. No joke, spent last summer trying to get Lily and Bo to drop out of school so they can just stay in town and be rockstars. However, they are a lot smarter and brighter than myself so that was quite a selfish request. Thank god they came back in December to play a string of shows… ONLY TO LEAVE US AGAIN. But rest assured, Lily promised me that something big was on the horizon that would alleviate the dark winter of a Backroom Rumor-less Houston. And then they dropped what would the ultimate chicken soup for our pains and suffering: Rubber Band.

I’ll be totally honest y’all… This song is the bee’s knees. The cat’s meow! The creme de la creme!!! If you have heard this mf’n banger of a tune then you get what I am saying! It’s musically catchy, it lyrically yanks at the heart, and it’s produced beautifully. I LOVE IT.

Regarding the lyrics, Queen Lillian Pesikoff explains, “While accompanied with some of the catchiest riffs and melodies that we have to offer, it’s a song I wrote about being in a relationship… It’s a song for people who want to do their best and be the best they can be for other people, but fear the repercussions of making a mistake and how those mistakes impact other people.” With themes of anxiety and reflections on a distorted self-image, combined with very upbeat instrumentals, the song works tremendously to not only pull in the listener, but make them connect with it head on as well. Honestly, it’s a magical thing to pull off in a song… and the Backroom Rumors have done it flawlessly.

“We are proud of our first born, and we hope y’all are too.”

Don’t worry BR, we are. ❤️

Truly cannot wait for what’s next. Enjoy Rubber Band now on all your favorite platforms. 😌

Bipolar Joyride: Hop On

EP – 3/10/23. Prod: Brian Baker / Sound Arts Studio

These fellas and this EP, they are some solid mf’n jams. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with Bipolar Joyride or their new EP yet… Well you better hop on! *kneeslap*

Kicking off with the funktastic Arrhythmia, the energy is already has you dancin’. However, the funkiness of the song has an hilariously ironic back story… “Logan [Drummer] and I [Cullen] cannot dance for our lives, and that’s kinda frustrating… because we live in a world of music. We can’t dance with our friends, we can’t dance with the girls we like, we just cannot dance! So we are those dudes in the corner just making jokes to each other.”

I have seen Cullen dance, and this rings true. But I promised him a free session at my next Jazzercise Class, so don’t worry.

The rest of the EP consists of the tracks Quincy, which deals with the loss of a childhood pet; and Head Out the Window deals with meeting the one and just forgetting about the mundane responsibilities of life, just to realize that maybe you fell for this girl because you just needed someone. Again, these topics are incredibly relatable to most that listen, and the music backs it up wonderfully.

“This EP was born out of the feeling that maybe we weren’t truly taken seriously in the scene at the moment. So we felt like these songs were a great introduction to who Bipolar Joyride is… We wanted to showcase that we have more than one specific sound.”

Well BPJ, I think y’all have one sound: THAT REAL DAMN GOOD MUSIC SOUND.

Be on the lookout for BPJ’s next move, which consists of some merch dropping, lots of new shows, a new addition to the band… and many more!

Go check out their new EP, Hop On, available on all those swell streaming platforms you youngsters might be using!

Orion 224: Everything Will Be Okay

Music Video – 3/3/23. Dir: Hanna Yeverino

No wonder the press dubs them, “Houston’s Hottest Boy Band” (Even though I believe they were only talking about Gavin). These dudes were made for the big screen, and it’s evident with their latest music for Everything Will Be Okay.

Garnering over 5,000 views in just under a month, I suppose everything will be a-okay for Orion 224! “I mean, we are just incredibly grateful for the amount of love and support we have received for the video… this song alone has been such a big turning point for the band, and we are incredibly thankful that everyone loves it as much as we do.”

The single was released back in August of 2022, but feels fresher than ever with every listen, especially live! If you haven’t checked them out live yet, YOU NEED TO. You never know… if you wait too long, you’re gonna be in the same situation those Swifties were in last year! These guys are going places, and they deserve every bit of it.

“March was a crazy month for us, but we have much more planned for this year so stay tuned for what’s next.”

Already got my alert notifications set, fellas. Enjoy Everything Will Be Okay now on all your favorite platforms AND check out their video here!

Honorable Mentions:

When I started working on this article, I was shocked at the amount of stuff that has been coming out (and how much work goes into covering all those bases). So I wanted to mention some other spectacular releases from March!

Vortxz – My Love (Single)

These guys have been making waves in the scene… They’ve been playing a bunch of shows and have some releases on the horizon. This song kicks total ass too. Can’t wait to circle back and cover more of their stuff!

Love You Love Bug – Dear Mom, Dear Dad (EP)

Another absolute banger of an EP. They also went on tour to promote it, which is a lot of freaking work. Keep your eyes peeled for these homies and go jam out to this!

In Closing…

I hope I didn’t miss anyone, but I probably did. No worries, homies! We are out here living and learning. 😊

In any case however, I have created a cute lil’ Google Form where you can submit your upcoming project to be featured! Pretty cool, pretty neat. It will be accessible from the button below, and also on the site’s homepage! So have at it you beautiful mf’ers.

Thank you to everyone for reading and PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE go support all of these wonderful artists!

Until next time, go kick some ass and keep rockin’ my friends.

Cheers, B. 🍻 #AlwaysHappyHour