Posts from the ‘Local Limelight’ category

Rough blue sketch of a city scape. An airplane is in the sky of the image. Small red hearts are coming up from the bottom of the frame. Black, stylized text in the frame reads, "Gillian"

Gillian just wants everyone to help “Put It Back Together”

It’s been nearly seven years since the last time this space had an opportunity to sing the praises of Brooklyn, NY band Gillian. Those familiar…

Abstract imagery of a person's head; the top and bottom half of the head is split apart horizontally. Random objects like tack hurdles, mirrors, a ladybug, a sneaker, and a cup and string phone, are float out from between the split head. The background color is a blend of pinks, blues, orange, yellow, and white. Stylized text on the top of the frame reads, "Rainbow heartache"

Rainbow Heartache: Megawave’s musically colorful debut album

Every band is different, as are the stories of their respective journeys. All the same, there are some groups for whom it’s easier to see…

Illustrated image of a foggy evergreen forest within a circle. The area around the circle is solid black

Saddle up for a seasonal song and story with Side Saddle

When the end of the year approaches, there are usually three routes musicians take with new music releases. Some embrace making recordings that feature the…

The Met’s “Eurydice” and the impact of storytelling devices

Though Matthew Aucoin’s musical reshaping of the opera Eurydice (YOO-RIH-DUH-SEE) has been running at the Metropolitan Opera since 23 November, a few weeks passing and several performances…

Black and white photo of a World War II era plane, descending over a town that looks to be likely based in Europe.

Pete Mancini singles out some special stories with two new songs

In today’s music landscape, especially with artists facing a need to recover some ground from what they lost during the height of lockdown and loss…

Multi-colored, abstract artwork; a nebulously shaped design within a rectangle, which is in the center of a light, off-white background

John Thayer and the wondrous worldliness of “Akaku” (Premiere Play)

Pieces of music are like short stories. Whether a song has words or is purely instrumental, it conveys either a set of feelings, thoughts, or…

Abstract design depicting two skeletons riding in a rollercoaster car down a track. The background is an overlaid pattern of black typeface

“You Must Be This Tall To Die” and ride Action Park’s emotionally turbulent debut

The newest addition to the global punk canon, You Must Be This Tall To Die, the debut full-length from emo pop-punk band Action Park, fits right in…

Black background with New York City skyline in the background; cartoonish water in the foreground. A giant moon sits in the water and a hand holding some champagne in a glass is on the left in th foreground of the picture. Text at the top in stylized gold reads: "Jukebox the Ghost, Cheers"

“Cheers” to Jukebox the Ghost and their supportive new single

If there’s one thing that’s intrinsically associated with pop music, it’s catchiness – followed closely by choruses. Songs written in the style aren’t always the…

Hold a place in your next playlist for Title Holder’s debut single “Animal”

Albert Einstein said, “Genius is 1% talent, 99% hard work.” Though a man with a legacy firmly rooted in science and mathematics, Einstein’s sentiment could…

Cover art for Tin Can Collective Album, "Axiomatic Alarm Clock" Illustrated line design overlaid on a light green to rose pink solid color fade background

Don’t press snooze on Tin Can Collective’s “Axiomatic Alarm Clock”

There’s something about the particular way in which Long Island, NY quintet, Tin Can Collective, repeatedly leaves listeners stylistically stumped and-or cramming multiple musical labels under…