Field Medic • simply obsessed • 2025

m_surrenderinstead

Kevin Patrick Sullivan takes a meta-narrative turn on his latest album, pondering career success in candid, if somewhat straightforward, folk songs. PF

The Cords • 2025

lnk.to/cords-goodbye

 

WHEN YOU SAY GOODBYE is a heart-rending pop song: it’s deeper, heavier and more immersive that the first two singles, but somehow it’s just as catchy. Grace and Eve Tedeschi may be young, but this is the sound of a band who are already totally accomplished at writing pop classics.

 Their first show was with The Vaselines, and since then they have played with Camera Obscura, Belle and Sebastian, BMX Bandits and others, while also sharing stages with the new generation of indiepop stars: the Umbrellas, Chime School, Lightheaded.

ifitbeyourwill S06E02 • Robert Forster

Ever wonder what keeps a songwriter creating fresh music after four decades? Robert Forster, the legendary co-founder of The Go-Betweens, takes us on a fascinating journey through his musical evolution—from meeting Grant McLennan at Queensland University to recording his latest solo album "Strawberries" with Swedish musicians.

The conversation unfolds like a masterclass in creative persistence. Forster reveals how The Ramones' debut album gave him the confidence to write his first songs, declaring "if they could do it, I could do it"—while artists like Bowie felt too intimidating with their virtuosic musicians. He candidly shares his struggle with the fundamental songwriter's dilemma: how to create something new when there are only so many chords. His solution involves constant experimentation—inverting chords, using capos, exploring different positions on the fretboard—and the patience to play for months until something genuinely fresh emerges.

Most surprisingly, Forster opens up about nearly abandoning music twice when faced with two-year creative droughts. What kept him going? Simply the joy of creation and, later in life, diversifying his creative outlets through music journalism and writing. This multifaceted approach actually revitalized his songwriting, removing the pressure and allowing new perspectives to emerge. The result is what he considers his most consistent body of solo work over the past decade.

"Strawberries," his latest album recorded with members of Peter Bjorn and John, represents this artistic renaissance. Forster speaks about it with rare satisfaction, suggesting he'd be content not to record for several years because "I don't know how I'm going to top that." Beyond music, he shares exciting news about completing his first novel, set for publication in Australia next year.

Want to witness the magic that happens when an Australian indie legend joins forces with Swedish pop sensibilities? Catch Robert Forster on his European tour this September-October, where he'll be performing with the same musicians who brought "Strawberries" to life.

direct download mp3

www.robertforster.net/Strawberries

The subtext, of course, is awful. Forster – like anyone who has watched parents die and loved ones suffer – knows that the worst is never over. However, Strawberries concludes that raging against the dying of the light is a mug’s game; the only sensible response to mortality and pain is to live (and love) harder. Some of the stylistic choices here may give regular listeners “the shits”, but Forster is quite possibly beyond worrying about what people think about him now. His debut novel is in the works; he is writing some of the best songs of his life. That delicious fruit won’t be fresh forever, enjoy the sweetness now. mojo

Field Medic • surrender instead • 2025

https://fieldmedic.net/

On “the journey to the center of nothing,” the closer of Field Medic’s eighth studio album, surrender instead, Kevin Patrick Sullivan starts singing about me. Not literally me—but when he gets to the line about “some journalist in Flatbush/Who’ll write the headline that’ll give you the push,” my instinct is to respond that the coffee shop where I’m drafting this review is technically in Crown Heights and that this probably isn’t the one he’s been waiting for. PF

Robert Forster • Stockholm 24: The Making of Strawberries • 2025

“Picture one of our greatest living singer-songwriters in a kitchen. He is on holidays, he’s just had a swim. His wife is out on the beach, and he finds himself faced with a bowl of irresistible strawberries. They’re meant to be shared, of course, but their taste is “out of the ordinary,” so he just can’t help himself. Minutes later all of the delicious fruit is gone, but there’s the germ of a song as the phrase “Someone ate all the strawberries” has popped into Robert Forster’s mind, sounding “so weird, but normal.” Thankfully, he has his guitar with him. tinni

ifitbeyourwill S06E01 • Oh, Rose

Olivia Rose of Oh, Rose opens Season 6 with a candid conversation about musical origins, creative evolution, and embracing life's next chapters. From her early days in Asheville, North Carolina, where her friend's mother taught her guitar at age twelve, to becoming the frontwoman of a respected indie band, Olivia's journey reveals the deep connections between personal experience and artistic expression.

Music flows naturally for Olivia, who recalls waking up as a child with songs already formed in her mind. "I will just start, a song will just come to my head, I can sing about anything that I'm doing at any given moment," she explains. This instinctive approach to songwriting has matured over time, as she translates personal moments into universal themes that resonate with listeners. Her process often begins with a thought or phrase that strikes her as particularly true, developing into fully-formed compositions that sometimes reveal their deeper meanings long after they're written.

The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Olivia, expecting her first child in September, reflects on how motherhood will influence her creative path. Rather than viewing this transition with trepidation, she approaches it with curiosity and openness. Drawing fascinating parallels between the chaos of touring life and the unpredictability of parenthood, she shares advice from a bandmate who recently became a father: "I think you're going to be surprised at how equipped you are for this and how much being in a band and this strange form of chaos that we have chosen over the years is actually going to come in handy."

Olivia's recently released EP "For Art" stands as both a creative milestone and a musical gift for her unborn child, who has been present for the creation of these songs. Though she plans to take a well-deserved break from performing, she assures us that her musical journey continues: "As long as I am writing and playing and recording music, O Rose will continue to exist and evolve." Her story reminds us that art, like life, thrives through transformation and growth.

https://www.ohrosemusic.com/

Exploring themes of long-term commitment and partnership—both in romantic and platonic relationships, as well as to artistic practice itself—the six tracks on 'For Art' navigate the complexities of closeness. Wading through feelings of disillusionment, the album is ultimately a hopeful work, one of recommitment and perseverance.

Tiberius • Felt • 2025

https://linktr.ee/Tiberius

Following the more frantic Emo Rock sounds of the "Sag" and "Felt" singles, the rustic warmth of "Moab" sees Tiberius embrace their Country and Folk influences, while still flirting with Pop melodies and an Indie Rock crunch. 

 

Tiberius was originally a solo outing for songwriter Brendan Wright (they/them), with the project growing to a four-piece band upon Wright's relocation to Boston. As demonstrated on "Moab," this expanded lineup produces a catchy and cacophonous sound that blends Indie Punk, Alt Country and Psychedelia with confessional, conversational lyrics.

 

Named after the city in the sprawling Colorado Plateau desert, "Moab" has long been a live favorite, and now offers our third preview of 'Troubadour,' a unique, genre-bending LP that's bursting with ideas and ambition. Alt Country-esque songs like "Moab" meet the Midwest Emo of "Sag," the meathead Shoegaze Rock of "Redwood," the Psych-ballad sound of "Barn," and the downtempo ache of October 10th's "Painting of a Tree" single.

Good Good Blood • Little Sparrow • 2025

Written in the throws of grief, "Little Sparrow" is an album of questions, of wondering, of wanting, of asking “will we make it through?”

A line in the sand, leaving behind a monolith of pain and sadness, this record charts a journey from shock and disbelief through to acceptance and, although uncertain, hope for the future.

Featuring re-worked versions of previously released 'Flowers Bloom' and 'Forever Scars', each song was initially recorded at home, sparse arrangements of just acoustic guitar and vocals.

After encouragement from family and friends to flesh out these embryonic versions, an opportunity arose to work on the songs with Paul Brown in his West Yorkshire studio.

Paul's ear, knowledge and expertise proved invaluable in fleshing out the songs, bringing a fuller, more vibrant sound to the production. Taking them from solitude and isolation into a blossoming world of shared experience, hope, love and joy.

Case Oats • Bitter Root Lake • 2025

Website

The debut album by Case Oats is a remarkably assured record, the band—Spencer Tweedy (drums), Max Subar (guitar, pedal steel), Jason Ashworth (bass), Scott Daniel (fiddle), and Nolan Chin (piano, organ)—gelling around Casey Gomez Walker’s voice and guitar. Last Missouri Exit is a collection of sharply drawn character studies, Gomez Walker’s background in creative writing expressing itself in wry observation and a disarmingly easy sense of the lyric, the profound and profane tumbling out of songs like “Bitter Root Lake” with the weight of a confessional poem and the ease of a conversation between friends.

The Boojums • Wings of Fire • 2025

Formed in late 2024 and known for uploading fuzzed-out live VHS tapes to Reddit, Instagram and YouTube, The Boojums have quickly built a reputation for their refreshingly raw and unfiltered sound—equal parts nostalgic and forward-looking. Recorded live off the floor, their debut album channels themes of small-town escape, personal reckoning, and full-throttle freedom.

“‘Wings of Fire’ is about chasing something bigger before it disappears in the rearview,” says guitarist and vocalist Willie Stratton. “It’s that feeling when you’re flying down the highway—gold on your engine, nothing but dreams in the tank, and someone you love in the passenger seat.”

Oh, Rose • For Art • 2025

Exploring themes of long-term commitment and partnership—both in romantic and platonic relationships, as well as to artistic practice itself—the six tracks on 'For Art' navigate the complexities of closeness. Wading through feelings of disillusionment, the album is ultimately a hopeful work, one of recommitment and perseverance.

Cuddle Magic • Hundred Million • 2025

Underwater by Cuddle Magic

In an intimate recording studio in Los Angeles, I sit in a packed room as Cuddle Magic plays their new songs for a willing crowd, the band clustered in the center of the room, puzzle piecing together, pump organ into bass clarinet, tiny synthesizer resting on organ, a single drum. Kristin Slipp sings. Ben Lazar Davis sings. Alec Spiegelman sings. Christopher MacDonald sings. Dave Flaherty sings. Beautifully. You're never sure what sound is going to come from who, the bass clarinet plays what a bass guitar would normally play, the pump organ drones what might normally be a string quartet, a willing suspension of disbelief dominoes throughout the room. Soon enough, the notion of "normal" is in the rearview, and we're quicksand in the hourglass of the band, chasing them from song to song, feeling to feeling, willing participants in Cuddle Magic's worldbuilding.

RYAN DAVIS & the Roadhouse Band • "New Threats from the Soul” • 2025

https://techniquestreet.com/

The record functions in parallel with Kafka’s winking dictum that there is an infinite amount of hope in the universe, just not for us. New Threats… suggests that maybe, just maybe, something like redemption is possible, but only once we’re entirely emptied out and hawked in toto down at Walden Pawn. toughlove

Flatwaves • Tell Me Secrets • 2025

Philadelphia’s Flatwaves is back with its unique amalgam of ’90s shoegaze haze, which is mixed with the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll, and the psychedelic swirl of fuzzed-out garage rock. The band’s latest, delivers searing guitars and a driving rhythm section, which is sure to leave the listener with impressions of scorched earth and Lynch-ian dream sequences.

https://flatwavesband.com/

ifitbeyourwill S05E27 Finale • Matt Gallaway

Matt Gallaway’s creative journey unfolds like a carefully crafted album—each chapter a different sound or mood, yet all tied together by a thread of honest self-expression. From basement jam sessions in Brooklyn to publishing acclaimed novels, Matt’s story is a powerful reminder of how art can shape, and be shaped by, personal transformation.

In our conversation, Matt shares how Saturnine came together almost by accident. He had moved to New York, supposedly for law school, but really to chase the city’s music scene. He lucked into a Brooklyn apartment with a basement perfect for band rehearsals, and soon after, Saturnine was born. They’d go on to record a handful of under-the-radar but beloved indie albums. Matt still lights up when talking about their first show at Brownies, booked by the legendary Karen Edlitz, and an unforgettable rooftop gig on a sweltering July 4th in Chinatown.

What really sets Matt’s story apart is how deeply intertwined his art is with his personal life. Listening back to Saturnine’s albums—especially Mid the Green Fields—he can now hear the hidden struggle he was going through. “I listen to that record and I’m just like, ‘this is about wanting to kill myself,’” he says, half-laughing, half-sighing. It’s raw, but honest—and a reflection of what it meant to grow up gay in a time when role models were few and far between.

Matt didn’t leave music behind; he just found a new way to tell his story. Writing novels like The Metropolis Case and #gods let him explore identity and emotion in a more direct way. “A song takes me a few weeks,” he says. “A novel takes years.” But both are cut from the same creative cloth.

Now, with his latest project Death Culture at Sea, Matt is circling back to songwriting—this time with a broader view and a deeper well to draw from. Last summer, he teamed up with former bandmate Mike D’Onofrio and Matt Kadane of Bedhead/The New Year for recording sessions in Vermont, and there’s more music to come.

Want to hear what this journey sounds like? Head to Matt's blog for a playlist of his latest work with Death Culture at Sea.

 

DL MP3

“Matthew Gallaway’s storytelling manages to be both dreamy and serious; lean and luxurious. His words carry an incantatory power of mythic storytelling where beauty and savagery wrap around each other like bright threads in a gorgeous tapestry.” —Natasha Vargas-Cooper, author of Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America

Spoils System • Hall of Forgotten Names • 2025

The New York band Spoils System was formed in 2021 by Dan Coutant (vocals, guitar, keys), Sean Hansen (guitar, background vocals), David Fateman (bass) and Mark Frankel (drums). Notably, Dan and Sean have roots in the indie/emo outfit Joshua (Doghouse Records) in the early 2000’s. Tours included The Get Up Kids, At the Drive-In, The Stereo, Jets To Brazil, Shift and many more

ifitbeyourwill S05E25 • SHOPFIRES

What happens when a musician rediscovers their creativity after a 15-year hiatus? Neil Hill's journey with his project SHOPFIRES answers this question with a soul-stirring blend of reverb-drenched melodies and DIY ethos.

Unlike many musicians, Neil grew up in a home devoid of musical influence. No parental record collections, no instruments lying around—just the chance encounters with music through television and radio that would eventually shape his artistic sensibilities. The turning point came through John Peel's legendary radio sessions, introducing him to post-punk and experimental sounds that resonated deeply with his emerging musical identity.

After early musical explorations followed by a lengthy break, Neil returned to creating music with a beautifully minimalist approach. Armed with nothing but "a cheap laptop and the same acoustic guitar from the 80s," he began crafting the intricate, layered soundscapes that define SHOPFIRES. What makes his music truly remarkable is how he creates rich, complex arrangements using just one inexpensive Hohner guitar purchased decades ago for £25.

The result is a sound both nostalgic and fresh—interweaving melodic lines that dance around each other, created through his distinctive technique of recording multiple guitar parts and drenching them in reverb and delay. His latest album "We Are Not There, But We Are Here" represents an evolution toward more mature, cohesive songwriting while maintaining the dreamy atmosphere fans have come to love.

Beyond SHOPFIRES, Neil maintains another project called NEUCLOUDS, his self-described "vacation band" where he challenges himself to write songs under two minutes. This parallel creative outlet showcases his versatility and commitment to exploring different facets of his musical expression.

Listen now to discover how limitations can spark creativity and how sometimes the most beautiful sounds come from the simplest tools. Share your thoughts with us about Neil's unique approach to making music and what inspires your own creative endeavors! 

Some albums are made to dazzle. Others, like "We Are Not There But We Are Here", seem to simply exist quietly, honestly, and deeply, as if they’ve always been with you. Shopfires, the recording project of British songwriter Neil Hill, returns with a collection that’s both delicate and self-assured, weaving stories of memory, youth, distance and affection through the hazy light of jangly guitars and softly whispered melodies.

ifitbeyourwill S05E24 • M Ross Perkins

What happens when toxic furnace fumes accidentally become part of your album's creative process? M Ross Perkins shares this surreal discovery and much more as we delve into his methodical approach to DIY music production.

Growing up with a baseball bat as his imaginary guitar and the crushing disappointment of a shattered Chipmunks record, Perkins' musical journey reflects his systematic yet deeply thoughtful approach to song craft. He reveals how his latest album "What's The Matter M Ross?" came together under bizarre circumstances - with furnace exhaust pumping directly above his writing desk for months. When finally fixed, his bandmates reported sudden clarity during rehearsals, a strange twist that perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of artistic creation.

Perkins takes us behind the curtain of his unique production method, where he records all drum tracks across an entire album before moving to bass, then guitars, and finally vocals. This approach allows him to maintain consistency while maximizing efficiency in his small studio space. He demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship in how he handles tempo, watching a BPM counter while playing claves to allow natural fluctuations within a controlled range - creating recordings that breathe with human authenticity.

Beyond technical insights, our conversation explores deeper philosophical territory. Perkins eloquently dismantles the myth of complete originality in music, comparing it to claiming sole credit for your car while ignoring thousands of workers and generations of innovation behind it. This perspective frames his approach as a "lifelong learner" of his craft, constantly refining his systematic techniques while remaining open to new influences and ideas.

Whether you're a musician looking to improve your own DIY production or simply fascinated by the creative process, Perkins' insights offer a masterclass in thoughtful music creation. Listen now to discover how one artist balances methodical precision with creative spontaneity - even when toxic fumes are accidentally part of the equation.

https://www.mrossperkins.com/

But what about the music? Within 20 seconds of the album’s lead track ‘Hey Man/Hey Self’, you’ll be imagining yourself threading daisies through your hair and flapping Kate-Bush-Wuthering-Heights-style in a gossamer dress on your way to the festival. It would be incredibly lazy to describe the track as ‘Paul McCartney fronting The Byrds’, but it would also be absolutely accurate. GIITV

ifitbeyourwill S05E23 • Pale Blue Eyes

Ever wondered how a great band finds its voice? Sheffield's dream pop trio Pale Blue Eyes offers a fascinating glimpse into the alchemy of friendship, creativity, and musical evolution that shapes extraordinary music.

Fresh off their spring UK tour, Matt and Lucy describe how their most recent performances felt like "one big party" with their best mates, culminating in their biggest London show to date at Islington Assembly Hall. This camaraderie extends beyond the stage; it's the foundation of their creative process.

Their origin story reads like indie music serendipity—a photographer named Aubrey, originally there just to document a studio session, stepped in when a bassist didn't show up. Despite never hearing the songs before, he immediately connected with the material. Six months of rehearsals without gigs or even a band name followed, until they had unwittingly created an album's worth of material right before lockdown hit.

The pandemic, while devastating for live music, became an unexpected catalyst. Their first single "went nuts on Bandcamp," offering what Lucy calls "a beacon" during difficult times. Three albums later, their approach to songwriting continues to evolve deliberately. Matt collects phrases, experiences, and observations in notebooks that later become songs, while the band consciously experiments with different creative approaches to avoid falling into patterns.

What makes Pale Blue Eyes special is their ego-free collaboration. Where many bands falter when "someone thinks that they're it," this trio thrives on their differences. Lucy and Matt bonded over shared loves like Broken Social Scene, while Aubrey brings entirely different influences from disco, soul, and jazz backgrounds. This fusion creates their distinctive dream pop sound that blends shoegaze and synth elements into something uniquely captivating.

Listen in as we explore how three friends from Sheffield crafted one of the UK's most exciting musical projects, and discover why their latest album "New Place" feels like their most honest work yet. Are you ready to discover your new favourite band? 

https://www.paleblueeyes.co.uk/

The third album from Pale Blue Eyes is called New Place – invocation of fresh horizons; swapping creamy Devon for the synth central of Sheffield. The album arrives on the back of extensive and emotional transit. For PBE, 2024 started with a wonderful tour of 12 European countries with Slowdive. Over 12,000 kilometres. Snow and deep cold in Norway and Poland. Drought-stricken landscapes in France and Spain. On and on, joyously so. The year’s end brought more movement for the married couple at the core of Pale Blue Eyes, singer and guitarist Matt Board and drummer and synth queen Lucy Board. Sadly, family tragedy catalysed a move from South Devon to South Yorkshire. 

Lammping feat. Bloodshot Bill • Never Never • 2025

Toronto’s shape-shifting psych project LAMMPING will release Never Never - the first in a four-part album series - on June 27 via We Are Busy Bodies. Lammping started as a heavy psych band, but things shifted when producer Mikhail Galkin returned to the kind of hip-hop production he was doing in his teens. Remixing records for Badge Époque Ensemble and Uh Huh under the Lammping name cracked the project wide open-what began as a one-off stylistic swerve became a long-term permission to make anything, in any genre. Now, whether it’s boom-bap, fuzzed-out folk, beat tape interludes, or full psych freakouts, it all fits. This upcoming cycle is their most ambitious yet: four LPs released over 12-18 months, each one exploring a different corner of their increasingly unpredictable universe.