HUM

RECORD: You’d Prefer An Astronaut

RELEASED: 12|08|2023

LABEL: Earth Analog Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Green Translucent , 2LP, 45rpm

FAVORITE TRACKS: Stars, Suicide Machine, Why I Like The Robins, I Hate It Too

PURCHASED: Underdog Recordstore

BAND DISCOVERED
The first time I discovered HUM was probably around 1995 during their original release of You’d Be An Astronaut and their presence at several MTV shows, mostly at 120 Minutes. The song Stars is, up to today, a hit. Until now, I had never owned a physical release. After an album hiatus of over 20 years, HUM released in 2020 the album Inlet, which catapulted the band back on my map.

BESIDES THAT
Because they aired at night, I recorded some MTV shows on VHS, like 120 Minutes or Headbangers Ball. Since I was still going to school, it was often impossible to fit into my daily schedule. Next day, I rewatched the videos, hooked up the video recorder to my tape deck, and made some mixtapes for my Walkman. HUM was one of the bands which I copied over.

GLEEMER

RECORD: End Of The Nail

RELEASED: 12|06|2024

LABEL: Other People Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Black/Burgundy Marble, Limited to 500

FAVORITE TRACKS: Half Smile, The Body’s Worth, Sinking Feeling, My Way Down

PURCHASED: JPC

BAND/ARTIST DISCOVERED
Many years ago, approx. 2015 or 2016 during their first record at various then existing independent blogs – maybe Pitchfork. I think I jumped on the train after hearing the song Soothe Me in 2017.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
heartfelt | empathetic | melancholy | clear | driving

BESIDES THAT
Saw the band at Outbreak Festival 2025 and it gave me goosebumps after all these years. Hopefully they will come back to Europe.

SATURDAYS AT YOUR PLACE

RECORD: Something Worth Celebrating

RELEASED: 10|30|2021

LABEL: Self Released

COLOUR | EDITION: White, 45 RPM, Limited to 350

FAVORITE TRACKS: Mood Swings, Coffee Cups, Desk Van, Getting Better

PURCHASED: Saturdays At Your Place Official Webstore

BAND DISCOVERED
I think I noticed this band first in 2023 at the Small Albums website, when they published a short posting about their then latest single Pourover. Small Albums was a well preferred music blog, that closed at the end of January 2025. I never stopped listen to Saturdays At Your Place after discovering them. Such a fun band.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
bittersweet | let go | carefree | on point | sense of humor

BESIDES THAT
So glad that I saw this band live during my USA vacation in 2024 in Seattle.

DEAFDEAFDEAF

SINGLE
Milsbeek

digital RELEASED
03|07|2025

STREAM

BAND DISCOVERED
I watched the livestream of their gig at the digital Eurosonic 2021 where the band performed in a basement (probably in Manchester) and I was very impressed by the performance itself and the songs. I bought the single Nothingness on vinyl immediately on its release date and got a nice note from the band on the cover of the 7inch. I followed them over the past years and was glad they came Europe mainland in April 2025. The gig in Liege, Belgium was a highlight.

KILLER SONG MOMENTS
0:02min – the ongoing guitar theme

2:14min – refrain part til the end, with a nice post-punk/shoegaze touch in the background

FAVORITE LYRICS LINE
„Keep hope for a fresh life, hoping something’s new, a new thing to cling to“

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
introspective | groovy | raw | haunting | melancholy

BESIDES THAT
That band could be huge some day, hopefully.

PARK NATIONAL

RECORD: You Have To Keep Searching

RELEASED: 02|05|2025

LABEL: Brain Synthesizer

COLOUR | EDITION: Jade Green Eco-Blend, Limited to 250

FAVORITE TRACKS: Lake Mich., Old Wounds, Distance, Fallback, Let ‚Em Live, 21

PURCHASED: Devil Dog Distro

STREAM: Bandcamp | Spotify

BAND DISCOVERED
I occasionally place orders from this UK store since learning about Devil Dog Distribution through a connection with Best Life Records. They got some really cool Devil Dog exclusives, and Joe, who runs the business by himself, is a cool person. So Devil Dog’s suggestions are usually good ones for finding great new music. And so it was with Park National. Liam Fagan, who is the one behind Park National, was unknown to me, and I’m glad that now I have the chance to get to know him and his music better and better. Smart emotional rock music, some classic, some groovy, and always a touch of melancholy.

WISH
Hope to see Park National at some time in Europe.

HELMET

RECORD: Betty

RELEASED: 06|01|2024

LABEL: Interscope Records

COLOUR | EDITION: Gray, Interscope Vinyl Collective Edition – 30th anniversary vinyl release, 2LP with Derek Hess illustration etched side D, Limited to 3.000 units

FAVORITE TRACKS: Wilma’s Rainbow, Biscuits For Smut, Milquetoast, Tic, Vaccination, Speechless, Overrated

PURCHASED: Interscope Vinyl Shop

STREAM: Spotify

BAND DISCOVERED
It was in the summer of 1992 when I was 15. We hung out in a friend’s room and were listening to various bands when somebody put a disc into the player, which was unknown to me. I was still in my „getting to know all of these grunge and noise bands-time“. Most of the 1980s I was listening to pop and mainstream sounds. The northwest rock explosion and MTV shows like 120 Minutes, Headbanger’s Ball or Alternative Nation converted me into a more focused and introverted listener. My friend played us Helmet’s Meantime, which was their second album and first big deal. Songs like In The Meantime, Unsung, You Borrowed or FBLA II were kicking instantly. And when Betty, their third record, arrived in 1994, Helmet played an immense role regardless of the party or mixtape. Therefore, the release of this reissue thirty years after I first learned about noise rock was a unique purchase for me. What a record.

NIHILISTIC EASYRIDER

LP
Deluxe Edition

RELEASED
07|25|2025

FAVORTIE TRACKS
Weekend Fever, Well Kept Secret, Everything Is So Fucked Up

STREAM
BandcampSpotify

BAND DISCOVERED
It was a Run For Cover announcement through their social media platforms when I took notice of Nihilistic Easyrider – not so long ago in May 2025. Some days or weeks later I recognized that Nihilistic Easyrider is a sideproject of Narrow Head frontguy Jacob Duarte. I’ve never paid much attention to Narrow Head to be honest. My playlists featured a few singles, but they quickly vanished. However, this project has a very relaxed, laid-back, and enjoyable vibe. It reminds of bands and artists like Disheveled Cuss, Chastity or Phony.

CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
easy listening | entertaining | alternative | laid-back

BESIDES THAT
I might be checking out a local record store to buy this one on vinyl.

AVERY FRIEDMAN

RECORD: New Thing

RELEASED: 04|18|2025

LABEL: Audio Antihero | Softseed Music

COLOUR | EDITION: Clear Sky Blue, Limited Edition

FAVORITE TRACKS: New Thing, Flowers Fell, Photo Booth, Biking Standing, Nervous 

PURCHASED: Bandcamp

ARTIST DISCOVERED
I cannot remember exactly where I became a fan. This spring of 2025, it was a mix of reposts and mentions by various individuals and publications. The Line Of Best Fit posted an interview, mp3hugger featured the song Photo Booth, and musician Richard Orofino as well as former Z-Tapes and now Start Track owner Filip Zemcik posted something about Avery Friedman on Instagram. My emotions and nerves were being directly affected by the songs on New Thing. And as Avery announced the vinyl edition for New Thing, I decided to buy the record, even though the shipping costs and customs fees made it hard. Through social media I got in contact with her digital label, Audio Antihero, and Avery herself. This record will always be something special.

WISH
Seeing the songs live in Europe.