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.
CHLOE FOY
RECORD: Complete Fool
RELEASED: 06|06|2025
LABEL: Self Released
COLOUR | EDITION: Black, First Pressing
FAVORITE TRACKS: Accidents, I Tried So Hard To Disappear, Elephant In The Room, Animals
PURCHASED: Artist Bandcamp
BAND/ARTIST DISCOVERED
Chloe Foy and her musical partner Harry Fausing Smith were live musicians with William And The Conquerer in the song The Puppet And The Puppeteer. I fell in love immediately after listening to her own songs from the debut record Where Shall We Begin and her beautiful cover of one of my all-time favorites, Just Like Heaven.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
heartfelt | introverted | empathetic | melancholy
WISH
Seeing Chloe Foy live at Orange Blossom Special Festival one day
FORTITUDE VALLEY
BAND DISCOVERED
I discovered the band via Various Small Flames. A great musicblog with lots of different and alternative genres. It’s always worth a visit.
KILLER SONG MOMENT
This song is a purely alternative, nostalgic trip between bands like Belly, Camera Obscura or Best Coast. The groove and the melancholy harmony are simply wonderful.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
Why are you hiding? / Feel like I’m failing every test / Whatever happened to make you so impervious? / If I poured my heart out / Would you try to fill that space? / Or leave me empty? / Broken and empty?
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
melancholy | introverted | catchy | playful
SLAUGHTERHOUSE
BAND DISCOVERED
Every once in a while I save IG posts about music content. This time it was a reminder to read some music advice from Punknews.org’s music editor, Em Moore. Upon clicking and listening to a variety of new bands and artists, I stumbled upon the review of the Sick And Tired EP by the Californian band Slaughterhouse. After some more listens and watching a few videos, I’m really enjoying what the band‘ output is. The EP has been ordered, and the songs will be on my playlists from now on.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
raw | rebellious | fast | directly | punky
THE BUDDYREVELLES
EP
The Concession
DIGITAL RELEASED
04|25|2025
FAVORITE TRACKS
Peabo, Charlie’s Theme, Crooked From The Rain
BAND DISCOVERED
Approx. 2007 when Stereogram premiered the song I Dream Of Rodney from the record Don’t Quit, which is still on my vinyl bucketlist (and it will be forever on that list, cause it was never released on vinyl).
KILLER MOMENTS
The Buddyrevelles have such a nice quirky alternative sound, so unpopular and deviating from the norm – somewhere between Pavement and Pinback.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
introverted | melancholy | creative | reflective
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.
I CAN MAKE A MESS
RECORD: I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business
RELEASED: 04|25|2025
LABEL: Drive-Thru Records
COLOUR | EDITION: Tri-Colour, Pink, Green & Blue Vinyl, 2x LP (US-Import)
FAVORITE TRACKS: So I Finally Decided To Give Myself A Reason, Timshel, The Best Happiness Money Can Buy, An Oak Tree Stand Besides A Linden, Salvy
PURCHASED: Devil Dog Distro
BAND DISCOVERED
This was too long ago. The internet was just open to the public, but no one thought about music websites, blogs, social media, etc. I guess it was the German print magazine Visions with a story or a review for Ace Enders‘ (The Early November) debut solo record under the moniker I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business, which turned a few years later just into I Can Make A Mess. That CD was played on heavy rotation. And many songs went on mixtapes and burned CDs. In April 2025, this record was released for the first time on vinyl. I didn’t hesitate a second and bought this one at Devil Dog Distro.
GLARE
RECORD: Sunset Funeral
RELEASED: 04|04|2025
LABEL: Sunday Drive Records | Deathwish Inc.
COLOUR | EDITION: Funeral Haze, Indie-Store-Exclusive, limited to 700
FAVORITE TRACKS: Morning Glaze, Saudade, Nü Burn, Guts, Sungrave
PURCHASED: Deathwish Inc. Europe
BAND DISCOVERED
Early on, Deathwish Records promoted Glare throughout their social media channels. And if Deathwish tells you to listen to something, you have to do it at least once. Morning Glaze and Guts were the first singles from their first album, Sunset Funeral, I guess. Enough for me to follow their future output. My heart and soul are touched by the blend of post-punk, alternative, and shoegaze.
BESIDES THAT
I kinda felt it is time to write about Glare, because this band is on tour in a few weeks in Europe. So, I can’t wait to see them live.
