TRADER
BAND DISCOVERED
I discovered Trader when my friend Steffen wrote about the band in his weekly newsletter My True Intent Is All For Your Delight back in 2022. Their second album Their Best Work So Far immediately caught my attention — simple, solid ’90s-style rock from Denmark. Now Trader have put new songs online, and a new EP titled Hoodie is on the way, set for release in May.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
90s | timeless rock-driven | unpretentious
BESIDES THAT
The song Please was probably the one I played the loudest in 2022.
WISH
I’m still waiting to experience them live.
OFFICE DOG
BAND DISCOVERED
With their debut album Spiel from 2024, the New Zealand band Office Dog quickly became a hot topic almost everywhere. Tracks like Antidot and Big Air, along with outstanding songs such as Shade, Warmer, In The Red, and The Crater, were in heavy rotation for me throughout 2024.
In October 2024, I caught Office Dog live as the opening act for Nada Surf at the The Crocodile in Seattle. I was genuinely impressed. Following an interim EP, a new track is now out. A full album is on the way, along with their very first European tour.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The song carries a beautiful ’90s drive and strongly evokes everything that was once labeled Independent back then. I especially like the minor-key shift at the end of the chorus—it works really well.
BESIDES THAT
At Plattenstreit & Bier, the album Spiel was introduced by myself back then. It’s where I meet up with friends and we share new music as well as old gems with each other.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
post-punk | melancholic | introspective
AVERY TUCKER
ARTIST DISCOVERED
I’ve been following Avery Tucker’s music-output since the early Girlpool records. The duo split up a few years ago. Last year, Avery released a handful of solo songs for the first time, followed by a wonderful album titled Paws. The record feels fragile, heartwarming, and deeply meaningful—yet at the same time, it carries a sense of anger and a striking, powerful intensity. Through Diggers Factory, the vinyl was available for pre-order, which I immediately placed after hearing the first notes of Like I’m Young, Malibu, and Big Drops. Today, I received the news that the vinyl production via Diggers Factory will not be happening after all. For me, that’s the moment to finally write about the digital release instead. Let’s hope there will be another solution for a vinyl pressing. What a truly great record.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
Like I’m Young – when thesong erupts around the 2:30 mark, it hits with a massive emotional force. I wouldn’t say I fully understand Avery, but what he’s going through (or have gone through) is portrayed with striking intimacy right from the very first track.
Big Drops – the final minute from around 3:40 is just incredible. An overwhelmingly catchy chorus, with the song already being carried by that melody long before it fully unfolds.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
emotional | indie pop | raw | intimate
WISH
Hopefully, the vinyl release will still work out somehow.
CITY LIGHT THIEF
TRACK
Fevers Key
DIGITAL RELEASED
03|05|2026
FROM UPCOMING EP
Greetings From Fevers Key
STREAM
Spotify
BAND DISCOVERED
City Light Thief are back after a few quiet years — and, as always, with plenty of care and thoughtfully crafted music. Around fifteen or sixteen years ago, back when I thought I could write proper music reviews, their debut album, Laviin, landed on my desk. Since then it’s simply been love, and I’m always happy when the band gets back together and releases something born out of their passion for music. Fevers Key turned out great. Their new EP Greetings From Fevers Key will be released on March 20. Vinyl will be shipped in early May.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
The intro reminds me of a Christopher Nolan / Stranger Things mix. A pure moment of bliss.
When the song cuts at 2:36, the bridge is shouted out, and then at 2:56 it shifts into a harmonically powerful ending.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
Soundless, I travel / no head turns to mark my passing
…
Velocity, Velocity this isn’t me / No one ever is.
BESIDES THAT
City Light Thief will play at Gebäude 9 in Cologne on March 21.
STIRR
BAND DISCOVERED
After spending some time digging through new musical inspirations, letting music play in the background while doing other things, the algorithm of a streaming service eventually brought the band Stirr into my feed. Their song Broken Armsimmediately caught my attention. Hailing from Sydney, Stirr craft a captivating brand of post-punk that floats along at first, slowly building tension while remaining surprisingly rich in detail despite its monotony. Broken Arm steadily moves toward a blistering climax, creating something immersive and quietly disarming. A first EP is expected to be released later this year. For now, five singles are already available online and ready to stream.
KILLER SONG MOMENTS
That moment when you realize there’s a saxophone playing guitar parts.
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
immersive | minimalist | melancholic | post-punk driven
DEAD CALM
ARTIST DISCOVERED
Dead Calm is another project by Irish musician Liam McCay, who has also reached impressive streaming numbers under the names sign crushes motorist and Take Care. I came across Dead Calm’s now second record simply through an Instagram post on his main channel. Acoustic, ethereal slowcore and lo-fi folk — raw and unpolished. In parts, it reminds me of St. Thomas.
FAVORITE LYRIC LINE
Can you love me now / When you finally see me fully stripped down – from Grow
I’m a man made of fear – from Turn Around
CHARACTERISTICS THAT APPLY
choral | lo-fi | acoustic
