AUDIO: Buena Cara – “Buena Cara”
It’s officially Midwest emo season, and Buena Cara are ready in full force with their self-titled album that came out at the beginning of the month.
Read moreCategory Archives: Ben Slowey
In The Crates: Greyhound
On this edition of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Greyhound, who has made a name for himself DJing throughout the city.
Read moreIn The Crates: DJ Megadon
You can catch Megadon spinning regularly on Fridays at Boone and Crockett, but he’s also in the mix everywhere from Cactus Club to Quarters and beyond.
Read moreIn The Crates: Wendy Norton
On this episode of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Asher Gray to discuss how he got his start, what ultimately led him on his journey to become a DJ, and the experience of playing out live.
Read moreIn The Crates: Asher Gray
On this episode of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Asher Gray to discuss how he got his start, what ultimately led him on his journey to become a DJ, and the experience of playing out live.
Read moreIn The Crates: DJ Nic Stokes
Ben Slowey sits down with DJ Nic Stokes, who has multiple residencies in Milwaukee, including as an official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks and UWM men’s basketball.
Read moreREVIEW: Chelsea Wolfe at Vic Theatre
Chelsea Wolfe arrived at Vic Theatre in Chicago on Tuesday night as part of her current tour supporting her seventh studio album “She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She.” It was her first performance in Chicago since 2019. Opening for Wolfe was Divide and Dissolve. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Divide and Dissolve formed with Takiaya Reed on guitar
Read moreIn The Crates: Dee J Zae
Ben Slowey sits down with Dee J Zae to talk about the foundations of becomng a DJ, getting started, and the scene in Milwaukee.
Read moreIn The Crates: HomeRecker
The two talk about his recent experience, DJing on cruise ships for the past several months, and what he’s up to now that he’s back in Milwaukee for a little bit.
Read moreIn The Crates: Lisza Battikha aka Sheikha
In the first installment of In The Crates, Ben Slowey talks with Lisza Battikha aka DJ aka Sheikha about her background in music and ultimately her decision to pursue DJing.
Read moreAUDIO: Destinee Lynn – “Being a Girl”
Hip hop artist Destinee Lynn’s latest single touches on the hardships of being a single mother. She brings her signature direct, straight-talking delivery to confront the deadbeats as she channels the emotional bruises that come with abandonment and doing this parent shit herself. Destinee Lynn is never afraid to be honest while letting it be known that she walks the
Read moreAUDIO: HymnWho – “Black Rock”
HymnWho has been moving quick with new music over the years; he’s already got a new single out to follow up May’s EP “Life Moves Fast…”. This tune thumps with a racing heartbeat and hazy sonic atmosphere, finding HymnWho navigating rapidly changing surroundings and foggy perceptions in a stylistic fusion of hyper-pop chaos, shimmering synths and auto-tuned vocals. HymnWho has
Read moreAUDIO: D.B. Rouse – “Today is Gonna Be a Good Day”
Singer-songwriter D.B. Rouse released a new EP. There’s four songs here of stripped-down, lighthearted fun. The title track kicks things off; Rouse tells the story of waking up and being grateful for another day, whether or not the sun shines or it rains. Then he treats us to tales about kitchen appliances talking to one another, beetles frolicking in dirt
Read moreARTIST SPOTLIGHTS: Cleopatra Hoze, *aya, 22Maurii, Zolton
The fun at Bremen Cafe did not stop after the Block Party Saturday – there was an afterparty too! We got to see and talk to the likes of Cleopatra Hoze, *Aya, 22Maurii and Zolton as they collectively created a relaxing yet engaging atmosphere to conclude the busy day. Cleopatra Hoze’s eclectic style marries dream pop, R&B and indie rock.
Read moreAUDIO: Dev Diamond FT. Traumaa – “Talkin’ Bout”
Dev Diamond is back with his first new music since his album “Dev” from early last year. He brings his trademark fusion of hip hop, R&B and pop for a song about being up next to win big, enlisting Texas-based artist Traumaa for a feature. Diamond sings about feeling lucky as he’s ready to leave the noise behind and secure
Read moreAUDIO: TAE & The Neighborly – “Let it Rain”
Soul-pop act Tae & The Neighborly have a new single out. This heartfelt tune brings courageous, uplifting sensibilities in full swing, lyrically touching on feeling a rush of renewal. TAE sings of the clouds breaking up to let the sun shine after she’s been used to gray for so long, reflecting a sense of hope and perseverance that seemed impossible
Read moreAUDIO: J. McCoy – “The Weight of this Combination”
Experimental/ambient artist J. McCoy’s latest release is a track he composed while stuck at home with COVID last year. Mysterious, daring and awestruck in mood, this piece feels like it could be the musical accompaniment to a cinematic escape or espionage scene. Spanning just over five minutes, the modular synths alternately palpitate and soar akin to anxious determination. J. McCoy
Read moreARTIST SPOTLIGHTS: TMT, Gaetano Balistreri, Iron Pizza, PILES
The Bremen Block Party occurred Saturday and it was a ton of fun, complete with live music, delicious food, vendors, raffle prizes, community organizations and more. TMT, X-Mosleys, Gaetano Balistreri, Bdwthr, Pay Dirt, Selector Max, Phat Nerdz, Iron Pizza, PILES and Ladybird all performed throughout the day as the Riverwest neighborhood showed up and showed out despite the rain and
Read moreAUDIO: Choke Chain – “Burial”
Electro-industrial act Choke Chain has a new single out ahead of an upcoming album. The track is a hellish, rattling EBM banger that’ll get your body oscillating while making you want to scream along. The fierce shrieks and clangorous textures build up palpable pugnacity. “MORTALITY” will be out on September 22nd – stay tuned!
Read moreAUDIO: Pescatarian at Best & RAT BATH- “Pescatarian at Best vs RAT BATH”
It’s been exciting watching both Pescatarian at Best and RAT BATH make waves in the Milwaukee music scene over the years. You know what’s also really exciting? When the two come head-to-head on a split EP! With one song from each, the combined forces of Pescatarian at Best’s chugging, groovy post-punk sensibilities (“Gnos Tar”) and RAT BATH’s igniting fusion of
Read moreAUDIO: Faded Francis FT. Magdaluna – “Friends”
Hip hop artist Faded Francis dropped a new single in the middle of June. He wrote this one at the beginning of COVID but held onto it until he felt the time was right to release it. The song is written from the perspective of someone speaking to a former lover and telling them that you’ve outgrown them and are
Read moreAUDIO: Tidal – “Fuck Yeah”
Experimental rock act Tidal have their third track out. Spanning nearly eight minutes, it’s a psychedelic-stoner voyage beginning with a slow, trudging riff. About halfway through the band starts breaking a sweat and kicks up the tempo, building into a storm of desert cacophony. Tidal traverse desolation night and day with “Fuck Yeah.”
Read moreAUDIO: UNKNWN – “Polydeukes”
Electronic producer UNKNWN’s latest single keeps his signature tranquil yet mysterious energy alive. The tune feels like you’re walking through old growth forest, not knowing what could jump out at you at any moment. UNKNWN has a knack for incorporating dense nature imagery into his creations, and “Polydeukes” is a welcome addition to his catalog.
Read moreAUDIO: Wristwatch – “II”
Punk rockers Wristwatch have unleashed a new album into the world out via No Coast. It’s twelve songs that rip and blaze with chaotic riffage, howling guitar solos, racing drums and Bobby Hussy’s high-spirited vocals. The band explains on Bandcamp that they wanted to get gnarlier and noisier with this one while staying true to their roots, channeling fierce attitude
Read moreAUDIO: LBN667 – “Crybaby”
On the first of the month, electronic act LBN667 released a companion EP to last month’s “Remembering.” This one is also two tracks but it ventures into leftfield house and techno territories. The rhythms and textures here are full of mystery and whimsy, perfect for a late night drive or scooter ride in vast open areas. Get your groove on
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