With a spring season that is slotted to be full of exciting new music and show announcements, it’s very easy to miss some great projects. Use this article as a guide to follow you on your journey! Let me help you traverse the music spectrum and discover the narratives behind these five promising acts that are on the cusp of making some waves in this ever-evolving world of music.
1- New Age Thief
Chicagoland’s Gino Savarino is no stranger to the world of music, embarking on a new journey with Brady Corcoran to bring us new insights and driving rhythms. Gino started his musical journey with a former project Safe Bet, a project that seen a fair share of success and gave only a hint at the his ability to craft killer melodies on top of lyrics that feel like they were written about you. On “Circle The Room” we can hear about the troubles people experience when trying to make their place, “am I where I should be, have I gotten lost?”, circling the room looking for answers to existential feelings. Fans who loved Safe Bet for the deep lyrics and a therapy-type listening experience will be thrilled to learn that it is very prevalent, but this time with an addicting energy that makes me hit the rewind button over and over. New Age Thief has an upcoming sold-out show in Indianapolis April 8th, with other amazing acts like Hot Mulligan, Summerbruise, and Riley! https://linktr.ee/newagethief
2- Hemmingway Lane
Last year, I thankfully got a chance to see Hemmingway Lane two times, and each time I stood and listened the same way I would to a band I knew and loved. On April 5th, “Let The Flowers Die” will hit streaming services and talking with Elijah Flood(vocals/guitar) allowed me to gain more insight to his thoughts and goals. When I received this EP, the file was called “small Toledo sound”. Using the word “small” is almost an onomatopoeia, with the large sound and and a voice that is louder than most. The EP’s palette is a rich landscape of raw and melodic sound, where Flood’s vocals take center stage, delivering each lyric with an authenticity that reminds me of acts like John Mayer and Bob Dylan. “Is Anybody Else Scared?” releases March 11th, my favorite of the 5 songs, and it becomes evident that Elijah and his bandmates are poised to carve a niche for themselves in the indie rock realm, one that has such a wide array of talent. https://linktr.ee/HemmingwayLane
3- MZMR
Hailing from my home state, Indianapolis group MZMR(MEZ-MER) will be releasing a new EP this summer , four songs full of your favorite alternative rock sound. MZMR can often be found transitioning between gritty, alternative anthems and experimental sounds. I love this projects wide array of sounds and influences, from psychedelic to an almost orchestra-type ending in some songs like “I love, love”, an eight-minute rollercoaster. They covered Title Fight’s “Head in the Ceiling Fan” when I seen them in Indianapolis last summer, impressing me with the accuracy of each note and the actual raw emotion they can portray with a song we have all heard a multitude of times. “Crash and Burn” is out now and it is a powerhouse of a song, capturing some type of resilience in the face of adversity with its driving intensity and unapologetic honesty and the lyrics touch on themes of burning out and life’s relentless hurdles. https://linktr.ee/Mzmrband
4- Townies
Originating in the crazy music landscapes of the east coast, Townies now calls Los Angeles their home, quietly writing everyone’s new favorite songs. Self-proclaimed purveyors of “broc-rock,” Townies seem blend the laid-back vibes of weedmo with a distinctive sound reminiscent of Macseal, The Hotelier, and Oso Oso. Their latest gem, “Medicine,” takes listeners on an introspective journey, exploring the ritual of swallowing medicine daily to find solace and questioning life’s complexities. Through We’re Trying Records, Townies is slotted to release a full length album called “Of This I Am Certain” on April 12th, and with “Medicine” as our example it feels safe to say that I am going to love it, especially if its anything like the few songs on 2022’s “Broc.” EP. Nothing but bright futures for young bands that want to work as hard as they say do. https://linktr.ee/townies
5- Bottom Bracket
Yet another Chicagoland representative, Bottom Bracket is here to play, wielding twinkly guitar melodies and precise drumming that showcase their prowess as musicians. With an undeniable knack for crafting intricate and emotive songs, this project navigates the vast examples of the Midwest emo and adjacent scenes perfectly, especially live. Releasing their best album during the pandemic, Bottom Bracket has been poised to break out and join ranks of other surrounding artists as staples in our small corner of the universe. Currently they are wrapping up recording a full-length album, with new singles coming soon in early summer, just in time for you to roll all of your windows down and blast it down a county road. Bottom Bracket is playing a show on 3/30/24 with very comparable acts Year Twins, Sweet Bike, and Yes Yes A Thousand Times Yes at Cole’s Bar in Chicago. https://linktr.ee/btmbrkt
Photographers
The Diygest 
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