The (Local) Fresh Five: Awesome Snakes, Ghosting Merit, Spymob, Lerado Khalil, and Blimey
For the Fresh Five we pick out five great new(ish) jams that we’re currently obsessing over. All of these songs come from local (Minnesota) bands/artists.
It’s been over a decade since we last heard from local greats Awesome Snakes. They recently popped back up to release a song as part of the teeter/totter benefit record (proceeds of which benefitted the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the Immigrant Defense Network). The duo of Annie “Sparrows” Holoien and Danny Henry still sound great and true to form, the song clocks in under 2 minutes (just enough time to establish snakes’ views on commerce).
Ghosting Merit is the project of Syd Casey, a Minneapolis-based trans artist. They recently released BELONGING on Birdhaus Records and it’s well worth your attention. Ghosting Merit’s sound blends rock and folk, often via a dreamy haze of reverb. Casey has honed their skills playing guitar in Gully Boys and also Delicate Friend and that experience shows through in this maturely crafted record. Stream/purchase BELONGING here.
Another band with a new release after a long hiatus is Spymob. After spending years as Pharrell Williams’ band N.E.R.D, Spymob recently release their first album in 20+ years, Another Night. The new record is a funky collection of incredibly smooth and expertly executed grooves. Stream/purchase the Another Night here.
Lerado Khalil is a Saint Paul rapper who is gaining some international attention for his latest record Black Flag. Khalil employs an incredibly muddy production style that distorts everything and makes it kind of feel like you are listening through the glitches of a druggy state of mind. Stream the whole album here.
Blimey are a talented fourpiece band with a strong melodic guitar sound that blends indie rock and emo. Generally this sound isn’t what I gravitate towards so believe me when I say that the band’s single “Pretty For You” is terrific. It’s upbeat, propulsive, and carries an irrepressible spirit. Catch the band next at Amsterdam Bar and Hall on 7/24 (tix/info here).
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