Song of the Day

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May 26, 2022

Old Sea Brigade: “5AM Paradise”

By: Jack Anderson

A cursory glance at the name Old Sea Brigade may conjure images of surly seventeenth-century sailors, but it’s actually the solo indie-folk project of Nasvhille-via-Atlanta singer-guitarist Ben Cramer. Cramer dropped his eponymous debut Old Sea Brigade in 2016, which quickly accrued acclaim and earned Cramer touring spots alongside the likes of Julien Baker and Hiss Golden Messenger. Old Sea Brigade’s since released two full-lengths (most recently with last year’s Motivational Speaking) and had his songs featured in television soundtracks ranging from Grey’s Anatomy to Nashville. Today Old Sea Brigade announced his upcoming third LP, 5AM Paradise, due out October 28th. As you can guess from the title, this record is somewhat of a celebration of those early morning hours, but more so the maturity that surrounds them; Cramer, who recently entered his thirties, has reframed 5AM as the start of a productive day rather than a wrap on a raucous all-nighter. The ten tracks on 5AM Paradise feature some of Cramer’s closest collaborators, not to mention some of Nashville’s finest session players (including Willie Nelson bassist Eli Beaird, Hayes Carll guitarist Kris Donegan) and The Whigs’ drummer Julian Dorio. With synths reminiscent of Joy Division, effortlessly floating vocals, and one hell of a hook, the title track off 5AM Paradise may just become your new wake up alarm.

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July 14, 2025

Nikkiesha McLeod: “Rush”

New York’s Nikkiesha McLeod has been running parts of the city the last few years between drumming in bands; formerly hosting and co-producing the BIPOC, queer musician-centered podcast When We See Each Other; and being a published author. Their story, however, goes back to Trinidad & Tobago, to a ten-year-old child joining their local steelpan […]

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July 11, 2025

McKenna Michels: “Never Satified”

Austin’s McKenna Michels is just it. The singer-songwriter, who daylights as a childhood abuse and trauma advocate, has been featured on local television, has been asked to open for several global artists on their European tours, and she gets to hear her own music over the speakers when she’s shopping. And to peep her style, […]

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July 10, 2025

Mobley: “Yesterday’s Another Day” [Live In Studio 1A]

When it comes to Mobley’s career, what started as writing smart R&B pop bops has grown into full concept albums revolving around racism, technology, and our future, composing cautionary tales warning of a regressing society and the darkest parts of science fiction decaying into neither predictive science nor fiction. Mobley’s new album We Do Not Fear […]

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July 7, 2025

Maiya Blaney: “Recognize Me”

Brooklyn’s Maiya Blaney is all range, baby. And that’s one word to pretty much sum her up entirely. Her interests, talents, and general state of being are always kinetic and well-rounded. On her new album A Room With A Door That Closes, she showcases not only her love for so many genres and sounds, but […]

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July 4, 2025

Katherion: “Dance”

Happy Hot Dog and Fireworks Day! Whether you’re staying home and having fun or enjoying one of the city’s myriad of events, you might need something to wavy-baby dance to. Austin’s Katherion has been hitting stages between Austin and Houston for the last three years leading up to her debut album EROS, out later this […]

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July 3, 2025

Okkervil River & The Antlers: “Lost Coastlines” [Live In Studio 1A]

A collaboration between Okkervil River and the Antlers, two of the poetic indie bands of our time, both in sound and word, is one that seems so perfect you can almost see photos of Will Sheff, Peter Silberman, and Michael Lerner cutely cropped together like a fan zine-style shipping board. Last year this music nerd […]

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July 1, 2025

Keihl Phillips: “Iced Green Tea”

Being a sound designer doesn’t often mean you’re looking to use your own music, or even that you’re a musician at all. Sound designers are the folks who choose the right song to elevate scenes and make you feel a certain type of way in a TV show or the person who finds the right […]

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June 30, 2025

GHOSTWOMAN: “Alive”

Belgian/Canadian duo GHOSTWOMAN are all about finding freedom in a reckless space. On the upcoming album Welcome to the Civilized World, they take this notion head-on and put it center stage. The album was recorded on an old tape recorder using old instruments. The recording space was a home they didn’t bother to treat for […]

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