new ep – Alternative Press Magazine

Ashland’s new EP let them capture the most honest version of themselves

Alyssa Quiles — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:55:29 +0000

Ashland are returning to their roots with their first release since Over The Moon. With their new EP I, the duo deliver pop synths backed by intense rock progressions and share their most vulnerable selves. The band are teaming up with Alternative Press to give fans a first listen to the EP.

Composed of Asia Marie and Aaron Wood, the two went quiet in regards to new music after they dropped their last LP. Where normally the months after the release would have been used to promote the LP on tour, the band had to pause all plans when the coronavirus pandemic hit. After taking time for some self-reflection, Ashland decided it was time to create more music—but on their own terms.

**“Misery” was the first song you released since 2019’s Over The Moon. Can you describe your time between releases and any major influences for the EP?**

ASIA MARIE: We honestly got so busy there for a while in 2018/2019 that we pretty much stopped writing together, which is why we lost our original sound on Over The Moon. I wrote almost the entire album alone, and while that was a great experience, it wasn’t Ashland.

Then the pandemic hit right after we released Over The Moon. It was a huge bummer because we couldn’t do any of the normal things that go with putting an album out, like tour or even practice together. This forced us to step back and think about who we are and what we want as a band. This [I] EP happened naturally as a result of that, and our rock roots resurfaced, which is where we feel most at home.

So, it’s been really refreshing to get back to where we came from with a little experience sprinkled on top. “Misery” seemed like the perfect song to come back with.

How did you determine that now was the right time to release the EP?

MARIE: This was something that really just roundhouse kicked us right in the faces with one of our best friends/longtime producer passing away from cancer, our departure from our label [and] the pandemic hitting all around the same time. We were like, “What are we doing? What is the fucking point of all this?” And we realized if we’re not loving it, if our passion isn’t the driving force, then we’re not doing it right. That’s when we realized that the passion just comes from the music. From the writing to recording to releasing and touring. The music comes naturally, and when it does, it’s time to put it out and just enjoy it. None of the other BS really matters.

“Choose To Live” explores feelings of depression and how difficult it can be to pull yourself out of it. How do you hope your music will affect listeners?

MARIE: Man, that song. I remember sitting down to write the lyrics, and I said to myself, “Don’t hold back. Say exactly what you want to say and just see what happens.” And that’s exactly what I did. I know some of the lyrics might seem explicit or triggering, but that’s why I wanted to use them. As someone who has long-term experience with depression, anxiety and [being] a survivor of two suicide attempts, I want to be a part of normalizing that language so people can feel more comfortable speaking up when they’re struggling or see someone who looks like they might need help. It’s never easy or comfortable to talk about or hear, but it’s real and so much more common than people know. I want our listeners who are struggling to be encouraged and know that there is hope for them. I want our listeners who don’t struggle with these things to know that their voices, their eyes and their ears play an important role in this fight.

**Your music has a lot of pop influence, which was prevalent on Over The Moon. The EP has a heavier rock vibe. What inspired the change? Is it something you’ll continue to think about going forward?**

AARON WOOD: I think our music will always be influenced by pop because we both enjoy the production elements that pop brings to the table. As for the change, much of our earlier releases were very rock-leaning. Going back to our roots for this EP felt like the most natural and honest version of ourselves. While we will certainly crank out some slow jams in the future, I don’t see the overall rock vibe ever completely going away again. When we started putting together these heavier songs, it felt like a long-lost piece of us had been put back where it was meant to be.

As your first independent release since 2015, how has the process for this EP differed from previous ones?

WOOD: Everything was up to us this time around, which was both liberating and terrifying at the same time. It was hard not to get lost in the endless possibilities. Luckily, we have our incredible manager Jenn, who helps guide us through all the decisions we need to make. Honestly, though, I think the biggest difference with this release has been the fact that we’re in the middle of a pandemic. The typical avenue for releases is to put out music and then tour as hard as you can. With no tours happening, it’s forced a lot of bands, including ourselves, to find other means of creating engagement without physically going from city to city and making that in-person connection.

Now that you’ve dropped the EP, does the band have any other plans for the rest of the year?

WOOD: For the foreseeable future, we’ll be releasing content around this EP. The plan is to keep writing in the meantime, so maybe we’ll put out more new music later this year.

Scarypoolparty’s nothing,nowhere. collab to appear on ‘LOS ANGELES’ EP

Alyssa Quiles — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 01:15:09 +0000

Scarypoolparty and nothing,nowhere. are teaming up for an epic tracked filled with distorted lyrics and sick keys in “Universe.” Alongside the release, he’s also announcing the release of his upcoming project, LOS ANGELES.

Also known as Alejandro Aranda, Scarypoolparty dropped his first single in 2018 with “Out Loud.” He went on to share various tracks over the next two years before releasing his debut full-length, Exit Form, in 2019. After a few months with no new music, Aranda released “Return2Sender.” As the lead single off Doom Hologram, the song set the stage for the rest of the EP.

The American Idol runner-up later shared a one-off single Feb. 12 with “Home,” a guitar-driven track filled with flowing melodies and synths. Only a few weeks later, the musician is dropping another track paired with the reveal of his forthcoming EP.

Aranda surprised fans on Twitter and Instagram Feb. 23 when he shared a presave link to his latest release. Featuring nothing,nowhere., “Universe” is the lead single off Aranda’s upcoming EP, LOS ANGELES. With the track, the singer shows off his rap skills as well as trap-inspired beats.

Co-produced with SAWYR (Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj), the EP was recorded in the singer’s home in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. With only the music surrounding him, Aranda weaved R&B cadences into sonic landscapes of harmonies and smooth rhythms.

Drawing inspiration from some of his deepest thoughts, the singer shares meaningful tracks that take on relationships, love, as well as the opioid epidemic. Though the EP is deeply personal, Aranda says it deserves to be listened to when all you need is a chill tune to ease out stress.

“The LOS ANGELES EP is made to be listened to in the car with the bass bumping and the windows down, just cruising,” he says. “Fun, wild, piano arpeggios and 808s.”

LOS ANGELES tracklist:

1. “Universe” (feat. nothing,nowhere.)
2. “Overdone”
3. “Paradise”
4. “Room Full Of Cards”

Bring Me The Horizon drop Halsey collab on surprise ‘Music To Listen To’ EP

Alyssa Quiles — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 20:07:45 +0000

Bring Me The Horizon dropped a surprise EP Music To GO TO, with tracks that are meant to listen to for just about anything, featuring artists such as Halsey and more.

Yesterday, fans were posting about a new BMTH record with Halsey, Lotus Eater, YONAKA and others.

Bring Me The Horizon tease sparks Halsey collab release date speculation

Koltan Greenwood — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 23:33:10 +0000

Bring Me the Horizon appear to be releasing new material tomorrow Dec. 27. Earlier this morning, social media was abuzz with information about a new Bring Me the Horizon record.

Now, it seems frontman Oli Sykes confirmed the rumors with his most recent Instagram post.

More Bring Me the Horizon

Last month, BMTH dropped their newest track “Ludens”. The track is featured in the newest Hideo Kojima game Death Stranding. We’ve known the time constraints Kojima Productions placed on BMTH to submit the song and it was no cakewalk.

Now, Bring Me The Horizon have released a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Ludens” and it makes the production even more impressive. Especially considering it was without the involvement of guitarist Lee Malia.

For the majority of the video, we see Oli Sykes and keyboardist Jordan Fish in a hotel room in Ukraine. Sykes states how limited of a time they had to submit the song.

“We’ve been given about five days to write a song, for the new game Death Stranding.” Sykes states. “We started writing about two days ago. We’re on tour at the moment. We’re currently in Ukraine. We’ve been doing a tour around Europe. And here we got kinda like basically told if we can’t deliver a song for the 20th, then we can’t be on the game.”

See more: 16 memorable band photos

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Mayday Parade surprise fans with ‘Sunnyland’ B-sides release

Koltan Greenwood — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:34:03 +0000

Mayday Parade just knows how to stay in the news. They tour all the time, they’ve been pumping out albums since 2006 and they support their friends. Even in their downtime, they stay relevant.

Mayday Parade just surprise-released a special 7″ EP featuring an acoustic version and B-side from Sunnyland.

More Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade made our hearts skip a beat when they announced select 10-year anniversary shows for their album Anywhere But Here.

Now, the band have unveiled their first-ever Forever Emo Tour 2019, where they will be playing original music and covers of their favorite pop-punk and emo tracks.

The band made the huge announcement via social media.

WELCOME FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! THE @FOREVEREMOTOUR! This fall we will be performing emo cover songs that we all love. We’re gonna play them loud, with heart and passion. Come sing along. https://t.co/5Fn4GZjTXR pic.twitter.com/3cBYMbhbsc

— Mayday Parade (@maydayparade) September 10, 2019

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had fun singing Jimmy Eat World songs with friends and strangers alike at after parties/emo nights/whatever you want to call them,” frontman Derek Sanders said about the inspiration for the tour. “We’ve done many of them in many different places around the world. Sometimes they make me feel like there was a part of me that was supposed to change but never did.”

“Forever Emo this Fall will be a concert featuring Mayday Parade performing songs live; mostly covers with a few originals as well. We’ve also partnered with local emo night DJs to add to the event in each city. There has been a lot of effort put into learning how to perform these songs well, and we’re gonna play them loud, with heart and passion. Come sing along,” he continued.

Dates

11/01 — Athens, GA @ 40 Watt
11/03 — Tallahassee, FL @ The Moon*
11/05 — Nashville, TN @ Basement East
11/07 — Washington, D.C. @ Rock & Roll Hotel
11/08 — Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
11/09 — Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom*
11/11 — New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
11/12 — Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
11/13 — Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club*
11/16 — Chicago, IL @ Metro*
11/17 — St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
11/19 — Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
11/20 — Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
11/22 — Los Angeles, CA @ Roxy Theatre*
11/23 — Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

*Anywhere But Here dates

How do you feel about the Sunnyland B-sides? Sound off below!

See more: 10 pop-punk shows we wish we could have gone to

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MxPx surprise drop fall-ready EP ‘Best Life,’ release new video

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 06:02:28 +0000

MxPx has certainly had a busy year. Earlier this year, the band released their self-titled record and then, they dropped a beer collaboration.

As if that wasn’t enough to be excited about, the band has surprised us yet again with the surprise drop of their new EP.

The band’s new EP is titled Best Life, and it features four fall ready tracks.

Best Life includes two new tracks, in addition to the acoustic versions of “Let’s Ride” and “Moments Like This,” both of which were taken from the most recent release of their self-titled record.

Watch the video for “Best Life” below:

Best Life is set to officially drop tonight at midnight, and you can listen to it on all streaming services.

Best Life track list:

1. Best Life

2. The Band Plays As We All Go Down

3. Let’s Ride (acoustic)

4. Moments Like This (acoustic)

Other MxPx related news:

The band recently announced that they will be doing a beer collaboration with Silver City Brewing, who will be producing a beer under the same name, Best Life, which is set to be released on Oct. 12.

Per the brewery, the beer is a “left-Coast hop character and a malt bill incorporating flaked wheat.”

You can pre-order the band’s beer right now by going here!

The band will also be hosting a release party for the brew on Oct. 12 at the Roxy in their hometown of Bremerton, Washington. Frontman Mike Herrera will perform acoustically, and tickets are available for the show are available now.

Hail The Sun announce surprise EP, debut lead single, “1109”

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 23:39:00 +0000

Progressive rock outfit Hail The Sun have surprised us all, announcing a brand new EP. Secret Wars will drop Friday via Equal Vision Records, and you can listen to the rhythmic lead single, “1109,” below.

“Secret Wars is, in essence, a more aggressive extension of Culture Scars,” says vocalist and drummer Donovan Melero. “Those who have been reading between the lines may have even noticed subtle hints alluding to this new EP in the liner notes for Culture Scars. We came up with this idea during the recording of Culture Scars, so this is something over a year and half in the making.

“Secret Wars is meant to acknowledge all those battles that are kept behind closed doors. There may always be a force working against us, by our own chemistry, or by those who supposedly have the public's best interest in mind.”

Hail The Sun's Secret Wars EP will be out Nov. 10, and you can pre-order it here.

Watch the video for “1109” here:

Hail The Sun are currently on tour with I The Mighty and Good Tiger. Check out the rest of their tour dates below:

w/ I The Mighty and Good Tiger:
11/09 – Toronto, Canada @ Hard Luck
11/10 – Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch
11/11 – Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry
11/12 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
11/14 – Dallas, TX @ RBC
11/15 – Houston, TX @ Studio Live
11/17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
11/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge
11/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge

w/ Glassjaw:
11/26 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades

w/ Silverstein:
12/08 – Southampton, UK @ Talking Heads
12/09 – Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
12/10 – Cardiff, United Kingdom @ The Globe
12/12 – Glasgow, United Kingdom @ G2
12/13 – Newcastle, United Kingdom @ Think Tank
12/14 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ Sound Control
12/15 – Huddersfield, United Kingdom @ The Parish
12/16 – London, United Kingdom @ The Lexington

Follow Hail The Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all their latest updates.

Frank Iero And The Patience announce new EP, and the artwork is so good

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 20:28:00 +0000

Frank Iero And The Patience have dropped a lot of big news today, including word that they'll be releasing a new EP on September 22 on Hassle Records. The EP is called Keep The Coffins Coming, and the artwork is the cutest thing we've ever seen.

The announcement was made in a Tweet via Hassle Records this morning:

We are thrilled to reveal that @FrankIero and the Patience's new EP, 'Keep The Coffins Coming', is coming 22nd September! Pre-order below… pic.twitter.com/1tAPVA9GYV

— Hassle Records (@hasslerecords) July 24, 2017

The artwork was actually done by Daniel P. Carter of Radio 1, who often debuts Frank Iero And The Patience songs on his show. How cute?!

Unfortunately the EP is not available for pre-order in the US yet, according to Hassle Records. However, if you're in the UK, you can pre-order it at this link.

US fans: the EP is currently not available for pre-order outside of Europe. Please stay tuned for updates and thank you for your patience. ��

— Hassle Records (@hasslerecords) July 24, 2017

The track list has already been released, and avid Frank followers will recognize most of the songs already. Check it out below.

1. I’m A Mess
2. BFF
3. No Fun Club
4. You Are My Sunshine

The reason behind the EP release is that Frank and the guys had the opportunity to work with legendary Steve Albini, Iero told Kerrang.

“When we were done touring .STOMACHACHES., I talked to my manager, Paul, about what we should do. I had my bucket list and one of the things on there was to work with Steve Albini. Paul asked how long I’d wanted to work with Steve and I was like, ‘Since I was, like, 11!’ I wanted to make a Steve Albini record! Paul said he’d call him and I was like, ‘You can’t do that… that would be weird. Don’t do it.’ And he was like, ‘That’s my job!’” Iero told the music source.

“He called him, Steve said he could do it and he had three days. Next phone call I made was U-Haul; I fuckin’ packed the U-Haul up and drove the band to Chicago. I got to record an EP with my friends and one of my heroes in this, like, giant firehouse building in Chicago. The EP is this missing link between .STOMACHACHES. and Parachutes. It’s everything I wanted it to be. It’s fuckin’ awesome!”

Frank Iero And The Patience have also just announced a huge UK and European run. Check out the tour poster and dates below!

Dates:

9/20 – UK Newcastle @ Uni
9/21 – UK Liverpool @ Arts Club
9/22 – UK Leeds @ Key Club
9/24 – UK Manchester @ Academy 3
9/25 – UK Brighton @ Concorde 2
9/26 – UK Bristol @ Fleece
9/27 – UK London @ Tufnell Park Dome
9/29 – GER Wiesbaden @ Schlatchof
9/30 – GER Lindau @ Club Vaudeville
10/1 – GER Leipzig @ Werk 2
10/3 – CH Zurich @ Dynamo
10/4 – AUS Vienna @ Arena
10/5 – GER Nuremberg @ Hirsch
10/6 – GER Cologne @ Gebaude 9
10/8 – UK Cardiff @ Globe
10/9 – UK Norwich @ Waterfront
10/11 – UK Edinburgh @ La Belle Angele
10/12 – UK Aberdeen @ Garage
10/13 – UK Glasgow @ Garage
10/15 – UK Sheffield @ Plug
10/16 – UK Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms
10/17 – UK Colchester @ Arts Centre *
10/18 – UK Portsmouth @ Wedgwood Rooms *
10/19 – UK Wolverhampton @ Slade Rooms *
10/20 – UK Aldershot @ West End Centre *
(* shows without Dave Hause and The Mermaid)

Are you as psyched for a new release from Frank Iero And The Patience as we are? Sound off in the comments below!

Watch more: Frank Iero takes us back to the early 2000s, talks symbolism and the Cellabration

Halestorm release covers of Twenty One Pilots, Metallica—listen

Sat, 07 Jan 2017 01:44:00 +0000

Halestorm may be finishing up a tour through New Zealand and Australia, but that didn't stop them from releasing ReAniMate 3: The CoVeRs eP which features covers of some of our favorite bands like Twenty One Pilots and Metallica.

This is the third covers only EP they've done with the first being released in 2011.

Halestorm has done covers of bands like The Beatles and Marilyn Manson for previous iterations of the Reanimate series.

If you're a fan of the band's original works, they'll be releasing a video for “Dear Daughter” soon. “Dear Daughter” was featured on Into This Wild Life which was the band's most successful album by far. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

ReAniMate 3: The CoVeRs eP can be purchased on iTunes. Check out our favorite covers from the EP below.

Which was your favorite cover? Let us know in the comments!

Watch more: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Halestorm

new ep – Alternative Press Magazine

Ashland’s new EP let them capture the most honest version of themselves

Read more: 20 bands keeping the riot grrrl spirit alive in their own unique way

**“Misery” was the first song you released since 2019’s Over The Moon. Can you describe your time between releases and any major influences for the EP?**

How did you determine that now was the right time to release the EP?

“Choose To Live” explores feelings of depression and how difficult it can be to pull yourself out of it. How do you hope your music will affect listeners?

**Your music has a lot of pop influence, which was prevalent on Over The Moon. The EP has a heavier rock vibe. What inspired the change? Is it something you’ll continue to think about going forward?**

As your first independent release since 2015, how has the process for this EP differed from previous ones?

Now that you’ve dropped the EP, does the band have any other plans for the rest of the year?

Scarypoolparty’s nothing,nowhere. collab to appear on ‘LOS ANGELES’ EP

Read more:

Read more: How one song inspired Scarypoolparty’s otherworldly concept EP

LOS ANGELES tracklist:

Bring Me The Horizon drop Halsey collab on surprise ‘Music To Listen To’ EP

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Bring Me The Horizon tease sparks Halsey collab release date speculation

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