Dublin’s feminist-punk/animal-activists M(h)aol littered their new record with copious references to their precious pets. Get better acquainted with the band in my recent New Noise interview with the Merge Records musicians.
M(h)aol Meld Feminist Punk With Animal-Activism
Posted in Interviews with tags M(h)aol on 05/20/2025 by Kurt OrzeckExclusive: Miracle Blood Are in for a Bloody Good Time With Epic Tour
Posted in Exclusives, Interviews, My City Rules, News with tags Caterwaul Fest, Miracle Blood on 05/19/2025 by Kurt OrzeckNoise punks Miracle Blood are ready to bring the ruckus with an ambitious tour starting July 11 in Buffalo, NY, running through August 2 in Washington DC.
The Beantown badasses are also on the docket for the fifth edition of the ultra-underground Caterwaul Fest in Minneapolis on May 26. In between Caterwaul and the onset of their summer trek, the band will hit up Portsmouth, New Hampshire (June 13); Troy, New York (June 24); and Boston (June 28).
Miracle Blood certainly aren’t allergic to playing live, and this new jaunt will be their most extensive one to date.
“Play new material in front of crowds to kind of see what’s landing right and what maybe needs a little bit more work,” cofounder/guitarist/vocalist Andrew Wong told The Bad Penny.
With so many upcoming engagements, it’s patently obvious that Miracle Blood–who tout themselves as “gnarly noise-punk for the weird at heart”–are on fi-yah. If noise-punk isn’t your jam, give Miracle Blood a shot nonetheless, as they meld their music with mathcore as well.
Expect scenes like this to unfold frequently during Miracle Blood’s upcoming gigs:
Friendship Commanders’ Buick Audra Can’t Stop Making Music
Posted in Interviews with tags Buick Audra, Friendship Commanders on 05/19/2025 by Kurt OrzeckThe impressively prolific Buick Audra could have gone on a hiatus—but instead, the gifted guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter decided to turn her focus from Friendship Commanders and toward her other project, which is also called “Buick Audra.” Read my interview with Audra on New Noise.
Ataris Frontman’s Dog Helped Save Him From the Brink of Death
Posted in Interviews with tags The Ataris on 05/18/2025 by Kurt OrzeckKristopher Roe, frontman for punk legends the Ataris, has a secret to keeping himself happy, healthy, and sane. He derives superhero invincibility from his beloved dog, which he gushed about for New Noise.
Slow Crush’s ‘Thirst’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Slow Crush on 05/17/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
On the title track to Slow Crush’s new album Thirst, one of the leading hopefuls in shoegaze’s ascendant return urges renewal in this unforgiving world we are all culpable of having brought upon ourselves. Read my Treble review.
Summer Music Fests Near for Those About to Rock
Posted in Features with tags Brutal Assault, Maryland Deathfest, Wacken on 05/17/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Read my primers on three of the best music festivals on the planet–Brutal Assault in Czechia, Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore and Wacken in Germany–in this summer music-fest preview feature for Knotfest.com.
Callous Daoboys’ ‘I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Callous Daoboys on 05/16/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven is The Callous Daoboys’ latest push into their postulation that Heaven will be deafening and yet widely accessible. Read my short Treble review.
Rilo Kiley’s ‘That’s How We Choose to Remember It’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Rilo Kiley on 05/16/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
There are too many rock-band reunions to count happening these days, but one of the most excitedly received is that of Rilo Kiley, who have already sold out their show tomorrow night at Boise’s Treefort Music Hall. Get warmed up for it by reading my FLOOD review of their greatest-hits record that arrived today.
Michael Younker and His Kitty Are Like Two Cool Cats in a Pod
Posted in Interviews with tags Michael Younker on 05/14/2025 by Kurt OrzeckSinger/songwriter Michael Younker’s affection and connection with his cat Birdie is air-tight in more ways than one. The two share a 700-foot flat in Brooklyn and rarely leave each other’s sight. Birdie is not only an indispensable friend to Younker but a pet that keeps the artist throughly entertained when he’s not making music. Read my hot-off-the-proverbial-press New Noise interview with the enormously talented and kind-as-can-be musician.
Harpist/Violinist Duo LEYA Out to ‘Conquer the World’
Posted in Interviews with tags Leya on 05/13/2025 by Kurt OrzeckGo to New Noise for my intriguing interview with Brooklyn harpist Marilu Donovan and vocalist/violinist Adam Markiewicz, who are touring incessantly and wowing crowds across the world with their one-of-a-kind music project, LEYA.
The Bad Penny (beta) 