PASTORAL, NOMADIC: A couple of months ago Cloud Recordings boss John Fernandes was nice enough to give me a gorgeous vinyl copy of the label’s release of the self-titled full-length album by Dhana Jeera. It took me longer than I’d have liked to be able to dive deeply into it. But since then I’ve only come up for air occasionally, because this gorgeous beast deserves repeated spins. The project is that of his son, Kiran Fernandes, who taught himself this particular style of guitar finger picking, which is heavily inspired by the music of the Tuareg people and especially that of Nigerian guitarist Fatou Seidi Ghali. He is joined by an enviable cast of players on this, but the list is too long to print so just read the album credits. The performances here are incredibly passionate and forceful. Further, Fernandes has been able to craft his particular take on this music and expand it into areas not immediately associated with such. For example, “Moon Baby” must have been born with four feet, because it’s got two in Tuareg music and two in Western psychedelia. Kiran’s vocals are smooth, somewhat quiet, but confident. Quite honestly, this sounds like something made by someone much older than him and, most certainly, someone who has been performing this style for several years. It’s just wonderful, but now I’m gushing a little too much and need to stop. Find this at cloudrecordings.bandcamp.com where you can stream, order vinyl or cassette copies, and check out other releases from the label.
STAY HUNGRY: It’s been almost exactly a year since Hunger Anthem released its last new music. Right now, though, the reliably solid indie rock outfit has a brand new single named “Patron,” accompanied by a music video directed by Christopher Bickel, that was released last week. This is the first of several singles off of an upcoming album, Lift, slated for release on Dec. 6 via Cornelius Chapel Records. The group recalls, amplifies and blends all the best aspects of the vague separation between heavy, melodic American indie punk and college rock from the 1980s with the relative breeziness of its more genteel cousins in the jangle pop scene. This new single embraces the latter to great effect. Released right on the cusp of autumn’s advent, this is joyous sweater weather rock and I know at least a few of you will understand what I mean by that. And if you’re unfamiliar with Hunger Anthem, you can do yourself a nice favor and check out the band’s multiple previous releases when you go listen to this one at hungeranthem.bandcamp.com.
BLATANT LOCALISM: Those skate rockers in Nuclear Tourism have a new EP named Coolant out now. This four-song slice of life arrives courtesy of label Indecent Artistry and label and skate zine Hard Tack. This is released digitally, but with a limited edition run of lathe cut vinyl and cassette tapes. More than anything else, this reminds me of the huge number of EPs released in the 1990s that followed a similar construction: First two songs? Total bangers. Third song? Some goofy style-shifter thing (in this case, country waltz tempos with just random lyrics). Last song? Another silly thing that’s totally unnecessary, but since no one will ever listen that far, the band can know who its hardcore fans are when they request it. The first two songs, though— the title track and “Nerve”—both smoke in that particular Mudhoney way where they’re full of grimy riffs, throbby fat-bottomed bass and tempos that stay just behind the eight ball and never get fast just for the sake of speed. Find this on Spotify, and follow the band over at instagram.com/nucleartourism. If interested, you can check out Indecent and Hard Tack at indecentartistry.com and instagram.com/h.a.r.d.t.a.c.k.
AND IN THIS CORNER…: Courtesy of the previously mentioned Hard Tack folks comes the new demo from Regulator. People, all hail this one. Listening to this, it’s like the last 40 years never happened. This is so in-the-pocket old school 1980s-style hardcore. The whole thing runs about 10 minutes or so across its five songs. Specific highlights here are “1 Time,” which has a perfect circle-pit breakdown, but also check out “Beach Bruiser” and closer “I Can’t Stand You.” This is available digitally as well as on cassette tape. Find it immediately over at hardtackk.bandcamp.com.
THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING. FOREVER.: Athens’ own Nirvana tribute band Molly’s Lips will take the 40 Watt stage once again on Oct. 5 when it celebrates the 33rd anniversary of Nirvana playing the club. The group will be joined by Hole tribute band Doll Parts. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, but do yourself a favor and just arrive early enough to pay cash at the door. Avoid those ticket fees! Doors open at 7 p.m., and music starts at 8 p.m. For all other information, please see 40watt.com.
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