Category Archives: Earshot Media

Books, Earshot Media, News

Anthology of Emo: Volume 2 Available September 2020

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Featuring interviews with Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), Chris Conley (Saves the Day), Bob Nanna (Braid) and many more…

Author, podcaster, and music industry veteran Tom Mullen has announced a September 7, 2020 release date for Anthology of Emo Volume 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s acclaimed Anthology of Emo Volume 1, which sold out in less than a year and garnered praise and coverage from the likes of Vice/Noisey, The New York Times, Brooklyn Vegan, Kerrang, UPROXX, Billboard, SiriusXM, Alternative Press and many more.

Volume 1 To Get 2nd Printing after a Sold Out First Run in 2017

Volume 1 will also be re-released in early September, the title’s first reprint in 3 years. The books are now available to pre-order separately or as a specially-priced bundle with a limited poster here.

“If there was a course called Emo 101, this book would be on the required reading list.”- Alternative Press on Anthology of Emo Volume 1.

Anthology of Emo Volume 2 continues what the first volume started, with interviews from heavyweights in the music genre including Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), Chris Conley (Saves the Day), Bob Nanna (Braid), authors and scene veterans Trevor Kelley and Leslie Simon, and the final interview of emo scene legend, Jon Bunch (Sense Field) prior to his untimely death in 2017. The book includes rare photographs and printed ephemera, an introduction by Tom Mullen, and a forward by writer and author Luke O’Neil (Welcome to Hell World). Pre-order here.

Featuring Interviews With:

Interviewees
Interviewees featured in Anthology of Emo Vol. 2
| Click to Enlarge

About Anthology of Emo Volume 2

In 2017, after 100+ interviews with artists and those involved with the emo and hardcore scene for the critically acclaimed Washed Up Emo Podcast, Tom Mullen, on the 10th anniversary of WashedUpEmo.com, introduced Anthology of Emo. The book, selling out in less than a year, compiled the best stories from the podcast and features rare and unseen photos and ephemera. The follow-up, Volume 2, picks up where the previous book left off and features interviews, quotes, and more from key figures and veterans of the scene.

For a word that’s often misunderstood, the Anthology of Emo series is an informative companion and faithful guide to the genre of emo. Tom Mullen is a music industry executive and veteran podcaster. He’s spent time at Atlantic, Equal Vision, Vagrant, TVT, EMI and Sony, where he was a 2016 Clio and Cannes Lions winner for his work with Bob Dylan.

In 2007, he founded WashedUpEmo.com, a destination for the entire history of emo. The site and podcast has been featured in The New Yorker, AV Club, Pitchfork, The New York Times, Paste, Billboard, Spin, Village Voice, Stereogum, Chicago Reader, Noisey, and Brooklyn Vegan. In 2011, it expanded to a podcast and DJ night in NYC. In 2014, he launched IsThisBandEmo.com, a site helping the world understand which bands are emo or not with a smile and a wink.

A proud native of Vermont, he lives in Los Angeles and spends his free time documenting and archiving the emo genre for future generations. A now popular outlet, audio, proved fruitful almost instantly in 2011. The Washed Up Emo Podcast started after Tom realized a noticeable void of podcasts from the genre. Utilizing music industry connections and his background as a college radio DJ, it quickly snowballed with critical acclaim after a few episodes and now has over 1 million plays and continues to be the definitive podcast for the emo genre.

The never-ending mountain of guests over the almost decade of episodes have included Jawbreaker, The Promise Ring, Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, Piebald, The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, Mineral, and American Football. Now, after 170+ episodes, the Washed Up Emo Podcast still has one goal. To represent and document the entire history of emo for all fans of the genre.

Anthology of Emo/Tim Mullen Online:

www.AnthologyofEmo.com | www.WashedUpEmo.com


Albums & EPs, Earshot Media, News, Tracks

KID DAD New Single “LIMBO” Out Now

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“Limbo” Cover Art

KID DAD’s new track “Limbo” is a song that deals with feeling unsafe, hassled, or even abused. As vocalist and guitarist Marius Vieth says, it’s about being “caught between uncertainty and fear, searching for something real to hold on to, in search of hope.”

The band has chosen to convey this in a music video that tells the story of a child trying to escape domestic violence. Part of what initiated this concept was the fact that, due to Covid-19 and the regulations put in place to battle the pandemic, there has been a surge in cases of domestic violence worldwide. Being trapped at home, a place that should be a haven of safety, can turn into a living hell for far too many people with the detection rate for young victims being shockingly low.

“Limbo” Music Video:

Stream “Limbo” here: https://orcd.co/kiddadlimbo

Band Announces ‘SAFE In A Box’ Campaign to Raise Awareness Around Child Abuse / Domestic Violence

Says the band: “We address feelings of isolation and entrapment on our debut album ‘In A Box’ and feel obliged to call attention to this situation. We want to raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence cases worldwide and encourage people to donate to SOS-Kinderdorf & NSPCC in order to support the work they are doing in preventing such violence and supporting victims.”

Kid Dad has set up a website with information, donation links and merch items with 100% of the proceeds to be donated, here: www.kid-dad.com/safeinabox.

"After a lot of research and brainstorming on how we can actually help, we decided to produce some small merch articles of which 100% of the proceeds will be donated to SOS Kinderdörfer and NSPCC. In addition to this we will pay 100% of the producing and shipping costs so every single cent you pay will find its way to the organizations.

We know we can’t change the world with this, but even if a single child will be helped, then this whole campaign will be worth it!If you have the means we deeply encourage you to make a donation directly to the organizations:


SOS Kinderdorf

NSPCC


Help us to make a change here: www.kid-dad.com/shop. Please notice that all the donation items are marked with a little house!

Thank you so much,
Marius, Max, Michael & Joshua

Debut Full-Length In A Box To Be Released August 21

In A Box Cover Art

“Limbo” was written on a trip Marius took to London in collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter Sarah Howells (Bryde). In A Box was fueled by these songwriting trips to England, as well as to China and Switzerland, and much time spent in Berlin. Regarding the experience of recording the album over a prolonged period of time, Marius says “I really enjoyed working with so many different setups. You absorb everything when you’re young – I want to take advantage of that.“

In A Box will be released 21 August via Long Branch Records. KID DAD hail from Paderborn in Germany and have played shows across the continent with the likes of Taking Back Sunday, Marmozets and Fatherson.

Kid Dad is:

  • Maximilian Alexander Zdunek (Bass/Backing Vocals)
  • Marius Vieth (Vocals/Guitar)
  • Michael “Michi” Reihle (Drums)
  • Joshua “Yoshi” Meinert (Guitar)

Kid Dad Online

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Featured photo (top) by Max Zdunek

Albums & EPs, Earshot Media, News

San Diego’s Hey, Chels Release Debut Full-Length, Everything Goes

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Now Streaming and Available as FREE Download on Bandcamp

San Diego’s Hey, Chels have released their debut full-length Everything Goes digitally for FREE on Bandcamp. The LP is also streaming on DSPs and will be released on vinyl later this year via Brainworm Records.

The band says, “Our reasoning is that we don’t feel right asking for money right now with the current state of everything. If you feel like helping the band out, share us with a friend, add us to a playlist, share us on your socials, we would very much appreciate it.”

A music video for the new track “You’ve Got You Now” is streaming here:

The follow up to the band’s well-received 2019 self-titled EP, Everything Goes was recorded by Pat Hills at Earthtone Studios in Sacramento, CA.

Due to the current state of the world Hey, Chels had to cancel all tour plans but will be back out as soon as it’s safe again.

Hey, Chels – Everything Goes
| Cover Art by SICKPLEASURE

Everything Goes Track Listing:

  1. Clear
  2. Crumbling
  3. Masterpiece
  4. Pulse Check
  5. You’ve Got You Now
  6. Okay
  7. Everything Goes
  8. Floating Through Days
  9. Tough
  10. Away

About Hey, Chels

Hey, Chels

Hey, Chels is what you get when you spend 10 years of your life working for a degree you’ll never pay off. It’s realizing the whole world is terrible, while also serving as a reassuring pat on the cheek that everything is going to be ok. It’s a warm summer day and a cold winter night. Hey, Chels is a four-piece rock n roll band from San Diego fronted by Jax Mendez (New Way On) and featuring Stephanie Presz (The Newports) on drums, Kevin White (Squarecrow) on guitar, and Ricky Schmidt (Western Settings) on bass.

Hey, Chels Online

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Twitter | Spotify

Albums & EPs, Earshot Media, Music Videos, News

Lucky Boys Confusion Get Nostalgic on New Video “Arizona Stand”; For The First Time, Debut Album on Vinyl

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Video Features Archival Footage from the Last 15+ Years

Lucky Boys Confusion and Mutant League Records have dropped an unofficial music video for LBC’s song “Arizona Stand.” The track appears on the limited-edition double vinyl release of the band’s 1998 debut album Growing Out Of It, which is out today. Featuring archival footage of the band from over the last 15+ years, the clip was edited by Alex Zarek.

View “Arizona Stand” Here:

1998 Debut Album Growing Out of It Out Now on Vinyl for The First Time Ever

Available for the first time ever on vinyl, the collectors edition deluxe double LP is limited to 500 copies and includes other fan favorites such as “Fred Astaire” and more. The record includes a double insert with song-by-song liner notes from the band.

LBC Growing Out of It LP
  • Pressing Info:
  • 200 copies – Solid Orange
  • 300 copies – Blue & yellow starburst

Purchase the Limited Edition Growing Out of It Vinyl here.

Lucky Boys Confusion Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


Earshot Media, New Bands / Artists, News

Orange County, CA Ska/Pop/Punk Band BITE ME BAMBI – Fun Tunes for Trying Times

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Orange County, CA ska/pop/punk 7-piece Bite Me Bambi is the next band poised to help usher in a new wave of the beloved yet often maligned genre.

Fronted by talented singer and superstar-in-the-making, Tahlena Chikami (who also moonlights as an actor and has appeared on shows like Parks and Recreation, Gilmore Girls, etc.), Bite Me Bambi sports a killer OC ska/punk pedigree, with other members having played in bands such as My Superhero, Save Ferris, and Starpool.

Through steady gigging and raucous shows supporting such legends as The Selecter, Fishbone, Reel Big Fish, Mad Caddies, The Toasters and more, Bite Me Bambi’s popularity continues to rise.

See Bite Me Bambi’s latest music video
for their recently released single “Hot Lava” here:

The clip was directed by Chris Graue of The Maxies, Suburban Legends, The 131ers and stars Megan Berndt and Vincent Del Rio.

About Bite Me Bambi:

Bite Me Bambi Logo

Bite Me Bambi brings sounds reminiscent of British 2 Tone and 3rd wave ska into the 21st century. With energetic songs and masterful musicianship, BMB gets the crowd on their feet and dancing. Comprised of members from some of your favorite ska bands (My Superhero, Save Ferris, Starpool), this new group breathes fresh life to a genre that may have originated in Jamaica, and honed in Britain, but was perfected in the haze, blight, glamour, and beauty of Southern California.

Stream Bite Me Bambi Tracks:

Spotify

Bite Me Bambi Online:

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube


Albums & EPs, Earshot Media, News, Performances

Vancouver Pop Punk Band CHIEF STATE Announce Live Streamed Album Release Acoustic Set; New Album out This Friday

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Vancouver pop-punk five-piece Chief State is releasing the new LP Tough Love on March 27 via Mutant League Records.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the band’s album release shows have been canceled. Instead, they’re going to live stream an acoustic performance this Saturday 3/28 via the Mutant League Records Youtube channel here.

Tune in at 6pm PST on Saturday to hear Chief State perform songs from the new album Tough Love (along with some old fan favorites). The band will also be giving away copies of Tough Love on CD.

Frontman Fraser Simpson says, “We were massively disappointed to cancel our release shows due to the coronavirus. It does at least give us a unique opportunity to take our performance to fans around the world and not just in Vancouver though! We’re excited to share some acoustic renditions of our songs old and new. We’ll be taking questions and chatting between songs so it’s a great opportunity to get to know us and all that we get up to! We’ll also be doing some giveaways so tune in on Saturday 3/28 at 6pm PST for some quarantine hangs!”

Check out the band’s latest single “Biding Time” here and the music video here:


“…an instant-classic…Tough Love is chock full of high-quality moments.”– The New Fury

Chief State Tough Love Album Art

Tough Love Track Listing:

  1. Try Hard
  2. Deciduous
  3. Reprise
  4. Something Good For Once
  5. Biding Time
  6. Choke
  7. Peace Of Mind

Pre-order Tough Love:

Mutant League Records | Spotify

“Chief State are a high-energy pop-punk quintet hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, who are tighter than a rich relative and as posi as your older siblings’ mangled youth-core records.”– Alternative Press

Chief State Online:

Website | Facebook

Earshot Media, Kataklizmic Design, Music Videos, News, Tracks

The Venomous Pinks Release New Single: Cover of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “I Want You”

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Tempe, AZ all-female punk rock trio The Venomous Pinks has released a new single and music video, a cover of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “I Want You,” which will appear on the band’s upcoming album of the same name.

Buy / Stream Now:

Amazon | Apple Music | Spotify

“From poppy sensibilities to heavy riffs, the new new track “I Want You” from The Venomous Pinks is the perfect soundtrack to your weekend.”- New Noise Magazine

Check out the video, starring dominatrixes Soma Snakeoil and Lady Scorpius here:

Guitarist and vocalist Drea Doll says, “I Want You is an in-your-face, unapologetic, punk rendition of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ timeless classic. We set out to infuse our unique style and uncontrived attitude to change up the cover while lovingly nodding to its original roots.”

About The Venomous Pinks

If members of Bikini Kill and TSOL musically collided in a Russ Myer movie, the soundtrack scoring the scene would be orchestrated by The Venomous Pinks. Hailing from Mesa, Arizona the three-piece trio creates an unapologetically, uniquely addictive, in-your-face punk sound, that instantly makes the soul hurt so good, you can’t help but yearn for more.

Newly signed to Die Laughing Records, music is the religion they worship, and their church is the road. Having formed in 2012, they have blasted their way from the garage and into the spotlight, shredding the stage with some of punk rock’s finest bands, such as: Bad Religion, Iggy Pop, Anti-Flag, The Bouncing Souls, just to name a few. Even though they have been touring all over the country, they have street cred to back them since their loyalty to their local roots runs deep.

“The Venomous Pinks are a punk band. Not a “girl” band or a “chick” band, but a punk band.”- New Times

Upcoming Shows

The Venomous Pinks Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter


Earshot Media, News, Signing, Tracks

HE IS WE Joins InVogue Records; New Single “Amazing Grace” Out Feb 14

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He Is We have signed with Ohio-based InVogue Records. Their brand new single will be out Feb. 14th and is titled “Amazing Grace.” The new single will mark their first new music released since 2018.

Pre-save/pre-add “Amazing Grace” here: 
https://orcd.co/heiswe

Washington-based He Is We is fronted by vocalist Rachel Taylor. HIW’s debut album, released in 2010, hit the Billboard charts and accumulated over 100 million streams. In 2017 the follow-up album was released and has already racked up nearly 50 million streams online.

“Regardless of how far I’ve tried to run from this industry, the unconditional support has pulled me back in and reminded me of why it is I need music. I’m blown away that I’d given up on myself and the heartbeat of He Is We never gave up on me. The fan base kept air in my lungs and brought me back to life. I just want to hug every person who held me together when falling apart became so easy,” says Taylor.

“I’ve been a huge fan of He Is We for years so having the opportunity to release this new single, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m really excited to be working with Rachel on this new chapter of music she is creating,” says InVogue Records owner Nick Moore.

He Is We Online:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | InVogue Records