New Single from Lowlight

Lowlight from the very last set I shot before the world changed. Not the best pic ever, but I had to get the disco ball into at least one shot for Renee.

"Julian"

Am I gonna start every post from now on by saying how I haven't been posting much lately because I just haven't felt like it? We'll see, I guess.

I was exchanging messages with good friend Renee Maskin of Lowlight yesterday. At one point, I mentioned how CoolDad Music has kind of been on life support for a while now and how I thought maybe it would become another casualty of the pandemic. The main context of our chat, though, was my telling Renee how much I'd been enjoying Lowlight's latest single, "Julian." I told her how refreshing it was to hear Lowlight continue to try new things. What I didn't explicitly say (but I think I implied) was that the song's epic sweep (It's nearly 8 minutes of epic sweep that absolutely flies by. Trust me.) and hopeful tone helped to keep things going here for at least one more day.

"Julian" provided me with a little moment of inspiration, and I asked Renee to share some thoughts about the song:

"Despite its runtime, "Julian" is a song that came together relatively quickly. It’s also a true Lowlight collaboration. Sometimes, we all write on our own and then present the rest of the band something that's structurally set in stone. But, in this case, we really molded the different elements of the "Julian" together.  Derril [Sellers] and Dana [Sellers] had the initial chord change ideas. I suggested that the song shift to a long instrumental ending. Colin [Ryan], Rey [Rivera], Derril, and Dana went to town on putting it together, while I shuffled around with a notebook, listening, and trying to figure out what the lyrics should be about.  

I had been getting comments recently that my lyrics are often pretty depressing (as if I wasn't aware). So I thought I'd take a shot at writing something a little more upbeat. And, while the song is not all sunshine and fucking rainbows, I think the takeaway is mainly hopeful. There are moments of depression, confusion, and disappointment. But there's also love, appreciation of the people and things we have, and hope for what's to come. 

We had no idea that we’d collectively as humans be in the mess we're in right now by the time "Julian" was released. With any luck, some of that feeling of hope in the song will rub off on whoever listens."

Julian is available now at your favorite streaming service via Telegraph Hill Records.

Various Artists, Telegraph Hill Records Vol. 02, 2019

Track by Track

By Brian Erickson

In what I hope becomes an annual tradition, Telegraph Records releases a compilation of new music from its current and prospective artists, and I write a track-by-track review. The rules are simple: I listen to the song once, come up with a couple things to say, and wrap it up by the time the song is over. No pauses or repeats. I cheated a little bit. But with a collection this good, it's hard not to want to press "repeat."

Levy & the Oaks , "You'll Fly" -- What a way to kick things off! Levy & the Oaks continue their run with this harmony-soaked ode to self-preservation. Pitch-perfect vocals hover above white-hot guitar lines and a chugging rhythm section to produce one of Levy & the Oaks' most memorable songs; no short order considering their catalogue is fast filling up with them!

Bobby Mahoney & the Seventh Son, "Nothing for Nothing" -- Mahoney & Co produce another rafter-shaking anthem. But this time, they add a contemplative lyrical twist: "When it all falls apart / What will be left in your heart?" It's a question we could all benefit from asking ourselves once in a while and The Seventh Son wrap theirs inside an "arms-around-the-arena" sing along.

Jarod Clemons & the Late Nights, "On the Waves" -- Newcomer Jarod Clemons adds a classic rock feel to the comp with a pummeling guitar riff that sounds like the grandson of "Them Changes" by Jimi Hendrix & the Band of Gypsies. Move past the famous last name; Jarod is both his own man and his own musician. And "On the Waves" proves it right out of the gate. If he keeps this up, Little Big Man will have a big, big future.

The Foes of Fern, "Out of Out Heads Vol. 2" -- The Foes' first new music since the split of The Burns, and it's evident they haven't taken this newfound autonomy lying down. While the lyrics touch on Matt Fernicola's well-worn themes of aging, nostalgia, and relationships, the music is positively uplifting, creating a beautiful contrast of sound and feeling. Pay attention to the 2:49 mark. The song flips, adding a mantra: "There was no reason to leave." Just as Fern's voice gets desperate, powerhouse backing singer Jessie McCormick steps in to take us home…wow!

Malibu, "Never Ending May" -- Malibu sings of their "best heartbreak" over a post-punk beat and pleading lyrics. But it's the small things buried just beneath the surface that make "Never Ending May" worth spinning over again. Small orchestral flourishes in the intro and bridge and the ticking clock as the song ends feel like the band added just a dash of Hans Zimmer to their rock and roll.

Airacuda, "Pals" -- I love this comp for lots of reasons, not least of which being Airacuda gets back together for a new song. Ten years from now, we're going to end up with the most stealthily-released Airacuda full-length. "Pals" adds another highlight to the band's slowly-expanding songbook, this time including a midtempo groove and a sentimental ode to that which brought this band together in the first place -- friendship.

Leah Voysey, "Phoenix" -- If Voysey's last single, "Keep it To Yourself," chronicles a stressed and distressed breakup, the follow up is straight-up redemption. 2017's "Poison" might be Voysey's most popular song. But "Phoenix" is her best.

Keith Egan, "What's Wrong" -- Keith Egan is all about that slow swagger. Keyboards on delay, slow synth swells that evoke The Weeknd, and Egan's desperate vocal turn. The only thing wrong is that Egan doesn't make more than one song a year!

MaYay0, "Stay" -- With a minimalist's production, MaYay0 has offered up a flawless club jam. The single artwork tells you everything you need. Two tasseled ropes in a heart shape over a red background. This is "lights down low" music done really, really well! Oh…and it's pronounced "muh-YAY-oh."

Des & the Swagmatics, "This MoFo Right Here" -- This skittering, electric piano-driven call-out is a compilation highlight. Des Spinks's voice is among the most powerful in the entire New Jersey scene and "This MoFo" puts it (and her band's brilliant interplay) on full, glorious display!

Taylor Tote, "One Night" -- Tote's voice snakes its way around the song's question of "will they/won't they," with a dark, almost-sinister tone. And "One Night" rides a slow build that ends quicker than you can flip the light switch from on to off. Question answered?

Luke Dowler, "Get the Job Done" -- Overdriven guitar, and Hammond organ adorn this riff-propelled slice of apple-sweet Americana. Meanwhile, Dowler's voice is grittier than the dirt under your fingernails. And because of all this, "Get the Job Done" never feels like it's trying too hard. It just does what it's got do to -- well -- you know.

Marc Tappan & the Dirty Shine, "Love on Trial" -- Tappan, a scene veteran, has a beautiful story that saw him come back from homelessness earlier in his life. But "Love on Trial" is no 'just happy to be here' tune. It's an impassioned, horn-drenched lover's plea that showcases all that Tappan & Co have to offer: memorable songwriting, expert performance, and a whole lot of heart.

Natalie Farrell, "Glowing" -- This is the perfect windows-down singalong! Featuring lilting strings, a tight weave of acoustic-and-electric guitar, and of course, Farrell's mighty alto, "Glowing" is both a standout on the compilation as well as in Natalie's impressive, ever-growing catalogue.

Lowlight, "NYE" -- Capturing the sweet sadness of the holiday season, Lowlight has imbued "NYE" with the insightful sentimentality that's always sat just below the band's surface. And in singing of string lights, empty glasses, and fireworks out on the lawn, Lowlight hasn't slapped together some holiday novelty, they've built themselves a stone-classic!

Ashley McKinley, "The Truth Is" -- Countrypolitan singer Ashley McKinley's voice sits front-and-center on this lonesome piano ballad. "Believe me, I tried to keep it together / Truth is that we don't belong / The truth is, we always felt wrong." As red and raw as those conversations can be, rare is the song that captures them so well. On "The Truth Is," McKinley succeeds.

Patty C, "Hey Mama" -- Patty C serves up a beer-soaked, gospel-tinged apology to yet another flamed-out relationship. The heartbreak is strong with this one and it hurts to hit the ground so hard. But goddamn it we don't just keep coming back for more!

Abbey Road All Stars, "Come Together" -- This is what happens when the scene collaborates! Members of Levy & the Oaks, The Extensions, The Viewers Like You, Des & the Swagmatics, The Foes of Fern, Dave & Tom, and Handsome Looks all took the stage on September 28, 2019 for an Asbury Park Music Foundation benefit and a tribute to the Abbey Road album. This live take on a Beatles classic is the triumphant result!

Telegraph Hill Records Vol. 02 is available to stream now.

New Stuff from Old Friends: Lowlight, Dentist, Screaming Females

Friends & Family

Some CoolDad Music mainstays have been putting out some cool stuff lately, and I decided to get off my ass and tell you about it.

Lowlight, "Coastlines"

Lowlight had a big summer. August saw the band head out on a jaunt around the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. They released their fantastic Endless Bummer LP on September 13th, and they capped everything off with a triumphant weekend at Asbury Park's Sea.Hear.Now. Festival just as the summer was officially drawing to a close.

Well, there was one more thing. As September gave way to October, Lowlight released the video for Endless Bummer and live set standout, "Coastlines." Using footage gathered from that August tour, the band give us a glimpse into life on the road and time spent with friends. The song is a twangy, rocking rambler that I've loved from the moment I first heard it. It's the perfect soundtrack to Lowlight's mini road movie and, really, to any of life's literal or figurative journeys.

And we get some bonus RockNRoll Hi-Fives in there, too.

Lowlight will be at The Saint in Asbury Park on Halloween with America Part Two, Shred Flintstone, Idle Wave, and Blaise.

Endless Bummer is out now on Telegraph Hill / Gruesome Twosome.



Dentist, "Someone Like You"

At our show with A Giant Dog, Dentist, and The RockNRoll Hi-Fives at The Saint back in July, Dentist treated us to a new song they'd been working on. They took "Someone Like You" into Oceanport's Simple Sound Studio; and, yesterday, the band released the single accompanied by a new video.

"Someone Like You," like a lot of Dentist tracks, presents a sunny, smiling face to the world; while something slightly more melancholy sits just beneath the surface. Dentist have their sound so dialed in at this point that creating dreamy, reverby, crunchy pop seems almost effortless for them.

The Sean Bell-directed video reveals that Dentist's pop expertise doesn't translate to home improvement. The clip features power tools, an attempt to hammer a screw into a block of wood, and comedic gore. It's also probably the only 3-minute song to feature a lunch break.

Dentist are currently out on tour with Brick + Mortar. That run makes its final stop at the new Lanes on 11/2.

"Someone Like You" is available now from Cleopatra Records via your digital platform of choice.



Screaming Females, "Ancient Civilization"

Here's something I probably should have told you about by now, but I'm getting in just under the wire. This Friday, 10/18, Screaming Females will release Singles Too via Don Giovanni Records. The collection brings together around 15 years' worth of non-album tracks including early 7-inches and digital-only releases. Download and CD versions of the album will add 6 covers, including songs originally done by Neil Young, Taylor Swift, and Patti Smith.

This morning, Screaming Females released the final pre-release track, "Ancient Civilization." The song originally appeared, I think, on a 2013 split with Wisconsin's Tenement (which I own). It's a doomy storm of Marissa Paternoster guitar heroics from right around that time when I took my buddy to see Screaming Females, Tenement, and Waxahatchee at the old Asbury Lanes and he just about lost his shit.

Screaming Females have a couple of area shows this weekend. They play a set at OctFest 2019 at Knockdown Center in Queens on Saturday, 10/19. On Sunday, 10/20, the band headline the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market after party at Championship Bar and Grill with Dusk and Freya Wilcox & The Howl.

Singles Too is out Friday, 10/18, via Don Giovanni.

Various Artists, Telegraph Hill Records, Vol. 1, 2018

Compilation Review

I Care and I Don’t Care

By Brian Erickson

Every opportunity gained begins with an opportunity lost. That loss came at Langosta Lounge as Matt Fernicola and Joe Pomarico's old band Airacuda called it a career. Since then, fur-coated frontman Matthew Stephen retreated from the spotlight, opting for life as a writer and producer under the name MaYay0 (more on him in a moment). Meanwhile, the aforementioned sidemen chose to form Telegraph Hill Records and take over Asbury Park like a hurricane wave breaking over the boards.

Recruiting up-and-comers like Avery Mandeville and Conor Bracken & The Mother Leeds Band, and mainstays like Lowlight, and Levy & The Oaks, "Fern" and "Pom, as they are affectionately known, have established a formidable operation. Taking a page from the Little Dickman playbook, Telegraph Hill has helped push the music scene forward, returning some of the power from stodgy promoters back to the bands, and most importantly, establishing a sense of community beyond its ranks. Today they make their first big move.

Tying themselves to the second annual What a Wonderful Year show happening tonight and tomorrow at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, Telegraph Hill has released its first of several compilations. And, in the tradition of the old Speak Into My Good Eye compilations, I decided to review each and every track for as long as the song lasted before I had to cap it and move on.

Lowlight offered up a generous five minutes. While Leah Voysey's two minute and twenty second "Poison" commanded more economy. So here we go…



Lowlight, "Burkhalter"
A campfire crackles, a synthesizer bubbles to the surface as Renee Maskin accounts a "day in the life" of this Big Lebowski character whom we know by name only. I saw them play it live, and the song absolutely kills! In a recorded setting, with a greater attention to detail, lyrics are put front-and-center as Maskin delivers her signature insight: "Finding all the little things / Between what we say / And what we mean." Smile when you know everyone's watching. Sigh when you're alone. Repeat. There's a sadness in the resignation of Lowlight's characters. But, by the end, like most everything Lowlight put their name on, "Burkhalter" proves yet another triumph.

Des & the Swagmatics, "Back to Blue"
Des Spinks is one of the best singers in the game. She brings that full-voiced sway to this slow jam plea for trust and communication. But this isn't just the Des show. Singer and band work in perfect symmetry together as "Back to Blue" recalls the easy groove of early 90s R&B like "Hopeless" by Dionne Farris.

Keith Egan, "Belong"
Keith Egan serves up a slice of MaYay0-produced R&B-laced pop. Swaths of harmony and electronic rhythms adorn Egan's infectious chorus as the production has radio straight in the crosshairs!

MaYay0 & Taylor Tote, "Don't Need You Anymore"
MaYay0 is joined by Asbury Park pop goddess Taylor Tote for another modern confection. This time, acoustic guitars, keyboards, and Tote's considerable vocal turn make this song jump straight off the page. And that chorus, tho!

Leah Voysey, "Poison"
By the singer's own admission, "Poison" had been kicking around in a couple of different demo forms before she placed it in Telegraph Hill's capable hands. Here, the song whirrs to life on the back of a stuttering rhythm, a minor-key chorus and Voysey's dark lyrical themes. And at just 2:20, it gets in, says what it needs to, and clears right out. But that's what the repeat button is for.

Levy & the Oaks, "On the Run"
Levy Okun, the soft-spoken singer of Levy & the Oaks recently posted about his early days as a musician. He chronicled what it was like to tour the world, make records, and perform for hundreds of people every night; the types of things any aspiring musician might one day hope to accomplish. But behind that good time was addiction, divorce, and a struggle for Okun to regain his footing. But don't let the backstory fool you; this is a celebration; the announcement of Act II. And the band coats Okun's contemplative lyrics in barrelhouse piano, horns, and a joyous singalong chorus. So give it another run, Levy & the Oaks. Clearly, your best work is still ahead of you.

Bobby Mahoney & the Seventh Son, "Should Have Called You Up (Last Night)"
My favorite Garden State wunderkind's rafter-reaching voice rockets this Scott Weiland-fronts-the-E-Street-Band straight across the finish line. Whoever said rock and roll is dead clearly isn’t listening to Bobby Mahoney: author of the best choruses in the biz!

Connor Bracken & the Mother Leeds Band, "Read On You"
Connor Bracken found himself thumbing through some disparate items at a thrift store one afternoon. He opened up a box that had Thin Lizzy's swinging double backbeat in it. He paid the clerk, went home, and the Mother Leeds Band was born. Like Bobby Mahoney, Bracken & Co are working hard to keep rock and roll alive. And with fist-pumpers like "Read on You" coming off so effortlessly, I'd say Mother Leeds: 1, Haters: 0.

Natalie Farrell, "Mister Officer"
Coming off this summer's Natality EP, Farrell is on a roll! "Mister Officer" adds an unexpected twist to otherwise-timely lyrical commentary. Pair that with Matt Fernicola's blistering guitar leads, and you've got not just a compilation highlight but one of the best songs of Farrell's young career.

Airacuda, "Scorpio Clarice"
MaYay0 climbs into the chrysalis and reemerges with the tight pants and fur coat for the first new Airacuda material in nearly three years! A rock and roll strut, scintillating vocal-and-keyboard lines that recall Morrison and Manzarek, and more fine Fernicola guitar work prove Airacuda could step back in anytime they'd like and be right at home.

The Foes of Fern, "Lydia"
My favorite Foes song finally gets a proper release! At this point, with contributions to several tracks (and more to come), Fern wins this compilation's Sixth Man of the Year award. As a front man, Fern's charmingly gruff voice and earnest sense of songwriting propel this power pop gem!

The Burns, "I'll Be Back"
The nice boys that play the good rockin' tunes are back. Hot off the release of their You EP, The Burns recall "Lay Down Sally" with this bluesy Claptonian shuffle. Fern and bassist Chris Dubrow supply honey-voiced singer Joey Henderson with just the right amount of vinegar to make those backing vocals play just right. And, as always, drummer Bill McCabe keeps it all from rolling off the road. Bravo, Burns!

Avery Mandeville, "Encore (live)"
Avery Mandeville wields her quavering voice like a blunt force weapon, insisting she shouldn't have to explain herself. But self-doubt and self-reflection cohabitate like Caden and Hazel from Synecdoche, New York. It doesn’t matter if the house is on fire so long as it’s the house you built. With an EP, an album, and this great, sad, compelling, fucked up new single, Mandeville continues to build something stunning. I can’t wait to see how it all continues to burn!