Glitterer, the Washington, D.C., post-hardcore band, has a new record, its fourth full-length album. It’s called erer and it’s on Purple Circle Records, a little label that singer/bassist Ned Russin co-owns. Performed by a revamped lineup — drummer Robin Zeijlon and guitarist Colin Gorman came on board last year, joining singer/bassist Ned Russin and keyboardist Nicole Dao — and recorded by the prolific producer/engineer Arthur Rizk, who has worked on every Glittererer release since 2019, erer is the most thematically urgent work the band has produced to date. It’s also the most immediately and sustainedly ear-pleasing.
Paradigmatically, the lead single, “Stainless Steel,” booms Albini-like with sturdy yet subtle drumming, massive stereo guitars, and all manner of counterpoints and complements emanating from the keyboard, in support of a melody — a classic Glitterer melody — that twists and turns, starts and stops, and goes exactly where the listener didn’t remotely realize it needed to go. And in Russin’s typically sapient lyrics we hear, without superfluity or mawkishness, the bewilderment, resignation, anger, guilt, and stubborn commitment to beauty and community that the album exists to express. It’s the dialectical inner monologue of a socially engaged, intellectually curious creative aspirant — a person not unlike yourself — who can’t help but notice that it’s all coming to nothing. “It’s everywhere I turn / I can’t escape / I wish I had ability innate / I wish I wasn’t incapacitated,” Russin sings. ““I’ll pretend that I’m stainless steel / I’ll forget that this all is real.” What more needs to be said?
These are not optimistic times, and this is not, at the textual level, an optimistic record. See for yourself:
From “Until”: “There is nothing you can’t have / Don’t be afraid to reach and grab / Take and take with no regret / See if you can find the end / There is always more / Until there’s not”
From “Not Forever”: “Arc of progress bend towards me … / Have I grown complacent / After all? … / Self absorbed and so important / Aren’t we all? / Everything and everybody / Individual”
And yet, insofar as the lyrics refuse to put any kind of gloss on the emotional truth of the current moment, the music on erer dedicates itself, with intricacy and care, to the listener. A band that wanted only to aggrandize its own precious feelings of alienation wouldn’t go to the trouble of writing choruses and solos as powerful and effective as these. Ever since Glitterer began, in 2017, when Ned Russin began inconspicuously recording and releasing songs out of his New York apartment — short, spooky synth/drum-machine-based existential ditties that made your toe tap and your skin crawl — the songs have reliably gotten brighter, crunchier, catchier, and less ambivalent about their own charms. In this regard, Glitterer’s erer is something of an apotheosis, a record that says, Yes, the world-at-large is miserable and dissolute, but music is eternal and beautiful, and can’t be taken away from us so long as we continue to play it. So that’s what we’re going to do. We have to.
LA based artist Giraffage (Charlie Yin), whose dreamy synth-pop productions have appointed him as one of electronic music’s most refreshing and innovative producers among the landscape, takes a sonic leap forward with his forthcoming record Too Real, out this October on Counter Records.
Yin grew up in San Jose, California to two Taiwanese immigrants and was raised in a traditional Asian upbringing. A self described “music nerd since day one,” his initial interest grew into something larger after his parents bought him a drumset in eighth grade. “I was always the one passing music suggestions to my friends”, he says, “and the more time I spent working on music the more I knew that’s all I really wanted to do.” His wide range of musical knowledge acted as a launching pad for his own productions, which he began making on a now defunct software program called Tabit. From there he began posting songs online and started gaining traction among online music communities. He quickly advanced to more sophisticated programs and after a handful of releases under the moniker ‘Robot Science’, he introduced Giraffage midway through his final year in college with his self-released synth-pop debut mixtape, Comfort. By the time he graduated in 2012, he was regularly playing shows across the globe.
Chrome Sparks, the musical project of Jeremy Malvin, is known for his lush synth work, intricate percussion, and dynamic beats. Blending indie electronica, house, and experimental elements, he first gained recognition with the viral hit “Marijuana” (2012) and went on to release a series of acclaimed EPs and a self-titled debut album on Counter Records (Ninja Tune).
In recent years, Jeremy has been immersed in production work, collaborating with artists such as Marshmello, Brent Faiyaz, Khalid, Foster the People, and contributing to the Selena Gomez/Benny Blanco project. Most recently, he helped produce Lily Allen’s new album, further showcasing his versatility behind the scenes.
Tyler Watt aka tWIND, started DJing/Producing a years back when he moved from CA's central valley to SF. He feels that no genres are off limits and plays everything from disco to breaks. Tyler has started a pop up called So Sweet with partner devcloud where they showcase fresh sounds & fringe delights in sweet spaces. tWINDS sets are both energetic and eclectic infusing fresh tracks and a bubbly vibe throughout a set.
Pacing is the songwriting and recording project of Katie McTigue. McTigue’s writing style has been described as “tongue firmly planted in cheek” (Surviving the Golden Age), “distinctively sardonic” (Various Small Flames), and “I don’t get it” (multiple sources). Fans and new listeners alike often remark that her anxious, confessional lyrics are "a little too relatable."
Death Valley Girls - Return to Kilowatt 3 Year Anniversary
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For the better part of a decade, LA mystic-rock mainstay Death Valley Girls have used their music as a means of tapping into a communal cosmic energy. On albums like Glow In The Dark (2016), Darkness Rains (2018), and Under the Spell of Joy (2020) the band challenged the soul-crushing banality of modern society and celebrated “true magical infinite potential” through a collage of scorching proto-punk riffs, earworm melodies, far-out lyrics, and lysergic auxiliary instrumentation. But on their latest album Islands in the Sky, Death Valley Girls’ songwriting mastermind Bonnie Bloomgarden uses the band’s anthemic revelries as a guidebook to spiritual healing and a roadmap for future incarnations of the self. And while these may be the loftiest aims of Death Valley Girls to date, the resulting music is also by far their most infectious and celebratory.
Channeling experimental psychedelic cabaret dreampunk into their amoebic performance alter-ego, Bay Area sonic hodgepodge Grooblen’s healing work braids themes that are reflective, surreal, pensive, and whimsical.
Grooblen is a band described by Psychedelic Scene as the “originators” of “psychedelic-cabaret-dream-pop-punk,”- continues to shine with the members’ individual talents: Drummer Nikita Leo and guitarist Spencer Lay spring out with intricate rhythms and melodies, joining the orchestral swell of Alejandro Lara-Agraz on bass, Eva Alejandra contributing vocals, and Ellie Stokes’ lead vocal and jangly rhythm guitars slashing through with equal parts power, grooves to make you wiggle, and delicate sadness.
Forty Feet Tall has cemented their place in the scene as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting acts. With a brand new album, Clean the Cage, produced by Cameron Spies (Spoon Benders, Blackwater Holylight, The Shivas), they showcase a wide range of post-punk sounds that are both volatile and intimate. But the biggest buzz around the band is their live shows. Whether they’re opening for Shame, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Wine Lips, or headlining their first EU/UK tour, the members leave every single thing out on stage with gigs routinely ending in incendiary showstoppers that find the lead singer tangled up in mic cords or diving into the crowd.
Led by Laura Weinbach (daughter of a horror filmmaker, sister of a cult comedian), Foxtails Brigade is an Oakland-based band known for an idiosyncratic strain of art-pop that’s both accessible and appealingly weird. Weinbach’s intricate guitar work and macabre-tinged lyrics wind through precise, interlocking arrangements, creating music that feels playful, dark, and unpredictable.
Their most recent record, The Red Album, released April 2025 finds the band veering into uncharted territory. Clockwork nylon guitar riffs and kitchenware percussion remain at the core, but this time their more experimental tendencies take a backseat to the once forbidden craft of pop songwriting—still unmistakably Foxtails Brigade.
Mayya is a San Francisco musician inspired by anyone who is unapologetically themselves and aspires to create a positive environment through her melodic, energetic music. Her band puts on fun filled performances, while her solo act is known to have a charming and vulnerable quality. The band has shared bills with a variety of artists such as Deerhoof, Mike Watt, Luna, Shannon Shaw, Kid Congo Powers, Death Valley Girls, Tropa Magica, The Avengers, Downtown Boys, Tim Presley, Dick Stusso & Jeffrey Lewis, while her solo stylings have landed her positions opening for John Doe, Kelley Stoltz, Alejandro Escovedo, and The Fillmore Poster Room on nights of Patti Smith and Gogol Bordello. Her latest record, Infinite Possible Futures, is full of wistful daydreams, textural and orchestral arrangements, a thoughtful mix of reflective lyrics, soft sparkles and rock & roll. (recorded at Oakland’s Donut Time Audio, mixed / mastered by Greg Saunier, released on vinyl via Calar Music) Mayya also plays bass with Mae Powell & Mild Universe, and formerly toured on bass with Chris Cohen.
J. Robbins plays Burning Airlines *
Guitarist/singer and indie rock stalwart J. Robbins formed the band Burning Airlines with drummer Peter Moffett, an old friend and fellow Government Issue alumnus, in late 1998, almost immediately after the breakup of Robbins’ longest-running and best known band Jawbox. Bill Barbot, who had been the other guitarist in Jawbox, was tapped by Robbins to play bass. This lineup made one record, Mission:Control!, for Dischord-adjacent indie label DeSoto Records, before Barbot decided to depart the rock life to start a web design company. Mike Harbin then joined on bass for the rest of the band’s tenure, and this lineup made the second Burning Airlines record, Identikit, and toured far more extensively, including trips to Europe and Japan, and US runs with Rival Schools, Braid, Promise Ring, and even the Buzzcocks, to name just a few, before disbanding in October 2001.
After the dissolution of Chico, CA math-rock duo (the) Americas, longtime musical collaborators guitarist/vocalist Travis Wuerthner and drummer Casey Deitz had a vision of a new band and a new sound.
Keeping some key fundamentals—live guitar looping and layering in sync with fiery drumming—while shifting away from the sprawling “anything goes” approach of their previous outfit, the duo embraced the bass guitar (written and performed by Casey) and opted for a more aggressive, trimmed down, direct approach to songwriting.
Formed on the cusp of the pandemic in San Francisco, Minus Numbers is rooted in the post-hardcore landscape of the '90s but unburdened by genre and era. Instead, they carve a new path, one where heaviness becomes both an anchor and release, and every note and lyric carries the weight of stories once left unspoken. Reid Black (bass), Michael Garceau (vocals), Randy Johnson (guitar), and Dennis Remsing (drums) bring a collective history to the table, three of them hailing from the influential Orange County post-hardcore outfit Drift Again.
Wisp is a 20-year-old Shoegaze artist originally from San Francisco. Inspired by the likes of Whirr and my bloody valentine, she has released four singles – the first of which, “Your face” has now generated over 72m streams on Spotify since its Aprils release. Proficient at numerous instruments including violin, guitar, and piano, Wisp has quickly become the fastest growing Shoegaze artist in the streaming era and was recently named a Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Artist To Watch in the year ahead. She released her debut EP, Pandora, in April of this year – in conjunction with her debut US headline tour.
Join us for An Evening With, a special night of music, stories, and connection featuring The Joy Formidable alongside the solo projects of its founding members, Shy Western (Ritzy Bryan) and Rhydian Dafydd.
Shy Western brings an intimate, pulse-driven energy with nature at its core.
Rhydian Dafydd explores the shadow and the self through a visionarium of driving, folding rhythms, rich textures, and emotional depth.
With songs spanning 15 years, exclusive music club tracks, and the occasional surprise guest, An Evening With is a night built on beauty, connection, and offers fans a rare chance to experience these artists up close, in their most open and creative form.
Stephen Malkmus is a singer and guitarist in the groups Pavement, The Jicks, and the Hard Quartet and was a member of Silver Jews. A graduate of the University of Virginia and a tennis enthusiast, he lives in Chicago.
Saxophonist, composer and improviser Cole Pulice traffics in shimmering, otherworldly beauty. On Land’s End Eternal, their first album for Leaving Records, the Oakland-based artist expands their compositional palette beyond signal-processed saxophone to include layers of electric guitar and lush choral arrangements. The result is a prismatic collection of pastoral chamber jazz in six parts. Cole’s previous release, a 22-minute electroacoustic odyssey titled If I Don’t See You in the Future, I’ll See You In the Pasture (Longform Editions, 2023), was named ‘Best New Track’ by Pitchfork and included in the publication’s Best Songs Of The 2020s. Cole has also released a smattering of solo and collaborative work on beloved labels including Moon Glyph, Aural Canyon and Cached Media. Their performance history includes appearances at Pitchfork Music Festival (UK), Rewire (NL), ÜBERJAZZ (DE), Copenhagen Jazz Festival (DK), Drone Not Drones (US), & Noise Pop Festival (US).
Since his arrival on the scene in 2018, rum.gold has been illuminating the alt r&b world with his angelic voice and distinct singing style. A skilled songwriter, lyricist, and vocalist, rum carefully crafts each melody, word, and concept with intent. With two critically acclaimed EPs (yaRN 2018, aiMless 2019), and two full-length albums (Thicker Than Water 2021, U Street Anthology 2023) under his belt, the D.C. native prepares to release his next body of work in 2025.
Playboy Manbaby is not a band. Playboy Manbaby is a corporation.
Finally someone who can give a voice to a group that has never been treated fairly. Corporations. After years of touring the country and building a name as an electrifying and energetic live band, Playboy Manbaby has given up on being a band. From this point forward Playboy Manbaby will be touring the country giving electrifying and energetic motivational team building seminars. Increase your net worth TODAY!
Playboy Manbaby is excited to announce that VIOLENCE is coming JANUARY 6th!
VIOLENCE is the brand new full length musical product being released to consumers January 6th 2026. The last full length album from Playboy Manbaby (the band) was released in 2018. But now that Playboy Manbaby is a corporation, they have learned from their previous mistakes and enlisted Zac Carper from FIDLAR to produce a full length musical product that will excite both shareholders and members of the board alike.
We at The Playboy Manbaby Corporation could not be more excited for VIOLENCE. Because whether you like it or not VIOLENCE will be everywhere January 6th!
Socials: TikTok | IG | FB | Spotify | Bandcamp
Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Houston, Texas, Vortxz is an Indie/Latino rock band on a mission to transport listeners to a world of hope, freedom, and self-expression. Founded by lead singer and songwriter Isaias “Rambo” Rodarte, the group’s eclectic sound blends new-wave indie, Rock en Español, and alternative rock, captivating audiences with its raw energy and emotive lyricism. Backed by the virtuosic guitar and keys of Noe Rodriguez and the driving rhythms of drummer Jonathan Lopez, Vortxz has carved out a unique niche in the local music scene, earning a loyal following for their electrifying live performances. With an unwavering commitment to creating music that helps people escape the trials of everyday life, this rising Houston-based trio is poised to leave an indelible mark on the indie rock landscape.
csndra is an indie pop artist from Orlando, Florida, currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for her dreamy vocals and bilingual song writing, she seamlessly blends English and Spanish lyrics to create a sound that is both intimate and introspective.
Drawing inspiration from her Puerto Rican roots, csndra blends elements of pop and alternative influences into her dreamy, velvet-toned productions. Her breakout single, “Cuida,” established her as a rising voice in the Latin indie pop scene, showcasing her ability to explore genres with authenticity and emotional depth.
Started in Oakland, California in 2010, Diesel Dudes are a rambunctious and sweaty duo that melds European EBM influences with the intensity of hardcore punk, wrapped up in a sinewy bow of absurdist performance art. Described by living legend John Waters as “big, strong and totally wrong” and by a bemused Swedish promoter as “the drunkest band I’ve ever seen”- they’ve consistently whipped audiences around the world into participation and perspiration in their infamous group push-up rituals in the pit for over a decade. Through hundreds of performances all over the world they’ve peddled their brutal songs about muscles, vehicles and the failures of father and must be witnessed in the flesh (however porcine) to be believed.
Mega Ran is a Grammy-Nominated former middle school teacher turned rapper, songwriter, producer, podcast host and author who makes crowd-powered interactive and fun hip-hop inspired by games, family and pop culture.
A pioneer of the “nerdcore” music subgenre, he’s rocked audiences all over the world, placing music in million-selling video games (Mortal Kombat, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), TV programming (WWE, AEW) and films (Clerks III) while remaining independent.
Lauded as one of Pitchfork’s 21 Breakout Artists to Watch, Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Cleo Reed debuts at SFJAZZ as part of the 2026 NoisePop Festival with music from their 2025 album Cuntry — an assured mix of R&B and folk music that Pitchfork calls "a proud and emphatically Black update on the American folk tradition.” Born Ella Moore, Reed is a gifted New York-reared polymath who took the professional name “Cleo” in tribute to their great-grandmother.
Two Shows: 7:00 PM and 8:30
Noted for throaty, yearning vocals that accompany his swimmy indie soul-pop, Yellow Days is the performance alias of British musician George van den Broek. After some early releases during his teenage years, he began to gain traction with 2017’s full-length Is Everything Okay in Your World? Switching locales to Los Angeles, his follow-up, A Day in a Yellow Beat, appeared in 2020. Two years later, the pandemic-inspired EP trilogy Slow Dance & Romance, Apple Pie, and Inner Peace was steeped in psychedelic soul.
Niis—pronounced “Nice”—synthesizes the sounds of punk, hardcore, lo-fi garage, and early grunge to craft a raw, undefinable noise all their own. Hailing from Los Angeles, this four-piece channels the spirit of rebellion through blistering riffs and Mimi’s visceral screams, delivering biting commentary on capitalism, misogyny, and the constructs that seek to confine us. With influences like Rudimentary Peni, Crass, and Hole, Niis fuses rage and reflection into songs that confront and provoke, like “Fuck You Boy,” an unflinching anthem about navigating a male-dominated music scene, or the searing "Tyrant," which demands liberation from oppressive systems.
San Francisco’s Starzdust emerged onto the local grunge and DIY rock scene in late 2023. Led by vocalist and guitarist Natalia, the band has carved out a sound that’s both gritty and melodic, merging elements of punk, grunge, and rock.
Starzdust’s rise reflects the energy of a new wave of Bay Area rock: unapologetic, female-driven, and fiercely independent. Beyond fronting the band, Natalia is also the founder of Rose Blood Festival, a femme-fronted showcase that sold out its debut event and spotlighted some of the most exciting new voices in alternative music. With growing recognition from platforms like Bandcamp, Starzdust is currently gigging across California opening for bigger bands and recording more new music to release in 2026.
Hot Flash Heat Wave began as a carefree high school garage band in Davis, CA where the three founding members met in the lively local music scene, playing in various groups and garages around the small suburban town. The members later reconvened in San Francisco, where the project rose to prominence in the bay area music scene, eventually gaining wider attention with the release of their debut record’s 'Gutter Girl' music video, which made its way to the front page of Reddit and catapulted the group to the international stage. Since then HFHW has created a dynamic and diverse soundscape with 3 records and one EP that have solidified them as a well known name in modern indie music.
“Toiling in the city's garage and punk underground, screeching shape-shifters Carrion Kids have carved their name with a feral cocktail of chainsaw guitars, piercing wails, and a wicked sense of humor. Your ears are going to suffer, but your body is going to dance." (Remezcla)
Rarely does modern music earn the badge timeless, but BEL cuts through the noise. Hailing from the small town of Clovis, California, Isabel Whelan crafts nostalgic songs with honesty and attention to detail. She occupies the intersection of indie rock, pop, and folk, while taking cues from the likes of Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Mazzy Star.
