In conversation with Aki and James of Nu House Studios Part 1

Nu House Studios was brought into being in Central Massachusetts in 2019 by longtime friends and bandmates Aki McCullough and James Goldmann. The duo have brought their years of audio engineering, recording, production, and music composition experience to many projects since they began including Victory Over the Sun, Arón Speer, Embrasa, Blade of Marrow, Jisei, Sludge Bunny, Vivid Illusion, Thrashing Mossdog, Necroplanet, Dreamwell, and their own band A Constant Knowledge of Death. While there is no doubt they have tremendous technical skill Aki and James also work hard to provide a safe and comfortable space for trans and queer musicians to create their art. In addition to providing support and knowledge, Nu House Studios has a Trans Musician Fund (more on that in part 2 tomorrow) that helps cover the cost of their services in order to make high-quality recordings and studio time more accessible for trans musicians. Aki and James prove that when community comes first, everybody benefits.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Aki and James to talk about how Nu House Studios came into being, making the studio a safe space, the importance of sharing knowledge, uplifting trans and queer voices, and so much more. Read part one of the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Aki, and James of Nu House Studios took place on March 5, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity. All photos used are credited to Sheri Furneaux with the exception of the photo of the studio which is credited to Jared Shute.

Talking 'All Hard Feelings' with Tracy, Mark, and Mikey of Cross Dog

Tomorrow Peterborough, Ontario-based hardcore punk band Cross Dog will unleash their excellent third album, All Hard Feelings, into the world. The band comes out of the gate swinging on opening track “Hard Feelings”, showcasing their hard-hitting lyrics and wonderfully heavy instrumentation that will have you banging your head and singing along within seconds. If you think that they are going to calm down from there, think again! The album zips by in a blur of incredible vocal delivery, killer basslines and bass effects, and superb drums. Throughout the ten tracks, the band delivers on the album’s title and dives into a multitude of hard feelings including dealing with depression, fighting against apathy, and overcoming burnout along with fiercely advocating for reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and an end to systemic oppression in all its forms. Cross Dog proves that even though the feelings may be hard at times, no matter what there is always hope. All Hard Feelings will be out everywhere on June 7 via Stomp Records. Cross Dog will be playing their record release party the same day at Bar 379 in Peterborough.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Tracy A, bassist Mark Rand, and drummer Mikey Reid to talk about the new album, working with Scott Middleton, finding catharsis through songwriting, being inspired by Gen Z, the ongoing fight for reproductive rights, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Tracy A, Mark Rand, and Mikey Reid took place on May 27, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

'Casually Crashing' with Cora Kunda and Nat Breeden of Arcadia Grey

Earlier this month Chicago-based emo punk band Arcadia Grey released their stellar second album Casually Crashing. The band’s growth is on full display as they kick out ten tracks full of killer riffs, infectious hooks, and moshable moments. Their lyrics confront grief, identity, self-love, mental health, regret, and living with roommates with introspective lyrics that oscillate between heart-rending and humuorous. Casually Crashing is out now via Smartpunk Records. Arcadia Grey will be touring the US (including a stop at Pug Fest in Michigan) and Ontario starting in June and will be playing FEST in Florida in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with guitarist and vocalist Cora Kunda and bassist and vocalist Nat Breeden to talk about the new album, why owl pellets are the perfect analogy for songwriting, the power of the Prince Daddy and the Hyena hoodie, being a good roommate, creating bits, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Cora Kunda, and Nat Breeden took place on May 29, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Check out the new song by HeWhoCannotBeNamed

Here's a new track by HeWhoCannotBeNamed.

"Torneo Del Purgatorio" is a hard-charging pop-punker. The track is off a four song EP, Ghost Ride out May 24 Via Rad Girlfriend Records. You can pre-order the release right here and check out the new track and an interview with HeWho below.

Emily Bones and Valerie Knox of The Anti-Queens talk their new album 'Disenchanted'

We are just days away from the release of The Anti-Queens’ excellent second album Disenchanted. The Toronto-based punk rockers are at the top of their game as they kick out thirteen tracks that capture their incomparable energy. They open the discussion around the systemic oppression of Indigenous people in Canada, talk about the bittersweet nature of love, tackle toxic relationships, and celebrate badass women with powerful lyrics and infectious harmonies that will have you singing along in no time at all. Disenchanted will be out everywhere on May 17 via Stomp Records. The Anti-Queens will be playing Pouzza Fest on Friday, May 17, and will be touring around Canada this summer.

 Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist and guitarist Emily Bones and guitarist and vocalist Valerie Knox to talk about the new album, the importance of teaching Indigenous history and supporting Indigenous communities, playing Pouzza Fest, tattoos, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Emily Bones, and Valerie Knox took place over Zoom on April 26, 2024. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'Name Your Sorrow' with Pamela Connolly of Pillow Queens

Last month Dublin-based indie rockers Pillow Queens released their incredible third album Name Your Sorrow. The band holds nothing back as they delve deep into heartbreak along with all the grief and conflicting emotions that accompany it over the course of twelve tracks brimming with direct and honest lyrics. The album is a masterclass of vulnerability and catharsis as the band gives voice to all the struggles (as well as the small victories) that pave the messy path to healing. Name Your Sorrow is out everywhere now via Royal Mountain Records. Pillow Queens will kick off their UK tour in June.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Pamela Connolly to talk about the new album, recording rurally, the messiness of heartbreak, Greek mythology, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Pamela Connolly took place on April 30, 2024, over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Nicolas Couture of Basque talks the band's debut album, 'Pain Without Hope of Healing'

In March Kitchener-based screamo band Basque released their excellent debut album Pain Without Hope of Healing. The seven tracks are filled to the brim with incredible riffs, mathy moments, wonderfully created noise, and heartfelt lyrics that are delivered with power, pain, and hope. It is astounding how much meaning and musicianship Basque are able to pack into eighteen minutes. Pain Without Hope of Healing is out everywhere now via No Funeral Records. Basque will be playing New Friends Fest in Toronto in August.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with bassist and vocalist Nicolas Couture to talk about the new album, Basque’s origin story, playing New Friends Fest, Nic Cage, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Nicolas Couture took place on April 16, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Andy and CD of The Slime talk their upcoming EP 'Trapped on Blood Island'

Later this week, Toronto-based hardcore punk band The Slime will be releasing their new EP Trapped on Blood Island. The EP rips by in just over 3 minutes as the band tears through three killer tracks full of huge riffs, inventive arrangements, and abstract lyrics that peer into our society. Along with showcasing how fun and creative hardcore punk can be, “Beyond Dead”, “Blood Island”, and “Nude” also gives listeners a taste of what’s in store on their upcoming yet-to-be-named album which is due out later this year. Trapped on Blood Island will be out everywhere on April 27 via Cursed Blessings Records. The Slime will be playing their album release show that same day at SeeScape in Toronto, Ontario.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Andy Mc and bassist CD Grind to talk about their new EP, their upcoming album, horror movies, what the best non-punk song to two-step to is, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Andy Mc, and CD Grind took place on April 09, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Tara Hahn of Half Past Two speaks about the band's new album 'Talk Is Killing Me'

In two days Orange County-based ska band Half Past Two will be releasing their excellent new album Talk Is Killing Me. The album finds the band infusing more punk elements into their sound, leaning into their anger and redefining themselves in the process. Lyrically the band isn’t shying away from heavy topics as they discuss trauma, shine a light on ableism in our society, and talk about tumultuous times within the band with honest, imagery-filled lyrics. Talk Is Killing Me will be out everywhere on April 19 via Bad Time Records. Half Past Two will begin their tour of the US tomorrow (April 18) in Brooklyn.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Tara Hahn to talk about the new album, finding catharsis through songwriting, the importance of advocating for the disability community, making sure shows are accessible for everybody, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Tara Hahn took place on April 11, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Check out the new track from the new album by JD Pinkus of Butthole Surfers!

Today, we are THRILLED to debut the new video by JD Pinkus of The Butthole Surfers! Plus, we have a Q+A with him, too!

On June 7, Pinkus will release his brand new album, Grow a Pear, via the iconic Shimmy Disc label. As you might expect, the record is totally far out.

The album finds Pinkus cranking out low, rumbling, twisting mindfreak music… and a lot of the tracks have him playing the banjo. Quite uniquely, the LP locks together the spirit of Appalachia with the astral-tripping of dark psyche- think slamming down a pint of moonshine and then eating a bunch of acid. And moreover, many of these songs are actually tunes from a never-to-materialize Butthole Surfers album!

The debut track, "Charmer," has a sinister slithering while Pinkus drops menacing backwater strings over the creepy crawl. The tune feels ancient and metaphysical. Although the track is instrumental, it feels like Pinkus wants you to see the world through the eyes of Serpentes. It's rad.

You can check out the suitably freaky video below, along with a Q+A with Pinkus about the album and a loooong list of tour dates where Pinkus will open for Buzz of The Melvins. All of that good stuff is below. Slither on!

Degenerating with Justin Fornof of Wristmeetrazor

Wristmeetrazor are constantly evolving their sound and their upcoming third album Degeneration is a perfect example of this. The band leans more into their industrial and metallic side while also making use of groovy riffs as they hold a magnifying glass up to the state of the human race. Over the course of 12 tracks (and one hidden one) they explore how society (along with themselves) has degenerated in the past few years with philosophical and oftentimes misanthropic lyrics that explore what it means to be human, the true meaning of revenge, the destructive yearning for fame, the hypocrisy of the world we live in, and dive deep into what it means to lose your identity. Degeneration will be out everywhere on March 29 via Prosthetic Records. Wristmeetrazor will be touring the Eastern US starting in April.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Justin Fornof over Zoom to talk about the album, writing and recording in near-total isolation, philosophy, dental hygiene, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Justin Fornof took place on March 19, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.