Talking all things 'Bad Jazz' with Casey Crawford of Virginity

In three days, Central Florida-based Virginity will be releasing their super third album Bad Jazz. The album finds the band leaning into their more improvisational side as they imbue their blend of indie rock, power pop, emo, and punk rock with the innovative and collaborative spirit of jazz. You can hear the band letting loose and having fun throughout the album as they tackle topics such as existential dread, loss of sense of self, self-doubt, and love with lyrics filled with sincerity and plenty of humour. Bad Jazz will be out everywhere on June 28 via Smartpunk Records and Virginity will be playing Fest in Gainesville in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Casey Crawford to talk about the new album, adding humour into songs, coming-of-age stories, getting revenge on the stage that murdered his knee, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Casey Crawford took place over Zoom on June 18, 2024. This is a transcription of their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Anthony Green talks his new solo album 'Doom. Spun.'

Whether you’re familiar with Anthony Green from Circa Survive, Saosin, L.S. Dunes, The Sound of Animals Fighting, or his solo music there is no question that he pours his entire being into every single thing he creates and that is especially true on his upcoming solo record Doom. Spun. The 13 tracks find him at some of his most experimental as he dives into noise rock, brings intimacy to electronic music, delivers a poignant recitation of a poem by French Surrealist poet Robert Desnos, and reimagines three tracks from 2022’s Boom. Done. A sense of connection also permeates the album and serves to drive home the fact that it is impossible to create without it. Whether Anthony is working with collaborators, involving the audience, telling a story, or exploring how certain songs make him feel, you feel like you are along for the ride with him.

Doom. Spun. will be out everywhere on June 26 via Born Losers Records. Anthony Green will be hosting two listening parties (one in-person and one virtual) next week and will be playing solo shows around the US starting in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Anthony to talk about the new album, what goes into reimagining songs, his creative process, finding connection through music, frogs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Anthony Green took place on June 12, 2024 over Zoom. This transcription documents their conversation and has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

In conversation with Aki and James of Nu House Studios Part 2

Earlier today, Nu House Studios announced that they will be releasing their third benefit compilation album called Trans Rights II: WE ARE NO LONGER ASKING. They released their first comp, Nu House Studios Trans Musician Fund Compilation, in 2022 and their second one, Trans Rights Or Else!, in 2023. Trans Rights II: WE ARE NO LONGER ASKING features tracks from 13 artists including The Holy Ghost Tabernacle Choir, Deafening, bottom surgery, rotting in dirt, Vi Viana, Yagrum Bagarn, and ameokama.The base $10 from the comp will go to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund with any additional proceeds going into the studio’s Trans Musician Fund, which was touched on in part 1 of our interview with Aki McCullough and James Goldmann (read that right here!). The Trans Musician Fund aims to make recording and audio engineering services more accessible for trans musicians and you can read more about it in our conversation below. The comp will be out on July 12 and you can pre-order it right here.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Aki and James to talk about the upcoming comp, the Trans Musician Fund, manager Raven (R.I.P), mixing the live sets from New Friends Fest 2023, nu-metal, and so much more. Read part 2 of the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore, Aki McCullough, and James Goldmann 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 in this interview are credited to Sheri Furneaux except for Aki holding Raven which is credited to Jared Shute.

A look at this weekend's Punk Rock Tattoo Expo in Vegas

The Punk rock Tattoo expo is this weekend at the Punk rock Museum in Las Vegas. It shows the connection between punk rock and body art… and you can get some fresh ink, too. Punknews writer Jason Murray spoke to Vinnie Fiorello and tattooist Tokyo Hiro about the event. You can check it out below.

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.