Failstate

 

Photo credit: Tom Damsell

The YouTube advertising algorithm wins again. While listening to some music while doing things around the house the other day, I was advertised this awesome band called Failstate from South Wales, UK. They are a 4-piece emo and post-hardcore band who have been making a name for themselves over the past bit that they've been active, with their recent single "Another Ghost" being aired exclusively on BBC Radio 1 a month ago. Their new EP was released just under a month ago and is incredible, I would highly recommend it for any fans of heavy alternative bands such as Citizen, Holding Absence and even Movements. They have that "heavy-with-a-side-of-atmosphere" that some of these bands like Title Fight and Hundred Reasons do, and that's a sound that's really been taking off over the past handful of years. What Failstate are doing is incredible and I hope it leads them to much success and more music.

Below are some links for their music

Failstate Spotify 

Failstate Bandcamp

Generals of Monrovia

 

Generals of Monrovia

Generals of Monrovia are an Israeli-Guyanese pop punk trio originally from British Columbia, Canada, but relocated to Austin, Texas some years back. As far as I can tell, they aren't very active anymore, however released 2 great EP's in 2015 and 2017, a self titled release and Immigrant Punk respectively.

The lineup includes General Sokah on guitar and vocals, General 55 on bass and General Motors on drums, and lyrical themes battle immigration and racial comments from politicians, among many other political themes. Generals of Monrovia had a bit of coverage in a publication from Okayafrica, talking about AfroPunk and their letter of rejection to the band. I will link that article down below, as it's an interesting read.

Musically, this band kind of leans on the verge of alternative rock and pop-punk rock, with some comparisons to The OBGM's, early Seaway, Elder Abuse, and Dangercat among others in that general sound-sphere. I really do hope you check out this band and enjoy them, because they perked my ear almost immediately. 

Below are some links, including the article I mentioned early, which you can use to support and listen to the band.

OkayAfrica Article 

Spotify

Bandcamp

 

 

 

 

Courage My Love

 

Photo credit: Anthony Chung

Ontario is no stranger to great pop rock and punk bands, both past and present. Like Pacific, Seaway, Bearings, Sum 41 and The Dirty Nil all come to mind. Courage My Love is no exception. If the name doesn't familiar, it's possible that you might know Phoenix and Mercedes' new band, Softcult. More about that in a minute. Courage My Love formed in Kitchener, Ontario, in 2009 as a pretty heavy pop punk and rock band featuring twin sisters, Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn on drums/keys/backing vocals and guitar/vocals respectively. Joining them on bass was David Blake-Dickson on bass, who contributed to the recording of their first EP in 2011, For Now. He was replaced by Brandon Lockwood in 2012.

Sonically, in their early days, their material is for fans of bands who were up and coming at that time, such as Tonight Alive, Crystalyne (more Canadian music), Against the Current (they were a bit later. but worth the mention) and VersaEmerge, and even some of the big players in the game who came up earlier, such as Hey Monday and Paramore. They would later transition to a synthpop/alternative pop sound which has callbacks and influences from all kinds of artists, including Pale Waves, Cocteau Twins and HAIM. In total, the band would release 6 EPs and 2 albums, and received a JUNO nomination (the Canadian Grammy's) in 2014 for their Becoming EP. They appeared at Vans Warped Tour 2017, and toured with As It Is, Trash Boat and Holding Absence in 2018, also appearing at 2000 Trees fest that same year.

The sisters felt cast down by their label, which led to their disbandment in 2020. Very soon, their new band, Softcult would be formed. Softcult is more of a indie/dream pop and shoegaze sounding-band, in the same vein as bands such as Loathe, Teenage Wrist and Lush. Please check out Softcult as well, as they are gaining serious heat, as of these past couple years. They will also be going on tour in the US with Movements and Mannequin Pussy, which is a stacked bill adding Softcult on it.

Here are some links which you can use to support the artist(s) music

Courage My Love Spotify

Softcult Spotify

Softcult Instagram

Courage My Love Bandcamp