rock
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In conversation with Halogens: looking back on 15 years
Fifteen years is a long time to dedicate to anything—but for Asbury Park-based rock band Halogens, the journey has been, in the words of their appropriately titled 2023 EP, Time Well Spent. For lead vocalist and guitarist Zach Henry, his relationship with music felt serious “pretty much right from the beginning.” “I started playing guitar,…
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REVIEW — BACKHOUSE’s debut album ‘Songs in the Key of Orange’
A debut album has one job: convince listeners that a band is worth paying attention to. Great ones become more than just introductions, instead establishing themselves as almost mythological benchmarks that every future release is measured against (such as Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not or even The Killers’ Hot…
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REVIEW — Margot Miller’s EP ‘Downy Hair (Turns Into Stubble)’
I’m a firm believer that seasons shouldn’t be rushed. The hype for Halloween in July and the Christmas rush in November make me physically ill in a way that should be studied by the pumpkin spice latte enthusiasts. As much as I am stubborn in this and in more ways than one, I am open-minded.…
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In conversation with SYLVR: leaning into “nightmare pop” and embracing the strange
There’s something instantly intriguing about SYLVR (pronounced “silver”). This UK-Peruvian duo seems to have arrived fully formed, with a sound that feels less like a debut and more like recollecting your dream from a few nights ago. Made up of Jamie Thomas and Raquel Bartra, SYLVR’s sound lives somewhere between goth-pop and electronic haze. It’s…
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In conversation with Bobby Mahoney: playing in the key of Jersey
Since the early days of rock and roll, New Jersey has demanded greatness from its music scene, inspiring transformative acts like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and My Chemical Romance. Now, Bobby Mahoney is answering the call. Growing up in East Brunswick, NJ, 31-year-old songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Bobby Mahoney first began cultivating his…
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In conversation with Solstice: redefining feminist punk
Solstice is reworking the long-standing definition of “Riot Grrrl,” purely by existing. Solstice, an all-girl band from Asbury Park, New Jersey, was pieced together through the love of music and the collaboration of talented people. Made up of four girls, Milania (singer/guitar), Amelia (guitar), Harmony (bass), and Alexis (drums), Solstice currently identifies as a cover…
