Very happy to announce that electronic artist Eve Maret will be releasing new music on yk Records this September! We’re overjoyed to be working with Maret as we’ve been big fans for some time.

Our original introduction goes all the way back to 2017 when the single for “No More Running” was released. This surprise pop gem invoked feelings of Giorgio Moroder and Kraftwerk mixed with sprawling ambient soundscapes and Maret’s own secret sauce. The influences were clear but the compositions were all her own.

There are lyrics in The Privates song “Karate and Explosions” that go:

We can now say it’s been years
The time has come to reappear

Maybe I’m taking it out of context but I’d say that’s downright prophetic! The band was active from 2003 to 2010, releasing two albums, two EPs and playing live whenever schedules allowed. Aside from a single one-off show they played in 2013, the band has been dormant for well over a decade. You could say it’s been years.

Well, the time has come to reappear! We Are Really Rocking Now, Haven’t We? is the bands best of compilation with two brand new songs bookending the release. I’ve always thought it was a bold move to add new songs to a Best Of compilation but I can’t deny that “Don’t Take It Out On Me” and “Old Times” are everything I want from The Privates. Truly worthy of being on this compilation.

None of these songs have ever been pressed to vinyl previously. To that end, we went all out on the packaging with a single pocket gatefold jacket filled with snippets from the bands history. I am positive you’ll enjoy poring over it. And, of course, it sounds fantastic!

Pick up the LP over on Bandcamp and then go stream the album on your preferred platform. Send us your favorite track; we’d love to know which one really transports you back!

When Fetching Pails (Jill Townsend) set out to create her debut album, Telekinesis for Beginners, she took on every aspect available. Writing every song, playing almost every instrument, recording, mixing, making the artwork, directing and editing the videos, you name it – Townsend did damn near 100% of the work involved. It’s impressive, to say the least but equally exhausting.

When returning to creating new music, she decided to approach the next batch of songs differently. Collaborating with Dillon Smith (Faster is Faster, Kannon) and Andrew Core (Twitch), the trio has collaborated to create a new batch of songs – “Shattery” being the first of the new batch.

Listening back to “Shattery,” there’s a clear through line to the roots of Telekinesis but the sound has evolved and expanded. The track combines Townsend’s ethereal guitars and expressive vocals with a dark and moody soundscape that culminates into an immersive wash of sound. It’s enough to break you into little pieces and then scramble you back together again.

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The band will celebrate the release of the new track with a show at The 5 Spot on Saturday, Aug 24th (with Soft Bodies and Crave On).

Whistle In invited General Trust to guest host an episode of the WXNA radio show and the resulting playlist is an eclectic smattering of electronic music. From stone cold classics like Gary Numan or the more dance-y “Let’s All Make a Bomb” from Heaven 17, there’s a lot to love here. It even gets a little soulful when The System hits.

The full playlist of artists and songs is archived on the WXNA site but I’ll throw it below as well.

Instead of creating a streaming service version of this mix with individual tracks, I suggest you just simply hit play on the stream and let it broadcast into your mind for an hour. No skipping.

While you’re doing that, go follow Whistle In on Instagram and be sure to follow General Trust on Bandcamp.

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Killing Joke – Requiem
The Human League – The Sound of the Crowd
The Cure – Play for Today
General Trust – Hearses
Grauzone – Eisbär
Depeche Mode – Ice Machine
Gary Numan – Metal
Heaven 17 – Let’s All Make a Bomb
Yazoo – Goodbye 70’s
The System – You Are in My System
a-ha – The Sun Always Shines On T.V.
Cocteau Twins – The Itchy Glowbo Blow
Duran Duran – Tiger Tiger

The Radio Western show Chin Music has been graciously playing Tower Defense over the last year. It’s always flattering to be played on any radio show but especially flattering to be played alongside the kinds of music that Chin Music regularly spins on their show.

With the release of “Repeat,” host Brian Kijewski invited the band on air to discuss their origins, their influences and what’s up with the whole two bass thing! It’s always great to see the true friendship of the band on full display and, as luck would have it, they also recorded the entire Zoom call!

This excerpt is the interview specifically but I would be remiss not to remind you to subscribe on Mixcloud to the show so you can partake in all of the musical selections past and future. While you’re at it, follow along on Instagram as well.

Here’s the Mixcloud embed of the entire episode, which is a superb listen even without the interview!

The latest in the ongoing series of singles from Tower Defense is here and it’s a real ear worm! Ironically enough, it’s also a song about ear worms. The band has always had a penchant for memorable hooks but it really feels like they cranked this one up to maximum levels. 

The video was lovingly shot and edited by Jereme Frey, featuring a cast of friends and family kind enough to volunteer their Saturday morning to shoot it. For release day, the song is exclusively on YouTube and Bandcamp – enjoy it there! Starting August 9th, it will be streaming everywhere.

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Tower Defense have never been a band to shy away from big topics like politics, aging in the music scene or the changing landscape of their beloved home city. I love that they tackle those ideas but it’s just as refreshing that they wrote an infectious song about infectious songs. I am biased but it’s really a gem.

Back in 2022, Tower Defense talked to me about a plan they’d like to tackle where they record a series of singles at their home studio, shoot videos for them and release more music more often. Looking back at the last two years, they’ve managed to release singles for “Sea Ranch,” “Running Out,” and “Friendly Factions” – all of which include wonderful covers for b-sides. Oh, and they released their 3-song EP for Never Mind the Menagerie. It’s a quality dose of new songs, delivered on a regular cadence.

They made a plan, they did the plan and they also managed to do it very well. Huge amounts of respect to them for that.

20 years after their formation, The Privates returned to Battle Tapes in Nashville, TN to record two brand new songs. “Old Times” is one of the fruits of that endeavor. It’s available on the brand new Best Of compilation LP, We Are Really Rocking Now, Haven’t We?

If you’re one of the rare few that grew up in Nashville, the “Old Times” video will surely stir up some memories. Pay close attention and you may see a glimpse of West End Ave that hasn’t existed since the late 90s, or a beloved theme park that only exists virtually now.

The song is a bit more on the melancholy side of The Privates catalog but it still manages to be a memorable banger. Truly a classic worthy of the Best Of, in my opinion.

If you’ve been tuned in to yk during 2024, you know that The Robe has been releasing new music every single month of the year. Here at the end of July, we continue that trend.

“Lights” b/w “River in the Ocean” is available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, et al).

As with all previous releases from The Robe, I have no additional context to share with you about these songs. I am not privy to the impetus behind the lyrics or the inspiration that formed their compositions. Quite frankly, I appreciate this intentional dearth of information as it allows me to form my own connections with the song regardless of the original intent. I hope you will do the same.

Stream it, save it, share it. Works every time.

I want to tell you about the new Meadownoise album, The Foam Alone. However, every detail that is divulged will actually take away from The Foam Alone. To maximize the experience, I really must say nothing at all. But my job is to tell you about the thing. Quite an impasse to be involved in.

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To that end, let me tell you that Meadownoise is the name of Matt Glassmeyer’s project of songs recorded at his home studio. The three previous records, It’s 4:00, Dark Digest, and Threeve can be broadcast anywhere you like to stream your music.

For the fourth studio album, The Foam Alone, the crumbs are all here. You must decide if you want to follow the path or not. It’s not difficult but it does require action. If you are not interested in such effort, we still hope you enjoy what’s been made available in the world as of today.

For additional crumbs, keep your eyes out for Matt Glassmeyer’s other instrumental groups: including Glassmeyer’s Live Band (a quartet often playing Meadownoise compositions in improvised ways), Global Abacus Supply (a trio of horns and electronics), Hompulon (a progressive ensemble co-led by Tom Spiker), Slow Accordion (the Nashville improv side project) and in exploratory duos with Ben Garnett, Britney Haas, Ross McReynolds and others.

I apologize for the deceit but only marginally. I believe in your ability to proceed.

Happy to report that General Trust has broken the seal on 2024 and released two new singles today – “Hearses” b/w “A Season of Wrath.” These two new tracks from General Trust contain multitudes; they’re dark and moody but they’re also irresistibly dancy. They’re hard hitting and they’re melodic.

While no genre label ever encompasses a project fully or accurately, they do give you an idea of what you’re dealing with. To that end, we’re categorizing these tracks as “Neo-noir Duskwave” – an extension of the “Coldwave” and “Synthpunk” labels, that are extensions of “Goth” and “Post-punk” themselves. It may sound absurd to declare a distinct new genre but give it a listen and leave a comment. You’ll see.

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Plenty on the horizon for General Trust this year; we’re just getting started. Make sure you check out the new official website, follow along on Instagram and Bandcamp, and share these new tracks everywhere.