The new release from Alex Caress simply can’t be enjoyed without the proper context. All records benefit from a little background information but i’m always here (2005) requires an especially critical bit of history. For the best version of the story, enjoy this WPLN report – “Worldwide hunt for long lost song ends in Nashville.“

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Today Chris Crofton releases the song and video for “I Don’t Believe” – the lead track from his forthcoming album I’m Your Man and the last single before the album is properly released. Here’s Crofton about the release:

Beautiful video directed, shot and edited by my partner-in-crime Alex R. Johnson. So grateful. 

The melody for “I Don’t Believe” was improvised at the mic, the lyrics scribbled on the back of an envelope. It’s my favorite vocal performance on the record. It’s a song about the ephemeral nature of love, and how, sometimes, while you’re over-examining it, you might miss it.

Production, guitar and drums by Kevin Ratterman. Bass by Dave Dawson. Keys by Bo Koster. In the middle, that’s Jenny O‘s stunning voice, singing a melody she wrote. 

You can watch the video here and pre-order the album in the YK Shop, on Ampwall or on Bandcamp. You can also stream the song everywhere.

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On a personal note, this is a favorite from the album. You haven’t heard I’m Your Man yet but the entire record is filled with poignant, insightful and vulnerable songs. Crofton is a sharp songwriter by every stretch of the imagination but there’s a particular heaviness to “I Don’t Believe” that’s really hits home. The song is lonesome, melancholy, wistful, regretful… laden with real emotion.

You probably get a lot of emails every day telling you about some new music to listen to. I hope you’ll consider this one seriously. It’s heavy but it’s a must hear.

Cody Uhler is an incredibly gifted musician, exploring sonic spaces that may sound downright intimidating to explore at first blush. For instance, with his new EP Gluggle Jug, he was inspired by minimal house, microbeats and experimental synth – phrases and genres that may not have the instant appeal of something like “indie rock” depending on the listener. However, listening to the tracks on the record – they are instantly memorable and downright dance-y.

“I became fascinated by the squelchy, glitchy, short sounds and the repetitive, slowly changing patterns of minimal house,” Uhler explains. “To me, it’s very dimensional and spatial—like you can feel it in your jaw and mouth.”

The tracks on Gluggle Jug begin deceptively simple with rhythmic and chordal ideas that evolve through looping, sequencing, and live experimentation. Analog synths, drum machines, effects boxes, and custom software “instruments” developed for 2021’s Darbo’s Island push the songs into a flurry of layers – rewarding multiple listens. The music bubbles and flows like its namesake: it’s playful, unique and deeply immersive.

As for that title – Gluggle Jug – it was inspired not by the sound of a gluggle jug itself – “I’ve never heard what they sound like haha,” says Uhler – but by the whimsical name and its accidental resonance with the EP’s gurgling, elastic sonics.

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The EP is available everywhere – the YK Shop, Ampwall, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Soundcloud, etc! Go get this into your ears.

Big thanks to the New Revolutions show on Radio KCM; Knoxville’s Community Radio station for not only interviewing Matt Pelham of Matt & The Watt Gives but putting that full interview online for all to enjoy!

Many great insights about how the songwriting and recording process, the release show and what to look forward to in the next phase of the band!

The latest Talking With Hands EP, The Coin, was inspired by the despair of the political landscape in 2025. Specifically, the re-election of Donald Trump sparked a fire of inspiration for songwriter Matthew Smith.

“The urgency in these songs comes from America’s decision to re-elect a profoundly unqualified person as president. I see a lot of comedy and satire in the creative space addressing this, but I don’t see enough anger, especially in music. Everyone is understandably exhausted, but I’m personally not finding laughter to be a satisfying response right now. ” – Matthew Smith

One particularly scathing track on the new EP is “Die, Die, Die” – a tense and scathing track filled with heavier guitar tones. Lyrically, it navigates the thin line between protest and personal anguish. “I’m not calling for violence, but I do find myself praying that certain profoundly unqualified persons would die. That’s the emotional truth this record wrestles with.”

The video, directed by Asher Rogers, is a combination of tension, discomfort and a strange beauty – a perfect pairing for the song itself.

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Smith’s takes note that this song is dedicated to his grandmother, who had her own thoughts on the DJT matter:

“I’m dedicating this song to my Grandmother, who passed away during Trump’s first term. I’m embarrassed that one of the last things she experienced on this Earth was Trump’s 2016 inauguration, but her measured response to it sticks with me. She simply said gravely and with anticipation “maybe he’ll drop dead.” RIP Granny.” -Matthew Smith

Watch the video in fullscreen glory over on Youtube and listen to The Coin everywhere – Bandcamp, Ampwall, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, et al.

Talking with Hands has continously explored new genres and styles throughout the entirety of their body of work. The World and Ourselves is different from Pastiche, is different from Organic Machine, etc. etc. There’s always a sonic throughline but the explorations are distinct.

Today, The Coin begins yet another new era of sonic exploration. This one inspired by a rising tide of political despair. The songs are tightly wound, sharp and scathing.

“Had the 2024 election gone a different way, I might not have felt the same urgency, but I couldn’t ignore it. I needed to say something now.” -Matthew Smith, aka Talking with Hands.

Where the previous album, Organic Machine, was a lush and layered ponderance on the future of creativity and how humanity and technology intersect, The Coin leans into heavier guitar tones, despondent reflections of the tense landscape and a more aggressive performance style. Lyrically, it navigates the thin line between protest and personal anguish. “I’m not calling for violence, but I do find myself praying that certain profoundly unqualified persons would die. That’s the emotional truth this record wrestles with.”

The Coin stands as Talking With Hands’ most direct and politically engaged work to date. Hopefully it serves as a companion in your own frustrations and an inspiration to take action.

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Listen everywhere – Bandcamp, Ampwall, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, et al.

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Along with The Coin EP, Talking with Hands has teamed up with long time collaborator Asher Rogers to create a fast paced, tense and -yet- beautiful video for “Die, Die, Die.” Read more on that here.

Very happy to announce the arrival of two very special albums from the YK Catalog that never made their way on to vinyl.. until now!

First up, Dave Paulson‘s 2018 concept album inspired by the movie Tommy Boy – Sandusky, Ohio. It just so happens that 2025 is the 30-year anniversary of that Chris Farley / David Spade road comedy and it would be remiss of us not to celebrate it properly!

So, we pressed 100 copies of the record to Blue Jay vinyl. These are available for preorder starting today over in the YK Shop.

That’s not the only good news for Sandusky, Ohio today! We’re also happy to share that Dave Paulson will be playing the songs of the record LIVE at the first ever Tommy Boy Fest in… Sandusky, Ohio! It’s taking place August 7th – 9th and there’s plenty of great activities happening all weekend that you can read about at TommyBoyFest.com.

Time for a road trip up to Sandusky, Ohio while listening exclusively to Sandusky, Ohio? I think so!

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Next up, The Prudish Few’s 2020 album The Eagle Has Left the Building. If you’ve never heard this record, you’re doing yourself a keen disservice. Correct that ASAP. As you listen, it may occur to you that this is the kind of record that would sound great on vinyl.

We agree. So we’re doing an ultra short run of records starting today! You can order your very own copy right now. We only made 20 of these! This bumps the cost up a little bit but they are ultra rare and sound fantastic.

As good fortune would have it, Todd Kemp he’s been working on some new music. Let’s hope this means he’ll share sometime in the future!

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While I have you here, here’s two more physical manifestations of YK releases that you should probably consider bringing into your life.

Some days are filled with a lot of news and this just so happens to be one of those days.

First, there’s a new single from Chris Crofton available today! “Side Effects” is now streaming everywhere and is accompanied by this video directed by Michael Carter.

Of the track, Crofton says:

“I wrote this song very soon after enduring a difficult withdrawal from an anti-seizure drug I’d been on for 20 years. I realized that dealing with side effects has become a normal part of most people’s lives. Not to mention the side effects of late-capitalism. Who are we, really? Have we lost track of ourselves? That’s what this song is asking. “

Ideally, you’ll partake in the song on YouTube. Michael Carter created a gorgeous piece of work with this one and it deserves to be watched in the largest size possible.

The song is also available on Bandcamp, Ampwall, Apple Music, Spotify and all your other streaming services.

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Along with that great news is the announcement that Crofton will release a brand new full-length album entitled I’m Your Man on August 15th. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Kevin Ratterman and features a myriad of talent on the album – Dave Dawson, Jim James, Jenny O, Leslie Stevens and more.

Take a moment to read about the album and then consider pre-ordering the vinyl, which we’ll start shipping imminently!

🔵❤️🟡 Very happy to announce a brand new MATT & THE WATT GIVES video for “‘Til You” is available today! Directed and animated by Cody Newman, this delightful ditty is one of our favorites from the new full-length LP.

In a future episode of YK WORLD, I hope to have Newman on to explain the creation process behind the animation. If you’re curious about the story behind the song, check out this WNXP interview excerpt right here with Matt Pelham himself- it’s as sweet of an origin story as you’d hope it to be.

Watch the video on YouTube and tell a friend about it.

Around the time that Bandcamp was sold to Epic (but before it was sold to SongTradr), musician and developer Chris Grigg decided it was time to build another place for artists and creatives to go. Over the ensuing years, Ampwall emerged.

Much like Bandcamp, Ampwall is a platform for artists to post their music and sell it to fans. Unlike Bandcamp, it’s a platform that strives to foster real community. That may sound esoteric but it’s a task that is accomplished by designing a system where making a sale isn’t the ultimate goal.

In this episode of YK WORLD, I talk with founder Chris Grigg about the history of Ampwall, the principles that guide it and the path ahead. It is, to say the least, a fascinating and insightful conversation.

It’s available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, RSS, Overcast, you name it.

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Bandcamp is a powerful platform that I have a lot of love for. It’s one of the few places where an artist can still build a career. Ampwall is becoming another place with the goal of being a better place. It’s admirable all around. Find YK Records on Ampwall here and be sure to follow all the links to each individual artist page – loads of music available there.

For fun, the new Talking with Hands EP – The Coin – is available exclusively on Ampwall for the next week. Great incentive to dive in to the platform and some solid new music.