Archive for the ‘Recommended Streams and Videos’ Category

Listen: ‘I Speak Forgotten Voices’ by Trelldom

Posted: 14 May 2026 in Singles and EPs, Recommended Streams and Videos
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Iconic Norwegians TRELLDOM, founded by legendary vocalist Gaahl, now reveal the eerie advance single ‘I Speak Forgotten Voices’ as the final track selected from their forthcoming new full-length: …by the word…

…by the word… has been chalked up for release on May 29, 2026.

TRELLDOM do neither comment on their music nor explain their art.

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With …by the word…, TRELLDOM are pushing forward hard into their new musical era that was ushered in by the previous full-length …by the shadows… (2024), which ended a 17-year hiatus of the Norwegian band.

Mastermind Kristian Eivind Espedal aka Gaahl and his diligently selected collaborators have gone even beyond the complex yet sinister sound that they established with …by the shadows… The exponentially grown confidence and hard-gained experience of joining together seemingly quite different musicians is reflected clearly in each track of …by the word…
TRELLDOM have concluded the process of escaping the narrowest definition of black metal without compromising their artistic mission. Their music does not only stay loyal to the spirit of their black metal roots, but the Norwegians are making a solid point that their new sound is even more dark and fierce than ever before – just in more twisted and unhinged ways.
…by the word… is the result of Espedal expanding the immense range of his vocals even further into unexplored territories. And it should be noted that this was partly achieved by his return to the famous Grieghallen Studios in Bergen to work again with legendary producer Eirik Hundvin aka Pytten, who was instrumental in the creation of the ‘Norwegian black metal’ sound.

Although Espedal remains firmly at the helm of TRELLDOM, the current line-up plays a massive part in the fresh exploration of musical extremes. Guitarist Stian “Sir” Kårstad (formerly also in DJERV) guarantees a form of continuity as he already contributed to the second and third album of the band. Furthermore, the new constellation features renowned percussionist Kenneth Kapstad, formerly of MOTORPSYCHO and hammering the drums in SPIDERGAWD, MØSTER!, and THORNS. Kapstad brought the internationally acclaimed jazz musician and saxophone player Kjetil Møster (MØSTER!, RÖYKSOPP, THE END) along. Bass player Eirik Øien is the latest addition to the cast of characters.

TRELLDOM were founded by Gaahl in Sunnfjord, Vestland in 1992. The band’s early trilogy of albums, Til evighet… (1995), Til et annet… (1999), and Til minne… (2007) are all regarded as underground milestones of black metal history. Espedal is widely accepted as one of the leading figures of the Nordic black metal scene. The enigmatic vocalist joined the notorious Bergen outfit GORGOROTH in 1998 but soon contributed to a wider range of projects that include Einar Selvik’s WARDRUNA, GOD SEED, and in 2015 he also launched his new band GAAHLS WYRD.

TRELLDOM continue in the tradition of all of Espedal’ art, which asks to always expect the unexpected. With …by the word… the exploration of avant-garde dissonance, wicked rhythm patterns, and wild ideas again destroys preconceptions and demands intense listening. Better prepare to be challenged by every note!

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Watch: ‘Gerbera’ by MONO

Posted: 13 May 2026 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
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Japanese post-rock legends MONO recently announced details on their new album Snowdrop set for release on 12th June via Temporary Residence. This is the band’s first album made with Brad Wood (Touché Amore, The Smashing Pumpkins), following the passing of longtime collaborator and friend, Steve Albini.

Taken from MONO’s 13th album Snowdrop, scheduled for release on 12th June 2026 (Temporary Residence), a new single ‘Gerbera’ is out now with an accompanying music video.

For Snowdrop, the band wishes to express their eternal gratitude to those precious people who have walked alongside them on their journey of life, by incorporating the messages imbued in flowers given to those who have passed into the song titles on the album.

MONO’s Statement:

“The language of flowers for the Gerbera is ‘faithful love’ and ‘cheerfulness’. The countless, precious memories I share with you will never be forgotten. I am so glad that I met you. Innocence, purity, joy, beauty—and I will never forget your smile.”

Yusaku Mitsuwaka, ‘Gerbera’ Director:

“During the shoot, the wind swayed the silver grass wildly, resonating with the band’s performance and blowing through as if it were music itself. Guided by the wind, the camera danced, and ‘Gerbera’ became a music video brimming with vitality. Even in today’s fractured world, the act of loving and being loved remains unchanging. I hope this wind reaches the heavens. I would like you to watch this while thinking of someone dear to you.”

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“Without exception, everyone will eventually depart this world and face the parting from their loved ones. Through this album, we wished to express our "eternal gratitude" to those precious people who walked alongside us on the journey of life. We believe this sentiment is the only thing capable of filling the void left in our hearts and easing the profound sorrow and pain of loss. Every flower carries its own unique language. For this album, we incorporated the messages imbued in flowers given to those who have passed into the titles of our songs. Our hope is that this album serves as a source of light and hope for those who have lost someone dear.” – MONO

When MONO recorded their previous album, OATH, with longtime production partner and friend, Steve Albini in 2023, they never fathomed that it would be the final studio album they made together. Albini tragically died the following year, and that loss left an incalculable void in the lives of not just everyone who ever knew Steve, but everyone with an attachment to any of the thousands of records he helped bring into world over the past four decades. He brought a clarity to the chaos, and a selfless sense of service to art and artists that was unrivalled. On both a personal and practical level, the loss left MONO faced with profound grief and uncertainty. Albini had become a fundamental part of MONO’s unmistakable sound, and the thought of replacing him was daunting, to say the least. Enter: Brad Wood(Touché Amoré, The Smashing Pumpkins).

Chosen for both his familiarity with MONO’s creative and technical working process – as well as his decades-long friendship with Steve Albini – Brad Wood entered Albini’s storied Electrical Audio studios in September 2025 to record what would become Snowdrop. Once again working with Chicago-based conductor and orchestral musical director, Chad McCullough, MONO enlisted a 10-piece orchestra as well as an 8-piece choir for the eight massive pieces that make up Snowdrop. With the band performing and Wood recording in the same hallowed space where most of MONO’s records had been made in their quarter-century history, the songs on Snowdrop carry an extra weight. Mixed by Wood at his Seagrass home studio in Los Angeles, the album is equally intimate and enveloping.

Where there could easily be a pall hanging over Snowdrop, there is instead an extraordinary air of gratitude. Rather than steep in heartache, there is a poignant appreciation for the resonance of life well-spent with a dear friend – and the yearning for what may come. Snowdrop is the sound of a band turning shock and sadness into hope and wonder – and finding renewed focus in the freedom of unknowing.

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Photo by Carlos Cruz courtesy of KEXP

Watch: ‘Shame!’ by LiVES vs Dolium

Posted: 12 May 2026 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
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Dolium x LiVES collide on ‘Shame!’, a high-friction joint single that blurs the line between collaboration and confrontation. Rooted in indie rock and sharpened by punk urgency, it’s a track driven by tension, energy, and shared intent.

Since reforming in 2024 for the 20th Anniversary of their label, Sister 9 Recordings, lo-fi/post-punk/scuzz-rockers Dolium have been quietly building toward a new chapter. In their early days, the band caused quite a buzz on the UK underground music scene, catching the attention of BBC radio legend, John Peel.  That legacy is captured in their critically acclaimed limited-edition 4CD box set, The Products Of Our Own Demands And Commands. Now, in 2026, they return with renewed focus, and a new era of furious punk rock.

Born in Cornwall and sharpened in Kent, LiVES are a visceral collision of post-punk intensity and hard rock precision. Their debut album Let Them Eat Cake landed like a fist through a wall, fast, aggressive, and socio-politically charged. Louder Than War called it “a nihilistic expression of anger and disillusionment.” Their track Just Can’t Get Enough reached a wider audience through its placement on the Netflix series Lucifer. With airplay across BBC 6 Music, Radio X and BBC Introducing, a sold-out European tour, and support slots alongside Buzzcocks, SPAN and Danny Wildheart, LiVES have built a reputation as a band made for rooms that sweat. They return here in full force.

The creative spark was immediate.“I knew I wanted to work with someone that had as much anger and attitude as me. The moment I heard Rhys’s work, I was like, hell yeah… this is fire.” – Peter (LiVES) What started as a skeletal, verseless track quickly evolved into something more dynamic. Dolium took the initial framework into the studio and, as Rhys puts it, “added their venom,” with the song ultimately “bent beautifully into shape between us from across the miles.” Built remotely, with ideas passed back and forth, ‘Shame!’ became a true crossfire – LiVES driving the choruses while Dolium took command of the verses. The result is a track that feels both fractured and unified: two bands, one shared fury…

LiVES vs Dolium – UK duel headline shows

15 May 2026 – The Dead Famous, Newquay

16 May 2026 – The Water Rats, London 

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Watch: ‘Tread Lightly On The Planet/Girl Taken’ by Shape Navigator, film by Paul DaCosta

Posted: 10 May 2026 in Singles and EPs, Recommended Streams and Videos
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Shape Navigator is the electronic alter ego of the Kent-based composer, musician and sound artist Peter Coyte, whose recently issued debut album, Journal, has drawn favourable comparisons to fellow sonic explorers such as Craven Faults and Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan.

A video has recently been released, for the album’s opening track, the diptych ‘Tread Lightly On The Planet/Girl Taken’. Shot by Paul DaCosta in collaboration with Maria Fernanda Gavilan, it represents an altered reality or a dream state made manifest, in a way that could also be considered a ghost story.

Taken from live adaptations of soundtracks, ‘Tread Lightly On The Planet’ is from a dance piece devised with choreographer Dora Frankel that has an environmental theme representing the stop/start journey of navigating a self-destructing world. ‘Girl Taken’ is from a documentary by Francois Verster and Simon Wood about a baby girl stolen at birth and reunited 17 years later with her sister at school. Both pieces are interwoven with themes of loss, searching and adjustment.

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Coyte initially announced himself with a series of ambient meets prog house singles on Guerilla Records in the mid-‘90s, subsequently collaborating with Coldcut, Seal, David McAlmont, Heartless Crew and poet/author Salena Godden.

The years since have seen him establish a first-rate reputation as an electronic and experimental music artist, including significant contributions to sound art and installation projects, plus ongoing collaborations with filmmakers, theatre directors, choreographers and more. His work blends sonic experimentation with emotional depth, creating immersive experiences that engage and intrigue audiences.

Now, three decades after releasing his first single as Shape Navigator, Coyte has finally released his debut album, with Journal being a deeply personal sonic diary that captures two years of spontaneous creation and exploration on synthesisers. Each track originates from a live improvisation built from unrehearsed, unedited performances where instinct shaped its structure and emotion guided the sound.

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Watch: ‘Me-Mania’ by Sour Tongue

Posted: 9 May 2026 in Singles and EPs, Recommended Streams and Videos
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The Los Angeles-based riot grrrl/punk band Sour Tongue fuse hardcore punk, country, grunge and disco, utilising humour and a degree of sonic absurdity to convey a deeper message of angst and desperation.

Formed in 2020 by Satori Marill and John Murphy, they have issued several singles collected together on two EPs, the most recent being Final Girl (July 2025). A story in four songs/parts, it is about the intersection of grief, betrayal and heartbreak, but loving throughout. It’s dark, angry, funny and heartbreaking, like a horror comedy.

A video for song/part 3, ‘Me-Mania’, has been issued to coincide with the announcement of a Sour Tongue live date at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on 20th June. It sees them open a Summer School show that also features Honey Revenge, South Arcade, Winona Fighter and more.

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Final Girl also includes the bright and breezy single ‘I Thought You Liked Me!’, which was written about an experience felt by most girls. “It’s about being manipulated and lied to, getting fed up and reversing the roles,” states vocalist Marill. “I think anyone who has ever had their heart broken and done something stupid in return can relate to it.”

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Watch: ‘Dry Shampoo X’ by Astari Nite

Posted: 6 May 2026 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
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With themes of validation, self-preservation, romance, glamour and decay running throughout the release, ASTARI NITE encourages the listener to wear the brightest lipstick, laugh the loudest, be brave and find courage to stand up for yourself. Find positivity in negativity. Open the door and say good morning to strangers. Medications In Bloom inspires and motivates acceptance. Everyone deserves to be loved.

Commenting on the EP’s title, vocalist, Mychael Ghost reveals: “My mother has not been doing well for quite some time. My life for the past four and a half years consists of doctor visits, chatting with nurses, buying her flowers that make me sneeze, my mind wandering about childhood memories while holding her hand. Nevertheless, whenever her prescription is re-filled, I’m quickly notified. One day I received that reassuring alert and thought to myself, YAY, “Medications In Bloom” again.”

Medications In Bloom is available on limited edition compact disc and on all major digital outlets worldwide.

Watch ‘Dry Shampoo X’ here: 

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ASTARI NITE is an alternative rock band, formed in Miami of 2013 by vocalist Mychael Ghost, and Drummer Illia Tulloch, who both began their friendship in the summer of 2007.  
Ghost and Tulloch were joined by Guitarist Howard Melnick, who became the bands official guitarist / producer after replacing a prior member in the final stages of their debut release album, Stereo Walz. An additional and final member was also added to the line-up. Danny Ae took on the role as keyboardist / bassist and joined Melnick as producer. This line-up has been finalized ever since!

Shortly after the album’s release on (Danse Macabre Records) in 2014, led by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich, the band was asked to be direct support for Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) in a one-off Miami show. To ASTARI NITE’s surprise, the following year (2015) they were also asked to perform in Leipzig, Germany at Wave-Gotik Treffen.

Several releases came to life since then, including: Midnight Conversations, produced by Tom Shear of Assemblage 23, strangely enough, the EP found its way to Cleopatra Records. Two full length albums titled Here Lies and Resolution of Happiness also found a vacancy at Negative Gain Records.

ASTARI NITE is known for blending elements of alternative, post-punk and new wave, resulting in a distinctive dark / glam alt sound. Their style is reminiscent of classic alternative bands like Clan of Xymox and Placebo.

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Watch: ‘No Limit (feat. The Hell)’ by Gurt

Posted: 5 May 2026 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
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‘Survival of the Shittest’ is the brand new EP from party doom band GURT.

Two original tracks and a cover of the 1993 dance floor classic ‘No Limit’. With a busy live schedule in 2026, including their third appearance at Bloodstock Festival and many other independent festivals including Uprising, Cult fest and Mangata festival, GURT thought it was about time for some new material.

The lead single is a cover of ‘No Limit’. This reimagining features a guest appearance from ‘Black Mist’, lead vocalist for the greatest hardcore band of all time THE HELL! The band comment, “As a band we have a real mix of musical tastes, from the heaviest of heavy to the cheesiest of cheese. We’ve always loved to do unexpected and weird covers and have a firm belief that a good riff is a good riff regardless of where it’s from. No Limit has always gone hard and we’re proud to say that our version goes even harderer!!”

Listen to ’No Limit’ now:

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Watch: ‘Ateik Pas Mane (Live)’ by Miško Boba

Posted: 4 May 2026 in Previews and Editorial, Recommended Streams and Videos
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Look, I told you they’re good. And now you can see / hear for yourselves. I might be a bit disappointed that having seen Miško Boba in December 2024 and March 2026, I missed this set in December 2024, but it’s thrilling that a band can nail such a powerful live album – not just in audio, but visuals, too, with a multi-cam recording capturing every aspect of their performance in close-up detail.

Check the visuals for the first track of the set, ‘Ateik Pas Mane’ here, and the full audio below….

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Watch: ‘Vincent’ by Ecce Shnak

Posted: 4 May 2026 in Singles and EPs, Recommended Streams and Videos
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NYC-based art-rockers Ecce Shnak are back with ‘Vincent’, the first single from their full-length album Dandy Variances, out later this year via Records, Man Records. Operatic trills collide with frantic rock energy in a high-decibel takedown of a formulaic antagonist through the power of one’s own voice. Directed and edited by DJay Brawner, the video was produced by DJay Brawner, Brooks Jones, Beth Narducci, and David Roush.

Formed in the mid-noughties and forged in NYC’s experimental scene, Ecce Shnak (pronounced Eh-kay sh-knock) is made up of David Roush (composer, bassist and one of two singers), Bella Komodromos (vocals), Chris Krasnow (guitar), Gannon Ferrell (guitar), and Henry Buchanan-Vaughn (drums).

“This is a mid-tempo, jumpy, flash-in-the-pan hardcore song with classical art song vocals. I originally wrote it for a film that was never made but was imagined by a classmate of mine at Temple University in Philadelphia in 2015. The character Vincent is an archetype of a smug, inconsiderate jerk most of us occasionally come across, try as we might to avoid them. Vincent is not an absolute scoundrel, but he is wack enough to rightly deserve the average person’s indignant eye-roll,” says David Roush.

“Ultimately, the narrator resolves to overthrow Vincent’s jerkface’itude in the final refrain: “I’ll destroy your equipment with my voice!” If you have a medium-tier opponent in your life whom you would like to rid yourself of somehow, you can sing this line to yourself. Hopefully your Vincent will buzz off and go kick rocks!”

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Ecce Shnak has a reputation for astounding performances, their music a volatile yet meticulously crafted ecosystem, where technical precision meets a sense of inspired mayhem. May brings their East Coast Tour with platinum-selling legends EMF, followed by UK dates in June. Last year, the bands did a West Coast tour, along with Spacehog. Then Ecce Shnak featured on EMF’s stellar track ‘LGBTQ+ Lover’ with both Davey and Bella contributing vocals. The video footage was filmed during the 2025 tour.

“The music video is an homage to an important music video in the average millennial’s musical subconscious, that of ‘Down’ by 311. The tempo, feel and musical production of the two songs is similar enough that, when I was imagining what the music video could be, the idea of doing a cinematographic tribute to that 1990’s relic seemed compelling. We asked the director and editor DJay Brawner to create as close to a shot-for-shot tribute as he could, and we feel that he and his crew succeeded handily. However, we deviated playfully a little from the original,” says David Roush.

“There is a reference to another important music video of the last 20 years in the pale, silver-haired, demon-like being who is the ‘Vincent’ in this music video – a re-imagining of the S&M-tinged monk-like Hell-being in the music video for Meshuggah’s ‘Bleed’. However, unlike the poor chap in the ‘Bleed’ video, the good guys (members of Ecce Shnak) liberate themselves from Vincent’s spiritual dominion with compassionate magic and send him hurtling into the blue sky, their raised jazz-hands trembling together as the video comes to a close.”

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TOUR DATES

MAY 07  Philadelphia, PA, USA – Nikki Lopez
MAY 08  Buffalo, NY, USA  – Town Ballroom
MAY 09  Toronto, ON, Canada – Dance Cave
MAY 10  Montreal, QC, Canada – Bar Le Ritz
MAY 11  Boston, MA, USA  – City Winery
MAY 13  New York, NY, USA  – Sony Hall
MAY 14  Millersville, PA, USA  – Phantom Power
MAY 15  Baltimore, MD, USA  – Metro Gallery
MAY 16  Hamden, CT, USA  – Space Ballroom
JUN 02  Manchester, UK – Gorilla
JUN 03  Worthing, UK – The Factory Live
JUN 04  Portsmouth, UK – Kola
JUN 05  Southend, UK – Chinnerys
JUN 06  London, UK – The Garage
JUN 07  Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club

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Watch: ‘Finally Arrived’ by Wooden Overcoat

Posted: 3 May 2026 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
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Portland dreampop outfit Wooden Overcoat presents ‘Finally Arrived’, the second taste of the band’s debut Hello Sunbeam EP, featuring a hypnotic foundation of viscous Gooey guitars and deliberately slow thudding drums, creating a rhythmic trance-like pulse, locking in this dreamy soundscape.

The accompanying video was created by Italian multi-arts visionary Francesca Bonci, well known for her work with The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport and Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, LA’s Tombstones In Their Eyes, Federale (The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Collin Hegna), post-rock outfit The Quality of Mercury, and iconic British bard Philip Parfitt.

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Emerging from a period of digital isolation, ‘Finally Arrived’ weaves together a tapestry of personal mourning and romantic friction with a critique of the grand fantasies surrounding stardom. At its core, it examines the delicate nature of human connection, lamenting a cultural tendency to view individuals as replaceable assets rather than cherished companions.
Wooden Overcoat is the sonic brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek, having returned to music after a hiatus, recording songs he’d written in his late teens. What started as a practice in self-production transformed into a deep creative obsession with soundscapes and gear. Recording in a rented basement, Hajek built the foundation of the EP through spontaneous experimentation—often veering away from planned sessions to follow sudden bursts of inspiration.

“I wrote ‘Finally Arrived’ when I was thinking a lot about social media, which I was completely off of for many years. Like many songs, it’s actually about multiple things all at once. Some of it reflects my own experience at the time going through grief and relationship issues, and it’s also about the delusions many people have about fame, making it big, becoming larger than life,” says Brant Hajek.

“I think the through-line is actually about the fragility of our relationships to others in our lives. I was feeling that many people take others for granted and can sometimes treat people as expendable, which is something I find really sad.”

Earlier, Wooden Overcoat shared their shimmering debut ‘Home’, enveloping the senses in a reverb-drenched sanctuary and blending in sun-drenched textures. Between the wash of tape echo and reverb, the track finds a sweet spot where lo-fi garage psych meets 90s shoegaze, all anchored by layered harmonies and an evocatively intimate vocal delivery.
While Wooden Overcoat’s lyrics and aesthetics might suggest a certain darkness, they are often rooted in inside jokes and a sense of warmth. You could call it an exercise in productive contradictions. Hajek’s creative process is a deeply personal, layered journey involving mumbled placeholder lyrics and a patient wait for the specific spark that turns an ‘emotionally restless’ melody into a finished piece.

While Hajek performed every instrument on the studio recordings to preserve the project’s intimate DIY spirit, he has since found his tribe, assembling a full live band to translate these compositions to the stage. With Hajek leading on guitar and lead vocals, Wooden Overcoat is rounded out by Dillon Glusker on bass, Mac on guitar, and Brian Levin on drums and backing vocals.

The name Wooden Overcoat—an old Americana euphemism for a coffin—hints at the project’s core philosophy: a playful balance of moody, mystical imagery with light-hearted humor. Hajek’s creative process is personal, the rough versions eventually coalescing into vivid, emotionally resonant themes. In contrast, this music is vibrant, creating a fantastic dreamlike environment for lovers of life.

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