MOTO SOLO Teams Up with QOTSA’s Michael Shuman on Atmospheric New Single “History Crept On Me”

Los Angeles-based project MOTO SOLO returns with a compelling new single, “History Crept On Me,” continuing its evolution into richly layered, synth-forward territory. The track was co-produced by Michael Shuman of Queens of the Stone Age, who brings an added depth to the release, further highlighting MOTO SOLO’s cinematic sound and dark melodic leanings.

The song’s emotional complexity is matched by its origin. Frontman and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Tamkin shares, “Lyrically, History Crept on Me speaks to the quiet chaos within—a moment when you’re lost or unraveling, and someone from your past returns, just when you need them most. You’re happily surprised and relieved when they appear. After creating the music video, I realized another meaning: that we sometimes slip into our deepest fears, not realizing that all we ever needed was the presence of a friend to help snap us out.”

Tamkin’s creative history spans decades and genres. Before launching MOTO SOLO, he cut his teeth in the experimental underground, most notably as a member of Hovercraft—a band formed during Seattle’s grunge explosion that found itself opening for Foo Fighters and playing with The Melvins. As a young drummer, Tamkin absorbed the raw energy of the era, often finding himself in living room jams with members of Soundgarden and Mudhoney.

Back in Los Angeles, Tamkin became a fixture in the psych-rock circuit, drumming for acts like The Warlocks and crossing paths with players from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beck’s touring crew. After years behind the kit, he took a step into songwriting and production, teaching himself piano and crafting what would become the sound of his former group Xu Xu Fang. That project garnered acclaim for its expansive, moody textures—earning premieres from Rolling Stone, nods from MOJO and The AV Club, and syncs in high-profile shows such as Gossip Girl and Bates Motel.

With MOTO SOLO, Tamkin fully claims center stage. “Xu Xu Fang was my band, but I never sang anything,” he says. “I’d write the music and lyrics, then hand the lyrics over to somebody else to sing. It was fun, but there was a disconnect. Felt like it was time to emerge from the curtain. It was the only musical challenge left.”

That leap began in earnest around 2023, when Tamkin began crafting songs with himself in mind as vocalist. He invited Shuman to contribute, initially just on bass, but their collaboration deepened—guitars, synths, arrangements, and co-production followed. With sessions later moving to 64 Sound in Highland Park and mixing helmed by GRAMMY winner Michael Harris, the sound of the project crystalized into something sonically rich and emotionally precise.

“History Crept On Me” follows recent singles like the Depeche Mode-inspired “There’s Another Way” and its Gui Boratto remix, along with the swirling “Celebration Sound.” While still anchored by driving synth lines and Tamkin’s resonant baritone, this new single adds a reflective and intimate tone that hints at what’s to come on the full-length album.

MOTO SOLO continues to push boundaries by blending post-punk atmospherics, synth-pop flair, and the depth of lived experience into something distinct—and “History Crept On Me” might be its most personal chapter yet.

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VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’S WITH REEYA BANERJEE

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After a string of visually striking and concept driven singles, Reeya Banerjee brings things home both literally and figuratively with the music video for “Upstate Rust,” the fourth and final release ahead of her upcoming album This Place set for release on August 22nd, 2025.

Filmed at Lorien Sound in Brooklyn, the video captures Banerjee and her band The Merseyside Darby in their natural habitat – laughing, sweating and absolutely living inside the music.

Unlike the stylized visuals of her previous singles, this video opts for raw honesty and full band energy, spotlighting the chemistry, connection and joy that fuel Banerjee’s live performances.

It’s a fitting choice for a track that closes the album with heart and clarity.

We sat down with Reeya to talk about the story behind the song, and the decision to film a stripped down performance.

1. Tell us the story of this song – why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

Upstate Rust is the closing track on my album This Place, and in many ways, it’s the emotional resolution.

It’s a song about leaving a place you’ve loved – not with regret, but with trust, love and a little bit of fear. It’s about grown-up decisions, emotional survival and believing that what you’ve built can last, even when the geography changes.

The three singles before this had quirky, stylized videos – animation, photo essays, rogue guerrilla no-permit filming in Grand Central.

With Upstate Rust, I wanted to do something totally different. I wanted to showcase my band, The Merseyside Darby, because this song feels like a full-band anthem. Even though they didn’t record it with me originally, they’ve learned it, owned it, and made it their own.

This video is a celebration of that live energy – of how much fun we have together in the room. It’s the first time we’re all on screen together, and it felt like the right way to bring this song to life.

2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

The inspiration was really simple: let’s just show the band being the band. Upstate Rust is a big, reverb-heavy, U2-flavored banger, and it’s also my favorite song on the record. We wanted to show what it actually feels like to play it together – no gimmicks, no heavy storyline, just real joy and connection.

We shot the video at Lorien Sound in Brooklyn, which is a studio run by my lead guitarist James Rubino and his business partners Austin Birdy and Jack Quigley. Our rehearsal space is the live room at the studio, and Jack also directed the video. We pumped the master track through the PA and performed it together thirteen times – close-ups of everyone, wide shots of the room, no lip-sync fakery, just full-out playing.

Jack’s footage captured our chemistry and the joy we feel making music together. Luke Folger, our drummer (also my creative partner, co-writer, and the producer and composer for the record) is a beast on drums and has a smile that could light up a room. He’s a full-on beam of sunshine.

There’s a moment where I’m singing along with Daria Klotz, my bass player, and we’re just in the moment together. I’ve known her for ten years – we’ve sung in harmony together in so many bar bands and performances and other contexts, and it was lovely to capture that shared history on camera.

Sam Levine is our rhythm guitarist and the newest member of the band. He’s incredibly talented and smart, and a bit shy – but by the end of the shoot, he was rocking out and singing along, and it was just so endearing to watch him come into his own.

My favorite part is in the final chorus where James and I are literally jumping up and down together. We’ve also known each other for ten years – he’s my ride-or-die best friend. It felt like having a dance party with my little brother. Neither of us are spring chickens – we both have bad knees – so it was probably a terrible idea, but we couldn’t resist. At one point, James’s hat flew off mid-jump and he kicked it toward Sam, who had to duck to avoid being beaned in the face. We could not stop laughing. I’m almost sad that moment didn’t make the final cut.

3. What was the process of making the video?

This was honestly one of the most fun and relaxed shoots I’ve ever done. We met at Lorien Sound, and Jack set up a click track for Luke so we could stay locked in with the master. Then we ran the song thirteen times – two close-up takes for each band member, and three full-room passes to capture the in-between moments and the group dynamic.

The goal wasn’t perfection – it was connection. We weren’t trying to make a slick, overly produced performance video – but that said, what Jack delivered is the most polished of the four videos I’ve made to support the singles from This Place.

We wanted to show what it actually feels like to rehearse this song: sweaty, joyful, slightly chaotic, and deeply connected.

I think that comes through in the video.

Find out more about Reeya Banerjee on her Website

Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Dylan De Braga

Like a flower rising through the ashes of a burnt forest, Montreal’s Dylan De Braga‘s debut single, “Hold The Door,” blooms from devastation into something achingly beautiful. Written in the aftermath of a painful, heart-shattering breakup, the folk-infused track captures raw emotion with a tender, unguarded honesty.

Unable to even touch his guitar for nearly two months following the breakup, De Braga eventually found the courage to sit with his pain and within minutes of picking up his guitar again, “Hold The Door” emerged. “Without this song I wouldn’t be where I am, and I certainly wouldn’t be who I am,” says De Braga. “It will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Pairing confessional lyrics with a soaring, powerful vocal performance, “Hold The Door” transforms personal grief into a universal meditation on loss, healing, and resilience. The result is a song that feels both deeply intimate and widely relatable, inviting listeners to find their own reflections within its stirring lines.

1Tell us the story of this performance, why did you choose to capture this song specifically?
I chose to record hold the door specifically because of all the songs I’ve written, it has done more for me than all of the others combined. Before I wrote this song, I was lost, heart shattered and completely empty. I didn’t even touch an instrument or sing for a good 2 months. The first day back I picked up my guitar, and this song basically wrote itself out of thin air. Later I decoded the meaning and realized it was an homage to the very girl who broke me 2 months prior. Since writing the song my life has changed in so many magical ways and it has (no pun intended) opened doors for me that would have been locked without it. Doing an acoustic live demonstration of the song as it was written only felt fitting before releasing the real song.

2.What were you feeling inspired by the day of this performance?
On the day of the performance I was thankfully able to tap into some of the raw energy and emotion that the song was written from. Even 2 years after the event in my life which led to Hold The Door, the pain and damage is still very easy to access through a time portal of music.

3.What was the process of making this video?Creating this video was a deeply immersive and emotional experience. I had the privilege of working with two incredibly gifted videographers who brought not only technical brilliance but also a profound sensitivity to the process. They transformed what began as a chaotic, nondescript studio into something that felt sacred, a space filled with warmth, intimacy, and a quiet kind of magic. That environment allowed me to connect with the emotional core of the song in a way I hadn’t anticipated. It felt less like performing and more like surrendering, letting the music and the visuals guide me to a place that was raw and honest. I truly believe that energy is captured in every frame of the final piece.

Video Voyageur: The Bapti$$

Following the soul-stirring release of “Crazyglue and Skeletons,” The Bapti$$, the boundary-pushing musical rebirth of multi-instrumentalist Joseph LaPlante, returns with “My Father’s Sins,” a raw, introspective new single taken from his just-announced debut album, Pop Cult(ure), out September 26th.

Anchored in aching guitar and a deep 808 heartbeat, “My Father’s Sins” is a confessional offering that digs deep into the scars of lineage, masculine silence, and the fight for spiritual freedom.

“I wholeheartedly believe in Generational Curses and contracts made with the Spirit World,” LaPlante reveals. “I took it on myself to break my family tree free of those shackles that have caused so much pain in my blood line.”

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

I come from a long line of hardened individuals who have grown to love the life of sin they inherited. That didn’t sit right with me, so I chose to use my Art to shed light on the topic and break generational curses with my music.

2.What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

It tells a story that too many are familiar with, Lust, Addictions, Violence and the battle we have with ourselves between light and dark. 

3.What was the process of making this video?

A lot of people are using AI but myself and Dark Shawn when we team up we want to do it a tasteful way. We have a good balance of old style film and AI generated story telling. 

Carrabelle Returns with Epic Release “We Can Fix You”

From the heart of Orlando, Carrabelle invites listeners to join them on a new sonic journey with the release of their latest single, “We Can Fix You.” This track emanates a poignant yet playful exploration of human vulnerability, offering a balm for those who’ve ever felt shattered, misunderstood, or in need of something to stitch their soul back together. “We Can Fix You” is a melody woven from Carrabelle’s signature blend of emotional depth, shimmering guitar-driven hooks, and a bright, pop-infused glow. It embraces the essence of pop-punk’s youthful heart while gracefully stepping into a more mature and polished sound. It’s as if the reckless energy of the mid-2000s has matured into something softer but no less powerful, like the kids who once found solace in All Time Low have grown into adults, still carrying the same hunger for connection, but with a touch of wisdom.

This single stands as a testament to the band’s growth, both in sound and spirit. It serves as an ode for the ones who have stumbled yet continue to reach out, yearning for a way forward. A song that feels both timeless and fresh, it speaks directly to the soul, reminding us all that no wound is too deep for healing. Fans can catch Carrabelle live at Harbour & Friends ‘25 on August 9th at The Abbey in Orlando, where they will be joined by Abby Holiday. The performance promises to be a reflection of everything the band has become: vibrant, heartfelt, and connected to the audience in a way only Carrabelle knows how to achieve.

Carrabelle is an indie rock band from Orlando, blending emotional lyricism with punchy guitar-driven hooks and bright, pop-influenced melodies. Known for their vibrant energy and down-to-earth charm, Carrabelle writes songs that feel both personal and universal, whether they’re fixing broken hearts or introspectively looking within. Their latest release, “We Can Fix You,” showcases their signature mix of wit, warmth, and raw honesty, delivering a playful yet heartfelt anthem for anyone who’s ever felt broken.sty, delivering a playful yet heartfelt anthem for anyone who’s ever felt broken.

Gun-Shy Butterfly Aren’t Here to Babysit Egos on “Manchild”

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There’s a moment in “Manchild”, Gun-Shy Butterfly’s scathing new single, when the sarcasm curdles into something darker.

It’s the sound of the last straw breaking, the laugh you let out after being underestimated one too many times. It’s also the moment you realize this song is a reckoning of sorts.

Philadelphia based duo Julie Exter and Andrea Tarka White take no prisoners on this fuzzed-out, fire breathing alt-rock track that drips with wit, indignation and undeniable hooks.

What starts as a pointed eye-roll becomes a full on evisceration of entitled mediocrity, all set to a soundtrack that echoes the raw honesty of Hole and the punch of L7, with a melodic sensibility entirely their own.

But “Manchild” doesn’t just about calling out bad behavior—it’s about the emotional labor women are expected to do in response to it. The song’s brilliance lies in its refusal to smooth over that exhaustion. Instead, it puts it front and center, lets it roar and dares you to look away.

The lyrics are needle sharp here and they balance bitterness with clarity – there’s no vagueness and no metaphor to soften the blow. Just bold, clear language that hits like truth tends to – suddenly and without apology.

Production wise, it’s lean and loud. Every instrument has room to breathe, but it never lets up in intensity. The guitar tones snarl, the bass stalks just beneath the surface and Exter’s vocals command every inch of the mix.

“Manchild” then is a torch song for the pissed off and perpetually talked over. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful thing that you can do is tell the truth and crank the volume up while you do it.

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About Gun-Shy Butterfly

Gun-Shy Butterfly is the Philadelphia based alt-rock duo of Julie Exter and Andrea Tarka White.

With a minimalist setup and a maximalist sound, the pair craft raw and riff-heavy anthems fueled by feminist fire and unfiltered emotion. Blending the grit of ’90s grunge with sharp lyrical wit, Gun-Shy Butterfly tackles everything from cultural exhaustion to personal reclamation. Always loud, always honest.

Their debut singles “Dark Side” and “Manchild” announce the arrival of a band unafraid to rage, reflect, and rip the volume right off.

Find out more on the Website