A Short Walk to Pluto has developed a tremendous social media presence through TikTok and Instagram, where they regularly debut original music and covers of well-known classics. It was through that online presence that the quartet was discovered and endorsed by Howard Stern on his SiriusXM radio show.
The quartet dives headfirst into the whirlwind of change on their new single, “Nothing to Fear.” It’s about the bittersweet dance of leaving behind what’s familiar to chase the unknown.
Though much of their success is owed to their social media engagement, it is their genre-defying original music and energetic live performances that have generated a loyal, consistent, and far reaching following.
Swaying between the punchiness of modern rock and the nostalgic tones of ’90s alternative, June Body‘s rawness and forthright lyrical delivery throws back to the likes of Death Cab for Cutie and The Weakerthans.
“Take Our Time Back” is the latest single from the trio’s third album,Last Everythings(June 7, 2024); a snow globe of the scenes before, during, and after a breakup. It is a venture into the subtle, heartbreaking domestic details of an ending.
“I ended a year-long relationship that I realized I wasn’t ready to be in from the start,” lead vocalist/guitarist Connor James elaborates about the new track. “I fell in love with a great person, but a voice in the back of my mind kept telling me it wasn’t meant to be. ‘Take Our Time Back’ is about the guilt of having to break their heart, and wondering if they’re wishing they could take back the time we had together.”
Introducing Hearsing, the brainchild of Avery Murphy and Jordan Taylor, a musical project deeply rooted in their shared journey from high school to professional stardom. Their musical odyssey began within the confines of high school corridors, where they co-founded the surf punk ensemble SUBPAR alongside Lukas Henderson and Austin Corona. Since then, these talented individuals have embarked on their own notable ventures in the music scene, spanning projects like LILACS, Jean Dawson, and Lizzy McAlpine.
Their collaboration within SUBPAR bore fruit with the release of the band’s eponymous album, which garnered over 3.5 million streams on Spotify and maintained a robust monthly listenership of over 21.5k. This early success laid the foundation for Hearsing to germinate, drawing upon their surf punk origins while infusing it with a tapestry of nostalgic melodies and a diverse array of newfound influences, ultimately crafting a unique brand of western music that is distinctly their own.
In March of 2021, Hearsing unveiled their inaugural offering—a self-titled collection of home-recorded tracks that served as a precursor to their burgeoning musical expedition. However, it is in the year 2024 that they truly come into their own, as they unleash their debut professional studio EP, aptly titled “Pastoral.” Recorded under the meticulous guidance of producer and singer-songwriter Henry Chadwick, whose impressive repertoire includes collaborations with esteemed acts like Jesse Daniel and Coffis Brothers, “Pastoral” encapsulates the essence of Hearsing’s artistic evolution. Additionally, the EP features the deft drumming of Ellington Peet, known for his work with bands like Runnner and Babehoven, adding a layer of dynamism to the sonic landscape.
Accompanying the release of “Montauk,” the lead single from “Pastoral,” is a visually captivating music video that serves as a visual companion to the ethereal soundscape of the track. Directed by the brilliant Diego Diaz Lundquist, the video transports viewers on a cinematic journey through landscapes both familiar and otherworldly. With mesmerizing imagery and evocative storytelling, the video offers a glimpse into the boundless creativity and artistic vision of Hearsing, promising an immersive experience that perfectly complements the introspective mood of the song.
Listen and watch here:
Hearsing reveals of the track:
“We wrote Montauk back in 2022, and it was one of the first songs I wrote where I realized not everything had to be directly about real things in my life. Everything gets interpreted so allegorically anyways, real or not, so for Montauk we got to really have fun making up characters and a world that the song could live in. Montauk is really rooted in metaphors concerning the natural world, the chorus “I feel like a star now, look at the way look at the way that my hair shines, I feel like a star now, just look up in the sky tell me if I’m right” is really exemplary of that. On its face it gives this kind of upbeat optimistic reading of feeling like a superstar or something shiny, but in reality I feel like it would be pretty lonely to be a star out in space, shining millions of miles away for others to see. And I think there’s kind of a double meaning there too because I imagine being some big famous star on earth could also feel similar.
The song is accompanied by a music video made by our brilliant friend, Diego Diaz Lundquist. The video was filmed on 8mm film and is so imagistically rich, it feels really immersive, like it allows you to live in the world that the song exists in. But the video contrasts the made-up lyrical content of the song in that it was filmed in very real areas that are personal and special to us, and it features us, as well as a bunch of our close friends. So the video feels very grounded in something real, which in turn grounds the song and ties it to the way we feel it will live in the world once it’s released, not as something made-up or far off, but something very personal that will be present and will serve to soundtrack important moments in people’s lives, whether those be moments of nostalgic past, pressing present, or longing future.”
What sets “Pastoral” apart is not just its impeccable production or the pedigree of its collaborators, but the sheer depth of emotion and creativity that permeates each track. From the wistful nostalgia of “Montauk” to the infectious energy of “Hearsing,” the EP traverses a diverse sonic terrain, seamlessly blending elements of surf punk, indie rock, and Americana to create a sound that is both timeless and refreshing.
As Hearsing prepares to embark on the next phase of their musical journey, their sights set on conquering new horizons and captivating audiences around the globe, they invite listeners to join them on this exhilarating ride. With “Montauk” serving as the harbinger of their sonic expedition, Hearsing is poised to make an indelible mark on the musical landscape, one soul-stirring melody at a time.
Paul Hashemi, the frontman of Faint Halos, has released his new single “Skyline Hill.”
This is the second single from his forthcoming album I Can See a Million Lights, due out in August 2024.
This track beautifully captures the tranquility of a summer evening at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and reflects Hashemi’s inspiration drawn from the city’s unique blend of intimate locales and expansive views.
During his time at the Mann Center, Hashemi observed the city from a distance, gaining a fresh perspective. He remarked on how Philadelphia’s small, familiar places contrast with the vast, unified view seen from afar, which inspired the song’s lyrics.
“Skyline Hill” features a deliberately simple arrangement with acoustic and electric guitars, keys, bass, drums, and vocals. Lead guitar, played with an eBow, highlights Hashemi’s innovation, using a “fluttering” technique to create a unique sound.
This technique involved playing a trill with his left hand while manipulating the eBow to control volume, a process that required extensive experimentation and multiple takes to perfect.
“Skyline Hill” was recorded, produced, and mixed in Hashemi’s home studio in Berwyn, PA, with additional vocal recordings in North Carolina. As one of the first pieces written for the new album, it stands out with its airy, minimalist arrangement and haunting guitar melodies.
Paul Hashemi’s musical journey spans classical training, touring with rock bands in the ’90s, followed by a hiatus to focus on career and family.
The pandemic really reignited his creativity, leading to the formation of Faint Halos and the creation of I Can See a Million Lights. This debut album delves into introspective themes with poignant lyrics and dynamic arrangements, marking an exciting new chapter.
Galactic Monk has released his ethereal new single, “Secretly Admire,” out now!
The track invites listeners to embrace self-love and overcome insecurities, delivering a powerful message wrapped in an ethereal pop sound with hints of Tropical House.
“The inspiration for writing and recording this song stems from my anticipation of a relationship with my Twin Flame. My intuition tells me we will have a fiery relationship supported by the divine. This song is a manifestation of the reality I want to create. As a writer and artist with roots in Hip-Hop, exploring singing vocals was a new venture for me,” says Galactic Monk.
He adds, “Recording, mixing, and mastering the track myself was crucial in achieving the ethereal and upbeat energy I envisioned.”
The story behind “Secretly Admire” is one of true perseverance. After prioritizing his mental health with a leave of absence from work in 2015, Galactic Monk rebuilt his recording studio from scratch in 2022.
“Secretly Admire” is the first song completed in his newly equipped studio, symbolizing a return to his creative roots.
Accompanying the single is a new lyric video. Galactic Monk plans to release one song each month until the full album is unveiled. The aim is to empower listeners to step into their authentic power and shine unapologetically, blending ethereal pop, catchy beats, and lyrical magic.
Galactic Monk has dedicated himself to an unwavering pursuit of self-mastery, honing his skills in recording, mixing, mastering, writing, and producing to develop a unique sound.
Starting as a recording engineer, he wrote and recorded his songs during studio downtime, creating each track as a vessel for powerful mantras, affirmations, and manifestations.
At the heart of his art is a profound commitment to his “Star Mission” – a crusade to save planet Earth and activate enlightenment in all who encounter his work. Galactic Monk’s music is a vehicle for transformation, awakening dormant potentials and unlocking inherent power within each listener.
In an increasingly disconnected world, Galactic Monk stands out as a beacon of hope, showcasing art’s transformative power and the human spirit’s limitless potential.
When not in the studio, he shares daily doses of motivational wisdom on social media platforms and plots world-changing initiatives with fellow truth seekers.
Based in Victoria, BC, Jesse Roper is a blues/Americana artist with a penchant for writing modern indie-infused blues music and delivering bombastic live performances buoyed by his virtuosic guitar playing. His innate and impressive musical talent has served him well, giving him the flexibility to play with soul icon Booker T. Jones, rock veteran Colin James, blues belter Beth Hart, and Canadian legend Burton Cummings.
“Way Down In The Valley” is a song about the house that Jesse lives in. It started out as a classic rock song and evolved into a funky, soulful tune with the help of JUNO-nominated producer, Gus van Go (Metric, Arkells, Sam Roberts, Whitehorse).
“I’ve wanted to live in this valley since I was a little kid,” says Jesse Roper. “I still can’t believe I actually live here. The ground grows tasty vegetables. The deer, wolves, bears, cougars and even the odd elk roam the surrounding hills. There’s old growth trees and the smell of the ocean freshens it up around here year round. I’m truly lucky to call this place my home.”
Modern Mystery 
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