Vancouver’s Slightest Clue (Malcolm McLaren, Hannah Kruse, Sean Ries, Nick Sciarretta) is like the secret after-school project of four kids who would have passed each other without a glance in the hallway at school, but once they’re plugged in and ready to play their distinct blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and dark pop, all bets are off. 

Dressed up in sultry post-punk stylings reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys’ AM, “Why Can’t I Call You” is the final single to be shared from the band’s forthcoming Carousel EP before it’s officially released on February 9th. Inspired by songwriter McLaren’s crush on a person he couldn’t pursue, the song is rife with hooks and vocals that emulate the likes of Grian Chatten (Fontaines D.C.) and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys).

M’Grasker is a coven of humanoid meat sacks forged in the Vats of Creation by Dr. Gorp. Their mission: to Rock. However, they are also permitted to Roll. Human terminology might define them as a “band,” however they would be more accurately described as Biological Property of M’Graskorp Unlimited Enterprises and Subsidiaries of the GlanGlan Group. M’Graskorp’s renowned legal team compelled Jesse Turnbull (Taurus Music) and Dave Monks (of Tokyo Police Club) to engineer and produce their forthcoming self-titled album, due this year.

They present a psychedelic symphony in the form of “Kiss & Smoke Weed,” an amorous and trippy song that pays homage to the twin pillars of human joy: a kiss, the sweet interlocking of souls, and the goij, the herb that unravels the mind’s knotty woes. Imagine the harmonic convergence of lips meeting ‘twixt loving gazes and the effervescent dance of goij smoke waltzing through the air. Its intoxicating groove offers a kaleidoscope of sounds, accompanied by a phantasmagoria of color and love.

Much of M’Grasker’s DNA was salvaged from the backstage areas and bathrooms of seedy Toronto music venues and transferred via Scienetic Quantum Hurtlage to the M’Graskorp Labs, located just beyond Space and Time (and slightly to the left). There, the illustrious Dr. Gorp folded the DNA into his patented bio-muck through perverse osmosis, adding a large scoop of adrenaline and dashes of other substances that can’t be named, much less comprehended. 
After releasing their ‘curt’ 69-track EP Under the Righteous Sky in 2022, the band endured a brief transmogrification when canine DNA entered the Vats, resulting in the dog-themed follow-up Must Love Doggy in 2023.

In the spring of 2023, the rock quartet Kojak entered the studio of acclaimed folk musician and producer David James Allen to record what was initially intended to be a single tune. Little did they know that this encounter would mark the beginning of a liberating creative process that unraveled a full LP. The self-titled album, Kojak, which will be released through Allen‘s label Littleknown Records, showcases the culmination of Kojak‘s evolution and dedication to their craft and high energy and at times heavy sound.

“Midnight” is a song about hanging on to a moment, or night in this case, as long as you can, as futile as that can be. One of those nights where you don’t want it to end, whether it be that you’re having a good time, or you don’t want to see what the morning brings. It’s just as much about enjoying the current time/moment, as it is about avoiding what is about to come the next day. The song also ties in with a yet-to-be-released song, “Wake Up When The Morning Comes.”

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

We had Midnight scheduled for our second single release of this album. it has a groove to it and we thought we could make something work and have some fun with it. The song itself is all about enjoying the moment and being present. So that’s what we did filming it. 

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

Harry came up with the idea to do silhouettes. We tried to make it a retro feel good video that keeps you engaged throughout with its blink and you’ll miss it scene. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

Our friend Trevor Harris is the owner of Dialogue Creative and we reached out to him to ask if he wanted to film and edit a short music video, thankfully he said yes. We took a bunch of takes just having fun with the track playing, and Trevor edited it all together. It only took a short amount of time but a whole lot of fun. “Every summer, [guitarist/vocalist] Donny‘s family hosts the annual Tait Volleyball Tournament where the entire party starts enjoying beverages around 10 or 11,” drummer Mitch Cory explains the inspiration for the song. “The day passes by quickly and we all find ourselves feeling pretty loose. Whether it be us, a friend, or a friend of a friend, someone is bound to be battling to keep the party going and not fall asleep on the lawn.”

Lower East Side, NYC-based indie singer/songwriter Kathy Zimmer is joyously marking the release of her latest EP, “Debris,” in collaboration with her accomplished bandmates Eric Sanderson and Tom Zovich, known for their contributions to Augustines and Pela. The musical essence of this project is characterized by Zimmer’s captivating vocals delivering evocative lyrics set against an indie rock backdrop, offering listeners a distinctive and refreshing experience.

Originally hailing from the tranquil landscapes of rural Nebraska, Kathy Zimmer brings a wealth of musical knowledge, holding a Master’s Degree from the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music. Despite her roots, she has seamlessly embraced the vibrant atmosphere of New York City, where she has established herself as an integral part of the indie music scene. At her upcoming show, attendees will have the opportunity to acquire a 12″ vinyl record featuring two EPs, aptly titled “White Noise/Sparkling Smile.”

Recognizing her unique talent, Rock n’ Reel Magazine has bestowed upon Kathy Zimmer the title of the “latter day Joan Baez,” highlighting her profound influence and distinct contribution to the indie music landscape. Further acclaim comes from The Roots Music Report, which praises Zimmer’s sophisticated songwriting as “at various turns enchanting, haunting, and soothing—Ms. Zimmer’s sophisticated song crafting never fails to charm.” As she continues to captivate audiences with her musical prowess, Kathy Zimmer stands as a luminary in the indie music realm, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of her listeners.

We caught up with Kathy regarding her new video “Moonwalk” below:

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

“Moonwalk” is a song about me making choices in my life and not really knowing where I’ll end up because of those choices. I had a moment of feeling a little disoriented with that uncertainty, as my pen was hitting the paper to write these lyrics, and the image of an astronaut on a spacewalk came out. When an astronaut is, say, outside of the space station, do they have any concept of up or down? And if they don’t, is that crazy? Cause I feel like it might be! And I feel like I’m on my own personal spacewalk sometimes… where exactly am I headed?  This is all uncharted territory here! 

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

Because it was slightly cost prohibitive to make a video based on the literal imagery in the song (an earthling in space), I flipped the imagery and decided to play an alien who came to explore Earth. I had in mind the crash landing that’s at the beginning of the original Planet of the Apes movie, just because it’s so awesomely lo-fi but yet effective. It’s so incredible that we can now get footage like this with just a drone, whereas before it was probably way more complicated! Had to round out the Planet of the Apes experience, then, with a visit to the Statue of Liberty in the video. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

I am so lucky to live in NYC, which, among a zillion other great reasons to live here, is so photogenic.  We started off the day by “crash landing” on Brighton Beach, then found a nice exit to the expressway in Queens, then went to a best-kept-secret Statue of Liberty lookout point at Pier 44 in Brooklyn, and finally travelled to midtown Manhattan and 30th Street Guitars. The video was filmed all in one day, because we had a magical, easy-going crew, and a car. My friend Justin Muschong had the idea to use “forced perspective” to film the rocket landing, and luckily my niece loaned me the rocket she’d made for a 4-H project. I had an old AAA map which I doctored to be a travel guide to Earth, and we were off! There may be an allegory somewhere in there relating the journey of the alien to me, but it might be more fun to just keep it as a story about an alien. 

M’Grasker is a coven of humanoid meat sacks forged in the Vats of Creation by Dr. Gorp. Their mission: to Rock. However, they are also permitted to Roll. Human terminology might define them as a “band,” however they would be more accurately described as Biological Property of M’Graskorp Unlimited Enterprises and Subsidiaries of the GlanGlan Group. M’Graskorp’s renowned legal team compelled Jesse Turnbull (Taurus Music) and Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club) to engineer and produce their forthcoming self-titled album, due this year.

M’Grasker present a psychedelic symphony in the form of “Kiss & Smoke Weed,” an amorous and trippy song that pays homage to the twin pillars of human joy: a kiss, the sweet interlocking of souls, and the goij, the herb that unravels the mind’s knotty woes. Imagine the harmonic convergence of lips meeting ‘twixt loving gazes and the effervescent dance of goij smoke waltzing through the air. Its intoxicating groove offers a kaleidoscopic sound, accompanied by a phantasmagoria of color and love.

Much of M’Grasker‘s DNA was salvaged from the backstage areas and bathrooms of seedy Toronto music venues and transferred via Scienetic Quantum Hurtlage to the M’Graskorp Labs, located just beyond Space and Time (and slightly to the left). There, the illustrious Dr. Gorp folded the DNA into his patented bio-muck through perverse osmosis, adding a large scoop of adrenaline and dashes of other substances that can’t be named, much less comprehended.

After releasing their ‘curt’ 69-track EP Under the Righteous Sky in 2022, the band endured a brief transmogrification when canine DNA entered the Vats, resulting in 2023’s dog-themed follow-up Must Love Doggy.

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 
Dr. Gorp calls the shots around here, vis a vis what songs get made when, and how. He has demanded to answer this particular question himself.

“Ah, traveler! “Kiss & Smoke Weed” is a dance twixt notes and high spirits. It sets simply the complex pathos of our existence while delighting the auditory cortices of both man and beast with melodic splendor; to kiss your bonnie compatriots in yonder moonlight followed by inhaling most deeply the divine mangoloijian puff is a rapture most refined. M’Grasker weaves such threads intrinsically within their music – inspired absurdity encased in a delicate lacquer of universal truth. For is there no fate better than a dome of full smoke divine and a kiss from your one true love?” – Dr. Gorp

The Board has graciously given us, the band, the opportunity to answer the following 2 questions directly.

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

It all starts with The Void. We love The Void, and we’ve been trying to work with The Void for as long as we’ve been trying to work. Once we had locked in The Void, we moved on to some central themes, Kissing and Smoking Weed chief among them. Then we consulted with “the kids” — ‘lo and behold dancing is a timeless and popular activity, and the current age is no exception. And so, the major players of our video were assembled. We brought these nuggling’s of Gene to Adam Griffith and Colin Vaillancourt, our video producers and executors extraordinaire – and the rest is history, we’re now proud creators of the world’s most successful music video ever made.

3. What was the process of making this video?
We consumed a lot of “prop weed” during the filming of the video, which has no known psychoactive effects, so this accounting of the days events can be trusted whole heartedly.,

It began around 4:20, AM or PM I cannot recall, one thing was certain: it was time to rock and roll. That’s when the interdimensional rift opened up, and the video team poured through. You should have seen the lights they had shining as they entered the spot, it was… beautiful. Then we ordered some food from Lyle’s, our absolute top pick for food in the city, you have to KNOW it to know it, if you know what I mean. Anyway, then we ate the food, perfected the art of dance and drew our swords, following their hallowed tips towards the truth. Inspiration struck many times… twice, to be exact, not unlike a broken watch.