Independent Music - Hot Off The Press with Ace Hartmann

THE MAKHNOS RELEASE DEBUT SELF TITLED EP

byAce HartmannJuly 1, 2026July 7, 2026

Seattle’s underground punk scene has another uncompromising, original voice with the arrival of The Makhnos, whose self-titled debut EP is now available. Built on the traditions of working-class street punk and politically conscious rock, The Makhnos present themselves with a clear mission. The band openly declares they are anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist, pro-worker, pro-liberty, pro-queer, and […]

MCKINLEY JAMES NOW ‘BACK ON THE RUN’

byAce HartmannJune 30, 2026July 6, 2026

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter McKinley James has released his new single “Back On The Run,” marking his debut with Easy Eye Sound and introducing the next chapter of a career built on traditional American roots music, soul, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. Accompanied by a new music video and an upcoming 7-inch vinyl release, the […]

THE LINDA LINDAS SIGN TO REPRISE/WARNER RECORDS & SHARE NEW SINGLE “BURNING OUT”

byAce HartmannJune 19, 2026July 5, 2026

The Linda Lindas have released a new single titled “Burning Out,” marking their first new material since their 2024 album No Obligation and coinciding with the announcement of their signing to Reprise/Warner Records. The track arrives with an official music video directed by Nathan Castiel. “Burning Out” captures a transitional moment for the band, written […]

THE BOBBY LEES INTRODUCE ‘NEW SELF’ VIA ePITAPH RECORDS

byAce HartmannJune 19, 2026June 19, 2026

The Bobby Lees return this June with ‘New Self‘, the New York trio’s latest full-length release and first album for Epitaph Records. Released June 12, the record arrives after a period of uncertainty for the band and documents a renewed commitment to songwriting and performance. Produced by Dave Sardy and Alex Pasco in Los Angeles, […]

Kit Major Reclaims Defiance on Miss Ego EP

byAce HartmannJune 12, 2026June 19, 2026

Los Angeles-based artist Kit Major released their new EP, Miss Ego, through Futureless. The project arrived alongside the release of the newest focused track, “Messin’ With Me,” a garage rock single accompanied by a music video. Both, the single and EP were released simultaneously. Kit Major has built her profile as an independent performer operating […]

THE JACK KNIVES INTRODUCE NEW ERA WITH DOUBLE A-SIDE RELEASE

byAce HartmannJune 5, 2026June 19, 2026

The Jack Knives have released a new double A-side single, “La Sirena” and “Late Nights in London,” marking the first official preview of their upcoming album Negative Spaces. The release arrived June 5 via Fumié Records, with Bandcamp supporters receiving early access on June 4. The two-track release serves as the opening statement for the […]

RAT BOY FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH ‘Sick of it’ before the NEW ALBUM ‘CRASH!’

byAce HartmannMay 27, 2026June 4, 2026

Rat Boy, The Essex outfit have carved out their own lawless corner of alternative music — blending punk, ska, hip-hop, indie rock, hardcore, and streetwise British sarcasm into something uniquely their own. Now, with the arrival of their fourth studio album CRASH!, RAT BOY appear determined to strip everything back to raw instinct, volume, and […]

BRIAN NEWMAN WALKS THE ‘BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS’ WITH ‘SONGS FOR LONELY LOVERS’

byAce HartmannMay 26, 2026June 4, 2026

Brian Newman continues to build his career in the shadows of midnight lounges, underneath the billowing smoke, and through the velvet curtains. For more than twenty-five years, the Grammy-winning trumpeter, vocalist, producer, arranger, and bandleader has quietly become one of modern music’s great preservationists — a musician dedicated not merely to jazz tradition, but to […]

WESTERN ADDICTION RETURN WITH “PSYCHEDELIC MUNITIONS” ON FAT/HOPELESS RECORDS

byAce HartmannMay 20, 2026June 4, 2026

Western Addiction have occupied a singular place within the American punk underground — a band forged not merely in the scene, but directly inside one of punk rock’s most revered institutions. Emerging from the halls of San Francisco’s legendary Fat Wreck Chords, the group built a reputation for marrying breakneck hardcore with sharp lyrical observation, […]

POKEY LAFARGE ANNOUNCES ‘RENT MONEY’ AND ROAD TOUR

byAce HartmannMay 13, 2026June 4, 2026

The restless American troubadour known as Pokey LaFarge has once again packed his suitcase, tuned his guitar, and set his sights on the open highway. This week, the celebrated singer-songwriter officially announced his forthcoming full-length record Rent Money, due September 11, 2026 through Boxer Boy Records, accompanied by the release of its title track and […]