The Whimbrels’ founder, Arad Evans, describes the band’s avian namesake as “recognizable and yet bizarre.” The same could be said of their music, which combines dense, polyrhythmic arrangements and non-standard tunings with strong hooks and melodic elements. The Whimbrels recently released their self-titled debut album on Dromedary Records. A long-time member of the Glenn Branca … Read more
Anne Bandez (known as Little Annie / Annie Anxiety) is a singer, painter, and performance artist renowned for her varied work and extensive collaborations. A new compilation, With (out 4/18/25 on Cold Spring), brings together collaborative recordings with artists such as Marc Almond, Coil, Swans, and Kid Congo Powers. What ties these tracks together is … Read more
Luna Honey’s latest album, Bound, represents a turning point in their artistic evolution, capturing a raw intensity and focus that feels immediate and unfiltered. The trio—vocalist/guitarist Maura Pond, guitarist Benjamin Schurr, and bassist Levi Flack—expanded their process by stepping outside their usual home studio setup, allowing for a more organic feel and the inclusion of … Read more
Raw Blood Singing, the latest release from Insect Ark, features a new lineup and explorations into new musical directions. Initially, the solo project of Dana Schechter (Bee and Flower, Angels of Light, Swans), Insect Ark is now a duo comprised of Schechter and percussionist Tim Wyskida (Khanate). The music is bleak, but with a sweeping, … Read more
A Sudden Craving is the second album from The Children…, a collaboration between Michael Wiener, Jim Coleman, and Phil Puleo. The group put out their debut album in 2009 and recorded new material over the following decade. But with no specific goal for a new album and the members being busy with various projects, the … Read more
For their seventh album, Mjölnir, experimental rock band Cinema Cinema continued to embrace improvisation, but this time with a new collaborator. Brooklyn-born cousins Ev Gold (vocals/guitar) and Paul Claro (drums) teamed up with Thor Harris (Thor & Friends, Shearwater, Swans, Xiu Xiu, etc.) for a spontaneous recording session that was then edited down and shaped … Read more
Initially released in 1987 under the name Skin (World of Skin in the US), Jarboe’s ‘blood women roses’ was reissued for the first time on Record Store Day (April 23, 2022.) The newly remastered edition is coming out on Belgium label Consouling Sounds and is re-titled ‘skin blood women roses’ to reflect the original project … Read more
The documentary Where Does a Body End? presents an intimate portrait of the band Swans, from their emergence from the NYC no-wave/noise scene in the early ’80s through the various line-up and stylistic shifts. Utilizing recent performance footage and interviews, as well as extensive archival material, it provides a history of the band, and, just as importantly, it illustrates the impact Swans have had on their fans and peers.
“The Subversive Nature of Kindness” is the new sophomore release from Thor & Friends, a unique project founded by long-time Swans percussionist Thor Harris. Influenced by minimalist composers, Thor & Friends build their songs around instruments such as marimba, xylophone and vibraphone.
After heavy touring as percussionist for Swans, Thor Harris “didn’t want to hear drums, bass, or distorted guitars anymore.” So he started up Thor & Friends to create music that is influenced by minimalist composers and driven by marimba and xylophone.