Sonic Baptism with Spirit Lust and Friends 02/20/20

Welcome to Sonic Baptism with Spirit Lust and friends. Dim Things graciously gave me a platform to share my favorite recent releases and shows of the week. For a playlist of all the songs, and artist mentioned in the weeks article follow here(also includes our friends and releases). Without further interruption Sonic Baptism, this week with Paloma Magana, Jacob Saxton, and Sergio Falvo.

New Orleans no-wave punks, Special Interest, are back with a new single that’s somehow meaner and more unhinged than their previous releases. The foursome make music that, to me, feels deliberately ambiguous – super aggressive, yet danceable and relatable. In “Don’t Kiss Me In Public”, Alli’s vocals are a big ol’ roar, constantly repeating “Why don’t you kiss me in public?”, while the synth mimics a siren above it all. According to their bandcamp, a “new album is coming soon…” and if you’re in NYC you’re in luck because they’re playing 3/3 at Saint Vitus before heading to Europe. I read an interview with them where they said something along the lines of “fuck it we’re all gonna die soon – might as well have a gay makeout in the pit” so I’m pretty excited to see that energy come to life at the show. – Paloma Magana

Daniel Wyche is a guitarist and composer based in Chicago, as well as one of the primary curators with the Elastic Arts Foundation. His compositions are all composed of multi-channel, prepared and processed guitar. Wyche is able to create spacey soundscapes from just his guitar that would make any synthesist envious of his capabilities. On March 1st Wyche will reissue
The Last Flight of the Voidship Remainder, a compilation of three different tapes released between 2011 and 2015, and remastered in 2019. “The Fire in the Lacquer House” will transport you through space. There are moments in the song that’ll make you feel like you’re floating in the vacuum of space in just a spacesuit, gaining a blissful experience few have had to pleasure to actually accomplish. And other moments where you’re starring down the Monolith yourself, and are paralyzed by the realization that there are things in this universe you will truly never understand. Wyche’s record will help you gain these experiences through your first listen. The Last Flight of the Voidship Remainder is out March 1st and is available for preorder via Daniel Wyche’s bandcamp. This is a limited run of 100 cassettes, which 100% of the physical proceeds will go to the Chicago Community Bond Fund, an organization doing extremely important, on-the-ground work around incarceration in Chicago.

The dreamiest duo in slacker rock history is back, and much like the original Dreamboats, it is “a real chill listen.” Jordan Hudkins (Rozwell Kid) and Dave Segedy (Sleeping Bag) have come together and brought us 6 more guitar-heavy, power-pop masterpieces. The first track, “Absolutely” kicks off and instantly you’re fully submerged in layers of guitar, hard-hitting drums, and the catchiest vocal melodies. It is a perfect representation of the signature sound and energy this pair creates, their songs will stick in your head for days to come. “Absolutely” is a song calling out bullies of the past and being sick of their shit and it’s a spectacular way to jump into this “real chill sequel.” The full release is available via their Bandcamp. – Jacob Saxton

The boys in Free $$$ really come out swingin’ with their newest single, Etc. What originally premiered on DIM Comp Vol. 1 is now available to stream everywhere. The story opens on a guy who really just won’t shut-up. But if you listen, he eventually gets a taste of his own medicine. “Etc.” is a new and exciting (I hate that word, but it really is) song from Free $$$. It’s got punk influences, a little hip hop influence, and, well, yodeling? it’s got yelling and a fuzzed out echo-y guitar riff looped on top of another fuzzed out guitar riff. It’s also only February and might be my favorite song of the year, but we’ll see how the year pans out. – Sergio Falvo

Trace Mountains is the songwriting moniker of Dave Benton. If that name sounds familiar, you my recognize him as one of the core songwriters of the defunct Brooklyn band LVL Up. “Lost in the Country” is the first single off of Trace Mountains sophomore LP of the same name. The single is a self reflective piece that has Benton looking back at moments of depression and feelings of being lost in Bentons own life. It’s a beautiful song thats nearly 6 minutes long but is constantly evolving and changing that you never feel exhausted from its length. The level of talent and honesty Benton puts on display in “Lost in the Country” shows that he uses his past experiences as lessons for growth. We can all take a note out of Bentons playbook, and gain a deeper understanding from “all the years that have gone by and people that we past by”. Lost in the Country is out April 10th via Lame-O Records.

No Tongues for Quiet People is a post-punk/post-hardcore band hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan. The band released their debut album Joint Future in early January. “Corridor” starts out as an aggressive punk song with heavy vocals. It beautifully transitions into a pensive two and a half minute build up before coming full circle with big vocals and heavy guitar. No Tongues for Quiet People made a wonderful album from start to finish and we can’t wait to hear more from these guys. – Sergio Falvo

Rips is a Brooklyn based that was one of the most exciting band of 2017/2018. They were playing shows that were eclectic in genre and line-ups. They put out a debut record produced by Austin Brown of Parquet Courts and had tours all across the country. Now they’re back with their first single since 2017. “Mirror” combines all the elements that made them one of the most exciting Brooklyn bands and expands to new horizons. “Mirror” shows a lot of their early post-punk influence coming back with guitar riffs through out the entire song, reminiscent of Wires first three albums. As the song continues into the chorus, a synth shimmers through causing your head to spin in circles. “Mirror” has a fast paced energy to it. The same type of energy that causes listeners to break out dancing at a house party or to get lost walking in Ridgewood, Queens stoned and starving… There’s no other info on their bandcamp or other social media profiles. Just this single released on spotify. Either way I hope there is a new record coming and more live shows! – Spirit Lust