Updates

Shameless Begging

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I don’t know if you knew this, but neither making music these days or writing about it is particularly profitable. Unfortunately, those our the things that I do, so I, am not very profitable. I want to be able to continue pursuing my passions and bring y’all music and music reviews, and I don’t have any current plans to stop…. But I could really use some money. Money would really help me be able to continue spending as much time as I do on music writing, and making music. So what am I going to do about this? Well, I’m going to start by begging. Well, asking, up to you. Dirt Witch Records is now accepting donations. I’ll include a form below, and there is now one at the bottom of the home page.

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Other than that, I’ve got a couple of merch items over at Band camp for sale here, with some plans for more. Buying the music there is also incredibly helpful. Thinking of putting together a digital zine, sell that for a small price maybe? Thoughts?

HI 5 9/16/22

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I’ve almost been married a year. That’s pretty neat.

Indi Faulkner-“Reality” September 9

I really love the 70’s sci-fi vibe from both the song and the album art. Indi Faulkner’s music reminds me of one of my favorite indie pop artists Mirah, with its dynamic, and somewhat dark feel.

Yb.-“Sandra” September 7

I have to admit I’ve been poaching a lot of Spotify’s Fresh Finds. They’ve got some good stuff if you look. . Yb. delivers a song that seems to draw as much from indie rock as it does modern pop. Catchy AF as well.

Cartridge B-Sides-“Is it cool?” August 19

You can check out the full album review here. Cartridge B-Sides delivers nostalgic bedroom indie rock that feels like a reflection of 2000’s indie like The Strokes. Is it cool? It is cool.

Shoplifters Mugshot-“I’ve Got No Strings (On Me)” September

Folk Punk. Fuck Yeah. I love the ferocity of the vocals and guitar playing, and it really makes you forget you’re just listening to one man and a guitar.

The Milk Men-“Gabba Gabba Hey” September 9

The Milk Men out of the UK love American punk. You can check the full review at Rock At Night here. This song is a catchy love letter to the golden days of The Ramones.

HI 5 9/9/22

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I heard some nasty imperialist died, anyways, let’s talk about music!

Leo Sun-“I Don’t Wanna Be Strong”, September 2

LA “booty rockin cowboy” and songwriter delivers this dreary and atmospheric slow love bop. The mellow instrumentation really suits the vulnerable vocals.

Easy Sleeper-“Dream Prison”, September 9

“Dream Prison” is suitably dreamy with its clean and melodic guitar soaked with atmosphere and backed by low, whispery vocals. Easy Sleeper always puts out music that makes me want to go for a drive, and just cruise along.

Ghost Orchard-“bruise”, August 30

The constant drums are pretty up in the mix with this song, and it gives a really hypnotic quality to all the subtle instrumentation and whispery vocals that is quite satisfying. This cryptic song demands to be listened to on repeat to decode.

sleepyhead-“Hoax”, September 9

Sleepyhead really are a power duo; recording, mixing, and distributing their upbeat indie pop out of Manchester. Their music is relentlessly earwormy, and full of hooks. The acoustic start to this song is unexpected, but fits the song amazingly in their hands.

The Lounge Society-“Blood Money”, August 26

This track off of The Lounge Society’s Tired Of Liberty drives forward with constant, upbeat drums and a relatively simple but horribly catchy guitar riff. I love the chaotic energy of the song.

“Three Wolf Moon Tee Shirt” is out now

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Chill indie pop pop culture nostalgia love song “Three Wolf Moon Tee Shirt” by singer-songwriter Justin H.K. is now available wherever you listen.

This tracks layered and subtle percussion along with its mix of folk, electronic, and rock instrumentation provided a perfect backdrop for the seriously song, kind silly lyrics of mis-remembered love.

Bandcamp

Soundcloud

HI 5 9/2/22

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It’s September. I don’t have a point here, just making sure you were aware.

Hank – “Your Ex, Man”, August 28

Did I listen to this song initially because the band name is the name of my cat. Yes. Obviously. I have also listened to this catchy as fuck pop tune with folk elements several times since. It toes a great line between natural and more produced sounds.

Loops & Loops – “Can’t Shut It Out”, September 2

Loops & Loops consistently put out great singles and instrumental albums (I’ve written about them before). I love the intimate vibe of this track and the breathy, understated vocals are contrast wonderfully with dynamic instrumentation.

A Rueful Noise – “It’s Not That Kind Of Party”, August 26

Off of their EP Let The Revels Begin, this Lansing band delivers dramatic and dynamic indie rock that feels haunted (in a good way).

Red Scarves – “Robin”, August 24

This song feels a lot different than previous releases I’m familiar with from Red Scarves, and it is beautiful. A beautifully written and sung alt-country tune that makes me want to cry into a beer.

Bluhm – “Ranger”, September 2

Bluhm has been pumping out some wonderful singles, like “Everything” which you can read about here. I’m a sucker for a duet, and they move their dreamy sound in an alt-country direction that reminds me a bit of Shovels & Rope.

HI 5 8/26/22

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Oh man, this is a good week for music, I had to cut stuff. Wild.

Blast Vegas-“Girls At The Pool”, August 19

Hyper fucking catchy dance rock with unhinged B-52’s style vocals and lots of surf flavor.

Gary Link-“Meet Me In Nashville”, August 16

Atmospheric alt-country with a great build throughout the song.

Julian Belvedere-“Bleeding on your new guitar isn’t folk punk (it’s just pretty cringe), August 26

A passionate and vulnerable song out this UK folk-punker about taking responsibility for your mental health issues.

Charlie Smith-“Reap what you saw”

Another gloomy single from singer-songwriter Charlie Smith with his haunting, and soulful vocals.

Mila Ziska-“Concrete Hearts”

Beautiful indie-folk with subtle instrumentation and dreamy vocals, reminds me of Maggie Rogers.

Submit To ME!

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We’re happy to announce we are now accepting music submissions for coverage at Dirt Witch Records. We’re not a particularly far reaching blog right now, but we are committed to helping small and emerging artists with reviews, hype, and feedback. A submission is not a guarantee of coverage, but we will try to get to all submitted music, just be aware that we are a one man team writing for no financial gain.

When submitting music please include a picture of the band, a brief description of your band and the release including all prudent information (genre, release date, ways to listen etc.), and a link/mp3 to the release. As a fellow musician as well as a music critic I would strongly recommend any artists putting out music to get a press release with this kind of stuff together and place it in google drive.

Please tell your musical friends about us so we can continue to grow a positive community of small and emerging indie artists.

Contact/Submissions

HI 5 8/18/22

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CHRISTOPHER! Did you know Michael Imperioli has a band?


Bluhm – “Everything”, August 12

You can read the full review here. Haunting and understated indie pop. Love the reverby vocals and lyrical guitars.

Zopa – “Red Sky”, February 16

Another band I feel a bit late to the party on, with Michael Imperioli on lead vocals and guitar. Gives me strong The Velvet Underground vibes, love the deep bass.

Gogol Bordello – “Forces Of Victory”, August 16

Folk punk that is always super exciting, honestly this almost feels like a folk metal song, and I love that.

Permanently Pissed – “CHAT”, August 11

With the recent Bluhm review it seemed appropriate to CHAT about John’s other band Permanently Pissed. High distortion garage punk that doesn’t linger.

The Native Howl – “Sons Of Destruction”, August 18

Who gave these metalheads out of Leonard MI all these grandpa guitars. Native Howl continues to play dope ass metal on folk instruments making them one of my favorite groups in bluegrass right now.

Bogue Millionaires Digital Distribution

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Howdy y’all. An update to let you know we will be digitally re-releasing music from Kyle’s college band, Bogue Millionaires. I’m going to go backward for this one, releasing their split with Radiator Hospital and then their first venture in about another 6 months. The music is going to be up August 14th (Kyle’s B-day).

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/boguemillionaires/split-w-radiator-hospital

I’d describe the music as high energy garage punk, with fantastically done lo-fi production and heavy pop sensibility. Bogue Millionaires songs hit you so fast you you can’t help but go back for another listen.

Bogue Millionaires was a garage rock/punk band in Michigan from 2009 to 2012. Members included Kyle Kehus on guitar and vocals, Alex B on bass, and Laura P on drums. Kyle and Alex were friends in high school and were previously in the band Goodbye Heffalumps together. They met Laura while attending Michigan State University and the three founded Bogue Millionaires. They released “Bogue Millionaires Play Selected Hits with Originals” in January 2010 and a Split with Radiator Hospital in August 2010. They frequently played shows in the East Lansing and Grand Rapids scenes. Kyle passed away in 2018 but more of his music can be found from his solo punk rock project, Kyle Kaos. – H. Hurst-Kehus

HI 5 8/11/22

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The music keeps coming and it never stops coming. Like a pornstar I guess.

Loops & Loops – “Beautifully Volatile”, August 5th

More from Loops & Loops (and there always is, that man records). Dark and beautiful indie folk song.

The Greedy Beat Syndicate – “If You Want It”, August 5th

Funky and chill. Fantastic bass, love the snare sound.

Matthew Milia – “Keego Harbor”, July 16 2021

I’m completely ashamed to say I just got my ears on this album. I’m working on a review of this album right now, and this is the best off an amazing album. Thought provoking Americana.

The Mountain Goats – “Mark On You”, August 2

The final single (I think) coming out before Bleed Out (which I am obviously very excited for, The Mountain Goats have been my favorite band for like a decade at this point). I think I still enjoy “Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome” more, but I love how The Mountain Goats are introducing subtle and melodic electric guitar parts.

Cheap Teeth – “What A Feeling, What A Day”, August 11

You can find my full review at Rock At Night here. Highly dynamic, and lyrically excellent garage rock that feels like a blend of UK and American influence.