Articles by

Ysabella Monton

fanclubwallet Finds the Bright Side on Debut EP Hurt is Boring

Like the airbag that “popped and knocked sense into me” in her debut EP’s opener “Car Crash in G Major,” Ottawa’s fanclubwallet comes out swinging on Hurt is Boring. The punchy blend of indie rock and bedroom pop, helmed...

cehryl Builds Worlds Out of Distant Memories on Her New EP, time machine

Nestled in a bed of mourning, in homesickness for that space between the first youthful lick of freedom and the whiplash that comes when you’re left completely on your own, comes time machine, the latest EP from Hong Kong-based...

That Brunette Is No Longer Afraid to Reveal Her “Secret Crush”

It’s often hard to tell whether instant attraction is just a desire to befriend someone, be like them, or something more. Having to acknowledge your feelings is always a bit daunting; risk is already high, and only intensified when...

INTERVIEW: Evelyn Frances Plants the Seeds of Her Upcoming Record

Tucked away on Orchard Street among eclectic restaurants (and the karaoke spot where I’ve put on a few shows of my own) sits the modest entrance to Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 3. It’s a basement lounge filled with candlelit...

LIVE REVIEW: Sophie Meiers @ Baby’s All Right

In the bar prior to the start of the show, I notice a girl behind me by her soft laugh that contrasted the sad clown makeup dripping down her eyes. Heavy BDSM-inspired leather jewelry, fishnet fingerless gloves, and torn-up...

LIVE REVIEW: DeVotchKa @ Rough Trade

Four-piece ensemble DeVotchKa returned to a packed house to premiere a handful of new songs at their album release show at Rough Trade. I found myself surrounded by fans of all ages in the dimly lit venue, though not...

LIVE REVIEW: Honduras @ Rough Trade

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] When I make it to Rough Trade well past 9, people are still lingering around...

VIDEO PREMIERE: Mizuna “And I Do”

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] New York-by-way-of-Maine-based duo Mizuna invite you to escape your hectic week in their new music video for...

ALBUM REVIEW: SKATERS “Rock and Roll Bye Bye”

Following their departure from Warner Brothers, New York-based SKATERS are back with the release of Rock and Roll Bye Bye, out on March 24 via their very own Yonks Records. Undeniably, tracks from 2014’s debut, Manhattan, have held up...

INTERVIEW: Loose Buttons on Sundays EP + Pianos Residency

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Eric Nizgretsky, frontman of Loose Buttons, oozes satire. The quartet’s Facebook bio proclaims they’re “New York’s...

ARTIST PROFILE: Peter Bjorn and John

From "Young Folks" to "Domino", Peter Bjorn and John have cultivated the indie pop landscape with a sound that is unapologetically theirs.

ARTIST INTERVIEW: Faulkner

Intimidatingly tall and sarcastic, yet sweet, Asher, Scullin, and Farougias opened up on topics like the recording process, working with the RZA, and nudism just before their show as a part of Mondo NYC.

LIVE REVIEW: The Griswolds @ Warsaw

  [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] When Australian indie-pop quartet The Griswolds took the stage to Shania Twain’s “Man, I...

TRACK REVIEW: Kikagaku Moyo “Kogarashi”

Japanese ensemble Kikagaku Moyo have released a new single “Kogarashi” leading up up to their record House In The Tall Grass. In the new track, the band takes a more idyllic approach in production without straying far from their psychotropic...

INTERVIEW: Chris Chu of POP ETC

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] The dimly-lit green room at Music Hall of Williamsburg smells of cigarettes, but in an...

ALBUM REVIEW: POP ETC “Souvenirs”

Berkeley-born and Brooklyn-based trio POP ETC are back with Souvenir, a follow up to 2012’s eponymous release. In the last three years, the band has traversed in an even poppier direction, almost a little cheesy. But in a time when “pop” is...

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Monogold “Pink Lemonade”

The boys of Monogold are in with the perfect fuel for that little dance party we all find ourselves needing this week, a new pop culture-infused music video for “Pink Lemonade.” The sugar-sweet single was released this past summer ahead...

LIVE REVIEW: Honduras @ The Knitting Factory

Minutes before the band gets on stage, I watch the crowd come together. For some reason at Knitting Factory, it’s always a mix of people you wouldn’t imagine listening to the artists playing that night, trickling in from the bar or...

LIVE REVIEW: POP ETC @ Terminal 5

POP ETC got the night started right at Terminal 5, opening for The Wombats. The band, formerly known as The Morning Benders, consists of brothers Chris (vocals, guitar), Jon Chu (synth), and Julian Harmon (drums). After playing a new...