Magic Fig – Valerian Tea

Effortlessly blending the heady mystique of Broadcast with the baroque playfulness of Friends-era Beach Boys, San Francisco psych-pop experimentalists Magic Fig return with the first taste of their forthcoming full length debut Valerian Tea.

The album’s title track builds on the theme’s of last year’s self-titled EP, with Inna Showalter’s sun dappled vocals once again wrapping themselves around inventive, ever evolving arrangements. “Valerian root extract was a popular remedy for anxiety and insomnia in Eastern Europe where I was born,” Inna explains. “The song is an exploration of how I was shaped and influenced by the experiences of my maternal lineage. This one was really fun and effortless for me and gave me the chance to experiment and take some risks.”

Containing members of The Umbrellas, Healing Potpourri, Almond Joy and Whitney’s Playland, Magic Fig is nothing short of a Bay Area supergroup. Valerian Tea is the purest distillation of their talents yet. Essential.

Magic Fig are: Inna Showalter (vocals, mellotron), Jon Chaney (keys), Muzzy Moskowitz (guitar), Matthew Ferrara (bass) and Taylor Giffin (drums).

Valerian Tea releases 21st November via Exploding In Sound. You can pre-order here.

The Goods – April Fools

Returning with a gently uplifting yet melancholic sigh as we wave goodbye to summer, Oakland based Rob Good (Ryli) announces his band The Goods’ full length debut Don’t Spoil The Fun with shimmering lead track April Fools.

A bittersweet paean to the complexities of human connection, Good explains the song thus: “It’s about being tugged around by someone else’s ever-changing moods, someone who drives you up the wall but who you’re nevertheless drawn to, almost because of how crazy they make you.” 

Joined by bassist Cherron Arens and guitarist Gabriel Monnot, The Goods have perfected a timeless pop formula loaded with arpeggios and heart warming harmonies. Be sure to keep those soaring summer memories alive by letting this most beautiful music into your life.

Don’t Spoil The Fun arrives 24th October on Dandy Boy Records. You can pre-order here.

Teenage Tom Petties – Hotmail

Everything Tom Brown turns his hand to hits just that little bit different, a fact proven by the sample heavy Americana shuffle of this year’s Lone Striker debut. Switching back to his Teenage Tom Petties hat, new single Hotmail launches forthcoming album Rally The Tropes in explosive style.

Bursting out of the traps on a fuzzed-out bed of raucous riffing and hollered earworm intensity, Hotmail is a jangle-punk bop for the ages. Returning to a full band set-up following last year’s largely solo self-titled cassette, this latest cut sees Teenage Tom Petties’ raw garage energy burn through in breathless fashion. Essential.

Teenage Tom Petties are: Tom Brown (vocals, guitar), Jim Quinn (bass), Galen Richmond (guitars), James Brown (guitars), Jeff Hamm (drums).

Rally The Tropes releases 24th October via Safe Suburban Home (UK) and Repeating Cloud (US). Pre-order here.

Goodbye Wudaokou – Anything Of Us

On his second album under the Goodbye Wudaokou moniker, Manchester based DIY artist Mat Mills leans toward the Bay Area underground to further refine his heartfelt, upliftingly melancholic indiepop.

Whilst remaining a lofi artist at heart, Mill’s compositions are frequently epic in scope, with sweeping arrangements wrapping themselves lovingly around his plaintive yet affecting vocals.

Huge hearted pop gems such as Never Left and lead single Only Questions lay bare Goodbye Wudaokou’s guitar-driven vision, restlessly searching for truth and meaning amid the ebb and flow of life’s triumphs and challenges.

After the slow-burn success of debut Mirror Skies and this album’s release via the ever dependable Subjangle, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in Mat Mills’ shimmering soundscapes.

Goodbye Wudaokou – Only Questions

Anything Of Us is available to pre-order on CD via Subjangle here. CD’s release 1st October but full digital download is included immediately upon purchase.

heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…

I was totally blown away this week by the announcement of a stunning Dandy Boy Records showcase to welcome me on what will be my first visit to the Bay Area.

Yes, after following the scene for some five years and covering it here for the last two and a bit, my wife Julia and I are finally going to experience it firsthand. I couldn’t be more excited.

I’m meant to be taking a summer break from all things heavymetalkids.uk but I couldn’t resist the chance to highlight some of my previous posts relating to the line up that DBR have announced for Friday 19th September at Little Hill Lounge.

above me – s/t

Expanding on his former band Blue Ocean’s experimental shoegaze soundscapes, Rick Altieri’s solo debut incorporates drum machines, synths and electronic music techniques into its heady dreampop brew. Read more here.

above me – out of body out of mind

Rhymies – I Dream Watching

From the pulsating urgency of the title track’s soaring chorus through to The Hesperian (Again)’s sweepingly atmospheric climax there is a purity to Lauren Matsui’s rhythmic explorations that is both spellbinding and highly addictive. Read more here.

Rhymies – I Dream Watching

Ryann Gonsalves – A sense of Bay Area belonging…

Finally, you can check out last summer’s interview with Torrey/Aluminum frontperson Ryann Gonsalves here. Truly one of my favourite blog projects to date.

Ryann Gonsalves – Feeder Fish

You can expect more news relating to our forthcoming trip over the coming weeks. In the meantime be sure to give the artists above your fullest time and attention. Bay Area underground forever.

heavymetalkids.uk ep.26

My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps.

Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below…

Playlist: Monday 14th July

  1. Autocamper – Proper https://autocamper.bandcamp.com/album/what-do-you-do-all-day
  2. Ryli – Break https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/come-and-get-me
  3. Whitney’s Playland – Talk https://whitneysplayland.bandcamp.com/album/long-rehearsal
  4. The Laughing Chimes – Cats Go Car Watching https://thelaughingchimes.bandcamp.com/album/whispers-in-the-speech-machine
  5. Dignan Porch – Simulation One https://dignanporch.com/album/electric-threads
  6. Lightheaded – Crash Landing of the Clod https://areyoufeelinglightheaded.bandcamp.com/album/thinking-dreaming-scheming
  7. Daily Toll – Belljar Convenience https://dailytoll.bandcamp.com/album/a-profound-non-event
  8. AUTOS – Drive https://autosofficial.bandcamp.com/album/autos
  9. The Wind Ups – A Fine Pink Mist https://thewind-ups.bandcamp.com/album/confection
  10. Dancer – Happy Halloween https://dancermusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/more-or-less
  11. Dragged Up – Clachan Dubh https://draggedup.bandcamp.com/track/clachan-dubh
  12. Red Pants – Witching Hour https://redred.bandcamp.com/album/not-quite-there-yet
  13. Cindy – Wrong Answer https://toughloverecords.bandcamp.com/album/cindy-free-advice
  14. The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Trouble Don’t Last https://theredspinksandpurples.bandcamp.com/album/the-past-is-a-garden-i-never-fed
  15. Melodiegroup – Skin Dive https://melodiegroup.bandcamp.com/album/seven-songs
  16. DRIFT. – Red Lights https://driftinsound.bandcamp.com/album/11-points-in-time
  17. Masal – Dokuz https://echodelickrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-galloping-cat
  18. Rhymies – Crashing Lead https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-dream-watching
  19. Sea Fever – Thrills, Kicks and Lies https://seafeverband.bandcamp.com/album/surface-sound-2
  20. April Magazine – Sugar Daddy https://aprilmagazine.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-music-for-an-overpass-2025-remaster
  21. Index For Working Musik – Purple Born https://indexforworkingmusik.bandcamp.com/album/which-direction-goes-the-beam
  22. Olden Yolk – Takes One To Know One https://oldenyolk.bandcamp.com/album/olden-yolk
  23. Modern Nature – Source https://modernnature.bandcamp.com/album/the-heat-warps
  24. Tony Jay – Masato’s Notebook https://tonyjay.bandcamp.com/album/faithless

Lightheaded – Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!

With an ever shifting line up built around the core songwriting partnership of Stephen Stec and Cynthia Rittenbach, Lightheaded’s pure pop juggernaut continues to build giddy momentum with new EP Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!

This latest release sees the New Jersey based beat group swathed in dusty reverb, their relentless riffs and melodic wonder cutting through the haze like some kind of long lost secret you’ve just been let in on.

From opener Same Drop’s cute call and response refrain to closer Crash Landing of the Clod’s lush girl group harmonies, Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming! is a breathless indie pop triumph from a band that continues to go from strength to strength. Wonderful.

Lightheaded – Same Drop

Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming! is available now via Slumberland Records (US) and Skep Wax (UK) on vinyl, cassette or digital download. Order here.

Dragged Up – Blake’s Tape

Riding a relentless wave of restless creativity and blessed with a punishing knack for chaos and groove, Glasgow art-punks Dragged Up return with new single Blake’s Tape.

Combining the fun and fluidity of nineties indie with the pulsating drive of post-punk, Blake’s Tape is an absolute blast. Front loaded with fuzz-heavy riffing and enthralling rhythmic shifts, the track twists the band’s uniquely genre-defying sound into their most focussed statement yet.

B’side Clachan Dubh dials up the intensity, its pounding guitar attack fighting furiously against duelling vocals dripping with attitude. Every Dragged Up release is a huge deal around these parts, and this might just be my favourite yet.

Dragged Up are: Eva Gnatiuk (guitar/vocals), Simon Shaw (guitar/vocals) and Stephen Mors (drums), with Alpha Michelle (bass/backing vocals) and Sophie Sexon (flute/violin/backing vocals) guesting on this release.

Blake’s Tape is available to download here. You can also pick up physical editions via Rare Vitamin Records here.

Cover art by Lauren Peters.

Live dates:

Leeds – 24/06/25 – Brudenell Social Club

Glasgow 25/06/25 – St Luke’s

Manchester 26/06/25 – Gorilla

(Above dates supporting The Hard Quartet.)

Friday 1st Aug: Leith Depot, EDINBURGH (w / David Lance Callahan)

Saturday 2nd Aug: Twa Tams, PERTH (w / The Chunks + Shinlifter + Crocodile Tears)

Friday 8th Aug: Fulfordgate Club, YORK (w / Juku + Pea Soup)

Saturday 9th Aug: The Grayston Unity, HALIFAX (w / Callis)

Sunday 10th Aug: The New Continental, PRESTON – Preston Pop Festival

Friday 15th Aug: The Vault, NEWTON STEWART (w / Alex Neilson)

Tony Jay – faithless

Originally recorded to coincide with the band’s recently completed Japanese tour, faithless is the latest lofi revelation from Bay Area fogpop auteurs Tony Jay.

Boasting a new line up and drawing influence from the band’s favourite Japanese artists Les Rallizes Dénudés and Shizuka, faithless unwinds in a hazy slowcore blur of fractured greyscale psychedelia.

Ocean deep basslines gently propel layer upon layer of shattering guitar lines, with rhythms marking moments in time with gripping finality. In amongst these shimmering soundscapes, Mike Ramos lays down his lyrics with barely a whisper, enticing the listener into his weary world.

Whilst it seems unnecessary to single out individual tracks on an album that works so wonderfully well as a whole, special mention must be given to a spectacular cover of The Gabys’ Familiar Dreams, featuring April Magazine’s Kati Mashikian.

Tony Jay are: Michael Ramos, Kelsey Faber, Cameron Baker, Ida Belisle and Evie Brown.

faithless is available for digital download here. UK readers can buy the cassette here.

heavymetalkids.uk ep.25

My latest radio show is now available to stream via Podbean, Apple, Mixcloud, Deezer and other leading apps.

Alternatively, you can now listen directly via the embed below…

Playlist: Monday 16th June

  1. Brian Wilson – Surf’s Up
  2. Lone Striker – Never Blown A Kiss (LOWMOON Remix)  https://hiddenbayrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lone-striker
  3. Autocamper – Red Flowers  https://autocamper.bandcamp.com/album/what-do-you-do-all-day
  4. Ryli – Friend Collector  https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/come-and-get-me
  5. Lightheaded – Same Drop  https://areyoufeelinglightheaded.bandcamp.com/album/thinking-dreaming-scheming
  6. Modern Nature – Pharoah  https://modernnature.bandcamp.com/album/the-heat-warps
  7. Sea Fever – Able Eyes https://seafeverband.bandcamp.com/album/surface-sound-2
  8. Living Dream – Mist (Surrounds Me)  https://inscrutablerecords.bandcamp.com/album/absolute-devotion
  9. Chameleons – Savours Are A Dangerous Thing  https://www.plastichead.com/artist/chameleons
  10. Now – A Hat To Match  https://nowww.bandcamp.com/album/now-does-the-trick
  11. The Wind-Ups – (That’s Just My) Dream Girl https://thewind-ups.bandcamp.com/album/confection
  12. Dragged Up – Blake’s Tape  https://draggedup.bandcamp.com/track/blakes-tape
  13. Dancer – Just Say Yes  https://dancermusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/more-or-less
  14. Rhymies – The Hesperian (Again)  https://dandyboyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-dream-watching
  15. Section 25 – The Beast 
  16. Linda Smith – I See Your Face  https://lindasmith2.bandcamp.com/album/till-another-time-1988-1996
  17. Cindy – Song 23  https://toughloverecords.bandcamp.com/album/cindy-free-advice
  18. April Magazine – Shrine  https://aprilmagazine.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-music-for-an-overpass-2025-remaster
  19. Cuneiform Tabs – Orbital Rings  https://cuneiformtabs.bandcamp.com/album/age
  20. Tony Jay – Familiar Dreams  https://tonyjay.bandcamp.com/album/faithless
  21. Mt. Misery – You Call My Name  https://mtmisery.bandcamp.com/album/love-in-mind
  22. Chime School – Say Hello  https://chimeschool.bandcamp.com/album/the-boy-who-ran-the-paisley-hotel
  23. Red Pants – On A Wire  https://redred.bandcamp.com/album/not-quite-there-yet
  24. The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Slow Torture Of An Hourly Wage  https://theredspinksandpurples.bandcamp.com/album/the-past-is-a-garden-i-never-fed
  25. Hectorine – Arrow Of Love  https://hectorine.bandcamp.com/album/arrow-of-love
  26. Anna Domino – Everyday, I Don’t  https://lesdisquesducrepuscule.bandcamp.com/album/east-and-west
  27. The Beach Boys – ‘Til I Die