[SONG OF THE DAY] Mickey Kojak - "Strange"

image courtesy of Mickey Kojak

Mickey Kojak has made his first appearance of 2020 with his new track, “Strange”, an ode to good nights filled with bad choices and even worse repercussions. After closing out 2019 with the rambunctiously addictive “Video Games”, this new track has that low-key funk that really just sounds like you’re up to no good.

Fun fact about the song: it originated as one of his Techno Tuesday Instagram posts, where he casually flexes how effortlessly brilliant he is on the regular. With this factoid fresh in my mind I’m going to do my best not to go back and check out his other previous TT posts and daydream about which idea he finishes next. There have been some in recent memory that were straight fire.

2019 was a pretty busy year for the most adorable Aussie. In addition to releasing his Together EP (one of my favorites of the year), he also teamed up with Bag Raiders on “Wild At Heart” from their album Horizons, did a badass Like A Version session where he covered Art vs Science’s “Parlez-Vous Français?”, all before ending the year with my favorite Lana Del Rey diss track (“Video Games”). From the looks of things he doesn’t intend to slow down. Next month he’s hitting the road on his Turbo Tour before heading out to support Confidence Man in May.

MICKEY KOJAK “TURBO TOUR”
The Foundry
Friday 6 March
Brisbane, QLD

Northcote Social Club
Saturday 7 March
Melbourne, VIC

The Lansdowne
Saturday 14 March
Sydney, NSW
TICKETS 

CONFIDENCE MAN TOUR
Freo Social
Thursday 14 May 
Fremantle, WA

Lion Arts Factory
Friday 15 May 
Adelaide, SA

Forum Melbourne
Saturday 16 May
Melbourne, VIC

The Tivoli
Friday 22 May
Brisbane, QLD

Metro Theatre
Saturday 23 May
Sydney, NSW 
TICKETS

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS
Friday 24 - Sunday 26 July
North Byron Parklands, NSW 
MORE INFO

[SONG OF THE DAY] William Wild - "holy ghost (where did my life go?)"

image courtesy of William Wild

Nashville singer-songwriter William Wild (born Garrett Sale) has announced details of his forthcoming sophomore album and shared a new track, “holy ghost (where did my life go?)”. The track lands on the folky end of his dynamic major label debut on Sony Music Masterworks, Push Ups, which is slated for a March 20th release. Where other album cuts like, “Hard Lines, Hard Times”, “Rental House”, and “All My Life” showcase his production prowess, “holy ghost (where did my life go)” strips him down on all levels, opening himself up to a sincere journey of self-exploration that echoes throughout the record. Speaking on the track, Garrett shares, “I really connected with the easy-going nature of the melody and found solace in a more light-hearted picture of self-doubt.'“

WILLIAM WILD - 2020 TOUR DATES WITH CITY OF THE SUN
Thurs, March 12 - Philadelphia, PA - World Café Live
Fri, March 13 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
Sat, March 14 - Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
Sun, March 15 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
Tues, March 17 - Asheville, NC - The Mothlight
Thurs, March 19 - Charlotte, NC - Free Range Brewing
Fri, March 20 - Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
Sat, March 21 - Nashville, TN - High Watt
Sun, March 22 - Indianapolis, IN - Hi-Fi

Push Ups

Release Date: March 20, 2020

1. Let Me Know
2. Slow Records
3. Older Brother
4. Hard Lines, Hard Times
5. Pictures (the push ups)
6. Holy Ghost (where did my life go?)
7. Wound Up (alt.)
8. Rental House
9. All My Life
10. Middle America
11. Radio (where im goin)

pre-order

[SONG OF THE DAY] AJ Abdullah - "(Let's Fall In Love) Today (feat. Avery Bruce)"

image courtesy of AJ Abdullah

As an absolute sucker for love songs, tumbling into Texas singer-songwriter AJ Abdullah was a clear no-brainer kind of move for me. As he even admitted to yours truly via email, “I got really self aware about the fact that I only write love songs so I decided to just run with it.” Which brings us to today. Following up his final track of 2019, “Oh The Moon”, his latest offering, “(Let’s Fall In Love) Today” is an adorable little duet with singer Avery Bruce. Everything about the track feels like the best parts of having a crush on someone. It’s not over complicated, just bright and upbeat.

[SONG OF THE DAY] Paper Idol - "I'm Fantastic"

image courtesy of Paper Idol

VIBE

OCLOCK

ON

FRIDAY

How y’all cute people feeling? Me?

I’M FANTASTIC.

The source of my perfectly pleasant mood is the latest from Paper Idol’s latest track from his forthcoming debut EP, Money For Flowers. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because yer girl included one of his earlier tracks, “Still So Alive”, in a diSKOAver weekly update back in August. Since then the Los Angeles based electro-pop newcomer has been keeping us satiated with a string of tracks and remixes while he worked on the aforementioned EP, which will be dropping this spring.

If you’re the kind of person that feels like you’ve repeated a phrase similar to, “Nothing’s wrong with me, this is just my face” more than a couple of times, then “I’m Fantastic” is the song for you. Our society loves to imply that if you’re not blatantly happy all of the time that there’s probably something wrong with you. It’s weird that we’ve found a way to weaponize wellness to an extent. Humans are blessed with a wide range of emotions that we all experience at different times all day every day. Sometimes you’re elated, sometimes you’re depressed, and sometimes you’re just….chillin?

I love the way the chorus comes barreling through your eardrums, abruptly interrupting the pleasant piano hooks and carefree vibes, questioning Paper Idol brainchild Matan KG’s happiness as if he needs to justify his every move throughout the song. I especially enjoyed the choice to let the question nag him a bit before finally responding so he can go back to his bopmaking business. It makes it feel like you’re eavesdropping on the most unnecessary conversation ever, only you want to dance your ass off to it?

Speaking on the track, Matan shares, “I grew up in Wisconsin, and in the precious few hot summer months it was a family sin to stay indoors on the weekends. In third grade, I wanted to do nothing more than play Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 on my gamecube. Like many other kids in the 00s, I hated the 'get some fresh air!' plea from my parents, so I wrote this protest song in honor of my younger self.”

Last week, Paper Idol announced their upcoming Fantastic Tour which features select dates on the west coast. Tour kicks off on February 29th (what up leap year) in San Francisco and ends in Reno. Dates and more info below! Go! Go! Go!

Paper Idol 2020 Tour Dates
2.29 - San Francisco, CA - Club Bizarre
03/03 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
3/04 - Seattle, WA - Belltown Yacht Club
3.05 - Bellingham, WA - Karate Church
3/07 - Reno, NV - The Loving Cup

Money For Flowers EP

Coming Spring 2020

01. I'm Fantastic
02. Money For Flowers
03. Ready For Love
04. Chigasaki Warriors

[SONG OF THE DAY] Sizzy Rocket - "That Bitch"

Photo Credit: @peggyshootsfilm

Following up her 2019 full-length GRRRL along with a 2-song EP with chloe mk called I KNOW WHAT U LIKE, New York based alt-pop bombshell Sizzy Rocket has returned with her first single of 2020. “That Bitch” is a track for those of us who choose to do no harm but give zero fucks. The song is the first taste of a forthcoming new full-length, details TBA.

“’That Bitch’ is about owning yourself - even the crazy, messy, wild, emotional parts that might be ‘too much’ for people, even when you feel insane and down and alone.” Sizzy explains, “It's about being unapologetic in the process of figuring out who you are and pummeling through anyone and anything that gets in your way,”

Sizzy’s been making the rounds for quite awhile now, first coming onto the scene in 2015 with debut track, “Kingpin” Since then, she’s been hitting the pavement hard, releasing 3 LPs along with a string of EPs and singles along the way. I actually personally came to know her through her collaboration in 2016-2017 with SKOA fam Fitts from The Kickdrums called Shiny Wet Machine, which is also worth checking out if you’re in the mood for even more Sizzy Rocket jams (“Stun Gun” is my personal favorite from the project).

At midnight tonight (technically 2/21), the accompanying music video for “That Bitch” makes its official premiere over on YouTube. Be sure to gather around for the premiere and interact with Sizzy when the video finally is live!

#diSKOAverweekly: Week of September 25, 2019

1. Beck - “E-Pro (CapeLion V2 Remix)

   I’m not sure why this remix was being hoarded for so long only to be leveraged in this Destiny 2 trailer, but goddamn if this isn’t the 2 minute burst of energy I needed in my LIFE!!! Also, checked out some of Cape Lion’s stuff. SUPER DOPE.

2. Ssion - “Heaven Is My Thing Again”

   Ugh it’s so hard to keep tabs on all of the NY bbs but imma try harder to make sure that

3. O Mer - “Repack The Junk”

   Brooklyn (by way of Tel Aviv) bb is getting ready to drop an EP titled the same as this track. Should be dropping fairly soon, given I’m just catching up on the handful of tracks he’s dropped this year.

4. Wrabel - “magic”

   My beloved lil bae-bel dropped an EP one of those happy people and I can’t get over how wild of a ride it’s been with this sweetheart since his Sideways days.

5. All Tvvins - “Divine”

   Fresh off tour these dudes hit the studio and started crankin out some hits and this is the first of many to come (per the band)

6. Wet - “Old Bone (Jim-E Stack Remix)”

   Okay so like this is one of those instances where I am just like really taken by how transformative this remix is. Jim-E Stack brought a completely different energy with his take on Wet’s latest single, “Old Bone”. You ABSOLUTELY MUST LISTEN TO BOTH. I’M NOT FUCKING AROUND HERE ABOUT THIS.

7. Jamo - “Connection (feat. YOUNGSOUL)”

   I know you are surprised that I stumbled into a new Australian artist that I am relatively smitten by. It’s cool, you’ll get used to it eventually. Actually I suppose this one’s a 2 for 1 special because although Jamo lures you in with the vibe, singer YOUNGSOUL gets all up in your ear and coats your eardrums with his silky smooth voice and THAT’S WHEN THE REAL SWOONING STARTS.

8. Dansu - “State of Mind”

   I keep waiting for Dansu to take off big time. They’re so fucking perfectly electro-poptastic.

9. Squid - “The Cleaner”

   Feeling v hashtag blessed to have finally checked out Squid this week. Their new EP Town Centre is quite delightful, but “The Cleaner” is by far my fave. It’s super fun, dare I say sassy post-punk. Will probably be grabbing this on vinyl when it’s available on November 15th.

10. PLANET - “Never New”

    Sydney four-piece PLANET make shimmery indie-pop and I would very much like to get on a plane to Australia and just swoon and twirl at all of their shows…maybe forever?

11. Georgia - “Never Let You Go”

    London electro-pop powerhouse Georgia shared the first taste of her forthcoming album Seeking Thrills, which is slated to drop in January 2020. I hope I don’t have to wait that long to hear more of this because this is ✨very much my shit✨.

12. Keelan Mak - “Sleep Talker”

    I think Brisbane’s self proclaimed “22 year old bedroom producer dude” Keelan Mak is tryna seduce us into said bedroom with his latest single. It….might be working. His voice is very swoon-worthy.

13. Justin Jay - “i know ur out there”

    LA house hunny Justin Jay dropped his latest record everything will come together, pt. 1 a few months back. This is the opening track of what ended up being quite a fun run for my earholes, so def don’t sleep on checking out the rest of the record when you find yourself loving this!

14. Sofi Tukker - “Swing (Crush Club Remix)”

    So v v v v v v v v proud to be the president of the Crush Club 💖⚡️Crush Club. This remix is 🔥🔥🔥🔥.

15. Man Without Country - “Forever Endeavour”

    The homey recently launched a Patreon and this was the first single since that all started up. Lucky fans got to hear it before it hit DSPs elsewhere. Very happy he’s sticking it out. I luhhh him.

16. b.i.g.s.h.r.i.m.p. - “Wyoming (feat. Bunny)”

    Another tasty treat from Post Animal guitarist Jake Hirshland’s side project. I wonder how many of these he’s sitting on? I should probs DM him.

Okay fine I’ll post the embed for the archive here too so it’s all in once nice and neat place for you in case you missed last week’s tracks.

[SONG OF THE DAY] TWINKIDS - "Eighteen"

photo credit: Iván Darío

LA queer pop duo TWINKIDS have returned with a brand new song, “Eighteen”, taken from their forthcoming EP Lizard House, which is slated for a November 22nd release. The scintillating slice of 80s era synth pop follows last year’s pair of poptastic singles, “I’m Sorry” and “Jigoku Tengoku”. As we’ve come to know and love about the dancy duo, the delivery of the group’s candid lyrics by vocalist Gene Fukui offers such a remarkably unique layer of tenderness to their sound and “Eighteen” is no exception to this. A retrospective song about young romance, the mid-tempo production is full of shimmering synths, offering a perfect setup to balance the slight twinge we often feel while reflecting on the past. As Gene explains, “The song is about looking back at your past self and realizing how much you’ve changed and how much other people have changed. I guess that’s terrifying in a way, like nothing really stays the same. Even something you once felt like you were going to devote your entire life to feels really distant, but it still left a hole in your heart."

Upcoming TWINKIDS tour dates:

OCT 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers

[SONG OF THE DAY] Husky Loops - "I Think You're Wonderful"

The Husky hunnies have returned with a new track from their highly anticipated debut full-length I CAN’T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH, which is now out on September 6th. “I Think You’re Wonderful” is an uplifting track about universal love, which could not come at a more appropriate time in the world’s current state. As singer Danio Forni mused, “I want people to listen to this one and feel encouraged to tell someone they care about that they’re wonderful.[…] Human beings are hard-wired to notice and remember negative news and events, but we need to have hope, we have to fight to stay happy and sane.”

What a lovely bunch of fellas, let me tell you. With an equally lovely song I might add. In the same way that with their previous single, “Everyone Is Having Fun Fun Fun But Me”, the trio has leveraged a catchy ass hook on repeat for the chorus, only this time instead of showcasing anxiety, you just find yourself so overwhelmed with joy. Every time I’ve played this song thus far I have thought of someone new that I want to send this song to so they know how much I care. Not too many songs can evoke that as effortlessly as Husky Loops has on this one.

In addition to the new track, I am happy to report that the band has also announced that they will be hitting the road in support of I CAN’T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH starting with an album release party on August 15th at Rye Wax in London before hitting the road for most of October.

Also spoiler alert: yours truly has been blessed and has had a chance to give I CAN’T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH a few spins and I have nothing but wonderful things to say, which I will share through closer to the release date. In the meantime, trust yer girl that you are gonna wanna pre-order this one.

OCTOBER
09 - Manchester, Jimmy’s
10 - Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
11 - Glasgow, Blue Arrow
12 - Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club
16 - London, Bermondsey Social Club
17 - London, Bermondsey Social Club
19 - Southampton, Joiners
23 - Hamburg, Moloto
24 - Berlin, Maze Club
26 - Rotterdam, Rotown
27 - Amsterdam, Paradiso
29 - Paris, Supersonic
30 - Zurich, Kater