As you find your rhythm on the rink, steering clear of the more adept skaters, an unexpected tumble sends you crashing to the floor, courtesy of Julie’s mischief. In the midst of your embarrassment and pain, a surprising savior appears: your crush, offering a comforting hand and the solace of the wall bench. “You took quite a spill! How about a root beer?” he proposes, igniting a spark of hope with his unexpected attention and the promise of a phone call, despite the strict two-minute limit enforced by your dad.

At this moment, the essence of “Losing Game” by Kontravoid, featuring Chelsey Crowley from Nuovo Testamento, is deeply intertwined with these timeless memories of the late 80s. With its mysterious intro, the track conjures a shiver of anticipation, leading into a surge of driving bass lines and hauntingly romantic vocal hooks, encapsulating the tumultuous emotions of youthful desire and heartache.

Losing Game perfectly captures that liminal space of the music at the end of the Cold War era, sounding like a combination of Paula Abdul and Exposé with a whisper of Nitzer Ebb and Front 242.  The strange and almost Lychian accompanying video feels like a bizarre crossover, not unlike that darn cat from the classic video for Abdul’s Opposites Attract — but instead of that frisky feline, it’s the eerie spectre of a series of masked interlopers. Not Zorro; not the Gaston Leroux Phantom…lo, it’s a cavalcade of Kontravoids, busting out some fierce choreography from Neil Schwartz (aka 80s Baby) and Ashley Welch.

Watch the video for “Losing Game” below:

Under the ever-watchful hollowed eyes of Comedy and Tragedy, Kontravoid’s masked mystique has endured for over a decade. Ever since the release of his self-titled LP in 2012, the Canadian-born, LA-based Cameron Findlay has perfected dark pop with a unique composition that moves eloquently through the EBM, electro, and darkwave genres. His past releases, such as 2019’s “Too Deep” and 2021’s “Faceless,” have no trouble reaching the most derelict corners of foggy, strobe-lit clubs, leaving listeners with no choice but to dance. With an uncanny softness and unmistakable songwriting ability, Kontravoid composes heart-wrenching songs that are both captivating and drenched in melancholy – showcased on 2018’s “Undone,” which has been lauded as a fan favorite since its release.

On stage, Kontravoid demands the audience’s attention with his powerful performance, masterfully balancing his specific concoction of harsh beats and signature rhythmic bass lines. He’s toured alongside Boy Harsher, ADULT., Drab Majesty, and HEALTH, and has remixed the likes of Schwefelgelb and Kris Baha. Truly a man of the shadows, Kontravoid is an unparalleled fixture in the dark electronic arena.

The anticipation for Kontravoid’s latest creation, “Detachment,” is palpable, with its arrival set for March 1st through Artoffact Records. The launch event will be held at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles, and it promises to be an unforgettable night where Kontravoid’s artistic talents will be on full display. The lineup includes Buzz Kull and God’s Mom, as well as DJs G.S.E.D and Sayaka Nono, who will be spinning an array of tunes throughout the evening.

The single release of “Losing Game” marks the final preview of the album, which will see its release via Artoffact Records this Friday, March 1st!

Order your copy of Kontravoid’s Detachment here.

Follow Kontravoid:

The post Nuovo Testamento’s Chelsey Crowley Joins the Masquerade in Kontravoid’s Video for “Losing Game” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

“Curating Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX was a big puzzle,” explains Curses. “Figuring out how to fit all these tracks across 6 different 12″s required a lot of calculations and, to be quite frank, I was never that great at maths. Unfortunately, this meant we had to cut some real heaters off of DEUX. But Eskimo and I decided that we couldn’t let these gems go to dust. I’ve been DJing them loads in my sets, so it was only fair to share them with y’all to DJ and rage to yourselves. So, here it is… the final blast of bonus tracks for Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX: Secret Cuts.”

Secret Cuts is jammed with names both familar and new: the revivalist EBM of Chrome Corps, Ghost Cop‘s sultry horror disco, and the spindly industrial beats of Notausgang are all primed for the DJ’s secret weapon folder. Out on February 7th, the entire release will be available via Bandcamp but, for now, three tracks are available.

Nuovo Testamento – “In My Dreams (Powerhouse Mix)” is an Italo-house stomper. Complete with lead piano, the remix is pure energy.

Unconscious feat. Carnuntum – “Carnivora (LivEvil Version)” seethes in the refined EBM the Italian artist, Unconscious, is known for with a rumbling bassline and mysterious vocals by Carnuntum.

Curses – “The Deep End (Redux)” is a Carpenter-esque gem that would fit nicely with the theme to Christine. Its disco-inspired beat carries the somber guitar and haunting synth pads as they swell and disseminate.

Pre-order here.

The post Curses Announces a Secret Stash of Dance Floor Heaters with “Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX – Secret Cuts” LP Including a Nuovo Testamento Remix appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Grauzone Festival 2024 has recently added new names to an already stacked lineup that includes some of the most renowned names in the darkwave scene. This year’s event features headline acts such as She Past Away, The Soft Moon, Cold Cave, and Drab Majesty, among others, as well as rising stars such as Spike Hellis, Buzz Kull, Curses, MVTANT, Lathe of Heaven, SDH, and Harsh Symmetry.

Here are the newly announced acts:

Dream Wife: A British feminist art-punk trio and one of the most exciting live acts at the moment, known for their unparalleled energy and performances at festivals like Lollapalooza, Primavera, and Laneway. An act not to be missed, especially for fans of Hole and Le Tigre. Check out their single Love You More below:

ULTRA SUNN  returns to Grauzone! Following an overwhelming performance last edition in the packed small hall, the band will elevate to the main stage of Paard this year. The band has just returned from an extensive Latin American tour and is ready to capture hearts with their powerful ‘cold wave with EBM’ sound.

Italian/American Italo/synthpop trio Nuovo Testamento is on the verge of becoming a major name. Their second studio album, Love Lines, was mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio (Boy Harsher; The Soft Moon) and was our choice for album of the year, 2023.

A multi-faceted talent from France, Malvina, a singer, composer, pianist, and conductor, makes her debut at Grauzone Festival with a live electro/techno set infused with influences of trap and metal.

Hailing from Iran, Khorshid Dabdeh is an accomplished tar, tanbour, and setar player who established a musical collective, “Jansouz,“ named after the artistic name of her grandfather; a renowned maestro in the field of singing and the cultural history of Iranian music.  In the Netherlands, she has performed at Le Guess Who and on national television.

Another Dutch premiere comes from the delightful Gent-based band Lézard. They create a danceable sound of ‘geometric-proto-disco punk’ with influences from New York No Wave, Talking Heads, and XTC.

Bowl, a quintet from Utrecht, will also make an appearance. They stood out at Popronde with their intense, razor-sharp, and fresh post-punk that drips with energy and determination.

Lastly, we have another premiere with the very young Dutch duo Desinteresse, who is already making waves worldwide and will steal the hearts of Grauzone visitors for the first time with their pitch-black coldwave. More dark sound from Dutch soil is The Hague’s Lifeless Past, for fans of Sisters of Mercy.

There will also be some terrific DJ sets: S.A.T.I.N, is the electrifying collaboration between renowned UK DJ and producer Ireen Amnes, and Ash Luk (infinity division / minimal violence). Rotterdam-based DJ Samira, a resident of Operator Radio, will mix dark electro and wave tracks. Kim Peers will do a post-punk, wave and techno set, as well as Grauzone newcomer Graftak. With his renowned Drag Me to Hell parties, Graftak has carved his name into the European music scene with his electrifying blend of darkwave, electro, EBM, and hard techno.

Grauzone Festival is gearing up to transform some of The Hague’s most iconic venues into hubs of artistic and musical revelry, including Paard, Het Koorenhuis, The Gray Space In The Middle, and the Paardcafé. Each of these venues will play host to a segment of the festival’s diverse offerings. Vegan food will be available in the foyer of PAARD. This year, in addition to Karma Kebab (delicious, 100% plant-powered kebab with local vegetables and grains), Koko will offer authentic vegan Surinamese dishes.

Grauzone is also ramping up to unveil an expansive GRAUKUNST art exhibition, along with a series of performances, a curated film program, and thought-provoking seminars.

The festival’s knack for innovation and excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed: this year they were nominated three times for the prestigious Ijzeren Podiumdier prize by The Association of Dutch Pop Venues and Festivals (VNPF). Grauzone is contending for Best Festival, Best Marketing and Best Sustainability Performance, underlining their commitment to not just entertaining but also making a positive impact.

“This feels like a recognition of the hard work of the past years,” said organizer Natasja Alers. “Especially now that we have been nominated twice in a row, and also for Sustainability, which is a great acknowledgment for us as a Vegan festival since 2013.”

The lineup for Grauzone Festival 2024 is divided across three days. Here’s the full list of acts announced:

Friday, February 9:
– Drab Majesty
– Nuovo Testamento
– Harsh Symmetry
– Slow Crush
– Follakzoid
– The Underground Youth
– Kendal x Quatuor Zaïde plays John Carpenter
– Melenas
– Bestial Mouths
– Powerplant
– Nuha Ruby Ra
– Gloria de Oliveira
– Skelesys
– SDH
– General Dynamics
– Jennifer Touch
– Khorshid Dadbeh
– Plexi Stad
– Cruush
– .S.a.t.i.n.
– Desinteresse

DJ’s for this day include:
– Legowelt
– Samira
– Belaria
– Mouissie
– Mayo

Saturday, February 10:
– Cold Cave
– The Soft Moon
– Dream Wife
– Nuovo Testamento
– Buzz Kull
– Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys
– Grandmas House
– Jennifer Touch
– Die Verlierer
– Maria Uzor
– Staatseinde
– Genn
– DRAHLA
– Cate Hortl
– Skemer
– Mary Bell
– Dorpsstraat 3
– Mvtant

DJ’s for this day include:
– Curses
– Ireen Amnes
– Kendal
– Kimmah
– Kim Peers
– Graftak

Sunday, February 11:
– She Past Away
– Ultra Sunn
– Curses: live set
– Buzz Kull
– GHOSTWOMAN
– Benjamin Herman: Nostalgia Blitz
– Lathe Of Heaven
– Malvina
– Spike Hellis
– Grandmas House
– CLT DRP
– Lifeless Past
– Lézard
– Bowl
– Sophia Djebel Rose

Here is the festival’s official playlist featuring all the announced artists on the lineup:

Hurry, if you’d like to attend, the festival is about to sell out! More information about Grauzone 2024 can be found below, and a limited amount of tickets can be found here:

• Tickets
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

The post Grauzone Festival Adds Nuovo Testamento and Ultra Sunn to Lineup Featuring She Past Away, Cold Cave, Drab Majesty, The Soft Moon, and More! appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

And I begrudgingly say this, as a former New Yorker and Berliner, but Los Angeles has firmly established itself as a formidable contender in the global post-punk festival scene, effortlessly rivaling the traditional strongholds of Europe. The city, known for its perpetual sunshine (you know, the perfect place for a Goth), now also beams with the sunburnt glow of two pivotal music festivals: Darker Waves and Cruel World. The latter marked the triumphant return of Siouxsie to the U.S., with a performance so electrifying the festival had to be evacuated before she could take the stage. (But come on guys, NYC needs a festival like this, too — LA shouldn’t have all the fun!)

This year was a testament to the enduring spirit and adaptability of post-punk, synthpop, and darkwave, genres that continue to evolve and captivate new generations and even cross over into the mainstream. In this evolving landscape, we’ve seen a surge of artists not just reviving but redefining these sounds. It’s a surreal time these days where the nostalgic echoes of the past meet the innovative visions of the present, resulting in a period that could very well be remembered as a new golden age of post-punk music.

And just as L.A. has seamlessly blended its sunny disposition with the typically gloomy aesthetic of post-punk, the music of 2023 has interwoven the familiar with the avant-garde, presenting a year of releases that are as surprising as they are gratifying.

Nuovo Testamento, a band that has consistently proven its mettle, delivered ‘Love Lines,’ a record where each track shone with the potential of a hit single. Their ability to consistently produce high-caliber music has not gone unnoticed, making them a standout act of the year. Then there was Slowdive’s ‘everything is alive,’ a release that reminded everyone why they are revered icons in the shoegaze realm. Their return wasn’t just a nod to their past glory but a bold statement of their ongoing relevance in today’s music scene.

Mareux’s debut album, ‘Lovers from the Past,’ presented a compelling fusion of generational sounds, effectively bridging the gap between the underground and the contemporary. The album stood out for its creative songcraft and unique aesthetic, marking Mareux as an artist to watch.

The year was also notable for the surprising and remarkable releases from established acts like Zanias, and Belgrado. who released some of their best work to date. and newcomers Lathe of Heaven’s with their full-length debut nostalgic and refreshing nod to Killing Joke and The Blitz. Body of Light’s ‘Bitter Reflection’ was a delightful dive into new-wave pop, showcasing their versatility and creative prowess.

Perhaps most surprising were the contributions from veterans OMD and A Certain Ratio. Their latest works managed to capture the essence of their classic ’80s sound while injecting fresh, contemporary energy, proving that their creative wells are far from dry in 2023.

So, as we close the chapter on this whirlwind of a year, Myself, Andi Harriman, and Frank Deserto have scoured the soundscape, digging through the deluge of tunes to bring you a curated list of this year’s best. So, without further ado, here’s the music that defined our year,

Alex’s List

LPS

1. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

2. Slowdive – everything is alive

3. Mareux – Lovers From the Past

4. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

5. Belgrado – Intra Apogeum

6. Zanias – Chrysalis

7. OMD – Bauhaus Staircase

8. Body of Light – Bitter Reflection 

9. Korine – Tear

10. Harsh Symmetry – Imitation 

11. A Certain Ratio – 1982

12. Temple of Angels – Endless Pursuit

13. Ritual Howls- Virtue Falters

14. Morwan – Svitaye, Palaye

15. Chasms Glimpse of Heaven

16. Fearing – Destroyer

17. Blu Anxxiety – Morbid Now, Morbid Later

18. House of Harm – Playground

19. Crush of Souls A)Void Love

20. Death Index Civilized By A Lie

EPs

1. Ultra Sunn – Kill Your Idols

2. Madeline Goldstein – Other World

3. Ortrotasce – War

4. Drab Majesty – An Object in Motion

5. Odonis Odonis- ICON

Singles / Tracks

1. Lebanon Hanover “Better Than Going Under”

2. Shadow Age – “Ours”

3. Scowl – “Psychic Dance Routine (Nuovo Testamento Remix)”

4. Catherine Moan – “Undo Undo”

5. Depeche Mode – “Wagging Tongue” Kid Moxie Remix

6. Bootblacks – “Forbidden Flames”

7. CG8 – “Cursed Angel”

8. Soft Vein “Bloodletting”

9. Topographies – “Night Sea”

10. Aurat – “Jugar”

Frank’s List

2023 was a strange year for me, musically. I kinda carved my own path through the year’s releases, actively seeking out guitars as always, eager to hear those six strings resonate the way they do best. In short, I’m still a sucker for a well written, organic song, though there was still quite a bit of room for big electronic beats and deep synthesizer grooves in my heart. In addition, many of my favorite releases of the year are from legacy favorites who released some of the best works of their career, including Slowdive, Fever Ray, Drop Nineteens, The Church, Everything but the Girl, A Certain Ratio, and Blur (perhaps an unpopular choice amongst the post-punk die hards, but for my marbles, their songwriting prowess continues to age like a fine wine, with their latest record mixing sad-bastard ballads with the ghosts of Scary Monsters. Also, don’t sleep on The WAEVE LP for the best Bowie horns this side of Young Americans). Kudos to the old guard for keeping the dream alive (even those who missed the cutoff, he says while still slowly but surely digesting the new OMD and Peter Gabriel albums), but also to the newer artists putting their best foot forward across a myriad of genres. Much love to Belgrado, Lathe of Heaven, Temple of Angels, and my Felte family (Chasms, Public Memory, Odonis Odonis, and Ritual Howls) for pushing boundaries and expanding the atmosphere this year.

The biggest surprise and the greatest reward of the year for me was EXEK, a band that I had never heard before stumbling upon their most recent record by happenstance. While on a pilgrimage to see Cranes reunite in London in October, I stopped by World of Echo, a small but mighty shop specializing in rare post-punk, synth, and outsider music, and heard the bright, clanging melodies of “Glow of Good Will” and “It’s Just a Flesh Wound, Darling” on an endless loop while I was shopping. The shop had just received copies of this new record, and quickly passed the obsession on to me in one foggy afternoon. To my ears, the band channels the best parts of Swell Maps and both Chairs Missing and A Bell is a Cup-era Wire, with a bit of Flying Nun jangle mixed in for good measure.

Happy listening, and see y’all in 2024! <3

LPs

1. EXEK – The Map and the Territory

2. The Church – The Hypnogauge 

3. The WAEVE – The Waeve

4. Slowdive – everything is alive

5. Public Memory – Elegiac Beat

6. Chasms – Glimpse of Heaven

7. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

8. Temple of Angels – Endless Pursuit

9. Blur – The Ballad of Darren

10. Ritual Howls- Virtue Falters

11. Belgrado – Intra Apogeum

12. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

13. Nina Belief – Vessel of Voices

14. HEALTH – RAT WARS

15. Drop Nineteens – Hard Light

16. Everything But the Girl – Fuse

17. Magic Wands – Switched

18. Skeletal Family – Light From the Dark

19. A Certain Ratio – 1982

20. The True Faith – Go to Ground

EPs

1. SPC ECO – Wish

2. Glixen- She Only Said

3. Ortrotasce – War

4. Odonis Odonis- ICON

5. Luster – Dopamine Loop

Tracks:

1. Fever Ray – “Even It Out”

2. Bootblacks – “Wilderness”

3. Zanias – “Simulation”

4. Coatie Pop- “Embody”

5. Shadow Age – “Ours”

6. Sixth June – “Collapse”

7. Nabihah Iqbal – “This World Couldn’t See Us”

8. Body of Light – “Get It Right”

9. Lamp of Murmuur – “In Communion With the Wintermoon”

10. Smashing Pumpkins – “Empires”

Andi

The top three albums of 2023 were almost too easy to choose. Nuovo Testamento‘s Love Lines is an instant classic—blurring the lines between Italo disco, freestyle and a hint of Italo house, the band has matured and developed into every dance music fan’s utopian dream. SDH‘s Fake Is Real was similar in its genre-crossing ventures through synthpop, rave, and electro-clashy elements, while Mareux‘s stunningly beautiful LP, Lovers From the Past, put heartbreak overtop a cold, stoic beat.

In an attempt to find that connecting thread between each favorite album and/or track, it became clear that most selections on this list brought something unique that felt eerily familiar or, oppositely, confrontational. Pelada, Fotocopia and Puerta Negra utilized anarchic synthpunk to feud with authoritative women vocals sung in Spanish. Brixx and Augustus Muller reinterpreted the OST into a dreamy, EBM haze (Brixx replete with a saxophone solo). Lathe of Heaven and Blood Bells revved up guitar-based post-punk (positive punk?) amidst the sea of drum machines and synth pad ennui. Be it comfort or discomfort, the range of styles and approaches here are vast.

Most of all, the desire to move and be moved remains as both a DJ and a listener. From synthpunk and post-punk, to EBM and Italo body music, to the downright uncategorizable, each selection adds a luminescence that feels of the moment but—as it is my weakness—isn’t afraid to acknowledge to the past.

LPs

1. Nuovo Testamento – Love Lines

2. SDH – Fake is Real

3. Mareux – Lovers From the Past

4. Blu Anxxiety – Morbid Now, Morbid Later

5. Korine – Tear

6. Brixx – Erotomania

7. Lathe of Heaven – Bound By Naked Skies

8. Pelada – Ahora Más Que Nunca

9. Fotocopia – Fotocopia

10. Randolph & Mortimer – The Incomplete Truth

11. Harsh Symmetry – Imitation

12. Blood Bells – Now the Dawn

13. Augustus Muller – Cellulosed Bodies (OST)

14. Zanias – Chrysalis

15. House of Harm – Playground

EPs

1. Ortrotasce – War

2. Puerta Negra – Playa Sola

3. Ultra Sunn – Kill Your Idols

4. Nuxx Vomica – FTEV

5. CD Ghost – Vignette I

Singles

1. Blind Delon ft. I Hate Models – “Flashback”

2. Soft Crash ft. Ready in LED – “Free Yourself”

3. Scowl – “Psychic Dance Routine (Nuovo Testamento Remix)”

4. Fever Ray – “Carbon Dioxide”

5. Austher & Naranja ft. Bolides – “Collision”

6. Luz Futuro – “Tiempo”

7. Provoker – “It’s In My Head”

8. Shadow Age – “Ours”

9. Veil of Light – “Head-On Collision”

10. Years of Denial – “Dancing With Demons”

Listen to our Best of 2023 playlist on Spotify:

The post Post-Punk.com — The Best Of 2023 appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

The festival boasts a robust roster, including the likes of Interpol, Blondie, and Simple Minds, who are poised to deliver performances resonating with both nostalgic charm and contemporary relevance. Placebo and Soft Cell are also on the bill, promising to blend their quintessential sounds with the festival’s eclectic atmosphere.

Notably, Ministry will revisit their roots, performing tracks from “With Sympathy” and “Twitch,” offering a glimpse into their formative synthpop and 80s industrial sound. Gary Numan, another pioneer of the genre, is slated to perform his groundbreaking album “The Pleasure Principle,” ensuring a journey through the synthesizer-driven landscapes of the late 70s.

Adding to this rich tapestry of sounds, Tones on Tail, featuring Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets fame, are set to be a special guest.

Also gracing the stage is DREAMCAR, the supergroup amalgamation of AFI’s Davey Havok and members of No Doubt, whose new wave renditions add a contemporary twist to the genre.

With a lineup that spans the gamut from The Jesus and Mary Chain to The Mission UK, and from The Stranglers to French Police, the festival is more than just a concert; it’s a cultural touchstone that encapsulates the spirit of an era. It’s a convergence of the past and present, a celebration of the enduring impact these bands have had on music and culture.

As tickets go on sale this Friday, fans can now visit the festival’s website to register for passes, ensuring they don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime gathering of musical legends.

Register here to gain access to passes, which go on sale December 8th, 2023, AT 12PM PT

Here is the full lineup:

• Tones on Tail
• Duran Duran
• Interpol
• Blondie
• Simple Minds
• Placebo
• Soft Cell
• Adam Ant
• Ministry (performing songs from “With Sympathy” and “Twitch”)
• The Jesus and Mary Chain
• Gary Numan (performing “The Pleasure Principle”)
• Dreamcar
• TR/ST
• The Faint
• Heaven 17
• French Police
• The Mission UK
• The Stranglers
• General Public
• Lol Tolhurst x Budgie
• Model/Actriz
• The Alarm
• Adult.
• The Motels
• Nuovo Testamento
• Harsh Symmetry
• Body of Light
• Zanias
• Patriarchy
• Leathers
• Balvanera

Follow Cruel World Fest:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

The post Cruel World Festival 2024 Announced Featuring Tones on Tail, Duran Duran, Adam Ant, Ministry, Simple Minds, Heaven 17, and More! appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

In the vast sprawl of underground music, appearances can often be deceiving. While genres may seem worlds apart on the surface, many bands share intertwined roots and common inspirations. Scowl’s collaboration with synthpop luminaries Nuovo Testamento on the “Psychic Dance Routine” Remix serves as a poignant reminder of this shared heritage. Their union underscores the idea that beneath the layers of distinct sounds and styles, a common thread of passion and artistry binds artists across genres.

“Working with Nuovo Testamento on remixing Psychic Dance Routine started out as a dreamlike possibility for us,” says Moss. “We are huge fans of 80’s influenced dance music and NT is the top of our list of artists crushing the style.  I can’t wait for everyone to hear the track reimagined and hopefully dance along.”

“Some of us have deep roots in hardcore so we were excited for the chance to play with Psychic Dance Routine and make it disco,” says Nuovo Testamento. “We wanted to honour the song’s standout riff and Kat’s unique presence while making it a full-throttle club track, which was a lot of fun. We’re fans of Scowl and are thrilled to share this, we had a blast working with them.”

Listen to the remix below:

Scowl’s massive headline tour, with dates in the United States and Canada, starts this Friday, September 8th in Los Angeles, CA. Buzzy rockers Militarie Gun will serve as direct support with alt-punk act MSPAINT and hardcore band Big Laugh opening on indicated dates. The tour continues a whirlwind year for the band, who have performed across the US, Europe, and Australia, including at festivals like Coachella, Reading and Leeds, Sick New World, Outbreak, and Pukkelpop.

Tickets are on sale now here.

Nuovo Testamento are on tour too! (See their dates here!)

Scowl Tour Dates:

w/ Militarie Gun

* = w/ MSPAINT   ^ = w/ Big Laugh

• 9/8 – Los Angeles, CA @ 1720*
• 9/9 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction*
• 9/10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge*
• 9/12 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad*
• 9/14 – Dallas, TX @ Cheap Steaks*
• 9/15 – Austin, TX @ The Ballroom*
• 9/16 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
• 9/17 – Houston, TX @ The Compound*
• 9/19 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit*
• 9/20 – Miami, FL @ Gramps*
• 9/21 – Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall*
• 9/22 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
• 9/23 – Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest
• 9/25 – Durham, NC @ The Pinhook*
• 9/26 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall*
• 9/27 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar*
• 9/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts*
• 9/29 – New York, NY @ The Meadows*
• 9/30 – New York, NY @ Saint Vitus*
• 10/1 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall*
• 10/3 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa*
• 10/4 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground*
• 10/5 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary^
• 10/6 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups^
• 10/7 – Louisville, KY @ Portal^
• 10/8 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean^
• 10/9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry^
• 10/10 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb^
• 10/11 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater^
• 10/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Beehive^
• 10/14 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder^
• 10/16 – Vancouver, BC @ Russian Hall^
• 10/17 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project^
• 10/18 – Portland, OR @ Mission Theater^
• 10/20 – Reno, NV @ Holland Project^
• 10/21 – Berkeley, CA @ 924 Gilman^
• 11/4 – Orange County, CA @ Punk In The Park w/ Pennywise, Circle Jerks

Follow Scowl:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website
• Spotify

Follow Nuovo Testamento:

• Instagram
• Bandcamp
• Spotify

The post Listen to Nuovo Testamento’s Italo Disco Remix of Scowl’s “Psychic Dance Routine” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX is a mining of music meant for dance spaces, an archival of electronic music from its very birth to the current wave. It takes the listener on a journey from industrial and EBM innovators, Throbbing Gristle, Absolute Body Control, Nitzer Ebb and Cabaret Voltaire, to the underground royalty of The KVB, The Hacker and Essaie Pas, to today’s most revered artists such as Boy Harsher and Zanias. From the post-punk emotional volatility of Sad Lovers & Giants‘ classic “Things We Never Did” up through the goth-doused mechanical dance of Buzz Kull, the release introduces and reconnects old loves with new.

Venezia’s romance with the nightlife shines through on DEUX:

“DEUX is a celebration of that music let loose on the world, the thrill of music performed live, the smoke and strobe filled clubs you’ll hear it in and the artists you’ll find on those stages,” says Venezia. “I wanted to celebrate those bands and artists, past and present who, to me, represent that spirit. Both full live bands and makeshift electronic duos alike, the kind of acts that you might have found wedged between DJs back in the day at The Hacienda in the 80s, Trash in the 00s or today at nights like Berlin’s MILK ME, EXBTN in Paris, Night Terrors + SC&P in London, New York City’s Synthicide or Ukraine’s Worn Pop.”

While part one Next Wave Acid Punx was more of a personal journey through his music discovery during the pandemic, DEUX is the reflection of his immersion into physical aspects of music: the strobe lights, the fog, the sweat on the dance floor. And if you’ve kept up with Curses’ DJ sets, he’s been teasing some of his edits that appear on the compilation (including the EBM gem, “Body On Body” by J.W.B. Hits the Beat). But his reinterpretation of Nuovo Testamento’s “Hearbeat” from the trio’s incredible 2023 LP, Love Lines, is a club-ready anthem. Listen below:

If you’re ready for it, check out the DEUX tracklisting and album art from all three volumes below (the 26 tracks with a * are previously unreleased):

Chapter 1

1. Throbbing Gristle – Distant Dreams, Pt. 2
2. Mary Möör – Pretty Day
3. Sad Lovers & Giants – Things We Never Did
4. Malcolm McLaren – Madam Butterfly (Un Bel Di Vedremo)
5. Big Audio Dynamite – The Big V
6. Cabaret Voltaire – Blue Heat
7. Nitzer Ebb – Hearts and Minds (Mix Hypersonic)
8. Clan Of Xymox – Obsession
9. In Sotto Voce – In Sotto Voce
10. Psyche – Prisoner To Desire (Single Mix)
11. Propaganda – The Murder Of Love
12. DAF – Brothers (Gabi Mix)
13. Vicious Pink – Cccan’t You See
14. Book Of Love – Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes) (I Dream Of Jeanne Mix)
15. Absolute Body Control – Total Control

Chapter 2

1. Boytronic – Voloczny *
2. The KVB – Still Warm (2023 version)
3. Cardinal & Nun – Freak And Weak *
4. Jennifer Touch – Altars *
5. Matrixxman – Assembly Line *
6. Years Of Denial – It Sucks *
7. Silver Tears – Always Shine (Wait For The Rain) *
8. Essaie Pas – Retox
9. Aili x Transistorcake – Dansu
10. Dina Summer – Darkness *
11. Patriarchy – Suffer
12. Maelstrom & Louisahhh – Hate Machine *
13. Dame Area – Buon Cittadino *
14. Kris Baha – Into The Dark
15. Desire – Love Races On *
16. Blind Delon feat. I Hate Models – Flashback *
17. Poison Point – Altered Beats *
18. Roe Deers – Muscles *

Chapter 3

1. Boy Harsher – Machina (feat. Mariana Saldaña) (Dark Remix) *
2. Silent Servant – Non Fiction *
3. J.W.B. Hits The Beat – Body On Body (Curses Revamp) *
4. Hungry Boys – Toi *
5. Autumns – Repeat Prescription *
6. Nuovo Testamento – Heartbeat (Curses Remix – Edit) *
7. Buzz Kull – A Place (That’s Meant To Be) *
8. Soft Crash – Dolce Morte *
9. Dame Bonnet & Mufti – Pleasure Dreams *
10. Ultra Sunn – Night Is Mine
11. Neu-Romancer – Burning Eyes *
12. EVA – Industrial Hope *
13. Andi vs Randolph & Mortimer – Formidable Truths *
14. Zanias – Tryptamine Palace *
15. The Hacker – Monopoly *
16. Paradox Obscur – Evo-Devo

Buy DEUX here and the DJ sampler here.

DEUX parties:

Thu 26/10/2023 | Curses Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX listening party @ DreamBabyDream, Berlin, DE
Sat 28/10/2023 | Curses Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX release party @ Fuse, Brussels, BE

Follow Curses on IG and FB.
Follow Eskimo Recordings on IG and FB.

The post Listen to Curses’ Club-Primed Remix of Nuovo Testamento’s “Heartbeat” + the “Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX” Compilation Tracklist appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

For more than a decade, Levitation has been the conduit that connects the old and the new, the bygone psychedelic era to today’s vibrant musical expressions. This celebration transcends genres, encapsulating the aural essence of dream pop, punk, indie, metal, darkwave, and electronica, making it a modern-day time capsule of the 1960s’ unfettered auditory experimentation. Levitation is more than just a music festival – it’s a living, breathing anthology of vinyl records, spun into a thrilling four-day weekend. Its lineups stretch across generational divides and geographical borders, amalgamating into a heady mix that’s as intoxicating as a dusty record player spinning an old favorite.

This year’s eclectic lineup features Oneohtrix Point Never, Panda Bear, Sonic Boom, Twin Tribes, Vosh, Sacred Skin, Nuovo Testamento, Skull Practitioners, Ty Segall & Freedom Band, Beach Fossils, Blonde Redhead, Shannon & The Clams, High On Fire and many more.

The shows take place at Austin’s newest independent venues: electronic music destination Concourse Project, and South Austin’s outdoor, multi-stage event center, The Far Out Lounge, where Austin Psych Fest was held in April. These new locations are in addition to LEVITATION’s traditional Red River and East Side venues, including the festival’s downtown main stage Stubb’s, and Red River and Eastside staples Mohawk, Empire, Hotel Vegas, Elysium, Parish, Antone’s and 13th Floor.

The multi-venue format encourages fans to choose their own adventure through the weekend – you can buy single show tickets for over 30 different shows, or go all in with a 4-Day Pass and indulge in the entire 4-day Halloween weekend.

Final additions (including entire shows that haven’t been announced yet), light show, and video artists plus DJ sets are still on the way!

Single-show tickets and 4 days passes are currently available.

Grab them Here

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER 26

UNWOUND • ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER
TY SEGALL & FREEDOM BAND • SHANNON AND THE CLAMS
THE CHURCH • CODEINE • JOCKSTRAP • YEULE
DEAD MEADOW • KARATE • CHISEL • SLOW PULP • TWIN TRIBES
ROSE CITY BAND • JONATHAN BREE • WATER FROM YOUR EYES
LSD AND THE SEARCH FOR GOD • NUOVO TESTAMENTO • ECSTATIC VISION
FLAT WORMS • 1000MODS • SACRED SKIN • VOSH • SKULL PRACTITIONERS
ANNABELLE CHAIRLEGS • FCUKERS • MARION RAW • FONT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA • FLYING LOTUS
PANDA BEAR + SONIC BOOM • UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS
HIGH ON FIRE • BLONDE REDHEAD • ALLAH-LAS
ALAN PALOMO (NEON INDIAN) • ESHU TUNE (HANNIBAL BURESS)
BULLY •  CRACK CLOUD • WARMDUSCHER • CIVIC • TANUKICHAN
TEEBS • ULRIKA SPACEK • SALAMI ROSE JOE LOUIS • GANSER
MONEY CHICHA • FAT DOG • BLUSHING • THE WELL
HOLY WAVE • SAM BURTON • AMULETS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE •  THE BLACK ANGELS
AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS • DURAND JONES
THE DANDY WARHOLS • MERCURY REV’S CLEAR LIGHT ENSEMBLE
SPEEDY ORTIZ • DUMBO GETS MAD • SONIDO GALLO NEGRO
PALEHOUND • MILITARIE GUN • LORELLE MEETS THE OBSOLETE
DIE SPITZ • GIO CHAMBA • GHOST FUNK ORCHESTRA • EL COMBO OSCURO

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29
BADBADNOTGOOD • BEACH FOSSILS
ALTIN GÜN • TURNOVER • DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979
ARMAND HAMMER • PIGS X7 • SAY SHE SHE • PACHYMAN
JJUUJJUU • MUSTARD SERVICE • PAUL CHERRY • DJUNAH
RICKSHAW BILLIE’S BURGER PATROL • NOLAN POTTER’S NIGHTMARE BAND

Follow Levitation:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

The post Levitation Festival Announces 2023 Lineup With The Church, The Dandy Warhols, Twin Tribes, Beach Fossils, Nuovo Testamento, Blonde Redhead, Vosh, and More! appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Formed in 2018 and featuring Chelsey Crowley on vocals, Giacomo Zatti who brings rhythm through his programming and electronic drum set, and Andrea Mantione on synthesizers, the band has been on a steady rise to the top. Their signature sound, a homage to the 80s pop scene built around a range of vintage synthesizers and classic production techniques, offers an indulgent and nostalgic listening journey. This style shines through their album, New Earth, and even more so in their latest LP, Love Lines.

While the band’s cult hit single, “The Searcher,” from the New Earth, beautifully encapsulates the new wave euphoria of a packed dancefloor, their recent LP, “Love Lines,” is a pure pop pleasure that feels as though it was crafted in the ’80s. It carries a shimmer that certain subcultural devotees would be hesitant to admit they utterly adore. With tracks like “Wildlife,” “Heartbeat,” “Heat,” “A Perfect Storm,” and “Get Closer,” the album effectively channels the 1980s aura through its synthpop elements and Crowley’s unique vocals. The concluding track, “In My Dreams,” is particularly praised for its dance-inviting bass line and Crowley’s upbeat yet hauntingly idealistic vocals.

With their “Love Lines” tour, Nuovo Testamento are eager to introduce their unique pop flavor to a broader audience and demonstrate their knack for blending vintage and modern soundscapes. Their compelling lyrics, addictive synthpop tunes, and mesmerizing performances promise a music experience that will not soon be forgotten.

“We just can’t get enough of y’all,” the band expresses enthusiastically.

Tickets are now available on their website.

Tour Dates:

• • • September 10 San Diego CA @ Casbah
    • September 12 West Hollywood CA @ The Roxy
    • September 13 San Francisco CA @ Rickshaw Stop
    • September 15 Portland OR @ Coffin Club
    • September 16 Vancouver BC @ Green Auto
    • September 17 Seattle WA @ Substation
    • September 19 Salt Lake City UT @ Urban Lounge
    • September 20 Denver CO @ HQ
    • September 21 Kansas City MO @ Blvd Nights
    • September 22 Chicago IL @ Cold Waves Festival – The Metro
    • September 23 Pittsburgh PA @ Brillobox
    • September 24 Philadelphia PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
    • September 26 Brooklyn NY @ Saint Vitus
    • September 27 Washington DC @ Songbyrd
    • September 28 Boston MA @ Middle East Downstairs ✦
    • September 29 Montreal QC @ POP Montreal – La Sala Rossa
    • September 30 Toronto ON @ Nineteen Seventy Eight
    • October 01 Ann Arbor MI @ Blind Pig
    • October  03 Nashville TN @ Eastside Bowl ✦
    • October 04 Atlanta GA @ Terminal West ✦
    • October 05 Tampa FL @ Absolution Festival – The Crowbar
    • October 06 New Orleans LA @ Santos
    • October  07 Houston TX @ Last Concert Cafe
    • October 08 Dallas TX @ Club Dada
    • October  10 Mcallen TX @ The Gremlin
    • October  11 San Antonio TX @ Paper Tiger
    • October  12 El Paso TX @ The Reagan
    • October  13 Phoenix AZ @ Valley Bar
    • October  14 Pomona CA @ The Glass House

✦ Supporting Twin Tribes

Follow Nuovo Testamento:

• • • Instagram
    • Bandcamp
    • Spotify

The post Los Angeles Synth Pop Sensations Nuovo Testamento Announce Fall North American Tour appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Fast-forwarding to 2020, Twin Tribes further fortified their standing with a ten-track masterpiece, “Ceremony.” Their second album marked an audacious evolution in their sonic palette, delving deeper into narratives of love and loss, underpinned by an even more elaborate musical tapestry. This artistic progression demonstrated not only their growth as a band but also their readiness to blur lines and take audacious risks.

The music of Twin Tribes is a harmonious balance of dynamism and introspection, artfully entwining the darker shades of the emotional spectrum into their compositions. Their lyrical navigation through personal upheavals – love, life, loss – paints a raw, vivid tableau that’s as entrancing as it is poignant. The end result is a union of the gothic and romantic, a unique aesthetic that reinterprets these themes through a decidedly dark lens.

In a recent conversation with Post-Punk.com, Luis and Joel of Twin Tribes were asked to shed light on five up-and-coming bands they admire and think you should be tuning into right now:

HARSH SYMMETRY

Luis: Since the release of the single “Mirror Twin,” this band has been on my regular rotation of music. The debut album “Display Model” is a breath of fresh Cold Wave air. Analogue synthesizers, 80’s drum machines, and melodic guitars filled with chorus bring us Harsh Symmetry.

ULTRA SUNN

Luis: Ultra Sunn is a band that we blast while doing makeup, and getting pumped for our shows. Their catchy and gritty bass synths along with epic snares, will hypnotize you onto the dance floor. They are on our list of artists who we’d like to perform with in the future. Keep your eyes peeled for this band.

NUOVO TESTAMENTO

Joel: I was hooked as soon as I heard Michelle Michelle. Shortly after, the video for The Searcher came out in all of its delightfully danceable perfection. It further cemented my love for the band. New Earth was one long Italo-disco dance party, and is worth a listen from start to finish.

GENERAL DYNAMICS

Joel: The debut album from scene masterminds, Sarin and Qual, is a relentless electronic assault. Fittingly named, Weaponize Your Dreams can easily be the soundtrack to a post apocalyptic nightmare world inhabited by mutants, and filled with nuclear sludge. One of my favorite records to listen to recently.

LUZ FUTURO

Luis and Joel: All we needed to hear was the song, Sueños. Daniel had us from then on. It only got better once we were able to hear all of his album, Falsos Techos. It is played at least once in its entirety whenever we are out on the road touring. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

Since their formation, Twin Tribes has been a commanding presence on the US live circuit, cutting their teeth alongside established luminaries such as Clan of Xymox, Boy Harsher, She Past Away, and Kaelan Mikla.  Their touring prowess extends beyond American borders as well. In 2021, Twin Tribes took the European darkwave scene by storm, headlining their own tour and sharing stages with the likes of the genre’s stalwarts, Lebanon Hanover. This international exposure has helped to broaden their fanbase and sharpen their sonic sensibilities, further fueling their rapid ascent.

In addition to their exhaustive touring schedule, Twin Tribes has graced the lineups of some of the most prestigious festivals in the dark underground scene. Their standout performances include Substance Festival in Los Angeles, Sinner’s Day in Belgium, Cold Waves in Chicago, Absolution Fest in Tampa, A Murder of Crows in NYC, Psycho Fest in Las Vegas, and SXSW in their home state of Texas have demonstrated their ability to captivate audiences on the grandest of stages. Their largest festival to date lies ahead: Cruel World Festival in Pasadena (a limited number of passes have just been released!).

Catch them live below:

Twin Tribes 2023 Tour Dates:

• Wednesday May 17 – El Paso TX – Lowbrow Palace
• Thursday May 18 – Yuma AZ – Red Moon Ale House
• Friday May 19 – Las Vegas NV – Fremont Country Club
• Saturday May 20 – Pasadena CA – Cruel World Fest
• Sunday May 21 – Phoenix AZ – The Van Buren
• Monday May 22 – Tucson AZ – 191 Toole
• Tuesday September 19 – Tulsa OK – The Vanguard
• Wednesday September 20 – Lawrence KS – The Bottleneck
• Thursday September 21 – Minneapolis MN – Icehouse
• Friday September 22 – Chicago IL – Cold Waves Fest
• Saturday September 23 Carbondale IL – Hangar 9
• Sunday September 24- Indianapolis IN – Hi-Fi
• Monday September 25- Ann Arbor MI – Blind Pig
• Tuesday September 26 – Columbus OH – Rumba Cafe
• Wednesday September 27- Philadelphia PA – Underground Arts
• Thursday September 28 – Boston MA – Middle East Downstairs
• Friday September 29- Brooklyn NY – Brooklyn Made
• Saturday September 30 – Washington DC – Black Cat
• Sunday October 01 – Richmond VA – Richmond Music Hall
• Tuesday October 03- Nashville TN – Eastside Bowl
• Wednesday October 04 – Atlanta GA – Terminal West
• Thursday October 05 –  Pensacola FL – The Handlebar
• Saturday October 07  – Dallas TX – House of Blues
• Sunday October 08 – Corpus Christi TX – House of Rock
• Friday October 27 – Memphis TN – Black Lodge
• Monday October 30 – Charlotte NC – Snug Harbor
• Tuesday October 31 – Orlando FL – The Abbey
• Wednesday November 01 – West Palm Beach FL – Respectable Street
• Friday November 03 – New Orleans LA – House of Blues
• Saturday November 04 – Houston TX – White Oak Music Hall

Follow Twin Tribes:

• Spotify
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

The post Twin Tribes Recommend 5 New Artists You Should be Listening to Right Now appeared first on Post-Punk.com.