Good news, folks. The High Freqs are putting the final touches on their debut full-length album, Catharsis. If everything goes as planned, we should be enjoying it by the end of the year.
Those who attended their recent show at E Brewing Company in South Whitley were treated to a beer specifically brewed for the occasion plus a fair share of the new tunes. For the night, E Brewing released a special oak-smoked wheat Grodziskie with fresh apple cider.
While we anxiously wait the latest effort from the quintet of guitarist/vocalist Adam Baker, guitarist/vocalist Topher Beyer, vocalist/keyboardist Amy Laatsch, bassist Chris Olry, and drummer Isaiah Laatsch, they did release the first single off Catharsis, “We’re All Fine,” which features fiddle work by Felix Moxter.
In other Freqs news, Baker recently released a three-song EP, Self Control.
Baker plays all instruments on the EP which he sums up as “pretty minimalist full season sad boy indie-folk stuff with a lot of harmonies.”
You can catch Baker at the YLNI Winter Farmers Market in the Olde East End Building on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Bloodstained Sky release EP
Bloodstained Sky are an example of all the ways to do metalcore right with their heavy sound, intricate guitar work, and emotionally charged live performances.
The quartet of vocalist Jeff Figueroa, guitarist Irving Arjona, bassist/keyboardist AJ Lennox, and drummer Joel Perfetti released the five-song EP To: You Know Who.
“The EP took us roughly eight months to complete from start to finish,” Arjona said. “We’ve only been a band for about a year and a half, so we wanted to take the time to listen to each other creativity and collaborate effectively.
“One thing that really makes us mesh well together is the fact that when we collaborate, we utilize our experience and expertise. That way, we each have roles that aren’t limited to playing our respective instruments.”
The whole thing was self-produced and recorded at Figueroa’s house. One of the songs that really resonates with the band is the lead track, “Ghosts.”
“This song is about fighting through the challenges of poor mental health,” Arjona said. “In that song, we talk about how voices in your head can tell you to cause harm to yourself. Not just that, but finding it difficult to talk about it and having to overcome and develop some sense of normalcy through it.”
You can enjoy To: You Know Who on your favorite streaming platform or pick up a copy Dec. 14 when they perform at The Brass Rail.
Neighborhood Strays find a home
Neighborhood Strays are a band to keep your eyes and ears open for.
Formed in August, the trio of vocalist/guitarist Austin Parish, bassist Justin Barsh, and drummer Alex Quaintance perform alternative pop/rock with influences rooted in punk, emo, and indie.
They made their debut in September at The Firehouse in North Manchester, followed by a performance at Deer Park Irish Pub, and are looking to add more to their calendar.
Neighborhood Strays tell Whatzup they are working on a debut EP, All the Truth You’ll Find, which they hope to release after the new year. Before that, they will release the first single, “Snakes in the Garden,” so be on the lookout.
You can catch Neighborhood Strays at Busco Beans in Churubusco on Friday, Nov. 22, along with Gem.
MourningLight break through
The progressive metal band MourningLight have released an EP, Echoes of the Past.
The six songs were self-recorded and mastered/mixed at vocalist Dillon Ware’s house.
“We started writing it in early May when Dillon and I formed the band,” said guitarist Tommy Bryant. “We had finished it sometime in August, but went and did re-recordings after our bassist Dave (Behr) and drummer Jason (Pace) had joined. So, it took us a little while longer to get it out than we had originally planned, but it was worth it of course.”
Tracks include “Peace of Mind,” “Echoes of the Past,” and “Under the Yew Tree.”
MourningLight have a few shows in the works that will be announced soon, so stay tuned to Whatzup.
They also share that they have a few additional singles under their belts that will be released in the upcoming months, as they are always busy pumping out tunes.
Until then, check out Echoes of the Past on streaming platforms.
Mickyle James visits hometown
Fort Wayne native and current Minneapolis part-timer Mickyle James just dropped a new single, “Destiny,” which you can find it on all streaming platforms.
James is on the road with his Minneapolis-based band and hitting Chicago; Detroit; Nashville, Tennessee; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Los Angeles.
Squeezed in there will be a stop at O’Sullivan’s on Friday, Nov. 15, which will not only feature James’ current band, but also his old band, My Dog Junior, and Detroit singer-songwriter Carmel Liburdi.
