Podcast Announcement: ANCHRS Away

Big news ANCHR Mag fam! ANCHR founder Rachel Zyzda and her across-the-pond best friend Amnesty Coldwell have officially launched a podcast called ANCHRS Away. The premise is that each week, the co-hosts pick a song title and discuss topics related to that song title. For example, the inaugural episode is none-other than “Like a Virgin” by Madonna. Tune into the debut episode below.

Do you remember your first time? Not THAT first time…your first concert! Join ANCHRS Away as we pop our podcasting cherry and take a stroll on memory lane, revisiting the formative moments of our childhood that led us to become such big music fans. Hosts Amnesty Coldwell and Rachel Zyzda start off by reminiscing on their first meeting in London, England and then share tales about their first concert, their first musical crushes, and more. There might even be a story or two about Michael Bolton and Ryan Cabrera, who are infamous for their iconic hairstyles. And of course, we revisit our emo years, which were not just a phase, mom! Lastly, we wrap up with our weekly Wreck-ommendation.

ANCHR's Artist of the Week: Girl in Red

Photo by Isak Jenssen

“Do you listen to girl in red?”  Yes, I’m aware that joke is dead, but I wanted to use it in this Artist of the Week post to claim victory.  The queer community tried to keep girl in red for themselves but we weren’t having it. Girl in red is for the people.  Marie Ulven is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who has been releasing music under this alias since 2018.  A number of publications have labeled her as “dream pop” but if you listen to her latest release “serotonin,” it sounds more EDM than anything to me. After my first listen, it gave me Alison Wonderland vibes. I say that to try and make the point that every year, it’s becoming more and more antediluvian to try and place bands under a single genre. Girl in red, I feel, fits into that new style of music creators; Some would call it “multi-genre” whereas I would call it “genre-less.”

We at ANCHR were fortunate to catch girl in red at the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland back in 2019.  One of the best parts of the show was that it was put on by KEXP and being live-streamed for the listeners back in Seattle but it kept slipping Ulven’s mind that the performance was being shared live and she would continuously swear during her in-between songs banter with the audience. The KEXP producers would try to get her attention to get her to stop doing that and she would then laugh and unwittingly say “shit, I forgot,” which gave her performance the same endearing relatability as her lyrics. We went into the show really digging a handful of her songs and she did not disappoint when performing them.  “We Fell In Love In October” was a personal favorite and I still can’t kick it. 

My favorite track she released in 2020 was “Midnight Love” and that bop made it onto the track list of her debut album if i could make it go quiet , which comes out April 30, 2021, giving us something to look forward to.

Pre-order if i could make it go quiet  here, and listen to “serotonin” below.

ANCHR's Artist of the Day: Awakebutstillinbed

For Awakebutstillinbed frontperson Shannon Taylor, emo isn’t a phase, it’s a lifestyle. And naming her last album after an old Facebook post proves that she isn’t just talk. Awakebustillinbed shouldn’t be limited to the dimension of one genre though- tracks like ‘life’ progress with a disarming pop jangle and ‘fathers’ turns at a rock angle. This doesn’t mean Taylor is ditching her signature howl anytime soon. Her scorching vocals give the idea that she’s experiencing 2010 for the first time everyday. But Taylor isn’t some overgrown Hot Topic Kid, her music is often representative of what can feel true when you are struggling. In this case, being emo is almost an act of reclamation from all those who previously condescended to or manipulated her. You don’t like it? Watch her dig deeper. It’s nuclear, with the uncanny ability to take the most frenzied of feelings and spit them out into something profound. Despite her album being seismic, she’s detailed in how she crafts each song. Awakebutstillinbed is sporadic but Taylor manages to use that energy to thoughtfully dissect internalized guilt and shame. With Taylor refusing to hold back conceptually, emotionally, and instrumentally, it doesn’t exactly make for easy listening. But you wouldn’t want to hear any less.

Tune in below and keep up with Awakebustillinbed on Twitter and Instagram.

ANCHR's Artist of the Day: Mannequin Pussy

“If you’ve never seen us before you’re probably wondering what the fuck my problem is” said Mannequin Pussy frontperson Marisa Dabice, taking a break in between songs at their First Avenue performance. After beating on her chest with her fists and dangling the microphone above her throat like a snake about to unhinge its jaws the dads in the crowd definitely had some questions. She performs the way her music lives: visceral, intense, cathartic. Because a big part of Mannequin Pussy’s appeal is the way they’re unafraid to scream and cry and make a scene in public. Their 2019 album ‘Patience’ was an emotional exorcism of her past relationships, the good ones and the toxic ones, and the ones with herself. Instead of being another jaded punk, Dabice makes music for the uncontrollably empathetic. She sets fire to everything around her and you can hear it. Dabice, individually and in her music, is complex, showing women as capable of rage, and strength, and defiance, and fragility (“and everyone says to me "Missy, you're so strong" but what if I don't wanna be?” on ‘Drunk II).’ Mannequin Pussy is seething with teeth clenched and hot breath on your face, but they’re also painfully vulnerable. With unflinching lyrics and intricate melodies they create music that is no longer ashamed of who it is. In venturing to the most brutal of places they bring a pure pleasure in listening.

Tune into Mannequin Pussy below and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

ANCHR's Artist of the Day: Rina Mushonga

Born in India and raised in Zimbabwe, London-based artist Rina Mushonga has been grinding since 2014 to complete the release of her debut album "In a Galaxy." It was definitely worth the wait.

With a following in the Netherlands due to her college experience there, it seems like Mushonga is relatively unknown to music lovers and that's a shame. 

A true hallmark of a great album is when non-singles sound just as good, if not better, than planned singles. That's the case with Mushonga. The second song on her LP, "Good Vacation" is one of the most infectious songs I've heard in the last five years.

With only 42,000 streams on Spotify, it blows my mind that Mushonga has stayed under the radar. Especially when lead single "Atalanta," released in 2017, shows the multi-faceted talents of Mushonga. Dive into both songs below. Let's hope 2020 is year the music world wakes up to how talented Mushonga is.

PREMIERE: “Asleep On The Floor" By Momma's Boy

Today we’re sharing an exclusive first listen to “Asleep On The Floor” from Kansas City’s Momma’s Boy.

Artwork: Jared Bajkowski, @abeardedbassist
Photography: Skylar Jaynes Cowdry @skylarcowdry

The self-produced track was recorded and mixed in the band’s attic rehearsal space by bassist Jared Bajkowski and mastered by Shy Boys member Ross Brown. Talking about the song, the band says, “At its core, ‘Asleep On The Floor’ explores the exasperation and pain that comes with having said ‘sorry’ so many times that it’s lost all meaning — even if you still mean it.”

The single reflects the band’s rough-around-the-edges, made-in-the-midwest ethos via its lo-fi production style and western-flavored arrangement. Combining the raspy croon of singer Shaun Crowley with acoustic guitars and distant, dive bar guitars, the track conjures an atmosphere scattered with empty bottles and the perfume of regret, giving listeners a glimpse at the pain and futility of the worn out apology.

Now that you know the backstory, take your first listen of the song below!

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Catch Momma’s Boy on tour this month in a city near you (dates here) and keep up with them on Facebook + Instagram + Twitter

New Music Friday 2/9/18

While it may be snowmageddon in Chicago at the moment, it's a beautiful day for new music out there! In addition to highly anticipated albums from some of our favorites, like The Wombats, Hockey Dad, Ezra Furman, and MGMT, there's tons of new singles out this week! James Bay made a long awaited comeback with news of a tour and an electrifying new song. Some other great singer-songwriters from around the world like Ten Tonnes, Isador, and Barns Courtney also put out new songs. COIN and The Aces, who will be on tour together this month, also blessed us with new tracks. Lastly, some new favorite artists like Sleep State, Jesse Saint John and Henry Green released new material. Sit back and get ready to spend your weekend surrounded by some great music by tuning into all of that and more below!

COIN-"Growing Pains"

Ten Tonnes-"Lay It On Me"

Prinze George-"Dividends"

Frankie Cosmos-"Being Alive"

James Bay-"Wild Love"

Coasts- "You Could Have Been The One"

Barns Courtney-"Sinners"

The Aces-"Volcanic Love"

Albin Lee Meldau-"The Weight Is Gone"

Sleep State-"Awkward"

Freedom Baby- "When We Go"

Swerve- "Lose Control"

Jesse Saint John - "MOVE"

Mallrat - "UFO" 

Isador- "Jungle"

Henry Green-"Shift"// "Without You"

Shakey Graves- The Sleep EP

Ezra Furman- Transangelic Exodus

The Wombats- Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life

Franz Ferdinand-Always Ascending

Hockey Dad-Blend Inn

MGMT- Little Dark Age

Palm- Rock Island

You can also check out most of these songs on our February Faves playlist- click here!

Playlist: Dream Version Exclusive for ANCHR

Tomorrow is the day! Our pals Dream Version are releasing their new album called Fight Fair. To celebrate, the Chicago trio made us an exclusive playlist. Listen to it and check out what they had to say about the songs they selected below!

Thumbnail image courtesy of Dream Version

1.  Yes Sir, No Sir / The Kinks

2.  Yo-Yo / Pylon

3.  Scared Straight / The Long Winters

4.  No Bulbs (single version) / The Fall

5.  Ping Pong Affair / The Slits

6.  The Glittering Prizes / Television Personalities

7.  Goldilocks Zone / Grass Widow

8.  We Are Underused / Pavement

9.  Flower Gardens / Chad VanGaalen

10.  Like A Prayer / Madonna

Songs about various flavors of fear (1,3,9)

Songs about the costs of deferring to authority (1,6)

Songs about continuing to play a game you know is rigged (2,6,8)

Songs that are just cool sonic influences (4,5)

Songs about weird religious themes (7,10)

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Make sure you also grab a ticket to see Dream Version this Saturday night at Lincoln Hall for their special album release show. Tickets start at $10 and you can buy there here. 

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Can't get enough Dream Version? Check out our interview with them. 

Play The Ace x ANCHR: A Custom Playlist

Influenced by the likes of All Time Low and Brand New, the Dallas-based trio Play The Ace craft pop-punk tunes reminiscent of the early 2000s. To celebrate the release of their debut EP, All My Friends Are Ghosts, Iris, Molly, and Dena have put together an exclusive playlist for ANCHR! The playlist features their all time favorite songs and influences, as well as some of their own music from the EP. Check it out below, and stay up to date on all things Play The Ace here.

Play The Ace is Iris Chang, Dena Asaad, and Molly Lammes

Photo Credit Brelyn Bashrum