Western Mass indie-pop stalwarts Lost Film expanded into a 5 piece live band in 2019 following the release of the project's third album 'Zero Summer' with tour plans booked for Spring 2020. When the pandemic arrived, the main songwriter Jimmy Hewitt like most creatives quarantined at home writing and recording with optimism that life would go back to normal in the coming weeks. As the weeks turned into months, demo recordings sparked by a Roland707 sample pack giveaway online started to pile up. Hewitt remained positive (or naive) that the new collection of song ideas could soon be fleshed out with the band in the studio and left the drum machine backed demos neglected for months and shifted efforts to launch Relief Map Records at the start of 2021. Lost Film is set to release new single “Big Talk” which Stereogum highlighted as "a gem" likening to Beach Fossils and LVL UP. Texturized by not much more than an electric guitar, a drum machine and distorted synthesizers, “Big Talk” marks a return to minimalist, early aught's guitar-pop. The single wastes no time bursting into a soaring hook that lingers on the question of "is it where you are that keeps us apart or is it who you are?" Solitude can offer a silver lining of showing what we're able to live with and more importantly live without.
Ex-Temper creates pivoting, unpredictable, guitar-driven rock layered with catchy melodies and three-part vocal harmonies. Once described as "Fugazi meets the Andrews Sisters” and credited with playing "heavy, head-banging riffs,” their lyrics explore everything from heartbreak and obsession, to prominent social issues like police brutality, mass shootings, the inefficiency of white guilt, and mansplaining; as well as mysteries like the Green Children of Woolpit, and existential questions such as if an organ donor’s consciousness or memories can be transplanted into the recipient’s mind.
The band formed in 2015, when Kaliis Smith, Kate Dowd, and Lynn Simonds, who knew each other from playing in the Northampton, MA music scene with other bands, sought each other out with the intention of starting an all-female rock band that specialized in being kick-ass while maintaining steadfast musicality. Dana Wilde joined in 2016 and since then the band has played dozens of shows with venues ranging from basements, bars, all-ages community spaces, and stages like The Iron Horse (Northampton, MA), Gateway City Arts (Holyoke, MA), and The Stone Church (Brattleboro, VT). Ex-Temper has shared the stage with Kristin Hersh, Aye Nako, The Winterpills, Bent Knee, Vundabar, Spouse, and GRLwood.
After years of honing their craft, their self-titled EP was released on March 4, 2022. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mark Alan Miller at Sonelab Recording Studios in Easthampton, MA. This release follows up their first EP “Magnetic” from 2018, available on Bandcamp.
Old Moon, the solo project of Vermont based musician Tom Weir, creates music that blends lush textures with classic indie-pop songwriting - all with a distinct post-punk edge. Weir began releasing music under the Old Moon name in 2020 and has kept up a steady stream of solidly prolific releases over the last few years. His latest full length Cities of the Plain is full of chiming guitars, introspective lyrics, and moody atmosphere that tells a story of self improvement over its 9 tracks. Old Moon is set to release a new EP titled Under All Skies in September on Relief Map Records. This new release sees Weir put a heavier emphasis on songwriting and narrative, with a Springsteen-esque approach to storytelling woven throughout his blistering dream pop.
Doors at 7pm, music will start around 730!