COUNTERZINE
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Under the Counter is a project established late-2018 by Travis Shosa (me) with the purpose of providing another small avenue through which independent artists may have their art discovered, primarily by means of cassette releases on the Under the Counter Tapes record label and now this site, Counterzine, where I, along with contributors, will periodically write about particularly compelling..
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re excited to premiere the newest music video from indie rock/dream pop band Sundae Girl: “Faces”.
Sundae Girl (photo credit: Jordan Haines)
Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sundae Girl are primed to release their EP Just For Fun tomorrow (premiered Tuesday by Canadian Beats), but today, we’re sharing the video for single “Faces”. Described by frontwoman Laura Kempton as “…about coming to terms with the personal demons that we all fight with in our minds, and a constant striving to be kind to yourself”, the track’s full sound and soaring choruses wrapped up in a nostalg ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Unicorns at Heart
Aurora
(Z Tapes)
Today, we’re thrilled to premiere Aurora, the new album on Z Tapes from lo-fi rockers Unicorns at Heart.
Our own introduction to California’s Unicorns at Heart was with the 2019 single “Yr Mind”, which finds itself on Aurora among nine other tracks, approximately half previous singles and compilation tracks and half brand new material. “Yr Mind” strikes as a tight, concentrated, singularly-focused march of noise rock reminiscent of Bakesale-era Sebadoh, but while a similar lo-fi aesthetic is found throughout much of the album, Aurora, finally unlock ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re excited to share “Blistered”, the newest single from slowcore duo Joyer.
Since last year’s excellent Peeled, brothers Nick & Shane Sullivan have kept busy with their organization of and involvement in a number of benefit compilations such as Baklava’s Bernie 2020 compilation, a Silver Jews cover comp in benefit of Shatterproof, an Alex G cover comp released by Z Tapes to aid disaster relief in the Bahamas, and An Abundance of Nothing, a compilation where each artist sponsored different organizations, with Joyer sponsoring RAICIES, but finally gear up for a return wit ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Cardinality
s/t
(Grimalkin Records)
Today, we’re honored to share Cardinality, the debut LP from the newly formed duo of RVA artist Ty Sorrell and singer AG Himself.
Spirituality, soul, and connection are at the forefront of Cardinality’s first outing, which will likely stand as little surprise to those familiar with the past work of Ty Sorrell, whether it be last year’s At God’s House or other Tribe Ninety Five-affiliated projects. A strong rapper, Sorrell’s biggest asset is still their signature production, which often sees them tweak a blend of soul, gospel, trap, and trip hop that seeks to ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re thrilled to premiere “The Death Cult”, the new video from Baltimore-based power electronics artist Axebreaker.
Terence Hannum (Axebreaker)
Perhaps best known for his work as part of both Locrian and The Holy Circle, Terence Hannum records solo as Axebreaker: an explicitly anti-fascist power electronics project whose message grows more potent and relevant by the day in 2020’s America. His album Vigilance released just a little over four months ago and captured an already tense moment, but as the tensions have risen over these past months, the upcoming Eliminat ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re excited to share “Leave Me in the Tide”, the newest music video from Californian power pop artist R.E. Seraphin’s recent EP, A Room Forever.
R.E. Seraphin
After releasing his debut solo album Tiny Shapes to critical acclaim this past March, ex-Talkies frontman R.E. Seraphin has quickly followed up that effort with A Room Forever, a set of six more songs that see Seraphin further explore the juxtaposition of punchy power pop form and dream-like atmospheres. Single “Leave Me in the Tide” is a quick blast of late 70’s-early 80’s pop perfection, immediately infectious ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re thrilled to share the latest single and music video from Canadian experimental R&B songwriter and producer Quinton Barnes, “How I Feel”.
Quinton Barnes
Despite the year’s circumstances, 2020, at least artistically, has been quite the year for Grimalkin collective member Quinton Barnes. Between the critically acclaimed AARUPA (which we premiered earlier this year and was included as a Bandcamp ‘Album of the Day’ shortly after release) and a full remix version of that same album which saw it re-imagined in equally potent form, the Ontario artist has managed to keep b ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
LIT. MAJOR
Generosity
(Community Radio Tapes)
Today, we’re excited to premiere the newest album from Connecticut-based singer-songwriter LIT. MAJOR, Generosity.
The third album released under the LIT. MAJOR moniker, Generosity is pitched simply as “an album of new songs written & recorded in isolation during the spring of 2020”, which might seem innocuous enough if you were reading this 10 years from now. Having recently lived through whatever the hell the spring of 2020 was, however, this roughly translates to “quarantine album”. In a sense, all albums coming out now are qu ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Today, we’re honored to premiere the latest single from prolific California rock band Osees, “Blood on Your Boots”.
Osees
First off, yes: Osees are the same John Dwyer-led outfit kinda first known as OCS in the early 2000’s, then ‘officially’ first Ohsees, then The Oh Sees, most famously afterwards Thee Oh Sees, (maybe still?) currently Oh Sees, and on this track, Osees. Osees seems to have been adopted by the band as a side moniker, though the through line between data points we have so far is vague when it comes to differentiating an Osees track from an Oh Sees track. ‘Osees’ debuted ..read more
COUNTERZINE
1y ago
Internet Death
Not Your Dog!
(MUZAI Records)
Today, we’re honored to premiere Not Your Dog!, the upcoming album from Christchurch digital hardcore artist Internet Death.
Last year’s Mega Sony Death Kill!, the debut effort from the now 16-year-old New Zealander Finlay Anderson, was the work of someone who was absolutely pissed, though not without apt reason. Anderson began his foray into the world of music as Internet Death with the sentiments “Antifa / Punch a Nazi til I die” and “You need to find some love in your heart / But first, you need a fucking beatdown, cunt” and we’re pleas ..read more