“Contact,” the latest from San Francisco-based alt hip hop artist Morsifire, is a painful song about loss and coping. Raised with a mother suffering from addiction and in a household full of trauma, the artist wrote “Contact” as an emotional reaction to the loss of his sister. He says, "This song is about the immediate aftermath of my sister’s death and everything that came with it. By the end of the song I’m actually addressing her, wherever she is. It’s a raw song, an open wound..."

The track features indie pop singer Emily Afton, who helps infuse and soften the song with her spellbinding voice. "Contact" reminds us of that Eminem track with Dido, and accomplishes a similar feat: a wounded rapper’s anger and pain softened by powerful female vocals. Stay tuned for Morsifire’s live shows in San Francisco and beyond.

-Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Boy Scouts just released their latest video for "Hate Ya 2" and it's a captivating animated creation. What an amazing blend of visual mediums that pairs so nicely with the sad and lovely tune. Shout out to that fly, the balloon, all of it. Boy Scouts' new album Free Company is out September 30 on Anti Records. Fall tour dates (with Jay Som!) start September 11. 

Says Vicks, "”Hate Ya 2” is about trying to grapple with conflicting feelings. When you still have love for someone who can also make you feel undervalued and hurt, and how confusing that experience can be. The process of recording this song felt very cathartic. Stephen [Steinbrink] and I drove out to my parent’s house with my friend Rose Droll to have her record piano on a few songs from the record, and when she played along to this one we tracked a few takes of her improvising. It added such a beautiful melancholic element, in true Rose Droll fashion.” 

When we asked Boy Scouts' front person Taylor Vicks why their music has a "golden retriever" classification on Bandcamp, they said, simply, "I really like golden retrievers." A fine, fine reason. Well, we really like you. Give this tune a listen and be damned if you don't listen to the rest of the album, too. 

- Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

If you feel the need to be soothed today, take a little listen to the latest by Suzanne Vallie. Any song off the album is equally as pleasing as the last. Tracks feel like folk lullabies: gentle guitar plucking, Vallie's sweet voice, soft harmonies. Based out of Big Sur--and maybe that's where the nature-inspired songs come from--Vallie pops in and out of the Bay Area for shows with different bands, including Range of Light Wilderness, and her solo works. In fact, she'll be playing Hotel Utah this August 14. Come in for some soothing purity. -Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor 

Santa Cruz-based Lady Lazarus just released her single “I Know What it Feels Like” and it is a mystical, gentle journey. The accompanying video is mesmerizing and almost nerve-wracking in a “what’s about to happen” type of way. It’s dreamy folk pop, with quiet keys and vocals and a touch of that warm synth feel. She’s playing Hotel Utah on August 14 and you should join the night. Hypnotize yourself with her video then come feel the happy daze at her next show. - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor 

This Friday August 2, the Milk Bar is the lucky host of another Throwin’ Bo’s night. Those boys sure know how to put a bill together. The night will feature a couple of Bay Area favorites and some sweet LA gems. From the Area we have Half Stack, those fun and funny folk music folks that know how to tickle a guitar. There’s Max Gardener, whose gentle dreamy bedroom folk will make you bat your lashes and tap your fingers. Tied for best former Summer Twin we have Chelsea Rose with a true and lovely voice and delightful presence--see video demonstration below--and Easy Love, that 60's inspired indie pop that hits just the right spot. Me oh man, what a night! – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor