The Lowell Spin

09/03/2020

Mass Mix: Red Shaydez, Cliff Notez And Other Local Artists Boston Has On Heavy Rotation

For our continued partnership with GBH (they formally dropped the W this week). We're featuring Ease Into The Noise!

As we say goodbye to an unusual summer, musical artists are still mostly working in isolation, which is sparking new ways of creating and sharing music. For this edition of Mass Mix, we asked our contributors to share a song by a local artist that they've been listening to on repeat. Here's what…

09/02/2020

A little "More" with The Shirts and Shoes

The Shirts And Shoes have a new single and a lot to say about what they've been up to.

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lowell rockers, The Shirts and Shoes. We discussed their newest single “More,” how to be a band during a global pandemic, and what they’ve been up to this year … How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your m...

09/01/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: What is your favorite local music shop?

08/31/2020

Photo of the Month - August 2020

In our August Photo of the Month, Hunter proves that live music is still happening, even if in remote places.

This month’s photo, captured by bandmate Cameron Gilhooly, features Hunter Stamas bringing some tunes to the southern New Hampshire coast. You can check out Hunter’s music here but be on the lookout for a brand new album coming from the band later this fall.

08/26/2020

VIDEO ALERT: D-Tension - “Science Friction”

D-Tension takes on contemporary topics and continues to produce some of the best songs and videos with his new lyric video, "Science Friction".

Near the beginning of the pandemic when people were just looking for things to do and not actively sabotaging our progress, we at The Lowell Spin put out a compilation of free songs from local artists, recorded mid-pandemic. It was a veritable grab-bag of material from a wide range of Mill City arti...

08/25/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: Merch. We're going to be making some black t-shirts and hoodies with the new logo. What we need to figure out is, how many to order! Think you'd get one? Please let us know.

It would also be super helpful if we got a handful of pre-orders. Drop a comment or email us if you want to be the first to get one! [email protected]

08/21/2020

Black Roots: Brit Tsewole of Senseless Optimism

Today we highlight Brit Tsewole who recently debuted her new project, SO.

The Pandemic has left me feeling stale; days are melding into a waxy conglomerate; my eyelids are heavier than ever. I’m not sure I can trust my sight anymore, and I need beacons to light my way: I need music which rings true. I sat down with Brit Tsewole, the creative force behind Senseless Optim...

08/19/2020

Song Premier: Idle Pilot - "Blind Initiation"

🚨Premier Alert🚨

Idle Pilot are back with a brand new song that we're happy to premier along with the details of their upcoming album.

Over 900 days. It’s been a little over 900 days since Idle Pilot graced the world’s ears with new music since their remarkable third album Animals & People . Thankfully, the drought has finally ended with the release of “Blind Initiation”, a new single off of their upcoming album Balancing A...

08/18/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: Keeping it simple. What are you listening to lately?

08/15/2020

Review: Layzi - Backseat // Indie Film

Layzi is back at it again with a pair of songs which give tribute to the disconnected, unheard, and unspoken.

Showing no signs of slowing down, Carissa Myer under her solo artist namesake Layzi, blessed us with another pair of songs; only this time the songs were formally released together as Backseat // Indie Film. Company is required for interpersonal connections though it’s not always a guarantee in th...

08/13/2020

5 QUESTIONS FOR: Dominik Hyppolite of Dom The Composer

Get to know Dominik Hyppolite of Dom the Composer and why Oreos are in his future plans.

Entering his junior year at UMass Lowell, Dominik Hyppolite crafts a distinct and profoundly deep sort of R&B as Dom The Composer. His music is deeply personal and wracked with emotion, as well as tackling matters of mental health, social alienation, and vulnerability, against a backdrop of shimmeri...

08/11/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: What is your favorite local band song lyric? (Don't forget to tag the band!)

08/06/2020

Review: Inconvenience Store - If I Was a Morgue, No One Would Die

Inconvenience Store provides the perfectly strange soundtrack for a weird year.

Needham-based act Inconvenience Store presents an interesting anomaly in their highly experimental sound. Their earlier material is rooted in the sound of digital hardcore, a fusion genre that combines hardcore punk with elements of thrash metal, and most notably underground electronic music styles....

08/04/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: Oh no! Your life is in imminent danger! The good news is, you're allowed 1 call to any band or artist to come save the day. Who do you call? (local or national)

08/03/2020

LS Presents: Squash (Live on Lowell Train)

Occasionally we partner up with Lowell Train to present a recorded live performance. Check out this newly released Squash performance from earlier this year!

Here’s a newly released performance from earlier this year featuring Squash live on Lowell Train!

08/01/2020

Photo of the Month - July 2020

The slow down of live shows doesn't stop Alaina Ray Music from having fun or releasing new music.

This month’s photo, taken by Sean Santarlasci, features Alaina Ray enjoying the great outdoors in the summer sun. While we’re all awaiting live music to return, you can still hear new music like Alaina’s latest single “Come Back” released this summer or “Feel it All” released earlier t...

07/31/2020

Mass Mix: Jhene Aiko, Luke Bar$, And Other Artists With Songs Boston Has On Heavy Rotation This Summer

Check out our WGBH contribution this month as we highlight Luke Bar$.

This summer may not feel normal, but there is something that can help with that: music. We asked our Mass Mix contributors to share the songs they've been listening to on repeat this season. Here's what they said.

07/29/2020

Spotlight: Death to the Scene Network

Death to the Scene Network share a lot of goals and values we hold ourselves so we're happy to shine a Spotlight on what this music loving crew has been up to.

While the Lowell Spin is a hub for broadcasting local talent, it’s also a great catalyst for community and collaboration. By covering live and virtual shows, popular venues, and personalities that make up our scene, we’ve never limited our news to just artistic talent; we’ve tried to extend ou...

07/28/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: Let’s have some fun. Pick your favorite local musicians to form a hypothetical supergroup! The size of the band is up to you.

07/24/2020

Review: STOPLOSS – Wander Defy Relent Decay

S T O P L O S S lets the music do the talking on their debut full length.

Loud. Fast. Angry. This is STOPLOSS. This is Lowell hardcore. The most nihilistic release of 2020 comes from Lowell hardcore mainstays STOPLOSS with their debut full length being offered up by local label Constant Disappointment Records. While being a band for nearly a decade but only having a handf...

07/21/2020

It's TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today's topic: What's your favorite NEW local band/artist? Choose a band/artist that's either formed or had its debut release within the last year or so.

07/20/2020

Review: Phil Cambra & The Space Cadetes - "Expectations"

Phil Cambra & the Space Cadets's newest single doesn't just fulfill but exceeds our musical expectations.

Let’s talk about a local staple of the Lowell music scene, Phil Cambra & The Space Cadets, and their newest single “Expectations”. Their infectious R&B inspired tune was written by Cambra sometime in July of 2018 and has been in the works for quite a while. The initial tracking of the song beg...

07/16/2020

Review: Stella Starfox - "Cig No Filter"

StellaStarfox's newest single gives you the groovy, energetic feel good vibe perfect for summer time.

There are a lot of songs that attempt to capture the illusive feel good vibe of summertime and never seem to do it justice. Yet Stella Starfox‘s recent single “Cig No Filter” does just that. At the time of my first listen, I immediately knew that I had to write about this song and it pains me ...

07/15/2020

Where did all the spaghetti and Pepsi go?

Is it too early give out the local song of the year award?

Sometimes I ask the important questions through song.

07/14/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s Topic: Suppose a local restaurant has started naming menu specials after local New England acts.

What would be your favorite local band's breakfast/lunch/dinner/dessert special?

07/13/2020

5 QUESTIONS FOR: Alexa Economou of blindspot

Get to know Alexa of blindspot

Few bands can boast the kind of extensive big-name resume that blindspot has. The core duo of Alexa Economou and Chris Cormier produce a distinct style of alt-rock blended with power pop that has earned them widespread praise and acclaim from local publications, as well as opening dates for Plain Wh...

07/10/2020

Summer 2020 PLAYLIST

New a summer soundtrack? We've got you covered. Check out our new seasonal playlist featuring the latest from: The Shirts And Shoes, Wildcat Slim, Green Piece, Layzi, l.ucas & Timi O, J Faith, Andrew Marshall Music, Dom the Composer, The Seawolves, and Knock Over City.

Here’s our writers’ local recommendations for the summer season! This season features: The Shirts and Shoes, Wildcat Slim, Green Piece, Layzi, l.ucas & Timi O, J. Faith, Andrew Marshall, Dom the Composer, The Seawolves, and Knock Over City. Artwork by Amanda Dixon

07/09/2020

Review: SkyTigers - Eulorgy

Re-posting after fixing a couple errors which slipped by us. Our bad.

Near the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency some incredibly poorly-thought out rationalizations ended up being tossed around, perhaps to apply rose-colored lenses for the chaos that was inevitably going to occur in the coming years. One of the more dubious ones to have been leveled is the noti...

07/08/2020

Review: SkyTigers - Eulorgy

"Lowell’s SkyTigers are here to make New England punk rock angry again."

Near the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency some incredibly poorly-thought out rationalizations ended up being tossed around, perhaps to apply rose-colored lenses for the chaos that was inevitably going to occur in the coming years. One of the more dubious ones to have been leveled is the noti...

07/07/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s Topic: If you could have lunch with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and where would you take him/her/them?

07/03/2020

TTT Album Release Show

Join us Friday night for the Tysk Tysk Task virtual album release show w/ blindspot, Mint Green, and Inspector 34 via ONCE Somerville Virtual Venue. The event is free but donations are encouraged which will go towards Massachusetts Bail Fund & UTEC.

RVSP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tysk-tysk-task-album-release-fundraiser-x-once-vv-tickets-108481452946

07/02/2020

Review: Andrew Marshall - Growing Pains EP

Andrew Marshall Music dropped his sophomore EP last week with a trilogy story full of growth and heartache.

Two years succeeding his debut EP Letters From Lowell, artist Andrew Marshall released a trio of songs under the title Growing Pains. Marshall, a senior at UMass Lowell, gave listeners a taste of what was to come on June 19th with the premiere of “Fate”, the first song off of the EP. Just one we...

07/01/2020

Mass Mix: Run The Jewels, Optic Bloom, And Other Artists With Songs Of Protest That Boston Has On Heavy Rotation

SoloArtist's latest drop captures the mood of the whole nation with a perfect protest song with calls for social change.

We asked our contributors to share a song about justice, protest, and social change.

06/30/2020

It’s TOPIC TUESDAY!

Today’s topic: What is your favorite guitar/bass pick? Also what is the weirdest/strangest thing you’ve ever used or had to use as a pick?

06/29/2020

Photo of the Month - June 2020

This month's photo taken by Hands O'd features Linnea of Linnea's Garden posing in the alleyways of Lowell.

This month’s photo, taken by Hands O’d, features Linnea Herzog striking a pose while recently filming a music video for her new band Linnea’s Garden. The video, which was filmed right in Lowell, will feature the song “Like the Patriarchy” so be in the look out for its release later this su...