Cliffdiver Premieres “At Your Own Risk”

Today, November 8, Cliffdiver premiered their second EP, At Your Own Risk.

The band previously released two singles off of the collection: “Cameron Diaz” on October 4 and “Are You Still Seeing Graig, the Orthodontist?” a month later, on November 1.

Both songs received great reception; multiple publications covered the songs (including The Alternative) and “Are You Still Seeing Graig, the Orthodontist?” was added to the spotify playlist, New Punk Tracks.

At Your Own Risk consists of five songs. Beginning with “Elwood’s” and ending with “Lost in Ikea,” something of a story arc is formed. It starts with hitting rock bottom, expressing your darkest thoughts, and then delves into details of some of the most prominent ones. By the end, however, help is sought. Things start to be “alright.”

Cliffdiver has become a poster-band for depression, bringing mental health resources to their concerts and welcoming open dialogue from their fans, and it’s not surprising to see that reflected in the EP.

The group has been open about their themes since they started promoting the EP. Little tidbits of information have been revealed on their Facebook and Twitter – like:

“Two of [the songs] have never been played live,” says the band.

Cliffdiver revealed part of their writing process and some meanings behind their songs back in May in our interview, but the message is fairly straightforward. The EP is about the process of accepting your mental illness and seeking help.

“Elwood’s” starts the EP on that low note. With talk of drinking and “not [being] good enough – not for anyone, especially myself,” emotional turmoil is evident. This is a song that will tug at your heartstrings and make your chest constrict as you relate to the seemingly hopelessness of the lyrics.

The song goes into a soliloquy discussing how [he] always blamed someone else because it was easier to do that than to accept [his] problems. [He] never felt capable of changing.

However, the song foreshadows a happy ending. Mentioning getting a therapist and some sleep, the song ends on a hopeful note.

Their latest single, “Are You Still Seeing Graig, the Orthodontist?” follows. The track is more upbeat than the other one; set over the sounds of a party, the song seems to denote being in a room full of friends and feeling alone, lost in a fit of anxiety.

Third is “Alone in Your Apartment.” With loss and frustration and the passing of blame, the song is yet another tearjerker – an emotional roller-coaster that spins and sputters.

“Cameron Diaz” acts as a turning point. It serves as a reflection; it’s the moment where you realize that you’re not okay, but you can be.

Finally, “Lost in Ikea” ends the EP. The song that ties the whole collection together, it brings more than just hope; it brings acceptance. Rather than changing and giving in to the awful thoughts, “Lost in Ikea” is about slowly realizing that “[you’re] good enough, enough for anyone, and finally, [your]self.”

The final song brings aspects and lyrics from the former ones like repeating “everything’s alright” from “Are You Still Seing Graig, the Orthodontist?” and changing the “I’m not good enough” from “Elwood’s” to “I know I’m good enough.”

Each track off of At Your Own Risk is powerful and emotional. For some, it may be like listening to your own thoughts put to a melody. However, the message of “it will get better” and “you are good enough” spins the low notes into a positive light.

You can listen to At Your Own Risk below, and you can also watch the music video they created for “Cameron Diaz.” The band will also be on tour over the next few weeks; be sure to catch them in a city near you. Check out Cliffdiver on all social media and music streaming sites.

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Cicadia “Sheds” Their Rough Start to Release Incredible New Music

On October 24, OKC band Cicadia released their EP, Exuviate. The five-track collection is the first for the band – both under this name and with these members.

Cicadia consists of Dylan McBride (vocals and lyrical composition), Jeremy Dolezel (guitar), Caleb Klusmeyer (guitar and lead songwriter), Ethan Bybee (bass), and Dylan Brooks (drums). Dolezel and Klusmeyer are the only two original members, having begun the project about two years ago under the name “Øver Cast.”

The group underwent a series of changes at the beginning of this year that led to them recruiting new people – including borrowing McBride from Lilac Kings for vocals (to trade, Klusmeyer joined Lilac Kings as their bassist).

The band cites the genre “swancore” as their main influence. (“Swancore” is defined as a type of post-hardcore music that is “melodic” and “mathy.”) Their main inspirations come from Dance Gavin Dance, Hail the Sun, Royal Coda, Body Thief, Circa Survive, and Sianvar.

Their debut EP, Exuviate, consists of five songs – beginning with “Last Laugh” and ending with “Obsessive Composure.” Each one is expertly crafted and beautifully played.

First on the list is “Last Laugh;” a haunting melody is paired with dark lyrics to create this deeply disturbed song. According to McBride, “Last Laugh” is about “sucking it up” and “going through with something you may or may not feel is morally correct.” All of this is evident by the depressed resignation in the lyrics. The song picks up towards the end, topping it off with angry cries.

With swirling, layered music, the next song, “Troubleshoot Protocol” achieves an anxiety-filled sound. Desperation, frustration, and fear shine through every note. The song, McBride claims, is about someone “struggling with … feeling relevant in life… and how to deal with… the emotions that come with thinking they’re not.” This thought is emphasized by the line,”we’re all just dying to get by.”

The next track is the instrumental “Emergence Theory.” Something of an interlude, the piece breaks the high-emotion songs in half, serving as relief from the heaviness.

Following it is “Interrelation,” a ballad of being “afraid to fall in love.” The song denotes one-half of couple in a close, friends-with-benefits sort of relationship fearing the possibility of it developing into more.

“Obsessive Composure” is about “fighting yourself for who you want to be as a person – and how it affects you and your relationships.” This one is very clearly the fight song of the collection. Battle music scores lines dripping in inner conflict.

Every bit of Exuviate is well-worth the listen. It’s the kind of music you can get angry with and the kind that prompts inner exploration. Packed with a plethora of one-liners and quote-worthy material and combined with tunes that perfectly embody inner strife, Cicadia’s new music come highly recommended.

Check out Cicadia on all social media and music streaming sites, and be sure to listen to the new music:

Have an opinion on Cicadia? Know of an bands/musicians that deserve a feature? Let us know in the comments or email us at starcatchermagazine@gmail.com.

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Spotless Mind Releases “Part-Time Burnout”

On October 25, Spotless Mind released their third EP, Part-Time Burnout.

This being the last few songs before a dramatic style change, the music is clearly influenced by 2000’s rock music like Fall Out Boy and Weezer. With a flurry of instruments, shouting vocals, and lyrics denoting angry ballads, the EP is an emo-kid’s anthem.

The first song is “Lame Brain.” From the start, droning guitar sets the mood; angry words bemoaning angry thoughts. Sad lyrics plead the listener to stay through the bad. The song seems to tie together sadness and anger while the score prompts listeners to jump and yell along.

“Fakerrrs” follows the beginning track, calling out “fakers.” It attacks people for not saying what they mean. With vocals inspired by the wailing of Patrick Stump, the song achieves a fury-filled sound.

The next song, “Little Cracks in the Wall,” describes a meltdown caused by the words of others. Lyrics like “drinking all your words like poison” and “no one is on my team” bring to mind visions of pity parties; the song goes on to denote the process of a depressed implosion.

Next is “Backseat Driver.” Filled with harmonies and reverberating guitar, the song is probably the most pop punk of all of the EP – complete with falsetto in the bridge. Fast-paced and accusing, the song goes in circles with harmonies.

If “Little Cracks in the Wall” is a pity party, “part-time burnout” is a full parade of self-pity and inner hatred. Dark thoughts come to light as the song describes a person down on their luck and struggling through hard times.

As was mentioned in the interview we did recently with the band, the lyrics were inspired by the hardships the band faced earlier this year. Each song, to some extent, launches into a tirade of ways in which the members were either wronged – or where they wronged themselves. A series of ballads that could serve as an anthem for teens wrapped in their own self-destructive thoughts, the EP is definitely a great way to wrap up the band’s teenage angst before they switch gears towards a more mature sound.

Check out Spotless Mind on all social media and music streaming sites, and be sure to listen to their new music.

Have an opinion on Spotless Mind? Know of any bands/musicians that deserve a feature? Let us know in the comments or send an email to starcatchermagazine@gmail.com.

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Mad Honey’s “Theories” is a Fall Favorite

Last Friday, October 11, Mad Honey released their newest collection, Theories, much to our excitement.

We featured Mad Honey last spring when the band put out their single, “Blue & You” and have been fans ever since. The OKC band has spent the last couple of months promoting their EP and playing various shows all over. Their next performance is on Friday, October 18, at Paramount Room in OKC.

Theories begins with a short, two-minute prelude in the form of “MAD.” Brief and dreamy, the song introduces the psychedelic dream pop sound of the EP. Warbled vocals are combined with a surreal score that truly belongs in a Twin Peaks reboot.

Next on the list is “Euphoria.” Sweet and fast-paced, this song is probably the best of the EP. It’s urgent and desperate, filled with promises of “euphoria” and requests to run away. There is a sad undertone that only highlights the urgency, whispering of broken promises.

Following is the slowly spinning ballad that is “Arms.” A tale of lost love is told in a nostalgic daydream; lyrics are practically murmured in a sweet, low tone. The music seems to twirl, accompanying the vocals in a dance of melancholy.

“Old Blood” brings a sad nightmarish vibe. The twisting music collaborates with depressing lyrics to create a scary dream. Perhaps there are no zombies or vampires, but talk of no souls can elevate any song to terrifying status.

The second to last track on the list calls for a change in sound. “Strangers” is much more upbeat, compared to the preceding songs. A ringing chorus makes the song stick out, keeping it at the forefront of your mind.

The title track, “Theories,” finishes the EP on the same surreal note it started. Breathy and swaying, it sings us “to other worlds.” Like the end credits of a movie, “Theories” seems to sum the whole collection up, with influences from the other songs seeping through.

Theories is a sleepy, surreal EP that showcases the unique sound Mad Honey has cultivated. Various elements work cohesively to create a coherent dream pop sound, dabbling in psychedelic undertones.

Check out Mad Honey on all social media and music streaming sites, and be sure to listen to their new EP below:

Have an opinion on Theories? Know of a group or musician that deserves a feature? Let us know in the comments!

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Introducing Brand New Music From Lunar Division

On Friday, September 13, OKC band Lunar Division released their self-titled debut album.

This four piece rock band from Oklahoma City put out their first full length album last Friday. The album features their single, “In the Dark,” released on August 30. The album marks the entirety of their music catalog, as the band hasn’t been a part of the scene for very long.

Each song from the album is infused with rock influences. Grinding instruments and growling vocals make the genre clear from the start. The songs also contain the well-known themes of rebellion and dissent; lyrics that highlight these themes are prevalent in each song. Topics like feeling caged or moving in the dark make multiple appearances in support of the centering element of dissent.

Ten songs make up the track-list, each one a complement of another. By the end, the album leaves behind a feeling of empowerment; after hearing the sometimes dark, sometimes hopeful feelings of the band, and mixing it with the upbeat rock tones, you can’t help but feel rejuvenated and connected to the band.

Each song combines the telltale rock elements with the distinct personality of the band to form the unique album, Lunar Division. There’s no other description needed – it’s an album you just have to listen to in order to understand.

Lunar Division will be performing at Your Mom’s Place in OKC on Friday, September 27, with Prismatics and Shoulda Been Blonde. Check them out on all social media and music streaming sites, and be sure to listen to their new album.

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