The True CW & His “Night Out”

On October 10, Christopher Watkins (AKA The True CW) released his single, “A Night Out.”

Originally from Chicago, the young Hip Hop artist has since brought his keen ideas and musical prowess to OKC. His latest single, “A Night Out,” has been met with open arms and eager ears, hitting more than 2,000 streams on Spotify alone within the first couple of weeks.

The single includes an alternative approach to Hip Hop – a catchy beat mixes with an almost eerie track to create a unique sound. With verses meant to uplift, the backing track only reinforces the message of empowerment.

The song itself describes going out and going places. Beginning with lines discussing staying in and going crazy, the single progresses into the eventual process of actually spending the “night out.” With words meant to prompt people to have fun and live life, the song has an upbeat message and sound.

Check out The True CW on all social media and music streaming sites, and be sure to listen to his newest song below:

Have an opinion on The True CW? 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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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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Schat and the Skeleton Trees Debut “There’s Nowhere to Go”

On October 24, Schat and the Skeleton Trees is set to debut their single, “There’s Nowhere to Go.”

The Norman band is comprised of Chris Schat and Derek Mehl – both long-time band mates in a different project, Walking Relic. Their music is composed mainly by Schat. He started the project as an outlet for songs he had written that didn’t quite fit with the group’s style. The band cites their genre as indie rock.

No other songs precede this single, but the duo has played multiple performances. The band will be showcasing their track tonight in Norman.

Their brand new single,”There’s Nowhere to Go,” is both urgent and emotional. With the repeated insistence of “there’s nowhere to go” and “don’t lose me,” the singer reiterates his plea.

Simple in lyrics, the song focuses mainly on riveting music. With a sound that seems to be influenced by bands like U2, the score contains a rhythm that is as desperate as it is familiar. Rather than telling a story, the song discusses existentialist feelings and themes in the form of tunes only.

It’s the kind of song that carries the listener through the sky – light, almost transparent on the surface, but as dense and capable as the wind.

“There’s Nowhere to Go” is the perfect song for a cool fall day. It brings to mind gray skies and chilly winds. The ending – an echoing, fading conclusion – only reinforces that image.

Check out a teaser trailer of the lyric video for the track below:

Schat and the Skeleton Trees will be performing tonight at Bison Witches & Deli in Norman at 8 pm with Tribesmen and Bobby Chill & the Wave. Be sure to listen to their new track, and follow them on all social media and music streaming sites.

(Click the link below to listen!)

https://schatandtheskeletontrees1.bandcamp.com/releases

Have an opinion on Schat and the Skeleton Trees? Know of any bands or artists 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!

Caity RobbLeave a comment