Audio Antihero

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WATCH: The Noisy Debut for Audio Antihero with Vampy Music Video”Twos”

Philly dream pop/synth rock band The Noisy announce signing to Audio Antihero (Frog / Avery Friedman / Magana / CIAO MALZ) with Twos,” a vampy, queer, and silent-movie-esque new music video from director Sam Cush, which teases The Secret Ingredient is Even More Meat,’ an upcoming deluxe edition of their debut album.

Featuring practical effects and vampire makeup by Philly drag talent, “Twos” channels gothic-glam in the spirit of vintage cinema, dripping with theatrical flair and midnight movie camp. Starring local icon Miss Thing, the video follows the success of Violet Lozenge,” The Noisy’s most recent drag-forward release, which WXPN praised as “glamorous, retro, and proudly queer.”

Front-person Sara Mae Henke (they/them) comments on the upcoming music video for “Twos:

I wrote this song like a pop song but wanted the production to bend towards Mannequin Pussy with sludgy guitars and twinkly keys. The music video literalizes the too much-ness of the story, Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Grey Gardens meets two dates to the prom.

The Noisy got its start in Knoxville, Tennessee, as a project of award-winning poet Sara Mae Henke. In spring 2023, after evolving from a solo project to a full band, they released Morricone with a Strega Nona meets Clint Eastwood music video, launching a crowdfunding campaign for their debut album, ‘The Secret Ingredient is More Meat.’ The band sold merch, raffled a cowboy hat, and ran a GoFundMe alongside a month-long tour, raising over $3,000 to bring this debut to life—an album for their queer community.To celebrate the first anniversary of ‘The Secret Ingredient is More Meat,’ Audio Antihero will be issuing a deluxe edition entitled ‘The Secret Ingredient is Even More Meat,’ which will include new and reimagined songs.

Praise for The Noisy:

Dynamic sound, charming energy, and a confessional tell-all spirit that’s as charismatic as it is irresistible.” – ATWOOD MAGAZINE

Glamorous, retro, and proudly queer.” – WXPN

“The Noisy’s sound isn’t exactly noisy in the abrasive sense, but it is boisterous, embracing the crunch of grungy pop rock and the twang of Sara Mae’s Knoxville roots to create a muscular and freely associated alt-country belter.”POST-TRASH

“It sounds really formative. Being “sixteen and see-through” is such a vulnerable feeling, one that “Grenadine” captures really well.”THE ALTERNATIVE

“Their work examines the surreal, the uncanny, body horror, and intimacy.…Their album The Secret Ingredient is More Meat is an intoxicating experience.” – RAINBOW RODEO

Rich, polished pop-rock sound with pieces of dream/chamber pop, synth pop, and even a bit of electric alt-rock thrown in.” – ROSY OVERDRIVE

Unconventional at every turn, with Sara Mae’s background as a poet coming through in their unique, free-form writing style.” – TROPICAL GOTH MAG


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New Avery Friedman Single + Vinyl & Cassette Pre-Order

Avery Friedman’s “New Thing” single was just released (Bandcamp / Spotify), and we’d like to thank Caleb Campbell and Under the Radar Magazine for premiering the song for us.

“Her full-length debut, New Thing, is a work of raw singer/songwriter confessionalism, evoking the knotted melodies, homespun arrangements, and searing edges of musicians like Squirrel Flower, Babehoven, or Adrienne Lenker.“ – UNDER THE RADAR MAGAZINE

Pre-Order: Vinyl / Cassette / Digital

We’re excited to share that Avery Friedman’s ‘New Thing‘ album will be released on cassette and vinyl (a co-release with Canada’s Softseed Music). It is also available as $5 digital download. Full details are available on the Audio Antihero Bandcamp page.

In addition to these transparent yellow cassette and clear blue vinyl editions, Softseed Music will also have an exclusive variant version available on their website. Cassettes will begin shipping at the end of April, and vinyl will begin shipping end of July.

In the meantime, I’d love to ask if you could pre-save ‘New Thing’ on Spotify, follow Avery on social media, and check out this wonderful interview with she did with Shea Roney for The Ugly Hug.

Praise for Avery Friedman:

“New Thing moves forward with a steady percussive stomp, building upon its foundation of churning guitars with chiming harmonies and swirling effects. Friedman makes the track’s later moments feel like a dissociative blur, adding new layers to the winding chord progressions until it turns from a reflective meditation to an elliptical folk rock spiral. Meanwhile, the lyrics mirror these undercurrents of creeping anxiety.” – UNDER THE RADAR MAGAZINE

“Singer-songwriter Avery Friedman delivers a potential cult classic with ‘Flowers Fell’.” REAL GONE

“If you’re looking to fill your musical roster with one of our favorite up and coming indie pop artists, look no further than Avery Friedman! ‘Photo Booth’ is somehow only Avery’s second release, and it already sounds so much like she’s come into her own as an artist. We can’t wait to see what’s next!” – THE HONEY POP

“Having frequented bills with artists such as Sister. and Dead Gowns for the past year, Avery Friedman has consistently left an impression on those that have caught her sets, oftentimes performing solo, creating a space in which her vivid imagery and tender melodies greet new ears with welcome and understanding. Produced by James Chrisman (Sister.) and with contributions from Felix Walworth (Told Slant, Florist), “Flowers Fell” plays to the in-between moments as Friedman defines new beginnings.”THE UGLY HUG

“There’s this beautiful feedback buzz coursing through, and then the bottom falls out, hurtling you into this beautiful dreamland of pop magnificence.”AUSTIN TOWN HALL“Photo Booth represents a bit of a shift for Friedman. It’s a more electronic, chirpier sound, her take on alt-pop. It’s still sparse and whispery, but there’s some energy beneath her voice, and the hook is sneakily catchy. It’s a great song.” – THE ALTERNATIVE


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OUT NOW: CIAO MALZ – ‘Safe Then Sorry’ EP

Super happy to release this gorgeous ‘Safe Then Sorry‘ EP from CIAO MALZ today.

It’s $1 on Bandcamp, plus available wherever you stream. Your support would mean a lot to us.

Thanks to Under the Radar Magazine for premiering the EP yesterday. That was exciting.

Praise for CIAO MALZ:

“Expertly crafted pop songs…It’s a real gem, and it already seems likely that DelaCruz has a big future.” – KLOF MAG

“It’s an EP that rewards careful listening, with the kind of nooks and crannies that only can come from an artist approaching their work with a sense of exploration rather than a paint by numbers fealty to any particular genre or sound. It’s the kind of project that invites multiple listens, and when you check it out you’ll want to make sure that at least once that you listen with headphones.”THE ALTERNATIVE

“The EP is a work that celebrates restlessness and idiosyncrasy. DelaCruz’s songs are slight and sometimes sparse, yet they are never boring. Her melodies rarely move as expected, darting and drifting atop hypnotic mazes of instrumentation. Some of the record’s most blissful moments come as these tracks’ knotted guitar work resolves into soaring choruses, pivoting between unconventional indie melodicism and clear-eyed pastoral pop songcraft.” UNDER THE RADAR MAGAZINE

“I gotta say I dig the vibe so far. I’m not sure whether to call it twee rock or indie pop or just straight up indie rock, but the execution is crisp, the emotion is raw, and I find myself enjoying the song every time it comes on.”INDIE SHUFFLE

“The EP feels grounded, raw, and real—a snapshot of an artist in motion, unafraid to lean into the messiness of creation. It’s an honest, emotionally open debut that leaves you wanting to hear what’s next.” – GOD IS IN THE TV


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NEWS: My Best Unbeaten Brother singles + Magana Features (Post-Trash / BBC Scotland / For the Rabbits) + An Old Pal

MY BEST UNBEATEN BROTHER (featuring Ben and Adam Parker of NOSFERATU D2 / TEMPERTWIG / SUPERMAN REVENGE SQUAD) have released two more singles form their upcoming debut mini-album Pessimistic Pizza (which you can pre-order/support here for $5 or get a free/pay-what-you-want single here).

We were lucky to premiere both singles with two great independent music sites. Extraordinary Timeswas first shared by GOD IS IN THE TV:

And Blues Fatigue was first streamed yesterday on FOR THE RABBITS:

The band also recorded an exclusive session for Mark Whitby on Dandelion Radio this month, the show airs daily for all of June or you can listen on demand here.

MAGANA PRESS:

MAGANA has been continuing to get really excellent press for her recent Teeth album. The first of these that I’d to share is her brilliant interview with Giliann Karon for POST-TRASH:

She was also recently the “Me In 3” guest on BBC RADIO SCOTLAND with Jill O’Sullivan (thanks to Roddy Hart and Richard Bull):

She also wrote a brilliant retrospective on her debut album, You Are Not A Morning Person for FOR THE RABBITS, and spoke to Edinburgh’s LOVE MUSIC; LOVE LIFE about some of the songs which inspired her genre-bending latest record.

OTHER ELECTRICITIES LABEL FEATURE:

You might recall that Audio Antihero co-released the gorgeous Last LP by LOW LOW LOW LA LA LA LOVE LOVE LOVE with OTHER ELECTRICITIES back in 2015. Label owner (and LAS NUBES drummer) Emile Milgrim has been deservingly featured on START-TRACK via their “Introducing Labels” feature today:


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NEWS: Magana’s ‘Teeth’ is this week’s Roddy Hart Show (BBC Scotland) “Record of Note”

Magana’s Teeth was the “Record of Note” on BBC Scotland’s Roddy Hart show last night. Roddy played three songs from the album and said a lot of lovely things about it. If you missed it live, you can listen to it via BBC Sounds.

Something extra nice about it was that Roddy and his producer (The Raging Bull) had clearly done their research and pulled some great stuff from the Jeni’s track-by-track feature for The Alternative:

If you’re enjoying Magana-centric radio, then please remember that her session for Leo Gilbert is airing all month long via Dandelion Radio and Mixcloud:

Plus, there are numerous new audio interviews with Jeni available via CJAM FM, Resonance FM, and the If It Be Your Will podcast.

If you’re more of a reader, then Atwood Magazine, The Alternative, Firebird Magazine, Various Small Flames, Amplify the Noise, JoyzineThoughts Words Action, Ever MetalMusic N Gear, and The Daily Music Report have got you covered with interviews and features.

More interviews still scheduled to come from Post-Trash, Brainrot Radio, I Enjoy Music, Love Music; Love Life, A Grrrl’s Two Sound Scents, Abominations, B-Sides & Badlands, Blood Makes Noise, and BBC Scotland, so please keep an eye on Magana’s feeds for news.

She also got a very nice review from Ljubinko Zivkovic for The Spill Magazine:

“Lyrically, Magaña visits some stark and dark places, describing it as “witchy rock,” but it all fits so well with her song constructions and her quite warm, subtle voice, making an excellent musical and lyrical contrast, as a cup of hot coffee and cold sparkling water do.”

‘Teeth’ is out now on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, etc. Thank you so much for helping us to spread the word.


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NEWS: Magana Radio Session / #1 on Hype Machine + Reviews and Interviews from Rosy Overdrive / Firebird Magazine / Various Small Flames / Analogue Trash and more!

It has been one week since the release of Magana’sTeeth‘ LP and we’ve been pretty thrilled with the response, thank you so much.

Last week we were hyped to share features, interviews, and reviews with the likes of The Alternative, Atwood Magazine, Joyzine, If It Be Your Will, Amplify the Noise, KRUI, Austin Town Hall, Absent Sounds, and many others. Magana was even able to reach #1 in both the Hype Machine Popular Now and Most Posted Artistscharts.

This week, I’m excited that the good news keeps rolling in and there’s lots more stuff to be hyped about.

Firstly, Magana is in session for Leo Gilbert on Dandelion Radio this month. The show streams daily via the station’s website and you can stream it on demand via Mixcloud too (check out Mark Whitby’s show too for a session with bedbug and some Max Blansjaar airplay).

Magana did a great interview with Firebird Magazine (you might remember them for their brilliant feature with Frog) where they talked ‘Teeth,’ Mitski, and her plans for upcoming ambient and orchestral music releases. Check it out here.

I was also fortunate enough to get to write another guest feature for Various Small Flames, this time reflecting on the memories and music of my time knowing and working with Jeni Magaña. It covers her better-known songs like Inches Apart,” as well as compilation appearances, her CHUCK and Cloud covers, the pen pin pop project, and her more experimental work. This was a really nice experience for me so I hope you enjoy it too: “You Got Shit to Do: a Magana Restrospective By Audio Antihero Records”

Magana also shared some of her influences for ‘Teeth’ with The Daily Music Report:

It has also been really nice getting support from David Dean Burkhart recently through his “Compact Cassette” playlist and YouTube channel, as well as Deb Grant at BBC 6 Music and Roddy Hart on BBC Scotland. We recently appreciate any and all help in getting new ears on this beautiful record.

Lastly, I really liked these new reviews:

“Feels equally at home in the era of doomy 60s girl pop and the modern age of dreampop and lushly-drawn indie music. Magaña’s vocals exude joy and pain in equal measure…”Analogue Trash

“‘Teeth’ stands tall as tangible proof of the transformative power of music. With otherworldly melodies, evocative lyrics, and a production style that envelopes the listener, Magana offers a fourteen-track journey of healing and self-discovery.”Broken 8 Records

“Magana has a dramatic, floating vocal style that puts her in line with a lot of the big “indie folk” acts of today, but it’s her embrace of more adventurous instrumentation that sets Teeth apart from the crowd more than anything else.”Rosy Overdrive

We should have lots more good stuff to share soon, but in the meantime, ‘Teeth’ is available via Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, etc. Tell a pal.

You can say ‘hi!’ to Magana through her social pages via Linktree (or just wave if you’re going to see Mitski soon).


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News: MAGANA premieres ‘Teeth’ LP with Atwood Magazine / FROG play free show with HORSE JUMPER OF LOVE

Magana’s stunning and strange ‘Teeth’ LP is streaming now through the excellent Atwood Magazine in the gorgeous premiere and interview feature below.

“Brutally vulnerable and beautifully breathtaking, ‘Teeth’ is as visceral and raw as it is dramatically layered: Magana’s sophomore album is an uncompromisingly intimate and spiritual rock record reckoning with trauma, inner connection, the fragility of the human experience, and what it means to be alive.”Atwood Magazine

‘Teeth’ is released on Monday the 25th of March and it’s available for pre-order via Bandcamp. Its singles are available on Spotify.

Magana also recently spoke to South London’s Joyzine, which is another great interview worth reading:

There’ll also be a great in-depth interview with Magana on Saturday on the Hello GoodBye Show on London’s legendary Resonance FM. The show airs in London (FM & DAB) and Poland, plus it’ll be available to stream worldwide online. Check the link below for times and details.

Forever busy, Jeni Magaña is back on the road with Mitski now so if you’re going to any of those shows (dates here), please be sure to wave. She also played upright bass on the new single, which you can check out below:

FROG W/ HORSE JUMPER OF LOVE ON MARCH 23RD (FREE, NY):

Frog will be playing a free show with the amazing Horse Jumper of Love on Saturday (March 23rd). It takes place at the Blue Room on the Sarah Lawrence College campus. The event is hosted by the college’s WSLC radio station. Pretty cool.


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NEWS: Frog Release Live Film via Patreon / New Magana Single / New Max Blansjaar Single

Frog have released their first live performance film, “Unplugged and Unhinged.” This film by Jarod Walker was released on March 8th via the band’s new Patreon where they will be premiering audio and video recordings of their shows going forward. A free seven-day trial is available.

Fan favourites Don’t Tell Me Where You’re Going and RIP to the Empire State Flea Market have been uploaded to YouTube as a preview. For more details, please see the press release.

Frog will also be touring the Northeast (Philadelphia, NYC, Boston/Somerville) this month, tickets and information are available at Songkick and Bands In Town.

Magana – “Break Free” Single Out Now:

Magana’s “Break Free” single is out now – available on Bandcamp, Spotify, etc. It’s taken from her ‘Teeth’ LP which is out on March 25th.

Huge thanks to Austin Town Hall for premiering the single:

Plus, our thanks to folks like Amplify the Noise, Niche Music, The Whole Kameese, GRRRL Music, The Daily Music Report, and others, for sharing it.

Antihero PR: Max Blansjaar – “Anna Madonna” Single Out Now:

A quick update from the world of Antihero PR, I’m working with Beanie Tapes on the upcoming debut album from Max Blansjaar. ‘False Comforts’ was produced by Katie Von Schleicher and Nate Mendelsohn and will be released on June 21st.

The Anna Madonna single was released yesterday and you can read about it on Brooklyn Vegan:

Plus, great sites like Various Small Flames, Mindies, Acute Pop, Music N Gear, and a bunch of others.


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OUT NOW: Magana – “Paul” (Music Video) / Bedbug & Magana in Hype Machine Charts

As premiered by God Is In The TV, the aching music video for Magana’s gorgeous Paul single is out now.

“Paul” is taking from March 25th’s Teeth LP (pre-order via Bandcamp / follow on Spotify).

You can catch up with Magana through Linktree (or if you’re going to see Mitski on tour soon, be sure to wave!).

Magana and Bedbug both Top 5 on Hype Machine:

We’re also so grateful for all of the support that bedbug and Magana have been receiving. Today both artists are Top 5 in the Hype Machine Most Posted Artists chart (plus making Top 20 appearances in the Popular Now chart).

You can check out some of the brilliant support that Magana’sTeeth (pre-order via Bandcamp / follow via Spotify) and bedbug’s ‘pack your bags the sun is growing’ (pre-order via Disposable America / follow via Spotify) have been receiving below.

Huge thanks to the likes of Pitchfork, NPR Music, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Scotland, Allston Pudding, The Alternative, Atwood Magazine, Various Small Flames, Buzz Bands LA, Music N Gear, Acute Pop, Pure Mzine, Fingertips Music, Start-Track, Austin Town Hall, Double J Radio, The Bridge (NPR Music Kansas City), Spotify’s Fresh Finds and heaps of others for all the support.

Recent Magana and bedbug press:

For more details Audio Antihero PR please go here or follow us on Twitter.


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NEW SINGLES: Magana / My Best Unbeaten Brother / bedbug

It has been a busy week at Audio Antihero Towers:

Magana – “Paul”:

Though Magana is off on tour with Mitski at the moment, the hits keep on coming. Paul,” the latest single from her upcoming Teeth LP is out now:

We’re so grateful to the ever-excellent Various Small Flames for premiering the song:

“Today we have the pleasure of sharing latest single, ‘Paul’. A song where grief is transcribed almost verbatim, and tenderness, strangeness and plain disbelief can exist simultaneously.”

We’re so happy that the new Magana is getting picked up for airplay by Deb Grant and Tom Ravenscroft for BBC 6 Music’s New Music Fix and by Roddy Hart on BBC Radio Scotland. The reviews yesterday were lovely too:

“The solo project of multi-instrumentalist and Bakersfield native Jeni Magaña (bassist for Mitski and Lady Lamb), Magana will release their sophomore album, “Teeth,” on March 25. The grief-stricken “Paul” is the latest of four singles, which cover plenty of sonic and emotional ground.”Buzz Bands LA

“As anticipation builds for the release of “Teeth”, fans can expect a sonic journey unlike any other, as Magana invites them to delve into the depths of her imagination and experience the enchanting world of Witchy Rock firsthand.” –Pure Mzine

“Jeni Magaña, esteemed for her roles as the bassist for Mitski and Lady Lamb, ventures into new sonic territories with ‘Paul,’ blending elements of Witchy Rock, Ghost Pop, and Acid Folk. Embarking on her solo journey, ‘Paul’ showcases Magana’s artistry and her growth as an independent artist.”The Daily Music Report

The single is taken from her ‘Teeth’ LP, which will be released on Monday, the 25th of March, to coincide with the peak illumination of the Worm Moon.

My Best Unbeaten Brother – “Slayer on a Sunny Day”:

After getting some wonderful support from BBC Introducing, the blogosphere and college radio, we decided to put Slayer on a Sunny Day from My Best Unbeaten Brother (ex-Nosferatu D2 / Tempertwig / Superman Revenge Squad) up as a free/PWYW download on Bandcamp.

Here’s a little bit of the lovely press coverage this new project from Ben and Adam Parker and bassist Ben Fry has received so far:

“After a ten year hiatus, the much lauded Parker brothers return to their literate and urgent ouevre with a new band and a new album.”Electric Sound of Joy

“Pairing a racing momentum with droll delivery in an attempt to look on the bright side and make the best of the present moment, no matter how difficult outside forces conspire to make such a mindset.”Various Small Flames

“Something in the song is growling at you instantly; the guitar lines have this edge to them that immediately has you on edge…the anticipation builds for that whole first minute. Then you’ve the seemingly spoken vocal delivery that works through the track as the guitars stab and poke through your speakers; it’s this riotous bit of ramshackle rock n’ roll that’s perfectly balanced to rip through your speakers.”Austin Town Hall

bedbug – “postcard” (Disposable USA):

As you might be aware, Audio Antihero is now providing freelance PR services, with lots of really good stuff coming soon (keep an eye on the Antihero PR Twitter).

One record I’m proud to be working on is bedbug’spack your bags the sun is growing,” which is out March 15th on Disposable USA.

The album’s second (and final) single postcard is out now:

It was premiered in a great interview with Allston Pudding and also accompanied by bedbug’s gorgeous (and hilarious) Reaching Up to Heaven and Just Falling Short: A Bedroom Pop Retrospective essay for Atwood Magazine.

This has been a really fun album to work on with so much more cool stuff to come, but we’ve been ecstatic to get coverage from Pitchfork, NPR Music, Spotify (“Fresh Finds”), Buzz Bands LA, Acute Pop, Austin Town Hall, Spectral Nights, Thoughts Words Action, Get In Her Ears, The Alternative, and lots more.