31 December 2023 - Slothrust - Pony

Why did we end 2023 on this blog with an unknown band covering a 90's R&B classic that isn't about horses?

Because we can.  And also, because it's incredible.  

18 December 2023 - Rolling Quartz x AleXa - Pink Drop

I'm not going to lie.  Today's feature was SUPPOSED to be the other blog.

As part of my process, I look for live performances of the featured song.  And, I found one.  I was looking for a second and I found a full performace by the band.... which I decided to watch.

This mashup cover of "Pink Venom" by BLACKPINK and "MIC Drop" by BTS was featured in that performance.   It blew me away.  

So, I started looking for the cover individually.... and I found it.... not realizing that it was not just a live thing, but something the band ACTUALLY did, with AleXa coming in to share vocals with Jayoung.  AleXa is a Korean-based performer from (checks notes) Oklahoma, and is best known as the winner of the NBC competition series American Song Contest.

Of course, AleXa has her own career and can't tour with Rolling Quartz all the time, despite being unofficially called the band's 6th member.  Jayoung, however, is perfectly capable of shouldering the vocals herself.

14 December 2023 - CSS - Madonna Dos Infernos

Actually, this is why.

This is why we posted this.   And it's a confusing one.

Brazilian remixers CSS actually rerecorded "Hollywood".

It's not high art.  It's screechy, and features a very excited Lovefoxxx on both vocals and in the video.  It is quite clear that they redid the song.

But they did something remarkable after that. They took Madonna's song and mashed it up with their own, titling it "Madonna Dos Infenos".  

Is it original?  Is it a cover?  Is it a remix?  Yes.

11 December 2023. - Weezer - Brain Stew

Weezer brought us the Green Day power ballad we didn't know we needed.   They took what I consider to be their greatest song, and turned it into.... well, a sadder song.  Wild ride, but worth taking.   The piano takes the place of the guitar in this version.

Enjoy it.

8 December 2023 - RAC ft. Pink Feathers - Dangerous / Big Data ft. Lizy Ryan - Let Go

Lately, I've been buying more vinyl records than I used to - which prompted Courtney to ask me why.  I blamed the bad influence of Scott Colvin.

Anyway, the latest purchase was a double-A side split single by Big Data and RAC, where they cover each other's songs.  So, yes, this song was originally done by Big Data (with Rochester, NY band Joywave as guests).  RAC brought Boston-based performer Liz Derstein, who goes by Pink Feathers when performing non-classical music, along for the vocals.  

I put this first because 1) the original is one of my favorite songs of the moment 2) I liked it better than the other side.  

The other side is Big Data covering the best-known song by RAC, with Lizy Ryan - who is a frequent live stand-in for Daniel Armbruster on "Dangerous" already - stands in for MNDR and Kele on the vocals.

I liked the other side better, but this is still really good.  And yes, the original is also one of my favorite songs.  

1 December 2023 - The Linda Lindas - Rebel Girl

We've been sitting on this fantastic Bikini Kill cover by The Linda Lindas for quite some time.  Performed in the movie Moxie! (like this song was), this band really seems to understand the riot grrl sound.

I'm frankly blown away.