Writing about things that do and don't exist
Alvin Row's latest release, Small Feelings, conveys emotions that are hard to place. While tranquil grooves, warm, floaty synths, and naturalistic samples drive a number of the pieces on Small Feelings, "What You Do To Me" hits like a blissed-out rave held inside an arcade. As drum-and-bass style percussion twists itself into knotty patterns, digital … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Alvin Row – What You Do To Me
If you enjoyed reading about stuff that exists (Pittsburgh music), consider reading about stuff that doesn’t necessarily exist! ### "Havana Syndrome" "Properties of the Cage" - published in Pinky Thinker Press (Editor's Choices Edition, 2025) "A Company Man" - published in BULL (2025) "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" - published in The Twin Bill … Continue reading Fiction Writing
Erin Dawson returns with her second release as Genital Shame, a project that pushes the boundaries of black metal. When you think of black metal, you might picture corpse-painted warlocks burning churches in Norway, but Erin Dawson approaches the art form as a self-described "simple trans woman from the hills of West Virginia." Gathering My … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Genital Shame – Gay Bar Bleach
The Petals recently released Indigo Armor, the culmination of four years' worth of work. Where The Petals' last album, 2019's Seven Stops, was noisy and climactic, Indigo Armor is delicate, like something emerging from a cocoon. Dreamy atmospheres and glistening tones abound. "Evening Has Broken," the last single released before the album proper, floats atop … Continue reading Daily Yinz – The Petals – Evening Has Broken
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### The Harry Von Zells - Reinvent Myself Driving rock tune that confronts, head-on, the strange, uncomfortable, frustrating practice of pulling thoughts from one's head and putting them on a page in discernible order. More from The Harry Von Zells ### … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 05.12.23
The lo-fi artist continues to explore an array of styles and sounds. Where last August's music for the kind hearted featured whimsical bedroom fare, and September single "IDK" shone with a synthy gloss, "Escape" runs a ukulele through an army's worth of guitar pedals and layers the resulting colorful goop over motorik drums. The riffs … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Bri Dominique – Escape
Morning Dew are a blistering emo two-piece whose second album, Pulp, came out in April. Pulp is as raw an expression of grief and emotional turmoil as you'll hear. It's a flare sputtering and screaming into the sky from a sinking ship; trebly riffs, racing drums, and howls of anguish fight each other for space … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Morning Dew – Suture Kit
The dreamy quartet returns with its first single of 2023. "Fall / Awake" builds slowly, starting with meandering drums and guitar arpeggios that cascade and glimmer like a moonlit waterfall; Sharon Mok curls her voice around the backing instruments with the gentle touch of a fine mist. Over time, the song coalesces into a swirling, … Continue reading Daily Yinz – The Real Sea – Fall / Awake
Zack Keim returns with a sepia-toned new single called "Better Days." With a refrain like, "I remember better days/Long before I lost my way," you might expect this song to be a leaning-on-the-bar, cigarette-burnt-down-to-the-fingers weeper, but the music itself, full of jangling tambourine, sprightly bass, energetic guitar strums, and soaring harmonies, conjures hope that the … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Zack Keim – Better Days
A few words about a few local tracks that hit the spot this week ### Great American Racer - Desire The opener to a concept album inspired by the drug addictions that ravish Rust Belt towns, this one uses stargazing guitar chords and weary vocals to convey a sense of plaintive desperation in a way … Continue reading Weekly Wrap-Up 04.28.23
Bored In Pittsburgh 