The Fierce & The Dead: "Show Me Devon: Live At Kozfest 2019" on CD

Experimental avant-garde prog quartet The Fierce & The Dead are reissuing their Show Me Devon: Live At Kozfest 2019 album, which will now also be available on CD for the first time: "It was a special moment for guitarist Matt Stevens, They were booked to perform on the 2018 edition, but on the day they were were scheduled to play he was being treated for cancer. This might explain the added level of intensity that is apparent during this show as if they were making up for lost time. (...) They left the in-between songs banter in place this time, making it a real-time snapshot of the band who finally got their long overdue recognition as a major player in prog loving circles."

Blue Bayou: Hide & Seek

English chamber pop quintet Blue Bayou get funky on their new single Hide & Seek, with bouncing keyboards and guitar setting up a conversation that is uncannily catchy. There is a bit of vintage Pulp in there, sans the sardonic wit of Jarvis Cocker, but endearing innocence is the way to go for this cheerful tune about the push and pull of two people trying to find out if the other party is interested.

Custard Flux: tour dates

Detroit based psychedelic rock band Custard Flux will be opening for Gong in Portland and Eugene. They go out on their own too, promoting their new album Enter Xenon, due for release on June 1.

Curtis Eller's American Circus: "Goddamn Loser" video

Neo-vaudeville folk outfit Curtis Eller's American Circus have made a video for Goddamn Loser, a track from their Another Nice Mess album. All of the band, except drummer Andy Lyth who was in the UK in Manchester, had a lot of fun at the Bull Tiki speakeasy in Durham, NC. They made the best of the absense of their band mate, by inserting footage of him making a call from a classic phone booth in England. Filmed by Graham Wolfson (Durham) and Saffy Lyth (Greater Manchester).

Crossword Smiles: Puppets

Detroit indie pop duo Crossword Smiles tried their hand at covering Depeche Mode's Puppets. For an outfit with an optimistic outlook on life, this must have been quite challenge. It shouldn't have worked, but it did. Their power pop take on the tale of a rather scary guy being in control turned the song into twisted love song. It would be cool if they play it as a surprise at the record release show for their Consequences & Detours album.