Toronto-based band, The Nursery, forges momentous pop music that highlights the grittier side of the genre. Pulling from indie pop and alt rock, their music is driven by steady drum-beats and grounding bass lines, while melodies blend together with vocals and lyrics flirting with epic overtones: “I remember the times we stared into/ eyes of strangers and learned the truth/ I wish I had the power of the moon/ to curve the tides and become immune.” 

The world of music lovers is divided in two categories: those who love pretty songs, and those who seek aural insanity. For the latter, we recommend Spray Paint, an Austin based trio whose sole purpose seems to be creating the most relentlessly tense music conceivable - edgy stuff! The group is also very prolific, having released five LPs in total, two this year alone, the latter (entitled "Doper") while touring the US. Fully dedicated to the cause, that's how you find your audience.

We don't know all too much about what the debut album from duo Rikroshi (formerly Bells and Parks) will be like outside of the info on their Indiegogo page (the campaign wrapped up in June), but if the one available single "Watercolor" is anything to go by, winter 2015 is gonna bring us one hell of a dark, beautifully sulky album. This track is a bit gothy/new wave gloom and a bit of a melody that sounds somewhat folk-Asian inspired, and yet it isn't afraid to really slam on some heavy-ass, big-chord guitar work. The high-pitched wandering voice of singer Tessa Bennecht and said slamming guitar noise complement each other very nicely in "Watercolors," which, as the season changes to something darker and more introspective, feels very apropos to this time of year. It even has a bit of the bittersweetness of the upcoming season that isn't all shadows and cold, but sometimes is bright and cheery as well, when at the end of the track it goes major for just a few fleeting seconds to fade out on a positive note. It's intriguing stuff from an artist pair in the midst of transition, and it feels just right as our world too transitions in these dusky months. Listen below, and get in the darkmonth mood.

Get tipsy off pumpkin beer? Check.
Watch Hocus Pocus and re-realize how awesome it is? Check.
Stress over the whole couples-costume thing? Check.
 

Create a totally badass Halloween playlist featuring some of my favorite local bands? CHECK.

Get in the spirit and give it a listen! -Caroline Bowman

We´re excited to announce the Oakland return of NOBUNNY! This legendary band will be playing Leo´s Music Club on October 22nd. Make sure you wear your dancing shoes and enjoy NOBUNNY´s high energy, super fun live show!

Always clad in a fuzzy (and mildly psychotic-looking) rabbit mask and often wearing little else, NOBUNNY is a one-man pop-punk onslaught whose simple, infectiously hooky tunes and lusty outlook have earned comparisons to the Ramones, Hasil Adkins, and the Cramps, and whose untamed (and sometimes bottomless) stage shows have led some to call him a cuddly version of G.G. Allin. NOBUNNY is the alter ego of Justin Champlin, who was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, and relocated to San Francisco, California.Champlin first made a name for himself as the drummer with garage punks the Okmoniks and later co-founded the Sneaky Pinks, a two-man punk-pop party machine.

Thursday, October 22nd NOBUNNY @ LEO'S MUSIC CLUB 5447 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 8pm // $13 // 18+ TICKETS