The (Local) Fresh Five: Prize Horse, embalmingEva, Ian Forkey, Slut Intent, and Speed Riders
For the Fresh Five we pick out five great new(ish) jams that we’re currently obsessing over. All of these songs come from local (Minnesota) bands/artists.
I am a bit late to the Prize Horse party – their most recent album Under Sound (stream) came out almost exactly a year ago. I am glad I caught on though – the trio is super talented. The latest record is a heavy, melancholy mix of alternative rock and grunge that reminds me (at least instrumentally) heavily of groups I came up on in the 90’s like Alice In Chains, The Melvins, etc.
embalmingEva is composed of childhood best friends Jesse Hatten & Galalee Wright who have been working creatively together for most of their lives. The duo recently released their debut album unclean (stream) and video for the title track (above). Hatten & Wright approach their process with a DIY ethos – writing, producing, mastering, and self-releasing their own work. Their vibe is synthy experimental dance pop with some electronic texturing and processed vocals.
The new video for local artist Ian Forkey’s single “A Squishy Place” prompted a single (perfect) comment on youtube: “Very cool video! Like if drugs were spookier.” It’s a rare occurence of the internet getting it right on the nose. Forkey’s work is indeed trippy, intense, and has undertones of unease. “A Squishy Place” comes from his most recent album Portrait of a Weird Man (stream) which contains eleven examples of Forkey’s singular sound.
Slut Intent’s new single “Hand Sanitizer” crossed my radar at just the right time. It feels like a hard counter-punch to Trump’s recent EO on gender identity. I honestly can’t understand the lyrics and don’t know if they are overtly political but it also feels like just existing as a non-apologetic trans femme hardcore punk band is inherently political. There is a lot of angry screaming (which is what I feel like doing) and I am here for it.
Speed Riders are a Minneapolis psychedelic punk/grunge band that recently released their debut self-titled LP. The record has some great tracks – even if the recording quality doesn’t always fully showcase that. “Heavy Dreamer” is a great example. I want to hear it louder! I’ll bet that these guys are a great live show.
