SOTW: Swans

WEEK 3 Swans artist: Laura Carbone album: Sirens As former frontwoman of German electro-pop punk band Deine Jugend, Carbone kills it in her first solo album, where she forgets every electronic association, adds an extra layer of black eyeliner, and reaches deep into her 90s memories for this 145 bpm head-nodder. She channels 90s, but…

SOTW: Assossamagh

WEEK 2 Assossmagh artist: Imarhan album: Imarhan The vastness of the desert escapes me as my joints inexplicably move to the modern Saharan rock beats of this sextet from Tamanrasset, Algeria, singing in a language I don’t know, but I understand the bluesy, gritty spirit. Someday, this song will be played at the opening of the edgiest western film, but until then, me and my groovy, sunglasses-clad caravan…

SOTD: Formidable

Thursday, Nov. 10 Formidable artist: La Bronze album: Formidable (single) Drawn by free tacos and beer at a SXSW venue earlier this year, fate led us to La Bronze, where the power of her voice and art of her spirit compelled us to stand in awe. She spoke of the joy in being alive and bid…