Weekly Playlist (2/5/2025)

Photo Courtesy of MJ Lenderman Official Instagram

Bryce Russell | Art & Entertainment Editor

“Wristwatch” – MJ Lenderman

I don’t know how I just found MJ Lenderman, but I’m very happy I have. One of the most exciting acts to hit the indie rock scene, Lenderman, mixing country with indie rock, sounds like a modern day Uncle Tupelo and Wilco. Having exploded in popularity after the release of his newest album back in September and playing on both Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert’s late night shows, I think Lenderman is set to be the next big thing. I’ve also just been obsessed with this song for the last week.

“She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinking Doubles)” – Gary Stewart / Wednesday

For this song, I couldn’t pick which version to share. Gary Stewart’s original was released on his 1975 album Out of Hand, and has that classic 1970s honky tonk country feel with smooth steel guitar and Stewart’s signature country twang (he’s also from Kentucky like me so I have to share it). Indie / alt rock band Wednesday (featuring MJ Lenderman) covered the song on their 2022 album Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ‘em Up, and it sounds as if the Smashing Pumpkins or maybe My Bloody Valentine made a country song. Still featuring steel guitar, but this time distorted and hectic with the energy of a shoegaze band, their version of “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)” is a cover that pays homage to the original while making it something totally new.

“Downtown Train” – Tom Waits

I knew I wanted to highlight a Tom Waits song on this week’s list, but it was really hard to narrow it down to which one. Tom Waits is one of those artists that has had so many different personas, it’s hard to figure out which one will resonate with people. “Downtown Train” comes off of one of my favorite albums, 1985’s Rain Dogs. The song is one of Waits’ most popular, so I figured it would probably be the right choice to highlight on this list. With buttery smooth electric guitar riffs juxtaposed with Waits’ graveled voice, “Downtown Train” elicits the vibe of being lost in a big city late at night as the trains go past, which is exactly what Waits was going for.

“I’m Glad” – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

Tom Waits took his signature growling vocals from Captain Beefheart. I don’t think that takes anything from Waits, but only adds to Captain Beefheart’s influence. One of the leading avant-garde artists of the late 1960s, the Captain is most well known for his 1969 album Trout Mask Replica. That album is regarded as significant in music history, but is one of the most divisive of all time, with some people thinking that Captain Beefheart’s decision to throw any semblance of traditional music out the window as genius, while others come to the conclusion that the band just can’t play their instruments. However, “I’m Glad” is a blues infused soul song that comes off of his debut 1967 album Safe As Milk, and is a much easier listening experience.

“Sometimes” – Carriers

Carriers is the name of the current indie rock project by Cincinnati’s Curt Kiser. Still relatively unknown in the broader indie rock scene, “Sometimes” is one of two singles that have been released for his upcoming album Every Time I Feel Afraid. The new album will be Carriers first on the Brassland record label, which was founded by a music journalist and two members of indie rock pioneers The National. The album is set to feature members of indie rock superstars the National and the War on Drugs, and I think will be the thing that pushes Carriers into the spotlight.

“Bug” – Fontaines D.C.

Fontaines D.C. should have won the Grammy for best rock album. The Rolling Stones are fantastic, the greatest rock band of all time, but Fontaines D.C.’s last album Romance was phenomenal. While not as good as 2022’s Skinty Fia (which would be hard to do because that album is perfect), Romance’s success both commercially and critically has been huge for a post-punk / alternative rock album of its nature. “Bug” is a fantastic song off the album and features a vibe similar to mid-1980s The Cure. If you like it, I’d definitely recommend you give the rest of the album a listen.