NEW MUSIC PLAYLIST UPDATE FOR MAY 4, 2024

East of 8th Playlist Update Collage of Artists — **Artists Added to Playlist Clockwise From Top Left: The Drives, Brother Bird, Saint Social, Helena Hallberg (Photo Credit In Article)**

So, we will admit this should really be called East of 8th’s New-ish Music Playlist update. It might have been stuck in draft mode for a little longer than we want to admit. However, we promise you that the songs we added to the playlist this time around are worth the wait. Without further ado, let’s jump right in and meet the bands:

THE DRIVES: “OVEREDUCATED”

The Drives Band Photo - Credit Ellyn Jameson — The Drives Band Photo – Credit Ellyn Jameson

The phrases “indie rock” and “danceable beat” don’t often go together, but that merger is exactly what we get on “Overeducated” from L.A.’s The Drives. The trio fuses vulnerable lyrical delivery, bright electric guitar riffs, and an infectious drumbeat to make it work.

About the track, frontman Andrew Levin shares: “This song is about how completely lost and directionless I was in my college and post-college years. I remember feeling like I was on this trajectory in school that was leading to the rest of my life, but it wasn’t what I wanted. It was a time in my life where I felt like I was going along with someone else’s plan. I basically had no idea what I wanted in my life. This song is basically about the headspace I was in during that time.”

While the lyrical substance may be contemplative, the delivery remains upbeat, making this a song that will fit on any of your summer playlists.

Connect with The Drives:

SAINT SOCIAL: “SWAGGER”

Saint Social - Credit Turk Photography — Saint Social – Credit Turk Photography

Some rock songs like to start subtle and build in intensity. That’s not Saint Social‘s style on their recent release, “Swagger.” A huge blast of guitar riffs kicks it off and it refuses to lose any energy from there. The vocals scream out for you to sing along and the thundering drum beat dares you to resist nodding along–perhaps even pumping your fist along–to the beat. While the lyrics initially sound full of bravado, you’ll quickly realize that it’s a celebration not a boast: “[It] is a comeback song for someone who has been through it. It’s an underdog anthem,” shares band co-founder Quinn Erwin.

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HELENA HALLBERG: “SURPRISINGLY DISCO”

Helena Hallberg Artist Photo - Credit Anna Haas — Helena Hallberg Artist Photo – Credit Anna Haas

Fresh off her recently released debut LP we bring you “Surprisingly Disco” from Nashville-based, Swedish/Swiss singer-songwriter, Helena Hallberg. While we could have added any of the tracks from her well-crafted, folk-pop record Epithet, this one is just too much fun to pass up.

“‘Surprisingly Disco’ is, ironically and unintentionally, a track that is surprisingly disco for a folk-pop album,” says Hallberg. “It speaks to the parts of ourselves that we suppress for one reason or another. The moment you acknowledge them can feel like a load off your mind, and when we approach these unexpected parts of ourselves with curiosity rather than judgment, it may just turn into a disco party.

Co-written with Marry Bragg, the song feels like a modern take on nostalgic influences. The guitar and strings lead us straight to thoughts of the BeeGees and ABBA. Yet Hallberg’s strong vocals make the song sound bigger and more authentic than the commercial disco that we all remember.

Connect with Helena Hallberg:

BROTHER BIRD: “QUITTER”

Caroline Glaser, professionally known as brother bird blends a touch of shoegaze into her indie rock on the recent single, “quitter.” Coming of her also recently released album, another year, “quitter” takes you on a bit of a musical rollercoaster. Just when you think the song is an indie rock ballad, a flourish of horns makes an appearance or a huge beat dominates your ears, making it something bigger and bolder than a mere ballad. It’s the uniqueness of “quitter” that will grab your attention–you never can quite find a comparison to how it sounds, how it feels. That alone should make it an intriguing pick for any playlist.

Connect with Brother Bird:

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We have also added tracks from two artists who we recently featured in our Bonnaroo 2024 artist spotlights. You can learn more about Chappell Roan and Medium Build in those posts!