ifitbeyourwill Podcast #184 • Mallory Hawk

Some debut albums arrive with the urgency of a first statement. Chinook feels different—it carries the weight of years spent listening, collaborating, and quietly becoming. On this episode, Mallory Hawk reflects on a childhood soundtracked by records and military helicopters, the winding road through New York's DIY underground, and the moment she stopped writing for everyone else and trusted her own instincts. It's a thoughtful conversation about memory, resilience, and the beautiful uncertainty that fuels great songs.

https://www.malloryhawk.art/

To produce Chinook, Hawk tapped like-mindedly omnivorous musician Sam Acchione (Alex G, Jessica Lea Mayfield), whom she’d befriended during her tenure in Customer. The two often spent hours trading liner notes minutiae, resulting in a collaboration that weaves songwriting idiosyncrasies with two lifetimes of radio scholarship. Hawk joined Acchione in Philadelphia to track at storied Headroom Studios (Hop Along, Algernon Cadwallader). There, she contributed tons of layers to Chinook—bass, drum machine, organ, rhythm and lead guitars—while Acchione encouraged unexpected overdubs like flugelhorn and djembe. 

Good Time Mystery Vision • Glimpse • 2026

Glimpse is caked in instrumental extravagance. The guitars are boisterous and riffy, with each track capstoned by a good ol’ fashioned face-melter of a solo that sweeps you up, spits you out, and leaves you drifting in its wake, craving more. The lyrics dance with Syd Barrett-style whimsy, carried by vocal harmonies that sparkle with the road-worn charm of The Grateful Dead. Underneath it all, an Allman Brothers-esque texture of keys glues the arrangements together, while a relentless rhythm section keeps you moving and swaying, grounding your body in the grass beneath your toes even as your mind floats far above. ST

Mallory Hawk • Chinook • 2026

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ifitbeyourwill Podcast #178 • Second Body

Montreal’s Second Body returns with up and coming release Gift Horse, a record born from curiosity, confidence, and the willingness to let songs become something unexpected. In this conversation, songwriter and former drummer Yann explores the leap from the back of the stage to the front, the creative freedom found in surrendering control, and the balancing act of music, family, and everyday life. We dive into songwriting as discovery, the vibrant Montreal music community, and why some of the best songs arrive when you simply keep showing up and listening.

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Sister Ray Davie • Big Ships (Live Guitar Armada Version) • 2026

 

https://linktr.ee/sisterraydavies

Holy Island Baby plays around with the original tracks in fascinating ways. Pye Corner Audio has made new shapes out of both ‘Aidan’ and ‘Morning Bell’; the former with a harder, Suicide-style approach, the latter elevating the almost ambient nature of the original.

“This version of ‘Aidan’ found new space, new depths, new melodies and new rhythms,” enthuses Adam. “While the mix of ‘Morning Bell’ carries the song into a whole new, mythic place.

“The EP adds extra layers to the original album. We’re aware that it’s a short record, so having some additional tracks to dive into feels like a way to extend your stay in that space as a listener. There is more down the rabbit hole. Genre collapses a bit, too, which is great.”

MAD HONEY • “MOSHFEGHIAN” • 2026

Mad Honey announced their new record last month with “Reaching” and “Marie’s Song,” permeating the band’s sound with their growth and friendship. Stereogum shared the news, praising the new songs by saying, “‘Reaching’ is a soft and detached chug… 'Marie's Song' is the one that really convinced me to post this one. It's a soft, longing slowcore lullaby with some absolutely shattering vocals from bandleader Tuff Sutcliffe.”

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The Brook & The Bluff • Get By • 2026

 

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“Fun, radiant, and irresistibly spirited”

- Atwood Magazine

 

“Full-on classic rock 'n' roll for this project, channeling inspirations like The Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Tom Petty. The record is sewn together by four-part harmonies and a high-voltage sound.”

- The Tennessean

 

“True to form, the bright, driving energy of the music contrasts sharply with the bittersweet ache of the lyrics.”

- Melodic Magazine

 

“The Brook & The Bluff are back, and they clearly intend to be heard...Although rock has always been

part of their DNA, this time they’ve thrown diesel on the fire."

- Americana Highways

 

"One of their most compelling records to date…It’s louder, bolder, and built for bigger rooms — yet still

grounded in the harmonies that got them here."

- Glide

Susan O'Neill & Valerie June • 'For What It's Worth’ • 2026

Stephen Stills wrote this classic 1967 Buffalo Springfield protest song in response to the 1966 Sunset Strip curfew riots. The timeless lyrics conveyed the generation gap and the efforts to oppress those who do not conform to societal norms. The tune became a universal anthem of human rights that expanded beyond eras, demographics, and specific movements. The tune’s continued relevance is highlighted by this recent reworking by  Susan O’ Neill & Valerie June. The video also includes clips of protest movements over the years. All proceeds of the song go to Amnesty International. protest music

Courtney Barnett • Site Unseen ft. Waxahatchee • 2026

https://www.courtneybarnett.com.au/

ifitbeyourwill S06E16 • Tiberius

A clarinet in fourth grade doesn’t usually lead to fuzz pedals, pedal steel, and a packed tour van, but that’s the path Brendan Wright of Tiberius traces on Troubadour. We start with the spark—how a quiet kid found a home in melody—and follow the trail to the moment those bedroom songs finally stepped into stage lights. Through it all runs one through-line: honesty. The kind that feels safe when you’re singing alone, and the kind that feels a little dangerous when a room goes silent to hear it.

Brendan talks about walking that line between catharsis and the reality of sharing their work. They used to write like they were passing secret notes to themself. Now the notes have to breathe among strangers. They open up about shifting from super-specific diary lines to lyrics built around wider feelings—anxiety, persistence, the weird fog of transition—so more people can slip inside the songs. It doesn’t dull anything; it actually sharpens it. You can hear it in a line like “Why do I try to keep on trying?” and in the way the band lets silence hang before a chorus hits.

We dig into the making of Troubadour, from the piece-by-piece construction of Fish in a Pond to focused sessions at The Record Co. in Boston. Drummer Ben Curell, bassist Kelven “KP” Polite , and guitarist Christian Pace helped pull the songs into their live shape, with Nate Scaringi behind the board helping the drums land just right. The result is a sound Brendan jokingly calls “farm emo”—folk bones, a little country dust, and an emo heart—wrapped in those loud-quiet-loud dynamics that feel as much Neil Young as they do modern indie. It’s tender one moment, towering the next, built for small rooms that don’t stay small for long.

We close on motion. The northeast run—Burlington, Portland, Boston, Albany, Philly, New York—feels like both a celebration and a goodbye to a set they’ve lived inside for two years. New songs are forming. Brendan’s headspace is shifting again. That’s the promise here: a record that captures exactly where Tiberius is right now, and an artist already leaning toward whatever comes next.

If this one hits you, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a cathartic chorus, and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners discover Tiberius and stories like this.

FGA • The Space Between Days • 2025

https://linktr.ee/fgaband

FGA is the sonic brainchild of Freddie Gibbs, a Texas-born artist who has carved a path through raw DIY roots into something both nostalgic and forward-looking. His music carries the DNA of ‘90s alternative rock while injecting enough grit and character to keep it firmly planted in the present. On The Space Between Days, Freddie leans into fuzz-drenched guitars, heavy grooves, and unfiltered emotion, delivering an EP that balances heaviness and melody in equal measure. mrw

https://fgaband.com/

Bec Lauder and The Noise • Nobody Cares • 2025

Bec Lauder and the Noise is a three-piece rock band born in the East Village of Manhattan. Frontwoman Bec Lauder alternates between guitar and bass while delivering sultry, siren-like vocals. She’s joined by lead guitarist Soph Shreds, whose dynamic and groove-driven guitar and bass lines add depth and intensity to the band’s sound. On drums is Maggie Bishop, the heartbeat of the group, known for her masterful blend of breakbeats and classic rock rhythms. Maggie also contributes powerful vocal harmonies that elevate Bec’s lead vocals.

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Living Hour • Wheel • 2025

Winnipeg indie rock heavyweights Living Hour are back with their fourth full-length album, Internal Drone Infinity set for October 17 via newly signing with Paper Bag Records in Canada and via Keeled Scales + Beloved Records in the rest of the world. Known for their lush fusion of dream-pop and shoegaze, on Internal Drone Infinity, Living Hour transforms the passage of time into something both urgent and sacred. Anchored by Sam Sarty’s vivid lyricism, shaped by years as a projectionist conjuring stories in a dark theatre, the band explores the quiet magic hidden in everyday life. Their fourth album drifts between dreamy noise rock, folky slowcore, and fuzzy indie-pop, coining a genre all their own: “yearn-core.” With wistful vocals, textural distortion,and poetic detail, Living Hour capture the ache of memory, the mess of feeling, and the beauty in what remains. PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE the record HERE.

Adwaith • Heddiw Yfory • 2025

"'Heddiw / Yfory' is a deeply nostalgic song that captures the intense bond we have with places that shaped us. It reflects on the comfort and familiarity of returning home, where even the simplest things—like gazing out a bedroom window or walking familiar paths—can evoke a powerful sense of belonging.

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Icarus Phoenix • Pedantic Myopia • 2025

 

“sweeping emotional powerhouse...it's the sincerity in the lyricism that just keeps you coming back”     - Nathan Lankford/Austin Town Hall

“thematically rich and melodically captivating”                                                                                                        - Mike Mineo/Obscure Sound

"epic piece of art that will instantly capture your heart and soul in all of the right ways"                                        - Langen Goldstien/Girl at the Rock Shows

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TW Walsh • Wilderness • 2024

ifitbeyourwill S04E02 • Sumner Bright of The Clearwater Swimmers

What drives an artist to bare their soul on stage, and how does that vulnerability shape their musical journey? Join us as we sit down with Sumner Bright of Clearwater Swimmers to uncover the transformative experiences that have brought his music to life. Sumner shares candid memories from his high school performance days, the formative role of mentorship, and the pivotal moments in college that led to the birth of his band. His authentic storytelling offers a rare glimpse into the personal challenges and victories that have defined his path as a musician.

Sumner takes us behind the scenes of the Clearwater Swimmers' creative process, from rekindling a college friendship with bandmate Sander to embarking on a spontaneous mini tour in the Northeast. With vivid reflections, Sumner recounts their exhilarating recording sessions at Big Nice studio, where engineer Bradford Krieger helped them capture a raw, live sound over three intense days. We also delve into the deeper themes of their music—memory, loss, and the passage of time—each woven together like water flowing through a valley. This episode promises a heartfelt and poetic exploration of artistic growth, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about music and life's ever-flowing journey.

linktr.ee/theclearwaterswimmers

 

Girl Gordon • "Corruptor” EP • 2024

The EP’s influences span foundational bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Placebo, and Nirvana, while also drawing upon heavyweights from the past ten years like Mannequin Pussy, Wednesday, and Drug Church. Recorded, mixed, and engineered in the Girl Gordon basement by Cory Linman, Corruptor’s DIY ethos allowed for an exploratory creative approach unfettered by limited studio time. New riffs emerged months in, vocal harmonies developed through live performance, and large cuts of improvised noise were recorded to be mined and arranged later.

Redshift Headlights • If You Are Around Still • 2024

Wisconsin indie-rockers Redshift Headlights completed tracking their fourth studio album with legendary recording engineer Steve Albini in March of 2024. Albini passed away two months later. The self-released album, entitled If You Are Around Still, comes out Friday, July 12th, 2024 on their redshiftheadlights.bandcamp.com page and via all streaming and online platforms. The 9-song album blends influences from rock, country, progressive rock genres and explores life, love, loss, and nostalgia. The album marks a shift toward rock and away from the more layered and orchestral pop arrangements from their previous three records.

All songs on the album were written collaboratively by the four core longtime members of the band, Stephen McCabe (vocals/guitar), Dean Hoffman (vocals/bass), Jay Spanbauer (guitar), and Justin Mitchell (keyboards). Chris Sasman joined the band in summer of 2023 after most of the songs had already been written but he breathed new life into each.

The album's first single "If You Are Around Still" will be accompanied by a music video recorded at Electrical Audio and featuring the band and all engineers, including Steve Albini. Glide Magazine will be premiering the video in the U.S. Friday, June 12th and Spill Magazine will run the Canadian premiere on Monday, June 15th.

Recorded by Steve Albini and Lauren "Mac" McDonald at Electrical Audio in Chicago on March 8th and 9th, 2024

ifitbeyourwill S03 E30 • Las Nubes

On this episode of ifitbeyourwill podcast we feature indie punk outfit Las Nubes, a Miami band who discuss their music career and much anticipated upcoming album. Frontperson Ale Campos has collaborated with prominent figures like Iggy Pop and their music is known for its emotional depth and cathartic energy. The upcoming album "Tormentus Mausanus" is a culmination of Ale's experiences during the pandemic, a divorce, and finding oneself admits shifting times, set to be released on June 14th. Enjoy 🎙️ 

https://www.lasnubesband.com/

After years of touring and recording sessions all over the US and Mexico, the Miami-based Las Nubes return with ‘Tormentas Malsanas,’ a multilingual sonic explosion of Garage Pop, Shoegaze, Dream Pop, and Punk. The album’s lead single was released by the Thurston Moore-owned Ecstatic Peace / Daydream Library label, and their past work has been praised by, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR: Alt.Latino, Rolling Stone, IDIOTEQ, BBC 6 Music and Talkhouse, as well as Iggy Pop, who even penned the album cover’s hype quote. 

“Las Nubes are far and away the hottest band in Miami, and the most socially relevant. Like the children and the young at heart across North and South America, they rock from the soul, covered in tattoos and attitude. They represent an uncompromising lifestyle trend that is the future. They’re fucking loud, too.” – IGGY POP (Tormentas Malsanas Hype Sticker Quote)

“[T]he perfect soundtrack for a long afternoon in your bedroom, waiting for something larger than us to heal.” – NPR ALT.LATINO

“Las Nubes’ undeniably catchy songs transition from melancholy dream pop to blistering punk rock as easily as their lyrics do from English to Spanish.” – TALKHOUSE

“It’s hazy indie-punk that fans of Wavves, Best Coast, Vivian Girls, etc may not want to sleep on.” – BROOKLYN VEGAN

‘Tormentas Malsanas’ translates to “unhealthy storms,” a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the reality of living through Miami summers. Similar to the way a clear day turns gray, the new album addresses common and uncommon struggles through the energetic buoyancy of Las Nubes’s trademark loud as hell, garage pop sound. The heavy emotions addressed through the lyrics crossed with their vibrant and dynamic instrumental arrangements give the album a sense of hopefulness that reminds listeners: even the most turbulent moments don’t last forever.