Underground Sounds with Chad Miller: September 2024
By Chad Miller - Summit FM Music Director
What's everyone been listening to out there? So much new music coming at us, so little time... However, these songs that might fly under the radar to most are what I've been diggin' these past few weeks!
Like what you hear? Please email me at chad@thesummit.fm and let me know what you think!
Father John Misty "I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All"
Even though he emerged on the music scene well over a decade ago, sometimes presenting himself with a smarmy, snarky, and sarcastic persona in relation to his image and music, Josh Tillman—who performs under the name Father John Misty—is still a folk singer at heart with a story to tell. And boy, does he ever on this rambling, shambolic eight-and-a-half-minute epic of a song that takes listeners through many twists and turns, featuring a charmingly jazzy hint of saxophone along the way. Settle in and ride the wave of this track, which appears as the one new song on the career-spanning retrospective album Greatish Hits: I Followed My Dreams and My Dreams Said to Crawl, now available on Sub Pop Records. Naming the new compilation album after a lyric from the new song—one that humorously critiques the concept of greatest hits albums—is perfectly on brand for Father John Misty and his view of the world’s absurdities.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard "Field of Vision"
Last month, at the invitation of a friend and fellow Summit member, I went to see this band in concert for the first time at Jacobs Pavilion. I knew that this Australian band had recently released their 26th album (!!) and had already amassed a huge cult following, so I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. It turned out to be one of the WILDEST concerts I’ve ever attended! The cult following is entirely justified, as the fan base in front of me could barely contain themselves, going wild the entire night as the performance shifted from jam band territory to psychedelic groove rock and ended with sludgy stoner metal. There’s no one best way to dive into the world of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, given their sprawling and overwhelming output of studio albums. However, do yourself a favor and embrace the "silly billy" side by letting this track from their latest album Flight B741, available now on P(doom) Records, wash over you with its crazy energy.
LP Giobbi "Bittersweet" (feat. Portugal The Man)
After making waves in the world of electronic music with her acclaimed 2023 album Light Places, LP Giobbi—the project of Oregon-born Leah Chisholm—has just released a new single from her forthcoming album DOTR, set to drop on October 18 via Counter Records. Featuring Portugal. The Man, this track is a certified banger! A jazz-trained pianist who draws inspiration from the diverse world of jazz, LP Giobbi favors a live and spontaneous collaborative approach to creating her sounds, making her one of the most intriguing and influential DJs today. Additionally, she runs the non-profit organization Femme House, which provides thousands of female and gender-expansive individuals with access to production workshops, online courses, and scholarship programs to address gender disparities in dance music—a truly noble and important cause. If you enjoyed the "Feel It Still" era of Portugal. The Man and are ready to hit the dance floor, this track is definitely for you.
Lucius "Old Tape" (feat. Adam Granduciel)
Holly and Jess of the band Lucius return with their first new song in several years, with a big assist from their friend Adam Granduciel, lead singer and guitarist of the Grammy-winning rock band The War on Drugs. While working on new music in a studio in Los Angeles, Holly and Jess discussed how distracting internal monologues and the chatter in your head can sometimes be overwhelming, and how quieting it all can be a challenge. Crafting a song around this idea with the intent of making it both driving and uplifting, they turned to Granduciel, who gladly contributed his vocals and signature guitar tone. Apparently, there will be a new album from Lucius at some point next year, though that's all we know for now. In the meantime, Lucius will be the opening act on a fall co-headlining tour with The National and The War on Drugs, which will come to Blossom Music Center on September 21 in Cuyahoga Falls.
Pearl Jam "Setting Sun"
Earlier this month, I was in Philadelphia to see my favorite band, Pearl Jam, in concert for the 23rd time—more than any other band I’ve seen live, which is saying something given how many favorites I have. As they tour behind their twelfth album, Dark Matter, no song has stood out to me quite like this one. It can be interpreted in many ways, as many have since its release. Some say it’s about a person talking to a younger version of themselves, while others speculate it’s simply about not living with regrets or what-ifs. However, I see it as a song of loss and the grief that accompanies it. I like to think of it as lead singer Eddie Vedder still grappling with the loss of his dear friend, Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell, in 2017—a loss that hit him particularly hard. It’s also impactful that this song has become a frequent concert closer since the beginning of this year’s first leg of their tour on the West Coast. Traditionally, this spot on the setlist was reserved for the crowd favorite "Yellow Ledbetter." Seriously... I dare you to listen to this song and not get at least a little choked up. It’s so powerful.