News

After more than a decade and 10+ releases on Drag City, Bitchin Bajas continue inventing and ascending to new peaks, as evident in the three slices of sound that coalesce to form the upcoming Isle Peaks release, out this week!

Ahead of that, Bajas have shared a killer live video of Isle Peaks standout "Ajami", filmed at their Los Angeles show at Lodge Room back in February on miniDV tape by Shambling History. Visuals from longtime Bajas compatriot Nick Ciontea only add to... (read more)

We’ve received sad news from next of kin that on July 14th, guitarist Lee Underwoodpassed away, at 88. If you’re a fan of Lee’s music, his writing or his mind, you might have known -- or even sensed, from his work -- he was a heck of a guy, who made a serpentine course and path less traveled in his 88 years.

When we came a-knockin’ for his 1988 cassette-only California Sigh, just a few years ago, he was glad to... (read more)

Cole Berliner is sweeping through town like a cooling autumn breeze blowing through after the long, cruel summer. After US dates in support of Bill Callahan, Cole is hitching a ride on Cory Hanson's European tour, opening up The Black Door's sequence of musical transformation: rich-grained instrumental parlor music, blending the modes and vibes of country, blues, ambient and folk into one great ambient prairie.

Cole Berliner's debut solo long player The Black Door is out now, and don't miss this... (read more)

Six Organs of Admittancehas been touring under the Drag City banner since 2005, yet we can count on one hand the amount of times he’s gone out in support of another artist on tour. It’s not really a thing he usually does. But when Steve Von Till, of the venerable Neurosis, asked Ben if he’d like to hit the road for a handful of dates with Steve, Ben said yes without hesitation. Steve and Ben have been in contact since Steve originally... (read more)

An adaptive sense of 'post-punk' may be the most 'way' to file Chicago's Axis: Sova, the trio of Brett Sova, Jeremy Freeze, and Josh Johannpeter, who've been expanding listener's lids, and their own, for over a decade. The broad definitions of rock and its branches are rich krovvy that froths in Axis: Sova's veins, and they enjoy progressive tactics when spilling it. Today, they announce their sharpest-sounding recording to date, Flowerage, with the aptly titled lead single, "Blow Up", accompanied by... (read more)

Bright Madness is the third album from the pinch-me-is-this-real improvising trio of Wendy Eisenberg, David Grubbs, and Bonner Kramer. Fresh off their 2025 Big Ears appearance, SQUANDERERS slid on over to Kramer’s adopted hometown of Asheville, North Carolina and laid down the glorious afternoon’s worth of instant compositions that stands before you. It’s the sound of Eisenberg, Grubbs, and Kramer doing their damned est to dazzle one another, from shell-game sleights of hand to the effortless beauty of “Theme for the Casino at... (read more)

In the wake of 2025's acclaimed Inland See, Bitchin Bajas ascend to higher ground with the Isle Peaks EP! Isle Peaks was initially released as a 2-song Qobuz exclusive, but Bitchin Bajas are a band of the people, for the people - and the people demanded its availability everywhere! Set for release on August 28th on vinyl, cassette, and digital, the 12" EP and cassette feature "Watch Your Step", an exclusive track not included on the Qobuz version or any digital platform. Listen to... (read more)

Keen listeners who have dug below the surface of Oren Ambarchi’s triple-digit discography know that alongside hypnotic minimalism, veins of irreverent and joyously wayward exploration run deep. Cooked, out September 25, might just be the wildest ride he's taken us on yet. Listen to an excerpt of the first side, "Hidden Tableau," out today.

Beginning with piano ripples from Eiko Ishibashi, after only a few seconds “Hidden Tableau” takes an unexpected turn with the entrance of a... (read more)

Burnin' rubber and breaking the sound barrier, Ty and his band are blitzing through the end times in an armored vehicle of destruction: that is, Chrome, their new album done up DIRTY & due out August 28. Today, Ty & co. unleash a new single, "Running to Nowhere," with new tour stops in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil mapped out for 2026.

Uncorking rock moods, shades and existential basement raves, "Running to Nowhere" is a combo of hammering, haunted fuzz verses with a... (read more)

Here comes Prison, barreling down the road with a massive new record hitched behind 'em! Their third big one, Big Rigs on the BQE, finds our sonic disruptors far and ahead of their past two LPs, compelled to dream LOUD this time around. Ahead of the album's July 31 release date, Prison drop today a new single edit, "Sunset Park," with a music video.

Looking out the window towards the mighty highway as they played, our Prisoners took in a heavy... (read more)