Author: Casey Gallenberger

Sam Ule (the moniker of Samuel Schmidt) is in an Indiana-based songwriter fresh off the press with his debut single. “Paint” glistens piano-pop sensibility, the kind of song that feels theatrical and upbeat. Sam Ule draws comparisons to Jason Mraz and Jon Bellion, making use of careful electro-acoustic arrangements that are warm and captivating. More music is on the way shortly. Check out Sam Ule on Instagram for updates. … Continued →

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and do not reflect all of the IVM staff. Orthodoxy isn’t cool, and non-Christians make better music than Christians. Now, I don’t seriously believe this – but it may as well be the mission statement underlying most formerly-professing-Christian artists. David Bazan seems to deftly annihilate the creation account in a single verse. Derek Webb parodies the liturgical experience with a song about alcohol. Bands like Animal Flag seem to dismantle the character of God. Motherfolk said next to nothing on their spiritual changes before writing an album that simply states there is no God.… Continued →

Consider the Thief may be defunct for over a decade, but their eponymous Signs and Wonders still stands as a captivating, experimental work that blends Water-era Thrice with the band’s own flavor of post-hardcore. While the whole album is solid, The “Lost Son” is a great starting point for new listeners.  … Continued →

Boreas is far from a gentle, stereotypical winter-themed release. It has been tested by negative-degree temperatures. It has been refined in a viking furnace. It sees the Heaths adorned in makeshift bear pelt armor ready for battle. The Oh Hellos may have been in hibernation, but they've woken up roaring. 

As fall approaches, things feel a bit in flux. However, this year has dragged on and the days have inevitably started to blur together all the same. Strategic captures this sentiment well on “Changing Seasons”, an acoustic departure from his typical pop-punk style. It’s an earnest cry out to God in the midst of an uncertain world, a feeling that rings true for many of us right now. Check it out below: If you liked this, check out our playlist of similar songs: … Continued →

I remember my first encounter with John Lucas – his eponymous A Thousand Cathedrals feels like it’s from a different era now, as he’s has gone from an under-the-radar act to boasting almost a quarter-million monthly listeners on Spotify. Though he plays only a handful of shows a year, his music is making the rounds. And frankly, it’s not heard to see why. Kovasckitz (his proper last name) has a certain gift when it comes to songwriting. His amorphous brand of folk, Americana, and chamber pop never has quite the same flavor between releases.… Continued →

We’ve put together a “coffee house” vibes playlist featuring smaller acoustic acts and larger chamber pop groups. Examples include Josh Garrels, Tow’rs, and Future of Forestry – but there are a lot of up and coming and independent artists thrown into the mix as well. These are hopefully, liturgical pieces and soothing proclamations of hope. Feel like we missed something? Let us know in the comments. Check out the playlist here and be sure to follow it! … Continued →

Enchanting. It’s a word that sums up only a few truly moving albums; ones that shine lyrically, consist of artisan songcraft, and thrive off a powerful emotional response. I won’t mince words – Former Ruins offers all of this and more. Levi Dylan Sikes crafts cascading songs with The National-esque vocals and captivating folk and alt-country arrangements. It’s a solo project, but much in the same way The Winston Jazz Routine was; these songs are full, emotive, and daringly forward in their lyrical content. Undeniably, I care about lyrics more than the average person.… Continued →

Kevin Schlereth is a certified dude. His existence strides the line between nomadic and genius. He sports a bushy mustaches and wears dad hats and red shorts. Along with compatriot Jay Costlow, and with the rest of the Schlereth clan in tow, this musical collective is rarely in stasis (save for the past few months). They’ve become known for their relentless touring, seemingly-endless connections, and tight-knit, living room performances. Musically, the experience is a bit singer-songwriter and a bit indie rock. Lyrically, the crew draw their influences from New Testament Scriptures.… Continued →

Kevin Schlereth has become a bit of a household (or more appropriately, house show) name over the past couple years due to his relentless touring, his intimate songs, and his community-based approach to music. Alembic, an archaic word referring two connected vessels, is an appropriate title for this forthcoming collection of songs. This time, Schlereth and friends have paired their art with six paintings by Danielle Monzelowsky. The creators had this to say: Alembic is a cooperative art and music project between Danielle Monzelowsky and Kevin Schlereth.… Continued →

Pilgrims is the new moniker of songwriter and composer Timothy Mann (formerly known as gdansk). This time around, Mann’s lyrics are more spiritually driven, his compositions more spacious, and his posture more vulnerable. “Motherless Sons”, the project’s debut single, sees Mann highlight his film-score sensibilities collide with the gentleness of worship and lament. The song runs the gamut of the beatitudes, highlighting God’s love for those the world deems unworthy. Mann had this to say about the song and project: I didn’t think I was going to do this again.… Continued →

In spite of its title, Imbalances feels balanced lyrically, melodically, rhythmically, and spiritually. It's an incredibly impressive album that feels so fresh and unique compared to most modern bands. It's artful but not pretentious. McCaw speaks with both wisdom and humility. The songs flow dynamically but it always feels natural. If you're a fan of complex bluesy prog-rock then this album definitely deserves a listen.

WI-based Matt Peters (former frontman of Page 2) has announced a new solo project, Matt Peters and the Nerdweasels, and has debuted his first single which you can check out below! It’s a classic pop punk sound that many fans of IVM should enjoy.   … Continued →

Before American Arson and Speak Low If You Speak Love, Good Luck Varsity was paving the way with their unique take on pop-punk. What most fans don’t know is that there are a couple releases prior to the eponymous Thrones EP, and now you can listen to them all on Spotify. It’s not exactly certain when they were added, and they’re admittedly a bit more rough around the edges, but you’ll see new dimensions of the band you likely haven’t before (like synth rock and mid-2000s emo).… Continued →

Evan Maines, formerly of StateBirds, has resurfaced with a solo track for you to enjoy. It’s bluesy, relaxed, and soulful. Check it out below. … Continued →

Mo(u)rning is a very middle-of-the-road release. Its pop sensibilities give it a bit of a vanilla flavor - you probably won't dislike it, but it won't be your first pick, either. It's inoffensive; its subject matter is commonplace.

It'd be an understatement to say A Line in the Sand is highly-anticipated. Many IVM readers have supported the band since their inception, and our vicarious connection here has culminated to something truly exciting. This is the kind of album we deserve from American Arson - one that balances the best of their catalog with a insatiable hunger for growth. It's a lyrically-bold album which never obfuscates what it's trying to say. And while it takes a few listens to take everything in, A Line in the Sand is an ambitious debut LP that will not disappoint. 

RIYL: Attalus, The Classic Crime, Cool Hand Luke, classic Emery

The much-beloved punk rock duo American Arson is back and set to bring their Facedown Records debut LP to the world. A Line In The Sand officially hits shelves 7/3, but the band has dropped their lead single, “Unbreakable”, to help whet your appetite in the meantime. Check it out below. This LP is set to be the most ambitious and lyrically-bold work the band has done so far and sees the band crossing even more genre lines to make music that is undeniably authentic. Track List: 1.… Continued →

DENS have released a behemoth of a concept album that solidifies them as one of the hottest upcoming bands on the Facedown roster.

Facedown alumni and post-metal juggernauts A Hope For Home are teasing new material (about time), but in the meantime, they’ve made their independently-released debut available on Bandcamp. This is a band that personally has been hugely influential and Realis is one of my favorite albums of all time, so I’m very excited to see what’s to come. … Continued →

Second to Safety's second album presents an intricate narrative in the form of nine genre-defying tracks.

Second to Safety will release "Esther" on 2/28 - check out the lead single here!

Minneapolis-based Author have been a bit quiet since the release of IIFOIIC but they’ve resurfaced with a slightly different lineup and a consequent change in sound. “Blur” deviates from the art-pop stylings of its predecessor, as well as the ambient-styled indie flavor of earlier releases. Instead, it is a juggernaut, urgent and dynamic, glistening with power. It’s the sort of track that would fit well on a sports game soundtrack. There’s no apparent hook, but instead listeners are graced with interwoven passages of drum and bass styled electronic mixed with perhaps a bit of Radiohead-esque prog rock.… Continued →

Here are my top 10 releases for 2019.

Glass Age's debut EP is an exciting resurgence for the gentlemen of Abandon Kansas.

Although bands like My Epic, Abel, The Ember Days, and Ascend the Hill have been incorporating elements of post-rock, ambient, and experimental pedal usage into their sound for ages, it’s the sort of thing that was bound to cross into the mainstream eventually. There’s something about the emotional experience of cinematic passages and insurmountable crescendos that made this style perfect for charismatic and mega church worship. Such has been the trend for modern worship for the past few years – pathos preceding ethos. There are naturally many exceptions, but suffice to say, there is something very marketable about this type of music.… Continued →

Abandon Kansas has been around the block a time or two, but they really seemed to reach a new high on Alligator a few years back. And while frontman Jeremy Spring has had a host of other projects he’s been working on, the band itself has been largely silent (well, apart from their cover band alter ego, A Band in Kansas). The band has broken their silence by rebranding to Glass Age. It’s the same Facebook page as before thankfully, so if you’re already following them, you’ll likely see ads promoting the change.… Continued →

For fans of: As Cities Burn, Tiny Moving Parts, Mansions

For fans of Jon Bellion, Cubbage, Lawrence, and motown classics