🥤 SIPSMAN COMMUNIQUE: April 2025
Lily Seabird • Paper Castles • Fusilier • The Convenience
Saw so many good friends in Austin and Knoxville and NYC the last month <3
Just sayin it’s not too late to write about these recently or imminently released records. xoMom
FUSILIER
“Hello”! The Brooklyn artist’s whirlwind of a debut Ambush was surprise-released on March 25, three days ahead of its March 28 street date. A highly recommended listen front-to-back. Bandcamp swiftly included Ambush in their Best of Winter 2025, calling it “a bracing amalgamation of ‘90s alternative, industrial electronics, and pop-punk songwriting with elements of Prince-ly funk and a Moses Sumney-type falsetto.” I was lucky to catch Fusilier’s Ambush record release last week at Public Records, and I hope you’ll get the chance to see the band live in 2025. While you wait for future show announcements, watch the stunning “Hello” music video and pick up Ambush on Tout Est Gore vinyl on IS NOT MUSIC.’s bandcamp.
LILY SEABIRD
Trash Mountain is out now and the world is better for it. Personal favorite listening setting is solo drive in summer between the border and Burlington—try it this year. Also out now: this Noah Lenker-directed “Arrow” music video that feels like Inception if it were directed by Michel Gondry. Thanks to NPR’s All Songs Considered for coining "Basement Show Americana” and “Punk House Americana” when describing this album. Thanks to Paste’s Anna Pichler and The Fader’s David Renshaw and everyone else for taking time to unpack this special record with the artist who made it. Listen and buy a copy of Trash Mountain via Lame-O Records, or at the merch table at the Lily Seabird show nearest you.
THE CONVENIENCE
You know what I’m talking about? I’m talking about Like Cartoon Vampires coming out Friday. I’m talking about “Western Pepsi Cola Town” being a song with swang [that’s like a swampy swing in my brain]. I’m talking about loving local features in this week’s Gambit and this month’s Antigravity. I’m talking about Stereogum declaring Like Cartoon Vampires ALBUM OF THE WEEK, raving "They rock with a deadpan urgency and an off-kilter yet unimpeachably smooth sense of rhythm."I’m talking about a record release party on May 2 at No Dice, and summer tour dates to be announced soon. Pick up this gem on LP, CD or cassette via Winspear.
PAPER CASTLES
I’m Sad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Fake It Anymore is the best, sharpest, briefest, and fourth record from one of Vermont’s best kept secrets, Paper Castles. It’s out via Sipsman digitally May 13, and in stores the Friday before on cassette, May 09. At announcement last week, opening track “Content Creator” arrived on all digital platforms, described as “a quirky, alt-country-leaning piece of folk rock” (Seven Days) and with a “nice VU-style chug” (Brooklyn Vegan). Watch the official performance video of “Content Creator,” captured at Reagan’s home by Kayhl Cooper, and preorder a cassette via Sipsman’s Bandcamp or your favorite independent record shop.
