How would you get by with No Money & No Friends? Brylan sits down with LA Pop-Rock star and secret Taylor Swift fan Halo Kitsch to find out, and discuss Halo’s unique brand of introspective, smart, yet relentlessly catchy tunes. Halo reveals the early influences that shaped her trademark sound and how she pulls from her own life, struggles, and hopes & fears to craft her songs, with a deep dive into the inspirations behind three of her tracks; “No Money & No Friends”, “I Knew Not To (Fall for You)”, and her latest single, “Between Your Teeth”.

Brylan and Halo also chat about being mixed, getting banned from social media apps, and (hopefully) turning 50.

Oh, and we also check in on Newfie!

Stream Halo Kitsch’s Music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4kjYrogjc9CwlkeA6Sy9mH

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/halo-kitsch/1499806916

Follow Halo Kitsch on Social Media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/halokitsch?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Threads - https://www.threads.net/@halokitsch?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HaloKitsch?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Brylan sits down with composer, pianist, teacher, and Chinese food enthusiast Natalie Brice to talk about her critically acclaimed musical "White Rose: The Musical", currently playing from now till April 13th at the Marylebone Theatre in London, England. White Rose tells the story of a group of student activists in 1940s Germany who distribute literature challenging the Reich's propaganda.

In the episode, Natalie elaborates on the intensive process of writing the music for the show (including writing an entirely new song at the last minute), adjusting to the bizarre experience of watching others perform your work, and the heavy subject matter of the musical and how it relates to the current state of the world.

On a lighter note, the pair discuss Natalie's love for punk music and play a Test Press-ified version of "two truths and a lie" with wild music opinions!

Go see White Rose: The Musical if you're in London! Tickets - https://tickets.marylebonetheatre.com/tickets/series/WHITEROSE?_gl=1*1m1i2hq*_gcl_au*MTg2Nzk2OTg2Ny4xNzQxOTM1MTgy

Listen to the recording of the New York run of the show!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/2wYNbpl9rpHwHLFmA0pwZ7?si=iYU96HVKT3yXgn-TmZ3Fqg

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/album/white-rose-the-musical-original-off-broadway-cast/1745157058

Follow White Rose: The Musical on social media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whiterosethemusical

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whiterosethemusical

Threads - https://www.threads.net/@whiterosethemusical

Follow the show!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Threads - https://www.tiktok.com/@whiterosethemusical

On this episode of the pod, host Brylan May chats with Los Angeles based indie/noise rock band Impulse Bangs! Tune in to hear them discuss the creative process, musical influences, and some highlights from their catalogue, including the recently released album "Best Supporting Actress". Also, the band squirm in their seats facing the choice of either answering some VERY uncomfortable questions or eating some unholy foods in a round of "Bad Taste"!

Impulse Bangs pulls from a variety of different genres and influences to assemble energetic, catchy and delightfully noisy indie rock, culminating in their most recent effort, "Best Supporting Actress". The band describes the record as an "accidental concept album", dealing with themes of difficult relationships, insecurity, and self doubt. Despite the heavy subject matter, the group delivers energetic and often times upbeat songs that are sure to get any indie crowd going wild.

Buy "Best Supporting Actress" on Bandcamp: https://impulsebangs.bandcamp.com/album/best-supporting-actress

Stream "Best Supporting Actress" and the rest of their catalogue:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QbpC7UT2TgsfZ9Qpyvcbp

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/impulse-bangs/1551889512

Follow Impulse Bangs on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/impulse.bangs

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Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Host Brylan May sits down with Oliver Chavez, lead guitarist of indie rock band The Framers and lone mastermind behind the post-hardcore/spoken word project Your Albino Shadow. The pair discuss Oli's beginnings as a guitarist and songwriter, their mutual love of My Chemical Romance, and the two records Oliver worked on last year; "I'm Feeling Fine!" by The Framers and "What Resembles a Grave But Isn't" as Your Albino Shadow. Also, Brylan tests Oli's BS detector with some "Find The Fake" trivia of ridiculous band names and song lyrics.

Listen to The Framers' most recent album, "I'm Feeling Fine!" (and their other stuff): https://open.spotify.com/album/1qh4fSHEQPV1vwPx43v9SA?si=Iw-EiQcfRn2Ijvuy_p8RxQ

Listen to Your Albino Shadow's "What Resembles a Grave But Isn't": https://open.spotify.com/album/1qh4fSHEQPV1vwPx43v9SA?si=Iw-EiQcfRn2Ijvuy_p8RxQ

The Framers' Social Media:

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/theframers_sb

Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@theframers

Your Albino Shadow Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/youralbinoshadow

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@the.testpress

I’ve always felt that screenwriters and musicians were kindred spirts. As such, it’s no surprise that we are massive fans of each others’ work: I’ve never known a musician that isn’t also a film and/or TV junkie, and I’ve never met a writer that won’t gush about their favorite records. My guest this week is no exception: I initially bonded with my good friend and screenwriter Jesse Harris (of Marvel’s Jessica Jones and other incredible projects) over our love of music and growing up in Appalachia (him in Kentucky and me in Southern Ohio). His most admirable trait, aside from always having unique and profound insights on everything from American politics to the mainstream rise of the Carhartt clothing brand, is his unabashed pride for where he comes from. He doesn’t run from his Appalachian roots. On the contrary, he wears it as a badge of honor and injects it into his writing (and occasionally dunks on smug Bostonians at parties). He’s the embodiment of radical acceptance for the things that make you you, no matter what society or “The Industry” has to say about them.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Jesse Harris to chat about a common thread that was inescapable when growing up in Appalachia: country music. The pair discuss the original master storytellers of country music’s history , contrasting them with the “stadium country” of today. The pair also discuss some young storytellers carrying the torch of country’s old royalty, how society likes to borrow and repurpose things that country folk were originally mocked for, and even get into some politics and its connection to the soul of country music.

Later, Brylan see’s if Jesse can pick out fake country artist names from real ones. They then discuss Jesse’s most recent project, the short film “Good Daughter”.

Go ahead and pencil this one in, you don’t want to miss it!

Watch Jesse's Short Film "Good Daughter"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyL_GcG4kUs

Follow Jesse on social Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jhaharlan

Songs used in this episode:

"You Shook Me All Night Long (Cover)" - Hayseed Dixie

"Gin and Juice (Cover)" - Hayseed Dixie

"Under Grass and Clover" - Children of Bodom

"Lucky" - Abby Hamilton

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

One of the most beneficial strengths a musician can have is versatility. The more things an artist can do, the more places they have to pull from to create. Keyser takes this to the extreme; they are a (deep breath in) singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist, teacher, LGBTQ+ advocate, picky eater (who loves sweets), and those are just the titles we got to. One might expect a Berklee College of Music grad to be able to wear most of these hats (and be more than happy to tell you about it), but Keyser wields these diverse talents with humility and a sense of pragmatism. All they want, at the end of the day, is to make great music, and help others do the same. And they have been: Not only does Keyser have an impressive solo catalogue, including their debut album “mOrse CoDe” and this year’s pop banger “Lip Service”, they play guitar in LA rock band Chromera. Keyser is one of the most fascinating and unique individuals I’ve ever had in the chair. I can’t cosign them putting ketchup on pizza, but I can say for certain that Keyser is an immense musical talent who will not only continue to juggle their many specialties, but make it look easy.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Arlington, VA born and Los Angeles based Keyser to discuss Berklee-minted songwriting techniques, some of Keyser’s least favorite pop song lines, and the best guitarists to ever live. The pair even get deep and effuse on whether they’ve ever truly been in love, and what being in love as an adult even means. Also, Brylan puts Keyser’s lie detection skills to the test to see if they can spot a real story from a fake one. Finally, they discuss two of the best tracks in Keyser’s catalogue: “I Dare U”, the opening track from Keyser’s debut album “mOrse CoDe”, and Keyser’s most recently release, “Lip Service”, based on a dysfunctional relationship Keyser got out of.

“I Dare U” to watch this one!

Stream Keyser's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2SvmXjltxSmum0Qexw5Qo7

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/keyser/1702103194

Follow Keyser on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keysermusicofficial

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@keysermusicofficial

Check out Keyser's Website: https://keysermusicofficial.com

Songs used in this episode:

"I Dare U" by Keyser

"Lip Service" by Keyser

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

This episode, Brylan sits down with Izzy T, a pop-rock singer-songwriter from the UK, known for her hard-hitting yet meaningful tunes that masterfully blend pop, hard rock, blues, and hip-hop to create powerful tunes often centered around female empowerment. Izzy discusses how overcoming bullying in her childhood lead her to become the powerful artist, activist, and woman she is today. The pair also discuss her musical influences such as Christina Aguilera, Bullet For My Valentine, and Eminem. They even take a quick detour to discuss Izzy's love for boxing (and its superiority to soccer), and weigh in on the massive yet controversial metal band Sleep Token.

Also, Brylan put's Izzy's mastery of her craft to the test by seeing if she can name her own songs from a single word, in the new game called "May I Have A Word?"

Stream "Crime Scene" and the rest of Izzy T's Music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YoA6qpLPKl5KkGbxlxDMg?si=ASQBodKRSGalwj60GmV6Cg

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/izzy-t/1600009281

Follow Izzy T on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/izzytofficial

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@izzytofficial

Youtube - https://youtube.com/@izzytofficialmusic?si=a3dGLNrp7rGfvsAP

Follow the show!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@the.testpress

This week, Brylan dives into the mysterious craft of film scoring with multi-award winning composer Lindsay Young, who elevates films with her unique blend of hard hitting yet emotional scores. They discuss her approach to finding the perfect sounds for a filmmaker's visuals, her favorite scores that inspire her, and even how Jack Black inadvertently helped her find her way to the art form. Also, Brylan puts Lindsay's ear for mood to the test with a game of "Settle The Score".

Aside from being a decorated composer, Lindsay is also a self-produced singer/songwriter who creates modern, jazz-inspired tunes under the name "Lindsay Ruth". The pair discuss how her personal writing different from her approach to film scoring, her most recent release "Hot Summer", and her plans for new original music in the future.

Don't cut this episode short!

Check out Lindsay's website and book her for your film project!

https://www.lindsayruth.com/

Stream Her Original Music:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bDXcGbipCJXTC8PC0tmCZ

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lindsay-ruth/1545779495

Follow Her On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlindsayruth?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Music Played in the Episode:

"swan song" by Victoria Canal - https://open.spotify.com/track/1clFEQvpbykRc84u8y7a9P?si=ad1aba5bf36a49b8

"Hot Summer" by Lindsay Ruth - https://open.spotify.com/track/6C7wNNL55bIeERwhvSZXft?si=3bffbf2c5bd84ed7

Films/Clips Shown in This Episode:

"It Follows" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpmdhe1Ch9E

"The Silence Of The Lambs" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZ1e5kjjcs&t=106s

"O.C.D." - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfdRMeZkWQ&t=42s

"Quarantine Cats Strike Back" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA6L58ayhZE

"Blurred" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3foFTTNJOOk&t=287s

"Swiping" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQKIEMzrx5I

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the.testpress

With pop trending towards louder, more bombastic and “in your face” styles, pop fans with slightly more reserved taste may feel left out. Liv Cartier seeks to fill that void. Growing up in Liverpool, U.K, she was drawn to music from an early age, but took a while to find her sound. Finally, she settled on her current sonic expression, which she describes herself as “pop on a comedown”: lush, string heavy production that conjures early Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish. Her rich, powerful vocals float overtop of instrumentals that would fit just as well in a Golden Age Hollywood film score. Her lyrics are just as heavy as the instrumentation, tackling themes like the fear of never being enough, and meditations on the value of life in the face of despair. Her music, however never veers into the real of melodrama. On the contrary, it’s just as Liv herself always seeks to be: Real.

In this episode, Brylan and Liv talk about Liv’s early music education (including her distaste for piano lessons), how she sold out her first ever live show, and how she came up with her luxurious artist name. Liv also tells us one of her bad date stories (probably the WORST Brylan has ever heard), and even teaches Brylan some British slang. The two then play a version of the popular game Wavelength with music clues and hints. Finally, the pair discuss Liv Cartier’s two songs she’s released thus far.

This episode really was “Golden”!

Stream Liv Cartier's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vkLN7lE6BOnZRFBi3FklO

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/liv-cartier/1498324243

Follow Liv on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livcartier

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livcartier

Songs used in this episode:

"Golden" by Liv Cartier

"Right Before The Fall" by Liv Cartier

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

It can take years for an artist to form an identity to present to the world. They may go back and forth from the drawing board to the stage of their local open mic, only to scrap a name or image after one performance and start again. In the time it takes a lot of creatives take to find their first form, Cayley Spivey is on her second.

Not long after writing her first real song at 15, she assembled a band to play her tunes around her hometown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, calling the project “Small Talks”. Due to Cayley’s determination and promotion strategy that focused on building real world relationships, the pop-punk act quickly gained traction, even surprising it’s ambitions captain: just two years after forming, Small Talks was playing Warped Tour (Oh, and that first song she wrote at 15? That was Small Talks’ debut single and fan favorite “New Dork Pity”). Many would rest on their laurels and put up with the jealousy and attempts by other acts to use their band as a token to show how they were “supporting women in the scene.” Cayley had other plans; She had to become something different: herself.

Cayley began releasing music under her given name, Cayley Spivey, beginning with 2020’s “Sfu”. With the name change came a shift in sound; She left pop punk behind completely and dove straight into pure-bred, synth heavy, danceable pop. Throughout her sonic evolutions, her lyrical prowess (she was a poet and writer before she was a musician) and ear for an infectious melody have remained constant. Her latest release, the ep “Camera Boy”, is perhaps the greatest example: fans looking for singable hooks will be well fed, and those looking for deep meaning will find innovative and original songwriting focusing on loss, obsession, grief, and much more.

Cayley Spivey appears to have already perfected her second identity, but if her past is any indication, she won’t rest on her new achievements either.

In this episode, Brylan and Cayley discuss growing up in the South as an outsider, the eternal debate on the distinction between an “artist” and a “musician”, as well as the importance of acknowledging humanity’s inherent darkness in art. Cayley also tests Brylan’s ability to suss out the truth in a game of “2 lies and a take” (and educates him on Girl in Red TikTok lore in the process). Later, the pair dive into two of the songs off of Cayley’s “Canera Boy” EP, and the discussion even helps Cayley uncover a hidden idea in her song “Ginny”.

You’ll be crossing “Oceans” to watch this one over and over!

Stream Cayley Spivey's music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HQfKxOBZRhStH5QbZVJ4H

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cayley-spivey/1203146133

Follow Cayley on social media

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cayleyspivey

Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@cayleyspivey

Songs used in this episode:

"Ginny" by Cayley Spivey

"camera boy" by Cayley Spivey

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

“Honesty” is a buzzword many ascribe to their music. I might say it’s been weaponized at this point. Every musician wants to assure their listeners they are getting the artist’s unfiltered thoughts and feelings straight with no chaser. However, a lot of music falls short of this lofty goal, the listener unable to shake the feeling that something is being held back, or that there is a veneer lain over the music. This is not the case with LA singer/songewriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Commander-in-Chief of the band Talker, Celeste Tauchar. 

She started the Talker project (named after a common bastardization of her last name) to get things off her chest unfiltered. No need to take my word for it, it’s right in the name of her 2024 album “I’m Telling You The Truth”. Celeste combines impressively intricate and pristine production with piercingly earnest lyrics (she sings in her song “Easygoing” about her relationship troubles: “I’ve never seen my parents kiss, that’s got something to do with it”) that never veer into eyeroll territory. 

What’s perhaps even more impressive is her sonic versatility: On the same record, she can have heavily produced pop songs along side acoustic indie singalongs, with guitar driven rock tunes appended after. These different styles never feel out of place; On the contrary, they add to the projects’ cohesion, representing the different emotions and circumstances that went into each song. The commandment tying everything together: Radical honesty.

In this interview, Brylan sits down with Celeste to discuss her formative years as a band kid, the music she loves that inspires her (such as Wolf Alice, who she successfully converted Brylan to a fan of) and the emotional complexity of platonic relationships.

Later, Brylan puts Celeste’s puzzle solving to the test with some musical anagrams (which he hilariously screwed up), and of course deep dive into a few of Celeste’s songs, including the indie banger “Easygoing”

Don’t “Drag Your Feet” tuning into this interview!

Listen to Talker’s music!

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/talker/1405017065

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wcTmtixisIzV10W69W6lm

Follow Celeste on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkerceleste

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@talkerceleste

Check out Talker’s website:

https://talkerceleste.com/

Songs used in this episode:

“Your Loves Whore” by Wolf Alice

“Moaning Lisa Smile” by Wolf Alice

“Old Enough” by Talker

“Easygoing” by Talker

“Knowitall” by Talker

Music, at its core, is a sonic expression of human emotion. Be it sadness, elation, or yearning, it’s a transmission to us from the artist, of how they were feeling when they made it, or at a certain point in time. Most music can convey the intended emotions, and some music can even transport us to the artist’s world for a moment. But, at least in my experience, few artists can truly make you FEEL exactly what they felt. One of those rare artists is Gnat, the stage name of Nat Rezek, an indie/folk singer-songwriter based out of Los Angeles and hailing from rainy Seattle. In a deluge of sad people with acoustic guitars, their music stands out with incredibly detailed and crisp production, with layers that most listeners won’t even notice. Gnat’s vocals float over the melancholic, sometimes haunting instrumentation (of which they played every part themselves) with complex harmonies that fill the space of the song, but never smother you. Gnat’s crushing lyrics are the final ingredient that ties together their debut EP, “It Better Be Perfect”, touching on themes of dysfunctional relationships, being neglected by people they love, and other deeply personal calamities. It is genuinely one of my favorite releases of the year, and I am thrilled to share this interview with Nat, and their music, with you.

In this episode, Brylan and (G)Nat discuss Nat’s upbringing in Seattle and how the musical spirit of the city influenced their artistry (including the time they performed on the same stage as a certain famed grunge band), how listening to Christina Perri at a young age helped them find the emotional vocabulary to write their own music, and Nat and Brylan’s shared love for Coldplay and playing clarinet. Brylan also puts Nat’s instincts to the test, getting them to identify famous bands’ original names that never took (some of which are truly terrible). Finally, the pair deep dive into a few tunes from the Gnat EP, as well as take a sneak peak at some unreleased music from Nat’s other music project, Dinner With Me.

You’ll get way more than your “Fill” with this interview!

Listen to Gnat’s music!

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gnat/1800535446

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/13kNQ91Oan8twenAijXeXN

Follow Gnat on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gnat.rezek

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@gnat.rezek

Listen to Dinner With Me’s Music:

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dinner-with-me/1710290974

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zIwTj4rjgJ1G68Z8Hjikl

Follow Dinner With Me on Social Media:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dinnerwithme.hehe

Songs used in this episode:

“Conscious Uncoupling” by Pool Kids

“Grandfather Clock” by Gnat

“Fill” by Gnat

“Maximum Love” by Dinner With Me (Unreleased)

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

It’s imperative, in modern times, for musicians to be a jack of all trades. With ever shrinking revenue from traditional avenues, we’re being pushed to do more and more to keep our careers afloat. This is a challenge that Josephine was made for: she’s a producer, singer, songwriter, polyglot, disruptive entrepreneur, amateur carpenter, and literally too many other things to list. While she maintains a subtle air of mystery, you still feel like you know her after talking to her, and undoubtedly walk away with a new friend.

Josephine’s music combines a variety of different influences (she’s as much a jazz head as an appreciator of rock and electronic). This shows in her catalogue, as her output consists of songs of entirely different genres, but united in impeccable production, an ear for melody, and personal yet relatable lyrics.

In this episode of The Test Press Podcast (Jo’s first ever podcast highlighting her Josephine Project), the two discuss Josephine’s potentially dangerous beginnings as a young creative, Brylan gets to the bottom of Jo’s music collective/consumer good startup Cosmic Jelly, and consider the healing power of creating. Later, in a Test Press first, the two engage in a beat battle judged by a surprise guest. Finally, Brylan talks to Josephine about her bombastic tune “Stop Chasing Flower Girls !”, a rock/hyperpop-adjacent single imprinted with Jo’s incredible production chops that will have you hitting the replay button.

You’ll love this episode “like all your fantasies do”!

Stream Josephine's Music!

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wlvnU5h8N4RV7V3urpo0w?si=jO9bR43aSvKor4JFOpJ6kQ

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/josephine/215588168

Check out Josephine's startup/artist collective Cosmic Jelly:

https://www.cosmic-jelly.com/

Songs used in this episode:

1. "Stop Chasing Flower Girls !" by Josephine - https://open.spotify.com/track/2PQFsagoqdSDOeJOkM0Zi9?si=37717c622a1c487c

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Indie rock is a crowded field these days. It’s difficult to cut through the noise; the literally thousands of new indie tracks uploaded each day. Social media, the tool artists rely on to reach new fans and break their music, is overrun with peers trying to accomplish the same goal. While it’s genuinely sad people’s hard work gets reduced to 3 second sound-bites, there quite literally isn’t enough time in the day to listen to every hopeful artist’s pitch for fandom.

However, a few months prior to this interview, I heard a song while scrolling through instagram that halted me. The soaring and powerful guitars (manned by founder Chris O’Keefe & the luscious locks of Nick Nassab) beautifully complimented the expressive vocals of lead singer Dani Judith, with Jake Kaspari (bass) and Ryan Williams’ (drums) work in the rhythm section hypnotizing me into a head nod. I would discover this (soon to be relentlessly replayed) tune was “Fruitless”, the title track off the latest EP from NorCal’s own Rainbow City Park. After listening to their whole discography many times over, and very possibly becoming their biggest fan, I simply had to get them on the show.

In summation, an Instagram ad lead us to this very interview, where I sat down with Rainbow City Park to discuss their newest indie/alt-rock EP, “Fruitless”. We also chatted about their musical inspirations, their very 2025 origin story (Chris assembled the gang from various internet spaces), and their dream to play a show at the actual Rainbow City Park (which most of the members, inexplicably, haven’t even been to). Later, the group sees if we can identify who’s embarrassing story is who’s, where I tell the band a story they got a real “kick” out of.

You’ll absolutely be making this episode your “end all be all”!

Buy Rainbow City Park's Music on Bandcamp: https://rainbowcitypark.bandcamp.com

Stream Rainbow City Park's Music:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7D859YwLQQnOwzDouWtcmd

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rainbow-city-park/1617489961

Follow Rainbow City Park on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rainbowcitypark

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@rainbowcitypark

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Alex Ray has already lived multiple, vastly different (and successful) lives. After graduating Valedictorian of her law school and working in the “Big Law” system, she decided to upend it all and pursue music and content creation full time. After just a couple of years, she’s already cultivated a dedicated community on YouTube, been taken on by a manager to assist with her music career, and released a handful of incredible songs that have taken her to some big stages. Her music, similar to her life thus far, takes vastly different worlds and combines them; she blends pop and trap production with heavy metal elements, all with lyricism straight from the Taylor Alison Swift School of songwriting. These combine to form surprisingly cohesive works that would be at home on Top 40 radio or at a warehouse show.

On this episode, Brylan sits down with singer/songwriter, YouTube personality and former lawyer Alex Ray to discuss her wild transition from law to music, growing up with southern roots (shout out to everyone who knows what a “warsh rag” is), and how women are carrying the torch for rock music in 2025. The duo also discuss how Alex was essentially baited into becoming a KPOP fan, Taylor Swift’s impact on Alex as a musician and songwriter, and much more! At the end of the show, Alex Ray debuts her unreleased song “BOY YOU AINT” (which Alex describes as “the meanest song she’s ever written”) in a Test Press Exclusive. Brylan also put's Alex in the hot seat to see if she can identify some famous musicians' real names.

There's certainly a trail leading to more in this episode!

Stream Alex Ray’s Music:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0OVZimSALUqKlgqROcxVJc

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alex-ray/1698755962

Watch her music commentary on YouTube!

https://youtube.com/@alex_ray_music?si=vcGGMBKDfv2rgGLb

Follow Alex Ray on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alex_ray_music

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alex_ray_music

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@alex_ray_music

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress

Watch that episode of Kitchen Nightmares with the crazy burger people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK33Q31g7wM

It's no secret that The Test Press are fans of elite lyricists. So, this week was extra special, as indie rock/alt-country singer-songwriter and self proclaimed Maxxinista June Swoon graces the guest chair before she hits the road for her upcoming "Can't Grow Flowers on a Rolling Stone" Tour in June and July. 

In the interview, she confesses her love for being "esoteric", explaining her tendency towards philosophical lyrics laced with metaphors that both inspire deep contemplation and paint vivid pictures. These pair well with the often moody instrumentation June crafts to complete her soundscapes, that draw inspiration from emo, early/mid 2000s indie rock, and even classic country.

Brylan and June also discuss their shared experience of growing up near Evangelicalism, connecting with her father through an old photo of him as a rodeo clown (which became the cover of her second LP), the state of live music in 2025, and SO much more (it's our longest interview to date)! Also, Brylan puts June's knowledge of chart topping country music to the test in "Poorly Explained Country Songs". And of course, we break down some of June's songs.

If you're "tired of being disappointed", this episode is sure to satisfy you!

June Swoon is going on tour! Buy tickets here: https://www.thejuneswoon.com/june-swoon-tour-dates

Support June Swoon by buy her music on Bandcamp: 

https://juneswoon.bandcamp.com/

Stream June Swoon's Music:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0OVZimSALUqKlgqROcxVJc

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/june-swoon/1479805133

Follow June Swoon on Social Media!

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/juneswoonfm

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@juneswoon

Threads - https://www.threads.com/@juneswoonfm

Follow the show!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.testpress

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetestpress