NICE, a fest is back for its fifth annual summit of all things Boston DIY in Somerville’s Davis Square. From July 24th-26th, over 85 artists from across New England will come together to perform, collaborate, and create community at Crystal Ballroom, The Rockwell, and Dragon’s Lair. Credit: Cam Cavagnaro (NICE, 2023) Founded in 2021 by Alex Pickert, the festival has expanded to include two well-curated vendor markets and NICE @nite DJ sets to keep the party going. A pre-show

Palefire is at a turning point. When I sit down with twenty-two year old Jacqui Torres in her Denton, TX apartment, she is just about to head off on tour. Her debut LP full heart, big empty eyes is set for release on streaming (July 16th) after a whirlwind run exclusively on Bandcamp. Self-written, recorded, and produced, the confessional indie project has given her a name locally and transformed her career - one she is ready to take full control of. Yellow Light Mag: Tell me

Nora Meier is back with her long-awaited single, “Bird in the Hand.” Released last month, the light-hearted track explores a burgeoning new love and all of its excitement on a warm night. “You make a bad joke funny,” she muses, painting a scene of optimistic hesitancy and a gentle coax to let oneself feel goodness again. With a “The Whole of the Moon” reference and her classic acoustic campfire feel, Meier further cements her rightful spot in the Boston folk scene. When she s

It is a sunny, still-cold March day when I sit down with Cole Triedman in the middle of Central Square. The train was late so I almost am, too. We both seem to make it just in time. Cole, the man behind Mozz, gets his own pot of tea. He’s on the precipice of releasing his solo EP, Breadt , and about to turn twenty-seven. This will all happen within the same week. The five-song collection has blown me away. I’ve listened in the car, in my room prepping for the chat, and on t

Sweet Petunia gifts a breath of fresh air to alt-folk with their highly-anticipated debut LP Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown.

As the ice melts around Boston, local group Spirit Ghost prepares to launch into their own dizzying psych rock rebirth with the release of Ordinary People on March 27th. The project, their third full-length offering, is an amalgamation of past work with a sharper edge.

Lizzy McEleney “Who are you supposed to be?” A passerby gawked at the sight of four identically-clad adults in pink wigs, arranging themselves on a Harvard Square fire escape in thirty degrees. “A band!” they shouted. Providence-based indie darlings NOVA ONE have returned with their latest single, “chlorine,” a self-reflective ode to sneaky emotions. “ Cool chlorine stings my eyes like a bee,/Maybe this is part of life being unseen” laments Roz Raskin, lead vocalist and fou

At the end of August, sandwiched between a chain link fence and the back of a flat bed truck-turned-stage, I met with three of Boston’s most beloved DIY bands at the second annual Ratchella . Somerville’s own multimedia fest received a cease and desist from a certain similarly named event just days before. Organizers crossed out signage with tongue-in-cheek REDACTED overlays. Ratchella was two days of sweaty, ecstatic communal fun, masterminded by Yardwork Productions . Befo

Founded on the principles of solidarity, collaborative organization, and really good tunes, Yardwork Productions gears up for their...

A summary and review of "Sustain the Sound," a battle of the bands hosted by Sustainable Swaps.

Robbie Stokes makes playful 60s-inspired tunes with a modern twist.

Introduction to sunny California pop artist Raymond LaBru.

Photo series of and commentary on Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, and Shygirl's SWEAT Tour Boston from the lens of a digital camera

Interview with and introduction to the fantastical world of ambrosial.