Unfortunately for us, Alex Vile doesn’t have any Tacoma shows lined up right now, although they say Real Art is their favorite spot, so look out for future shows there. But you don’t have to wait in limbo. If you’re quick enough to read this, you can catch them on March 1 at Cafe Racer in Seattle with yet another fantastic Tacoma band, Meldrop.

HAYSTACK SLIM AND THE BROKEN ARROW


I first caught Haystack Slim this last summer at Porchfest. They were the last band to play, and man, did they pull in a crowd. This outfit brews up a country-rock sound with heavy progressions, twangy guitars, and soulful melodies that cut straight to the heart. Their music weaves tales of addiction, love, heartbreak, and the untamed spirit of Western heroes.


The band formed in the spring of 2023, when Eastern Oklahoma troubadour Haystack Slim joined up with a high-powered new backing band—comprising Tacoma guitar picker Ryan Finley, bassist Joe Filkins, and drummer Bradley Stewart—who perform with Haystack as The Broken Arrow.

By the time this paper hits the streets, their second album, Westbound, should be available on all major platforms. On March 22, Haystack Slim and The Broken Arrow will be taking the stage at Tacoma’s New Frontier Lounge.

HOT STEPMOM

If you have been sleeping on Stepmom, consider this your wake up call. This alt-rock quartet delivers a potent blend of accessible pop-rock hooks and gritty, introspective lyricism. The history of the band goes back to 2021, when they all met at the Live It OutLoud[1]  music program right here in Tacoma. Following their eight-week camp experience, the band members found themselves drawn to each other’s musical energy—a creative spark that would define their future endeavors. The culmination of their collaborative efforts materialized in 2022 with the release of their debut full-length album, The Serial Killer in the Other Room Is Better than You. 

Since then, the band’s lineup has shifted, with the departure of second vocalist Sophia Barger, who’s now  carving her own musical path with The Rat Utopia Experiment. Now Hot Stepmom includes the talents of Anna Norris on vocals and guitar, Cameron McLennan on guitar, Benjamin Babcock on drums, and Jarin Szewczyk on bass.

Their upcoming EP, Nothing to Nowhere, is set to be released on March 19. SInger Anna Norris describes Nothing to Nowhere as being much more personal to every band member than their previous release.” “Whenever I was writing for The Serial Killer, she says, “I mostly wrote stuff I THOUGHT my band would like, or what I thought a band with the name Hot Stepmom should sound like.”


The EP’s lead single, “Hive,” which is already available on Spotify, offers a taste of what’s to come. With grunge-inspired guitar riffs, the song paints a picture of what it’s like to be aware of your own self-sabotage and draws inspiration from poet Sylvia Plath. It’s a track that demands repeat listens and reveals new layers of meaning with each play.

Catch Hot Stepmom live at their EP release show on March 23 at the Spanish Ballroom, where they’ll be joined by The Rat Utopia Experiment and Stargazy Pie. If you want to snag a copy of Nothing to Nowhere, CDs will be available at the show, and I hear that our friends at Atomic Genius in Puyallup will be carrying it. Maybe Hi-Voltage will get in on that action too?

MELDROP

The story goes that these hardworking guys met while working at the Lobster Shop and decided to get together one day for a jam session. Aiden Goodman, Elijah Tuncap, River Esqueda, and Kirran Medchill soon realized they had something special, so they continued to work on it until they were playing shows at college parties, then the renowned Real Art Tacoma, ALMA, and even the Spanish Ballroom. Now they bring us their freshman self-titled EP, a fusion of upbeat indie rock and the soulful vibes of jazz and blues. From the infectious energy of “Goodman” to the soul-stirring depths of “Rose Baby,” each track on their EP takes you on a journey, lifting you up before gently guiding you back down. 

You can catch Meldrop’s tunes on Bandcamp and Spotify, where their music promises to infuse a burst of sunshine into even the gloomiest of days.

SEVEN DA PANTHA & KNOWSEE

Light Work is the new album by Tacoma rappers Seven Da Pantha and Knowsee.
Seven Da Pantha has produced thirteen solo albums going back to 2004 and could be one of the greatest rappers you’ve never heard of, while Knowsee has been putting out music since 2020, including an EP titled Sack Lunch in December. All of the individual works by these artists are good, and I recommend you check them out. But the Light Work album that this dynamic duo has created together is next-level.

Within the depths of Light Works lie gems such as “Like Who” and “Sinatra’s Ghost,” each track a testament to the duo’s mastery of their craft. But it’s not just a couple of standout songs that make this album shine—it’s the cohesive brilliance that threads through every beat, every rhyme.

From the moment the first boom-bap beats hit your ears, you’re transported back to the golden era of late nineties and early aughts hip-hop. Tight rhymes glide effortlessly over head-bobbing rhythms, creating a seamless fusion of nostalgia and innovation. But what truly sets Light Works apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity.

In a genre often marred by misogyny and materialism, Seven Da Pantha and Knowsee forge out their own path, steering clear of clichés. These guys got the skills to flex hard while making it seem easy—that’s what they call it Light Work. Check it out on Band Camp or Spotify.

THE RAT UTOPIA EXPERIMENT

These talented young artists have been getting some well-deserved attention over the last two years—so much that they were just selected to play in the 2024 Sound Off! Music Showcase. Sound Off! is a prestigious and competitive annual show at the Sky Church stage at MoPOP, highlighting the next big thing in PNW music.

T.R.U.E is Sophia on lead vocals, Aine rocking the bass and backing vocals, Maddox on guitar, and Evan bringing the beat. Their sound? It’s a collision of punk, metal, and emo, though some might argue it’s just good ol’ rock and roll. “The Rat Who Barked” is a fast-tempo song with metallic guitar riffs and lyrics that crescendo from a controlled tension and release into a rhythmic chorus. And their latest single, “Kool Sunday Schizophrenia,” as described by Sophia, is “something that originally intended to incorporate more Sonic Youth vibes but ended up turning into a rock ballad. And stands to be an overall commentary on mental health and the inescapable inheritance of mental health.” She goes on to explain that most of T.R.U.E’s songs follow a story and have a connection to one another.

Currently, the band is in album-making mode, aiming for an early spring release, complete with CDs and vinyl. As for touring, well, they’re still in high school, so it would have to be either over summer break or after they graduated. However, they would LOVE to play Porchfest. So if any of you porch hosts out there are reading this, get at them now before they get too big!

Mark your calendars: The Rat Utopia Experiment, Stargazy Pie, and Manic Pixie Dream Boat will be opening for Hot Stepmom at their highly anticipated EP release party on Saturday, March 23, at the Spanish Ballroom. It’s bound to be epic.