NYC Scene Report – Benét, Leah Nawy, & bug crush

This week’s NYC Scene Report features Benét teaming up with Margaux to break the “Radio Silence,” Leah Nawy no longer “Mixing Patterns,” and bug crush going in circles.

* Sometimes I hear a song, and it’s just so cool I’m like – oh, I know people are gonna be feelin’ this one! – and that was the case the first time I heard Benét’s recent collaboration with Margaux titled “Radio Silence.”

Discussing the powerful indie rock song in a statement, Benét said, “It’s awesome, full of the thoughts I didn’t know how to say out loud until now. This song is a release, in more ways than one.”

“Radio Silence” is off Benét’s upcoming album, Make ‘Em Laugh, which is due out June 20th via Bayonet Records, and you can help break the “Radio Silence” by clicking play on the video, and turning the volume way up.

* Staying with music that’s of a personal nature, NYC-based indie pop artist Leah Nawy recently released a single titled “Mixing Patterns” that was inspired by a journey of self-discovery.

“It’s about starting over on your own terms – letting go of old habits, trusting yourself, and embracing change,” she explained in a statement, “It’s the first song that truly felt like me, and it’s followed me through every stage of becoming the artist I am now.”

Like any journey, there are twists and turns to the song, which features quite the mix of music, as Leah switches things up a variety of times. All of this leads me to believe “Mixing Patterns” is the perfect introduction to Leah Nawy, and after giving it a listen I think you’ll be pleased to meet her.

* Closing out this column filled with deeply personal tunes is Brooklyn-based artist bug crush, who just released an EP titled Somehow I Go In Circles All The Time. The project includes the introspective single “Tugboat.”

Carolyn Fahrner, who is both the mind and the voice behind bug crush, discussed the indie folk-pop song in a statement, saying, “I wrote this song at the beginning of 2024 about being in a state of desire, but also feeling unsure about why I wanted the things I wanted. I was thinking a lot about New Year’s Resolutions, and the goals I set for myself, and this song emerged as a reflection of that”

She continued, adding, “I frequently get comments about the amount I cram into my schedule, and I’ve always struggled with creating reasonable schedules for myself. I liked the idea of being a tugboat to reflect my tendency to just keep pushing on. It’s a small song that was really elevated with the support of Oli Deakin, and Justin Gibble.”

I don’t know about you, but I found her comment about over-scheduling oneself to be very relatable. So if you’re like me, I think you’ll enjoy this serene drift in bug crush’s “Tugboat.”

For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.