NYC Scene Report – Sadlands, JULESY, & Jake Palumbo

This week’s NYC Scene Report features the debut of Sadlands with a song inspired by a cult, JULESY preparing to Flip the Bed, and Jake Palumbo gearing up to offer Euthanasia For The Stupid.

* Kicking things off this week is the opening salvo from Sadlands.

An NYC indie rock supergroup consisting of members of Answering Machine, Choke Up, and Ellen and the Degenerates, Sadlands recently signed to Wiretap Records, and released their debut single, “Twin Flame.”

The song has an interesting backstory, as the band’s Sam Campanile explains, “I felt inspired after watching a documentary about a cult that uses the promise of ‘finding your twin flame’ to draw followers in. The lyrics tell a fictional story about a person turning to spirituality as an attempt to find a sense of belonging. This person meets their alleged ‘soulmate’ yet has a moment of realization, and consequently pushes them away as an act of self-preservation. It’s intended to be a cautionary tale, explaining how easy it is to fall prey to others when there’s a strong desire for love and a sense of purpose.”

I’d say escaping a cult never sounded so good, but I think escaping a cult always sounds good. That said, having Sadlands help with the escape is definitely the way to go.

* Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter JULESY will be releasing her full length debut, Flip the Bed, on October 17th via Strong Place Music, but I have to report the second single is a lie.

OK, it’s a song titled “Blue Lie,” which JULESY discussed in a statement, saying, “‘Blue Lie’ is maybe one of the oldest songs on this album. It came at the beginning of the end of a big relationship, before I realized it was ending. I was really self-critical and felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

She continued, adding, “ I was listening to a lot of Rocket-era Alex G, and early Radiohead, and I think that grittiness came through in the song. What really brought it together was the outro — when we added that break with the drum machine. Since the lyrics are so honest, and pretty sad, both (producer) Sahil (Ansari) and I wanted to contrast that with lighter, almost playful production. The ‘la la las’ and twangy guitar line in the chorus were our way of balancing the heaviness.”

The result is a great tune, and that’s the truth about JULESY’s “Blue Lie,” which warrants repeat listens as we wait for her to Flip the Bed (come to think of it, when was the last time I flipped my mattress? Dammit JULESY, look what you’re making me do!)

* Brooklyn, by way of Tennessee, emcee and producer Jake Palumbo has never been one to mince words, and with his upcoming album, the subtly titled Euthanasia For The Stupid, he is once again ready to let everyone know what’s been on his mind.

The second single from the album is “All Points Lead To The Gold,” and Jake pulls no punches on it.

Whether it’s the church, pharmaceuticals, or the business practices of rappers and producers, it’s open season on everyone, and everything, and it’s all set to a boom bap beat that will inspire head nods in everyone within hearing distance.

Jake has a long history of producing for, and rapping with indie hip-hop greats, but it’s always special when he slides into the spotlight himself. Click play on “All Points Lead To The Gold,” and you’ll hear why so many artists point to Jake when they’re asked who they want to work with.

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