NYC Scene Report – Scarlet Rae, Homeboy Sandman, & Alexa Dark

This week’s NYC Scene Report – which happens to fall on my birthday! – features Scarlet Rae saying hello with No Heavy Goodbyes, Homeboy Sandman giving us a lullaby, and Alexa Dark tempting fate.

* Scarlet Rae released her debut EP, titled No Heavy Goodbyes last month via Bayonet Records, the latest single off of which is the indie alternative gem “Call Off The Day.”

A wonderfully moody song that has strong ‘90s vibes, if Scarlet Rae had been born in another era “Call Off The Day” would’ve had her touring with bands like Belly, and Luscious Jackson, and having a set at Lilith Fair.

As is, we can hope she books more shows in the city in 2025 and beyond, because I’d be calling everyone to join me to see her perform “Call Off The Day.”

* Longtime column fave Homeboy Sandman released a collaborative project with UK producer Sonnyjim earlier this year titled Soli Deo Gloria, which is Latin for “Glory to God Alone.” Well, I’m about to give some glory to Homeboy Sandman, because he recently released a video for the single “Moon Lullaby,” and once again he’s spittin’ facts.

Homeboy Sandman has unique perspectives on life, and the world, and the way he expresses those perspectives on “Moon Lullaby” draws you in, and makes you want to know more.

The minimalist production works to help his words stand out, which is perfect, as Homeboy Sandman is a standout with words.

In the email announcing the release of the video he added, “I been making mad jams. About to be an avalanche of jams.”

While we await what’s next, we can all enjoy his lullaby.

* Alexa Dark, who heated up the summer with a couple of sultry singles, released a three song project titled Our Fate Was Always Fatal this past month, the final single off of which is “Heavy Metal.”

Discussing the song, and the project, in a statement, Alexa said, “When I wrote ‘Heavy Metal,’ that one line in the chorus (“Our fate was always fatal”) encapsulated everything I was trying to understand at the time. Feeling restless in Los Angeles, I kept asking the questions – what do we truly have control over? What in life and love is predetermined? What if what feels fateful is actually fatal?”

She continued, adding, “These three songs are like three strange rooms at a Hollywood party, doors you never should have opened … stumbling into a hidden dark jazz club, the club bass still thumping in the distance, coming face to face with the darkest parts of yourself you tried to outrun. Walking out of paradise, realizing it never really was; leaving behind what hurt you most, but not without being changed in the process.”

Thankfully, she walked out of “paradise,” made her way back to NYC, and turned part of her story into a fantastic project. Click play on “Heavy Metal” for a taste.

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