by Josh McCann

The Alt Nation monthly is here! This month features the latest songs, Alt-18 news, throwback memories, Wallows, and music video of the month!

This past month was very exciting for me. I got to cover the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! Incredible show. They still have so much energy and enthusiasm. From “Around the World” to “Give it Away.” They also played “Black Summer,” which was awesome. The song was on Alt Nation when it was released back in 2022. My review is up on the Post-Gazette website!

New Songs That I Like

Dayglow “Every Little Thing I Say I Do”

Jack Kays “Blow it”

Rufus Du Sol “Music is Better”

Beach Bunny “Vertigo”

Wilderado “Bad Luck”

Roe Kapara “Dumb”

Wishy “Love On The Outside”

The Linda Linda’s “All in My Head”

Backfires “Brighter Lights”

Chloe Slater “Price On Fun”

Sports Team “I’m In Love (Subaru)”

Japandroids “Chicago”

Neon Trees “Bad Dreams”

Alt 18 Countdown

The countdown has been dominated by Fontaines D.C.—they hit number one four weeks in a row! I also introduced their number one song, “Starburster,” on the countdown! What a high! But last week was a shocker. Foster The People took the top spot with “Lost in Space.” Wow! Other notable acts on the countdown: Coldplay, The Band Camino, Glass Animals, Clairo, Dayglow, AWOL Nation, Foster the People. Also, good to see Jack Kays on the countdown with “Blow It.” Same goes for Coin “Strawberry Jam” because the harmonica rocks. And congrats to Been Stellar for debuting at #15. Cage The Elephant “Rainbow” and Glass Animals “A Tear in Space” will be going for the top spot soon.

Wallows

Wallows “Calling After Me” is blowing up! I heard it the other day on an FM pop station. That’s a good sign. This could be a huge song. Great to see an Alt Nation band having success. They also covered “Espresso” in the Sirius XM studios exclusively for Alt Nation.

Alt Throwback

Recently I heard “Electric Feel” by MGMT. This still gets played often. I remember listening to them for the first time back in 2007. I was on my computer on MySpace. Yes, MySpace! I thought it was great for discovering new music. Especially learning about everyone else’s music taste. Anyway, I’d listen to all of MGMT’s songs on their page: “Time to Pretend,” “Kids,” “Electric Feel,” “Pieces of What.” Still awesome to hear those songs.

Sports Team “I’m in Love (Subaru)” Music Video of the Month

The new single from Sports Team “I’m in Love (Subaru)” is giving 80’s vibes. The saxophone, a red Subaru in dark lighting, the band hanging around the car. This is feel good stuff. Very different. Almost reminds me of the 1975. Will this song make it into an actual Subaru car commercial this year!? Stay tuned!