Youngster Year

Fai Laci

Few bands see the early success Fai Laci has earned in recent years. What began as a college solo project is now a full band with a debut album on the way produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. “Elephant In The Room” comes out June 26 amid dozens of tour dates across the US this summer. Just before the band hit the road, frontman Luke Faillaci sat down with me to talk about it all.

Mrs. Magician

After 10 years away, Mrs. Magician has returned. With an entirely new lineup, frontman Jacob Turnbloom’s creative vision is the sonic anchor that refines this new collaborative energy into an evolution rather than a departure; they’re still the same surf-adjacent San Diego band you know and love. The band’s new album, “Spiritual Hangover,” is out May 15. Last month, I was thrilled to speak with Turnbloom in my final weeks living in San Diego — and I can’t imagine a better way to round out my time there.

Gnaw

Gnaw may be one of Singapore’s newest bands, but they are far from late to the game — because the city’s burgeoning indie music scene is only just beginning. The band made its debut on April 10 with “Inside a Machine That’s Glistening,” a four-track EP representing a year of sonic exploration and self discovery. Last week, band members Tara, Dan and Zak sat down to discuss their creative processes and way ahead.

Radium Dolls

Radium Dolls are living proof that hard work pays off. Despite the grown-up obligations of daily life, they’ve managed to remain one of Brisbane’s busiest bands, never missing a show and recording the next big idea only when the exact moment strikes. Their second album, “Wound Up,” comes out Jan. 30, and it was created in a similar fashion to their first. But the term “sophomore slump” is not even in their vocabulary. This wild band thrives in the boundless space between chaos and precision, and about a month ago, I spoke with singer Will Perkins and drummer Bryce Equinox about these very principles.

Kula Shaker

Kula Shaker — the Britpop anomaly, as they’ve called themselves — came up in the mid-nineties alongside bands like The Verve, Oasis, Blur, but they never quite fit into the media pigeonhole of that catchy label, and for good reason. Today, nearly eight studio albums into their career, they’re older, wiser and maybe a little more mature, but their philosophy remains the same as it’s always been: to create a much-needed escape, for one — and for the rest, you'll just have to listen. Kula Shaker released their latest single, “Be Merciful,” on Wednesday, and their next album, “Wormslayer,” comes out January 30th. And I recently had the privilege of speaking with frontman Crispian Mills, longtime keyboardist Jay Darlington and bassist Alonza Bevan when the band came to town last month.