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.

In their thirty years together as a band, The Dandy Warhols have lived an incredibly storied career, cultivating a distinct sonic identity and making friends along the way with the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pixies, David Bowie and just about anyone else they’ve come across — because you don’t stay a band that long without doing something right. Their 12th studio album, “Rockmaker,” came out just last year, and the next release is already in the works.

More recently, the band wrapped up a US tour with Kula Shaker, and on Nov. 13, they will perform in their hometown of Portland, Oregon, alongside the Oregon Symphony.

I was lucky to see them on their recent tour, and on the day of the show, founding member and guitarist Pete Holmstrom was kind enough to sit down with me and answer some questions about the current state of this legendary, enduring band.

You might have heard the expression “band of brothers” — and that’s exactly what Joyer is, although I don’t think that’s what Shakespeare had in mind when he coined the phrase. Today however, it’s often used to refer to any group of people who share a deep bond after enduring together through some hardship. And that also happens to be the story behind the latest album from brothers Nick and Shane Sullivan, who started the band some six years ago and lived apart for most of the time since.

That album is called “On the Other End of the Line…,” it comes out Oct. 24, and they just embarked on a U.S. tour through mid-December, supporting bands like Rocket and Teethe — and I was fortunate enough to speak with this “band of brothers” about it all.

The Chameleons are widely regarded as unsung pioneers of the post punk variety, having influenced countless bands who are wildly successful to this day. But like many accomplished musicians who’ve been around the block more than a few times and continue to prove their instinctive need to create, lead singer and main songwriter Vox is fervently humble, and his processes have remained largely the same as they were some 40 years ago.

On September 12, the band will release “Arctic Moon,” their first album in 24 years. Even after a full career in music, Vox was happy to entertain this interview.

Dissatisfied with what their home country had to offer, Radio Free Alice packed up and moved to the northern hemisphere. But leaving their home country wasn’t a choice for them — it was simply the necessary next step in becoming a global force. If you dig, you’ll find countless phenomenal Australian bands. But you have to dig. Radio Free Alice is taking your shovel away from you and saving you the work.

Their third EP, “Empty Words,” came out Wednesday, and their debut album is already on the way. They’re also touring through Europe and North America through mid-October, but vocalist Noah Learmonth and guitarist Jules Paradiso managed to find some time before all that to have a chat with me first.

About a month ago, I sat down with Earth to Josh, a young artist from Lismore who just self-produced his debut album — but don’t confuse “young” with “new.” Josh has been making music for years, honing his craft and quietly building up a repertoire for the ages. His album, inventively titled “Josh To Earth,” is the product of this long stretch of creative exploration and is just as experimental as it is thematically secure. Equal parts succinct and meaningful, his debut stands as a decisive response to the world’s cryptic call.

To Hinds, challenge and opportunity are synonymous. In the face of adversity, the duo never even stopped to wonder if they would continue — the question was how. And last month, we found our answer in VIVA HINDS.

Hinds is currently touring North America through the end of October. Then, they return to their home country of Spain, where they’ll pick things back up early next year before heading off to the UK and other parts of Europe for more and more shows. Stay tuned for more Hinds!

Many thanks to Tim Hampson of Youth Artists, tour manager Lisa for making it all happen, and of course, Ana and Carlotta of Hinds.

Hinds logo and font by Alberto de Santos

Songs used:

“Boom Boom Back” — Hinds

“Superstar” — Hinds

The first three dates of their North American tour supporting Fontaines D.C. were cancelled due to illness. But at a time when most other bands might have cut their losses, Been Stellar got to work and made their own shows, playing songs from their debut album for anyone who cared to listen. I saw them a few stops after the official start of the tour, and their drive is unmistakable. When Fontaines took the stage, they dedicated “Big” — an anthem of unbridled ambition and the opening track on their own first album — to the members of Been Stellar. And that says more than I ever could.

MAJOR thanks to Sam Slocum for the chat and Lauren Khalfayan for setting it up.

Songs used:

“Passing Judgement" - Been Stellar

“Pumpkin” - Been Stellar

The Leap is the latest installment in Rod Coote’s constant repertoire, and it carries no less meaning than its predecessors. This EP is deeply personal for the Melbourne artist, who has just wrapped up his first European headline tour and is already plotting the next big thing.

Songs used:

"Blue Lake" - Rod Coote

"The Leap" - Rod Coote

Hot on the heels of their sophomore album, Wunderhorse visited America to play two small shows before returning home to prepare for their heavily anticipated UK headline tour. And I was fortunate enough to talk with them about it all. Read my accompanying review of their NY show on youngsteryear.com!