The Belly Up Aspen

There might be no other band that was able to channel the generational anxiety in those early millennial years and turn it into such powerful and inclusive art quite like Band of
Horses.

Band of Horses fashioned gorgeously ragged epics, Ben Bridwell’s high-flying vocals and eccentric enunciation floating like a specter that felt like a prelude to a dream. Full of profundity,
truth, and sometimes just homespun advice on how to live, Band of Horses songs have become anthems and touchstones for fans.

Emotionally intense, both on a personal and elemental level, the songs for Band of Horses’ sixth album, Things Are Great, finds Bridwell more autobiographical than he’s ever been on record, detailing the nebulous frustrations and quiet indignities of relationship changes and what a person will do to make things right. And what you do when you can’t. Band of Horses is composed of Bridwell, Creighton Barrett on drums, Matt Gentling (of Archers of Loaf) on bass, and guitarist Brett Nash.

This fresh chapter finds the band recapturing the raw emotion and unpolished punk-rock spirit of its early days. The songs on Things Are Great document the connections in Bridwell’s life that have shifted, or remained. An epic album, Things Are Great is not an exercise in nostalgia or regret. It’s closer to the classic pattern of the hero’s journey, one where Bridwell doesn’t locate those elusive answers but does find himself in the end, providing hope that all of us can do the same.

Wet World is the LA-based indie/electro-pop duo of Steph Barker (vocals, drums) and Luke Atlas (guitar, vocals). After years playing together in Luke’s previous band, Coast Modern, the two formed Wet World and released their debut EP “Welcome…” in 2023. Their latest EP “gush” (June 2025) pushes their sound into a bolder, more unruly territory, with the punk-leaning queer-breakup anthem “sycophant” co-produced by Chris Lyon (Slayyyter, Rebecca Black). The collection dives deeper into their maximalist pop instincts— equal parts bratty and heartfelt, with influences ranging from MGMT and Outkast to Bikini Kill and 100 Gecs. Their undeniably fun and brash live show is not one to miss, highlighted by a sold-out set at The Echo with fellow buzzy LA-band garbagebarbie, a single release at Makeout Music with alt-duo Haute & Freddy, and a recent show in NYC with Pool Girl at The Sultan Room. An LA EP release show and pool party is planned for July 2025.