First Listen Issue no. 9

F I R S T L I S T E N

THE WATER RUNS BACKWARDS HERE

A REVIEW BY ALEX MUNROE

NEW RELEASES FROM JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2023 SHOW SCHEDULE

Welcome to issue no. 9!

First things first, I want to thank Sean Mott for writing an article about First Listen in the Telegraph Journal. It was an honour to be featured, and I'm so grateful to everyone who supports the zine.

Secondly, I am looking for more contributors so if you're interested send me an email: firstlistenzine@gmail.com

Cheers,

Once

DFYF

Lavendar Kim Harris Neon Carotid Lazermortis

Tunnel Vision Jesus Piece

Shallow Graves Idle Mind ft. Tony Deputy

Nobody Hates You JESSIA

Gates of Horn Jesus Piece

To Chase My

or To Just Lie Down? HARBOUR

Jenn Grant & Amy Millan

Envy Keaton Henson

There's Nothing Worse Than Too Late Real Friends

The Summoning Sleep Token

Outta Their Minds Sun Room Under the Radar Surf Trash

House of Gloom Skywalker

Drop the Knife Single Wound ft. Tommy Woods

Befouler Ov Sulfur ft. Alex Terrible

This Is Why Paramore Left Behind The Plot in You

Songs for the Willow One Step Closer

Angela Norter Inrush Nisa

TKO Nightwell

A.N.X.I.E.T.Y. Of Virtue

Love Song Softcult

Far Side Stephen Hero

S/T Targeted Individual

Downer,

Parasocial

Idle Daylight

Daggers

Overburdening

Delusions

Implore the Darkened Sky

Throwback Tears Valley

:mydopamine: You Me At Six

Can't Tame Her Zara Larsson

Trivium

Thomas LaVine

Termina

Thousand Knives

of Grandeur Trash Boat

pt. 2 Ten56.

Hey Blondie! Taletta

Tortue

TWRBH TWRBH TWRBH

by Alex Munroe

Maritime metalcore overlords Surface Wounds have come a long way since releasing their debut EP, “The Tower,” in late 2020. With frenetic energy and the raw sound of a band just getting its feet wet, they established themselves as one of the city’s most promising hardcore bands. But with their first full-length album, “The Water Runs Backwards Here,” they’ve proven they can do more than just churn out riffs at a blistering pace.

The first track hooks you with riffs that ride on the back of a galloping drum beat; this sets the tone for what will be many of the tracks to come. The guitars keep the record chugging along from start to finish. The drums are fast and loud, and they give the songs a sense of urgency that matches the vocals But it’s not just about playing fast all the time; there are plenty of sections where they slow down so you can catch your breath before they throw another breakdown at you. I’m not sure what makes this record so unique soundwise, but I think part of its power might have to do with the fact that the screams are so throat-shredding they’re almost painful to listen to In fact, listening to the insane breakdown towards the middle of “Saint Leech” makes me want to learn how to scream myself

The album title says it all: the water runs backwards here In an era where musical boundaries are being pushed further apart than ever, Surface Wounds has come up with an album that definitely deserves to be appreciated by anyone who wants to see our generation make something new and original I could go on for days about this album, but instead, I’ll just leave you with one last thought: If your definition of good music doesn’t include elements from genres outside your comfort zone (metalcore included), you’re missing out on something great with this record.

SHOW SCHEDULE

04/03/23 - The Cap - She Said Freck Records 5th Anniversary Show with Kylie Fox & Travis J. Flynn

04/03/23 - VILLAGES

08/03/23 - The Cap - Motherhood Double Header

10/03/23 - The Cap - Loveover with Waxforest & Nicotine Heartthrob

11/03/23 - Wasted Day - Loveover with Waxforest, Nicotine Heartthrob & Balaclava

11/03/23 - Xeroz - Squander(HFX) with Which Witch is Which & Another Dose

16/03/23 - The Cap - Single Mothers with Chastity, Botfly & Diner Drugs

17/03/23 - RadStorm - Bloodprint with Dumpster Mummy & Last Call

Chernobyl

17/03/23 - Xeroz - Single Mothers with Chastity, Botfly & Diner Drugs

18/03/23 - Grimross - Stonehouse & Honeygut

18/03/23 - Gus' Pub & Grill - Single Mothers & guests

23/03/23 - Five & Dime - Marc McLaughlin with Sadie

24/03/23 - Wasted Day - Jamie Comeau & The Crooked Teeth with Dad

Patrol

24/03/23 - The Cap - Marc McLaughlin with Sadie & El Tata

25/03/23 - Tide & Boar - Jamie Comeau & The Crooked Teeth with Dad

Patrol

31/03/23 - Broken Record - Helsreach with Baited, Kiss The Sky & Mask

09/04/23 - The Cap - Wormwitch + Ancient Thrones + Painsaw

14/04/23 - Xeroz - B.A. Johnston with Outtacontroller & Adam Mowery & The Worry Warts

20/04/23 - The Carleton - Braden Lam with The Gilberts and John Muirhead

29/04/23 - Portland United Church - The Saint John Men's Chorus & Cantores Celestes Maritimes will be presenting 'Untraveled Worlds'

Carleton Street

by Jason Ogden

Saint John, NB

“Carleton Street” is the new single from New Brunswick-based songwriter Jason Ogden. One of the most literate voices in East Coast rock, Ogden can be relied upon for evocative, deft descriptions, and “Carleton Street” is no exception. Ogden revisits a life at loose ends, conjuring up the lonely, lost side of the tracks of his hometown, Saint John. A myriad cast of characters that Ogden calls “ pure Saint John” bring the scene to life as Ogden recalls relying on the newly adopted micro-community of his building and neighborhood to see him through hard times.

The Winter EP

by Rosey's Little Melodies Saint John, NB

Rosey’s Little Melodies is an experimental synth-pop musical project in Saint John, New Brunswick. Made by Evie Robinson-Dyck, RLM is music about her own personal life and experiences, made to relate to those in similar situations.

The Winter EP coming soon! Check out the single Midnight Breeze streaming on all platforms.

'The Sickest Music For the Sickest

People - Vol. 4

by GEISHAS OF DOOM

Amsterdam, NL

The fourth EP, 'The Sickest Music For the Sickest People - Vol. 4' marks the end of a musical splurge inspired by 1980s American punk.

The end of this four-tape run means a new beginning toward an asyet-unknown future. The four tapes will be preserved by means of a live recording at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, which Sounds Haarlem Likes Vinyl will release in Haarlem.

Until then, this is Voume 4, written in one day, recorded on a four-track cassette deck and created in the moment. The end result is still a primitive, psychotic and raging indictment of everything that today has gone too far towards perfection, narcissism, polarization and hypocrisy. Inspired by the moment and 80s American punk rock.