Mainland, Haybaby, Cosmonaut

Mainland began with an eclectic record collection, 4 New York City transplants and a cavernous rehearsal studio underneath the Manhattan Bridge, culminating in a spontaneous recording session with Jim Eno of Spoon.

Mainland show their raucous merit with their 2nd EP, Shiner, produced by Eno at his Public Hi-Fi studio in Austin, Texas. A gritty and erratic collection of scuzzed out indie-rock, Shiner idles somewhere between the vintage sensibilities of The Pixies, and the carefree aesthetics of The Drums. It's a genre they've affectionately coined as "puke-up punk," and it's a term that couldn't be more perfect.

The New York by way of California four-piece is lead by enigmatic frontman, Topf (guitar, synth, vocals) and comprised of Corey Mullee (Lead Guitar, Synth), Alex Pitta (Bass) and Dylan Longstreet (Drums). Drawing inspiration from the likes of Lou Reed to Guided By Voices, together, the four create urgent and erratic tunes that scream of all madness of the New York City streets that they now call home. With debut EP, Girls Unknown, under their belts, and securing opening spots for fellow NYC rockers, Drowners, as well as Strange Talk and Sucre, the band have quickly made a name for themselves with praise from the likes of NME, Interview Magazine and Brooklyn Vegan.

Within the first few moments of Shiner, it's clear that---- the hype is well deserved. Lead single and opening track from the release, "Savant" perhaps best encapsulates Mainland. With a hypnotic bassline and infectious riffs, the raucous track bleeds of energy while Topf's lyrics hints at the desperation of youth and a band, as the song title suggests, who are finally coming to their own. Coming to an abrupt, rocked-out close, we're greeted with the hypnotic hook of title track, "Shiner," which clocks in just shy of 2 and a half minutes.

The EP takes a turn at "Leave The Lights On," which sees the band call upon their California roots, oozing with a glittering and anthemic surf-rock sound, and leads into, "Heaven" a perfectly eerie coda for the Shiner EP.

With an affinity to visually chronicle their journey as well as sonically, the band recently released two more videos this summer. With a gritty New York aesthetic that is a perfect accompaniment to their throwback sound, the visuals to "Shiner," and "Leave The Lights On," are two more installments in Mainland's story.


Captains of your dreamboat/planet, the key to your destruction, children of the mind, whatever. We're edible. We'll pick your nose for you in your sleep- braid your hair, rub your feet. Thanks! Say hi!

"Haybaby's newest EP SUPERPRESENT reinforces the band's talent for mixing grungy guitar with sticky sweet girl/boy vocals into a sophisticated combination that's addictive and complex. Along the lines of the Pixies, their girl/boy vocals shy away from cute, and their catchy hooks take on edgy pop-qualities reminiscent of Pavement. While every song of this 4-track EP are winners, "Weather King" particularly shines. The bass line is suppressive and teasy allowing the explosion of bright guitar and Zack Ellis's animalistic shouts during the bridge to induce chills and goosepimples."? -Pretext


Cosmonaut is a four-piece indie-rock band from New York City. Formed in 2009 by classmates John Paul Manley and Daniel Quinn, Cosmonaut blends shoegaze influences with alternative rock and pop, to create a unique, mesmerizing sound.

The band came together after Manley and Quinn met at Fordham University. Both Manley and Quinn share vocal and guitar duties, and enlisted longtime friends Brendan Picone (bass) and Tom McIntyre (drums) to fill out the rhythm section. Cosmonaut is currently completing their debut EP with producer Kyle "Slick" Johnson (Wavves, Modest Mouse, Cymbals Eat Guitars). Cosmonaut has also appeared on Occupy This Album alongside numerous other artists including legends such as Patti Smith, Yo La Tengo, and Mogwai.

The band's sound has been characterized as "somewhere in between Kevin Shields and Stephen Malkmus" (Aural Wes). "Their resonant compositions are offset with clear melodies and a natural intensity," according to Fordham University's "The Observer." Weezer's videographer and unofficial fifth member, Karl Koch, has described Cosmonaut's sound as incorporating "shades of My Bloody V, early New Order, and Pavement," (Karlophone).

Josh Eppard of Coheed and Cambria is quoted as saying " Cosmonaut has found a way to embody the classic rock and roll elements that have been all but forgotten in contemporary rock while keeping intact their indie music footing. Cosmonaut is my favorite new band. Here's to the future."