Loren

Remember Election Day 2024? Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you've blocked it out. That's fair, but there was one pleasant surprise that day: a new EP from Wisconsin's Arms Aloft. It took a while to claw out of the darkness in November, then Year End 2024 coverage took over the Scene Point Blank editorial calendar but now we caught up with … Read more

There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene … Read more

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we caught up with Chuck Ragan, known as the gruffest voice of Hot … Read more

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we chat with Kevin Purcell (guitar/vocals) of Retirement about running Portland bike shop … Read more

It's been a while since I put another playlist up. I actually had this 99% done a couple of months ago, but everything went haywire and the list went on hold. This edition of Search/Play/Repeat is a quick play, running about 30 minutes in total. Enjoy! Read more

Visual Learner, BlackDots, City Mouse, Couch Potato Massacre Cloudland Theater Minneapolis, MN May 7, 2025 I’m embarrassed that I haven’t covered any shows at Cloudland for SPB previously. It’s a relatively new addition to the Minneapolis scene and a welcome addition that feels as much like a community space as … Read more

Sometimes I get all introspective and ask myself why I do this. Not very often, but the answer is always because I like music. It's that simple. I like to discover new stuff and I like to share it. Every year, the staff at Scene Point Blank sink a ton … Read more

Vices, outlets, escapes... I'm not sure where things are at here in November of 2024. But as we battle our demons and look for meaning, or escape, music is a blessing. Here's a new playlist. Many of these artists have been covered at Scene Point Blank, mixed in with tracks … Read more

Epitaph indie-rock band Pool Kids released a summar jam pop single, "Leona Street," coming from their August 15 new album Easier Said Than Done, which was recorded with Mike Vernon Davis, who also produced their self-titled album. The new record is described as their most collective and explorative release yet. … Read more

EEASY Records will release a discography of Predeceased, Weirdo Riffers, out on Nov. 7. As the label puts the finishing touches on the collection, they've shared a new single called "Heroes by David Bowie," and we've shared that below. The discogrpahy collects the band's released material, plus two new songs. … Read more

Midwest heavy noise punk Porcupine has a new album, out now. New Morality Zine released Under The Altar yesterday. The 6-song record is streaming below and follows last year's All Is Vapor. Read more Tracklisting: 1. Close the Doors II 2. Dull Blade 3. Stolen Rib 4. Old Skins 5. … Read more

Denver, CO power-pop band Fluffy will release a 6-song EP this week, a self-released record dubbed When You Love Somebody, out on July 21. The band's debut namedrops Teenage Fanclub, Big Star, and Badfinger as inspiration. It releases on cassette and digital platforms. A release show is scheduled one week … Read more