In a time when music genres have begun to blur into one another, a new compilation stands as a testament to the enduring power of screamo and post hardcore. Balladeers, Redefined, coming from Secret Voice, a Los Angeles-based label managed by Touché Amoré’s Jeremy Bolm and supported by Deathwish, promises to be a beacon for the screamo and screamo-adjacent landscape. This ambitious project comprises 31 never-before-heard tracks from both stalwarts and relative newcomers, offering a substantial overview of the current screamo milieu.
“Featuring new and unreleased tracks ‘Balladeers, Redefined’ was originally going to be a small handful of bands but before long we found ourselves with 30+ who were all bringing their originality and brilliance to a genre held special by those who’ve found it.”
There’s an endearing sense of community among the artists that inhabit this album. Old guards like Jeromes Dream and the Pg. 99 offshoot Terminal Bliss (check out our recent Pg.99 Special here) stand shoulder to shoulder with up-and-comers such as Soul Glo, Infant Island, For Your Health, Closer, and Nuvolascura, among others. Each lends a unique voice to this collective narrative, demonstrating the breadth and depth of talent within this passionate scene.
The record celebrates a community that continues to thrive on word of mouth, a testament to the DIY ethos that characterizes the genre. It is this same spirit that has driven the album from a small cluster of bands to a diverse anthology of over 30 artists. This alone stands as a testament to the genre’s enduring appeal and the magnetic charm it holds for those who have found solace in its passionate embrace.
“The DIY network behind screamo and scream-adjacent indie or hardcore is like few others and that alone is a wonderful inspiration.”
Included in the compilation are songs from Nuvolascura, Closer, and Jeromes Dream, serving as today’s previews of the full roster of tracks.
Jeromes Dream – Reminders to Parallel:
Adding to the excitement surrounding Balladeers, Redefined, Nuvolascura has hinted at further music to come. In a recent statement, the band shared their plans to dedicate the rest of the year to recording their third studio album, LP3.
Nuvolascura – Myriad:
Balladeers, Redefined, with its impressive line-up and its homage to a unique and enduring genre, ensures that the future of screamo remains bright, echoing with the impassioned voices of its ardent practitioners.
Closer – Lake of Shells:
Meanwhile, fans of Jeromes Dream have something else to anticipate. The band’s full session on Audiotree Live, recorded on May 8, 2023 in Chicago, IL, is now available for streaming, with a live video release slated for later today.
Embracing the ethos of community and artist empowerment, Audiotree has become an important platform for musicians from around the world. The brainchild of the desire to give emerging bands a platform to be seen and heard, the Audiotree Music channel has become a cornerstone in the music world.
Catch Jeromes Dream live at the following dates in Europe this Summer:
July 18 – JUZ Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
July 19 – Privat, Cologne, Germany
July 20 – Hafenklang – Goldener Salon, Hamburg, Germany
July 21 – Plan B, Malmo, Sweden
July 22 – The Abyss, Gothenburg, Sweden
July 24 – Stadsgårdsterminalen, Stockholm, Sweden
July 26 – Antwerp Music City, Antwerp, Belgium
July 27 – AJZ Talschock, Chemnitz, Germany
July 28 – Loge, Berlin, Germany
July 29 – Fluff Fest, Rokycany, Czech Republic
August 1 – Venster99, Vienna, Austria
August 2 – Picadilly Brugg, Brugg, Switzerland
August 3 – Magazzino Parallelo, Cesena, Italy
August 4 – Centrale Rock Pub, Como, Italy
August 5 – Kulturzentrum Giesinger Bahnhof, Munich, Germany
