For the next two STD episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite tunes released in 2025. There has been so much great new music released this year that I need two shows to fit it all in, and even that’s not enough. This week’s show is part one and besides lots of national and international bands will also include music by Austin bands Paper Sister, Actuators, Living Pins, Shipshape, Mal Thursday Quintet, Pataphysics, Cheap Fix, Team Trust and Big Bill.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: Vaguess (pronounced “Vegas”) is the “band” name for the Los Angeles based musician Vinny Earley. He has been releasing music since the mid 10s, and for each album he plays and records all of the instruments, mixes and masters, and does the artwork. The essence of DIY. For this year’s “Another Man’s Treasure” album (one of my favorites from 2025) on Refry Records, he used a cardboard construction that he had made for his mother last Christmas. (Click on image to enlarge)
DUSTY DIAMOND OF THE WEEK (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): Holly Golightly Is a British singer-songwriter who got her start as a member of Thee Headcoatees. In 1994 she embarked on a solo career, though she continued with Thee Headcoatees until they disbanded in 1999. To date she has released 13 studio albums and has collaborated with various artists like Billy Childish, the White Stripes and film director Jim Jarmusch. “Waiting Room” is a brooding, simmering garage burner that showcases Golightly’s world-weary vocals and a smoking guitar break. It appeared in 1996 on the “Girl in the Shower” single on Super Electro Records. Listen to it here:
