#HotTakes | Week of 03.02.26

Featuring: Surfbort, Alex Amen, Deloyd Elze, Joey Quiñones, Melanie Baker, Banshee Tree, Gia Margaret, Kiki Cavazos, Dida Pelled, and Metric

Steve Benoit

06 Mar 2026

Songs we think you should hear without the pomp and circumstance.

Surfbort // Hot Dog

Alex Amen // Cabin By The Sea

Deloyd Elze // Queen Of Spades

Joey Quiñones // Driftin'

Melanie Baker // HAHA!

Banshee Tree // Bright Blue Light

Kiki Cavazos // Hawthorne and Heartache | Western AF

Dida Pelled // Hesitation Blues

Gia Margaret // Good Friend

Metric // Time Is A Bomb

#HotTakes | Week of 02.23.26

Featuring: Devon Gilfillian, King Tuff, Tenille Townes (ft. Lori McKenna), Monster Rally, Buck Meek, Elizabeth and The Catapult, India Ramey, Nathan Evans Fox, Courtney Barnett, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Soda Blonde, Noah Gundersen, Jonny Fritz, Valley Boy, Tyler Lyle, Jessye DeSilva (ft. Butch Walker)

Mixtape | February 2026

I absolutely overworked this one. There’s no grand concept, I just kept dragging songs up and down like I was trying to solve a puzzle that didn’t need solving. At some point I realized the only real rule was “does this feel good right here?” and that was

Photos | The Runarounds @ House of Blues

From screen to the stage, these five guys definitely know how to get the crowd going. As they stepped onto the stage in total darkness, the venue filled with screams of excitement. These guys are true stars!

Mixtape | Indie Therapy Rock

The title came from a conversation. I was talking with a friend about “Problem Solver” – slimdan, and he described it as “indie therapy rock.” I immediately told him I was stealing that. It was too good, and i've been circling the playlist for a week or two now.

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#HotTakes | Week of 02.23.26

Mixtape | February 2026

Photos | The Runarounds @ House of Blues

Mixtape | Indie Therapy Rock