Normally, my weekly column takes a dive inside the rock community with artist interview clips, covering all rock formats. This week, however, I’m taking a turn. I guess I’ll call it a hard turn, because it was a horrible week for radio. “Hard” is actually an understatement.
While I’m constantly hearing about the “positive data about personalities” or the “appeal of localism,” the industry does not follow through. In fact, it continues to inflict harm. We saw iHeart fire more folks than we can keep up with. Some “were their radio brands.” I was in the same position ten months ago, so I get it. With that said, I’ll fast forward, because it’s all connected.
The Pretty Reckless Return with Dear God
The Pretty Reckless have returned with a dazzling fifth record, Dear God, released Friday, 6/26. It’s their first since 2021’s Death by Rock and Roll, so this is exciting news for rock fans like me. Frontwoman and band founder Taylor Momsen called the release their “most personal and reflective” record to date.
Said Taylor: “DEAR GOD is the most honest record we’ve ever made. Every song came from a real place, whether I wanted to admit it or not. There was no hiding behind characters or concepts this time. It’s all there…the doubt, the anger, the hope, the questions. We made the record we needed to make, and I’m incredibly proud of it.”
Meanwhile, “When I Wake Up” recently became The Pretty Reckless’ ninth No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, solidifying their hold on the record for most chart toppers by a female-fronted band. The record features 14 tracks written by Taylor and her longtime collaborator and bandmate, guitarist Ben Phillips. This is a vibrant and exciting band for the format. I’ve seen them live, I’ve done radio shows with them as a station program director, and I’ve interviewed them. They are a perfect rock band.
A Record Release Party Like the Old Days
A few weeks ago, an invite dropped in my inbox for a “Dear God” record release party at a church in Brooklyn, NY, celebrating the new release. The party was amazing. Huge thanks to Fearless Records’ senior VP of marketing, the goddess Marisa Kurtz, and the always-awesome Elias Chios, for the experience.
Everything had a band theme, from the “Dear God” photo area to the napkins and pizza boxes. There was even a confessional, which was so cool. As the new album streamed through the sound system beneath the gorgeous stained glass windows of the church, and we got ready for the band to grace us with an hour-long acoustic performance live from the altar, the thing that struck me wasn’t the free booze, food, or cool atmosphere. Instead, it was the sense of community that has been missing in our business.
Why These Moments Still Matter
A record release party. How long has it been? I attended them for Van Halen, Lenny Kravitz, and tons of other artists during my career over the years. It was great to hang with friends, celebrate a killer new release, and feel that sense of rock music community once again. The band hung out, too, and the atmosphere was pure rock and roll. While the programming and on-air attendee crowd may have been thinner than it was years ago, it still mattered.
When you’re a music brand, these events matter. Artists matter. Passion for the medium matters. Huge thanks to Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, Jamie Perkins, and Mark Damon.
Sitting at a table in a church while The Pretty Reckless “took it to church” in performance at the altar was the perfect way to spend a Thursday night. With the constant doom-scrolling of terrible news, these are the experiences that still make the music industry a community, not just a cost-cutting enterprise. For a few hours, everything felt right.
Looking for a killer new release to rock out to? The rock record of the summer has arrived. Download or grab Dear God.
Photos and a performance of “For I Am Death” from the event are below: For I Am Death
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