Collections of Colonies of Bees/Astral Hand/Known Moons

For two decades, Collections of Colonies of Bees have existed in various forms and incarnations, beginning with Chris Rosenau and Jon Mueller (who split time with post-rock band Pele).

From there, the line-up grew and evolved. At one time, Nick Sanborn -- currently in the spotlight as one-half of Sylvan Esso -- counted himself as a member. At another, the group joined forces with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon to release two albums under the moniker Volcano Choir. (In fact, it was Vernon who proclaimed of his collaborators: “If the world was perfect, they would be as big as U2.”)

Never content to paint the soundscape twice, the previously instrumental Bees now come outfitted with vocalist Marielle Allschwang and a new full-length, HAWAII, that finds the Wisconsin-based ensemble harvesting the fertile intersection between experimental and pop to maximum effect.

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ASTRAL HAND is a 4-piece heavy-psych band that channels a deeply cosmic mood. By using synth-driven melodies, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, thundering drums, and lyrical themes meditating on interstellar deities, ASTRAL HAND searches for life and love in the universe at large.

Over the course of the past 2 years ASTRAL HAND has been carefully programming their very first transmission. After recording their debut album, Lords Of Data, with Shane Hochstettler of Howl Street Studios throughout early 2020, Al Kraemer, Victor Buell, Anthony Smith, and Dan Dahl have been patiently waiting in the shadows for their moment of action. After spending months in the musical purgatory caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the time has come for the Lords Of Data to step into the light.

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Known Moons is an alternative-indie rock band made up of current and former members of M.A.G.S., Paper Holland, Flat Teeth, The Fatty Acids and Dinner Set Gang. The band released its debut EP Everything Is in 2024, which introduces listeners to Known Moon’s unique brand of bouncy, melancholic indie rock. From lo-fi drum sampling to atmospheric riffs and blistering, fuzzed-out solos, Known Moons takes a different approach to each of its songs – staying true to the mantra behind the band’s name: Keep pushing forward past what is already known.

Host or Publisher The Cooperage