Eli
@elienis.bsky.social
Chasing Sundays. Writing a big book about shoegaze. Podcaster at @endlessscroll.bsky.social & Violent Treatment. Bylines at Stereogum, Billboard, Rolling Stone, etc. Former editor at Revolver Magazine.
Subscribe to Chasing Sundays: elienis.com
Subscribe to Chasing Sundays: elienis.com
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-Elevating to xaviersobased in a Dollar General
-How Poison Ruïn won me back
-katmoji's invigorating "tweemo"
-Rekrucify's brutalist hardcore
Plus, a CRUCIAL witch house scene report/Q&A with E_Death.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Elevating to xaviersobased in a Dollar General
-How Poison Ruïn won me back
-katmoji's invigorating "tweemo"
-Rekrucify's brutalist hardcore
Plus, a CRUCIAL witch house scene report/Q&A with E_Death.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: xaviersobased, Poison Ruïn, E_Death Q&A, more
Surveying rap's underground, checking in on hardcore, and going deep with a witch house scene report.
www.elienis.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-Elevating to xaviersobased in a Dollar General
-How Poison Ruïn won me back
-katmoji's invigorating "tweemo"
-Rekrucify's brutalist hardcore
Plus, a CRUCIAL witch house scene report/Q&A with E_Death.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Elevating to xaviersobased in a Dollar General
-How Poison Ruïn won me back
-katmoji's invigorating "tweemo"
-Rekrucify's brutalist hardcore
Plus, a CRUCIAL witch house scene report/Q&A with E_Death.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Reposted by Eli
Of Note 022 is out!
Highlighting work from:
@natechinen.bsky.social on Blackstar
@elienis.bsky.social with M. Dubice
@jonbern.bsky.social's JTE bio
@stevenhyden.bsky.social on Pitchfork
@ericdharvey.com on Bob Marley
@tombreihan.bsky.social on The Greatest
@marissarmoss.bsky.social asks a question
Highlighting work from:
@natechinen.bsky.social on Blackstar
@elienis.bsky.social with M. Dubice
@jonbern.bsky.social's JTE bio
@stevenhyden.bsky.social on Pitchfork
@ericdharvey.com on Bob Marley
@tombreihan.bsky.social on The Greatest
@marissarmoss.bsky.social asks a question
Of Note 022: Bowie's Blackstar anniversary, Marisa Dubice interview, Justin Townes Earle biography
Howdy folks! The new year has kicked off with a wealth of great music writing. This month’s selections have put me in a time machine or some kind of liminal,...
buttondown.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Of Note 022 is out!
Highlighting work from:
@natechinen.bsky.social on Blackstar
@elienis.bsky.social with M. Dubice
@jonbern.bsky.social's JTE bio
@stevenhyden.bsky.social on Pitchfork
@ericdharvey.com on Bob Marley
@tombreihan.bsky.social on The Greatest
@marissarmoss.bsky.social asks a question
Highlighting work from:
@natechinen.bsky.social on Blackstar
@elienis.bsky.social with M. Dubice
@jonbern.bsky.social's JTE bio
@stevenhyden.bsky.social on Pitchfork
@ericdharvey.com on Bob Marley
@tombreihan.bsky.social on The Greatest
@marissarmoss.bsky.social asks a question
Reposted by Eli
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: The Femcels, Clothesline From Hell, GUV Q&A, more
Are two crazy girls from London indie-pop's new vanguard? Is indie-rock still great? Does Madchester's spirit live on? Lemme tell ya.
www.elienis.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:20 PM
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Good point! yeah I agree it's a refreshing approach in many regards
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Good point! yeah I agree it's a refreshing approach in many regards
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: The Femcels, Clothesline From Hell, GUV Q&A, more
Are two crazy girls from London indie-pop's new vanguard? Is indie-rock still great? Does Madchester's spirit live on? Lemme tell ya.
www.elienis.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:20 PM
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote about:
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-The Femcels' likeably off-putting indie-pop
-Clothesline From Hell's subversively clever pop-rock
-New ones from Horse Vision, Gollylagging, and bill.
Plus, a colorful Q&A with Ben Cook of GUV.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Reposted by Eli
Pittsburgh deserves worker-centered journalism. PAPER is raising funds to research, support and build out exactly that. I've joined several meetings and can say there is enthusiasm, community support and now grassroots money behind it. Learn more and contribute here: ourpapernow.org
PAPER | Pittsburgh Alliance for People-Empowered Reporting
ourpapernow.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Pittsburgh deserves worker-centered journalism. PAPER is raising funds to research, support and build out exactly that. I've joined several meetings and can say there is enthusiasm, community support and now grassroots money behind it. Learn more and contribute here: ourpapernow.org
Otto's done a few shorter, more casual interviews over the years, but nothing as extensive or revealing as what he gave to Chasing Sundays. I learned he's a really thoughtful, peculiar, and special figure who's committed his life to music for all the right reasons. The real deal.
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Otto's done a few shorter, more casual interviews over the years, but nothing as extensive or revealing as what he gave to Chasing Sundays. I learned he's a really thoughtful, peculiar, and special figure who's committed his life to music for all the right reasons. The real deal.
I get dms on Discogs every year from people trying to buy OTTO's 2020 LP 'Clam Day' off me. He's had a cult following for years, but until today's P4k BNM for 'Peanut' (his best), his recent drift into drowsy, mystically warm psych-folk has gone nearly unnoticed outside of RYM.
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I get dms on Discogs every year from people trying to buy OTTO's 2020 LP 'Clam Day' off me. He's had a cult following for years, but until today's P4k BNM for 'Peanut' (his best), his recent drift into drowsy, mystically warm psych-folk has gone nearly unnoticed outside of RYM.
I called Otto to try and unmask an elusive yet pivotal figure in the ongoing intersection of indie-rock and electronica. I knew his old songs were TikTok famous, but I didn't know the full extent. The conversation that transpired truly astounded me. So much crazy lore uncovered.
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
I called Otto to try and unmask an elusive yet pivotal figure in the ongoing intersection of indie-rock and electronica. I knew his old songs were TikTok famous, but I didn't know the full extent. The conversation that transpired truly astounded me. So much crazy lore uncovered.
For the first time, Otto Benson (fka Memo Boy and OTTO) opened up about how his astronomically popular teenage bedroom project became the Pepe the Frog of indie music.
A wild story about TikTok, trauma, starting over, and seeking offline connection.
www.elienis.com/otto-benson-...
A wild story about TikTok, trauma, starting over, and seeking offline connection.
www.elienis.com/otto-benson-...
Otto Benson talks Memo Boy, TikTok trauma, and healing by singing to strangers
"This machine kind of plucked my music, without my knowing, and used it to create these weird pockets that I feel feed on depressed youth."
www.elienis.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
For the first time, Otto Benson (fka Memo Boy and OTTO) opened up about how his astronomically popular teenage bedroom project became the Pepe the Frog of indie music.
A wild story about TikTok, trauma, starting over, and seeking offline connection.
www.elienis.com/otto-benson-...
A wild story about TikTok, trauma, starting over, and seeking offline connection.
www.elienis.com/otto-benson-...
Can't put a price on peace, but I did put a score on the new and final Megadeth album over at @pitchfork.com. Genuinely had a blast interrogating the Mustaine mindset.
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
Megadeth: Megadeth
Read Eli Enis’ review of the album.
pitchfork.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Can't put a price on peace, but I did put a score on the new and final Megadeth album over at @pitchfork.com. Genuinely had a blast interrogating the Mustaine mindset.
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote:
-Trend reports on internet-native emo (via Sweet Boy) and brutal death metal's presence in hardcore (via Fatal Realm)
-Reviews of Zachshots' twee and Maria Somerville's remix EP
Plus, a Q&A with screamo-core stars Holder.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Trend reports on internet-native emo (via Sweet Boy) and brutal death metal's presence in hardcore (via Fatal Realm)
-Reviews of Zachshots' twee and Maria Somerville's remix EP
Plus, a Q&A with screamo-core stars Holder.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: Sweet Boy, Fatal Realm, Holder Q&A, more
On internet-native emo, brutal death metal infiltrating hardcore, and good bands with dumb names.
www.elienis.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:20 PM
For this week's Chasing Fridays I wrote:
-Trend reports on internet-native emo (via Sweet Boy) and brutal death metal's presence in hardcore (via Fatal Realm)
-Reviews of Zachshots' twee and Maria Somerville's remix EP
Plus, a Q&A with screamo-core stars Holder.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Trend reports on internet-native emo (via Sweet Boy) and brutal death metal's presence in hardcore (via Fatal Realm)
-Reviews of Zachshots' twee and Maria Somerville's remix EP
Plus, a Q&A with screamo-core stars Holder.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
On the topic of good websites that cost $5/month...
Every week, I review music no one else is writing about, dig into genre/scene undercurrents with a degree of detail that's nearly unrivaled, and ask artists questions no one else is asking them.
Your $5 goes a long way: www.elienis.com/subscribe/
Every week, I review music no one else is writing about, dig into genre/scene undercurrents with a degree of detail that's nearly unrivaled, and ask artists questions no one else is asking them.
Your $5 goes a long way: www.elienis.com/subscribe/
Subscribe to Chasing Sundays
Real music criticism, essays, and interviews.
www.elienis.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM
On the topic of good websites that cost $5/month...
Every week, I review music no one else is writing about, dig into genre/scene undercurrents with a degree of detail that's nearly unrivaled, and ask artists questions no one else is asking them.
Your $5 goes a long way: www.elienis.com/subscribe/
Every week, I review music no one else is writing about, dig into genre/scene undercurrents with a degree of detail that's nearly unrivaled, and ask artists questions no one else is asking them.
Your $5 goes a long way: www.elienis.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Eli
I had a long talk with Marisa Dabice about Mannequin Pussy's next album, their AI video controversy, burning out on tour, speaking up about the genocide, 10 years of 'Romantic,' the band's early years, and much more.
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Marisa Dabice on Mannequin Pussy's next album, AI backlash, burning out, and speaking up
"It was a sad realization, but I think it’s unfortunately true in this industry: at the end of the day, no one's looking out for you except for you."
www.elienis.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I had a long talk with Marisa Dabice about Mannequin Pussy's next album, their AI video controversy, burning out on tour, speaking up about the genocide, 10 years of 'Romantic,' the band's early years, and much more.
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
I had a long talk with Marisa Dabice about Mannequin Pussy's next album, their AI video controversy, burning out on tour, speaking up about the genocide, 10 years of 'Romantic,' the band's early years, and much more.
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Marisa Dabice on Mannequin Pussy's next album, AI backlash, burning out, and speaking up
"It was a sad realization, but I think it’s unfortunately true in this industry: at the end of the day, no one's looking out for you except for you."
www.elienis.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I had a long talk with Marisa Dabice about Mannequin Pussy's next album, their AI video controversy, burning out on tour, speaking up about the genocide, 10 years of 'Romantic,' the band's early years, and much more.
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
Chasing Sundays subscribers can read it all.
www.elienis.com/marisa-dabic...
It's Friday. I wrote about
-Slayr's rage-rap revamp
-Sin Against Sin's murderous second demo
-Ratboys being an exception to my alt-country burnout
-Sword2's dogshit emo-rap
-And more hardcore, electro-rap, & slow-gaze
Plus, an interview with Trauma Ray.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Slayr's rage-rap revamp
-Sin Against Sin's murderous second demo
-Ratboys being an exception to my alt-country burnout
-Sword2's dogshit emo-rap
-And more hardcore, electro-rap, & slow-gaze
Plus, an interview with Trauma Ray.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: Slayr, Sin Against Sin, Trauma Ray Q&A, more
Rage-rap, Ratboys, Rate Your Music-core, and more.
www.elienis.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM
It's Friday. I wrote about
-Slayr's rage-rap revamp
-Sin Against Sin's murderous second demo
-Ratboys being an exception to my alt-country burnout
-Sword2's dogshit emo-rap
-And more hardcore, electro-rap, & slow-gaze
Plus, an interview with Trauma Ray.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Slayr's rage-rap revamp
-Sin Against Sin's murderous second demo
-Ratboys being an exception to my alt-country burnout
-Sword2's dogshit emo-rap
-And more hardcore, electro-rap, & slow-gaze
Plus, an interview with Trauma Ray.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
I made another 100-song playlist of new-to-me music and blogged 10 highlights by Jane Remover, Big Thief, Dexter in the Newsagent, Shlohmo, Olivia O., and some others that no one's ever written about.
Read the blurbs and browse the full playlist on Chasing Sundays.
www.elienis.com/100-song-pla...
Read the blurbs and browse the full playlist on Chasing Sundays.
www.elienis.com/100-song-pla...
100-song playlist: Big Thief, Jane Remover, dexter in the newsagent, more
Plus: torqued shoegaze, icy electro-pop, slugging hardcore, swagged-out rap, frigid slowcore, etc.
www.elienis.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM
I made another 100-song playlist of new-to-me music and blogged 10 highlights by Jane Remover, Big Thief, Dexter in the Newsagent, Shlohmo, Olivia O., and some others that no one's ever written about.
Read the blurbs and browse the full playlist on Chasing Sundays.
www.elienis.com/100-song-pla...
Read the blurbs and browse the full playlist on Chasing Sundays.
www.elienis.com/100-song-pla...
Reposted by Eli
My first for @dropsitenews.com: after a grueling three-year strike, workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette returned to work in victory. This week, the 240-year-old paper’s wealthy owners decided to shut it down. open.substack.com/pub/dropsite...
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to Shutter After Workers Held Longest Strike in the History of U.S. Newspapers
Block Communications just closed its Pulitzer Prize–winning newspaper, but its workers hope to keep local journalism alive, with their strike paper in hand and support from residents and officials
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:32 PM
My first for @dropsitenews.com: after a grueling three-year strike, workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette returned to work in victory. This week, the 240-year-old paper’s wealthy owners decided to shut it down. open.substack.com/pub/dropsite...
Chasing Fridays is back. Wrote about:
-Seeing 15 bands at Syracuse's NYD hardcore matinee
-Home Front's protest synth-punk
-Getting Dream Fatigued
-Bellcave's elegant dream-pop
Plus, a Q&A with Sign Crushes Motorist's cloud-rap alter ego Carson Clay.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Seeing 15 bands at Syracuse's NYD hardcore matinee
-Home Front's protest synth-punk
-Getting Dream Fatigued
-Bellcave's elegant dream-pop
Plus, a Q&A with Sign Crushes Motorist's cloud-rap alter ego Carson Clay.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Chasing Fridays: Syracuse hardcore madness, Home Front, Carson Clay Q&A, more
Reporting from the frontlines of a NYD hardcore matinee. Also: good punk, bad rock, nice dream-pop, and interviewing Sign Crushes Motorist's cloud-rap alter ego.
www.elienis.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Chasing Fridays is back. Wrote about:
-Seeing 15 bands at Syracuse's NYD hardcore matinee
-Home Front's protest synth-punk
-Getting Dream Fatigued
-Bellcave's elegant dream-pop
Plus, a Q&A with Sign Crushes Motorist's cloud-rap alter ego Carson Clay.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
-Seeing 15 bands at Syracuse's NYD hardcore matinee
-Home Front's protest synth-punk
-Getting Dream Fatigued
-Bellcave's elegant dream-pop
Plus, a Q&A with Sign Crushes Motorist's cloud-rap alter ego Carson Clay.
www.elienis.com/chasing-frid...
Gonna try to be on this site a lot more in 2026, but I also recently made a Chasing Sundays Instagram where I'm promoting my work, posting what I'm listening to, and documenting other run-ins with music (physical media, live shows, etc.).
Give it a follow if IG is your thing.
Give it a follow if IG is your thing.
December 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Gonna try to be on this site a lot more in 2026, but I also recently made a Chasing Sundays Instagram where I'm promoting my work, posting what I'm listening to, and documenting other run-ins with music (physical media, live shows, etc.).
Give it a follow if IG is your thing.
Give it a follow if IG is your thing.
Reposted by Eli
For my last piece of 2025, I had a long, personal convo with Karly Hartzman. We talked about the next Wednesday album, the band's early years, how she's handling their growing popularity, her evolving music taste, regrets/successes, and much more.
www.elienis.com/karly-hartzm...
www.elienis.com/karly-hartzm...
Karly Hartzman on Wednesday getting heavier, 'Yep Definitely' years, biggest regrets, more
"I don't want to get more singer-songwritery. I want to curate a space for people to go nuts at a show."
www.elienis.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
For my last piece of 2025, I had a long, personal convo with Karly Hartzman. We talked about the next Wednesday album, the band's early years, how she's handling their growing popularity, her evolving music taste, regrets/successes, and much more.
www.elienis.com/karly-hartzm...
www.elienis.com/karly-hartzm...
Wish we could've gotten the Albini Wednesday record tho :(
December 30, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Wish we could've gotten the Albini Wednesday record tho :(