Necktie Optional episode 21 (9/10/2026)

Most of the night sat in upbeat, guitar-forward indie and power-pop territory: mypilotis, Indigo Elephant, Starter Car, The Big Moon, Westside Cowboy, The Vaccines, Carver Commodore, Courtney Barnett, and The Braymores all worked that lane. Slow Coast, Minus the Bear, Twen, Dehd, Pleasure Systems, Frightened Rabbit, and Dismemberment Plan pulled things into moodier, more atmospheric territory, while Zimmer Grandioso, yeemz, swell foop, and Kacie Jewel Hill added stranger, more idiosyncratic textures throughout. Kings of Convenience, Liana Flores, Linus Hablot, and Dana and Alden brought the quieter, acoustic-leaning moments, and Kashus Culpepper added a soulful, country-tinged voice into the mix.A few tracks stood out for more than just sound. The Beths' "Uptown Girl" shares its title with the Billy Joel classic but is an entirely different, much darker song about a friendship curdling into resentment. Ron Gallo's "Truth" comes from the same batch of pointed political songs as his earlier "Peter Thiel" track, part of an ongoing series of satirical, topical releases. And John Roseboro & Mei Semones' "Johnny" is a duet built on a warm, samba-inflected groove, with Semones' guitar work weaving through Roseboro's nylon-string lines.Handpicked, as always. Neckties remain optional.setlist:mypilotis | fence sitterIndigo Elephant | (Nothing) MattersStarter Car | KickingThe Big Moon | Three ThingsThe Beths | Uptown GirlWestside Cowboy | PaperchainsThe Vaccines | Lunar EclipseCarver Commodore | Drown Me In EmotionsSlow Coast | Double VisionMinus the Bear | InvisibleZimmer Grandioso | neighbourhood watchRon Gallo | TruthKashus Culpepper | Let Me Show You LoveKacie Jewel Hill | Wide Eyedyeemz | Beta Paradoxswell foop | TimeDana and Alden | Summer NightsKings of Convenience | Rule My WorldLiana Flores | So it goesJohn Roseboro & Mei Semones | JohnnyLinus Hablot | Say YesCourtney Barnett | Great AdviceDismemberment Plan | Following ThroughTwen | Fate EuphoricDehd | Light OnPleasure Systems | When It's LeavingThe Braymores | AugustFrightened Rabbit | Holy