As the new year kicks off, the Pittsburgh music scene is staying busy with new releases.
Here’s a look at those new local albums and release shows scheduled for the Pittsburgh region in January:
Nutmeg Party
The self-described “genre-fluid” band are releasing their second EP, “Party,” on Jan. 2, with a release party on Jan. 4 at Glitterbox Theater in West Homestead.
“It’s a culmination of all of our efforts until now, and we really feel it showcases the range of genres and styles we can play,” singer/drummer Hayden Hanna said.
Local music spotlight: Nutmeg Party
Mister Strawberry
Pittsburgh’s Mister Strawberry will celebrate the release of their album “It Is Happening Again” — which actually came out in November — with a Jan. 4 show at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood.
The band described the album as “a collection of songs with moments that teeter between mundane and obtuse.”
The show had originally been scheduled for Dec. 13 but was pushed back because of bad weather that day.
Woodland Creatures
Americana band Woodland Creatures will release their second EP, “A Little Prophecy,” on Jan. 9, with an album release show on Jan. 10 at the Original Pittsburgh Winery in the Strip District.
The three-song EP “dives into the mythic image of the witch — not as a villain, but as a symbol of fierce feminine power,” according to the band.
Local music spotlight: Woodland Creatures
Connor Parente
Rising singer/guitarist Connor Parente, 18, will release his debut album, “Hieroglyphics,” on Jan. 9 with an album release show the same day at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls in Millvale.
“So no matter what you’re into, whether it be folk, guitar-rock, pop, indie, soul (just to name a few,) I think you’ll find something to like here,” Parente said of the album.
Local music spotlight: Connor Parente
Minifridge
Hardcore band Minifridge are playing a release show for their new EP, “3 Songs,” on Jan. 9 at Mr. Roboto Project.
According to the band, “‘3 Songs’ is a quick EP that still has our hard-hitting riffs, high-energy delivery and aggressive tone while also having a newer sound that brings in deeper and more introspective songwriting.”
The Nërd Hërdërs
The Nërd Hërdërs will be dropping their sophomore album, “Reverse Origami,” on Jan. 9, with a release show on Jan. 10 at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls.
“We started writing and recording these tunes before covid, so this is like our ‘Chinese Democracy’ by Guns N’ Roses if you will,” singer/guitarist Mike Dugan said. “Only our record doesn’t stink.”
Local music spotlight: The Nërd Hërdërs
Boy Wonders
Jangle pop band Boy Wonders released their sophomore album, “Character Study,” in December and will hold an album release party on Jan. 10 at Club Cafe in Pittsburgh’s South Side.
“(It) really sees us digging into ’60s pop more — there’s jangly 12-string guitars all over the place, lots of group harmonies,” singer/guitarist Derek January said.
Local music spotlight: Boy Wonders
BBGuns
BBGuns’ third album, “Rust Belt,” is set for a release on Jan. 16.
The album “reflects on the decaying state of America, and channels that into a more aggressive and grungy sound,” according to the band, with guest features from Copywrite, Walkman, Eliy Orcko, AARIE, Cain Canary and M.E.L.T.
Local music spotlight: BBGuns
Eric Moe
Pittsburgh-based composer Eric Moe, a professor in Pitt’s music department, is releasing “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years,” which has five solo keyboard works and one quintet.
“Drawing on some of his most common sources of inspiration, namely natural, scientific, and social phenomena, Moe deftly integrates his observations about various paradigms into the aesthetic and musical vocabulary of his music,” according to his record label.
Donora
In November, indie pop/rock band Donora released “Out Here Bleeding Again,” their first album in eight years, and they’ll play an album release show on Jan. 23 at Original Pittsburgh Winery.
“We’ve got families, kids and full lives and (to be honest) we weren’t really interested in putting out new music unless we had something to say,” the band wrote on Instagram. “Turns out we have a lot to say these days.”
Buffalo Rose
Folk/American band Buffalo Rose will release “All You Can Eat,” a collection of covers including Cake’s “Short Skirt/Long Jacket,” on Jan. 23.
“People always ask us, ‘What kind of music do you play?’ It’s not a simple answer, but one that this record answers beautifully. We grew up absorbing so many styles; Fleetwood Mac and Britney Spears, Usher and *NSYNC, Stevie Wonder, ABBA, Kate Bush,” the band wrote. “When it comes down to it, we’re a pop band that plays acoustic instruments, and we’re not afraid to make the music we want to make. This record of covers offers a glimpse behind the curtain of all that makes us who we are.”
PosterChild
Indie rock band PosterChild will celebrate their new album, “Leaving New Mexico,” dropping on Jan. 30, with a release show the next day at Haven in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.
The band released its latest single, “Michael’s Sword,” in November.
How to be featured
Have a new release coming out in the coming months? Let me know at mpalm@triblive.com
