New music dump: Nine Fresno(ish) releases to check out this week

Plus, an upcoming concert calendar

Jul 13, 2025

Anyone who doubts the validity of Fresno’s music scene at this moment should try to keep up with the onslaught of new music being released.

See: the summer playlist Valley Echoes put out earlier this month.

Here are of the some releases that caught my attention recently, divvied up by category.

The Fresno ex-pats

“Party Tricks,” Bel
Bel is Clovis born singer/songwriter, Isabel Whalen who has been making moves since relocating to Los Angeles. “Party Tricks,” is the first single from her debut album “Holy Grail,” which drops Oct. 17.
“The Shadow Proves the Light to Be,” Dylan Tidyman-Jones
Dylan Tidyman-Jones is among a group of artists who remained active after relocating out of Fresno in the late 2000s/early 2010s, releasing music under a variety of monikers (Fronds, Polytherian).
Here, the San Francisco-based home recording artist brings us, “songs of madness, recovery and love, through reveries and dreams, assembling soundscapes for voice and nylon guitar,” per the Bandcamp bio.

Metal

“Soaring Through The Ages,” Haunt
In between planning for Fresno’s annual NWTHM festival and trying to navigate being an independent musician in the Trump era, Haunt mastermind Trevor Church continues to released new music.
“Soaring Through the Ages,” is the first single for the upcoming album “Ignite.”
Check out the video for the single below.
“Odyssey of Fate,” Exvamon
Exvamon is one of collection of younger bands that have collaborated on a series of “metal” shows over the last few years (alongside Kutie, JNX, Permutations). Exvamon represents the power metal faction of the group.
“Odyssey of Fate,” is the debut album and was released on Saturday.
Side note: You can hear an interview with the band on Homegrown next weekend.

Hip-hop

“Lottery,” Otis Reed
“Lottery,” is the latest single from Otis Reed, with features from Fashawn and T.A The Handful.
The track was produced by Jukebawks, who should be known for his work with Zee Will and also Fashawn (on 2016’s “Mother Amerikkka,” which was out Mass Appeal).
The song was actually released in June, but got a bump when the video (and supplementals) were released on Friday. Check it out below.
“Capital,” Fashawn
Keeping with the Grizzly City gang, this weekend also saw the release of Fashaw’s full-length “Capital,” which was done in collaboration with producer Marc Spano. The rapper did an in-store at Ragin’ Records to commemorate.
The album is available (on limited edition blue and orange vinyl) though Old Soul Music.

Indie/alt rock

“Hometown,” split EP
Before embarking off a tour of the Pacific Northwest tour last month, Unlikely teased new music and what they were calling a split EP (to be released July 3 with a show at Summer Fox).
In truth, “Hometown” is closer to a full-on compilation. It features eight tracks; two each from Unlikely, plus Mindless Society, Lavish Youth and Knuckleball.
I would like to see this as the first in a larger project of compilations (just something for someone to think about. Looking at you, Neon Bloom).
“Roof,” ThatsOK
This is the latest single from ThatsOK, the musical project from Matt Orme, who’s sort of a musical jack-of-all trades (as a songwriter/sound engineer/venue runner).
The song finds Orme settling into his musical influences (and his own voice). That’s exciting for anyone following his musical output over the last year plus.
“Nothing to Grieve,” Deep Forrest Drive
“Nothing to Grieve” is a song that’s been five years in the making. Tracked at three different studios between 2019 and 2024, the song was released back in June in advance of an EP, which should be out in October.
“Nothing To Grieve is a song that exists in two halves. The first is melancholic and reflective, with stuttering drums and moody piano. The abrupt transition takes us into part two, full of color and proclaiming hope in the face of adversity.”
Side note: Engineering work on the album was done by Joey Vannucchi (From Indian Lakes).
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Upcoming concerts calendar, Fresno

I’ve abdicated some of the calendar list stuff to others, lately.

For the week-to-week, month-to-month stuff, they do it better and more constantly. Still, there are announcements that come up that are worth putting in front of your eyeballs early.

For instance:

Acoustic Night, July 26, at The 101
This is the sixth installment of a bi- (tri??) monthly acoustic night at Matt Orme’s studio/venue The 101 (that’s the suite number not the address).
Featured artists include (Brother comrade) Luke Freeman, Kaleb Saldate (Sleep Wounds, ex-Ultra Diamonds, Fierce Creatures), Duncan Shuck (Knuckleball, Built Different, Big Ser), Isla Dudley (Go In Grace, ex-Sad Kwon Do) and Ellison Williams (Victim of Propaganda, the Downwinders).
Show stars at 6 p.m., $10 cover.
Sparklejet, Big Ser, New Old Man, Seven Asterisk, Aug. 31, at the Tower Theatre Lounge
Sparklejet has long been one of Fresno’s most bombastic indie-rock bands; born of the Replacements and Husker Du (or at least some Bob Mould) bred with The Who and Zeppelin and (maybe) some Neil Young. This is a rare, local show for the band.
Rounding out the bill is Big Ser (bringing their own take on ’90s college rock), New Old Man (with Sparklejet doing double duty as backing band) and Seven Asterisk (holding it down for the younger set). Tickets are $12-$15.
Baroness, Sept. 19, at Strummer’s
This is one of two shows Strummer’s announced this week that feels like a big get.
Baroness stops through on its “Red and Blue Tour,” which sees the band play through 2007’s “Red Album,” and 2009s “Blue Record” each night. Sadly, this looks to be a one-off, without tour opener Weedeater.
Tickets are $36.98 - $40.07 (fees included) and should sell out.
From Indian Lakes, Nov. 16, Strummer’s
The other show Strummer’s announced this week that feels like a big get is From Indian Lakes, aka Joey Vannucchi (mentioned above).
This is one of three California shows of the band. Via Instagram: “Our first hometown show in years, plus a couple other cities we haven’t hit in a long time. Playing songs from every album (duh). Long time friends @ridgewayca joining us.”
Tickets are $26.18 - $29.27 (fees included) and should sell out.

Bandgeeeek!

Ready for more?