Punk Black To-Go: New Music highlights for the New Year
On Punk Black To-Go, “City Lights” music contributor Von Phoenix brings us highlights from artists of color performing in various music and art arenas — many of which break stereotypes and expectations.
Phoenix’s mission with Punk Black is to create a radically inclusive space for BIPOC artists, musicians and cosplayers, expanding the vocabulary of what it means to live in the punk world. This month’s edition serves up a selection of today’s can’t-miss radical creators on the edge of the BIPOC scene.
This month, Von Phoenix shared the origin story of Punk Black, founded in 2015 by himself, the musician Arkkade Kult, Kharis Ellison, and featured artist Jamee Cornelia. “We had no idea what we were doing,” said Phoenix. “We did not know if it was going to be like what it is now – we had no intention of that. We wanted to throw one house party, and that’s how Punk Black started.” The enthusiastic reception earned by this inaugural house show convinced the collaborators that “this is good for the community, this good for us, this is good for our bands and our artists. This is just good for everybody.”
January highlights:
Jamee Cornelia: A co-founder of Punk Black, Cornelia also contributes graphic design, art direction and show hosting. As a musical artist, she blends hip-hop with alternative rock and pop-punk. “Super bumpin’, good to get your day started,” said Phoenix. Featured track “City Full of Stars” rides a laid-back trap backing beat with layered vocals describing the dreamy escapism of city nightlife. “Maybe for a moment I’ll forget my life / Spirits start to glisten under all these lights,” chants Cornelia. She can be found on Instagram at @jameecornelia.
Dregs: “Music that would be on the ‘Jet-Set Radio Future’ soundtrack,” Phoenix attests, referencing an obscure 2002 Sega Genesis game where roller skaters take over a futuristic Tokyo with graffiti and parkour-style terrain-hopping. Featured track “Sister” is a brazen, driving rocker with snarling guitars, a clean kick backbeat and fuzzed-out vocals. Phoenix expressed his fervent hope that “Jet Set Radio Future” produces a sequel and makes sure to feature Dregs prominently on the soundtrack. More by Dregs can be found on Instagram at @dregsatx.
Dead Cassettes: An Atlanta duo with hybrid ’80s modern pop and alt-punk, favoring danceable four-on-the-floor beats and presenting, according to Phoenix, incredible live shows. “I’ve personally been bumping this song for the last five or six hours,” said Phoenix, referring to featured track “Ghost Lovers.” Drenched in reverb and celebrating the synth drum pad dance beats of the ’80s, the duo’s languid vocals pad out a dreamlike soundscape with the two singers, Bradlea and Rodney, trading phrases, calling and responding through the song’s depth of space. Dead Cassettes can be found on Instagram at @dead.cassettes.
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