Bandcamp Friday, the DIY Edition

It’s no surprise that the pandemic has made home recording a necessity, or at least a more fruitful pastime, for many folks. This #bandcampfriday, check out some musicians who took creative matters into their own hands. Marq the A$tronaut, “Satanic Girls” This lively single by Connecticut guitarist and producer Marq the A$tronaut, a.k.a. Mark Lyon… Continue reading Bandcamp Friday, the DIY Edition

Black North’s The Lost Year: Volume 1

Following their 2019 acoustic single “Time,” Black North is putting some more skin in the game with the two-track EP The Lost Year: Volume 1.  The eastern Connecticut trio (featuring Bill Bates on guitar and vocals, Stephanie Lussier on bass and vocals, and John Tolmie handling drums) has been a staple at local shows since… Continue reading Black North’s The Lost Year: Volume 1

Album Review and Artwork Reveal: Mourn the Light’s Suffer, Then We’re Gone

By Charlie Sad Eyes Connecticut doom outfit Mourn The Light has done a lot in less than three years of existence: toured America, played a string of dates in Canada, and amassed a large social media following, all on the strength of an EP, a split CD with Oxblood Forge, and some singles… All while… Continue reading Album Review and Artwork Reveal: Mourn the Light’s Suffer, Then We’re Gone

Music News: Carried By VI to Release Debut Album

Wallingford, CT’s Carried By VI is preparing to release their debut album Whistling Past The Graveyard.  This is intense music about maintaining a positive mental attitude in the face of challenges — a message that’s even more relevant with the current pandemic situation. The album offers five tracks of no-frills hardcore and doom influenced metal,… Continue reading Music News: Carried By VI to Release Debut Album

Single Review: Phat A$tronaut’s “Rare Fruit”

New Haven’s Phat A$tronaut does it again with the single “Rare Fruit.”  With twittering flutes and a variety of distinct vocal stylings, the experimental soul band transports listeners from their mundane surroundings — living room couches, seats on the subway — to a magical dance party where everyone is happy and hip and dressed in… Continue reading Single Review: Phat A$tronaut’s “Rare Fruit”

Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Savers Edition

Save money you will!

Longtime AltCtrl readers will know that I’m obsessed with thrift store and consignment shopping, and I’m always looking for a new place to check out.  In that vein, Savers of Orange, CT is my latest go-to for clothes and tchotchkes. Coincidentally, the blog ran an article about the Savers in Brookfield all the way back in 2012. … Continue reading Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Savers Edition

Top Ten Articles of 2019

The interviewer and interviewee on Candid Camera.

Is it really almost the end of a decade?  When this blog published its first post in September 2010, “The Year Twenty Twenty” was an abstract concept.  But here we are in the closing days of 2019….  This year, Alternative Control published 156 posts featuring 170 bands.  We interviewed 23 bands and enjoyed 10 Show Me… Continue reading Top Ten Articles of 2019