Happy Friday! Alternative New Music Friday #Happens with Gary Clark Jr. and tomorrow he is on CBS Saturday Morning! 

Before we dive into New Music Friday, I wanted to share Alternative ratings highlights from the latest batch of Nielsen February ‘24 PPM 6+ Ratings:

KNRK (94/7)/Portland (1.5-2.0), KKDO (ALT 94.7)/Sacramento 4.3-4.6, KXTE (X107.5)/Las Vegas 3.5-3.9, KROX (101X)/Austin 2.4-2.9, KRBZ (96.5 The Buzz)/Kansas City 1.7-2.3, WNWV/Cleveland 2.9-3.2, and WOLT (Indy 103.1)/Indianapolis 4.1-5.3.

Andy Hawk shares some station ratings highlights from KKDO: “Third biggest Cume station in the market, #1 Cume both nights and weekends. 3rd place is our target demo Persons 18-49. #4 Persons 25-54, led by #1 AM drive Men 25-54. #1 all demos at night and #1 25-54 weekends.”

Speaking of celebrating, have you heard about KYSR (ALT 98.7)/L.A.’s Fiesta for The Woody Show on April 13th? Lisa Worden shares the details on the now sold-out show in The Latest Alternative News.

Now back to the music, new singles released today from Joywave and Young Rising Sons. Also, new music this week that needs to be on your radar from The Driver Era and The Marias. Let’s Go! It’s time to take a deep dive into the latest new music available for airplay on Happens.vip Alternative Downloads.

THIS WEEK’S ALTERNATIVE NEW MUSIC DISCOVERY  

Joywave “Scared” (Hollywood/Cultco) 

Rochester, NY trio Joywave released their new single “Scared” today. It’s the lead single from their fifth studio album, Permanent Pleasure, set to drop on May 17th. Lead singer Daniel Armbruster shared the following about “Scared”: “When I was growing up, every song about intimacy from the male perspective was oozing with confidence and sexual prowess. That just never felt honest or real to me and I wanted to make something for the next person growing up. It’s ok to not feel like that. Everyone’s experience is unique and different. There’s not something wrong with you. Hopefully, the song can add some balance to the intimate musical universe.” The band’s last album was Cleanse in 2022. 

Young Rising Sons “(Un) Happy Hour” (Sons Recording House)

Brooklyn, NY 4-piece Young Rising Sons released their new single “(Un) Happy Hour” today. The new single arrives ahead of their headline tour that kicks off April 12th. You saw them at #Happens, you probably saw them with The 1975 or Smallpools or Halsey. Young Rising Sons have consistently put out catchy Alt-pop songs beginning with their break-through single “High,” which had multiple syncs. The band has released four EPs, including their self-titled debut EP via Interscope in 2014. In 2022, Young Rising Sons released their self-titled full-length debut album via their own label Sons Recording House.

The Driver Era “Get Off My Phone” (The Driver Era/Pasadena)

L.A. duo The Driver Era’s newest single “Get Off My Phone” arrived with a world premiere on BBC Radio 1. The modern-day breakup song is filled with punchy guitar hooks and a danceable chorus. It’s the first new music from brothers Ross and Rocky since 2022. Ross said, “It gets pretty annoying when your phone keeps trying to show you happy memories of a past relationship!”  Rocky added, “It’s hard to give a quote when I’m not on my phone.” The band’s debut single was “Preacher Man” in 2018. The Driver Era head out on tour with east coast dates beginning April 2nd. Find the tour dates HERE.

The Marias “Run Your Mouth” (Atlantic) 

L.A. 4-piece The Marias new single “Run Your Mouth” is the band’s first new music since their debut 2021 album. “Run Your Mouth” is from the band’s upcoming album, Submarine, set to drop on May 31st. Lead singer María Zardoya, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta, shares, “This was one of the first songs Josh and I wrote on Submarine. I was conflict avoidant at the time and whenever someone wanted to talk about something serious, I’d run and hide. I learned that was a protective mechanism and I didn’t have the capacity to open up. There’s no other song on the album like it, hope you dance to this one.” 

Looking for Alternative Downloads? Listen/Download/Song Info HERE.

New Music Friday #Happens With Gary Clark Jr.

Austin, TX’s Gary Clark Jr. releases his fourth studio album, JPEG RAW, via Warner Records. Five tracks — “Maktub,” “JPEG RAW,” “This Is Who We Are,” “Hyperwave,” and “Habits” — were released in advance of this new 12 song collection.

The adventurous new material combines World Music, Jazz, Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop and Blues forging a fresh new style. The lyrics are pointed, deeply personal, outspoken and socially conscious with occasional forays into rap and spoken word. 

It’s his first album in five years. Clark’s previous releases are This Land (2019), Live/North America (2017), The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015), Sonny Boy Slim (2015), and Blak And Blu (2012).

In 2020, This Land won Grammy Awards for “Best Rock Song” and “Best Rock Performance.”

You can catch Clark tomorrow on CBS Saturday Morning. Check out a clip on the social reel posted HERE. 

U.S. Tour dates kick off May 8th in Dallas, including Bonnaroo on June 14th. Find the tour dates HERE.

New Music Friday Albums To Check Out Today

elbow – Audio Vertigo (Polydor/Geffen)

Gary Clark Jr. – JPEG RAW (Warner)

The Gaslight Anthem – History Books – Short Stories (EP) (Thirty Tigers)

Hozier – Unheard (EP) (Columbia)

The Jesus And Mary Chain – Glasgow Eyes (Fuzz Club)

Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood (-Anti)

MORE ALT ALBUMS HERE

Going For Adds

Impacting Songs Next Week (3/26):

Cigarettes After Sex “Tejano Blue” (Partisan)

Good Neighbours “Home” (Neon Gold/Avenue A)

Letdown. “Hate Myself” (Big Loud Rock)

Luke Hemmings “Shakes” (Arista) 

The Marias “Run Your Mouth” (Atlantic)