News
Issue 71 Also Features Interviews with Angel Olsen, M83, The New Pornographers, John Cale, Indigo De Souza, Lael Neale, Phoenix, Dry Cleaning, Miss Grit, Sleaford Mods, The WAEVE, Shame, Bartees Strange, Caroline Rose, and More
Apr 05, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, Issue 71, which features Weyes Blood and Black Belt Eagle Scout on the two covers. Issue 71 also features interviews with Angel Olsen, M83, The New Pornographers, John Cale, Indigo De Souza, Lael Neale, Phoenix, Dry Cleaning, Miss Grit, Sleaford Mods, The WAEVE, Shame, Bartees Strange, Caroline Rose, Stella Donnelly, Florist, Hot Chip, black midi, Jockstrap, Horsegirl, Blondshell, Sleaford Mods, Beth Orton, and others. More
Festival Will Take Place July 21–23 at Chicago’s Union Park; Lineup Also Features Weyes Blood, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Alvvays, and More
Mar 20, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Pitchfork Music Festival has announced their 2023 lineup. The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver will be headlining. Other acts include Weyes Blood, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Alvvays, Nation of Language, and more. More
The Land, The Water, The Sky Out Now via Saddle Creek
Feb 10, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Swinomish Indian Tribal Community-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Katherine Paul) has releaseda new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky, today via Saddle Creek. Now that it’s out, you can stream the whole thing here. You can also read our rave 9/10 review of the album, which we posted today. More
Plus Wings of Desire, Alex Lahey, The WAEVE, H. Hawkline, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Feb 03, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the fifth Songs of the Week of 2023. There were lots of strong contenders this week, the Top 7 is especially solid. We settled on a Top 12 this week. More
The Land, The Water, The Sky Due Out February 10 via Saddle Creek
Feb 02, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Swinomish Indian Tribal Community-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Katherine Paul) is releasing a new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky, on February 10 via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared its fourth single, “Spaces,” via a music video. The affecting song features Paul’s parents on backing vocals and the video features her dad. She’s also announced some new tour dates for April and May. More
Plus Death and Vanilla, James Yorkston and Nina Persson, and Peter Gabriel
Jan 06, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to the first Songs of the Week of 2023. It was a quiet week as the music industry slowly awakens from the holiday break. Hence we only have six songs and no honorable mentions. More
The Land, The Water, The Sky Due Out February 10, 2023 via Saddle Creek
Jan 05, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Swinomish Indian Tribal Community-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Katherine Paul) is releasing a new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky, on February 10, 2023 via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared its third single, “Nobody,” via a music video. More
Plus Shame, koleżanka, The Golden Dregs, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Nov 18, 2022
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the 40th Songs of the Week of 2022. After a few weeks of doing a Songs of the Week every other week, we’re back on the regular weekly schedule now. Although next week we won’t being doing a Songs of the Week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. More
The Land, The Water, The Sky Due Out Feburary 10, 2023 via Saddle Creek
Nov 16, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Swinomish Indian Tribal Community-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Katherine Paul) has announced a new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky, and shared a new song from it, opening track “My Blood Runs Through This Land,” via a video for it. The Land, The Water, The Sky is due out Feburary 10, 2023 via Saddle Creek. More
Plus Meg Baird, The Big Moon, Alvvays, Julien Chang, and a Wrap-up of the Last Two Weeks’ Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 14, 2022
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the 37th Songs of the Week of 2022. We didn’t do a Songs of the Week last week because we’ve been too busy working on our next two print issues and we also didn’t feel like there were a lot of strong contenders last week. So this week’s list encompasses songs released in the last two weeks and is thus a supersized Top 16 list. More
Covers of Covers Due Out March 4, 2022 via American Laundromat; Also Features Cassandra Jenkins, Alex Lahey, Peter Bjorn and John, Hatchie, Nation of Language, Cults, Kevin Drew, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Girl Ray, Piroshka, and More
Dec 21, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is proud to announce Covers of Covers, which is the magazine’s first ever album. In honor of our 20th anniversary we approached some of our favorite musicians and asked them to cover any song by any artist who had been on the front or back cover of our print issue over the years. Covers of Covers is due out March 4, 2022 via American Laundromat, but today we are sharing two of its tracks: Grandaddy’s cover of Metric’s “Blindness” and EMA’s cover of Modest Mouse’s “Trailer Trash.” More
Issue 68 Out Now and Also Includes Julien Baker, Wolf Alice, Tegan and Sara, Arlo Parks, Fleet Foxes, Jessie Ware, Shamir, Lucy Dacus, Valerie June, David Byrne, Julian Casablancas, and Much More
Apr 21, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, which is out now nationwide (on newsstands, in such stores as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and elsewhere) and available to buy directly from us here. The issue features Japanese Breakfast and HAIM on the two covers and is another edition of The Protest Issue, which examines the intersection of music and politics and features musicians photographed with protest signs of their own making. More
Our Podcast Also Airs on the Virginia NPR Affiliate Radio Station
Dec 03, 2020
By Celine Teo-Blockey
This year we launched a new podcast, simply titled Under the Radar, and also announced that as well as being available on all podcasting platforms the podcast will also be airing on WLUR, an NPR affiliate based in Lexington, VA (the city where Under the Radar is currently based). Our sixth episode, featuring an interview with Fran Healy, frontman of Scotish rockers Travis is airing today (Thursday, December 3) at 5 p.m. EST. More
Episode One Featuring Black Belt Eagle Scout will Broadcast This Thursday at 5 p.m. EST
Jul 28, 2020
By Mark Redfern
We recently launched a new podcast, simply titled Under the Radar, and we’re excited to announce that as well as being available on all podcasting platforms the podcast will now also be airing on WLUR, an NPR affiliate public radio station based in Lexington, VA (the city where Under the Radar is currently based). Our first episode, which features an in-depth story on Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul), will broadcast this Thursday at 5 p.m. EST. More
The First Episode of the Simply Titled Under the Radar Is Out Now on Major Podcasting Platforms
May 19, 2020
By Mark Redfern
We have launched a new podcast that’s simply titled Under the Radar and the first episode features an in-depth story on Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul). Each episode will feature an interview with a different musician conducted by host and producer Celine Teo-Blockey. More
At the Party With My Brown Friends Out Now via Saddle Creek
Feb 03, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul) released a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, last August via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared a video for “I Said I Wouldn’t Write This Song” and announced some new tour dates. More
Issue 66 Features Musicians and Actors on Their All-Time Favorite Albums, including Tegan and Sara, Wilco, Weyes Blood, Sigur Rós, Fred Armisen, Topher Grace, Jay Baruchel, Low, and more
Sep 27, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the My Favorite Album Issue, our new print issue in which we speak to musicians and actors about their all-time favorite album. The issue features Angel Olsen and Sleater-Kinney on the two covers and is available to buy directly from us here, as well as being distributed in stores nationwide (on newsstands, in such stores as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and elsewhere). More
Plus Vagabon, Cigarettes After Sex, Iggy Pop, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Aug 30, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. Usually we have a Top 10, but last week it was a Top 13 and the week before it was a Top 12. This week, however, the pickings were slimmer and the best we could muster was a Top 9. More
At the Party With My Brown Friends Out Now via Saddle Creek
Aug 30, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul) has released a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, today via Saddle Creek. Now that the album is out, you can stream the whole thing here. You can also read our review of it. More
At the Party With My Brown Friends Due Out This Friday via Saddle Creek
Aug 27, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul) is releasing a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, this Friday (August 30) via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared another song from it, “Run It to Ya,” via a video for the track. More
Plus Metronomy, DIIV, Chance The Rapper + Ben Gibbard, Tegan and Sara, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Jul 26, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. It was another strong week for new tracks. There are some repeat offenders (artists who have had previous Songs of the Week in recent months), some newbies, and a surprising collaboration. More
At the Party With My Brown Friends Due Out August 30 via Saddle Creek
Jul 24, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul) is releasing a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, on August 30 via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared another song from it, “My Heart Dreams,” via a video for the track. She has also announced some new headlining tour dates. More
Plus Bruce Springsteen, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Purple Mountains, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Jun 14, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. We couldn’t quite limit it to a Top 10 this week, there were enough strong new tracks to stretch it to a Top 11. There were several notable albums announced this week, which meant a lot of strong new singles to choose from. More
At the Party With My Brown Friends Due Out August 30 via Saddle Creek
Jun 11, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul) has announced a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, and shared its first single, album opener “At the Party.” More
Black Belt Eagle Scout to Support Some Dates
May 28, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Devendra Banhart has announced some fall tour dates. They go down this October, November, and December and Black Belt Eagle Scout is set to support many of the shows. More
Plus Tame Impala, Amason, Wand, Clinic, Mark Ronson and Lykke Li, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Apr 12, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. We were a bit indecisive this week. There were lots of new tracks to sort through and lots of good ones, but none that immediately screamed #1 Song of the Week. But then we realized there was actually a clear winner after-all. More
Loss & Relax b/w Half Colored Hair 7-Inch Due Out April 26 via Saddle Creek
Apr 09, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout is the project of Portland-based Katherine Paul, an indigenous queer musician who grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and whose debut album, Mother of My Children, came out last September via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared a video for a brand new song, “Loss & Relax.” More
Apr 01, 2019
By Bekki Bemrose
Black Belt Eagle Scout, aka Katherine Paul, released one of the most arresting singles of 2018. But “Soft Stud” was a red herring. By which I don’t mean a fluke of quality, rather that it’s just one facet of her deeply rich debut album, Mother of My Children. More
Issue 65 is Out Now and Also Includes Interviews with Sharon Van Etten, Deerhunter, Foals, and Kurt Vile; Plus a Tribute to Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, and Much More
Mar 01, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, Issue 65, which is out now nationwide (on newsstands, in such stores as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and elsewhere) and available to buy directly from us here. The issue features Mitski on the front cover and boygenius (Julien Baker + Phoebe Bridgers + Lucy Dacus) on the back cover. More
Mother of My Children Out Now via Saddle Creek
Jan 16, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout is the project of Portland-based Katherine Paul, an indigenous queer musician who grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and whose debut album, Mother of My Children, came out last September via Saddle Creek. Now she has shared a video for album highlight “Soft Stud.” More
A Soccer Mommy Sends Some Snail Mail to a Flasher, a Goat Girl, and a Serpent with Feet; What a Shame
Dec 21, 2018
By Mark Redfern
Ahead of our forthcoming Top 100 Albums of 2018 list, we present our favorite debut albums of the year. To qualify, an album simply had to be the artist’s first full-length release under their current artist name. More
Double Negative Out Now via Sub Pop
Sep 14, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Low released a new album, Double Negative, today via Sub Pop and it’s our Album of the Week. Double Negative is the follow-up to 2015’s Ones and Sixes. A press release announcing the album described Double Negative as Low’s “most brazen, abrasive (and, paradoxically, most empowering) album.” In our review of Double Negative, our writer Adam Turner-Heffer calls the album “their most inventive yet.” More
Plus Men I Trust, Okkervil River, Phosphorescent, The Twilight Sad, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Sep 07, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Last week’s Songs of the Week was sparse, with only a Top 8 (and two of those songs were from the same artist), probably due to it building up a three-day weekend. There wasn’t much to write about at the start of this week, due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday, but labels, bands, and publicists more than made up for it with plenty of new songs the rest of the week. More
Mother of My Children Due Out September 14 via Saddle Creek
Sep 06, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Black Belt Eagle Scout is the project of Portland-based Katherine Paul, an indigenous queer musician who grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and whose debut album, Mother of My Children, is due out September 14 via Saddle Creek. More
Interviews
Track-by-Track: Each Artist on Their Contribution to the Album
Mar 04, 2022
By Mark Redfern
When hatching plans to celebrate Under the Radar’s 20th anniversary I knew I wanted to go beyond just producing a special 20th anniversary issue. Despite two decades of writing about albums, one thing we’d never done is actually put one out ourselves. Thus I came upon the idea for Covers of Covers. The concept was so perfect and simple that I’m surprised we hadn’t thought of it before. We approached some of our favorite musicians and asked them to cover any song by any artist who had been on the front or back cover of our print issue over the years, including artists that had appeared in group cover shots. More
"This album was definitely one of those albums where you fall in love with it while you fall in love with somebody else."
Jan 27, 2020
By Matt Fink (As Told To)
I attended college in Portland, Oregon, and moved there primarily because of the music scene and the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls. I was dating somebody at the time whose favorite artist was Cat Power, and, of course, my favorite artist then became Cat Power, and I discovered this album Moon Pix. More
Apr 01, 2019
By Bekki Bemrose
Black Belt Eagle Scout, aka Katherine Paul, released one of the most arresting singles of 2018. But “Soft Stud” was a red herring. By which I don’t mean a fluke of quality, rather that it’s just one facet of her deeply rich debut album, Mother of My Children. More
The Personal is Political
Nov 05, 2018
By Bekki Bemrose
In 2018 Black Belt Eagle Scout, aka Katherine Paul, issued one of the debut records of the year. Mother of My Children is a deeply personal rumination on love and loss, but it’s also an indie-rock album that is charged with Paul’s identity as an indigenous, queer woman.
Reviews
Mar 10, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Swinomish Indian Tribal Community-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Katherine Paul) released a new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky, last month via Saddle Creek. On release day, Paul and her backing band played an album release show at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR. Our photographer Jason Quigley captured the action. More
Feb 10, 2023
By Caleb Campbell
From the earliest moments of her life, Katherine Paul was connected to her home, her heritage, and her land through music. She was raised on the Swinomish Reservation, growing up surrounded by her family’s drum group, with music acting as a lifeline to her culture and spirituality. More
Aug 26, 2019
By Stephen Mayne
Some artists are capable of a certain kind of showiness that seizes the light without seeming to do so. Katherine Paul fits this description, achieving more through simple melody and gentle repetition than shock tactics and bombast ever could. More
Sep 14, 2018
By Max Freedman
It’s hard to deny someone’s personhood when they’re going through the same struggles you are. Katherine Paul, known musically as Black Belt Eagle Scout, is a self-described “queer indigenous radical feminist,” but this trait could be easy to miss if not for her artistic moniker and her song titles (such as “Indians Never Die”). More