Today, Wolf Parade band member Spencer Krug is sharing a solo piano version of “I’ll Believe In Anything,” available on all DSPs worldwide from Sub Pop (and on Pronounced Kroog in Canada.) The song, from Wolf Parade’s Apologies To The Queen Mary, their beloved full-length debut, is earning the band a slew of new fans thanks to its prominent use in the steamy hit TV show Heated Rivalry (see February 9th Vulture interview).
On Spotify alone, the original recording of “I’ll Believe In Anything” has now reached 40 million streams to date, with 20 million of those amassed since the show’s premiere in late November. The show also helped grow the band’s listenership on the platform to over 2 million monthly listeners.
This tender version of the song originated last month during Spencer’s solo set at Unreal City Fest in Vancouver, BC at Russian Hall. The response to the performance on social media was fantastic, so he’s recorded the new rendering of the song at Risque Disque Records in Ladysmith, BC, for wider release.
Krug also has a headlining performance on June 5th in Vancouver, BC at St. James Hall. As for Wolf Parade, the band has scheduled some Canadian headlining shows for the March 11th through March 15th, 2026 timeframe. Additional dates will be announced very soon.
Please find a current list of dates below.
Wed. Mar. 11- St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse Thu. Mar. 12 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse Fri. Mar. 13 - Hamilton, ON - Bridgeworks Sat. Mar. 14 - Guelph, ON - Sonic Hall Sun. Mar. 15 - Guelph, ON - Sonic Hall
Spencer Krug “I’ll Believe In Anything (Piano Version)”
Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to announce the return (for our 20th year!) of the Sub Pop Loser Scholarship. Further details on the scholarship are below, and even further below is some clarification on what we mean with all this “Loser” business.
Sub Pop Records is offering a grand total of $18,000 in college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. There are three scholarships—each for $6,000! As longtime, proud losers ourselves, we’re exceedingly happy to be able, in some small way, to help further the education of art-enthused misfits from the NW. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be residents of Washington, Idaho or Oregon, and graduating seniors on the way to full-time enrollment at an accredited university or college. We are looking for applicants who are involved and/or interested in music and/or creative media and arts in some way. However, you do not need to be pursuing an education in the arts.
To apply: you must submit an essay, one page or less, using any combination of the following questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Please list the school you are graduating from and the school you plan to attend in the fall at the top of your essay along with your contact information.
- What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?
- What does being a Sub Pop ‘Loser’ mean to you?
- What are your influences and/or who inspired you to become involved in the arts?
- Describe your biggest failure and explain how it has brought you closer to your goal(s).
- Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
- How has your family or community background affected the way you see the world?
- Why should you be the Loser winner?
Applicants are strongly (!) encouraged to send digital links and/or provide hard copies of their artwork, photos of community involvement, radio show links, videos, etc. along with their essay (we have never had a winner who submitted only an essay w/no extras). However, please be aware that Sub Pop will not return any of this material, so please don’t send originals. Sub Pop will give equal opportunity to all applicants who fit the criteria outlined above.
The deadline for applications is Monday, March 16th, 2026.
Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Monday, March 16th. We will announce the scholarship winners during the first week of April.
What we talk about when we talk about “Loser.”
Here at Sub Pop Records, we use the word “loser” a lot. You may have noticed. We’ve printed it on things we sell (hats, shirts, stickers, mugs, and more!), we call the first, colored-vinyl, limited-edition pressings of the records we release the “Loser Edition,” and every year since 2007 ish we’ve awarded tuition money to college-bound NW high school students through the “Sub Pop Loser Scholarship.” And, it’s possible we take for granted that you guys catch our drift and understand what we mean when we’re all “loser this,” and “loser that.” So! The following…
Sub Pop’s use of the word “loser” goes back to the foundation of the label and is meant as a celebration of unabashedly being ourselves without conforming to any preconceived ideas of “normal.” To be a loser is central to the very idea of underground art and culture - all of it happening and thriving outside of the mainstream, and not necessarily looking for a way in. Bruce Pavitt’s “New Pop Manifesto” in the 1st issue of Subterranean Pop included, “The important thing to remember is this: the most intense music, the most original ideas… are coming out of scenes you don’t even know exist… Only by supporting new ideas by local artists, bands, and record labels can the U.S. expect any kind of dynamic social/cultural change…” And, since 2007 or so, with the Loser Scholarship, we’ve been adding students to that list, and putting our (or, our co-founder, big boss and biggest loser ever, Jonathan Poneman’s…) money where our mouth is. Sub Pop Records strives to bring attention to music and art from the fringes that might otherwise remain marginalized. And, in that same spirit, through our annual Loser Scholarship, we’re looking for art-enthused misfits in NW high schools, losers like us, to help them pay for college. We stand proudly with and support the misfits, weirdos and losers, because we believe that when we’re able to proudly be nothing other than our true selves, we have the ability to make the world stronger, smarter and better.
So, good luck, Losers! And, again, please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Monday, March 16th.
Today, February 17th, Alan Sparhawk is releasing two enthralling new songs, “JCMF” and “No More Darkness.” Both tracks were written, composed, and produced at 20 Below Studio in Duluth, MN, with Nat Harvie mixing. They feature Sparhawk on Guitar/Vocals, Eric Pollard on Drums and Sparhawk’s son, Cyrus Sparhawk, on Bass.
Sparhawk shares about both singles:
“JCMF”: This is a song I’ve had for a few years, but couldn’t find the right way to play or record it. We started playing it last year in the Alan Sparhawk Solo Band, on tour, and with each month, the sentiment of the song only increased. I feel like the song has become a rebuke against the fascist/authoritarian streak that several world leaders have taken on and to the people who have been blinded into supporting them.
“No More Darkness”: Inspired by a David Lynch quote (“Don’t fight the darkness. Don’t even worry about the darkness. Turn on the light and the darkness goes. Turn up the light of pure consciousness. Negativity goes.”) This song reminds me to choose light in especially dark times. We were ending our set with this tune all year, and it is my wish for everyone, especially those who feel alone.
Today, Wednesday, February 25th, Sub Pop is announcing that we have entered into a new creative partnership with Seattle band Telehealth. Built on trust and honest communication, both partners have aligned their objectives, ensuring that the collaboration will help them reach their individual and joint goals of global domination.
It is in this spirit that we are also announcing that Telehealth will release Green World Image, their full-length label debut, on CD/LP/all DSPs worldwide on Friday, May 15th, from Sub Pop. Also today, they are sharing an official video for their inaugural single, “Cool Job,” directed by bandmember, Alexander Attitude.
Telehealth shares this about the song: “‘Cool Job’ pulls from meme culture pastiche and ‘Temporary Secretary’ trope to skewer the fantasy that the right job will save your life. Written mid-burnout, it’s an anti-work anthem about corporate rot, identity collapse, and trying to care about meetings that could have been emails while everything else is falling apart!!!! The video supports and contrasts the song by documenting the (extremely profitable!!!!) surreal act of touring and creating (/attempting) joy as the world unravels - stitched from internet-found clips and camcorder footage from our 2025 south(east) tour, filtered through modern brain-rot, simulation/simulacra VHS corporate aesthetics.”
Telehealth was forged in the opportunity-rich environment of post-COVID Seattle as a scalable music startup with similar goals. Co-founded in 2022 by married couple and fellow gambling enthusiasts Alexander Attitude (synths/vox/guitar) and Kendra Cox (synths/vox), and joined by longtime collaborators Ian McCutcheon (drums), John O’Connor (bass), and Dillon Sturtevant (guitar), the group aims to financialize any difference of opinion over how the in-shambles local “music scene” should proceed.
Also announced today is a new, 19-date North American headline tour in support of Green World Image. Beginning on April 26th in Cleveland, OH, this routing will find the band performing in major and secondary markets, including Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Reno, and Phoenix. They have also scheduled a hometown release show on Thursday, May 14th, at Neumos in Seattle, WA. See below for a full list of dates.
Sun. Apr. 26 - Cleveland, OH - Happy Dog Mon. Apr. 27 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle Tue. Apr. 28 - Detroit, MI - Outer Limits Lounge Wed. Apr. 29 - Pittsburgh, PA - Bottle Rocket Thu. Apr.30 - Philadelphia,PA - TBA Sat. May 02 - Boston, MA - Deep Cuts Sun. May 03 - New York, NY - NightClub 101 Thu. May 14 - Seattle, WA - Neumos Fri. May 15 - Portland, OR - Swan Dive Sat. May 16 - Boise, ID - Shrine Basement Sun. May 17 - SLC, UT - DLC Quarters Mon. May 18 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive Tue. May 19 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar Thu. May 21 - Phoenix, AZ - Linger Longer Lounge Sat. May 23 - Los Angeles, CA - Permanent Records Sun. May 24 - San Diego, CA - Banshee Bar Tue. May 26 - Oakland, CA - Stork Club Wed. May 27 - Reno, NV - Holland Project
Green World Image is now available for preorder worldwide from Sub Pop. LP preorders in North America through Sub Pop Mega Mart and in the EU and UK through Mega Mart Europe will receive the Loser Edition on Crystal Clear vinyl. The limited Loser Editions will also be available at your local record store (All vinyl colors whilst stock lasts!).
More on Green World Image: The Kalshi app is a “prediction market for trading the future,” a platform allowing users to gamble on the outcome of almost any real-world event — from the accuracy of the weather forecast, to whether or not famine will officially be declared in Gaza. Joining CNN as the network’s official betting partner in late 2025, platform co-founder Tarek Mansour was quoted after the deal saying, “The long-term vision is to financialize everything and create a tradeable asset out of any difference in opinion.”
Telehealth was forged in the opportunity-rich environment of post-COVID Seattle as a scalable music startup with similar goals. Co-founded in 2022 by married couple and fellow gambling enthusiasts Alexander Attitude (synths/vox/guitar) and Kendra Cox (synths/vox), and joined by longtime collaborators Ian McCutcheon (drums), John O’Connor (bass), and Dillon Sturtevant (guitar), the group aims to financialize any difference of opinion over how the in-shambles local “music scene” should proceed.
Can you be DIY and have good SEO? Can one earn progressive cultural cachet and hard cash at the same time? Is art funded by tech industry “culture grants” kind of a bummer, authentically gorpcore (young men are embracing the “quarter-zip lifestyle” according to the New York Times), or ironically punk? For Telehealth, the answer to these questions aren’t yes or no, but rather, an untapped gap in the music market waiting for a band visionary and unhinged enough to bet on the spread. Green World Image, Telehealth’s sophomore LP and its IPO with angel investors Sub Pop, is a vertically-integrated artwork for the post-grunge, post-flannel Seattleite, and consumers around the globe who are also ready to financialize their own passion for music.
Trauma-informed, results-driven, and eminently danceable, the weirdo punk record is inspired by Attitude’s tenure as a former architect in a Climate Pledged™ city that has perfected the art of “Green World” architecture with its network of efficiently zoned 5-over-1s. Telehealth’s PNW post-punk creates similar architectural spaces, where the gleaming, futuristic, tech-industrial rhythms and synths of Bezos-era Seattle commingle with the raw, independent, underground sound the city lovingly preserves for cultural texture and marketing purposes. The outcome? Think XTC, REM, and YMO with a stronger focus on ROI. Imagine The B-52s, but B2B. Envision a bigger-brained Brainiac, a transhuman Gary Numan, or a terminally online Pylon. Finally, a band with assets diverse enough to play in your basement or the Amazon Spheres.
Green World Image is a sweaty journey through the anxiety- and profit-inducing system Telehealth inhabits and critiques at the same time, sold back to listeners as an absurd art rock slice of strife. “Donor Country (A gOoD cAuSe)” is a shimmering, arpeggiated ode to the generous sponsors who keep Telehealth on life support, while “Cool Job” soundtracks the band members’ efforts to secure decent benefits with ass-slapping percussion and nervy bass lines. “Things I’ve Killed” transforms a millennial hit list into a propulsive synth punk wormhole, and “Yassify Me” dresses up the carnage with a ring light and a wellness routine, simultaneously weaponizing therapy-speak and new wave. Produced by Trevor Spencer, the record follows Telehealth’s 2023 debut LP Content Oscillator and Sub Pop Singles Club release “Mindtrap/Bitter Melody.”
Telehealth Green World Image
Tracklisting: 1. [user onboarding sequence] 2. The Telehealth Shuffle 3. Kokomo 2 4. Donor Country (A gOoD cAuSe) 5. Age of Muralcide 6. Things I’ve Killed 7. Cost of Inaction 8. Silver Spoon 9. Cool Job 10. Yassify Me 11. Maria, Machine 12. Villain Era 13. Living, Laughing, Loving, Trying
“…rippling power pop cut.”- [“Might See You There”] Exclaim!@
March 4th, 2026 - Weird Nightmare has released an official video for the rollicking new track“Pay No Mind,” another standout from the infectious second LP Hoopla by former METZ frontman Alex Edkins. The new song will have you singing along in no time and is available today on all streaming services.
“We had a blast making this video with director Ryan Faist. It was a nod to the Elvis Costello and the Attractions “Pump it Up” video and some early footage of the Buzzcocks on cable access TV.
“The lyric was lifted from an Atlantic City tourism t-shirt. “I’m so broke, I can’t even pay attention” struck me as a particularly accurate comment on modern life. Obviously, the shirt is meant to be funny, but it felt quite dark to me. Due to the overwhelming onslaught of information and emotional baggage that comes with it, I think there is a tendency for people’s lives to become quite myopic. As a coping mechanism, we become more and more insular, ignoring the world around us”.
Hoopla was co-produced by Edkins and Spoon’s Jim Eno at Seth Manchester’s Machines With Magnets in Providence, RI. Edkins expands Weird Nightmare’s dimensions to new heights, resplendent with sunny guitar pop, Hoopla was crafted with just the right amount of punk rock fuzz and crunch. The immediate, crisp, unfussy recording brings you right into the studio with Edkins and his band. As previously announced, Weird Nightmare has confirmed North American, UK, and European dates beginning on April 24th in San Diego, with festival appearances at the Soundscape NW Festival in Portland, on April 28th with labelmates Bully, and a 5-date Canadian run in June with Wintersleep. Additional live dates will be announced soon.
Fri. Apr. 24 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar Sat. Apr. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers ^ Sun. Apr. 26 - Oakland, CA - Thee Stork Club ^ Tue. Apr. 28 - Portland, OR - Soundscape NW Festival * Wed. Apr. 29 - Seattle, WA - Baba Yaga Fri. May 01 - Toronto, ON - Sonic Boom in-store Sun. May 03 - Brantford, ON - zBTFD in-store Tue. May 12 - Kingston, ON - Broom Factory Wed. May 13 - Montreal, PQ - Bar le Ritz Sat. May 16 - Halifax, NS - Marquee Ballroom # Wed. Jun. 17 - London, ON - London Music Hall # Thu. Jun. 18 - Hamilton, ON - Bridgeworks # Fri. Jun. 19 - Toronto, ON - Masonic Temple # Sat. Jun. 20 - Ottawa, ON - The Bronson # Wed. Jun. 24 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall Thu. Jun. 25 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Fri. Jun. 26 - Philadelphia, PA - Ortlieb’s Sat. Jun. 27 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Sun. Jun. 28 - Medford, MA - Deep Cuts Fri. Aug. 28 - Malaga, ES - Canela Party Festival Tue. Sep. 01 - Leeds, UK - The Attic Wed. Sep. 2 - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint Thu. Sep. 3 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds Fri. Sep. 4th - Southampton, UK - Heartbreakers Sat. Sep. 5 - London, UK - The Lexington Sun. Sep. 6 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown Tue. Sep. 8 - Berlin, DE - Urban Spree Wed. Sep. 9 - Koln, DE - Bumann Thu. Sep. 10 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere Fri. Sep. 11 - Lille, FR- Aeronef Sun. Sep. 13 Asten, NL - Misty Fields Festival
* with Bully ^ with Mrs. Magician # with Wintersleep
Hoopla will be available on May 1st from Sub Pop Worldwide and Dine Alone in Canada. LP preorders in the US through Sub Pop Mega Mart will receive the limited Loser Edition on Emerald Green-Blue vinyl; preorders through Mega Mart Europe will receive the Loser Edition on Transparent Orange (UK/EU). The Canadian exclusive will be available on Orange/Blue/White Solar Flare from Dine Alone. The limited Loser Editions will also be available at your local record store (All limited vinyl colors available while stock lasts!).
What people have said about Weird Nightmare: “Inspired by the simplicity and ‘big bar chords’ of The Undertones and Protex, [‘Might See You There’] evokes a rose-tinted sense of teenage nostalgia.” - DIY
“Weird Nightmare is all about hooks and melody. Still delivered with levels in the red, but these are ultracatchy powerpop songs first and foremost, and really good ones at that.” - Brooklyn Vegan
“The debut Weird Nightmare album from METZ guitarist/vocalist Alex Edkins is a hook-filled set of blown-out power-pop with distorted guitars, punchy rhythms and bright pop melodies.” - KEXP
“Alex Edkins finally lets those melodies loose, resulting in an irresistibly euphoric blast of feedback spattered garage-pop that is just what the doctor ordered to chase away any lingering post-lockdown blues.’” - The Quietus
Weird Nightmare Hoopla
Tracklisting: 1. Headful of Rain 2. Might See You There 3. Baby Don’t 4. Forever Elsewhere 5. Never in Style 6. Pay No Mind 7. If You Should Turn Away 8. Little Strange 9. Bright City Lights (ft. Julianna Riolino) 10. Where I Belong
SPRINTS today share avowedly political new single “Trickle Down.” The Irish four-piece have just returned from a sold-out and extremely well-received US tour. They will now begin the European leg, a run that takes them all the way to festival season - including some recently announced appearances at 2000trees, Bulletproof Festival, and Float Along Festival.
On the new single, the band says: “’Trickle Down’ is about watching systems fail in slow motion, housing crisis, rising costs, culture wars, climate collapse, and being told to stay patient. It’s the frustration of a generation stuck in “wait mode” while everything burns.”
SPRINTS have long been celebrated for crafting a ferocious live show that echoes the band’s recorded sound, equal parts raw and refined, catapulting listeners into controlled chaos. See below for a full list of dates.
Tour Dates Tue. Mar. 10 - Tourcoing, FR - Grand Mix Wed. Mar. 11 - Brussels, BE - Botanique (Orangerie) Thu. Mar. 12 - Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg Sat. Mar. 14 - Cologne, DE - Kantine Sun. Mar. 15 - Hamburg, DE - Übel & Gefährlich Tue. Mar. 17 - Copenhagen, DK - Loppen Wed. Mar. 18 - Berlin, DE - Metropol Fri. Mar. 20 - Warsaw, PL - Voodoo Sat. Mar. 21 - Prague, CZ - Akropolis Sun. Mar. 22 - Munich, DE - Strom Tue. Mar. 24 - Zurich, CH - Bogen F Wed. Mar. 25 - Milan, IT - Arci Bellezza Sat. Mar. 28 - Paris, FR - Cabaret Sauvage Sun. Mar. 29 - Luxembourg, LU - Atelier Tue. Mar. 31 - Munster, DE - Skate Palace Cafe Wed. Apr. 1 - Wiesbaden, DE - Schlachthof Wiesbaden Thu. Apr. 2 - Schorndorf, DE - Club Manufaktur Sat. Apr. 4 - Schijndel, NL - Paaspop Sat. Apr. 18 - Dresden, DE - Polimagie Fri. May. 22 - Derbyshire, UK - Bearded Theory Sat. May. 30 - Neustrelitz, DE - Immergut Festival Fri. Jun. 5 - London, UK - Bulletproof Festival Fri. Jun. 19 - Neuhausen, DE - Southside Sun. Jun. 21 - Scheeßel, DE - Hurricane Tue. Jun. 23 - Zagreb, HR - INmusic Festival Sat. Jun. 27 - Clermont Ferrand, FR - Europavox Wed. Jul. 8 - Gloucestershire, UK - 2000trees Sat. Jul. 18 - Carhaix, FR - Les Vieilles Charrues Sat. Aug. 1 - Curraghmore Estate, IE - All Together Now Sun. Aug. 30th - Ravenglass UK - Krankenhaus Festival Sat. Sep. 26 - Sheffield, UK - Float Along Festival
2025 was a banger year for SPRINTS, gracing the cover of Dork Magazine, a myriad of 5* album reviews, features with The Guardian and others, a Jools Holland slot, and continued support at BBC 6Music.
What people are saying about SPRINTS All That Is Over:
“A representative mix of personal and political atrocities, All That Is Over is far from a grim headbanger, rather offering a cathartic, frustrated call to action that seems timely as ever in its blunt demands for care and safe spaces in a world on fire.” - All Music
“Building on their raucous garage punk roots, All That Is Over feels like a big step forward, with striking crescendos, sludgy subdued moments, and, of course, the fierce vocals, searing guitars, and pounding drums that first drew listeners in.” - KEXP
“As with any great thrill ride, by the time ‘Desire’ has simmered down and its final note brought All That Is Over to a close, there is an overwhelming urge to do it all over again as soon as possible.” Spectrum Culture
“The Irish garage-punks are charged with the spirit of something unholy” - Record Collector
“Cathartically boisterous, brutally candid post-punk” - The Guardian
“All That Is Over is the sound of a group with something urgent to say, and the chops to say it louder, weirder and smarter than anyone else” -Dork
“The anger remains palpable, the lyrics ever relatable, and ‘All That Is Over’ injects enough ingenuity to keep SPRINTS right at the top of the class” - DIY
“The race to rock stardom is a marathon, not a 100-metre dash. But with this superb record, Sprints – sometimes fast, sometimes furious, always fucking fantastic – prove they’re in it for the long haul.” Kerrang!
“Many of these songs tussle with the jubilant status of the band – newly anointed off the back of their promising debut Letter to Self – against the apocalyptic landscape of the modern age.” [All That Is Over] - The Independent
“The second album by the noise-rock breakouts is sculpted and anthemic” [All That Is Over] - NME
“Chubb’s lyrics are so sharp they could pierce the skin like a sword” - The Skinny
“An exhilarating helter-skelter between strident, gothic clang and jubilant, unruly rock.” [4/5] MOJO
“Now, with their explosive follow-up All That is Over out now, they’re set to leap from critical darlings to one of 2025’s breakthrough acts” - 1883
“SPRINTS exhilarate on All That Is Over” - The Line Of Best Fit
“SPRINTS continue to be a vessel for clever driven punk music” - Clash
