A Band Called Ma, Tearjerk (single release), Magic Rockers of Texas

Verbose songwriting, unflappable vocals, and Western-tinged guitar solos unite in singer-songwriter Vanessa Jollay’s project Tearjerk. The fourpiece has released a steady stream of life-pondering, upbeat singles since 2022, eventually leading to a soon-to-be-released debut album and the angels whirr. Tearjerk still has a single up their sleeves before then: “green lacewing” comes out this Friday at a should-be-lively reception at Hotel Vegas, joined by Magic Rockers of Texas’ gritty dad-approved humor and Nineties distortion lovers A Band Called Ma. – Caroline Drew