Welcome, once again, to the July-December edition of the Wizrocklopedia’s Wizard Rock Six Month Report! This is part two of the report. You can check out the first part right here and the third part here! Be sure to comment your favorite releases below! So—without further ado, let’s jump right back in and pick back up on August 6!

August 6: Totally Knuts – “Second Chances:” YouTube

This demo was the first submission to the Wizrocklopedia’s monthly songwriting challenge! Totally Knuts covered Brian Ross’s song from Wizards and Muggles Rock for Social Justice Vol. 4. You, too, can submit a creative project for this month’s theme before the month is up! Three days is enough, right? December’s Bertie Botts theme is “snow.”

August 7: Candle Wix – “I’m Starting Over (Cruddy Demo):” Dropbox

This is me. The song popped into my head & I submitted a lousy voice memo demo to the Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Jam! Enjoy, I guess!

August 10: Stormin’ Bob Swanson – “The Stars of Harry Potter:” YouTube

Kindie musician Stormin’ Bob Swanson released this clever astronomy/HP mashup as a demo on YouTube. You don’t often hear a clever wordplay song like this.

August 14: Creevey Crisis – “Unflinching:” Bandcamp | Spotify

An ‘80s style power ballad about Tonks and Remus’ relationship? YES PLEASE! The lyrics in this one—as per usual in Creevey Crisis’ work—go really deep metaphorically. Awesome stuff!

August 18: Split Seven Ways – Up to No Good reissued album: Bandcamp

After an incredibly long wait, Zoë from the much-loved wrock band Split Seven Ways began rereleasing some of their old music. All the proceeds from the rerelease of this album, originally from 2008, go to the UK charities Colours Youth Network and the Gender Identity Research and Education Society!

August 21: The Vanishing Cabinet – A Closet Full of Wrock reissued album: Bandcamp

On August 21, the ‘Pedia reissued two releases by Jenn Somers! First is an EP by their acoustic project the Vanishing Cabinet. Their music is both relaxing and perfectly eerie. The download includes three previously unreleased tracks from the Vanishing Cabinet’s unfinished second EP!

August 21: The Vanishing Cabinet and Essence of Dittany – A Vanishing Dittany Christmas reissued EP: Bandcamp

The other August 21 ‘Pedia release was a split EP between the Vanishing Cabinet and Jenn’s other band, an electrowrock project! Yes, yes, I know, it’s a Christmas EP and probably should have been rereleased in December, but we didn’t want to make everyone wait!

August 24: Slytherin – “The Tale of the Three Brothers:” Bandcamp

Atmospheric black metal group Slytherin released a surprise extra single a month after their debut album dropped. This song is a retelling of the Peverell story and will truly knock your socks off!

August 25: Hallows & Horcruxes – “Carry On:” YouTube

Hallows and Horcruxes, a band from the first wave of wrock, unexpectedly and excitingly reappeared on the scene with this rousing and anthemic song about the Final Battle’s aftermath. It features background vocals from Gina Denegri-Hamilton, Zoë Bentley from Dots and Lines, and Grace Kendall!

September 1: NEWTS – “Harry, My Son:” Bandcamp

Yet another exciting debut single! This one’s by British wrocker NEWTS and is a warm and acoustic articulation of Lily’s love for Harry. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from NEWTS!

September 1: Various Artists – 2020 Wizard Rock Sampler: Bandcamp

Y’all. Y’ALL. What can I saw about this extraordinary, THIRTY-FOUR SONG compilation that features a jaw-dropping array of currently active bands, all singing and playing unbelievably well-written songs from more perspectives and in more styles than you’d think possible (including a healthy dose of kicking JK Rowling to the curb)? All I can say is, LISTEN TO IT. OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. This is quite possibly the best wizard rock compilation ever released. That’s not hyperbole, folks. It’s fact.

September 2: Mirror of Erised – 7 rereleased singles: Bandcamp

Mirror of Erised, a newly returned wrock musician from Nevada, put these 7 old singles up on Bandcamp for folks to enjoy! They’re atmospheric instrumental electronica and are designed to evoke various scenes and settings in the HP books.

September 4: The Basilisk in Your Pasta – I Ate Your Frog (Again) reissued EP: Bandcamp

On September 4, the ‘Pedia rereleased 3 rare wrock EPs. First up was the long sought after and super amazing EP by French wrockers the Basilisk in Your Pasta. Surreal and witty lyrics combined with excellent music make for a super fun time!

September 4: Essence of Dittany – Splinch’d reissued EP: Bandcamp

So, it turns out the ever-awesome Jenn Somers has even more wizard rock! The ‘Pedia rereleased their 2 solo EPs as Essence of Dittany—both containing wrocking electronic sounds that act as wonderful bops for your day!

September 4: Essence of Dittany – Split in Two reissued EP: Bandcamp

Essence of Dittany’s second EP, originally released in 2011, is more of the excellence we’ve come to expect from them! Check it out!

September 4: Brian Metolius – Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (Original Theatrical Soundtrack) album: iTunes | Spotify

This is the soundtrack to the award-winning and long-running Puffs play! I’ll admit—I haven’t heard this album in full yet. But if the success of the original musical and the awesomeness of the lead single is any indication, it’s an awesome and wild ride!

September 7: Neville’s Diary – Things Will Get Better reissued album: Bandcamp

In anticipation of their upcoming EP release, Neville’s Diary finally released their classic debut album online. It’s an acoustic exploration of Neville Longbottom’s character. I’m so glad we can hear this one again!

September 9: Muggle Mike – “Eeylops Owl Emporium (ad):” Bandcamp

This quick and goofy little faux ad for Eeylops Owl Emporium was originally recorded for the now-defunct online radio station Wrockbox, but was just finally given an official release!

September 14: Totally Knuts – Witches Loving Witches EP: Bandcamp | iTunes | Spotify | YouTube

Ukulele maestrx Totally Knuts’ latest EP has an amazing concept: it’s about all the lesbians at Hogwarts (because, as we all know—there are a lot of lesbians there!)! It includes heartfelt songs about Trelawney and Sinistra, Sprout, Ginny and more!

September 15: Percy and the Prefects – “Start Over:” iTunes | Spotify | YouTube

Oklahoma band Percy and Prefects released their second song of September on the 15^th (their first was on the 2020 Wizard Rock Sampler)! Highlighting the band’s characteristically clever songwriting, this one both wrocks and gets into Ron’s brain as he struggles with homework. It’s witty and remarkable!

September 18: The Buttermellows – The Butterdemo I reissued EP: Bandcamp

The Wizrocklopedia was so excited to rerelease the Buttermellows’ discography! They may be called demos, but these acoustic EPs are songwriting and musical delights that stand the test of time!

September 18: The Buttermellows – The Butterdemo II reissued EP: Bandcamp

The Buttermellows’ music really reminds me of the best singer-songwriter material: catchy, well-written, and appealing to a wide variety of different people! Seriously, it’s good stuff!

September 18: Dots and Lines – “Ravenclaw Quidditch Team (Demo):” YouTube

Dots and Lines submitted this superb jam to the Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jam! A tribute to the smarts and skills of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, it also flawlessly emulates the Beach Boys’ musical style. I actually initially thought it was a parody, but Zoë from Dots and Lines informed me otherwise! Kudos!

September 20: Hogwarts Therapist – “Start Again:” Soundcloud

This beautifully harmonized a cappella song literally sends chills down my spine every time I hear it! It’s about the time after the Final Battle.

September 21: Anastasiia Reshetnova – “Istoriya Peverellov [History of the Peverells]:” YouTube

One of the most unusual wrock releases of the year was this single by Anastasiia Reshetnova, with translated lyrics by Alexey Bright. It’s a cover of the Butterbeer Experience’s “The Peverell Story”—in RUSSIAN! Anastasiia’s voice is beautiful, the translation is flawless, and it’s just an all-around tour de force! Check out Irvin Khaytman’s article for the ‘Pedia about this song if you’d like more details!

 

SO. MUCH. INCREDIBLE. MUSIC. I’m so glad all these unbelievably talented musicians are wrocking out with us! Also, I’m so glad that you read all the way to the end. If you did, we’ve got a surprise for you! To celebrate the amazing creations of the wrock community this year, we’re hosting a BandCamp gift card giveaway! Just comment on any one of these 6-month round up posts with your favorite release of the year. (One comment per person, please!) The winner will be announced on January 10! Wrock on, folks—and watch this space for the third and final part of the Six Month Report next Sunday!