Bandcamp Friday Roundup June 2025
(Clockwise: Gutter Pearl, ZEKEULTRA, Houston West, Mandy Valentine, Gentle Jones, and Red Smith)
Summer is right around the corner, and we’ve got some hot new music from the region to get you primed and ready for this Bandcamp Friday. Every purchase goes directly to the artist, so it’s the perfect time to show some love. Check out our list of must-hear albums—and don’t miss the chance to catch a live show when these artists roll through your area!
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Gutter Pearl
Gutter Pearl is a grunge-punk band out of Philadelphia, and their latest album, Delusions of Grandeur, is available now on their Bandcamp along with limited-edition cassette tapes for the avid collector. Catch them live on June 10 at Kung Fu Necktie, where they’ll be sharing the stage with Hot Seat, SMALL, and Christopher Jesus (of Crazy and the Brains). For more information and tickets, here.
ZEKEULTRA
Delaware rapper ZEKEULTRA blends old-school soul sampling with razor-sharp lyricism on his latest album, Babel Tower, released April 30, 2025. Produced by Shungu and featuring artwork by Kyrae Dawaun, the album was recorded over four years in Dover, Delaware, capturing a deep, evolving sound. Whether you're new to his work or a longtime listener, Babel Tower is a must-spin for fans of introspective, sample-rich hip-hop.
Mandy Valentine
Philadelphia’s Mandy Valentine blends country-pop, Americana, and honky-tonk on her latest release, Gone West, out now as of March 28. The album was recorded, engineered, edited, and mixed by Mattie Chaya Kimberly Klauser (Pillow Princess Productions), with assistance from Missy Pidgeon and Abbey Heier, at Tralfamadore—the longest-running house venue and in South Philadelphia and recording studio. Gone West is a heartfelt, twangy journey that’s perfect for fans of rootsy storytelling and genre-blurring melodies.
Houston West
In his latest single, Philadelphia artist Huston West tells a strangely touching tale with “The Ballad of Tommy Wiseau”, a tribute to the iconic director of the cult classic The Room. Clad only with his trusty banjo and a vintage-style vocal delivery, West spins the story of Wiseau’s bizarre journey from concept to cult status. Released April 11, 2025, the track features lyrical storytelling and cover art capturing a candid moment between West and Wiseau himself. It’s weird, it’s earnest, and somehow, it works.
Gentle Jones
Delaware rapper Gentle Jones brings sharp wit and vintage flair on his latest single, The “Incredible Gentle Jones Medicine Show”, released April 8. With boom bap-style beats and iconic-sounding samples, Jones delivers clever, humorous lyricism that feels both timeless and fresh. It’s a throwback and a standout—perfect for fans of golden-era hip-hop with a playful twist.
Red Smith
Red Smith captures the warmth of a live room on his latest release Live at Small’s, a stripped-down, heartfelt performance released May 5, 2024. Recorded in front of an intimate audience at Small’s Music Shop in Wilmington, DE, the album showcases Smith’s classic songwriting and rich vocals, backed by a stellar band: Skyler Cumbia (violin/vocals), Shelly Monroe (bass/cello), Matt Zuckerman (dobro), Justin Knott (percussion), and Michael Koh (producer). It’s a cozy, front-row-seat kind of listen from one of Wilmington’s finest.
