Hygh Tension Records

01/26/2025

Thanks to for this great review of ! Add (BR)OTHERS to your playlist now!

01/26/2025

Check out this interview with Ryan Smith - Solo Artist and Silversun Pickups!

01/11/2025

💥 "One day, all pop songs will be this infectious and incendiary!" – The Big Takeover Magazine (NYC)

🔥 MONDO love to Mary Strand Music, whose killer new track "Take Your Time" dropped today on HTR/Virgin Music Group and blasted to #7 worldwide on the Radio Indie Alliance Top 100! 🎸

This one’s got all the raw energy of garage rock, the hooks of power pop, and a punk attitude to match. Check out what Big Takeover Magazine is raving about—and crank it up on your favorite streaming platform. LOUDER.

01/03/2025

😎Ryan Smith - Solo Artist has something VERY important to tell Mark Wade of The Melismatics! 🖤

Get your tickets now SunDown47 w/ The Melismatics & Zander at First Avenue & 7th St Entry: https://www.axs.com/events/757970/sundown47-tickets?skin=firstavenue

Join us for a night to remember with Sundown 47 and Zander!

12/23/2024

🖤Happy Holidaze!🖤

Dig it! ”I Wanna Believe," a bold punk anthem, is both a reflection of Mary Strand's evolving identity as a rock musician and new territory for her. It’s also the lead single on A Punk Christmas, a compilation featuring both fresh takes on classic holiday songs and new originals destined to become a new tradition for fans of garage and punk rock.

The track is out now across all streaming platforms via Hygh Tension Records/ Virgin Music Group. Spin it on repeat this Holiday Season!

12/21/2024

🖤Loki's Folly Punks Up the Holidays! 🎄

Loki’s Folly the sibling trio tearing up the Minneapolis music scene, just dropped a ferocious cover of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"—and it’s anything but ordinary. Imagine childhood nostalgia smashed together with raw punk energy and a nod to the Ramones. Yeah, it’s that good. 🖤🔥

In this exclusive interview with Lelahel Metal, the band dives into the story behind the cover, how growing up jamming to Rudolph inspired their rebellious reimagining, and what it’s like to be part of A Punk Rock Christmas—a project from Hygh Tension Records, helmed by their mentor Ryan Smith of Soul Asylum.

They also talk playing alongside Shellac and Soul Asylum, the weirdly wholesome moments from tour life, and why the Minneapolis scene feels like home. Plus, big news: new singles are on the way, with a vinyl release locked for 2025. 🎶

This track is the perfect antidote to sugar-sweet holiday tunes. If you’re into indie rock with a punk twist, this one’s for you. 🦌🎤

What’s your go-to holiday track for shaking up the season? Share your faves below! 👇

Loki’s Folly brings their raw, punk energy to the holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer , blending childhood nostalgia with rebelli...

11/25/2024

"Ultra-groovy, and undeniably funky" Essentially Pop

More adoring praise for funk legends Michael Bland and Sonny T's new project (BR)OTHERS. Read it here first and DIG it!

PSSST... Black Friday surprises from Brothers Forlife coming!

Michael Bland and Sonny T came out of the Minneapolis scene and are alumni of The New Power Generation, and collaborated with Prince as a trio of sorts, working and performing on a variety of projects throughout the early 1990s. As (BR)OTHERS they come together for the first time in years, and the l...

11/08/2024

"An electric blend of raw punk energy and authentic passion"
-- Edgar Allan Poets(US)

🎄🔥 The first single from A Punk Christmas is here! 🎸🎅
"I Wanna Believe" by Mary Strand Music is out now via HTR/ Virgin Music Group. Turn it up LOUD and kick off the Holidaze in your true inner-punk style! 🤘✨

Mary’s voice is fantastic. It carries a unique, gritty tone that’s distinctly rock. I Wanna Believe is Mary Strand's Single Out Now

10/31/2024

will be playing a very special scary themed solo show at this Friday, November 1st 2024. Don’t. Miss. This.

10/05/2024

Thrilled to see our artist Mark Mallman featured in print! Check out this fantastic review of his single ‘The Cancer’ in UK’s . This is chamber pop at its finest!

10/04/2024

Loving all the merch photos that have been shared! Thank you for supporting us! 🎉 Today is , the perfect day to grab exclusive merchandise and support musicians directly: https://brothersforlifemusic.bandcamp.com/album/br-other to shop!

10/01/2024

Catch label founder and recording artist on tour with promoting their brand new album Slowly But Shirley! With the amazing !

09/10/2024

Introducing the Brotherly Love Package from the new duo Brothers Forlife featuring Prince alumni Michael Bland and Sonny T. Get over $75 worth of merchandise for only $50 for a limited time. The (BR)OTHERS spread the love!



Link: https://brothersforlifemusic.bandcamp.com/merch

09/06/2024

“A testament to his continuous evolution as an artist” - Parkett (Italy)

Congrats to our artist Mark Mallman for the release of his stunning new single "Clowns" out now on Hygh Tension Records/Virgin Music Group!

Let us know what YOU think in the comments.

Mark Mallman’s latest single, “Clowns,” is a testament to his continuous evolution as an artist, showcasing his ability to meld humor with introspective darkness in a minimalist yet profoundly impactful way. Known for his eclectic and experimental approach, Mallman has never shied away from pu...

09/02/2024

"A performance that is both raw and poignant, one that reveals the deep connection that has marked their decades-long partnership." - Revolutions De Rhythm (France)

We couldn't agree more!

And our boys (BR)OTHERS get yet more love from France for their latest acoustic version of "(Br)other."

La version acoustique de "(Br)other" par (BR)OTHERS—Michael Bland et Sonny T—met en lumière la puissance profonde de la fraternité musicale. En dépouillant le morceau original jusqu'à son essence acoustique, le duo crée une performance à la fois brute et poignante, qui révèle la connexio...

09/01/2024

"Authenticity and connection that is both captivating and profoundly touching" - KIMU (UK)

Read all about the recent acoustic version of "(Br)other" from Brothers Forlife (AKA (BR)OTHERS) from our friends at KIMU across the pond. Have you heard it yet?!

We previously featured (BR)OTHERS as the chose love energy and authentic companionship with their powerful and intentional debut, (Br)other, so when we heard that the visionary duo had released the…

08/19/2024

Ryan Smith - Solo Artist says “hello” from the Soul Asylum tour with Stone Temple Pilots and LIVE!

08/19/2024

Ryan Smith - Solo Artist interviewed Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger from Silversun Pickups for his music lesson page Secret Chord. Here is a short bit of insight from Brian on the value of music theory in the creative process. Dig it! 😎