Music
Indie Folk Rockers Little Wretches Offer Message Of Hope For At-Risk Teens With Latest Music Video “Running”

The song features a vocal spotlight on Rosa Colucci. “Running (Was the Only Thing to Do)” appears on the band’s 2020 album “Undesirables and Anarchists.”
“This song represents how every teenager feels when their world is falling apart and they don’t feel safe in their own home.”— Rosa Colucci, Little Wretches
“All I really needed was some breathing room
But my hiding place slowly became my tomb
Had me down so long I started to assume
That I would never see the light of day.’
‘Seemed like running was the only thing to do
The only thing to do
So I ran…”
– Robert Andrew Wagner, Little Wretches “Running (Was the Only Thing to Do)”
With the 2020 release of their album, “Undesirables And Anarchists,” indie folk rock pioneers Little Wretches hit the ground “running.” The album received national college radio airplay on over 115 AM/FM stations in North America. Propelled by international iTunes chart hits like “Ballad of Johnny Blowtorch” and “All Of My Friends,” Robert Andrew Wagner and company have amassed more than 130K Spotify streams. Their Youtube videos are quickly approaching 70K views. Now, the Pittsburgh-based band has released their most poignant video yet.
The music video for “Running (Was The Only Thing To Do)” was released on February 15th, 2022. Taken from “Undesirables And Anarchists,” the Wagner-written song was inspired by Cecil B. DeMille’s movie, “The Ten Commandments” and bandmember/spotlight vocalist, Rosa Colucci’s life story.
Wagner tells the story behind the song: “Prior to joining The Little Wretches, Rosa Colucci had never sung in a band. She’d been the only white soloist in a predominantly African-American Gospel choir, and she’d sung some karaoke, but that was the extent of it. Shortly after Rosa joined the band, Scott Mervis of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, ‘Rosa Colucci is the best thing that ever happened to The Little Wretches.’ Given Rosa’s vocal power, audiences came to expect her to have a ‘spotlight’ number in band’s live shows, so she asked me to write something for her.”

“Rosa is an April baby, the season of Easter and Passover, and I wanted to have a song ready for her birthday. Watching Cecil B. DeMille’s THE TEN COMMANDMENTS on television while strumming my guitar, I paused to marvel at the big scene when Charlton Heston as Moses raises his staff and God parts The Red Sea. Bondage and hopelessness behind them and the impossible before them, what would the average Israelite do? What else could they do? RUN! Believers and non-believers alike. Oh, well… Here goes nothing. Or everything. I recalled Rosa having told me that she’d been on her own since the age of fifteen. The details are for Rosa to tell, but I saw the parallels. EXODUS. Let My People Go! In her own way, Rosa had fled a kind of bondage and leapt into an uncertain future with only faith to guide her.”
Rosa says, “This song represents how every teenager feels when their world is falling apart and they don’t feel safe in their own home.”
Watch the video for “Running (Was The Only Thing To Do)” at https://youtu.be/qsF_MtrVsyQ
The Little Wretches hope that the visual imagery, the lyrics, the band’s performance and Rosa’s vocal work together to provide hope and resilience for any at-risk teenager who stumbles across this video. In addition to writing and performing music, Robert holds a master’s degree in teaching and works with at-risk, court-adjudicated and special-needs teens.
https://littlewretches.com
https://www.facebook.com/thelittlewretches
Words and Music by Robert Andrew Wagner
Lead Vocals–Rosa Colucci
Drums–Mike Madden
Bass–John Carson
Piano–H.K. Hilner
Guitars–Robert Andrew Wagner
Indie
Secret Garden Gathering triumphantly dazzles with its newest release, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn”

Welcome back! Thirteen years after disappearing into obscurity, Secret Garden Gathering reemerges like an enchanting dream with their hauntingly beautiful new single, “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn.” Drawn from a part of their upcoming live EP ‘Is-Y-Deri’, a name whispering of ancient forests and introspective revelations, marks not just a revival but signifies the reckoning sound of a band that has been both reborn and weathered by time. It serves as a cathartic tribute to life’s intricacies, celebrating something beautifully bruised and defiantly resilient amidst struggle, making every moment of silence worthwhile.
Recorded in a frostbitten cottage nestled deep in the Welsh mountains, the setting feels deeply integrated into the essence of the track. From the opening chords, “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” envelops the listener in a spectral intimacy that is delicate, cinematic, and entirely immersive. The arrangement showcases a raw vulnerability, blending jazz-soaked rhythm with folk-rock undertones, as if the band is gently revisiting and illuminating fragmented memories.
The song unfolds like a story being retold, beginning with a quiet and contemplative ambiance that gradually escalates towards a thunderous crescendo, fronted by soaring vocals that convey deep emotional resonance. This is further enhanced by gritty, grunge-inspired guitar layers that encapsulate the ache of nostalgia and the strange nature of melancholy. The piece symbolizes the transition from summer to twilight, reflecting the enduring impact of lost love.
Secret Garden Gathering has not just made a return; they have revitalized something exceptional, a rare artistic voice. “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” illustrates that time away has not weakened their creative expression; instead, it has broadened their artistic palette. The result is a dream-rock ballad characterized by a cinematic scope, deeply rooted in the complexities of human experience, poised to stir even the most subdued aspects of the soul.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Secret Garden Gathering’s “You Are the Darkness After My Dawn“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Secret Garden Gathering | Instagram |
Artist Spotlight
“Identity Crisis” by Chloey Indica reveals the emotional vulnerability where healing hurts most

Chloey Indica, a songwriter born in Seattle and currently based in Nashville, is no stranger to transformation, adeptly exemplifying artistic evolution through her blisteringly honest new single, “Identity Crisis.” This track represents a pivotal moment in her discography, melding a compelling narrative with a melodically sophisticated composition. Indica’s approach to writing this song dissects the multifaceted themes of self-reclamation and resilience, providing a nuanced portrayal of a soul undergoing a dynamic state of metamorphosis. For anyone who struggles with or questions their sense of self-identity stripped of defenses, this track elicits deep introspection, reminiscent of a tidal wave.
Musically, “Identity Crisis,” produced by Tyler Skye, combines gritty guitar riffs with cathartic lyrical content and soaring pop-rock hooks, drawing comparisons to influences such as Paramore and Demi Lovato. It goes beyond mere commentary on pain; it serves as a form of sonic therapy session, encapsulating the chaotic yet necessary scream into the void and a promise that on the other side of unraveling, something true waits to be born. Chloey’s vocal delivery, with its nuanced susceptibility layered with explosive energy, echoes the inherent need for self-reclamation, creating an impactful emotional trajectory that feels intentional and resonant.
Inspired by a heartfelt discussion with a friend who voiced a desire to separate trauma from personal identity: “I don’t want my trauma to be my whole identity.” This sentiment is intricately woven across the lyrical fabric of the track, resulting in an anthem that merges personal transformative experience with universal relatability. Chloey doesn’t merely acknowledge the notion of change; she rigorously examines it, navigating its complexities and uncertainties before ultimately arriving at a place of acceptance.
“Identity Crisis” effectively distinguishes itself through its commitment to authenticity and introspection. The sonorous composition invites listeners to reflect on their thoughts, particularly those who have overcome personal adversities and are facing moments of existential stagnation while contemplating the core aspects of their identity. It delves into the fluidity of self-reclamation, delivering a confident, emotionally charged, and unapologetically raw auditory experience that promises to resonate with enthusiasts of reflective and cathartic pop-rock music.
In a contemporary landscape where much popular music veers toward escapism, Chloey Indica offers a profound reflective perspective, urging listeners to confront their realities. If this new sound embodies a woman in the throes of self-discovery, we are all fortunate to accompany her on this transformative ride.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Chloey Indica’s “Identity Crisis“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Chloey Indica | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |
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