EPISODE 54 of Z-GR! Radio
June 27, 2025
Boston’s Mike Langlie is the mind behind Cat Temper, a solo endeavor that pairs analog synth textures and vivid conceptual themes with retro-themed visual aesthetics and clever cultural references, all filtered through a distinctly feline lens.
His latest release, Hissteria, is a bold and biting commentary on media saturation, chaos, and noise – it’s great and I’m more than happy to showcase the record on this episode.
Mike participated in a very cool Q&A session about his music and the things that make him go – check it out here.
Spotify | Web Site | Bandcamp | Instagram | Bluesky | TwitterX | Facebook | Q&A
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Wretched Pinhead Puppets – Dance With Me
The Wretched Pinhead Puppets is Jimmy Holm, a seasoned composer, artist and jingle writer in Phoenix, Arizona – I’ve been a fan since I came across him in 2022, and truthfully, it’s been too long since I’ve had the Puppets on the show – I’m fixing that right now – our opener this week is 2022’s Dance With Me’.
LiTTie / The Mondays – It’s a Good Day
Stefan Litrownik, known professionally as LiTTiE, is an L.A.-based writer-producer and rapper – he’s written and produced for big names like Lil Nas X, Hailee Steinfeld, and One Direction but I’m a huge fan of his collaborations with Kali J and in this case New York City’s The Mondays – ‘It’s A Good Day’ is their latest and is a ton of fun.
The Mondays
LiTTie
Bright Light Bright Light – Living on My Own
This week’s cover is a Freddie Mercury solo effort that was released on his ‘Mr. Bad Guy’ album in 1985 but it didn’t do any notable numbers until it was re-mixed and re-released in 1993 when it went to #1 on UK charts. It’s since considered one of Freddie’s best solo works and for its message of self-reliance and flamboyant freedom, which makes this cover by LGBTQ+ artist Rod Thomas, AKA Bright Light, so timely as this year’s Pride Month wraps up – remember – here at NEWHD, inclusion for EVERYONE is in our mission statement.
Volker Milch / Skull Smith – Energy From The Stars
‘Energy From The Stars’ is a collaboration between Episode 39’s Bonn-based producer Volker Milch and San Francisco Bay Area singer-songwriter Skull Smith. Not sure how I managed to bring a track with Cat sounds to an Episode showcasing Cat Temper’s latest release, but there it was and you’re welcome.
Volker Milch
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Skull Smith
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Berenika / Etane – Night Breed – Etane Remix
Berenika, is an emerging electronic music project blending elements of new wave, synthpop, electropop, and electronic rock. They’re out out Batumi, Georgia; this remix is by Cologne-based producer and DJ Etane whois the head of the Intertrax music community and co-curator of the Oberwave community.
Chance of Lightning / Natalie Walker – Interstellar
Long-Beach Producer Darren Burgos , AKA Chance of Lightning teamed up with Indiana’s electronica vocalist Natalie Walker for 2023’s ‘Interstellar’. Natalie’s had songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy, 90210 and Entourage, and Burgos has over 30 years of production experience. The track was released on the Chance of Lightning album connections and was co-written both Walker and Burgos.
Chance of Lightning
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Natalie Walker
Colin and the Clouds – Lipstick Gun
Colin and The Clouds is a Swedish electro-pop/indie-rock duo, made up of longtime friends Harald Eliasson and Matteus Willysson, and ‘Lipstick Gun’ is one of my favorite tracks to be featured on Z-GR! Radio. Found on their debut album, 2024’s Golden Age of Confusion’, the track is also available in a remix with Levia and a remix by Z-GR! Radio artistist Red Cell.
Mark Mallman – Parasite Eyes
Minneapolis-based musician, composer, and author Mark Mallman is known for blending piano-driven glam rock with theatrical performance art. He wrote ‘Flowers’ for the Rick and Morty TV show, and for his second appearance on Z-GR! Radio, I reached back to his 9th record, 2015’s ‘The End Is Not The End’ for ‘Paradise Eyes’.
Spotify | Wiki | Linktree | Bandcamp | Instagram | Bluesky | Facebook
Dream Prescription – Start Over Again
Dream Prescription was formed in 2020 by Tim Robert and Kent Friedman, expanded into a full NYC-based band in 2023. I’ve had them on the show a few times now, notably as the opener for Episode 4. Clearly, I’m a fan, and ‘Start Over Again’ is a favorite of mine.
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Tapes In Motion – Automatic
The band responsible for that outstanding riff is Tapes in Motion, a Canadian duo made up of Tristan Konkle and Drummer Colby McAllister – released in May 2023 as part of the Desolation Disco EP, ‘Automatic” reflects the duo’s DIY approach, recorded and produced independently, and stands as a highlight in their catalog. The entire record is excellent, so make sure you check it out.
Zero-G Racetrack – My Baby Done Left Me
I hit the Internet and heard that Silicon Valley’s Zero-G Racetrack merges retro-futuristic synths with rock arrangements and storytelling, and ‘My Baby Done Left Me’ echoes heartfelt themes of loss and resilience through catchy hooks and polished arrangements. I’ll take that description, as it’s actually a pretty good description of the band and the track.
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CZARINA – Empire
C Z A R I N A is American-born, New York City–raised Vero Faye Kitsuné, a darkwave artist who is known for sweeping, cinematic compositions that lean into prog-rock arrangements and massive synth riffs. She creates her own amazing, and I do mean amazing artwork and music videos – she’s recognized as a thought leader in the darkwave/synthwave/electronic goth scene – I’ve had her cue’d up with her fantastic cover of Enya’s Orinoco Flow’ for several weeks now, but after spending time with her 3rd LP, Empire’, which is widely regarded as one of the top synthwave releases of 2024, I decided it was way past time time to put her on the show.
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Cat Temper – Mewphoria
Cat Temper is Boston’s Mike Langlie’s solo project, blending retro synthpop, darksynth, 8-bit videogame sounds, punk, and hair metal—a fusion his fans affectionately call “Meowave”. This is the 3rd guest instrumentalist appearance for Mike on Z-GR! Radio – Hissteria just might be my favorite of this several fantastic Cat-themed releases, which have been deemed cosmic synth music, which seem about right. ‘Mewphoria’ is the album opener and this week’s closer which seems ‘A-purr-priate’. Make sure you check out our really cool Q&A article which can be found at newhdradio.com/cat.
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