The collaboration between Horse’s Head and fish narc can be traced back to the early days of GothBoiClique — a community that came together through Tumblr and represents the beginning of emo rap. Over the years, however, both artists have continued to advance and reach for different shapes and textures. With every pride of new projects — Horse Head’s PSYCHIC DRIVING pulls from indie, folk, and shoegaze, while fish narc’s fruiting body nods to indie bands of the late 2000s and early 2010s — it’s only right that they tour together. Along for the trip is Zubin, a longtime friend and collaborator who is new to him mud EP, and Emma Hendry, one half of Plushie Love.
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As they wrap up their joint run at the end of the month, they opened up about some of the songs they’ve been listening to on the road.
Darcy Baylis – “Crisis Service”
Obsessed with the lyrics and production of this one. Darcy Baylis forever. Good inspirational emotional vibes. I love this. —Zubin
Despize – “Nightmare”
Badass new Scottish hardcore to keep me awake on long drives. So fire. —Horse’s Head
Eric’s Trip – “Anytime You Want”
Catchy, melodic ’90s indie punk. I listen to this whole album [Love Tara] many. —Zubin
J Dilla – “Believe in God”
Super chilled-out instrumental by one of my favorite producers of all time. RIP. —Zubin
Former Ghosts – “Bare Bones”
Really sad dark synth-pop project from the 2010s scene based around The Smell in LA. The lyrics are crushing. —Zubin
Horse Head – “CATCHING FEELINGS”
This may sound like shameless plugging of my friend and tourmate, but I really can’t stop listening to Horse’s latest album, PSYCHIC DRIVING. “CATCHING FEELINGS” is a beautiful song, fitting well into the long progression of melancholic bops that make up his discography. Horse used some classic GBC [GothBoiClique] flows and lyrical tropes, but the beat feels 2025. It’s rude not to be rude. I don’t know what that means, but you should listen, and I think you’ll agree. Unmissable banger. —fish narc
Kate Bush – “Pull Out The Pin”
The first time I heard KB was a spring night in my senior year of high school. Lots of close friends are hanging out in the parents’ basement, and the girls are taking shots of vodka from their diva cups. I was straight edged and feeling bored, and was flipping through the records in a room when “Breathing” came on. I remember the shivers I felt and fell into a trance, completely captivated by the song. I’m not sure why, but I decided I was going to break, later that month, and somehow I felt more capable of making choices for myself. I don’t know why it was tied to KB, but it was, and I’ve been a pretty obsessive fan ever since. My favorite record right now is The dream, and “Pull Out The Pin” is doing something for me right now. “Suspended in Gaffa” is also a contender for this list. —fish narc
Lync – “Pennies to Save”
Lync was an underappreciated band from the underground scene(s) in Olympia, Washington in the ’90s. I grew up worshiping this record. It hit like emo, but I’m not sure if it can be called that. Their only album [These Are Not Fall Colors] just reissued and added to streaming services. “Pennies to Save” captures the complex emotions of the group, neither sad nor content, full of fire. —fish narc
Book of Love – “Boy”
Tara, my friend/bandmate of my other band Phantasia, put me in this band. I love how synthy it is, and the overall vibe. —Emma Hendry
Daisies – “Is It Any Wonder?”
The Daisies are a current LA/Olympia based band. Perfect kind of sad ’90s pop song with amazing little vocals. —Emma Hendry
Jack Lee – “Midnight”
Jack Lee is on Nerves. Sister Sophie showed me the song, and it was an instant fave. It’s about a trip across America, which I think I’m doing too. —Emma Hendry
