Showing posts with label Corbu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corbu. Show all posts

Tuesday, 26 July 2016

The Low Countries - Corbu - Four Star Riot

The Low Countries - The Invisible Ray.

Background promo - The Low Countries, until 2013 an indie-folk duo, are now resurrected as a five piece band. They've just released the brilliant ‘An Extended Play EP’ following up the Libera Awards nominated 'Sun Street (2015)'. It’s a kind of comeback for Nigel and his songs, Six Of The Best from the Low Countries – songs re-imagined and given the full band experience recorded in a pro studio assisted by a band of great musicians, people and friends.

The band came together to help Nigel and Els perform at the launch of their final album 'The Invisible Ray' (2013). This proved to be so enjoyable they found they couldn't stop. Nigel, feeling 'songed out' and a bit mental at the time, was then persuaded by the rest of the band to enter the studio and record six of the best. A last hurrah that sounds amazing...

Nigel and Els formed the Low Countries in 2007 and they've released 8 or so albums and other sundry songs, often to immense (is that the right word?) critical acclaim. The Low Countries - An Extended Play EP, Nub Music, 24th July 2016.


The second of the six excellent indie folk songs on the 'An Extended Play' EP, 'The Invisible Ray' highlights the overall quality of this fine collection of songs. For me the often vibrant indie folk genre, does at times see the media focus in on a current "flavour of the month", in turn creating a wave of copycat acts. The Low Countries have always been far more than a short term focal point, creating blissfully wonderful music, along with a few influences for others to aspire to. As "last hurrah's" go, this EP is quite special.

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Corbu - Better Better Off.

Background - Ahead of the release of their soaring debut album Crayon Soul, New York’s Corbu are streaming the new single ‘Better Better Off’. A swirling anthem, ‘Better Better Off’ perfectly balances trippy desert rock with glacial stargazing. Corbu’s Crayon Soul is released August 5th via 3Beat (EU) & Big Picnic (US).

The band recently gave an insight into their vivid and fully realised world with the animated video to the track ‘Battles’. The video hints at the narrative that began to unfold as front man Jonathan Graves was writing the record. Each track tells a different part of the story, taking the listener on a true journey through Corbu’s vibrant imagination. Despite taking inspiration from science fiction and psychedelia, the album also pulls from the band’s real life experiences to create a body of work that is both otherworldly and deeply personal.

Crayon Soul is produced by Corbu and mixed by Dave Fridmann (Tame Impala, MGMT, The Flaming Lips). It follows two acclaimed EPs, We Are Sound and Everything You Imagine Is Real, which garnered praise from the likes of Nylon, Stereogum, The Guardian, NME and more, as well as capturing the attention of Jessie Ware, who personally requested the band to remix her song ‘You & I (Forever)’.

Tour Dates:
Aug 1st Philadelphia: Black Box
Aug 2nd Washington DC: DC9
Aug 3rd Pittsburgh: Brillobox
Aug 5th New York: Mercury Lounge - Album release show.

Sept 30th Austin: Austin City Limits Festival.

Second time around on Beehive Candy for Corbu, this time with the new song 'Better Better Off'. The rhythmic, semi psychedelic sounds, swirl along with the vocals, before taking centre stage and becoming delightfully hypnotic. All bodes well for the new album in August.

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Four Star Riot - Torn & Tattered.

Background bio - Over the course of multiple releases, Tampa Bay's Four Star Riot has consistently delivered stick-in-your-head pop/rock choruses. Now the band is preparing to release its strongest effort to date, a full-length offering Waves due out at the end of Summer 2016. The first single "Waves" has gained steam with a soft release in January including a DIY video in time for spring break.

Four Star Riot has opened for national acts such as Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Train, Lit, Living Colour, Eve6, Jimmy Eat World, among many others. The band’s songs have been featured in television and film, including ESPN, MTV, and the record-breaking film Deadpool in 2016!

In past years, they have performed at SXSW, 97X Next Big Thing, 98Rock Livestock, as well as the Atlantis Music Fest and the Florida Music Festival. The group has also garnered multiple awards and kudos from the hometown press, and national ink in outlets like Music Connection and Relix
.

'Torn & Tattered' was I am told, written while the band waited out a record-breaking 22 continuous days of storm last year. It provides a good flavour of what to expect from the forthcoming ten track album. Overall it more rock than pop, but that does not stop the band, putting some serious hooks and choruses in. I would say it's a fine song from an equally good album.

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Friday, 20 May 2016

Friday Four: Bin Juice - The Vacationists - John Jefferson - Corbu

Bin Juice - Astro Surf.

Background Info - We are delighted to share the news of Sydney 5 piece Bin Juice signing to Monday Records, and announcing the recording of their debut studio EP.

Bin Juice is just the right dose of Funk, Psych and a live set that leaves every punter talking for days. Their signature song-writing centres around their love of jamming, organically spurting out addictive melodies they then turn into songs.

Described as “a force to be reckoned with”, Bin Juice ticks all the right boxes, from clever lyrics to electrifying riffs. The boys have developed a seasoned reputation for high-energy performances and drawing a pumping crowd wherever they play.

Bin Juice has played alongside bands such as: Flowertruck, Winston Surfshirt, Capital Coast, Raindrop, Salvador Dali Llama, White Blanks, Powla, Bad Valley and Phantastic Ferniture.


'Astro Surf' has a eclectic mixture of sounds and just the right vocal styling to match the music. It's funky, different and rich in ideas and sound. The EP should be a fascinating listen.

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 The Vacationists - It Could Be Much, Much Worse.

Background promo - Sydney band The Vacationists, return with their bouncy and shimmery indiepop single “It Could Be Much, Much Worse”, which will be launched on May 21st at Brighton Up Bar.

The Vacationists first made some noise on the local indie radio scene in late 2014 with infectious single “Smile, you’re in Kensington”. They specialise in energetic tunes with playful song structures as filtered through layers of hazy guitars and keyboards. They call Sydney’s inner west home, but their unique indie-pop sound hails from all over the world.

The band has in the past brought their loud and fun shows to Oxford Art Factory,  Annandale Hotel, Lazybones Lounge, FBi Social, Petersham Bowling Club, and many others. This new single sounds like something The Smiths and The Jesus and Mary Chain might have penned on a bender after an early 90s hiphop gig. The Vacationists release ‘It Could Be Much, Much Worse’ today Friday 20th May 2016.

Saturday 21st May 2016
Brighton Up Bar (single launch) Sydney NSW


The song 'It Could Be Much, Much Worse' is melodic, refreshing and delivered with quality musicianship and superb vocals. Upbeat and extremely catchy, the band deserves to be heard.

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 John Jefferson - Fool's Paradise.

Background promo - John Jefferson is set to release his debut EP Helmsman, on the 24th of June 2016.

Jefferson wrote the tracks on a narrow-boat while travelling through the Hertfordshire countryside last summer. He then recorded the tracks on a ship called Lightship95 at the London docklands last Christmas. The nautical theme to the production of this EP inspired Jefferson to name it Helmsman.
Jefferson’s is a multi-instrumentalist with influences mostly American from the 60's/70's and artists such as: Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Blaze Foley and The Doors. Inspiration which can be seen perfectly on Helmsman.

The 5 track-EP, is an ethereal, bluesy, Americana infused affair. Most of the instrumentation on the EP is Jefferson’s bar the drums.   From one masterpiece to the next, Jefferson has managed to create a beautiful sound which will remind you of a Californian beach drive.

Jefferson will be playing the live circuit with his band over the summer including: 21/06 Victoria in Dalston.

There is something of a laid back Americana feel to 'Fool's Paradise' and the theme continues on the forthcoming EP. Well structured songs full of melodic hooks and in some cases a little more energised, as debut releases go, this one is notable and sets standards very high.

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Corbu - Through Emptiness.

Background promo - Taken from their recently announced debut album Crayon Soul, the dream-like ‘Through Emptiness’ floats on its spaced-out synths carried by its blissful yet haunting melody.

Much of the debut album was inspired by the intense dreams front man Jonathan Graves has experienced since childhood. ‘Through Emptiness’ traverses the contrasting emotions during and after dreams; experiencing joy in an unknown place where anything is possible, yet knowing that the dream will end. Jonathan says: “Dreams can be beautiful and cruel at the same time. People you've lost flicker back into existence for a moment, and then they're gone again. There's a tremendous comfort in knowing those spaces exist, even if just in your mind, mixed with the sadness of being dropped into them randomly and then having them ripped away."

Crayon Soul is released on 5 August 2016 via 3 Beat (EU) & Big Picnic (US). Mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, Mercury Rev),  the album was announced recently along with ‘Polygon Forest’, which received praise from the likes of Stereogum, DIY and Clash.

Crayon Soul follows two acclaimed EPs, We Are Sound and Everything You Imagine Is Real, which garnered praise from the likes of Nylon, Stereogum, The Guardian, NME and more, as well as capturing the attention of Jessie Ware, who personally requested the band to remix her song ‘You & I (Forever)’.

Deep synthy sounds introduce 'Through Emptiness'. It's a song that slowly gathers momentum as the melody establishes itself and dreamy vocals glide gently above a lush soundscape. It's both music and well crafted art, no wonder the amount of attention the band have already received.

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Sunday, 24 April 2016

Genre Wander: Corbu - Allie & Ivy - Helix Pulsar

Corbu - Polygon Forest.

Background promo - New York neo-psyche band Corbu are streaming ‘Polygon Forest’, the first track from their forthcoming debut album. With its choral harmonies and tribal drumming over shimmering, glacial synths ‘Polygon Forest’ is a glorious and uplifting trip, taken from their album Crayon Soul, out 5th August 2016 via 3 Beat (EU) & Big Picnic (US).

Recorded and produced by the band, Crayon Soul was mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, MGMT). A vivid exploration inspired in part by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Graves’ lucid dreams, Crayon Soul is a truly realised vision. “It’s a journey through a series of “gates”, or events that you pass through with the narrator,” says Graves of the album. “At each event, you change and shift into a new part of the story.”

Extremely visual, Corbu create captivating, kaleidoscopic visuals to accompany their music. Encouraging listeners to paint their own path through Corbu’s world, Crayon Soul includes a colouring book, as well as artwork inspired by each of the twelve songs.

Crayon Soul follows two acclaimed EPs, We Are Sound and Everything You Imagine Is Real, which garnered praise from the likes of NYLON, Stereogum, The Guardian, NME and more, as well as capturing the attention of Jessie Ware, who personally requested the band to remix her song ‘You & I (Forever)’. 

The album is a feast of ideas and thoughts captured musically with considerable imagination. 'Polygon Forest' is just one dimension of an epic album, that explores differing musical styles. First time around the listener can't be to certain just how the next song will develop, giving a sense of journey and discovery. That said, there is a constant overall feel to the album, in part due to Jonathan Graves vocal skills. It's a refreshing listen, no wonder that the attention is already there.
 
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Allie & Ivy - Get Hi.

Background - About "Get Hi" “'Get Hi' is about my housemate’s battle with cocaine addiction,” Allie explains. “He absolutely loved to party and lived only for the weekend but his substance abuse had seen him get into thousands of dollars in debt, which put a massive strain on his relationship. He was constantly beating himself up about it, saying he was going to give up the party lifestyle and pay back the money he owed, but as soon as the weekend rolled around he’d get so excited and be up to his old tricks again. He just couldn’t resist the temptation.” - Allie

Bio: Allie & Ivy is indie electropop singer-songwriter Aleisha (Allie) Conlay, from the sunny northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. Writing songs since the age of 11 and picking up the guitar at 14, Allie was schooled in music at a very young age by her father, a guitarist and record collector from London with a passion for 60s music.

Having developed a deep infatuation with The Beatles at age 11, Allie had dreams to one day front an all-girl rock band called The Ladybeetles but unfortunately never managed to find her Paul, George or Ringo. Not one to let that get in the way of her plans, Allie conjured up alter ego Ivy, giving her the comradeship, confidence and support a real band couldn’t.

Allie & Ivy’s fresh sound and penchant for catchy hooks and infectious melodies have gained accolades both in Australia and internationally. With new songs scheduled for release throughout 2016 and a debut EP underway the year is already shaping up to be a busy and exciting one for Allie & Ivy.

Well there is always some room for unashamed pure pop when it's this good. As with any good indie pop piece, it's awash with hooks and upbeat all the way, sometimes that's more than enough.


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Helix Pulsar - Rapture.

Background promo - France's electro rock synthpop outfit Helix Pulsar has announced they will soon release their debut LP 'Beyond the Wall', a 12-track debut EP that was produced by Britain’s Creative Music Studios, which is based in Brentwood. ‘Rapture’ is the lead single from this album.

Most often likened to The Danse Society and Clan of Xymox, they count Depeche Mode, The Cure, Archive, Mesh, IAMX and Muse among their key influences. They also seem to draw inspiration from such themes as sexuality and the addictiveness therein. “This song is about how it feels to surrender to the burning desire of one’s lover… a perfect blend of sensuality and wild instincts as well,” says Estelle Flaujat.

In early 2014, Olivier Rennesson (formerly of Shiny Darkness) joined forces with Estelle Flaujat, who had, until then been involved in gospel and jazz. They united over a shared love of synthpop and electropop and founded Helix Pulsar. Both educated in classical music (piano for Olivier, piano / violin for Estelle), they compose their music as absolute electro synthphonies - note by note, pulse by pulse. After relocating from Nantes to Lille (northern France), they chose to add a rock dimension to their synth pop vibes and welcomed guitarist Steve Boudoux, and their sound came to adopt the sense of pulsating electro rock waves, with contrasting yet engaging rhythms and distinctive harmonies.

"We’ve been crafting this album over these past 2 years composing with our busy private lives. This album is grounded in our personal history, helping us to expel our inner wounds from the past but also celebrating our love and life together," explains Olivier Rennesson. 'Beyond The Wall' will be released on May 6.

The semi-industrial and hypnotic beat makes a perfect background for the duo's vocals. There are a few name checks in the promo and they make sense, however there is a unique and quite addictive feel to this song, that leaves me keen to hear more.
 
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The Hengles - Books of Moods

The Hengles - Cover Up (Album). Experience a trip down memory lane with The Hengles' latest album, Cover Up. This Dutch indie band revi...