Showing posts with label Jett Kwong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jett Kwong. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 March 2020

Pike & Sutton - Californiosos - Hannah Georgas - Grace Gillespie - Jett Kwong

Pike & Sutton have really impressed me these last couple of months and return for a third time this year with 'Let The Music Get You High' and once again their soulful vocals and bluesy rock feel are just incredible. === Californiosos have released 'Captain's Got A Brand New Heart' with a suitably matched video. Their described as psych-jazz-folk duo, the song explains that wonderful combination, better than I can. === We have the latest single from  Hannah Georgas entitled 'That Emotion' where her melodic vocals and a refined rhythmic backdrop work beautifully together. === We featured Grace Gillespie twice last year and now we have her latest song 'Goodbye' and it's an intimate, exquisite folk singer-songwriter piece. === Jett Kwong just released 'Tokyo Bath' and it's a sultry, emotional and personal song with a fabulously arranged musical backdrop.
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Pike & Sutton - Let The Music Get You High

Austin-based duo Pike & Sutton will release their debut full-length album Heart Is A Compass on April 3rd. Led by "hometown favorites" (Austin American-Statesman) Patrice Pike and Wayne Sutton, the band has evolved out of the longtime alternative rock band Sister 7. Today they shared the video for their new single "Let The Music Get You High," which Austin Chronicle called "a testament and ode to friendship, collaboration, and an abiding mission."

"Let The Music Get You High" is both an ode to music helping us all transcend our challenges in this life and lift each other up no matter how hard things get. The young dancer Azula who is featured in the video, along with her sister May May, represent one of the recipients of the Step Onward Foundation (co-founded by Pike) who is now getting her masters degree and raising a family.

The video depicts a couch which represents the furniture at-risk families take with them from place to place as they try to establish a home in a world that is constantly becoming less and less affordable. Azula expresses through her dance the myriad of feelings teens experience through the frustration of just wanting to turn 18 and have rights to be on their own and take control of their path. This is represented in the 18 marks on Azula's forearm.

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Californiosos - Captain's Got A Brand New Heart

California mystical psych-jazz-folk duo Californiosos releases a music video for the single "Captain's Got a Brand New Heart." It follows the release of their self-titled album that was released on February 20th via Independent Release. The project is the brainchild of Farmer Dave Scher and Michael Vest. Farmer Dave is known for his work with acts like Jenny Lewis, Cass McCombs, Kurt Vile, Vetiver and Father John Misty.

With 14 generations of Golden State living under their collective belts, Michael Vest and Farmer Dave Scher aka Californiosos are naturals at bringing the nouveau, cosmic, West Coast jazz-folk-psych sound. Listen as they open the portals to mysticism, classic exotica, secret ancient-future mystery-history, connection to The Goddess, and much more. Positive vibrations and transcendentally-timeless poetic language make every track highly nutritious while strangely edifying.

The ten-track album takes the listener on a full journey through space and time, asking as many questions as it answers and exploring a wide range of musical styles. From the ceremonial shell blasts of “La Concha” to the final giggling elves of “Little Spinning Planet”, you are sure to be opened, amazed, entertained, and amused (possibly even simultaneously).

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Hannah Georgas - That Emotion

Hannah Georgas is sharing her latest single "That Emotion," a first glimpse of a forthcoming collaboration with producer Aaron Dessner, best known as a founding member of The National and for his production work with artists like Sharon Van Etten, Frightened Rabbit, This Is The Kit and Local Natives. For Georgas, who spent much of 2019 touring as a part of The National's live band on their tours in support of their album I Am Easy To Find, the track is her first release on a pair of new labels — Brassland, the imprint co-founded by Aaron & Bryce Dessner, and Toronto indie stalwart Arts & Crafts. A display of Georgas' capacity for crafting textured pop songs that confound expectations, the single is an engaging showcase of a hugely accomplished songwriting voice.

The fruit of a relationship born from a long email correspondence between Georgas and Dessner that began before the release of Georgas' well-received 2016 LP For Evelyn, the pair's work together began in Dessner's upstate New York studio in 2018. “Aaron and I agreed the production needed to bring out the truth in my voice," says Georgas. "I always felt happy with my songs but during these sessions we found something else—musically a new warmth and depth and, vocally, a delivery that is more raw and expressive, allowing the emotion of each song to shine through.”

Their musical chemistry is immediately clear on "That Emotion," where Georgas' plaintive vocals are enveloped by an expertly designed arrangement that builds and pulses as Georgas' melody unfurls. "This song is a portrait of one particular way that emotions can build up inside," Georgas explains. "You’re going through the motions, suppressing how you really feel, and pretending things are ok — but your body knows…that deep down life and worry can weigh you down in ways your head might not acknowledge. This song was inspired by the feeling of hiding emotions you would like to express but feeling alone."

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Grace Gillespie - Goodbye.

Grace Gillespie is a London-based artist and producer originally from Devon, who spent much of 2017 touring as part of the live line-up for 4AD’s Pixx. In 2019 Grace received PRS’s WMM funding and consequently released her debut EP ‘Pretending,’ which garnered support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Clash and Earmilk.

Some of her notable live shows include supporting James Morrison at Dingwalls, Camden and headlining a stage the folk stage at Tipping Point festival in Newcastle. Her first two singles found their way onto Spotify’s ‘Fresh Folk’ playlist and received extensive support from Apple Music, appearing on their ‘A-List’ and ‘Best of the Week’ playlists, as well as backing from NME, Crack In The Road and The Wild Honey Pie.

She has received radio plays from BBC 6 music as well as being a featured artist on BBC Introducing London. Her early demo of ‘Restoration’ saw her tipped to Q Magazine by Newton Faulkner and brought her to the attention of Kaleidoscope, who worked with her to produce her first solo releases in 2018. Her sound takes influences from the folk, psych and dream-pop traditions, providing a backdrop to her intriguing vocal melodies, shifting harmonies and introspective lyricism.

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Jett Kwong - Tokyo Bath.

Tidbits about song and video- I wrote this over two trips to Japan. The initial idea came from lavender bath water my first time in Tokyo. The second time around I traveled to an onsen in the mountains, and was soaking in this beautiful outdoor pool in the mist, hoping to feel exalted or something.. of course I didn't, and actually felt kind of miserable.. but that in and of itself was sort of the transcendent moment! This is all coupled with a vision of a Hollywood party (specifically one in Laurel Canyon that Father John Misty might host...), and feeling excluded, laughing at the ridiculousness of it all... yet also feeling bad about NOT being included and wishing to have a piece of the pie. For the video we focused sex/racial tensions.

Jett's work is colored by themes such as family, her identity as a mixed heritage woman, and the complexities of colonial history. “Our identities are colored by the context in which we are in - the way we grow up, our appearance, and our basic interests and beliefs”. It is through this belief that she channels her desire to seek out the true roots of individuality.

Sonically influenced by a variety of sounds from different eras, Jett’s music is built from pieces of the past with an essence of the future. With the desire to spark conversations about identity, the singer/songwriter confides, "I am inspired to tell not only my and my family’s histories, but a broader story of culture -to be a conduit for those stories and to find more innovative ways to express them."

Empowered by issues surrounding women’s rights, social and political reform and questions around justice, Jett hopes to contribute towards conversations for affecting change. Having performed at prestigious venues including the renown Carnegie Hall, Jett Kwong is ready for the next installment of her journey.

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Saturday, 1 June 2019

Jade Jackson - The Warp/The Weft - Burton Gaar - The Cravens - Jett Kwong

Less than a month since sharing 'Bottle It Up' from her forthcoming 'Wilderness' album Jade Jackson returns with 'Secret' another fabulously crafted song, that raises anticipation even higher for what's to follow.

It's almost two years since The Warp/The Weft appeared here, and with 'A Sun Filled Room' they are more than welcome back! Their modern take on folk music is tinged with the traditional past and yet roams between psychedelic and folk rock, this is a band that deserve wider attention.

Black and Tan Records have shared some excellent blues songs from the late Burton Gaar. Blues fans from any era should gain some pleasure from this material and if the genre is not normally your thing, take a dip into this mans music, it is quite something.

Grab your 'Early Bird Special' here as The Cravens have rediscovered some material from 2009, and not surprisingly shared it. Why? well this is a very fine collection of songs, it's got some loose and easy Americana vibes and because it's predominately at the demo stage, the bands natural character really stands out.

Jett Kwong has released 'Cream' a dreamy and sensitive song that mixes melodic sweeps along with her beautiful vocals and a musical backdrop that defies exact categorisation beyond the fact it's gorgeous.

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Jade Jackson - Secret.

Jade Jackson is excited to share “Secret”, a song that came to her in a sudden moment of inspiration while driving in her central California hometown.

“Secret” tells a story of addiction, loss, and the heartbreak that accompanies not just death itself but of a failure to fulfill dreams and to escape the tethers of home. As Jackson’s gorgeous voice belts out the chorus of “All the walls inside me fell down / I don’t want my bones to be buried in this town,” know that the emotion, just like the story, is real.

“That chorus came to my mind first,” she says, “and I started screaming it, like I was channeling the person in that song. A lot of little feelings that hurt me, or that I have suppressed, sometimes pop up when I sing. If you push a buoy down in the water then let go, it shoots up quickly. Sometimes that happens with sadness in my songwriting.”

“Secret” is the second track to be made available on Jackson’s sophomore album Wilderness, set for a June 28 release on ANTI-. On Wilderness, Jackson casts a light more focused on her own life than ever before.


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The Warp/The Weft - A Sun Filled Room.

The Warp/The Weft, active since 2012 in and beyond New York's Hudson River Valley, has earned praise for its uniqueness and song-crafting from casual and devoted listeners alike.

Blending traditional and avant-garde styles, the warmth of a good wool sweater and the sometimes-bleak cold of an upstate winter, the progressive folk and psychedelia that the band brings to bear  is propelled by poetic lyrics and a "spirit-conjuring" lilting tenor that "puts Murphy alongside Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg as one of the most captivating high-register voices in rock today" (Ron Hart, Chronogram).

The Band will release its third LP, DEAD  RECKONING, in summer 2019. Trevor Larcheveque: Bass/Vocals, Christian Lark: Drums, Shane Murphy: Vocals/Guitar, Chris Pellnat: Lead Guitar.

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Burton Gaar - Blue Eyed Soul.

The tall Louisiana blues man Burton Gaar started playing bass guitar at age fourteen and at age eighteen Burton started singing on stage. As a young man, Burton was invited to join Slim Harpo's band as a bass player. In the 60's Burton and his band (Boogie Kings) were very active in the Louisiana R&B circuit.

As the 70's Burton was forced to take a normal day job for a year. After this experience he was determined to be self supporting as a musician. He joined the band of Rockin' Sidney and he managed to make ends meet by either backing-up this zydeco superstar or playing with his own band.

After recording his first CD "Still Singing The Blues" for Lanor Records Burton became firmly resolved to pursue his number one goal; making a name for himself. He recorded another CD (One Hundred Pounds Of Trouble) in Europe that was released in 1997. He did a few European tours during which he performed in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Norway. Burton passed away in 2011 after a brief battle with cancer.

Musicians on these tracks are: Burton Gaar - vocals, bass, Roel Spanjers - keyboards, Frank Bolder - drums, Jan Mittendorp - guitar.

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The Cravens - Early Bird Special.

It's time to come on down to Craven House and enjoy the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL. No worries here.... just kick back...It's on us.

This laid back and loose  five- song acoustic /americana appetizer was recorded in 2009.

Somehow it got lost, but has now been found and dusted off for your listening pleasure!

Early Bird Special features the fine talents of our pals, Vagrant Records recording artist, John Ralston (harmony vocals} and Ginny Hale Meredith (violin).

So.... grab a seat on the front porch, sip your coffee, iced tea or mint julep, close your eyes and enjoy your EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Featuring the track "Lonelyville" with John Ralston.

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Jett Kwong - Cream.

Jett's work is colored by themes such as family, her identity as a mixed heritage woman, and the complexities of colonial history. “Our identities are colored by the context in which we are in - the way we grow up, our appearance, and our basic interests and beliefs”. It is through this belief that she channels her desire to seek out the true roots of individuality.

New single 'Cream' the single is an ode to summer, a time passed, to lusting over someone and ultimately lusting over an idealized version of a persona and the past. Kwong reveals, "I was inspired by the realization that we all, including myself, fall prey to the romanticization of history, and the exoticism of Asia and Asian people. This to me is a legacy of colonialism, and that lens is particularly interesting when I apply them to my own family’s stories of surviving war, flourishing in post WWII Hong Kong, and immigrating to the US". 'Cream' evokes the balmy imagery of Kwong's grandparents strolling down the road in 1940's Hong Kong in their beautiful, tailored clothes - in stark contrast to the reality of their inequality in a British colony and their everyday struggles to survive and ultimately immigrate. Sonically the single features ethereal vocals, shimmering soundscapes and hints of Kwong's Chinese influences.

Sonically influenced by a variety of sounds from different eras, Jett’s music is built from pieces of the past with an essence of the future. With the desire to spark conversations about identity, the singer/songwriter confides, "I am inspired to tell not only my and my family’s histories, but a broader story of culture - to be a conduit for those stories and to find more innovative ways to express them."

Empowered by issues surrounding women’s rights, social and political reform and questions around justice, Jett hopes to contribute towards conversations for affecting change. Having performed at prestigious venues including the renown Carnegie Hall, Jett Kwong is ready for the next installment of her journey.


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Zanna Black - Smoke and Mirrors Sound System - Remy Garrison - The Names - The Inciters

Zanna Black - This Town. With melancholic guitar and the loveliest vocals, Zanna Black lets out into the world her latest single, ‘This Tow...