DVN - About them - Nileskog & Anton Stjärnqvist are DVN. At just 22 & 23 years-old, DVN have been have been hard at work in their studio for three years now, and with a big with a side-dish of DJing which in the past have had them open for a few big domestic names in the form of, Sebjak, Mikael Wermeets and Alex Moreno. They now have honed their skills to a point where they are ready to release their soulful deep-house influenced first single Oblivion feat. Duncan. DVN hail from Landskrona, in the southernmost part of Sweden. A place that has shaped them musically and where they work daily in their production-lab.
Passionately sung vocals over a refreshing soundtrack take it in turns to dominate this piece, all to good effect.
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Afternoons in Stereo - Tells us - It's been ten years since my first Afternoons in Stereo release and I'm celebrating by sharing my new album 'Retrospective'. 'Retrospective' compiles 10 years of the funkier, club-driven side of the my work, featuring two new tracks. This new collection is the perfect bookend to last year's 'A Jazz Odyssey', which assembled the more jazz-oriented side of my output.
This is an outstanding selection of music, the jazz influences are there along with so much more. A couple of videos (Here) and (here) and the impressive 'Galaxina' below, if you like any of these the album is definitely worth your time.
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Royal Disco - Background - After taking almost a year long break, Tel Aviv trio Royal Disco is back and better than ever with their new EP titled Dark Energy. Beginning with their EP titled "Dark Energy", you're welcomed into a spatial, atmospheric void filled with melodic keys as you're bombarded with sawing laser-esque synths and deep sub bass and thrown down the worm hole that is Dark Energy. As you begin to come up from said ride, you're greeted with soft horns and canorous keys as "Sensei" begins.
Just as quick, you're smacked in the face with an aggressive hook as you nose dive into a bass laden drop filled with unsympathetic synths leaving you hyped and wanting more. Luckily, there's one last hill to climb as the final track "Welcome to the Universe" beings with an epic drum intro leading into electro keys, reminiscent of an old John Hughes flick. The harmonious vocals uplift the track, then gets torn back as you fall into merciless drop after drop.
As you can tell by their words above the enthusiasm is most definitely there and rightly so with this power house of sounds, prepare to be bombarded and treated to energy driven layers, you will not stay still!
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Ooah & M!NT - Going back one week - Over last weekend, The Glitch Mob’s Ooah and Brooklyn-based producer M!nt released an unexpected collaboration called 'If The Smoke Clears'. This atmospheric single combines house and hip hop influences, and Ooah says of its creation “We didn't over think it or over cook it, randomly we started messing around in the studio and next thing we knew we had put together this song. This moody yet dancey break beat type of song we thought would be a good addition to your late night summer feels.”
With its hypnotic house atmosphere and grooving hip hop break beats, “If The Smoke Clears” is a great example of the higher creativity that results from artists working together spontaneously.
Trying hard to avoid the 'well if this is what you can do spontaneously' route is difficult, as it does beg the question of what else this pair might achieve. Anyway all power to spontaneity and long may it continue as this piece proves the case.
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Moonlapse - The story so far - Moonlapse is the electronic, progressive rock project by 21-year-old composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Ben Strick, who is releasing his intoxicating and transcendent nine-song debut release in May 2015.
Strick came by his love of progressive rock at age 14 via classic bands such as Genesis and King Crimson. Soon he moved on to more contemporary prog metal like Dream Theater, Opeth and Porcupine Tree. “I studied them and learned to play their music,” Strick says. “In doing so, I was introduced to a lot of strange and beautiful chord progressions, which I didn’t hear in other music. Gradually, I began to compose my own songs using a lot of those chords and scales.” Strick, who studies computer science at North western University, recorded all of his guitar tracks on a computer using MIDI and a plug in called Omnisphere.
“Omniphere is really useful because it has tons of electronic instruments that are designed to sound like the real thing, and you can manipulate the tones and frequencies in some really cool ways.” Strick says. “I could never get guitar tracks to sound the way I wanted using a real instrument, but by orchestrating them digitally, they sounded new and original. For drums, I used Battery 4. Everything, including mixing, was done on my computer.”
This was a pleasing listen and one that I hope gets a larger audience. Ben Strick has a talent both in constructing music, but more importantly in composing highly listenable pieces, play and enjoy. Website Here.
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Loksop - Background - Loskop’s new single entitled “These Sparks (Featuring Maiya Sykes)” showcases their acutely refined deep house, techno and pop sensibilities, sharpened by spending years DJ’ing in the unique and gritty underground club scene of post-Apartheid Johannesburg. The result is a deeply satisfying, genre-bending track that is made that much more striking with the addition of the massive vocals of Maiya Sykes, who was a 2014 finalist on “The Voice.” The song was released last month on their home turf, and it’s already in Top 40 rotation on 5FM, South Africa’s biggest national radio station.
You can watch the video (here), however it was Loksop's remixes on Soundcloud that gained my interest the most and the one below is just one example and if you like that, or the latest release go have a listen to the other remixes, you are in for a nice surprise.
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BECOME X XYLO - Keeping it very short (and sweet) we are told - Please enjoy our sophomore release -- BECOME x XYLO 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' -- currently making people dance everywhere!
So we will keep it short and sweet, listen up! it's a good one!
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Danny Darko ft Lulu Falemara - The words - Silent Cries is a new chilly trap revamp of Danny Darko's song "Silent Cries". Silent Cries is a meaningful song against animal cruelty conceived by Danny and performed by british singer Lulu' Falemara.
I featured Danny Darko back on May 8th, his work continues to astound. This only came my way today and is to good to miss out. Website here.
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Sunday, 12 July 2015
Saturday, 11 July 2015
Two Very Different Tunes For Saturday
'Love Song' was written during a muggy summer in a half furnished room at their first apartment in Brooklyn and speaks to a younger view of love and wanting. The kind of song you might need after a solid weekend of drinking and falling in and out of love with strangers and exes or after reading a Hemingway book, lying in your hammock in the heat of summer.
Ember Isles is a trinity of modern folk writers, lyricists, and instrumentalists. Their yearning vocals and raw lullabies scratch at the ribs and burn the throat like scotch whisky. With personal origins stretching from Scotland to California, and back over the grey Atlantic waters to England, The Isles evoke the foggy dawn seashore and the warm cup of tea you would crave after a forlorn walk down the coast.
Whether on a ukulele, fiddle, or electric guitar, this trio yields a soundscape of resilience and fragility that illustrates the smouldering hearts of these three women. Hannah Read, Tamsin Wilson, and Megan Lui are currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
This is a soothing gentle song that gradually unfolds with a mixture of exquisite vocals over a haunting soundtrack. Just right for a hot summer evening (or a cold winters morning if you prefer).
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Yuck's new album has been recorded and produced entirely by the band in their London studio. Their new songs are wild and compact, centred and expansive, forward-thinking and referential. They are the output of a band that loves being a band, loves playing music, and loves touring the world over and over and over again. They're songs that, in short, are exactly the songs that a great band like Yuck should be making.
8/05 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny's Brenda
8/06 - New York, NY - River Rocks / Pier 84
8/07 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
8/08 - Raleigh, NC - Kings
8/09 - Atlanta, GA - The Wrecking Ball.
Now if you prefer your music with a little more kick, Yuck are well placed to deliver. Fuzzy wall of noise vocals, with a tight, no nonsense band, that plays with power and attitude and style.
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Friday, 10 July 2015
2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - July - Two
In 2010, Jamison, the person behind Teen Daze, had no idea what Four More Years would bring. That debut EP, a collection of blissful home recordings, was the work of a carefree 24 year-old. By 2012, things had changed, as they tend to do: relationships dissolved, illness affected his family, windows for outward communication were closing. The gravity of it all made for constant output; he reached for futuristic utopia with All Of Us, Together, found a devotional sanctuary inside The Inner Mansions, and embraced hibernation on Glacier. In hindsight, this was an artist coping through various forms of introverted escapism.
While proud of the material, Jamison sought to break this cycle when approaching the next record. He knew it would take a few leaps of faith, most directly: out of his bedroom... out of his comfort zone. For the first time, he gave up some control, inviting the input of others. Bearing over 30 demos, Jamison joined one of his musical heroes John Vanderslice at Tiny Telephone, his all-analog studio in San Francisco. Beyond the immediate sonic advantages of recording to tape, the sessions with Vanderslice and co-producer Simon Bridgefoot encouraged a new positivity and confidence to his craft.
Teen Daze has a distinctive sound and Jamison clearly has a talent for writing and developing music and lyrics. The album both surprised and pleased me, the featured song is just one of many fine tracks on this release.
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Background - Up and coming musician Sky Jones has released her debut self-titled EP, and her latest track ‘Linger’.‘Linger’ is described by Sky as “an anthem of heartbreak”; it’s real, raw, passionate and heavy, and has a melody that is hard to let go of. Written and produced right in her own home with the help of a close friend, the creation of this track is a “really deep personal song” for Sky. It’s a track where the lyrics flew freely and Sky has been amazed how the track “just came together”.
Said of the production of the song, “I had a definite plan of how I wanted it to sound, but I let my friend have a go with it and when I heard what she did with it I was like, oh my goodness, so we continued working on it, and here we are.” This single is due to be added to her next album which she is currently writing and recording.
The fresh Auckland, NZ based songstress crafts powerful and emotional tones, described as “that dark kind, like Florence and the Machine.” Her brilliantly strong voice and heartfelt stories she tells in her songs leave your skin tingling; Sky’s music has been said to be “brooding and deep lyrically and emotionally but engulfing musically and big." Website Here.
Sky Jones has one powerful voice and yet somehow it does not dominate over the music but rather compliments the soundtrack. In my opinion this is a really mature and well produced song, it is emotionally charged and given enough exposure could be really successful.
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After two well received mixtapes, the music of Color Collage (Formerly Leann Grimes) is once again shifting gears. The current focus of the project is taking the indie pop songwriting aspects of Now You See Them and applying them to the mid-fi, dusty electronic sound of Color Collage. The result is something that Conerty is currently describing as "Electronic Doo Wop", and is a fresh sound that is unlike anything floating around at the moment. Facebook page Here.
Having heard just three songs from this album, I am totally hooked on Color Collage's music and cannot wait to hear more. 'Electronic Doo Wop' is a fantastic description for some really creative and 'must here more' music. '2048' was on the EP and is on the album, this is one gem of a song, there will be more! Keep an eye on their Facebook page for tour details.
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Fitzgerald and Grund are building off the success of Stolen Jars' self-titled album released in 2011. The single off that album, "Driving," was featured in an international Apple iPad commercial and was awarded Song of the Week by Alt Mag. Their sophomore album Kept is decidedly more ambitious. Fitzgerald composed and layered tracks in his bedroom, tinkering to ensure precision. He and Grund then worked together to build vocal melodies around the tracks.
Over the course of the last year, Stolen Jars has been performing regularly in the Northeast, including shows with Sofar Sounds, at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn, and at Brandeis College's Springfest where they opened for St. Lucia, ILOVEMAKONNEN and Jessie J. In addition, Fitzgerald has been working as a film composer on features such as The Rewrite (2015) and Hard Sell (2015).
Tour Dates:
7/23 - Pianos - New York, NY
8/5 - AS220 - Providence, RI
8/7 - Elvis Guesthouse - New York, NY (Album Release show)
8/15 - The Space - New Haven, CT
8/28 - Arlene's Grocery - New York, NY
8/29 - All Sounds - Bloomfield, NJ
There is a saying in Britain "you wait ages for a bus and then three come along together". Well I may not have been waiting ages for some really appealing music, but going through those chosen for this feature, I can't help but feel spoilt by the sheer quality and Stolen Jars really are part of that. They are a musical delight.
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"The song came out sounding like a young Michael Jackson threw a block party on Sesame Street with Elton John and Elmo jamming out on the keys. It's such a blast to play live, I love seeing people from different walks of life jumping around together, this track really gets the crowd moving." Says Kendall, Lead Guitarist. Kurt's catchy piano lines paired with Kendall's cheerful skanks imbue the air with an infectiously playful vibe. Sam and Anson make the wheels on the big groove bus go round with a rock-solid funky rhythm while Luke conducts the whole occasion with a powerful golden tone and some mean, lean tambourine.
Timber Bones have spread the love from Brisbane to Byron Bay and now all the way down to Melbourne. Inspired by classic music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and almost all of the others the Bones Boys are avid lovers of all music. More recently their talents have been cultivated by bands such as Half Moon Run, Band of Skulls, Delicate Steve and Tame Impala. An "electrifying" live show will have you on your feet moving and grooving, rubbing shoulders with future friends. Timber Bones are currently planning a tour from Melbourne all the way up to the Sunshine Coast this summer. Keep your ears up and the beers cold, it's not to be missed. “Walking Through The Fire” by Timber Bones will be released 24th July 2015.
Just in case I have been to gentle on your ears in this round up we can go up tempo with Timber Bones. There is an 'upbeat freshness' to this song and an undeniable party feel, all in all a great way to finish any new music feature.
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Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Genre Hopping Wednesday
Releasing their heavy hitting self-titled debut album in March 2015, the record takes listeners on a journey though melodic horn features, chant choruses, epic guitar solos, catchy vocal riffs, and everything in between. From the upbeat soul sound of “No Troubles” to the mysterious reggae vibes of “Mirrors” to the the catchy swing/ska finale of “The Best For Last”, one thing is certain - the future is bright for this young group.
Although their debut album came out in March, I didn't wan't to miss out on featuring this fine band. Sometimes upbeat Ska just hits the spot as does the song below, from a quality album, that I feel is worth another plug along the way. Website Here.
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Taking sonic tips from The Jesus and Mary Chain as well as My Bloody Valentine and with the hook sensibility of PJ Harvey.
Blindness are a band with a machine gun etiquette, showing "exquisite warmth" in their "seductive dark wave electro pop." The songs on their forthcoming debut album ‘Wrapped In Plastic" on Saint Marie Records will take you on an adrenaline fuelled, rollercoaster ride of beautiful chaos.
The album is due out on July 24th and the above is a fair reflection from a band who drift around the shoegaze genre, dipping into other places and confronting the listener with a power house of sounds. Fans of the name dropped artists above, really should give this band a careful listen.
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The songs are evocative both musically and lyrically, touching on metaphysical, existential and interpersonal subject matter with an honesty that resonates to an emotional core. Their music is a reflection of the triumph and tragedy of the world, compelling us to look deeper into the realms of our consciousness. Malka is trying to stretch the concept of songs to make them sound more like emotional lapses of time. The vocal melodies assume an instrumental form and transcend language, adding transparency to bilingual Spanish-English lyrics shared between three lead vocalists.
OK if you have read the above and are still trying to work out just how this band might sound, take a listen to the featured track and then anticipate that they do a lot more besides and you will be pretty near to the genre spanning sounds Malka produce. Website Here.
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As a child, it can be easy to immerse yourself in a moment. As an adult, regret and anxiety and stress get in the way. My friends and I have a project that provides an escape from the daily rigours of modern life. Together we craft songs about the experiences that have defined our lives. In order to fully express ourselves, we ignore all of the distractions, and free fall into the moment. Oh Geronimo.
We all need an escape.
A song that tells a story about an event that caused distress and yet somehow bounces along in a cheerful way. It should not work, but does, and the second song demonstrates greater depth (oops) from a band to keep an ear or eye out for.
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Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Quality Not Quantity - Tuesday Just Got Better
Dirty Hearts - Promo Says - Nothing gets a true-blue Aussie more ready for a cold beer on a hot day than a dose of instantly distinguishable, solid '90s pub rock. Inject a 70s Brit infusion, plus a trio of hard-working blokes and you can begin to imagine what a driving live force Dirty Hearts have become.
Favourites on the live scene for years now, Dirty Hearts have supported the likes of Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays, You Am I, Velociraptor, British India, Airbourne, Dallas Crane, Magic Dirt and Jebediah. Now, they officially release their debut single 'Louis XIV'. With a sound that demands to be listened to – loudly - 'Louis XIV' embraces distorted vocals, a decadent guitar solo and a driving belt-it-out chorus as singer Matt Doe and the rest of the band wail a catchy 'get high on my own' lyric.
With more shows to be announced later this year and an official release of Dirty Hearts' self-titled debut EP on the way, there's not stopping these lads as they win over both the cleanest and dirtiest of hearts towards a growing '90s pub rock revival.
Beehive Candy says - Crack open the beers and enjoy. As the TV advert tells us 'it does exactly what it says on the tin'.
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Slow Turismo - and we are told - Luring in listeners with infectious melodies and rolling grooves, Slow Turismo is a dynamic indie band from the Nations Capital (yep Aus) already making waves on home soil and abroad. The four-piece band creates the kind of indie pop that alternative listeners are looking to hear. Similar to the bold work of Alt-J, Cloud Control and LCD Soundsystem, they write music that nestles in between several genres.
Slow Turismo are proud to release ‘I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up’ the lead single from their debut self-titled EP. This latest release was recorded between Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and a log cabin hidden away in the hills surrounding Robertson.
Having spent time with Magoo for pre-production and tracking in 2014, the band have settled into their sound and, with the help of Aaron Dobos, self-produced ‘I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up’ over the first few months of 2015. ‘We really got a lot out of our time with Magoo last year, committing to sounds during the recording process became a production focus for the project. Being able to get away to the cabin was also a really great excuse to delve into the tracking whole-heartedly and let the songs become their own.’ “I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up” will be released 24th July 2015.
This is a catchy and well crafted song and yes there is an element of Alt-J in some of the structuring, however that cannot be a bad thing. One listen will not be enough!
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Painted Palms - their words - Painted Palms' second full-length album, Horizons, exudes a sense of confidence and purpose that is only present when two creators share a singular focus and absolute trust in each other's talents. On Horizons, emotional states are suspended between light and dark, driven by the tension of efficient song structures. This week the band shares the synth-laden "Tracers," melding '60s psych pop with heavy-footed '80s drum machines.
Though vocalist Chris Prudhomme and producer Reese Donohue chose to collaborate on their second full-length by sending song ideas back and forth over e-mail, just as they did when crafting their 2014 debut Forever, Horizons marks the first time the duo has expanded their sound beyond the bedroom by stepping into the studio. Mixed by former DFA house engineer Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, Classixx), Horizons engages with a diverse sonic palette on each track: '60s psych-pop, '80s synths, hypnotic vibes of the kind induced by Bjork and early '90s Creation Records bands, and the trunk-rattling minimalism of Southern hip-hop.
Horizons is a meditation on achieving balance in a place where things are always changing, and there are no real ends. As a result, Painted Palms refines and executes their best work to date.
Somewhere along the line 80's synth pop has crept back in, which at one level should be quite alarming. However with Painted Palms that's just one element and thankfully not the old over produced sound that I find painful to listen to these days. This is actually a breath of fresh air and one well worth a feature.
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Flagship - cut and paste time - North Carolina band Flagship debut their new single, “I Want You” off their highly anticipated new EP Faded (out July 10 via Bright Antenna Records). In support of their new EP, the band will play July support dates with Good Old War in The must-see tour in support of their new EP, kicks off July 12 in Cleveland, and culminates with two California dates at the end of the month.
Of the new EP, Drake Margolnick (one half of Flagship along with Michael Finster) says, “It is the most mature writing we have done. We didn’t feel like we were writing songs, just writing lines. It’s just real life; that’s all it is. That’s what we’d like to create; something that’ll be around for a long time and people will still listen to it. Leave a good legacy, write good music and have a lot of fun doing it.” Flagship is best known for its impressive blend of pop-minded melodies and passionate, aggressive performances. The band sifts through the pastoral folk rock graces of bands like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, with occasional detours into wide-eyed pop catharsis. Since releasing their debut album, Flagship has shared stages with the likes of Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, The Shins, Iron & Wine, Little Daylight, Terraplane Sun, The Wombats, and others.
Good Old War support dates:
7/12 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues (Cambridge Room)
7/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
7/15 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
7/17 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
7/19 – Alta, WY @ Targhee Festival
7/20 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
7/21 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
7/23 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
7/24 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
7/27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
7/28 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
This is a great song, it has that drive that makes watching a live performance of them very attractive (not a plea for tickets I'm to far away). Another one that demands a second (and third...) play.
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Favourites on the live scene for years now, Dirty Hearts have supported the likes of Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays, You Am I, Velociraptor, British India, Airbourne, Dallas Crane, Magic Dirt and Jebediah. Now, they officially release their debut single 'Louis XIV'. With a sound that demands to be listened to – loudly - 'Louis XIV' embraces distorted vocals, a decadent guitar solo and a driving belt-it-out chorus as singer Matt Doe and the rest of the band wail a catchy 'get high on my own' lyric.
With more shows to be announced later this year and an official release of Dirty Hearts' self-titled debut EP on the way, there's not stopping these lads as they win over both the cleanest and dirtiest of hearts towards a growing '90s pub rock revival.
Beehive Candy says - Crack open the beers and enjoy. As the TV advert tells us 'it does exactly what it says on the tin'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slow Turismo - and we are told - Luring in listeners with infectious melodies and rolling grooves, Slow Turismo is a dynamic indie band from the Nations Capital (yep Aus) already making waves on home soil and abroad. The four-piece band creates the kind of indie pop that alternative listeners are looking to hear. Similar to the bold work of Alt-J, Cloud Control and LCD Soundsystem, they write music that nestles in between several genres.
Slow Turismo are proud to release ‘I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up’ the lead single from their debut self-titled EP. This latest release was recorded between Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and a log cabin hidden away in the hills surrounding Robertson.
Having spent time with Magoo for pre-production and tracking in 2014, the band have settled into their sound and, with the help of Aaron Dobos, self-produced ‘I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up’ over the first few months of 2015. ‘We really got a lot out of our time with Magoo last year, committing to sounds during the recording process became a production focus for the project. Being able to get away to the cabin was also a really great excuse to delve into the tracking whole-heartedly and let the songs become their own.’ “I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up” will be released 24th July 2015.
This is a catchy and well crafted song and yes there is an element of Alt-J in some of the structuring, however that cannot be a bad thing. One listen will not be enough!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Painted Palms - their words - Painted Palms' second full-length album, Horizons, exudes a sense of confidence and purpose that is only present when two creators share a singular focus and absolute trust in each other's talents. On Horizons, emotional states are suspended between light and dark, driven by the tension of efficient song structures. This week the band shares the synth-laden "Tracers," melding '60s psych pop with heavy-footed '80s drum machines.
Though vocalist Chris Prudhomme and producer Reese Donohue chose to collaborate on their second full-length by sending song ideas back and forth over e-mail, just as they did when crafting their 2014 debut Forever, Horizons marks the first time the duo has expanded their sound beyond the bedroom by stepping into the studio. Mixed by former DFA house engineer Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, Classixx), Horizons engages with a diverse sonic palette on each track: '60s psych-pop, '80s synths, hypnotic vibes of the kind induced by Bjork and early '90s Creation Records bands, and the trunk-rattling minimalism of Southern hip-hop.
Horizons is a meditation on achieving balance in a place where things are always changing, and there are no real ends. As a result, Painted Palms refines and executes their best work to date.
Somewhere along the line 80's synth pop has crept back in, which at one level should be quite alarming. However with Painted Palms that's just one element and thankfully not the old over produced sound that I find painful to listen to these days. This is actually a breath of fresh air and one well worth a feature.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flagship - cut and paste time - North Carolina band Flagship debut their new single, “I Want You” off their highly anticipated new EP Faded (out July 10 via Bright Antenna Records). In support of their new EP, the band will play July support dates with Good Old War in The must-see tour in support of their new EP, kicks off July 12 in Cleveland, and culminates with two California dates at the end of the month.
Of the new EP, Drake Margolnick (one half of Flagship along with Michael Finster) says, “It is the most mature writing we have done. We didn’t feel like we were writing songs, just writing lines. It’s just real life; that’s all it is. That’s what we’d like to create; something that’ll be around for a long time and people will still listen to it. Leave a good legacy, write good music and have a lot of fun doing it.” Flagship is best known for its impressive blend of pop-minded melodies and passionate, aggressive performances. The band sifts through the pastoral folk rock graces of bands like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear, with occasional detours into wide-eyed pop catharsis. Since releasing their debut album, Flagship has shared stages with the likes of Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, The Shins, Iron & Wine, Little Daylight, Terraplane Sun, The Wombats, and others.
Good Old War support dates:
7/12 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues (Cambridge Room)
7/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
7/15 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
7/17 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
7/19 – Alta, WY @ Targhee Festival
7/20 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
7/21 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
7/23 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
7/24 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
7/27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
7/28 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
This is a great song, it has that drive that makes watching a live performance of them very attractive (not a plea for tickets I'm to far away). Another one that demands a second (and third...) play.
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Monday, 6 July 2015
Smashing Pumpkins - Columbiahalle, Berlin 2007 (Internet Archive).
The Smashing Pumpkins are of course an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and James Iha (lead guitar), the band included Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) and D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar) in its original incarnation. It has undergone many line-up changes over the course of its existence, with the current line up including Corgan, rhythm guitarist Jeff Schroeder and Chamberlin.
From Wikipedia we have the following details for the period prior to and around this concert tour - On June 21, 2005, the day of the release of his album TheFutureEmbrace, Corgan took out full-page advertisements in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times to announce that he planned to reunite the band. "For a year now", Corgan wrote, "I have walked around with a secret, a secret I chose to keep. But now I want you to be among the first to know that I have made plans to renew and revive the Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams". Corgan and Chamberlin were verified as participants in the reunion, but there was question as to whether other former members of the band would participate.
In April 2007, Iha and Auf der Maur separately confirmed that they were not taking part in the reunion. Chamberlin would later state that Iha and Wretzky "didn't want to be a part of" the reunion. The Smashing Pumpkins performed live for the first time since 2000 on May 22, 2007, in Paris, France. There, the band unveiled new touring members: guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Ginger Reyes, and keyboardist Lisa Harriton. That same month, "Tarantula" was released as the first single from the band's forthcoming album. On July 7, the band performed at the Live Earth concert in New Jersey.
The band's new album, Zeitgeist, was released that same month on Reprise Records, entering the Billboard charts at number two and selling 145,000 copies in its first week. Zeitgeist received mixed reviews, with much of the criticism targeted at the absence of half of the original lineup. The album divided the Pumpkins' fanbase. Corgan would later admit, "I know a lot of our fans are puzzled by Zeitgeist. I think they wanted this massive, grandiose work, but you don't just roll out of bed after seven years without a functioning band and go back to doing that".
The band are touring in the USA this July and August (2015) tour details can be found on their website (link below).
Recording Details: 16bit: MBHO MBP 603 A / KA 200 N > Sound Devices MP-2 > Edirol R-09. Lineage Master WAVs > dEdit > FLAC.
Sound Quality: Extremely Good.
Set List:
Part 1:
01 (Intro)
02 United States
03 Bleeding the Orchid
04 Neverlost
05 Stand Inside Your Love
06 Today
07 > Bullet with Butterfly Wings
08 Home
09 Silverf##k > The End [The Doors] (tease)
10 Glass and the Ghost Children (with Uli Jon Roth)
11 [Fade Out]
Part 2:
01 [Fade In]
02 Rock You Like a Hurricane [Scorpions] (tease)
03 For God and Country
04 Thirty-three
05 Rocket
06 Winterlong
07 To Sheila
08 Tonight, Tonight
09 Tarantula
10 Starz
11 Zero
12 Annie-Dog
13 Drown
14 Hummer
15 Lucky 13
16 That's the Way (My Love Is)
17 1979
18 [Fade Out]
Part 3:
01 [Fade In]
02 Disarm
03 Untitled
04 (Encore Break #1)
05 Cherub Rock
06 Muzzle
07 (Encore Break #2)
08 Gossamer (with Uli Jon Roth) > Who Do You Love [Bo Diddley] (tease).
Comments: This recording is also available for streaming or download on the Internet Archive in the following formats - FLAC, MP3 and OGG VORBIS - HERE.
Band Official Website: HERE.
Stream Full Concert Below:
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Sundays Alternative Take - For Your Ears Only
Nightriders - Background - Boston-based house/nu-disco duo Nightriders kicks off the summer with five sizzling remixes of their track “Demand You,” taken from their February released EP ‘Until We Are Together.’ For the remix EP, the duo enlists heavyweights like Grammy-winning house music pioneer Ralphi Rosario, in-demand NYC producer/remixer, DJ, and Tiki Disco founder Eli Escobar, DJ/producer and Get Up! Recordings co-founder W. Jeremy, nu-disco maverick Alcala, and newcomer Jamie de Von to cleverly reinvent their slo-mo sleeper hit into a scorching summertime anthem covering the spectrum from deep tech house and nu-disco/indie dance and jackin’ Chicago house with hints of Detroit techno.
It was a tough choice on what remix to feature, the 'Alcala Remix' wins by a whisker for my ears, the variety of interpretation across all five versions is impressive. On iTunes Here.
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Thomas Deil - Background - A young DJ/Producer from Italy,with a Tropical House remix of KSHMR - Jammu, and looking for yours and my vote over on Spinnin' Records Talent Pool (Here) & that's all I know!
Worthy of a feature by us at the very least, this is a very cool remix. I will leave you of course to decide if you want to vote over at Spinnin' Records.
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BluBird - Background - “Good music is its own genre. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.” So says Dejko, one half of Slovenian live-electronic outfit Blubird. Hailing from a part of the world perhaps best known for language barriers and border disputes, Blubird’s ethos is as unifying as possible: they’re looking to blur the final gaps between DJ set and live act.
It’s a format that appears to be working. The likes of Klingande and Bakermat rate their tunes, as, it seems, does YouTube. The duo’s debut Emotions track featuring a live Sax earned over 100,000 plays in a couple of weeks. “We’re the kind of guys that’ll be playing tech house at a house party somewhere at Slovenia, then suddenly from the kitchen one of our dudes walks in with a trumpet and just starts going for it” explains other half of the pair Damjan.
The pair’s live sets in Slovenia, Croatia and Barcelona have already won them a cult following, all based on this unstructured, is-it-a-band, are-they-DJs approach which fluctuates between DJ set, live instruments, MCs, laid back tropical house or injections of tech house. ‘It’s not about being in a superclub, it’s about being at the best house party you’ve been at in your life..’
Not only YouTube videos, you are also spoilt for choice on Soundcloud where there are some outstanding tracks by Blubird. Came up with this tune to feature, it is just one dimension of their art.
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Kat Vinter - Background - Islands Remix EP. Vimes' remix of Kat Vinter's 'Downtime' has offered a lighter, more summery perspective of the original. Like dappled light dancing among the shadows, the sounds used create an atmosphere of buoyancy without losing the lush textures and intimacy of the former. New hooks are created by playfully pitched and stretched vocals, as they become less a plea for intimacy, than a celebration of it. 'Islands (Remix EP)' is out July 10th on Culvert Music.
Between the urban creative hub of Berlin and a small cabin located deep in the woodlands of the Swedish border to Norway the team has since been crafting layers of hip hop inspired beats, tribal drums, waves of synths and aching ethereal vocals. Themes such as isolation, intimacy, fate, deception and obsession surface and re-occur. The result is a lush and mysterious soundscape of brooding, beat driven pop music with moments of darkness and light, beauty and tension.
This is an incredible EP including the original version of 'Islands' along with remixes and 'Sooner Or Later' and 'Downtime' both of which have also been remixed with stunning results.
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Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell - Background - Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell combines a melodic house vibes with deep sounding drums and synths to create a very cool dance floor oriented track. A super sexy deep vocal line and sporadic synth elements rise and fall over and over while the percussion keeps the entire ship afloat and rocking.
Short and sweet background info. Actually this has a timeless dance floor feel, along with it's own fresh and breezy style, I reckon you will be unable to stay still to this one.
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It was a tough choice on what remix to feature, the 'Alcala Remix' wins by a whisker for my ears, the variety of interpretation across all five versions is impressive. On iTunes Here.
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Thomas Deil - Background - A young DJ/Producer from Italy,with a Tropical House remix of KSHMR - Jammu, and looking for yours and my vote over on Spinnin' Records Talent Pool (Here) & that's all I know!
Worthy of a feature by us at the very least, this is a very cool remix. I will leave you of course to decide if you want to vote over at Spinnin' Records.
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BluBird - Background - “Good music is its own genre. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.” So says Dejko, one half of Slovenian live-electronic outfit Blubird. Hailing from a part of the world perhaps best known for language barriers and border disputes, Blubird’s ethos is as unifying as possible: they’re looking to blur the final gaps between DJ set and live act.
It’s a format that appears to be working. The likes of Klingande and Bakermat rate their tunes, as, it seems, does YouTube. The duo’s debut Emotions track featuring a live Sax earned over 100,000 plays in a couple of weeks. “We’re the kind of guys that’ll be playing tech house at a house party somewhere at Slovenia, then suddenly from the kitchen one of our dudes walks in with a trumpet and just starts going for it” explains other half of the pair Damjan.
The pair’s live sets in Slovenia, Croatia and Barcelona have already won them a cult following, all based on this unstructured, is-it-a-band, are-they-DJs approach which fluctuates between DJ set, live instruments, MCs, laid back tropical house or injections of tech house. ‘It’s not about being in a superclub, it’s about being at the best house party you’ve been at in your life..’
Not only YouTube videos, you are also spoilt for choice on Soundcloud where there are some outstanding tracks by Blubird. Came up with this tune to feature, it is just one dimension of their art.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kat Vinter - Background - Islands Remix EP. Vimes' remix of Kat Vinter's 'Downtime' has offered a lighter, more summery perspective of the original. Like dappled light dancing among the shadows, the sounds used create an atmosphere of buoyancy without losing the lush textures and intimacy of the former. New hooks are created by playfully pitched and stretched vocals, as they become less a plea for intimacy, than a celebration of it. 'Islands (Remix EP)' is out July 10th on Culvert Music.
Between the urban creative hub of Berlin and a small cabin located deep in the woodlands of the Swedish border to Norway the team has since been crafting layers of hip hop inspired beats, tribal drums, waves of synths and aching ethereal vocals. Themes such as isolation, intimacy, fate, deception and obsession surface and re-occur. The result is a lush and mysterious soundscape of brooding, beat driven pop music with moments of darkness and light, beauty and tension.
This is an incredible EP including the original version of 'Islands' along with remixes and 'Sooner Or Later' and 'Downtime' both of which have also been remixed with stunning results.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell - Background - Babayaga DJ and Josh Blackwell combines a melodic house vibes with deep sounding drums and synths to create a very cool dance floor oriented track. A super sexy deep vocal line and sporadic synth elements rise and fall over and over while the percussion keeps the entire ship afloat and rocking.
Short and sweet background info. Actually this has a timeless dance floor feel, along with it's own fresh and breezy style, I reckon you will be unable to stay still to this one.
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Saturday, 4 July 2015
Some Summer Saturday Songs to Sing (and dance to).
The Kite String Tangle x Dustin Tebbutt - Here's the low down - Ahead of his return to the US, and fresh off the back of the 'Illuminate' release; a collaboration alongside fellow Australian artist Dustin Tebbutt, rising talent The Kite String Tangle has unveiled a new video for the title track. Having made his stateside debut at last year's CMJ Music Marathon, The Kite String Tangle will be playing a run of dates this July/August, including a show at New York's Mercury Lounge and Echo in LA. The Kite String Tangle, a.k.a. Danny Harley, has enjoyed a great run since the release of his breakthrough single ‘Given The Chance’. Striking, delicate electro-pop tunes including ‘Arcadia’, ‘Stone Cold’ and ‘What If’ followed; sold-out headline shows and some killer festival appearances confirmed his popularity, as did an ARIA nomination and a spot in the Top 20 of the 2013 & 2014 Hottest 100.
And here's the video, for all lovers of fine music and the desire to escape...
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Soft Lions - What you need to know - "Every Soft Lions song is basically born in my diary", states Megan Liscomb, the shy, rainbow-haired singer/guitarist of the San Diego trio Soft Lions. Liscomb's songs evoke heartfelt memories, distilling in them a wide range of emotional states and colors. To make the music come to life she sought out Lex Pratt to help with vocal duties. Pratt replaces the traditional bass player with her percussive, psychedelic style on keys. Jon Bonser serves as the backbone on drums.
The band crafts songs that are a blur of decades, mixing the sound of 60's San Francisco pop with noisy garage-guitar driven tracks, lending the songs a definitive west coast vibe. Liscomb's songwriting is angular and interesting without losing any of the big sing-along melodies you want to hear. Soft Lions have cut their teeth like any new band should: by playing a bunch of local shows and sharing the stage with numerous national acts. They also made an appearance at this year's SXSW festival.
Caution all surviving original hippies, this video contains flashback inducing material (and it's superb!).
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Monks Of Mellonwah - Keeping it simple - Australian rock group Monks of Mellonwah has just released a new lyric video for their single, 'Even When It Burns'. The band's new 7 track EP Disconnect is set to be released August, 2015. Formed in 2009 by school friends Vikram Kaushik, Joseph de la Hoyde, Joshua Baissari and John de la Hoyde, the band represents a collision of musical personalities, creating a fusion of alternative, indie, and film-inspired rock.
OK then Beehive Candy readers it's buckle up and sing along time, on the count of three.....
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Jack + Eliza - Definitely on the 'ones to watch out for' list - We have two songs that may well delight you and make your day! "Quarter Past The Hour" is the latest track off their upcoming August 7th debut LP 'Gentle Warnings'.
Also enjoy their video for "White Satin". One is ideal for a gentle summer afternoon and one reminds us to enjoy these summer afternoons, oh you will work out which is which, both are an absolute joy to feature.
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And here's the video, for all lovers of fine music and the desire to escape...
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Soft Lions - What you need to know - "Every Soft Lions song is basically born in my diary", states Megan Liscomb, the shy, rainbow-haired singer/guitarist of the San Diego trio Soft Lions. Liscomb's songs evoke heartfelt memories, distilling in them a wide range of emotional states and colors. To make the music come to life she sought out Lex Pratt to help with vocal duties. Pratt replaces the traditional bass player with her percussive, psychedelic style on keys. Jon Bonser serves as the backbone on drums.
The band crafts songs that are a blur of decades, mixing the sound of 60's San Francisco pop with noisy garage-guitar driven tracks, lending the songs a definitive west coast vibe. Liscomb's songwriting is angular and interesting without losing any of the big sing-along melodies you want to hear. Soft Lions have cut their teeth like any new band should: by playing a bunch of local shows and sharing the stage with numerous national acts. They also made an appearance at this year's SXSW festival.
Caution all surviving original hippies, this video contains flashback inducing material (and it's superb!).
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Monks Of Mellonwah - Keeping it simple - Australian rock group Monks of Mellonwah has just released a new lyric video for their single, 'Even When It Burns'. The band's new 7 track EP Disconnect is set to be released August, 2015. Formed in 2009 by school friends Vikram Kaushik, Joseph de la Hoyde, Joshua Baissari and John de la Hoyde, the band represents a collision of musical personalities, creating a fusion of alternative, indie, and film-inspired rock.
OK then Beehive Candy readers it's buckle up and sing along time, on the count of three.....
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Jack + Eliza - Definitely on the 'ones to watch out for' list - We have two songs that may well delight you and make your day! "Quarter Past The Hour" is the latest track off their upcoming August 7th debut LP 'Gentle Warnings'.
Also enjoy their video for "White Satin". One is ideal for a gentle summer afternoon and one reminds us to enjoy these summer afternoons, oh you will work out which is which, both are an absolute joy to feature.
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Friday, 3 July 2015
2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - July - One
After several line up changes and the release of two EPs, the band recruited Italian drummer Alberto Voglino and Israeli bassist Rotem Haguel. Together they embarked on the recording of third EP 'Perfect Holiday' which marked a new direction in the band's musical journey. The epitome of art-rock, Los and the Deadlines utilise cliches to convey their message through their broad-ranging sound, which encompasses grunge, stoner rock, noise rock, punk and sludge.
The band's 'Perfect Holiday' EP explores the absurdities of Western civilisation by contrasting the reality of an urban, deprecating society and its opposing depiction in the mass media. This in congruence is described not only through tongue in cheek lyrics but also through music where there is an ever present competition between noise and melody through thrashing riffs and thumping rhythms.
Sometimes you just need a band and a song that cuts to the chase. Los and the Deadlines seemingly have this sussed out and the featured track 'Feel At Ease' is the perfect remedy from a band that can belt out a song, without taking themselves to seriously.
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My Old Dutch’s second single ‘Queen of the Dogs’ was recorded and produced by Craig Harnath, Jez Giddings and My Old Dutch at Hothouse Audio in St Kilda, Melbourne. Queen of the Dogs was one of the early tracks to come out of the My Old Dutch catalogue, inspiring them to turn a recording project into a live act.
Queen of the Dogs is the second single from My Old Dutch. This is "dirty edged blues" at its best. From the first crack of the snare to the last spluttering decay of the guitars. You’ll be hooked! Selling sex with pain, My Old Dutch is joined by the devilishly talented Cat Deller on vocals. With Cat belting out seductive lyrics, this track screams chaos and disorder. Yet you still can't ignore the simplicity of the structure. Queen of the Dogs. "She not never let you die"! 'Queen of the Dogs' by My Old Dutch feat. Cat Deller will be released 10th July 2015.
What can we add, this is another no nonsense classic rock'n'roll beast of a song with just enough originality and modern day slant to appeal to those who just fancy three minutes of bedlam to leap around the floor to.
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Miami-born, Buenos Aires-bred, New York-based Meola filed two singles in the US in 2014 (“Please” and “Black Feathered Angels”). He’s been making music between South and North America since 2007. That includes 2 LPs and 2 EPs before debuting in the US last year.
“First Impressions” is a record of his first impressions of his new hometown of NYC. Witness the gorgeous skyline to surfline video for the single “Please” here.
“I could have called it “First Impressions of New York” easily…. It’s essentially the musical expression of this inner revolution I’ve experienced in the past couple of years since I first moved to New York from Buenos Aires. The people, the streets, the language, the bars, the food, the fashion, they are all imprinted in these new songs. Not mentioned once literarily in the lyrics but in the sound. The sound is different. And by different I mean new,” says the Latin troubadour.
Aesthetically, “First Impressions” is a total departure from his previous work. It’s five episodes according to the writer. Each one very different from the other, but still connected by an overall sound. Super songwriting, arrangement and production courtesy of Meola, Francisco Botero’s engineering for Studio G Greenpoint and Steve Fallone’s mastering for Sterling Sound contribute along with his band, Robinsones, to Meola’s professed “eclectic 25 minute rock ‘n’ roll voyage.”
My first impressions are of a stripped back indie rock feel, with quality musicianship and some catchy songs. Check the featured song, if you like, then the EP is a must have.
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Merging classic pop with classical sensibilities, in a uniquely modern way. Together their voices have a natural affinity beyond technical ability, and recall classic duos like Righteous Brothers, Walker Brothers, or Simon & Garfunkel. Alex's vocals enhance the arrangements with the same depth and originality that an Owen Pallet string arrangement would, enhancing Steve's catchy, but intricate, Grizzly Bear like song writing. An anti-throwback throwback. With just a touch of yacht rock.
Yacht rock? Na come on hows a genre mix addict like me going to cope with that. Harmonies and oh so cool music are very spot on and we can throw in a wonderful as well. A hint of the classic Steely Dan precision to add to the name checking going on above. Warm sunny week off rock!
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Loads of background - In 2010 the Fort Worth, TX based band, Telegraph Canyon released The Tide and The Current on Velvet Blue Music. Whatever the expectations were for the album, none anticipated the level of success The Tide and the Current enjoyed. Following the release of the LP the band’s Texas shows brought greater opportunities as the septet found themselves in front of larger and more diverse audiences. Telegraph Canyon’s regional fan base quickly expanded. Over the next two and a half years the band toured throughout the U.S. and Europe on the momentum of that surge, while their songs, praised by Rolling Stone as having “irresistible choruses,” appeared in multiple films and television shows. Now, five years removed from the release of their sophomore album, the band prepares to issue it’s follow-up, You From Before.
You From Before is an intensely personal record, and is, at times, uncomfortable in its intimacy. “Every song is about a person or a relationship I've had," says front man (singer/songwriter) Chris Johnson, "many of them women, some romantic, some not. The songs aren't all about breakups, but most of these people aren't in my life any more. Some of them were only there for a day or two but affected me in a huge way." Since the release of The Tide and the Current, Johnson’s life has had it’s share of obstacles. A difficult divorce, a period of homelessness, living in an RV in Fort Worth, various line-up changes in the band, and the pressure to avoid artistic redundancy, collectively forced Johnson to navigate through an unfamiliar emotional terrain.
Throughout the writing process, the impact of the impermanence of Johnson's daily life left him meditating often on death and the question of an afterlife. You From Before reflects the idea that some of us live several different lives on earth during the course of our life and wonders how that relates to what happens to us after we die. Themes of reinvention and reincarnation play throughout the album and culminate in a general attitude of perseverance. An attitude Johnson and the band have come to rely upon in their commitment to a lifestyle of creating and performing music together. The new songs are just like the last five years of Johnson's life, lively and moody, cinematic yet introspective, and filled with the magic of uncertainty.
I can add that NPR & Rolling Stone have picked up on this band and the featured song below suggests why. Without wanting to state the obvious this is classy music with those 'play again' hooks everywhere. Album now on the 'must have' list.
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The song is introduced in a manner that may have one thinking the band has travelled back to the 80s. What are they doing here? Electronic drum samples, swelling Toto-inspired synths, and Belle and Sebastian-esque vocal deliveries from frontman Alex MacRae and keyboardist Siobhan McGinnity seem to pave an entirely new direction for the band. However, we're instantly snapped out of the calm when Adam Weston's (Birds Of Tokyo) guest appearance on drums thunders in and the song confidently charges ahead, gaining momentum with every section -- keeping your ears on their toes.
Recorded in their new digs of Melbourne at Newmarket Studios, Sons of Rico were thrilled to have local hero Callum Barter (Dorsal Fins, British India) behind the desk engineering MacRae's vision.
Sons of Rico launched out of Perth in 2010 with the single 'This Madness' from their debut album 'Reactions'. In 2012, MacRae and Weston relocated to Brisbane to record the band's sophomore album 'In Rico Glaciers' with legendary producer Magoo. Shortly thereafter MacRae relocated to band's current home of Melbourne enlisting new members Terry Mann (Coach Bombay), Siobhan McGinnity, and Nigel Moyes (Money For Rope).
This is a tonic for anyone struggling to smile or in need of a lift. Harmonies and a lively soundtrack that say 'come on - it's summer'. If this don't work it's time for one of those positive life changing sessions.
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Wednesday, 1 July 2015
And Now For Something Completely Heavyweight
The band is currently embarked on a Canadian Tour including stops at top Jazz festivals, in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax amongst others.
The Heavyweights Brass Band is all set to perform at the prestigious 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the world’s largest jazz festival in Quebec July 2-5, 2015. The alliance with the two industry leaders comes on the back of an overwhelming response from their audiences for more performances across the continent.
The Heavyweights Brass Band debuted to great appreciation and admiration in 2009 and saw much success at the release of their highly acclaimed album Brasstronomical in 2014, which featured original compositions that brought out their unique sound and style. The band is composed of trombonist Christopher Butcher, Tom Richards on sousaphone, Paul Metcalfe on saxophones, Lowell Whitty on drums, and Jon Challoner and John Pittman on trumpet.
The band have recently signed with Cuza Agency and Slammin Media in a worldwide agency representation deal, in search of wider attention and recognition. Well good for them, however even better for us is the refreshingly different and totally enjoyable sound these people make. It's always a delight when some band decides to do what they feel is right, rather than what might make them 'super stars'. A couple of numbers from last years album below, enjoy them if you are at the 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, from tomorrow. And if it helps, they are 'super stars' for Beehive Candy. Their website Here.
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Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Quality Not Quantity - Something Special Going On
First up is Melanie Durrant a singer-songwriter who embodies real artistry through her very unique, edgy and soulful music style. Born and raised in Toronto, Melanie attended the Earl Haig School of the Arts. She trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music and worked on an eclectic array of projects before she became an “alternative hip-hop soul” artist. Citing influences that range from the soulful swoon of Minne Ripperton to the hard-knock of Aerosmith to the “mercy me” melodies of Marvin Gaye, the radiant singer/songwriter has no problems crashing through the wall of sound.
She has received multiple accolades though out her career including a Much Music Video Award nom for her single “Where Iʼm Going” and Stylus Awards winner for Single Of The Year for her song “Bang Bang” ft Kardinal Offishall. Melanie Durrant is also a three-time Juno nominee with nominations every year since 2013. Most recently she was nominated at the Sirius XMʼs Indie Awards for Soul & R&B Solo Artist of Year.
Impacting tomorrow is the song 'Mr Wonderful' which is put simply - wonderful. This is soul that just has to be shared, yes for me it really is wonderful... Melanie's website Here
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Next up Arkells and we are advised - Coming off a Polaris long list nomination, a couple of Juno Awards and sold out Canadian and international dates, Arkells have released a cover of Tobias Jesso Jr.’s Can’t Stop Thinking About You.
The bands lead singer Max Kerman had this to say - “When I heard the Tobias record, I immediately got jealous. The chord-melodies and string arrangement are right up my alley. He’s channelling all the 70’s piano-balladeers that I love so much. I think there is a real kinship in our song writing, and dude's got nicer curls than me too. Might be a long lost cousin."
If you are gonna do a cover version of a song, then learn from Arkells, treat it with respect and have the talent to make it special - they have!
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On to Frog Eyes where we are informed - they will release their new album Pickpocket's Locket on August 28th, 2015 via Paper Bag Records. The album features contributions from Spencer Krug, Jesse Zubot, John Paton and Paul Rigby. Frog Eyes have also announced a number of tour dates including West Coast shows with Destroyer.
Tour dates:
July 31 - August 2 Sackville, NB @ SappyFest
September 11 Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
September 11-12 Hamilton, ON @ Supercrawl
September 17-20 Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia
September 18 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom*
September 19 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore*
September 20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater*
September 21 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place
September 23 Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown
October 16 Seattle, WA @ Neptune*
October 17 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
* = w/ Destroyer
I am seriously enjoying listening to 'Joe With The Jam' it's intense vocals over such a beautiful soundtrack is just so good.
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First the background info - Brisbane shoegaze duo FOREVR has released their debut EP after recording it in April of this year. FOREVR is made up of Donovan Miller (No Anchor, Roku Music) and Sam George-Allen (Mega Ogre, Low Season). ‘Demonstration’ is their first recorded material. The four-track EP was recorded live at Tym Guitars in Brisbane, using programmed drums, dense synthesiser and cavernous, shimmering guitar. They wanted to make loud, beautiful music. ‘Demonstration’ is what happened.
Channelling the lush textures of My Bloody Valentine and the romance of the Cocteau Twins, FOREVR have adopted an electronic foundation - drum machines, audio sampling and synth bass - that places them at the forefront of modern shoegaze. ‘Demonstration’ has received praise from music press in Australia and abroad, including Triple J and international radio stations Primal Radio and DKFM. Triple J’s Nat Tencic calls their music “perfect shoegaze” and Primal Radio describes their sound as “sinister decadence”.
Having loved the Cocteau Twins music since those spiky hair days of the 1980's in my opinion nobody has ever come close to them. FOREVR by allowing the influence of My Bloody Valentine have actually come up with something quite special that is clearly their own sound, but those Cocteau Twins vibes are there and oh boy do I think they have something special going on here.
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Final one for this round up and first the background - Lowki the result of an ex-theatrical performer meeting the son of a South African jazz musician in a smoke filled London studio at 3am.
Debut single F.A.C.E offers a genre-defying sound that blurs the lines between alternative electronica and relentlessly catchy pop. Its initially harsh yet minimal production composed of eerie pads, veracious beats, resampled vocals and dark bass tones is elegantly met with enticing falsetto melodies and heartfelt lyrics that refuse to conform to the same rigid formula of most contemporary music.
It was at a jaded after-hours studio session where Sara and Zeké first met and effortlessly ignited a creative spark, marking the start of their journey. From here they forged somewhat of an esoteric sound, shaped by respective influences of Dub, Hip Hop, Jazz and House music. Fast-forward a year and Lowki was born, enlisting another two members: multi-instrumentalist Sam and James on drums.
A song that sends tingles through me. Crafted, lush and atmospheric. As debut singles go they have set the bar very high.
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Next up Arkells and we are advised - Coming off a Polaris long list nomination, a couple of Juno Awards and sold out Canadian and international dates, Arkells have released a cover of Tobias Jesso Jr.’s Can’t Stop Thinking About You.
The bands lead singer Max Kerman had this to say - “When I heard the Tobias record, I immediately got jealous. The chord-melodies and string arrangement are right up my alley. He’s channelling all the 70’s piano-balladeers that I love so much. I think there is a real kinship in our song writing, and dude's got nicer curls than me too. Might be a long lost cousin."
If you are gonna do a cover version of a song, then learn from Arkells, treat it with respect and have the talent to make it special - they have!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On to Frog Eyes where we are informed - they will release their new album Pickpocket's Locket on August 28th, 2015 via Paper Bag Records. The album features contributions from Spencer Krug, Jesse Zubot, John Paton and Paul Rigby. Frog Eyes have also announced a number of tour dates including West Coast shows with Destroyer.
Tour dates:
July 31 - August 2 Sackville, NB @ SappyFest
September 11 Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
September 11-12 Hamilton, ON @ Supercrawl
September 17-20 Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia
September 18 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom*
September 19 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore*
September 20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater*
September 21 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place
September 23 Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown
October 16 Seattle, WA @ Neptune*
October 17 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
* = w/ Destroyer
I am seriously enjoying listening to 'Joe With The Jam' it's intense vocals over such a beautiful soundtrack is just so good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First the background info - Brisbane shoegaze duo FOREVR has released their debut EP after recording it in April of this year. FOREVR is made up of Donovan Miller (No Anchor, Roku Music) and Sam George-Allen (Mega Ogre, Low Season). ‘Demonstration’ is their first recorded material. The four-track EP was recorded live at Tym Guitars in Brisbane, using programmed drums, dense synthesiser and cavernous, shimmering guitar. They wanted to make loud, beautiful music. ‘Demonstration’ is what happened.
Channelling the lush textures of My Bloody Valentine and the romance of the Cocteau Twins, FOREVR have adopted an electronic foundation - drum machines, audio sampling and synth bass - that places them at the forefront of modern shoegaze. ‘Demonstration’ has received praise from music press in Australia and abroad, including Triple J and international radio stations Primal Radio and DKFM. Triple J’s Nat Tencic calls their music “perfect shoegaze” and Primal Radio describes their sound as “sinister decadence”.
Having loved the Cocteau Twins music since those spiky hair days of the 1980's in my opinion nobody has ever come close to them. FOREVR by allowing the influence of My Bloody Valentine have actually come up with something quite special that is clearly their own sound, but those Cocteau Twins vibes are there and oh boy do I think they have something special going on here.
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Final one for this round up and first the background - Lowki the result of an ex-theatrical performer meeting the son of a South African jazz musician in a smoke filled London studio at 3am.
Debut single F.A.C.E offers a genre-defying sound that blurs the lines between alternative electronica and relentlessly catchy pop. Its initially harsh yet minimal production composed of eerie pads, veracious beats, resampled vocals and dark bass tones is elegantly met with enticing falsetto melodies and heartfelt lyrics that refuse to conform to the same rigid formula of most contemporary music.
It was at a jaded after-hours studio session where Sara and Zeké first met and effortlessly ignited a creative spark, marking the start of their journey. From here they forged somewhat of an esoteric sound, shaped by respective influences of Dub, Hip Hop, Jazz and House music. Fast-forward a year and Lowki was born, enlisting another two members: multi-instrumentalist Sam and James on drums.
A song that sends tingles through me. Crafted, lush and atmospheric. As debut singles go they have set the bar very high.
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Monday, 29 June 2015
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Chicago 2006 (Internet Archive)
For those unfamiliar with the band we are can learn the following from Wikipedia (assuming it is accurate and that can be a big assumption) - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians is an alternative rock jam band that originated in Dallas, Texas in the mid-1980's. The band is best known for their 1988 hit "What I Am" from the album Shooting Rubber bands at the Stars.
Their music contains elements of rock, folk, blues, and jazz. Following the release of their 1990 second album Ghost of a Dog, lead singer Edie Brickell married singer-songwriter Paul Simon after leaving the band. In 2006 they launched a new web site and released a new album Stranger Things. In recent years, the New Bohemians have released compilations and a live album and have recorded new material. In the mid-1990's Brickell, Bush and Withrow reunited as The Slip. In 2006 the current members reunited to record and tour with the release of Stranger Things.
Recording Details: Source: AKG 483 (fob) > V3 > MT2496 (16/44.1), Stand on front left corner of the SBD. Transfer: Tracking done in CD Wave.
Sound Quality: High quality audience.
Set List:
01 Stranger Things
02 Wear You Down
03 The Wheel
04 Nothing
05 No Dinero
06 Lover Take Me
07 Spanish Style Guitar
08 Ghost of a Dog
09 Strings of Love
01 Buffalo Ghost
02 10,000 Angels
03 Drums
04 Love Like We Do
05 Long Lost Friend
06 Improv
07 What I Am
08 Circle
01 Funny Thing
02 Beat the Time
03 Dead Flowers
04 You Never Call Me Anymore
05 Little Miss S
06 Air of December
07 Improv
08 Elephants & Ants
09 Mainline Cherry
10 Forgiven
Comments: This recording is available for download on the Internet Archive in FLAC, MP3 and OGG VORBIS formats HERE.
Band Official Website: HERE.
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