Weekend Wonders: The Traveling Zoo - Delamere - Blaenavon

The Traveling Zoo - Believe Me.

The Traveling Zoo, are a  Spanish classic pop band, who tell us they are releasing "Science & Fictions", their third album in three years. Featured song 'Believe Me' is also their first single planned, from the new album.

That's all I know at present, I have heard just three songs from the album and each one was encouragingly good, so perhaps we are going to be on the receiving end of something quite special in the near future.

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Delamere - Heart.

In Brief - This is the bands forthcoming single 'Heart', due out on October 9th, apparently it's a re-recording of an earlier version. Their debut album is due for release in early 2016. The band are described as an 'indie electronica' band and are from around Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, here in the UK.

From what I have been able to learn from a few other music sites, they have been gaining a lot of attention in the North West of England for some time now. This year a mixture of summer festival appearances and London gigs has gained them wider attention. That they are gaining in popularity is hardly surprising, as the featured song is in my opinion quite stunning.

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Blaenavon - Hell Is My Head.

Background words - With every member of the band having now finished school and a record deal with Transgressive signed, Blaenavon are set to release their new EP ‘Miss World’.

Produced by David Pye (Wild Beasts, Egyptian Hip Hop) and mixed by Dan Grech (Radiohead, Wolf Alice, Circa Waves), the boys recorded the EP during a half term and first single ‘Hell Is My Head’ continues a run of evermore committed, detailed and powerful work. A rancid portrayal of mythical love and lust, it’s an impressive return from a band all grown up and ready to take on the world.

Blaenavon also announce their live return, with an intimate headline show at London’s Waiting Room and a run of support shows The Districts, Songhoy Blues and Palace alongside an international festival run including Reeperbahn in Germany.
  
Live Dates:

25th Sep – Germany - Reeperbahn Festival
8th Oct – London - The Waiting Room
11th Oct – Bognor Regis - Rockaway Beach Festival 
21st Oct – Brighton - Green Door Store w/ Palace 
22nd Oct – Glasgow – SW3 Warehouse Studio w/ Songhoy Blues
23rd Oct – Leeds – Brudenell Social Club w/ Songhoy Blues
25th Oct – Manchester – Gorilla w/ Songhoy Blues 
26th Oct – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds w/ Songhoy Blues
27th Oct – Bristol – The Fleece w/ Songhoy Blues
3rd Nov – Brighton – Concorde 2 w/ Songhoy Blues
4th Nov – London – Koko w/ Songhoy Blues
11th Nov – London – Electric Ballroom w/ The Districts 
29th Nov – Brighton – Mutations Festival

Bags of enthusiasm as you might expect from a band just out of school (who have succeeded in reminding me of just how old I am these days), what is more pleasing is the level of maturity and natural raw energy in this song, the EP is eagerly awaited.

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A Couple Of Good Ones: Joseph Giant - East Love

Joseph Giant - On The Run.

The story so far and we quote - Joseph Giant is a Rock & Roll band from Seattle Wa. Formed in 2010 by Joe Syverson, the band quickly shared stages with some of the best bands in town and from around the country. Joseph Giant has played shows with War On Drugs, AA Bondy, Fruit Bats, The Moondoggies , Quiet Life, The Maldives, Jessica Hernandez and The Deltas & many more... Jangly backwoods indie rock with an introspective yet upbeat feeling straight out of Seattle, and layered with lots of warm tones and wandering electric guitars and slides. 

Break It Together is the 2nd album from the Seattle band Joseph Giant. Recorded by Kevin Suggs (Cat Power, Eddie Vedder) in his South Seattle Studio the Imperial Room & Mixed by Chris Woodhouse (Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, Meatbodies, Wild Flag) at The Dock in Sacramento, Ca and Mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI in Seattle, Wa in July of 2015. 

The album is a personal scrapbook of events that Joe Syverson experienced over the past 5 years. During the recording of the album Syverson and his family became homeless and had to find temporary place to live causing him to come up with the title Break It Together. Putting everything he had in the making of the album pushed the process into a surge of creativity and urgency. With scrappier songs, like debut single “On The Run”  & flushed out acoustic songs like “Blink Of An Eye”. Break It Together will draw you in!

You kind of know what your in for from the opening bars, then you get something extra. Full on rock with the vocals beautifully immersed in the mix, so that everything stands out, as it just grows and grows.

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East Love - Unbroken.

And their promo says - NY based acoustic pop-rock band East Love released their new single “Unbroken” today. The perfect combination of pop, rock, and acoustic with a country twang, East Love is not a group to be overlooked.  The song is the newest single off the band’s upcoming debut EP due out later this year.

It's time for music lovers around the world to get some "East Love". Originally broadcasting their musical talents with YouTube covers like Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t” and Blackstreet’s “No Diggity”, the band expertly showcases their diverse musical influences. With over 19K followers on Twitter and 32K on Instagram, East Love has already garnered a huge following on social media.

The band has had their nose to the grindstone playing shows at famed NY venues, The Gramercy Theatre, Rockwood Music Hall, and selling out the Marlin Room at Webster Hall.  The band is part of SOWE Music Festival in Mamaroneck, NY alongside Internet cover sensations Thirdstory, Anderson East and Felix Cavaliere's Rascals.

The multi-talented 6-some is composed of Robbie Fink, Lukas Effman, Alex Goldstein, Alex Utay, Andy Koehler and David Berliner.  The band has been honing in on their sound since Fink and Effman started playing together in 7th grade. Their experiences living along the East Coast has been the foundation and inspiration for their music. In fact, the guys consider the East Village in lower Manhattan to be the birthplace of the band. The East Village is where they share memories of jamming out with their close friend Jonny who passed away in 2013 and it is where they live now.  “‘East’ comes from a few things,” says lead singer Lukas Effman. “…We live in the East Village. Then you think of the general vibe of our music and I like to think it’s pretty warm, honest and authentic. We focus a lot on harmonies, and acoustic instruments are the bedrock of our sound. So that is where the “Love” component plays a part for me. Nothing too sappy — but more warm, positive, and real.”

So I can be a bit of a softy at times. That said something really has to stand out in a song to appeal to those feelings. I guess for this, it's the mix of great acoustic playing and undeniably fine vocals, and without any awful slushy 'poor me' lyrics.


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Quality Not Quantity: TIO - Babes are Wolves - The Sunday Reeds

TIO - Through The Heavy Clouds.

There website tells us - TIO toil together and co-create in a honeycombed metal silo, hovering over an upturned and chard treasure chest of chords, lights and memories. Flittering stills of futures to come, love's decay and rebirth. The club becomes a mirror for everyone, and it shakes, sometimes slowly. They met outside of the city somewhere. A few years ago, wind whips the sand, glass, wires and light. TIO are from Toronto, Canada.

TIO make music from a self feeding wellspring of churning, purple and black waves which says; "you could sit there, or stand, but we are invoking THE invitation, and it is open, swaying and dropping. Movement and memory are the goal, together, lips like wine "

They also add - The noise of time is not sad. Time lingers and repeats through the camera. Captured and re-captured, played and re-played, we see each other through the lens of time. Two worlds, two cameras: Through the Heavy Clouds captures two lovers separated by space, but connected through images and fragments of the personal. Alone, yet together, we relive our lives through the eye of the camera. Fragments of time captured and relived, re-experienced, and re-imagined in the heart.

This. The latest single from TIO before October's release of the debut EP.

An atmospheric song with guitar and vocals drifting above the smooth backing track. Imaginative and very pleasing.

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Babes are Wolves - Wait.

What we are told - Adelaide band Babes are Wolves are about to hit the airwaves with their debut single ‘Wait’, from the EP ‘You Only Live Twice’. They’ll be kicking off the release with a 90’s prom inspired launch at The Jade on the 16th of October. 

Babes Are Wolves blend rock, grunge and dark pop styles into tunes that could sweep Sean Connery off his feet. They’ve shared stages with the likes of interstate acts Axe Girl, Captives, Hey, Lady! and Adelaide favourites Tony Font Show. Their debut EP is a wall of sound full of distortion and angsty vocal hooks.

Their debut demo release landed them at #22 on the ThreeD Radio Top 101 for 2014, and, they have been listed as a "Band To Watch for 2015" (Spoz's Rant). Members are Anna Bouras (vocals), Zoe Behan (drums/harmonies), Casey Cumming (bass), and Emily Smith (guitar). 

The single ‘Wait’ comes from the debut EP, recorded at Capital Sound Studios and mixed, mastered and co- produced by Jimmy Balderston (Grenadiers, High Tension). The song is an atmospheric hook-driven track, with layers of guitar and rhythmic drum beats.

Drums drive this along, as guitars soar and moody vocals blend, to become a concise, no nonsense grungy rock song, that just pulls you in.

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The Sunday Reeds - Pretty People.

Background - Melbourne based band The Sunday Reeds are Romana Ashton (vocals, bass) and Drew Jones (guitars).

Their debut LP ‘Drowning in History, released through UK indie label Squirrel Records in 2009, led to an extensive European tour in 2010 which won the band a huge following but came at a cost. Then a couple, Romana and Drew split up in Paris, the City of Love, an experience that became the inspiration for their critically acclaimed EP ‘Amour Tragique’, a collection of five songs about love and loss.

Latest single ‘Pretty People’ written by Romana Ashton, produced by the band and mixed by James Aparicio (Spiritualized and Mute Records) offers an insight into the direction of the album that the duo are currently writing. On one level ‘Pretty People’ is about cliques and their sense of self-importance, and on another, is a caustic social commentary about our culture’s fascination with ‘the trivial’, celebrity, gossip and fame by proxy.

A video for the single will be released on the 12th of October to coincide with the official release of the track to the public. The Sunday Reeds will plan to tour Europe in 2016.

Doom pop it may be, with Siouxsie springing to mind, enough to engage my interest. As the song develops The Sunday Reeds clearly put their own stamp on the music, a fine song with a timeless feel to it.

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Cowboy Junkies - Vancouver, Canada, 1996 (IA).

From the Internet Archive (IA), this is Cowboy Junkies live at the Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada, back on May 6th, 1996. 

As many of you no doubt know Cowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band. The group was formed in Toronto in 1985 by Margo Timmins (vocalist), Michael Timmins (songwriter, guitarist), Peter Timmins (drummer) and Alan Anton (bassist).

From Wikipedia - The Cowboy Junkies first performed publicly at the Beverley Tavern and other clubs in Toronto's Queen Street West, including The Rivoli. Their 1986 debut album, produced by Canadian producer Peter Moore, was the blues-inspired Whites Off Earth Now!!, recorded using an ambisonic microphone in the family garage.

The group's fame spread with their second album, The Trinity Session, recorded in 1987 at Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity. Their sound, again using the ambisonic microphone, and their mix of blues, country, folk, rock and jazz earned them both critical attention and a cult following. The Los Angeles Times named the recording as one of the ten best albums of 1988.

The band was nominated for Group of the Year at the Juno Awards in 1990 and 1991. In the early 1990s Margo Timmins was named "one of the fifty most beautiful people in the world" by People Magazine. The group has continued to tour North America, Europe, Japan and Australia with extensive North American and European tours following album releases in 2002 and 2004. In 2008, they released Trinity Revisited in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original recording of The Trinity Session.

A new 4CD release can be pre-ordered from the bands website (see website details below), this is what Cowboy Junkies have to say regarding this - In the 2000’s we released three studio albums, Open, One Soul Now and At The End Of Paths Taken. It was a turbulent decade in the geo-political sphere, a turbulent decade in the music biz and a turbulent decade in the lives of the four of us. We were all raising children and we all crossed the threshold in to middle age. Throughout it all we continued to make music and these pressures inexorably found their way in to that music. The box set Notes Falling Slow contains newly re-mastered versions of all three albums (Open, One Soul Now, At The End Of Paths Taken) as well as a fourth disc that contains newly recorded songs that were written during the making of the three albums.

The featured live recording from 1996 is highly rated for the audio quality, although as you can see below it's technical source remains debated.

1996 Concert Recording Technical Details: Nakamichi Mics + Soundboard (possibly) > cass master > DAT @ 48k. Lineage da-20mkII (DAT clone) > audiophile 24/96 > wavelab 5.01b > cd wave > flac level 6.

Sound Quality: Very Good - audience matrix whilst some say soundboard or both.

Set List:

1. Come Calling (His Song)

2. Lonely Sinking Feeling

3. Lay It Down

4. Misguided Angel

5. Angel Mine

6. Bea's Song (River Song Trilogy, part II)

7. Just Want To See

8. Hold On To Me

9. State Trooper

10. Margo Story

11. A Common Disaster

12. Banter

13. Anniversary Song

14. Murder, Tonight, In The Trailer Park

15. Sweet Jane

16. Band Intro

17. Blue Moon Revisited (A Song for Elvis)

encore:

18. Cheap Intro 

19. Cause Cheap Is How I Feel

20. Working On A Building

Website: Official Here.

Comments: There are FLAC, Ogg Vorbis and mp3 files along with the streaming material over at the Internet Archive (here).

Stream Below: 

Sundays Alternative Take - Less Is More & More Is More

Starr Blazerz - Found That Soul.

Background - Starr Blazerz began in 2013 as a songwriting collaboration between Virginia producer Justin Marlowe and Dallas songwriting veteran Glen Reynolds. By late 2014, both artists were intrigued by the potential of a full release of their work together. At that point Starr Blazerz was born. Inspired by the early 80's anime TV series, the band's name credits their blend of hip hop ("Starr" a salute to rap pioneers Gang Starr), R&B, House, and Synth Pop with the trippy nature of said mixture ("Blazerz").

'Found That Soul' is the first of three singles from Starr Blazerz' forthcoming album "Reconstruction", out in early 2016.

The first single (due out on the 9th October) is a really nice surprise. For me there are shades of OMD in the lead vocals (that's a plus point) and a striking soundtrack. The album is quite stunning and has even stronger tracks, so if you like the single make a note to grab the album in due course.

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Autograf - Dream (Deepend Remix).

And we are told - Our remix is part of a remix package released by Ultra Music on September 4th.  Dream has now officially been remixed by Dutch deep house DJ/Producer duo Deepend. Deepend is known their distinctive and groovy deep house sound with which they are currently having a big summer hit for their remix of American pop singer Matt Simons 'Catch & Release'. The track stormed the Hypem Charts (overall) resulting in two #1 positions! With fast growing support throughout the blogosphere and radio support in Europe and the USA, Deepend is ready to establish their name within the international dance scene!

There is just something about this remix that sets it apart. Perhaps it's by not overwhelming the original but rather just enhancing and uplifting the song.

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Gelegenheit macht Liebe - Toys.

Minimalist background - With the second release on Sweet Stuff Records the German based producer Gelegenheit macht Liebe brought us an outstanding EP with 3 techno tracks, concentrated on sweet melodies and thrilling beats.

Another case in point that sometimes, 'less is more'. Or is there something in the collective German DNA, that allows them to make tunes like 'Toys', that sound so effortless and yet thoroughly pleasing?

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Susanne Sundfør - Kamikaze (Steve Angello & AN21 Remix).

Even smaller minimalist background - Former Swedish House Mafia founder Steve Angello drops his new remix for Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør's "Kamikaze." 

This is gaining some attention and not surprisingly, it's a melting pot of remix ideas that collectively work. Conversely it leaves me with the conundrum that sometimes 'more is more'.

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On Our Horizon: Shakedown At The Majestic - Across Silent Hearts

Shakedown At The Majestic - In Control (from the forthcoming EP).

Background - Shakedown At The Majestic was formed in New York City by guitarist Chris Vermillion and drummer Taylor Nimtz. They have become well known in the power pop underground and for bringing fun, energetic, superbly played performances to the music scene. Jonathan Vermillion (Chris’s brother) also plays guitar in the band, and after they moved out to Seattle, they added Rob Moura on bass. 
Their debut, self-titled EP was produced by legendary recording innovator and Stranger genius Steve Fisk (Nirvana,The Posies, Screaming Trees) for release Friday, November 6, 2015.

Shakedown At The Majestic’s name evokes the bamalama and bomp of British Invasion bands, as well as fuelled-up garage groups from a few years out and beyond. The signature style of singles like “Run For Your Life” and “In Control” feature tightly woven harmonies and interweaving vocal melodies, drawing from rock and pop's early years but delivering something altogether unique. 
At once nostalgic and freshly energetic, in their short time as a band SATM has played shows in some of the best venues in NYC and Seattle, developing a fervent fan-base of followers. They played the finals of the NYC Emergenza Music Festival at Webster Hall and were a mainstay of the monthly "Hipster Demolition Night" held at Public Assembly in Williamsburg, a showcase for NYC's best up-and-coming power pop bands. They also headlined Liahonaroo, a music festival in Nashville, Tennessee in 2012. 

More recently, since moving to the West Coast, SATM has headlined at the Lo-Fi and rocked the legendary Sunset as well as played the International Pop Overthrow here in Seattle; performed at the Vancouver International Pop Overthrow on Labor Day weekend; and The Viper Room in West Hollywood.

A modern twist on sixties guitar pop? Well listen to the whole EP and you realise it's a whole lot more than that. The featured track does however have a little sixties feel to it, no criticism, it's a great song from an EP, to look forward to, in November.

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Across Silent Hearts - Like A Brother (from the album 'Anyway').

Background - 'Across Silent Hearts' formed in 2012 is a rock band from Minsk, Belarus. Starting out a Metalcore band, they transcended to their new college rock style by 2015.

The band was formed by drummer Igor Kononchuk and guitarist Anton Chernik. With the addition of Pavel Smolin, “ASH” recorded and released their first full length recording "On your side" 2013. It was a good opportunity to gain experience in the Studio, as well expand into some serious musical and artistic territories. The first track of the album "Above the sky" shows how rock guitar solos can actually sound. 
The band continued to grow in 2014, performing at concerts in Minsk and other cities in Belarus. In 2015 the new album is about to show what the band really sounds like.

Current band members: 
Pavel Smolin - vocals 
Anton Chernik - guitar 
Vitovt Kashkurevich - bass 
Nikita Gatovko - samples 
Igor Kononchuk - drums

I have only heard a couple of tracks from the album, both impressed me, they are far more original than their earlier 'metal' numbers, and for me, much more likeable.

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Musical Influences: Saint Cole - Electric Parlor - Moana

Saint Cole - Within This Skin.

About Saint Cole - Nic (vocals/producer/DJ) and Curt (guitar/keys) are from a small town called Dewsbury in West Yorkshire just two miles from Morley, home of the legendary nineties techno night The Orbit. Heavily influenced by this scene and the now legendary stories surrounding the club, Nic started producing and mixing hard dance/techno. 

Saint Cole represents Nic's passion for dance music fused with his love of indie/rock. He cites influences as diverse as The Beatles, The Stone Roses, The La's, Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack and Leftfield. Saint Cole was born when he started working with his life long friend Curt. The duo were soon joined by third band member Martin Kolcak who is based in Slovakia and contributes artwork, visuals and animation. Neither Nic nor Curt have met Martin yet, though this is set to change when Saint Cole embark on a tour in summer 2016, complete with live visuals.

Their debut E.P to be released Friday the 13th of November 2015.

The first thing that came to mind with the eclectic range of influences cited above was, 'that's a pretty impressive line up, I hope you are not overstating your abilities'. Well in fairness they are only influences, not comparisons, however I have to say this is a pretty impressive debut EP. Plenty of energy and diversity and yes on the featured track, I did think of The Stone Roses at one point, that said, I think it fair to say they really do have enough of their own talent shining through. Well worth checking them out.


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Electric Parlor - Reckless.

Background - Los Angeles quartet Electric Parlor deal in a pure form of visceral, groove-based rock n’ roll; integrating the blues and soul of yesteryear but with a modern feel.

Members Josh Fell, Kris Far and Zachary Huling all moved to LA around the same time and found LA native Monique Alvarez to round out the group in 2012. Following their passion for music, they all came in search of each other with a goal of ending up in a one of a kind rock ‘n’ roll band. By 2013 the dream was realised and Electric Parlor found itself trail-blazing through the underground music scene in Los Angeles.

“We feel like one of Electric Parlor’s missions is to re-open people’s eyes to the blues, the way bands did in the 60’s and 70’s” guitarist Kris Far explains. “And not in a subjective way... we’re a working class band and have taken a lot of risks to make this a reality. We believe that this reckless abandon - to fight for what we feel is ours - translates into our music”.

 In 2013 the band worked up enough capital to record their self-titled debut in true ‘analogue to tape’ fashion at Big Scary Tree Studios in Sunland, CA. The resulting LP captures the bands unique live energy and spotlights lead vocalist Monique Alvarez’s compelling howl; a combo referred to by the band as the lovechild of Black Sabbath and Janis Joplin. “We want to be part of the ongoing evolution of rock n’ roll” reflects drummer Zachary Huling. “Being a part of this lineage is what drives us forward”.

The featured track is pretty representative of Electric Parlor's album. It's a solid unpretentious piece of work, with genuine passion and flare. In my opinion the Black Sabbath and Janis Joplin references are reasonable to a point, but not really that necessary as the band 'cut it', in their own right. Vinyl lovers may want to check out a limited offer (here).

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Moana - Elephant Bones.

What Their Promo Says - There’s something wonderfully ominous brewing in the bowels of an unlikely place. At home between the likes of St Vincent and The Church on Xpress Magazine’s Reviewers Picks for Top 10 Albums of 2014 and Tone Deaf’s 15 Incredible Unsigned Aussie Bands You Need To Hear Right Now, Perth band Moana are delivering us a psychedelic acid-art, jungle rock single ‘Elephant Bones’. 

Not undeserving of the plethora of critical acclaim and audience adoration coming their way, Moana are masterfully testing the boundaries where multiple art forms collide. In an attempt to break the arduous release cycles often expected from emerging bands, Moana Lutton devised splitting their second EP into three parts, with three separate release dates throughout 2015. Each release would comprise of two new tracks recorded at Debaser Studios with Andrew Lawson, a piece of collaborative visual art and music video. 

The freshest slice of this three-part release features a music video for ‘Elephant Bones’ directed by the magical, long-time collaborator Via Luna Pictures, along with a cross- collaborative artwork by Kuba Kujawa of Denmark. Likened to an “iteration of the dark, arty and angry female voice” (Xpress) made famous the likes of PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, Moana Lutton describes ‘Elephant Bones’ as “a song of fear and ecstasy collided; the exhilaration of chaos and transformation in a wild and dark world; celebrating the madness and absurdity of it all." 

After screening ‘Elephant Bones’ to a sold out crowd at The Bird, Perth on August 1st, the final installment and full EP The Trilogy of the Black Monsoon will be launched at The Odd Fellow, Fremantle on the 31st of October. An Australia- wide tour is set to be announced shortly after.

'Elephant Bones' reminds me a little of Jefferson Airplane, however let me qualify that and say 'at their best'. Being a Krautrock fan for those of you with long enough memories, there is also in my opinion, a touch of Amon Duul II. More importantly there is plenty of Moana and they have something going here that spans generations, one for my weekend playlist.

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'Young Hearts Run Free' - Kirsten Izer - Jennifer Budd

Kirsten Izer - Wave.

Background, promo and plaudits from others - 19 year old indie alternative-pop singer, Kirsten Izer, announces the release of her debut EP, What If This Is It?, which is set to drop on September 25, 2015. Every track on the EP is written, performed and produced by the singer/songwriter, whose “style is wild and free while adding a distinctive note of extravaganza to a familiar pop formula” (Nothing But Hope and Passion).

After graduating high school, the NJ-based singer/songwriter decided to hold off on college so she could continue writing songs and begin a career in music. However, giving into to the pressure of society, she held off on making her own music and began working for other musicians full-time at the young age of 18 years old. After a stressful year of pretending to be an adult, Izer decided to finally quit her job, start being a teenager, and more importantly, start making music for herself. The EP features Izer’s single, “Wave,” with “fuzzed-out guitars [that] mesh impeccably with effervescent melodies” and “a wonderful chorus that you can’t get out of your head” (PopMatters). She recently went wide with her first single, “Burning Out,” which was praised by The Revue, who said she has an “innate ability to channel her deepest emotions and fears not only through her words but the power of her guitar.” The track topped charts on music platforms such as Tradiio and Veromuse as well. 

“It is rare to hear a voice with character that instantly engages you” and Izer’s lo-fi recordings “feel a bit like demos but the raw nature only enhance the listening experience” (American Pancake). Her debut EP, What If This Is It?, is set to be released on September 25, 2015 and she will be touring in support next fall.

So lets just add that Beehive Candy reckons 'Wave' to be full of wonderfully raw, simplistic and indie rock/pop meets 80's new wave beauty. The EP is a must have.

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Jennifer Budd - Don't Even.

Bio and words from Jennifer - Growing up in Ontario, Canada, I fell in love with music early on. My mother, was a church singer who raised me on musicals and folk legends. I went to countless theatre camps mostly at the world-known Shakespeare Festival Theatre. At age fourteen, I began song writing. Today I release my first single/video called "Don't Even".

The video represents a disconnect within a relationship, an unfolding and refolding of events. The tension is piercing as the couple acts out their frustration. Pieces brake and get put back together just to fall apart again.

My time spent in University, in Nashville and with my new producer Michael Keire made this project possible. It reinforced my groundings in folk music while expanding my interest in neo-soul & R&B. Can't wait to share my debut record entitled "Lip Service" out November 13th. For now, I hope you like the video! 

The video is on our 'BeeVids' page, musically this is a strong debut track, part anthem and part story, the song is not reliant on a video to convey the passion but none the less, this adds to the interest.

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Chris and Carla - Paradiso, Holland 2007 (Internet Archive).

From the Internet Archive this is Chris and Carla recorded live back on March 12th 2007, at The Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I am sure that most reading this will know that Chris and Carla is a side project by the pair who are part of the band The Walkabouts. Carla Torgerson and Chris Eckman met and began playing music together in 1983 while attending Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

In 1984 they moved to Seattle, and the band (The Walkabouts) was born when they joined forces with Chris' two younger brothers, drummer Grant and bassist Curt. The Eckman brothers had been playing in various punk rock and pop groups during their college years, and Carla came from a folk and street singing background. The band took their name from Nicolas Roeg's cult film, Walkabout.

As can be seen form the following piece from Wikipedia Chris and Carla have been extremely active musicians down the years - Eckman and Torgerson have also released albums as side projects under the name "Chris & Carla" and as solo artists. Carla Torgerson has worked with Greek musician Akis Boyatzis and his band Sigmatropic on their album 16 Haiku & Other Stories (2001). Later Torgerson has released a solo album Saint Stranger (2004) with help of Akis Boyatzis. Chris Eckman has worked in 1996-2003 with Norvegian band Midnight Choir and teamed with Al DeLoner of Midnight Choir in Electronica-project called "Höst" for an album The Damage Suite (2001). Also Eckman has worked in recent years with Willard Grant Conspiracy on the albums Regard The End and Let It Roll, as well as with The Bambi Molesters. Eckman is also a member of the trio Dirtmusic along with Chris Brokaw and Hugo Race and he has worked with the band Tamikrest from Mali. These two acts toured Europe as a double bill in the spring of 2010. Eckman has also worked with Tosca (band) on projects including the song "John Lee Huber", and with Rupert Huber of Tosca (band) on the album "L/O/N/G".

Recording Technical Details:  Soundboard - Edirol R09 (WAV 24 bit / 44.1 KHz mode) - Adobe Audition 2.0 (remastering and downmix to 16 bit mode) - CDWAV.

Sound Quality: Excellent soundboard.

Set List:

01. Acetylene
02. The Stopping-Off Place
03. Taking Leave Of Our Senses
04. At The Twilight's Last Gleaming
05. Black Rope Tied
06. Long Slow River
07. The Light Will Stay On
08. Jack Candy
09. Things We Should Have Known
10. Raise Them Hands
11. Whatever It Takes
12. Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone
13. New Love Ends
14. Fly High Brave Dreamers
15. Soundcheck Snippets
- Raise Them Hands
- Long Time Here
- Before This City Wakes

Chris Eckman - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals.
Carla Torgerson - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboard, vocals.

Website: The Walkabouts Facebook - Here.

Comments: There are FLAC, Ogg Vorbis and mp3 files along with the streaming material over at the Internet Archive (here).

Stream Below: 

Australian Double Play: Zac Slater - Michael Fuhrman

Zac Slater - Moon Mission.

Background - Hailing from Launceston Tasmania, recently located to Melbourne in 2014 to pursue his music career. Having already had the successful supporting tours under his belt with Sticky Fingers, Thundamentals, Kingswood, Jackie Onassis, Phil Jamieson, Bootleg Rascal, Boo Seeka, just to name a small portion. Zac looks set and as if he is waltzing around with his boot raised high, ready to imprint his foot in the Australian Music industry.

Zac released a Self-titled debut Solo EP via Rockfellaz in 2010 which saw him securing his name down as a Australian APRA 2011 song writing finalist. Five years later, hundreds of live shows and also building a band, Zac has crafted his style into something hugely unique, not only his sound but stage presence as well, promising one of the most energetic and passionate sets this day and age has seen. Definitely put this on your list of gigs to see! 

The track ‘Moon Mission’ was recorded and produced by Zac himself, playing all instruments alongside producer Roberto Giddio helping to mould and create the sounds in the comfort of his home studio In Caroline Springs, Vic.

A funky come reggae sound, with some refreshingly versatile and extremely likeable vocals, Zac has come up with something quite special in 'Moon Mission'.


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Michael Fuhrman - London Town.

Background - Michael Fuhrman is a talented young singer songwriter from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He has always had a passion for music since he was a toddler singing nursery rhymes and strumming a small toy guitar for the amusement of his mother and father. Michael’s love for song writing and performing can be accredited to his family’s long history of performing.

During high school Michael began to compose songs inspired after watching an Elvis documentary. From there, Michael began teaching himself to play the family piano and it turned into one of his main songwriting tools. To the effect that he recorded his debut EP, with one track solely on the keys, and began to perform with a keyboard in addition to his acoustic guitar.

Michael recorded his single called 'London Town' at Heliport Studios in the Sunshine Coast with the talented studio engineer James Russell, with mastering done by Mike Marsh in the United Kingdom. The song is about a man’s love for his girl when she travels overseas. As the story develops, he realises he was in pain at times during their relationship and those nights that were happy, were also extremely sad. The song draws from the emotional ride a relationship can be, but maintains a lightness throughout.

The words may drift into deeper matters, but as said in the background we received, there is a lighter feel in the actual music, that builds beautifully, in what is a very fine song.

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Sundays Alternative Take - From Soul To Synths

Phantoms - All In feat. Little Know.

Background - Los Angeles dark pop duo Phantoms have announced their signing to Casablanca / Republic Records and have revealed their debut EP on the label, Broken Halo, out September 25th. The EP features 4 original songs including "Broken Halo" and "Voyeur" with vocals from Nicholas Braun, and new singles "All In" featuring Little Know and "Colors." The project also includes an unreleased remix of the title track from electronic synthwave producer Com Truise. Broken Halo is Phantoms' first body of work since their debut EP on Skrillex's Nest free release imprint two years ago, and the two have even more content on the way. Vinnie Pergola & Kyle Kaplan, AKA Phantoms, have honed their sound to scale from their underground foundations to the heights of electronic pop production, setting the tone for their forthcoming full-length album in 2016.

Phantoms will be performing live in New York at Baby's All Right on September 22nd and in Los Angeles on September 26th with Com Truise.

Smooth flowing and a beautiful mix, the vocals blend to the music oh so well.

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Honne - No Place Like Home (feat. JONES).

Background - In the same week her current single 'Indulge' was promoted to the B-List on BBC 1Xtra, singer-songwriter JONES has showcased her vocal talents as a featured artist on the new Honne track 'No Place Like Home'. The track is taken from the London duo's EP 'Over Lover' out this week on Atlantic.

This is a gentle and excellently presented song with Jones vocal complimenting the piece in a duet that soul lovers will I suspect just love.
 
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Dailon - Just a Thot.

Background - Originally hailing from Nashville, TN, Dailon aka Dylan Flach is an inspiring young producer who has been relentlessly productive throughout his budding career. Since relocating to San Francisco five years ago, the talented young artist has made a name for himself in the Bay Area by pushing his take on colourful, jet-lagged beat music, finding a crucial balancing point between fluid, emotive bass vibes and jagged, synth-washed club workouts. Ever-Evolving is a tale of drastic change, as captured in his trip to the ocean cliffs of Big Sur, where it all began.

Dailon started his journey from San Francisco down the pacific coast, eventually finding his way to a remote beach 18 miles south of Big Sur. Beneath the hazy glow of the ocean sun, he studied the waves crashing, the peace and serenity of the tides, along with the turmoil of the violent cliff-side surf. Eventually, the beaming sunlight gave way to a heavy metallic downpour, a fleeting ocean rainstorm. 'Ever-Evolving' is Dailon's hi-def, carbon-fiber soundtrack to this continually changing atmosphere. The emotive swings of the EP reflect the shifts and rhythms of city life while offering moments of clarity and calm reflection that come from an escape into the misty pacific. This is "Ever-Evolving", the slowed tranquillity and angular chaos of life.

The synths tease a little and then blend into an atmospheric piece, that occasionally threatens to up the tempo, but continues in a laid back and well thought out piece.

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Naytronix - Back In Time.

Background - Soul/electronic musician and tUnE-yArDs bassist Nate Brenner (aka Naytronix) is set to release his sophomore record 'Mister Divine' on October 16 via City Slang. 

Naytronix's latest musical offering sees him turning from the disjointedly funky party dance anthems of his debut Dirty Glow (2012, Plug Research) to a surrealist stream of consciousness poignancy. While his music keeps its characteristic reflection of '70s Onyeabor and Bootsy Collins, there is a new facet of the sincerity and vulnerability of Arthur Russell amidst the psychedelia, as if wishing to land the Naytronix Mothership down to stay with us for a bit.

On 'Mister Divine,' the intricate and wide-spanning production of his debut is cinched tight as a racing foil as he goes back to where it all started: his bass, his voice, the secrets of drum machines and dreams, narrowing down his songwriting style to focus on narrative and cohesive arrangements; The Song. The result was hours of music not likely to see the light of day, tracks taken to the chopping block at the now iconic Oakland studio "New, Improved Recording" with friend, collaborator, and guitarist Mark Allen-Piccolo. He and Brenner, along with percussionist Robert Lopez, sculpted nine songs into something resembling a compact trio album, which was then finished with sounds and textures from fellow Oberlin Conservatory family members Matt Nelson and Noah Bernstein (tUnE-yArDs saxophones) and synth master Michael Coleman (Beep!).

Genre defying music that in this track alone seems to spin from indie to dance to electro and more. The result is an interesting and quirky song that has so many hooks, you're gonna get caught by one.

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Madeaux - Kill For Me.

Promo words - Madeaux makes his Fool's Gold debut with the perfectly-titled New Wav EP, reshaping North American dance music in his own image and injecting a needed dose of synth pop realness in the process. The six EP tracks are a wildly diverse bunch, connecting the dots between decades of inspirations. "Kill For Me" bangs like a lost Depeche Mode anthem, while A-Trak collab "Lost In Translation" is the unexpected warehouse jam of the year. Nowhere are these genre-splices more powerful than on New Wav's title track, where Madeaux flips Kaleena Zanders' postmodern diva vocals over high-NRG synths and a Miami bass-gone-Berlin drop. The tide is high for this one, and the future most definitely belongs to Madeaux.

This EP takes us in so many different directions it's hard to pin down one track that is representative. The promo is pretty much spot on, so all I will do is feature my favourite 'Kill For Me'.

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EZA - We Keep The Lights Out.

Background words - "We Keep the Lights Out" is a really exciting step into my new music. I want people to find it refreshing, different, bold, and new— all while being able to relate to it," said EZA. "I’m all for making some sexy music if you can get it just right. When you do, there’s something really genuine and beautiful about it. Hopefully "We Keep The Lights Out" has done that, and if people want to put it on their make-out playlist… I mean, go for it."

Part of EZA's (a.k.a Ellery Bonham) unique sound is attributed to a neurological phenomenon she experiences known as synesthesia. Ellery's synesthesia allows her to see colors and patterns while listening to, and creating her own music. She has used those visual cues to help create her magnetic, pulsing music. EZA has previously released an EP, Means Of Escape (2014), and a single, "Headlights" (2015).

Moody and with deep bass lines this song is lifted by the vocals into a fine piece that never loses the atmospheric feel, as it takes us on a musical journey.

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Saturday Double With: Lilly Wolf - Babaganouj

Lilly Wolf - Violence.

Bio - The duo is the collaborative project of Stanford brainiacs Lilly Wolf and producer Alex Neuhausen, better known as Dr. Nu (who derives his pseudonym from his doctorate in electrical engineering).

While the duo consists of these two equal partners, Wolfson’s name and face represent them. While studying at Stanford University, Wolfson and Neuhausen met on line in a musician-based Facebook group. At the time, Wolfson had a singer/songwriter focus and recruited Neuhausen to play the guitar. Having won several singing competitions and performed on “A Prairie Home Companion,” Wolfson was pursuing a more acoustic sound. 

However, after a few years of performing music in the Bay Area, the two transitioned their style and entered the EDM arena, employing synths, elements of house and dubstep, and their own electro flavourings to craft an entirely different sound. Lilly Wolf has made a name for themselves with their high-energy sets that have earned them quite the dedicated following in the Brooklyn underground dance-pop community.

This is an enjoyable indie pop song with superb vocals over synths, and a stylish production. Well produced music that deserves wider notice.

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Babaganouj - Hit Song.

Background - In 2014 Babaganouj garnered serious radio attention with their releases “Too Late For Love” and “Bluff” - leading them to tour nationally twice, play each leg of The Blurst of Times tour as well as support a slew of notable acts such as The Preatures, Smudge, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Northeast Party House and The Creases.

They have come into 2015 swingin' - having played The inaugural Palms invitational “Mates” Festival in Sydney, and supporting Atlanta girl-punks The Coathangers in Brisbane and Byron Bay. On top of that this year Babaganouj released their single “Can’t Stop”, toured the east coast of Australia with bands such as Hoodoo Gurus, Bearhug and Scotdrakula and were finalists for the Billy Thorpe scholarship at the Qmusic awards.

‘Hit Song’ is taken from the forthcoming album by Babaganouj, out in November.

Straight down the line rock with tons of energy and passion, leaning towards indie vocals and music. This is a no nonsense song and one that makes the November album, one to look forward to.

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Past References & Modern Slants: Big White - Mutiny Mutiny - Younghusband

Big White - You Know I Love You.

Alway's good to hear straight from the artist or band, this is what Big White have to say - We're a band called Big White and I thought you might like to check out our debut single called 'You Know I Love You'. The band first met when we moved in to a share house together. It is an old 9 bedroom art deco house with a weird past having previously been a brothel, and a surgery, but now we all live there!

Our first recording session was in a Berlin bomb shelter whilst we were travelling, and we toured south west USA (inc shows at SXSW and Burgerama w/ Ty Segall and Ariel Pink) before we toured our homeland of Australia. This is our first single which has had some early love from NME and we will have an album out later this year. Facebook Here.

A feisty beat and thoroughly beguiling vocals. Shades of new wave and post punk from years gone by, with a modern slant, totally enjoyable.

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Mutiny Mutiny - Loukanikos.

The Facts - Mutiny Mutiny is noisy art rock from Seattle featuring ex members of Petals Like Bricks and Chinchilla. ‘Undefined’ is the first release from MM’s founders Jenn Schmidt (vocals, bass) and Jason Dean (vocals, guitar) with Julie D. (guitar, vocals).

And a little bit more - About “Loukanikos” from Jason Dean of Mutiny Mutiny: “While we were in the process of writing the song that would eventually bear his name, news outlets were running stories about the recent passing of Loukanikos, one of the Greek ‘riot dogs,’ that participated in the Athens anti-austerity protests of 2010 and 2012. “The passion for politics in Greece is strong and we have an interest in and affinity for its political and economic situation after traveling around the country in 2012.

Gutsy and heartfelt, a touch of early Blondie, but with a harder edge and vocals that challenge Arcade Fire to be a little more edgy. Most of all, plenty of their own unique style and attitude. From an EP that demands a purchase if the featured song pleases you.

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Younghusband - Waverly Street.

Yesterday UK band Younghusband shared "Waverly Street," the second single from their upcoming 2nd album Dissolver (ATP Recordings). The band are soon to embark on a UK tour supporting Jacco Gardner, as well as a UK headline tour in November with support from fellow ATP Recordings artist Grimm Grimm.

Bio - Younghusband first appeared in 2011 and this second LP has been a smoke stack on the road ahead since their 2013 debut 'Dromes'. While that album defined a scene, this one sets them aside. 'Dissolver' takes in a wide sweep of guitar music and focuses it into a precisely individual proposition; a sound unto itself that nonetheless garners comparisons with Elliott Smith, The Shoes, and Big Star. It is slated for release in October 2015 on ATP Recordings.

The quartet of Euan Hinshelwood, Joe Chilton, Adam Beach and Pete Baker emerged as one of a crop of so-called neo-psych bands. Under a canopy of reverb and phase, they could be heard hunting for escape routes from the played-out circus of British rock. No easy task in a country so cold, expensive and hostile to change, where bed-bound, infinite scrolls into the past are sometimes the only entertainment you can withstand or afford.

The band have struck well clear of the dying party and markedly expanded their horizons, assiduously refining their sound and pushing themselves beyond their previous work. They could have expected a struggle for orientation but instead circumvented the difficult second album cliché, producing something which feels utterly effortless. Each section of music rolls out of what came before in a shuttle of cause and effect, tension and release that tic-tacks back to the exhilarating opener 'Waverley Street' and its invitation: "...the offer is open tonight".

UK Support Dates w/ Jacco Gardener:

Thu 3 September @ London, Dingwalls
Tue 15 September @ Brighton, Sticky Mike's
Wed 16 September @ Bristol, Louisiana
Thu 17 September @ Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
Fri 18 September @ Coventry, The Tin Music & Arts
Sat 19 September @ Sheffield, Leadmill
Sun 20 September @ Nottingham, Bodega
Tue 22 September @ Leeds, Brudenell Games Room
Wed 23 September @ Stockton, Georgian Theatre
Thu 24 September @ Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Wah Club

UK Headline Tour w/ Grimm Grimm:

Tues 10 November @ Glasgow, The Hug and Pint
Wed 11 November @ York, The Basement
Thurs 12 November @ Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
Fri 13 November @ Leicester, The Cookie Jar
Sat 14 November @ Sheffield, Cornershop
Sun 15 November @ Manchester, Eagle Inn
Mon 16 November @ London, The Moth Club
Tues 17 November @ Cambridge, The Portland Arms.

'Waverly Street' has an effortless feel to it, that reminds me of 'summer surf rock' from many years ago. Talented and musically, oh so tight, it just pours into your ears and touches the heart.

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Wonderful Wednesday: The Legends - Oh Be Clever - Rory Max Kaplan

The Legends - Winter Is The Warmest Season - from the album 'It's Love'.

An expanded version of The Legends "It's love" (originally released on Cascine this summer) is out on Labrador October 16th. One of the new tracks features lead vocals by Sara Carlsson who also happens to be the main subject of the album.

Bio - The Legends from Stockholm have enjoyed a somewhat accidental career. Beginning with Up Against The Legends, their debut album in 2003, the project was comically assumed to be a 9-piece band due to early shows consisting of friends on stage, drunk and generally winging it. In actuality, The Legends has only ever been a personal outlet for one man, Johan Angergård, apart from his other, more focused projects, Club 8 and Acid House Kings.

Following the first LP were two back-to-back full-lengths – Public Radio in 2005, and Facts and Figures in 2006. Both records were well received, providing The Legends a platform to play festivals and tour internationally. The sound of each album was nothing like the one before it. “That’s the result of me needing to say what I want to say and express evolving emotions,” Johan explained. This approach was creatively satisfying, but divisive to fans that expected a more continuous sound across releases. “I didn’t think I’d record any more after Facts and Figures, but after a particularly chaotic stretch in 2008 and some angst, I needed noise and recorded Over and Over. And then I thought I wouldn’t record another album again...”

Fast forward to 2015 and the nearing launch of It’s Love, The Legends’ fifth album. It’s Love details a recent chapter in Johan’s life that saw him wrestle with issues of loss, love and identity. Turning 40 brought with it unexpected emotional distance from things that once mattered very much. Suddenly, his role as Labrador label boss was less important to him, and a relationship with someone he shared a large chunk of his life with lost importance completely. “I felt old and like I didn’t belong anywhere…some sort of no-man’s-land. Free floating.” At the same time, a new love came crashing into his world, bringing with it both infatuation and anxiety.

This is a beautiful album, Swedish electro 'dream' pop, that sends shivers through me. Layers of incredible music and pure sounding vocals that just capture my imagination.

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Oh Be Clever - River.

Bio (and a pretty different one!) - Indie, electro, soul is a category of sound squarely cornered by Salt Lake City's breakout duo Oh, Be Clever. Vocalist and wordsmith Brittney Shields effortlessly uses Cory Scott Layton's refreshing rush of instrumentals as a conduit for spinning tales of love, loss and living in the 21st century. The pair, however, haven't always enjoyed perfect harmony. Prior to Oh, Be Clever the two were members of separate bands which loathed each other to the point of physical violence. Late one night after a show, in the parking lot, a fight broke out between their two bands. 

Having always admired each other, Shields and Layton left the scene of the fight to create their own music. Later that very night, after disappearing together, the two alerted their previous bands that they were done. Oh, Be Clever was born. The goal from the beginning was to create a new sound completely different from their previous efforts. Layton knew that Shields' voice could roll and run, drop and drip, cascade and plunge like no other in Salt Lake City. Together these two set out to create the perfect sound to spark Oh, Be Clever to life.

And quoting Brittney Shields herself - "This song is about seeking validation in all the wrong places. When we wrote this I was very insecure. I'd do almost anything to get someone to like me. It's about the feeling you get when you come to terms your flaws and let go of the baggage holding you back.

"River is about accepting your flaws and living happily with them. There are a million different ways a person could interpret this song, and that's kind of the way we want to keep it. Leave it up to your own life experience and the way you relate to it. We're letting this song stay cryptic."

OK so whilst not endorsing bands brawling and loathing each other, if it leads to a duo who can produce a fine song such as 'River', perhaps we can put it down to artistic temperament. This song is, to be concise, 'epic' what's more you can download 'River' for free.

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Rory Max Kaplan - The Boxer.

Background and Bio - “The Boxer” is the first single from the forthcoming EP by the multi-talented Rory Max Kaplan. The Band included some of the greatest session musicians in the New York City area, Larry "Slappy" Saltzman on guitar (Simon & Garfunkel); Kasim Sulton on bass (Utopia, Meatloaf); Doane Perry on drums (Jethro Tull); Mark Rivera on baritone sax (Billy Joel, Foreigner) and features Inger Hansen on solo lead guitar. Rory’s vocals were produced and recorded by the legendary, Frank Filipetti (James Taylor, Foreigner, KISS, Billy Joel, various Broadway cast albums and more). The song was mixed by Grammy Award winner Larry Alexander (Bruce Springsteen, Janis Ian and more). The track was arranged by keyboardist, Kip Kaplan (Executive Producer for Al DiMeola, Cameo, Omar Hakim, among others).

A native New Yorker, Rory Max Kaplan has been performing and creating since the beginning of his existence. Ranging from acting on stage & screen, classical & contemporary dance, cartoon voices, playing in a band or singing in the recording studio, Rory is now ready to hit the world stage with this new major-label distributed release.

Rory made his stage debut in October 2014 in the cast of the hit, award winning Broadway show “Jersey Boys” at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City. He has appeared Off Broadway as the lead in “Nothing But Trash” at the Theatre for the New City in lower Manhattan; in an international tour of “Rock of Ages”, and in numerous theatre productions throughout the United States.

Well if you are going to do a cover version of a song as legendary as Simon and Garfunkel's 'The Boxer', you might as well put a different spin on it, just to get noticed. Having some of the best session musicians around can't hurt either. So a rock version complete with superb backing vocalist's is Rory's answer. In summary, quality, fun, different and yep, it rocks.

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Lillie Lemon - Stardust

Lillie Lemon - Stardust. (Video Premiere).

A creative and imaginative video for a really fine song and a pleasure to have first showing here on Beehive Candy.

So here's the low down on Monterey-based, alternative electro-pop duo, Lillie Lemon.

The group is comprised of Lillie Lemon (vocals/synthesiser) and Erica Wobbles (synthesiser/production). 

Originally from Wisconsin, Lillie Lemon moved to California, where she then met Erica Wobbles. Though the pair began performing small open-mic shows together, it wasn’t until years later that the decision to collaborate came to fruition. 

Their first album, entitled ​ /brāk/, ​was a turning point for the duo, shifting from Lillie Lemon’s acoustic style into a more electronic sound. According to Lillie Lemon,​ “Stardust” is about a relationship gone awry that tragically ends in a car accident.

This is a really fine electro-pop song. Lillie's voice just seems so right for this type of music, which is in my opinion, pretty good in it's own right. Hopefully this gets much wider attention, as I have said before if the Top 40's of today were full of songs of this calibre, just imagine how great radio would be again. There is more about Lillie Lemon on their website HERE.

 
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Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad - Peach Music Festival 2013 (internet Archive)

From the Internet Archive this is Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad live at the Peach Music Festival in Scranton, PA, on the Mushroom Stage, back on the 17th August 2013.

From the bands website bio we learn the following - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (GPGDS) is known for folding the aesthetics of the jam band scene into the structures of reggae. In the live setting, the band performs extended jams, while their previous studio albums have blended roots reggae with psychedelia (In These Times, 2012) or diverged from the genre completely, journeying into straight Americana (Country, 2012). On Steady, the band’s fourth studio album (and first on Easy Star Records), GPGDS has synthesised their approach by weaving traditional folk instrumentation into a foundation of reggae, with arrangements that let the reggae breathe in a non-traditional way. While Steady may not be the first record to find inspiration in both old time Appalachia and ‘70s Jamaica, it may be the best.

Giant Panda formed in 2001 in Rochester, New York. A mysteriously fertile area for developing the U.S. reggae scene, the city has ties going back to 1981 when Lee “Scratch” Perry recruited his entire backing band from Rochester. The Upstate NY region became early supporters of GPGDS, while its members were in high school and beginning college, playing weekly gigs to cut their teeth. In these formative years, Giant Panda began to explore their songs with an experimental approach that is stylistically akin to the Grateful Dead, while keeping their roots firmly planted in reggae rhythms and lyrical content. Around 2005 tapers began to notice and soon after one of the band’s first Colorado shows received homepage placement on the popular taper website Archive.org. Almost overnight GPGDS became a mainstay on the jam band festival circuit.

From 2005 – 2013 GPGDS’s three original members (drummer Chris O’Brian, guitarist-singer Dylan Savage, and bassist-singer James Searl) began a touring schedule averaging over 100 shows a year and performing throughout the U.S., Canada, and Jamaica. Their third lead singer, multi-instrumentalist Dan Keller, joined the group a few years back, while keyboardist Tony Gallicchio joined in 2013. Giant Panda’s continuous time on the road hardened the players into monster instrumentalists. Their attention to the studio in later years, along with a unique blending of reggae and rural American music solidified GPGDS as one of the region’s most beloved bands. Like their hometown, they manage to unify an intellectual and creative culture with a hard-working blue-collar past.

Recording Technical Details: Schoeps MK4V's>V2+SBD>SD744t, Lineage sd744t>Nuendo 4>SF11>CDWAV>FLAC.

Sound Quality: Very good soundboard and live Mic's.

Set List:

1. Whatever Costs
2. Wolf at the Door
3. Another Day - Missing You More - Pockets - Healing
4. Steady
5. Every Night? - Seasons Change
6. On The Moon
7. All Night Music
8. Next Best Explosion - Morning Song - All Day Working
9. Ok Ok
(10. Missing last song due to recorder power issue).

Website: Official - Here.

Comments: There are FLAC, Ogg Vorbis and mp3 files along with the streaming material over at the Internet Archive (here).

Stream Below: