Thursdays Perfect Pair

Private Island - Bear Hands.

Background - Southern California based six-piece Private Island released their debut EP 'A Good Look' in the fall of 2014, and is set to premiere their first studio single later this year. Blending an alt-rock vibe with a hint of retro and funk, Private Island has drawn comparisons to acts such as The Kings of Leon and Young the Giant. Private Island is Christian Lum, Tommy Nickerson, Cameron Anderson, Michelle Guerrero, Tim Barbour and Roger Mawer.

Missed them first time around and Bear Hands is from the EP and is also free to download. Anyway sorry for being so late but this is to good not to feature. New music from them later this year according to another music blog!

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The High Learys - Letters To Alice.

Background - The High Learys are an Australian rock band formed in Perth Western Australia in 2011 by lead singer and bassist Jamie Turner, keyboardist and vocalist Michael NuA, Guitarist, MaA Williams and drummer Mitchell Benson. They have released one album, and a number of singles. Their single Clear My Mind charted at no. 1 in the AMRAP charts in 2014. They have toured internationally as well as around Australia.

The band was formed by cousins Jamie Turner and MaA Williams in late 2011, not long after the band recruited Michael NuA and former drummer Adrian MacMillan. The band started playing shows around Perth in 2011 and became well regarded for their cover versions of songs from the 50's and 60's as well as their original compositions.

In December 2012 the band recorded their debut LP Here Come The High Learys at Poons Head Studios in Fremantle, Western Australia with award winning producer Rob Grant, who has worked with the likes of Tame Impala, Miley Cyrus and Lenny Kravitz. The album was released on May 22nd on 12" vinyl through German label Soundflat Records and by December that year it had reached the highest selling album on the label for the year 2013.

In August 2014 the band went back into Poons Head Studios to record their next single Clear My Mind with producer Rob Grant. It was then released on 7" vinyl through Soundflat Records in late October. Shortly after it's release the single was used in both a Bose Headphones and Sportscraft commercial.

Oh this just has an incredible sixties 'far out' feel to it. Timothy Leary meets 'Alice' on a trip... Solid modern production and both the song and the musicians are so spot on. Fill the charts with this type of music and we can all enjoy a new 'summer of love'.

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Wednesdays Subtle Twist of Genres

CJ Hooper - By My Side.

Promo words - CJ Hooper is more than just an independent singer-songwriter blessed with oodles of talent, he’s also possibly Australia’s most unknown and understated. By My Side is the first official independent release from the acoustic based Sydney solo artist who plays multiple instruments and delivers distinctive vocal harmonies and falsetto. By My Side was recorded in Sydney at Stereo Missile Recordings with the help of well renowned producer and engineer Steve Peach.

“By My Side is a smokey, atmospheric journey that I loved working on. The acoustic guitars are hypnotic, the vocals are smooth, and the songwriting is top notch. Highly recommended!" – Steve Peach, Missile Recordings, Sydney.

‘It’s an uncomplicated love ballad in appreciation of having someone really special to share life’s journey. Not everyday is perfect, but sharing it with your soul mate is pretty close to it”, says CJ Hooper

Currently recording a new album set to be released in 2016, you may see CJ Hooper playing in a corner at your local bar over the next 12 months as he unleashes his repertoire of songs. Expect to hear more from this solo independent artist who’s inspiring and personal music is destined to connect with audiences.

Calm, collected and yes perhaps understated. For those in need of something a little more gentle and with distinctive vocals, I would suggest CJ Hooper and this tender song.

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The Main Squeeze - Angelus.

Promo words - Chicago-based rock n’ roll-funk band, The Main Squeeze, who just dropped their new single "Angelus.", the track is from their upcoming sophomore album, Mind Your Head which was produced by former American Idol judge, Randy Jackson.

The five-piece, consisting of Corey Frye (vocals), Max Newman (guitar), Ben “Smiley” Silverstein (keyboards), Reuben Gingrich (drums) and Jeremiah Hunt (bass), found its roots in Bloomington, Indiana’s live music scene back in 2010. The band refined their sound with local shows before touring over 160 dates nationally in 2014. They’ve performed at some of the country’s biggest festivals, including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Summer camp and Gathering of The Vibes. In addition, they were hand selected to play the Rolling Stone Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Party and won the Venetian Macau international battle of the bands in China in 2012.

Vintage soul fans will love this. Everything about this song is classic soul at it's finest and what's more, it's happening now! A modern classic and no less.

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Mieke - Sleeping Alone.

Mieke tells us - I needed to make something honest and raw. Something strange and vulnerable. Something thoughtful and free. Something that was authentic to where I'm at. For this EP I worked with Don Kerr and Howie Beck (Feist, Hayden, Bahamas), people I trust. Don records out of his house so we did the vocals in his dining room and the instruments in his basement. That let me fully connect with the feeling I had wherever I wrote the songs- in Toronto, in Tokyo, in my small town high school, or in London- and to go back to that moment.

I grew up in a forest in Ontario and spent much of my childhood wandering around out there recording songs on my little tape player. I’d mail them to radio stations with my autographed school picture and then listen eagerly to the radio expecting to hear them.

I've played shows for many years, but when I finished university I needed to make money somehow to focus on music. When I found out modelling could be a decent part time job, I started modelling and acting part time. Whenever I travel to make music or model, I learn more about myself as an artist. These songs were largely written on these travels- in Tokyo, London, New York, and LA. Everywhere I go changes me and helps me grow as an artist and a human. :)

Oh this is a really charming song. Making a song that is personal and yet not indulgent is a craft within itself. Excellent vocals and really fine production make it quite special.

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Instanika - Vroom Vroom.

What they say - We are a band that hales out of Toronto Ontario: Carlo Rubino lead vocals, Joe Porier guitar, Gordemsons drums, Micheal Kendel keyboard, produced at Micheal Kendel Studio, in Toronto.

Carlo and Joe got together with Gord to put together the 10-song album. Carlo Rubino had the lyrics and put the music melodies with guitar players Joe and Gord. Mike added his keyboard and Procussion experties after went into their studio to start recording the album Moonrain.

Carlo met Joe Porier at Joes job giving guitar lessons, Carlo approached him with his songs and Joe thought they are worth recording and we started to get together with writing sessions the really worked well, this song came easily to Joe to write the guitar parts and structure.

We played a couple gigs at the velvet underground looking for more gigs to perform around the city and eventually get tour someday. We are currently recording another 10 album, which will be completed next year, and getting distribution starting in America through Zoran distribution looking forward to it.

Well this new music round up has been far to gentle. Fixing that are Instanika and the gritty Vroom Vroom. It's a little rough around the edges, has a live feel and just grooves along fine. An antidote for tedium.
 
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Dub Is A Weapon - Charlottesville 2005 (Internet Archive)

From the Internet Archive this is Dub Is A Weapon performing live at the Outback Lodge, Charlottesville, VA, back on the 9th July 2005. This is a remarkable band whose live dub performances are a real treat to enjoy.

Describing the formation of Dub Is A Weapon we quote the following - “It can’t be done, man!” That’s what Dave Hahn, mastermind behind Dub Is A Weapon, heard when he first floated the idea of a live dub group, as he and his mates listened to some prime 1960s King Tubby cuts in the band van. “Everyone seemed to think you could only do dub in the studio,” Hahn recalls.

Hahn set out to prove them wrong, with skills learned live and on the road, and with help from a Jamaican beatnik percussionist, an old high school friend, and young upstarts from the Brooklyn scene. Together they’ve honed their live take on the genre’s spaced-out grooves.

Concise Background - Founded in 2001, Dub Is A Weapon has set out on a mission to curate the history of dub reggae by offering their unique perspective of dub studio techniques live on stage.The band has spent the last 10 years honing their craft on stage through headlining club tours across the country, supporting the likes of Antibalas, John Brown’s Body, Easy Star All Stars, as well as providing the backing music for the legend of the scene Mr. Lee “Scratch” Perry on his tours throughout North America. 

Dub Is A Weapon’s national debut record titled Vaporized (released on April 26, 2011 by Harmonized Records) has managed to bring all those experiences together in a studio effort that was recorded in the tradition of old jazz records: live in studio. “From the Black Ark days of Lee Perry to Tubby's Waterhouse dubs and discipleship of King Jammy, it's good to see that DIAW are carrying on the torch for dub fans worldwide. Vaporized not only exemplifies the evolution of dub but pays tribute to its history by retaining key characteristics that make quality dub music what it is.” (Chuck Reinemann).

Recording Details: Source mk4 > kc5 > cmc6 > m248 > mme > d8 (48k), Lineage R500 > SRC2000 > DATport > Wavelab 5 > SHNtool > FLAC (lvl 6).

Sound Quality: Very Good - A clear well produced stereo recording, that does this genre proud.

Set List:

Set 1.
01 - Intro/Tuning
02 - Etymology
03 - Insurrection
04 - Rip Van Winkle
05 - Armed and Dangerous
06 - Fever
07 - Han Fei Tzu
08 - Undefeated

Set 2.
01 - Intro/Tuning
02 - Dub is a Weapon
03 - Asheville
04 - Codename
05 - Sadr City
06 - Infinity
07 - Bruce Lee
Encore.
08 - Indestructible

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

Stream Below:

Forget The Superlatives - Just Listen!

Science and the Beat - Mean Streak.

Their Bio - This is how the world ends: with deafening indifference and retread of age-old strife. How we choose ride to out this wave varies, but still falls into the principle camps of acceptance and denial. Science and the Beat choose the latter, wanting to live moderately in their impact but decadent within themselves; feeling and loving in productive ways that give meaning to their lives. Science is the means to try and make sense of it all. The beat informs the rhythm and the approach. Nothing else matters.

Multi-instrumentalists Tasha Katrine and Rob Zilla have been carving out their creative vision since being introduced in their teens. The approach has been dexterous, mixing live shows with elaborate video and lighting installations – most notably as More Machine Than Man. As a fixture in the Goth Industrial scene, the pair was conscious of the expectations and rigid identity that develops with a long-term project. To keep those limitations from becoming self-imposed, the mission became letting creativity have free reign.

Future Blue, then, sounds like actualisation: two people growing into their cynicism and finding it to be just as potent as their youthful yearnings. Produced by Wade Alin (Christ Analogue, The Atomica Project) Future Blue pulsates with clean, taut synths that create something like a strop for the sharp and decisive use of guitar. Katrine’s voice has an inherent dewy quality that belies her on-going struggle with Sjogren’s syndrome: an immune disorder that affects the salivary glands responsible for producing moisture in the throat. Their relocation to Seattle from Boston was in search of a more favourable living climate: mild and humid. Extreme cases have resulted in a complete loss of voice and it is pushing Katrine to not only make the most of her voice but to also utilise instruments as well.

The song 'Mean Streak' really does conjure up an element of meanness, the almost stalking vocals will follow you around, warning us not to take any chances. Oh just listen, see if you get my drift.


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Marielle Allschwang - Dead Not Done. (Title track from album).

Background - Marielle Allschwang (Group of Altos, Death Blues, Hello Death) warps and distorts traditional folk music to conjure monsters, angels, and sinister pastures on debut solo album, “Dead Not Done,” to be released Aug. 11 on Gloss Records.

Channelling her first-generation American ancestors as inspiration, Allschwang revels in the sadness and strength of exile, poverty, and identity. Though not overtly political, Allschwang explores feelings of distance, separation, and being a stranger in the world. Intimate tales emerge from minimalist soundscapes.

Milwaukee born and raised by a memoir-writing grandmother, poet father, and singing mother who learned guitar from a nun in the Philippines, Allschwang is now a frequent collaborator in the city’s burgeoning experimental and folk scenes—contributing vocals (and gong) to Jon Mueller’s multi-disciplinary project, Death Blues, violin and vocals in the 16-piece post-rock super group, Group of the Altos, and guitar and vocals to dark-folk outfit Hello Death. All the while, Allschwang has been exploring her musical identity as a solo artist.

Allschwang credits her involvement in Altos as a turning point in her artistic path. Here she had a fertile arena for collaboration and exploration, and formed a close artistic relationship with fellow band mate Adam Krause, who nudged her to compose songs together for the audio-visual zine, Lemon o Books, in 2012. That collaboration introduced more experimental elements into Allschwang’s music, many of which appear on “Dead Not Done.”

Delicate guitar melodies and tape loop murmurs are now familiar friends, but “Dead Not Done” also features numerous contributions by members of Altos. Bowed metal chair legs and sounding barn wall tremors marry Allschwang’s storytelling with tactile mystery. Generations old, the narratives are animated and revived by a daughter, a granddaughter, and her guitar.

There is a certain beauty here that reminds me in part of Kate and Anna McGarrigle at their most intimate and traditional. Add to that a more electric and heavier sound on some songs and I think, I am as close as I ever will be, in describing this album. In summary a brilliant surprise and an album to play over and over.

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The Rightovers - Blue Blood (Album).

Background and Bio - The Rightovers' ten song LP Blue Blood was released on July 31, 2015, (on aquamarine vinyl via the band's Trebleplane imprint, and on CD and digital via Seattle's Jigsaw Records. Both the vinyl and CD will be distributed worldwide by Darla).

  The Rightovers began under the name Conceptus in the mid-2000s as an outlet for Chris Holmes’ first crudely-recorded songs. Taking inspiration from lo-fi forbears like Pavement, Ween, the Television Personalities and the Clean and combining it with the peerless pop of The Records and The Raspberries, Holmes spent his nights and weekends recording modest odes to fun, fear and failure in his L.A. apartment.

After relocating to San Diego, Chris found a group of like-minded collaborators, and first group Conceptus took shape as a fully-functioning band. The lineup remained together for three years, performing frequently and recording a debut full-length, Trebly Feelings. After growing weary of the crowded Southern California indie scene, Holmes pulled up stakes and relocated to Hawaii to pursue a Master's degree (and further indulge his surfing obsession). The isolation of island living turned out to be a musical blessing, allowing him to refocus his songwriting. Holmes spent his first summer off back at his parents’ house in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he set about tracking a second record, the new Blue Blood.

Holmes recorded instruments and vocals for the chiming, charming collection of songs in his basement over the course of three months before calling in pals Mike Kamoo (The Loons) to play drums, and Sarah O’Brien to add backing vocals. Holmes mixed the record upon returning to Oahu’s North Shore. The release of Blue Blood is already drawing close interest from pop devotees from around the world, and Seattle’s indie pop-centric Jigsaw Records is helping get the word out about The Rightovers’ new record as well.

Keeping it upbeat, straight down the line and thoroughly enjoyable, The Rightovers have a natural flare for jangle come indie pop and rock. What's more important they don't follow a 'safe' format and can mix it up without losing their core style.

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