Rock'n'Roll Sunday: Field Mouse - Typhoid Rosie - Cool Ghouls

Field Mouse - The Mirror.

Background promo - Field Mouse share new single The Mirror. If 2014's Hold Still Life was the fruition of Field Mouse's evolution from a fiery two-piece into a fully-fledged band, then new album Episodic (August 5, Topshelf Records) is the letting go; the abandonment of past persuasions for something altogether more untamed. Where the band's initial work was self-recorded by founding members Rachel Browne and Andrew Futral, the new record signifies the first time that the quintet has composed an album together from start-to-finish - and the result is a record that feels altogether more defined.

Recorded in Philadelphia with Hop Along's Joe Reinhart, and written through a twelve-month period which delivered sudden family illness and a deteriorating relationship, Episodic is fashioned from ten feverish bouts of guitar-pop; led by Browne's fearsome and fearless vocal and informed by an instrumental backing that underpins the entire record with a vibrant concoction of guitar, drums and keys.

Showcasing the band's ability to switch between mood and tone, the record shifts from the spiky immediacy of tracks such as Accessory and A Widow With A Terrible Secret, to the more spacious moments, such as monumental centre-piece Beacon, without ever losing sight of the scuzzy, melodic pop songs that remain Field Mouse's distinct forte.

Featuring guest turns from Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz), Allison Crutchfield (Swearin', Waxahatchee) and Joseph D'Agostino (Cymbals Eat Guitars), Episodic is the sound of a fully-realized band truly coming in to their own; honest, direct and immensely powerful.

'The Mirror' offers up a glimpse of the bands forthcoming album 'Episodic'. Rachel Browne's lighter vocals juxtapose the fiery punk flavoured music. It's a two and a half minute blast of no nonsense music and it works.

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Typhoid Rosie - Run Along.

Background promo - Hailing from Brooklyn, Typhoid Rosie, offers up a unique blend of sultry Indie-Pop-Rock for your ears. With their newest release in tow, Hearts Bleed Goodbye, the band has been garnering the praise of fans and critics alike. Currently the band is sharing their new single "Run Along," a vibrant and catchy piece that brings their sound to life.

Hearts Bleed Goodbye features 11-powerful tracks which are inspired by love and love lost. The record pays a heartfelt tribute to front-woman Rosie Rebel’s late Mother, who passed away suddenly when she had an aneurysm while driving a car leaving her Grandmother’s wake. Before even having the chance to take off her mourning clothes or bury her Grandmother, Rebel would also unexpectedly and tragically have to say goodbye to the woman she loved most.

Throughout the record Rebel expresses this paralysing loss in her music while also touching upon unrelated themes such as addiction, stalkers, losing yourself in bad company, and the apocalypse.

Typhoid Rosie is led by Rosie Rebel, also known for her pre-Typhoid Rosie work as a long-time comedian which has been talked about on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In the midst of her rise in comedy, Rebel unintentionally discovered her knack for writing music while attending a music class at Columbia University. She later paired up with husband and drummer, Phil Wartell, to begin writing and producing; bringing Typhoid Rosie to life. After suffering the tragic loss of her mother, Rebel started to open her songs up to the world using music as a way to express her deepest emotions.

The album 'Hearts Bleed Goodbye' is a consistently good collection of indie pop and indie rock songs, with the latest single 'Run Along' typifying the more rock orientated side of the band. I have to say there is not one 'filler' song in the collection, indeed the album is a real treat for indie fans.

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Cool Ghouls - Sundial.

Background promo - Cool Ghouls is a rock'n'roll band. A band for playing rock'n'roll - that electric American folk art - without pretense. Think of rock'n'roll less as a genre and more as an action. A ritual performed with electric guitars and a drum kit to conjure a certain youthful spirit.

Inevitably, when listening to Cool Ghouls, you may recall performers of the past, other summoners of this same spirit, whose fingers were also channels through which rock'n'roll was made physical. But this band's purpose is not to reference, fetishize, or even celebrate these incarnations of rock'n'roll that came before them. Their intention is to animate their medium - bring to life the inanimate framework that is rock'n'roll. Get the kids dancing. Get the floor at the house party to cave in. Not to sound like a rock'n'roll band, but to do what a rock'n'roll band does. A band for playing rock'n'roll.

It's something the Ghouls know they have not yet entirely mastered. (How many of the numerous outfits playing these days have?) While they've certainly managed to convince audiences aplenty at home in San Francisco, along the West Coast, even abroad of their prowess, they are ever honing their blade. Refining an approach, learning to listen more keenly, seeing beyond bullsht, really getting at the essence of not only rock'n'roll, but of that which exists between four unique players - it's a task to keep a body busy for a lifetime. A kind of four-way collective self actualization.

You might not hear all of this in a Cool Ghouls track. That might be because there's something about rock'n'roll that you're missing. That might be because there's something about Cool Ghouls that you're missing. Or it might be because the Ghouls have not yet distilled the eternal powers from which they draw into an expression that your ears understand. But make no mistake, this is music about and for the here and now.

Tour dates:
6/16 - San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside
6/18 - Guerneville, CA - Deathstock II
7/7  - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
8/11 - San Francisco - The Chapel
8/16 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA
8/19 - Austin, TX - Barracuda
8/20 - San Antonio, TX - Limelight
8/24 - Boise, ID - The Olympic

'Sundial' really does have that classic rock'n'roll feel to it, that initially reminded me of late 1960's west coast bands. It's a really good listen regardless of era's, the vocals drive the melody, whilst the bands harmonies and fine playing, give the song that little something, that makes a song really stand out.

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A Fine Pair: Garden City Movement - Alasdair Roberts

Garden City Movement - She's So Untouchable.

Background promo - Garden City Movement is a Tel Avivian-based electronic music project, their new single is "She's So Untouchable." Signed with BLDG5 records, Garden City Movement first made waves last fall with the release of their debut EP Entertainment, which garnered early press champions as numerous Hype Machine influential blogs, Pitchfork, Clash, The Fader, Stereogum and Fact which featured the band in a short documentary about "The rising stars of Tel Aviv."

With videos reaching 1M hits and screenings at the LA film festival, GCM scored support slots for acts such as Alt-J, Cults, SOHN & Rufus and their debut appearance on Boiler Room. The trio intensively toured Europe and was on festival bills such as Primavera, Pukkelpop, Glastonbury & Fusion festival.

Bengali Cinema, the second EP, continued Entertainment's media praise. They dominated Hype Machine's top 3 for three days straight with "Terracotta," and were named by many as a "band to watch." Radio stations such as BBC6, KEXP & Sirius XM(to name a few) picked up tracks from both EP's as well as reaching #21 on CMJ's RPM chart.

In April, the band has teamed up with The Vinyl Factory and released Modern West, Garden City Movement's 3rd and final EP in the trilogy. The Vinyl Factory encompasses a record label that worked before with artists such as xx, Massive Attack and Roisin Murphy.

'She's So Untouchable' is a cool, smooth and very catchy song. The vocals are so very well delivered and compliment what is a top notch electronic soundtrack. It's a natural listen again piece.

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Alasdair Roberts - Scarce Of Fishing.

Background words - The second track from the 'Refugee' compilation album has surfaced.

'Scarce of Fishing' is the contributed track from Scottish singer/songwriter Alasdair Roberts. The folk artist has had previous support from the likes of Uncut, Pitchfork, BBC, The Observer, The Times, and much more, before joining the 'Refugee' project, spearheaded by fellow musician Robin Adams.

The project got it's first exposure with the first track which dropped a few weeks back - 'Most People' is the contribution from Bonnie 'Prince Billy. Featuring Richard Dawson, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Linda Thompson, Alasdair Roberts, Ricky Ross, BMX Bandits and many more, the 'Refugee' album is a united effort from some of folk’s most esteemed and cult figures, who’ve contributed an original or unreleased song each to the ‘Refugee’ project.

‘Refugee’ (out digitally on July 5th through Brainfog) is a highly significant collaborative recording project which reflects, through song, the issue of the refugee crisis in its many forms, from Syria and beyond. It’s been curated by Scottish folk artist Robin Adams, who called on his close friends and musical colleagues from around the world to contribute to the project.

Each track is an unreleased original song, with contributions from the likes of the above artists. All proceeds go to the MOAS organisation (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) who’ve saved more than 13,000 lives since 2013 in the Mediterranean Sea. Read more on them at www.moas.eu. 

We featured Bonnie Prince Billy's contribution to this charitable fund raiser a few weeks back. It's a pleasure to do the same with this wonderful contribution by Alasdair Roberts. The album 'Refugee' is out July 5th, 2016 via Brainfog Records. 'Scarce Of Fishing' is a wonderful rootsy folk song, the album is shaping up to be something very special.

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Friday Five: Wojtek the bear - Twin Graves - Tiergarten - Brooklyn Doran - Ranch Ghost

Wojtek the bear - Dead from the waist up.

Background promo - Glasgow four piece wojtek the bear release their debut single “dead from the waistup” on 17th June. Their debut offering marries quintessential indie pop songwriting with melodies and hooks as big as mountains.

The single was recorded and produced by Chris McCrory of band catholic action and is accompanied by a video shot in the wilds of South Lanarkshire by Beth Chalmers whose recent clients include Low and Martha Ffion.

The band will be playing a number of shows in the coming months to support the release including a launch gig on 16th June at Govanill Baths in Glasgow and 19th August at DF Concerts catapult showcase at the Record Factory in Glasgow.

'Dead from the waist up' is my introduction to Wojtek The Bear. It's a breezy indie pop song and for me it's just a delight. Catchy and with lyrics worth taking in, it's a fine way to get to know a bands music.

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Twin Graves - Strife.

Background promo - After emerging last year with debut EP ‘Walk In Circles’ and singles ‘Love You To Death’ & ‘No Future’, Irish/Blackpool duo Twin Graves return with brand new single ‘Strife’ which will impact 17th June.

‘Strife’ is taken from the bands forthcoming second EP ‘Exiled’, produced by Matt Peel (Eagulls, Bad Breeding) and recorded at The Nave studios in Leeds. ‘Strife’ is about reaching a crossroad in life and questioning the choices in front of you but ultimately following your heart rather than head. ‘Strife’ captures the post punk attitude of previous releases but also nods to the avant-garde pop sounds of bands such as Talking Heads.

Twin Graves are: Jeremy Aris Polychronopoulos (vocals/guitar) Zarah Lawless (vocals/bass/synth).

The duo Twin Graves create quite a powerful sound with the new song 'Strife'. Vocals are really good and a key feature, as the song develops they are slowly engulfed by the ever growing soundtrack.

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Tiergarten - Der Zorn Gottes.

Background promo - It was late 2013, when Mats Rybø, a songwriter for the girls in the famous band Katzenjammer started to get serious attention for forming the band Tiergarten. His delicate vocals may garner much of the attention but the electronic sound wrapped in an effortless power-perormance is what unifies the sound's entirety.

Tiergarten has refined and perfected their style into a new sound that they feel encapsulates the essence of pop music with a rock dynamic, alternating between moments full of drama and a delightful energy. The Oslo based band members are: Mats Rybø, Anne Marit Bergheim, Odd Kristian Svedal, Stian Sveen and Trine Skullestad Hølland.

The first single, "Der Zorn Gottes", is driven by the two lead vocals and its perfectly balanced synths. The topic concerns megalomaniacs, the driven and twisted individuals who think they act on behalf of higher powers. It fuels a passion within the person that is simultaneously righteous and reviled, a dangerous dichotomy that plays perfectly into the strengths on display within the song.

According to the band 'Der Zorn Gottes' "concerns the megalomaniacs, the angry and twisted avengers who think they act on behalf of higher powers". They then add that "catchy synth pop" follows. Well I completely agree with the song being catchy, in fact it's something of an epic. Very impressive!

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Brooklyn Doran - Paper Wings.

Background from Brooklyn - “Paper Wings” is the first single from my forthcoming album “These Paper Wings”. The song began as a poem that I wrote several years ago, that I revisited when writing for the album.

The single and the album were recorded over 2015 and 2016 at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton Ontario. Produced, mixed and recorded by Dan Hosh (City and Colour, Arkells, Rose Cousins) and mastered by Elliott Brood's Stephen Pitkin at Modest Heights Recording. 

The track tells the story of Icarus, but is told from the perspective of the sun. I feel like this song, while still in the realm of indie-folk is a truer representation of where I feel I am musically right now.

A big part of the process for me is creating a conversation through music. And it's something I am incredibly interested in. It's one of the main reasons that I make music and put it out into the world. 'These Paper Wings' is set for release in September 2016.

'Paper Wings' is a gentle song, that demonstrates just what a really fine voice Brooklyn Doran has. Musically it's a quite laid back, acoustic piece, just right and in all a delightful song.

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Ranch Ghost - Ragged Mile.

Background promo - Lookin was recorded almost entirely live and produced by Mitch Jones (Fly Golden Eagle, Thunderbitch, Majestico) at his studio in East Nashville. This album was Ranch Ghost's first endeavor into recording the sonic incarnation of each of its member's thoughts, inspirations, and creative energy. The band has been audibly molded by the vibrations of Link Wray and Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, while the influence of Nina Simone, Hank Williams, and Miles Davis remains slightly obscured underneath the murky surface.

Jones helped bring forth into the world a musical apparition, simultaneously bearing the primal growl of The Velvet Underground and the punctured speaker cones of The Kinks. Deliberately injected within this chaos, there lies the necessary space for singer Joshua Meador’s prose to be able to stand comfortably, but with canines bared.

Upcoming Ranch Ghost Tour Dates:

6/18 - Nashville, TN - The East Room (album release show, w/ Clear Plastic Masks and Sun Seeker)
7/15 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island Amphitheater (w/ Alabama Shakes).

There's plenty of energy and rock'n'roll vibes in 'Ragged Mile' a song that thumps along, taking the listener with it. The band do indeed have a live feel about them, and the music is all the richer for that.

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Quality Not Quantity: Em George - Brooklyn Michelle

Em George - Blues Lady.

Background bio - Em George is a singer-songwriter from Sydney. Em began to be interested in songwriting after discovering the sounds of Carole King, Lou Reed, The Beatles and Leonard Cohen.

Teaching herself the guitar, Em began to play around with melodies and sounds, combining her love of poetry and writing with music.

Writing about personal experience, or about the absurdities and observances of life, Em’s songs display an introspective quality that is unique to her as an artist. Drawing from influences of all genres of music, her melodies help to express the true meaning of the lyrics. Her first single Murderers On The Inside was released in 2013 and was played on FBi radio, Triple J Unearthed and Home Brew Radio. The single was featured on blogs such as Mad Mackerel and Made Static. In November 2013, Murderers On The Inside was optioned by HBO for use in film and television. This was followed by the track being remixed by L.A based producer Stephen Kozmeniuk (Madonna, Kayne West).

In June 2014, Em released Truth which received airplay on radio across the country such as FBi, Inner FM (Melbourne) and reached gold rotation on digital station, Traxx. It was also featured on Mood Media. The track was also featured on several blogs such as Mistree Magazine (U.K) and the United States, drawing comparisons to Regina Spektor and Beth Orton. In 2015, Truth was featured in the soundtrack of Unplanned America season two which premiered on SBS 2.

Em was featured in The Music Network alongside artists such as C.W Stoneking, after her third single Paper Hearts, released in early 2015, spent two weeks in the AMRAP Metro and Regional charts reaching number three. It was featured on Triple J Unearthed, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Mood Media and was SYN Radio’s track of the week alongside Aerial Love by Daniel Johns (Silverchair). It was also released to radio in the United States, achieving airplay in New York, California and Texas. She was also selected for industry judging in the second round of the APRA Professional Development Awards 2015.

“Blues Lady” is the second release from Em’s debut self-titled EP. The song was written about Billie Holiday and was selected as a semi-finalist for the International Songwriting Competition 2015. "Em George" EP will be released 27th of May 2016.

Beehive Candy included Em George a few months back and the new single from her self titled EP is well worth another feature. 'Blues Lady' continues the intimate modern folk feel. As singer song writers go Em George has certainly struck a chord with me, to the point where I genuinely check her new material out with a fair amount of excitement, and certainty that I'm going to at the very least, appreciate it.

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Brooklyn Michelle - Stick Up.

Background bio - Brooklyn Michelle is an artist and music producer from San Antonio, Texas. Brooklyn's greatest childhood hero and role model is her "Paw Paw", who gave her the endless desire to create something extraordinary from scratch all by herself, just as he could. His ability to build or fix practically anything alone from cars to entire houses amazed Brooklyn and set an example of what hard work really looked like. Her grandfather, Rodney L Kirk, also shared Brooklyn's love for music with her. He was very persistent in keeping up with their after dinner guitar sessions, always demanding to hear the new songs she had learned or written. Brooklyn's Paw Paw is without a doubt her biggest fan and the sole purpose in dedication to her music career. At 13 years old Brooklyn went through her first heartbreak when she lost that number 1 fan to Pancreatic Cancer. She has chosen to revolve everything she does in her life around and her guardian angel's passion to create.

 Now involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Brooklyn holds the position of PurpleLight Chair for the San Antonio Affiliate. This meaning she hosts this Affiliates annual ceremony, PurpleLight, "An evening to honor and remember those affected by Pancreatic Cancer". Brooklyn has exciting long-term plans of turning the local event into an annual music festival in San Antonio with the proceeds going towards the cause. An impressive artist line-up along with the sundown ceremony remaining the main event (and more spectacular at that) could lead to a significant increase in awareness to the disease and people wanting to get involved.  Brooklyn aims to use her and her grandfather's passion for music to draw the enormous amounts of attention the deadly disease demands towards San Antonio's PurpleLight and ultimately skyrocket funds to fight it. For Brooklyn to build something so simple into the extraordinary, for this cause especially will be her Paw Paw's ultimate creation.

Stick Up is the single off of San Antonio artist, Brooklyn Michelle's upcoming album, Lithium. This witty song is for all of those who have been stood up before and wish to seek revenge. Lithium is an original alternative hip hop LP written and produced by Brooklyn Michelle. Each song tells a story from a past experience that may contrast in mood from one song to the next, hence the reference to the bipolar medication, Lithium. The album is to be released worldwide fall of 2016.

'Stick Up' has been around for a little while and remains an enticing teaser for the keenly awaited album 'Lithium'. Brooklyn Michelle delivers a highly accessible alternative hip hop style, that should appeal well beyond the core genre's audience. This is creative and for me quite original material, I look forward to hearing more this autumn/fall.

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