Background promo - Allister Thompson has led a varied musical life, having been a solo folkie but also a member of cult 70s-style glam band Crash Kelly. He has recorded Krautrock under the project name The Gateless Gate and a psych album as Khan Tengri, as well as several solo folk albums. His 2009 progressive rock album Shadowlands was well-received by progressive rock reviewers. Teri-Lynn Janveau is a classically trained pianist who also has composed and played as a member of The Gateless Gate. Tim Timleck is a veteran Canadian drummer with such playing and recording credits as Carole Pope, Emm Gryner and Universal Honey, amongst many others.
“Further Up, Further In!” is the debut full-length art-rock album by Twilight Fields, of North Bay, Canada. The expansive sound and reflective, philosophical tone of this recording stem from many influences, from psychedelic and progressive rock to eighties neo-psych and alternative, psych-folk, and even ambient and shoegaze.
My way of musical thinking has been strongly affected by early spacy progressive rock acts like Pink Floyd and The Moody Blues, the cosmic psych of Hawkwind or Jefferson Airplane, but also the intelligence, passion and depth of eighties bands like The Waterboys, Midnight Oil, New Model Army, and The Church, the wistful sounds of seventies British folk songwriters and the vocal arrangements of The Beach Boys.
One of eleven tracks on the new full length album 'Our Anthem (99)' is representative of the high quality songs, that can be found on 'Further Up, Further In'. The bands mentioned above, are probably strong influences of many an artist or band, however with this album those influences have helped in the creativity, rather than dominate the end work. This album has so many unique attributes, along with mature lyrics, and beautifully constructed songs and music. For anyone who loves progressive, ambient and even modern folk music (and a fair number of other genres), I cannot recommend this album enough.
Background promo - Ine Hoem´s voice hits you right in the heart. Her vocal strong sound has elements from both modern electronic music and the jazz universe.
Her debut album "Angerville" received tons of positive reviews, and her single "This year" gained a lot of airplay in her native Norway. That song was also used in the Canadian/US TV series "Degrassi".
Ine Hoem has spent the last 12 months in a studio in Gotland, Sweden, together with producer Tobias Fröberg (Ane Brun, Loreen, Anna Bergendahl) and the musicians Lars Skoglund (Lykke Li) and Robert Elovsson (Robyn).
The result is the album "Moonbird", due to be released February 10th. These nine strong songs creates a dark musical universe, and makes you think of artists like Kate Bush and Lykke Li. The first single, and title track, "Moonbird" is out now.
With rich swirling synth sounds 'Moonbird' grabbed my attention before Ine Hoem had even begun to sing. Once she did, then wow! what a fabulous voice, and vocal range. Melodic through and through, this is one fabulous song.
Background - No Monster Club has just released the first track from their forthcoming 7" EP - it's a catchy, tropical-tinged pop march that elicited an impromptu conga-line during its debut airing at Electric Picnic over the weekend.
No Monster Club is the cartoonish art-pop brainchild of Dublin's Bobby Aherne - a project that has already produced around a dozen albums containing "the kind of tunefulness that makes a joke of so much contemporary pop music" (The Irish Times).
Emotional Response are proud to announce the release of No Monster Club’s debut US release, which is also the bands’ debut foray into the 7inch vinyl medium! Skillfully mastered to ensure maximum fidelity, this immediately catchy and classic pop EP contains Four jump-up-and-down solid gold bangers, heralding Aherne’s songwriting as it blossoms into dazzling brilliance.
Catch them on tour later this month: 9/24 Louie’s Back Room, Kalamazoo, MI 9/25 Burlington Bar, Chicago, IL 9/26 Pinky Swear, Chicago, IL 9/27 Stone Tavern at Michel’s, Kent, OH 9/28 Coyote Joe’s, Dubois, PA 9/29 The Dev, Utica, NY 9/30 TBA, NYC 10/1 Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Hempstead, NY 10/5 New Funky Jungle, Providence, RI
'Hippocampus Circus Maximus' may well have been featured just for the song title alone. That it is a bright and uplifting fun tune, secured it. That pop can still make me smile and feel good, is something pretty special, as is this song.
Background - Folk Rock from Copenhagen via Northampton, Neil Brophy Band combine powerful lyrics, upbeat folk guitar and iconic banjo & whistle melodies to deliver an infectiously catchy song with a serious political message in the outspoken new single “Fear of Fear”, out 21st October. Infused with a raw, brash Celtic soul sound that recalls the likes of Billy Bragg, The Pogues and Ewan MacColl, “Fear of Fear” mixes reflective lyrics and driving instrumentation to create a catchy and politically charged anti-anthem, bursting at the seams with defiance.
“Right-wing news channels and politicians feed us with their propaganda machine, breeding hatred and fear, which they use to misguide us. ‘Fear of Fear’ as the title suggests, lays out in black and white the lies we are fed.” - Neil Brophy. Brophy originally from Moulton, Northamptonshire, left the UK in 1990 on a backpacking trip and never made it back on a permanent basis. The prolific songwriter busked his way around Australia, NZ and the States for several years picking up songs and stories along the way, honing his craft by combining elements of his travels with social commentary & revelry and moulding into song.
Led by singer and song smith, Neil Brophy, the band has toured extensively in Northern Europe and Scandinavia becoming firm favourites on the festival circuit including multiple festival appearances in Germany, Holland and Belgium. UK festivals include Beautiful Days, Big Session and Middlewhich Festival. Now based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Folk Rock band Neil Brophy Band has been recording and touring since 1998. With several releases under their belt, the English-Scottish-Danish band’s last single ‘The Record Collector’, released on Record Store Day, was championed by Steve Lamacq, receiving substantial airplay on BBC 6 Music.
Neil Brophy Band will be returning to the UK in October to play a selection of exclusive shows including dates with Blackbeard’s Tea Party.
12/10 The Dublin Castle - London 14/10 Adelphi - Hull - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party 15/10 Telford Warehouse - Chester - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party 16/10 FAC251 - Manchester - Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party
Music with a message is alive and well with songs like 'Fear Of Fear'. Musically it's something of a modern day folk piece with a sprinkling of Celtic influences. Melodic and catchy, the lyrics cut to the chase, getting the point across, whilst the harmonies, make it just so likable.
Background - Levitation Sickness is the new single from the bands third studio album 100% Sunshine. This follows up from last years record Burnt Black Cars, the record which helped propel the bands career forward and gained support from Q Magazine, Noisey & Clash Magazine to name a few drawing comparisons to Slowdive, Toy and My Bloody Valentine for their blend of shoegaze and stoner rock. Th album was released 2nd September 2016 via Noyes.
Formed in 2006 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Slow Down Molasses rank among Western Canada’s finest musical exports. Their third album, 100% Sunshine, will be released on September 2, 2016 on Noyes Records, and forges new sonic territory for the band while retaining their unique hybrid of ’90s Anglophilia and contemporary Canadian rock. 2015’s Burnt Black Cars was hailed as “drug-drenched psych-pop” by Q magazine and “immediately memorable and timeless” by The Line of Best Fit, with the band going on to share the stage with the New Pornographers, Swervedriver, Built to Spill, Preoccupations (fka Viet Cong) and the Besnard Lakes. Veterans of festivals across North America (SXSW, CMJ, NXNE, Sled Island) as well as European (Incubate, End of the Road, Liverpool Sound City, Great Escape, Reeperbahn, Nouvelle Prague), the band are renowned as a euphoric live experience, with Exclaim praising their “huge, stadium-ready sound and colourful presence”. Slow Down Molasses are singer/guitarist Tyson McShane, drummer Jordan Kurtz, bassist Chris Morin, guitarist/keyboardist Aaron Scholz, guitarist Levi Soulodre and keyboardist/singer Jeanette Stewart.
Live Dates: 6 Sept @ Club Kukuun Hamburg 7 Sept @ Culture Container - Berlin 8-11 Sept @ Incubate Festival, Tilburg, NL 16 September @ Amigos, Saskatoon - record release show.
'Levitation Sickness' is the second song we have featured from Slow Down Molasses new album. The bands distinctive sound, remains quite hypnotic, with lush powerful music and vocals packed tightly into the mix.
Background - Hailing from Ottawa, Canada, The PepTides is a nine-member band with a distinctive larger-than-life pop sound. The five vocalists and four instrumentalists draw on funk, electronic and disco influences. They have been described by the Ottawa Citizen as “the B52’s crossed with The Manhattan Transfer backed by Arcade Fire.”
A snapshot of Canadian diversity, The PepTides is a collection of women and men with a kaleidoscope of identities: English, French, Ukrainian, Mexican, Guyanese, Cree, Acadian, Armenian, Scottish and Lgbtq. The group is noted for its extravagant live performances featuring thick vocal harmonies, theatrical choreography and colourful visuals. The PepTides’ songs juxtapose upbeat music with lyrics that comment on far-reaching themes like love, hate, revenge, sex, religion, war—and getting ready for dates.
In 2013, The PepTides garnered national attention by producing a full-length album in collaboration with Stuart McLean of CBC Radio’s Vinyl Cafe. They performed selections from the album live on the 20th anniversary recording of the show. Their 2014 release Love Question Mark was lauded by Exclaim! as “an ambitious collection of fun, daring, unadulterated, true blue art.” For Those Who Hate Human Interaction (2010) was named best album of the year by the Ottawa Citizen.
The PepTides EP, released in September 2016, features all-new recordings of the band’s greatest hits—including the summer single “Don’t Believe in Love,” which aired on commercial radio from coast to coast in Canada and received positive reviews from DJs internationally. The band has charmed audiences at major music festivals (RBC Bluesfest, Ottawa International Jazz Festival), bars (Blacksheep Inn, Horseshoe Tavern), showcases (NXNE, Folk Music Ontario), and theatre festivals (SummerWorks, Undercurrents).
M3TV’s take on The PepTides says it all: “Mixing their stunning vocals with funk beats underneath a soulful sound, an abundance of theatrical dance moves and kitschy quirks, they defy any genre or description. One must simply see them to believe them.”
Upcoming Fall Tour dates (with more to come): Sept 9 - Thyme and Again - Ottawa, ON Sept 10 - Live on Elgin (matinee & evening shows)- Ottawa, ON Sept 15 - Queens Univeristy - Kingston, ON Sept 30 - Junction City Music Hall - Toronto, ON Oct 22 - Gallery Studio (CS Art) - Ottawa, ON Nov 1 - venue TBD - Montreal, QC Nov 11 - Heartwood Concert Hall - Owen Sound, ON Nov 12 - Old Town Hall – Almonte, ON.
Beyond being a vibrant and colourful live act, The PepTides create melodic and hook laden songs as the featured track 'Don't Believe in Love' demonstrates. One of six on the bands latest release, it's a consistently creative collection of music that mixes funk, pop and soul vibes with a huge element of energy.
Background promo - Nashville alternative artist Fleurie has announced the release of her new album, Love And War. The album will be available to purchase and stream at all digital outlets when it releases on September 19.
This eight-song release features four new songs, and four previously released tracks which have received considerable TV/film attention. "Soldier" was used in the international film trailer for Concussion starring Will Smith, "Hurts Like Hell" can be heard in MTV's Scream, and she's had multiple placements on CW's The Originals with "Breathe" and "Sirens." The four new songs on Love And War have also been written with TV/film in mind, and that focus can be heard in each track's lush, orchestral, and cinematic soundscape.
In addition to releasing Love And War, Fleurie will also support hip-hop artist NF on tour this fall. Her direct support slot begins on September 20 and and will feature songs from Love And War as well as her critically acclaimed EP, Arrows.
'Soldier' is typical of the quality, imagination and thought that Fleurie consistently puts into her music. This is one of eight songs on the new album, and for me it is her best work yet. Atmosphere, melodic themes and her own fine vocals shine through across the collection - wonderful.
Background - Camille Poliquin believes that she was born out of melancholy. You probably know her best as one-half of Milk & Bone, the Montreal-based duo that makes minimalist music that sounds so pretty, it could almost bring you to tears. With her solo project Kroy, Poliquin has embarked on an artistic journey to fully explore her deepest, darkest fears. Unsurprisingly, given Poliquin’s alleged birthplace, Koy’s latest single “Bones” is oozing with melancholy. Every time the whirlwind of synths crescendos, her fragile voice practically floats through the speakers. It’s almost like a quiet storm that sweeps through unexpectedly and destroys everything in its path, but you want to follow it anyway. Poliquin explained why the song is very personal to her: “It’s about a relationship that was only possible in the sunlight but always behind closed doors. I just felt so helpless. I just wanted to be able to wake up with the other person at least once you know?” Kroy’s debut EP Scavenger is out on September 23 via Honeymoon (U.S.) and Dare To Care (Canada).
'Bones' is a contrast of Camille's softer and tuneful vocals, against a more expansive electro soundtrack. The melody, and charm is there all the way through, however the hooks may well have got to you a few seconds in.
Background - Perfectionism comes at a price. Bridges and Powerlines spent two years completing their new LP National Fantasy, building a professional recording studio in the cellar of an NYC brownstone to indulge in obsessive studio craft. To further complicate matters, during the creation of the album, the band built and opened Gold Sounds, a live music venue in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. The studio and venue are now commercially successful entities, and the band has refocused on the stimulus for these projects, recording and performing music.
The band began production of National Fantasy in 2014, recording rhythm tracks in the expansive warehouse space of Room 17 studios in Williamsburg, Brooklyn before moving to their newly constructed studio in Harlem. Longtime producer Kieran Kelley (known best for his work on Sufjan Stephens’ ‘Illinois’) was an integral team member for the process, and he went on to mix the album as well. Mattie Safer, of indie dance titans The Rapture, contributed backing vocals on the album, including the title track and lead single, National Fantasy.
The story of Bridges and Powerlines goes back to 2006, when the members met and realized a common love for both harmony-laden three-minute pop songs and the angular indie rock of 90s college radio bands like Guided by Voices and the Archers of Loaf. This union produced a critically acclaimed debut EP, described as "an exhilarating racket," (sixeyes) and "a taught example of why [Bridges and Powerlines] should be added to your list of bands to watch." (IGN.com) The success of their EP attracted producer Chris Zane (Passion Pit, The Walkmen, White Rabbits), and the band spent much of 2007 writing and recording their debut album Ghost Types. The album received favorable nods in multiple influential outlets from Pitchfork (“Now that’s power”) to Yahoo Music (“Incontrovertibly fun”). The lead singles from that record, “Uncalibrated,” and from their self-titled debut EP in 2006, “Carmen,” have been downloaded over 100,000 times.
These records were followed by several successful tours including regular appearances at SXSW at CMJ. Bridges and Powerlines has also played shows supporting friends The Antlers as well as Clues, Anathallo, Women, HEALTH, Chappo, Drink up Buttercup, Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, +/- and many others. Their newest record, National Fantasy, will be released on 10.7.2016 on Devise Records.
'National Fantasy' is a fine song from an equally good album. It is the title track, and one of twelve songs that take the listener in a variety of directions that gently drift across genres with ease. The care and attention is evident within each song, this clearly has been a labour of love. It might be indie or alt rock or pop, what it definitely is, - is a really good listen.
Background - Grown from a mutual love of vintage synthesisers, classic disco, and house, New York based 88 Palms is the newly-formed duo of producer and keyboardist Morgan Wiley (of Midnight Magic, ex Hercules & Love Affair) and singer and DJ Ria Bouttier realizing their tropical disco dreams. Today the disco house outfit launches their debut music video for their single“Bright Lights". The stunning cinematic visuals capture New York’s sultry August mood with retro-futurism then an arthouse action-noir, with late-night motorcycle rides, neon reflections and mirror balls spinning in time with hazy discotheque beats.
Having both DJ’d in various New York clubs, 88 Palms is equally at home at a daytime poolside show oozing decadent downtempo, or in the pounding 808 kicks of an underground warehouse party. Hailing from the deserts of Las Vegas and Utah, as well as Los Angeles, 88 Palms brings together spacious sonic landscapes of the West with the tight production sounds of classic New York dance music.
'Bright Lights' has a deep synth laden soundtrack and a powerful rhythmic beat that compliment the delightfully soothing vocals. There is a classic dance feel and the video plays to this, in what is an equally modern feeling song, clearly loving it's retro heritage.
Background promo - Hidden Stash is a new 6-piece roots rock band led by emerging songwriter Michael Gray offering up rock, pop, blues, soul, C&W and folk with a retro twist. Their debut album Mixed Cassette Tape is a 70’s inspired rock album that takes listeners back in time when people used to listen to albums from start to finish.
Mixed Cassette Tape is expertly co-produced and arranged by Derek Downham (The Beauties), and features Divine Brown, Damhnait Doyle, Shelley Coopersmith, Denis Keldie, Jim Bish, Russ Boswell and a sizzling duet with rising roots n’ roll singer Samantha Martin.
Being the son of Jerry Gray, the legendary folk musician who was a founding member of The Travellers and the brother of James Gray who served more than 13 years’ in Blue Rodeo, Gray grew up surrounded by music. The band name Hidden Stash comes from the idea that he has kept this hidden stash of songs that he wrote for years and is now ready to reveal them to the world.
A stand out track “Chasing Sunsets” features Juno award winning vocalist Divine Brown with a personal story about finding yourself and chasing your dreams. “Wasted” is about an executive who’s on the road chasing his next fix. “I had written it with a Little Feat kind of vibe,” says Gray, “then Derek created this really great acoustic slide riff at the top, and turned it into a funky New Orleans tune.” “Are You With Me?” has special meaning to Gray as it was his wedding song that he had written for his wife. The talented Samantha Martin joins him for a powerful duet.
The official Hidden Stash CD release party will take place September 19th in Toronto along with the annual James Gray Tribute Concert to benefit SHINE!. Performers include a reunited local legends Vital Sines, featuring Glenn Milchem from Blue Rodeo, Heather Morgan, Brainfudge, Chris Staig, Jerry Gray of The Travellers, Nichol Robertson, Southern Sky, Hidden Stash and more. Event Details: Doors Open: 6:30PM, Hidden Stash 7:30PM, Benefit Concert 9PM At Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas West, Toronto, Ontario M6K1T9.
'Mixed Cassette Tape' may have something of a retro feel, however each song has a crisp freshness to it as typified by the featured song 'Chasing Sunsets'. The musicianship is first class and the vocals add some heart to the album. It's another case of like the song, then you'll love the album.
Background - Jesse Mac Cormack is a Montreal born and raised musician. Radiating warmth and soul, Mac Cormack’s music exposes tension and resolution’s shared core, undressing the complexities of conflict. Guided by increasingly complex arrangements, rhythmic progressions within both the acoustic and electric realm, Mac Cormack’s impassioned vocals belie their owner’s youth. Recording all of his music in his home studio, Mac Cormack has achieved a sound that is intimate and raw, both smooth and coarse. The brand new video from Jesse Mac Cormac for 'Never Enough' was shot completely on a whim while jesse was touring through the US with Half Moon Run and they passed through Slab City, an ex military base, which is now claimed to be "the last free place on earth" as a result of lack of policing and governance. There is no cast, it's completely unscripted. It was result of a boombox and some fireworks. The people in the clip just reacted to the music... it's beautiful! Jesse's forthcoming EP, After The Glow is out September 16th.
'Never Enough' is one of five tracks on the forthcoming EP, which I guess can loosely be described as alt rock. The video is both creative and fits so well with the song. The EP takes things a whole lot further musically sometimes a little darker in feel, but always, so very natural and defined.
Background - SF punk trio announce their third LP, 'Lost At The Party,' out October 14 via Slumberland Records. 'Lost At The Party,' is a long time coming, 3 years to be precise. But the time was spent well. Between stints of touring and local shows, Bassist/vocalist Phil Benson and guitarist/vocalist Corey Cunningham wrote and re-wrote songs over the course of a year in Los Angeles where Cunningham had moved since the release of their last album, 2013’s “Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere.”The idea was to broaden the Terry Malts concept and create a kaleidoscopic pop album that has a mixture of moods, each song turning to a different sound inspired by the records the band have loved over the years. The driving punk (Buzzcocks, The Undertones) that has been a cornerstone of the group’s sound sits snugly with songs steeped in indie-pop and power-pop (The Chills, Dwight Twilley).
Once the band was ready to record they enlisted Monte Vallier (Soft Moon, Weekend, Swell) to co-produce at his Ruminator Audio studio in San Francisco. It is the group’s first album recorded in a studio. 2012’s “Killing Time” & “Nobody Realizes This Is Nowhere” were both recorded in various practice spaces by guitarist Corey Cunningham and the group was intent on shaking the lo-fi tag.
The freedom of the studio allowed the band to expand on their sound with the addition of 12-string electric guitars, piano, organ, and sound effects. From driving opener “Used To Be” through jangling ballad “Gentle Eyes” to first single “Seen Everything” and haunting closer “When The Nighttime Comes,” Terry Malts have put the augmented sonic palette in the service of some of their strongest tunes yet. The resulting album, “Lost At The Party,” is a lovingly-crafted love letter to pop music in all it’s forms.
Tour Dates: Oct 8 - Carmel, CA The Rumpus Oct 9 - Los Angeles, CA - The Hi Hat,(Release show w/ Devon Williams & Susan) Oct 10 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock (Release show w/ Chook Race & Lovebirds) Oct 22 - Baltimore, MD - U+N Fest Oct 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie Oct 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Shea Stadium Oct 25 - Allston, MA - O'Brien's Pub Oct 27 - Detroit, MI - UFO Factory Oct 28 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean Oct 29 - St Louis, MO - San Loo Nov 18 - Seattle, WA - Vera Project Nov 19 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar.
There are some real punk vibes to 'Seen Everything' more akin to the new wave era of the late 1970's. Whats certain is the band really do know how to deliver short, sharp, shock, no nonsense music, so typical of that era. It's fair to add they do provide a fresher more modern take, but with all of the edge to be expected, and desired.
Background - I Grow Paper Wings new single ”Run” is the latest creation from the multi- instrumentalist, composer, producer and vocalist Jenny Gustafsson. The song is a burst of energy that through its electronic landscape and powerful vocals takes you on a grand journey. - ”Run is an explosive journey through time and space. It’s a call for energy and for life. It’s about letting go, to unite and to run. Run, cross the world together and shine brighter than the sun.” The single is produced and mixed by Jenny Gustafsson herself and mastered in the renowned Svenska Grammofonstudion in Gothenburg. The single is part of I Grow Paper Wings debut EP which will be released in september on the label GBG ART POP.
'Run' is an expansive, vocally powerful song, with some really classy electronic music. The melody and energy are quite addictive. As a whole 'Run' demonstrates that Jenny Gustafsson is one very creative and talented individual.
Twilight Fields - Our Anthem (99).
