Thursdays Two: Deleter - Electric Floor

Deleter - Start To Watch.

Background - Deleter is a punk rock/post-punk group from Minneapolis, MN composed of vocalist/guitarist Knol Tate (Askeleton, Killsadie), bassist/vocalist Travis Collins (Spirit Of 76, We Are The Willows), drummer/percussionist Josh McKay (Farewell Continental, Small Towns Burn A Little Slower) and guitarist Jordan Morantez (Blue Green, The King & The Thief).  

Formed in 2012 as a means to deal with pent up musical and personal frustrations, the band decided to create by not over-thinking or over producing their brand of angular punk, but to keep the urgency and immediacy of their first thoughts and play by instinct. Over their short lifetime they have managed to refine their first creative thoughts to a bold and loud, sometimes obtuse, yet dynamic burst of musical therapy. Tate’s lyrics composed of poetry with classic lyricism create a voice with a unique perspective, while the band thrashes and dashes through songs before you can take the lyrical prowess in. 

After a slew of self-released singles in early 2013 followed by several EPs in the following years, Deleter released their first full length “Oblique Seasons” late in 2015. Deleter’s newest endeavor, the EP “Meaningless Chants,” shows a more manic yet rhythmic side while remaining thoughtful and concise. The songs on “Meaningless Chants” are the most outrightly political work Deleter has put on record, five anthems of the absurd for an absurd time. Bandcamp here and Facebook here.

Full of punk angst 'Start To Watch' is a song that delivers full on rock'n'roll. It's the simple and classic punk era chord changes, that kick in halfway through which seal the song for me, more please!

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Electric Floor - Bluedive.

Background - New wave synth-gaze outfit Electric Floor have announced they will release their forthcoming 'Fader' EP in March via the Vipchoyo Sound Factory label. The Italian trio now presents 'Bluedive', the first single from this album, which exhibits clear underpinnings from Psychedelic Furs, Echo & The Bunnymen and Modern English and will appeal to fans of Interpol, Kasabian and The Wombats. 

"Bluedive is like a surge - it was born during a bad period for us. Initially it was only messy ideas, but we gradually gave it form. The lyrics are suspended between romance and sadness, anger and exhortation," explains Emanuele Chiarelli. "Just like the other songs, our lyrics in this one are very emotional and tidal."

This Cosenza-based trio is comprised of Emanuele Chiarelli (vocals/ guitar), Simone Costantino De Luca (programming/ keys), and Fabio Cosentino (bass). Formed in 2009, the band's concept is based on emotive feelings. 'Fader' will be their third album, following up the self-produced albums '300' and 'Falsità reali' and singles 'Your Blue' and 'My Bloody G'. On this latest release, the band is geared more towards an electronic sound. 

The latest few singles have brought them increased press and radio coverage in numerous countries, but 'Fader' will likely see this attention explode due to the virtually melting pot of synthpop, shoegaze, chillwave and electrogaze presented here. "This selection of songs features tracks closely linked to each other with a common denominator in that they dive into our conscience," explains Emanuele Chiarelli. Facebook here.

'Bluedive' is a bright and vibrant song mixing synths and vocals with the added element of "shoegaze power" for want of a better description. In some ways the track is a little bit retro in sound, however it's done so well that, there's no complaint from me.

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Midweek Muse: Twilight Fields - Lucina Luchii

Twilight Fields - All the Love I Can.

Background - Twilight Fields is from Northern Canada and makes a mixture of atmospheric and psychedelic rock and influences from progressive rock, ambient, dream-pop, psych-folk and shoegaze.

"All the Love I Can" was originally conceived as part of a Beach Boys cover ep of the song "All I Wanna Do" from the "Sunflower" album. When I dropped that idea half finished, I decided I still really liked one of the original compositions I had intended to include, "All the Love I Can", which emphasizes the theme of unconditional love of the original song.

The production pays homage to the wall of sound production style practised by Brian Wilson and Phil Spector. "False Friend" is an old song redone in an ambient pop style and deals with the subject of betrayal. Facebook here.

We are told by Twilight Fields regarding the new song  'All the Love I Can' - "I thought it would be a good way to start the year... it actually has a positive feeling! And I have a feeling that this year we will need those".  'All the Love I Can' may be an expression of positive feelings, I would add it's one very beautiful track (as is it's companion False Friend) and in terms of paying homage, I think it's a case of job done, and very well at that.

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Lucina Luchii - Fly High.

Background - Lucina Luchii pairs up with the high-flying D/A Music Group this winter for the release of ‘Fly High’ – a silky smooth, vocal and keys combo that merges the stunning vocalist’s beautiful aural tones with a clean and reflective instrumental. Rolling along at a steady 74BPM – the production starts out stripped back with just mellow piano chords and Lucina’s voice holding the centre stage. As ‘Fly High’ grows we’re treated to a full course of half-time rhythms, soulful brass glides and subtle low end bass notes which come together to create a reflective backbeat to Lucina’s memorable vocal performance.

Released via the reliable talent stable of D/A Music Group, the collective once again introduce us to a talent that’s capable of garnering international plaudits. High end, modern crossover Pop/Soul/R&B is hard to find outside of the household names which makes D/A’s A&R efforts all the more impressive. If this is a sign of things to come, we can no doubt be looking forward to an exciting year ahead for both the group and Lucina alike. Facebook here.

'Fly High' is a rich and gently building song where the vocals and music are so well matched. Production is sensitive allowing Lucina's vocals to hold centre stage, with the soundtrack adding just enough to ensure the hooks dig in.

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Heat - Overnight (Album release & Tour Dates)

Heat - Lush, (from the album Overnight).

Background - One only needs to take a quick glance at the bands that Montreal quintet Heat have been compared with to get a firm grasp on the visceral, wholesome noise they produce. From the brash pop of Echo and the Bunnymen to the post-punk leanings of Psychedelic Furs, this is a band that proudly take their place in the great alt-rock lineage, delivering rousing, thrilling anthems for the disenfranchised. Initially starting as “as an excuse to get together and drink”, Heat has grown in to something far more significant - and new record Overnight offers their most notable work to-date.

Recorded at Montreal’s Breakglass Studio, the recording process was something of a rocky road for the band but the resulting record is a vehement leap forward, and one that looks set to cement Heat’s status as one of Canada’s most formidable exports. Led by the band’s three founding members, Susil Sharma (Vocals, Guitar, Synth), Matthew Fiorentino (Guitar, Synth), and Raphael Bussieres (Bass),  Overnight feels resolutely solid; old-school aesthetics delivered with a defiantly fresh-faced outlook.

Showcasing the bands shadowy undertones, lead single “Lush” is a heavy-hearted meeting of dark sentiments and inventive instrumentals, while closing track “Chains” offers something altogether more sparkling; a wildly ambitious seven-minute trip that matches Sharma’s slurring, hangover-ridden vocal with colorful washes of spaced-out, guitar-led soundscapes that sits alongside the likes of Preoccupations and DIIV at the forefront of the current alternative scene.

Co-produced by Grammy Award winner Alex Newport, who has worked with the likes of Death Cab and At The Drive In, Overnight is another significant milestone in Heat’s turbulent, tempestuous journey, but it’s a record that sees the band thriving in their current predicament. Ragged, raging, and unrestrained – they’ve simply never sounded better. Overnight will be released on January 20th 2017, via Topshelf Records (US)/The Hand Recordings (CAN)/Rallye Records (JP). Website here, Facebook here.

Tour Dates:
02.02.17 - Montreal, QC @ Ritz PDB
02.04.17 - Quebec, QC @ L’Anti
02.08.17 - Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Tavern
02.09.17 - Toronto, ON @ Baby G
02.10.17 - London, ON @ NZK Palace
02.11.17 - Guelph, ON @ Hillside Inside Festival
02.12.17 - Hamilton, ON @ Casbah
02.24.17 - Sherbrooke, QC @ La Petite Boite Noire
03.04.17 - Saint-Hyacinthe, QC @ Zaricot
03.14.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.15.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.16.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.17.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.18.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.19.17 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
04.18.17 - St John, NB @ Callahans Pub
04.19.17 - Sackville, NB @ Thunder & Lightning
04.20.17 - Halifax, NS @ Seahorse Tavern
04.21.17 - Fredericton, NB @ Flourish Festival
04.22.17 - Moncton, NB @ Claude’s House

Sharing the song 'Lush' as the single and as a taster for the album 'Overnight' may be in part, something of a well considered Chess move. It's a fine alt rock song in it's own right, that said, it's almost an understatement of just whats in store on the album. I guess the move is pretty straight forward, if the song gets your attention, the album will blow you away. So maybe it's a pretty smart move as well. Alt rock that veers towards punk attitude in places and a touch of grunge elsewhere, keeps the whole album interesting and pretty much addictive the whole way through.

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2017 and the beat goes on: Vaudevileins - Melanie Crew

2017 and the beat goes on, musically it's a little quiet on the new material front, how long for we shall see....

Vaudevileins - Sea Anemone.

Background - Chicago’s Vaudevileins released their new LP Magician on vinyl, CD, and digital download back on Nov. 18, 2016. Along with Jeff Julian (vox/guitar), Brennen Chouinard (drums/vox), and Bill Aldridge (bass), Evan Mohler joins Vaudevileins on lead guitar for the band’s second full-length recording, which will be their first release on vinyl.

The 10-song album is the culmination of a multi-year songwriting and recording effort at Aldridge’s Third City Sound in Joliet, Illinois. Bill engineered the project, and the band worked with their long-time collaborator Jeff Halland, who mixed and mastered Magician for digital and vinyl at his home studio in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

“We are really excited to finish Magician and have people hear it,” said Julian. “We think these are our best songs to date and we’re really proud of the production and the finished product.” Website here, Facebook here and Bandcamp here.

OK so we are still doing a little catching up on recent releases, this time with Vaudevileins and we feature the opening song 'Sea Anemone' which typifies the bands no nonsense, indie rock music. Fresh and powerful, I get the sense this is a band that just loves to perform.

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Melanie Crew - Parade.

Background - Melanie Crew is a London based singer and musician writing gentle acoustic music with soulful melodies.  Her second EP, Further Away, was released in October 2016, following the release of her first EP, Until the End, in August 2015. Melanie has received radio play from BBC 6 Music and BBC Kent, as well as numerous local stations.

​Born in West London, and now living in East London, Melanie's music is influenced by favourite artists including Elliott Smith, Roddy Woomble, Neko Case, Hem, and Kathryn Williams.

​Melanie is also interested in writing and photography, and her website includes favourite blogs and photos. Bandcamp here, Website here and Facebook here.

From the second EP 'Further Away' we feature the second track 'Parade'. Melanie Crew writes and performs melodic and gentle acoustic based songs with her beautiful vocals making all the difference. It's good to see she is getting some UK radio attention, with songs this good, that's well deserved.

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