Another Genre Wander: Step Rockets - Gris-de-Lin - CeaseTone

Step Rockets - West Coast.

Background bio - It didn't take long for Step Rockets to take off. Their self-released single “Kisser”found its way to #1 on the Hype Machine charts just two weeks after its release despite virtually no publicity. The track has since garnered over 5.5 million plays on Spotify and catapulted the band onto the international music scene. With appearances at Firefly Festival, Summerfest, SXSW, CMJ, Canadian Music Week and a slew of other festivals and major venues across North America, Step Rockets have developed a reputation as one of the most exciting new live bands on the scene, seamlessly blending wailing guitar solos and anthemic melodies with infectious dance grooves. Step Rockets continue to push the boundaries of indie pop with unique instrumentation and progressive song writing. The band's music has been featured in TV shows and commercials, including placements in Showtime's Shameless and ABC's Cougartown.

Their music exemplifies a cosmic divergence of the past, present and future, focused around memorable melodies and powerful lyrics. The band has released a collection of popular singles including "Kisser" and“Turning Tides (By Your Side)” –as well as remixes and videos –that all lead up to their highly anticipated debut EP, Future Nature, scheduled for an early April 2016 release (on Harbour/Caroline).  Step Rockets will be on tour this spring in support of the new EP and the first single, “West Coast”.

To say that Step Rockets are on a lot of peoples radar would be a pretty big understatement. So apologies that this is my first listen to the band, but there you go. Musically 'West Coast reminds me of Duran Duran (at their best), I guess it's the upbeat nature and power of the song. It's the sort of song UK top forty radio would benefit from, if they were not seemingly always targeting the under teen age group (how about where you live?).

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Gris-de-Lin - The Kick.

Background promo - Gris-de-Lin's music combines elements of post-rock, blues and alt-folk, peppered with twisted electronics.?? 'The Kick' is Gris' first solo project and was recorded in a nursery school in Dorset where she worked with producer Cee (aka Chris Hamilton). His recent credits have included the acclaimed album by American artist Torres as well as new material by Savages off-shoot Kite Base.?? Gris also collaborated on the EP's title track with producer Clyma, previously of The Infadels.

‘The Kick’ started out as a musical improvisation combining a rugby report from the local newspaper, home-made music samples and experimentation with different instruments. In addition to Cee and Clyma's involvement, Rob Ellis (Anna Calvi/PJ Harvey producer/collaborator) played drums on ‘Fireworks Begin’.

Two tracks from the EP ‘Your Ghost’ & ‘Birthday’ will be released on hand screen-printed 7” yellow vinyl on 1st April. The 7” vinyl will include digital downloads for the whole EP. The song ‘Birthday’ is also being featured on a vinyl compilation for Record Store Day that has been curated by Radio 1 DJ Alice Levine and will be given away in Richer Sounds stores throughout the UK.

Gris-de-Lin is currently touring with Bronzerat artist Joe Gideon and drummer Jim Sclavunos (Grinderman, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth) promoting Joe Gideon’s new album Versa Vice. The tour runs from 15th – 30th March nationwide and follows their recent live session for Marc Riley on BBC 6 Music.

Regular visitors here, may have noted that the occasional 'alternative' song strikes home in a big way. 'The Kick is one of four songs on the EP and it's one of four songs that have really got under my skin.

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CeaseTone - The Bright Side.

Background promo - Four piece Icelandic electro-rock band will have you simply addicted to each and every one of their songs.  With mesmerising vocals, soft synths and playful guitar strums, Ceasetone packs the floor with fans who never stop dancing.  

Their single “Full CIrcle,” released in September of 2015, hit the national radio’s top charts along with the band winning All Tomorrow’s Parties festivals “Unsigned Talent Competition.” Ceastone’s fresh sounds continue to lure fans in quicker then ever and 2016 is the year to ride the waves with them.

This is a really nice song. 'The Bright Side' is full of beautiful vocals, combining with a melodic and rich musical soundtrack. It's a case of please just listen.

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Genre Wander: Robert Nix - James Edge And The Mindstep - Missing Sibling - Jake Meadows

Robert Nix - Won't Go With The Flow'.

Background promo - Robert Nix is largely recognized as an innovative alternative artist, incorporating alternative, postpunksynth, new wave, pop, classical and progressive rock into his songs and appealing to the 'intelligent alternative music fan'.

With his unique songwriting style, musical approach and distinctive haunting voice Nix stands out from the rest of the crowd.

"Once in a Blue Moon", Robert's latest release, is his 5th. The album reveals an artist dedicated to recording his own brand of song. Nix handles all aspects of the album's writing, performance and production.

OK the album was released back in January, so late to the party again! However it's such a good LP that a quick mention seems only fair. The featured song gives a hint of what's in store, expect a lot more.
 
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James Edge And The Mindstep - On A Red Horse.

About James Edge and the Mindstep - "I want to change the way people think about acoustic music and start redefining what it can be. I am pleased to have found, in Folkstock Records, a label brave enough to take on the challenge of releasing something as unusual and abrasive as On A Red Horse".

James Edge is already a studious musical maestro and a top drawer composer. The Kent-raised musician studied composition to master’s degree level under Joe Duddell - arranger for the likes of Elbow and New Order. After moving to London and starting to gig in 2006, he formed James Edge and the Mindstep to record 2010 debut album ‘In The Hills, The Cities’. The working relationships he built around this time would provide him with some dependable collaborators, including regular engineer and occasional co-producer Tom Aitkenhead, best known for his work with Laura Marling and Bloc Party. A core jazz-folk trio of Edge, double bassist Andy Waterworth and drummer Avvon Chambers materialised. Together the trio started recording second album ‘Machines He Made’ over a five day period tracking everything live and only overdubbing the backing vocals. The songs were largely unrehearsed, with band members and additional session players mostly having not heard the pieces before. This spontaneous hodgepodge has resulted in some of the most whimsical and deeply experimental music to come out of the capital in a while. The eerie acoustics of Nick Drake inform the atmospherics of much of James’s songwriting, but his sheer compositional nous - which draws on aspects of jazz, modern classical music and punk rock and roll - elevates songs like ‘On A Red Horse’ to a place far above any glib and generic categorisation. He is closer to a modern day Zappa, channelling his eccentric art through folk arrangements to create something deeply surprising, raw, and unnerving.

The On A Red Horse EP is released 15th April 2016 on Folkstock Records. An award winning independent label, they have achieved over 20 plays on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6 Music over the last year, receiving positive Sunday Times reviews for their compilations and charting albums in The Telegraphs's Top Folk Albums of the Year for 2014 and 2015.

There is real nervous energy etched into this song. Chamber music meets folk music via all manner of directions and yet some how the whole thing ends up in a coherent and really good song.

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Missing Sibling - Mary's Rashers.

Background bio - Missing Sibling is a five-piece indie rock band from North Texas known for melodic, guitar-driven rock songs that are anthemic and sometimes melancholic, but always meant to be played loud. Their sound has been described as “a less grumpy Pixies” and like “Sleater-Kinney meets Bruce Hornsby.”

After spending 2015 playing regional shows to promote their 2015 EP, Commiserate, Missing Sibling will be expanding to national and international touring in support of their self-titled debut album, which will be out on Idol Records in April 2016.

Members: Drew Gabbert (lead vocals, guitar), Todd Walker (vocals, bass), Steph Buchanan (vocals, guitar), Kevin Buchanan (synth), Josh Hoover (drums).

There's a robust feel of  "this is our way of playing, so get over it" as Missing Sibling rip their way through 'Mary's Rashers' a song that demands the volume is notched up for your complete attention. It's a gutsy no nonsense rock'n'roll piece and it works!

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Jake Meadows - Echo Of Tomorrow (feat. Daniel Johns).

Background - Sydney artist Jake Meadows has a new track that features Daniel Johns who collaborated with him on his upcoming EP. Echo of Tomorrow is Meadows' debut single was released on March 11th

Echo of Tomorrow is a clear and honest portrait of the artist’s imprint. With Daniel Johns as an honoured collaborator, Meadows has created a modern marriage of true analog and electronic

His signature sound has been built from years of experimenting with modern electronic techniques, classical harp and rich harmonious layers has featured as part of John’s recent shows as well as with Angus & Julia Stone, Eves The Behaviour, Paul Max, Thelma Plum and many other  Australian artists.

'Echo Of Tomorrow' has layers of calming sounds and a real atmospheric feel. Vocals are a perfect fit for the music, whilst the rhythmic beat ensures the whole piece flows just right.

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L Is For An Australian Double Play: Little Coyote - Lama

Little Coyote - Neverending.

Background promo - Emerging from the sands of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, alternative-pop-rockers Little Coyote have been playing venues since their first live show at Upstairs Beresford mid-2014.

Combining thumping beats (Anto Dinh, drums) and funky resonance (Gareth Bussey, bass), with a vintage-feel 6-string twanging fluidity (Matt Coates, guitar) and powerful, rich poetics by (Judd English, vocals), Little Coyote has ripened into an ability to create quality alt- rock music with an honest lyrical content.

Their debut EP Howl was quoted as having “a healthy dose of rock that has just about the perfect amount of attitude" [Ted Rogan, The Equal Ground]. Neverending will be the lead track on Little Coyote’s second EP scheduled for release in early 2016. Written by Judd English and Anto Dinh. Neverending was recorded and mixed by Wade Keighran at Linear Studios in Leichhardt, Sydney and mastered by Steve Fallon at Sterling Studios in NYC.

Their recent show highlights included monthly residencies at The Steyne Hotel’s Moonshine for May & August 2015 including supporting The Hinds (as part of their International Tour) and headlining Next Wave Youth Concert at Manly Jazz Festival; headlining the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life charity fundraising event, and a plethora of shows across Sydney including gigs at Oxford Art Factory, The Standard, Narrabeen Sands, Spectrum, World Bar, Mona Vale Hotel, The Newtown Townie, Brighton Up Bar, Manly Food & Wine Festival and Newport Festival. Catch them live when you can. “Neverending” by Little Coyote will be released 25th of March 2016.

The opening drumbeats lead into both soaring guitar play and the distinctive vocals of Judd English. The 'alt rock' swagger is notable as 'Neverending' builds into a fine rock number.

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Lama - Wolf.

Background promo - Lama are the enigmatic 7-piece originating from Melbourne (AUS), whose unorthodox line-up dips its toe in the orchestral pool. Pitting a flute, trumpet and violin against a killer rhythm section, underneath some powerful bearded vocals, the result is exactly what you’d expect: nothing like what you’d expect. 

The new and revamped line-up is fast becoming known around the traps for their vivacious and colourful live show.

Their explosive set has proven to be acquiescent to the festival stage, with a number of Australian appearances under their belt including Strawberry Fields, Folk Rhythm and Life, Cool Summer and Brunswick Music Festival. Sporting a jazzy, psychedelic glam-rock set of tunes, Lama pack a certain whimsical absurdity as well as a punch. 

Lead singer Dave Adams takes the audience with songs of loss, anarchistic rants and psychedelic adventures - whether it be the plight of a French burlesque dancer (a fugitive from death) or an obscure primary school tale of disappearing into the grass... 

The lead single to be lifted from the bands upcoming debut album is “Wolf”, a tongue-in-cheek and candid song that, well, struts. Delving into some facetious social commentary, the themes are not to be taken too seriously. 

“‘Wolf’ started off as a political rant...now it’s just a rant” – Dave Adams (singer) The track showcases some filthy guitar riffs, punchy horns and a ballsy vocal performance, with a cheeky Hammond organ solo that comes out of nowhere. 

“Wolf” was produced by Jonathan Dreyfus (French Ave Studios) and recorded with Craig Harnath (Hot House Studios) and Nick Herrera (The Grove Studios), mixed by Craig Harnath and mastered by Tony “Jack the Bear” Mantz (Deluxe Mastering). Artwork by Sebastian White. “Wolf” by Lama will be released 8th of April 2016.

Upcoming Shows 
Sat 9th April @ The Retreat Hotel, Brunswick, VIC 
Fri 15th April @ The B.East, Brunswick, VIC
Fri 13th May @ Bar Open, Fitzroy VIC 

Lama unleash uncompromising full on, powerful rock and more, with the song 'Wolf'. The song skips genres as it develops, the power is refined by the mix of vocals and instruments, it's a cool track.

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Quality Not Quantity: Andy Shauf - Joon Moon - Jenny Gillespie

Andy Shauf - The Magician.

Background promo - On May 20th, Anti- is excited to release an immensely imaginative work from acclaimed young singer-songwriter Andy Shauf called The Party.

The Saskatchewan-based Shauf recorded his first album at home and toured Western Canada playing DIY punk venues with an acoustic guitar. In 2015 he gained attention with a an album called The Bearer of Bad News that NPR called one of “2015's most breathtaking albums” and “an appropriately titled collection of mostly grim tales about small town drug addicts, murderous lovers and other weary underachievers.”

With The Party, Shauf masterfully creates a cast of memorable and unique characters. They show up “Early to the Party,” reveal secrets (“To You”) or try to reveal nothing (“The Magician.”) In “a city the size of a dinner plate,” everyone knew the guy who keeled over after smoking what he promised would be his last pack of cigarettes (“Alexander All Alone.”) There’s the girl dancing by herself in the middle of the room, with the “Eyes of Them All” upon her. One moment you’re dancing with someone who bears an uncanny resemblance to your ex (“Martha Sways,”) and later slagging your best friend as way of endearing yourself to his recently dumped ex (“Quite Like You”).

All of this is set to ornate arrangements of fuzzed-out guitars, string sections, clarinets and dreamy synths, all draped over delicate piano, acoustic guitars and rainy-day drums. The Party is not exactly a concept record, but it was a way for the singer-songwriter to get out of his own head. An after-party record, more like it. Or for the hangover the next day, when only Shauf’s songs can make any sense of the emotionally-charged scenarios that played out the night before.

When The Party was over, Shauf had no regrets—even if its characters have more than a few. You’re invited to The Party. It’s one you’ll never forget. Andy Shauf will be touring extensively in Europe in the next few months. He is set to open for The Lumineers on their highly anticipated European tour this April and May. He will also be doing headlining shows and festivals, including the Primavera festival in Barcelona (ES). 

'The Magician' is getting a lot of attention, which is hardly surprising as it's such a wonderful song. A foretaste of the 'The Party' album due out in May, it's really nice when a song gets you excited and in anticipation of what's to follow.

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Joon Moon - Call Me (Radio Edit).

Background promo - Joon Moon's story started in 2014 in Montmartre, Paris, in the studio of the excessively discreet Julien Decoret - with Phoebe Killdeer giving breath to his first lyric sheets. The indefatigable Moon's aim was to continue creating, after touring with Nouvelle Vague, Florent Marchet etc, and start his own project.

Joon Moon have announced their upcoming EP Call Me coming out March 25, 2016 on Kwaidan Records / !K7.  With the announcement they shared the title track of their EP along with US tour dates, see below.

With all the creative decisions already made for keyboards, vocals and drums, Julien joined up with his pals Raphael Chassin and Sébastien Trouvé for both the studio recording and stage show that they had already collectively imagined. In early 2015, thanks to chance encounters and other musically-minded friends like Marc Collin and Hugh Coltman, Julien Decoret met another artist with an impressive live show (and someone just as reserved as he is) - Krystle Warren, born in Kansas City and recently arrived in France.

The four had mutual friends, and after a few try-outs in the studio and a misunderstanding about a certain Alice / Juliette Lewis (a story that makes them all laugh even today) a real synergy came to pass, with Joon Moon the result - both in the studio and on stage.

Their first EP Chess, released late 2015, showcases a mix of precise and impressive pop and soul arrangements, hinting that the album due in 2016 will be an exciting discovery, joyfully crashing through numerous musical barriers. A word of warning though - the siren-like voice of Krystle Warren may have you addicted to Joon Moon before you know it!

The song 'Call Me' gently starts out with delicate keyboards and beautiful vocals. It then builds into a really fine piece with the various instruments all adding an extra dimension.

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Jenny Gillespie - Dhyana By The River.

Background promo - Jenny Gillespie returns with her new single 'Dhyana By The River', ahead of the UK release of Cure For Dreaming.

Cure for Dreaming was recorded in autumn 2015 in Los Angeles, CA. Featuring musicians such as Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann,) drummer Jay Bellerose (Robert Plant and Allison Krauss’ Raising Sand), guitarist Chris Bruce (Meshell Ndgeocello,), guitarist Gerry Leonard (David Bowie) and pedal steel player Greg Leisz (Lucinda Williams, Bon Iver), the album blends an earnest folk sensibility with experimental flavourings of progressive jazz and sunny R&B-flavoured pop - think Minnie Riperton, Fairport Convention, and Shuggie Otis.

The songs span a variety of landscapes, from a warm Venice boardwalk with its “chakra hucksters” to a woman’s solitary, spiritual rebirth on the banks of an East Coast river in “Dhyana by the River" while themes of motherhood, marriage, spirituality and dying enter into the music through the medium of playful and conversational language. Characters weave in and out of the songs - such as the brooding loner drawn to the masculine expressions of his ancestry of “Part Potawatomi”, or the cheerful artist facing death in “Last Mystery Train.”, and the music itself is loose, warm, and memorable, pulling off an undercurrent of occasional instrumental and melodic wildness not often found in modern day pop.

'Dhyana By The River' showcases Jenny's definitive vocals right from the start. The song twists and turns as the music keeps things coherent underscoring what is quite a remarkable piece.

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