Friday, 3 July 2015

2015 - Out Of Our Inbox - July - One

So lets find out a little about Los and the Deadlines - Describing themselves as a blue collar band, Los and the Deadlines came into being when Arizona native and lead vocalist Alex LoSardo moved to London in 2010. After being introduced to guitarist Neils Bakx, the two found common ground in their interests and influences and started composing music while studying for their undergraduate degrees.

After several line up changes and the release of two EPs, the band recruited Italian drummer Alberto Voglino and Israeli bassist Rotem Haguel. Together they embarked on the recording of third EP 'Perfect Holiday' which marked a new direction in the band's musical journey. The epitome of art-rock, Los and the Deadlines utilise cliches to convey their message through their broad-ranging sound, which encompasses grunge, stoner rock, noise rock, punk and sludge.

The band's 'Perfect Holiday' EP explores the absurdities of Western civilisation by contrasting the reality of an urban, deprecating society and its opposing depiction in the mass media. This in congruence is described not only through tongue in cheek lyrics but also through music where there is an ever present competition between noise and melody through thrashing riffs and thumping rhythms.

Sometimes you just need a band and a song that cuts to the chase. Los and the Deadlines seemingly have this sussed out and the featured track 'Feel At Ease' is the perfect remedy from a band that can belt out a song, without taking themselves to seriously.

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OK on to My Old Dutch and the background on the featured song - My Old Dutch is an explosive two-piece lo-fi rock’n’roll outfit from Melbourne. Bashing out 50’s inspired tales of love lost, found and stolen, their crunching wall of guitars, soaring melodies and bed of beats are sure to get your foot tappin’ and your heart racing!

My Old Dutch’s second single ‘Queen of the Dogs’ was recorded and produced by Craig Harnath, Jez Giddings and My Old Dutch at Hothouse Audio in St Kilda, Melbourne. Queen of the Dogs was one of the early tracks to come out of the My Old Dutch catalogue, inspiring them to turn a recording project into a live act.

Queen of the Dogs is the second single from My Old Dutch. This is "dirty edged blues" at its best. From the first crack of the snare to the last spluttering decay of the guitars. You’ll be hooked! Selling sex with pain, My Old Dutch is joined by the devilishly talented Cat Deller on vocals. With Cat belting out seductive lyrics, this track screams chaos and disorder. Yet you still can't ignore the simplicity of the structure. Queen of the Dogs. "She not never let you die"! 'Queen of the Dogs' by My Old Dutch feat. Cat Deller will be released 10th July 2015.

What can we add, this is another no nonsense classic rock'n'roll beast of a song with just enough originality and modern day slant to appeal to those who just fancy three minutes of bedlam to leap around the floor to.

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Calming things down a little and next up Alejandro Meola & Robinsones. with some background on them and also the featured number - “Gypsy Woman” is on his new EP, “First Impressions,” releasing to digital stores worldwide and in North America beginning July 15th.  

Miami-born, Buenos Aires-bred, New York-based Meola filed two singles in the US in 2014 (“Please” and “Black Feathered Angels”).   He’s been making music between South and North America since 2007.  That includes 2 LPs and 2 EPs before debuting in the US last year.

“First Impressions” is a record of his first impressions of  his new hometown of NYC. Witness the gorgeous skyline to surfline video for the single “Please” here.

“I could have called it “First Impressions of New York” easily…. It’s essentially the musical expression of this inner revolution I’ve experienced in the past couple of years since I first moved to New York from Buenos Aires. The people, the streets, the language, the bars, the food, the fashion, they are all imprinted in these new songs. Not mentioned once literarily in the lyrics but in the sound.  The sound is different. And by different I mean new,” says the Latin troubadour.

Aesthetically, “First Impressions” is a total departure from his previous work.  It’s five episodes according to the writer.  Each one very different from the other, but still connected by an overall sound. Super songwriting, arrangement and production courtesy of Meola, Francisco Botero’s engineering for Studio G Greenpoint and Steve Fallone’s mastering for Sterling Sound contribute along with his band, Robinsones, to Meola’s professed “eclectic 25 minute rock ‘n’ roll  voyage.

My first impressions are of a stripped back indie rock feel, with quality musicianship and some catchy songs. Check the featured song, if you like, then the EP is a must have.

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New for me are Twin Within and apologies if I am a little late to the show. Background is - The group consists of Steve McKay and Alex Samaras. McKay mainly known as the percussive force behind Bruce Peninsula, collaborate with Timber Timbre, and songwriting partner of Allie X, while Samaras background is in Tuvan throat singing and working in countless vocal ensembles. 

Merging classic pop with classical sensibilities, in a uniquely modern way. Together their voices have a natural affinity beyond technical ability, and recall classic duos like Righteous Brothers, Walker Brothers, or Simon & Garfunkel. Alex's vocals enhance the arrangements with the same depth and originality that an Owen Pallet string arrangement would, enhancing Steve's catchy, but intricate, Grizzly Bear like song writing. An anti-throwback throwback. With just a touch of yacht rock.

Yacht rock? Na come on hows a genre mix addict like me going to cope with that. Harmonies and oh so cool music are very spot on and we can throw in a wonderful as well. A hint of the classic Steely Dan precision to add to the name checking going on above. Warm sunny week off rock!

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Next up - Telegraph Canyon. We are featuring their single from their upcoming LP, 'You From Before' due out on July 31st.

Loads of background - In 2010 the Fort Worth, TX based band, Telegraph Canyon released The Tide and The Current on Velvet Blue Music. Whatever the expectations were for the album, none anticipated the level of success The Tide and the Current enjoyed. Following the release of the LP the band’s Texas shows brought greater opportunities as the septet found themselves in front of larger and more diverse audiences. Telegraph Canyon’s regional fan base quickly expanded. Over the next two and a half years the band toured throughout the U.S. and Europe on the momentum of that surge, while their songs, praised by Rolling Stone as having “irresistible choruses,” appeared in multiple films and television shows. Now, five years removed from the release of their sophomore album, the band prepares to issue it’s follow-up, You From Before. 

You From Before is an intensely personal record, and is, at times, uncomfortable in its intimacy. “Every song is about a person or a relationship I've had," says front man (singer/songwriter) Chris Johnson, "many of them women, some romantic, some not. The songs aren't all about breakups, but most of these people aren't in my life any more. Some of them were only there for a day or two but affected me in a huge way." Since the release of The Tide and the Current, Johnson’s life has had it’s share of obstacles. A difficult divorce, a period of homelessness, living in an RV in Fort Worth, various line-up changes in the band, and the pressure to avoid artistic redundancy, collectively forced Johnson to navigate through an unfamiliar emotional terrain.

Throughout the writing process, the impact of the impermanence of Johnson's daily life left him meditating often on death and the question of an afterlife. You From Before reflects the idea that some of us live several different lives on earth during the course of our life and wonders how that relates to what happens to us after we die. Themes of reinvention and reincarnation play throughout the album and culminate in a general attitude of perseverance. An attitude Johnson and the band have come to rely upon in their commitment to a lifestyle of creating and performing music together. The new songs are just like the last five years of Johnson's life, lively and moody, cinematic yet introspective, and filled with the magic of uncertainty.

I can add that NPR & Rolling Stone have picked up on this band and the featured song below suggests why. Without wanting to state the obvious this is classy music with those 'play again' hooks everywhere. Album now on the 'must have' list.

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Sons Of Rico finish this round up in style, first some background - Melbourne indie rock quartet Sons of Rico are back with a brand new single, 'What Am I Doing Here?'. "It's the question we ask ourselves in moments of discomfort, loneliness, or dissatisfaction, and the confidence it can take to address it." - says Alex MacRae. The song is the first taste from the band's forthcoming third album, and the follow up to 2013's colourful 'In Rico Glaciers' that spawned singles 'You Don't Know What You're Missin' and 'I'm Not Thinkin' About You'.

The song is introduced in a manner that may have one thinking the band has travelled back to the 80s. What are they doing here? Electronic drum samples, swelling Toto-inspired synths, and Belle and Sebastian-esque vocal deliveries from frontman Alex MacRae and keyboardist Siobhan McGinnity seem to pave an entirely new direction for the band. However, we're instantly snapped out of the calm when Adam Weston's (Birds Of Tokyo) guest appearance on drums thunders in and the song confidently charges ahead, gaining momentum with every section -- keeping your ears on their toes.

Recorded in their new digs of Melbourne at Newmarket Studios, Sons of Rico were thrilled to have local hero Callum Barter (Dorsal Fins, British India) behind the desk engineering MacRae's vision.
Sons of Rico launched out of Perth in 2010 with the single 'This Madness' from their debut album 'Reactions'. In 2012, MacRae and Weston relocated to Brisbane to record the band's sophomore album 'In Rico Glaciers' with legendary producer Magoo. Shortly thereafter MacRae relocated to band's current home of Melbourne enlisting new members Terry Mann (Coach Bombay), Siobhan McGinnity, and Nigel Moyes (Money For Rope).

This is a tonic for anyone struggling to smile or in need of a lift. Harmonies and a lively soundtrack that say 'come on - it's summer'. If this don't work it's time for one of those positive life changing sessions.

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Wednesday, 1 July 2015

And Now For Something Completely Heavyweight

Introducing The Heavyweight Brass Band. New to Beehive Candy lets get up to speed with this intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable band.

The band is currently embarked on a Canadian Tour including stops at top Jazz festivals, in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax amongst others.

The Heavyweights Brass Band is all set to perform at the prestigious 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the world’s largest jazz festival in Quebec July 2-5, 2015. The alliance with the two industry leaders comes on the back of an overwhelming response from their audiences for more performances across the continent.

The Heavyweights Brass Band debuted to great appreciation and admiration in 2009 and saw much success at the release of their highly acclaimed album Brasstronomical in 2014, which featured original compositions that brought out their unique sound and style. The band is composed of trombonist Christopher Butcher, Tom Richards on sousaphone, Paul Metcalfe on saxophones, Lowell Whitty on drums, and Jon Challoner and John Pittman on trumpet. 

The band have recently signed with Cuza Agency and Slammin Media in a worldwide agency representation deal, in search of wider attention and recognition. Well good for them, however even better for us is the refreshingly different and totally enjoyable sound these people make. It's always a delight when some band decides to do what they feel is right, rather than what might make them 'super stars'. A couple of numbers from last years album below, enjoy them if you are at the 2015 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, from tomorrow. And if it helps, they are 'super stars' for Beehive Candy. Their website Here.

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Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Quality Not Quantity - Something Special Going On

First up is Melanie Durrant a singer-songwriter who embodies real artistry through her very unique, edgy and soulful music style. Born and raised in Toronto, Melanie attended the Earl Haig School of the Arts. She trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music and worked on an eclectic array of projects before she became an “alternative hip-hop soul” artist. Citing influences that range from the soulful swoon of Minne Ripperton to the hard-knock of Aerosmith to the “mercy me” melodies of Marvin Gaye, the radiant singer/songwriter has no problems crashing through the wall of sound.

She has received multiple accolades though out her career including a Much Music Video Award nom for her single “Where Iʼm Going” and Stylus Awards winner for Single Of The Year for her song “Bang Bang” ft Kardinal Offishall. Melanie Durrant is also a three-time Juno nominee with nominations every year since 2013. Most recently she was nominated at the Sirius XMʼs Indie Awards for Soul & R&B Solo Artist of Year.

Impacting tomorrow is the song 'Mr Wonderful' which is put simply - wonderful. This is soul that just has to be shared, yes for me it really is wonderful... Melanie's website Here

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Next up Arkells and we are advised -  Coming off a Polaris long list nomination, a couple of Juno Awards and sold out Canadian and international dates, Arkells have released a cover of Tobias Jesso Jr.’s Can’t Stop Thinking About You.

The bands lead singer Max Kerman had this to say“When I heard the Tobias record, I immediately got jealous. The chord-melodies and string arrangement are right up my alley. He’s channelling all the 70’s piano-balladeers that I love so much. I think there is a real kinship in our song writing, and dude's got nicer curls than me too. Might be a long lost cousin."

If you are gonna do a cover version of a song, then learn from Arkells, treat it with respect and have the talent to make it special - they have!

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On to Frog Eyes where we are informed - they will release their new album Pickpocket's Locket on August 28th, 2015 via Paper Bag Records.  The album features contributions from Spencer Krug, Jesse Zubot, John Paton and Paul Rigby. Frog Eyes have also announced a number of tour dates including West Coast shows with Destroyer.

Tour dates:

July 31 - August 2  Sackville, NB @ SappyFest
September 11 Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
September 11-12 Hamilton, ON @ Supercrawl
September 17-20 Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia
September 18 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom*
September 19 San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore*
September 20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater*
September 21 Santa Cruz, CA @ Crepe Place
September 23 Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown
October 16 Seattle, WA @ Neptune*
October 17 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom*
* = w/ Destroyer   

I am seriously enjoying listening to 'Joe With The Jam' it's intense vocals over such a beautiful soundtrack is just so good.

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First the background info - Brisbane shoegaze duo FOREVR has released their debut EP after recording it in April of this year. FOREVR is made up of Donovan Miller (No Anchor, Roku Music) and Sam George-Allen (Mega Ogre, Low Season).  ‘Demonstration’ is their first recorded material. The four-track EP was recorded live at Tym Guitars in Brisbane, using programmed drums, dense synthesiser and cavernous, shimmering guitar. They wanted to make loud, beautiful music. ‘Demonstration’ is what happened.
                                             
Channelling the lush textures of My Bloody Valentine and the romance of the Cocteau Twins, FOREVR have adopted an electronic foundation - drum machines, audio sampling and synth bass - that places them at the forefront of modern shoegaze. ‘Demonstration’ has received praise from music press in Australia and abroad, including Triple J and international radio stations Primal Radio and DKFM. Triple J’s Nat Tencic calls their music “perfect shoegaze” and Primal Radio describes their sound as “sinister decadence”.

Having loved the Cocteau Twins music since those spiky hair days of the 1980's in my opinion nobody has ever come close to them. FOREVR by allowing the influence of My Bloody Valentine have actually come up with something quite special that is clearly their own sound, but those Cocteau Twins vibes are there and oh boy do I think they have something special going on here.


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Final one for this round up and first the background - Lowki the result of an ex-theatrical performer meeting the son of a South African jazz musician in a smoke filled London studio at 3am.

Debut single F.A.C.E offers a genre-defying sound that blurs the lines between alternative electronica and relentlessly catchy pop. Its initially harsh yet minimal production composed of eerie pads, veracious beats, resampled vocals and dark bass tones is elegantly met with enticing falsetto melodies and heartfelt lyrics that refuse to conform to the same rigid formula of most contemporary music.

It was at a jaded after-hours studio session where Sara and Zeké first met and effortlessly ignited a creative spark, marking the start of their journey. From here they forged somewhat of an esoteric sound, shaped by respective influences of Dub, Hip Hop, Jazz and House music. Fast-forward a year and Lowki was born, enlisting another two members: multi-instrumentalist Sam and James on drums.

A song that sends tingles through me. Crafted, lush and atmospheric. As debut singles go they have set the bar very high.

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Monday, 29 June 2015

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Chicago 2006 (Internet Archive)

From the Internet Archive this is Edie Brickell and New Bohemians Live at Martyr's, Chicago, Illinois back on 25 October 2006.

For those unfamiliar with the band we are can learn the following from Wikipedia (assuming it is accurate and that can be a big assumption) - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians is an alternative rock jam band that originated in Dallas, Texas in the mid-1980's. The band is best known for their 1988 hit "What I Am" from the album Shooting Rubber bands at the Stars.

Their music contains elements of rock, folk, blues, and jazz. Following the release of their 1990 second album Ghost of a Dog, lead singer Edie Brickell married singer-songwriter Paul Simon after leaving the band. In 2006 they launched a new web site and released a new album Stranger Things. In recent years, the New Bohemians have released compilations and a live album and have recorded new material. In the mid-1990's Brickell, Bush and Withrow reunited as The Slip. In 2006 the current members reunited to record and tour with the release of Stranger Things.

Recording Details: Source: AKG 483 (fob) > V3 > MT2496 (16/44.1), Stand on front left corner of the SBD. Transfer: Tracking done in CD Wave.

Sound Quality:  High quality audience.

Set List:

01 Stranger Things
02 Wear You Down
03 The Wheel
04 Nothing
05 No Dinero
06 Lover Take Me
07 Spanish Style Guitar
08 Ghost of a Dog
09 Strings of Love

01 Buffalo Ghost
02 10,000 Angels
03 Drums
04 Love Like We Do
05 Long Lost Friend
06 Improv
07 What I Am
08 Circle

01 Funny Thing
02 Beat the Time
03 Dead Flowers
04 You Never Call Me Anymore
05 Little Miss S
06 Air of December
07 Improv
08 Elephants & Ants
09 Mainline Cherry
10 Forgiven

Comments: This recording is available for download on the Internet Archive in FLAC, MP3 and OGG VORBIS formats HERE.

Band Official Website: HERE.

Stream Below:



Sunday, 28 June 2015

Sundays Alternative Take - Five Fine Tracks

Background - Introducing the third full length album from Australian artist Lo Tide. 'Learn to Wait' features four different and unique vocalists from around the globe on the A side of the vinyl, with the B side comprising four deeply varied instrumental tracks. The LP showcases a collection of styles and production techniques including electronic elements, field recordings and everything in between. The album title is drawn from life's journey and the process of learning patience; whether related to music/creativity or both small and large life changes.

Featured song 'Times Two' has a really stripped back feel to it, the variable beats & genuinely down tempo arrangement is quite hypnotic, a case of less is more.

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More Background - It was just last month No Artificial Colours kicked off Night Colours, a new project from the London duo which sees them giving away tunes for free. The choppy, iron-clad 'System Bumper' was the debut, following a run of releases on Kerri Chandler's Madtech, Nurvous Records and PMR Records. Judging by the quality of their releases since 2011, it's no surprise Skream has pulled them in for an EP on his label, Of Unsound Mind. Before they returned to Magna Carta at Sankeys Ibiza yesterday, they've unleashed the next track from Night Series 'The Line'.

I have to hand it to this duo, when you are making tracks of this calibre and giving them away for free, that really is a gift. Let's hope if they make a commercial release fans will repay the compliment, they will deserve it.

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Next Up JBAG AKA Jerry Bouthier and Andrea Gorgerino. For the occasion the London-based Franco-Italian duo has teamed up with Chibi, the singer of smart, stylish electronic Belgian duo Shindu, for ‘Everybody (Come On)’, an enticing rallying call for all to get together and sweat on the dancefloor. Bonding in the studio like children and their music toys over a mutual passion for resonating emotions on the dancefloor, Jerry and Andrea combine their many influences (indie, disco, house, electro, italo, new-wave…) obsessively crafting inspirited melodies and funked-up grooves all tied up by a fondness for energy, musicianship and attention to detail.

I am featuring the dub version as it's my favourite mix from the EP. The thought of me on a dance floor is quite disturbing however for those of you that can dance - sweat away.

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Some more background - Warpaint have put their magical touch on Eves The Behavior's 'TV', a track that features on the young Australian's debut EP alongside the remix from Los Angeles favourite indie rock foursome. Blending layers of sweet sounds and subtle beats with Eves The Behavior's soft and melodic vocal. Eves The Behavior is Hannah Karydas; a twenty-year old Brisbane-based singer, songwriter and producer with a unique look on the world. Few young musicians have quite the steady vision and kaleidoscopic ambition in which Eves The Behavior sets her sights on, which is in part due to Hannah's synesthesia; a condition which elicits an experience of mixed senses, in particular elements that trigger and become colours in her mind. This rare sense affects and influences her own music, allowing Hannah to figuratively paint her music, including the shadow and darkness from within. Website Here.

I thought this might be a difficult one for me, as I really love the original version of 'TV'. However Warpaint have been really sensitive with this remix and have added to the song in an imaginative and positive way. Now I have two great versions to enjoy, simple as that.


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Finally Wise Blood's 'Cretin's Club' featuring Priscilla Sharp on vocals. This track is from the Pittsburgh experimentalist's recently released EP Babyland, out now on Hope Sick Cola. The video for this (Here) is and we quote 'surreal, yet playful and follows the ups-and-downs that come from finding a surly, disembodied head in a trash bag'.

As I listened to the song first and then watched the video, I will give you the choice to do the same. Musically surreal in some ways the video took me in a different direction from the soundtrack (well I don't go around thinking about disembodied heads), yes it's 'experimental' perhaps the emphasis should be on 'mental' but there is this quirky appeal throughout.

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Anna Smyrk - ZOCO - Howling Bells - TCBYML

Photo - Michelle Grace Hunder Anna Smyrk - This is a Drill . Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter Anna Smyrk shares a poignant moment o...