Sundays Alternative Take - From Soul To Synths

Phantoms - All In feat. Little Know.

Background - Los Angeles dark pop duo Phantoms have announced their signing to Casablanca / Republic Records and have revealed their debut EP on the label, Broken Halo, out September 25th. The EP features 4 original songs including "Broken Halo" and "Voyeur" with vocals from Nicholas Braun, and new singles "All In" featuring Little Know and "Colors." The project also includes an unreleased remix of the title track from electronic synthwave producer Com Truise. Broken Halo is Phantoms' first body of work since their debut EP on Skrillex's Nest free release imprint two years ago, and the two have even more content on the way. Vinnie Pergola & Kyle Kaplan, AKA Phantoms, have honed their sound to scale from their underground foundations to the heights of electronic pop production, setting the tone for their forthcoming full-length album in 2016.

Phantoms will be performing live in New York at Baby's All Right on September 22nd and in Los Angeles on September 26th with Com Truise.

Smooth flowing and a beautiful mix, the vocals blend to the music oh so well.

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Honne - No Place Like Home (feat. JONES).

Background - In the same week her current single 'Indulge' was promoted to the B-List on BBC 1Xtra, singer-songwriter JONES has showcased her vocal talents as a featured artist on the new Honne track 'No Place Like Home'. The track is taken from the London duo's EP 'Over Lover' out this week on Atlantic.

This is a gentle and excellently presented song with Jones vocal complimenting the piece in a duet that soul lovers will I suspect just love.
 
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Dailon - Just a Thot.

Background - Originally hailing from Nashville, TN, Dailon aka Dylan Flach is an inspiring young producer who has been relentlessly productive throughout his budding career. Since relocating to San Francisco five years ago, the talented young artist has made a name for himself in the Bay Area by pushing his take on colourful, jet-lagged beat music, finding a crucial balancing point between fluid, emotive bass vibes and jagged, synth-washed club workouts. Ever-Evolving is a tale of drastic change, as captured in his trip to the ocean cliffs of Big Sur, where it all began.

Dailon started his journey from San Francisco down the pacific coast, eventually finding his way to a remote beach 18 miles south of Big Sur. Beneath the hazy glow of the ocean sun, he studied the waves crashing, the peace and serenity of the tides, along with the turmoil of the violent cliff-side surf. Eventually, the beaming sunlight gave way to a heavy metallic downpour, a fleeting ocean rainstorm. 'Ever-Evolving' is Dailon's hi-def, carbon-fiber soundtrack to this continually changing atmosphere. The emotive swings of the EP reflect the shifts and rhythms of city life while offering moments of clarity and calm reflection that come from an escape into the misty pacific. This is "Ever-Evolving", the slowed tranquillity and angular chaos of life.

The synths tease a little and then blend into an atmospheric piece, that occasionally threatens to up the tempo, but continues in a laid back and well thought out piece.

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Naytronix - Back In Time.

Background - Soul/electronic musician and tUnE-yArDs bassist Nate Brenner (aka Naytronix) is set to release his sophomore record 'Mister Divine' on October 16 via City Slang. 

Naytronix's latest musical offering sees him turning from the disjointedly funky party dance anthems of his debut Dirty Glow (2012, Plug Research) to a surrealist stream of consciousness poignancy. While his music keeps its characteristic reflection of '70s Onyeabor and Bootsy Collins, there is a new facet of the sincerity and vulnerability of Arthur Russell amidst the psychedelia, as if wishing to land the Naytronix Mothership down to stay with us for a bit.

On 'Mister Divine,' the intricate and wide-spanning production of his debut is cinched tight as a racing foil as he goes back to where it all started: his bass, his voice, the secrets of drum machines and dreams, narrowing down his songwriting style to focus on narrative and cohesive arrangements; The Song. The result was hours of music not likely to see the light of day, tracks taken to the chopping block at the now iconic Oakland studio "New, Improved Recording" with friend, collaborator, and guitarist Mark Allen-Piccolo. He and Brenner, along with percussionist Robert Lopez, sculpted nine songs into something resembling a compact trio album, which was then finished with sounds and textures from fellow Oberlin Conservatory family members Matt Nelson and Noah Bernstein (tUnE-yArDs saxophones) and synth master Michael Coleman (Beep!).

Genre defying music that in this track alone seems to spin from indie to dance to electro and more. The result is an interesting and quirky song that has so many hooks, you're gonna get caught by one.

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Madeaux - Kill For Me.

Promo words - Madeaux makes his Fool's Gold debut with the perfectly-titled New Wav EP, reshaping North American dance music in his own image and injecting a needed dose of synth pop realness in the process. The six EP tracks are a wildly diverse bunch, connecting the dots between decades of inspirations. "Kill For Me" bangs like a lost Depeche Mode anthem, while A-Trak collab "Lost In Translation" is the unexpected warehouse jam of the year. Nowhere are these genre-splices more powerful than on New Wav's title track, where Madeaux flips Kaleena Zanders' postmodern diva vocals over high-NRG synths and a Miami bass-gone-Berlin drop. The tide is high for this one, and the future most definitely belongs to Madeaux.

This EP takes us in so many different directions it's hard to pin down one track that is representative. The promo is pretty much spot on, so all I will do is feature my favourite 'Kill For Me'.

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EZA - We Keep The Lights Out.

Background words - "We Keep the Lights Out" is a really exciting step into my new music. I want people to find it refreshing, different, bold, and new— all while being able to relate to it," said EZA. "I’m all for making some sexy music if you can get it just right. When you do, there’s something really genuine and beautiful about it. Hopefully "We Keep The Lights Out" has done that, and if people want to put it on their make-out playlist… I mean, go for it."

Part of EZA's (a.k.a Ellery Bonham) unique sound is attributed to a neurological phenomenon she experiences known as synesthesia. Ellery's synesthesia allows her to see colors and patterns while listening to, and creating her own music. She has used those visual cues to help create her magnetic, pulsing music. EZA has previously released an EP, Means Of Escape (2014), and a single, "Headlights" (2015).

Moody and with deep bass lines this song is lifted by the vocals into a fine piece that never loses the atmospheric feel, as it takes us on a musical journey.

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Saturday Double With: Lilly Wolf - Babaganouj

Lilly Wolf - Violence.

Bio - The duo is the collaborative project of Stanford brainiacs Lilly Wolf and producer Alex Neuhausen, better known as Dr. Nu (who derives his pseudonym from his doctorate in electrical engineering).

While the duo consists of these two equal partners, Wolfson’s name and face represent them. While studying at Stanford University, Wolfson and Neuhausen met on line in a musician-based Facebook group. At the time, Wolfson had a singer/songwriter focus and recruited Neuhausen to play the guitar. Having won several singing competitions and performed on “A Prairie Home Companion,” Wolfson was pursuing a more acoustic sound. 

However, after a few years of performing music in the Bay Area, the two transitioned their style and entered the EDM arena, employing synths, elements of house and dubstep, and their own electro flavourings to craft an entirely different sound. Lilly Wolf has made a name for themselves with their high-energy sets that have earned them quite the dedicated following in the Brooklyn underground dance-pop community.

This is an enjoyable indie pop song with superb vocals over synths, and a stylish production. Well produced music that deserves wider notice.

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Babaganouj - Hit Song.

Background - In 2014 Babaganouj garnered serious radio attention with their releases “Too Late For Love” and “Bluff” - leading them to tour nationally twice, play each leg of The Blurst of Times tour as well as support a slew of notable acts such as The Preatures, Smudge, Veruca Salt, The Lemonheads, Northeast Party House and The Creases.

They have come into 2015 swingin' - having played The inaugural Palms invitational “Mates” Festival in Sydney, and supporting Atlanta girl-punks The Coathangers in Brisbane and Byron Bay. On top of that this year Babaganouj released their single “Can’t Stop”, toured the east coast of Australia with bands such as Hoodoo Gurus, Bearhug and Scotdrakula and were finalists for the Billy Thorpe scholarship at the Qmusic awards.

‘Hit Song’ is taken from the forthcoming album by Babaganouj, out in November.

Straight down the line rock with tons of energy and passion, leaning towards indie vocals and music. This is a no nonsense song and one that makes the November album, one to look forward to.

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Past References & Modern Slants: Big White - Mutiny Mutiny - Younghusband

Big White - You Know I Love You.

Alway's good to hear straight from the artist or band, this is what Big White have to say - We're a band called Big White and I thought you might like to check out our debut single called 'You Know I Love You'. The band first met when we moved in to a share house together. It is an old 9 bedroom art deco house with a weird past having previously been a brothel, and a surgery, but now we all live there!

Our first recording session was in a Berlin bomb shelter whilst we were travelling, and we toured south west USA (inc shows at SXSW and Burgerama w/ Ty Segall and Ariel Pink) before we toured our homeland of Australia. This is our first single which has had some early love from NME and we will have an album out later this year. Facebook Here.

A feisty beat and thoroughly beguiling vocals. Shades of new wave and post punk from years gone by, with a modern slant, totally enjoyable.

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Mutiny Mutiny - Loukanikos.

The Facts - Mutiny Mutiny is noisy art rock from Seattle featuring ex members of Petals Like Bricks and Chinchilla. ‘Undefined’ is the first release from MM’s founders Jenn Schmidt (vocals, bass) and Jason Dean (vocals, guitar) with Julie D. (guitar, vocals).

And a little bit more - About “Loukanikos” from Jason Dean of Mutiny Mutiny: “While we were in the process of writing the song that would eventually bear his name, news outlets were running stories about the recent passing of Loukanikos, one of the Greek ‘riot dogs,’ that participated in the Athens anti-austerity protests of 2010 and 2012. “The passion for politics in Greece is strong and we have an interest in and affinity for its political and economic situation after traveling around the country in 2012.

Gutsy and heartfelt, a touch of early Blondie, but with a harder edge and vocals that challenge Arcade Fire to be a little more edgy. Most of all, plenty of their own unique style and attitude. From an EP that demands a purchase if the featured song pleases you.

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Younghusband - Waverly Street.

Yesterday UK band Younghusband shared "Waverly Street," the second single from their upcoming 2nd album Dissolver (ATP Recordings). The band are soon to embark on a UK tour supporting Jacco Gardner, as well as a UK headline tour in November with support from fellow ATP Recordings artist Grimm Grimm.

Bio - Younghusband first appeared in 2011 and this second LP has been a smoke stack on the road ahead since their 2013 debut 'Dromes'. While that album defined a scene, this one sets them aside. 'Dissolver' takes in a wide sweep of guitar music and focuses it into a precisely individual proposition; a sound unto itself that nonetheless garners comparisons with Elliott Smith, The Shoes, and Big Star. It is slated for release in October 2015 on ATP Recordings.

The quartet of Euan Hinshelwood, Joe Chilton, Adam Beach and Pete Baker emerged as one of a crop of so-called neo-psych bands. Under a canopy of reverb and phase, they could be heard hunting for escape routes from the played-out circus of British rock. No easy task in a country so cold, expensive and hostile to change, where bed-bound, infinite scrolls into the past are sometimes the only entertainment you can withstand or afford.

The band have struck well clear of the dying party and markedly expanded their horizons, assiduously refining their sound and pushing themselves beyond their previous work. They could have expected a struggle for orientation but instead circumvented the difficult second album cliché, producing something which feels utterly effortless. Each section of music rolls out of what came before in a shuttle of cause and effect, tension and release that tic-tacks back to the exhilarating opener 'Waverley Street' and its invitation: "...the offer is open tonight".

UK Support Dates w/ Jacco Gardener:

Thu 3 September @ London, Dingwalls
Tue 15 September @ Brighton, Sticky Mike's
Wed 16 September @ Bristol, Louisiana
Thu 17 September @ Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
Fri 18 September @ Coventry, The Tin Music & Arts
Sat 19 September @ Sheffield, Leadmill
Sun 20 September @ Nottingham, Bodega
Tue 22 September @ Leeds, Brudenell Games Room
Wed 23 September @ Stockton, Georgian Theatre
Thu 24 September @ Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Wah Club

UK Headline Tour w/ Grimm Grimm:

Tues 10 November @ Glasgow, The Hug and Pint
Wed 11 November @ York, The Basement
Thurs 12 November @ Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
Fri 13 November @ Leicester, The Cookie Jar
Sat 14 November @ Sheffield, Cornershop
Sun 15 November @ Manchester, Eagle Inn
Mon 16 November @ London, The Moth Club
Tues 17 November @ Cambridge, The Portland Arms.

'Waverly Street' has an effortless feel to it, that reminds me of 'summer surf rock' from many years ago. Talented and musically, oh so tight, it just pours into your ears and touches the heart.

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Wonderful Wednesday: The Legends - Oh Be Clever - Rory Max Kaplan

The Legends - Winter Is The Warmest Season - from the album 'It's Love'.

An expanded version of The Legends "It's love" (originally released on Cascine this summer) is out on Labrador October 16th. One of the new tracks features lead vocals by Sara Carlsson who also happens to be the main subject of the album.

Bio - The Legends from Stockholm have enjoyed a somewhat accidental career. Beginning with Up Against The Legends, their debut album in 2003, the project was comically assumed to be a 9-piece band due to early shows consisting of friends on stage, drunk and generally winging it. In actuality, The Legends has only ever been a personal outlet for one man, Johan Angergård, apart from his other, more focused projects, Club 8 and Acid House Kings.

Following the first LP were two back-to-back full-lengths – Public Radio in 2005, and Facts and Figures in 2006. Both records were well received, providing The Legends a platform to play festivals and tour internationally. The sound of each album was nothing like the one before it. “That’s the result of me needing to say what I want to say and express evolving emotions,” Johan explained. This approach was creatively satisfying, but divisive to fans that expected a more continuous sound across releases. “I didn’t think I’d record any more after Facts and Figures, but after a particularly chaotic stretch in 2008 and some angst, I needed noise and recorded Over and Over. And then I thought I wouldn’t record another album again...”

Fast forward to 2015 and the nearing launch of It’s Love, The Legends’ fifth album. It’s Love details a recent chapter in Johan’s life that saw him wrestle with issues of loss, love and identity. Turning 40 brought with it unexpected emotional distance from things that once mattered very much. Suddenly, his role as Labrador label boss was less important to him, and a relationship with someone he shared a large chunk of his life with lost importance completely. “I felt old and like I didn’t belong anywhere…some sort of no-man’s-land. Free floating.” At the same time, a new love came crashing into his world, bringing with it both infatuation and anxiety.

This is a beautiful album, Swedish electro 'dream' pop, that sends shivers through me. Layers of incredible music and pure sounding vocals that just capture my imagination.

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Oh Be Clever - River.

Bio (and a pretty different one!) - Indie, electro, soul is a category of sound squarely cornered by Salt Lake City's breakout duo Oh, Be Clever. Vocalist and wordsmith Brittney Shields effortlessly uses Cory Scott Layton's refreshing rush of instrumentals as a conduit for spinning tales of love, loss and living in the 21st century. The pair, however, haven't always enjoyed perfect harmony. Prior to Oh, Be Clever the two were members of separate bands which loathed each other to the point of physical violence. Late one night after a show, in the parking lot, a fight broke out between their two bands. 

Having always admired each other, Shields and Layton left the scene of the fight to create their own music. Later that very night, after disappearing together, the two alerted their previous bands that they were done. Oh, Be Clever was born. The goal from the beginning was to create a new sound completely different from their previous efforts. Layton knew that Shields' voice could roll and run, drop and drip, cascade and plunge like no other in Salt Lake City. Together these two set out to create the perfect sound to spark Oh, Be Clever to life.

And quoting Brittney Shields herself - "This song is about seeking validation in all the wrong places. When we wrote this I was very insecure. I'd do almost anything to get someone to like me. It's about the feeling you get when you come to terms your flaws and let go of the baggage holding you back.

"River is about accepting your flaws and living happily with them. There are a million different ways a person could interpret this song, and that's kind of the way we want to keep it. Leave it up to your own life experience and the way you relate to it. We're letting this song stay cryptic."

OK so whilst not endorsing bands brawling and loathing each other, if it leads to a duo who can produce a fine song such as 'River', perhaps we can put it down to artistic temperament. This song is, to be concise, 'epic' what's more you can download 'River' for free.

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Rory Max Kaplan - The Boxer.

Background and Bio - “The Boxer” is the first single from the forthcoming EP by the multi-talented Rory Max Kaplan. The Band included some of the greatest session musicians in the New York City area, Larry "Slappy" Saltzman on guitar (Simon & Garfunkel); Kasim Sulton on bass (Utopia, Meatloaf); Doane Perry on drums (Jethro Tull); Mark Rivera on baritone sax (Billy Joel, Foreigner) and features Inger Hansen on solo lead guitar. Rory’s vocals were produced and recorded by the legendary, Frank Filipetti (James Taylor, Foreigner, KISS, Billy Joel, various Broadway cast albums and more). The song was mixed by Grammy Award winner Larry Alexander (Bruce Springsteen, Janis Ian and more). The track was arranged by keyboardist, Kip Kaplan (Executive Producer for Al DiMeola, Cameo, Omar Hakim, among others).

A native New Yorker, Rory Max Kaplan has been performing and creating since the beginning of his existence. Ranging from acting on stage & screen, classical & contemporary dance, cartoon voices, playing in a band or singing in the recording studio, Rory is now ready to hit the world stage with this new major-label distributed release.

Rory made his stage debut in October 2014 in the cast of the hit, award winning Broadway show “Jersey Boys” at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City. He has appeared Off Broadway as the lead in “Nothing But Trash” at the Theatre for the New City in lower Manhattan; in an international tour of “Rock of Ages”, and in numerous theatre productions throughout the United States.

Well if you are going to do a cover version of a song as legendary as Simon and Garfunkel's 'The Boxer', you might as well put a different spin on it, just to get noticed. Having some of the best session musicians around can't hurt either. So a rock version complete with superb backing vocalist's is Rory's answer. In summary, quality, fun, different and yep, it rocks.

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Lillie Lemon - Stardust

Lillie Lemon - Stardust. (Video Premiere).

A creative and imaginative video for a really fine song and a pleasure to have first showing here on Beehive Candy.

So here's the low down on Monterey-based, alternative electro-pop duo, Lillie Lemon.

The group is comprised of Lillie Lemon (vocals/synthesiser) and Erica Wobbles (synthesiser/production). 

Originally from Wisconsin, Lillie Lemon moved to California, where she then met Erica Wobbles. Though the pair began performing small open-mic shows together, it wasn’t until years later that the decision to collaborate came to fruition. 

Their first album, entitled ​ /brāk/, ​was a turning point for the duo, shifting from Lillie Lemon’s acoustic style into a more electronic sound. According to Lillie Lemon,​ “Stardust” is about a relationship gone awry that tragically ends in a car accident.

This is a really fine electro-pop song. Lillie's voice just seems so right for this type of music, which is in my opinion, pretty good in it's own right. Hopefully this gets much wider attention, as I have said before if the Top 40's of today were full of songs of this calibre, just imagine how great radio would be again. There is more about Lillie Lemon on their website HERE.

 
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