Friday Pairing: Anna Rose - Powerkompany

Anna Rose - Start A War.

Background promo - At first glance, one wouldn’t guess that Anna Rose, the adorably petite blonde with the sugary name, is a fearless, unabashed, mind-blowingly talented Rock and Roll powerhouse.  But, Rose, in fact, is walking, singing proof that big things most definitely come in small packages.   It’s no wonder that Pancakes and Whiskey declares her a “complete badass.”

Anna Rose is gearing up for the release of her new EP, Strays In The Cut, a collection of six mesmerizing tracks that find the singer/songwriter pushing her musical boundaries. “I am very much an album artist and a storyteller, so the idea of scaling it all back to the size of an EP was a challenge in itself. It forced me to look at the songs in a different way, the production, everything. These six songs needed to tell the whole story. The limitations I placed on the length made the process so much more imaginative in every other aspect.” shares Rose.

Strays in the Cut is the much-anticipated follow-up to Rose’s Beyond a Pale Horse, which Flashwounds declared a “deep swirl of Blues and Rock and Roll” that “beautifully represents the many dark and beautiful corridors of the human heart.”  Beyond a Pale Horse introduced us to Anna Rose’s dynamic voice and effortless command of the guitar; each song highlighted by attitude and pure grit.  Undoubtedly, Beyond the Pale Horse cemented Rose as a veritable force, with hard-driving Rock and dirty Blues coursing through her veins. 

In 2012, Rose also gained attention for her sultry take on Arcade Fire’s “My Body is a Cage,” which is currently available for download on iTunes. Cover Me Songs premiered the track, affirming, “The sparse cover showcases her effortlessly soulful singing.” Since then, Rose has shared the stage with a variety of notable artists, including: Crystal Bowersox, Howie Day, Teddy Geiger, Tyler Hilton and founding member of Live, Ed Kowalczyk. The consummate artist, Anna Rose lets her spirit shine through with every performance, while captivated fans hang on every note. Anna Rose is set to play the Brooklyn Bowl on January 27, 2016 with more dates to be announced soon.

 'Start A War', may be a little laid back, however the tension and drama in Anna Rose's voice simmers, as this gentle bluesy song unfolds. If the EP is as good as this, we have something special to look forward to.

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Powerkompany - Can't Cry.

Background promo - Powerkompany's compound noun name is hardly coincidental; by the sound of their first single off their upcoming two-part LP Fever & Chills, it's completely possible that they are a fully functioning power station (but not the Robert Palmer/Duran Duran supergroup). "Can't Cry" features vocals by the band's Marie Davon that are so massive that not only has the song been probably powering our entire office like a mini nuclear reactor, but it gives Diane Lane's performance in Streets of Fire a run for its wallet. 

Fever & Chills was recently completed at Chase Park Studio in collaboration with Andy LeMaster of Bright Eyes and Azure Ray fame. The two-part LP is made up of two sides of six songs that reach into the depths of the most orchestral music that permeated a more fun era in pop music, like in the 1980s, although there are hints of cabaret whimsy throughout that wouldn't be uncomfortable living in a dark, 1920s opium brothel. The album is out February 5th 2016, and its playful score and powerful vocals are a must for anyone who loves their favorite records to dabble in the cinematic. 

'Cant Cry' is just a taste of what is one very good album. Songs are imaginative, diverse and some are splendidly big in production. The sheer variety that comes across, in the twelve tracks that make up the album, left me wondering why they chose 'Cant Cry' as the 'streamed' song. I guess you have to start somewhere, and it's a good song, it needs to be to get on the album.


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Thursday Two: Three Tree Town - Ghost Wave

Three Tree Town - Two Birds.

Background Promo - The pleasantly contrasting vocals and war-drum beats of Three Tree Town’s latest track “Two Birds” marks the beginning of the bands delve into their new sound. After several successful festival sets and over ten years playing together, the band now takes their countryside popularity and head for bigger lights. 

In an unprecedented alliance with renowned musician and studio owner Beau McKee (Closure In Moscow) the band have managed to capture their alt/folk roots and combine them with new percussion grooves to form an en/rely alternate sound. “We never tire of this track” says one of two lead singers Dylan Berends. “And now with the alternate arrangement, this apple landed nowhere near the tree it fell from!” 

With a “pull and go” style guitar technique, mix of female and male vocals and bouncing drum rhythms, “Two Birds” is an upward journey, speeding towards eternity, gaining momentum with each bar. The raspy vocals Dylan Berends are relieved by the sweet and innocent return vocals of Tania Lodge that show hints of hit band Of Monsters and Men while maintaining reviews that Three Tree Town is Australia’s answer to an early Mumford & Sons. 

A story of crossed paths, misconceptions and everlasting effects it echoes a tale of how the slightest interactions can result in catastrophic results. “Two Birds” finishes with a smooth sigh, giving closure to the listener but reminding them that there is more to come from Three Tree Town.

This is a really good song. The contrasting vocals, intricate guitar work and 'marching' drums are so well woven together, the end result is one short and sweet song.

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Ghost Wave - Blues Signal '79.

Background words - Yesterday Ghost Wave released their Blues Signal '79 single, taken from a forthcoming album out early in 2016. The album was recorded in Auckland and mastered by Sonic Boom....more details to come.

The band explain the background to the song as follows - Blues Signal '79 kinda eventuated out of this other song that we used to play called Jazz Style. The original of the version of the song was way different to what you hear, and I'm really glad that after playing Jazz Style for 3 years, we scrapped it. I'm a big one for throwing songs away, even when I really like them... 3 years later, recorded, the song just wasn't meant to be. I just heard the original recording on the drum stem and was like "nope, this isn't happening", so deleted it. Within 5 minutes the new organ hook had arrived, we dropped the bass on it, and felt like we had a way more captivating piece of music. 

We decided to put this song out first cause it's kinda different to stuff we've released before. Ghost Wave isn't a singles band, but we're super proud to release Blues Signal 79 off our upcoming LP Radio Norfolk (Flying Nun). It's a slice of GW's future (album on the way), looking at the past (don't forget), wondering why nothing makes sense (or does it?).

This is one of those songs that's hard to pigeon hole in a specific genre. Whatever, it's catchy, clever and does the trick in making me look forward to checking out the new album, when it lands next year.

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Tuesday Two: Flightress - Doprah

Flightress - The Room.

Background - “The Room” is the latest offering from Perth acoustic duo Flightress, and explores the idea of homelessness, and one version of how it could feel to be put in that place personally.

Songwriter Minky G says, “I wasn’t trying to make a political statement on being a refugee or losing your home, this is just how it feels to me when something that you thought was solid and immovable is taken from you, and you have to rely on other people to get you out of that place. But sometimes, that’s when you find the best parts of others, because it’s so much easier for them to walk away, and sometimes they don’t”.

Recorded by the sea at Driftwood Studios in Trigg, WA, and produced by the talented Rene de Vries, “The Room” takes on a uniquely Australian sound, with the duo including sounds from the garden outside the studio (check out the magpies at the end of the track!) They also enlisted a cello player, who rocked up with a 19th century instrument to include on the song.

Flightress combines songwriter Minky G’s mellifluous melodies with duo buddy Rosco’s seriously awesome guitar licks, the pair create a unique sound that makes them one of Perth’s most prolific live acts. Between them, they’ve jammed with Beyoncé's band (and taken them surfing!), supported UK artist Passenger, jazz muso James Morrison, John Butler, and once accidentally supported Gyroscope as well as a cheeky gig at the Queens Jubilee Celebrations in England in 2012.

This is a gentle and sincere song. Vocals skip above the acoustic soundtrack, and the addition of a cello really does add depth, to this well produced song.

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Doprah - Lucid Visions.

Background - Doprah are very proud to share Lucid Visions, the first single and video from their forthcoming album called Wasting. The video features an intriguing religious cult based plot, set amongst a hazed out and spooky forest.

Producer/Director Julian Vares has an interesting story about the video, which may even reveal a missing link to the infamous Parker-Hulme murder as portrayed in the Peter Jackson movie Heavenly Creatures. We shot most of this video in a random spot of forest up at Victoria park, just off Dyers pass road. The day before the shoot we doing doing some location tests and I had my wardrobe designer sitting under the tree we planned on shooting. She felt something sharp buried underneath the tree roots and actually un-earthed half a brick wrapped in what looked like an old 1950's girls-high issue stocking. The Parker-Hulme murder happened not far away after all. I did some research and apparently the actual murder weapon sits on some police-commissioner's desk as a paperweight. I'll never know if we found the legitimate other half brick, a relic from the Heavenly Creatures production, or simple fell victim to some weird prank. I've since lost the brick anyway so I guess we'll never know.

Doprah - a Christchurch New Zealand band - released their debut EP in 2014 to widespread acclaim and featuring a brilliant video for the track Stranger People. This was followed by a trip to CMJ New York, various festival slots including St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and performing with Lorde, Silicon, The Phoenix Foundation and more.

The video for 'Lucid Visions' has been added to our BeeVids page. It's no wonder the band have been getting noticed amongst music pundits, their imaginative and quite intriguing songs really do have that 'special something'. Lucid Visions has a trippy psychedelic vibe for me, whilst the video is something else and worthy of a check.


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Two For Monday: Living Hour - Chrystyna Marie

Living Hour - Seagull.

Background - Living Hour began in the basements of South Winnipeg, writing dreamy love songs inspired by the cinematic sky of their hometown. Blending bright shimmering guitar pop with thick casio drones and uniquely powerful, smoky vocals, their sound washes over you like  the soundtrack to the best parking lot makeout session of your youth.  Watery echoes of gorgeously sung melodies, psychedelic interlocking guitar, and huge driving crescendos create an enchanting wall of blissful dream pop.

Living Hour contributed two songs to Family Portrait II, a vinyl compilation put out by Art is Hard Records (Bristol/London) in April 2015, and released a super limited edition cassette of their debut s/t album with Tree Machine Records (Bloomington) that same month. The band will release their debut album world-wide with Lefse Records (Portland) on February 19, 2016.

Tour Dates:

March 3    Winnipeg, MB    The Good Will Social Club
March 4    Fargo, ND    The Aquarium
March 6    Des Moines, IA    Des Moines Social Club
March 7    Rock Island, IL    Rozz Tox
March 9    St Louis, MO    Foam
March 11    Denver, CO    Lion's Lair
March 13    Phoenix, AZ     Trunk Space
March 18    Santa Barbara    CA    FUNZONE
March 19    Fresno    CA    Peeves Pub 
March 22    Santa Cruz    CA    Bocci's Cellar
March 25    Davis    CA    Third Art Space Collective
March 29    Portland    OR    The Analog Cafe
March 31    Bellingham    WA    Loudhouse
April 2    Rossland    BC    The Flying Steamshovel
April 3    Kamloops    BC    Zacks Coffee.

A little bit dream pop & a little bit shoegaze (and quite a bit of the epic), 'Seagull' stands out from the crowd, with beautiful guitars and atmospheric vocals.

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Chrystyna Marie - Loaded Gun.

Background - Originally hailing from Toronto, Crystyna Marie sings with a powder keg voice over a cocktail of grungy blues and pop. The classically trained Canadian-born singer has supported Ontario acts and been featured as a demo singer on indie labels from as young as 18 years old.

Marie has taken first place in various categories in the Kiwanis Music Festival 2 years in a row. She's taken lead roles in local community plays; West Side Story as Maria and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Over the years, she has racked up a long list of smaller roles in music videos, television and was also the lead singer in an LA founded pop group called Greencat. Writing and releasing her own music, with her own unique voice, however, is where her true passion lies.

Believing the classics are just as essential as modern favorites, she finds musical inspiration in everyone from Janis Joplin, Ottis Redding and Etta James to Selena and Christina Aguilera.

Although Crystyna has been represented by several independent labels over the years, she decided that in order to shape the sound she wanted, releasing music on her own was absolutely necessary. Her first solo single, "Loaded Gun", is proof that this was the right choice, revealing the first taste of Marie's gritty take on the blues. The EP is due to be released on Feb 29, 2016.

About the new material, Marie says "Breath is life, and life is music. I wanted to create music from personal experiences and true emotions. Something the everyday person can relate to and build strength from having been exposed to it. With a raw and gritty feel to emulate these experiences and emotions".

'Loaded Gun' has a timeless blues vibe, and a song that is delivered with power and passion by Chrystyna Marie. It deserves to be noticed.


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Alternative Take: Human Movement - Tomas Doncker - Jerome Blazé

Human Movement - Robots Have A Voice.

Background - Last week Australian duo Human Movement, released the first taste of their upcoming debut EP, "Dancing Room," with a one-two audio-visual punch for the title track. Lead single "Dancing Room" reassured eager fans that the 19 and 21-year-old duo still have a Midas touch when it comes to poignant dance floor hits, while the music video granted them a first time look into the Movement. 

Now, after debuts on Anna Lunoe's Apple Music Beats 1 Radio, spins on Triple J Radio, and praise from Insomniac, Stoney Roads, Your EDM, Music Ninja, Next2Shine, and more, Human Movement's Blake Gilray and Edward MacDonald have unveiled their second EP cut, "Robots Have A Voice."  On this track that Nest HQ calls "powerful and dark," Human Movement relish in their trademark sound that fuses menacing rhythms with pulsating kick drums and synth.  

Looking forward to the remainder of the EP, fans can anticipate the debut of two remaining tracks "5:00 AM" and "Better Off Dead," the latter of which features a team-up with hype-worthy Deadmau5 signee Eekkoo.

'Robots Have A Voice' is my personal favourite of the two tracks from the EP shared so far. It's no surprise that the duo Human Movement have gained so much attention, their imaginative music and quality production, makes tracks like this an audiophiles dream.

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Tomas Doncker - Some Ol Dolls.

Background - As a prime mover on New York’s downtown “No Wave” scene in the early 1980s, Tomás Doncker cut his teeth as a guitarist with such genre-busting groups as James Chance & The Contortions, Defunkt, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz and many more. Eventually he went international, touring and recording in Japan with jazz pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, and producing studio and songwriting sessions with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe and Grammy-winning producer Prince Charles Alexander, to name just a few. Since then, Doncker has continued to work with an A-list of iconic musicians, including Ivan Neville (on his solo album Thanks), Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegeocello, Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover, former P-Funk keyboardist Amp Fiddler…and the list keeps growing. In 2008, he produced and released Inside Out, and followed that with The Mercy Suite, a collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

Power of The Trinity, a meditation on the legacy of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, features legendary bassist/producer Bill Laswell, Ethiopian singers Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibabaw and Mahmoud Ahmed, legendary Ethiopian guitar hero Selam Woldemariam (who also served as production consultant for the project) and a host of New York’s finest jazz, funk and rock musicians. Power of The Trinity was released on Mr. Doncker’s True Groove label in June 2012

The summer of 2013 was quite exciting for Tomás. He was invited to perform again at NYC’s Summerstage for 11 shows. He co-wrote and was the musical director for performance artist Marla Mase’s multi-media dance concert, “Speak.” He was also the musical director and a featured performer in “Diablo Love”, a fantastical love story with live music that re-imagined songs made famous by American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf. He also wrote original compositions for this show with legendary director Alfred Preisser. founder of The Classical Theatre of Harlem and currently the artistic director at Harlem School of the Arts.

The new and extremely potent release inspired by the Charleston Massacre; Tomás Doncker's "The Mess We Made" (released December 8th) is a racially charged epic that shows his unshakeable political views. Doncker is a renowned New York blues/soul artist. On "This Mess We Made" he gives all of us a glimpse into the bitter realities of modern America.

'Some Ol Dolls' is the first song on the new album, and is a clear foretaste of what's to follow. There is a powerful charge to each song, underpinned by a mixture of incredible blues music and the soulful voice of Tomas Doncker. It's music with a message, delivered with feeling, and superb musicianship.

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Jerome Blazé - Lone Pine.

Background - The Battle of Lone Pine is one of the most famous assaults of the Gallipoli campaign, and this was the inspiration for the track from start to finish.

Tucked away in the picturesque Southern Highlands of New South Wales in Australia, Jerome Blaze began writing and producing music in a self-made studio when he was only 14, where he continues to hone his creative talent today. Gifted with a producers ear, an intrinsic ability to cohesively fit sounds together, along with the love of poetry and literature which is evident in his lyrics Jerome creates music which is relatable and conjures a vast array of emotions, unique for every listener.

'Lone Pine' is one of those refreshing surprises. Jerome Blaze creates a vast landscape of sound, that builds into a synth laden fast paced piece. Vocals are sensitive and kept to a minimum, as the music production increasingly demands your attention.


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