Weekend Warmers: Chambers - A Dead Forest Index - Nations of the Soul

Chambers - Yeagin Shone.

Background promo - Forming as a time killer in high school, it was only after graduating that the boys from Chambers (Jim, Jason, Hendo, and Aiden) started taking their music and creativity more seriously.

After playing a bunch of shows for two years straight, the months leading up to the end of 2015 saw the band take a bit of a break to recoup, recollect and start working on a brand new set and musical direction. Their new single “Yeagin Shone” encompasses their transition from being young and dumb, to being slightly older and slightly wiser.

2016 has just begun, and Chambers will make it their best one yet. The single was recorded at Tender Trap Studios and was produced and engineered by Greg “Bees Knees” Rietwyk. Mastering was done by Jacob M at Clockwork Mastering.

“'Yeagin Shone’ was written about a mate of ours who was going through a mental rough patch, it was one thing seeing him go through it but I wanted to explore it from both the perspective of the ailment he had and his own perspective. Sorta delving into the frame of mind you have and the thoughts that follow when you come to terms with your issue.”  - Chambers

The single sounds like a band who have found their feet and are excited to explore what lies ahead of them.

'Yeagin Shone' is a delicious piece of indie come psych rock. There's a 'surf and sunshine' vibe to it, along with a more rock orientated latter feel.

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A Dead Forest Index - No Paths.

Background promo - Sargent House is pleased to announce the signing of New Zealand via London duo A Dead Forest Index and the release of their debut full length album In All That Drifts from Summit Down on 29th April 2016.

Landscapes both seen and felt, real and imagined, lie at the heart of In All That Drifts From Summit Down, the vast debut full-length release from nomadic duo A Dead Forest Index. Comprised of brothers Adam Sherry (vocals/guitar) and Sam Sherry (drums/piano), the group crafts ethereal and intensely intimate compositions that defy trends and labelling, instead shaping an aural experience as organic as it is unpredictable. Forsaking instrumental complexity in favour of richly dense vocals and an otherwise minimal palette, the band evokes heaviness with the atmosphere they create rather than through blunt force. Teaming-up with Sargent House on the heels of a recent European tour supporting label mate Chelsea Wolfe, A Dead Forest Index are poised to introduce their sound to a global audience in 2016.

A Dead Forest Index was initially the solo project of Adam Sherry, begun in 2008. By 2010, it had evolved into a collaboration, with Sam Sherry supplying percussive depth to his brother’s distinctively hymnal approach to vocals, itself characterised by cyclical harmonies and experiments with drone. Untethered by place (or, for that matter, era), they’ve spent the past few years developing their sound, touring extensively between 2012-2014, and issuing the EPs “Antique” and “Cast of Lines” in the process. The latter was released by Jehnny Beth of Savages’ Pop Noire label, a precursor to the collaborative Savages/A Dead Forest Index composition and performance titled “In What I’m Seeing; the Sun” for the Barbican’s Station to Station Festival in 2015.

Vocally this just soothes and demands attention, With the rhythmic beat it becomes closer to hypnotic. Totally atmospheric whilst remaining crisp and clear (sounds like a fine wine description, and in that sense the parallels are not accidental).

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Nations of the Soul - Bring Us Back Home.

Background words - Nations of the Soul, indie folk duo from Norway, is releasing their debut album 5th February. They have released 3 singles in advance, which have been picked up and loved by the Norwegian press/radio.

Having honed their musical expression in the shadows of the stage, the brothers – Mikael and Lucas Roussel, took the stage at the Eggstock Festival and ended in a second place. Since then they have been booked to several venues and played support for acts like Hudson Taylor. They are originally from France, but moved to Norway 5 years ago.

Nations of the Soul operates within a broad term of indie and folk pop with strong and humble songs about life, which puts them in the same bracket as The Lumineers, Simon & Garfunkel and Mumford & Sons.

There's a little bit of 'sixties protest song' feel to the featured track 'Bring Us Back Home'. It's also pretty short in duration, but hopefully enough to give a idea for, what is a really fine collection of indie folk songs on the album.

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Thursday Three: Givers - Satchmode - Christine Leakey

Givers - Growls.

Background words - Louisiana-based indie poppers Givers have announced their highly anticipated second album 'New Kingdom' will see a UK release of 8th April via Glassnote Records.

When Givers formed in 2008 in the sweaty dance halls of Lafayette, Louisiana, they knew right away that they had something special. Crafted from the improvisational and dance-fuelled atmosphere of the area's zydeco, Cajun, and jazz cultures mixed with an affection for new wave, funk, and world music, the infectious results brought a quick rise to the spotlight for the young band. Soon after forming, a fortuitous opportunity to play a string of shows with Dirty Projectors arose, bringing them swiftly to the attention of listeners outside the southwest Louisiana region. Their debut album In Light was released two years later in 2011 on Glassnote Records, backed by extensive touring. During that time, they found themselves bouncing along a global festival circuit, making their national TV debut with Jimmy Fallon and performing alongside the likes of Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Carnegie Hall.

After an extended break from rigorous touring, the band met in the peaks of Beech Mountain, North Carolina to begin collaborating for their Sophomore album. Their nomadic approach to recording led them across the Smoky Mountains to the wintry hills of the Eau Claire, Wisconsin and back down to the placid lakes of south Louisiana, causing a transformation that led them to the surface of something new and unseen. This myriad of changing influences can be felt throughout the intricate and startling New Kingdom, their most recent work.

A mixture of styles and sounds greet you with 'Growls'. The vocals and harmonies add order and direction, however musically the song retains it's melting pot of ideas. Original and very likeable.

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Satchmode - Don't Give Up On Me.

Background promo - Satchmode is a dream pop duo from Los Angeles made up of Gabe Donnay and Adam Boukis.  Collectively, they represent an eclectic diversity of musical experience, having gigged in everything from folk and bluegrass outfits to jazz combos to noise rock and funk bands. Out of this incongruous assortment of influences, they have distilled a sound that is refreshingly varied, ranging from infectious, upbeat disco grooves to rich, cinematic soundscapes. Still, their compositions are tied together by an emphasis on memorable melodies and meaningful song writing and a love for electronic manipulation.  Satchmode is currently recording their debut full-length album, to be released in 2016.

"Don't Give Up On Me" is a much faster, higher energy song that anything we've released before. But it still centers around familiar themes: regret and pain about a broken relationship, and desperate denial about the state of things." - Satchmode

Musically 'Don't Give Up On Me' blasts off at some pace and temporarily reminded me of a more upbeat OMD. Vocally the dream pop vibe is clearly present. A nice taster for their full length album due at some point this year.

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Christine Leakey - Twinkle.

Background from Christine -  I'm thrilled to share the first single entitled, Twinkle off my soon to be released second solo record entitled, Wanderlust Wishing Well.

I travelled to Los Angeles to record and self-produce my album with my friend, Fernando Perdomo who produces many including Linda Perhacs and is lead guitarist in Jakob Dylan’s project Echo in the Canyon (my drummer Matt is also the drummer in Echo in the Canyon). Twinkle is the sole track on the album that Fernando produced and I co-produced with him.

Another music related project that I’m excited to share about is that on Valentine’s Day, I officially become a published writer. I was approached along with 100 women in indie music globally to take part writing a book by 5 time Grammy Award winning producer, Devine Evans and backed by Queen Latifah entitled, Sheet Music: The Diary of a Songwriter. They are having a book launch at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood for it on the book launch date.

Anyway, I'm really hoping that you will enjoy Twinkle which is just one music flavour from a variety of what’s to come on my second album which is a blend of upbeat songs, a few dreamy ones, some jazzy and sultry ones, other worldly, circus vibes and more with a cinematic twist and with some phenomenal surprise guests! :D Also,  if you listen at the end of Twinkle, you will hear the gang vocals who are the voices of many who are on the upcoming album with me.

Oh I do like 'Twinkle'. The originality is all to apparent, as is the heart and soul that pours through this song. Occasionally a song (and artist) comes along that really justifies the time and attention I have for music. Christine Leakey and the song 'Twinkle' makes it all seem worthwile.

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Genre Wander: Freedom Fry - Jonny Avery - The Jade Assembly

Freedom Fry - The Words.

Background words - We were messing around in the studio and came up with this hybrid, disco-folk song. It’s written from the perspective of a boyfriend or girlfriend who just needs to hear that they’re still wanted. We really liked that the lyric “Just say the words” kind of also sounds like “Je sais the words.” “Je sais” means “I know” in French. - Bruce & Marie

In February 2015, Freedom Fry started the year at #1 on The Hype Machine with their first in a series of new singles, “Shaky Ground (Hey Na Na Na).” Just a few weeks later, Spotify included them in their rankings of “100 Emerging Artists From SXSW,” where they met Belgian sensation Stromae and were asked to support his west coast tour. Freedom Fry ended the tour with the beginning of a weekly May residency in Los Angeles, then took off to well-received shows in London & Paris, and came back to tour the east coast with Communion Presents.

The French/American duo, whose stage name is a satire on US & French relations during the Iraq war, have been self-producing and releasing music since 2011 when they first met on the set of a music video. Their home base, Los Angeles, and all the warmth and sunshine of California tends to heavily bleed into their sound – which skirts the lines between pop, folk and indie-rock – always blended with danceable rhythms and a sing-a-long chorus.

I just liked the idea of a hybrid disco-folk song as soon as I read the promo for this. I was not disappointed either. There's a fresh, breezy feel all the way through. Today's big question therefore has to be, is disco-folk the way forward? 

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Jonny Avery - Captains Of Industry.

Background promo - Jonny Avery is a singer/songwriter from New Zealand who mixes soulful melodies with delicate guitar work. After moving to Wellington to complete his Masters in Music at the New Zealand School of Music, Jonny released his debut solo EP ‘Atonement for Eden’. He has had a busy year, performing regularly around New Zealand. Recently he opened for Australian heavyweights Pendulum on their ‘Rhythm And Vines’ tour. Jonny’s influences include Paul Simon, Jeff Buckley and James Taylor.

“Captains of Industry” is co written by Jonny and his dad. The first half of the lyrics were penned by Jonny’s dad before he passed away in 2000. Several years later, and unaware that the song even existed, Jonny found the lyrics in his dad’s old briefcase in the basement in his childhood home while on holiday. Jonny decided to pay homage to his dad by composing a melody and bridge so that the song could be completed. Soon after, he got his band together to record the song at a local school in Wellington. It was mastered at Park Road Productions in Wellington, the same studio that worked on the post-production of The Lord of The Rings movies.

“‘Captains of Industry’ is about corporate greed and the unacceptable treatment of natural resources in exchange for profit. It’s a difficult topic to sing about so I decided drape the song in irony by adding joyful beats and instrumentation. It’s best to interpret the lyrics as an accusation of unethical behaviour towards global corporations, rather then a song that actually praises them— I only mention this because people have come up to me after gigs asking me why I support such crazy ideas.” - Jonny Avery.

'Captains Of Industry' is pleasing both musically, with some intricate and understated musicianship, along with intelligent lyrics, that ironically have been misinterpreted by some, as Jonny states above.

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The Jade Assembly - Nothing Changes.

Background promo - Manchester has always synonymous with music. So many bands, so much attitude, so much history. Some bands concern themselves with style, neglecting substance. Some bands, like The Jade Assembly, claim to have both.

From the passion of Watson and Danny's rhythm section, to the raw power of Smed's guitar work, each song is constructed to accompany northern poet John Foster's lyrics perfectly. In Foz the band have a front man who possesses an imposing sense of belief, not devoid of arrogance - but full of commitment.

Live Dates:
Feb 7th - Soundcontrol Manchester / Sound Control to Major Tom: For David Bowie
Feb 10th - Trafford Radio: Interview and Live Performance
Feb 13th - Manchester Academy 3 with Sixty Minute Man, Liam McClair, Dirty Saint & The Brakes
Feb 26th - BeerPrest / Prestwich Beer Festival with headline act Badly Drawn Boy
March 5th - Sebright Arms, London
March 17th - Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool
March 25th - Engine Rooms, Skelmersdale
March 27th - B Fest, Bolton
April 1st - Late Lounge, Rhyl
April 8th - Old Courts, Wigan.

'Nothing Changes' is one really good song. Forget about all the Manchester 'swagger and attitude' hype, this is a band who have real musical substance. Looking forward to hearing more from The Jade Assembly.

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The Attics - Not Like

The Attics - Not Like.

Background promo - Returning to their roots for their latest release, ‘Not Like’ is quirky pop music, standing on the sidelines of a dancefloor. Sparse verses with minimal beats, choruses that show careful, yet catchy restraint and a twisted psych breakdown with a looping falsetto calling “hometown always is one place; she goes away, but always stays with me”. This is pop songwriting, flirting with deep layers of effected synthetic instruments and wonky bass lines.

Past singles ‘We Broke The Sky’ and ‘Ultraviolets’, from their most recent release, received attention from Australian music blogs, and secured high rotation airplay on several public radio stations across Australia, including triple j Unearthed. These tracks and their mesmerising live show have led to comparisons with acts as wide ranging as The Murlocs, Pond, Jagwar Ma and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The Attics’ hard work and relentless gigging across Melbourne and Victoria has been recognised and paid off with a slot at the Apollo Bay and Queenscliff Music Festivals as well as securing a position on the By The Meadow line-up alongside Foreign/National, Dorsal Fins and Sunbeam Sound Machine.

‘Not Like’ was recorded with Hector Castillo (two-time x Grammy award winner – worked with David Bowie, Bjork, Lou Reed, Roger Waters) at Sydney’s iconic Studios 301. The track was then mixed and mastered in the careful hands of Isaac Barter (Canary, Life Is Better Blonde). The Attics are excited to announce their upcoming tour hitting regional centres across Victoria as well as headline shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

Upcoming Shows:
19th Feb - The Barwon Club, Geelong (w/ Murdena, Velvet Bow)
20th Feb - The Loft, Warrnambool (w/ The Stiffys, Blackwood Jack)
26th Feb - Straight Shooters, Colac (w/ Velvet Bow)
4th Mar - The Grace Darling, Melbourne (w/ Uncle Bobby, Neon Queen, IO)
18th Mar - Union Hotel, Sydney (w/ Suiix, Space Monk, Plum)
19th Mar - The Phoenix, Canberra (w/ Wallflower, Mondecreen).

'Not Like' did enough for me to give it a second play. It's definitely a 'grower' possibly because it dares to be different and is so, so unpretentious. Quirky with heaps of style.

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Sunday Double: Highasakite - Loop Line

Highasakite - Someone Who'll Get It.

Background promo - Norway’s Highasakite return with perhaps their darkest offering to date, unveiling new single ‘Someone Who’ll Get It’ – the first lifted from the band’s highly-anticipated sophomore LP, slated for release this year. It ricochets; it resonates, with Highasakite’s signature battalion in full force. 

The track hints to the brooding premise of Highasakite’s forthcoming album, serving a worthy successor to debut LP ‘Silent Treatment’ – an effort applauded on both sides of the Atlantic and now claiming the record for longest consecutive run in Norwegian chart history, having spent 94 weeks in the Top 40. Championed by the likes of Pitchfork, NME and The Guardian, ‘Silent Treatment’ has achieved international acclaim since its release in February 2014; awarded 2x Norwegian Grammys, an Impala Nomination (European Independent Album of the Year), a Triple J Hottest 100 (AUS) placing with single ‘Since Last Wednesday’ and Album/Single of the Year listings on NPR (US).

Upon first listen, ‘Someone Who’ll Get It’ presents somewhat sinister, but not without context: “The gunshots make more sense if you hear the new album as a whole,” explains vocalist Ingrid Helene Håvik. “The theme of the album is war and terrorism. Not the war at home, like ‘Silent Treatment’, but what is going on in the world right now.”

Despite loose political commentary, the album is without agenda. The intention is not to persuade or invade but more so, an attempt to make sense of the inner turmoil born of external unrest. “It’s not a political album in the sense that I want people to side with specific party or mindset, but it has been central in my life,” Håvik says. “There are not many love songs on the album, because I haven't been in that state of mind for a long time. Global warming and war have been my main concern.” 

'Someone Who'll Get It' lands ahead of Highasakite’s first ever UK headline at London’s Hoxton Hall on February 9, with tickets having sold out just days after general announce. A new London show is announced at Village Underground on May 24, alongside a string of headline performances throughout Europe. The band has been touring nearly non-stop since the spring of 2014, including dates with Of Monsters and Men (UK/EU/US), London Grammar (US) and a 10,000 capacity show at Sverresborg Arena, Trondheim late last year.

Plenty of positive words have been written and said regarding Highasakite, and not that surprising on the strength of songs like the featured 'Someone Who'll Get It'. It's a really catchy song, maybe indie pop defines it, whatever the category the hooks will get you!

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Loop Line - Nothing About You.

Background bio - Loop Line is an indie-rock band based out of multiple locations.  They are but two men, who live in different cities. Currently, Paul lives in Minneapolis and Luke lives in Phoenix. They first met in Minneapolis, where they played together in various bands until 2009, when life got in the way and forced their musical collaboration online.

Geographically challenged ever since, they've been making music together by sending files back and forth over the internet, revising and adding to each other's demos until they become truly collaborative songs.  Hence the moniker "Loop Line," representing the musical data packets that are constantly traveling back and forth between two points, thousands of miles apart. Wakes is the follow up to their 2014 LP, Tides, which was described by L'etoile Magazine as "great, creative interesting stuff...sounds like nothing else going on [in Minneapolis] right now," and "adventurous" and "ebullient" by BandCamp Hunter.

The new EP 'Wakes' came out last Friday (29th Jan), from which 'Nothing About You' is the first track. Luke from the band tells us "We've been compared to the Beach Boys and XTC by L'etoile Magazine" which certainly left me intrigued. Having listened to the EP it's actually a pretty good description, but don't think of the band as clones of the comparisons, they have created some fine songs that stand on there own feet.


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