Genre Mix Up: The Person & The People - Emily Rodgers - Grieving

The Person & The People - Hot Summer Nights.

Background bio - For nearly a decade The Person and The People have been a fixture in the Twin Cities’ “indie” scene and their experience is evident not only in their enchanting, nuanced live performances but also in their seemingly endless arsenal of catchy rock songs. Based on their past releases and their ability to navigate seamlessly from crunchy, beer-drinking guitar riffs to wistful ballads to angsty break-up songs, one can truly expect anything from their upcoming release Dark and Low.

The album promises to be collection of infectious melodies, dreamy hooks, punch-drunk guitar riffs, and sharp, relatable lyrics that poke fun at themes like society, love, and self-doubt. This creates delicate balance between everyday realism and confident farce. There are moments when we feel caught between the pull of the past and the promise of the future. Dark and Low stands on this precipice, draws a deep breath, and takes the next step. For The Person & The People, it’s fine. Album release date: Friday, April 22, 2016.

'Dark and Low' is a cracking album. 'Hot Summer Nights' the third of eleven tracks on the new release, is but a toe in the water of this fine collection of songs. The band crank things up on some songs, whilst on others there is a more leisurely and confident rock'n'roll swagger. But always there's the layered guitar riffs and melodies. If you like the featured track, I reckon you will be delighted with the album.

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Emily Rodgers - No Last Call.

Background promo - It’s clear from note one of Emily Rodgers’ new album, Two Years: she’s up to something a little different. Different from her past records, but different especially from so many of her contemporaries. In a world of indie-folk sameness, where epic and bombastic are the rule, Rodgers is deliberate and intense, quiet and bookish. And it's in its very quiet intensity that her music commands a listener’s full attention.

On paper, Rodgers’ music might seem like it would add up to folk or alt-country: A band with guitars, a pedal steel, some fiddles here and there. But on listening, you’re as likely to pick up on an undercurrent of shoegaze, chamber pop, even post-rock on Two Years. The violins oscillate under Rodgers’ melodies, more Dirty Three than country. The pedal steel soars. Rodgers’ voice, beautiful and world-weary, echoes.

On Two Years, her first album since 2009’s Bright Day, Rodgers worked with legendary producer Kramer, who was responsible for the sounds of first-generation shoegaze and slow-core innovators like Galaxie 500 and Low. (Kramer mixed and mastered Bright Day, and returned as producer this time around; he also produced two videos from the new album.) It’s fair to look at the album as a product of Rodgers’ unconventional writing -- she’s an English professor, and looks to literary sources for inspiration -- and Kramer’s sonic genius. Low comes to mind as a reference point; so does Tara Jane O’Neil.

That Two Years is her first recording in nearly seven betrays the fact that Rodgers isn’t rushing things. Song by song, she avoids the temptation to try to cram too many words into a phrase; there’s a deliberate confidence in her delivery. Rodgers takes her words seriously, and wants you to, too. (And not just her own words -- the album closes with a haunting, otherworldly cover of Neil Young’s “I Believe In You” that turns the original on its head.)

Make no mistake: Emily Rodgers’ songs generally aren’t happy. But in their contemplative melancholy, there’s a thread of fearlessness. Uplift and bombast may be the rage these days, but as Emily Rodgers makes clear, there’s something to be said for courage, contemplation and taking the time to let the words set in. Why create more of the same when something a little different can turn out this beautiful? Emily Rodgers "Two Years" (Misra Records) Release Date June 10th, 2016.

First of ten songs on the forthcoming album 'No Last Call' sets the standard on what is a treasure trove of beautiful songs. The songs don't so much switch across genres, but rather they melt them together. There is a feast of instruments, each one ideally suited for the melodies and the emotion of the songs. There may have been a lengthy gap since her last album, however if the material is going to be this good, then Emily Rodgers music is well worth the wait.

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Grieving - No Sleep.

Background promo - Grieving are a new band from Cambridge, playing direct, twisting indie-punk. The band played their first shows over the last couple of months, alongside the likes of Tellison and the much buzzed about Muncie Girls and have recorded six songs with Matty Moon (Bloody Knees, Lonely The Brave) set for release as a series of singles over the coming year.

In debt to the likes of Dismemberment Plan, Jets To Brazil, Drive Like Jehu and elsewhere the lo-fi pop of Guided By Voices, Bob Mould etc. you can hear the anxious, anthemic indie-punk of “No Sleep”.

Bassist Jack Hurst told The Fader: “No Sleep is one of the first songs we wrote as a band. It came together real naturally and I think we all knew when we left the rehearsal room with it finished that we had something there. Lyrically it’s about a previous bout of insomnia, how it can burden and disorientate you, especially as you get that little bit older and responsibilities weigh down on you further. There’s no time for a muddled head anymore. Zopiclone, referenced in the second verse, is a “nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent” according to Wikipedia. It works. Do not operate heavy machinery the next day.”

Straight down the line indie punk - no flowers in vases here, just good old honest bad attitude guitar riffs. Vocals give the song it's individual identity. A refreshing reminder that a few chords and plenty of energy can do wonders.

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Weekend Wonders: Hege Nesset - Sykoya

Hege Nesset - Faces.

Background - Hege Nesset is a Norwegian vocalist based in Liverpool, UK. Strongly influenced by blues and jazz as well as pop and electronica, she cites musical theatre and gospel music as shaping her voice.

Hege has already earned attention on national TV in Norway, performing with Venke Knutson, a Norwegian pop artist. She's a versatile backing singer performing with two Liverpool based bands, as well as doing session work and top lining.

'We Are' (Haig Records 29 April 2016) marks Hege's debut as a solo artist. The record showcases her distinctive vocals, carried by a delicate melody and brought to life with soaring harmonies.

The featured track 'Faces' gives a flavour of what to expect from the forthcoming single 'We Are'. Hege has already gained considerable experience in singing and has a charming versatile voice that deserves to be heard in it's own right, hopefully that's all about to happen.

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Sykoya - Closer.

Background words - Sykoya may be new to the scene, but are already receiving high praise for their distinctive sound and timeless mixture of indie electronic and dream pop tracks. Drawing comparisons to the likes of London Grammar, The XX and Massive Attack, the London based trio have made a lasting impression with their rhythmic electronics, melodic synths and the ever haunting vocals of front woman, Anna Marcella. Her voice will cast you under a spell as the music ebbs and flows seamlessly from light to dark, catching the listener between wanting to dance and sit in soft reflection.

Whilst excitement builds for their upcoming EP release on 21st May, the band have earned a featured spot on Tom Robinson's 'Fresh on the Net' and radio rotation around the UK and US.

Live Dates:
12th April - The Boiler Room- Guilford
13th April - The Underbelly - London
23rd April - The Deaf Institute - Manchester
21st May - EP release show - The Finsbury - London

The five track EP due in May really does showcase Sykoya as ones to watch out for, in 2016. Their atmospheric brand of electronic music, along with the impressive and mood matching vocals of Anna Marcella are a powerful combination. Comparisons there may be, however there is also a lot of creativity and commitment, giving the band a compelling and very attractive sound.

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Two Good Ones: Finlay Leslie - Gypsy & The Cat

Finlay Leslie - Reality.

Background promo - Finlay Leslie makes up for what she lacks in height with a big voice and a markedly vast range of song writing inspiration, exceeding far beyond her years.  Drawing experience from break-ups, trust, love, being elected Prom Queen alongside her girlfriend and revealing what she would say to her twelve-year-old self, this gifted self-taught storyteller already has a wealth of experience at her song-writing disposal.

In her heart-breaking debut single “Reality”, Leslie showcases her poetic storytelling ability recalling times when a lack of belief in her music and herself almost led to giving up. The touchingly reflective “Reality” is released 18th April 2016.

Nineteen-year-old Finlay Leslie’s talents were discovered when quickly racking up an impressive 80,000 YouTube plays, providing an early indication of her raw song writing talents with distinctive versions and arrangements of well-known covers before posting incredibly well received live versions of her original compositions.

Finlay applies her own unique spin, stripping songs back to their bare bones, showcasing her captivating and honest vocals and emotive guitar playing that lashes more passionately than the tides against the iconic white cliffs of her home town of Dover.

Playing most of these UK Venues for the very first time supporting the likes of Blair Dunlop, Mishka Shubaly and Blackbeards Tea Party, Finlay is quickly drawing attention for her enticing intimate live performances.

Catch Finlay at one of the following shows this spring:
2nd April   Morecambe Platform                Supporting Blackbeard’s Tea Party
21st April  Oxford, The Cellar                     Supporting Luke Daniels
22nd April Birmingham, The Rainbow     Supporting Blair Dunlop
23rd April  Oxford, The Jericho Tavern    Supporting Blair Dunlop
25th May   Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall   Supporting Blair Dunlop
26th May   Chelmsford, Asylum                 Supporting Mishka Shubaly
27th May   Sheffield, The Greystones       Supporting Blair Dunlop

Tender and personal are two words that spring to mind with the song 'Reality'. A stripped back acoustic piece, with Finlay demonstrating her 'storytelling' abilities, there is an underlying maturity to this song. 'Reality' is released Monday 18th April 2016. Whoever quipped that "the only good thing to come out of Dover was the cross channel ferry" (old English joke) would be apologising big time now!

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Gypsy & The Cat - I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else.

Background promo - “Change my brain and take my heart out. Guess you're doing fine without it.” — We all go through times when we wish we could just live another life, one without the troubles and sorrows of our own. This is an anthem for those with that longing for escape. The second single off their upcoming album, "I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else" follows up on the success of last month's "Inside Your Mind" which topped charts and got play listed around the world. Gypsy & the Cat are sure to continue winning over listeners on their mission to shower the world in glorious Australian indie pop.

Boasting ARIA and Hype Machine charting singles, three songs in the triple j Hottest 100, plus international chart and touring feats in places like Germany, Denmark and Sweden; Gypsy & the Cat and success are no longer just flirting with each other. They're shacking up and settling down. Champions of a distinctive style that’s continually influenced their contemporaries, the Melbourne duo have an unmistakable sound that’s been described as “the epitome of Australian indie-pop.” (Acid Stag)

This new stuff? There’s no doubt it’s Gypsy & The Cat. Roll call: punchy falsettos, walls of dreamy synths and a reason to dance? All present. Mixed by Dave Fridmann (Tame Impala, MGMT, Neon Indian, The Flaming Lips) it’s another sampling of the full-length album expected later this year. Spending a chunk of the last year in Japan to channel inspiration from a myriad of creative influences, "I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else" and "Inside Your Mind" indicate a new muse. A new era.

This is a good reminder that indie pop can still be pretty special. OK so we could split hairs on the specific genre, however it's still a fine song whatever box you want to put it in. Vocals are stand out, but then again so is the music, the above promo seemed over the top until I heard the song, one for the weekend.

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The Veldt - 'The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur' - Mixtape EP

The Veldt - Sanctified.

Background - Identical twins Daniel and Danny Chavis may originally hail from Raleigh/ Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but they have been East Village residents for the past 28 years. They are also co-founders of the ground breaking band The Veldt, who lifted their band’s name from a Ray Bradbury science fiction story. Musically reared in the church and juke-joints of their native southern state, the twins have been performing since they were children, listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd. They now make music, together with bassist/programmer Hayato Nakao, returning to their roots with the release of The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur: The Drake Equation Mixtape EP.  The album releases on April 8 and to celebrate, the band is doing a whirlwind tour of Central Canada (see tour dates below)

The first single is the emotionally wrought Sanctified, a ballad that perfectly captures the lush sound of Danny’s screeching guitars and decibel-breaking distortion, along with Daniel’s soulful wail and Hayato Nakao’s deep bass grooves and guitar feedback, the track serves as the perfect re-introduction to this dynamic band. The title The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur was borrowed from an E.E. Cummings poem. Its raging sound was influenced equally by the emotional soul of Marvin Gaye, free jazz warriors Sun Ra and Pharaoh Sanders, various Drake hip-hop tracks, and their own fertile electric imagination. 

In their early days, the Chavis brothers making a name for themselves playing throughout the south at a time when fellow southerners REM and Superchunk were securing major label deals. As more black rock bands (Living Colour, 24/7 Spyz) began selling records and gigging throughout the world, The Veldt was courted by various labels, including IRS Records and Capitol. 

Initially signed to Capitol Records in 1989, The Veldt embarked on a musical journey that changed their lives. Soon, they were in the studio with dream-gaze guru Robin Guthrie working on their initial recordings, playing American concert halls with Cocteau Twins and The Jesus and Mary Chain, and recording Marigolds with Linco ln Fong (Moose).

The Veldt were a sensation from the start as they became a part of a movement of innovators who came of musical age at a time when rhythmic rebels were reflective, gritty and wild. Their sound inspired future generations of alternative artists, including TV On the Radio. 

Although The Veldt had signed to two major labels after leaving Mercury Records in 1995, the brothers decided to remain indie and self-released their 2008 album White Music for Black People. “The major labels were always trying to get us to change our sound, our look or both,” Daniel laughs. “But, we had no interest in being the next Lenny Kravitz or Tony! Toni! Toné! Unfortunately, not everyone shared our vision. We weren’t trying to be rock stars, we just want to play our music and pay our rent.” 

Apart from Robin Guthrie and A.R. Kane, who produced 'And It's You' from this EP, they have collaborated with TV On The Radio, Mos Def and Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), and have shared the stage with My Bloody Valentine, The Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Manic Street Preachers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, Living Colour and TV on the Radio, among others.

They eventually changed their name back to The Veldt. The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur serves to mark the band's re-emergence and will be followed by another full album of material on their Resurrection Hymns LP later this year (via Sona BLAST! Records). Indeed, for these veteran musicians and passionate noise technicians, this newest EP marks a new beginning. The Shocking Fuzz of Your Electric Fur will be released via UK label Leonard Skully Records on April 8, 2016.

Live April Dates:

04/01 London, ON - CHRW 94.9 FM In-Session
04/01 London, ON - 765 Old East Bar & Grill
04/02 London, ON - CHRW Saturday Morning with Howie Zowie
04/03 Toronto, ON - Silver Dollar Room
04/06 Peterborough, ON - Red Dog Tavern
04/07 Montreal, QC - Barfly
04/08 Ottawa, ON - Zaphod's Ottawa
04/11 Raleigh/Chapel Hill, NC - Cat's Cradle
05/06 Philadelphia - Union Transfer (with Brian Jonestown Massacre) 
05/07 Boston - Paradise Rock Club (with Brian Jonestown Massacre) 
05/09 New York City - Webster Hall (with Brian Jonestown Massacre).

The single and the first of five tracks on the new EP, 'Sanctified' reinforces the pedigree of The Veldt. It's one of five songs that are distinctive, appealing and give understanding to how and why they have shared stages live, with so many notable acts. 'Sanctified' typifies the quality and musical style across the new EP and raises expectations, of what is to follow later in the year. Within their genre and dynamic interpretations, The Veldt are a band who have it 'in bucket loads'.

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Singers & Songs: Maria Usbeck - Silver Pools - Ofelia K

Maria Usbeck - Moai Y Yo.

Background promo - Maria Usbeck (former front woman of Selebrities) today announces her debut solo LP and shares lead single, "Moai Y Yo."

The album "Amparo", to be released May 27 via Labrador in Europe and Cascine in the US, is a collection of songs written and recorded across the span of three years in Ecuador, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Barcelona, Lisbon, Easter Island, Costa Rica, Florida, L.A. and her home in Brooklyn.

Though the songs were composed electronically, Amparo called for an acoustic treatment, so Usbeck spent a winter in the studio recording the arrangements live with producer Caroline Polachek of Chairlift who has also produced Beyoncé and engineer Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. Fleshed out in full sonic colour on the marimba, xylophone, quena flute, piano, and harp, the album stretched into something hi-fi and expressive, meditative but not meandering.

So my native language is English and sadly my grasp of Spanish is extremely lacking. That music can transcend languages is reinforced for me with this wonderful song. Musically it is superb & Maria's voice becomes another instrument for me, and a wonderful one, at that. She could be singing the local bus timetable for all I know, however one thing I am clear on this is going to get quite few more plays by me.

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Silver Pools - Leap Year.

Background promo - Silver Pools is an ambient-pop entity led by Toronto based mandolinist, songwriter & producer Todd Macdonald. Following the disintegration of the baroque pop group The Winks in 2010, Macdonald went back to school, studied jazz composition & performance while continuing his work as a sound engineer and producer.

Recorded over a four year period in studios and bedrooms between Montréal and Toronto, Memoirs of An Oblong Sphere features contributions musicians from both cities. The lushly orchestrated album explores rich, harmonic and sonic textural combinations through blending analogue synthesisers with horns and woodwinds and mandolins melting into warped classical vinyl samples. This process of layering multiple musical performances was in part inspired by techniques he learned from the production team of John Collins & David Carswell. They produced The Winks' 2008 album Birthday Party as well as The New Pornographers' Twin Cinema, an album which Macdonald played mandolin on.

The lyrics for Leap Year are taken from the correspondence between Macdonald and Vancouver writer Shmuel Marmorstein. The two have been writing songs & stories together since they were high school students in the 90s. Memoirs of An Oblong Sphere will be out on cassette April 22, 2016 via UR Audiovisual.

Silver Pools Tour Dates:
Thursday April 14th: Guelph @ The Golden Bus - Silver Pools, The Blue Funz, M. Mucci
Friday April 15th: Toronto @ Secret Venue - Silver Pools, The Blue Funz & Still Monk
Saturday April 16th: Kitchener @ Open Sesame - Silver Pools, the Blue Funz, Eiyn Sof
Sunday April 17th: Hamilton @ Baltimore House - Silver Pools, The Blue Funz, Blunt Chunks & ZONES
Thursday April 21st: Toronto @ Handlebar (For Frequencies) *Memoirs of An Oblong Sphere album release - Silver Pools, Anzola, Ajage No Anne & "Valkyrie... is about to Die!"

Saturday April 23rd: Montreal @ La Plante - Silver Pools, Syngja, Man Meets Bear & Dromia

'Leap Year' is my introduction to Silver Pools and it's a really fine song. Todd Macdonald's vocals are pretty special in my opinion, and he knows how to find just the right musical accompaniment and balance so that both vocals and music really shine. An excellent taster for the now highly anticipated album on my part.

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Ofelia K - Cinco.

Background promo - The 'Plastic Flower' EP featuring “White T-Shirt”, "As A Bell," "Gone" and "Hawk Fly Tiger Run" reintroduced Ofelia K.’s voice to the world - compelling songs worn down to perfection that balance wistful maturity with a certain earnest and eternally young expression.  Not quite pop, not quite anything else, the young singer-songwriter showcased her beautiful symmetry with her music somewhere between an unrepressed journal entry, a comforting arm around the shoulder and her smoky, shimmering glare, her eyes so knowingly staring into you. With spins from Annie Mac at BBC Radio 1, over 1.8 million Spotify plays, and features on multiple NBC television shows, the world heard her starry eyed songs and asked for oh-so-many more.

With her upcoming single release, "Cinco," this LA songstress once again sets her sights on capturing the public’s heart with her tunes. As Ofelia herself mentions, "I was embracing the freedom to get loose and play, and I think that energy that comes through in the songs."  And with Ofelia K, you know that freedom can only result in pure musical bliss.  With every single on the ‘Plastic Flower’ EP reaching top 5 on Hypem, and  Zane Lowe premiering, her forthcoming EP is guaranteed to leave your ears enraptured.

This is a beautiful piece of sparkly indie pop. Bright and uplifting the vocals skip and hop across the equally upbeat soundtrack. That her music is already popular is clear by the statistics above, it's so very, very pleasing.

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