Background promo - Electro-Pop artist Anousheh has just launched her latest, buzz-worthy single, "Bones." Anousheh's fresh style combines Pop sensibilities that offers a unique, and slightly nostalgic sound for your ears. The songstress has been garnering the praise of fans and critics alike who can't get enough of her hypnotic vocals and captivating instrumentation.
Anousheh is known for her epic melodies, and the Grammy-nominated songwriter has captivated audiences both overseas and in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Drawing early influences from some of her 90's music idols like Tori Amos, Bjork, and Radiohead, her songwriting style has always been rooted in introspection and metaphor. As an adult, Anousheh's love of pop music, hip hop and indie rock has focused her songwriting into hook-driven, thoughtful pop songs-- and in line with artists like Tove Lo, Ellie Goulding and Halsey. Facebook here.
'Bones' is one fine electro pop song. It's catchy, upbeat and a little hypnotic, surely that's enough for one song!
Background - Russian indie-pop band On-The-Go consists of a group of talented musicians who strive to make music of the best quality. Having their first LP on the top of the Russian Charts led to performing alongside the likes of She Wants Revenge, Foster The People and The Horrors- impressive, right? Not only this, but the contemporary and element to their music has left them compared to cool artists like Wild Beasts and The XX.
Their new captivating film for In The Morning feels more like a blockbuster movie than a music video. The storyline is intense; with twists and turns along the way it’s almost impossible to stop watching. Fast action, speed chases and romance- what’s not to love? “We've done a bunch of videos with Yura and his Feel Bad Movie production team in the past three years and it is very interesting to follow the evolution of their work with us and other projects: the work becomes more and more cohesive and mature” explains bassist Dima Midbord.
As the plot unfolds, we discover that a biker falls in love with a girlfriend of a powerful businessman and becomes a tool of vengeance in her hands. She plans the murder of her man with the help of a mysterious artifact. Dragging her lover into the situation can’t end well…or can it? Content of the On-The-Go music is a mesmerising combination of local background, quest for the new sound and Russian authentic melodies backed by refined arrangements, thought-out sound and distinctive lyrics written by band leader Yura Makarychev. Website here.
The video is something of an epic feature, to the point that the music can almost be incidental. Having now listened to just the song, 'In The Morning' is an original piece of indie pop, and enough to have me checking the band out some more.
Background promo - Welsh electro-rock outfit Def Neon have just dropped their new track Stand Aside. It's the latest offering from their upcoming, self-titled debut album due for release on the 25th of November. There's a press release about the album plus other materials available here and i'll be happy to send you a pre-release copy of the whole thing for review if you'd like.
The album will be officially launched at new DIY music festival Foundations in Manchester this November, with a UK tour planned for 2017. Hailing from Wrexham, North Wales, Def Neon are a band that fuses elements of rock, electro, synthpop and bass music to create a sound that has been described by critics as energetic, intense and unique.
The band's infectious and accessible sound coupled with their engaging live performances across the UK have proven popular with live event organisers, club promoters and fans alike, leading to a number of headline shows, festival appearances and high-profile support slots for The Orb, 65daysofstatic, Death in Vegas, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Birthday Massacre, Syd.31, The Algorithm and Sonic Boom Six. Facebook here.
The description electro rock is spot on. With the song 'Stand Aside' Def Neon really do blend full on rock music with electro and the result is fabulous. The vocals are powerful and passionate which adds to the eclectic melting pot of ideas.
Background - When asked about the artist she has grown into, Roni asserts that Elvis Presley always taught her to sing. Raised on a musical diet that consisted on Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, country music has always been in her blood. However, through her teenage years and into adult life, the eclectic artistry and raw honesty of Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Nicks have resonated with her, and been a huge influence on her own songwriting.
While she many have taken a hiatus from performance international stage, Roni kept performing in her local area and focused her energies on writing extensively. Now armed with in excess of 90 songs, Roni is in the planning stages of an album, which she teases with the release of the rather lush Baby Bird. With her close friend, the multi-Award winning Sarah Jory accompanying her on her fledgling outing, Roni is perfectly placed to return to the music scene full-time.
Following the acclaim of her single Baby Bird, Roni returns with her new full-length album See You Again Baby, which is her most touching to date. Of the record she says, 'The album is a 12 track long, laid bare gritty cocktail of bluesy acoustic Country/Rock. It contains some old and popular songs from my back catalogue plus several from recent writing sessions. I wanted to show the more genre crossing nature of my songwriting which shows [I hope] some versatility, having influences from so many different kinds of music. I am aware that people struggle to pigeon hole me, which can be a great thing to have!
It was co-produced by my now ex-husband during our separation which was incredibly difficult! He wishes to remain out of the picture. I played all the instruments except for lead guitar solo in ‘Kinda Late’ and lap slide in ‘Gravity’ .... all compositions solely by me along with all harmonies... It is truly a solo album!!' Facebook here.
'Gravity' gives a good flavour of the new album 'See You Again Baby'. The songs are often quite stripped back acoustic affairs, with a mixture of country blues and rock. Roni has melodic vocals with enough edge to give the whole collection a fine roots feel.
Background - MFC Chicken is back in action with Colonel Spencer back from spending another well-dressed summer hidden deep within the Canadian Wilderness. The Chickens are ready to take Europe by storm with a new album and extended tour of Spain and the UK. After debuting an expanded all-star Deluxe line up at Spring 2016's Hipsville Festival to great acclaim and significant excitement, MFC Chicken have taken this new and improved recipe into the studio for their latest and greatest album to date, Goin' Chicken Crazy. It keeps that same raw Chicken energy, humour and party vibe that you fans have all come to know and love while adding extra punch and power with a load of special guest talent.
In addition to the core line up of Spencer Evoy (Tenor Sax and Lead Vocals), Alberto Zioli (Lead guitar and vocals) Zig Criscuolo (Bass) and Ravi-Low Beer (Drums), the Deluxe line up includes Chuchi Malapersona (Oh! Gunquit) on baritone sax, Dan Criscuolo (The Fuzillis) on baritone guitar, Tim Harrison (The Caezars) on piano, as well as veteran Chickens The Reverend Parsley on guest keys and Fernando Terror sharing double lead vocals with Spencer on one of the albums' most lyrically inappropriate tunes.
The Deluxe Chicken line up will feature at the October 20th Dirty Water Club album launch party at Nambucca (located on the legendary birth road of MFC Chicken, Holloway Road), and at several of the Spanish dates on MFC extensive Iberian tour taking place late October/November 2016. Facebook here.
MFC Chicken serve up the finest and freshest deep fried songs as 'Blackout Drunk' from their new menu demonstrates. They are also awesome live, enjoy!!!
Background - On the 30th of September, darlings of the Leeds’ DIY scene Hope and Social released their debut single “Sunrise Laughing”, from their much anticipated studio album “Feel”. This new record shows a breadth and depth that extends beyond that of Hope and Social’s already eclectic back catalogue
A sonic-smorgasbord of a single, “Sunrise Laughing” is as light, bright and fresh as it is big, ballsy and bold. Sweet, summery and non-too-serious, “Sunrise Laughing” sees Hope and Social embracing the use of the recording studio as an instrument in its own right. This band come over like a cross between Elbow having a tea party with The Polyphonic Spree. There’s a lot of joy and laughter and as their name encapsulates, much to be hopeful and social about. The video comes from the extremely talented Virpi Kettu (lead animator, Radiohead - Burn The Witch), the first of 9 videos for the album.
The story so far “Feel” is Hope & Socials 5th studio album. With a career spanning over 8 years, 10 LPs, 1000s of gigs including Glastonbury, Leeds Arena and many a pub/front room up and down the country, Hope & Social do all the things that bands do, and so much more. Whether turning their studio into a Bistro for 70 fans, hosting their boutique garden party writing and performing the music for the critically acclaimed theatre piece “Bring The Happy” (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Tbilisi International Festival), or traversing the length and breadth of Yorkshire, teaching 1,200 people how to play their songs for their 2014 Yorkshire Festival project “The Tour Of Infinite Possibility” (culminating in 12 gigs in 4 days, and a performance of Hope and Social’s official festival song, “The Big Wide”, at the opening ceremony of the Tour de France at Leeds Arena, in front of a live TV audience of 300 million people), Hope & Social are a band who very much enjoy throwing themselves into impossible challenges and exploring new ideas and ways of working. Website here.
Album release tour dates: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds - Thursday 20th October Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds - Saturday 22nd October (Feel - The Videos Premiere) Town Hall, Hartlepool - Friday 28th October The Bedford, London - Thursday 3rd November The Tin at The Coal Vaults, Coventry - Friday 4th November Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham by sea - Saturday 5th November Gullivers, Manchester - Tuesday 8th November The Lion Inn - Blakey Ridge, York - Thursday 10th November Bilton Working Men's Club, Harrogate - Friday 11th November Fibbers, York - Saturday 12th November.
'Sunrise Laughing' is melodic, catchy, bright and mood lifting, and has an extra level of energy that kicks in perfectly as the song builds. A real tonic for the ears and the heart.
Background from Anna - I am sharing my first single off my new album 'Sky Stacked Full'. "When We Were Young" is about making things together. I'm a descendant of a long line of makers. My maternal grandfather was a shoemaker who also made ornate wood carvings with a pen knife. My mother was a visual artist, phenomenal cook and quilt maker. My ancestors from both sides of my family experienced poverty, war, suffering, beyond anything I can imagine. And yet in the face of that, they continued to make things of incredible beauty. This new single explores my connection to the past. When I was a child, my mother had a subscription to ARTnews, and one edition had an article about a Canadian artist - Janet Morton - who knit a sweater for a house on Ward's Island. I thought it was the most amazing concept and it was the initial inspiration for the song - its working title (Sweater For A House) came from that. In October I'll release 'Sky Stacked Full'. The songs were written over a span of ten years and recorded over a period of five months at CBC Studio 211 in Toronto, featuring the playing of co-producer and guitarist David Occhipinti. In time, I will share it in full but for now have a listen to my new single and sink into my past. Facebook here.
'When We Were Young.' is a beautiful song with Anna's vocal soaring above a splendid traditional sounding background. The video gives a peak into her past, the album is eagerly awaited.
Background promo - Ipanema Cosmonauts is the dream-pop, post-rock, nu-gaze, you-name-it duo formed by Alice and Serge in the cold, cold city of Saransk, Russia. Blending ambient guitar textures and pop laden progressions against effortless, serine and soaring vocal melodies, the band's thoughtfully crafted songs have a maturity and spaciousness that both hooks you in and lets you drift.
Influenced only in part by newer Russian bands, Ipanema Cosmonauts reach past cultural barriers to incorporate American jazz progressions, shoegaze lushness, pop melodies, and international collaborations with other US, European, and Japanese based artists.
Their debut release, Adrift starts with their most accessible and pop driven tracks, "Kites" and "Return", followed by their more well known tracks, "Black Helicopters" and "Washed", that originally propelled their success on music streaming services. Adrift will be released on all major digital music distributors on October 18th. Facebook here.
First of four tracks on the EP, 'Kites' demonstrates the more rockier side of the duo, they are capable of much softer and dreamy material. All is of a very high standard as they mix up the styles and consistently provide fine melodies and vocals.
Background - About ‘He Hath Made You Rich’ Caramelised R&B melodies and a Jeff Buckley approach to sparse, minimal, but wide open arrangements, ‘He Hath Made You Rich’ is Lewis bending the well-worn love song genre to his own experience and crafting something unmistakably fresh. His tender falsetto sounds like an alto sax as the arrangement expands into something that holds a candle to Tom Petty’s ‘Free Falling’.
About Lewis Fieldhouse. In 2013, Lewis Fieldhouse’s unswerving dedication to his craft led him through California’s Central Valley on a journey to absorb the musical heritage of his heroes. Like many things in life, it didn’t go to plan. Instead, he found himself exploring the topology of abject depression: feeling the weight of his mortality in the basement of a rundown Hollywood hostel, the sting of isolation in LA’s baking suburban sprawl. News of a personal tragedy at home and the burden of his own expectations had almost crushed the artist in him, but from the depths he began to write again. He created the persona of Theodor Washington for himself to deflect the debilitating anxiety and render the world around him through a more romantic lens.
Each new song fed into his creativity, marking the stages of an artistic rebirth. Utterly apart from his peers in his rejection of the stale choreography of today’s media landscape, Fieldhouse presents to us his firebrand wit with a troubadour’s knack for both lyrical sincerity and absurdity. Offering snippets of life and coupling humour with calculating insight, his work evokes the sound of Eagles and Father John Misty. On his debut album Theodor Washington and the Central Valley, his ear for irresistible pop songwriting is undeniable. Three years and five thousand miles later, Lewis is making the music he has always wanted to make. Now he’s causing a positive stir amongst music blogs like The 405 and The Vinyl District, with It’s All Indie crowning him “one of the most exciting singer-songwriters in London at the moment”. Lewis’s expert take on Americana and the great american pop song comes from a place of humbled authenticity, and that alone makes Theodor Washington and the Central Valley something special. Website here.
See Lewis Fieldhouse live: Thursday 24 November: RS Bar, Sheffield, 156 St Mary's Rd, Sheffield S2 4AX Friday 2 December: The Ivy House, London SE15 3BE - Official Album Launch Party
'He Hath Made You Rich' builds from a slower melodic start into something quite powerful. The vocals add emotional intensity, as the song grows musically with the falsetto vocals driving it on.
Background - For nearly a decade, The Person & The People have been a staple in the Twin Cities music scene. After the band recorded their 2016 album Dark & Low, their long time drummer Adam Mallory moved across the country. At the same time, singer Nick Costa found himself jobless and unsure of his band’s future. He sat down to write an a new album and impulsively recorded the new album, Unemployment Blues. Recorded primarily in one take on a 4-Track cassette recorder in producer Dan Mariska’s basement, it is Costa’s most stripped down, honest, and soul-crushingly personal record to date.
The Person & The People will be releasing Unemployment Blues with two shows at The Warming House on October 28th and October 29th. It will be the second full length album by the band this year. Bandcamp pre order here.
'Unemployment Blues' is the first of ten well constructed songs on the new album. There is a very personal and genuine feel running throughout the album, with acoustic guitar and Nick Costa's pleasing vocals taking centre stage. It may be stripped back, however rather than feeling raw, the warmth is pretty much there in every song.
Background - The second single "Not Even In Your Dreams" from Crocodiles upcoming album 'Dreamless'. "Not Even..." is the finale on 'Dreamless' which is do out 10/21 on Zoo Music.
Comprised of best friends Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell, Crocodiles have earned their place as one of the United States’ most engaging, hardworking and consistent rock and roll bands of the past few years. Dreamless is the pair’s sixth LP, and is, at once, their most exploratory and focused release.
Whereas Crocodiles’ first two albums made their home amongst a stew of fuzzed-out psychedelia, and the following three albums explored Welchez and Rowell’s penchant for placing pop sensibilities against whirring guitars and barbed production, Dreamless sees the duo endeavoring on an artistic departure that positions their guitars in the backseat in favor of a more spacious, synthesizer and piano-driven sound.
The pair recorded the 10-track Dreamless in Mexico City over the course of 6 weeks. Having become something of a spiritual (and in the case of Welchez, literal) home to the duo, choosing D.F. as the location for recording allowed them to again hook-up with friend and occasional bandmate Martin Thulin (also a member of post-punks Exploded View). Between them, the trio shared instrument duties, with Welchez and Rowell handling the lion’s share of guitar and bass, Thulin and Welchez the live drum work, and Thulin focusing largely on keys. Facebook here.
The tenth and final track on the forthcoming album 'Not Even In Your Dreams' has a bright indie pop feel, with the piano adding to the tempo and overall upbeat musical vibe within the song.
Background from Amanda Alderman who made sure we heard of Tropical Nasty! - Ever see the classic, Looney-Tunes short where a snoozing cartoon was elevated into the air by an enticing, visible vapour, so powerful and alluring it often formed actual hands and sailed the sleeping soul like a magic carpet, toward the source of the deliciousness?
That’s what I experienced when Tropical Nasty’s audible effusion grazed my ears along with the Venice Beach breeze one, recent Sunday afternoon. I was headed the other way on the boardwalk when their enchanting emanation stopped me in my tracks. Encapsulated by their sound, I drifted right to them, just like in our treasured, vintage animation.
Drenched with this Superband’s psychedelic funky rhythms and celestial strings, my pace quickened, my chest swelled and I swear I grew an inch taller as I neared them. When I reached the nucleus of this Pacific oasis, I joined an ungovernable myriad of beach goers who celebrated this rustic bunch of brilliant Enchanters.
This trifecta had launched an outdoor discotheque and inspired these spectators, donned in worn flip-flops and sun-kissed skin, to hop around like they were high and silly on Willy Wonka’s soda fizz.
Who are these guys?!” I proclaimed aloud, and caught faces around me break into smiles because they were thinking the same thing. Onlookers with mesmerised permagrins surrounded this shirtless trinity who rocked as if to win the vote of the universe’s god assembly on whether to eliminate or keep Earth. Their infectious, eclectic sound- all their very-own, original, spontaneous tunes relative to Jimi Hendrix, early, funky Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, Led Zeppelin, The Meters and Bob Marley- touched everyone in proximity, overpowering them to dance and yawp.
Meet the Wizards of Tropical Nasty: Wondrous Drummer and lead vocalist, Myke Anthony, Bass Dynamo, Collin Bunch and Guitar- Master, Dave Tepper.
They look like what would happen if Gwen Stefani and the original Tarzan got together and made kids. I was surprised to discover they were from South Jersey when I had the privilege of purchasing their CD. I was certain they were from a faraway continent, or Jupiter, and only spoke the language of music. But they are, in fact, American buddies from Pennsville, New Jersey and they’ve been gracing L.A. with their mystic sound for a little over a year. See Tropical Nasty close-up while you still can, busking on the Venice Beach boardwalk and on the Santa Monica Pier, and follow them on Facebook here.
'Slipped Away' has some classic blues rock vibes mixed with powerful vocals and harmonies. The band add an extra funky dimension and create a very catchy and honest sound. Locals to Venice Beach would do well to keep an eye (and ears) out for these guys, the music really is full of hooks and feeling.
Background promo - The Raveonettes have released the new track "This Is Where It Ends" .
"This Is Where It Ends" is the ninth track release from the band's official Rave-Sound-Of-The-Month playlist where the duo will continue to upload a freshly recorded track on the last Friday of every month until December. The 'anti-album' will feature a collection of new tracks that aren't bound by the constraints of the format. Join the Rave-Sound-Of-The-Month and subscribe to the playlist here.
The Raveonettes also continue their new Pledge Music Campaign where fans can pledge for the CD and vinyl of the forthcoming new album. Sign up for the Pledge Music Campaign here. Bands website here.
'This Is Where It Ends' the latest song from The Raveonettes 'anti album' is melodic and quite atmospheric. Whispered vocals and a sometimes sparse musical background gently lead into a sweeping soundtrack. Love it!
Background - Nashville's The New Respects has released its new single, “Trouble,” making the track available to purchase and stream at all outlets. “Trouble don’t you find no home by me” is the recurring message throughout this anthem, proclaiming that while there is trouble around every corner, we can choose how we respond to it. Fans of the group have responded in a much more personal way than The New Respects ever imagined, sharing anecdotes of how “Trouble” inspires them.
It was a chance meeting in Nashville that brought The New Respects together with producer/drummer Jeremy Lutito (of indie-rock group Leagues). Lutito took an immediate liking to The New Respects' soul/rock sound, and produced this single along with the group’s upcoming project.
The New Respects is a family affair, made up of three siblings, twins Alexis (bass) and Zandy Fitzgerald (guitar), along with their brother Darius (drums) and cousin Jasmine Mullen (vocals/guitar). Since forming five years ago, The New Respects' sound has evolved from acoustic instrumentation to the vintage soul/rock feel heard throughout the new single, “Trouble.” The group is heavily influenced by the gospel music they were surrounded by growing up in Nashville, and that extends to artists including Aretha Franklin, Alabama Shakes, and John Mayer. Facebook here.
Powerful vocals and soulful rocking music spells 'Trouble'. This really is a a great song, one that has hooks that dig deep.
Background - Kosi (née Akosua Gyebi) is a New York City based singer/songwriter with nappy hair and jazz roots. Although she always brings just a little drama to her compositions and interpretations, she's more than just a drama queen. She's got piercing eyes and a voice that's larger than her body. But, small as she is, she won't fit in a box. She switches styles more quickly than you can follow, from jazz, to rock, then folk, but never more than a few steps away from the blues.
She cites Abbey Lincoln and Nina Simone as her main influences, and has been compared to Tracy Chapman, India Arie, Ma Rainey, and Bessie Smith. However, despite her comparisons and influences, everything about Kosi, from her nappy hair to her sometimes bare feet, from her occasionally jarring lyrics to her now-she's-sweet-now-she's-screaming dramatic interpretations, radiates authenticity. "I am not creating anything," she says, "nor am I deconstructing anything. I am neither an iconoclast nor a follower. I am simply myself, and that is enough." She's more than enough. You definitely want to hear this girl sing... if you can handle it. Kosi is currently the lead vocalist of straight-ahead jazz group Sweet Blue Fire and indie rock group The Goddess Lakshmi.
I Know Who I Am, Kosi's fourth and latest album, is a concept album telling the story of guilt, absolution, love, and self-actualization through original jazz and negro spirituals. Along with Kosi's first two albums, Pictures of Us and One More Cup of Coffee, each of which is comprised of eight of Kosi's original songs and two jazz standards, and her third album, Ghosts Appearing through the Sound, which is a tribute to Abbey Lincoln. Website here.
'Morning After Blues' is a beautiful piano lead blues song, that provides one aspect of the music Kosi delivers. Be it blues, jazz or any other style she chooses to adopt, the consistency of engaging vocals, natural music and genuine commitment is always there.
Background promo - Del Caesar, are a phenomenal new garage/psych trio based in Brooklyn. The band is gearing up to release their second EP, aptly titled EP 2, on November 11th through their imprint Reheated Spaghetti, and in conjunction with the announcement, they’re sharing the raucous lead single “Like They Always Say”
Del Caesar is comprised of frontman/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Lloyd Barr, who doubles as a visual artist by day, and Eric Arikian (Let’s Be Loveless) on bass and Ben Reynolds (Slang King) on drums. Recorded straight to tape, EP 2’s sound embodies riff-driven, upbeat garage rock, snarling in a way that betrays some swagger, but never hostility. Their lyrics that point to the everyday: relationships, ambitions, stuff we all experience, combined with a stripped-down mono recording sound that leaves us with songs that could have been recorded last month or in 1965.
That’s not to say Del Caesar is nostalgic… far from it. There’s no kitschy throwback dress-up, in terms of appearance or sounds. While some of the band’s songs sound like they could’ve come from The Standells or The Sonics, it’s not because the band is trying to reproduce those acts; it’s because they’re tapping into the same universal vein of youth and volume. Facebook here.
Live Dates: 10/08 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Rock N Roll Marathon (w/ Here We Go Magic) 11/18 - Brooklyn, NY - Sunnyvale (w/ Heliotropes, No Honeymoon and Von Mons)
'Like They Always Say' has all the vital garage/pysch ingredients, bags of energy, no nonsense rock and just a hint of attitude. There's also the potency and power that rock trio's can deliver when the music is kept stripped back, case in point being this song.
Background - Arc Iris release new "Paint With The Sun" Video. Last month, Arc Iris released their second studio album Moon Saloon on Bella Union. The album follows their critically acclaimed self-titled debut that was released in 2014. Produced by the group and mixed by electronic producer David Wrench of FKA Twigs and Caribou fame, Moon Saloon showcases beat-heavy melodies and textural, groove-riding rhythms.
The band is currently in the midst of a massive US and European tour that includes dates with Superhuman Happiness and John Grant. Arc Iris is comprised of lead singer and lyricist Jocie Adams, keyboardist Zach Tenorio-Miller and drummer Ray Belli. Adams previously spent eight years as a key member of The Low Anthem, effortlessly zipping from hammer dulcimer to clarinet to bass to vocals, sometimes barely pausing to take a breath. iTunes here.
Second time on Beehive Candy this year and on this occasion with the brand new video for 'Paint With the Sun'. Back in June I stated "Production is superb and the musicianship is quite stunning, and add to this the exquisite vocals". 'Paint With the Sun' confirms the band are highly creative and deliver beautiful songs that are full of imagination.
Background - Chicago singer-songwriter Lara Filip stepped out from behind the short-lived moniker “Birdie Wing” to release her debut album Stop Time. Stop Time, which was produced by Grammy-nominee Liam Davis, references 70’s Laurel Canyon folk rock and polished piano pop as it explores not only Filip’s personal triumph over breast cancer but universal themes like emotional/geographical distance, the preciousness of life and the power of love.
Lara Filip is a singer/songwriter, based in the Chicagoland area. With her deep connections in the Chicago music and theatre scenes, she draws the best musicians in town to collaborate on her earthy, evocative sound.
Lara attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts for vocal performance, where she met writing partner and keyboard player, Shannon Greene Robb. Shannon went off to study music at Berklee College of Music and DePaul; while Lara began working professionally in musical theatre productions. Filip went on several tours throughout the US and Canada, finally settling back home in Chicago. Website here.
'The Other Side' is one of ten really fine songs on Lara Filip's latest album 'Stop Time'. The featured song showcases the folk side of her music. Lara is equally comfortable performing quality pop (piano pop as mentioned above), her vocals are refined and the album tracks are varied and highly likable.
Background - The new single off of The Alpacas debut LP is Artifacts. The Barrie Ontario group's forthcoming was produced, engineered, and mixed by Kevin Dietz (The Cranberries, Alexisonfire, Placebo, Nelly Furtado). It was recorded at Metalworks in Toronto and Slipone Digital in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Out Oct 14, 2016 on Willow Music.
The band's thoughts on the track: “Some of the lyrics in 'Artifacts' are about drifting apart. An occurrence that everyone experiences at one point or another in life. It's sad how natural it can seem, that things can simply fade away. However, the song also expresses a truth that it is never too late to reconnect. Time isn't a legitimate obstacle, you always have the option to reach out. It's nice to include some optimism in our music.”. Website here.
Back in August we featured the bands song 'Wax' and said at the time "the band pack power chords alongside a belting rhythm and just hook you in". 'Artifacts' demonstrates that they can consistently do the same again, with plenty of spark and energy, it's rock with passion, and music that cuts straight to the chase.
Background - 2016 marks the 50th anniversary for Jamaica's celebrated musical genre rock steady. Rock steady, which was a successor of ska and precursor to reggae, used elements of rhythm and blues (R&B), jazz, ska as well as African and Latin American drumming. With its irresistible slow tempo beat and more bass-heavy, stripped-down sound, it was a distinct contrast from the more upbeat, big band ska era. Although it lasted only a couple of years (1966-68), rock steady is one of Jamaican music's most influential genres and produced immortal rhythms that are still sampled and used today.
17 North Parade, VP Records' vintage imprint, commemorates the genre this year with First Class Rock Steady. The 12" double vinyl edition is available from Fri. (Sept 30) and follows its 40-track CD and digital companion box set (released on July 1) as well as the 7" limited edition vinyl piece exclusive for Record Store Day 2016.
This new collection of First Class Rock Steady is completely remastered on black vinyl. The 24-track set expands on the 16-track 7" RSD vinyl exclusive and cherry picks the CD and digital version's most pivotal songs from some of the genre's defining artists like Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Techniques, Desmond Dekker and Johnny Nash. It's detailed cover reflects the excitement of the era when postal mail was the only mode for sharing this burgeoning Jamaican export for worldwide consumption. Playing off of Jamaica's long history of tourism, the packaging also features images of picturesque postcards and stamps of Cricket (a Jamaican pastime), the Doctor Bird (national symbol) and Montreal's Expo '67 (World's Fair). In addition, the set includes extensive liner notes written by Harry Wise and filled with commentary from the genre's key players, including living legend Bunny "Striker" Lee, Trinidad and Tobago's late-great Lynn Taitt and the 2014 fallen icon, Hopeton Lewis.
Just one of the songs on this wonderful collection of vintage music and also the name of the genre, 'Rock Steady' by Alton Ellis remains a personal favourite, and is now surrounded by so many other wonderful songs, from when I was very, very young (honest!).
Anousheh - Bones.
On-The-Go - In The Morning.
