Background - Candy Ambulance are a high-energy band from upstate NY. They're gearing up to release their new EP Spray scheduled for release on February 18, 2018. The trio self-released their first single "Weekday" earlier this fall. Described as alternative grunge rock, the band pulls plenty of pop hooks and punk energy into their sound.
Formed in the summer of 2014, grunge-influenced Candy Ambulance of upstate NY are Caitlin Barker, Jesse Bolduc & Jon Cantiello. Lifelong friends and musical mates, Bolduc & Cantiello rescued Barker from a wealthy engagement prospect and whisked her away to the land of DIY punk. Poppy melodies, dynamic vocal changes and half naked live shows have solidified this rock trio as always entertaining, unabashed fun.
Boasting a healthy and frequent tour schedule the band has played with notable acts such as Screaming Females, Speedy Ortiz, Daddy Issues, and Dorothy. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
The second of six tracks on the forthcoming EP 'Spray' is 'Weekday' an often grungy Alt rock collection of material. The band do however vary their styles both in terms of mood, energy and the sheer amount of differing hooks along the way. The featured song is therefore more a glimpse of the band, and definitely not the only trick they know, if this song appeals, then the EP will delight.
Background - On January 12, 2018, the indie duo Modesta will release their highly anticipated debut studio endeavor, a self-produced four track EP entitled ‘VHS.’ The eclectic set of songs masterfully walks the line between contemporary indie influence, electronic stylings, and organic, retro sonic flavors. Today, Modesta’s single, ‘VHS,’ has been made available prior to the full album release.
Fronted by Arjun Viswanathan and Kostas Papadopoulos, Modesta is a retro R&B-infused indie rock duo with an electronic charm, thus offering a wholly unique and genuine sound unlike anything else in the independent music scene. Calling upon influences the likes of Roosevelt, The Shins, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Modesta’s style is rooted in musical diversity and experimentation.
Modesta, founded in the Boston area, has accrued almost half a million spins on Spotify, with over 15,000 monthly listeners. Over the last year, Viswanathan and Papadopoulos have built a home recording studio from the ground up, learning new ways to improve their craft and achieve a high level of creative control and artistic integrity with their work. FACEBOOK.
'VHS' opens with a layered synthy sound above gentle beats. The falsetto vocals add another dimension to this melodic and flowing song, the EP is awaited with both intrigue and anticipation!
Background - Blues-Rock-n-Soul supergroup Delta Deep is thrilled to announce the release of their live CD/DVD East Coast Live on January 26, 2018 through Frontiers Music Srl which as an added plus will also be availble on vinyl. The East Coast Live CD is a full show performance filmed at legendary Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY while the DVD showcases select songs and highlights from that night. The label will also be re-releasing Delta Deep's debut album. The group, which made their chart topping debut in 2015, featuresPhil Collen, lead guitarist of Def Leppard, Debbi Blackwell-Cook (back-up vocalist for such artists as Michael Buble & Gregory Hines), Robert DeLeo (bassist for Stone Temple Pilots) and Forrest Robinson (drummer for Joe Sample & The Crusaders, India.Arie & TLC).
Delta Deep’s self-titled debut was released in June 2015 entering iTunes Blues charts at #2. The band immediately hit the road performing at festivals and concert venues across the country. Critics lauded the band, with Elmore Magazine declaring, “Delta Deep is a rocking force due to bring down any house– historical or modern.” While San Francisco’s BAM Magazine said, “the live experience for Delta Deep is one not to be missed…Debbi Blackwell-Cook is mesmerizing!”
The group originally came together when Collen was jamming at home with his wife's godmother, Debbi Blackwell-Cook. What started as a casual pairing, singing Motown favorites and classic blues when Debbi visited, quickly turned into much more. Along with Collen's wife Helen, the three began writing original music together. Eventually Collen and Blackwell-Cook began laying down demos and the rest is Delta Deep history.
Collen, widely known to millions of rock ‘n roll fans for his iconic albums with Def Leppard, recently explained why they decided to put out this live album and DVD. "We recorded every night of our 2016 tours, east and west coast, expecting to pull out the best performances from different cities. But we managed to capture one of those special, magical nights where all the stars fall into place in Pawling, NY at Daryl's House. This whole album was recorded that night. It was so relaxed but we were so on fire at the same." The musicians of Delta Deep bring their varying experiences from all corners of the music spectrum together to make a unique stew of blues-rock-n-soul. Collen also adds, "The intention was never to have a DVD addition to the CD but seeing the performances live and the fact that Daryl's House also video records its shows was an added bonus for us." WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
Blues, Rock and Soul are all rolled up together and performed live with total enthusiasm and style, on the East Coast Live album due in late January. From the opening salvo of Led Zeppelin classic 'Black Dog' the band take the audience through some fabulous songs including the new piece 'Bless These Blues' featured below. This is as you would expect from a band of this calibre, one very fine album.
Background - Late Sea are not afraid to create music that challenges listeners to question and reimagine everything they know. Jerusalem-born singer and composer Izzy Gliksberg and his band craft lush, dynamic soundscapes that fall somewhere between experimental electronic rock and indie-pop. The band's new EP The Writers Trilogy explores this unique musical confluence. Gliksberg's cryptic lyricism, delivered in his trademark sing-speak style, fearlessly traverses the dark terrain that he and his bandmates create.
As the title suggests, The Writer's Trilogy is a collection of three original songs, that pay homage to literary giants Frankz Kafka, Paul Celan, and Baruch Spinoza. Gliksberg shares, "The making of the EP was literally reaching back to the writers that shaped my concept of what it means to be an artist and to have some sort of inner dialog with them. Every creative person is the sum of his influences: we immerse ourselves in the works of others, consciously or unconsciously, and then we process it into something that's our own. Sometimes we have so many ideas buzzing in our heads and all of them demand our attention and time. In a way, when working on the EP I had the chance to give voice to many ideas at once - lyrically, musically and visually. In that sense it was a very satisfying process."
Each stunning track is accompanied by an equally impressive video, providing a visual component that helps to reinforce each songs narrative and sonic impact. Part one "Ring the Bells" and part two "The Great White", previously released, are chock-full of thought-provoking themes and imagery. The third video, for "Hunter" will be released in January 2018, continuing and fulfilling the mysterious and mythical themes found throughout the series. Passionate about combining music and visuals, Late Sea creates a new level of powerful and transformative art.
A fourth track provides a reimagined cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 1964 hit "Sound of Silence," for which a music video was released yesterday. Punctuated by Sam Nester's ambient trumpet lines, the somber rendition of the track is paired with sobering images of nuclear war and political propaganda. The cinematic tone of the music combined with the stark imagery conveys a sense of impending doom. Over fifty years after the original release, Late Sea manages to breath new life into both the music and interpretation of the message. The video features animation by international award-winning animator Yulia Ruditskaya. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
Imaginative and creative, 'The Writers Trilogy' is a beatiful collection of four quite unique songs. The music is intricately developed and supports the atmospheric vocals, alongside intriguing lyrics that demand attention in their own right.
Background - Micah Olsan is a versatile singer, songwriter, guitarist and tape machine enthusiast who's sound falls somewhere between Nick Drake and Michael Kiwanuka. Olsan’s energy, talent, and seminal sound have made him one of Milwaukee’s longtime beloved musicians.
A one-man sound machine, Micah Olsan bucks the trend of overly-produced perfection choosing instead to focus on capturing a moment in time and preserving it for posterity. Using his voice, guitar, and a few old machines, Olsan wanders through dimensions of Americana, Soul and Psychedelia.
With every offering on the ‘Open Space’ EP blurring the lines of archetypal styles, it’s no wonder that Micah Olsan hunkered down at National Studio with a handful of prodigious guest musicians to create the perfect cocktail of melodrama and focus into four deceptively simple tracks. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
The first of four tracks on Micah Olsan's 'Open Space' EP is the featured title track. The song exudes Americana musical sensibilities whilst Micah's vocals are warm and genuine. It typifies the quality across this varied and unpretentious collection of music, one that has many hooks and originality.
Background - With well-established singles like "I'm In Love with You" and "I Believe", Endre Nordvik's first album "Suburb Hero" is due for release on January 12, 2018.
"Suburb Hero" contains ten pop songs that falls within the boundaries of the soul inspired indie and Americana genre. “Suburb Hero” was Recorded at Demningen Studio in Norway, with producer Eirik Grønner, the album is well crafted with top-class musicians, a great sound, and solid songwriting.
"Suburb Hero" is my first album and, I'm very proud of it! says Endre Nordvik. I have worked for more than 2 years, together with producer Grønner, and I'm humble of what we've achieved.
The songs are written by Grønner and me, except for 2 songs that I have written myself. World Idol winner Kurt Nilsen has also been involved in the writing process and participates in three songs where “Let The Good Times In” is a duet with Kurt. FACEBOOK.
'Superb Hero' the forthcoming album from Endre Nordvik is a collection of ten beautifully crafted songs. 'Like Old Friends' and 'Sometimes' two very fine tracks, provide the listener with the opportunity to hear some of the variety and scope found within this collection. The musical arrangements are consistently well constructed, the vocals, harmonies and in the case of 'Sometimes' duets are melodic and very engaging, and the catchy nature of every piece, whether gentle or full bodied is notable. Endre Nordvik is providing us with a very fine new musical start to 2018.
Background - Missouri-based post-punk synth wave duo Kudzu have announced their forthcoming album 'Defeated', slated for release in early 2018 via Push & Pull Records. This album is a reaction to mounting disappointments and frustrations with increasingly frustrating and disappointing realities.
On this 9-track long-play, Kudzu delivers a cheerfully caustic synth pop assault with psychedelic underpinnings, like paint fumes you'd happily dance to. The offerings range from post-punk (Defeated) to synth pop (One Purpose, No Backbone) and tracks with a darker more industrial sense (Balking The Grave). If that's not enough to intrigue you, the vocal delivery oscillating between John Lydon of Sex Pistols and PiL fame and the cold sinister lyricism of Al Jourgensen's Ministry in the band's earliest phase.
Based in Springfield, Kudzu is Seth Goodwin (vocals, synth, and drum programming) and Mark Gillenwaters (vocals and guitar). Influenced by bands such as Tears For Fears, The Cure, Spectrum, Guided by Voices, Sympathy Nervous, and This Heat, they've managed to concoct a sound original from any of them.
"A lot of these songs come from a place of disenchantment with punk and "diy" scenes i've dedicated too much time to and the resulting dissociation as i've continued to have involvement in those scenes," says Seth Goodwin. "A documentation of a transitional period that im sure a lot of people feel as they start to feel parts of them age out from this type of lifestyle but dont know how to do anything else."
'Defeated' was recorded by Adam Schoeller and Jonathan James at No Coast Recording, and mixed by the latter, with Shay Rainey creating the cover artwork. FACEBOOK, BANDCAMP.
'No Backbone' and 'Some Cops' are two of the nine tracks that make up the forthcoming 'Defeated' album. This is an impressive collection of mostly high octane post punk material, with plenty of synth lead music. Echoes of John Lydon ride alongside the pairs own modern and creative musical developments, resulting in an addictive album that begs to be heard performed live.
Background - One of the surest signs it's summer in Perth is the wave of brilliant new music that emanates from the city every year. A perfect case in point is Social Misfit, the debut EP from indie five-piece Almond Soy. Opening with the band's energetic single Happy Ever After, the EP is a triumph of mature songwriting and the boundlessness of youth.
Undulating through varying moods and tempos, Social Misfit shows off the multi-dimensional talent of the band. I Could Be The One is more beat-driven and swaying; awash in an ocean of synth and reverb... leading perfectly into the bouncy third track Whiskyand its dance floor rhythms and duelling guitars. The EP closes with the tranquil I Always Wanted The Moon, creating a beautiful ambience with its layers of nonchalant vocals, orbited by spacious guitar riffs and subtle horns.
Taking these beautifully written songs and giving them the sonic grandeur they deserve, The Money War's Dylan Olivierre has excelled in his duties as producer. While there is no definitive 'Perth sound' to speak of, Social Misfit has certainly encapsulated the mood of the city. Laid-back yet adventurous, Social Misfit balances warmth with a cool breeze; allowing each song to radiate without being overbearing. Each song is bursting with unique character, yet they flow together as one coherent work of art.
Starting out as a bedroom project, Almond Soy have developed at an unbelievable pace. Formed at the end of 2016 and lead by brothers Brandon and James Stockbridge, the band has evolved into a sophisticated ensemble, exemplified by Social Misfit. Driving each note is an emotional energy that shows the band's natural chemistry. Now ready to kick things into the next gear, Almond Soy will be heading out on their first Australia-wide tour in January 2018, following up a run of sold-out headline shows in their home city. FACEBOOK.
Upbeat and fast paced music is accompanied by more measured vocals on 'Happy Ever After' a refreshing indie song that is both energised and catchy.
Background - Percival
Elliott are an indie-folk rock duo from the south coast of England.
Formed by the belief that true friends can create something meaningful,
Olly Hite and Samuel Carter-Brazier united to grace audiences with their
poignant lyricism and neo-nostalgic melodies and have since been
captivating listeners at sold-out shows across the UK.
Titled
in memory of Hite’s great grandfather, Percival Elliott, born in 1883
was an inventor who created one of the first ice-cream emporiums in
Brighton. After discovering a dusty box of trinkets in the back of
Hite’s family attic, the untouched time capsule unveiled Percival
Elliott’s mysterious inventions, engraved ice-cream paraphernalia,
haunted photographs and time honoured war medals. The revelation of
these long-forgotten hidden treasures became embedded within the duo’s
imagination and musical creativity and thus Percival Elliott was
reborn.
“Forever” is the first single to be released off the duo’s upcoming album Save Your Soul. Inspired
by the likes of Jeff Buckley, The Beatles and Father John Misty,
“Forever” is a gracefully heartfelt and atmospheric song about eternal
love. Hite reveals, “Forever is about a chance meeting with someone.
Sparks and butterflies, even if it’s just for a second, that feeling can
last forever”. The use of yearning lyricism seamlessly blended together
with Hite’s celestial vocals and Carter-Brazier’s soothing guitar,
“Forever” succeeds in crafting a song of compelling honesty and
authenticity.
The
duo are known for their signature style of hard hitting piano melodies,
rhythmic guitars and retro vocal harmonies, all underpinned by a string
quartet. “Forever” illustrates the band’s desire to create music that
makes the hairs on your neck stand up, “We want to make the listener
feel alive” Hite expresses.
Percival
Elliott's successes to date include a national tour with numerous UK
charting artists, as well as collaborating with the likes of Fatboy
Slim. Percival Elliott are now ready for the next chapter of their
musical endeavour with the highly anticipated release of Save Your Soul due early 2018. WEBSITE, FACEBOOK.
Indie folk may have become something of a crowded place, however songs such as 'Forever' suggest there is plenty of mileage and opportunities for creative people to continue to build upon. This is a melodic and superbly arranged song, the vocals are smooth and pleasing, the music builds instrumentally and adds even more to this engaging piece.
Background - Old Fort, North Carolina band Yellow Feather, which features vocalist Casey Kristofferson, daughter of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, released their debut album, And Gold, arlier this month.
Yellow Feather also features guitarist/vocalist Hunter Begley (who stars in the video for the album’s first single “Lucille”) and lap steel player Charlie Wills and the album features drummer Herschel VanDyke and bassist Robert Parks along with a slew of special guests!
And Gold was recorded at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, NC with producer Rorey Carroll, mixed at Café Rooster Records in Nashville w/ sound engineer Gabe Masterson and mastered by Alex McCollough (Jim Lauderdale, Amanda Shires, Todd Snider) at True East Mastering in Nashville.
Mountains call many to their bosom. Born sheltered by the winding valleys, amidst time-worn peaks, or discovered down a shady dirt road, songs and humans alike, have many origins. Hunter Begley found himself in an eastern descent past Asheville, past the weird, and staring at truth. In the small town of Old Fort NC, searching for a room to fit his bed and guitar,he found a loft belonging to Casey Kristofferson. What became of the friendship that followed was the band, Yellow Feather.
Music in moments. Stories in sunsets. Poetry in progress. This is how songs are made. Kristofferson weaves lyrics and melodies perfectly, while Charlie Willis works the lap steel into a smooth, sometimes rhythmic, but always haunting eulogy to the past. WEBSITE.
'Lucille' is one of twelve songs on the recently released 'And Gold' debut album. The album is a melting pot of gorgeous Americana rooted music, where vocal duties are shared, melodic hooks are a constant feature and the band are just so good. Like featured song = Love the album!
Background - White Birches' music has been compared to Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy mixing sweet piano and alarming guitars with dark wave synthesizers. Haunting pop melodies with dark lyrics.
The band formed in the summer of 2013 and their debut EP Stands of White Birches was recorded during the fall of 2013 and released april 2014 followed by a 10 day tour in an old station wagon. One year later, in April 2015, their debut album Dark Waters was released. Dark Waters was nominated in the catogory "Best Synth" at the swedish "indie grammy awards" Manifestegalan.
In the fall of 2017 White Birches signed with the label Progress Productions and their second album is to be released during the dark winter of 2017/2018. The duo consists of Jenny Gabrielsson Mare and Fredrik Jonasson. WEBSITE.
We featured Jenny Gabrielsson Mare a couple of times back in 2016, and now as one half of White Birchs she returns to Beehive Candy with the song 'Howl'. Her vocals are immersed in Fredrik Jonasson's richly textured keyboard sounds as the song flows along growing in energy and passion. The video is also Jenny's handiwork, the song is very much a team effort.
Background - Twenty-three years ago, this quotation foretold a great career for Little Axe aka Skip McDonald. The musician had already had a taste of fame with the Sugarhill Gang Backing Band / Tommy Boy Co-operations and their Hip Hop Masterpieces, writing music history along the way. Then he rolled out Little Axe and gave the blues a new, groovy face! Releases on legendary labels like Okeh Records, Realworld, On-U Sound and majors like Sony, BMG, Warner, etc. followed.
On-U Sound label mastermind Adrian Sherwood has always given Skip a platform to present his entrancing blend of blues, gospel, cajun, dub and trip hop: pioneering and authentic at the same time. His sound takes the essence and sound samples from blues legends such as Howlin Wolf, Leadbelly and Son House and distils them to create musical visions that are both penetrating and highly hypnotic. Little Axe has released seven albums to date; London Blues is his eighth official album. Old mates, like Mark Stewart (Pop Group and Maffia), Doug Wimbish (bass player for Living Colour), Keith LeBlanc (drummer), Perry Melius (drummer for African Head Charge) have provided assistance – and JebLoy Nichols collaborated on writing.
London Blues sticks tenaciously to tradition – to the blues – but at the same time is infused with a plethora of musical lingos (see above ….). On London Blues, Skip McDonald’s creative team is even more sophisticated and innovative than on the predecessor albums. Amazing instrumentals (Be Thankful), a touch of gospel (Deep River), splashes of trip hop with blues harp (Next Week Thursday) and delta blues meets dub (When I Rise) – the album meticulously follows a trail between Chicago and London, blending all the stepping stones to form a smooth, irresistible pathway.
The title track and featured song 'London Blues' is typical of the album as a whole, a vibrant collection of songs, where reggae and blues collide with other styles resulting in some wonderful material. There are even some dub versions along the way. Top musicianship and refined natural vocals, this is a very fine collection.
Modesta - VHS.
