Synths & More: Papertwin - Exploded View - The Hood Internet x Wolkoff

Papertwin - The Pool.

Background promo - Vacation, the forthcoming EP from Papertwin via Druyan Records represents their third studio collaboration. Self recorded in their New York apartments and mixed by Abe Seiferth (yeasayer,DFA Studios), mastered by Heba Kadry (Neon Indian, Beach House) the EP continues the band's unique sense of synth-pop. Dreamy, dark, nostalgically sci-fi, Vacation features analog synthesizers, melodic guitar lines, driving percussion, and reflective vocals. Drawing on influences from The Cure to Gillian Welch, this EP builds upon the bands previous recordings.
 
Papertwin is comprised of Max Decker, who makes his own clothes and only writes in calligraphy, Francis Cardinale who used to play in an algebra themed noise band in Olympia, and Nick Shopa who tunes pianos and is a valet car parker. 'Vacation' out June 24 via Druyan Records

'The Pool' really does have that synthy, flowing, dream pop feel to it. Production is crisp enough so that each sound is clearly defined as they gently glide along together. Refreshing and relaxing, the vocals add their magic and we have a fine song.

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Exploded View – Orlando.

Background promo - After recently signing to Sacred Bones Records, new four-piece Exploded View, fronted by German/Bristol political- journalist-turned-musician/singer Anika, announce news of their debut self-titled album, due August 17th. The band are sharing new track 'Orlando' from the forthcoming record. While lead single ‘No More Parties in The Attic’ is laden with an enticing no-wave, post-punk sound, layered with distorted guitars and ominous drones– ‘Orlando' chimes in with echoing vintage synths, courtesy of Hugo Quezada that clash with a chilly electro backbeat and an anthemic soulful bass line setting the tone.  With her disarming quietude nursery rhyme like vocal delivery, Anika remarks on the creation process: “Well, that day I was speechless and empty; a reflection of the times. I became a vessel for the past; the only way to deal with or help understand the present. Enlightenment came with the help of some strong leading ladies; A certain author, a certain film and a certain actress. Go figure.”

The four musicians discovered a new sound, several steps removed from the krautrock-isms of Henderson’s previous work during their rehearsals and live performances in Mexico City. The straight to tape sessions that followed in the San Rafael neighborhood, ventured somewhere new; a lighter place, unguarded, veering from any script.  Improvisation was the guiding principle and the source of the band’s inspiration. The studio itself was outfitted so that every sound produced in the room would be recorded. A Tascam 388 8-track captured everything – fully live, fully improvised, first-takes only. Produced by Thulin and Quezada and mastered by Josh Bonati in NYC. Exploded View (Jessy Bulbo / Nos llamamos) to form Hector Melgarejo(Robota) and Riotboy sweetheart Hugo Quezada (Crocodiles producer) synth-head Martin Thulin to critical acclaim in 2010. This new project was created during the rehearsal sessions for Anika's Mexican live debut back in March 2014.  An unexpected partnership formed between Annika and local producers, Stones Throw imprint and Geoff Barrow’s Invada released her self-titled debut album in collaboration with Anika.

'Orlando' is an electronic delight. Driven by a punchy drum beat, the sounds drift and seemingly spin around the rhythm. Vocals are wonderful and just so right for the material as Anika delivers them in a delicate and simplisitc manner. No surprise that we are featuring Exploded View again so soon, there is something about them that I just love.

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The Hood Internet x Wolkoff - Me And Mine.

Background info - Me & Mine”, the second collaborative single from The Hood Internet and our ever-prolific art-pop heroine Wolkoff (and a free download, at that!). Wolkoff's seductive vocals soar over The Hood Internet's tropical production in the hook-laden single, which follows “Going Back”, their first single from early last summer that marked the beginning of their annual collaboration… let’s hope they keep up the tradition!

“Me & Mine” is the first new song from Wolkoff following the release of her critically-acclaimed debut full-length, Without Shame (Spotify) that came out last month. The album featured the stand-out tracks “The Homecoming”, “While You Still Can” and the gorgeous single “Kings Highway”. The album was inspired by symphonic 90's Euro-pop and deep house coupled with new wave motifs, and was created with a mind to build exhilarating, dance-worthy songs about real life.

'Me And Mine' is a bright and breezy song, that see's Wolkoff's vocals shine, above an excellent tropical flavoured soundtrack. A lovely song and a tonic for rainy summer day's.

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The Scenics - In The Summer (New Album)

The Scenics - Wild Trout.

Background promo - In the summer of 1976 Andy Meyers, fresh out of high school, and Ken Badger, working at the local music store, met and started The Scenics. Inspired by raw underground rock and new sounds, they began writing songs that defined Their sound — chancy, risky, noisy, with big pop choruses and gear-stripping guitar and rhythmic bomp. Alien-eyed lyrics that took in the world from the other side of "normal.”

The Scenics were artistically amping up, and making recordings as a fiery young band. These songs were never released back in the day, but now they are collected on In The Summer. They played shows with Talking Heads, Simply Saucer, The Troggs, and dozens of other pivotal underground legends.

For six years, The Scenics engaged and enraged local audiences by not playing by the punk rules of the day. The band’s wild creativity made any Scenics performance an adventure. And now they’re back, in the flesh, hitting a few of North America’s most rocking cities. In The Summer is the release of overlooked gems that kick-started the blazing Scenics sound, and it is finally coming out in the States and elsewhere to remind deep music fans that the band is back and playing again live. 

The Scenics - In The Summer out from Light In The Attic Distribution , June 17, 2016.

The Scenics Summer 2016 Tour:
Wednesday, July 6 - Hamilton, Ontario @ This Ain't Hollywood
Thursday, July 7  - Toronto, Ontario @ Rivoli
Friday, July 8 - Buffalo, New York @ Mohawk Place
Saturday, July 9 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Beachland Tavern
Sunday, July 10  Columbus Ohio @ Ace of Cups
Monday, July 11  Chicago Illinois @ The Empty Bottle
Tuesday, July 12  Detroit, Michigan @ UFO Factory
September - Pittsburgh, Philly, NYC, Jersey, and Boston dates TBA

'The album 'In The Summer' is a must hear for any old punk & new wave fan. Like a vintage wine of quality, The Scenic's music has aged extremely well. Well I missed out on them first time around, so each of the twelve songs on the album are new to me, as I expect they will be for many. First impressions are a fresh adventurous sound, that definitely doesn't follow any rule book. For comparison there is the raw energy of early Television material, along with the creativity of Talking Heads, and all the mischief, of the late seventies, when everyone seemed to be picking up a guitar and starting a band. Featured song 'Wild Trout' is an indicator of what's on the album, those able to catch them live this summer are probably in for a real treat.

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Globetrotting: In Letter Form - Citizen of the World - Man Is Not A Bird

In Letter Form - Face In The Crowd.

Background promo - Drawing influence from the works of The (early) Cure, Joy Division, Bauhaus, New Order, Echo and the Bunnymen, Interpol et al, they produce a sound that echoes the past, haunts the present and is constantly in the future.

Reflecting on past deeds; some well intentioned while others, not. The ways we had been wronged or the choice to see it that way because sometimes that's easier than the truth.

The prose and cons of having thin skin to protect a thick heart, put "in letter form" perhaps? A love letter? An anti love letter? Hate mail? A photograph? A song? An exclamation of the joy of life? A suicide note? The bay area based foursome considers their formation a fortunate turn of events, as they were all experiencing heartbreak on some level when they came together. In Letter Form draws influence from the works of Joy Division, Bauhaus, and Echo and the Bunnymen. The single, “Face In The Crowd,”  blends their post punk and synth pop sound, and is a good example of the vibe to expect on the rest of Fracture. Repair. Repeat.

'Face In The Crowd' certainly gives a very good feel for the eleven song album 'Fracture. Repair. Repeat'. Influences there are, I would add Sisters Of Mercy as another reference point, that aside this is one very cool album. Full of post punk sounds, that at times veer towards a darker Gothic feel, and sometimes a crisper early indie rock feel. Fans of any of the above mentioned bands really should check this album out.

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Citizen of the World - Embers.

Background promo - Citizen of the World has built on the success of the foot stomping Folk-Rock genre, popularised by the likes of Mumford & Sons, to carve a new genre described by one competition judge as “Epic Folk”.

COTW are coming off the success of their last single, “Setting Out”, which reached audiences internationally, premiering their video through somethingyousaid.com, and receiving international airplay through the syndicated radio show Passport Approved. The track also reached a huge new Australian audience with triple j play on Roots N All!

Their new song “Embers” is an ode to those warm summer nights spent around a fire, reflecting on life and enjoying being alive. “Embers” features strong melodic saxophone lines that sit on top of uplifting choruses that will make you want to get up, light a fire, and dance around it. In the verses, the saxophone makes room for subtle piano melodies that accompany the vocals. The steady beat pumping through the song combined with the powerful chorus plays right into the band’s Epic-Folk genre.

The song was recorded and mixed, as per tradition, in front man Gerrit’s living room in Coogee, Sydney (affectionately known as Bay Street Records). The video was shot mostly in rural New South Wales and features sweeping landscapes and a giant bonfire that will transport the listener for a few minutes away from their daily routine. COTW’s songs are mainly inspired by Mumford and Sons and Dave Matthews Band, and fit right into the modern folk-rock genre..

If this is Epic Folk, then I like epic folk. Whatever the specific genre this is one really good song. With a happy vibe, the vocals, choruses and excellent musicianship come together in a pleasing, uplifting song. More always welcome!

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 Man Is Not A Bird - Life & Levity.

Background promo - Man Is Not A Bird, an innovative Paris-based quartet, are preparing to make landfall in the U.S. with their first international release, Life & Levity. The four track collection includes EP title track which Nothing But Hope & Passon claims, "post-rock lovers can expect epic and distinctive sounds that team up with hypnotic shoegaze elements." Expect five minutes of cinematic beauty that doesn’t need to hide from the genre’s big players like Explosions In The Sky.

The much-anticipated EP will officially be available via Splendid (in partnership with Believe Digital) on June 3, 2016. Preorder is available now.

Last summer, the fearless rockers undertook a 10-show tour of the United Kingdom, culminating with a triumphant performance in London that impressed a variety of industry insiders drawn to the band’s obvious international potential. From there, the band went straight back into the studio to write and record the tracks that have become Life & Levity. Previously instrumental, these new songs now find the band exploring complex vocal arrangements, while retaining their distinctive post-punk sound.

The band continues to tour internationally, recently road-testing Life & Levity with two trips around Germany and eastern Europe, as well as a 5 day run in Spain just last week. Last year also saw the release of Man Is Not a Bird’s critically acclaimed debut mini-album, Survived The Great Flood.  The album was prominently featured on MTV Pulse Europe and French channel D17, and has over 500,000 streams on Spotify France.

After a sold-out Parisian launch party for the album, the band was asked by British Rock Band, Ride, to open for them on certain dates during the European leg of their mega-reunion World Tour. The tour concluded with Man Is Not A Bird's first visit to the mythical Paris Olympia Music hall, playing in front of a capacity audience. Look out for remixes from French Touch supremo, Alex Gopher, Italian chaos monger SBCR from the Bloody Beetroots, Toog & Roman Kouder.

'Life & Levity' is a feisty and powerful number, with guitars and drums driving the song forward at breakneck speed. Vocals veer towards shoegaze in orientation and sit well in the mix, having their moment when the music occaisionally subsides.

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Tuesday &: Polarheart - Grace Joyner - The Velveteins

Polarheart - Enigma.

Background promo - Hailing from Sydney, Mary and Chris are Polarheart. The duo began writing together in early 2013. They found a strong chemistry, and a year later Polarheart was born.

Their combination of dreamy vocals and abstract soundscapes, makes for a captivating listening experience. After four successful singles and months of writing and recording, the Sydney duo are set to release their much anticipated self-titled debut EP in mid-2016.

The success of their previous single, “Dystopia”, launched them into the speakers of a captive international audience, it has hit over 1M plays on MrSuicideSheep. They took their songs to the stage, filling venues with a successful tour of Australia’s East Coast in October 2015. The previous songs have all received multiple spins on triple j, and radio play throughout the US, UK, and the Netherlands and 280k plays on Spotify. You’ll be able to catch Polarheart’s music on the upcoming Cameron Crowe and J.J. Abrams produced TV-series Roadies, airing this June on HBO.

Now comes “Enigma”, the latest offering from Polarheart. The track greets the audience with an new intimacy; fresh territory for the listeners of the electro-pop duo to explore. Buzzing synths, mammoth drums and a sparse piano characterise the vast scope of this single. This track owns the latest hours of the night, the last moments of wandering before the morning.

“We wrote this about that moment when you’re trying to move on from someone, but you can’t, because you realise you never fully knew them. They were always holding back a part of themselves, and its that wondering, its that knowing you couldn’t quite solve the puzzle that keeps you fixated on them.“ - Polarheart.

We featured Polarheart back in June last year and were impressed along with plenty of other people. 'Enigma' continues the story with the quality of their electro pop going from strength to strength. As the promo rightly states there is a more intimate feel to the song, however the band still create an expansive room filling sound.

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Grace Joyner - Real.

Background promo - Following a long stint in the role of harmony singer for several bands in Charleston, South Carolina, Grace Joyner made the decision to move to center stage with the release of her EP Young Fools in the Spring of 2014. Grace Joyner on her EP – “Young Fools serves to reflect on a difficult, yet incredibly important time in my life.  I think there is something valuable in admitting your mistakes, as well as recognizing the power within you to leave them behind.  

Somewhere in the middle of learning that getting hurt does not make you weak, I started the healing process – I started writing music.”Where Young Fools served as Joyner’s introduction to songwriting, a chance to explore her musical muse and tread her own artistic path, her debut LP, Maybe Sometimes in C is here to reveal what she has found along the way. Teaming up again with producer and engineer, Wolfgang Zimmerman, Joyner uses Maybe Sometimes in C to further define her musical perspective and showcase her maturation as a songwriter. Addressing unrequited love, meeting yourself in a moment of failure, and most notably the importance of taking action, Maybe Sometimes in C reflects on moving on from the time of heartbreak and into a place of independence and self-assurance.

'Real' is the first single from Grace Joyner's new upcoming album, 'Maybe Sometimes in C (slated for release on Friday, May 20th, on Charleston-based label Hearts & Plugs). The album comprises of nine classy indie pop songs, some gentle and delicate pieces along with more pacey uplifting songs. As a collection, there is not one passenger, these are all fine songs that hopefully get heard far and wide.

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The Velveteins - Hanging From The Ceiling.

Background words - Canadian psych-rock outfit The Velveteins have a new single 'Hanging From The Ceiling'. The track is off the reworked EP 'A Hot Second With The Velveteins' which was produced by Lincoln Parish (Cage The Elephant), soon to be released by Fierce Panda Canada (on May 27th!)

The band tell us - Hanging was one of the first songs we wrote collaboratively. Spencer was working with this cool 3/4 groove when I heard the sideways breakdown section. We ended up with this sort of psychedelic doo-wop number about things turning upside down. We've been working on our debut album and we hope to have that out by late this year. We're hitting the road with an extensive run in North America and the UK.

MAY 19 (Thursday) - BRIGHTON (UK) - THE GREAT ESCAPE
MAY 21 (Saturday) - BRIGHTON (UK) - TGE AB MUSIC SHOWCASE
MAY 23 (Monday) - LONDON (UK) - AB MUSIC SHOWCASE
MAY 24 (Tuesday) - LONDON (UK) - Fiddlers Elbow
MAY 26 (Thursday) - LONDON (UK) - THE ISLINGTON
May 28 (Saturday) - LIVERPOOL - LIVERPOOL SOUNDCITY
MAY 29 (Sunday) - LIVERPOOL - ECHO ARENA (Liverpool Soundcity)
JUNE 2 (Thursday) - WINNIPEG - THE HANDSOME DAUGHTER
JUNE 4 (Saturday) - CALGARY - Palomino
JUNE 5 (Sunday) - EDMONTON - Almanac
JUNE 6 (Monday) - EDMONTON - Rockin For Dollars
JUNE 7 (Tuesday) JASPER - WhistleStop
JUNE 8 (Wednesday) - VANCOUVER - Biltmore Cabaret
JUNE 9 (Thursday) - SEATTLE - The Rendezvous
JUNE 10 (Friday) - PORTLAND - ANALOG PDX
JUNE 11 (Saturday) - SAN FRANCISCO - VELO ROUGE
JUNE 15 (Wednesday) - SAN DIEGO - 710
JUNE 16 (Thursday) - LOS ANGELES - LOST ROOM
JUNE 17 (Friday) - SAN JOSE - ART BOUTIKI 

'Hanging From The Ceiling' is the new single and one of six delicious songs on the EP. The bands description of the song as a "psychedelic doo-wop number" is pretty much spot on. This is a classic case of if you like the song, you'll love the EP!

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Genre Wander: Peter Vogelaar - The Sweetest Condition - School '94 - Mary Owens

Peter Vogelaar - Television (Feat. Ken Lally).

Background promo - Peter Vogelaar is a bass player & producer from Waterford, Ireland. His new album 'The Science Of Summer' features collaborations with Deaf Joe, Katie Kim, Cat Dowling, Ken Lally, Susan O'Neill & Aisling Browne.

"I wanted to make an electronica/folktronica album, loosely conceptual, that tries to capture the energy and atmosphere of a summers day. The real obstacle was trying to give the album a continuity with all these guest vocalists who had their own personality and flavour.

I went back to a lot of the internal sounding albums that turned me onto music years ago by Nick Drake, Linda Perhacs, Sandy Denny and John Martyn - but at the same time I was soaking up a lot of producers whose sound had a particular awareness to it, producers like Gold Panda, Lapalux and Bonobo." 'The Science Of Summer' is released digitally last Friday, the full album is streaming on Soundcloud, Spotify and is available for download on iTunes.

The new album 'The Science Of Summer' has a number of excellent collaborations, making it difficult to choose a song to feature. I went with 'Television' as I think it gives some flavour of the album, however I would emphasise that there is considerable variety. If modern folk appeals to you, then this adventurous album is definitely worth checking out.

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The Sweetest Condition - Now (“Edge of the World”).

Background promo - The Sweetest Condition is an industrial + synthpop + darkwave band, featuring Jason Reed Milner (music + synths) and Leslie I. Benson (lyrics + vocals), which blends iconic sounds of the ’80s, industrial muscle of the ’90s, and cinematic soundscapes. The band derives inspiration from Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, The Birthday Massacre and others. 

After releasing their five-song EP, “Truth & Light,” in April 2013, the female-fronted duo moved from Indianapolis, Ind., to Nashville, Tenn., where they teamed up with producer and sound engineer Joel Lauver of Burning Bridge Recordings to produce their debut full-length album, “Edge of the World,” which was released on Aug. 28, 2015. Mixed, mastered and produced by Joel Lauver of Burning Bridge Recordings in Nashville, Edge of the World reveals intimate and visceral stories set to floor-shaking soundscapes elevated by lashing synth riffs, addictive chorus hooks and stabbing guitars—a tribute to the band’s ’80s synthpop/darkwave and ’90s industrial influences. A second album, currently in the works, is set for release in 2016.

The Sweetest Condition have just contacted Beehive Candy regarding last years album (Edge of the World) and I for one am glad they have. With a second album due later this year, it's a chance to get to know their synthpop and darkwave sound. Featured song 'Now' gives a good feel for the bands potent and energised music, there's no shortage of originality, along with a very definitive and addictive sound.

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School '94 - Common Sense.

Background promo - Gothenburg four-piece School '94 returns today with their irresistible new single "Common Sense" as the first offering from their first coming Bound EP due out June 10th worldwide on Luxury Records. “It's a song about living in denial, fooling yourself and everyone around you that everything is cool” - Alice Botéus, singer

School '94 is the sleeker, dream pop-facing member of the prestigious Luxury Records roster which includes label mates (and good buddies) Makthaverskan, Westkust and Agent blå. This young circle of musicians have become known as the premiere indie pop crew in their hometown and beyond. The small coastal city of Gothenburg has long defined freeform Swedish pop, a rich legacy that is both an honor and a barrier for a vibrant new crop of artists who are breaking out and redefining the sound of their city from its very core.

School '94 is at the front of these young projects with their sophisticated, melody-driven material, pulling equally from classic punk and modern pop reference points. The tracks are stripped down, honest and expertly played. High, romantic basslines slip around smart percussion parts and clean guitar notes to provide a backdrop for the muscular vocals of singer, Alice Botéus. School '94 released their debut Like You EP in December 2014 on Cascine (North America / UK) and Luxury Records (Scandinavia). Since their debut release the young four-piece have split their time between touring, writing and Botéus's rising solo career under the name Alice B, an outsider pop project with a large following in Scandinavia.

'Common Sense' is a catchy melodic dream pop song, with a clean uncluttered sound, that allows the instruments and vocals all to stand out. Musically vocalist Alice Botéus may be the focal point of the song, but the band are also determined to add their magic, a fine dreamy pop song is the result.

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Mary Owens - Free.

Background words - Named as an emerging star by David Porter as part of the Consortium Memphis Music Town program, Mary Owens is a Memphis artist who is certainly making a name for herself. Pulling from many styles, including R&B, soul, pop, jazz, and alternative, it is hard to describe her using only one genre; she encompasses a style she has dubbed as “soul-pop. 

Memphis Flyer music editor Joe Boone describes her best when he said, “Mary Owens takes an impressionistic jazz approach with a voice that hovers over the chords until it strikes like lightning.”  She has been compared to Tori Kelly, Adele, and Colbie Caillat.

'Free' is the first song I have heard from Mary Owens and it is impressive to say the least. Vocals are absolutely charming and the music just right for material like this. Comparisons above are not unreasonable, and there is plenty of individual originality as well. One to watch.

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