Saturday And: Slow Culture - Shields

Slow Culture - Hoax.

Background promo - Slow Culture is the musical child of four guys who spent their adolescence saturated in music. The culmination of various lineups and bands dating back to 2009, their music holds within it the personality of four people who've effectively grown up together. It started (as all promising bands do), when Jack, Ben and Lee decided to form a band even though two didn't play an instrument. Ignoring this basic requirement, the three carried on. With Payton joining later, opting for bass synth, the groups sound was cemented, developed from a wide variety of influences. 

The product of various lineups dating back to 2009, Slow Culture could be described as the meeting place of psychedelic and alternative rock. Their debut single, “Hoax”, alternates between quiet withdrawn verses and raucous choruses, layered with psychedelic sounds reminiscent of early Pink Floyd. Recorded at Free Energy studios in Camperdown and produced by the legendary Phil Punch, the singles reliance on experimentation in the studio is clear. Layers of guitar effects, synths and a cigarette lighter used as a guitar slide are the meat on the bones of a song held together by the incessant practice and revision that the band undertook prior to recording. 

The band describes how the song “came out of an acoustic jam [they] just happened to record years ago”, the name taken from a biography of Brian Jones which was sitting in the corner of the room. Stating that the single has taken on so many forms that it’s almost “unrecognisable as the same song”. “Hoax” will be released 15th of January 2016.

I don't know why, but Radiohead sprang to mind when I started listening to 'Hoax'. It's certainly not a copy of their style, Slow Culture from this song at least, have quite an individualistic sound. Whatever, I like 'Hoax' and it's easy to understand the psychedelic meets alternative rock reference above.

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Shields - Mezzanine.

Background promo - Shields embody the Playlist Generation. While other artists publicly decry music streaming services, Shields have been shaped by the diverse artists whose music they might never have heard through more traditional means.  Shields’ musical output is a reflection of these diverse influences, and their debut album ‘How Can We Fix This?’ has a genuinely broad appeal whilst at the same time refusing to conform to a simple description.

After hitting the live circuit heavily (including support tour dates with Placebo and Everything Everything, and performing at Glastonbury and the BBC6 Music Festival in Newcastle), the band crafted a tight sound and a solid body of songs, ready to record this debut. The development of their unique sound has been largely due to their DIY approach to production. Using their own studio space to record a vast range tracks over a 12-month period, the band caught the eye of double Grammy award-winning producer Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters) who helped them complete their debut album.

Bushby said, “Shields, in my opinion, are one of the best bands I've heard in a long while in both songwriting and performance. They are an incredibly fresh and original-sounding band who I think will go on to achieve great things.” The recent single ‘Face to Face’ captures the kind of innovative alt-pop instrumentation and delicate harmonies that saw 2012 single ‘Mezzanine’ (also on appearing on the album) featured as iTunes’ single of the week and garnering praise from sources as diverse as Kylie and Zane Lowe. Shields – How Can We Fix This? is out 26th February 2016 on Kaleidoscope Records.

'Mezzanine' is the third of ten songs on the forthcoming album, and typifies the quality and vibrancy of the album. The band have toured a lot and worked hard to develop their pristine sound, something that becomes clearer the more you hear from the album. Work and effort aside, this is great music, after all that's what it's all about.


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Friday Pairing: Anna Rose - Powerkompany

Anna Rose - Start A War.

Background promo - At first glance, one wouldn’t guess that Anna Rose, the adorably petite blonde with the sugary name, is a fearless, unabashed, mind-blowingly talented Rock and Roll powerhouse.  But, Rose, in fact, is walking, singing proof that big things most definitely come in small packages.   It’s no wonder that Pancakes and Whiskey declares her a “complete badass.”

Anna Rose is gearing up for the release of her new EP, Strays In The Cut, a collection of six mesmerizing tracks that find the singer/songwriter pushing her musical boundaries. “I am very much an album artist and a storyteller, so the idea of scaling it all back to the size of an EP was a challenge in itself. It forced me to look at the songs in a different way, the production, everything. These six songs needed to tell the whole story. The limitations I placed on the length made the process so much more imaginative in every other aspect.” shares Rose.

Strays in the Cut is the much-anticipated follow-up to Rose’s Beyond a Pale Horse, which Flashwounds declared a “deep swirl of Blues and Rock and Roll” that “beautifully represents the many dark and beautiful corridors of the human heart.”  Beyond a Pale Horse introduced us to Anna Rose’s dynamic voice and effortless command of the guitar; each song highlighted by attitude and pure grit.  Undoubtedly, Beyond the Pale Horse cemented Rose as a veritable force, with hard-driving Rock and dirty Blues coursing through her veins. 

In 2012, Rose also gained attention for her sultry take on Arcade Fire’s “My Body is a Cage,” which is currently available for download on iTunes. Cover Me Songs premiered the track, affirming, “The sparse cover showcases her effortlessly soulful singing.” Since then, Rose has shared the stage with a variety of notable artists, including: Crystal Bowersox, Howie Day, Teddy Geiger, Tyler Hilton and founding member of Live, Ed Kowalczyk. The consummate artist, Anna Rose lets her spirit shine through with every performance, while captivated fans hang on every note. Anna Rose is set to play the Brooklyn Bowl on January 27, 2016 with more dates to be announced soon.

 'Start A War', may be a little laid back, however the tension and drama in Anna Rose's voice simmers, as this gentle bluesy song unfolds. If the EP is as good as this, we have something special to look forward to.

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Powerkompany - Can't Cry.

Background promo - Powerkompany's compound noun name is hardly coincidental; by the sound of their first single off their upcoming two-part LP Fever & Chills, it's completely possible that they are a fully functioning power station (but not the Robert Palmer/Duran Duran supergroup). "Can't Cry" features vocals by the band's Marie Davon that are so massive that not only has the song been probably powering our entire office like a mini nuclear reactor, but it gives Diane Lane's performance in Streets of Fire a run for its wallet. 

Fever & Chills was recently completed at Chase Park Studio in collaboration with Andy LeMaster of Bright Eyes and Azure Ray fame. The two-part LP is made up of two sides of six songs that reach into the depths of the most orchestral music that permeated a more fun era in pop music, like in the 1980s, although there are hints of cabaret whimsy throughout that wouldn't be uncomfortable living in a dark, 1920s opium brothel. The album is out February 5th 2016, and its playful score and powerful vocals are a must for anyone who loves their favorite records to dabble in the cinematic. 

'Cant Cry' is just a taste of what is one very good album. Songs are imaginative, diverse and some are splendidly big in production. The sheer variety that comes across, in the twelve tracks that make up the album, left me wondering why they chose 'Cant Cry' as the 'streamed' song. I guess you have to start somewhere, and it's a good song, it needs to be to get on the album.


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Thursday Two: Three Tree Town - Ghost Wave

Three Tree Town - Two Birds.

Background Promo - The pleasantly contrasting vocals and war-drum beats of Three Tree Town’s latest track “Two Birds” marks the beginning of the bands delve into their new sound. After several successful festival sets and over ten years playing together, the band now takes their countryside popularity and head for bigger lights. 

In an unprecedented alliance with renowned musician and studio owner Beau McKee (Closure In Moscow) the band have managed to capture their alt/folk roots and combine them with new percussion grooves to form an en/rely alternate sound. “We never tire of this track” says one of two lead singers Dylan Berends. “And now with the alternate arrangement, this apple landed nowhere near the tree it fell from!” 

With a “pull and go” style guitar technique, mix of female and male vocals and bouncing drum rhythms, “Two Birds” is an upward journey, speeding towards eternity, gaining momentum with each bar. The raspy vocals Dylan Berends are relieved by the sweet and innocent return vocals of Tania Lodge that show hints of hit band Of Monsters and Men while maintaining reviews that Three Tree Town is Australia’s answer to an early Mumford & Sons. 

A story of crossed paths, misconceptions and everlasting effects it echoes a tale of how the slightest interactions can result in catastrophic results. “Two Birds” finishes with a smooth sigh, giving closure to the listener but reminding them that there is more to come from Three Tree Town.

This is a really good song. The contrasting vocals, intricate guitar work and 'marching' drums are so well woven together, the end result is one short and sweet song.

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Ghost Wave - Blues Signal '79.

Background words - Yesterday Ghost Wave released their Blues Signal '79 single, taken from a forthcoming album out early in 2016. The album was recorded in Auckland and mastered by Sonic Boom....more details to come.

The band explain the background to the song as follows - Blues Signal '79 kinda eventuated out of this other song that we used to play called Jazz Style. The original of the version of the song was way different to what you hear, and I'm really glad that after playing Jazz Style for 3 years, we scrapped it. I'm a big one for throwing songs away, even when I really like them... 3 years later, recorded, the song just wasn't meant to be. I just heard the original recording on the drum stem and was like "nope, this isn't happening", so deleted it. Within 5 minutes the new organ hook had arrived, we dropped the bass on it, and felt like we had a way more captivating piece of music. 

We decided to put this song out first cause it's kinda different to stuff we've released before. Ghost Wave isn't a singles band, but we're super proud to release Blues Signal 79 off our upcoming LP Radio Norfolk (Flying Nun). It's a slice of GW's future (album on the way), looking at the past (don't forget), wondering why nothing makes sense (or does it?).

This is one of those songs that's hard to pigeon hole in a specific genre. Whatever, it's catchy, clever and does the trick in making me look forward to checking out the new album, when it lands next year.

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Tuesday Two: Flightress - Doprah

Flightress - The Room.

Background - “The Room” is the latest offering from Perth acoustic duo Flightress, and explores the idea of homelessness, and one version of how it could feel to be put in that place personally.

Songwriter Minky G says, “I wasn’t trying to make a political statement on being a refugee or losing your home, this is just how it feels to me when something that you thought was solid and immovable is taken from you, and you have to rely on other people to get you out of that place. But sometimes, that’s when you find the best parts of others, because it’s so much easier for them to walk away, and sometimes they don’t”.

Recorded by the sea at Driftwood Studios in Trigg, WA, and produced by the talented Rene de Vries, “The Room” takes on a uniquely Australian sound, with the duo including sounds from the garden outside the studio (check out the magpies at the end of the track!) They also enlisted a cello player, who rocked up with a 19th century instrument to include on the song.

Flightress combines songwriter Minky G’s mellifluous melodies with duo buddy Rosco’s seriously awesome guitar licks, the pair create a unique sound that makes them one of Perth’s most prolific live acts. Between them, they’ve jammed with Beyoncé's band (and taken them surfing!), supported UK artist Passenger, jazz muso James Morrison, John Butler, and once accidentally supported Gyroscope as well as a cheeky gig at the Queens Jubilee Celebrations in England in 2012.

This is a gentle and sincere song. Vocals skip above the acoustic soundtrack, and the addition of a cello really does add depth, to this well produced song.

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Doprah - Lucid Visions.

Background - Doprah are very proud to share Lucid Visions, the first single and video from their forthcoming album called Wasting. The video features an intriguing religious cult based plot, set amongst a hazed out and spooky forest.

Producer/Director Julian Vares has an interesting story about the video, which may even reveal a missing link to the infamous Parker-Hulme murder as portrayed in the Peter Jackson movie Heavenly Creatures. We shot most of this video in a random spot of forest up at Victoria park, just off Dyers pass road. The day before the shoot we doing doing some location tests and I had my wardrobe designer sitting under the tree we planned on shooting. She felt something sharp buried underneath the tree roots and actually un-earthed half a brick wrapped in what looked like an old 1950's girls-high issue stocking. The Parker-Hulme murder happened not far away after all. I did some research and apparently the actual murder weapon sits on some police-commissioner's desk as a paperweight. I'll never know if we found the legitimate other half brick, a relic from the Heavenly Creatures production, or simple fell victim to some weird prank. I've since lost the brick anyway so I guess we'll never know.

Doprah - a Christchurch New Zealand band - released their debut EP in 2014 to widespread acclaim and featuring a brilliant video for the track Stranger People. This was followed by a trip to CMJ New York, various festival slots including St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and performing with Lorde, Silicon, The Phoenix Foundation and more.

The video for 'Lucid Visions' has been added to our BeeVids page. It's no wonder the band have been getting noticed amongst music pundits, their imaginative and quite intriguing songs really do have that 'special something'. Lucid Visions has a trippy psychedelic vibe for me, whilst the video is something else and worthy of a check.


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Two For Monday: Living Hour - Chrystyna Marie

Living Hour - Seagull.

Background - Living Hour began in the basements of South Winnipeg, writing dreamy love songs inspired by the cinematic sky of their hometown. Blending bright shimmering guitar pop with thick casio drones and uniquely powerful, smoky vocals, their sound washes over you like  the soundtrack to the best parking lot makeout session of your youth.  Watery echoes of gorgeously sung melodies, psychedelic interlocking guitar, and huge driving crescendos create an enchanting wall of blissful dream pop.

Living Hour contributed two songs to Family Portrait II, a vinyl compilation put out by Art is Hard Records (Bristol/London) in April 2015, and released a super limited edition cassette of their debut s/t album with Tree Machine Records (Bloomington) that same month. The band will release their debut album world-wide with Lefse Records (Portland) on February 19, 2016.

Tour Dates:

March 3    Winnipeg, MB    The Good Will Social Club
March 4    Fargo, ND    The Aquarium
March 6    Des Moines, IA    Des Moines Social Club
March 7    Rock Island, IL    Rozz Tox
March 9    St Louis, MO    Foam
March 11    Denver, CO    Lion's Lair
March 13    Phoenix, AZ     Trunk Space
March 18    Santa Barbara    CA    FUNZONE
March 19    Fresno    CA    Peeves Pub 
March 22    Santa Cruz    CA    Bocci's Cellar
March 25    Davis    CA    Third Art Space Collective
March 29    Portland    OR    The Analog Cafe
March 31    Bellingham    WA    Loudhouse
April 2    Rossland    BC    The Flying Steamshovel
April 3    Kamloops    BC    Zacks Coffee.

A little bit dream pop & a little bit shoegaze (and quite a bit of the epic), 'Seagull' stands out from the crowd, with beautiful guitars and atmospheric vocals.

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Chrystyna Marie - Loaded Gun.

Background - Originally hailing from Toronto, Crystyna Marie sings with a powder keg voice over a cocktail of grungy blues and pop. The classically trained Canadian-born singer has supported Ontario acts and been featured as a demo singer on indie labels from as young as 18 years old.

Marie has taken first place in various categories in the Kiwanis Music Festival 2 years in a row. She's taken lead roles in local community plays; West Side Story as Maria and Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Over the years, she has racked up a long list of smaller roles in music videos, television and was also the lead singer in an LA founded pop group called Greencat. Writing and releasing her own music, with her own unique voice, however, is where her true passion lies.

Believing the classics are just as essential as modern favorites, she finds musical inspiration in everyone from Janis Joplin, Ottis Redding and Etta James to Selena and Christina Aguilera.

Although Crystyna has been represented by several independent labels over the years, she decided that in order to shape the sound she wanted, releasing music on her own was absolutely necessary. Her first solo single, "Loaded Gun", is proof that this was the right choice, revealing the first taste of Marie's gritty take on the blues. The EP is due to be released on Feb 29, 2016.

About the new material, Marie says "Breath is life, and life is music. I wanted to create music from personal experiences and true emotions. Something the everyday person can relate to and build strength from having been exposed to it. With a raw and gritty feel to emulate these experiences and emotions".

'Loaded Gun' has a timeless blues vibe, and a song that is delivered with power and passion by Chrystyna Marie. It deserves to be noticed.


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Alternative Take: Human Movement - Tomas Doncker - Jerome Blazé

Human Movement - Robots Have A Voice.

Background - Last week Australian duo Human Movement, released the first taste of their upcoming debut EP, "Dancing Room," with a one-two audio-visual punch for the title track. Lead single "Dancing Room" reassured eager fans that the 19 and 21-year-old duo still have a Midas touch when it comes to poignant dance floor hits, while the music video granted them a first time look into the Movement. 

Now, after debuts on Anna Lunoe's Apple Music Beats 1 Radio, spins on Triple J Radio, and praise from Insomniac, Stoney Roads, Your EDM, Music Ninja, Next2Shine, and more, Human Movement's Blake Gilray and Edward MacDonald have unveiled their second EP cut, "Robots Have A Voice."  On this track that Nest HQ calls "powerful and dark," Human Movement relish in their trademark sound that fuses menacing rhythms with pulsating kick drums and synth.  

Looking forward to the remainder of the EP, fans can anticipate the debut of two remaining tracks "5:00 AM" and "Better Off Dead," the latter of which features a team-up with hype-worthy Deadmau5 signee Eekkoo.

'Robots Have A Voice' is my personal favourite of the two tracks from the EP shared so far. It's no surprise that the duo Human Movement have gained so much attention, their imaginative music and quality production, makes tracks like this an audiophiles dream.

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Tomas Doncker - Some Ol Dolls.

Background - As a prime mover on New York’s downtown “No Wave” scene in the early 1980s, Tomás Doncker cut his teeth as a guitarist with such genre-busting groups as James Chance & The Contortions, Defunkt, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz and many more. Eventually he went international, touring and recording in Japan with jazz pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, and producing studio and songwriting sessions with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe and Grammy-winning producer Prince Charles Alexander, to name just a few. Since then, Doncker has continued to work with an A-list of iconic musicians, including Ivan Neville (on his solo album Thanks), Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegeocello, Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover, former P-Funk keyboardist Amp Fiddler…and the list keeps growing. In 2008, he produced and released Inside Out, and followed that with The Mercy Suite, a collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

Power of The Trinity, a meditation on the legacy of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie, features legendary bassist/producer Bill Laswell, Ethiopian singers Ejigayehu “Gigi” Shibabaw and Mahmoud Ahmed, legendary Ethiopian guitar hero Selam Woldemariam (who also served as production consultant for the project) and a host of New York’s finest jazz, funk and rock musicians. Power of The Trinity was released on Mr. Doncker’s True Groove label in June 2012

The summer of 2013 was quite exciting for Tomás. He was invited to perform again at NYC’s Summerstage for 11 shows. He co-wrote and was the musical director for performance artist Marla Mase’s multi-media dance concert, “Speak.” He was also the musical director and a featured performer in “Diablo Love”, a fantastical love story with live music that re-imagined songs made famous by American Blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf. He also wrote original compositions for this show with legendary director Alfred Preisser. founder of The Classical Theatre of Harlem and currently the artistic director at Harlem School of the Arts.

The new and extremely potent release inspired by the Charleston Massacre; Tomás Doncker's "The Mess We Made" (released December 8th) is a racially charged epic that shows his unshakeable political views. Doncker is a renowned New York blues/soul artist. On "This Mess We Made" he gives all of us a glimpse into the bitter realities of modern America.

'Some Ol Dolls' is the first song on the new album, and is a clear foretaste of what's to follow. There is a powerful charge to each song, underpinned by a mixture of incredible blues music and the soulful voice of Tomas Doncker. It's music with a message, delivered with feeling, and superb musicianship.

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Jerome Blazé - Lone Pine.

Background - The Battle of Lone Pine is one of the most famous assaults of the Gallipoli campaign, and this was the inspiration for the track from start to finish.

Tucked away in the picturesque Southern Highlands of New South Wales in Australia, Jerome Blaze began writing and producing music in a self-made studio when he was only 14, where he continues to hone his creative talent today. Gifted with a producers ear, an intrinsic ability to cohesively fit sounds together, along with the love of poetry and literature which is evident in his lyrics Jerome creates music which is relatable and conjures a vast array of emotions, unique for every listener.

'Lone Pine' is one of those refreshing surprises. Jerome Blaze creates a vast landscape of sound, that builds into a synth laden fast paced piece. Vocals are sensitive and kept to a minimum, as the music production increasingly demands your attention.


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Genre Mix: Citizen Of The World - Animal Daydream - The Aquadolls

Citizen Of The World - Setting Out.

Background - 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”. The band successfully combines the unique sound of the saxophone with acoustic folk and traditional rock to have you reflecting on the stories that shape your life. Since forming in 2012, the band has played at various venues and band competitions around Sydney, toured India, released their first EP and is now releasing their third music video. 

Their new song ‘Setting Out’ fits directly into their signature genre of epic folk, combining contemplative verses with a powerful chorus lifted up by a strong drums and horns section. The song tackles the strong feelings associated with new beginnings, new projects, and new perspectives. The kick carries the song through soft verses and strong choruses, and tries to harness a multitude of emotions into one piece. 

The song was recorded and mixed in Gerrit’s living room in Coogee (affectionately known as Bay Street Records). 

Described as part of the modern folk-rock genre, Citizen Of the World stand out to me, as a band to take note of, in an increasingly crowded music style. 'Setting Out' is the first song I have heard by the band, it's not overly produced and sounds very natural, so that it is 'epic' without becoming pretentious and artificial, something I find a little to often in this musical genre. I look forward to hearing more from them.

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Animal Daydream - Citrus.

Background - In early 2015, Animal Daydream appeared on the scene and took the indiepop world by storm, garnering positive press from Austin Town Hall, Back Seat Mafia, Big Takeover, Collapse Board, Examiner, Get It On Vinyl, Magnet, Vinyl District, When You Motor Away, and Whispering' & Hollering' just to name a few outlets - pretty impressive for a new, enigmatic duo from Gothenburg, Sweden. 

Now, just over one year after the release of their debut single, we are proud to present another small batch of songs that will just melt away in your ears. Not too far off from what they gave us the first time, these songs are reminiscent of later Teenage Fanclub and Fleet Foxes, but also borrow liberally from the sound of '70s soft rock, particularly Fleetwood Mac and CSNY, with their strong vocal harmonies and overall smooth, almost slick production. And once again, all four tracks are pure gold, solid gold. Now if they would only follow up with that full length they might rule the world.

'Citrus' has that classic jangly guitar sound that I associate so often with indie pop, however the vocals and harmonies really do take it into the realms of 1970's soft rock. The overall effect is something quite timeless, so that the name checked references above really do hold water.

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The Aquadolls - Girl Riot.

Background - Formed by the lead singer and writer of the band, Melissa Brooks and bred out of the Southern California, Orange County do-it-yourself garage scene.

Melissa Brooks and The Aquadolls put forth a trip out, pop punk vibe as they discuss love, opening your mind and hating being a teenager.  

OC based indie label Burger Records released their debut album Stoked On You in December 2014, which peaked at #10 nationally on the US CMJ chart.  

“Girl Riot” is an anthem celebrating the strength and courage of any woman having to fight against what society expects you to accept, whether it be wage inequality or double standard social norms."  -Melissa Brooks.

The Aquadolls in part, recreate the sound of seventies punk, whilst sounding modern and relevant. Part pop, part punk, 'Girl Riot' has the energy, attitude, and message, you would expect from this type of music, and enough heart and sincerity to carry it off.

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Weekend Wonders: Daniel Amedee - Great Lakes - Crossroad Y

Daniel Amedee - Everything Will Change.

Background - Daniel Amedee is living proof that a musician can be from New Orleans, but not necessarily be of New Orleans, a distinction that courses through his quirky, eccentric songwriting style, informed by a haunting bluesy vocalese that scratches the soul somewhere between Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart, and certainly belies Daniel’s 28 years. In fact, he’s been at it – writing and producing his own music (and getting by with a little help from his friends) since age 14. Which prompts the question: How and where did this unassuming bundle of talent come to be inhabited by the avant garde spirits of progressive rock and guerrilla classical that suffuse his debut CD, Themes From (ExPat Records, 2011) and it’s follow-up Climbing (Arabella Music, 2013).

After the release of Climbing in 2013, Daniel has spent the last two years touring the United States and Canada. He’s performed from LA to New York, from Vancouver to Montreal, and everywhere in between. He was joined for a period by vocalist SE and the duo released a live record Soul With A Body in July 2014 of a concert at HotSpot in Waynesboro, VA.

Everything Will Change is the title track off the New Orleans singer-songwriter's Everything Will Change EP, due out February 2nd, 2016. The single mixes meditative beats and haunting, blues vocals to create an urban folk anthem. Tackling themes of love and human consciousness, Amedee croons, “when you see love instead of hate, when you see freedom instead of fear, and when you see truth…everything will change.”

I think it's probably the music that made me play this song for a second time. Its just got that little something extra to it, that made me really take note. Daniels vocals just add some more, they feel natural and at the same time a little less mainstream. Put together you get a fine song, one of five good ones, on the EP.

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Great Lakes - Swim The River.

Background - Great Lakes formed in 1996 in Athens, Georgia and has been based in Brooklyn, NY since 2002. The band has released 4 albums. A 5th record called Wild Vision will come out in January 2016 on the band’s own label, Loose Trucks. For this new album singer-songwriter-guitarist Ben Crum reconvened the same lineup of musicians who helped him make 2010's Ways of Escape: vocalist Suzanne Nienaber, drummer Kevin Shea, bassist David Lerner and keyboardist Joe McGinty. 

While Great Lakes' early records traded in a whimsical, light-hearted psychedelia, with their 3rd and 4th albums, 2006's Diamond Times and 2010's Ways of Escape, the band gradually gravitated toward more personal songs, with a darker tone. That pattern continues with Wild Vision. Of the band's musical evolution, Crum explains, "I feel like I'm past the point of citing influences, or of discussing what happened that made me go from writing carefree psych-pop to this much darker, weightier music I'm making now. What I can say is that I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and every album I've done has been a carefully deliberate artistic statement, for better or worse."

Put simply if you like 'Swim The River' the new album is a must have. It's packed with high quality songs and musical craftsmanship, from a band that have clearly honed their individual and collective talent. If I write any more it could get 'slushy', so just give them a listen.

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Crossroad Y - Summer Days.

Background - Indie pop gem, Crossroad Y from Sydney, Australia, invites you to indulge in the catchy and uplifting sounds of their new single ‘Summer Days’ from their first EP out on the 30th December 2015. 

The song is a hopeful anthem about breaking away from things that have been holding you back. “It’s about acknowledging that your past is in the past and finding the strength within you to pull through the tough times to see the better day” says vocalist Joanna. The track features Fabian and Joanna’s voices standing out as lead vocals as well as intertwined in beautiful harmonies. The bright layered guitars, punchy yet warm drum beat and airy bass guitar encourage the listener to lose themselves in the story. 

“We wanted to write an encouraging tune to help those struggling with different things in life to see the light and know the bad moments will pass, to breathe in the fresh air and not fear the occasional rain, for it can wash you clean” says Joanna. ‘Summer Days’ was composed by John, written by Joanna, John and Fabian, produced by multi-award winning songwriter, composer and producer Jeff Cripps (The Vines, The Atlantics) and mastered by Don Bartley (Abba, Cold Chisel, INXS, Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Duran Duran). 

'Summer Days' is indie pop at it's finest. A good song, uplifting vocals and harmonies, and a musical soundtrack that just gets on and provides the foundation for great pop music. Play it and try not to smile!

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Two More On Wednesday: The Altered Hours - Field Music

The Altered Hours - Silver Leather.

Background - Following the organic buzz that arose from “Way Of Sorrow”, the Altered Hours are set to make a further mark on the flourishing psych-rock scene with the direct, sultry follow-up “Silver Leather”.

The band, whose sound has been continually honed over the last few years, have been building a solid identity that will be truly apparent from their upcoming debut. Already a real prospect live, their shows are known for their intensity and the band's ability to envelope both themselves and the crowd in their sound – but where so many focus on the textures, The Altered Hours set themselves apart with as much a focus on the songs themselves. The group have toured Ireland, the UK and Europe and have won critical acclaim along the way.

The group have released another 7'' – Dig Early – on Irish label Art For Blind since and their full length, In Heat Not Sorry, will finally see the light of day this coming January (29th). Part of a burgeoning Irish scene that continues to spawn young and seemingly brilliant, vital bands, Altered Hours will take their place on a wider scale with this record. Melodic, abrasive, dual girl-boy vocals, a Sonic Youth and ‘White Heat’-era Velvets approach to atmospherics, guitar tone and crashing feedback, and the indefinable that is all of their own making - this band’s sounds are surely destined to travel.

Whereas 'Way Of Sorrow' for me, had a punk feel to it (a little like early Banshees material), 'Silver Leather' is definitely more psych-rock orientated. Slower, clearer, with each instrument and the vocals clearly defined, the band put a lot of work into their material, and it works, case in point being this taster for the new album.

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Field Music - The Noisy Days Are Over (Single Version).

Background - Field Music recently announced its return with a new 14 track album Commontime, set to be released on February 5th, 2016 via Memphis Industries. 

The first song to be taken from the album is 'The Noisy Days Are Over', an insistent, sax-punctuated groove and a conversation between two friends struggling to say farewell to the bad old boozy days, when they should "get to bed like everyone else" -- yesterday they shared the video for the track, directed by Andy Martin.

Over the past four years, North-East siblings Peter and David Brewis have threaded their way through one extra-curricular project after another but were inevitably drawn back to working together on their own songs. "As much fun as we might have had on our own or collaborating, we missed just spending time in the studio, the two of us, trying things out and playing together." explains David. The space that Field Music vacated in those four years still appears to be empty. No one else really does what Field Music do: the interweaving vocals, the rhythmic gear changes, the slightly off-chords, but with the sensibility that keeps them within touching distance of pop music. But with Commontime, Field Music show off their unashamed love of choruses in a way they've only hinted at before.

Written and recorded in spontaneous bursts over six months in their Wearside studio, Commontime is built around the brothers playing and singing together again, but also features a wider array of players, including original Field Music keyboardist Andrew Moore, Peter's wife Jennie Brewis and new member of the live band Liz Corney on vocals, plus a panoply of other players. "We wanted to embrace being a duo and, perversely, that made us feel more comfortable about all of those conspicuous cameos" reveals David.  Over the fourteen songs of Commontime, real life conversations are replayed, acquaintances come and go, hard won friendships are left to drift and diffuse snap shots of the everyday are pulled together into what must rank amongst Field Music's best works to date. 

Commontime is available to pre-order (here) on limited edition 2 x 180gram green vinyl + download code, CD, and download. The first 250 physical orders include an exclusive signed print.   The album is also available to pre-order on iTunes with an instant download of 'The Noisy Days Are Over.'

The new video is viewable on our BeeVids page. 'The Noisy Days Are Over' has been around for a little while, it's just steeped in class, and is massively catchy. In terms of building up anticipation for the new album, the video is a (highly enjoyable) reminder, to make a note of the release date, for this extremely talented band.

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Two On Tuesday: No Monster Club - Mleo

No Monster Club - Lemonade.

Background/promo - The new album 'I Feel Magic'  from Ireland's No Monster Club - the follow-up to this year's highly acclaimed 'People Are Weird' LP, will be released by Popical Island on February 5th 2016. 'Lemonade' (the first single to be taken from the album), basks in a strange, new found intersection of Future Islands, Talking Heads and early Flaming Lips.

Prolific Irishman Bobby Aherne may well be one of the best kept secrets in the world of underground pop music. In addition to a previous life using the moniker 'Dublin Duck Dispensary' (and his work as a member of Grand Pocket Orchestra, Women's Christmas, Paddy Hanna and Ginnels), this album marks the 28 year old's eleventh - and most fully realised - release as No Monster Club.

'I Feel Magic' could be the sound of Neutral Milk Hotel, William Onyeabor and the Beach Boys jamming out a series of lost one-hit-wonders on to a tape deck in their bedroom. This is rich, cartoonish art pop following in the eccentric lineage of Tommy Roe, R. Stevie Moore, Jeff Lynne, Captain Sensible, and Kevin Ayers...

After just one listen to this, the band's seemingly bizarre, unorthodox journey so far will begin to make a lot more sense; No Monster Club has performed everywhere from Wisconsin to Verona (with a live band consisting of members of Dublin's 'Popical Island' collective), embarked upon several tours with The Polyphonic Spree, supported scene luminaries such as Wavves and Ariel Pink, mimed along to their hit 'La La Land' on American children's TV, contributed music to documentary films about subjects as diverse as surfing, hotdogs and baseball, inducted to the club personalities as diverse as Jedward and Jeffrey Lewis, and become known for their surreal music videos which tend to feature puppets, dance routines, clones and singing dogs.

'Lemonade' has a quirky and yet quite intense feel to it. Musically it's as refreshing as ice cool lemonade (sorry - compulsive requirement to say that). Whatever the influences and references mentioned above in the promo, this song, has dug it's hooks into me, it's a little different, but highly enjoyable.

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Mleo - Ridiculous.

Bio - Mleo (muh-lee-oh) is an alternative pop/rock band born in Sacramento and raised in Los Angeles. A blossoming project of young, well-trained musicians, Mleo has its roots in the cities of Sacramento and Los Angeles. The band originally started as a trio in the year of 2012 with members Audrey Reed, Victor San Pedro, and Nick De La O, and has grown immensely since then. The three already had years of experience performing together at their high school in Sacramento, CA, so it made sense that they would continue to perform together as they furthered their education in L.A.

Led mostly by singer Audrey Reed, the group brings influences of jazz, funk, indie rock/pop, R&B, hip hop, and hard rock. With a variety of musical perspectives, the band strives to become the face of the modern rock band. They continue to shape this vision by writing songs with no boundaries, yet retaining elements that have kept listeners interested throughout the history of music both melodically and lyrically.

'Rediculous' builds on the bands 2014 record Sunken City. I've included the title track for the album over in BeeVids, and although 'Rediculous' has been about for a while I wanted to feature it, simply because it's such a fine song, from what is a very talented band.

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Monday Double Play: Strange Faces - Dead Trains

Strange Faces - Brand New Way.

Background - Strange Faces is a four piece rock band from Chicago, IL, originating as the solo project of David Miller in 2013. Delivering lo-fi punk rock with 60s pop hooks, the band now consists of front man David Miller, guitarist Taylor Walters, bassist Phillip Valdez and drummer Ben Leach. 

Their debut album "Stonerism" is out this December 11th via Autumn Tone Records.  The album was mixed and mastered by Cadien James of Twin Peaks.

'Brand New Way' is the tenth track on this eleven song album. With opening riffs reminiscent of The Kinks on Waterloo Sunset, the song soon emerges itself into a very different psychedelic atmospheric piece. Only one of two songs I have heard from the album, but based on that, the band sound like they have considerable depth and imagination.


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Dead Trains - County Road Bound/Mean Town Blues.

Bands Bio - Hailing from Boston, Dead Trains create a unique hybrid of old country blues and punk rock. Since their debut Break ‘Em On Down EP in 2013, they have toured extensively along the East Coast and embarked on two nationwide tours. With their most recent release, 32/20 EP, Dead Trains have garnered major local support from Vanyaland and Boston Metro and were recently named The Deli New England’s Artist of the Month.

With their frenetic, slide guitar driven mixture of blues and punk, Dead Trains want listeners to know that this is not simply blues rock. Inspired by the sounds and lyricism of traditional Delta Blues, County Road Bound tackles themes of displacement, self-deprecation, and fatalism. Even the album title derives from traditional blues repertoire. To be “county road bound” suggests that you’re bound to be sentenced to a road prison because of crimes you’ve committed or plan on committing.

County Road Bound utilises irregular chord progressions, swift tempo changes, and pulsing bass and guitar lines to create the menacing, hard to define sound that Dead Trains have become known for. The title track seamlessly brings all these elements together and even transitions into their interpretation of Johnny Winter’s “Mean Town Blues.” The record also includes an unrecognisable cover of Suicide’s 1977 “Rocket USA,” proving their ability to make anything their own. But that’s not all they do. Rounding out the album, “Fire Next Time” is the simple, yet lyrically dense track that brings listeners back to the basics – a guy with a guitar and a slide.

One of seven tracks, 'Country Road Bound/Mean Town Blues' typifies this release with it's gutsy punk edged honesty. When they talk of a mixture of punk and blues, they mean it, the songs mix both elements together giving a sound and energy that is enticing.

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Alternative Take: Squarehead - Face+Heel - Problems

Squarehead - Citamenic.

Background - After a one and a half year hiatus, Melbourne instrumental electronic outfit Squarehead return to push the boundaries of what music can be with their new single 'Citamenic'.

It happens too often. You find a band you love, so you shell out for their live show - only to be bitterly disappointed by the difference between what you heard from your speakers and what you hear at the gig. It’s too stripped back, too rough, too cacophonous… you go home, dejected.

Not so with ‘Citamenic’. The track, which premiered recently on Happy, paints a picture of exactly what to expect at a Squarehead gig. The name itself, a mirror of “cinematic”, speaks volumes of the track’s vivid nature; beginning as a low-key wall of sound and building to a bubbling, celestial conclusion. ‘Citamenic’ marks the imminent arrival of a brand new two-track from Squarehead, produced by Melbourne’s P.T. Parcel, that sees the band sitting squarely in their prime.

'Citamenic' is a mixture of electronic, rock and almost jazz infused music. The expansive sound and excellent musicianship really does make this something of an epic piece. The second track 'Handmedown' is a little more stripped down, but equally well crafted and pleasing.

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Face+Heel - Mansions.

Background - Following two successful EP releases, which led to an appearance on Boiler Room and media support from Dazed, Fact, XLR8R, Wonderland, The Fader, Dummy and many more, duo Face+Heel are excited to announce the release of their debut full length album; 'Our Prince's Quarry', out 4th March 2016 on Dekalog. The first taster from the album comes by way of 'Mansions'.

Face+Heel are Luke Taylor and Sinead McMillan; a Welsh born duo now based in the culturally rich city of Bristol. The pair garnered widespread acclaim with their 'No Stars' (2012) and 'Chipped Tooth' (2013) EPs, and built a reputation for their dynamic live offering after tours throughout Europe, and a sold out show with Matthew Dear in London. 

'Our Prince's Quarry' tells the story of growing up in mid-west Wales in the 1990's and how it feels to leave the city and return there as an adult. Memories good and bad of the faded postcard towns and the people who inhabit them all year round; the returning sense of isolation felt as a younger person desperate to escape life in the margins. Remembering first loves and awakenings and looking for reconstruction after inner city burnouts.

From love songs that tale place in the last days of Dryweryn, a village flooded in the 1960's to be used as a reservoir for the city of Liverpool, to tales of delinquency and psychadelic experimentation at agricultural fairs; the album tells the story of the end of youth and the uneasy feeling that all roads lead back to home. The album perfectly showcases their brand of downbeat, minimal electronica, combined with Sinead McMillan's gorgeous, atmospheric vocal to create layer upon layer of sonic serenity.

For minimal electronica Face+Heel don't half pack a lot in. There is a richness to the music in 'Mansions' that is beautifully complemented by Sinead McMillan's classic vocals. The promo talks of 'layer upon layer of sonic serenity', and that's no exaggeration. Another album keenly awaited.

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Problems - Pretending.

Background - Adelaide’s Problems give you their brand new single and their last release for 2015; titled ‘Pretending’. Duo producer Justin Walkden and vocalist Shane Lock wrote ‘Pretending’ in a rare studio collaboration as both spontaneously shared ideas and recorded demos. As the track came together, Problems used the opportunity to explore some new sounds and techniques in production, resulting in their most complex offering yet. 

“The main elements of the song dropped out very quickly and we used that as a base to explore some new production ideas.  Lyrically, it sticks to a theme that is fairly familiar to most, being the trials and tribulations of relationships that were just never meant to work.” – Shane Lock (vocals) 

Cutting their own path through the electronic post-chillwave trend vacuum, Problems are a nuanced electronic sound full of ethereal melodies, deep bass and washed-out, down-beat percussive flourishes.

'Pretending' is both calming and quite uplifting. The whole thing cries quality, whether it be vocals, music, melody, or the overall production. Less is more, so I will say no more.

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Genre Mix: Why We Run - Jenn Vix - Vandaveer - The Chambermaids

Why We Run - A Moment To Return.

Background/Promo - Emerging only earlier this year Why We Run have returned with energetic third single 'A Moment to Return'. Their previous two singles received over 200K streams across Spotify, YouTube & Soundcloud, as well as glowing reviews via everyone from Zan Rowe (triple j) to Rob Thomas (yes, the Rob Thomas). 'A Moment to Return’ is the first track from the Sydney quartet's forthcoming debut album (due April 2016). 

Produced and mixed by Wayne Connolly (Boy & Bear, Cloud Control, Paper Kites), the song’s nostalgic lyrics and driving energy are reminiscent of indie stalwarts like The National, The Killers, Joy Division and Silent Alarm-era Bloc Party. It’s a vibrant and moving taste of the great places Why We Run are sprinting towards.

'A Moment To Return' might be a good song to play to someone, if you were trying to define what good indie rock music is. The song flows beautifully, with delicious music and calming vocals, it is hook laden and well under my skin.

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Jenn Vix (feat John Ashton) - The Woman With No Fear.

Background - Jenn Vix has been releasing music for 15 years, her self-titled debut album on her own label, coming out in 1995 received glowing reviews in Rolling Stone amongst others. Further albums included collaborations with Reeves Gabrels of The Cure and David Bowie’s band, Andy Anderson formerly of The Cure and electro industrial artist Dirk Ivens.

‘The Woman With No Fear’ is the first single from the the new ‘Strange Buildings E.P.’ which comprises of five tracks, with two of them "The Woman With No Fear” and "Weirdo” featuring former Psychedelic Furs Guitarist, John Ashton, on rhythm guitar.

No surprises regarding the driving guitar on the featured song, however Jenn's singing is superbly matched for this type of music. Vocally she reminds me in part of Julie Driscoll, and as a fan of her music (and also the Psychedelic Furs) this is a double helping of delight for me. The five songs on the EP differ quite a lot, both in pace and musical styles, all of them, are really strong. If you like  'The Woman With No Fear', grab the EP.

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Vandaveer - But Enough On That For Now.

Background/promo - Vandaveer are announcing their fifth full-length album, The Wild Mercury, out via WhiteSpace Records on February 19. The album is a career-defining release from a band that has gathered its dedicated fan base the old-fashioned way--on the road. With everyman narratives and striking, folk-based harmonies, Vandaveer loosely fall under the Americana umbrella, but the band regularly elbow their way into wider spaces with a kaleidoscopic assortment of sounds. With The Wild Mercury, they’re stretching the genre's fibers even further.

The Wild Mercury is a journey through the personal stories of Mark Charles Heidinger, but this time with far more musical collaboration outside the unit's core duo of Heidinger and vocalist Rose Guerin. Vandaveer now feels fully formed and brimmed with its potential. This record is clearly the best the band has sounded, and they already sounded pretty great. 

The lead single, "But Enough On That For Now" is a grandiose kick off to the album. Avoiding trap song writing cliches that often permeate the roots scene, Heidinger and Guerin stack lead vocals on one another to several soaring climaxes. Each phase of the song comes off like its own coda, and when you think it can’t pile on more emotion and melodious sections, it does. The track is a bold stamp, reintroducing the band to their true believers and emphatically announcing their presence to the uninitiated.

'But Enough On That For Now' comprises of stunning vocals and harmonies, that are supported by under stated, but extremely well crafted instrumentation. Sometimes when I read promo's and then listen to the music, I have to double check I've not mixed things up. On this occasion the above words are spot on, this is one fine song.

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The Chambermaids - Tall Grass.

Background - When Ollie Moltaji and Max Schramm joined founding siblings Neil and Martha Weir to form the newest Chambermaids lineup, the chemistry between the four was immediate. Rather than putting time into playing live, they began working on new material, integrating the studio (Old Blackberry Way) into the writing and arranging process. 

Songs were captured fresh and allowed to develop and morph, sometimes coming together quickly and sometimes completely reinventing themselves. The result is a dreamy and expansive take on reverb-soaked minimalism. "Tall Grass", the first single from the almost completed album, was released on Old Blackberry Way/Guilt Ridden Pop.

'Tall Grass' has been out for a month, so we are a little late on the scene with this one. Musically it's a little like shoegaze morphing with Neil Young & Crazy Horse, something that really works for me, although I think you need to listen and see if you get my drift. Vocals are softer in the mix, which also works really well, so all in all, this is one to feature late, rather than never.


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Friday Four: MRCH - Golden Daze - La Sera - Nightair

MRCH - Spin.

Background - College found the members of MRCH immersed in the worlds of jazz, opera and speciality coffee. Fast forward three years and two bands later, the trio has settled into their own unique brand of electronic indie. With two thirds of the group living in Phoenix AZ and the remainder in Sacramento CA, their songs are crafted primarily through file sharing via Ableton.

Falling musically somewhere between the creative production and ideals of Phantogram and the smart pop of CHVRCHΞS and Purity Ring, 'Spin' is an accessible, cerebral outing from the trio that has seen significant label interest already.

CMJ described their last track, ‘Highway Drivin’ as “…a big, squashy, glitter-glam beat and ice queen crooning”. MRCH holds high the principle of recreating their music live, often performing songs that are still being written, allowing their sound to evolve as “organically as possible.” Though much of their creative process happens remotely, the band plays together constantly – staying as close as their many miles allow.

It comes as no surprise that a song as good as this, is generating serious music industry interest. That the band develop songs through live performance is clearly working. If 'Spin' was released on vinyl it would get plenty of 'spinning' from me (sorry - could not resist).

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Golden Daze - Salt.

Background - Formed by Ben Schwab and Jacob Loeb, Golden Daze is a collaborative songwriting duo. Inspired by 60's melodic rock and contemporaries like Cass Mccombs and Brian Jonestown Massacre, Golden Daze drenches their straightforward earthly pop tunes in ethereal drones and tape flutter. 

The duo, originally from the Midwest (Schwab from Ohio and Loeb from Chicago), are based in Los Angeles and will be releasing their self titled debut LP on Autumn Tone Records on February 19th, 2016.

A good song, the production gives it some real edge, it could be from the sixties, and I guess by the audio quality you know it's more recent. It's the kind of song to get lost in for a while and forget about your worries.

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La Sera - High Notes.

Background - The title of La Sera's fourth album says a lot by saying so precious little: Music For Listening to Music To. So, in other words, "music." After the punky heft and wildness of 2014's Hour of the Dawn, an LP that thrashed against expectation, Katy Goodman returns with a set of songs that double down on solid simplicity - the power of wry lyrics, glorious guitar, driving back beat, and the occasional pump organ groove. And as the record cover gives away, Goodman isn't alone. La Sera is a duo now - that's guitarist/cowriter/new husband (!) Todd Wisenbaker standing up there. And Ryan Adams joins to produce the fruit of their union, La Sera's first live-recorded analog album, featuring 10 tunes about good love, bad love, dead men, and confused kids.

Music For Listening to Music To opens on "High Notes," where rollicking guitar and punk drums chugga-chugga beneath Goodman's assured coo. Her lines deftly wrap the snark of Morrissey inside the sneer of Johnny Cash, and if you ask her what her favourite parts of the new album are, she'll tell you it's the scrappy stuff. "Time to Go," which hurdles out the gate on a rocket of slide guitar and elastic bass, is another one aimed at settling old accounts - just 'cause our heroine is happily married doesn't mean she can't take swings at those who came before.

For a glimpse at the album's genesis, though, pull up duet "One True Love." When it came time to write her fourth full-length, Goodman wasn't sure where she wanted to take the music. One night she and Wisenbaker (a Jenny and Johnny touring alum who joined La Sera in 2012 and produced Hour of the Dawn) did something they'd shockingly never done before: wrote a song together. That upbeat jangle-pop cut was the result, and the rest poured out. Wisenbaker sings on two others as well - the coiffed malt shop blues of "I Need an Angel" and bittersweet rocker "Nineties," which features synth by Adams and Greta Morgan (The Hush Sound, Gold Motel). Nate Lotz (Halsey, Madi Diaz) drummed for the week long PAX-AM studio sessions.

'High Notes' is a feisty song, the single heralds the arrival of a new album next year. Having Ryan Adams on production is a plus, however La Sera is clearly a team effort and the first song is so annoyingly good, that waiting for the album seems remarkably unfair. The album is due out (on Polyvinyl) March 4th.

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Nightair - The Roses.

Background - Nightair is the musical project of Tony Davia, Brandon Miranda, Lucas Connor, and Lauren Potts. Named after the airborne disease from the 19th century, the group formed in 2014 in Orange, CA. The band’s sound has been described by OC Weekly as "honors students explaining the travails of teen relationships in a profound way that even the jocks can understand...harboring influences from acts like The Strokes, Interpol and Bloc Party."  Nightair's debut EP was released November 16, 2015 on Secret Chief Culture.

The band also tell us - After releasing the music video for “Clouds", we put the track up for sale on Bandcamp and donated all the proceeds to Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund to support musicians who are struggling financially due to illness or disability. Amongst other notable accomplishments, we have received very positive reviews from a number of renowned music blogs.

Featured song 'The Roses' is typical of the quality and high standard of their debut EP. The five songs demonstrate some real depth to the band, and whatever the influences may be, the feeling of passion and enjoyment comes through loud and clear. The video for 'Clouds' is on our BeeVids page.

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