There are lots of interesting beats to be found on Sad Red’s new album Elder. Unexpected syncopations keep you on your toes while urgent guitars fuzz out the edges; melancholic lyrics are delivered in turns with hushed howls and moody pleas. The arrangements are tighter than the average brooding band and they aren’t entirely dedicated to downer tunes. Songs like “Bag Of Shame” have an almost ethereal overtone despite the great shaking bass line. Sound like an intriguing band? They are. Give them a good listen and I’m sure you wont be disappointed.
[MP3] The Garden And The Lemon Tree
The supremely talented Casey Shea has just released his new album Love Is Here To Stay on Family Records and it’s more than worthy of your diligent ears. Shea’s music comes from a finely cultivated catalog of inspiration- early folk, classic rock and wit infused pop- landing him in catchy troubadour territory. The orchestrations are dense and well thought out but not over whelming; buoyed by beautiful harmonies and quirky lyrics they never fail to leave a good impression. I particularly appreciate Shea’s ability to reflect his wealth of inspirations by creating his own sound and not beating you over the head with mimicry or over simplification. There’s lots to enjoy so I suggest you get yourself a copy.
Ms Monae is resurrecting some good old fashioned Motown R&B and I cannot get enough. This new video features some neo soft shoe moves and an awesome Big Boi cameo. If you haven’t checked out her new album Archandroid you best be getting on that. Tight Rope is just one of many stellar tracks.
The fellas of Bad Veins have just release their Outliers EP featuring a collection of songs that didn’t make the cut for their crazy good first album. It’s just enough to tide you over until their next full album release. You can consider this new video a nice slice of cake to help you pass the time as well. It is a really simple but entertaining concept for a music video and I particularly love Seb & Ben’s demeanor through the whole thing.
Marina & The Diamonds have a new EP dropping August first and to get you all excited they’ve created a incredibly cool pop art inspired video. While other artists are taking similar inspiration and literally sugar coating it to a cloying degree Marina gives it the right kind of punch to perfectly complement the song.
The Most Serene Republic made their annual stop in Philly last week and brought with them a new variation on their sound and a new EP, Fantasick Impossibliss. They were still the musical troupe dedicated to making discordant harmonies and unpredictable progressions sound curiously delectable but gone was their fiercely awesome guitarist Emma Ditchburn whose voice was often the bow the wrapped up their chaotic package of notes. I was immediately intrigued to hear what this new variation on the TMSR theme would sound like.
The set was short and, as usual, not particularly invested in creating a perfect sound but rather music that is just slightly skewed and therefore appealing to inquisitive ears wanting to make sense of the arrangements. Lead singer Adrian Jewett’s awkward but endearing stage presence and confidence in this band is part of the TMSR appeal even more so now that Emma has departed. His voice took a song to warm up but after that was all set to attack the off kilter tunes.
Featuring both old and new tracks the set proved that the new incarnation of the group was just as imperfectly perfect as they have always been. The new line up of musicians step up their contribution to the harmonies to round out the sound. The instrumentals were as lush as ever with Adrian’s punchy trombone solos adding a necessary bit of flair. For the most part TMSR arrangements are rather nebulous but when they’re going for a more aggressive sound they can really tighten it up, which was on fine display during the show. While Emma’s role will be missed I think TMSR is headed in the right direction in determining what their current line up is capable of.
The more time I spend looking at The Northside Schedule the more I’m impressed at the variety and number of bands you’ll be able to find in Brooklyn this weekend. To be honest it’s a bit intimidating to wade through the options but I’ve managed to assemble a list of places I want to be and bands I want to see.
Showcases I consider essential:
Tell All Your Friends + Flavorpill + Green Owl
Bands I Really Want To See:
[MP3] Vendela Vida – Dinosaur Feathers
[MP3] Honor Amongst Thieves – These United States
[MP3] Part Of Me – Electric Tickle Machine
** Update** You can get discounted Northside Badge until midnight tonight (6/23/10) Go here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/110717 “lmag” is the code.
In anticipation of Wakey!Wakey!’s show Thursday at Northstar Bar we managed to finagle a few minutes out of his busy schedule for an interview…
TWIPC: When did you know you wanted to make a real go at music professionally?
WW: I’d always planned on working as a professional in the arts. I was really lucky to hook up with Family Records a few years ago, cause before that it wasn’t working out so well. I feel really lucky to not have a day job right now. Hopefully it’ll last a while!
TWIPC: I’ve heard that in the past you’ve had a large assortment of instrumentalists share the stage with you but you seem to have found a consistent backing band. How’d you find them and what are the benefits of having the same people around night after night?
WW: It all started with Anne Lieberwirth. She was the first, and has been the only bassist for W!W! We found Patrick Doane (violin) at a huge open call, and he had it the second he walked in the room. Tanya Buziak and I were really good friends, and one day she started singing with us, and sort of never stopped. Our drummer changes a fair amount, but all of the guys we play with are awesome. I’ve always been a pack animal, and I’ve fought really hard to have a consistent band. With the whole TV thing, life can get a bit weird, and I need a close family around me to keep me sane. Everyone has a very specific role, and I honestly would hate to do it without all of them.
TWIPC: In your new role on One Tree Hill you find yourself in a whole different sphere of entertainment has it changed your perspective on music or performing at all?
WW: It most definitely has. The cast and crew of OTH is a huge well oiled machine. They’re all so professional, and it’s really inspiring. It always reminds me how hard we should be working, and helps keeps us on our toes.
TWIPC: Almost Everything reflects a good mix of known and unknown WakeyWakey material where do you see yourself going for your next album, refining or exploring?
WW: I hope for a bit of both. The band is much closer now than we were even a few months ago. Touring has helped us understand our audience much better. That being said, we’re living and breathing music 24/7 on the road, and we’re all really inspired to spread our wings a bit.
Be sure to check out Wakey!Wakey! and his crew as well as Spring Standards on Thursday night. A perfect way to jumpstart your weekend.
This seven piece outfit sounds like they’re from 1960′s Britain; their percussion is loose and peppy, the guitars jangly and the lyrics uncomplicated. They are, however, actually from modern day LA – well, lead singer Ian Webber is a Brit but a US based one- and they’ve just released their second album The Idyllists and a new free EP Les Singles. If you like a your music sun drenched and surfy with a hint of rockabilly then do yourself a favor and check these guys out. The go beyond your typical retro leaning group by including elements from an interesting cross section of musical history. You’ll hear some lone twangy guitar line reminiscent of early classic country, B3 organ solos straight outta dingy blues clubs and even some crisply plotted piano solos. Give both the new album and new EP a spin to find out what other musical influences the Idyllists have repurposed to create their own sound.
Thursday saw my first post go up on Strangers In Stereo a supremely awesome collective of music bloggers from all over the place (both geographically and focus). It was a review of Tokyo Police Club’s new album Champ head on over to see what I thought of the sophomore release. But first give this remix of the LP’s first single Wait Up (boots of Danger). DOM pops the percussion and distorts both the vox and instrumentals giving the piece a intergalactic synthy flavor. It’s an ideal retake to soundtrack your pregaming ritual.
[MP3] Wait Up (Boots Of Danger) DOM Remix – Tokyo Police Club
This remix by the UK’s Foamo takes a bit from Nas & Damien Marley’s incredible album Distant Relatives and ups the Jamaican grit factor. You’ll hear some retro horns and choppy percussions as the track builds to a fever. If you’re in need of a new addition to your summer dance party mix look no further. And be sure to check out the album the original song came from it is a mighty example of fine music making.
[MP3] As We Enter (FOAMO remix) – Nas & Damien Marley
The gents of Major Lazer put together a full La Roux mixtape with their retakes on the electro groups already stellar tracks. The full set can be found here but the cross of chill uptempo beats over the original song’s smooth lyrics is a subtle and intriguing juxtaposition. All 14 tracks off the mixtape are equally as interesting, not all winners but certainly worth checking out.
[MP3] Cover My Eyes (Costa Nostra Edit) – Major Lazer & La Roux
The fabulous Yvynl brought Unouomedude to my attention and the dreamy fuzzed out music has been soundtracking this week. Hazy plumes of vocals and guitars are punctuated by the clangiest of clangy percussion achieving a fascinating audioscape for your enjoyment. Check him out I’m sure you’ll find yourself looping his EP Marsh like whoa.
Everyone needs a dose of butt shaking feel good pop that carries a bit of weight every once in a while. Detox Retox can provide you with your next fix. Their second EP Movement dropped this week and it’s chock full of singable singles – Caroline being one of my favs – racing guitars and peppy drums. The opening bass line on “Too Late” is like buttah and melt nicely over the pipping hot cymbals. Now I’ll just sit here patiently waiting for them to make a trip up from DC to show me what they’ve got live.
In the 9 years I’ve been listening to DBT I never thought they would amass the kind of wide spread recognition they currently enjoy. Not because I didn’t think the gritty southern rock group didn’t deserve mass adoration but because they never really seemed to give a shit about “making it.” They’ve maintained their voice of the people lyrics and honest rock and roll grit but now they’re making videos too. This short is exactly the kind of visual statement I would expect from the no hold barred group and the perfect accompaniment to the song.
[MP3] Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding Cover) live
YAWN – Kind Of Guy from Druid Beat on Vimeo.
Who knew Chicago was so tropical; apparently the men of YAWN did. The band recently flipped the buzz switch and I expect them to only grow in popularity. They’re offering their EP for free over on their site and I highly suggest you scoot on over there to nab it. But first watch this awesome video for the track Kind Of Guy.
Dream About Changing from Sally Seltmann on Vimeo.
I really adore Sally Seltmann’s voice in particularly when it carries a retro vibe as it does on “Dream About Changing.” As for the video, well, not much can be said but I want to be taking whatever she’s taking. Who doesn’t love an human chia ewokian chile frolicking in the road. Just watch it, you’ll understand.
This Norwegian quartet displays a level of theatricality in their music – and apparently during their live show – you don’t often hear outside of a theater. Their charm comes by way of fiddles, banjos, tubas, mandolins, harmonicas (apparently 29 instruments appear on stage with them) and stylized vocals; drawing inspiration from all over the map including gypsy, knee slapping americana, irish jigs, and even the awe shucks sweetness of girl groups from the thirties. With the exception of hip-hop I don’t think there is a genre or style the Katzenjammer girls are afraid to tackle. Their first album Le Pop -due out June 29th- gets more intriguing with every track, putting the full array of Katzenjammer musical mayhem on display. It begs for the full live show which makes it rather convenient that the group is headed over for a US tour i a few few weeks. They’ll be in Philly on July 9th at Johnny Brenda’s.
