Archive for the ‘MUSIC’ Category

MILDRED MAUDE – ” Sleepover “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags: , ,
0
Open uri20210826 22884 fahuoh?1629976893

Mildred Maude are a three-piece from Cornwall who are named after one of the member’s grandmas. Their music straddles the line between beauty and chaos, sedate sounds and noise, Slowdive and Sonic Youth. Their second LP ‘Accelerator’ is also built on influences such as Stereolab, Can and My Bloody Valentine. 

Three seemingly disparate characters Matt Ashdown (guitar), Lee Wade (bass) and Louie Newlands (drums) – Mildred Maude are named after one of their grandmas and play an improvised noise that always seems to be teetering on the edge of chaos, but something incredibly beautiful at the same time, like a cross between Sonic Youth and Slowdive. It is utterly thrilling.

“Sleepover” is their second album and bears the influence of Stereolab, Can, Butthole Surfers, Yo La Tengo and Sun Ra, among others, with three of its four tracks being over 10 minutes in length. ‘Trevena’ is the loping opener; ‘Elliott’s Floor’ initially turned into My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Only Shallow’ by mistake and on the vinyl version it never ends, thanks to a locked groove; ‘Glen Plays Moses’ crosses a Red Sea of sound and is just epic in every way.

The odd one out is ‘Chemo Brain’ – just under three minutes of Fugazi-esque frenzy, named after a side-effect of bassist Lee’s cancer treatment. The album artwork is also inspired by this – it’s a molecular model of cyclophosphamide, one of the drugs he was given. Mildred Maude’s DIY approach has been the only way for them to get anywhere in Cornwall, where they say they feel more in tune with Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert and the Rephlex Records crowd from the 1990s than any current scene.

They do, however, unintentionally have something in common with the medieval Miracle Plays that would take place in the Duchy. “They were notoriously noisy to attract people to them,” explains guitarist Matt, “but were also events that brought communities together, and we like our live shows to have a sense of togetherness.” Matt says he is also inspired by historic places of worship. “There are some great places in Cornwall such as St Just Church and the open air Gwennap Pit in Redruth. It’s these beautiful spaces that I try to imagine we’re in when we’re playing live – so it’s fitting that we’re releasing this new album on Sonic Cathedral.”

HAND HABITS – ” Funhouse “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags: , ,
0
May be an image of text that says 'HAND HABITS OCTOBER 22ND ON SADDLE し CREEK'

Formerly a hired hand for The War On Drugs, Weyes Blood and Kevin Morby’s backing band over the years, guitarist Meg Duffy has carved out an impressive solo career on the side under the moniker Hand Habits. ‘Fun House’, released via Saddle Creek, is their third such album, produced by Meg’s housemate Sasami Ashworth and displaying a much bolder and more diverse set of influences than its two predecessors.

There is a moment halfway through Hand Habits’ Fun House at which musician Meg Duffy asks the question, “How many times must I rewind the tape? “It’s a fitting question planted squarely in the middle of a sonically adventurous record concerned largely with making sense and taking stock. How much time must we spend examining our own past in order to fully understand it? How can we safely acknowledge pain in order to release it and fully actualize who we are supposed to be? Buffeted by strings, synths, and a gently-shook tambourine, the aptly-titled track, “The Answer,” highlights the emotional engine at the heart of the record. “I know the answer, “Duffy sings, “Here’s what I hope to find – it’s always mine.”

My personal favourite track on Fun House, “No Difference”. With this song, I was trying to capture the cyclical essence of projection and how it can really block authentic connection. (….I think? Songs seem to change and develop lives of their own with time…my wish is that you project your own life experience onto the song and make it your own)This video is close to my heart, as the guy on the motorcycle happens to be my father, Dan Duffy. Everything just worked out that day. It was 4th of July, and Dad suggested going to his ‘spiritual place’ that has a panoramic view of the Mohawk valley. Filming the bike scenes was the first time I got on the back of the bike with him, and when I first saw this footage that V and Adam captured I was speechless. It feels close to countless dreams I’ve had; aimlessly walking around but with a distinct yet intangible purpose, my dad is there,

Meg Duffy released “Fun House“,her third album as Hand Habits, today. Working with their roommates SASAMI (who produced) and Kyle “King Tuff” Thomas (who engineered), it’s a big step forward for Duffy, a wonderful, harmony-laden pop album that still has the yearning spirit of Hand Habits‘ first two records.

The inspirations behind “Fun House” and and they gave us a list that includes some clear sonic inspiration like Fleetwood Mac, as well as collaborators Perfume Genius (who appears on the album) and Christian Lee Hutson, films, poets, books and more. Meg’s commentary is as thoughtful as their songs and it’s a great read.

released October 22nd on Saddle Creek Records

May be an image of 1 person

BODEGA – ” Broken Equipment “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags: , ,
0
No photo description available.

Following the taut, snappy mini-album that was 2019’s ‘Shiny New Model’, New York’s Bodega serve up a second full-length LP of snarky, caustic observations. Inspired by Heidegger’s theory of “thrownness” and lockdown book clubs, ‘Broken Equipment’ is another intelligent collection of angular, arty post-punk.

Here’s the first single from Bodega’s upcoming album “Broken Equipment”. “Doers” sports a fatter sound than we’ve heard from Bodega before but, lyrically, still finds them critiquing our technology-dependent world, in this case the state of hyperproductivity many of us seem to be in.

The follow-up to the band’s acclaimed debut album, Endless Scroll (2018), and 2019’s Shiny New Model EP, Broken Equipment was inspired by a book club. In the early months of 2020, the Brooklyn art-punk incendiaries gathered together with close friends to study the works of a wide range of philosophers. Passionate debates lasting long into the night became a regular occurrence, motivating the band to become as
ideologically unified as the weighty tomes they were reading. Broken Equipment is BODEGA’s attempt to interrogate the external factors that make them who they are, propelling existential quandaries with tongue-in-cheek humour, highly personal lyrics, and irresistible grooves. 

Big one for the Dinked series here, as the Brooklyn post-punk group’s long-awaited second gets crammed with an alternate glow-in-the-dark sleeve, a flexi with a non-LP track, and an exclusive vinyl colour variant.

Bodega’s album “Broken Equipment” is out March 11th on WYR?

REAL ESTATE – ” Days ” Television Cover

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags: , , ,
0
May be an image of 5 people

Real Estate’s Days turned 10 this week and to celebrate, the band have shared a cover of a song that was an inspiration for the album in more ways than one: Television’s “Days.”

The shrewd, completist bootlegger will always remember 6/30/2011 as the day that we debuted the album “Days” live in its entirety at 285 Kent in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Back then Domino Park, across the street, was still a dilapidated sugar warehouse, and our unreleased sophomore album didn’t yet have a name. Real heads (or as we like to call them, ‘agents’) might also recall that this show was a release party for the new 33 1/3 book recounting the history of Television’s “Marquee Moon“.

Somewhere in the introduction to that volume author Bryan Waterman declared that even though the song ‘Days’ was on Television’s often overlooked second record, it provided a blueprint for all of the melodic guitar-based indie rock that would soon follow in its wake. We were of course huge fans of that tune, this was in fact our second record, and we saw ourselves humbly as the torchbearers of that tradition. So the story goes like this – we were on tour, sitting in our fire engine red Dodge Ram 2500 somewhere along the I-95 when someone in the band read that sentence aloud, and said, ‘why don’t we call the album Days?’ As I recall, nobody loved it, but more importantly, nobody hated it and it stuck. It’s true, this now decade-old album is named after this fantastic, underappreciated Television tune, which was a joy for us to cover and record for you after all these years.

Real Estate – “Days” (Television Cover) out now on Domino Record Co

TOKYO POLICE CLUB – ” Top 5 “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags:
0
May be an image of 1 person

Tokyo Police Club have finally done a proper studio recording of “Top 5,” which became a fan favourite after the band played it on Daytrotter back in the day. “‘Top 5’ is the closest thing we have to a ‘much sought after fan favourite unreleased track,'” guitarist/keyboardist Graham Wright said. “Ever since we did it on Daytrotter way back when, people have been asking for an official release, but even though it’s been floating around since before ‘Elephant Shell’ we never recorded it properly!” Graham also adds that “it can feel surprisingly hard to convincingly recapture an old vibe” but this recording does indeed feel straight out of TPC’s early days.

Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2005, it consists of vocalist and bassist Dave Monks, keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook, and drummer Greg Alsop.

This was originally recorded for daytrotter in 2010. Awesome to hear this version.

ELIZABETH GUNDERSEN – ” Elephant Heart “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
Tags: , , ,
0

A few years ago after reviewing Elizabeth Gundersen’s project Le Wrens. It was genuinely became one of my favourite albums from such a promising new songwriter. It was sad to hear that Le Wrens project was discontinued, but then I found out this new solo album had came out recently, Of course Gundersen’s song writing does not disappoint. 

The opening track “Falling For You” is a love song that shows the complications of a new relationship. It’s that feeling of wondering if the other person is as into you as you are into them. There’s some really great modern country styles on the guitar here, but it’s a wonderful way to start the album as Gundersen’s powerful lead vocal is able to show off a bit. One consistent theme on the album that you hear immediately is her ability to articulate dynamics from soft spoken words to big powerful ballad proclamations.

“Walls” is a quintessential Americana track, mixing elements of what we might call country music with a nice Tom Petty kind of folk rock vibe. The storytelling elements in the lyrics make for a comfortable track, even if it’s about the feeling of being unsettled. It seems like the kind of track that could come from someone who has spent time on the road performing music. The line “I’m sorry that I’m broken, but these days most girls are”. Stylistically, “Farewell William” is one of my favourites tracks on the album. The soft, articulate piano work accents Gundersen’s vocal extremely well. The phrasing on this song is the kind of thing that you just can’t teach. She’s reciting poetic lyrics layered over some deceptively complex melody lines. This is the work of an accomplished songwriter. The authenticity drips from her lips on this one. I wish I had more technical terms to say that I just really, really like listening to it. What a beautiful way to say goodbye.

“Elephant Heart” was the first song from this album that I ever heard.  There’s a version of it on YouTube that I listen to it on regular rotation because it’s just SO good. This studio version is paced a bit differently, but still holds that magic of Gundersen’s lead vocal. Her brother Noah Gundersen appears on this track, providing his characteristic vocal brilliance in harmonies. The vibrant imagery from Elizabeth Gundersen as a songwriter, though, steals the show on this one. She gives all these incredible details about the interaction with this lover, then says “you were not there.” 

“Precious Wine” might be my other favourite track on the album. There’s a real dark aggression to the song that is deeply pleasing. The sense of bitterness and frustration is palpable, but at the same time the composition is still really nice to listen to. It’s got the right kind of “edge” to it that cuts through the tension of the situation the lyrics describe.

The final track “My Side” is a delightful, almost hymn-like song. The poetic delivery again transcends easy genre conventions, giving a thoughtful and emotional track. Duo vocals from Seattle artist Chris Rovik really make the song stand out. The minimalist aesthetic of the beginning plays perfectly into the orchestral bloom that comes later in the track. Cinematic and soothing, it’s a song with auspicious ambitions that come to fruition when the strings and vocals blend to perfection.

This is an exceptionally good album from an incredible songwriter. Gundersen’s work with Le Wrens, but this album shows a major step forward in development. 

Nathan Yaccino: Drums (1, 5) Bass (1, 2, 5) Piano (1, 3) Guitar (1, 2, 5) Synth (3)
Jacob Nevaro: Guitar (1)
Jonathan Gundersen: Drums (2) Vocals (2, 4, 5)
Elizabeth Gundersen: Guitar (6)
Noah Gundersen: Piano (4) Vocals (4)
Abby Gundersen: All Strings
Michael Porter: Guitar (2)
Chris Rovik: Vocals (6)
Andy Park: Synth (4)

I wrote most of the songs on this album during the transition from late teens to early twenties. “Elephant Heart” tells a story of that transition. Feeling that I was losing control and going back and forth between diving in and fighting back. Elizabeth

Released January 11th, 2018

TOPS – ” Waiting “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags:
0
May be an image of 4 people, people standing and indoor

Montreal band TOPS just started their North American tour and have just back with a terrific new single that is light and frothy but satisfying. Last July, Montreal indie-pop crew TOPS announced some tour dates and put out the new single “Party Again.” Today, they’re following that up with another new one called “Waiting,”  

Here’s what the band had to say about their latest, which puts Jane Penny’s breathy vocals at front and centre: I’m a very nostalgic person and the last year only made me more so. Nostalgia cuts both ways, memories of my past fed me during that time, but became so vivid that they began to seep the colour from the present. I wrote this song as a tribute to the early days of TOPS and the romanticized version that I have of those times, but it became an exploration of the effect of time in general. When I think back on my life, where am I?

Listen to “Waiting” below.

“Waiting” by TOPS ·

Tops are:Jane Penny · David Carriere · Marta Cikojevic · Adam Byczkowski · Riley Fleck Released on: 2021-10-19

BEIRUT – ” Artifacts “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
Tags: , ,
0

Beirut are releasing a rarities compilation, “Artifacts“, that features 17 unreleased songs, plus b-sides and more. Here’s one of those rarities.

Sun-drenched troubadour Zach Condon of Beirut has just announced Artifacts, an upcoming double album comprised of material from across the band’s discography. Ahead of its release on January 28th via Condon’s own Pompeii Records, the band’s creative leader will be previewing the compilation with a new Beirut track called ‘Fisher Island Sound’.

The compilation album came together after Condon began rooting through old Beirut material in an effort to assemble a new EP. “Artifacts” seemed like the most logical way of documenting his development as an artist since he started making music at 14. The double album will include a few recognisable hits, including ‘Elephant Gun’, one of the most joyous songs ever written. But, all in all, the forthcoming record looks set to be an exploration of Condon’s unreleased work.

Retrospective of rarities and b-sides spanning the entirety of Beriut’s catalogue. 17 of the “Artifact’s” 26 songs have not been previously released.

Artifacts began humbly as a means of compiling a few early Beirut EPs for a proper physical release. However, as Zach Condon explains in album’s excellent liner notes, reconnecting with old recordings through fresh ears turned a simple re-issue project into something much more expansive.

“Artifacts” is a phylogenetic tree. A double-LP’s worth music that traces the evolution of Beirut from a 14-year old Condon’s first attempts at bringing the music he heard in his mind to life, to the fully formed Beirut we know today.

“When the decision came to re-release this collection, I found myself digging through hard drives looking for something extra to add to the compilation,” Condon writes in the Artifacts liner notes. “What started as a few extra unreleased tracks from my formative recording years quickly grew into an entire extra records-worth of music from my past, and a larger project of remixing and remastering everything I found for good measure.”

Discussing Beirut’s new song ‘Fisher Island Sound’ in a statement, Condon said: “This song was written while staying in band member Ben Lanz’s old family cottage on the coast of Connecticut, on the Fisher Island Sound. I played with the lines for years before trying to record versions of it in Brooklyn with the band. Perrin Cloutier had taught himself how to play a new button accordion beautifully, and the band was really sounding their best.”

Adding: “I, however, struggled in those years to put vocals on the songs and ended up scrapping a lot of the music from that era in this part of the collection due to fear, stress and self-doubt. I’ve come to rediscover some of these old songs in a different light since then, but they do remain a heavy reminder of unsteady times.”Artifacts is set for a physical release on March 4th, 2022,

From the new album “Artifacts” out January 28th, 2022 on Pompeii Records

RICHARD DAWSON – ” Methuselah’ “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
0
May be an image of 1 person

Richard Dawson and Circle have a collaborative album, “Henki”, on the way, due out November 26th via Weird World, and the latest single is the eight-and-a-half minute “Methuselah.” It’s accompanied by a video directed by Samuli Alapuranen, who says, “The trembling stasis presented in the aesthetics of the music video for Richard Dawson & Circle’s song ‘Methuselah’ appropriates the subjective time frame of the world’s oldest living organism, the bristlecone pine, translating that into a mould that better fits the human attention span. To illustrate time’s relativity, the video imagines and visualizes human motion as captured by the compound eye of arthropods. The seemingly immobile human artefacts caught in an Escheresque conundrum of provocative directionlessness evokes a temporal illusion in which the fly-like speed of the viewer’s visual senses reveals the fictional nature of our sensory perception. The flow of things is in essence static, rendering a stumble down the steps ominously immobile and virtually imperceptible. The visual choreography for the song was filmed in various locations, using the modern-day panopticon, the smartphone.”

Richard Dawson & Circle – “Methuselah” from the forthcoming album ‘Henki’ out 26th November 2021 on Weird World / Domino.

HIS GOLDEN MESSENGER – ” Grace “

Posted: October 21, 2021 in MUSIC
0
No photo description available.

Hiss Golden Messenger is releasing a new holiday album, O Come All Ye Faithful, this Friday (10/22) via Merge. It features his take on traditional songs, covers of Spiritualized, Woody Guthrie, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and a few original tracks, including “Grace,” which M.C. Taylor says “is about keeping a light for those that are struggling or lost or confused or grieving: the gone ones, our children, poets, teachers. My friends Nathaniel Rateliff, Aoife O’Donovan and Sonyia Turner help me on the choruses.”

Here’s a fun surprise that I’m very glad to let out of the bag: There is a new Hiss Golden Messenger album coming out on Friday. It’s called ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.‘ I think of it as a seasonal record. I started work on this record, in my way, around this time last year when I went into a big box store to pick up some wrapping paper and was struck by how dissonant the overhyped, aggressive holiday music sounded in the midst of so much collective chaos and grief. I wanted to try to make something that felt more resonant with this time of year, something lush, bittersweet, meditative. Some of the songs I wrote myself; some are songs that I love by Spiritualized, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Woody Guthrie; some are old gospel hymns. I’m thankful to Merge Records and everyone that came with me on this trip and trusted me to make something deep.

The record turned out even more beautifully than I dared to hope, and that is down to the many incredible players and singers that gave themselves to this music. The deluxe version of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ includes and fully reimagined, chopped and dubbed version of the album by Cameron Ralston, my partner in Revelators (which you’ll hear more about soon), entitled ‘The Sounding Joy.’ The artwork was created by Struggle Inc. and the photographs were taken by Chris Frisina.

Comes with bonus dub LP The Sounding Joy: Hiss Golden Messenger Meets Revelators on South Robinson Street

Older Entries
Newer Entries