Archive for the ‘MUSIC’ Category

SKULLCRUSHER – ” The Storm in Summer ” EP

Posted: March 9, 2021 in MUSIC
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Helen Ballentine has announced the next project under her Skullcrusher banner. “The Storm in Summer” EP releases April 9th via Secretly Canadian, and has released the title track as an early preview. The five-track follow-up to her 2020 Skullcrusher EP finds Ballentine reeling from the spotlight after experiencing some unexpected success. As she explained in a statement,

“I wrote ‘Storm in Summer’ after releasing the first Skullcrusher EP. Over that summer I thought a lot about what it means to really put myself out there and share something personal. I felt so vulnerable and overwhelmed by the fact that these songs I had written in private were exposed and likely being misinterpreted or disliked. I think the song really tries to communicate these anxieties in a cathartic way while also leaning more into the beauty of relinquishing part of myself.”

The song begins with a kind of sonic disassociation: A banjo played by Noah Weinman seems to come to the listener from a great distance, as if your next-door neighbour played it on the radio. But after a few seconds, everything comes crashing into place. “And I wonder if I go back home,” Ballentine sings, “Can I hide away?/ Or if I step into the storm/ Is it warm?/ Will I find my place?” The track comes with a music video that shows Ballentine staring out of a rainy window, 

Previously, Skullcrusher shared the lead single from “The Storm in Summer” EP,  track “Song for Nick Drake”. Skullcrusher is the musical project of Los Angeles based songwriter Helen Ballentine

ELIZABETH and the CATAPULT – ” Sincerely E “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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“sincerely, e” was conceived of and recorded in singer-songwriter Elizabeth Ziman’s living room as a way to try and reach beyond the isolated bubble of her home to connect with others, during quarantine. It was also a personal reckoning with solitude, helping her explore new layers of herself. This juxtaposition — the anxiety of loneliness coupled with over stimulation, chaos and the urgency of numerous global crises converging — is present in so much of her writing as she grappled with connection and existence.

sincerely, e showcases two sides of the same Elizabeth and the Catapult coin: thoughtfully peppered through the album are intimate, live, solo-piano songs that tremble, raw, with the intimacy of their making; the other half, songs that required a larger sound, fully display Ziman’s film scoring and composition background. Producing tracks from her home provided new opportunities to work remotely with a few talented friends and the decision to explore rhythm without percussion, proved to be a constraint that enabled her lyrics to properly breathe. With the desire to connect at the core of this collection of songs, lush background vocals prominently express sincerely, e’s “together, alone” sound – a symptom and product of the time in which she, and we, find ourselves.

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Released March 5th, 2021

MIDDLE KIDS – ” Today We’re The Greatest “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in MUSIC
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Middle Kids from Sydney, Australia, will release sophomore album “Today We’re The Greatest” on March 19th via Domino Records. Today the Australian-based trio have released another single from the album with “Stacking Chairs,” which follows previously released singles such as “Questions.”

The band has found this sweet spot between chugging anthemic rock and an undeniable power-pop sound that combines to such a winning degree. The band toes the line between the two sounds so well. ‘Today We’re The Greatest’ is the second studio album from Australian indie-rock trio Middle Kids. Inspired by the marriage and parenthood of two of the band’s members – singer Hannah Joy and instrumentalist Tim Fitz – there’s an exuberance and openness here that was absent on 2018 debut ‘Lost Friends’.

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Written by Hannah Cameron and Timothy Fitzmaurice

Released October 15th, 2020

LADY LAMB – ” Arizona / We’ve Got A Good Thing Going ” Record Of the Week

Posted: March 8, 2021 in MUSIC
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Indie rocker Lady Lamb, aka Aly Spaltro, returns with a new single called “We’ve Got a Good Thing Going”. The offering is her first since the release of last year’s impressive “Even in the Tremor” album. Additionally, she’s announced a new round of tour dates, including an intimate run featuring a string section.

“We’ve Got a Good Thing Goings” finds Spaltro shaking off her fears in an attempt to better appreciate her everyday life. She elaborated in a statement,

“‘We’ve Got A Good Thing Going’ was ultimately inspired by seeing a young woman bungee jump off of the side of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. It was nearly 1am, closing time, and I was pressed against the back wall of the observatory as I watched her suit up alone with a look of total calm. It really made me reflect on my fears — my fear of living, in some cases. This song is my way of confronting my anxiety and deciding I’d like to make more of an effort to be fearless, because life and I have ‘a good thing going.’”

After a quiet and somewhat hesitant start to the track, Spaltro eventually launches into a rollicking sprint as she manages to push her anxieties to the side. “We’ve got a good thing going/ I want to be alive for the rest of my life/ To feel the gratitude in giving everything,” she sings with an inspiring conviction.

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Released February 1st, 2020

TRIPTIDES – ” Alter Echoes “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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With a sound oscillating between psychedelic pop and space rock, Triptides’ album “Alter Echoes” channels both The Byrds at their most hallucinogenic and Floyd at their most cosmically composed while creating something immediate and new. The band has established itself as a preeminent part of the Los Angeles new wave psych music. With “Alter Echoes,” they pull away from the pack, thanks to the quality of their song writing, performance and production. Triptides is led by multi-instrumentalist Glenn Brigman, and with drummer Brendan Peleo-Lazar and bassist/guitarist Stephen Burns.

Another ripper of a single from Triptides this week. Tapping into their fuzz-soaked psych with a nods to garage days gone past, the song was written together in quarantine and the video was shot at a shuttered Zebulon in L.A. Stomping riffs give way to jangles and reverb-laced lyrics. A lounged bridge cools the waters, but only temporarily, and then the band jumps back in with all the force of rave up rippers who’ve long found their place among the new generation of psych-pop acolytes. The band has been especially potent of late in the single format, and this track seems to be yet another stand-alone nugget of heady bliss. While it’s not heralding a new album, it’s more than enough fun to pop on repeat for a few runs around their kaleidoscopic roller-coaster.

With a sound oscillating between psychedelic pop and space rock, Triptides’ album “Alter Echoes” channels both The Byrds at their most hallucinogenic and Floyd at their most cosmically composed while creating something immediate and new.

The band has established itself as a preeminent part of the Los Angeles new wave psych music. With “Alter Echoes,” they pull away from the pack, thanks to the quality of their song writing, performance and production.

Triptides is led by multi-instrumentalist Glenn Brigman, and with drummer Brendan Peleo-Lazar and bassist/guitarist Stephen Burns.

Triptides continues their  jangly, wiggy voyage into the unknown. – SHINDIG! (5 star review)

They write impressive songs, not unlike their more famous inspirations. And in some cases, even better. – AMERICAN SONGWRITER (4 star review)

Brings to mind ’60s psych rock with a sunny California vibe. – GLIDE MAGAZINE

You will be instantly reminded of The Byrds, but these folks bring their own brand of jangle pop to the table, however well worn it might be. And in this pandemic still plaguing us, it is so refreshing and calming to hear upbeat music. – ECHOES AND DUST

L.A.’s Triptides  push a bit more progressive than they have in the past. Still flirting with those summer sun jangles, they slice much deeper into the gauze of their psychedelic side, tapping lysergic pools that hit the psych-pop sweet spot. – RAVEN SINGS THE BLUES

The SPRINTS – ” Swimming “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in MUSIC
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The riff to this track is EXPLOSIVE! Here we have the awesome post-punk band Sprints from Dublin, offering us an action packed and mighty single, which also includes some really well put together lyrics. Sprints sound tight but incredibly wild, which allows this song to be so much fun but still filled with punk attitude. This is a wicked live version of the song, that shows off their worth as the performance is incredibly impressive and fun!.

Sprints embody our favourite sounds right now. Brimming with presence and intention, “Swimming” is a raucous introduction to one of the most intriguing post punk acts active. Their energy reminds us how much we miss live music. We covered them before, and they only seem to get sharper, grittier, and tighter with each track we hear. In genres like these, it is easy to coast – losing your edge along the way. But if the past twelve months have given us anything, it is plenty of reasons to smoulder intensely. Sprints knows the time in which they live and they capture it beautifully and with precision.

Sprints blew the roof off the Button Factory when they played TiLT a few months ago. Here is their track ‘Swimming’! Massive thanks to Sprints & all involved! Tilt Dublin, Sound Training Productions, Totally Irish 98FM Button Factory. Keep your eyes peeled over the coming weeks for many, many more!

Sprints (Karla, Colm, Jack and Sam) from Dublin in Ireland.

HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – ” If It Comes in the Morning / Sanctuary “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Hiss Golden Messenger has detailed the forthcoming release of their next studio album, “Quietly Blowing It”, due out June 25th on Merge Records. Yesterday I set the song “Sanctuary” free out into the world, accompanied by this beautiful video created by KidEthnic. This is just the beginning of what’s to come this year. I hope this song does something for you.

The 11-track album—written primarily by bandleader M.C. Taylor—will act as the band’s full-length follow-up to their 2019 Grammy-nominated Terms of Surrender. The album features a song entitled “Painting Houses” which was co-written by Gregory Alan Isakov, and will also hear guest contributions from Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Zach Williams (The Lone Bellow), Buddy Miller, and Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman).

The band released Quietly Blowing It‘s lead single earlier this year with “Sanctuary”, and have now followed that up with “If It Comes in the Morning” 

“Initially, I didn’t know how much hope to include in the song—I wasn’t feeling particularly hopeful myself in that moment—but I felt that it was important to remember that whatever happened, most of us were going to be fortunate enough to be given another day in which to enact what I feel are the most important and fundamental parts of being alive: joy, love, peace, the willingness to keep moving forward whether the cards fall in our favour or not,” Taylor said of their latest song, which was written last summer at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I suppose it became a song of hope. The Staple Singers and Curtis Mayfield were very good at writing these kinds of songs, and I suppose I was looking to their music as inspiration for ‘If It Comes in the Morning’. When I got stumped on a verse, I called my friend Anaïs Mitchell, and she got me straightened out. I’m very thankful for her help.”

All songs written by M.C. Taylor with the exception of “If It Comes in the Morning” by Taylor and Anaïs Mitchell and “Painting Houses” by Taylor and Gregory Alan Isakov. 

Every Hiss Golden Messenger release is a cause for celebration and, although MC Taylor is such a prolific songwriter, it’s seemingly never at the expense of the quality. each accomplished addition to the Hiss Golden Messenger catalogue is lavished with critical acclaim and fan praise alike. for a long time, it’s felt like hiss golden messenger are ready to find an extended audience and now just might be the time!. Steeped in country and americana traditions, these songs go way beyond those parameters & pull in gorgeously languid gospel and soul vibes of the kind that Matthew E. White & his Spacebomb crew has an affinity for (not to mention the purple one, prince). there are winding blues vibes, too, which pay homage to Dylan but end up in a similar terrain to fink’s recent mesmerising output. indeed, ‘quietly blowing it’ is a distillation of the rolling

If It Comes in the Morning available on Merge Records Released on: June 25th, 2021 written by M.C. Taylor Composer: Anaïs Mitchell Lyricist: M.C. Taylor .

The PARANOYDS – ” Egg Salad “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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The Paranoyds released visuals for “Egg Salad” off of their debut album Carnage Bargain! Directed by Nicole Stunwyck, “constructed of splinters from classic girl group, lo-fi guitar pop, and the forceful impact of Riot Grrrl.” The Paranoyds tap into both sides of Los Angeles life

“Egg Salad’ is an homage to a spoiled brat from the Valley. She keeps sneaking cash outta mom’s purse, doesn’t have any ambition or goals in life, just wants to party, and keeps getting away with minor crimes. Sometimes she even makes it to Hollywood!!! (“walk down Cherokee looking for a treat”).

“We were so excited when Nicole reached out. It’s honestly been a fantasy of mine to have a pen pal creative project with someone across the world! Plus, her aesthetic and previous work are all amazing. We are so stoked to be able to indulge in technology for this reason- creating projects that would otherwise be impossible. Ambar and Max are our HEROES. They nail every project, and we barely have to have a conversation beforehand. I guess they believe in us like we believe in them, and that really makes my heart swell! We have the same taste in everything, and I feel like we’re all sharing the same goggles when we do projects together. We are so grateful that they hopped on board this project and believed in Nicole’s work too.” – Staz Lindes of The Paranoyds

“The video presents the glitzy & glamorous world of a teenage girl who, after accidentally catching a beauty pageant on TV, dreams of her rise to stardom & subsequent downfall…It’s not a commentary on anything but an experimental depiction of my own personal fascination for young tragic starlets alà ‘Valley of The Dolls.'” – Director Nicole Stunwyck 

The Paranoyds “Carnage Bargain” out on Suicide Squeeze Records

STRFKR – ” Reptilians ” (10​-​Year Anniversary Edition)

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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On “Reptilians”, STRFKR’s second full-length album and first for long-time label home Polyvinyl, the band built on what they had accomplished with their self-titled debut album (2008) and the the Jupiter EP (2009) to create an infectious combination of acoustic instrumentation and electronic production.

Originally released on March 8th, 2011, Reptilians has since become one of the band’s most intriguing and successful releases to date. Featuring fan favourites “Bury Us Alive” and “Julius,” Reptilians was written almost entirely by principal songwriter Joshua Hodges with help from bandmates Shawn Glassford, Keil Corcoran, and long time friend Randy Bemrose. The band mixed with Jacob Portrait in the famed Portland studio The Odditorium. Lyrically, the album focuses primarily on death and the end of the world, two subjects intertwined at the forefront of Hodges’ mind following the passing of his grandmother.

To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, Reptilians will be released as a deluxe reissue (2xLP) with 4 bonus tracks and reimagined artwork by original artist Sohale Kevin Darouian.

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Releases May 21st, 2021

WAXAHATCHEE – ” Out In The Storm “

Posted: March 8, 2021 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Out in the Storm, Katie Crutchfield’s fourth album as Waxahatchee and the follow-up to her Merge debut Ivy Tripp, is the blazing result of a woman reawakened. Her most autobiographical and honest album to date, Out in the Storm is a self-reflective anchor in the story of both her song writing and her life. Katie Crutchfield’s southern roots are undeniable. The name of her solo musical project Waxahatchee comes from a creek not far from her childhood home in Alabama and seems to represent both where she came from and where she’s going.

The album was tracked at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia with John Agnello, a producer, recording engineer, and mixer known for working with some of the most iconic musicians of the last 25 years, including Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth. Agnello and Crutchfield worked together for most of December 2016, along with the band: sister Allison Crutchfield on keyboards and percussion, Katherine Simonetti on bass, and Ashley Arnwine on drums; Katie Harkin, touring guitarist with Sleater-Kinney, also contributed lead guitar.

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At Agnello’s suggestion, the group recorded most of the music live to enhance their unity in a way that gives the album a fuller sound compared to past releases, resulting in one of Waxahatchee’s most guitar-driven releases to date.

Katie Crutchfield: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, additional percussion
Katie Harkin: vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano, additional percussion
Allison Crutchfield: keyboards, additional percussion
Ashley Arnwine: drums
Katherine Simonetti: bass
Joey Doubek: additional percussion

All songs written by Katie Crutchfield 

“Out In The Storm” – Released July 14, 2017

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