Posts Tagged ‘Waters’

VAN WILLIAM – ” Revolution “

Posted: December 18, 2017 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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So many songs have taken on new meaning over the past nine months or so. Ask Van William about his song “Revolution” and he’ll tell you that it “started as a song about the anxieties of being in a relationship, where both people want to fix its broken parts, but disagree on the means,” but “became something else during and after the 2016 election.”

However, that original inspiration was the video’s guiding force, Van William . “Something simple and stark that followed a linear progression into the madness found in the waning days of a romantic relationship. I wanted the video to show the claustrophobic feeling that can form by sharing too much of each other’s lives and being unable to repair the damage from inside the walls of what was built together.” It’s an idea, he says, that came while binge-watching Ingmar Bergman films.

Director Grant James wrote to tell me that “‘Revolution’ is an emotional performance delivered by Van, as well as First Aid Kit’s Klara and Johanna Söderberg, within the confines of a black void. The focus was to compose moving portraits of the artists that express the meaning behind the lyrics of the song as the musicians go through an emotional journey individually and together. The result delivers a variety of raw and striking imagery that balances the fine line between high-fashion cinematography and keeping our subjects grounded in their own natural aesthetic and realism.”

When Van William was listening to a version of his song in the studio, it was clear to him that he wanted the duo First Aid Kit to add their sibling voices to his song. “We have all known each other for almost ten years, when they opened for my old band Port O’Brien on a European tour. Life and the Atlantic Ocean separated us from continuing a real friendship for many years, but we reconnected at a mutual friend’s house party in L.A. early last year. We rekindled our connection into one of the most important friendships I’ve ever had, and tracked this together before they went back to Stockholm. When the three of us are together, it feels like family in the best possible way.”

The Revolution EP is the solo debut for Van William having been in previous bands Waters and Port O’Brien. 

The Revolution / Cosmic Sign (Demo) 7″ is out today at indie retailers. Go support your local record store.

 

VAN WILLIAM – ” Countries “

Posted: November 17, 2017 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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While the name Van William may be new to some of you his first band more than likely won’t be – well at least not if you were a regular listener to Folk Radio UK back in 2008 when Port O’Brien, his first band, was receiving plenty of airplay . He then went on to form a second band called Waters. Whatever musical shifts these two bands explored there was, and still is, there is no mistaking Van’s vocals which first drew me to the Indie-folk sound of Port O’Brien . It turns out that during this time he managed to cultivate a tight-knit community of fellow musicians, embarked on a serious, years-long romantic relationship, even found time to spend summers in the Kodiak Islands of Alaska working on his father’s commercial fishing boat.

Although my time on Kodiak Island, Alaska has always been a huge part of who I am, I’ve never been able to share much of it with anyone other than my immediate family. this video highlights how life feels up there and how heartbreaking it is to say goodbye to my years as a commercial fisherman. the songs on my EP and forthcoming album are deeply tied to my experiences on Kodiak. the fact that my life up there is ending while this project is starting feels right in every sense.” but with it came a “renewed sense of purpose” and a new musical direction, heralded by the arrival of ‘Countries’, Van’s vivid and open-hearted solo debut full length album, set for release on 19th January 2018 via Fantasy Records / Concord Music.

The songs on his new album are very much tied to his experiences on Kodiak Island, Alaska, something he clearly wanted those listening to his music to be aware of. This recent introductory video is very revealing about “how life feels up there and how heartbreaking it is to say goodbye to my years as a commercial fisherman. The songs on my EP and forthcoming album are deeply tied to my experiences on Kodiak. The fact that my life up there is ending while this project is starting feels right in every sense.”

The album includes Van’s recent single ‘Revolution’ (featuring guest vocals from First Aid Kit) and marking the album’s announcement a fresh new single: The Country.

VAN WILLIAM – ” Introducing “

Posted: September 29, 2017 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Hey there Port O’Brien fans. Did you get a chance to check out this mini-documentary on my life up on Kodiak Island in Alaska and the new Van William songs? Its been pretty amazing to see it spread so organically among people with Kodiak/Alaska/fishing roots and Port O’Brien fans. I appreciate all the sharing

Van here. I recently got back from my very last trip working on my dad’s boat up on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Saying goodbye to the amazing life up there has been devastating, but I wanted to share it with y’all. Port O’Brien has been a huge part of my life on Kodiak, from “Fisherman’s Son,” “Stuck On A Boat,” and “Sour Milk/Salt Water.” The new Van William songs are less specifically about that life, but are buried in the anxiety that comes from saying goodbye to it, and offer a retrospective of what it has meant to me. I am very proud and excited to share this short documentary about my life up in Alaska and the new Van William project.

Van William’s bleeding heart may be eternally affixed to his sleeve, but very few songwriters can make the therapeutics sound so fun.  Known for the meticulous alt-pop song craft of his former acclaimed indie outfits, Port O’Brien and WATERS, Van William (nee Pierszalowski) offers an auspicious glimpse into a promising future.

Always the creative force that fueled his musical endeavors, William’s newfound independence allowed room to roam in fresh and exciting ways.  The songs reflect the pain and disillusionment of lost love, have a dark, messy edge as William’s consistently dazzling melodies and stirring choruses carry the emotional subject matter to striking affect.   

So many songs have taken on new meaning over the past nine months or so. Ask Van William about his song “Revolution” and he’ll tell you that it “started as a song about the anxieties of being in a relationship, where both people want to fix its broken parts, but disagree on the means,” but “became something else during and after the 2016 election.”

However, that original inspiration was the video’s guiding force, Van William told me. “Something simple and stark that followed a linear progression into the madness found in the waning days of a romantic relationship. I wanted the video to show the claustrophobic feeling that can form by sharing too much of each other’s lives and being unable to repair the damage from inside the walls of what was built together.” It’s an idea, he says, that came while binge-watching Ingmar Bergman films.

Director Grant James wrote to tell me that “‘Revolution’ is an emotional performance delivered by Van, as well as First Aid Kit’s Klara and Johanna Söderberg, within the confines of a black void. The focus was to compose moving portraits of the artists that express the meaning behind the lyrics of the song as the musicians go through an emotional journey individually and together. The result delivers a variety of raw and striking imagery that balances the fine line between high-fashion cinematography and keeping our subjects grounded in their own natural aesthetic and realism.”

Video Directed by Jonathan Chu. Featuring Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds). “Never Had Enough of You” is off “The Revolution EP” out now.

The Revolution EP is the solo debut for Van William having been in previous bands WATERS and Port O’Brien. That EP will be out in September with a full length in 2018.

What did I miss? check out this playlist of the songs of – Van William, Van here. I made a Spotify playlist that features songs I’ve made through the years that I’m still proud of. It has songs from my new project Van William as well as WATERS and of course PORT O’BRIEN. Take a listen and see if there are any POB songs that you feel like have been woefully omitted’

https://open.spotify.com/user/vanwilliammusic/playlist/1VVE0VhkutgVgOxl8x8FeN

Five and Dime
My Eyes Won’t Shut
Fisherman’s Son
Stuck On A Boat
I Woke Up Today (AWCDWS version)
Close the Lid
Sour Milk/Salt Water
Calm Me Down
My Will Is Good
Oslo Campfire

VAN WILLIAM PIERSZALOWSKI and FIRST AID KIT – ” Revolution “

Posted: August 26, 2017 in MUSIC
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So many songs have taken on new meaning over the past nine months or so. Ask Van William Pierszalowski about his song “Revolution” and he’ll tell you that it “started as a song about the anxieties of being in a relationship, where both people want to fix its broken parts, but disagree on the means,” but “became something else during and after the 2016 election.”

However, that original inspiration was the video’s guiding force, Van William told me. “Something simple and stark that followed a linear progression into the madness found in the waning days of a romantic relationship. I wanted the video to show the claustrophobic feeling that can form by sharing too much of each other’s lives and being unable to repair the damage from inside the walls of what was built together.” It’s an idea, he says, that came while binge-watching Ingmar Bergman films.

Director Grant James wrote to tell me that “Revolution’ is an emotional performance delivered by Van, as well as First Aid Kit’s Klara and Johanna Söderberg, within the confines of a black void. The focus was to compose moving portraits of the artists that express the meaning behind the lyrics of the song as the musicians go through an emotional journey individually and together. The result delivers a variety of raw and striking imagery that balances the fine line between high-fashion cinematography and keeping our subjects grounded in their own natural aesthetic and realism.”

When Van William was listening to a version of his song in the studio, it was clear to him that he wanted the duo First Aid Kit to add their sibling voices to his song. “We have all known each other for almost ten years, when they opened for my old band Port O’Brien on a European tour. Life and the Atlantic Ocean separated us from continuing a real friendship for many years, but we reconnected at a mutual friend’s house party in L.A. early last year. We rekindled our connection into one of the most important friendships I’ve ever had, and tracked this together before they went back to Stockholm. When the three of us are together, it feels like family in the best possible way.”

The Revolution EP is the solo debut for Van William having been in previous bands WATERS and Port O’Brien. That EP will be out in September .

WATERS – ” Molly Is A Babe “

Posted: May 21, 2017 in MUSIC
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We are so happy to share our new record “Something More”. We poured everything we could into every song. And now it feels so good to know that they are your songs just as much as they are ours. This record came out of yearning for something more from this often insane world. Now we hope that you pass it on. Listen as loud as you possibly can. Scream along in the car. Keep in touch. Let us know how you feel after listening. Let’s grow together. And as always, thank you for always supporting our band.
Love,
Van, Sara, Brian, Greg, And Wales

MOLLY IS A BABE Video! Sometimes its hard to come up with an idea for a music video. That was certainly not the case for “Molly Is A Babe.” Ever since we all started touring together, we fell in love with Reno and went out of our way to stay there whenever we could. Its such a glorious mess of flashy lights and empty hotel rooms. We’ve been daydreaming and brainstorming ideas and excuses to shoot a video there for years. Luckily, Reno also inspired our new song,

Band Members
Van Pierszalowski
Brian DaMert
Greg Sellin
Andrew Wales
Sara DaMert

The New Album ‘SOMETHING MORE!’ Available Now

WATERS – ” Something More “

Posted: May 2, 2017 in MUSIC
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Waters make dynamic, ’90s grunge and alt-rock-influenced pop music. Centered on singer/songwriter Van Pierszalowski, The band came together in Oslo in 2011 after Pierszalowski’s previous band, Port O’Brien, broke up. The group’s debut album, “Out in the Light”, appeared on TBD Records in 2011. Eventually, Pierszalowski relocated to San Francisco, where he put together a new Waters lineup featuring guitarist Brian DaMert, keyboardist Sara DaMert, bassist Greg Sellin, and drummer Andrew Wales. Taking inspiration from the quiet/loud approach of such bands as the Pixies and Nirvana, They returned with their follow-up EP, “It All Might Be OK”, featuring production from Grouplove’s Ryan Rabin.

Waters sophomore full-length album, “What’s Real”, was released in 2015 on Vagrant Records. They have just announced their 3rd LP, “Something More!”, will be released in May of 2017.

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Something More! is San Francisco by way of Los Angeles indie pop band Waters’ first release since 2015’s acclaimed What’s Real. Written and recorded throughout 2016 in LA, following big-time touring runs with the likes of Weezer, Tegan and Sara, and Matt and Kim, Something More! came together after the five-piece band returned home and were forced to confront the day-to-day realities of everyday life – resulting in the most raucous, hook-driven songs of the band’s career. “They sound fun on the surface, says frontman Van Pierszalowski, “But they are dark songs in disguise.”

WATERS – ” Stupid Games “

Posted: February 14, 2015 in MUSIC
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Crunch-rock quintet WATERS released their EP, “It Might All Be Okay”, last fall after nearly two years of silence. I shared the singles “Got To My Head” and “I Feel Everything,” . Today the band  Waters announce their first full-length project on Vagrant Records, titled What’s Real, and they also give us the single “Stupid Games.” The track opens with a synth sequence and simple drum pattern beneath low, murmured vocals from frontman Van Pierszalowski before huge, distorted power chords drive an infectious hook where Pierszalowski opens up his vocal range. The new debut album by WATERS on  Vagrant Records is titled , “What’s Real” . 
Serving as a follow up to 2014’s It All Might Be OK EP, What’s Real is comprised of eleven honest and raw tracks reminiscent of alternative rock stalwarts of the 90’s. The album was recorded over a 15-month period with Grouplove producer/drummer Ryan Rabin as well as producer Carlos De La Garza (Paramore). The result is the perfect juxtaposition of songs that sound and feel big, all the while being incredibly personal and brutally honest.

WATERS – ” It All Might Be Okay ” EP

Posted: December 19, 2014 in MUSIC
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there’s a rumor going around that not every single last one of you has purchased our EP called “IT ALL MIGHT BE OK.” mom says its the greatest EP ever made, even though I’m not entirely convinced she knows what an EP really is. In any case, we are exceptionally proud of it, and you should buy it now. It really does mean a lot to us when people *buy* music, so THANK YOU KINDLY and HAPPY XMAS.

Seriously, though. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported this band and who have signed up for this mailing list on one of our haphazard sign-up sheets at the merch table or elsewhere. It means the world to us that you’re a member of our team, and I honestly can’t wait to share more new music and to see you all again and to meet all of your friends who we haven’t met yet so we can convince them to get on board . Because this is going to be a very fun year for WATERS .

WATERS – ” Dreams “

Posted: December 19, 2014 in MUSIC
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a cover of the Cranberries track that was a huge hit,

Van here. Writing from Oslo, Norway where I am looking outside a window towards the snow covered trees on Bygdøy and the quickly freezing Oslofjord. I’m here for the holidays, and its gorgeous as fuck for sure, but I really just can’t stop thinking about how excited I am for 2015 and everything that its going to bring for this little band called WATERS. we have some super exciting *headlining* shows coming up very soon on the West Coast of America. We’ll be debuting new songs that we’ve never played, and making sure that every single last one of you fine people screams along with us on “I Feel Everything.”

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WATERS – ” It All Might Be Okay “

Posted: October 12, 2014 in MUSIC
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WATERS are a band from with a new upcoming EP “It Might Be All Okay” full of high energy rock’n’roll it never slows down its like the rock records you used to love.

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