by ImperfectFifth | Oct 27, 2017 | soundtrack
After playing a few acoustic shows over the past week, we decided to put together an acoustic style playlist for everyone. We as a band have a pretty big range of artists we follow. So there’s a little variety going on, but ultimately stripped down songs all kind of connect with each other regardless of the genre. We enjoy when artists do a different take on their own original song, broken down to get a different feel.
We ourselves also enjoy doing this with our songs, because it’s just another way to be creative and give another angle to the emotions of a song. On this mini tour we just went on, we had to recreate our full band songs to fit on the acoustic stage and it was a great experience to hear what our songs are capable of. Hope you enjoy our playlist!
You can get your ears on the quintet’s latest single “Apogee” right now!
Keep up with alternative indie collective The Racer here.
**words by the band
by ImperfectFifth | Oct 18, 2017 | wolf tracks
On October 27th, we will get the undeniable pleasure of welcoming Pittsburgh-based pop/rock collective Donora‘s fourth full-length Sun To Me into the world. The trio’s most recent single – a light, fresh track titled “This Heart” – gives us a sneak peek into what’s to come, but we wanted to know more. So we sat down with the band to learn the ins and outs, while begging the important questions… like how do you get along with your sibling in a creative and professional environment?
Clearly, it’s something we have yet to master.
What is the first album/song you remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
The first album I bought with my own money was the Lion King Soundtrack (not sure if that one counts). Around the same time my brother bought me the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory album by Oasis for my birthday. I think he bought it for me so that he could steal it and listen to it himself, but I ended up loving that album and still do! I wouldn’t let him have it.
Casey and Jake… As siblings, do you two get along, or are there kerfuffles? What’s the dynamic like?
We definitely get along! Jake is 5 years older than me, so there has never been that competitiveness or clashing that sometimes happens when siblings are closer in age. In fact, we weren’t all that close growing up (I think I was just his annoying little sister for a long time). But when we started playing music together that all changed. We’re pretty good at acknowledging each other’s strengths and our own weaknesses. Since we grew up in the same home, I think we also have a very similar style of communication, which helps keep us on the same page most of the time. Sure there’s the occasional kerfuffle, but at the end of the day we’re family.
“Sun To Me” feels like the track at the end of an inspiring movie, begging its audience to leave with light hearts and chase their dreams. How do you imagine people listening to it? I hope people indulge in this song Risky Business style. Music cranked, comfy clothes (i.e. pants off), dancing around their house, lip synching (or better yet singing along at the top of their lungs), just doing them. One person dance parties are the best.
What inspired that track, specifically?
Well this one started out as a love song. It’s about someone being a source of light in your life. But while we were recording this song, I was pregnant. I now have a 10 month old daughter and so this song takes on a slightly different meaning for me because of that. Actually, a lot of the songs on the album mean something different to me now than they did when we were first writing them.
You have admitted your fourth album is about love and the light music can bring to your life. We’ve certainly struggled with darker times lately, and were wondering what your go-to tracks have been in the past to keep your chin up?
One song that can always brighten my mood is
The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love”. There’s something about that song that always just makes me feel happy.
What is your favorite track off the upcoming release? Any particular reason?
“So Simple” is one of the ones that changed meanings drastically for me throughout this process. It started as a song about the joy a simple smile can bring to your life. Then it morphed into a love song. Then while we were recording the vocals, I was 8 months pregnant and feeling my baby move, so I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like when my child smiled at me. I can say now that it truly is extraordinary! I guess that’s why it’s my favorite on the album.
If you could collaborate with any artist on any medium, who would you choose and what would you create?
I would love to make a movie with Paul Thomas Anderson. I have always been fascinated with the story of his collaboration with Aimee Mann for Magnolia. We’ve done a little bit of film work in the past, and it has been so much fun. Trying to create the perfect mood for a specific scene is such a rewarding challenge!
What are you most excited about with the upcoming release of Sun To Me?
I’m just excited for people to finally hear it. We’ve been working on it for a long time so it will feel good to actually put it out there!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think it’s important to be vocal about what you believe in and to stay engaged. But I also think it’s important to give yourself a break and forget about it all every once in a while. We hope this album can help provide that necessary escape!
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Get that necessary escape on October 27th, when Sun To Me drops. It is available for preorder now. Keep up with Donora here.
by ImperfectFifth | Oct 6, 2017 | soundtrack
In honor of the release of his self-produced video for his track “Right Now”, Brooklyn based R&B/pop artist and producer
Johnny has curated a fun playlist for us to jam out to in the car. So check out the video below, and enjoy a little write up from Johnny himself with your new favorite playlist playing into the weekend!
I drive just about every day. It’s about as stressful and damn near psychosis inducing of an experience as any non-driver might imagine. Anyone who drives in a major metropolitan city can relate, but driving in NYC is different; It’s like this sick club, full of crazy people, side eyeing every vehicle / pedestrian / delivery boy motorized bike in sight.
That being said, I tend to find a LOT of my creative inspiration while I’m in the car. ‘Aha’ moments meet euphoria and somehow the concept stars align. Music can have that weird phenomena of great escape. It can also act as a mirror offering us a reflection into some of our deepest thoughts.
I put together a playlist of a handful of songs I like to listen to while driving that always seem to help me on the road. Some bring my brain back to very specific emotions. Some have incited ideas for my own songs. These just make me feel like Ryan Gosling switching lanes in a mustang. “Driving for movies.” Press play and drive with me.
Keep up with Johnny here!
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 29, 2017 | 5 to 7
On August 4th, talented Los Angeles based musician Jenny O. released her first full length since 2013’s Automechanic, to a host of (well expected) critical acclaim. Shortly after, she hit the road for a pretty solid U.S. tour, which she is in the middle of right now. But despite her packed schedule, undoubted bevy of love letters (and positive feedback) from her new album, and everything else, she took a few moments to answer a quick batch of questions exclusively for Imperfect Fifth. Check out the interview – and her remaining tour dates – below!
What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
I remember hearing ‘For The Longest Time’ by Billy Joel on the radio as a toddler when it was new and identifying it as a personal favorite.
Do you have a favorite song or favorite song to perform off of your new release, Peace & Information?
I really like playing some of these songs with my new band. I’d say “Case Study”. It’s just easy and fun.
How do you imagine people listening to this album?
I assume people are mostly streaming it on laptop speakers while talking. I hope that a few listen on good speakers or with headphones on a train.
You have such a – dare we say it? – unique voice. It’s raspy and delicate at the same time, ethereal almost. Did that come naturally, were there vocal lessons involved?
Thanks! I started practicing when I was a kid because I wanted to be good. I did actually take voice lessons as a teenager. It changed the way I sing for sure. I was previously afraid of my upper register, the voice I use now. For some reason I have this very separate break between two voices. Back then I only used the low one and now just occasionally.
What are your go-to road snacks?
Chips & Hummus, yogurt, apples, almonds, fig bars, today I found a single serving of green olives and was really excited about it.
Who is your favorite superhero? Substantiate that claim.
I’ve never been drawn to fantasy or superheroes. MLK or John Lennon, maybe.
I have to be sure not to wear my MLK pin on the same day as my Imagine shirt because it’s too much.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
If you want to be something you just have to assume it.
___
Enough said.
Remaining Tour Dates
9/29 Denver, CO – Lost Lake
9/30 Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
10/1 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
10/3 Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
10/4 Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Social Club
10/5 Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
10/6 Chicago, IL – Shubas
Peace & Information is available now via Holy Trinity Records. Keep up with Jenny O. right here.
by ImperfectFifth | Sep 22, 2017 | soundtrack
**Submitted by Lo Carmen.
Memories, dreams, the things you remember, the things you can’t forget, the nights and the names you forgot, the moments that lurk and linger in the corners of your mind, haunt your sleep and hover at the edges of existence … these are the things that only a song can really capture the feeling of.
With ‘The Last Thing I’ll Remember’ I just closed my eyes and tried to condense all of those perfect pangs and elusive longings that come with the passage of time into a song.
And now, into a collection of songs by other artists who have tried to paint the same feelings into melodies; the intangible feeling of checking into Memory Motel and collapsing into sweet reminiscences, walking on the backroads, by the rivers, ever smiling, ever gentle on your mind. We all know you can’t put your arms around a memory or live in Memory Street forever, but sometimes your memory has a mind of its own. So whether you’re looking’ back on Luckenbach or can’t remember Guildford, maybe remember me, or your wildest dreams, or your favorite memory, cos walkin’ in the sand or livin’ on memories of you will be the last thing on my mind, as I remember a time when once you used to love me… so listen up, lovers, dreamers, fighters, kick your tin can down the road and remember….
- Last Thing I’ll Remember: Lo Carmen
- Memory Motel: Rolling Stones
- Looking’ Back On Luckenbach: Whitney Rose
- I’ve Got Dreams To Remember: Otis Redding
- Living On memories Of You: Dolly Parton
- If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will): George Jones
- Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand): The ShangriLas
- Your Memory Has A Mind Of Its Own: Willie Nelson
- My Favorite Memory: Merle Haggard
- You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory: Johnny Thunders
- Memory Street: Margaret Glaspy
- He’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory: Tammy Wynette
- No, I Don’t Remember Guildford: Robyn Hitchcock
- You or Your Memory: The Mountain Goats
- I Don’t Remember: The Stepfords
- Wildest Dreams: Ryan Adams
- Those Memories Of You: Trio
- Maybe Remember Me: Daniel Romano
- The Last Thing On My Mind: Gram Parsons
- I Remember A Time When Once You Used To Love Me: Dirty Three
- Gentle On My Mind: Billy Bragg, Joe Henry
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“The Last Thing I’ll Remember” is out now. Keep up with Lo Carmen here.
**Submitted by the artist
