spirit award shares track by track alongside new album neverending

spirit award shares track by track alongside new album neverending

Seattle-based psych-pop trio Spirit Award is in the throes of introducing their debut album to the world. The ten track full-length – Neverending – is quite clever in the way it was constructed, as a majority of the titles would fit comfortably into a phrase with the term “neverending” itself (i.e. “Summer”, “Women”, etc.). And the album was constructed during a time of loss for the band (the end of a relationship, the loss of a family member, a robbery, and struggle with anxiety), which has lent itself to the lyrics in a very real and extraordinary way. Check out the album below, then read what the band had to say about each song as they lead you through a track-by-track feature exclusively for Imperfect Fifth!

“Summer”
 
This was a song that came out of the chords from a old song we had scrapped called “Summer Comedown”. Chris (Bass, Keys) and I sat down and I put a lot of reverse delay and reverb on my guitar, and Chris started playing the beginning bass line. 
 
The idea for the feeling behind Summer was to have this kinda floating slow motion feeling. Like if you smoked a bunch of indica weed, or haven’t slept and are feeling kind of in a daze. It was right after the “presidential” election happened, and it was hard for us not to be feeling like we were floating and concerned for our futures. That’s really what stemmed on the lyrics as well. It was a plea to keep pushing, to keep doing good, to keep making art, that this really does ‘all comes down to all of us’ to not give up, and push back.
 
 
“Fields”
 
It was a sort of spontaneous thing. We had a couple weeks before we were going back into the studio, and kind of stumbled upon writing this song. We like to switch instruments sometimes when we write, so I hopped on bass and started playing the riff and Chris hopped on the Juno. We got the basics of the song down and recorded drums and bass. We later wrote a lot of the synth parts in the studio. This was really fun to craft something so minimal and simple, and try to make it interesting along the way.
 
Like most songs we write, the lyrics came last. We we’re dealing with a lot of shitty life issues, and things that were a little confusing. The idea was kind of a mantra for me to let go of trying to have a “normal” or “perfect” life and enjoy being poor and all the randomness that life has to offer and do what makes you and others happy.
 
“Diving”
 
We wrote Diving in kind of the dead of winter I believe. Like I said, it was a super bleak and shitty time for all of us. I think that really comes through in this song, and the yearning for something good to happen, some glimmer of hope to go towards. 
 
“Heavy Fog”
 
This was one of the earliest songs we wrote that we still play. We recorded it for an EP, but we went a little too crazy with it, adding strings and a ton of shimmery stuff. With this version we wanted to strip it down and streamline it a bit. 
 
The basis for this song was written I (Daniel) while going through some depression and confusion that felt like a ‘Heavy Fog’ over me constantly. I was in a relationship that I felt like I couldn’t fully be myself in without judgement. I remember one day when I was waiting for a ferry to go to the San Juan Island and was feeling at peace and had this moment of knowing that if I kept confronting my fears and feelings and was honest with myself, I was going to be in a good place again, and that’s when the lyrics came to me.

 

“Las Vegas”
 
Kind of a turning point in our writing, and maybe the second song we wrote for the record. We were wanting to start writing with a more open and linear approach than we had been. This was one of the first songs we recorded for the record, and put out as a single. I remember after playing this song at a show a friend said “I could feel that man. That felt real. I like when you get aggressive”. We liked it too. I was focused too much on making something perfect before and writing melody and not just feeling it out and being authentic. 
 
I was going through a lot of self doubt and an existential crisis while writing this song. This song is essentially about saying “fuck you” to anyone who try’s to paint you out to be something you’re not. You can’t control when people tell lies about you. All you can do is examine yourself and ask if you are being honest with yourself or if your ego is getting in the way. So the story for this became a mix of those feelings and a story I heard from a friend who was on a blackjack card counting team.
 
“All Desire”
 
We were selected by Converse’s Rubber Tracks contest, which meant that we got a free day at Avast Studio in Seattle with legendary Engineer/Producer Jack Endino (Nirvana). Usually it can take a half a day or more just to get the drum sounds you want, but we got to the studio in the morning and Jack had them all dialed in and sounding great in less than an hour. It was a really great feeling to be working with someone who’s been doing it as long as Jack and to hear all his stories about Nirvana, Hot Hot Heat, and other records he’s worked on. 
 
One of the best feelings was when we got out a Fender Rhodes that we ran through some delay pedals to do some overdubs (which Jack was hesitant about, probably thinking we were just gonna dink around with it). When we started tracking Jack gave a big thumbs up and an approving nod. 
 
We had reached the end of our session, so I said “Well, I guess our time is up” to which Jack replied “Fuck em, they’re not gonna kick me out, let’s keep tracking!”. So we did.
 
“Women”
 
This was a song that was really built around the idea of the lyrics I had in mind. I was tired of seeing men feeling like they own women. Like they can touch them, slap their asses, grope, and talk over them without any consent and without consequences. It made me incredibly sad to have friends and partners experience this. All I could do was feel this deep sadness for their experience and wish I could do something.
 
All I could do was write this song saying “we hear you, men are the worst, and I hope we can change that”. I want to encourage people to not tolerate this behavior from anyone. If someone doesn’t understand that what they are doing is sexist or hurtful, they never will unless you tell them. Sometimes it’s awkward but we need to change this norm that is hurtful and toxic. Everyone deserves love and respect.
 
“Running”
 
When we wrote this song it really felt like some sort of metaphorical baptism for me (Daniel) (hence the album cover). We had been through a lot over the last couple years and this was kind of an anthem to any negativity or backwards thinking to watch out Because I’m fucking pumped and I will destroy you (hopefully with peace, love and kindness?).
 
The idea for this song was to write another linear song like we did with Las Vegas. Not worrying about structure and just feeling out what’s next.
 
“Lost and Stoned”
 
When we wrote this song we we’re looking to write something big, loud and a little disorienting at times. For over a year the working title was just “Psych Jam”, which always felt appropriate.The idea for lyrics came about when I (Daniel) was angry and not a in a good place for a week and was getting stoned to escape the shit storm I had created.
 
I still enjoy getting stoned, but I think for me it’s important to make sure it’s not escapism. 
 
“Yesterday”
 
This was the last song we wrote for ‘Neverending’. Most of the songs for the record we had parts to and were mostly organized. Yesterday was put together super last minute. I have this old Wurlitzer Omni 6000 organ/synth in my house. I wrote the song on it, Chris came over and wrote a bass part, and we just started tracking it. Chris borrowed a Neve Sidecar to run mic’s through that we set up in a big room in our rehearsal space. We basically gave Terence some direction but told him to do whatever felt natural. I had to leave so I didn’t hear the full song until later that week,. When I heard it I remember laying on the floor of my house with headphones and feeling like we got exactly what we wanted, a big drum sound with some nice warm tones.
 
The song was ultimately about all the change that had been happening in my (Daniel) life, and ours as a band. It was the last song in this series of writing and we felt like it gave us, and the record, some closure and a optimistic look into the future.
**Material submitted by the band
Neverending is out now via Union Zero. Keep up with Spirit Award here.
sunset neon talks starlight and 80’s style with release of new lyric video

sunset neon talks starlight and 80’s style with release of new lyric video

On December 1st, the debut full-length from Sunset Neon – the nostalgia pop music project from multi-genre musician and producer Bret Autrey – will be released. His intention with this project was to hone in on 80’s inspired pop sound, a far cry from his work as Blue Stahli. In honor of the release of his new lyric video for “You Are The Sun” – which makes us wish it were about to be summer instead of winter – we spent a few minutes with the artist to get the low down on his process and the eighties.

What is the first song or album you ever remember hearing, and who introduced it to you?
There’s two that stick out.  Once was the small window of time that my mom had a record player and would put the soundtrack to Top Gun on.  I’d get so amped up on stuff like Dangerzone, I’d just bounce around the entire living room.  The other was visiting family on a farm in Oregon and I was running around in a Max Headroom mask.  My cousin had just started driving, so she would drive me into town and play Front 242 extremely loud.  I’ve been in love with drum machines, synths and samplers ever since.
Was there a moment that it struck you and you realized you were going to pursue music, or did it kind of slowly evolve?
This is really the only thing I know how to do.  I’m just lucky enough that I can make a living doing it.  The first recording I ever made was when I got ahold of a tape player and blank tape and recorded myself humming the theme to the A-Team.  We had a piano in the house that was saved from being taken to the dump by some church.  I would plink around and work out melodies on that beat up old thing.  Later on I discovered programming music and sequencing chopped up one-shot samples in DOS in the glorious mono 8bit of Scream Tracker.  After getting better sound quality in Impulse Tracker I started sampling that old piano, and loading in synth loops I sequenced on a Roland keyboard to warp and twist in weird ways.  I absolutely lived for the times I could be messing with programming music in hexadecimal in a DOS tracker or chopping out atmospheres and sound FX recorded in from VHS movies.  It’s what I lived for then, and what I have to do now.
Historically, you’ve been a rock musician. When you chose to go into this 80s music project, did you already have an idea for what you were doing or did it kind of develop organically?
With my main project, Blue Stahli, I genre-hop all the way from upbeat funky breakbeat stuff to purely electronic sound design to riff-heavy electronic rock.  While doing all this genre-flailing, I would kick out a few nu disco-esque tracks or start leaning towards a more indie pop type of sound.  Once the itch for this started lining up even more, it became clear that a lot of these tracks that didn’t really have a home before could all exist under a dedicated project for exploring all the more colorful lo-fi 80s influenced stuff.  So I’d say it all reached a point where Sunset Neon *had* to exist.
You were quoted saying “I’m freakishly excited to create some weirdo VHS music.” Could you elaborate on what “weirdo VHS music” is, at least in your opinion?
Some of my favorite things are lost movies or straight to video fare on VHS.  The memories of a room lit only by the small screen (in this case, I was watching everything on one of those small portable TV’s hooked up to a clunker of a VCR), and the feeling of the synth scores and lesser known songs that would accompany some of these movies just washed over me.  I see the “weirdo VHS music” as Sunset Neonbeing part of the soundtrack to a strange forgotten VHS from 1986 who’s music you love so much you record it to cassette and listen to it until the tape snaps.  You’ll hear bits of these songs warp and glitch, sometimes like you’re hearing the process of them being sampled from VHS to an old sampler while the power is flickering.
How was the writing/production process different this time around, creating this “weirdo VHS music?”
This was really all about going back to my roots with tracker music.  So just destroying the audio and one shot synth sounds (some of which were made by stacking single cycle waveforms on top of each other and getting all wonky with the layers and filters) and exploring warping stuff with the effects you have to enter in hexadecimal and revel in the fact that all those little bits of information are coming together to form a beat that makes you want to move and evokes emotions.  It’s a more stripped down approach, while somehow also being a bit more complicated in other ways.
Everything we’ve heard from your debut album feels like it could be used in a kitchy 80s “throwback” movie (a la Hot Rod) or a fun musical. If you could create anything with this music, what would it be and who would you collaborate with?
Oh hell yes, that is absolutely the intent.  It *should* feel like a pure fun jolt of video haze from a guilty pleasure movie you’ve seen 87 times.  I would love for this to show up in a movie or tv show (even something animated!) built on the same love for that glow.  Stranger Things, Ready Player One, anything that is fully in love with this atmosphere.  I have a feeling there are some astounding people who will be creating in this realm that we still have yet to see, and I can’t wait for all of it.
If you could be any character in an 80s movie, who would you choose and why?
A cross between Wolff from Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone for the way he always seemed to know what to do, and Fletch or Axel Foley for always having the perfect string of jokes to accompany getting out of situations in the most hilariously badass way possible.
What are you most looking forward to about this release?
I’m really just excited for this to be out there and connect with people.  I do this because I adore it and try to create songs that have an atmosphere you can get lost in, so I hope that these songs serve their emotional purpose for someone out there whether they’re connecting with the more dance-oriented fun material, or the dreamy lo-fi love songs.
___
Starlight is available for preorder now. Keep up with Sunset Neon here.
the used take uptown theater on halloween night 2017

the used take uptown theater on halloween night 2017

On Tuesday, October 31st, The Used took on the Uptown Theater in midtown Kansas City, Missouri to party it up on the most spooktacular evening of the year with help from post-hardcore favorite Glassjaw.

Members of the audience moved about the theater dressed as Clint Eastwood, Batman and Wayne Campbell of Wayne’s World. Not to be outdone, lead vocalist Bert McCracken debuted his look as the Pope as he twirled his garments and hat through “Take It Away” and “The Bird and the Worm.” Bandmates Jeph Howard, Justin Shekoski and Dan Whitesides also dressed for the occasion as a banana, the grim reaper and the Kool Aid Man respectively. McCracken’s ferocious vocals and the eerie Art Deco architecture adorning the venue’s walls added to the sinister night.

The band is touring in support of their just-released seventh studio album, The Canyon. The 17-track analog record stretches 80 minutes and is the first in which Shekoski stepped in for former guitarist Quinn Allman. It is also written as McCracken recovered from the sudden loss of childhood friend Tregen Lewis. Songs featured during the show included the Kurt Cobain-inspired anthem “Over and Over Again” and the live debut of the self-aware galvanizing chorus that is “The Nexus.”

Inspired by Michael Jackson to dance at the age of eight, McCracken refrained from performing his version of the Thriller dance. Though he spoke to the healing abilities of music and power of expression. “Try not to escape your problems but face your fears and maybe you’ll walk out (of it) feeling better,” he said.

Photographer Ashleigh Lee nabbed some stills for us, and you can check them out below!

Keep up with The Used here!

**Copy by Chris Ruder.
**Photos by Ashleigh Lee.

“acoustic songs curated by the racer”

“acoustic songs curated by the racer”

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

donora talks sun to me, “risky business” style

donora talks sun to me, “risky business” style

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!

___

Get that necessary escape on October 27th, when Sun To Me drops. It is available for preorder now. Keep up with Donora here.

johnny shares exclusive “driven” playlist, self-produces video for “right now”

johnny shares exclusive “driven” playlist, self-produces video for “right now”

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!

jenny o. gets excited over single serve olives, is the best

jenny o. gets excited over single serve olives, is the best

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.

lo carmen, “last thing i’ll remember”

lo carmen, “last thing i’ll remember”

**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….

  1. Last Thing I’ll Remember: Lo Carmen
  2. Memory Motel: Rolling Stones
  3. Looking’ Back On Luckenbach: Whitney Rose
  4. I’ve Got Dreams To Remember: Otis Redding
  5. Living On memories Of You: Dolly Parton
  6. If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will): George Jones
  7. Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand): The ShangriLas
  8. Your Memory Has A Mind Of Its Own: Willie Nelson
  9. My Favorite Memory: Merle Haggard
  10. You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory: Johnny Thunders
  11. Memory Street: Margaret Glaspy
  12. He’s Just An Old Love Turned Memory: Tammy Wynette
  13. No, I Don’t Remember Guildford: Robyn Hitchcock
  14. You or Your Memory: The Mountain Goats
  15. I Don’t Remember: The Stepfords
  16. Wildest Dreams: Ryan Adams
  17. Those Memories Of You: Trio
  18. Maybe Remember Me: Daniel Romano
  19. The Last Thing On My Mind: Gram Parsons
  20. I Remember A Time When Once You Used To Love Me: Dirty Three
  21. Gentle On My Mind: Billy Bragg, Joe Henry

___

“The Last Thing I’ll Remember” is out now. Keep up with Lo Carmen here.

**Submitted by the artist