by Meredith Schneider | Jan 18, 2019 | albums, review
Today, California songstress Alice Wallace released her highly-anticipated 11-track full-length, a beaut titled Into The Blue. Her fourth album, it is truly an exquisite collection of songs that evoke emotions over personal anecdotes, social issues, and the beauty of our natural surroundings, among other things. It’s a culmination of what we have come to know and love of Alice Wallace over the span of her career – the softness and vulnerability that we all feel at times, coupled with undeniable strength and intensity – and we’re absolutely smitten.
When the album starts with the line “What just happened?” during the lead track “The Lonely Talking”, we realize we’re in for a wild ride. After all, who else has had an adventure that’s started with those exact words? (Exactly.) Wallace’s emotional, deep, robust vocals carry us into “Santa Ana Winds”, an old western theme to it all. “Elephants” – perhaps one of our favorites on the album – is simplified instrumentally, more melodic as it addresses some very important social stigmas and issues. “The Blue” continues at the same slower, borderline meandering pace, as Wallace croons to us of “the mystery” of “The Blue”. “Desert Rose” does nothing to pick up the pace, but “charming” describes more than just a word in the lyrics. The guitar parts are magnificent, Latin-inspired instrumentals that serve as the perfect backdrop to such an emotional and specific story. “When She Cries” presents as more high energy, singing of rain”in the City of Angels,” a phenomenon we’ve all been privy to over the past week or so.
“Echo Canyon” is another favorite, simplified so Wallace’s vocals can take center stage, the exact emotional triggers placed perfectly, even without the aid of the instrumentals. Echoing a soulfulness only Wallace could evoke, the guitar parts are absolutely inspired. While “The Same Old Song” is pretty cut-and-dry blues in a very palpable way, “Motorcycle Ride” has a soundscape you will 0% predict by the title of the track. It’s sweet, mellifluous, and leads beautifully into ballad “Top of the World”. “For Califia” is the last track featured, instrumentals that we could easily see in an episode of The O.C. The lyrics are gorgeous, and it leaves an impact that only Wallace is capable of. Perhaps she really is the Queen of California.
Keep up with Alice Wallace here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 17, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Up-and-coming musician Franchise has just released his first single, an upbeat cover of Alessia Cara’s “Here”. Weaving in more sound effects and including more notes boasting staccato, Franchise has found a sound that sets him apart, despite the fact that this particular track has been done before. With a jazzy, Justin Timberlake-leaning vibe, we’re super into the recreation of this work, and can’t wait to see what his catalog has to offer next!
Keep up with Franchise here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 17, 2019 | soundtrack, videos
Still in that “puppy love” stage with 2019? The New Year has given you more opportunities, more of a social life, and more things to get done too? Well, why not do it with help from some of our favorite emerging artists? 2019 has been so inviting to us, especially within the music sphere. We have a batch of our 34 favorite videos from the first half of the month that we think are worth checking out. Full screen this bitch while you’re cleaning, cooking, or dancing with you cat. Keep it small if you want to side-eye it while you’re at your desk. Either way, it’s worth a little bit of time to dig into this new, artful work, featuring Nina Nesbitt, American Football, Alice Phoebe Lou, and more!
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 17, 2019 | perspective, premieres, wolf tracks
New Jersey-based pop/rock collective The Ones You Forgot – comprised of Jenna Bruno (Vocals), Matthew Thompson (Guitar), Ferdinand Benauro (Guitar), Justin Rodman (Drums), and Lance Nelson (Bass) – has a beautiful new video for their track “Luna”, and we’ve got the exclusive premiere. Against a simple backdrop, allow Bruno’s 90’s-inspired vocals (think Liz Phair) to to croon this acoustic love song to you, with smokey contrast and artful dance. In addition to the video premiere, the band was wonderful enough to provide some date night ideas. As we approach the month of love – and every day – with bigger hearts, let’s see if we can’t integrate a few of these ideas!
Jenna: I would love to go on a Zip line and ropes course date! Anything outdoors-y is fun (maybe not for a first date though). I’d also love to just get some dinner, see a movie and take a drive to the beach at night – a classic date!
Lance: My first idea for a fun date would be going out to some trails and hunting for geocaches together. Another idea would be ice skating and catching a hockey game!
Justin: My first ideal date idea is beer, hatchet throwing, philly cheese steaks, and insomnia cookie! A great combo. Another fun date would be going on a hike to a waterfall.
Ferd: My first ideal date idea is going record shopping and going to the arcade!
My second date idea would be going
to the beach, hiking and top golf (all in one day)!
Matt: A fun date idea for me would be going record store hunting.
I would also love to go to the arcade and have a nice dinner. I’m thinking Ferd and I should just date already.
Keep up with The Ones You Forgot here. Too Afraid to Say is available now.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 17, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto-based punk rock four-piece PUP released the first single off their upcoming full-length Morbid Stuff, a track aptly titled “Kids”. The song is endearing, beginning at the quick clip it exists at, a fun, anthem feel to the vocals between yell-singing in disdain. Our favorite line? “How about some goddam subtlety for a change?” This, perhaps, sums it all up for us. And solidifies “Kids” on our latest soundtrack.
The Morbid Stuff Tour-Pocalypse 2019
3/26/19 – Calgary, AB @ Commonwealth
3/27/19 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite
3/29/19 – Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall
4/3/19 – London, ON @ Rum Runners
4/9/19 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece &
4/10/19 – London, UK @ The Garage &
4/11/19 – Leeds, UK @ Community Room at Brudenell Social Club &
4/12/19 – Glasgow, UK @ Cathouse &
4/14/19 – Paris, FR @ La Boule Noire &
4/15/19 – Dunkirk, FR @ Les 4Ecluses &
4/16/19 – Brussels, BE @ AB Club &
4/18/19 – Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia &
4/19/19 – Hamburg, DE @ Hafenklang &
4/20/19 – Cologne, DE @ MTC Club &
4/21/19 – Amsterdam, NE @ Upstairs @ Paradiso &
4/25/19 – Boston, MA @ Royale # ^
4/26/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel ^
4/29/19 – Philly, PA @ Union Transfer # ^
4/30/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ REX Theater ^
5/1/19 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom ^
5/3/19 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom ^
5/4/19 – Chicago, IL @ Metro ^
5/5/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe ^
5/6/19 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
5/8/19 – Dallas, TX @ Trees ^
5/9/19 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk ^
5/10/19 – Houston, TX @ Rockefeller’s ^
5/11/19 – New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks ^
5/13/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West ^
5/14/19 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle ^
5/15/19 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle ^
5/17/19 – Washington, DC @ The Black Cat ^
6/7/19 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall # ^
6/19/19 – San Diego, CA @ The Irenic ^
6/20/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom ^
6/21/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom ^
6/22/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
6/24/19 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge ^
6/25/19 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox ^
6/27/19 – Boise, ID @ The Olympic ^
6/28/19 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue ^
6/29/19 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre ^
7/1/19 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf ^
7/2/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar ^
7/3/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room ^
# – with support from Diet Cig
^ – with support from Ratboys
& – with Milk Teeth
Keep up with PUP here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
A feeling of nostalgia almost bleeds from Gabriella Rose‘s vocals as she croons over the easygoing instrumentals in latest track “Welcome To The Dollhouse”. A song that specifically addresses Rose’s own mental health struggles, it is both vulnerable and inspiring in its simple existence, led entirely by those angelic vocals. And when you stop to think that this songstress is still sitting at the tender age of 16, you realize the number of doors that are about to open before her. So, while we are reminiscing on some less-than-happy topic matters, we’re also simultaneously getting excited for Gabriella Rose’s future, which seems to be the cherry on top of it all.
Be sure to check Gabriella Rose out on February 8th in Spokane, WA at The Bartlett for her EP Release Show.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 15, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Do you absolutely love the feeling you get from Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”? Even though instrumentally, Levy and the Oaks take their new track “On The Run” in a completely different direction, the feeling that it ignites is truly very much the same as Newman’s famous track. The sax really adds some spice, as the band sings of life revelations and appreciating your youth. This is very on board with our 2019 goals, so we’ll be in the corner memorizing the lyrics.
Keep up with Levy and the Oaks here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 15, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Electro-ambient musician Superheart has another fun one up his sleeve, this time releasing enigmatic track “Talk About It”. An ethereal soundscape, his light as a feather vocals take the song to a wonderful, freeing level. As the reverb hits, you can’t help but move to the music. And that’s the party atmosphere we’ve been ready for. Bring it, 2019!
Keep up with Superheart here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 14, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
With the backdrop filled with Brodie Jenkins’ haunting vocals, Cathedrals’ new video for “Just A Game” is absolutely entrancing. Add in dark landscapes, hints of natural light bursting through for a gorgeous and stunning contrast. Both members of the San Francisco duo can be observed over the course of the video, lending their live performance tactics to the screen in front of backdrops that match the soundscape so beautifully, you almost don’t know what to do with yourself. Explains Brodie:
For the “Just a Game” music video, I wanted to capture the darker, anguished side of love. I loved the original Grimm’s fairytales as a kid (still do) and have always had a gothic streak. So visually, I was inspired to combine those influences into our own dark and twisted fairytale. She’s trapped in this story – a beautiful but haunted limbo in which the familiar elements are there, but there is no happy ending and it was all a lie to begin with.
Keep up with Cathedrals here.
