Los Angeles’ the black watch has just released, “Oh You Little Witch!”, the second single off their upcoming EP The Paper Boats. The prolific four-piece is made of vocalist/guitarist John Andrew Fredrick, Rick Woodard on drums, Chris Rackard on bass; and lead guitarist Tyson Cornell. They’ve put out over 17 CDs over the past quarter of a century, and have clearly honed their sound while maintaining flexibility. “Oh You Little Witch!” displays the black watch’s ability to put out an authentic track that also moves into a new sound. This new track continues in The Black Watch’s fantastic psychedelic pop tradition. John Andrew Fredrick says of the track:
“This song’s all in good fun. No harm, no foul. I’m convinced that one of the overarching themes of my life has to do with Jean Renoir’s epigraph for what I consider to be one of the greatest films of all time – ‘The Rules of the Game.’ Renoir says: ‘The tragic thing about life is everyone has their reasons.’ I often metaphorically enter into other people’s consciousnesses, trying to imagine what it’s like to be them. But at some point one stops doing that when a former lover, say, becomes a ghost of sorts. Then, as the song declares, ‘I never wonder what it’s like to be you.’ There’s no specific ghost, mind you. But they’re everywhere, aren’t they? You look at someone and go ‘Someone somewhere used to be so interested in that person – and now they never hardly ever pay them any never mind!'”
“Oh You Little Witch!” is just what you need to hear today, so check it out!
Watch for The Paper Boats, set for release on April 27. Stay connected with the band: Facebook | Bandcamp
Searching for your new favorite song? Trust us, we’ve got just the track for you. Los-Angeles based Oddnesse has just dropped “Trust”, a perfectly delightful song that will take you to a sonic paradise. Oddnesse is the musical project of musician Rebeca Arango and producer Grey Goon. This new track displays their vision for beautiful, meaningful songs that provide a getaway from the frenzied world we live in. Says Rebeca Arango of the new song: “The first four bars are for meditation. What follows is for your imaginary pleasure. A song is a frivolous way to collect your thoughts and experiences, but the results are pretty. I’ve long been fascinated by belief and belonging. I’ve struggled with both from a young age. Dozens of grey hairs later I still don’t “know” what I believe. I’m at peace in a world with more questions you can’t answer than answers you can’t question. But after a lifetime of overthinking, I’ve found that optimism is the only sensible way to proceed. This song causes me both glee and embarrassment. I’m aware, it may be experienced as, A) watered down new age nonsense in a neat millennial package, or B) a grand ol’ time.”
After nearly a decade since his last release, Clint Michigan has just released his brand new LP, Centuries. Following several difficult years struggling with sobriety and other issues, Clint Michigan (irl Clint Asay) is back and better than ever. Clint Michigan has displays the strength he possesses and the difficulties he has faced since 2009’s Hawthorne To Hennepin.
“Knickerbocker Street” starts off Centuries with a mellow, and emotional folk-pop track, highlighted some well-composed guitar playing and vocal harmonies. Next up is “Beg for It”, a hauntingly beautiful track that follows up “Knickerbocker Street” in the perfect manner, alternating soft, nostalgic vocals with an irresistible, off-kilter beat.
“Steven Says” follows “Beg for It”, starting off with the trademark guitar playing that makes Centuries so excellent. Bringing in some violin towards the second half of the song, “Steven Says” explores many of the issues and despair that we face. “The Way Out” will give you goosebumps from its astonishingly beautiful piano intro to its touching lyrics. Filled with a childlike, yet adult sound, this song is truly a treat. “Centuries”, the title track of the record, is found in the middle of the album, and invites the reader along a nostalgic sonic journey. You won’t be able to help looking back on your own life as this track plays.
“Tired of Being Kind” is a unique track that lends itself more the folk side of Clint Michigan’s sound. Relevant and honest, “Tired of Being Kind” voices what many of us have on our minds but never say. “Shirt Off” muses on some memories of growing up as well as the present, again including some excellent instrumentation. “Eager to Leave”, the penultimate track on Centuries, takes a look at some of the stupidity of modern experiences (like unnecessarily taking pictures of our food before we eat it) through a timeless sound. Appropriately, “That Is All, That Is It” closes out Centuries, along a simple beat that gradually brings in more instruments. When the piano and bass come in about 1:00 into the song, this song really gets going, creating the bittersweet goodbye of the record.
Centuries is truly a beautiful record. Check it out today.
Leeds-based Krrum has just dropped “Waves”, the first single off his upcoming debut LP, Honeymoon. Krrum (the musical moniker of Alex Carrie) looks to display a well-rounded sound within his first record, after his several digital singles and vinyl releases. Having years of experience with drumming, trumpet, production, and more, Krrum has spent several years honing his craft. Krrum has now released “Waves” in anticipation for the entirety of Honeymoon, and we couldn’t be more excited. “Waves” gives the listener a first taste of what is to come in Krrum’s upcoming record. Filled with frenzied yet focused emotion, Krrum packs a punch with “Waves”. An irresistible beat moves the track along, highlighting by well-crafted lyricism. With a thoroughly modern and individual sound, Krrum provides the listener with a glimpse into the instability of anxiety while maintaining an approachability.
Says Krrum:
“Waves” is about noticing the cyclical nature of everything, being scared of repeating things and having no control over it, like your life is predetermined. It’s still a pop song when all’s said and done but the more fidgety, frantic arrangement is a nod to that paranoia.
Nashville-based Pale Houses has just released their new EP, Songs of the Isolation. Collaborating with producer Brandon Owens (Mutemath), the four-piece follows up their 2013 self-titled debut with this EP. Pale Houses is made up of drummer Ryan Rayborn, vocalist/guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist/guitarist Aaron Yung, and Joshua Hood on lap steel/guitar. This long awaited second release encapsulates the beautifully different sound that Pale Houses so wonderfully owns. While the title of this EP references isolation, it is anything but uninviting. Pale Houses touches on familiar emotions and experiences in a deeper and different way through their lyricism and instrumentation. Songs of the Isolation: 1. “The Ocean Bed” starts off the EP with a metaphoric track, featuring some hitting lyrics and carefully crafted guitar playing. Leading into the chorus is a beautiful moment of rising percussion that is truly the clincher for this track. 2. “Tenderfoot” carries a sound of persistence along with earnest vocals and an energetic beat. This song simply has to be amazing live. 3, Who Will I Be For You?”, a unique track, layers soft synth in its beginning, questioning the roles we play in each others’ lives. 4. “Ring Around the Moon” brings the listener into a nostalgic, gentler soundscape highlighted by smooth vocals and a yearning, soulful sound. 5. “Hideaway” is a moving track with a strong beat and emotional lyrics, featuring a beautiful medley of guitar playing. 6. “Olivia and Courage” is a slightly abstract piece that hovers on the edge of breaking, while maintaining a quiet strength that keeps the listener in its hold through the entirety of the track. Moving along a variety of instrumentally breathtaking tracks, Pale Houses manages to be both flexible and focused with their sound. Songs of the Isolation is simultaneously different and perfect. This EP is not one to miss, so check it out today.
Toronto-based six-piece Century Thief has just dropped a brand new single, “406,” off their upcoming EP Deaf Beneath the Waves, out May 4. Deaf Beneath the Waves will be the second record from Century Thief, following their 2015 debut record, Reviere. The six-piece experimental indie band is made of bassist Dante Matas, vocalist/guitarist Omar Shabbar, Kathryn Kearns on keys, wind, and vocals, Adam Reid handling brass, Michael Legere on guitar and vocals, and drummer Colin McNally. Their new single, “406” encompasses frenzied emotion through varied instrumentation paired with clear but complex lyricism and vocals. The track is not only impressive in and of itself, but also because Century Thief self-produced it (and all their new material), working on their new songs since spring of 2016. With the ability to appeal to a variety of tastes, “406” covers many musical aspects within the the space of a song. Says the group of their new single: “406,” is about trying to close the growing distance between two people in a failed relationship. It explores ideas of false hope and the harsh realities of a newfound loneliness, pulling at loose threads through selective memory.”
Californian singer-songwriter Michael Brondstetter has just released a brand new track, “Cherish Time,” off his upcoming EP Change Your Mind, out on April 27. Change Your Mind follows Brondstetter’s debut 2017 EP, Iron Mountain. His new single, “Cherish Time” brings the listener back into his Americana-folk-rock soundscape. Woven across heartfelt vocals and instrumentation, the track sums up its title perfectly. Filled with nostalgia and familiarity, “Cherish Time” will fill your heart and soul with good things.
Says Brondstetter of his new track,
I wrote “Cherish Time” at a time in my life when there was a whole lot of change going on. I just looked around at things a thought to myself, enjoy this moment because it won’t come back around again. Recording the song was like walking into a whole new world for me. Tom Freund really brought a lot to the table in his playing and production concepts. Working with Chris and Eleanor was a true blessing. They are so talented and inspiring. Having their participation and input, was invaluable. Everyone did a magnificent job getting to the songs soul.
Imperfect Fifth is here to give you an exclusive first listen of Joshua Barnhart’s brand new single, “Blue Eyes”, a folk-rock track that will blow you away with its gentle yet fulfilling sound. The Oakland, CA based artist has been a member of several bands, including Port O’Brien, Release the Sunbird, Two Sheds, and Sparrows Gate, but since 2016, has been a solo artist. Following his 2016 debut solo record, Turn Out The Light, Barnhart dropped “Dance With Me” last fall, and is back at it again today with “Blue Eyes”.
Barnhart brings vocals, acoustic/electric guitar and drums to the track himself, accompanied by Paul Dutton on vocals, electric guitar and bass, Taylor Belmore’s vocals, Joel Tolbert on piano, Robe Barnhart on cello and string arrangements, and Terry Glenny playing violin. Says Barnhart:
Perhaps most significantly, is that my dad, Robe Barnhart (who has arranged strings for Crosby Stills and Nash, and The Beach Boys, among many others), wrote the string arrangements and played cello on the song. The last time we worked together in this serious of a manner was when he arranged the string parts and played cello for Port O’Brien’s album, All We Could Do Was Sing, which came out almost exactly ten years ago.
A nostalgic track, “Blue Eyes” brings the listener into a carefree, 70’s-esque soundscape, filled with carefully composed instrumentals. Barnhart has an obvious grasp on capturing an idea within a track and using a song as the canvas for a musical landscape. Give “Blue Eyes” a listen today!
Be one of the first to listen to “Blue Eyes” below!
Looking for something a little off-kilter, yet still pleasing? We’ve got just the song for you. Dusted has just dropped his new track, “Dead Eyes”, appearing on his sophomore album, Blackout Summer, which was just released on April 6. Dusted is the musical moniker of Toronto’s Brian Borcherdt, who was a founding quarter of 2000’s four-piece Holy Fuck and has operated his solo project under Dusted since 2012. Accompanied by his wife, Anna Edwards, and Loel Campbell, among others, for live shows, Borcherdt brings an entirely different sound than his previous projects with Dusted.
With a hazy and quirky pop sound, Dusted creates a mellow soundscape reminiscent of Wilderado. Don’t be fooled by the easy-going exterior of this song; Borcherdt still manages to back a punch in this gentle tune. Pairing skillful guitar solos with consistent percussion makes for a solid track. Give “Dead Eyes” a listen today!
Blackout Summer is out now via Polyvinyl Record Co. – check it out today! Stay connected with Dusted: Facebook – Website –Instagram
