Billie Eilish brought her own brand of alternative to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2018. While we were out in Centeroo for Day 3, we got the chance to catch a glance. Here are some highlights.
Keep up with Billie here.
While she prepares for her new album (Take Me To The Disco) to release this summer, reigning queen of alternative Meg Myers – or, at least that’s what fans in the midwest would have you believe – is keeping busy. Having just played her first show in a couple of years in Kansas City last night, we can attest to the type of enthusiastic, diverse, dedicated, SOLD OUT fan base she attracts. But there’s a reason for that, evidenced in each carefully-crafted track she releases. Her most recent – the stunning ballad of a title track from her upcoming album – is equal parts elegant and raw, drawing its listeners in to its intricate sound that is just beginning to be remixed into an EDM track.
Keep up with Meg Myers here.
With a slight pixelated – yet ethereal – feel to it all, Los Angeles-based alternative act XYLØ released her latest music video for “Heaven Only Knows” this month. With cat eyes and a mysterious glow, she sings seductively over simple, gorgeous instrumentals that will have you wanting to waft into a summertime haze for hours. We’re completely jazzed about the ambiance created by this track, and now it’s time for you to feel that way too.
Keep up with XYLØ here.
Jessie Kilguss recently released her latest album, The Fastness. The Fastness is the fifth album for the Brooklyn based singer/songwriter. The alternative-indie artist has a lot of things to offer on her latest album. The Fastness is an album of regrets, hope, love, and wanderlust. Jessie’s voice and style brings weight to the album as you can hear the Stevie Nicks and Norah Jones influences. The album has ten tracks, each song a little different from the last. “The Master” is a song about a person of great wisdom, holding the key to all the answers. Leaving his followers behind, Jessie asks “Who will be the oracle when he is gone?” “New Start,” tells the story of one’s ability to believe in love again. The hopeful and upbeat song will lift your spirits with lyrics like “I thought it was over, but I made a new start,” “Now I’m ready to be mystified, I know I’m not the only one,” and my favorite “You changed my mind.”
Jessie shows us her darker side on “Hell Creek.” The song is full of sinful regret, shame, and morbid themes. “I knew I the time had come to break myself free- and every thing went red,” cries out the singer. The song remains haunting with the line “Going down to hell creek, wash the blood off my hands.” The artist also shows off her love for travel and the world with “Spain,” and “Rainy Night in Copenhagen.” I completely related to the song “Spain” as I once fell in loved with Madrid and the beautiful lyric “Maybe I’ll find it here- Spain stretched out in front of me.” It describes the country perfectly. “Rainy Night in Copenhagen,” is a place to leave all your troubles. “So peaceful, so far away from home,” Jessie sings on the countryside. “I’m not ready to go home,” laments the artist as the song is a feeling of wanderlust, a thirst for the world- something we all experience at least once in our lives. The Fastness provides a variety of melodies to feed your soul, heart and mind. Jessie’s beautiful voice and thoughtful lyrics will take you to a peaceful place that is all your own.
The Fastness is currently available on major streaming services. Get your copy here.
At the young age thirteen, solo artist Akine wrote her notable single “Pray For The Prey”. Four years later, she is sharing her song “Pray For The Prey” with the world. “Pray For The Prey” incorporates a number of genres taking inspiration from tribal beats, syncopated electronic sounds, and alternative pop. What is so impressive about this track is how mature and riveting the lyrics are for someone so young. Unsure of the world and what is next for it, Akine uses powerful writing to express her feelings of exasperation. “Tell him you love him, he’ll shield you from every thing,” Akine sings on a higher power. “And we pray and we pray into this foolish masquerade,” proclaims the chorus. Continuing her cry, “You think you’re blessed and best because of God.”
“Pray For The Prey” is Akine’s battle cry for humanity, the foolish, and the ignorant. Her message will strike a chord with many, whether it is a positive or negative one. The message alone is telling, but Akine’s divergent and compelling voice really brings the song home.
Founded in 2013, this up and coming L.A. alternative indie rock band Goon is celebrating their recent singing to Partisan Records. Success is coming quickly for these guys and the reason why is easy to grasp. Their latest single “Choke Throat” plays like a soundtrack to a suspended gaze to the skies. Vocalist Kenny Becker has said the song revolves around a surgery to correct a sinus condition and the after effects that followed. A feeling of throat closure led to what we get to hear as “Choke Throat”.
Starting out with an acoustic sway “Choke Throat” is joined by vocals that echo down a long hall and drone with melancholic subtleties. What has started as sad converts into eerie as sounds in reverse are inserted and a percussive sound picks up the pace and ads texture. The gentle abstract sway also features a touch of saxophone that progressively rises from the distance and takes center stage. If joined by an orchestra the song would have taken the direction of cinematic, the use of the saxophone takes the mood to a jazz induced eye opener. If I hadn’t told you what the song was about, the music alone would make it sound like a more introspective moment about the pondering of life. “Choke Throat” is one of those songs that can be interpreted in many different ways. A benefit of this is that it will affect many people as they will take what they need from it. When the chorus section becomes more full and robust the song doesn’t seem so sad. It feels like the light at the end of the tunnel.
Partisan will be re-printing Goons two self-released E.P.’s Dusk of Punk and Happy Omen, pre-orders are being taken now and are set to ship out July 13th. You can secure your copy, which will also feature “Choke Throat”, through the band’s Bandcamp page and more order details can be found on their website. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook.
If you happen to reside in one the town Goon will be touring, defiantly grab some tickets as they are one of the few “must see” bands that are rising fast. This could be a rare opportunity to see them in a smaller environment before they end up arena giants.
July 13th – Brooklyn, NY
July 15th – Washington, DC
July 16th – Richmond, VA
Jul 21st – Dallas, TX
Following up on their debut EP For The Light, alternative duo Foreign Air just released their latest single “Loud Magic.” The duo has toured with the likes of Phantogram, BORNS, X Ambassadors, and currently Bishop Briggs. Now they are excited to release “Loud Magic,” an alternative electronic track that grabs onto you. The track begins with a haunting intro, and incorporates synth sounds and a powerful buildup. Right as the beat drops, Foreign Air shows off their vocal skills at the perfect moment, filling the song with intensity.
The lyrics are equally as powerful as vocalist Jesse Clasen hits with lines like, “I know that you want to be seen, I know that you want to be queen…every one wants to be king,” “I know that you want to believe someone broke your trust,” and “I’m screaming out loud, I’m reaching for the clouds- will they listen to me now?” Interestingly enough, the track’s hook is inspired by Michael Jordan. “I grew up watching the Bull’s as a kid in the 90’s. I had giant inspirational posters of him on my wall,” Jesse explains. “I wanted to capture that spirit in the chorus, that moment when the score is tied, you’re exhausted, and you just put up the last shot at the buzzer.” “Loud Magic” is powerful, inspiring track that will have you feeling lifted and ready to tackle anything.
Keep up with the band here.
Alternative rock band Beard Bates just released their latest single “Lion Sheep Birds.” The one man show is versatile as a singer, songwriter, producer, visual artist, designer, and author. Like the title, the song is very unique. It begins with a slow, eerie intro, creeping up on you until pleading vocals. A lovesick song, “Lion Sheep Birds” weaves a story of remorse, regret, and memories. “If I could go back, you know I would/I’d come back and save you from the horrible sting.”
Teetering between alternative rock and folk the track remains special in its own way and is inspired by Beard’s near death experience. “I almost died while scaling the wall of the Bronson Canyon cliffs in Los Angeles. I shouldn’t have been scaling loose rock walls in cowboy boots, but I was perturbed and in a rebellious state of mind,” Bates tells Buzzbands.La.
Keep up with Beard Bates here
“Soothe The Soul” is the latest single by alternative-rock Ward. “Soothe The Soul” is the artist’s second single, following the lovely “Crush.” “Soothe The Soul” is personal for Ward as he shares his journey and goals as an artist on the track. “Soothe The Soul,” is in fact soothing and expresses the hope and search for personal freedom “I felt loose…like I felt then,” ponders Ward. For me the most powerful lyrics are “I’ve been living my life as some other guy, I’ve been living my days as somebody’s son…whose soul knows better.” “Soothe The Soul” came into the works when Ward realized he didn’t like the life he was living. As a tech executive in New York, Ward quit his job and moved to Los Angeles to pursue the life he wanted- the life of an artist and musician.
Keep up with Ward here.
