The energy that bursts forth with each new stanza in Caravan Palace‘s new release – a full-length titled Chronologic – is undeniable. From the fade in on first track “Miracle”, unwavering positivity is thrust upon your eardrums, a soundscape and attitude we have been craving for quite a while. As politics rears its ugly head at us from all sides in the art community, allowing ourselves to pour such invigorating lyrics into our ears feels like a welcome escape from the world’s melancholia. (There is a song on this release specifically titled “Melancolia”. But we will get to that in a moment.) The soundscape gets theatrical with “About You”, a track the Parisian group concocted with a feature by Charles X. “Moonshine” brings with it a more relaxed vibe that fits the title well.
Here’s where we get to “Melancolia”. While we see the reflection of a slower pace that mirrors the title, the song itself is still smooth as silk and just as easy to dance to as its predecessors. At no point does our mood dip while listening, which speaks to the psychology behind the soundscape. “Plume” brings the pace back up, with sounds reminiscent of Alexandra Stan’s “Mr. Saxobeat”. This one could – quite frankly – hit the airwaves and pick up speed with a dancing crowd. “Fargo” gives us sunshine-soaked, lazy morning brunch vibes, while “Waterguns” boasts more of that hit single potential, featuring vocals by Tom Bailey. “Leena” slows it down again, allowing an introspective breather and – truly – a ballad-like feel to enter the Chronologic journey. “Supersonics” feels like an extension of the wonderful dance groove we felt with “Plume”, leading into tenth track “Ghost”, which has a more ethereal feel, the most literal translation of its title we could ever hope for. “April” brings with it an instrumental energy that is balanced out with cool, crooning vocals. We couldn’t think of a better way to round out this fabulous new release.
Now, go infuse your holiday weekend with this happiness. On repeat!
There are certain experiences in life that are universal to all of us and with his new hit “Memorial” Devendra Banhart is able to capture and express the full realm of one of these experiences, loss. His lyrical genius provides metaphors that paint an intense picture of mourning and grief as seen in the human realm. When asked about the song himself, Banhart said, “Memorial is about loss & the strangeness to feel so numb and yet, so completely heart-broken-open…” The song was written for three people he loved the most in life as a tribute to ones who are taken from us too soon. It’s a perfect example of an artist trying to understand death, and truly features the different stages in the process of grieving. Banhart was able to cross musical boundaries with a waltz-like background bass and forefront finger plucking from the lead guitar while his wavering vocals carry the listener along. “Memorial” is just one song from Banhart’s album Ma coming out September 13.
Devendra Banhart North American Tour Dates:
09/27/19 – Dana Point, CA @ OHANA Festival
10/15/19 – Ventura, CA @ The Majestic Ventura Theater ^
10/16/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
10/18/19 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom ^
10/19/19 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre ^
10/20/19 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
10/22/19 – Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre
10/24/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Theatre at Ace Hotel
10/25/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Yost Theater
10/26/19 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
10/27/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
10/30/19 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater *
11/01/19 – Omaha, NE @ The Slowdown *
11/02/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater *
11/03/19 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *
11/05/19 – Memphis, TN @ The Hi Tone *
11/07/19 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs (Levitation)
11/23/19 – Leon, Guanajuato Mx @ Tecate Bajio Festival
11/25/19 – Mexico City, Mx @ El Plaza Condesa
11/30/19 – Detroit, MI @ Museum of Contemporary Art *
12/01/19 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall *
12/03/19 – Montreal, QC @ The Olympia *
12/04/19 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur *
12/05/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel *
12/07/19 – Washington, D.C. @ 930 Club *
12/08/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
* w/ Black Belt Eagle Scout
^ w/ Daniel Higgs
For more on Banhart himself be sure to check him out here.
Though we have to wait until September 13th for the debut release from Los Angeles quartet The Paranoyds, we are being kept calm, cool and collected with the release of the music video for their surf-tinged rock single “Carnage Bargain”. The group – comprised of Staz Lindes, Laila Hashemi, Lexi Funston, and David Ruiz – has hit the ground running with a lot of buzz around their work, and we’re particularly big fans of it. The new video is fun, with footage of the band adventuring, singing, and seemingly enjoying themselves, as they sing of a less upbeat topic. Explains Lindes:
It’s an extremely vulnerable time in America–things aren’t sugar coated anymore. The dirt and grime that was swept under the rug has risen to surface. It’s impossible for us to get through a day without thinking of the thousands of migrant children in cages at the border alone, some without proper beds, soap, toothbrushes, and with lights on 24/7. We can not continue to ignore the black lives, young and old, taken by police almost every week. The plastic crisis. The mass shootings. The extreme need for prison reform. The opioid crisis. The water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The list goes on, and the hole gets deeper. Sometimes I can’t sleep and I wonder: do they sleep well in the White House? What else can I do as a privileged citizen? They want to get a Carnage Bargain. I want to pick up garbage.
Check out the relatable track and its accompanying visual below!
Tour Dates:
09/05/19 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
09/06/19 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House *
09/07/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar *
09/09/19 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda *
09/10/19 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada *
09/11/19 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar *
09/13/19 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa *
09/14/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell Stage) *
09/15/19 – Raleigh, NC @ Motorco *
09/17/19 – Washington, D.C. @ U Hall *
09/19/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere *
09/20/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Philamoca *
09/21/19 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall *
09/23/19 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe *
09/24/19 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement *
09/25/19 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In *
09/28/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street *
09/29/19 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
09/30/19 – St. Louis, MO, Firebird *
10/03/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird #
10/04/19 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews #
10/05/19 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Grill #
10/07/10 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge #
11/01/19 – San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord
11/02/19 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place
11/03/19 – Reno, NV @ The Holland Project
11/05/19 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
11/06/19 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
* = supporting Bleached
# = supporting White Reaper
Indie rock band Wrinkles puts an emphasis on carefree fun in the music video for their latest single, “Thunderstorm.” In the depths of a Montana winter, we see the five-piece band put their house to the test as they gather every blanket, pillow, tool, and instrument possible to create some sort of musical fortress. The video has a very exciting, TV-sitcom vibe that focuses on who Wrinkles is as a band and highlights their talent as well as their obvious camaraderie. While this is a lighthearted video, it shows the importance of a band’s strong connection not only as musicians, but as friends. As a result, the video – directed by Kendall Rock – perfectly matches the upbeat and catchy qualities of the track.
“Thunderstorm” is the first single off Wrinkles’ sophomore album Other Days, which comes out on August 14th. Check out the music video, and keep up with the band here.
Other Days Tour Dates
______________________________________________________________
8.7 – Missoula
8.16 – Helena
8.17 – Bozeman
8.22 – Seattle
8.23 – Vancouver
8.24 – Bellingham
8.25 – Portland
8.26 – Corvallis
8.27 – Eugene
8.28 – San Francisco
8.29 – Oakland
8.30 – Los Angeles
8.31 – San Diego
9.1 – Phoenix
9.2 – Tucson
9.3 – El Paso
9.4 – Marfa
9.5 – Austin
9.6 – Houston
9.7 – Baton Rouge
9.8 – New Orleans
9.9 – Memphis
9.10 – Nashville
9.11 – Athens
9.12 – Asheville
9.13 – Richmond
9.14 – Baltimore / DC
9.15 – Philadelphia
9.16 – Asbury Park
9.17 – New York
9.18 – Amherst
9.19 – Albany
9.20 – Montreal
9.21 – Toronto
9.22 – Hamilton
9.23 – Detroit
9.24 – Chicago
9.25 – St Louis
9.26 – Kansas City
9.27 – Omaha
9.28 – Denver
9.29 – Ft Collins
9.30 – Bozeman
Electro avant-pop act Strawberry Mountain might be based in New York City, but they are taking over the west coast starting this week! Join this effervescent band on an other-worldly journey at any of the dates listed below. But before you do, give their new track “Racer” a spin (or twelve!). With a blend of nostalgic space-y sounds and their matter-of-fact vocals, the track is definitely an earworm.
Upcoming Shows
January 23rd 2019 // Portland, OR // The Liquor Store
January 24th 2019 // Eugene, OR // Old Nicks Bar
January 25th 2019 // Salem, OR // The Space
January 27th 2019 // San Francisco, CA // Milk Bar
January 28th 2019 // Santa Cruz, CA // Bocci’s Cellar
January 30th 2019 // Los Angeles, CA // Harvard & Stone
January 31st 2019 // Long Beach, CA // Alex’s Bar
February 1st 2019 // San Diego, CA // Til Two Club
February 2nd 2019 // Phoenix, AZ // The Lunchbox
February 3rd 2019 // Las Vegas, NV // Bunkhouse
February 7th 2019 // El Paso, TX // Love Buzz
February 8th 2019 // Tucson, AZ // Cans Deli
San Diego-based rock trio Exasperation – comprised of Garrett Prange, David Mead, and Steve Dale – recently released a compelling 10-track album titled Paradise. Nestled among this bed of genius is the particularly dance-worthy lead track titled “Pyre”. Starting with staccato emphasis – reminiscent of The Lumineers’ “Submarines” – we are taken on a sonic journey that brings feelings of elation, despite the name of the band. We’ve got garage rock on our brains throughout the duration of the song, imagining a scenario where we are surrounded by friends at a basement party, concrete and a feeling of edge all around. And we think you might agree. Check it out, then let us know!
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
There is a new gem out for release via Stockholm label Snafu Records. It’s the latest single from San Diego singer/songwriter Brooke Williams, who delights with “High & Bye.” Responsible for the hugely successful “Adrenaline” and “Nightmare,” Williams again makes a very honest record with this release.
She says: “High & Bye’ is about a night when you just want to forget about life and chill with someone. I was getting over old feelings and had sworn off any new ones. This song was my way of saying that to this person.”
its distinctive use of piano and rippling vocals are hard to ignore – we’re hitting repeat on “High & Bye” now.
Who is seeking a synth-fueled, smooth like silk, otherworldly new alt-pop EP to enjoy? (Raises hands way up, and jumps up and down.) We’re SO ready for it, and San Diego based singer/songwriter JARA has a brand new 6 track stunner for us to treat our ears to. We’ve got the exclusive premiere, but we’re sure this one will make its rounds to impress the masses pretty soon, especially with its sun soaked disposition. Each track is loaded with its own personality, with a similar clip to the entire album that makes it feel like a complete journey all its own. Mid-tempo “Cutting Corners” sets the pace, while “Psycho Lovers” carries it on for us, perhaps a little more debauchery-ridden than its predecessor. And while “Something Else” stands alone as the perfect summertime carefree track, “Uninvited” brings the mood down a little bit, maintaining that same mid-tempo pace we’re too keen on to let go of. The slowest we get is with last track “Go Slow With Me”, which shines as the standout funk track and gives a little love to the entire collection before rounding it out.
Give this EP some love, you know you need some new weekend jams. 😉 Check out lead single “Something Else” below, and the entire EP under that!
