Welp, indie (dream) pop duo Eighty Ninety just released such a gorgeous track heading into Valentine’s Day weekend. We apologize for not sharing before the holiday, but there’s only so much time in a day. BUT WOW.
You know those moments when you consider different outcomes to your life? Contemplating your puppy love, celebrating your forever love, reminiscing on old love. Well, “Forever” is one of those moments. “Forever is about reconciling the desire to be with the person you love with the understanding that they don’t feel the same way anymore,” admits the duo. “It’s like a daydream in a song — what if we were in love again?”
Vocals smooth like butter (as always), gorgeous lyrics, and a rhythm that is easy to move to make this song just like a sugary dream. What a beautiful dichotomy and a wonderful song to deep breathe to.
This weekend is the first one where we’ve felt awake and like we’re gaining momentum for the first time this year. Perhaps that’s because we’re lucky enough to host the exclusive premiere of Danger // Chain‘s 5-track Roses In A Glass EP, and it’s been playing on repeat since it landed in our inbox.
Eighties-inspired synth and inspired bass lines almost dance around the dark, eery vocals as we spin into what can only be explained as a Tim Burton-esque existence. Hauntingly beautiful, it’s actually served as the soundtrack we needed to get our asses in gear.
Says Heather:
I don’t think anyone has all the answers for how to make a better world, but certainly we should be able to imagine one through art. As an artist, it’s my job to reflect what’s going on around me. I believe it is the responsibility of artists to speak on matters of a political nature. Roses In A Glass is my interpretation of the world as it is today, told through a retro futuristic lens. We may not be able to escape the current times, but we can still listen to music. I believe very much that music heals.
Sharkk Heartt, a moniker born from a period of starting completely anew in life, has released just 3 singles as such. But Lara Ruggles – the mastermind and solo artist behind the project – has seen transformation like no other throughout her music career. We are lucky enough to have the exclusive premiere of the new music video for her single “Work Fires” in advance of its release. And what a ride this particular video is!
Vivid, heart-stopping performance set to the backdrop of bold, gorgeous outdoor mural art made to look like natural landscapes. And all of this, from just the first two frames. Other ecosystems and landscapes are introduced to the fold, as a very literal interpretation of the lyrics can be seen played out by Ruggles and a male cohort in front of a mural, while she performs the song with grandeur to his unaware character.
Featuring talented dancers Kevin Hainline, Na-il Ali Emmert, Andrea Connolly, Emily Truman, Taylor Eason, Terry McCants, Betsy Ganz, Nanette Knight, and Micheila Karringten in differing habitats with the collective choreography stylings of Chezale Rodriguez, this music video enhances the very necessary need for community, especially in this time. Each movement perfectly timed to the danceable rhythm that has been created with Ruggles’ minimalist instrumentation approach and full, energetic vocals.
“Work Fires” was created in a moment where Ruggles realized she might sometimes like to be a work fire for someone. Her personal anecdote? A music manager promised to come to her show and she was excited at the idea of being managed by him professionally. Yet, he ended up changing plans last minute. Explains the artist, “He’d gotten ‘caught up in a work fire. I had this fleeting, petulant thought of ‘I want to be one of your work fires.’ And then that became this catchy phrase that I kept tossing around in my head and started to add onto while I was still on the road.”
Los Angele’s latest blessing to the music world is a noteworthy new artist named Alonzo. Last week, he released his new single “Respect” and we couldn’t help but put this one in the mix for new shares. The song’s pace is like a slow walk through a scenic park – a romantic movie montage, perhaps, in its speed – making the words that much more healing in their overlay.
Once Alonzo’s breathy, sensual vocals hit the track, the Prince comparisons are boundless. And his admirable way with words makes this release that more striking. It’s no coincidence that a song that demands African American worth is being released during Black History Month, but the way it hits will undoubtedly keep it in heavy rotation for months to come. Says Alonzo of the track: “I wanted to release this song to kick off Black History Month as an affirmation. A new anthem that Black people can sing from the rooftops with pride & confidence.”
It is with great pleasure that we wait with bated breath for Kansas City’s own Amy Farrand and The Like to play the official record release show for their debut album One this Saturday, April 28th. The band – adequately self-described as genre-defiant – is comprised of a group of incredible musicians, including, of course, esteemed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (and band namesake) Amy Farrand, who has been working on this musical project since 2015. Having entertained at some incredible local events – including, but certainly not limited to, Kansas City’s Middle of The Map Fest and Apocalypse Meow – the sextet is amped to let their work reach more ears, and to continue with their incredibly endearing live performance tactics with the new tracks.
One was recorded at Weights and Measures Lab with Duane Trower and is an eleven track stunner you absolutely do not want to miss. If you haven’t heard it already, it was released recently, following the success of the single “Scared To Death of Dying”, which is the perfect jam track. A musical journey alongside Amy Farrand and The Like includes some incredibly soulful vocal vibes, accompanied by a robust-sounding horns section and high energy percussion that really bring everything to life and create some versatility to the tracks. While tracks like “White Girl Wasted” and “Scared to Death of Dying” actually address some common social commentary, the band is laser-focused on tracks like “Dragon Woman” and “Sweet Thing”, two of our absolute favorites from this collection.
Join Amy Farrand and The Likes in celebration of this honest and beautiful collection of songs on April 28th at 8pm at Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club (3402 Main Street, Kansas City, MO). Inviting the warm weather in with this crowd is going to be an absolute delight!
Experimental darkwave collective BARK releases their enticingly layered track “Malady” today, and we’ve got your first listen. Though the collaboration itself comes from New York City at present, the origins of the three-person project – effortlessly crafted by Alessio Casalini, Alexey Artemov and Marc Potts – are far-reaching, and include Italy and Ukraine. We’re particular fans of the way BARK’s sound tends to bring out the gorgeous textures and audio quirks of the places they’ve been, perspectives they’ve experienced. The robust, almost warm, vocals are enchanting enough to propel the track, however, the composition and its ever-evolving pace is too interesting not to have an equal role in the intensity of this beast of a track.
Says Marc Potts of the track: “’Malady’ is about the appreciation of change or transitions. It tries to attribute an aesthetic of sickness or ‘malady’ as a transition point for something powerful and/or resilient. So embrace malady as a stepping point through adversity.”
I’m not sure about you, but I can hear the power in this song. Try it on for size below!
Former indie rocker, Neal Wright, highlights the Chinese board game, “Go”, in his most recent work. Being an avid player for most of his life, Wright honors the abstract strategy game under his project name, Wave Collector. The artist’s new single, The Masterpiece, tells the story of and pays homage to Dosaku’s masterpiece.
Upon meeting The Masterpiece, one is not greeted in a gradual manner. On the contrary, I suggest you prepare for an abrupt “hello”: a “hello” filled with immense variety, and one that will occupy your full attention.
Within the first 15 seconds, the audience is engulfed by electronic instrumentation, ethnic pulsations, ambient noises and vocal recordings. If this sounds like a lot, your assumptions are correct. This track will, quite literally, take hold of you and lead you through an experiential journey based on novel sounds; and it will not wait for you to give the go-ahead. As a listener, allow yourself to take a step back and let Wright take control.
As a rising voice in Portland, Oregon’s electronic music scene, Wave Collector is uncategorizable and is anything but ordinary. Forget about that 3:00 pm caffeine crash– in four minutes, Wright will have you feeling re-energized and ready to take on masterpieces of your own.
A rush of sound, gentle vocals, a building composition that both blends together seamlessly and allows you to feel the impact of each layer singularly. Missoula-based indie rock group Arrowleaf carries their particular brand of gorgeous sound with Sarah Marker at the helm as the lead singer and songwriter. Their new track “HDYK” is out today, and we’ve got your official premiere.
Here’s the deal. Take away all of the band details, technical terminology, and extra fluff. Look at the photo of this band. This music is clearly inspired by their ecosystem, and the incredible landscape that surrounds them. It’s like they have found a way to close your eyes and FEEL Montana. Honestly? That perfect balance of grace and lightness with the endearingly rough guitar, captivating audio pivots, crashing cymbals, and bravado of a rock band suits that location immensely, with the beauty of the greenery framed by the grandness of the rock formations.
Throbbing synths, outer-space vibes and the overwhelming sense of satisfaction that comes with bedroom pop — what more could you ask for? Shouting out her name from the entranced hills and transcendent sunshine of Los Angeles, the multi-talented Olivia Morreale presents her new track, “NO ANSWER”. Arriving as the first piece off her upcoming EP, SPACE DREAMS, the trackdrips traces of the emerging artist’s persona with each pulse.
Having roots in New York City and a background in jazz, Morreale’s unification with the glittery-ness of Southern California has resulted in evident depth as a writer and producer. Sensual vocals with ethereal lyrics results in a listener’s experience of both confusion and contentment. With Morrelae, strangeness is welcomed– even encouraged. As the song progresses, constellation vibrations take the listener far away; all while remaining grounded by the singer’s dream-like voice.
Along with co-writer and co-producer Eli Koskoff, the two have created a track that fits the mentality of a city like Los Angeles. No one really knows exactly where they’re headed, and life often seems too good to be true. Nonetheless, the only option is to keep floating ahead– enjoying what surprises you might discover along the way.
