Los Angeles-based rock collective Swerve – comprised of Gregory Mahdesian, Brandon Duncan, Ryan Berti, and Mark Gardner – has blossomed into an incredibly impressive act since the days that the moniker was attached to Mahdesian’s solo career. While the band admits their chemistry is off the charts at this point, we can hear it in the music they release. In fact, with their latest single “Lose Control”, we pick up on hints of influence amidst a bed of music that sounds like they’re having a really great time.
Luckily enough, we got to chat briefly with the guys about the track itself, as well as some really important topics like supergroups and Batman. Check it out below!
What was your first musical moment (be it a song you remember, a memory with a family member, etc.)? How do you think that impacted the way you make music today?
I actually have two that I can think of. The first song I can remember is from the Traveling Wilburys- that super group with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison. They had this track called “Not Alone Anymore,” and Roy Orbison sang the lead vocal on it, and it just floored me. I think my family had just moved across the country and I was a depressed little 5 year old, and that song, and especially that vocal, really spoke to me.
The other moment was around the same time. I had this walkman that could record the radio, and the oldies station played this song by the Box Tops called “The Letter,” which is just an awesome single. I would just listen to the station until it would play again so I could record it, and it’s the first song that was ever “mine.”
These both definitely impacted how I make music. I guess even at an early age I had a tendency to look back to the past for inspiration, and these songs really solidified my appreciation for classic song structures and catchy as hell choruses.
“Lose Control” is so fun with that twinge of 90s nostalgia that seems to pop out at points. What was creating that song like?
Thanks! Creating this song with the band was really fun. I started writing it on my acoustic guitar, and I must have been listening to a lot of jangle rock at the time because the song is filled with those little moments. When I brought it to the guys it turned into this fun, upbeat electric rock song. We added some acoustic to the recording to kind of pay homage to how it began. I remember that it came together very quickly- we finished off writing it in one session and anytime we would go back to try and tweak it, it was just kind of superfluous. There are definitely 90s touches in it. We really like to reference our influences without sounding too much like them, so you can notice them if you pay attention, but might not if you’re just casually listening.
If you could collaborate with anyone besides your amazing bandmates, who would it be and why?
So many people! Paul McCartney, just because he is the all time legend and I think I would kill to have him sing or play on a song. He’s still got it too! A few years ago he released this album called New that was awesome. I think I’d really like to get the producer Stephen Street to work with us, if he would do it and we could afford him. He produced the Smiths and all the best Blur albums, and I think he would be able to make our band really push ourselves and do something great. Noel Gallagher is my favorite, so to write with him would be amazing. And to have Michael Stipe sing something for me would make my year.
This month, you headlined the What Angie Says showcase at The Mint. What was that performance like? How has your performance style developed over time?
That performance was a lot of fun. We actually booked that right at the last minute- we had all been traveling so the band hadn’t been together for a little while, and the only time we found to rehearse was right before the show. It turned out to be one of our most energetic sets. In general, we’ve just gotten a lot more comfortable over time. We play around with harmonies more, and we don’t get nervous, so we can engage with each other and with the audience rather than just looking at our instruments and trying to play the songs correctly. The more we play the better we get as performers, but I don’t ever see us busting out dance moves or anything like that!
What has been your favorite song to write thus far? What makes it so special?
We haven’t put it out yet, but there’s a song called “Kennedy.” We usually close our set with it because it’s a live favorite for our audience. I’m really happy with the lyrics of it- the main line started out as a placeholder lyric and as the song developed I realized that it was actually the linchpin of the whole song. It’s funny how things like that happen. As far as the music goes, it went through so many iterations that we considered giving up on it, but we finally landed on the right arrangement and it felt so natural that I’m glad we kept at it.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Batman, because he gets all the best toys and chose to be a hero rather than being born with a superpower. Although his backstory is very sad, at least he has Alfred.
What’s up next?
Besides world domination? We’re going to keep putting out singles leading up to our EP. We have some music videos in the works, and shows coming up in LA- the next one is March 26th at the HiHat in Highland Park. We want to start playing outside of the city soon, and to get back into the studio to record all the new material we’ve been working on.
Rayvin Moon – a musician who creates a mixture of dark alternative pop – debuts with the release of her track “Tyler Durden”.This song sounds like it could be from the soundtrack of a movie. It pulls from a lot of dark influences, electrifying and mysterious. “Tyler Durden” was written about Rayvin Moon’s personal experience with someone who helped her come back to life after many trials and tribulations. The song talks about wanting to heal and be perfect for Tyler so he can accept her.
“Tyler Durden” is an amazing song about love helping you come back together. The song is not only great, but helps establish Rayvin Moon as an artist.
Two-piece band The Lagoons (brothers Joey and Ryan Selan) are back at it again with a perfect single, “Close My Eyes (And I Wonder)”. Originally from Los Angeles, they moved to Austin, TX and started The Lagoons together. After the success of their 2016 track, “California”, the duo is gearing up to release their EP, Escape, on April 6th. Now, they have released “Close My Eyes (And I Wonder)”, which will appear on Escape.
Full of smooth-synthy indie pop vocals and sax, The Lagoons have cooked up quite a fantastic track with “Close My Eyes (And I Wonder). Fans of Fitz & the Tantrums or COIN will definitely vibe to this song, as well as fans who are new to alternative/indie music. One of the best aspects of “Close My Eyes (And I Wonder) is its universal appeal to a variety of ears. Older listeners will appreciate the 70s nostalgia of the track, while a younger crowd will inevitably dig its on-trend indie sound. Keep an eye out for The Lagoons’ new EP, Escape, out April 6th.
LUME is taking her chances on stage in order to pursue a dream that is right at her fingertips! Although she has yet to release very many tracks, the music that she has produced speaks for itself. Not only is it the modern sound that not only resonates with the young generation, but it also addresses topics that are very relatable among several demographics. Not only does she have a strong presence musically, but also among fans and followers on social media. With her skill talent and a team of highly dedicated supporters, there is no doubt that she will be able to take her career to a whole new level with the release of her newest single, “Skin.”
This track not only reaches a level of vocal sophisticality that is rare for an artist so young, but it also is sure to be put on repeat with its catchy beat and message. Laden with heavy loops and beats, it mirrors the same style of some of the most well know pop artists of our time. At this point, where many other artists would be struggling to define their sound, LUME has outlined a style all her own and it running towards a bright future.
LINES is a band from Stockholm – comprised simply of Erik, Fred, Nisse, and Johan – who just released their new single “Lockdown” as a solid follow up to their previous single “You”. The band’s sound is alternative pop, which is evident especially in their latest release.
“Lockdown” starts off at a slow pace and then begins to pick up as the song progresses. The song makes you want to get up and dance to its beat, boasting pop sounds and a hint of guitar. The song is catchy, with fun lyrics and a grooving beat.
Be careful, the “Lockdown” chorus is bound to get stuck in your head.
Los Angeles based two-piece The Palms, composed of Johnny Zambetti and Ben Rothbard, are making big strides in the alt-pop world, now more than ever with the release of their 14-track album, Mulholland Dr. After feeling somewhat creatively restricted in their previous band, The Palms was formed as a way for Zambetti and Rothbard to forge their own path and create authentic music. Exploding onto the Californian music scene, The Palms look to expand their horizons and reach many other places. With tracks that can uplift, amp up, and chill out, The Palms tick all the boxes that an alt-pop band seeks to fulfill. Get ready to groove when you put on a record from The Palms.
The Palms answered a few of our questions, and we discovered that pretty much everyone hates the Snapchat update.
As an L.A. based band, did the band’s name inspiration come from the locale, or elsewhere?
100% from the locale. I was living in Venice at the time as Johnny and I were starting our new project and desperately trying to come up with a name. During one of our early Studio sessions, most likely as we were writing Push Off, I took a bike ride to grab some stuff from the local market and passed Palms Blvd. It hit me like a lightning bolt and i texted Johnny. He agreed immediately and that was that.
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Our music has to feel fresh and classic at the same time.. We’re influenced by The Beatles and Beach Boys as much as we are OutKast or Kanye West.
If your band was a color, what would it be?
Purple
Describe each other in a word.
Ben to JZ – Talent
JZ to Ben – Vocal
Favorite live show played to date?
Playing The Troubadour is always a trip being that we’re both born and raised in LA and the history of that place is intertwined in the identity of the LA music scene. Hometown shows are always special too.
Snapchat or Instagram?
Instagram 100%. Snapchat update might’ve been in the fork in that one.
Dream collaboration?
Kanye West or Kevin Parker. That should give you an idea of what we’re going for with this project.
Indie folk duo Belle of the Fall has come out with a new airy and luscious single that is blowing all of us here at Imperfect Fifth away. It features intimate harmonies and chord progressions that highlight the talent of fantastic artists Tracy Walton and Julia Autumn Ford. These two artists are able to weave together several different instrumental pieces alongside vocals that are all beautifully wound together. Lyrically, their music speaks to the public and tries to pierce the very heart of our society. Uncertainty, hardship and facing the unknown are all topics that humanity have to combat and this song, perfectly written, inspires the weary and mends the broken soul.
After having their start in the heart of Connecticut and being brought together to produce Julia’s solo album in 2014, this group has taken off and taken control of indie pop rock alternative scene. Although both of these artists wrestled with continuing as solo artists, they decided to form a duo and have since then found the success that they couldn’t have found apart. Now, more than 150 gigs later they are getting ready to release their next full-length album Rise Up on April 6. This duo is for sure headed in the right direction.
As the #5 artist on BBC Sound of 2018, Pale Waves shows no signs of stopping as they dropped their digital EP All The Things I Never Said. Listening to their EP felt slightly reminiscent of Group Love, with their energetic and pop like style. Their first track “New Year’s Eve” is an honest plea of “New Year, New Me” with lyrics like “I don’t want to be in love on New Year’s Eve, do you even want to be with me?” However, I seemingly relate with “My Obsession”, a true tale ones (unhealthy) infatuation with someone they shouldn’t probably be with. Listen to the new EP All The Things I Never Said below.
Also, look out for Pale Waves as they are set to perform at SXSW in March.
Well, maybe. “Donnie wants you dead” is a teaser single from Seattle based Powerbleeder from their new album GUSH that is slated for release on April 10th.
My first impression was “sounds like Seattle”, the standard grunge sound that has become a symbol representing an overcast sky and sloshing around in rain puddles. Then a bit of a change in weather as the verse begins and enters an alternate sky that is as sunny as the summer days in California. “You can fill the crossword without really even trying” grabbed my immediate focus dead center. Each verse is followed by a repeat in a camp-fire group style, and the overall sound becomes a little Beatle-esque. As much as this track makes you want to join hands, pick up a tambourine, and sing along, listen closely because it isn’t all Mento’s smiles. The actuality of the lyrics and the way Powerbleeder has a fun way of saying some things almost makes you miss the sarcasm of a bleak message. With the line,”You sent a bud bug to the White House overnight”, it sounds so upbeat, like it was a good thing, when in all honesty if that line was spoken normally my response would be, “What a dick, those things are hard to get rid of.” I can see the actions of someone wanting somebody dead becoming very clear.
The music at times becomes powerful and the guitar line is evocative of scales used in jazz. The transitions build up smoothly and reveal theoretic capacity in instrumentation and song structure making it hard to say, yeah they are a pop-ish rock band. Pop is so simple, and while “Donnie wants you dead” retains catchy pop hooks, what lays beneath the playful memorable song standard is anything but standard. If you’ve ever felt impure of mind or had some choice words you want to throw at someone, do it in style. Powerbleeder leads the way and makes it fun. You’ll see, once you check out “Donnie wants you dead” and you later find yourself walking with a spring in your step, singing it happily aloud while snapping your fingers with a smile across your face.
And if that is not enough joy in your life you can Pre-Order your copy of GUSH from the band’s Bandcamp page for only $4.
