Scarlet Sails just released a new video for their latest single “Hideaway”. The rock band is made up of Russian born Olya Viglione, former The Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Scarlet, guitarist Mark Kohut, and bassist Kevin Jones. “Hideaway” follows up on the band’s 2017 debut album Future From The Past. Now, “Hideaway” is just the first of many 2018 projects for the rock band. Inspired by retro rock, Scarlet Sails brings a fresh twist on a classic sound on “Hideaway.”
The video is visually aesthetic in turn. Set in a Victorian-era setting, we see Olya playing ukulele from her vanity, and searching up and down the halls for her ‘hideaway.’ “Every thing I do, every thing I say…you’re my hideaway,” sings Olya with airy vocals. The song comes together with guitar solos and very present drums. Combined with Olya’s distinctive voice, Scarlet Sails really breaks through on “Hideaway.”
Slenderbodies headlined Brooklyn’s Rough Trade on May 7th. The indie/electronic guitar duo, made up of Ben and Max, were met with success quite quickly, scoring opening slots for both Passion Pit and PVRIS. For anyone who’s listened to Slenderbodies, it’s not much of a surprise. Not only is their guitar work deeply intricate, boasting a trademark wispiness that sets them apart from their peers, but they also sing, write, mix, and produce all their tracks. They fully own and control their creativity without anyone else interfering. It’s a rare feat in the music business, one that Slenderbodies deftly navigates with a seeming effortlessness.
Setting the mood prior to their set, two large lava lamps were placed to the right and left of the stage while a scarf swirled around a mic stand. The room was packed, and as Slenderbodies began to play in the near-darkness, the audience swayed and danced as the music gently wafted through the air. The only light came from brightly-colored, psychedelic graphics floating across a projector screen behind the band. The atmosphere was relaxing and peaceful; Slenderbodies delivered their fans a perfect ending to a Monday night.
Slenderbodies has a new LP coming out mid-late summer. Check out their latest single, “Anome,” here and for more Slenderbodies music, including a cover of MGMT’s “Electric Feel,” check out their Soundcloud here.
Nashville-based country duo The Dryes – fittingly comprised of husband/wife duo Katelyn and Derek Drye – are prepping to unleash 2 4-track EPs to the universe over the coming months, with impressive first single “Amen” being the introductory gem. With robust vocals, honest lyrics, and harmonies that will rattle you to the bone, this duo looks to be staking a claim in the country/roots genre that won’t soon be forgotten. With all of the excitement around what’s to come, we caught up with the two for a quick minute to get some perspective. Hear lead single “Amen”, then check out their words below!
What inspired you both to get involved in music together?
Katelyn: We started dating and for the first couple months we occasionally would sing together and thought it was fun. Derek was in another band and I was starting to get in the music scene back in North Carolina, our hometown. Then, one of Derek’s step uncles passed away. Someone in the family said “Hey! You sing (Derek)…and so does your girlfriend…we would like you two to sing for the funeral.” So that’s what we did. We very much remember that day. It was the first time we realized that we had a specific chemistry when we sang together. We felt the energy between us and talk about it often when people ask us.
Your latest single “Amen” is set to be released May 18th. What was the music making process like behind that song?
Derek: I had a guitar riff I kept coming back to. Katelyn wanted to write an upbeat jam about how we met, as we met when she was in the church choir. The co-writer, Alexa Cruse, came up with the melody of “Can I get an amen..” which got us all stoked and we took it in that rootsy/swampy vibe. The verses came out easy, cause we just took the main moments and feelings we both felt in a new relationship. Singing “can I get an amen” seemed perfect since Katelyn was in the church choir. We asked 6 of our friends to come and do gang/choir vocals in part of the song to add that element.
What inspiration would you both like to get your listeners to take away from “Amen”?
Katelyn: Don’t be too serious when you first start a relationship, have a little fun!
Why was “Amen” chosen as your lead single?
Derek: It hits you right in the face. Aside from the wall of guitar fuzz tones, the song showcases Katelyn’s vocals and I love getting to rip it up on the guitar in addition to singing. It’s exactly the type of upbeat jam that we wanted. It’s sexy.
What is your favorite thing about making music with your spouse?
Katelyn: You’ll hear all of this in the EP, but honestly it’s healing to us to sing these statements to each other, fun or serious. No matter the vibe of the song, it’s going to have to be honest. Like any marriage, we have our arguments, and disagree on quite a lot. We know that we have to be quick to forgive and prioritize what’s important. It would be pretty boring if we agreed on everything.
Derek: You kind of have to take turns being the punching bag for each other. Not in an abusive way, but a “here’s what I’m really dealing with” way, and “I know you can take it because you understand me” kind of way. When we write, we listen for those statements. They might be take-aways from how we got through something, or they might be a fun upbeat commitment to each other that we sing even when we don’t feel it. The feeling doesn’t make it less real, so we know that when we write, we can eventually tap into an incredible place together. It’s all about leaving room for it. We all tend to think that to be creative, you first have to be inspired. That’s actually not all true. We schedule time to write, and whether inspiration happens or not, we’ve at least shown up and left room for it. So NOW, inspiration happens more than ever because of that. It’s these little things that create big results.
What is the best piece of advice you both could give couples that want to make music together?
Always be open to constructive criticism. Brush offense off and learn to take each others ideas and run with them. Be okay with the fact that you would do it differently. Do it their way anyway. And you’ll get the same in return if both parties are listening. When you have that trust, you know that ultimately the other person is looking at the bigger picture of things – whether they’re wrong or right.
What are your future plans following the release of “Amen”?
We have a show in Nashville on May 23 at The Basement as a single release/new music celebration. We also have our 2nd single coming out in June, and we have EP Vol 1 coming later in the summer. We are excited to release this music and look forward to sharing it with the world.
In preparation for the release of her forthcoming EP, Naomi Hamilton, who uses the moniker of Jealous of the Birds on stage, has just released her latest single, “Plastic Skeleton.” Unlike most of the other music that has been produced and released in the past, this album is the perfect balance of vocal and instrumental components that are expertly woven together. To open this single, fans have the ability to enjoy the psychedelic beats played out by the guitar and drums. Before long, the hypnotizing soundscape is joined by mischievous vocals that have a natural grit that matches the genre of music perfectly and is neither too over or underwhelming.
As each note passes, the tempo seems to slowly increase along with the building intensity that builds and grows until it reaches a breaking point which is then followed by an artistic ending that seems to push the listener over the edge of suspense. With having the climax so close to the end, Hamilton is able to hold the attention of her fans until the very last breath. Without a doubt, there is a particular kind of artistry that is both unique and clever and the artist’s end. Now that this single has been released, the up coming release of The Moths Of What I Want Will Eat Me In My Sleep is sure to be a smash hit for this growing artist.
The Centeno’s are more than just a family from New Jersey. Together, they are rock band The RocknRoll HiFives. Before fatherhood, Joe Centeno spent his days as a touring musician. Now he is joined by his daughter Eilee Centeno, his son, and his wife, and their latest single “Hold On” is pretty impressive.
The rock track starts out with sultry female vocals and sounds of very evident guitar, bass and drums. “Blonde hair, red dress- she got you drooling, you’re such a mess,” the song starts off. “Hold on, I’ve got something to say to you,” beats the chorus. Lyrically, “Hold On” is creative and sassy as it tells the tale of a female vixen who literally has a “hold” on you. “I need another minute with you,” the song muses. Their debut LP will be out June 29th via Little Dickman Records.
Toronto based musician Cherry Blaster is excited to announce her latest single “Demo Reel.” Cherry Blaster discovered her unique sound by accident. Spending years trying to write music for guitar, she discovered the magic of synthesized sound and re-kindled her love for the keyboard. Now, her latest single “Demo Reel,” is a perfect display of the sound she’s created for herself. The song begins with eerie electronic beats and sounds of a funky keyboard. As the beat never remains in the same place for long, Cherry Blaster shows off her talents with her melodic vocals. “I do what you want me to, just want you to want me too,” pleads Cherry Blaster on “Demo Reel”, which is more than just a display of the artist’s instrumental growth. “Demo Reel” also shows off Cherry Blaster’s personal inspirations.
The artist puts it beautifully saying:
I’ve never been particularly good at taking initiative in social situations, and this has often allowed me to retreat behind walls of self-protection. “Demo Reel” paints a picture of what I initially feel from this vantage point: the earnest desire to be accepted that comes before the envy that then morphs into a fortifying yet toxic cynicism (the age old “If they don’t need me, I don’t need them” attitude). I think most of us have gone through this, especially in our youth, so I wanted to ensconce the honesty and vulnerability of the lyrics in a vibrant, mercurial sonic palette that evokes the innocence of our school days.
Take a listen at Cherry Blaster’s eccentric and enticing latest single here.
The Brooklyn based rock band Language, just released their latest EP Plymouth via Good Eye Records. The rock band consists of Omar Afzaal (guitar), Charles Sloan (bass) and Wes Black (drums). After self-released EP’s, Plymouth is the product of their signing with Good Eye Records. Plymouth has five tracks, including the title track “Plymouth.” The album encompasses all things rock and kicks off with the track “Where To.” With no vocals and only lasting at 1:21, “Where To,” holds up to its name. It really serves as an introduction to the band’s sound which include notes of bass, guitar, and a steady drums. “Game Piece” shows off the band’s vocal talents, far-reaching as they are. The band’s vocals remain gritty and angsty with true rock feel. “Fingers small, in a father’s hands,” Language sings on “Game Piece.” The song has a punk-rock feel and definitely is something to jam out to.
“Plymouth” remains creepy at first, with a distant sound of buildup to the drop of the beat. The song soon changes pace halfway with calming vocals– “Landed on a new rock, kinda like the old one.” I believe that the “rock” is in reference to Language’s new album, their signing with Good Eye Records, and coming full circle as a band and artists. Plymouth remains the band’s “new rock.”
One of the hottest LGBTQ artists from this generation has just announced that she will be dropping her next single this Wednesday for the public to hear and her fans have been going nuts ever since. Pronoun returned to the music scene recently with her last single, “Run” which was not only adored by her fans, but by internationally acclaimed magazines and other well known artists. On Wednesday, she will be releasing a single entitled, “Wrong” which addresses some of the personal struggles that she was facing after a difficult breakup. In her own words she stated,
“I wrote this song when I found out some really weird news about my ex. All of a sudden I just said out loud “I feel embarrassed again”, and I went from there. For the longest time I was so angry at her, and the news that should have been the final straw actually just made me feel really bad for her which spun me in to the weird emotion of how can you feel sorry for some one you “hate”. How is that even possible, do other people feel this way? I guess in a way it’s what I would want to say… if I wanted to talk to her…. which obviously I don’t…. so iI wrote this song instead.”
Like most of her other work, “Wrong” is the perfect mix of old and new. Along with the upbeat synth loops, there is a beautiful guitar overlay that syncs perfectly with the drumming beat. Vocally powerful, Pronoun takes each low and high in stride and blends perfectly with the lush atmosphere created by the back up vocals and lighthearted instrumental components. Although there is a slight psychedelic flare to the overall soundscape created by this band, they are nothing less than the future of the pop industry.
Chicago’s own Hidden Hospitals is excited to share the release of their new album Liars, which is officially out today. “Razor Blades” is the first track to kick off the album, and shows off Hidden Hospital’s pop-punk flare. “I want it all but everything won’t fit,” proclaims the band. The track remains angsty with lines like “rush to the razor blades” and “haunted crosses” highlighted among others. The title track “Liars” is very ethereal, more reminiscent of outer space. “Liars have lips who call out love,” the upbeat electronic pop track sings. “Liars” remains upbeat and funky, but with a sad lyrical message.
My personal favorite track is “Better Off”. On this post-apocalyptic track, Hidden Hospitals touches on the aftermath of a relationship and the toxic environment one can get caught up in. “I didn’t know what we had started, I couldn’t see the pieces then- pull us close found us toxic/how misleading it had been,” the band shares on a painful but truthful experience with listeners.
On the album, vocalist Dave Raymond says: “Sound is language, and our fluency and vocabulary 2018 is vast. Why not use it? I can make a guitar do anything, we can make a drum kit say or control anything, and that’s interesting to me. It’s the feeling of “kid in the garage with their amp turned all the way up.” I’m forever chasing that, and LIARS is the most recent expression of what got me there.”
