Synth pop act The Old Pink House – comprised of Max Middleton, Harry Smith, James Grant, and Christopher Brown – is getting ready to take over the summer with their new music. The Old Pink House takes it back to the 80s with their latest track “Jaded”, which is a mixture of guitar and bass, as well as vocals that are easy to listen to. The track talks about the things people go through in life, the things that people go through that often wear them down and make them feel trapped in a never ending cycle.
After a sell-out at last October’s headline show at Think Tank in Newcastle, The Old Pink House has announced an even bigger show at The Cluny this August. As well as this, there are upcoming slots at their hometown’s Hit the North Festival and the renowned Live at Leeds Festival.
Kicking off the new year with a brand new release that is full of artistic music content is electro-pop artist Lillian Frances and her newest single, “Phone Keys Wallet.” This is just a small piece of an even greater work that Frances has in the works that was released on May 4, 2018, however, this particular track highlights everything that has fans raving over this young, but talented, artist. Unlike many of the songs that are now flooding the music platforms around the world, this track has the emotional depth and lush soundscapes that leave listeners eager to hear more.
The emotional origins of this lyrical masterpiece are deeply rooted in an experience that Frances encountered after spending time away from her passion as a musician. In her own words she explains:
This song is about the parts of us we lose. For me, that was getting tendonitis and having to put down my guitar. An acoustic amputation, the loss of a limb. A year after putting down my guitar, when I was just about healed, I was encouraged by an audience of new friends and strangers to play some songs on my guitar. I took my place in front of everyone, and my fingers settled into a familiar G. But the next chord never came. I couldn’t remember a single song I’d written. Smiling faces looked up at me, telling me I could do it. But really, I could not. The words were all gone. Finally, I sat back down, startled.
Obviously, much time has passed and the old expectations have been far exceeded as Frances continues to produce music that is both moving and electric.
“Shake Baby” is one of the newest singles from Katie Toupin, a track found on her upcoming EP Moroccan Ballroom. The track has a rock sound to it with an overlay of guitar that will have you jumping up and down, vibing to Toupin’s strong vocals.
In the video for the song, Katie Toupin is seen walking in the city to get to a destination. The singer walks through the city and later takes a subway getting to where her performance is. We may or may not have it on repeat. Right now.
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Joel Levi has just dropped his self-titled album. Honest and down to earth, Joel Levi explores challenges and difficulties of life on an Americana/indie-folk soundscape. Joel Levi: 1. “Middle of Everything” starts off the record on an upbeat note, setting the indie-folk tone of the album. Showcasing Levi’s great vocals, this first track sets the stage for the rest of the album. 2. “Will We Ever Change?” is up next, starting off with a smooth, angstier sound. As the title suggests, this track explores the fear of being stuck as you are. 3. “Honest Mistake” carries the listener into a more Americana sound, reminiscent of Springsteen. Featuring a great guitar solo towards the second half the song, the lyrics “I don’t wanna bring you down” echo throughout the track. 4. “Easy to Be Alone” is a more laid back folk song that moves along an emotional soundscape, encouraging the listener to hold onto their loved ones and fight for them. 5. “Harder Times” emphasizes perseverance, even through adversity. Well-placed guitar rounds out the track into a solid song. 6. “The Garden” brings the listener into a simple but touching melody, filled with well-constructed metaphors. 7. “All My Friends” changes it up, instantly upbeat and quickly moving into a feel-good chorus that will make any listener appreciative for the important friends in their life. 8. “Sweet Melinda” comes next, a beautiful love song that starts off with some acoustic guitar. An instant classic, “Sweet Melinda” encompasses what a romantic folk song should sound like. 9. “Blind Men Still Dream” is a painfully honest track that explores the challenges we face, and the support that we always can depend on. 10. “Hold On Me” closes out Joel Levi on a simple but touching note with a love song. “Hold On Me” shows just one of Levi’s many musical aspects and gently brings the record to an end.
Today, San Diego’s the color forty nine – a music group comprised of Phil Beaumont (Vocals & Tiny Guitar), Jason Hooper (Bass and Vocals), John Meeks (Drums and Vocals), and Matt Resovich (Violin, Tenor Guitar, Keyboards and Vocals) – releases a reverb-filled, lush new track titled “I Will”, and we happen to have the exclusive premiere. With the depth in range of Beaumont’s vocals, this track feels as though it has rougher, old country western vibes, sprinkled amidst a subtle modern alternative sound. Its pace and tone feel dark, though it’s certainly in a more robust and beautiful way than is often found with similar soundscapes. “I Will” is void of any coldness we might otherwise feel tempted toward without this particular collection of talent to deliver.
the color forty nine is doing some amazing things with their music, and we can’t wait to see what happens next in the lead up to their new full-length.
Join the band TONIGHT at The Casbah in San Diego with Acid Mothers Temple. It’s going to be absolute insanity. And their upcoming album is due out June 15th, via Darla. Keep your eyes peeled for all of that and more with the color forty nine here.
Seattle-based artist Damien Jurado drops his 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, today. In his 20+ year career, Jurado has never self-produced a record – until now. The Horizon Just Laughed is being released via Secretly Canadian.
Jurado says of his record:
From the beginning I have approached this album differently than those in the past. I snuck away to record it without anyone knowing. I sat in the producers seat for the first time in years, where I followed creativity’s every turn. It was fulfilling to watch the things come to life before me with the help of some talented friends. I am so very proud of this album and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
The Horizon Just Laughed track listing: 1. “Allocate” starts off the record on a mellow but strong note. Highlighting Jurado’s musky vocals, “Allocate” provides a glimpse into what is to come. 2. “Dear Thomas Wolfe” begins with a rhythmic guitar intro reminiscent of Jack Johnson. Featuring great lyrics like, “Was I faking trusting you?”, this song gets the ball rolling into the record. 3. “Percy Faith” takes a different approach instrumentally, and utilizes a storytelling manner to bring the lyricism a nostalgic feel. 4. “Over Rainbows and Rainier” is the leading single off The Horizon Just Laughed. A soft, moving track, this reflective song brings the listener gently along. Jurado has also put out a music video for this track. Check out the video for “Over Rainbows and Rainier” HERE. 5. “The Last Great Washington State” features some nice drum moments and steady vocals. 6. “Cindy Lee” is a beautiful interm track that has some well-placed harmonies, and moves the listener into the second half of the album. 7. “1973” perks up with a gentle but pointedly moving track. 8. “Marvin Kaplan” gets an almost samba sound going, as Jurado is accompanied by soft female harmonies. 9. “Lou-Jean” is closer to tracks like “Percy Faith”, telling a meaningful story through song. 10. “Florence-Jean”, the penultimate track on this record, takes an upbeat take on the tales that Jurado tells in The Horizon Just Laughed. 11. “Random Fearless” closes out the album on a fun note, unafraid of the future.
The audience at White Eagle Hall was already rapt before Julien Baker began her sold-out show. As she carefully stepped out onto the stage, sparsely illuminated with a background of lamps that resembled streetlights, the quiet was immediately enveloping; you could hear a pin drop in the dead silence between the faint clacks of camera shutters. Beginning with “Appointments,” the first full track off 2017’s Turn Out the Lights, featherywisps of white light were strewn across the stage as Baker was suddenly blanketed in a shaft of soft purple lighting, as if a lavender-colored sun was leaking through a hole in the ceiling.
A Julien Baker show is mesmerizing; she holds everyone’s eyes in the palms of her hands.Her presence is almost ethereal;her gentle voice, at times fragile and delicate, can suddenly, grandly rise, soaring up into a vast melodic expanse. Small of stature and soft-spoken, Baker is solitary yet powerful, commanding the stage all by herself; a one-woman orchestra who can spin symphonies with just a guitar and piano.
Moving seamlessly through her set, Baker wasted little time between songs for banter, focused solely on her performance. The bulk of tracksplayed were from Turn Out the Lights, along with a smattering of Sprained Ankle. “Red Door,” an unreleased track, and “Funeral Pyre,” off an untitled EP, rounded out the show.
Towards the second half of the set, Baker invited her friend and violinist, Camille Faulkner,to accompany her, added a further layer of feeling and pathos.
“Something,” one of Baker’s most upbeat tunes, made up the encore with the whole venue singing. The moment she exited the stage, fans rushed to the front in an attempt to grab the setlist. This is the kind of fervor Baker inspires in her audience.
She makes her way back to the New York/New Jersey area in July, providing support for Courtney Barnett in Prospect Park.
Cornwall-based four-piece ENNOR has just dropped their brand new single, “Wave After Wave”. ENNOR is made up of drummer Adam Williams, frontman Tom Elliott, guitarist Jack Rennie and bassist James Creed. The quartet is known for their summery sound that has earned them the label “Californwall”. Now, they’re back with new track “Wave After Wave”.
Moving guitar work gently brings the listener into “Wave After Wave”, a truly oceanic track that mimics the energy of water. Gradually picking up speed, intensity, and complexity, the song peaks about three-quarters in with some killer guitar. A closer listen will reveal that the track is about climate change and the idea of “how far is too far”. If you’re looking for an escape to the water’s edge, check out “Wave After Wave” today.
SemiAutomatix ripped through a set at El Cortez in Bushwick Brooklyn. The five piece group led by Tim “TC” Cribben on vocals played the punk set with a charm and charisma thats hard to match in the genre. Bassist Matt Gevaza and drummer JR Jensen synced and throbbed through a set that almost shivered with energy. Guitarists Mike Gevaza and Greg Odette traded lead harmonies seamlessly across the stage. SemiAutomatix is a punk band by definition, the set however showed more depth and emotion in the songs than we have come to expect from the genre. If you can imagine the mid 90’s Long Island Punk sound and meld it with soaring classic rock solos from the 60’s and 70’s you might have an idea what SemiAutomatix sound like. The set was a beautiful mix of punk energy and Marc Bolan-esque tenderness that just worked. You can check out the latest single “Never Fading” below.
