Nevada-bred director, singer, and songwriter Nick Rattigan, styled as Current Joys, has just dropped his brand new visual album, A Different Age, out via Danger Collective Records. Now NYC-based, his fifth solo album is a special one since it features a self-directed music video for each song on the LP. As part of the punk band Surf Curse with Jacob Rubeck, Rattigan was able to explore the music scene as part of a duo; now, he also puts out solo material as Current Joys.
A Different Age’s multimedia approach allows fans of Current Joys to gain insight both visually and aurally into Rattigan’s creative psyche. With emotion-packed, vulnerable lyrics and vocals, Rattigan packs a punch into his record. A Different Age starts off with “Become the Warm Jets”, a track with a bittersweet vibe, soaring vocals, and a mellow, minimalistic, yet touching video to accompany it. Next up is “Fear”, a soft-rock featuring a red-themed lyric-style video. Featuring lyrics like “I don’t wanna be afraid/I don’t wanna live this way”, the track is an honest and emotional one. Following “Fear” is “Alabama”, nostalgic both as track and video, truly encompassing the title of the record.
The fourth track on A Different Age is “Way Out Here”, The video features a second-person POV at a carnival, following around Rattigan. “No Words” comes around as the middle track on the record, and as the name implies, is instrumental. The video is simply a clean, black-and-white shot of a woman sitting on a bed, just breathing. The song is one of Rattigan’s most experimental, featuring high-pitched psychedelic sounds alongside a mellow folk melody line. “In A Year of 13 Moons” brings lyrics back to the album in a thoughtful manner, accompanied by acoustic guitar. The video for this track is Rattigan playing guitar and singing while an artist draws on his face.
The title track of the album, “A Different Age” comes next. A different spin on the traditional “musician playing instruments and singing the song” cliche, Rattigan uses shadows to create a fresh take on this common theme. “My Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days” is the penultimate song on the record. A sweet video that is half-styled as a home-video, half as regular filming, follows two young lovers around their day.
Closing out A Different Age is “Fox”, which comes full circle with a video somewhat reminiscent in its style and content to “Become the Warm Jets”. A Different Age’s songs and videos display Rattigan’s flexibility and creativity at its finest, so don’t miss it!
The Never Betters drop their first LP titled Guns + Roses’ Roses on March 16th. From the LP is the lead single “Pictures”, for which they have just released a music video. The video “Pictures” focuses on the things that we as people go through in life and how it is different for everyone. When watching the video you see different portrayals of friendship, heartbreak, and the poor choices we make in life. The visuals for the video are very inspiring. Watching the video will help you be able to imagine your own life experiences.
“Pictures” is a mixture of rock and pop. The vocals soar through the track, making the song powerful with its message of memories. “Pictures” is a great lead single that offers what the Never Betters are truly about.
“How can I believe” is the first track from Steve Barton‘s latest album Tall Tales and Alibis. “How can I believe in God when you’re the one who’s divine?”, that line is absolutely brilliant. Part 1 of this 3 album release is filled with predominantly acoustic, folk-ish style music with a lot of great vocal harmonies. “Shadow of the Bride”, even with it being acoustic has a hint of some old punk influences as the song speeds up and states, “I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to do, about you.” There are some elements of surf rock, old punk, and David Bowie. Steve’s vocal range produces a low, soothing, yet haunting tonal quality similar to Johnny Cash.
His diversity comes as no surprise when you start turning the pages of his resume. Having a publishing deal at the age of 14, touring in a Beatles cover band, and in 1979 forming the band Translator. Some would go as far to say Steve and Translator were the first actual “alternative” band.
Part 2 of the album is more melancholic. It’s as simple as a man and his guitar. A more serious and emotive feel that opens the door to explore his depth a little further. “Haunt me tonight” being the most upbeat track on part 2, shows no shortage of Steve’s amazing way with words that really paint a picture you can see and feel.
“Promises and miracles pour like honey down the street.” Grim yes, but man, why didn’t I think of that. He is truly the master of analogies.
“Wake up in roses” begins Part 3 and does it full on. Horns, full band, rawk, and roll. It’s astounding this is the same guy. Like a change of season, this 37 song triple album release covers every spectrum you could ever desire. For me, the true shining moment on Tall tales and Alibis is “She is the girl.” Returning with a blues style that is complemented by an organ creating a nicely dusted and subtle psychedelic aftertaste. The beat is straightforward, simple, and that perfect repetition that makes you just zone out into the song. So I was little disappointed when the song ended, that so could have kept going.
Seriously, if you have never heard of Steve Barton, let “She is the Girl” be the track that opens the door. He has captured the fantasy and reality of “that girl” far better than Sting did with “Roxanne.” The entire album is loaded with actual storytelling style songs that do not skimp on originality or brilliance.
Don’t be put off by the 37 tracks, you can purchase each song for only $0.99 from Steve’s Website or get the entire 3 part album for only $14.95.
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.
Following the success of his first EP, Songs in D, Sam Himself has dropped his new single, “Nobody”, which will appear on his forthcoming sophomore EP. Though born in Switzerland, Sam Himself is now based in New York City, and wrote “Nobody” about his experiences in a big city that can easily swallow you up. Utilizing the very on-trend tactic of genre-mixing, Sam scores a great track with “Nobody” on many levels. While on the surface level it’s a bluesy rock song, “Nobody” also contains nods to modern synth use and nostalgic crooning vocals.
Sam says of the single: “The best and worst part about moving to New York City is realizing that nobody has been waiting for you here. The apple is plenty big without you, and unless you come up with a pretty good reason, New York doesn’t care. ‘Nobody’ is about that crushing, eye-opening and ultimately liberating experience.”
If you’re as much in love with “Nobody” as we are, make sure to check out more by Sam Himself and keep an eye out for his upcoming EP!
Santa-Barbara based power rock group The DTease has what it takes to make their way up the carts alongside with some of the greatest names in the industry. Their newest release in preparation to their album release April 20, is proof that their future is bright. “Slapshot” is as engaging as it is entertaining which is exactly the effect that this group was going for while they were creating it. In the very foundations of the production of this track The DTease wanted to deliver what they call, “much needed CPR,” into today’s music scene. No doubt, they have struck gold. This new release is unlike most of the music that has been released in the past ten years let alone since the turn of the century. There is so much energy in the recording of “Slapshot,” that it is sure to have the fans begging for an on-stage performance that is sure to bring the house down.
Notably, this band has the unique ability to remain solidly embedded in the rock genre without the heavy darkness that occasionally seems to creep into the tracks of other artists. Overall, there is a clean, well written vibe to this group that will bring them to where they want to be in the music world as well as in their careers as performers.
Canadian folk/rock band Reuben and the Dark has released their brand new music video for their single, “Hurricane”. Reuben and the Dark is composed of Reuben Bullock , Shea Alain, Brock Geiger, Ian Jarvis, and Dino Soares. The video for Hurricane is a treat for the eyes, full of interpretive dancing, ethereal costumes, and creative camera angles with a barren landscape background (the video was taken close to Joshua Tree National Park). The choreography for the video was done by Megan Lawson, who has worked with Madonna and Katy Perry, among others.
Aside from the beautiful visuals, the vocals and performance of frontman and songwriter Reuben Bullock is fantastic. Not only does his music create a stunning aural experience, but the concept behind the video is also amazing. The overall experience is an overwhelmingly creative and well-developed endeavor. Check out “Hurricane” and more by Reuben and the Dark.
NY-based alternative rock project Snow Villain has just released the new single ”Torches”, ahead of the upcoming EP 1 which is scheduled to be released April 27, 2018. All of the music that has been released by this group has featured raw, real sounds that highlights an honest view of central figure Grant Goldsworthy’s life while writing all of the music. Not only are the vocals perfectly adapted to match the rawness of the instrumental artistry, but the guitar riffs radically enhance the listening experience and bring exhilarating energy into the room. Unlike their other releases in the past, “Torches” has made the group dig deep inside themselves in order to portray the emotion behind the lyrics of this track.
Not only is their music lyrical genius, but is also highlights personal struggles that are faced by the general -public. Namely, self discovery and redefinition of the self. Although this band prides themselves on being, “often misunderstood, but appreciated,” there is something is this song for everyone and has the potential to reach a very general and wide audience. Currently, the band is looking forward to the EP release in April, but fans are hoping to hear more from them as soon as possible.
Barrence Whitfield & The Savages get it right with their new album Soul Flowers of Titan. The album consists of twelve songs that leave no disappointment, each song filled with soul that makes you want to get up and move. With sounds that make you feel as though it was made back in the 70s or 80s, the album has a unique and fun feel to it. The album is filled with a rock and soul mixture that sounds straight out of an 80s movie.
“Slowly Losing My Mind” is the first song from the album. The song starts off with an upbeat tempo that is a great song to begin an album with. The song is a mixture of rock and blues which makes it a great opening track for the album. “Let’s Go to Mars” is another unique song that shows proof that you can do anything you set your mind to.
“I’m Gonna Leave You” is a track that talks about a woman doing you wrong. The protagonist leaves the woman due to her infidelity. The last song on the album is “Don’t Say Goodbye” which is a great way to end the album.
Barrence Whitfield & The Savages maintain their signature sound from years previous, proving that you can disappear for a length of time and still make great music. Soul Flowers of Titan is one of the greatest rock soul albums of this decade.
Soul Flowers of Titan is out March 2nd. Keep up with the band here.
