Nashville-based pop/rock quintet Pet Envy – comprised of Shelbi Albert, Jake Diggity, Matthew Singler, Jordan Kiatt, and Emma Lambiase – has really created some magic with their new dual track release Stripped Down Mixed Up Vol 1., due out Friday March 2nd. A luscious, sweet sound comes withe vocals and instrumentals, and mental struggle unwinding with the lyrics. We find ourselves completely captivated by Shelbi’s penchant for silky smooth harmonies.
Contrastingly, we are brought into a more EDM soundscape by the Foxy Lingo remix of their already stunning track “Lock and Key”. This time around, the vocals reach Ellie Goulding-esque ranges, and we’re moved to dance into the wee hours of the morning with this fluid, seductive vibe-inducing track as the backdrop.
Brooklyn-based indie quartet RANN just released the second track from their upcoming EP, Renegade Holiday. RANN’s sound has been described as indie rock, dream pop, and psych punk which all seem fitting as their latest release, “Renegade Holiday,” has a variety of musical elements creating the perfect eclectic mix.
“Renegade Holiday,” the album’s title track, starts with a heavy drum rhythm that eases into an electronic synth instrumental. When the vocals appear, the song takes a dreamy, ethereal direction that is both calming and exciting at the same time. The song’s pounding rhythm and uplifting instrumental propel the song forward as the airy vocals create the perfect indie atmosphere. RANN’s “Renegade Holiday” cohesively blends instrumental and vocals to create an impeccably constructed track that makes the perfect edition to any playlist.
Since the beginning of his career, Dave Goddess has brought authenticity and solid vocals to the music scene. Not only does this group bring a raw talent to the fans that adore them, but they also bring out the best of rock n’ roll. Modeled after some of the most iconic musicians in the history of music such as Elvis, The Stones and Tom Petty this band has hit the rock n’ roll scene with a force that has been unmatched. Goddess’ songs have a knack of writing songs that touch the deepest part of the soul and ring true with the heart’s desires.
Goddess’ newest release, “Last of the West Side Cowboys,” has all of these same qualities and even more. Truly it portrays all of the rough and ragged, but beautiful parts of the human soul. A unique aspect of this new single is that it tells a story that hasn’t been heard before in the world of music. This will surly set the group apart going forward in their career. This new single, however, is not their first. In the past, they have also released singles that have brought fans out from all corners of the earth to hear them perform live. Fans and critics alike are looking forward to seeing just how far Goddess and his group will go.
Toronto-bred pop/rock duo Darcys – comprised of Jason Couse & Wes Marskell – has certainly been making its mark on the world with its own unique style of energetic tracks. While the guys were busy prepping to release the new music video for their track “Virtual Reality” – which will take you back in time with fun effects that trigger your nostalgic heartstrings – we got a few minutes to chat with them about their process. (Hint: Coffee is key, but you’ll be witness to their infectious energy that may or may not actually require a shot of caffeine.)
What is the first song you remember hearing? What song prompted your love for music?
Steely Dan’s “Aja“, Prince’s “1999“, Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous“, there’s just so many. Music feels good to listen to and even better to play. That kinda love doesn’t need much prompting.
You’ve created a variety of music from road trip anthems to happy holiday tunes. What is your favorite song that you’ve recorded so far? Why?
Black Diamonds. Every time I hear that song I congratulate myself for bringing it into this world. I don’t know what it is, but I really really love it.
What does a typical day look like for The Darcys?
Smoothie, coffee, Abelton, sandwich, coffee, Abelton. It’s pretty simple. Every day we’re in the studio trying to get inspired and create something that’s going to last. Something better the the record before, something we think will challenge our audience and something that will bring our band to a new place.
What is the creative process like for you when creating a new song/album?
It’s different every time. It’s about getting inspired and wanting to do something you love and care about. Our current workflow is much quicker than it’s been in the past and the new sounds reflects that. Still not sure where it’s going, but I’m digging it so far.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I do 40 push-ups, drink a double vodka soda and kiss Jason on the mouth.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music? Any certain feeling?
I try not to think too much about how the listener is going to interpret what we do because that makes creating more difficult. Centerfold, to me, was the ultimate escapism record. If you can listen to some of the songs and forget about some your bad for just a few minutes, I’m happy.
How would you describe your music using a GIF or video?
What are you currently working on? What do you think fans will be excited about in the future?
We’ve been deep in production and song-writing for a number of different artists. Lots of cuts are coming out this year and I think our core fans will be able to hear a few Darcys easter eggs.
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.
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.
Moving to Omaha has set High Up‘s lead vocalist Christine Fink on the path of fame and has brought her closer to a dream that had previously seemed unreachable. Since the move, Fink has performed on the stages of her community and hasn’t failed to deliver an experience worth more than the price of the ticket. Her first glimpse of glory was at local karaoke bar and at Sheffield’s Old Town Tavern where her sister Orenda – also a musical prodigy – saw her bring the house down. Christine has continued to prove her knack for soul singing by rocking out at every performance. After much discussion, Fink decided to join with her sister and work on what would become her debut record, High Up. Not only would this release showcase the sisters strengths, but it would also mark the beginning of a journey for the pair.
High Up is a collaboration of not only skillful songwriting from Orenda and soulful singing from Christine, but it also features a mash-up of styles and sounds. While working on their sophomore project – You Are Here, out today – the sisters incorporated aspects of indie, punk and soul that would separate the sisters from the other new and upcoming artists. Surely, with the talent so effortlessly expressed in previously released work, the future is bright for this powerful duo.
You Are Here is out today. Keep up with High Up here.
Last night in New York City on a balmy 70 degree February evening Storytown played a stripped down acoustic set at Manhattan venue The Bowery Electric. The group who usually plays with a full four piece set up reduced the size without reducing the sound, performing an intimate set with only an acoustic guitar and acoustic bass. The set felt honest and personal. Guy Story – the guitarist and vocalist – led us into the songs with a memory, anecdote, or a frame of reference about how the music came to be.
The band have a unique sound in the modern Indie Rock climate. Picture David Byrne and Michael Stipe recording an album together with modern day world issues and modern production technology. If you can mentally piece that together you might have a good idea where Storytown’s sound begins. Storytown will be releasing an album later this year.
Thirteen years ago, Gibby Paul and Kix Mead, as University of Kansas students in Lawrence, formed the dream pop group Mammoth Life. They eventually relocated to San Francisco where they continued to play and record for several years. Now Gibby Paul has his own gig, expanding his vocal chops while still shredding on the guitar. The four-piece is already playing sets in the Bay area, shaking shit off the walls to warm folks up to their debut album, So Savage, set to drop this spring, with a big grin, on 4/20.
Two singles, with videos, from the LP have already dropped. The fun and raucous “Rock N Roll” was shot on location in the Pill Hill area of Oakland with a good dose of world-class air guitar. “Not the Only One” is a wonderfully trippy take on heartbreak, complete with vintage pop imagery.
Ideally, what would be the role of social media for Gibby Paul?
Social media for GP is to be a glimpse into my rock n’ roll reality. You know, like me getting loaded on speed, or pissing off the porch, or like ripping a Telecaster guitar and making it scream. Bong rips, chef boyar-D, passed out in a pile of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans…Taco Bell, cigarettes, LP records and teenage rebellion.
What elements of instrumentation have been essential to you throughout your career?
I love rock n’ roll. At this point in my career, I let the venues we play dictate the instrumentation that is essential to me with as few people as possible on stage playing. I like guitars, bass and drums. I like tube watts, and sub tones. Fuzz rock and dark rooms. I wanna bring it back to its roots.
Your video for “Rock N Roll” was filmed in the heart of Oakland, California. What do you like about the music culture there?
Oakland is the last of the old wild west. Grime and stickiness and sex and drugs all are prevalent and easily accessible here and are granted free flow. I call West Oakland and Pill Hill our rock n’ roll playground. ‘Cause you can have an awful lot of fun and a gorgeous stage to let the rock n’ roll commence and unfold upon. It is a beautiful and inspiring backdrop to score music to.
When will you be going on the road with your music? Any plans for a return to Lawrence, Kansas?
We will be touring on and off throughout all of 2018. I wanna say we will be back in LFK and KC, MO this summer.
What would you pay $1,000 to see?
If I had a thousand bones floating around, I’d buy another guitar.
